The Haunting of Shadow Hill House

by Caroline Clark

  Jenny nodded. "You know how much I like my tea."

  Abby laughed, delighted, and got another cup and saucer from her toy box. Then she made an elaborate play of pouring tea and handing it across to Jenny. Jenny put down the tablet and picked up the cup. With her pinky finger pointed out she delicately sipped at the pretend tea.

  "Mmmm, that is delicious," Jenny said.

  Abby giggled. "It's a little strong for Victoria, but she still likes it."

  "Maybe she needs more milk," Jenny said as she searched the memory on the tablet. At first the Internet was working and she saw the history. It was local sites, news sites. Not the sort of thing that she expected a seven-year-old to be looking at. Then she came across a story about a murder and her blood ran cold. Why would Abby find that? How would she find that? She tried to click on the link but nothing happened. It looked like the connection had gone so as she sipped her pretend tea, she tried to reconnect. Nothing was happening but she could still work out some words from the web address. They did not make her feel better. The keywords in the address include gruesome, murder, and family.

  "You really shouldn't be looking at these sites," she said.

  "I wasn't, Mummy." Abby looked hurt. "I think it's Victoria, I think she's trying to tell me something but I don't want to see."

  Jenny felt annoyance along with a little fear. Maybe Victoria wasn't an imaginary friend but somebody online who was trying to get Abby to do things she didn't want to do.

  "Remember what I told you," Jenny said. Abby looked up from her tea her eyes were wide and pleading but she nodded.

  "The next time Victoria wants you to look at something you come straight to me. Is Victoria in the computer?"

  Abby looked surprised and her eyes glanced towards the teacup sat opposite her.

  "No, she's right here, can't you see her?"

  For some reason Jenny felt disturbed at this. There was one thing with having an imaginary friend but quite another if she expected her to see that friend. She tried to search back through her memories. Had she ever expected people to see her friend? Maybe she had, maybe this was just normal and yet how had she found that website?

  "Well, it looks like the tablet is not working at the moment so why don't I take it with me and see if I can get it fixed." Even though Abby didn't seem to be that bothered about the tablet at the moment, Jenny expected this to cause a major tantrum.

  "Okay," Abby said her eyes flicking between the teddy and the empty place at the imaginary tea party.

  Jenny decided to leave her, to go see if she could find anything on the tablet. Though she knew this was just play, for some reason she felt uncomfortable. Maybe it was just a new house, or the disturbing website. Whatever it was she couldn't shake it as she left the room.

  "We’re just downstairs, shout for me if you need anything."

  "I will, Mummy, but we will be fine, we’re just going to finish our tea."

  The sound of giggling followed Jenny as she walked away down the hallway.

  Soon, it was time for bed and Jenny went up to tuck Abby in. When she got to the room Abby was just finishing her teeth. Then she moved the toothbrush and pretended to clean the bear’s teeth and then she did it to nothing. Jenny knew it was just innocent play and yet once again it made her blood run cold. Why was that?

  Mason and her had been able to find out nothing on the tablet. First, the Internet refused to work and then when it did work the tablet just switched off. Maybe it was the battery, she wasn't sure but they were getting nothing out of it tonight. So far she hadn't unpacked her own laptop. Mason said his computer was working but he hadn't tried to connect to the Internet except for that first night when he put an advert on the chamber website. So far he hadn't checked for any replies.

  Abby was getting ready for bed and as she climbed in she moved right over to the left-hand side pulled back the covers and patted the bed.

  "What are you doing?" Jenny asked.

  "Victoria wants to sleep with me. Is that all right?"

  Jenny wanted to say no but she didn't have the heart and so she nodded. Then she quickly kissed Abby on the forehead and pulled the covers back around her, tucking her in tightly. Then she left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

  "Just call us if you need anything, goodnight."

  "Goodnight, Mummy, Victoria says goodnight too but she won't say it to Daddy."

  Jenny wanted to ask why. She wanted to say something but she was so tired that she decided to just leave it for tonight.

