Shades of Fear

by D. L. Scott

  She lives with her partner, Nathan, and their two Tonkinese cats, Kike and Kai, their Fahaka Puffer fish Clarkson, several other freshwater tropical fish, as well as Tee's pony, a Welsh Cob named Duke. Tee has two stories published in Flash It! flash fiction anthology and is due to publish three more in anthologies in the Spring of 2014. Tee's novel, Paper Dragons and Shadow Demons is planned for publication by the end of 2014. You can follow her at https://www.facebook.com/T.D.HarveyAuthor/ and http://tdharveyauthor.wordpress.com/

  The House in the Woods

  By Maria Sauerbrei

  “People often believed they were safer in the light, thinking monsters only came out at night. But safety – like light – is a façade.”

  ― C.J. Roberts, Captive in the Dark

  The wind howled around them and the rain felt like tiny pellets beating against their bare skin. Lisa was sniffling loudly and Amy walked up next to her and linked arms with her. Just as they were about to give up and sit on the ground and rest a bit they saw lights in the distance.

  The lights were not coming from the road though; they were coming from deep inside the woods.

  Two small lights shining through the pitch black. They walked a little further up the road and found a path that led into the woods, more than likely right to those lights. Lisa thought it odd that anything would be out this deep in the woods.

  "Should we check it out?" Lisa asked nervously.

  "Probably our only chance at being saved. If it’s a house, we could use their phone and call a cab or a tow truck or something," Amy responded.

  Amy led the way at a brisk pace. The path was dirt all the way through and most of it was mud; some of it as deep as mid-calf. They muddled through, the promise of being warm and dry for a few minutes pushing them forward.

  When they reached the end of the road the house towered above them. It was white, with large windows on every floor; there were three floors as far as they could tell. It was completely isolated out here; no other lights in the distance, no unlit homes nearby. Miles of woods surrounded the house. The clouds were beginning to break and the rain slowed to a drizzle but the moonlight cast shadows against the house which only made it look that much more sinister.

  The house was mostly dark except for a few lights on in the front part of the house. They couldn't hear any noise coming from inside but they knew this was their best bet at getting any help tonight.

  Lisa walked up to the door and looked for a doorbell but there wasn't one. She noticed an ornate knocker on the door and used it. After a few moments the door opened a crack. There was a woman peering out cautiously. Lisa didn't blame her; who knew what was hiding out in the woods waiting to attack.

  "Can I help you?" she whispered as if she didn't want anybody to hear her.

  "Yes, our car broke down a couple of miles up the road and we have no cell reception to call for a tow truck or cab," Lisa explained. "We were hoping we could use your phone." Lisa smiled hoping the woman would feel bad for them and let them in.

  "Well, I don't know," she hesitated, still whispering. "I'd rather not let strangers in. What if I call for you and you can start walking back to your car?" she suggested.

  "Miss, I understand we are strangers but it’s still raining, we are soaking wet, covered in mud trying to get to your house, and it’s a long walk back. We just need to warm up and dry off. We will not stay longer than necessary," Amy pleaded.

  She looked like she was struggling with a decision. She shook her head slightly and was about to shut the door when it was pulled open behind her. A man was standing behind her; actually more like towering behind her he was so tall. The woman flinched slightly when she realized he was there.

  "Renee, darling, who are these lovely ladies and why haven't you invited them in yet?" the handsome man asked cordially. He had a touch of a foreign accent but Lisa could not quite place it.

  "Their car broke down. They need to use the phone,” the woman named Renee told him timidly.

  She gave the girls a sympathetic look and walked back into the house. The hair on the back of Lisa’s neck stood up and she felt nervous for a second. She felt compelled to just ask the man to call the taxi and walk back to the car with Amy. Was the feeling of dread just a product of the situation? The dark woods, the broken down car, and the storm they had to walk through; everything that could go wrong had up to this point. It would stand to reason that this would be a doomed situation as well. She shook off the feeling and focused on the man in front of her again.

