The Haunting of Brynlee House: Based on a Real Haunted House

by Caroline Clark

  “Stay there,” she said. “I will get water and a band-aid for your head.”

  “Any chance of a whiskey?” he asked. “I could really do with something right now.”

  Emma nodded, she knew just how he felt. So she returned to the kitchen and prepared a bowl to bathe his head as well as two glasses of wine. It seemed like it was time to celebrate.

  Brent slept on the couch that night, and the following morning he called in about the skeleton’s they had found in the cellar.

  They were taken away and laid to rest in the local cemetery. Once they were gone, Brent came back to Emma. “How are you?” he asked.

  “I’m just fine, now.”

  “Well, why don’t you come and stay at mine for a while? No pressure. Until we find you somewhere else.”

  Emma laughed. “Why would I leave? This was my family’s home, and I know that I can be happy here.”

  “Then let me throw out that cat and seal up that cellar so it can never be accessed again.”

  Emma shook her head. “It’s just a room, and as for this…” She picked the stuffed cat up off the sofa and put it on a shelf over the radiator. “This was his favorite place.”

  “Really, you’re going to keep it?” Brent’s eyes were comically wide.

  “Gaia and I did not get on too well at first, but we are friends now. Who knows, one day I may need him.”

  Brent nodded, and somehow, she knew he understood. As he had said, he had seen things before. Maybe one day he would tell her all about it.

  Brent was suddenly looking embarrassed.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I know how much you have been through, with this.” He indicated the house. “And before, I know that you don’t trust men, but… I was just… well.”

  “Would you like to buy me dinner?” Emma asked.

  A big smile came over Brent’s face, and he nodded his affirmative.

  There was one thing that Emma had learned over the last few days, and that was that not all people were alike. There were good people, and there were evil, and it would be wrong of her to judge Brent by her experiences with Mark. This house was to be a new beginning, and it looked like it was going to be a good one.

  Never miss a book

  and Get The Black Eyed Children Free

  Subscribe to Caroline

  Clark’s newsletter for

  new release announcements

  and occasional free content:

  http://eepurl.com/cGdNvX

  Preview: The Haunting of Shadow Hill House

  May 24th 1690

  Shadow Hill House,

  Crick Howell

  Wales,

  United Kingdom.

  11.02 pm.

  Closing her eyes tightly, Victoria clutched Mr. Good Bear to her chest and tried to shut out the noise. Mr. Good Bear was her favorite toy and the smell and feel of him always gave her strength. He was a brave bear and was hardly ever afraid of the dark. Yet it was so dark that she knew even Mr. Good Bear would be a little scared. Outside, the storm raged against the window threatening to come in and wash her away. She did not know where it would take her but she knew it would not be good.

  The sound of rain on the glass was like a million tiny fingers all trying to get in, all trying to get to her. Try as she might she could not shut out the sound and yet part of her wanted it to get louder. She wanted it to drown out the noise of shouting and crying that had woken her. Why was this happening again? It didn’t make sense.

  Before she could decide on an answer a scream rang out through the night and Victoria backed further under the bed. This was her safe place, this was where she came whenever the shouting got too much or the monsters too close. Usually she could put her fingers in her ears, rest her head on Mr. Good Bear and shut out the noise but tonight she was so frightened. Maybe it was the storm. Maybe it was the flashes of lightning that lit up the room and yet left so many shadows. Victoria hated the dark, hated the shadows. Things hid in the dark and lived in the gloom of the shadows. Things she didn't want to think about but they were creepy, crawly and had hands that reached out and grasped you when you couldn't see them. The monsters came in the dark and the monsters scared her almost as much as Daddy. Yet, when she was under the bed she was safe. It was a bubble of protection that no monster could cross. Mummy had told her she didn’t need it but Victoria knew she was wrong. Under here she was safe and the monsters could slink and slide around the room. Their greedy hands clasping for her but they would never find her if she kept still and quiet. It was hard to keep quiet. With every noise she let out a little gasp and her breath was coming so fast she was sure the monsters would be drawn to her.

