WAIT and SEE- short story by Rachel Morgan

[rachy]

WAIT AND SEE


“Knock, Knock”.
“Who’s there?”
“Wait and see”.

That was the only message on the answering machine. It disturbed Gloria, two voices one was cold and sinister the other a female’s voice fearful and meek. What was going on? That was the second time that message had been left on the answering machine in the last twelve hours. Maybe she should phone the police? No, no it was just someone playing a prank, maybe an unsatisfied customer to the B&B, maybe even a crossed line. She would wait and see what happened, anyway, she had a few more guests checking in tonight than usual for this time of year, business had been slow.
Gloria positioned herself behind the small oak reception desk and scanned the list of those booking in tonight. The hotel was empty apart from her; however, five guests were due.
Mr and Mrs Anderson
Mr G. Howell
Mr F Rodgers
Ms L Botting
The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed seven. The front door opened and a suited man in his early forties strode up to the reception desk.
“Good Evening, welcome to the Bainbridge”.
“Hello, the name’s Rodgers, Frank Rodgers”.
“Ah yes, Mr Rodgers, you are booked in for two nights, if you’d like to follow me I will show you to your room it’s on the third floor, I’m sorry we don’t have a lift”.
“That’s fine I only have my brief case and holdall”.
“I take it you are away on business?
“Yes, I am a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company”.
“As well as serving full English I also do an evening meal at a small charge, would you like the meal this evening?
“Yes please”.
“Good, it’s served at eight thirty in the breakfast come dining room”.
They made their way up the old wooden staircase towards the third floor. There were only two doors on the third floor. A large wooden framed print of a white and red lighthouse situated on a desolate rock being battered by a huge wave hung on the wall between the two doors.
“Here is your room Mr Rodgers, it’s got an excellent sea view”. Gloria walked over to the window and drew the curtains. “I am afraid we don’t have satellite television but we do have freeview. Now house rules, the front door is locked at ten thirty so please don’t be late in. Breakfast is served seven to eight and if you need any lunch the Smugglers Rest is just a twenty minute walk from here towards the lighthouse, they do excellent local produce meals”.
“Thank you ”.
“By the way my name’s Gloria and if you need anything don’t hesitate to pick up the telephone and press 0 and I’ll ignore it hehehe... no really if you need anything at all just give me a shout”.
“Thank you”.
“Have a pleasant stay I will see you at eight thirty”.
Frank surveyed his surroundings they weren’t bad it was nice and clean, no mini bar but at least he had a double bed to himself. A small portable television sat in the corner of the room along with a dark wooden wardrobe and two chairs and a little table. Frank decided he would have a little rest on his bed before he got ready for the evening meal.....what was the evening meal? He had forgotten to ask. It didn’t matter he was hungry and it sounded like it had started raining outside.
As Gloria came down the staircase she heard the brass bell on her reception desk chime. Stood by the reception desk was a couple who looked in their mid- fifties.
“Good evening”, said Gloria in her usual cheery manner.
“Evening, we have a room booked, Anderson”, responded the tall but slim man.
“Ah yes, you will be staying in room five it has an excellent view over the sea and you can even see the lighthouse.
“Oh, that sounds lovely”, said the rather plump Mrs Anderson.
Gloria settled the Andersons in their room and returned back to the reception desk. There were still two guests left to come. After waiting for twenty minutes Gloria decided that she would have to start preparing the evening meal.
After a short rest Frank decided to go down to the lounge area to see if there were any other guests in the hotel to speak to. The chintz covered lounge was empty, a little bar stood in the corner of the room. Frank sat himself down on the settee and decided to catch the evening news.
“This is the news at eight. Share prices have fallen sharply again for the second day running, are the government doing enough to avert this economic crisis? George Bradbury went to find out. ............................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................In other news storms are set to batter the North of England on Thursday night with near gale force winds expected..........And finally scientists from across Europe are celebrating tonight after the switching on the most powerful particle accelerator the world has ever seen. The accelerator has been up and running for the past thirteen hours, however, scientists say that it maybe months or even years before any definitive results are seen from the experiments, we’ll just have to wait and see”.
As Frank switched off the television he heard the front door open and a clip clopping sound along the hallway.
‘DING, DING, DING,DING,DING,DING (pause) DING,DING,DING,DI.....”Alright, Alright, I’m coming is there any need for that?? Shouted a flustered Gloria, “That bell’s an antique you know!” As Gloria came out from the dining room she could see that the reception area was empty, nobody was there. They must have gone looking around the B&B for her when they didn’t get a response, how rude Gloria thought to herself. “Hello is anybody there”, Gloria shouted out. There was no response Gloria went into the lounge to see if the mystery guest was in there. “Hello Mr Rodgers, seen anyone walking around the hotel have you?”
“No, there’s only me in here, but I heard all of the commotion at the reception desk”.
“Someone is playing silly beggars I don’t have time for this, dinner will be served in ten minutes Mr Rodgers”.
It was eight thirty and Frank decided it was time to go through to the dining room, he could hear some of the other guests trudging down the stairs.
Mr and Mrs Anderson sat themselves down in the small but comfortable dining room, there were four tables in total each able to seat four guests. Their table was directly in front of Frank’s table. Frank surveyed the evening menu.

