The House (Part 1)

“Sometimes we don’t realize what we’ve lost. Just that simple, sometimes it’s just...gone. But the truth is maybe we never had it in the first place. I loved you and I still love you, but I can’t be with you because I’m married.” The note was simple, Beth was always blunt and “to the point”. That’s what I loved about her. I remember thinking to myself “I wish she was with me on this job.” Our crew pulled up to the house; it was old and rickety with garbage scattered on the overgrown lawn from all the neighborhood parties. The roof was practically Swiss cheese with all the holes torn in it from the horrible weather on the Upper East Coast. The old house was on an island on the east side of the country and it was rare that a mansion this old would still be standing after being left alone for so long. “Wow baby, when I agreed to marry you I didn’t think that I’d be coming up home to such a swank house!” Bobby chimed with a sarcastic smirk. Bobby was a great friend and we founded our research team together back when all we had was an EMF reader and a couple disposable camera’s. He’s been with me through thick and thin. Cocky little twerp though but it made things interesting. We ran a skeleton crew for this job, so there were only two people left to arrive. Bobby and I looked at each other with expecting glances, and I could see that he was excited as I was to do this place. We started our team with the goal of investigating the ghosts of this old place. I walked up towards the porch and I could see that most of the boards were either ripped off completely or worn down to practically nothing. The door was previously boarded up from the city, but those boards were removed so that we could enter. The city wanted to tear the place down years ago but a huge protest kept the place listed as a “House of History”. Too bad it’s title wasn’t good enough to convince the tightwads in office to fix it up. I suppose half the reason we were invited to investigate the mansion was due to someone sucking up to the Mayor. I grabbed the key out of my bag and a flood of nausea filled my stomach. “This don’t feel right without you Beth.” The words barely escaped my lips hidden like a chameleon under my breath. Just as I wiggled the key into the lock the other van showed up.

“You’re not going to go ghost hunting without us are you?” I hear Rachel’s voice chime from the walkie talkie and I could barely catch a glimpse of her smiling from the dust on the front windshield of the second van. Rachel was a bit of a firecracker, but underneath she was a bit self conscious. It was sad really, she was a very attractive woman but never believed it a day in her life. She and I had been friends for a very long time, and I trusted her with my life. “Where’s Mac?” I asked a bit confused. “He got food poisoning last night and I had to leave him at the hotel. “Crap we’re short handed as is. Ah well I suppose we make due with what we have.” I was extremely disappointed but at least we could go on with our investigation. We had a rule that we never go without at least a team of three or more.

“Hey Rachel tell your boyfriend to stop eating the chicken!” He choked out while laughing at his own joke. She looked at him with a glare that would make Death herself shiver. As usually he just shrugged it off since he was used to getting that look from her. In fact we named that look “Lee” after his middle name. He hobbled over to me carrying several cases and a duffel wrapped over one shoulder. Putting down the cases he pat me on the back and whispered “Now’s your chance you’ve got her all night!” into my ear. Bobby had it in his mind that Rachel had been attracted to me for sometime but I just wasn’t seeing it. She and I had been friends far too long, and whatever chances I had were gone years ago. Still it was an interesting thought. I shook my head trying to clear the thought’s out so I could focus and grabbed cases to bring into the house.

Walking into the old place I instantly understood why it has a reputation for being haunted. That fact kind of disappointed me. You see the creepy old houses are usually just fine. They just tend to get that reputation because they look creepy, but this house had some history to it too. The owner of the house, killed his wife, two kids, and all the servants in the house before ending his own life out by an old willow tree. “Let’s see if we can find the tree where Bartholomew shot himself.” I told Bobby. “Alright can we do it after I hook up these camera’s? I really want to get these set up before dark.” I was frustrated, but more at the fact that we were down a man on the only team we could muster for this job. “Why don’t you take Rachel? Get pictures!” He said with a smug grin from ear to ear. “I’m starting to understand why she gives you those looks bud.” He sobered up slightly and continued to unpack the camera’s.

