Darkmoor

by Victoria Barry

  “Not a bad size and certainly not as dirty as downstairs,” Matthew said stepping into his bedroom.

  Clever Crow was perched outside his window on a tree branch. Matthew stood against his window and gazed out at the crow.

  “Hello again,” Matthew smiled.

  Suddenly, a knock at the front door disturbed his thoughts. Hearing his dad’s voice, Matthew raced along the landing, and to the top of the stairs.

  Matthew could just about make out an exchange of words. Wondering who his dad was talking too, Matthew quietly stepped back downstairs.

  “We live just across the way, number 23,” spoke the stranger.

  “I’m sorry, you are?” Matthew’s dad asked curiously.

  “Oh of course, I’m Pete and this is my wife, Julie.”

  “Hi,” Julie said waving.

  “And this,” Pete continued, “this is-” but before Pete could finish, Catherine eagerly interrupted.

  “I’m Catherine it’s very nice to finally meet you mister,” Catherine held out her hand as she waited for the response.

  Towering above Catherine, Matthew’s dad introduced himself, “I’m Mr McKendry, but you may call me Jack. It’s very nice to meet you Catherine,” he said shaking her hand affectionately.

  Noticing that Matthew was now present, Jack turned.

  “And this is my son, Matthew.”

  Catherine was rarely lost for words, but after taking a double look at Matthew, she found herself speechless.

  Matthew walked towards her with his hand held out. Just then, Catherine began to giggle nervously.

  A little bemused by her funny giggle, Matthew shook Catherine’s hand gently.

  Matthew’s olive skin glowed radiantly in the sunlight. His dark hair was gelled perfectly around his face and his eyes were sky blue. He too towered above Catherine, making her feel tiny.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Matthew,” she said managing to stop her nervous giggle.

  “It’s ok,” Jack said ruffling Matthew’s hair, “lots of girls giggle at our Matty, don’t they son.”

  “Give over,” Matthew said pushing Jack’s hand away.

  Opening the front door wider, Jack kindly invited the three of them in for a drink. Much to Catherine’s delight, Pete and Julie accepted.

  “Son, why don’t you show Catherine around? I’ll sort us all some drinks.”

  Jack, Pete and Julie strolled down the hallway and through into the kitchen.

  Coughing to clear her throat Catherine asked, “Your mum, is she moving in later?”

  Matthew bowed his head. He didn’t feel comfortable talking about his past with a stranger. Without answering her he walked into the sitting room.

  Catherine quickly changed the conversation sensing Matthew’s unwillingness to talk about his mum.

  “How did you find out about this place?” asked Catherine.

  “My dad said he saw it on the internet and just put in an offer,” Matthew said in a matter of fact manner.

  “You’re joking,” Catherine blurted out.

  “I know, but that’s my dad,” Matthew said shrugging his shoulders.

  To Matthew’s surprise, Catherine spoke passionately of the building.

  “Well I think you are really lucky, I love this old building. I have lived here my whole life and not a single day goes by without me wishing I could live here.”

  “Why?” Matthew asked sternly, not to sure whether Catherine was being truthful, or sarcastic. “What would anyone see in this dump?”

  Catherine didn’t respond to Matthew’s abrupt question, she was just too overwhelmed to be finally in the place that had captivated her for so long.

  Trying to contain her excitement, Catherine went from room to room studying every nook and cranny. Matthew involuntarily followed behind.

  “And this is my room,” Matthew eventually said nudging the door open, thankful that it was the last room of his tour.

  Catherine entered the room and instantly felt the sun light touching the freckles on her face. Looking beyond Matthew’s bedroom into the garden, Catherine could see that clever crow!

  Overjoyed to see him, Catherine turned to Matthew.

  “Have you seen a crow?” Catherine asked.

  “Yes I met him earlier,” Matthew answered.

  “What do you mean you’ve met?” Catherine said, slightly shocked by Matthew’s casual tone about Crow.

  With Catherine’s full attention, Matthew once more told the story of his encounter with Clever Crow.

