Post by midlander on Dec 10, 2004 16:11:50 GMT 1
Paralyzed with fear her eyes strained by the shallow light of the table lamp to make out the shape of the figure edging into the room. It was a man! she didn't recognise him as one of the guests. Perversly,even through her fear she noticed how handome he seemed ; with wavy dark hair pated on his right. His hazel brown eyes stared wildly through old fashioned rounded spectacles. It was his expression that scared her. At first he seemed to be looking at her; but then she realiced he didn't notice her at all; he was staring through her as though she wasn't there all the time with that look of utter stark horror on his face. For a second she thought she heard something move, just to her left-well, felt it rather than heard. She couldn't check as she was transfixed on the stranger who she figured was actually looking to that spot.
For a second more he remained then far quicker than he had entered he closed the door and was gone. For a full minute she sat frozen; until at last the fear subsided enough to allow her to move. She ran to the light switch bathing the room in full 100 watt light. Gingerly she tested the door handle. It was still locked! She put on her large dressing gown and unlocked the door. Tentivly craning her head along the low lit hall she saw it was clear. Running to the lobby she rang ang rang the bell until a suprised and sleepy landlord came from his quarters to see what the trouble was. She related all that had happened to his somewhat disbelieving ears. "Could you have dreamt it?" He asked (Privately she wondered if indeed she had) "I'm sure not!" she implored. "First we'll go to check your room then I will rouse some of the staff to do a search of the grounds" "Perhaps he stole your set of master keys to get in?" she forewarded. He checked where the keys were kept."No! all there! The front and back doors are still locked and bolted, i can't see how anyone could get in; anyhow let's check your room first" They headed to her room and looked around, but no signs of any untruder presented. "Please wait while I dress and I will come with you while you search the grounds"
"Very well miss" He sighed. After she was ready they turned both lights off, locked the room and met the other staff who were now ready for inspection of the outside grounds. Torches in hand they tested every inch of the land around the hotel for clues. While at the back where her room lay, she noticed the window; a chill went through her! Though the glass was almost opulant a dull yellow glow could be made through it. She called to the landlord; he came and uttered "We put both lights off! how is that possible?" "Look!" she cried "Someone is moving in there!" He peered suspiciously "Yes! who can it be?" Calling to two of the staff, all headed back in.
They reached the room and unlocking it prepared to confront whoever was inside. It was Pitch black apart from the vaugest light seeping from the outside through the window!
"I can't stay here any longer" she gasped.
"My wife and I will swap with you for the rest of the night" the landlord offered. "First though I'll call the Police"
After she had given a full description of the events to the Officers, who conducted their own search of the grounds, she settled into the Landlords own room and spent a night of hardly any sleep.
The rest of the week was far happier, and now esconsed in her regular upstairs apartment her stay was a happier one. She even mamaged to find some useful bits and pieces in the markets which would be very handy to the businness. The Police reported back that no sightings of any such person of the description she gave had been spotted but they would keep it on file. She headed back home and soon that nights events faded into the background of her memories.
For the next three summers she stayed at her usual room when in the area looking for antiques. She was apprehensive the first year, but all went well, and by the third year it was as if nothing had happened. The Landlord assured her no other `occurrances` had taken place. In those years she had some romances and affairs even-but nothing serious; definately nothing remotly close to leading to marriage. The following year her Father asked her to visit the Derbyshire area. The younger of her two brothers would have normally covered it but he was on his honeymoon.
She acquainted herself with the area which was just outside Matlock and made arrangements with a hotel for a weeks stay. The day she arrived, which was a lovely June afternoon she decided to have a browse along the local shops. While ambling down one narrow lane lined with a variety of antique emporiums she glanced over to one particular Antiquarian bookshop
She froze in shock! There staring intently into the shop was the very image or double of the man she had seen those four years ago. She moved closer; there was no doubt now in her mind; it WAS him!.
For a second more he remained then far quicker than he had entered he closed the door and was gone. For a full minute she sat frozen; until at last the fear subsided enough to allow her to move. She ran to the light switch bathing the room in full 100 watt light. Gingerly she tested the door handle. It was still locked! She put on her large dressing gown and unlocked the door. Tentivly craning her head along the low lit hall she saw it was clear. Running to the lobby she rang ang rang the bell until a suprised and sleepy landlord came from his quarters to see what the trouble was. She related all that had happened to his somewhat disbelieving ears. "Could you have dreamt it?" He asked (Privately she wondered if indeed she had) "I'm sure not!" she implored. "First we'll go to check your room then I will rouse some of the staff to do a search of the grounds" "Perhaps he stole your set of master keys to get in?" she forewarded. He checked where the keys were kept."No! all there! The front and back doors are still locked and bolted, i can't see how anyone could get in; anyhow let's check your room first" They headed to her room and looked around, but no signs of any untruder presented. "Please wait while I dress and I will come with you while you search the grounds"
"Very well miss" He sighed. After she was ready they turned both lights off, locked the room and met the other staff who were now ready for inspection of the outside grounds. Torches in hand they tested every inch of the land around the hotel for clues. While at the back where her room lay, she noticed the window; a chill went through her! Though the glass was almost opulant a dull yellow glow could be made through it. She called to the landlord; he came and uttered "We put both lights off! how is that possible?" "Look!" she cried "Someone is moving in there!" He peered suspiciously "Yes! who can it be?" Calling to two of the staff, all headed back in.
They reached the room and unlocking it prepared to confront whoever was inside. It was Pitch black apart from the vaugest light seeping from the outside through the window!
"I can't stay here any longer" she gasped.
"My wife and I will swap with you for the rest of the night" the landlord offered. "First though I'll call the Police"
After she had given a full description of the events to the Officers, who conducted their own search of the grounds, she settled into the Landlords own room and spent a night of hardly any sleep.
The rest of the week was far happier, and now esconsed in her regular upstairs apartment her stay was a happier one. She even mamaged to find some useful bits and pieces in the markets which would be very handy to the businness. The Police reported back that no sightings of any such person of the description she gave had been spotted but they would keep it on file. She headed back home and soon that nights events faded into the background of her memories.
For the next three summers she stayed at her usual room when in the area looking for antiques. She was apprehensive the first year, but all went well, and by the third year it was as if nothing had happened. The Landlord assured her no other `occurrances` had taken place. In those years she had some romances and affairs even-but nothing serious; definately nothing remotly close to leading to marriage. The following year her Father asked her to visit the Derbyshire area. The younger of her two brothers would have normally covered it but he was on his honeymoon.
She acquainted herself with the area which was just outside Matlock and made arrangements with a hotel for a weeks stay. The day she arrived, which was a lovely June afternoon she decided to have a browse along the local shops. While ambling down one narrow lane lined with a variety of antique emporiums she glanced over to one particular Antiquarian bookshop
She froze in shock! There staring intently into the shop was the very image or double of the man she had seen those four years ago. She moved closer; there was no doubt now in her mind; it WAS him!.
