“What are you doing?” Amanda looked up. Kim was standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Nothing. I’m just in here looking for a book.” Amanda put the paper into the back of her jeans, not wanting to tell Kim her true reasons for being in the study.
“Gemma and I are going to start studying in here soon and you're not welcome.” Kim said. Amanda looked at the grandfather clock in the room, it was half past seven. Amanda had been in here all night.
“I’m just going.” Amanda said. Kim stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and watched her leave.
Amanda went to the kitchen and made another coffee and a bowl of cereal and retreated to her room. She took her phone out and logged onto Facebook, keen to forget about the house for a moment and have some contact with the outside world. When she logged on she saw she had a large number of notifications. She clicked on one, it was a comment on a photo that she was tagged in. It was a picture of Amanda at the séance. Either Kim or Gemma must have taken it without Amanda noticing. In it, Amanda’s eyes were closed, she had both hands on the board. There was a serious look of concentration on her face. The photo was captioned Amanda plans on calling on the dead to get her through the exam period. The photo showed over twenty likes. And some of the comments were brutal: Daddy can’t buy everything so maybe the devil can?/ Wow attention seeking from Amanda even when she’s not in Cambridge./ New career choice maybe? I can see her as a B-list celebrity showing us around a haunted house.
Amanda turned her phone off. She had suddenly gone off her breakfast. Without the respect of her friends, her reputation would be in tatters by the time she got back to University. And as her revision was going badly, she would probably fail her exams. A tear fell down her cheek. She reached into her back pocket for a tissue, finding instead the piece of paper she had retrieved from the drawer. She had forgotten all about it. She pulled it out and spread it out flat on the bed. It was a child’s drawing, yellow with age, but she could still make it out. It was of two children playing in the garden. In the doorway was a woman and inside the house was a man. It was a basic drawing; it must have been the work of a very young child. Amanda realised it must have been the work of one of the children who lived in the house. The drawing felt eerier, thinking about what happened to these children. Amanda stared at it for a moment, realising that something wasn’t right. Then she saw it. The attic had a window drawn on it, and inside that window were children’s toys. The locked room in the attic. It was the girls’ bedroom. Maybe that was why it was locked, it had nothing to do with being used as storage. Amanda left her room and headed upstairs to the door. It was locked. Amanda had an idea. Amanda crept downstairs, past the study and headed outside into the garden. It was as overgrown as the first time she had been outside. She shuddered at the thought of going through it again herself, but she did. She headed in a straight line, not sure of her exact direction but knowing what she was looking for. Soon she found the shed where they had found the electric box. In the corner, she found some old tools. She picked up a cobweb covered axe and headed back towards the house. Walking back, she lost her way. She found herself in the clearing once again, where the child’s swing was. She stopped for a moment, not sure if she should carry on or not. The swing was moving again, as if someone had just got off it.
“I know who you are,” she said. “I know that you were murdered here, and never found. I’m going to find out what happened to you.” The swing stopped suddenly, as if someone had grabbed hold of it. It was all quiet for a moment, then Amanda heard the sound of a child’s laughter. Amanda didn’t feel frightened by the sound, she felt comforted by it.
Amanda went back inside the house. She looked into the office as she went past. Gemma and Kim were still seated at the desk, noses in books. Amanda crept up the stairs to the attic door. She hesitated, knowing that what she did next would alert Kim and Gemma. She held the axe high above her head and bought it down on the door. It cracked the wood. Amanda hit it several times more, her knuckles sore and arms aching. Eventually she made a hole in the door big enough to look through. Inside was a child’s bedroom, untouched by the years. Amanda reached her hand into the hole, and searched for the door handle. She felt about, trying to grab hold of it, which was proving difficult. She finally found it. On the handle was a lock, it was locked from the inside. She unlocked it and retrieved her hand. As she did so, she caught a glimpse inside the room. Standing in it was a man. He was dressed in a black suit. He was wearing a trilby hat. He had blood and sweat dripping down his face. He was holding the body of a small girl in his arms, she had long blonde hair and was holding onto a small doll, which dropped to the floor. He was side on to Amanda but as she looked at him he turned towards her. Amanda felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and screamed.