  “Well I was going to unload the van when...” Matthew started.

  1st May

  Dear Diary,

  Well it’s now 10.30pm.

  Mum, Dad and of course me have just come back from visiting the Old Vicarage. Mum didn’t want to go across, but thankfully Dad is just as curious as me. The new neighbours are Jack and Matthew. Dad got on so well with Jack that he’s invited them to come to the car boot with us tomorrow.

  I got to have a good look round. It’s not what I imagined it to be, not as mysterious as I always thought it would be. Sure needs a lot of work doing on it. Apparently Jack and Matthew are going to live there, do it up, then sell it on (to me I hope lol.)

  Matthew is gorgeous and is only two years older than me. He doesn’t talk much, but that will change when he gets to know me. Don’t know what’s going on with his Mum, maybe she is with someone else, or maybe she’s dead.

  Oh and you will never believe who is still living there, Crow! Acting like he still owns the place. I couldn’t believe he let Matthew touch him. Still at least he’s ok.

  Anyway early start tomorrow-6am,

  Good night.

  Oh almost forgot...

  Mum and Dad had an almighty fight this morning, Mum accused Dad of having an affair. Dad would never do that.

  Also there are NO missing kids hiding in there. Lol

  Chapter Three

  Car Boot mayhem

  “Come on Catherine sleepy head, Matthew will be waiting,” her dad, Pete, whined at Catherine trying to get her out of bed.

  “Oh,” Catherine moaned “6 o’clock is too early,” she barked.

  Pete prowled up and down the landing like a lion hunting its prey, “Come on Cathy!” he roared.

  “Ok! Ok! I’m up,” finally Catherine yawned.

  The thought of spending the day with her new handsome neighbour, Matthew, did make getting out of bed a little easier.

  Throwing on her black leggings and her stripy blue-grey jumper, she quickly noted,

  2nd May

  Dear Diary,

  Just a quick note as it is 6.15 in the morning! Setting off to the car boot soon for the first time in ages, I can’t wait. I get to spend the whole day with Matthew. Wait till I tell everyone at school, they will be so jealous, especially Abigail.

  Bye for now xxxx

  Catherine placed the diary in her colourful fabric bag.

  “Hair brushed, check, teeth cleaned, check, best clothes on, well we are going to a car boot, leggings and jumper will do, looking good? Check.” With that, she threw her bag across her shoulder and skipped happily downstairs.

  Pete, Julie, Jack and Matthew were stood waiting for her.

  “Hi everyone,” Catherine said trying to sound lively.

  “Hi Catherine,” Jack replied. Matthew just nodded his head.

  “Come on then there’s no time to waste if we want to get all of the good stuff,” Pete said, grabbing his car keys off the sideboard.

  Pete, Jack and Julie lead the way to the car while Matthew and Catherine dragged their feet along behind.

  “What’s in the bag?” Matthew asked.

  “Oh it’s just my diary she, I mean it, comes everywhere with me.”

  “Hum,” Matthew mumbled.

  “So, have you been to any car boots before?” Catherine asked Matthew, trying to spark a conversation.

  “Nope,” Matthew rep
lied rather abruptly as they both got into the car.

  It wasn’t too long until Pete announced they had arrived.

  “Right, Jack let’s leave these young ones to fend for themselves,” Pete put his arm around Jack’s skeleton shoulders. Julie headed off in the opposite direction leaving Matthew and Catherine alone.

  Hardly a blade of grass could be seen underfoot. Stalls were tightly packed together in the shape of a horseshoe. Crowds of people swarmed around the stalls, like bees after honey, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

  Catherine turned to Matthew, “Come on, shall we have a look around? You never know, we might find something of interest.”

  “What here?” Matthew said sarcastically.

  “Come on,” Catherine smiled urging Matthew on.

  “Ok,” Matthew said softening towards Catherine, “you’d better show me what’s what then.”