Starter:
Leek and Potato Soup
Main Course:
Fresh local Sea Bass served with baby new potatoes
seasonal vegetables
Dessert:
Apple crumble with Custard
Or
Vanilla Ice Cream
Very nice Frank thought to himself much better than most of the guest houses he had stayed in and he had stayed in quite a few. He looked out of the large front window his table was situated beside. A strong wind was blowing heavy rain against the window, even the street lights appeared to be struggling in the wind as they seemed to sway from side to side. As Frank took a sip of water he heard the front door open and then slam shut. Then the clip clop again along the hallway.
Ding, ding, ding the bell was being roughly handled again. Gloria came walking hurriedly from the kitchen and went towards the reception. “Will you leave that bell alone!! She yelled. A woman in her mid-thirties stood next to the reception desk. Her long brown hair was soaked through. “I’ve only rang it a couple of times, surely that’s what it is there for?
‘You were ringing it like a maniac ten minutes ago”. Fumed Gloria
“I don’t know what you are talking about I have literally just arrived about thirty seconds ago”
“Really?
“Yes, and I must say if this is how you treat all your customers then it is a wonder you have any, in fact if it wasn’t raining so heavily outside then I would be finding another B&B to stay at”, the woman retorted angrily.
“I do apologise I have had a busy night, someone keeps ringing the bell....I thought it may have been you, I’m Gloria by the way”.
“Hmpf.. well the name’s Laura Botting”.
“Ah yes Miss Botting I have been expecting you, I’ll show you to your room and when you are ready I will serve you an evening meal... Would that be okay?
“Right, well I am famished....Thank you”.
Frank could hear the conversation in the reception as the two women’s voices had become quite raised. He wondered how long it was going to be before he finally got his evening meal.
After around ten minutes Gloria came into the dinning room and served the evening meal to her three guests. The sound of clip clopping heels could be heard along the corridor again. In strode Miss Botting and she took a seat at the table beside Frank. When Gloria went out of view Miss Botting turned to Frank “What an old bat, she was carrying on saying that I kept ringing her bell, must be potty”.
Frank let out a small chuckle and nodded his head “She’s harmless.....I think”, he said with a grin.
“The name’s Laura by the way”.
“Frank, pleased to meet you”.
“So what brings you here? Asked Laura
“Business....I am a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company......What about yourself?
“I’m giving a lecture at the local university”.
“Ah, What about? Asked Frank enthusiastically
“Roman pottery”.
“Oh sounds interesting”, responded Frank
“No it doesn’t”, said Laura laughing. A crash and a bang and Gloria came into the dinning room with the next course. After around an hour dinner was finished and the guests went into the lounge for a night cap. Mr and Mrs Anderson sat on the chintz sofa with a cup of tea each. Frank had a whisky and raised it up to the Andersons “Keeps the chill out”.
“We’ll stick to tea, never been much for drinking have we George”, stated Mrs Anderson.
The wind and rain seemed to be even more intense than it was earlier that evening. “Hell of a storm tonight”, said Laura. The phone in the reception area began to ring. Gloria went to answer it. She picked up the receiver, “Good Evening, The Bainbridge”, she said politely. But there was no response, just what appeared to be a muffled tone. The wind must be knocking the phone lines together she thought. At least whoever had left those messages earlier in the night had stopped. She placed the receiver back down and motioned to turn round when she could hear a clip clopping sound behind her. She assumed it was Miss Botting in her high heels. Gloria turned round expecting to see Miss Botting, but there was no one there. She must be tired it had been a hectic day. The grand father clock in the corner chimed eleven thirty. It was late she hoped guests were ready to retire to their rooms, she didn’t normally stay up this late.

