“My mom’s had Botox and it went wrong, her face ballooned out to the size of football and she had to be rushed to hospital on life support,” and at that moment there was no going back.
“Oh, my god,” replied Gregor. “Is she alright?”
Which made me feel even guiltier for lying, so I told him it was touch and go but the doctors can do miracles these days and that Mom was back home.
“Thank goodness,” replied Gregs. “I told you, that stuff is dangerous - we’re still on for tonight though - aren’t we?”
“Of course,” I replied, “Mom wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.” I told Gregs I would see him about eight and that would give Ruby and me time to carry out Lottie’s experiment with the chain.
Ruby and I arrived home around the same time then shot up stairs together, and forgetting how narrow our staircase was we became instantaneously wedged half way up, between the wall and the handrail. “It’s not a race,” I snapped angrily.
“You’re in a good mood,” replied Ruby.” Has Danny been pestering you again?”
At that point I calmed down and we proceeded in an orderly manner - like adults - until we reached my bedroom door. “Go on then, see if it’s still there,” goaded Ruby.
Neither of us understood why we thought the chain link might not be there. It wouldn’t move on its own, would it?
As we opened the door to my bedroom, I realized how clean my room was and that maybe Mom was right after all, and I really did need to tidy up more.
As our eyes drifted over to where we had left the chain, there was an empty space. “It’s not there,” I whispered.
“Don’t be sill...”
Ruby didn’t manage to finish her sentence, as the realization the chain was not where we left it suddenly struck home. “Moms been cleaning up,” said Ruby. “Quick, ask her where she’s put everything.”
“Most of it’s in the bin,” came back the reply from down stairs. “I told you if you didn’t tidy your room there would be consequences.”
We rushed to the bin heaving the contents out all over the yard. “What on earth are you doing,” said Mom?
“The chain Mom, the chain,” I exclaimed.
“You mean this tiny thing,” replied Mom, holding her hand out. “It was on the window sill next to that old toy you had as babies, it’s very light isn’t it - feels like there’s nothing there.”
“Thanks Mom, Dottie Lottie left it to me.”
“I thought it might be special,” replied Mom.
The Chain
“I’ve been thinking,” said Ruby.
“Well, that’s a first,” I replied.
“No, honestly, have you ever wondered what happened to Aimée?”
“No, not really - but she was very brave.”
“Yes she was,” replied Ruby, “and I think it might be time for us to be as well.”
I took the chain link and held it firmly in my hand, and in the other that special toy Ruby and I had as babies, the one Mums always keep as a memory of your childhood.
“Well”, said Ruby.
Nothing yet,” I replied. “Then it hit me, like a train speeding around inside my head and stopping at every station you’ve ever been too, only these weren’t stations these were memories. Then I heard Rubies voice calling - “Barnaby, Barnaby!”- I tried to focus but I couldn’t really see her anymore - just flashes and fragments of people and places rushing around inside my head - then blackness, but in that blackness... just for a moment, I saw something... or someone... then it ended as Ruby knocked the chain from my hand and I came crashing back to planet earth with a resounding bump.
“Well that was intense,” I muttered, as I saw Ruby’s more than concerned face staring back at me.
“What happened, are you Ok?”
“You must have been worried Sis, your using my Sunday name.
Now, your Sunday name is your "posh" or "proper name." It’s like someone calling you "Stephen" instead of "Steve", "Robert" instead of "Bob", "Elizabeth" instead of "Beth" or "Lizzy", you get the idea.
“I thought you were going to pass out - and yes I was worried - you are my brother you know.”
“That was amazing Sis. It was like watching a movie of all the things you do when you’re young, the bits we can’t remember.”
Ruby didn’t quite understand what I meant, so I tried to explain.
“Well, what’s your earliest memory of Mum,” I inquired?
“Around when I was about two years old...falling down outside and having to go to hospital - with Mom... maybe.”
“But can you remember anything before that?”
“Nothing really, I can’t remember back much further than that.”
“The chain can somehow pull from us all those memories and feelings we have as young kids, all the good stuff we do when we’re very young.”
I could see Ruby building the courage to try the chain for herself, and eventually she gave in.
“Let me try,” she said as she took the chain, and as her fingers slowly curled around the tiny object I could see the dread of what she might find creeping over her, like the fear and excitement you get from those giant fair rides just before boarding the carriages, then it takes your breath away.
“Are you ready Sis,” I asked, passing Ruby the toy and reminding her at the same time to ready herself for the rush that was about to come, and in seconds the event was over as Ruby dropped the chain to the ground.
“There’s something in there,” she said, “and it’s not human!”
The problem was we didn’t really know where “in there” was, and Ruby couldn’t really describe what she had seen; only the noise it made as it shifted in the darkness.
“It’s that sound...the sound you recorded...whatever you picked up on your iPad is in here with us now and it’s the chain that connects us with it - I’m sure of it.”
The same sound that had followed us from the beginning was now something physical and was taking our toys and using the memories imprinted on them, but why?
“Remember when Aimée said it wasn’t going to hurt her and that it just wanted Lulu,” whispered Ruby.
