Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHILL (10/27/16)
-
TITLE: Refuge | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
11/02/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“More or less.” Justin her running partner and fellow medical student replied looking at his cellphone. “You wanted to do a full ten miler today, now we’re half way. But we’d better be getting back, looks like a storm heading our way.”
Just then a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deep rumble of thunder. “Lightning is bad news,” said Justin, “let’s head for that cottage in the tress down there and get some shelter till it’s over.”
They jogged down the narrow path up to a stout wooden door. “I seem to have the ‘runs’ and need a toilet,” said Justin, “let’s see if there’s anyone here.”
“Doesn’t this place remind you of something?” asked Patty. “Think Hansel and Gretel for a clue to what I mean?”
“It does look a bit scary.” Justin rapped on the door. “Anyone home?”
He was about to knock again when the door creaked and move open about two inches. They jumped back expecting someone to open the door further, but nothing happened. Justin gave the door a tentative shove and it moved open another six inches. He peered through the opening.
“Strange, don’t see anyone—but I really need the bathroom now.”
They entered a small but neat lounge area. Patty noticed a portable radio on the mantelpiece that was tuned to a news channel. “There’s obviously someone around,” she said. “I’ll look around while you do the necessary.”
“Anyone at home?” Patty called out again. No reply. She walked over to what seemed like a small staircase leading down to a basement. At the bottom of the stairs was a door. “Just going to check the basement,” she called out. She stepped down the remaining stairs and pushed the door open.
In the dim light from a small grate that opened onto ground level she made out the figure of a woman sitting in a chair with her back to her. “Hello … Ma’am…? No response. Suddenly she recalled an image of Norman Bates’s mother in a rerun of the movie Psycho that she and Justin had seen recently on TV. A chill ran down her spine, which she quickly dispelled. She reached out and touched the woman’s shoulder.
As her hand made contact with the shoulder, the woman slid over sideways, and simultaneously a piercing shriek filled the air. Patty jumped backwards and made for the door. Although she had left the door open, it was now shut. She grabbed the handle and shoved. It didn’t move.
“Justin, I’m locked in the basement—come quickly,” she shouted, unable to disguise the panic she was feeling. She shoved the door again; this time it opened. Scrambling up the rickety stairs she met Justin at the top
.
“Easy girl, what’s up?”
Suddenly she didn’t know what to say, except, “She … it’s … she’s down there. She pointed to the basement door.
“Who’s down there?”
“A dead woman … I think … I don’t know. Just come.” Patty stood aside as Justin made his way down the stairs. He opened the door, entered, then let out a shout: “No don’t … get away from me … aaaarrgh!”
Terrified to enter the basement again, she hesitated halfway down the stairs. But realizing that Justin could be in trouble she forced herself through the dreaded doorway again. This time the room was in total darkness, the grate against the wall seemingly closed allowing no light in. “Justin, where are you, what’s happened?”
Another piercing scream filled the air—Patty dropped to the floor. Then the lights came on. She glanced up to see Justin and three other medical student colleagues grinning broadly. “Happy birthday!” Cynthia, Patty’s roommate came forward and hugged her.
Justin, keeping his distance, said, “Seeing your birthday coincides with Halloween, we thought you deserved something different. The Psycho movie gave me the idea.”
“And if my heart had stopped?”
“Then there was a whole bunch of medics to get it going again,” said Justin sprinting for the stairs with Patty close on his heels.
“You gonna need more than a medic when I’m finished with you,” she laughed, as they embraced on the stairs. “Guess I’ll never forget this birthday.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