“The bar is closed now ladies and gentlemen”, said Gloria in an authoritarian manner.

Mr and Mrs Anderson got up straight away and wished everyone a goodnight. Laura said night to Frank and all the guests trudged up the wooden staircase. Frank was last to his room as he was up in the attic, but still he had been told the view was good, he supposed he would find out in the morning if the rain stopped that is. Frank stopped to admire the picture of the lighthouse hanging next to his room door. As he studied the print the lighthouse appeared green, he could have sworn it had been white and red earlier that night. It was probably the light playing tricks on him, a painting couldn’t change colour. It was a strange painting there appeared to be two moons in the sky or maybe it was a mirror image, he didn’t know much about art anyway. He went into his room and locked the door behind him. He switched the television on, there was nothing much on at this time of night. At least the television had freeview and he could watch the 24 hour sports news channel all night. It didn’t matter how many times he had stayed away from home, in fact he had travelled around the country for years, he still had trouble sleeping in strange places.

Gloria was busy cleaning away the leftovers of the evening meal, she loaded up the dishwasher and then came back into the dining room to survey the area. She’d run the hoover over in the morning she thought. The heavy rain was still lashing against the window pane in the dining room. Gloria walked over to the window to observe the storm, it had been raining almost all day. Gloria could see what appeared to be two figures stood on the beach, which was just a couple of hundred yards from the front of the B&B. They must be crazy thought Gloria one large wave and they would be carried away into the dark abyss of the cold North Sea. As Gloria scanned her eyes along the beach she could see other figures on the beach there must have been at least ten of them all stood just yards away from the raging waters, not even moving in the heavy storm. How strange Gloria thought to herself in this weather maybe there had been an incident on the beach or maybe they were just a bunch of idiots. Gloria debated whether or not to phone the coastguard because she feared someone was about to be killed by the powerful waves. She went into the reception and picked up the phone. It was no good there was no tone the wind must have knocked the lines down, one of her guests must have a mobile phone she would ask to use it. She went back into the dinning area to have one last look at the people on the beach before she phoned the coastguard. As she looked out onto the rain swept beach she could no longer see the mysterious figures “BANG, BANG” Gloria let out a shriek a face with glowing yellow eyes suddenly appeared at the window....................... Her heart was pounding she didn’t dare look at those piercing eyes again, but strangely she was compelled to look again. Gloria took a fleeting glance and stupidly realised that it was just the black cat from the guest house next door staring through the window. The darkness of the night had left only the cat’s glowing eyes visible. Still shaking but relieved she scrutinised the beach again for those insane individuals on the beach. She could no longer see anyone, they must have seen sense and went indoors she thought to herself. She needed to calm down and get some rest she had to be up early in the morning to make the breakfasts. She was never usually this jumpy.