I was walking towards the servant’s bedroom where Rachel was setting up some equipment and I felt a dull ache at the base of my skull towards my neck. I shook it off probably stress, but the closer I got to the bed chambers, the further up my head the pain reached. Once I got to the door my vision blurred from the searing pain. My eyes closed involuntarily and I dropped to my knees. A high pitched whine burned itself straight into my brain through my ears. As the ringing cleared up it started to turn into the laughter of children running through a house. I opened my eyes to see the entire room changed and everything was faded into a yellowish tint. You could hear a piano playing in the den and a child ran past almost knocking me over. She was wearing an old fashioned dress and the boy that was chasing her held a frog in his hand screaming “Kiss it! Kiss it! He’s a prince, he’s a prince!” The house no longer looked broken down and in fact it looked like it had fresh paint on some of the walls. I was near the servants quarters, confused and bewildered the only thing I could think to do is walk into the bedroom. As I reached closer to room the door slowly opened and I saw Rachel in an old but beautiful red evening gown draped every so gently over her surprisingly sensual body. She had a blank stare in her eyes, and in her hand was a surgical scalpel covered in blood dripping from her clenched fist. “Did you say something about the tree?”

She Needs to Know

I woke up late like usual. My dream was rather disappointing. I was groggy, more wore out than usual. I hadn’t drunk in a while and I was having cravings. My vision was blurred but slowly starting to clear. The room was dark and chilly, the kind of cold that rattles the bones. How can it be getting this cold so early I remember thinking to myself. Just then my smart phone across the room on my desk lit up and the vibration caused a deep rattling sound in the wood. “Great it’s time.” I muttered under my breath. It was finally time and the night had arrived faster than I expected. I had mixed feelings about what was going to happen tonight. I was a hot mix of excited, scared, nervous and aroused. So many questions were going to be answered tonight. Answered without a single word uttered. I looked around my room with my vision fully returned. Still in the dark I grasped my black eyeglasses and looked to the light switch. I flicked it on and the searing pain from the light burned itself straight into my brain through my eyes. I wondered if it was going to be worse than that when all is said and done. I threw on a pair of jeans and tossed on my deep purple button up shirt. I left it unbuttoned as I walked to the door. When I opened the door it was if a large wall of heat blasted me from head to toe. I remember thinking that they must have turned on the heater during the day. I continued on heading towards my ultimate goal of the bathroom. I stopped in my tracks, as something seemed strange as I walked across the kitchen.

I felt a presence that I hadn’t noticed before. I assumed my brother had brought home a date or something. He was freshly single and prone to habits like that. I walked into the bathroom shut the door and flicked on the light. This time the burning light wouldn’t let go of my eyes and I had to look directly at the floor for a few minutes longer. I looked myself over in the mirror, shaved and cleaned my teeth. When I was done I smiled a large toothy grin and examined my teeth. “I wonder how much these will change in the morning?” Once again asking myself questions that would seem odd to any other man not in my position. I soon left the bathroom after my nightly routine was completed.

Upon entering my room, I reared my head and cocked my torso to look behind me. A blanket lay slightly wadded up on the couch. Someone had come to spend the night. Fearing the worst I buttoned up my shirt leaving the top button undone out of habit. Put on my old tennis shoes, grabbed my phone, wallet and a pair of head phones. I made my way to the front of the house quietly and walked out the door. Along the way I sensed that the person on the couch had awoke from her slumber. I couldn’t tell who the woman was at first but by the groaning of her voice she seemed a few years younger than myself. Once I stepped outside the chill of the night and the smells of freshly burned leaves assaulted my senses. “Autumn already.” I said in a low soft tone. I attached my headphones to my cell phone and walked off pretending to listen to music. This was a habit I had picked up in college, I would routinely be bothered while studying so I began doing this as a method for avoiding distraction.

