The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1)

by P. A. Fielding

  19: Two in the bed, one in the wardrobe

  1

  “What? We’ll be finished in a minute,” said Matthew, kissing Vana passionately. “No, listen up,” said Vana. “There’s nothing to listen to, the others are downstairs,” replied Matthew. He kissed her left ear, cheek, and finally her neck. “Come on, I’ve not seen you since Saturday.” Vana wasn’t convinced. She listened intently for any noises coming from the landing, or from the attic. Nothing. She started to relax again and, looking into Matthew’s eyes, kissed him affectionately on the lips. “I’m such a soft touch when it comes to you.”

  Matthew kissed her right cheek. “Soft isn’t the word I’d use right now.” Vana giggled, “Matthew, you’ve got one dirty mind.” They did not notice as the wardrobe door gently opened, revealing a mirror fixed to the inside of it. Nor did they see a dark shadow, which partially covered the mirror, watching them. Suddenly Vana was aware of the open door and, at that moment, a wooden hanger clattered down from the rail and fell out onto the bedroom floor. The young couple jumped up from the bed.

  “What the fuck was that?” said Matthew. “Not sure, but I think it’s time we got going,” said Vana. “I’m right with you on that one,” replied Matthew, as he hurriedly zipped up his jeans. The dark shadow faded away.

  2

  Vana and Matthew came into the lounge to the sound of laughter. Zoe and Steven were playing a game on the PlayStation. “Hi guys,” said Vana, “anyone want a brew?”

  “I’ll have a refill, please,” said Steven. “Me too,” said Zoe, as she collected the empty mugs from the table and followed her friend into the kitchen. “Well?” said Vana, as soon as they were out of earshot. “Well, what?” replied Zoe, mischievously. “Come on, am I going to have to drag it out of you?” Vana was one of those girls who wanted to know all the latest gossip the moment it happened.

  “Well, he’s cute,” answered Zoe, filling the kettle. “Not enough,” replied Vana, “I want to know more. I want all the details.”

  “We get on really well. I think he’s my type,” said Zoe, as she started to smile. “Yes! I deffo knew it,” answered Vana, punching the air. “I’d a feeling you were the instigator behind this.” Vana laughed. “He’ll be SO good for you.” Zoe and Vana were much more than close friends, they were more like sisters – they watched out for each other.

  “You’re right, and I should move on,” replied Zoe. “Anyway, let’s change the subject. What took you two so long to come back down?” Vana giggled. “Just wanted to give you guys time to get to know one another. That’s all; time to break the ice.”

  “Oh, so no making out in the guest room then?”

  “I knew someone was watching us, but how did you get the hanger to fall?” asked Vana. Zoe was puzzled. “Hanger? What hanger? What are you talking about? I just guessed what you would be up to.”

  “Am I really that predictable?” said Vana. “We were just kissing and the wardrobe door opened and then a hanger fell off the rail.”

  “Too much vibration! I’m surprised we didn’t hear you down here! Come on, let’s get the coffee made.”

  3

  Matthew and Steven were playing the same game on the PlayStation. “So what do you think of Zoe?”

  “She likes video games, football, and is a stunner. What else do you need to know?”

  “Good answer, mate. You’ve just described the perfect modern-day woman!”

  The guys had met during fresher’s week the previous year, and had been friends ever since. They both liked the same activities, and rowing was their passion. It was actually their rowing skills that had brought them to Oxford; they had both been approached a couple of years previously at their local rowing clubs by university representatives who had asked if they had considered applying for Oxford.

  The representatives stated that if they had, provided they got the required grades in their chosen subjects, there would be a place reserved for them. The lads were surprised at this, but soon discovered that it was common practice – one which had started in America when colleges were recruiting football stars.

  The girls came back in, carrying the coffee, which they placed on the coffee table. “It didn’t take you long to find another partner,” Zoe said to Steven with a smile. “Yes, but he’s not as good as you.”

  Vana was using her iPhone to check the movies at the local cinema. “What do you all fancy?” she asked, “there’s Hathaway, Perlman, Banderas films and then there’s another Final Destination movie.” Matthew was the first to reply. “You can’t beat a Ron Perlman action film.”