Frank was now only just beginning to doze off to sleep he had trouble getting to sleep. He was worried about the meeting he had tomorrow morning. Business had been poor recently his boss was putting him under immense pressures and it was now only a matter of before he was forced out of the company. He switched the television off and tried to get some much needed rest. The sound of the wind and rain was slowly starting to lull him off to sleep. Clip clop, clip clop, clip clop, clip clop...someone was coming up the stairs. Frank looked towards his bedroom door, it was pitch black then suddenly Frank could see a beam of light underneath the door frame. Clip Clop, clip clop clip clop clip clop, Maybe Laura had come to pay him a late night visit maybe she couldn’t sleep with the noise of the storm as well or maybe Gloria was doing some late night cleaning. Clip clop clip clop the noise seemed to stop right outside his door, he expected a knock any minute, whoever it was must have had a torch with them as the light underneath the door grew brighter as the clip clopping sound approached. The door handle began to turn someone wanted to be in. Frank was becoming increasing disturbed and annoyed as a simple knock would have sufficed. Frank jumped out of bed switched the light on and walked over to the door. He unlocked the door and opened it to find nothing but darkness. He felt for the light switch along the corridor. Now with the corridor fully lit he surveyed the area and looked over the banister but no one was there. If someone was playing tricks on him now was not the time. As he turned and went back towards his room he noticed that the painting of the lighthouse was missing.
Gloria was finally ready to retire to bed when there was a sharp knock at the door. Who could that be at this time she thought to herself. Maybe it had something to do with the incident on the beach. Gloria went up to the door and shouted “Who is it?
“It’s Mr Howell, I have a room booked”, the voice echoed.
How rude Gloria thought he was extremely late he could have at least phoned. She opened the door. “Mr Howell you are very late I don’t usually expect guests at this hour regardless if they have made a booking you are lucky even to find me still up otherwise you would not be getting in”. Mr Howell stood in the doorway looking very pale and drawn, his clothes were soaking wet. “Come over to the reception desk Mr Howell and I will book you in”.
“Thank you”, responded Mr Howell
“I’ll put in room five Mr Howell on the second floor, may I ask why you are so late?
“I died in a car crash on the way here this morning”.
“What??? What did you say?? Responded a shocked Gloria
“I said traffic problems I was stuck in traffic for hours there had been a terrible accident on the motorway I did try to phone but I got no response”, he responded with a small sinister smile.
“Oh, I could have sworn you said that.....”
“I am tired and wet could I go to my room please?
“Certainly, I think I am very tired as well, very tired”, responded Gloria.

The next morning the rain was still lashing at the windows of the Bainbridge. Everyone apart from Mr Howell was in the dining room having breakfast. Gloria hurried around busily serving full English breakfasts to her guests. The smell of freshly ground coffee and sizzling bacon filled the dining room. Laura was sat on a table with Frank. He had a troubled look on his face. “Are you okay? Laura enquired.
“Yes fine thanks, what makes you think I’m not okay? Frank asked.
“Oh nothing, you just look a little tired”.
“Well I suppose I am, I didn’t get much sleep last night, there was a lot of banging around the place during the night”.
“Yes I heard quite a lot of movement. It was probably Gloria cleaning up”.
“It seems quite odd cleaning at that time of the night while your guests are trying to sleep”, Frank retorted.
“Maybe the place is haunted”, suggested Laura with a smile on her face.
“Maybe”.
Gloria came hustling around the table “Juice?” She enquired.
“No thanks”, responded Frank. Gloria turned away in order to serve the Andersons. “Oh by the way.... Gloria”, Frank tried to get Gloria’s attention.
“Yes”, she replied.
“Were you doing any cleaning last night, there was a lot of noise? Asked Frank.
“No, why would I disturb my guests during the night?” I don’t know what places you usually stay in but I certainly wouldn’t be cleaning during the night, I have enough to do during the day..........”
“I didn’t mean it like that it just sounded like someone was running up and down the stairs all night”.
“It was probably the wind, it was very strong”, retorted Gloria and with that she strode off back into the kitchen. Frank looked across the room and saw a man sat at the table opposite him. He hadn’t seen him at dinner last night in fact he hadn’t even seen him enter the room, which was strange considering himself and Laura were sat pretty much next to the door. He looked like a strange chap; he was just sat there staring at the clock on the wall opposite him. Gloria came over to the strange man’s table. “Morning Mr Howell, Tea or coffee? Asked Gloria. But Mr Howell didn’t respond he just kept looking at the clock. “Suit yourself”, said Gloria rather put out and she walked away from Mr Howell.
Frank and Laura both finished their breakfasts and Frank looked over towards the table where Mr Howell had been sitting. Mr Howell was no longer there he had gone without Frank seeing him leave.
“So what are your plans today? Frank asked Laura.
“I have got a lecture to give, I told you this last night”.
“Oh yes you did sorry, do you need to go into town, I could give you a lift?
“Thanks but it is okay, I have a taxi booked to take me to the university”.
“Oh right, ah well I suppose I’ll see you at supper then”.
Frank went back up to his room he needed to clean up before he went out he had a few meeting with various GP practices around the town. As he approached his room he noticed that the lighthouse painting was back in its place on the wall outside his room. It was still a green colour and two moons were still visible. It must have been a fantasy scape Frank thought to himself but he was sure it wasn’t like that when he had first seen it. This hotel was giving him the creeps. Frank got ready quickly and headed back down the oak staircase down to the reception. Mr and Mrs Anderson were stood by the reception desk complete with rucksack and waterproof clothing. “Bit nasty out there for a walk isn’t it? Asked Frank.
“Not at all, we’ve walked in worse, besides the coastal route is spectacular no matter what the weather, isn’t it dear? Mr Anderson said enthusiastically looking at his wife. Mrs Anderson nodded weakly and then when Mr Anderson turned away she gave a long sigh.