Knowing some time had to be passed before the meeting would take place I decided to walk to the ATM. Once I was at the corner of the block I caught a whiff of an extremely familiar smell. So that’s who the woman on the couch was. I thought to myself as I nonchalantly continued my walk. The woman stayed several yards behind me thinking that I wouldn’t notice her presence. Allowing her to continue her ruse I continued on to the bank. Once there I walked to the podium brightly lit and well guarded by security cameras. Checking my account I realized an abnormal sum of money had been placed in my account. It must have been the payment for my last job.  “Took it long enough.” I said smarting off to the inanimate ATM machine. I caught a glimpse of the girl as she dodged around the corner trying to avoid being seen. A sly smirk came across my face as this happened “This is going to be good” I whispered to myself quietly.

Continuing on I looked at my phone for the time. I still had a few minutes till my meeting so I decided to make this plot thicken for my pursuer. I lead her a long a confusing path around the small town. The town itself consistently reminded me of an old horror game location due to its old buildings and constant fog. The streetlights were old and black but the yellow glow gave everything surrounding it a nice tint. Yes night times here are very peaceful. Most of the tenants of this little village were older or retired making me one of the very few younger residents. I was also one of the fewer that came outside this time of night. The people in this town will never admit to it but there is something “off” about this town at night. They know exactly what it is but I believe it’s fear that keeps them quiet.

Continuing onto my other sibling’s house knowing that they would be awake at this hour I walked in and spoke to them for a few moments before once again leaving for my meeting. Looking at my phone once more I realized it was getting close to time. I proceeded to an old school building that had been shut down years ago. The place was old and nearly falling apart. Although it became the centerpiece of a town long since forgotten by big cities and businesses the town counsel didn’t see fit to maintain the large 3-story brick building. Sometimes a few local teens would break in to check it out.  But tonight it was quiet, an eerie sort of quiet that sinks in more than the loudest concert ever could. Once at the door I received another text.

“The key is in the box. I will see you soon darling” I looked around and saw nothing. But upon turning around I noticed a small box laying on a large rock. How could I have not noticed that before? I walked to the box and grabbed the key from inside. A note was attached to the box that said; “The contents of this box will open the door to my gift to you. -D”

I put the box back down since I didn’t want to ruin the night’s plans, and walked back to the door. Inching the key into the lock I could smell my lonely stalkers perfume once again. Smiling I opened the door and walked in leaving the door opened. I wanted her to see what was about to happen. Following the path to the room where the meeting is, I saw lots of graffiti and junk lying around. Old beer can’s and bottles. Condom wrappers and pill bottles were strewn about as well. I remembered seeing things like this a lot when I lived in the city. I walk towards the room and I see a man standing at a closed door. He looks at me with a blank yet stern stare I can’t seem to put my finger on. His bright blue eyes pierce through the dark and a small shaft of light shines on his lip from a hole in a blanket on the window. “Right this way Robert. Danika is looking forward to your meeting.” The man says as he turns to open the door. “So am I.” I admit.

He pulls me away before allowing me to enter “You have been followed sir how would you like me to deal with this?” “Let her pass and don’t alarm her. She needs to see this.” He nods his head once and allows me to enter the room freely. From there he stops guarding the door and enters with me.  There was a small table in the center of the room and several candles lit around the room. All of the windows were blacked out with heavy dark red blankets. Since this was a school the room was practically covered with windows. A plate of a fine meal was laid out on the table in front of an old school chair with the attached desk ripped off. A wine glass was placed next to the plate, which was also empty. The doorman walked to the corner of the room and sat down reading some kind of old book and remained there quietly.  In one area of the room a woman with dark bown hair stood at the window peaking out of a slight opening in the makeshift curtain.