  "Well, come in ladies. You look like you could use a moment to collect yourselves. My name is Joseph. Excuse Renee’s poor manners. She’s been out of sorts lately," he explained while they followed him in to the house. Lisa and Amy couldn’t help gaping at everything in the house; it all looked so opulent.

  "Please, let me take you into the sitting room then I will call a taxi and a tow truck for you,” Joseph said and gave them a warm smile.

  He showed them into the sitting room and told them to take a seat. They both hesitated for a moment before sitting down, neither wanting to get water or mud on the furniture. He gestured for them to sit and Lisa did so gingerly.

  They were left alone in the room while Joseph made the phone calls and Renee was somewhere in this enormous house. Suddenly, Renee came in with a tray; there were five tumblers and a carafe of an amber-colored beverage.

  She placed it on the coffee table and looked up at them. She looked right at Lisa and was about to speak when they heard Joseph enter the room. He cleared his throat as if to alert Renee he was there. She looked away and sat on the sofa opposite them.

  Lisa felt a pit in her stomach; she just wanted to call her parents and let them know where she was. She didn't want to sit here in this strange house and wait for trouble to find her.

  "I called a cab and a tow truck. The tow truck will be about an hour and the dispatcher for the cab couldn't give a time frame but will call when they are nearby," Joseph told them before sitting on the sofa next to Renee. "Now, let me pour you both some brandy. It’ll help warm you up. My nephew should be joining us soon.”

  As if he heard his opportunity to make an entrance, another good-looking and younger man entered the room. He was as tall as Joseph and had a more muscular build. He smiled at Amy and she was instantly smitten with him.

  "Hello, my name is Thomas. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said smoothly before pressing his lips to Amy's hand. “What are your names?”

  Amy giggled like a lovesick school girl while Lisa said hello politely and told him their names.

  She knew they had no chance of walking back to the car now. Once Amy set her sights on something she wouldn't give up and in this case that could mean anything from a promise of a phone call or a little sexual release. There was no doubt in Lisa's mind that Amy would try to get both from Thomas tonight.

  "So, how did you end up stranded on this dark mountain road?" Thomas asked. The hair on the back of Lisa's neck rose again; how did he know they were stranded? He only just came downstairs.

  "Flat tire, the car hydroplaned and we hit the guardrail," Amy gave the condensed version. "Her cell was dead and I had no reception so we walked until we were lucky enough to happen upon your lovely home." She smiled at him coyly and angled her body towards his while crossing her legs seductively.

  "Not many people take this road at night. How did you end up straying so far from the freeway?" Joseph asked. He leaned over closer as if the next words she said would be the most important he ever heard.

  "The last stop we made for gas; the attendant told us about this shortcut and well, it was a bad idea at night," Lisa said.

  She glanced toward Renee and saw her wrap her arms around herself and turn away. Joseph looked at her and patted her leg.

  "Renee, dear, why don't you head to bed like you were going to before these ladies arrived? I will be right up," he said more sternly than seemed necessary.

  Renee nodded hastily and fled up the stairs. Lisa was
shaken up by the whole exchange. Something didn't seem right about this situation, Renee looked so mentally beaten down. She looked over at Amy and saw that she was in deep conversation with Thomas. She appeared almost entranced by everything he was saying.

  "Lisa,” Amy leaned over and whispered to me, “I’m going to go upstairs with Thomas for a bit. He wants to show me some beautiful art work they own." She gave Lisa a wink before standing up and letting Thomas lead her up the stairs. "You'll be okay for a bit, right?" she added when she was already half way up the stairs.

  "Yea, sure. Hurry back though the cab may be here soon," Lisa told her pointedly even though she knew Amy was already lost in her own little world.

  Lisa sat there nervously, waiting for something to happen but Joseph was just staring at her, grinning. She felt uneasy and wasn’t sure why. They had been nothing but nice to her but it felt like a double-edged sword.