  Jenny and Mason went to bed soon after. It was still quite early and yet they both felt tired. Once again, Mason was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Yet, Jenny lay there listening to the sounds of the house. Whenever she went into the master bedroom she felt the air was oppressive. It was almost as if it was hard to breathe, as if there was a pressure on her chest and on her lungs. She seemed to stay awake for hours, tossing and turning and trying to listen for any strange noise. There was nothing she could put her finger on and yet she felt anxious. Why was that?

  Chapter 5

  The night dragged on and on and yet still Jenny could not sleep. Occasionally she would drift a little bit but the slightest noise would jerk her awake and she would be tense and listening. She would lay there as still as a corpse, holding her breath as she tried to work out what it was. It wasn't just the noises. There was something about the master bedroom that disturbed her. In her mind she believed it was simply because she was so far away from Abby. It must just be her mother's instinct and yet she knew it was more than that. The stain on the carpet disturbed her. It looked so fresh and it looked like blood. She knew this was silly but she could not shake the feeling that something bad had happened here. Maybe it was just the woman at the supermarket spooking her and yet...

  The room was oppressive, the moment she crossed the threshold into the bedroom she felt breathless, and trapped. Now she lay awake, despite being exhausted, with no prospects of sleep for the foreseeable future.

  What was she going to do?

  Maybe it was just getting used to the house. Maybe in a night or two she would be sleeping as soundly as Mason and yet she couldn't imagine ever being relaxed in that room. It was so frustrating. This was her dream, her idea. Was it just nerves? The stress of putting their entire life into this property? She didn't know and the more she thought about it the tenser she felt and sleep receded further and further into the distance. With a heavy sigh she decided to get up. Maybe a cup of chamomile tea would help.

  It was cold out of the bed and she pulled on a robe and stepped into her slippers. They had been leaving the door open, mainly on her insistence, in case Abby needed anything in the night. Jenny slipped through the door and started to walk down the corridor. It was dark, oppressively so, and she reached out with her hands to find the wall. The darkness was so deep and so black that she found herself dizzy and suddenly afraid to go any further. Hadn't she left the light on for Abby? It was something she had done both nights. Just the hall light, just so Abby could find her way if she woke up in a strange house. Maybe Mason turned it off for the darkness was an impenetrable force. It seemed to push her backward and yet she knew it was just in her mind. How silly was this, a grown woman scared of the dark?

  So, she traced her hands along the wall and took tiny steps towards the stairs. It was so dark that her mind began to imagine things in front of and behind her. They were reaching out to her, claw-like fingers just inches away. Greedy mouths opening and closing with red eyes that could see as clear as day.

  The sound of heavy breathing sent waves of shock through her stomach. Then she had to laugh, it was her own breathing. She was almost hyperventilating and scaring herself in the process. So she took a deep breath, pulling air deeper and deeper into her lungs and holding it there for a count of five. Then she slowly let it go. As the breath hissed past her teeth she felt herself relax and took another one. Breathe in to the count of eight, hold for five, and breathe out to the co
unt of eight. It cleared her head and calmed her and she started to walk once more. Soon she would be at the stairwell and she decided to switch on the light once she reached it. It shouldn't wake anyone at that point, and maybe she would leave it on when she came back.

  Her foot caught in something and she stumbled forward. Scrabbling in the darkness she went down on her knees. The image of a hand reaching out to grab her ankle flashed through her mind. When she hit the floor the bump shocked her and she fought to control her terror. Her foot had caught a ridge in the carpet, nothing sinister. It was just a dark house, one she didn't know but why was it so dark? Then she almost laughed again. She was a city girl. There were always street lights, and the glow from other buildings where she was used to living. She had never known a place like this. If there was no moon then of course it was dark. Slowly, she found her way back to her feet and realized she was close to the stairs. Tracing her hands across the cold wall she searched for the light switch. Just as she found it a scream ripped through the darkness.