“Sorry for the low brow location but you understand our need for discretion.” The woman said eloquently and with a smoky voice that was as enchanting as the day I met her. She walked closer now allowing me to see her face; she had pale flawless skin with a slender body and a black dress that seemed to be attached to her perfect skin. Her eyes were a bright almost glowing green, which the blackest part of her eyes almost sparkled in the light of the candles. “You haven’t aged a day.” I said softly smiling at her. “I’m glad you still find me attractive Robert even though we haven’t spoken in person since you were fifteen.” “I’ll never know why you chose me but I learned to stop questioning provenance a long time ago.” I replied as we both smiled intimately at each other.  “You know I can smell her, why is she here?” She asked politely with a hint of frustration. “I thought it would be good for her to see this. Don’t let on you know of her presence.” I whispered mischievously. Once again a sly smile appears but this time Danika is the one who is impressed. “I see you’ve done well in my absence both with women and with money.” She notes elegantly as always. “It was your teaching that helped me.” My answer seemed to pull a bit at a heart that was no longer there.

I eat the meal in front of her as I had gotten used to doing when I was a teenager. The doorman puts down his book and brings over an old bottle. He then pours a red wine like liquid into the glass beside me. “I trust that you haven’t drunk anything in a few days?” The man asks clinically. “Of course. I know the procedure.” I reply just as emotionless. The woman looks at me intently asking if I’m ready. I nod and the man hands me the glass as she already has her own.

We both smile and drink the liquid. It tastes warm and thick, burning its way down into my body. It’s a bitter taste, much more bitter than I had imagined. I felt an ache in the pit of my stomach like it had a slit ripped into it. I fell off of the chair and a rush of energy exploded through my body and I felt hotter than anything I had ever felt in my entire life. It was excruciatingly painful and I started to scream out in agony. Danika walked over calmly and pulled my twitching body up off the ground effortlessly. “Shhhhh it’s going to be okay.” She whispers into my ear. Just then my senses roared to life and I could experience everything my senses could envelope in such an extreme way that the mere act of describing it would do it an injustice.  Due to this I hear the young woman in the doorway. Her heartbeat was racing and her breathing was so heavy. I almost felt sorry for her in that moment. But like I had mentioned before she needed to see this. Sadly in that instant I also noticed her run from the hallway and out of the schoolhouse. “Pity, she looked tasty.” The doorman chuckled as Danika gazed deeply into my eyes. Her eyes were serious but calming and her presence soothed the pain in my body. Still twitching she leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips. The sensation of her kiss was the most intense experience I have ever known. The rush of everything my body had to give immediately stopped my twitching and I felt as if I was melting. As she pulled her lips from mine I felt a longing I had never known before tonight. “See that’s better now isn’t it?” She smiled with her teeth almost glimmering from the candles.

At that point she leaned down to kiss my neck gently at first. Then she bit down as surgically as possible. It felt like she was injecting a wonderful unknown drug into my veins and indescribable calm swept over my mind as she drained my essence from me. I started to breathe much more heavy now. A hint of panic rose in my mind for the briefest of moments and then I was calm as ever. At that instant I fell into a deep sleep.

Upon waking up I found myself once again in my own bed, surprisingly energized and a text shown brightly over my phone.  Ignoring it for a moment I put on my clothes and completed my nightly routine. I looked at my laptop, which somehow had been turned on. It looked as if I had missed an entire day. Finally I looked at my text and it was from Danika. “I had fun last night and I miss you already. Now we’re together forever.” A sly smile crept up on my newly formed teeth.

A knock sounds on my bedroom door. “It’s open.”  I say calmly. My Ex fiancé Jennifer walks in and says; “Where were you last night baby, I came to try and make up but you left without saying goodbye.” I looked at the young woman and with a smile I replied; “I just needed to go out for a bite.”

