its-the-fifth-horseman

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

#1: Illustra

I used to visit this art gallery down by the Ademus Street. The gallery was simply called “Illustra.”

I would spent hours looking at the fascinating paintings that for some reason, most people would find not inspiring enough.

For one thing, almost if not all of the artworks would be “blurry” with streaks of lines going in every direction with no particular theme or object in focus.

On that day, as I spent hours and hours, watching one artwork after another, I noticed that if I were to stare at one painting look enough before going on to the next one, the “after image” from my vision would be able to “combine” it with the next painting. 

And this would go on and on until I've reached approximately 8 paintings before I noticed that the “image” in my vision was no longer “blurry.”

Bits and pieces from each of the painting began to paint a bigger “picture” that was so massive, that it was actually taking up the space on the wall and floor.

I was sure that if I give it enough time, it would have eventually reached the ceiling. It was absolutely fascinating to see what was practically a “fantasy scenery,” that would one could only envision and paint but now lay before me with trees, waterfalls, white fluffy clouds, panoramic view of distant valleys and mountains and at some point, I began to noticed what looked like human figures that began to “paint” themselves on the “canvas.”

As I look closely, they appear to be walking around aimlessly in the “painting,” almost as if they were searching for something.

“Excuse me, do you know the way out?” said an elderly man who happens to passing in front of me.

“Uh..”

For some reason, I felt a chill going through my spine. I immediately began looking around as if trying to locate the exit eventhough it was no more than a few feet away.

“Sir..sir...can you take me home?” said another boy of about 5 years old.

Then suddenly, every single one of those people began to take notice of me.

“He knows the way out! He has too!” shouted someone.

I didn't think twice about backing away from them and that was when I realized that the “painting,” had “taken over,” the gallery and it was moving at a rapid pace as every bit of what was once the walls and floor have now become part of the “scenery.”

“Take us with you! Help us!”

The next thing I know, I was panting and almost shouted when I dashed for the door that was almost “invisible,” by then. I had my hand at the handle but it felt like it was already too late.

Just when I thought all hope was lost.

“Sir? Sir?”

I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. The caretaker was standing next to me.

“What?” I asked.

“Sorry for the intrusion but it’s five minutes to closing time.”

“Is it?” I looked at my watch.

“Uh..ok..” I didn't know what else to say.

“I see you are taken by this particular piece of art,” said the man.

That was when I turn to look at the painting again. A few seconds later, I realized that it was the first painting I had been looking at since I got in.

“You have been standing there for almost 3 hours without barely even moving, I was getting worried.”

“I was? But how?”

“Maybe you’re just trying to figure out the true meaning of this masterpiece.”

He looks at the painting as well.

“But might I give you a piece of advice, sir. Just don’t over-analyze it, you don’t want to get in too deep or you might get lost, so to speak that is.”

“Yes..yes..of course.”

I didn't say much afterwards. I gave those nonsensical blurry lines one last look before heading for the exit.

I never went back to the gallery and after sometime, I heard they moved away.

Perhaps it’s best that I don’t step inside another art gallery anytime soon.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book #writing

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Junji Ito Collection Series

I've been watching this series lately and though I heard of his work, I've never really read any of them. The artwork is probably scarier than the plot itself but there are some good ones in there.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book #writing

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Lost Tales Relocation and Boo! Series

Haven’t been writing here for awhile. I've moved my stories to https://www.wattpad.com/user/the_fifth_horsemen and created another series called Boo! in https://www.pinterest.com/the_5th_HM/boo/

Feel free to check them out. Thanks.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book #writing

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 3: The Green Dragon - Part 2

3:52 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

The Black Mansion,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

He nearly dropped his camera while taking a more defensive stance. Ryu just stood there, looking unaffected. They stared at each other for a moment in silence.

“What's the deal with this guy?”

“Niko?”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry..I called you a few times..you didn't answer..so I tap on your shoulder..”

“Ok..uh..why..why are you here anyway?”

Ryu took a few steps to the side.

“I feel bad for what happened. So I come up here, hope to say sorry to you. I'm very sorry.” Ryu bowed before him again. Niko then sort of moved in an awkward manner, not knowing whether he should return the bow or just shake his hand.

“Uh..yeah..yeah..sure..” He decided to take one quick bow. Ryu smiled at him.

[Clearing throat sound]

“So..this is your first time here too?” asked Niko.