  “What sort of films do you like, Steven?” asked Zoe.

  “I don’t really mind,” he replied. Vana watched the interaction between the couple. “Tell you what, let’s vote. Zoe, have you got some paper and pens?”

  They all wrote down their choice. “I’m sure it’s a democratic way of doing things – but I am NOT watching a gay chick-flick!” said Matthew, as he dropped his folded paper into the bowl. “Right,” said Vana, “Zoe’s house – she should choose.” Zoe duly picked a paper at random. “Final Destination 5 it is then,” said Zoe.

  4

  Half an hour later the four friends headed out to the cinema, Vana and Matthew leading the way, arms entwined. Zoe and Steven walked a little way behind them, chatting away like old friends; he reached for her hand.

  20: Cinema plus meal equals date night

  1

  The friends continued to walk towards the bus stop where they could catch a bus to take them to King’s Road. They did not see the curtains moving in Zoe’s parents’ bedroom. “So, Steven, when are you back at Uni?” asked Zoe, as she studied the bus timetable on the shelter’s wall. “Not for another week and a half. How about you?”

  “Roughly the same. Funny isn’t it, I couldn’t wait for the summer, but I am so looking forward to getting back into a routine.” Steven laughed. “I kind of see your point. I do keep up with my training and that’s a big part of my life, but I sure do miss the day-to-day banter.”

  As the bus arrived, the friends took out their student passes and got on board. They walked towards the few empty seats. Matthew and Vana sat behind Steven and Zoe, and they all chatted together. The journey to King’s Road did not take long. They did not notice an old woman, with matted black and white hair, sitting alone on the back seat.

  2

  A couple of minutes later, Vana pressed the stop button and the bus came to a halt in King’s Road. “Come on you two,” said Vana, “this is our stop.” Thanking the driver, they jumped off the bus and strolled, arm in arm, to the cinema.

  As they went in, they were quite pleased to see that the place wasn’t full, and there wasn’t a queue. Wednesday evenings were usually quiet, even though one of the popular mobile phone networks had a special offer on – two tickets for the price of one. Vana and Zoe duly showed their mobiles to the attendant at the desk, and purchased the tickets, while the lads bought chocolate, popcorn, and drinks.

  The friends entered the auditorium, and made their way to their seats. Once the final trailer had been shown, the lights went down, and the friends prepared themselves for the scary movie.

  3

  A few hours later the couples came out of the cinema to find that it was pouring down. “Quick! Run people!” laughed Vana, as they all dashed across the road, jackets over their heads, to the local steakhouse. “God, I’m soaked,” moaned Matthew. “Get over it,” replied Vana, “we’re here now.”

  A smartly dressed waiter met them at the door and escorted them to a window table, picking up menus on the way. He told them about today’s specials and then took their drinks order – Jack Daniels and Coke, Becks, and two white wines. All conversation stopped as they made their choices. Matthew got up from the table. “I’m just going to...”

  “We know where you’re going; you don’t have to give us all the gory details!” interrupted Vana. The group laughed.

  “Just order my usual, please, if I’m
not back.”

  “What’s his usual?” asked Zoe. “Oh, creature of habit; he always has fillet steak, medium rare, chips and salad.”

  “Not a bad choice,” smiled Steven, “think I’ll go for that too.”

  “Same for me, but just medium-well. What about you, Zoe?”

  “Yeah, that’s good for me.”

  The waiter came over with the drinks, and then took the dinner order.

  4

  Matthew walked into the Gents and found a tiny room which contained two urinals, one cubicle, which appeared to be occupied, and one handbasin. He wasn’t that impressed with the cleanliness, or the smell. “An extractor fan wouldn’t go amiss in here, methinks.” Low mumbling came from the cubicle – possibly in agreement with Matthew’s comments. “Fucking hell! Have I waited long for this,” he said, as he placed one hand on the wall; he was here for the long haul. Suddenly Matthew had the strangest of sensations which started from his head and travelled down his body. He started to sweat, and his eyes began to sting.

