Dare to Read: 13 Tales of Terror

by Jamie C. Pritchard

  “Are you going to work Daddy?”

  “That’s right.”

  “To be a Sale’s Director?”

  “Yup.”

  “Are you going to show some graphs today?”

  “No graphs but I’m going to have a few meetings.”

  “In our class Mrs Saunders puts her finger over her lips and goes “Shhhhhh” when we’re being too loud.”

  “And I hope you’re not one of those people?” said Nigel with a reserved smile.

  “No Daddy.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  The Jag was pulled up close to the entrance gate and Rachel was given a kiss before jumping out on her own – a new responsibility. Nigel made sure she got inside and met up with friends. They waited for his official goodbye, a musical honk of the horn that always got laughs. He carried on towards the city while Mellissa was putting her face on for the cake shop which leisurely opened at 10 a.m. Despite concerns about a new employee she had a good day, the same went for Nigel and Rachel had plenty to tell mummy on the short drive back, one of which being that Delilah wasn’t in school today and everyone was asked many questions, “but mainly her best friends.” Mellissa however already knew. She had received a phone call. Once back Rachel scurried up to her bedroom, almost forgetting to take her shoes off. Mellissa was slow to cook dinner and checked the time in anticipation for her husband.

  When Nigel re-entered Golden Meadows the sunlight continued to leak through trees which hung over the road. Everything looked as it had in the morning save for George and Phil talking on the latter’s front lawn. He smiled at what he thought was a social gathering but then saw their grey expressions. There were others chatting outside with their arms folded and that is when he knew something was up. Mellissa ran to the porch as soon as the key turned to explain that seven-year-old Delilah Jennings had not come home last night. The Jennings’ lived just opposite the school. That explained why they hadn’t seen any commotion but it didn’t explain much else. Having gone to the local park (also by the school) friends Jessica and Mollie repeated that Delilah had left it at 7 p.m., just after her curfew. It was still as bright as day while the trip home was just a few hundred metres.

  “Possibly fell into the canal?” offered Nigel.

  Mellissa shrugged and began to cry. “That’s what people are saying.”

  It wasn’t unusual for kids to go missing in Bromdale, for five minutes that is. A quick phone around always fixed it. To be missing for a couple of hours deserved alarm bells. To be missing overnight was mighty worrying and the reason why the police were already searching the danger area. Going to school for the rest of the week was eerie as they were visibly fishing for something even the children could guess.

  “Delilah fell into the canal?” asked Rachel during tomorrow’s drive to school.

  “We think so honey.”

  “Can’t she swim?”

  Nigel chuckled at her innocence while remaining thoughtful. “Maybe she can darling. Maybe she’s okay.”

  “Then will she come back to school?”

  “If she comes back, yes.”

  Evidently Rachel didn’t fully understand. A distant look was replaced with that cheeky grin upon seeing familiar faces in the junior yard. Nigel got as close to the gate as he could before letting her hop out. Back at home Mellissa had been unable to sleep and got ready for work in advance. With an hour to burn and no use for the TV she decided to visit Miss McCleary’s as she had not spoken to her about what had happened. The Range Rover backed out of the driveway.

  Just after school begun was when the bear factory was at its quietest. It was still open as parents meaning to surprise their kids would shoot in before work. Mellissa pushed open the door, the bell sounded and the owner squinted to see who it was. On top of her long legs underneath a long skirt was a basket. Inside was a lovely assortment of flowers petals, cut-out hearts and a small bear in the middle holding a card. Mellissa did not need to ask who it was for. Many including herself had sent cards to the Jennings’ but it probably meant more to receive something from Miss McCleary, someone they knew had tasted real tragedy.

  “For the Jennings?” asked Mellissa.

  Miss McCleary gave a weak smile and nodded. “Not that I think it will do much good.” She repositioned herself in the rocking chair which seemed to cause pain. “If there was something I could sew that would bring Delilah back, even if it brought me to my final breath, I would do it.”