“Yes..but I've been to places very similar to this..like the Castle of Miyamura on Mount Mayuri.”

“I see..is the color scheme as dull as this place too?”

“Color..scheme?..”

“The color of the castle..is it black like this?”

“Oh..no..the castle has much more color..” Ryu smiled at him again. Niko wanted to continue his session alone but he didn't have the heart to tell Ryu what was on his mind.

“Ok..cool..hey..you know what? I'm gonna..I’m gonna..go and check out the other parts of this place..this room is kinda empty anyway..see ya' around, ok?” Ryu was about to say something but Niko had already left the room by then. He can't help but feel like his apology wasn't enough.

“Right..so we're out of that room..we'll check it out again later at night..gotta get a good focus on those paintings..if only mister green dragon himself wasn't there to interrupt..[Clearing throat]..so..[Approaching another door]..ok..we're heading towards a room to the left side of this level..[Camcorder focusing on the door]..so this one is..[Unlocks the door]..not locked..must be my lucky day then..and..huh..well, well..what have we here..”

At the center of the room was long table that was surrounded by chairs. A white cloth covers it from end to end.

“Huh..I guess this must be..the dining room?..Yeah..definitely..take a look at the length..and it's covered with a white piece of cloth...hmm..[Panning around the room]..huh..[Focuses on one end of the room]..what the hell..[Started walking towards the far end wall]..more banners..Why banners?..Why red banners?..I swear to God these people have really weird sense of style..I mean I've been to older houses and mansions but this is just getting a bit out of hand..octagonal rooms..red banners..and I just can't wait to get back to those weird ass paintings..I need to..”

“Nicholas..”

“Oh shit..”

“Nicholas..”

“Ok..this is getting really, really annoying..”

Niko then pans the camcorder around the room.

“Where the hell is it coming from!” said Niko, sounding frustrated.

“Nicholas..”

[Startled]

“Shit..shit..I just felt something..I just felt something!..It was like..like a cold breeze that's coming from..”

[Wind blowing sound]

“Nicholas..”

It was then he noticed the red banner he was looking at earlier started to move.

“Woah..”

“Nicholas..”

He stood there for a few more minutes to be sure that what he was witnessing was real and not some figment of his imagination. The “voice” eventually stops but the banner continues to wave gently against the wall.

“Ok guys..there's definitely something behind that red banner..so..we are...going to walk towards it..[Grabs the banner and pulling it aside]..holy shit...”

A dark tunnel with a hint of light at the far end was before him.

“Holy shit..[Chuckling]..And there we have it..ladies and gentleman..a not so subtle hidden secret doorway..how original, right?..Yeah..so..let me grab my flashlight here..”

He took another look around him to see if anyone else has entered the room before finally venturing into the dark and narrow tunnel. The wind ceased to blow. Moments later, Niko emerged on the other side of the wall.

“What?..No way..No freakin' way!..[Laughing]..” He continues to laugh after seeing the familiar banners and paintings on all sides of the newly found room.

“[Laughing]..Holy shit..what is wrong with these people?..It's basically the same room as the last one!..Seriously!..What the fuck..” His mockery soon turned into an admiration.

“Woah..you guys are not gonna believe this..what is this place like seriously, bro..”

The camcorder was recording the armory that was placed all around the room.

“Look at this..look at this..damn..I wonder how long these things have been here..[Focusing on the weapons]..wait..[Chuckling]..hold da phone..I know this one..yeah, yeah..I know this one..[Rushing towards the iron maiden nearby]..Damn..Damn!..I never thought I'd see one of these in all of my exploration!..[Laughing]..This is sick!..This guy actually owns a genuine..real life..iron maiden!..Holy shit!..[Touching the cover before opening it]..See!..See what I mean!..Look at those spikes!..Damn..you know I bet if we use the UV device..we'll see some blood on these things..this is sick..they actually own a torture device..” Suddenly, he just realized something.

“Where the hell did the draft came from anyway? [Focusing on the windows high above him]..No..it can't be from those windows..they’re not even open..what the fuck, man..” Niko then focused the camcorder on himself.

“Ok..so..we're definitely going to do our setup in here later on..so..yeah..we'll get back to all of these metals and iron maiden..[Chuckling]..get it? Metals and iron maiden?..[Laughing]..and well..more red banners..more paintings..and..oh..what do we have here..”