  Jenny punched the light and it flickered on. She did not know what to expect and yet she cringed and raised a hand to defend her face. There was no one behind her, no one in front. Her heart was pounding and the blood that rushed in her ears was almost deafening. What had she heard?

  Then it came again and all her worries were forgotten as she raced to Abby's room. The sound was a scream, a petrified scream and it was her daughter’s.

  Jenny tore along the corridor as fast as her feet would carry her. All the time she was whispering, “Abby, I’m coming, Abby.” Though she knew her child was too far away and could not hear her, sending the words made her feel better.

  Another scream ripped through the night. It was the sound of pure terror. Was someone here? Was someone hurting her baby girl?

  Behind her she heard a shout and thump. Mason was on his way. Jenny did not hesitate. Logic would have told her to wait for him but her child was afraid, maybe in pain and she ran with all she had.

  When she got to the last room the door was closed and yet she knew she had left it open. Her hands found the handle and slipped in her panic.

  Gripping the metal tighter she managed to turn it and the door swung inward. The sound of Abby panting filled the air and her heart leaped into her throat. She wanted to talk, to calm Abby but the words would not come. Reaching out she found the switch and the room was flooded with light.

  On the bed, Abby clung to the teddy, tears running down her terrified face as she gasped for breath. The room looked as if it had been struck by a tornado. Toys, pillows, and books were strewn around the room. Jenny took it all in in an instant and raced to her daughter, scooping her into her arms and holding her close. At last her voice was back and as she stroked Abby's hair she soothed her.

  "It was just a nightmare, baby, it was just a nightmare."

  Abby clung to her, sobbing and shaking.

  "What happened, Abby, tell me what happened?"

  For long moments all Abby did was cry and cling on tight. Jenny could feel the bear between them and just for a second it made her skin crawl. Pushing the thought to one side she rocked Abby in her arms.

  "Mummy’s here, you're safe now. Sssssh, it's all okay, just relax."

  Mason burst through the door and stopped instantly. Jenny nodded to let him know that everything was fine and he came over and sat on the bed next to them.

  "What happened?" Mason asked his voice gruff with fear.

  Jenny wanted to tell him to shut up, to let it pass tonight but she could see that he would not. There was heat in his eyes and even though she knew it was caused by terror and not anger she also knew it would not come across that way.

  “Abby, what happened?” he demanded.

  Abby pulled out of Jenny’s arms and chewed on the teddy’s ear. Jenny fought down the urge to vomit along with the urge to rip the sullied fur ball from her arms and burn it.

  Then Abby threw her head back, her eyes wide and defiant. If it wasn’t for the teddy covered in spittle she would have looked like a force to be reckoned with.

  “It wasn’t me, it was Victoria,” Abby shouted and her eyes kept flicking to the corner of the room.

  “Victoria!” Mason fumed. “You wreck your room and wake us up screaming! You can’t blame an imaginary friend for this.”

  “I’m not,” Abby snapped back.

  Jenny felt her heart lurch, Abby never defied her father even if she was wrongly accused. What had gotten into her?

  “Enough,” Mason snapped. “I don’t want to hear it.”

  “Stop it,” Jenny whispered and she heard Mason draw in his breath. He realized that he had been shouting. She risked a glance at him and could see the blush of shame on his cheeks. He took her hand and squeezed. The gesture was an apology and an indication that she could take over. For a moment she froze. How should she deal with this?

  “Daddy’s sorry,” she said. “You scared him... you scared us both. We thought you had been hurt.”

  “I am sorry, Abby Wabby,” Mason said with a smile. “I was only shouting because I thought you were hurt. Will you forgive me?”

  Abby threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.

  “I forgive you,” she whispered, “but I don’t think Victoria will.”

  Jenny felt him tense but before he could say anything she squeezed his shoulder.

  “Why don’t you go get a couple of mugs of hot milk and I will tuck Abby in?”

  Mason nodded and left the room, glancing back at the destruction and shaking his head.

  Jenny tucked Abby back into the bed and pulled the sheets around her.

