The House of Screaming Death

What a night for sharing stories and you are a very special audience, for I do not

tell tales so eagerly and for just anyone. Tales that all have in common the

very four walls that you currently occupy with such devout silence.

Stories that I hope will stay with you for a very long time. Long after you've departed here.

So, shall we begin? However before I start, I must warn you that

these are not for the easily disturbed, of the weakened nervous disposition. For

these are stories of the macabre! Of lost and maligned spectres, of the monsters

that you wish would stay under the bed while you sleep

I shall take the continued silence as your consent to proceed

Once upon a time, they all lived happily ever after

That doesn't seem to happen anymore.

There are storm clouds gathering in the evening sky. They have the deep purple

coloring of a cancerous bruise. And they hang above the landscape. Broody. Waiting.

The air is thick with the gathering tension of the nearing cloud burst and I

have to fight for every laboured breath. There is a tightening at the back of my

neck as the pressure builds. I feel the melancholy mood of the elements and I

savor it. It's a perfect night to meet a ghost. I have my share of ghosts from my

past, so I suppose it was inevitable that I would become interested in the ghosts

that live here. I can still remember the faces so clearly after all these years.

We were so young and so foolish as we marched off to do a duty for king and

country. We thought we were immortal. We were so very wrong. They called it the

war to end war and we believed them.

We enlisted and trained and went to the

trenches. We died in droves like we'd being harvested. Men lost arms and legs

drowned in mud and blood. I saw them torn apart by explosions and

bullets, shredded on the wire or worse yet, eaten alive by the gas. When the

shells of hot stuff fell, brave men wept and begged for death. Somehow I survived.

I lived through two years of hell and the worst I got was a bayonet through

the leg. I don't think I was any more worthy of life than my friends who fell.

But I had a reason to survive. My Jenny was waiting for me at home and I knew

that if I could make it back to her, I could keep the promise I'd made. I had to

live, so I did. And I did get home and marry her.

I was a changed man though, and even when the war ended and the world celebrated I

never truly regained my old self. I had black moods and days of melancholy

when even the joy of Jenny's smile failed to reach me. I had so many ghosts.

Tonight, perhaps I shall meet another.

She's a local legend, her story's been told and retold for the last 200 years.

Some say her name was Sarah and some say Sally, but they all call her the Lady in

Grey.

There are tales of a jilted lover. And others have an estranged husband.

But they all mention the betrayal.

And the death

Sometimes at night I can hear the sound of the rats in the walls. And sometimes I

hear distant voices from times long gone.

I think about the house and its history. That two of the previous owners ended their days in asylums screaming in

mindless insanity.

Another three committed suicide.

Time draws on. I feel every passing second as it marches by. Never to be experienced again. When the

Second World War began I tried to re-enlist but I was too old and my

injury made me unfit for duty. We struggled through the years as the

fighting in Europe continued. The Blitz began and that was how I ended up here.

Bray Manor needed a caretaker and I was offered the post. I accepted because I

wanted to do my part for my country. Jenny had to stay behind though. Her job

in the factory meant that she was too important to the war effort.

The house is a vampire soaking up the life force of its occupants like some

ancient psychic battery, storing their energies within the cold stonework of

its walls. But when that energy is released, innocent people get hurt.

I received the letter last week. There was an accident at the factory. Three people

died. They tell me Jenny didn't suffer. I can only pray

that's true. Each day that passes, each moment is like a knife through my heart.

I miss her more with every breath that I take and I feel as if a part of my soul

the better part of myself is lost. I want to hold Jenny in my arms again. Cradle

her face. Breathe in her perfume. My one true love is gone. I long for the day

when we can be reunited in heaven.

Night spreads its cloak like raven-black wings to shroud the landscape in

darkness. The temperature begins to drop. The walls become cold.

There are creaks and groans as the house settles amplified by the silence. I feel

an icy chill crawl up my spine as if someone has walked over my grave. Far off

I hear the faint sound of a child's laughter. It's been 20 years since

children last played in these rooms.

Stories are living breathing things. They grow and change as time passes. Some die

off as their evolution reaches its end. But some survive. Some stories throw off

the shackles of the words that bind them. Some will take on a life of their own.

Sometimes stories hunger to be told again.

The feeling of dread deepens in my bones. My heart quickens, pounding in my chest and

then...there's only silence. I don't believe in ghosts. I can only pray that

ghosts don't believe in me

Orange tendrils of fire crawled across the sky heralding the approaching dawn. I

feel a weight lift from my shoulders and have breathed more easily.

The Lady in Grey never came, but I can feel her presence all around me. It

permeates the very fabric of this house like a sweet perfume. It's in the cold

hard stone of the walls and the very air that I breathe. There will be other

nights when I will wait on my silent vigil. Other opportunities to see her or

not. But I know that I will return here again perhaps so we'll see the Lady in

Grey. And perhaps if I wait long enough I will be reunited with my Jenny and maybe

just maybe I will get my happily ever after

Enchanting isn't it? Watching all these elements come together to form a liquid

so exquisite.