  "This is such a beautiful home. Is it just the three of you here?” she said trying to make conversation and ease her nerves.

  "My younger brother Vincent comes and goes. He travels quite a bit," he replied still grinning wickedly.

  “How nice to have family around; especially out here where it’s so isolated. I didn’t notice any neighboring homes.”

  “We’re all alone out here; no other homes for miles and miles. We prefer it that way; less chance of anyone finding out our secrets,” Joseph chuckled.

  Something wasn’t sitting right about what he said. She really wanted to get out of there but knew she was trapped. Amy was still upstairs doing God knows what and she wasn’t about to leave her there alone anyway. Was Renee’s hesitation to let them in earlier her trying to save them from whatever these men had planned?

  "Where is the bathroom? I would like to freshen up a bit before the cab gets here," she asked while standing up. She felt suddenly woozy and lost her balance before falling back on the sofa.

  "That won't be necessary, my dear, you and your friend aren't going anywhere," Joseph calmly explained. He didn't even get up he was so confident that she would be unable to move from the sofa.

  Lisa sat there silently; the room was spinning around her. She knew screaming would be futile since they were so far from anything and it might only anger Joseph or put Amy in danger.

  Suddenly, she heard Amy screaming and her heart started racing. She heard someone running and saw Amy coming down the steps half naked with blood dripping from her neck and wrist.

  "Oh god, please no don't hurt me," she screamed.

  Lisa tried to get up and couldn’t, so she got down on the ground and slowly crawled towards Amy who was now on the floor crying.

  "Oh god, what happened? Why are you bleeding?” she said shrilly.

  "He’s a monster," she cried into Lisa's arms.

  Thomas came down the stairs and towered over them. His face was distorted in anger and when he smiled down at them his teeth looked like fangs in his mouth. Lisa denied what she was seeing but her blood pounded underneath her skin. She felt her head pulsing and her heart about to burst out of her chest.

  "Now, Thomas, you've gone and made a mess," Joseph chastised. "You know you're supposed to keep all messy play and feeding downstairs. Renee will have to clean this up and she's so weak lately as it is. I would hate to have to finish her off so soon, I’ve grown rather fond of her," Joseph went on.

  Lisa looked on in disbelief. Joseph looked as calm as ever and glanced from Lisa to Amy.

  "Sorry, Joseph. I couldn't help it. She was just my type and I couldn't resist having a bite," he grinned.

  "Well, bring her downstairs and finish up down there. Bring Lisa with you as well, no point in pretending anymore. She can cool her heels in the cage until Vincent comes back. If he doesn't come back by morning she's yours as well," Joseph said before walking upstairs.

  Lisa made a feeble attempt to get away by crawling towards the hallway but knew it was pointless as soon as she felt him grab her around the waist and hoist her up over his shoulder. She pounded on his back but he only laughed. Amy's practically lifeless body hung limply over his other shoulder.

  He led them down a set of narrow stairs into a basement. It smelled metallic and dirty and as soon as he turned on the tiny overhead light she saw why.

  There was blood all over the floor and the body of a naked woman on top of a table in the corner; she didn’t appear to be breathing. She looked around and saw a cage with a women cowering in the corner of it. There was no other light but that dingy bulb hanging from the ceiling.

  She tried to take in as much of the room as she could but it was all too horrific. Tables covered in blood, chains hanging from the ceiling, leather straps, and cages.

  He dropped Amy on to an empty table and then opened the cage. He tossed Lisa in there and she hit the ground hard.

  "You can't do this to us. Someone will come for us. Who are you people?" Lisa shouted empty threats at him.

  "We're your worst nightmare," Thomas said laughing wickedly while walking up the stairs with the body she saw when they came down.

  He shut them in the darkness.

  She began to cry loudly. She could hear Amy's labored breathing; occasionally she would moan in pain. Lisa tried blocking out everything but her fear was palpable. She remembered the other woman in there with her and began to crawl around the cage in the dark trying to find where she was sitting.

