The House

Mythology and Folklore had just wrapped up and students were eagerly filing out of the lecture hall. Professor Sharp was putting his notes away when he was approached by Sarah Winstead, one of his most underachieving students.

"Professor Sharp," said Sarah.

"Ah, Miss Winstead, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"I was wondering if I could have a little more time to turn in my term paper," said Sarah. "I just need a few more days."

"I already let you turn in your last paper after the deadline," said Professor Sharp. "If the other students find out I'm giving you an extension, then they're all going to want the same. And I have to turn in your grades soon. I just don't have enough time. I need your paper by next Friday."

Sarah didn't say another word, the look on her face was enough to show how she was feeling.

"How's your mother doing?" asked Professor Sharp.

"She's still the same," replied Sarah.

"I know times are pretty tough for you right now. You should be commended for all of your hard work up to this point. But even Superman has his limits."

"If you give me just a few extra days," said Sarah. "I know I can finish my paper."

"It's not just the paper, Sarah. The score on your midterm wasn't great. Even if you ace the final, I don't see very much hope of you passing this class."

"Please, Professor Sharp, there has to be something more I can do. Like doing an extra credit project."

"I don't typically give extra credit."

Sarah looked to be on the verge of tears.

"Look, come talk to me during my office hours later today," said Professor Sharp. "We'll see if we can come up with something."

Sarah did as her professor suggested and paid a visit to his office later that day. When she got there she found a group of students already talking to Professor Sharp. "Oh, you're busy," said Sarah. "I'll come back later."

"No, no, come in," said Professor Sharp. "You're right on time. These are some of my students from my other classes."

Sarah smiled and gave them a polite wave hello, prompting them to do the same.

"Jake here brought something to my attention a couple days ago that really piqued my interest," said Professor Sharp.

"Well, we all know why we're here, right?" asked Jake. "We all want to get our grade a little higher."

"Or a lot higher," added DeShawn, another one of the students invited to the meeting.

"So what I proposed to Professor Sharp was a little extra credit project," said Jake.

"What kind of project?" asked Melanie, a girl whose complete lack of focus had her failing more than one class.

"We're going in search of a house," replied Jake.

"So you want to buy a new house?" asked Greg, who was quickly smacked in the arm by his girlfriend Hillary.

"No, no, no, not a new house, an old one," said Jake. "Us being in a folklore class, it makes perfect sense."

"I don't get it," said DeShawn.

"The house may or may not exist," said Professor Sharp.

"Yeah, that doesn't exactly clear things up," added Hillary.

"Legend has it that there's a house somewhere in the woods that serves as one of the entrances to Hell," said Jake.

"What?" said Greg. "Get outta here."

"No, it's true," said Jake. "At least, it's supposed to be true. You know how legends are."

"And you want us to find this place?" asked Hillary. "So we can get dragged down to Hell?"

"Better than being on academic probation," joked Greg.

"Legends like these are never a hundred percent true," explained Professor Sharp. "What we want is to find why these myths and legends exist in the first place. Are they cautionary tales or some sort of scare tactic to control people?"

"So if we head into the woods and find nothing, we still get the extra credit?" asked DeShawn.

"As long as you've proven that you gave a conscious effort to find this place, yes," replied Professor Sharp. "All I want is notes and photographs documenting your experience. You've got a holiday coming up, which means a three day weekend to complete your project. Sound simple enough?"

"So we're not getting dragged down to Hell?" asked Hillary.

"Only if you vote for the wrong candidate for president," joked Professor Sharp. When nobody laughed, he immediately moved the conversation along. "Sarah, you've been awfully quiet over there. What do you think?"

"I was just taking everything in," replied Sarah. "If you're serious about this, then I'm in. I need all the help I can get."

"Great," said Professor Sharp. "I know Jake's in. What about the rest of you?"

"Get a passing grade for going for a hike in the woods, count me in," said DeShawn.

"What have I got to lose?" said Melanie. "I'll do it."

"So will we," added Hillary, answering for both she and Greg, as had become customary in their relationship.

"Sounds like we have a project," said Professor Sharp. "I'll leave the logistics of this project up to all of you."

"Cool," said Greg. "Easy A, here I come."

"Settle down, tiger," said Hillary. "We're just trying to pass the class, not make the dean's list."

In a life that was filled with so much sadness and so very many disappointments, Sarah was beginning to feel a small sense of hope that things were going to get better.