“Yes I remember,” I replied, “but why are we whispering?
“I had a feeling it wouldn’t hurt us either,” replied Ruby and although I felt the same I didn’t say anything - except, “everything that’s gone missing in this house could have been taken by that thing in there.”
“Yes, but how,” replied Ruby, “and why?
“Maybe when we sleep,” I suggested.
It was an uneasy thought to imagine that as we slept that eerie figure was slowly working its way through our house room by room, and the night I recorded that strange sound of rattling chains it must have been there right next to me... and yet for some reason... we felt as if we were safe. Ruby then decided as long as whatever it was stayed in there and left us alone then all was Ok, and she even had a name for it ‘The Rattler’ which sounded quite HAL’O WEENIE, very spooky and kind of suited our shadowy stranger somewhat.
Sleepover
Well, Thursday had arrived and school was imminent for all those who were well enough to attend, as an epidemic of winter colds and sickness bugs had arrived and most of my class was off sick.
“I’m not sick”, exclaimed Danny, “because I’m fit. Feel my arm muscles Barney, I bet there bigger than yours.” And indeed they were, frighteningly so. “I eat loads of Spinach,” added Danny. “It’s full of vitamins you know.”
“Yes, I can tell,” I replied, as I noticed bits of green leafy material stuck between Danny’s braces. Danny’s dad was a champion weightlifter who competed for the “World’s Strongest Man” and came second, which was a major triumph for Danny’s family who owned a fitness gym in town quite near to where the “Bloody Chamber” had been. Danny spent a lot of time with her dad and dreamed one day of being the world Judo Champion. The whole school team was very proud of Danny - and so was I.
After a long a
nd torturous day, school was over and Greg’s would shortly be on his way for our second sleepover of the month, and possibly only my second defeat of the year so far. I still hadn’t told Greg’s about the chain and wasn’t sure whether to or not, and that even if I did - would he believe me.
That resounding door knock Gregs had developed so well, echoed through the house and as I rose from the comfort of my “Evolution 2000” gaming chair, to answer the door, I remembered... Botox... and that I had lied about Mum's near death experience, and as rushed down stairs, in an effort to beat Mom to the door, I was greeted only by failure as Mom reminded me.
“You need to be quicker than that, Barns.”
“High Mrs Denton,” grinned Gregs.
“High Gregor,” replied Mom.
Surprisingly Gregs didn’t say anything, except.
“You look very nice today, Mrs Denton.”
Oh my god! Greggs has a crush on my Mom.
“You’ve got a crush on my Mom,” I gasped.
“So what,” replied Gregs. “You lied about the Botox.”
“How did you know?”
“It’s that thing you do with your nose when you lie, Ruby showed me.”
“What thing?”
“There, you did it again,” exclaimed Gregs. “It must be a stress response.”
“So now you’re a doctor,” I reply.
“No, just your best friend.”
With food in hand we proceeded upstairs to begin our game, and this time I have the upper hand as I completely demolish Greg’s early lead.
“Not bad Barnaby,” announces Gregs.” Much better than your last effort - been practicing?” And indeed I had, as I went three games up.
“Does your Mom actually use Botox then,” inquired Gregs?
“No, she just wonders what would happen if she did.”
“My Mom does.”
“Really,” I reply, wondering why a thirty three year old would even consider such an option, unless of course she is dating a younger man.
“Yes, for about two years now. Her new boyfriends younger than she is and I think she’s feeling the pressure.”
The uncomfortable silence of this revelation was thankfully broken by my mom’s shouts of, “It’s time for bed boys, School tomorrow, so early start.”
“Ok Mom,” I reply, as Gregs and I slide into the top and bottom bunks. “Sorry about the Botox story Gregs, something happened earlier in the week and I got thrown off track”.
“Didn’t know you were ever on track in the first place,” remarks Gregs. “What was it?”
“I'll tell you in the morning; it’s a bit of a long story.”
Awoken a few hours later by a dry feeling in my throat and the shrieking of those crazy foxes, that come into our garden after dark, I decide to look outside.
There’s something about urban foxes dreadful night time noises that make you think there is some ghastly event or murder taking place outside, and from my bedroom window I could see them scurrying around the bushes... except for one.
There, in the middle of our garden was the biggest fox I had ever seen and I could swear he was looking right up at my bedroom window, and as we stared at each other, neither of us giving way, I realized my bladder was probably about to give way before the fox was ever to relinquish his gaze, so I turned away and quietly sneaked across the bedroom floor to the toilet - stuck my head under the cold water tap - took a couple of mouthfuls of water then emptied a bladder, that would easily have filled Mr Waite’s carp pond at the bottom of her garden, into the depths of our toilet paper ridden latrine, which is French.
When I returned to my bedroom, I noticed the window blinds slightly to one side and a thin shaft of light from next doors street lamp had begun to paint strange lines across my bedroom wall and the top bunk - then I realized Greg’s bed was empty; strange he was there a moment ago, so I checked the top bunk again.
“Greg's, where are you?” I whispered, at which point Ruby appeared and asked quietly, what a matter was.
“Greggs has disappeared,” I whispered.”