  "Hello? I know you’re in here; I saw you," Lisa pleaded in the dark.

  "They'll hear you, stop it," the girl snapped.

  "Please tell me where we are? Who are those monsters?" Lisa started sobbing.

  "Stop crying, they'll hear you. They like it when we're scared. Just try to stay calm," she pleaded.

  Just then the door opened and they heard footsteps. It was Thomas. Lisa cowered in the corner of the cage, trying to calm herself. He walked over to the cage and peered in.

  "Sara, are you playing nice with our guest?" he asked mockingly. "I haven't forgotten you. I just need to finish up with Amy over there before her heart gives out. I hate my meals cold," he laughed and walked towards Amy.

  She was breathing weakly and whimpering pathetically. Lisa could barely make her out in the dark. He turned on the overhead light and it cast a sickly yellow color over the whole room. Thomas continued walking towards her and grabbed her roughly. He fondled her body before taking her right there. Lisa turned away sickened by what was happening to her friend and frightened for what her own fate might be. She could hear Amy crying and Thomas grunting.

  Then he was silent, Lisa looked over again, hoping he would leave again.

  Instead, he pulled Amy's hair back and it appeared as if he was going to kiss her neck but Amy groaned in pain and she could hear the quiet sound of swallowing and knew then what Thomas and Joseph were. She hid her face in her lap and waited for it to be over. She heard something drop and knew Amy was gone forever.

  Thomas walked back over to the cage and peered in. "I'll see you in the morning, Sara," he chuckled.

  When he was gone, Sara began to cry and shake uncontrollably.

  "Don’t cry. We'll get out of here. My parents will be looking for me soon and my car is on the road a couple of miles from here," Lisa said lamely.

  "He's going to kill me, I know it, I'll be dead before morning," she continued sobbing and Lisa just held her and let her cry.

  No light came into the basement and Lisa had no way of telling how much time had passed. She was starting to drift off into a fitful sleep. She didn't want to let her guard down but she was mentally exhausted, her brain wanted to shut down to protect itself from what was happening but the painful position she was crouched in was a reminder of where she was and what was destined to happen to her.

  The door opened again, followed by footsteps, it was Joseph this time. He walked to the cage and spoke softly to Sara.

  "Sara, dear, I need you. Renee is too weak to satisfy my needs and I refuse to kill her. Don't be frightened, it will be over quickly," he cr
ooned softly as if he was serenading her.

  Sara began to shake and cowed further in the corner but it was pointless, she was trapped.

  Joseph grabbed her arm and gently pulled her from the cage. He didn't look like a vicious killer but Lisa knew that was part of the plan; gain trust then attack.

  Lisa wondered how Sara ended up here, how long she had been here, and who was missing her.

  He brought her to the middle of the room and turned on the light. Lisa had a feeling turning on the light was more for filling their prisoners with dread then it was for their benefit. She heard chains clanging and fought the urge to see what was happening. She lost that fight and turned towards Sara and Joseph in the middle of the room. She made out Sara swinging from hooks on the ceiling. This place was some kind of twisted S&M dungeon.

  Sara hung there, crying and pleading. Joseph spoke softly to her; Lisa couldn't hear anything that was being said. Suddenly, Sara cried out then moaned in what sounded like pleasure. She continued to moan and cry then there was nothing but silence. Joseph walked back up the stairs and shut the door not even acknowledging Lisa.

  Lisa was alone.

  Alone and still alive.

  She crawled to the cage door and tried to open it without success. She lay on the cold floor and waited. She had no idea how much time passed. Was it morning yet? Was the mysterious Vincent coming for her? Or would it be the cruel Thomas who would use and abuse her before killing her? She was still unsure what they were; vampires didn't really exist, did they? But that seemed the only explanation that made even an iota of sense.

  After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened again. The dim light shined down the stairs and she saw someone coming down them. It was Vincent, the one she was waiting for. He approached the cage. She cowered back against the back of the cage.