“What the hell are you doing? You’ve ruined the house.” It was Kim. Gemma was standing behind her. Amanda turned back and looked through the hole. There was no one there.
“I needed to see what was in here.” Amanda said. “Why don’t you leave me alone?”
“Why don’t you lower the axe?” Gemma said, looking nervously at Amanda. Amanda was holding the axe in a defensive position. She hadn’t even realised she was doing it.
“I’m sorry.” Amanda said. “Why don't you go back downstairs.” She lowered the axe.
“I want to see what’s in here first.” Kim said. She tried the door handle and opened it. She pushed past Amanda to enter first.
“Oh my god. No one has gone into this room for years.” Kim said. She was right, the room was untouched. It was a children's nursery. In the middle stood two small beds. Amanda noticed two framed samplers on the wall. It had the names Elizabeth and Rose embroidered on them.
“Now do you believe this place is haunted?”
“I believe that some terrible things happened here, but maybe they are best left in the past.” Kim said. Amanda wasn’t listening to her, she was looking at a framed photograph on top of a cupboard. She walked over to it and picked it up. It was a picture of a young girl being pushed on a swing by her mum. It was the swing in the clearing in the garden. They were both smiling. Amanda went over to the picture and picked it up. She blew the dust off it, which went all over Kim.
“What are you doing?” Kim said.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to see the picture more clearly. I think this could be a clue to where the girls’ bodies ended up.”
“You're crazy. Gemma, I think it’s time we leave and go back to Cambridge. I’m going to go downstairs and call a taxi.”
“Wait, you don’t have to do that. Stay. I’ll stop going on about ghosts. I promise.” Amanda said. “In fact, as a peace offering, why don’t you use my en-suite and have a bath?”
Kim furrowed her brow for a moment. “You know what, I think I will.”
Kim was in the en-suite shower room. Gemma was downstairs making dinner, Amanda assisting by cutting vegetables.
“I’m pleased that you and Kim have made up.” Gemma said, smiling. “It will be nice for the three of us to get along and to revise together again.
“I’m pleased too.” Amanda said. The knife slipped as she cut and went into her finger. She put it in her mouth where she felt a metallic taste. “Ouch.”
“Are you ok?” Gemma said. “I have plasters in the drawer next to my bed.” Amanda nodded her reply and headed upstairs. She could hear Kim singing in the bath tub. She got a plaster out of the bedroom when she heard a scream. She ran into the bedroom and opened the door to the bathroom. Kim was in the bath, looking up in fright. She was staring at the figure of a man who was standing between Amanda and the bathtub. Amanda could see Kim through him. The figure did not turn to look at her. In his hand was a gun. He raised it up and aimed at Kim.
“No, please don’t. Amanda help me.” Amanda looked at the fear in Kim’s eyes. And then she thought back to how Kim had treated her, and how she didn't believe that the house was haunted. Amanda close
d the door on Kim. She shut the bedroom door as well. She headed downstairs and found Gemma in the kitchen.
“Is Kim coming down?” She said.
“She’s still in the bath.” Amanda replied.
Competition to Chaos
While the lasagne was in the oven and Gemma was setting the table, Amanda crept back upstairs. She felt invigorated to be back in power. She opened the door to the bedroom but couldn't hear anything. She knocked on the door to the bathroom.
“Kim?” She said. “Do you believe me now?” She knocked again. “Kim?” Amanda pushed the door open. Inside, Kim was slumped in the bathtub. Her head was under the water. Amanda ran in and lifted her head. Her skin was white, her lips blue. Amanda let go of Kim and sank to the floor. She hadn’t expected Kim to die of shock. She had only meant for Kim to be frightened and to believe her. She didn’t think she would actually die.
“Amanda? Kim? Are you coming down for dinner?” Gemma called. How could Amanda tell Gemma her friend was dead? Amanda looked up at the mirror in the bathroom. The mirror showed a reflection. It was of a little girl. She was sucking her thumb. She looked pale, her hair matted and covered in dirt. Her clothes were dirty.