After various meetings and failed sales pitches, Frank’s day was over. He decided that he would return to the hotel and then head out to the Smugglers rest. He had had a tough day and he could do with a drink. “How far is the smugglers rest from here? Frank asked Gloria who was stood next to the reception desk. “It’s about a twenty minute walk”. It was still raining outside. “Could you book me a taxi please? Asked Frank. “Certainly”, replied Gloria. Frank sat in the reception area and awaited his taxi. As he sat there he noticed Mr Howell hovering around the stairs. He kept taking two steps forward and then two steps back on the staircase. “Are you okay”, shouted Frank. Mr Howell looked up and nodded his head towards Frank. He then disappeared up the stairs. “He’s strange”, Frank said to Gloria. Gloria nodded her head “think he’s got that obsessive compulsive thingy if you ask me, he kept ringing my reception bell earlier, I told him to stop but he just ignored me it was almost as though he didn’t hear me. I’ll be glad when he is out of here, at least tonight’s his last night”. Frank heard a toot of a horn his taxi had arrived. Frank went running out to the taxi, the rain was still pouring down.
“Where to mate? Asked the middle aged and rather scruffy looking driver.
“The smuggler’s rest please”, responded Frank.
“No probs”. The taxi was relatively clean, but it had a strong odour of cigarette smoke.
The taxi trundled along the deserted coast road, a few street lights strung out along the way provided the only light in a moonless night.
“So I said to me boss, I ain’t working no New Years eve unless I get at least triple pay........the taxi driver was waffling on and Frank was responding with a polite yes every now and again, he wasn’t in the mood to talk. Suddenly the driver stopped talking and let out a yelp, the taxi started to accelerate rapidly. “Slow down”, Frank shouted to the driver, but he didn’t respond. Frank looked out of the rear passenger window and saw the reason why the driver had suddenly speeded up. Running alongside the taxi and keeping up easily with its speed was a tall man with a deathly white face. The terrifying looking man had a large gaping wound on his neck and chest. The petrifying figure turned and looked into the taxi and gave Frank a chilling smile, the man then reached out and tried to open the car door. “bloody hell!! Arrghh!! Frank let out a terrifying scream. As the taxi fast approached the smuggler’s rest the shocking figure stopped dead in its tracks and stood still. Frank looked back through the taxi’s back window and could see the figure smiling and waving at them. The eerie form seemed to disappear into the ether of the cold dark night. “What was that, my god what was that? Said a very shaken Frank. “I don’t know but I ain’t stopping until I get to the pub”, responded a trembling taxi driver. The taxi screeched to a halt in the car park of the smuggler’s rest. “How was he keeping up with us I was doing nearly sixty when he was running alongside us”, said the taxi driver with a quivering tone.
“I don’t know, bloody hell that was scary, has that ever happened before? Responded Frank
“Never seen a ghost in me life, never, until then”.
“Come on let’s go into the pub I’ll buy you drink”.
“No......thanks but no I can’t risk me licence, I ‘m gonna head back to the office call it a night, I’ve had a bad couple of nights”, said the taxi driver shakily.
“Why what’s happened the last two nights?
“Just strange things that’s all, anyway I don’t mean to be rude but that’s £6.50 and please don’t ask me to pick you up I ain’t going down that road again”, insisted the taxi driver.
“Here’s the money, I’ll see you around”, and with that Frank entered the pub.
Frank strode over to the bar. It was an old fashioned type of pub quite small and with a roaring log fire. Apart from the barman there were only three men in the place.
“Evening, what can I get you? Asked the barman.
“A very large whisky”, responded Frank still shaken.
“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost mate”, said the barman jokingly.
“You wouldn’t believe what I’ve just seen”, responded Frank.