“Disappeared,” replied Ruby. “Well he can’t be far away, he’s probably sleep walking or hunting for cheese.”
It was then Ruby turned and stared motionless into my bedroom. “Stop it” I said,” you're weirding me out.”
“There’s something in the corner of your bedroom, Barnaby.”
There, in the chill darkness and lit by a single dangling light twenty watt bulb, I could just make out a dark and shadowy figure.
“Probably Gregs messing about,” I replied.
“No, it’s definitely not Gregor,” assured Ruby.
There was dryness in Ruby’s voice that began to scare me and as I stared into the cold darkness of the room, my eyes slowly began to adjust to the gloom.
What was once pitch black suddenly became marginally clearer - and there - outlined against the backdrop of my bedroom wall stood a dark and motionless shape.
“It’s covered in chains,” whispered Ruby, “and I think I’m going to faint - if only I could move.”
This strange creature, clearly described by my sister as, ‘wrapped in chains’ then spoke
“You’re not afraid of the dark, Barnaby, are you, I know Ruby isn’t?” And as he spoke I felt my answer may determine Gregor’s future. “No,” I replied. “Well sometimes.”
“Hesitance is good,” replied the shape, “and I like the name you chose for us, RATTLERS... sounds kind of spooky, better than Dave or Brian don’t you think?”
“What are you,” I asked, bravely, “and why midnight?”
The dark figure then suddenly began to move closer and I instantly stepped back against my bedroom wall, holding my breath. He was now closer to Ruby, who hadn’t moved at all.
“See, your sister isn’t frightened.”
Rubies next words were even stranger. “I know you,” she said. And in that split second I could see the fear in Ruby subside.
“Of course you do,” replied the creature. “Remember when Katie died - you were sad – and crying - I took some of that sadness away - you were four years old and sleeping in Barnaby’s room. You saw me that night; that’s why you remembered the sound as I left - and as to what I am – that really doesn’t matter at the moment - what does matter however - is we get your friend back and we stop Her from taking too many of his memories.”
Memory Hunter
I had a thousand questions to ask our strange visitor, but before I had the chance to begin, Ruby got there first.
“How do you know about Katie and why were you there in my bedroom that night?
Katie our sister died when I was two years old and I think that’s partly why Dad left. The only memories I have of Katie are photographs and video clips, and I envied the hours Ruby had spent with her.
Ruby said Mom cried a lot that year and that she and dad had stopped talking. Dad was working away a lot and wasn’t there when it happened, which left Mom on her own with Ruby and Katie.
It was snowing that night apparently, and Katie had been complaining of a headache. Meningitis, Mom said... and that’s all she would say.
The Rattler had been in Ruby’s bedroom that night and with Aimée the night the German bombs fell on the cottage, something Lottie had failed to mention in her Diary.
He had taken Aimée just before the explosion, somehow freezing that moment in time and saving Aimée from the blast. So, now we knew there were creatures out there that fed on the unwanted memories and emotions of young kids, memories according to the Rattler that would only confuse and distract our young minds whilst we are trying to figure out how the world works, and if you don’t believe it then try to remember a time before your second birthday and you’ll understand what I mean.
As my head began to clear from the night’s events, I started to wonder why anyone would want to steal Gregs memories and what would you do with them anyway? It then occurred to me that our strange visitor may have arrived in our house that
night to take mine.
“It’s the Xboxes,” replied the Rattler. “They stimulate your imagination and creativity so much, it was hard for Her to resist. The chain link I gave to Aimée was a key to unlock the moment she was frozen in, when the bomb exploded. I’m afraid it was the link that brought Her here, and it wasn’t Lottie’s fault.
Lottie had left Aimée only for a few seconds after hearing a noise downstairs and had gone to investigate.
I wondered why Lottie had left that out of her diary, guilt maybe at leaving Aimée alone.
As Ruby and I began to wonder where Gregs might be my imagination began to go wild and I started to think of dark places like dungeons and stuff and was just about to ask where Gregs actually was, when the Rattler answered my as yet unspoken question.
“He’s right here, in the bunk you left him in, you just can’t quite see him...look closer.” So I did and as I looked, what appeared to be an empty space now became the faint outline of a boy.
“Can you see now, he’s there, he’s just outside your reality.”
“Is SHE in there?”
“The Memory Hunter, you mean,” replied the Rattler. “Yes, She is and one of you has to stop her?”
Now, as a thirteen-year-old schoolboy, that seemed like a tall order and wandering around Greg’s mind alone in order to confront “The Memory Hunter” an interdimensional being that feeds on the memories and emotions of young kids was not the way I would choose to spend my Thursday night, yet it seemed quite exciting.
The Whisper
“You may hear her before you see Her,” explained the Rattler. “She’ll approach you in a whisper, so try to focus your mind on resisting it, one unresolved memory will be just enough to unsettle her and keep her occupied long enough, if you can do that I can get your friend out.”
I didn’t really understand what an unresolved memory was, at which point something rather strange happened. The Rattler pulled against his chains and as he did a link broke free, and I could have sworn just for an instant he faded away.
Doll Page 4