“Libby?” Amanda said. She wasn’t afraid to see the girl, she wanted to help her. The girl took her thumb out of mouth and pointed to behind Amanda. Amanda turned around. She was pointing out of the window to the garden. It was black outside the window and heavy rain was falling. She wanted Amanda to go to the garden. Amanda looked back at the mirror. Libby had gone.
“Amanda?” Gemma spoke again, this time she was closer. Amanda jumped up. She looked at Kim’s body which was now fully submerged below the water. She had to tell Gemma and call the police. They will think that it was a freak accident, she fell asleep or had a fit. But as soon as Gemma knew, that was it. There would be no chance for Amanda to work out the last bit of the mystery. She needed more time. Amanda ran out of the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
“Amanda? Did you not hear me call?” Gemma said.
“Sorry I was in the bathroom; I’m just coming down.” Amanda said. “Where’s Kim?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you go down and start dishing up? I’ll go find her.” Amanda stood in front of the bathroom door. Gemma nodded in agreement and headed back downstairs. Amanda went to Kim’s room. She took her pillows and made a body shape in the bed. She turned out the main light and shut the door behind her. Amanda headed downstairs.
“I think Kim’s asleep. I peeked in the door, the light is out and she was in bed.” The lie slipped out easily. It wasn’t that Amanda didn't care that Kim was dead. It was just that it was too late to do anything for her, but it wasn't too late to try and help the little girl and try and stop Martin from haunting this house forever.
“That’s strange. Maybe I should go and check if she is ok.” Gemma said.
“No! I mean, I’m sure she will just come down when she wakes up. And anyway, it gives us a chance to have dinner together.” Amanda said. She poured herself a drink. Gemma was already half way through a glass. Amanda topped hers up to near the rim.
“Careful Amanda, I don't need that much wine.” Gemma said.
“Nonsense. You’ve been revising hard. You deserve it.” Amanda said. She put the empty bottle on the side, and took another bottle out of the fridge. “A few drinks won’t harm us.” She popped the cork which flew into the air, making a noise as loud as a gunshot.
It was almost midnight by the time Gemma was ready for bed. Throughout the meal, Amanda had topped up her glass as much as possible. After dinner, she had opened a bottle of desert wine as well. Gemma, who wasn’t used to drinking much, was soon very drunk. Amanda had supported her upstairs and tucked her up in bed. She hoped that the alcohol in her system would ensure she had a good night’s sleep. As soon as Amanda was sure that she heard the sound of Gemma fast asleep, she tiptoed downstairs and put her trainers on. She slipped out of the back door and headed down the garden. She instantly regretted not remembering to put a coat on, but she didn't want to risk going back. She had remembered to bring a torch with her, the same one that Mr Beateman had given them the night they arrived. Amanda walked along the muddy floor, her feet slipping. She tried to duck under the brambles and thorns but it was difficult to do so without losing her footing. She soon realised she was lost. She looked up. Ahead of her she could see the ghost of Libby. Libby motioned for Amanda to follow her. Amanda followed, her hair soaking wet and make-up running down her face. Libby led her to the clearing where the swing was. The clearing untouched by the brambles and the weeds. Libby climbed on the swing and watched her.
“What do you want me to do now?” Amanda said. Then she realised what she had to do. Amanda dropped to her knees. She really needed a spade, but she felt a sense of urgency to get this finished. Using her hands, she started clawing away at the mud. It was so wet she pulled clumps of it out of the ground with ease. She dug deeper and deeper until her fingernails were ripped and she was up to her arms in mud. She felt something hard, she picked it up. It was a small round skull, the size of a small child. She felt around nearby and found another set of bones and a skull. Amanda felt tears running down her cheek. She looked up at Libby who was watching her. Libby smiled at Amanda, then faded away.