It was Dark

It was dark, darker than usual. Most nights in this hole in the wall town were dark and quiet. But this was different. It was a dark you could almost…. feel.  Walking down the quiet block the streetlights gave the empty highway an eerie orange/yellow glow.  It was only slightly foggy tonight, which gave substance to the dim lights and the empty buildings. The town was old and it had a few buildings left from when alcohol was illegal. My brother and I would explore the old abandoned structures for old whiskey and shiners’ wine when we were younger. I had forgotten how peaceful it could be, but tonight was different.  It wasn’t peaceful at all in fact it felt malevolent.  The air was filled with tension as I continued from the gas station where I bought my energy drink. Sadly in this tiny town the gas station is the local “hot spot” where all the older guys hang out. It’s also the only place open at this time of night. The entire time I was walking around listening to music from my headphones I could feel like someone was following me. “It’s not possible”, I thought to myself. “Nobodies’ up at 3 am around here except me.” Still I couldn’t shake the feeling.

I pressed on, remembering places in town that caused memories to flood back. I hadn’t been back here since graduating college. Not much has changed, I walked by the park where I used to take girls late at night and watch the stars. I saw the pavilion where my brother got married. “That was a good day”, I murmured out loud to myself as I walked by. I had almost forgotten how freaked out I was getting when I saw something move behind the pavilion.  I removed my headphones and called out “Anyone out there?”, nothing.  I decided it was starting to get a little too late and I started heading home.  On the way home I felt like I was being followed.  I looked behind me and I saw a shadow moving closer.  It didn’t seem to be attached to a person though. It crept closer and it seemed almost alive. I could feel a sense of dread wash over me like the night sky avoiding the light of day.

I started to run. I knew it couldn’t be anything but I ran regardless. The faster I went the more fear I felt, I looked back at the on coming shadow and it as moving at a blinding speed. The only thing holding it back was the regular waves of streetlights bathing circles of light into the road.  I couldn’t breath, I didn’t know if it was from the fear or from the running but I did know it was getting closer. I stopped in a streetlights precious radiance and the shadow hit the beam of light and bounced off like it was a brick wall. It let out a sickening shriek that seemed to echo on forever. It was so loud that the sheer force of the sound brought me to my knees. Shaking and out of breath I looked up and it was gone. Not like you could tell though, given that everything outside the lights was cloaked in darkness.

Then all of the sudden I see off in the distance one of the streetlamps started to flicker. Then all the sudden it was out. All of the lights except for the one I’m under started flickering at once.

This can’t be happening! I think to myself as the shrieks fill the air and the lights go haywire. All of the sudden the lights stop flickering and remain strong. I breathe a sigh of relief for the briefest moment until the light I’m under suddenly shuts off. Quickly I run to the next and the next as the lights shut off as I reach them as if by some sick predestined sequence. I don’t dare look back this time as the sound of whatever devil the night has summoned comes closer with every moment. Finally I reach my dad’s house at the end of the street and I open the door and slam it shut behind me. I quickly turn on every light I can find. Nobody is in the house except me since I was asked to house sit for the summer.  “What is that thing?” I yell half out of breath from the running and panic.  The pain from my asthma finally sinks in and I double over due to the stabbing pain in my side. Once again the lights flicker and shudder when the high-pitched wailing sound edges closer and closer. My breathing is really starting to become shallow and I struggled to keep myself standing. I could feel my consciousness fading and everything starts to go dark. I drop to my knees but I barely feel the impact.  From light feeling in my head I know I’m about to go out. If I go out, I will die. If I…. die…

I wake up groggy. The lights burn into my eyes and I move my arms to rub my eyes and I feel the pull of the I.V. on my hand.  “Where am I?” I mutter out. “You’re in the hospital. You really had me scared!” A familiar voice replies. I look around the room and finally I see Jennifer, her raven hair and fair skin never looked so inviting. “It was awful! I thought I’d never see you again.”

I stare at her as she smiles at me walking towards the light switch. “You need some rest baby.” I panic and start to protest but she doesn’t listen. “Get some rest and I’ll see you in a few hours. I love you.” I reach out my hand to try in vain to stop her but her finger flicks the switch and shuts the door. Then a gravel filled voice spurts out, “Your soul is mine now!”