It's like casting a spell. Playing with potions, practicing the Dark Arts, the

very essence of witchery. And that very subject, brings me to the next tale I

wish to share with you. A tale of witchcraft...most foul!

Elizabeth?

Come away from the mirrors darling.

Elizabeth. Nathaniel's gone! We can't bring him back! Not like this!

We'll find another way!.... Together!

These three mirrors are what take your soul, that's what they do! We talked about this! It's too dangerous!!!

Take my hand Darling!

Please.

I won't lose you too....I love you.

I HAVE NOT LOST HIM YET!

Darling wake up!

Darling

Darling wake up!

They are late sir.

I know you must not blame them. We'll be here no longer than we must.

But surely we have to show them the property?

We will show them what we must. Now go back inside and ensure that the entrance is prepared. Go!

Madame Proctor. Thank you how kind. And your gentleman friend...?

I can assure you sir, there are no gentleman here! Not by choice anyway.

Do forgive him. He's just very excited to see the house. (Solicitor) Excited, Yes. I can see he's a gentleman who likes his excitement.

I do hope he enjoys the house.

It was so generous of Uncle John to leave it to us.

Indeed...Generous.

Of course, as I understand it, you were the only one of his extended family who came to visit

him. Therefore perhaps less generous and more compelled?

But enough of this prattle! I don't have all day! Here are the keys. The front door. The

back door. All the other keys are inside. If something is locked and has no key

it stays locked.

What?

Your late uncle's exact words - if it has no key it stays locked!

That's ridiculous!

It's fine Johnny. It was just Uncle John's way. He was always a bit peculiar about locks...Locks and Mirrors.

Indeed, this house has a bit of a

reputation. Even before your uncle bought it years ago people have insisted that

this place is well...cursed. Some even say that it's been that way since the day it was

built in the... (Solicitor's Assistant) ...12th century sir. Sir...I saw something...somebody...a lady...

the 12th century. Which brings me to your uncle's final words. He insisted that I impress upon

you with the utmost urgency that you must never be caught between

two mirrors. Any part of you...ever!

What?

His very final words. Now I bid you farewell.

Jesus! This place could do with a dust!

Uncle John was nearly 80 when he died. Companies' been keeping this place clean.

A place this size, he must have had staff?

Uncle John got rid of them not long after aunt Elizabeth died. Mom said there

was so many accidents. The old matron, she dropped a mirror...she couldn't have

children after that. He dismissed all the staff after that. Said he didn't want

anyone else suffering for his mistakes. I think he just blamed himself for what

happened to his family. (Johnny) What did happen? (Lily) They had one child, he died of crib death when

he was three months. Aunt Elizabeth died soon after. No one would say what happened to her. I

think she killed herself. Uncle John was never the same after that.

He even spent a few years in an asylum. Mom said the family rented the house out

but as soon as he heard anyone else was living in it, its like he scared himself sane again.

Guess this place is cursed after all.

What is it? (Johny) Nothin, I just thought I saw something. (Lily) There's no one but us in here. Jumping at Shadows.

Hey I'm not jumping right. I'm just letting the shadows know who's boss.

Someone's got to protect you from this crazy house. Because you're mad old aunt isn't gonna scare us away!

Johnny? That you? Stop messing around it's not funny.

Hey! It's me! Nothing to be scared of. That's enough exploring for one day yeah?

This book has 'read me' on it.

Don't you think that's strange?

Everything here is strange!

It's so weird to finally be here. Thought we'd be at my parents forever!

A good weird

I know what you mean. That electrician who broke his leg going into the basement. That surveyor who said the place was haunted!

"I see dead people!"

Don't be mean!

You'll be sensitive to the forces of darkness!

Where you want this then?

What's in it?

The word crap springs to mind....some books...a mirror

There can't be!

Specifically marked things!

Don't worry! There's only one in here! Can't believe you're taking the crazy old fool's instructions seriously.

Don't talk about Uncle John that way! He wasn't crazy...he's eccentric. Anyway I think since he left us this

house at the very least we can do is follow his final wishes.

His wish is my command.

Let's both bunk off today. We've been working too hard since we got in, I need some me

time. (Lily) I need to go out today. And don't forget, Sophia and Abi are coming tonight.

That doesn't sound like me time.

They'll be plenty of Johnny time once I get this job promotion.

That's what you said when you got the job! There's always something more important than Johnny time!

There's nothing more important than Johnny time!

Except for today.

Yeah, and tomorrow. And the day after next! And the next day!

You must be on your best behaviour tonight Johnny. (Johnny) I didn't know we we're making such a fuss

for your cousin's. Family's family. (Lily) I want them to feel at home. We didn't speak once and

it caused a lot of tension.

Wasn't as close to them as we could have been. We even had the same boyfriend. (Johnny) oh yeah! Is there something I should Know?

It's just silliness. We were about 10 or 11. We all fancied the same boy next door to Sofia's

house. Arthur something. It was just silliness. Anyway he had a big accident when

we were still little. No one's heard from him since.

I bet! I can't imagine you sharing anybody!

Thank You Lily for that to fine meal. A little rich perhaps but more than

satisfying. (Sophia) Yes Lily delightful (Lily) It was my pleasure.