Mr and Mrs Anderson were sat in the lounge of the hotel along with Laura and Gloria. They heard the front door open and the sound of the lounge door opening. It was Frank and he stank of alcohol. He sat down on the sofa next to Mr Anderson. “What a night I’ve had”, said Frank.
“Smells like you’ve had quite a night”, responded Mr Anderson jokingly.
Frank regaled the group gathered in the lounge with the night’s events in the taxi.
“Well that does sound strange and rather scary”, said Laura sounding rather interested.
“We had a strange incident as well when we were walking on the cliff top”, interrupted Mr Anderson. “We were walking along the cliff and the rain was pouring down, could hardly see a thing. Then out of nowhere a bloke appeared he was wearing an old fashioned green greatcoat. He came over to me and the wife and said not to go down the path ahead as there had been a landslide and it was very dangerous, he said the rest of it could fall under our feet without warning. Anyway, we thanked him because that was the way we were going to go down. He told us to go down another path and pointed the way, it was in the opposite direction as to where we were going but he insisted it was the only safe route away from the cliff edge. We turned around and headed the way the gentleman suggested and before we could do anything about it we realised the whole path was missing this way. Luckily the missus was in front of me and she fell first, I managed to grab hold of her and pull her back up onto the path. She’s got quite a nasty gash in her leg, anyway the fall could have killed us. We went back up the path I was going to land a good right hook on that bloke for telling us to go that way, but luckily for him he had disappeared by the time we had got there. We decided we would try the path we were going to go down originally, we were very cautious and luckily we found the path was in perfect condition. I can’t believe he deliberately sent us down that path, the evil bastard”.
“That sounds terrible, maybe he just got confused and pointed to the wrong path”, suggested Gloria.
“Nah, he didn’t get confused because we had just seen him appear from the path he directed us to go down, he must have seen the state of the path”, responded Mr Anderson rather angrily.
“Anyone like another drink? Asked Gloria
“Yes please make mine a double”, replied Mr Anderson.


