by Jim Ody
Christina was crouched behind her pushchair. Her thoughts were purely on self-preservation rather than her baby. Sometimes reality bites.
Above her, the lights got brighter, and a large shadow was now visible behind them. The scary thing was that it was now hard to distinguish which was the night sky and which was the object in the sky.
Debbie felt tears running down her cheeks. The overwhelming emotion got the better of her. It was a mixture of fear and awe at the unexpected and unexplained.
“What’s going on there? Something has gone down under the house,” Paul said loudly against the noise from above.
Again, they felt themselves moving backwards, slowly retreating away from the area.
Ginny had grabbed at Bolan and put him back on his leash. She now tugged him further away into the fields back towards the cliff path.
Further out in the field, standing all on her own, Missy sobbed. She knew this day would come, but it didn’t make it any easier. She glanced down at the throbbing of her hand. The fresh star tattoo on the back of her hand marked a reminder for this day that would be with her forever.
A high-pitched scream rang out before another larger puff of smoke. Then the bullet-shaped capsule rocked and rose to hover before speeding up towards the large object.
And then there was an explosion from below the house. This was followed by a larger explosion from above that boomed and flashed with a big, bright orange burst.
A huge circular wave or energy shot out from the epicenter and into the surrounding area.
Everyone around the house, even though they were spread out a great distance, found themselves thrown off of their feet and now lay on their backs. Hearts were pounding fast as they tried to grasp what had happened with the realisation that at least they were still alive.
Dhara scrambled to get back to her feet as she trained the camera back on to the house.
Or what was left of the house.
The place was on fire with the roof having completely caved in. The fact that no one had come out of the doors said a great deal about the health of those within.
Above them, the large object with lights was moving away, up and beyond to a destination unknown. The noise little by little was getting lower and quieter.
“Jez!” Kim shouted, getting up and running towards the house.
Debbie heard her, albeit not clearly. “Shit, did she just shout out my brother’s name?”
The three of them also ran towards the house.
Christina was on the floor and got up to grab the pushchair. The shock of it all was obvious as she stumbled, but her stumble knocked the pushchair, which suddenly rolled off towards the house.
That was when part of the drive gave way, clearly connected to the cellar and underground tunnels, giving sudden momentum to the pushchair as it careered down into a pit that smoked and smouldered.
Suddenly from their places of safety, the onlookers were together.
“Help my baby! My Susie!” Christina was screaming.
Paul jumped down onto the ledge of the pit and reached as far as he could. Bobby was immediately there behind him, grabbing his legs.
“Go on, I’ve got your feet. Be careful!” he commanded.
Paul grabbed at the blanket, which was smouldering and looking to catch fire. The child began to cry, the sound breaking Paul’s heart.
Then with horror, he saw her little mangled foot. He grabbed and pulled, but the child was stiff and hard.
Bobby pulled him with the child up and out. Faces smiled with relief.
Paul pulled back the blanket and looked at his child for the first time.
Staring back at him were the lifeless glass eyes of a doll. It’s blank single expression now sinister.
There had never been a child. She’d bought one of those lifelike dolls, actually believing it was their child…
He sat back and smiled. But not before chucking the doll across the ground. A few gasps were heard before Dhara said, “A doll?”
Ginny walked up with Bolan, and all eyes were jumping from Christina, who was slumped with her head on her knees sobbing, to the doll and to the remains of the house.
Bobby jogged off, mumbling about calling it in, and telling everyone to stay put.
No one felt like moving. The flames were still too much to even get anywhere near the house to search for survivors.
“Did you see my brother Jez go in there?” Debbie asked trembling.
Kim looked up at her, this tall stunning woman that she was about to break the heart of. She nodded. “He knocked on the door…I…I ran away. I’m sorry, so I am.”
Strangers connecting together, Kim and Debbie hugged and held each other tightly.
Paul thought the big lummox was a complete bone-head, but he had a heart of gold. He couldn’t believe he was gone…
THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED
Chapter Fifty-One
T he small white dot got bigger, and the ground underneath them was easier to walk on. Their trust in a small boy—although in hindsight a questionable decision—had paid off.
For a time, they’d heard a noise above, and the boy grinned at this like he expected it. The mouth of the cave eventually spat them out.
The noise was loud now, and they couldn’t believe their eyes when they looked up and saw just off behind them something large in the sky.
The boy looked at them both and pushed a button on his watch. He then proceeded to hug them both.