He just noticed the altar behind him.

“Man..wish I knew what this room is for..this is just amazing..I mean..at least it's not empty like the other one..though the interior is pretty much the same..like they just cloned the other room and turn this one into an armory slash worshiping..chamber or something..and it makes you wonder what they put on this altar..books?..Scrolls?..Sacrifices?..” Niko ran his fingers on the cold hard slab of the black marble. There was something about its feel that makes it “powerful.”

“You know..I not gonna lie..I do feel like something was emanating from these..these black marbles..I read about them..I just don't know where you can obtain them with this sort of amount seeing how they're rare..and extremely expensive..that's probably why they're not demolishing this mansion..and just sort of..invest in it..only this place is supposedly..I don’t now..jinxed?..Haunted?..But people actually went missing..allegedly..every single time..yeah..and that's why..we're here..that's why I'm here..to prove once and for all that..”

“Nicholas..”

“There it is again..that God forsaken, fucking voice!..I hope my camcorder catches the sound,” He paused for awhile.

“Nicholas..”

“Whoever you are..I'm not scared of you!..Yeah..you heard me..keep saying name, man!..I have no problem recording all of this! Not..a..problem..bro!”

“Nicholas..”

“Yeah..this will make a nice addition to my collection..say hello to another million new followers, biatch!”

“A million followers..”

“The fuck? Did that thing just repeated my words? Holy shit..”

“A million followers..”

Niko was ecstatic where most people would have run in fear. He was moving around the room, hoping to catch the source of the voice where it would be the loudest. He didn't realized that there was a figure standing near him, watching his every move.

“A million followers..”

“Yeah, bitch..keep talking..” His back then bumps into something.

“Niko.”

“Fuck!”

He then took an awkward defensive stance for the second time before turning around.

[Chuckling sound]

“Fucking hell!”

“[Laughing]..I'm sorry..I'm sorry, mate..[Laughing]”

“Fuck, man!..The hell is wrong with you! You scared the shit out of me, twice!”

[Laughing sound]

That was the first time Niko saw Ryu laughing hysterically and it was also the first time he noticed something else.

“[Laughing]..I..I would knock but there is no door, get it?..[Laughing]”

He kept staring at him but not because of his stealth skills or his bad jokes.

[Laughing sound]

“What..what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” asked Ryu.

“Why do you talk like that?”

“Talk like what, mate?”

“Your accent, why do you suddenly have an AP accent?”

Ryu's expression suddenly changes. A sly smile was on his face.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 3: The Green Dragon - Part 1

3:31 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

The Black Mansion,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“Did you guys see that! Did anyone of you see that!..[Focusing the camcorder on others as they were running towards his direction]”

“What? What's wrong, mate?” asked Vader.

“There's..there's someone in there..” said Niko.

“Really? This oughta’ be interesting..” Without so much as a hesitation, Vader went straight for the study room door.

“No! Wait! Vader! The fuck..bro! Holy shit..holy shit..[Focusing the camcorder on Cass and Jay who were standing nearby]..shit..Vader! You're ok, man?..Shit..”

Seconds later...

[Screaming sound]

“Fuck! Don't screw with us, man!..Shit..[Immediately starts running around, looking for something that can be used as a weapon]..damn it..damn it..”

[Laughing sound]

Niko was about to grab something when Vader emerged, along with someone else. Someone not from the group.

“What the fuck?” It was only then that he realized that he had been pranked when everyone else was laughing except him.

“Who the hell is that?” He maintains his distance while trying to zoom in on the person next to Vader. A young Asian guy wearing a black t-shirt and a green cap was smiling at him, directly at the camera. It was creepy nevertheless.

“Get your bloody arse over here, mate! [Laughing]” called Vader. Niko then puts down his equipment before moving slowly towards them.

[Laughing sound]

Still feeling irked, Niko had no choice but to approach them. He hated the look on everyone's face at that moment.

[Chuckling sound]

Niko eyed the guy from head to toe.

[Clearing throat sound]

“Would you stop with the gestapo eye ball? Sheesh,” said Vader.

“This is Ryu Ji Yamada a.k.a TheGreenDragon99, he's from Aki.” Ryu then bowed down before Niko.

“How do you do, Mr. Niko?”

“You hear that? So polite, don't cha' just love em'?” said Vader again.