A couple of hours passed all seemed quiet in the Bainbridge, all that could be heard was the sound of the wind rattling the windows. Laura had been sound asleep, but a thudding noise had awoken her. It sounded like someone was throwing stones at her window. At first she thought it was the wind, but as she listened it appeared that the storm had died down. She laid there in silence and after a few moments she could hear the thud against her window again. She switched on the bedside lamp and went to have a look out of the window. She looked down onto the street. There were quite a few figures stood on the beach. But they were far too far way to have thrown anything at her window. As she stood there, another thud shook the window, but nothing had hit it. It was almost as if the window was rattling itself. Maybe the whole building was moving she couldn’t tell. She became fearful maybe the building was unsafe what if there was a structural problem. She inspected the ceiling and walls for cracks. Everything looked fine. She waited by the window for a few minutes, whatever had caused the window to shake had now stopped. She needed her sleep she had to be up early in the morning. She got back into bed and switched on the radio beside her bed maybe that would help lull her off to sleep. It was no good there was no reception on any of the radio frequencies. All she could get was static, the radio looked quite new, maybe she was just in a poor reception area.
Gloria was fast asleep in her room when a long trembling sigh seemed to fill the room. Gloria opened her eyes and listened again for the noise. Again a long sigh, it sounded as if someone was sat in the corner of her room. She quickly switched her beside lamp on and looked across the room. There was nothing there, maybe it had been the wind. She sat still for a moment and then switched the lamp off. Again only seconds later she could hear the trembling sigh again. This time ,however, she could see a shadowy figure sat in the wooden chair in the corner of her room. A voice rose from the chair and said in a chilling voice “Can you see me now? Gloria immediately let out a scream and ran towards the door and rushed down the wooden staircase thudding as she went.
Mr and Mrs Anderson had had a restless night also. Mrs Anderson had cut her leg quite badly while the couple were out walking the previous day, she had had stitches, but the pain in her leg had kept her awake most of the night and consequently Mr Anderson as well. They had just settled back off to sleep when Mrs Anderson jumped out of bed quite suddenly. “What’s going on? Said George sleepily.
“It’s my leg it doesn’t feel right, it feels like something is wrong”, said Anna rather anxiously.
“Just get back into bed, it’ll be alright”.
“No George it feels strange there’s something wrong!
“Calm down you’ll wake the whole of the place up”.
Anna switched the light on and let out a deafening scream “My leg George my leg!!!
“Bloody hell, How did it, What the!!??!
The large cut on Mrs Anderson’s leg was pulsating and oozing maggots.
“Help me George!! She wailed.
“Come on I’ll take to you to the hospital”.
“How could it have gotten into such a state in 24 hours, I cleaned it I did!! Screamed Mrs Anderson.
The commotion had woken up the whole of the hotel. By the time the Andersons got down to the reception Gloria was already stood there.
“My word what is going on? Asked Gloria anxiously.
“My wife her leg, look at it!
“Nasty”, stated Gloria
“Nasty?, retorted Mr Anderson “It’s horrendous! Shrieked Mr Anderson.
“I’m sorry but I’ve had worse, it’s just a nasty cut”. Stated Gloria
“Can’t you see the maggots for god’s sake, she needs an ambulance!! Yelled Mr Anderson.
Gloria inspected the cut further, “I can’t see any maggots”, she said rather confused. Frank came running down the stairs “What’s going on? He asked
“Look at my wife’s leg! Mr Anderson said pointing towards his wife.
Frank took a look, “Can’t you see them? shouted Mr Anderson.
“See what a cut? Asked Frank
“I’m sure someone was in my room”, interrupted Gloria, “I don’t like it something terrible is going on here”.
“Something terrible is going on, all of us have had a frightening experience ever since we arrived, it’s this place it’s fucking haunted! Shouted Frank.
“Now listen here”, Shouted Gloria back, “I have lived here twenty years and never had any trouble, it’s one of you lot”.
Laura had also been awoken by the commotion and as she came down the stairs a sharp KNOCK, KNOCK rattled the front door. The five of them stood in the hallway looked towards the door. This time it was a voice and not a thud “Knock, Knock”, said the chilling voice. Gloria slowly walked over to the door and said in a meek voice “Who’s there?
The voice responded with “Wait and see”. Gloria turned towards the others stood in the hallway she was afraid the voice was cold and sinister. Mrs Anderson was still crying and Mr Anderson was trying frantically to get the reception telephone to work. Frank had come to stand behind her. Gloria looked out of the peep hole in the door. It was Mr Howell how and why was he outside Gloria wondered to herself. She opened the door and there stood Mr Howell still deathly grey but this time with a smile on his face. Before Gloria or Frank had any time to say anything, Mr Howell turned away from them and pointed his thin finger towards the sea front. He then appeared to disappear into thin air. Stunned Gloria and Frank stepped out onto the doorstep. It was much lighter outside now. A warm breeze blew onto Frank’s face. They were no longer on the North East coast. Frank’s jaw dropped open in front of them was a beach but it wasn’t the beach he had seen when he had arrived at the hotel. There was a green lighthouse to the right of him and in the sky there were two separate moons visible. He turned to look back at the hotel. It was gone, he was stood along with Gloria, Mr and Mrs Anderson and Laura on a black coloured beach. They were not alone hundreds if not thousands of people were strung out along the beach. Most of them had on nightwear, and many were screaming they were terrified and confused and so was he.
“Where are we? Shrieked Gloria
“I don’t know”.