“Thank you. You do not know how helpful you have been.”
Suddenly, something came out of the sky and scooped him up. And just like that he was gone.
Jez, openmouthed, looked at Sam who was slowly shaking her head.
“I literally have no idea what just happened there. Or back in the house,” she said.
“People often consider me weird, as hard as that may be for you to understand, but even I cannot fathom what went on there!”
They looked around at the surrounding area, and then suddenly they heard the explosion. They both wobbled, almost losing their balance.
“Fuck was that!?” Jez eloquently shouted an octave higher than needed. Sam was off running. Jez was in pursuit, although in a lazy lope.
It was a distance to get there, and as they got closer to the burning house, they were walking, unsure of what had happened.
There was a group of people sat on the floor a little way away from the house—or what used to be the house—but next to what appeared to be a hole that had collapsed inwards.
Jez then spotted his sister embracing Kim. “Sis!” he shouted. “What’s going on?”
Debbie looked up, recognising instantly the familiar lazy stride of her brother. “We thought you were dead!” she shouted, fresh tears welling up in her eyes.
“Nope, don’t think so.”
“Why were you in there?” She glanced at the smoking remains of the building.
“I went to see whether you and Pauly-boy were in there, and then they said there was some cake in the cellar—”
“You nearly died over cake?”
“Saved by Chocolate cake!” Jez grinned.
Ginny was on her feet. “Totally worth it,” she said, looking straight at Sam. Sam held out her arms, and the two of them hugged each other like long lost friends, but maybe something a little more.
Their eyes locked and they held each other tight, feeling the contours of each other’s bodies together and not wanting to break free. Sometimes those things most dear to you are sometimes overlooked. Tonight they would drink, but tonight they would stay in together.
“I had a horrible feeling you were in there too?” Ginny said.
“I was,” Sam replied. “I was already banished into the cellar when cake boy arrived.”
“He saved you?” Ginny said, sounding surprised.
Sam pulled back and winked. “Does he look like he could save me?”
“Not really.”
“Hey!” Jez said with mock hurt.
/> Paul got up. “So how did you get out then?” It was at that point they saw Missy stood there with her red-rimmed eyes and a small jacket in her hands.
“Benji,” Sam said, looking over at Missy, breaking away from Ginny. “He saved us. You should be proud.”
Missy walked forward. “Thank you,” she said and quietly began to sob. “I brought him his jacket just in case he got cold. I don’t know what the weather will be like where he’s going. I just thought…I didn’t…”
Sam walked over and held Missy. Like all things in life, happiness and sadness are rarely far away from each other. Many eyes began to water.
It was a strange scene that greeted the emergency services later on that evening. Bobby had explained how he and the others there were at a party to celebrate the honeymoon of Paul and Debbie, when he saw flames coming from the old Dudley House. He wasn’t sure why there were so many cars there as he thought the place was abandoned.
All the expected dead were found in the Dudley House. Some had to be pieced back together.
All except for the body of “Crazy” Keith O’Keegan. An unknown body was found in the tunnel, but Bobby confirmed to himself that it was not Mr. O’Keegan. Of course, he never let on that Mr. O’Keegan had been anywhere near. It could be that his body was blown into too many pieces. Having not driven there, he was not searched for. Or he could’ve found the tunnel in the cellar and followed them out. Or maybe he was taken as an example of a human being…
Christina was taken into custody for her threatening behaviour, damned not just by the statements from those around her but also her medical records. A replica gun was found in her possession, and whilst it couldn’t be loaded, there was enough evidence to have her detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. She is currently institutionalised pending a full mental assessment and six month treatment programme. She still misses Paul…and Susie.
Bobby Ranford is fully in charge of Huntswood Cove Police Station. A new recruit has just been transferred there due to a misdemeanour that included an act of insubordination; Deirdre is still the receptionist there.
Ginny is in the process of rejoining the police force, and Sam no longer sleeps around, choosing to stay at home a lot more.
Dhara thought she had some real evidence on her camera, but again nothing came out. She hopes one day she’ll get something that will make her a famous vlogger. There is no doubt another adventure awaiting her.
Robin was contacted on the CB as soon as they got back to the lodge. He was over within ten minutes, eventually sleeping on the couch, along with Kim and Jez. They never did meet Kitty.
Kim stayed until the afternoon of the next day, before heading out to the road and eventually being picked up by a bright orange, vintage VW camper van.
