The Hangman's Noose!
A dark deserted road suddenly was smothered in thick white fog as a silhouette of a small red fox ran through the road and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Two bright lights shone through the fog as a car was approaching. A bright yellow taxi broke through and came to a stop. Three dark figures emerged from the vehicle, each with a small suitcase. The taxi drove off illuminating the fog blood red as three bodies stood opposite a derelict building.
"Is this the right place?" a young female voice whispered trying not to penetrate the silence.
A young male pulled out a folded piece of paper out of his brown leather jacket. He held it out in front of him and compared the photograph to the building. He gave a disgusted look to his friends and nodded towards the building.
A broken sign stuck out from the grimy grey bricks. Slowly swinging in the fog. A painted picture of gallows was imprinted on both sides; slightly peeling away. Letters were half missing, but it was clear that it said: 'The Hangman's Noose' It swung in unison with an eerie creek.
The young crowd edged towards the door. With paint peeling and a strange feeling, the dominant one raised his hand to ring the hanging bell. The rope was mangled like dog fur and covered in moss.
"Wait!" shouted the female voice. "Jeremy, I think we should find somewhere else to stay!" she trembled as she spoke.
"No, ignore Drusilla Jeremy, just ring the bell. This will be exciting!" Jaxxon replied before anyone else could speak!
Jeremy smiled and went to open the door. He hesitated. Then looked at Drusilla through his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes at him and looked away.
The door slowly sneaked open with a loud creak. A sliver of moonlight filtered through the fog and flooded the room before them. Three dark elongated shadows reached the far wall as a small flicker of light emerged from the top of the stair case.
"Who's there?" asked a frail voice.
"Erm...Hello" replied Jeremy not knowing where the voice was coming from. A flickering light floated down the stairs as the three youngsters waited patiently. She came into view as she stood in front of them.
Her pale wrinkled face and her pin hole eyes stood motionless, waiting for them to continue.
"Hi...Mrs.B.Gentle?" Jeremy asked with caution.
"We have a reservation under the name Kingfisher." she didn't even say a word. She turned around and the three youngsters followed nervously.
She didn't seem to walk. She seemed to float back up the stairs. But she still seemed to limp her way up. Jeremy, Drusilla and Jaxxon exchanges looks of concern but soon turned to sniggering.
Mrs.B.Gentle stopped dead in the corridor outside a broken door. She nodded to it and floated off with a cackle.
The three youngsters plodded into a dark cold room. Then the door slammed shut! Drusilla screamed.
They stood motionless in the dark fumbling around for a light source. After a few minutes of panicked searching, Jeremy finally found the switch. The light flickered in unison with banging cupboards. Jeremy, Jaxxon and Drusilla stood speechless looking scared.
Jaxxon smiled. "C'mon guys, don't look scared. We can have some fun! What's the worst that could happen?" Drusilla looked daggers at him for saying that. She knew he was tempting fate. Then the lights went out and then back on in a split second. Jeremy looked around.
"Where's Drusilla?" he whispered whilst fixing his gaze upon the flickering light.
Jaxxon searched the room frantically; resulting in disappointment.
Thunder broke the silence and lightening flooded the darkened room, casting a silhouette of a young girl on the wall before them. The lightening stopped. Darkness fell. The light flickered back on. No girl in sight.
Banging commenced in the back room. Jeremy looked at Jaxxon and they both went to investigate. The light was already on and to their surprise Drusilla was lying on the bed motionless.
Jeremy ran straight to her; brushing the moist hair from her face. "Drusilla? It's me Jeremy, can you hear me?" He looked concerned at Jaxxon, who just looked up to the ceiling with his eyes closed. Jeremy leaned in to listen for signs of #life, whilst clenching her hand.
He quickly looked back at her face as her grip tightened. Her eyelids shot open with a gasp for air. Jeremy and Jaxxon jumped back startled. Drusilla slowly raised to a seating position with no effort at all. Her eyes were forced open and her stare was transfixed onto Jeremy.
Behind Jaxxon, the banging cupboards continued. Jaxxon fixed his gaze upon them and slowly moved away. Drusilla stared at him uncontrollably whilst awkwardly twitching her head. Her hair stuck to her face with sweat. She slowly raised her arm in front of her pointing at Jaxxon and shaking her body.
"W...what is she doing? Is she possessed?" Jaxxon trembled.
The banging grew stronger and louder and became deafening to Jaxxon and Jeremy.
Drusilla started to slowly stumble towards Jaxxon as he crept backwards increasing the distance between the living and the almost dead!
Jaxxon hit the wall petrified, sweat pouring from his head. Drusilla grew closer and closer with each second. Her hand was reaching towards his throat as he was trying to avoid her touch. The cupboard doors were uncontrollable!
Drusilla was just about to grab Jaxxon as she was sucked through the cupboards.
Jaxxon looked at Jeremy. And then the banging stopped...
...J S Kay...