“Fine..thanks..and it's just Niko..”

“As you wish..Niko..” Niko was still looking at him with a sense of peculiarity.

“So..why is he here? Aside from the obvious that is..” said Niko, referring to the earlier prank.

“You won't believe this, mate..but..believe it or not..he called me the very last minute..just last night in fact..right when he already made touch down at the airport.” Niko looked surprised.

“He's new to the forum. He saw our thread and decided to just jump on the bandwagon..Impromptu!..Crazy, eh?..”

“So you just decided to buy a plane ticket and fly here all by yourself?” asked Niko.

“Yes.”

“Huh..”

“And oh, get this..he took a cab all the way down here! Amazing ain't it? So..[Chuckling]..so that's how..we got the idea..”

“You, Vader, just you..[Chuckling]..” interrupted Jay.

“Ok..so it's just me..[Chuckling]..yeah..so I thought..since this brave little guy is so amped-up..I figured..why not set you up for a bit..genius, eh?..[Laughing]..”

“The gates and doors were never closed weren't they?”

“You got it professor!..[Laughing]..” Vader was the only one that finds the situation more hilarious than it should be.

“This kid must have the nerve of the devil..” thought Niko.

“[Laughing]..Ok..ok..[Clearing throat]..enough dilly-dalling..let's get on with the show..Jay!..Come and help me with the equipments.”

Niko suddenly lost the mood to check on the study room.

“I'll uh...I think I'll head upstairs..suddenly it feels so crowded down here.” He then walk towards one of the staircases.

“Mr. Vader, is he angry with me?” asked Ryu.

“Nah, mate..Novatians are just a bit touch-feely..he'll be alright..hey..have you checked out the other rooms?”

“No..you said to find closest room and hide..that's what I do..”

“I see..”

“They weren't kidding when they said that Akians are efficient.”

3:42 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

The Black Mansion,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

[Clicking sound]

The door handle was turned before the door swings open. The empty octagonal room stood in silence as it had been since the last century. Niko walked slowly towards the center of it, panning his camera around before trying to contemplate the nature of the room's existence.

“Who the fuck designed this room?” He then began narrating again.

“Ok..I thought I've seen everything..apparently I haven't..no sir..[Camera focusing on the banners and paintings]..what in the world..my God..oh my God..check this out..eight walls, eight red banners and eight paintings..God damn..God damn it..Let's see what we got here..let's have a look at..[Zooming in on one of the paintings]..Look at this..what is that? What kind of painting is that?..[Moving closer towards that particular painting]..It appears to be..some kinda of..animal?..a horse?..I don't know..looks like a head of horse..with green eyes..like..like it was running towards you as you are looking into it..and..what is that..[Zooming in on the figure on the “horse’s back”]..Looks like..like someone's riding it..huh..a dark figure..like a horseman of the apocalypse or something..it's just so..dark..and just like all these other paintings..[Panning towards the other paintings]..doesn't this guy have any other color on his palette?..huh..Well at least the banners are red..I have no idea what they're for..God damn..”

“Nicholas..”

“The fuck? The fuck? You guys hear that?”

“Nicholas..”

“Holy shit! Where..where is it coming from?”

He started moving the camera around, trying to find the source of the “voice.”

“Nicholas...”

“Holy shit..” He then moves closer towards one of the walls in front of him.

“Nicholas..”

“Fuck this shit! I bet there are holes behind these walls..wind blowing through from somewhere..and that sound..that voice..I'm quite sure they’re just high pitched windy sounds that my mind translates as “voices”..nice try walls..nice try..[Laughing]..” His hand reaches out for the banner before pulling it aside.

“The fuck..” There was barely any gaps let alone holes on the black marble. That's how strong and stable the material was. Niko wasn't satisfied. He started focusing on the windows on top.

“Where the hell is that sound coming from..”

“Niko..” He felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Fuck!”

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 2: Nun’s Garb

2:32 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

Route MC-103,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“So what do you reckoned happened to him?”

[Chuckling sound]

Niko was slightly annoyed by Vader's response.

“[Imitating Novatian accent] I reckon that he be somewhere in the yonder over the rainbow..ain't that right pardner? [Laughing]..”

“Hilarious..”

“You do realize that we don't talk like that, right?”

“[Chuckling]..Relax, mate..ain't nothing but a good old poke, eh?..[Chuckling]..”

