Things That Go Hump In The Night
by Jonathan Eddington
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alison whimpered as they walked up the long, tree covered drive to the incredibly old mansion.
"It does look rather dark and gloomy," Reed sighed, "and that's before we even get inside."
Underfoot the gravel crunched as the five college friends continued towards the dark, foreboding entrance that loomed like a cavernous open mouth. The fading light glinted on the two upper windows over front door, like watching eyes, adding to the growing sense of unease. A chill passed through them, and a deep sigh seemed to come from the building as the ivy flapped up and slowly dropped back on the ancient stonework, almost like it took a breath. As they grew closer, it's imposing shadow seemed to rise up and cover them, and everything around them.
"It looks like a giant lying down facing us" murmured Ben. "Like his arms disappear off round the sides behind the trees, and are going to surround us..."
"And we're going to be pulled into his gaping mouth and eaten" Jess gasped.
"Oh come on!" admonished Reed. "I bet it's lovely inside. After all they wouldn't be renting rooms if it was a monster house that ate everyone. They'd soon run out of guests."
Beth smiled to herself. She had felt drawn to Ickwell Manor ever since she had found a picture of it online, as though some part of her belonged there. Thankfully it was now open as a hotel, with all it's Edwardian splendour faithfully preserved. It had not taken much to convince the others to spend Halloween there. Just a dare really for the guys, and the chance to have sex in a four poster bed for the girls.
Now they were here, Beth's sense of belonging was growing intensely, along with a strange sense of familiarity.
"No signal" Ben groaned as he checked his phone. "I hope they have Wi-Fi."
"I'm surprised they have electricity" said Reed as a light flicked on over the imposing doorway.
With a loud groaning creak the imposing door opened causing the group to stop in their tracks. Blackness loomed inside, and for a moment no one moved. Suddenly a figure appeared in darkness. Several of the group gasped, then sighed in relief as the little old lady came into the light.
"Come in, come in" the old lady cackled and beckoned them in. "You'll get cold and it's lovely and warm inside."
Beth moved first into the inky blackness and felt the welcoming warmth enfold her. Dimly at first she made out another large closed door a few feet in front of her as the old lady lit a few candles. The heat vanished as the others crowded into the vestibule, almost like someone had been holding her in a warm embrace then broke away.
"Sorry, but light bulbs keep blowing and the candles blow out when I open the door" the old lady explained. "Let me sign you all in, then I'll show you too your rooms."
Later, after a large supper in the ornate dining room, Ben had announced that he and Alison were going to see just how strong their huge bed was. Alison had playfully gone to slap him when he scooped her up in his arms to giggles from the others and carried her away. Not long after, Jess and Reed made their excuses and left Beth on her own in the large drawing room.
Even while they had been talking Beth's eyes had been drawn to a painting of a young well dressed man that hung over the fireplace. She walked over and read the name, Henry Ickwell, 1906. As Beth looked up at his face the rest of the room seemed to dim.
"Home" came a low breathy voice from all around her.
Strangely Beth found this intensely reassuring and reached up to touch the painting.
"Please don't touch the paintings miss" came the voice of the old lady from the doorway. "It costs a lot to clean them."
"I'm sorry" Beth said as she turned to her. "Who was he?"
"Henry built the manor as a wedding present for his fiancée, Bess. But she disappeared on a hunting trip a few days before. He spent the following year trying to find her before developing a fever and passing away."
"Oh how horrible! But at least he's at peace now."
"Not if the legend is too be believed. There have been several sightings over the years of a ghostly figure roaming the fields and woods around here."
"Bess" came the low breathy voice again. "Home."
"And in here?" Beth asked, noting the old lady seemed oblivious to the ghostly voice.
"Not that I know of" the old lady answered.
Was Beth hearing Henry's ghost, and if so, why her and not the old lady? She would have to wait until morning now to ask the others if they had noticed anything. In a way she hoped they had not, as that would make her special somehow. But then they may make fun of her.
"Ah ok. Well thanks for the info. I'm going to head up now. G'nite."