  “I know you would,” Mellissa managed to not get emotional and thought about things practically, “but if it’s not an accident, if Delilah didn’t fall in the canal, what else could have possibly happened?” The question engaged Miss McCleary, further scrunching up her raisin complexion. The basket, now complete, was put to one side as her gnarled fingers interlocked. “Oh, it’s very hard to say dear. My only other guess would be a kidnapping.” Delilah’s route back home didn’t involve walking near a road but it pricked Mellissa’s ears nonetheless. Miss McCleary added, “I suppose you get all kinds of people driving through.”

  “Well my husband does take Moorgate Road past the school and into town, a commuters’ one. We’ll just have to see what the police say first.” Miss McCleary offered Mellissa a biscuit before devouring a few custard creams. Crumbs went all down her top. Mellissa wanted to brush them off but scrapped the idea when talk resumed.

  “Me and Conor were going to have kids. After he passed I was never going to have them with anyone else…” for a moment she seemed to get lost in her own sorrow but then picked up that smile, “but in a way that has brought me closer to children. We have our own little relationship based purely on fun.” She glanced around her store with a peaceful expression. “When your race is nearly up you realise that life is just about being happy in the moment. I sometimes forget that but then children remind me. They are precious indeed.”

  Mellissa could have easily spent the morning here but a time check brought her back to reality. “I sorry but I’m going to have to get to work.” It took that bit longer for Miss McCleary to digest what was said, underlined by those slow changes in expression. “Ah, I see dear, not to worry. Do go along!” Mellissa waved goodbye, gazing once more at the basket, wondering who was going to deliver it.

  When the evening began to draw in it had been another smooth day for all, save for Nigel. Two hours later than usual he turned onto Moorgate Road. The culprit was a series of disagreements about how he had been running things. He eventually made them see his vision but it was hard work. Tim’s forecasts have almost always been off, so why… He shut down his thoughts as he remembered to stop taking his job home with him. The sun was just about ready for bed and Bromdale was as quiet as can be. He slowed down at the crossroads then carried on towards the bear factory and noticed that the lights were on. He slowed down for no particular reason and saw a pair of legs disappear up the beginning of a staircase. To his understanding nobody else lived with Miss McCleary but then there was no way she could ascend them without the aid of the stairlift which was ignored on this occasion. Strange no doubt but pressing issues like dinner and the lingering fate of Delilah Jennings stopped enquiries. Once home he decided to extend Rachel’s curfew to watch a family flick and cuddle up to his two favourite girls.

  3

  Two weeks after Delilah had gone missing the police stopped fishing the canal. No body had been found and this made things very clear – she had not fallen in there. It was too shallow to be hiding any secrets. Mrs Jennings was one of the first to be updated and her body reacted with a shot of hope and queasiness. The police went back to urging everyone to try and piece together Delilah’s movements that day, especially Jessica and Mollie who constantly needed to be told that “It’s okay” by their parents before responding. As Bromdale pulled together one man had arranged something that he believed to be for the greater good. Reverend Keith Chambers had urged everyone to arrive at St. Luke’s Church this Sunday to pray for Delilah Jennings. The church was built o
f lovely grey stone with a brown-tiled spire and surrounded by neat gardens which charmed anyone who walked past. Service began at 2 p.m. and lasted two hours.

  Nigel, Mellissa and Rachel arrived just before and began chatting to many who had done the same. Nigel, a devout Christian, made a beeline to the Reverend to shake his hand and talk. Though men wore suits the dress code was strictly non-mournful with the woman and girls wearing colourful numbers. Rachel looked cute in her polka dot one and straw boater hat. Whenever she saw kids from her class they giggled and wanted to play but no parent would let go of hands at this point. Standing in his full garb Reverend Chambers welcomed everyone into the church. It looked bigger inside than out with red carpet running through the middle of pews that quickly filled up. The Reverend stood in the pulpit. Children were told to “Shh.”