  “Safe,” she whispered. “Safe in my bubble.” Tears escaped her eyes and slipped down her face to land on Mr. Good Bear. “Keep quiet, must keep quiet,” she sobbed and tried to still the beating of her heart. Tried to still the blood rushing through her ears but it was no use. As much as she wanted to hide she also wanted to hear. She wanted to go to Mummy, wanted to be safe in her arms. To be told the monster wasn't here and yet Mummy was crying and she sounded almost as afraid as Victoria was. That was one of the things that Victoria could never understand. Mummies weren't supposed to be afraid. They were strong and they chased away the monsters. If Mummy was afraid then maybe she had lied. Mummy always said the monsters weren't real but if Mummy was afraid then that shadow in the corner wasn't just a shadow.

  As lightning flashed Victoria got a glimpse into the corner. It was so quick and so full of shadow that she couldn't really see and yet she did. Big red eyes were peering back at her. Huge teeth glinted and glistened with saliva and then were gone, swallowed by the darkness just as the monster would soon swallow her. Victoria knew she should always hide when the shouting started but tonight she couldn't. Tonight, Mummy was afraid and so was she. It would be better if they were together, they could comfort each other and Mummy would keep her safe. Maybe she could bring Mummy back and they could hide under the bed with Mr. Good Bear.

  “Would you help me hide my mummy?” she asked and automatically she tilted the bear to nod his approval. It made her feel better. She was not alone.

  Another scream rang out through the night. This one was tortured and spoke of pain and fear.

  Victoria knew she had to go, that she must get past the monster and yet suddenly she could not move. The room was so dark and yet the darkness was full of darker and these were the bits that scared her. She could only see the bottom of the room, as she peeked out from under the blankets that she had arranged so they almost touched the floor, and yet she was sure she could see things moving.

  Another scream rang out through the night and Victoria let out a sob. Only now she found she could move. Clutching tightly to Mr. Good Bear she shuffled out from under the bed and ran to the door. Her hand was slick with sweat and it slipped on the handle. Her breath was coming in short shallow gasps and she could feel something behind her. Was it the monster? Desperately, she tried to hold the handle, tried to turn it but her hand kept slipping. Now she could feel the breath of the monster on her neck. It was cold and it smelt bad. Before she realized, her bladder loosened and hot urine was running down her legs. There was no time for shame, it did not even register over her terror and at last the door handle opened. Pulling it towards her she slipped around the door and raced down the corridor towards the shouting.

  Surely Mummy and Daddy wouldn't shout if she was there. She knew Mummy had told her to ignore them. That it didn't matter and that no matter what, she must never to come when Daddy was shouting. Only they would understand because of the monster!

  The corridor was dark and long and curled around the house. There was a banister to her right and doors opened on her left. She thought there were six but was not sure as she could not count. Hers was the furthest room from Mummy’s and sometimes she hated that. At night she would lie awake and wonder if they would hear her if the monster came. What if she was asleep and the monster c
ame? Would she be eaten before she could wake?

  It was hard to run in the dark and her bare feet slapped on the wooden floor so hard it almost hurt. As she raced onward it felt as if she were falling and she wheeled her arms and saw a glimmer of light ahead, a ray of hope. That was Mummy and Daddy's room; that was a sanctuary from the monster. Would she make it in time?

  Fear gave her legs speed and she raced towards that light, towards safety.

  It seemed to take forever to run the length of the hallway and every step of the way the monster got closer. Victoria could feel it behind her, could hear it behind her and she ran faster and faster, blind with panic. Her legs were flapping, her arms were flapping. Mr. Good Bear was clutched tightly in her right hand; he seemed to be willing her along. She raced as fast as her legs would carry her and yet the light seemed so far away. Would she make it? Would the monster eat her just moments away from safety? At first, she thought the monster was making a noise, it was a little huck, huck, huck. Soon, she realized that it was her and she tried to stop the crying. Everyone knew you had to be quiet when the monster was there and so she ran faster, ignoring the shouts and screams that she was running towards.