  As he looked down he could see that, instead of urine, he was passing blood. His heart started to pound. “What the...?” but, before he could say fuck, the blood stopped and his urine flowed normally. The blood-stained urinal was clear again. “Jesus, if that’s what watching a horror movie does, then I’m not going to see anymore!” he said, as his body slowly returned to normal.

  As he was washing his hands, and splashing his face with cold water, a fellow-diner came into the room and headed for the closed cubicle. “There’s someone in there, mate,” said Matthew, helpfully. The man paused, nudged open the door, then walked into the empty cubicle, giving Matthew a strange look as he did so. “Sorry, bud. I thought it was occupied,” said Matthew apologetically.

  He did not notice the splashes of blood on his shoes.

  21: The rise of the hypochondriac

  1

  Matthew returned to the table, and sat down again next to Vana. “Have you guys ordered yet?” he asked. “Yeah, it shouldn’t be long,” replied Vana, as she looked out of the window absent-mindedly. She stared at a man who was standing in the shadows of a shop doorway. His face was hidden as he peered round the door frame. Vana couldn’t take her eyes off him. “What are you looking at?” Matthew said to Vana, but there was no response. She stared, trance-like. The three friends stopped their conversation and looked at her. “Vana? Are you OK, babe?” asked Matthew, gently touching her shoulder. Vana slowly turned towards him.

  “Did you say something?” she asked.

  “What’s up?” asked Zoe, “you’ve been staring out of that window for ages.”

  “Sorry,” said Vana, as she looked back out of the window. “I don’t know. I felt drawn to a man who was standing in that doorway. It was like we were in our own little world – just me and him.” Matthew put his arm round her. “He was probably just waiting for the rain to die off.”

  “No. It felt more than that. He was staring directly at me,” insisted Vana. “I...”

  “Well, he’s gone now, hun. Here, take a couple of swigs of your wine. That film certainly got to you,” smiled Zoe, handing her friend a glass. “Talking about the film,” said Matthew, anxious to change the subject, “what did you all think about it?”

  “It was good,” lied Steven. The lad couldn’t stand horror films! His fear started when he was a nine year old kid; one of his older cousins had made him watch Jack Nicholson fry a man to death in Batman and, even though it wasn’t a horror film, the memory of it never left him.

  “What did you think, Matthew?”

  “Well, it wasn’t Nightmare on Elm Street but, having said that, it still had an effect on me.” Vana continued to look out of the window. Fortunately, their meals arrived and the friends tucked in hungrily.

  “So, how have you enjoyed your first week in your new house?” Steven asked Zoe. “Well,” Zoe glanced towards Vana, “it felt strange at first, but it’s starting to feel like home now.” She had very mixed feelings about the house, and the weird events that she had encountered were certainly having an effect on her. She had really missed her family, even though she loved being with Vana, and was desperate for them to get back from Florida.

  “From what I’ve seen of your videos, it sure looks an interesting place,” said Steven. Vana looked at him, brows furrowed. “Yeah, but there’s only one problem.” Zoe glared at her friend, and gently kicked her under the table – willing her not to speak. Too late. “It’s haunted. By the Manor Murderer. There! I’ve said it,” said Vana, defiantly.

  “Vana!”

  “What? They’re going to find out anyway.”

  “Yeah, but not yet.”

  “Sorry, hun, but I’m just excited by it all.”

  “Whoa, hang on a minute,” said Matthew, “I’m confused. I thought you were just messing about? I assumed you guys had done some clever editing on those videos?”

  “No,” said Vana, “that’s just what we saw.”

  “So you think it’s really haunted by some bloke who calls himself the Manor Murderer, and you actually found some of his stuff? What do you think he wants you do with it?” asked Matthew. “Not sure. It’s been quiet since we found the journal, so I guess he just kind of haunts the place,” replied Zoe. “He must be grounded for a reason,” said Steven, as he warmed to the subject. “What does it say in the journal?”