  As they began to walk around the horseshoe field, Catherine explained how it had become a ritual to come here every Sunday. Some families attended Church, some visited garden centres, others rested but for Pete, Julie, and Catherine the car boot had become their family outing.

  As the day went on, Matthew started to feel more comfortable with Catherine. Matthew told Catherine about the times he and his dad would play football. He told her about how they stayed up on Saturdays to watch match of the day. Catherine didn’t follow football, but she enjoyed listening to Matthew talk.

  Meandering through the stalls they observed all sorts of weird and wonderful things that were for sale. Something’s were quite nice, but many things were just people’s unwanted stuff.

  “Well I think you’re right, Catherine,” spoke Matthew.

  “Right about what?” Catherine asked curiously.

  “About it being a waste of time,” Matthew laughed.

  “Not as boring as football though,” Catherine fired back smiling.

  “Hey!” Matthew replied pushing Catherine softly.

  Catherine blushed and lowered her head. Looking back up at him, Catherine realised Matthew was looking past her.

  Set back from the other stalls, through the swarm of people, sat a little old man scrunched over on a stool. At first glance, Catherine and Matthew couldn’t quite make out what he was selling, but found themselves intrigued by the attention he was getting. They started making their way through the crowds to get a closer look.

  Edging closer, Catherine turned to Matthew, “I think he’s selling sweets.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Matthew grinned rubbing his hands together.

  As Matthew and Catherine approached the stall, the crowds parted allowing them through. The old man looked up at them both and Catherine and Matthew smiled nervously back at him.

  The old man ruffled his long grey scraggy hair. He tried to straighten his crumpled long black coat which was keeping his frail body warm and hidden.

  “Hello,” the old man murmured wearily.

  “Hello,” Matthew replied. Catherine just about managed a smile.

  Grabbing Matthew’s arm Catherine whispered, “He seems a little strange let’s go back.”

  “No chance, I’m going to get us some sweets,” Matthew said brushing Catherine’s arm away.

  Looking down at the colourful jars, what at first had appeared to be sweets, were in fact tiny bugs all cramped together scurrying around searching for food.

  Gasping in shock, Catherine squeezed Matthew’s arm again.

  “Please let’s go,” she pleaded.

  Matthew and Catherine turned and started to walk away from the old man.

  “Oh please don’t go,” the man spoke calmly whilst rising to his feet, “I’m sorry if the bugs scared you they’re for my bird you see, she loves them!”

  The old man reached down to retrieve something from under his table.

  “Wow,” enthused Catherine, “she’s beautiful.”

  The old man placed down in front of them, a silver steel birdcage. Inside was a brilliant white dove, which sat perfectly still.

  Catherine moved back towards the stall and stretched out her hand to touch the cage.

  “Don’t touch her!” the old man ordered, causing Catherine to jump back.

  Realising he had startled Catherine the old man calmly added, “I’m sorry, my dear, it’s just she gets very nervous around new people. It’s probably best to leave her alone.”

  Then turning his attention towards Matthew, the old man lowered his voice, “I think you, my boy, might like this.”

  Reaching beneath his table once more, he slowly unveiled a snow globe.

  “Wow, it’s amazing,” Matthew said completely mesmerised by the object.

  Catherine couldn’t quite believe Matthew was being serious. It was the ugliest snow globe she had ever seen. It had a black metal base, and the only thing occupying the glass dome was what appeared to be a castle. Instead of glitter, black dust occupied the globe. To Catherine it seemed nothing special.

  Seeing how interested Matthew was in this piece of old junk, Catherine felt compelled to speak up.

  “Matthew, are you being serious? Look at it!” Catherine picked up the globe and started to shake it, “It’s rubbish! Look even the snow is black. Come on!”

  “Snow?” the old man addressed Catherine crossly, “why would there be snow?”

  “Because that’s what snow globes have, hence the name ‘snow’ globe.”

  Catherine was starting to become annoyed with the old man’s attitude. She thumped the snow globe back on the table and urged Matthew once more to walk away.