Paul and Debbie enjoyed a couple more days in Huntswood Cove before returning to Swindon. They are still very much in love…
And Jez? Well, he’s Jez and no doubt you’ll hear from him again.
THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED
Epilogue
T he couple opened up the door to their new house and walked in. They’d tried to take in everything that seemed so new and different around them.
The things within each room seemed ancient or just old—raw materials with little or no purpose. Wood and cloth thrown together to be cosy, rather than practical.
They smiled and hugged. It would take a while to understand the customs here, to integrate and earn trust. But that is exactly what they would have to do.
This was their assignment. The observing was over.
Now they were going to take people.
She placed her hand on his; both bore the red star filled with many numbers and symbols these simple people would never understand.
He pointed to a book and they shared a laugh. It was called ‘Taken’ and was by a guy called Jake Fleck. A bestseller. A supposed true story about a man who’d been abducted by aliens.
Humans were so fantastical. Their imaginations quite overwhelming.
The couple looked at each other and inside their minds both agreed it was time.
Years ago, they’d come in peace.
But now they were not leaving alone…
THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to my wife and children who know sometimes I am extremely focused on writing. And forget about them. Sorry about that.
A huge thanks to the members of Jim Ody’s Spooky Circus - my street team, and specifically my group of advisors Simon, Angela, AJ, Cheryl, Dee, Terry and Ellie who listen to all my crazy ideas and advise me whether or not they are worth pursuing!
Thank you to Caroline, David and Jason for your continued support. Also, to Caitlin, Sarah Hardy, Valerie, Bella James, and Kerry who also try to steer me in the right direction. Or try.
A special mention to Emmy Ellis @ studioenp for her wonderful design direction.
As ever a huge thank you to all of the editors working tirelessly to make my meanderings be able to be enjoyed. Especially to Shelagh who is also another personal advisor. I don’t always listen, but she is still there shaking her head at me, ready for my next maverick idea.
And finally thank you to you, the readers. For reading, for enjoying, and for getting behind me. Without you there would really be no point!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim writes dark psychological/thrillers that have endings you won’t see coming, and favours stories packed with wit. He has written eight novels and over a dozen short-stories spanning many genres.
Jim has a very strange sense of humour and is often considered a little odd. When not writing he will be found playing the drums, watching football and eating chocolate. He lives with his long-suffering wife, three beautiful children and two indignant cats in Swindon, Wiltshire UK.
Connect with Jim Ody here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JimOdyAuthor
Jim Ody’s Spooky Circus Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1372500609494122/
Amazon Author Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jim-Ody/e/B019A6AMSY/
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Jim_Ody_Author
Instagram: @jimodyauthor
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/jimodyauthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jim-ody
Other Books by Jim Ody
Lost Connections
A Cold Retreat
Beneath The Whispers
…Just South of Heaven
Noah’s Lament
Mr Watcher
The Revenge of Lisa Lipstick
Want to read more books by this author?
Here are details of three more books for you to get your hands on!
Lost Connections
What would you do if the most important person to you had been kidnapped?
One minute your daughter is there, and the next she has been bundled into a van right under your nose. They want something of your father’s. You don’t know what that is, and your father mysteriously disappeared over 7 years ago. Going to the police is not an option. And the answers will slowly appear in the most unlikely of places.
As single-parent Eddie’s world falls apart, an unlikely alliance forms between friends and neighbours who put their differences aside, to help get his daughter Daisy back. As the mystery unfolds a huge secret is uncovered that not only will affect Eddie and his family, but the whole of mankind.
Only the truth will set his daughter free…
?
Question Mark Press
Beneath The Whispers
Scotty Dean didn’t expect to run into his childhood sweetheart deep in the woods. Especially having just been dumped by a woman well out of his league.
But Mary-Ann needs him to get back a USB stick that has fallen into the wrong hands. He knows he shouldn’t get involved, but as old feelings resurface, so do the hidden secrets.
His past collides with the present and Scotty is surroun
ded by whispering voices – but what is it they’re trying to say?
?
Question Mark Press
A Cold Retreat
As a child, Penny dreams of being a princess. She knows life isn’t exactly like fairy tales, but she hopes it can be similar.
The future isn’t so kind to Penny. The princess in her reality turn out to be evil. Battered and bruised she hits rock bottom.
Years have passed but the past cannot be forgotten. Now someone is intent on making the men pay for what they have done.
This is a chilling tale of revenge that explores the impact of not being able to say no.
?
Question Mark Press