  “May I first begin by acknowledging the numbers that have gathered here today. They remind me of why I am a proud member of this community. This autumn will mark 27 years of service and in those 27 I have witnessed kindness, understanding and a sheer willingness to help on a scale I am sure few places experience. But it is that last one, when the citizens of Bromdale are in need, that our spirit is never more pronounced. Well, today I can verily swear to the Lord God Almighty that your support has never been more called for.” Mrs Jennings was on the front row with her husband, daubing away at tears. The Reverend motioned to her with his hand, “I can only marvel at this lady’s strength.” She was introduced to say a few words which quavered the more she spoke, ending with a broken plea for “anyone who knows anything to come forward and help find my baby.” She was consoled on her return, and then came a series of hymns, belted out with real passion. Bromdale was one.

  At halftime people went outside to get some fresh air – mainly for the kids to let off steam. The youngsters did however anticipate more of what was going on and spoke about how they hoped Delilah would come back. There were a couple more hymns and a series of prayers. During the last one Nigel looked around at all the bowed heads and did a double take by the entrance door where he was sure there was a little boy next to his mother. He was going to nudge Mellissa but part of him thought he was about to make an embarrassing miscall. When the prayer ended another voice began. “Robert? Robert?” Nigel watched the lady dart outside. “Robert!?” Everyone heard that one. She came back to get her husband, trying not to make a scene but the alarm bells had already gone off. Mrs Jennings looked over like they were under attack. There was no closing remark by the Reverend.

  “Right just calm down, Clara.”

  “Exactly, don’t jump to conclusions.”

  “He’s not going to have got far.”

  “Yeah, do a quick phone around.”

  The last suggestion went off like a stink bomb. Almost everyone was out and standing next to each other. Despite people’s assurances even they knew it was unlikely that a six-year-old with a healthy fear of the road could just vanish. This big circle tried to offer things which were of no use. Clara began to have her own breakdown while Mrs Jennings had moved onto disbelief. Nigel, Mellissa and Rachel gave the commotion some room by dropping down to the sidewalk. Miss McCleary could be seen halfway out of her store, obviously not well enough to walk up. Nigel looked over with a peculiar frown. Mellissa was holding Rachel’s hand to the point it hurt. There was no point hanging around for most. A couple of families walked up to the bear factory to have a word. Nigel got everyone back in the car. Clara was taken by the police to report that her son, Robert Thompson, had gone missing.

  With the sun down and Rachel in bed, Nigel spoke to his wife about the thing that was keeping every neighbour up. 1 a.m. and he had forgotten about work. There was lots of pausing and shaking of the head. Mellissa kept saying “We’ll have to move.”

  “Don’t be silly. What’s happened is awful but it shouldn’t scare us away.” There was another moment of reflection. “I do wonder though how such a thing can happen, Two seconds and poof - gone.” Mellissa rubbed her darkening eyes. “Speaking to Miss McCleary a few days ago, she reckons it was probably a kidnapping.”

  “Well that’s hardly a wild theory now is it?” replied Nigel, not meaning to be short, “but no,” he quickly changed his tone, “that’s probably what we’re looking at.” Mellissa’s two cents made him think of something else. “So how come Miss McCleary wasn’t at the service? Surely the shop didn’t have to be open at such a quiet time?” Before she replied he got in another point. “Y’know I drove past there recently after a long shift and saw the bottom half of someone go upstairs.”

  “Without the stairlift?”

  “Yeah, exactly.”

  For a moment Mellissa looked confused then nodded to herself. “She must have a carer. She had made a basket for Mrs Jennings that obviously wasn’t going via post.” Nigel had a face that didn’t completely agree. Mellissa continued. “It makes sense that she would want to keep that part of her life private, especially while she’s running a shop – it’s embarrassing. Probably has to be dressed and taken to the toilet, for starters.” Nigel was more convinced but not satisfied.

  “It’s still weird that someone as liked as her did not make such an important date.”