Amanda returned to the house, exhausted and covered in mud. Walking back, she realised that even though she had uncovered Libby’s body, she couldn’t risk anyone else living in the house. The only way to make sure that the ghost of Martin had gone was to make sure that no one ever set foot in the house again. Amanda went in the back door and headed to the kitchen. She went to the hob and turned the gas on full without lighting it. Within seconds she could smell the gas starting to rise into the air. She then went into the living room. She found the candles that they had used for the séance. Amanda lit twenty of them, then headed back into the hallway. She was so preoccupied with what she was doing, she had forgotten that Gemma was still upstairs. She headed into the study and collected the revision notes from the table. She went to the hallway and found a fire alarm. She got a lighter out of her pocket and set fire to the papers. She held them up so the smoke was closer to the alarm, until she could no longer hold them, and she dropped them to the tiled floor, where they soon burnt out. The alarm went off.
“Gemma!” She shouted. “Come quick, I think there’s a fire. We’d better get out.” Amanda was about to run upstairs to drag Gemma out of the house but Gemma appeared in the hallway. She was covered in water.
“I found Kim.” Gemma said. She ignored the alarm. “You knew.” Gemma said. “You knew Kim was dead and tried to cover it up. Either that or you killed her” Her words were slurred from the alcohol still in her system.
“I knew yes. But I was going to tell you.” Amanda said. “I just needed to wait until tomorrow.”
“You killed her, didn't you?” Gemma said. “All this talk of ghosts. You wanted Kim dead so you could be the top student. You killed off your competition.”
“No! Of course I wouldn't kill her. I would never do such a thing. Look I can explain outside; we need to get out of here quickly.”
“That’s rubbish. I just saw you setting fire to my notes. There’s no fire. You just wanted Kim dead and for me to fail. I’m going to call the police right now. You will never practice law, you're not good enough anyway. You can rot in jail.” Gemma ran up the stairs. Amanda stood at the bottom.
“Stop Gemma, just listen to me, please.” Amanda said. As they ran up the stairs, a shadow appeared in the hallway. It was Martin. Gemma stopped in her tracks.
“Oh my God! There’s a ghost!” Gemma turned back to Amanda. “You were right.” She started to run back down, but as she did so she lost her footing. She slipped and fell head first down the stairs. Amanda tried to grab her, but the damage was done. She landed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, Amanda heard the sound of a bone breaking.
“Are you ok, Gemma? Can you walk?” Ama
nda said, trying to pull her up.
“I can’t.” She said. Amanda looked up, the figure was coming down the stairs towards them. Amanda tried to help Gemma to her feet, but to no avail. Amanda looked at Gemma’s ankle which was twisted at an angle. She tried to drag Gemma, but realised that there was no way she could get her away from the ghost in time. Amanda let go of Gemma and stepped back.
“Amanda, no, please help.” Gemma begged, shouting over the alarm which was still going off. Amanda calmly walked backwards. She reached behind her, until she felt the door handle. She opened the door and ran outside into the garden. She heard Gemma scream.
“Please don’t leave me, Amanda, I’m sorry.” Gemma shouted. Amanda turned, she realised she couldn't leave Gemma to die. She reached for the door handle. As she was about to run back inside, the gas reached the candles. The house was engulfed by a fire ball. Amanda was thrown back by the force. She sat on the ground and watched the house become engulfed in flames. It was too late to save Gemma. She watched as Prescott House burnt to the ground.
Epilogue
3rd September 2016
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
England
8:15 AM
Amanda laid the bunch of flowers on the bench. The plaque inscribed on it read “Dedicated to Gemma Kipling and Kim Freeman. Two dedicated students and friends. They will be missed.”
Amanda was dressed in a new suit and heels. She was about to start on the best graduate training scheme in the city. Due to extenuating circumstances, Amanda was excused from sitting her final exams. She had graduated with a good degree and an exceptional personal reference from Professor Smythe, who praised her loyalty to her friends and how she had tried to save them from the tragic fire which claimed their lives. Not only that, but she had won an award for discovering the remains of the Prescott children. Amanda smiled at the bench and spoke to Kim and Gemma as if they could hear her.
Haunted House Tales Page 5