  “Well, the guy, Ellwood, says he wasn’t the Manor Murderer,” said Zoe, “even though he was hanged at Newgate Prison for the crime.”

  “There you go, then. That’ll be why he’s still hanging around,” chuckled Vana. “Vana! That’s awful,” said Zoe, as she peered over the rim of her almost empty wineglass. “Perhaps you should try to get someone in to bless the house? Help him to move on?” suggested Steven. “Yes, and who is going to believe us? I mean, come on, we’re a bunch of students. They’ll just think we’re messing about and having a laugh. What is taking so long with the drinks?” said Zoe. “Come on, you...” said Vana to Matthew, “we’ll get them from the bar.”

  “How about you give the local press a call? I’m sure they’d be interested in the story,” suggested Steven.

  “To be honest,” replied Zoe, “I think it’ll stop anyway. And besides, I don’t really want all the London press camped on the doorstep. Can’t see my folks being impressed with that!”

  “Sorry. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “At the end of the day, it could just have been a shadow on the film, and that could mean anything. Right?”

  “Yes. It could,” answered Steven, “but how do you explain finding the paper and the journal?”

  “Just a fluke, I guess. Look, I just want to forget about it and get back to Uni. I don’t want to be worried all the time about what’s going on in the house,” stated Zoe. “Let’s change the subject.”

  Matthew and Vana returned with the drinks. The four of them had had a good evening. The film was OK, and the meal really good.

  2

  “OK. What’s tonight’s late night plan?” asked Matthew.

  “We’ll finish off our drinks whilst you guys pay the bill. Then, we need to head off for the last bus – I don’t fancy walking back,” replied Vana, “especially in these bloomin’ heels!”

  The girls waited at the table whilst the lads went off to the Gents and then to pay the bill. Matthew was anxious not to be alone in the toilet after his episode earlier. Zoe watched Vana as she swirled the last of her wine in the glass.

  “I wish you hadn’t told them about the house.”

  “Why? What’s the matter, hun?”

  “I was trying to have a nice evening, and forget about what had happened.”

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Kind of, but...” Zoe hesitated.

  “But what?”

  “I know it sounds really stupid, but I think the house is making me ill.”

  “Babe; why didn’t you say something? I knew I shouldn’t have left you on your own the other nigh
t. Why didn’t you text me?”

  “No, no, it’s OK. It’s just all this spooky stuff has started to have an effect on me, that’s all.” Just then, a loud bang on the window made both Zoe and Vana jump. “Oh my God! What’s that? I almost wet myself,” said Vana. They saw Matthew and Steven on the pavement, waving at them to come out. “Bastards!” said Zoe, as the girls got their things together and got up from the table. “I’ll try to keep my excitement under control from now on. No more ghost hunting,” promised Vana, linking Zoe’s arm. “It’s not as easy as that, though. And, the problem is that what’s happening is something that’s beyond our control,” replied Zoe, gravely.

  “What are you two chatting about? Come on, let’s have the info,” said Matthew. “No way! Lass talk! What happens between us girls stays between us girls,” replied Vana, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  Matthew lost his balance just as he was about to take Vana’s hand. It felt as if someone had bumped into him. “Bollocks!” he said, as his foot splashed in a puddle. He looked around, but there was no-one behind him. Vana thought it was funny, and laughed. As he looked again at his feet, he saw splashes of blood on his right shoe. He went quiet.

  The bus arrived, on time, and the friends boarded. They were all quite relaxed, except Matthew. He was staring out of the window, Vana’s head on his shoulder. He could not get the unusual events out of his mind. Was there blood? Did someone push him – and, if so, who could it have been?

  22: Stay calm girls, the lads are here

  1

  It was almost midnight. As the friends walked back down the quiet street, chatting and singing happily – much to the dismay of the neighbours – they again failed to notice the curtains moving in Zoe’s parents’ bedroom window. Zoe unlocked the front door and they all walked in to a freezing cold house. “It’s proper cold in here, hun,” said Vana. She shivered and rubbed her hands together. “It shouldn’t be, should it?” asked Zoe, eyes wandering. “I’m sure we left the heating on.”