  Mr. Good Bear was urging her on. Willing her to safety. In her mind she could hear him telling her to run faster, just a little faster. Though he could not stop the monster he could help her with that and he did. Soon they would be safe with Mummy for she could see the door ahead. Tonight, it was open, which was unusual and for a moment she faltered. Then the monster roared and the house seemed to quake beneath it. Crying out in alarm she raced towards the open door.

  As she reached the door, lightning lit up the room and the sight before her was almost as bad as the monster.

  Mummy was lying on the floor in front of the bed. Blood and bruises covered her face and there was terror in her eyes. Victoria clutched Mr. Good Bear, holding him to her chest she sucked on his ear. Normally this would calm her but not tonight. Tears were streaming down her face and she wanted to go to Mummy but she could not move because the monster had gotten around her and was blocking her way. It was bigger than she remembered and twice as scary. Once more, the monster roared and Victoria wanted to cover her ears and dive beneath Mummy's bed but she could not get to it. She tried to point, tried to talk, to tell Mummy to get under the bed but no words came out and Mummy just sat there. Didn't she realize it was safe under the bed?

  Lightning flooded the room and the monster turned to Victoria and suddenly it all made sense.

  The monster was Daddy and he was going to eat her.

  Light glinted off a blade in his right hand and then the room was plunged into darkness once more. A flickering lamp in the corner barely chased away the gloom. Victoria could hear moving but she could not see anything. Standing as still as she could she tried to make herself small. That was another way to beat the monster. If you were so small, quiet, and so still, it wouldn't see you. Maybe it would go right on past you so why was Mummy crying, didn't she remember all the tricks she had told Victoria to beat the monster?

  Victoria stood in the dark, trying to be small and insignificant as she listened to her mummy sobbing.

  "Victoria baby, go back to your room," she sobbed out the words. "Everything’s okay, baby, just go back to your room and Mummy will come and see you soon."

  At first the words were just noises and Victoria couldn't make them out, but then she gradually understood them and she wanted to turn and run but her legs would not move.

  The daddy monster growled again and almost immediately the house was filled with light. Victoria let out a scream as she saw the monster stalking closer to Mummy. A long claw in its right hand was raised and just before the darkness fell it slashed down. Victoria screamed and felt something warm and wet splash across her face and arms. It covered Mr. Good Bear and that made her want to cry.

  Monster juice all over her bear that should never happen.

  As her eyes became accustomed to the dark she saw the monster turn towards her. She knew she must run, must get back under the bed and yet her legs would not move. The monster approached her and roared again, only this time it was not as loud and she knew it was words, only she could not understand them. Shaking, she clutched Mr. Good Bear to her chest and tried to stop the tears. Maybe she could talk to the monster, if it was talking to her, and yet she could not understand what it was saying.

  "Have you wet yourself again?" The monster roared. "You are such a pathetic child." The monster roared again and this time they were no longer words it was just a stream of vehement anger and filth.

  As Victoria tried to sink into the floor the monster grabbed her and she was yanked from her feet. She knew it was the end, that she was going to be eaten and she let go of Mr. Good Bear, hoping that at least he would escape.

  Find out what happens when a family move into Shadow Hill House. On SALE for a few days only at 0.99 or FREE on Kindle Unlimited The Haunting of Shadow Hill House http://a-fwd.to/5HMB7UX

  Preview: The Haunting of Seafield House

  30th June 1901

  Seafield House.

  Barton Flats,

  Yorkshire.

  England.

  am.

  Jenny Thornton sucked in a tortured breath and hunkered down behind the curtains. The coarse material seemed to stick to her face, to cling there as if holding her down. Fighting back the thought and the panic it engendered she crouched even lower and tried to stop the shaking of her knees, to still the panting of her breath. It was imperative that she did not breathe too loudly, that she kept quiet and still. If she was to survive with just a beating, then she knew she must hide. Tonight he was worse than she had ever seen him before. Somehow tonight was different she could feel it in the air.

