The Derelict House - Part One

Josh was the first one to arrive at the gates of the big old house, and steered his trusty old rust bucket of a car onto the grass verge to wait for the others. If no one bottled out at the last minute, which was a distinct possibility, there would eight of them in all. It started as an office prank, four of the intrepid group had suggested spending a weekend in a haunted house, the remaining four went along with the idea at first, but as the days passed and the prank began to turn gradually into a forth coming event, one by one the excuses became more and more frequent.

It was Timothy who raised the issue of certain members of the group being too afraid to participate in such a foolhardy venture. He set out on a tireless campaign of ridicule and persistent mocking against anyone who showed signs of backing down, until eventually, pride and peer pressure won the day and all vowed to show up at the chosen venue.

Next to arrive were Sandra, Carol and Emily.

"Have you seen the others?" Josh shouted, as the girls pulled onto the grass just in front of him.

"The last time we saw them, they were picking up a few things from the supermarket in the village," Sandra replied, her two companions giggled excitedly, as they peered through the car window, trying to see the semi-derelict building, on the other side of the wall that lined the narrow road.

"Were they all there?" Josh enquired.

"All but Timothy, from what I could tell."

"I knew it," Josh laughed. "I knew he’d be the one to bottle out."

It was twenty minutes later when the car carrying the remaining three group members pulled up at the gates and after exchanging pleasantries they all walked down the long, over-grown driveway towards the dreary looking and neglected house.

"Just think, this used to be someone’s happy family home," Emily said, as they neared the large wooden door, left partly ajar by the last visitors, offering them free access to the dark, dismal rooms that lay within.

"It may not have been such a happy home," Josh replied, in a tone reminiscent of film director building the air of mystery and intrigue in his low budget horror film. "For all we know, the family that lived here could have been murdered while they slept soundly in their beds."

"Oh no! Don’t say that Josh," Carol gasped, already her nerves were beginning to fray at the edges. She cast her nervous stare from side to side with every step she took, inspecting ever dark shadow, trying desperately to quell the urge to scream out, every time one of the ancient floorboards creaked, under the weight of the intrepid visitors.

"He’s joking, Carol," Emily added, reassuringly. "This is a ordinary house in the heart of the English country side, not Amityville House of Horror,"

"You never know though do you?" Carol insisted, "Something must have happened her, otherwise, while would everyone say the place was haunted?"

"Oh boy! This is going to be a bloody long weekend." Carol had already taken up the role of the voice of logic and reasoning, and reluctantly accepted that she alone would be the one to safeguard the girls sanity, while the boys did everything in their power to scare the pants off them, quite literally if their antics back in the office were anything to go by.

"It’s just local gossip, Carol. Local gossip, that’s all!"

Slowly they explored the ground floor, apprehensively checking one room and then moving altogether to the next. Dave and Pete headed the way. Pete held Samantha’s hand tightly, relishing the role of being her mighty protector in the face of adversity. They were the only couple among the group and had proved to be inseparable, wherever they went. It seem obvious that on this particular weekend jaunt, they would be sticking even closer together, a fact that amused Josh, although truth be known, he had a thing for Sandra, and hope that this weekend would be the clincher to lay the foundations for a more lasting relationship.

Emily, Carol and Dave had simply, albeit reluctantly, joined the group to avoid being branded the office ‘scardy cats’.

When all the downstairs rooms had been inspected, Dave suggested that they split into two groups and explore the rooms upstairs, a suggestion that was greeted with a less than enthusiastic reception. With little discussion it was decided that exploration would be better executed after they had brought in the things from the cars. Carol noted with some dismay how most of the supplies brought in by the boys consisted largely of cans of lager and other alcoholic beverages, though Josh had had the foresight to bring along his trusty cam-corder to film the weekends antics for posterity.

The kitchen, although filthy, dreary and adorned by countless cob-webs, some of which were alarming in size, was chosen as the hub of organization for their weekend stay.

"I’m not sure, this is a good idea," Samantha whispered to her great protector.

"Relax babe," responded, with the dutiful amount of concern for her welfare, in his voice. "You’ll be fine. I’ll look after you."

"That’s what worries me," she said.

"We must be out of our minds, stay here. Why couldn’t we have decided on a trip to the coast and weekend of clubbing?" Carol complained.

Noting the tone of rising gloom, evident in his companions, Josh tried to offer his contribution of reassurance. However, Josh was not known for his ability to instill confidence and motivation to a team of his peers and his remarks went largely unheeded, apart from the bit where he suggested a visit to the village pub after they had toured the upstairs rooms.

"Ok, let’s get it over with," Carol announced grudgingly, making her way towards the heavy wooden spindled staircase. "I’m warning you guy’s though! Any messing about up there and I’m getting back in the car and spending the weekend back home in my own bed."

Each step creaked loudly as the troop trod delicately in single file towards the landing.

"This place gives me the creeps!" Sandra cursed in a lowered voice." Then screamed when Josh lost his footing and grabbed her waist to save his embarrassing descent, arse first back down the rackety stairs.

"Jesus! You bloody idiot! … You scared the crap out of me." She snapped.
"Sorry, someone left something laying on the step."

"Just watch where you put your damn feet then. Don’t you dare grab me like that again."

"Sorry!"

The sudden outburst had put them all on edge. No one uttered an other word as they slowly continued their ascent. Pausing only when a faint noise, amplified by the houses emptiness echoed past them. Although the landing was spacious and reasonably lit by day light managing to fight its way through the two large round topped windows on the outer wall, all seven huddled in a tight group at the first piece of flat floor, as if waiting for the bravest to step forward and volunteer to lead them further.

Downstairs had seemed eerie enough, but upstairs had a more imposing atmosphere. Each member sensed a higher degree of in trepidation, almost as if they expected something to happen, however, no one would be foolhardy enough to predict what it was, they persevered in silence and increasing concern.

Once again it was Carol who took the lead and edged ahead of the rest. "Oh, please! It’s just an empty old house. What can possibly go wrong?"

Josh moved ahead, pausing momentarily and turning to face his companions, sensing their nervousness. "It’s an empty old ‘haunted house’, who knows what dark secrets it as hidden in these rooms, there could have been a …."

"So help me, Josh Reynolds, if you say murder … I swear I’ll commit another one right now … and you’ll be the bloody victim." Carol sneered.

"I was about to say, there could have been a perfectly good reason why the last family moved away from here."

The first room offered no surprises, and after a quick inspection they moved on to the next, a bed, still partly furnished with a massive bed and other odds and ends of ancient and dusty furniture. A long black dress hung from a wooden hanger on the back of the door.

"Look at this! Emily exclaimed, taking its hem between finger and thumb and feeling the delicate lacy material. "It must be at least a hundred years old."

The girls inspected the garment with an almost professional thoroughness. "It’s Victorian." Sandra said, confidently.

"Early Victorian, I’d say." Samantha added.

"It’s probably worth a fortune. Maybe we should take it back with us and sell it on ebay." Pete offered, with some entrepreneurial excitement.