Nina, Ryan, and Alyssa were third graders in Mount Laurel Township Schools and the best of friends. Every day after school, they went to Laurel Acres Park or took turns playing at each other’s houses. Today they went over to Alyssa’s house. Alyssa’s family lived in the historic Schoolmaster's/Caretaker’s House on Moorestown-Mount Laurel Road.

Their teacher, Mrs. Flynn, assigned a project on Burlington County, and the kids were excited to work cooperatively. Alyssa’s mom said, “Let me see what you have to do for your project.” Alyssa handed her mom the outline from her teacher.
Her mom read aloud to the kids, “Okay, it looks like you have to report on the history of our county, give information on natural resources, education, government and create a timeline on transportation. You should include maps and some information on Burlington County as it is today. You’ll want to find lots of items for your oral presentation, too.” The kids looked very overwhelmed.

“I know a lot about Mount Laurel, but I’m not going to be much help with Burlington County,” Alyssa’s mom said.

"Mom, even I know that Burlington County is the largest county in New Jersey. Get this, it stretches all the way from the Delaware River to the Great Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, but I don’t know much about its history,” Alyssa added, beginning to wonder.

Mom suggested that they begin by looking for props for their project in the attic. After all, this house was a part of history some 200 years ago.

"That’s a great idea!” the kids said.

They climbed the stairs to the attic door, but found the door was stuck.

"Are you sure the door is unlocked?” questioned Ryan.

"Yeah, my mom told us to come up here didn’t she?” Alyssa answered.

Pushing with his shoulder, Ryan grunted and shoved with all of his might. The door finally flew open. A strong stinky odor made them gasp, and brought tears to their eyes as the kids stepped into the dark room. Ryan was startled when the floor creaked and moaned beneath him. There were creepy shadows everywhere. As their eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, they looked to the right and saw stacks of hanging clothes, an old set of golf clubs, and a huge stuffed teddy bear.

“Alyssa, isn’t there a light in this place?” whispered Nina.

“Yeah, there’s a string right over there,” pointed Alyssa.

Ryan reached for the string and gave it a good tug. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the light came on. There, under the light, sat a wooden horse atop a battered, dusty trunk.

“Ewww! That’s where that weird odor is coming from,” squeaked Nina to her friends.

"Maybe! Let’s see what’s inside!” suggested Ryan

"I’m not going anywhere near that thing!” whined Nina.

"Don’t be such a baby! I’ll do it!” snapped Alyssa.

Cautiously, Alyssa approached the smelly trunk with her two friends following closely behind. With trembling fingers, she slowly reached out and hesitantly grasped the rusty latch. Taking a deep breath, she quickly flipped the latch up, and lifted the old lid so it was slightly ajar. It was opened just enough to fit a small hand inside. Alyssa and Ryan both looked at Nina who was trembling, and tried to hide her arms in her sleeves.

It seemed like forever before Nina reluctantly said, “All right, all right, I’ll do it!”

With her eyes squeezed shut, she slowly slipped her hand into the mysterious trunk.
As she reached in, Nina suddenly began screaming, “I’m afraid! I’m afraid!”

“You can do it! We know you can!” encouraged Alyssa and Ryan.

“Okay, I’ll try,” said Nina as she reached further into the dark space.
Nina’s hand rested upon something soft and familiar. Her fear vanished as she calmly pulled out what looked like the collar of her mom’s fur coat.

"Eww! What a smell!” as they all held their noses.

Nina gingerly placed it on the floor and coaxed her friends to touch the stinky black and white hide.

As the friends grabbed hold of it, the room suddenly began to spin...and spin…and spin. Hand in hand, with eyes shut tightly, they spiraled down…down…down…until…