  Footsteps approached on the landing. They were easy to hear through the door and seemed to mock her as they approached. Each step was like a punch to her chest, and she could feel them reverberating through her bruises. Why had she not fled the house?

  As if in answer, lightening flashed across the sky and lit up the sparsely furnished room. There was nothing between her and the door. A dresser to her right provided no shelter for an adult yet her eyes were drawn to the door on its front. It did not move but stood slightly ajar. Inside her precious Alice would keep quiet. They had played this game before, and the child knew that she must never come out when daddy was angry. When he was shouting. Would it be enough to keep her safe? Why had Jenny chosen this room? Before she could think, thunder boomed across the sky and she let out a yelp.

  Tears were running down her face, had he heard her? It seemed unlikely that he could hear such a noise over the thunder and yet the footsteps had stopped. Oh my, he was coming back. Jenny tried to make herself smaller and to shrink into the thick velvet curtains, but there was nowhere else to go.

  If only she had listened to her father if only she had told him about Alice. For a moment all was quiet, she could hear the house creak and settle as the storm raged outside. The fire would have burned low, and soon the house would be cold. This was the least of her problems. Maybe she should leave the room and lead Abe away from their daughter. Maybe it was her best choice. Their best choice.

  Lightning flashed across the sky and filled the room with shadows. Jenny let out a scream for he was already there. A face like an overstuffed turkey loomed out of the darkness, and a hand grabbed onto her dress. Jenny was hauled off her feet and thrown across the room. Her neck hit the top of the dresser, and she slumped to the floor next to the doors. How she wanted to warn Alice to stay quiet, to stay inside but she could not make a sound. There was no pain, no feeling and she knew that she was broken. Something had snapped when she hit the cabinet, and somehow she knew it could never be fixed. That it was over for her. In her mind, she prayed that her daughter would be safe just before a distended hand reached out and grabbed her around the neck. There was no feeling just a strange burning in her lungs. The fact that she did not fight seemed to make him angrier and she was
picked up and thrown again.

  As she hit the window, she heard the glass shatter, but she did not feel the impact. Did not feel anything. Suddenly the realization hit her and she wanted to scream, to wail out the injustice of it but her mouth would not move. Then he was bending over her.

  “Beg for your life woman,” Abe Thornton shouted and sprayed her with spittle.

  Jenny tried to open her mouth, not to beg for her own life but to beg for that of her daughters. She wanted to ask him to tell others about the child they had always kept a secret. To admit that they had a daughter and maybe to let the child go to her grandparents. Only her mouth would not move, and no sound came from her throat.

  She could see the red fury in his eyes, could feel the pressure building up inside of him and yet she could not even blink an eye in defense. This was it, the end and for a moment she welcomed the release. Then she thought of Alice, alone in that cupboard for so long. Now, who would visit her, who would look after her? There was no one, and she knew she could never leave her child.

  Abe grabbed her by the front of her dress and lifted her high above his head. The anger was like a living beast inside of him, and he shook her like she was nothing but a rag doll. Then with a scream of rage, he threw her. This time she saw the curtains flick against her face and then there was nothing but air.

  The night was dark, rain streamed down, and she fell with it. Alongside it she fell, tumbling down into the darkness. In her mind she wheeled her arms, in her mind she screamed out the injustice, but she never moved, never made a sound.

  Instead, she just plummeted toward the earth.

  Lightning flashed just before she hit the ground. It lit up the jagged rocks at the base of the house, lit up the fate that awaited her and then it was dark. Jenny was overwhelmed with fear and panic, but there was no time to react, even if she could. Jenny smashed into the rocks with a hard thump and then a squelch, but she did not feel a thing. “Alice I will come back for you,” she said in her mind. Then it was dark, it was cold, and there was nothing.