  But Matthew had become more and more curious with the object. Reaching out to touch the globe, the dove began to flap its wings uncontrollably and pecked viciously at the bars trying to break free. The dove’s squawk pierced Catherine’s ears as it became more and more frantic. Matthew watched on unaffected by the dove’s antics.

  “Silentium, Silentium!!” the old man shouted aggressively towards the dove.

  Following the old man’s instructions, the dove retreated back on her perch.

  “Now, Matthew, where were we?” The creepy old man sent shivers down Catherine’s spine. She felt the air go cold, and as the wind picked up she desperately wanted to leave.

  But the old man continued, “You’re Matthew Khan, aren’t you?”

  “How do you know my name?” Matthew demanded, shocked by the old man’s question.

  “Matthew, I think we should go and find our parents,” Catherine pleaded again.

  Darkness began to descend as the birds of the air climbed steadily into the thunderous clouds which gathered above. Catherine pleaded one more time for Matthew to hurry along, but her words were silenced by the roars of thunder.

  “How do you know my name?” Matthew shouted, trying to make himself heard.

  A flash of lightning followed before the old man leaned forward towards Matthew and whispered “Because I knew your mother.”

  Matthew jumped back in shock, “My Mother!? You knew my Mother?” Matthew’s olive skin turned pale. No one had spoken of his Mother’s whereabouts for years.

  Regaining Matthew’s full attention the old man went on to explain, “She gave me this for you and told me one day you would find me.”

  The old man raised the snow globe to give to Matthew, however, his actions once more caused the dove much distress.

  The dove circled her cage like a raging bull ready for a fight, knowing the dark secrets hidden within the globe. Volunteering to take the snow globe, Matthew cupped both of his hands together and waited for the old man to deliver.

  Happy to depart from it, the old man placed the globe into the palm of Matthew’s hands. Then the old man let out a belt of laughter to which the skies above responded. Deafening thunder resounded around the now empty field.

  Matthew stood solid, his eyes fixated on the globe as the old man’s laughter changed into an evil chortle.

  Catherine had heard that sound befor
e. Closing her eyes she focused her attention on that laugh, that chuckle, that evil chortle.....that caw?

  Catherine, now wide eyed, shook her head in disbelief. How could it be?

  As Matthew clasped the snow globe, the black dust came to life and started to swirl around the castle. Responding to Matthew’s touch the globe glowed brighter.

  Matthew could feel the snow globe becoming warmer, and the palms of his hands turned deep red. The globe stuck to Matthew’s hand as though magnetised, and its power intensified the more Matthew resisted its pull.

  Completely paralysed by its power, Matthew could see the tiny little castle inside the globe beginning to melt under the intense heat. Hotter and brighter the globe shone, until the light reached high into the clouds above.

  Again the thunder roared and Catherine quickly turned to Matthew, “Drop it Matthew!” she ordered.

  “I can’t!” Matthew shouted back.

  Fear filled his eyes and as the light became more powerful, the old man lifted high above them.

  “You fool!” he bellowed down to them.

  The old man’s body rose high above them. The light from the globe formed around him. His grey hair started turning as black as the night, his dirty muddy coat cleaned itself of any dirt. The old man’s withered, wrinkled, gaunt face began to shrivel up.

  Catherine and Matthew watched on in astonishment as the screwed up face formed into a sharp, sleek beak.

  His weary aging eyes transformed in shape and colour, shrinking smaller and smaller until they were two jet black beady eyes.

  The transformation was complete as the old man finally revealed himself. Stretching out his fine wings, he gave an almighty caw and swirled high above Matthew and Catherine.

  Now soaring above them, he peered down to see them standing helplessly below. Catherine and Matthew gazed on in awe as he danced with the lightning which flashed brilliant white against his majestic black. Another sequence of caws echoed throughout the field.

  The heat of the globe had begun to crack the glass, and with one almighty clash of thunder it shattered into a million pieces. The castle had completely liquefied and began spilling out onto the mud. The heavy clouds opened up their arms allowing water to fall down from the skies.