  “Now,” she said as she started to pick up the books and toys that had been strewn across the floor. “Your dad is right. If Victoria did this then she needs to own up, where is she?”

  Abby pointed to a chair in the corner of the room. As Jenny looked the corner seemed darker and she shuddered for a moment. The decision weighed heavily on her mind; should she call Abby’s bluff or play along? Turning, she made her decision and raised her finger. “Victoria, if you are to live in this house then you must follow the rules.”

  The air seemed to chill and Jenny watched as her breath misted before her. It was gone as soon as it came and as she breathed out to check if it had happened she felt suddenly warmer again.

  “If you are naughty then Mason, Daddy, will insist that you leave. Are we clear on this?”

  The corner seemed darker once more and Jenny felt the hairs raise on the back of her neck. What was wrong with her? All she was doing was playing into Abby’s fantasy. Yet in her mind she could have sworn she heard an angry yes.

  Turning back to Abby she asked, “Does she understand?”

  “Yes,” Abby said, “but she doesn’t like Daddy and won’t be made to leave.”

  “Abby, that is enough,” Jenny snapped.

  “It wasn’t me,” Abby said and she threw herself back into Jenny’s arms.

  Suddenly Jenny felt afraid for her. “Would you like to sleep in our room tonight?” she asked.

  “I don’t like your room, will you sleep with us?”

  Jenny wanted to ask why she didn’t like their room but was afraid of the answer, so she nodded and curled up on the bed.

  Mason came back with three mugs of hot milk and they all lay there drinking until Abby fell asleep.

  “I’m gonna sleep with her tonight,” Jenny said and she watched Mason’s jaw tense.

  “I don’t think you should play into this fantasy, it could get out of hand.”

  “I know.” Jenny took his hand and pulled him down for a kiss. His lips were like velvet, a sharp contrast to the sting of stubble from his chin, and he tasted of milk and honey. “Just give her a couple of days and if it still goes on I promise I will put a stop to it.”

  Mason nodded, picked up the cups and left. This time the hall light was definitely left on.

  Jenny curled up on the bed and was soon drifting off to sleep. Just before she d
id she felt a figure get into the bed behind her. Assuming it was Mason she relaxed and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 6

  Jenny slept deeply and dreamed of an attic. There was a little girl with long blonde hair and pale gray eyes holding the teddy. Suddenly, Jenny was the girl and she knew her name was Victoria and that the teddy was Mr. Good Bear, she was hiding from the shouting. As the noise below intensified she crouched down and huddled beneath a blanket in a corner shaking and whimpering in fear. Though she could not hear the words well enough to understand what was being said, she understood the feeling behind them. It spoke of control, of dominance, and of brutality. All she wanted to do was hide and yet she wanted her mummy to hide with her. Wanted to save her and to show her this safe place. The noise below rose and fell like a bird on the thermals and she covered her ears with her hands to block it out. It was exhausting hiding, crying, and worrying about what would happen. It drained her and with each shout her body tensed as if it had been punched. Soon the tears stopped even though the fear continued. Before too long she fell asleep, all alone in a small dark room, she was so afraid.

  In her dream Jenny twitched and mumbled. Something was coming for her and she could not see what it was. She tried to hide; holding her breath, she pulled the blankets further over her head and yet she knew it would find her. Where could she go? How could she hide? For she knew if it found her that she would be dead.

  Footsteps were approaching and she held her breath, willing them to go past. Step-by-step they came closer and closer. The sound of leather on the wood seemed to reverberate through her chest. With each step, she felt a small gasp of breath escape her. Though she tried to be quiet she knew she was panting and that it was too late. The monster was here, the monster had found her. The blanket was ripped from her and Jenny let out a scream, waking, just before she saw the face of evil.

  Jenny jerked out of the nightmare and sat up. She expected Mason to be lying beside her. Could almost still feel the impression of a body and yet he was not there. Abby was fast asleep in front of her, and had not woken despite her scream.