  “Yeah, still a bit weird…,” Mellissa was about to suggest bed when something came back, “Oh! It may be something else…” Nigel was all ears. “It was about a month ago, when Rachel began taking a shine to the more expensive bears. I was talking about how much Keith had been doing for the community, helping to plant trees at the school when I swore Miss McCleary said something under her breath like, “He can go to hell.” In the flow of conversation I forgot but when I look back she definitely said something, with a scowl too. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard her say about anyone.”

  Nigel was stumped. “I can’t imagine what she’d have against Keith…religious reasons?”

  Mellissa thought about that then pointed at Nigel. “That’s probably it. I’ve never seen any crosses or anything like that in her shop.” Mellissa raised her voice and clicked her finger as she added to her point. “And if you think of what happened to her husband,” a raise of the eyebrows emphasised the point, “I can see why that would make her slam the idea of a higher power.”

  “Yes, well, the Lord’s plan is sometimes hard to follow.”

  Mellissa kind of nodded, not wanting to go down that route. “The fact is she’s probably an atheist who’s not going to banner it in a pious village like this.”

  “She’s still one of God’s children and a great person, so while she may not pray for Delilah and Robert I know she’ll be thinking of them.” Mellissa nodded with sadness in her eyes.

  “Things are looking pretty bleak now aren’t they?”

  4

  Another evening after school and Rachel was a picture of contentment playing with Dorothy, moving her arms and using a bear voice she had been working on. It was high pitched but kind of scratchy and it amused Mellissa to no end. Since the disappearance of Delilah Jennings she could not help but feel more protective of her daughter. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her.” It was a common phrase. Sure everyone could sympathise with the Jennings’s and Thompson’s, but understand? No parent wanted to because they knew what that involved.

  Apart from her mind drifting things were good. She and Nigel had even approached the subject of having that second kid and jokingly asked Rachel whether she wanted a brother or a sister; more jokingly on Nigel’s behalf, more serious on Mellissa’s. A generous helping of lasagne for everyone and they cuddled up on the sofa to see what the box had to offer. That is when the phone rang. Nigel did the honours. It was Keith and he sounded uneasy.

  “Nigel, listen. This is going to sound a bit weird, so that’s why you’re the first and only person I’m going to tell.” Nigel’s first instinct was to wish away the fact he had picked up. Then he reluctantly answered, “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s about Miss McCleary.” Mellissa asked with her lips who i
t was. Nigel cupped the phone to tell her and downplay its importance. Then he drifted further along the kitchen where they couldn’t see him. “Sorry, go on.”

  “I have noticed things lately and I am seeing them again, right now.” Nigel didn’t respond to that but Keith could hear him on the other end. “She’s at her shop, with a pair of binoculars in her hands, and (I must be right because there’s no one else out there) she’s got them pointed at a couple of older kids.” Nigel knew exactly what the suggestion was and remained quiet. “Now I know this goes against everything we know about her but after the canal search stopped and Robert went missing…well…it just seems a bit odd.”

  This was hard to picture. “Okay, for arguments sake, let’s say she is looking at the children. A bit weird I admit but evidence of kidnapping them?”

  “It’s not just that though, her whole routine seems to be odd lately. Lights go on at weird hours and I’m pretty sure I saw her standing on the other side of a hedge, like she was poised. “

  “Poised?” Nigel thought that sounded ridiculous. “I saw her step outside just after Robert went missing and she didn’t look fit to cross the road.”

  “She did not look that feeble when I saw her.”

  There was a moment of mutual silence and thought. “She might have a carer. Me and Mellissa were discussing. And from what I saw a few nights ago she may not be that much younger.”

  “If she does it must be a new development.” Again there was silence. “Well, I’m not sure where I’m going with this, but you know when you see something and your gut churns? Like you know you’ve stumbled over something but can’t explain it?” Unfortunately Nigel did know plus he would never doubt the Reverend’s instincts.