The End

[Wolf's Rain]

I'm slowly making my way through this. The openning hook got me right away. I remember the fear, a few years back, that particle accelertor experiments might create a singularity.

[Wolf's Rain]

I had a queer feeling while reading this. I felt like perhaps someone was pulling my leg. I read up to the part about Smugglers Rest that's first spelt “Smugglers rest” and then “smugglers rest.” The story has words missing, phrases missing, and other bad lapses in editing. Who could miss mistakes that obvious? Where was this story copied from? It seems like a copy of a copy that has deteriorated with each reproduction. I spent twenty minutes reading it, realized I had at least twenty more minutes to go… and then started noticing the freakish grammar errors and word omissions. Author, how did you manage to overlook all of that?

I’m guessing a particle accelerator catastrophe has caused all sorts of temporal anomalies and disrupted the laws of physics as we know it, hence all the “hauntings” and spooky occurrences. I like the story, but lost the desire to read on. Its literary quality (which I like) is at odds with its messy editing. What happened?

[rachy]

Thank You for your input. I agree, it has been very sloppy and lazy editing on my part. I literally write as I go along and rarely check it. Upon reading it when I've posted it I've immediately noticed massive errors. I sat down and wrote the story in two hours after the ideas came into my head. There are no excuses for bad editing. But thank you for taking the time to read it. I have many ideas but my execution is poor.

[Wolf's Rain]

Oh, I see. You had a burst of creativity and wanted to get it all down. That makes complete sense. I'll finish reading it when I get a chance.

[Wolf's Rain]

SPOILERS!!!!




























I don't know how you did it, but you scared me. The story was slightly creepy, but not too frightful. Until I got to the part at the end where Mr. Howell says Knock, Knock and Gloria meekly says who's there and he says wait and see. Oh, I got goosebumps typing it just now! At the beginning of the story she was listening to her own voice *shudder*! My only gripe is that there weren't more scary bits like that planted into the story. A toast to you Well done!

[Wolf's Rain]

oh yeah, the ghost running besides the taxi was pretty creepy too! I liked how the driver was blunt and said "I don't mean to be rude, but hurry up and pay me, and don't call again because I'm too scared to come back!"

At the end, I would have had Frank say something like "I don't see any cut at all." to over-reinforce the strong sense of confusion everyone was experiencing. People couldn't tryst their own eyes. Now that's scary.

You ever saw the movie where the woman thinks she's drinking a bottle of Jack Daniel's, but in the mirror's reflection we can see that it's actually a bottle of industrial strength bleach? creepy, creepy, creepy....

[Wolf's Rain]

One final question. Was Mr. Howell the taxi runner? He was dead from a car accident earlier on in the story, so I think the guy that Frank saw was him. That's the problem with reading a story over a one week period. By the time you get to the end, you've forgotten subtle parts from the beginning and middle.

[rachy]

Thank you for reading my story and sticking with it. I really do appreciate your comments. I seriously need to tidy the story up. Mr Howell is the chap chasing the taxi. Thanks again for your input I shall be making some alterations.

[Wolf's Rain]

No problem. It was a good story.