[Sighing sound]

Niko then took his attention elsewhere. Outside the moving vehicle, the desert seems to stretch infinitely towards the distant horizon. The heat was barely tolerable and they have been on the road for at least 2 hours with no civilization in sight. He continues to stare at nothing in particular.

“If you ask me..I think he might have faked the whole thing,” said Vader, suddenly taking a more serious tone.

“Oh good..captain goody two shoes' finally back..”

Niko turned towards him.

“Why do you think that?”

“Hmm..why..why indeed..I don't know..maybe because it's fake?”

“That's it? That's your take?”

“Ok..wait..wait..hear me out, mate..I'm not done yet..”

Niko took another deep breath.

“[Clearing throat]..As I was saying..fake..as in there's no way any of those videos could be real..”

“I see..he went into an abandoned asylum..captured a bunch crazy shit and stuff..barely escaped with his life..went missing..uploaded his videos and never even bothered to update his website since 2001?..Ok..” said Niko.

“Is that a hint of sarcasiz I heard, mate?”

“I don't know, you care to elaborate?” replied Niko, referring to Vader's vague statements.

[Sighing sound]

“Alright..alright..[Sighing]..I..I just don't think that any of it is real..it just looks like he might have staged the whole thing..now I don't know what his angles are but he's up to something..”

Jay was silently observing the conversation while Cass was still fast asleep at the front seat.

“And especially that thing at the end..a centipede wearing a nun's garb? How crazy was that? It might as well wear a bat suit..”

[Laughing sound]

“And if he didn't escape from that she-devil from hell, then who uploaded his videos? Come on! He's been trolling people since 2001!..But yeah..there was no proper explanation as to why he decided to quite the gig..for all we know he might have resurfaced elsewhere..at least that makes more sense..”

Niko smiled.

“Now that wasn't so hard now was it?” asked Niko, referring to his proper elaboration.

“Yeah..yeah..what evs..”

“[Chuckling]..Oh yeah..by the way..It's not a centipede wearing a nun's garb..it's a human-centipede hybrid who happens to be a nun..in a nun’s garb..obviously..”

“Yeah..yeah..you Novatians and your political correctness..and I thought you don't believe in these stuff. Why do you care so much whether it was real or not? What's it to you?”  said Vader while turning his head slightly to the left.

“Because that's what I do..bro..I challenge notions, thoughts, assumptions..I challenge the impossible until it was possible.”

“That's how you got your viewers right? Your gimmick being a non-believer who keeps looking for the unexplained and whether the mystery was unraveled or not, you'll just choose not to believe anyway, right?” Jay suddenly offered his piece to the ongoing conversation. Niko looks at him.

“An explanation is not necessarily the same as a logical deduction. People tend to go with the former just because it's easier and to some extent, more appealing,” explained Niko.

“Thank you professor Niko,” said Vader while still focusing on the road.

“Just for the record, what's your take on his videos?” asked Vader again.

Niko took a pause.

“I won't know until I go there and see it for myself.”

“Go there? You mean you haven't been there? Why?” asked Jay.

Niko looked stumped.

“Looks like someone 's afraid of a big bad holy centipede..[Laughing]..” said Vader.

“Shut up..[Chuckling]..I..I can't explain it..but I just have to go there to be sure..you know..not until I can logically explain how those videos were shot and made..someday..I guess..”

They drove for another 30 minutes or so before slowing down and pulling over beside the road. Niko was half asleep when realized that the vehicle has stopped moving.

“What..what's going on? Where are we?” asked Niko in a semi-dazed state.

“We're here,” said Vader.

In front of them was an unpaved path that lead away from the highway and into the desert. A few feet ahead was an old entrance arch with short wooden fences attached to either sides. Niko exited the vehicle before taking a closer look at the dilapidated signboard that was barely hanging below the arch.

“Welcome to Doonesberry Town”

3:17 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“Ghost town.” That was the first thing that went through Niko's mind as the van was slowly moving through the dusty road that had very few intersections in between. He unzips his bag and took out his Sony HDR-HC5 before recording an old rickety house that was right outside his window. The van then stops.

“Why don't you go right ahead and have a go at ye' olde' ghost town,” said Vader.

Without uttering a word, Niko went out of the vehicle and scans the remnants of a civilization that was left long ago. The structures around him has stood for at least a hundred years but it wasn't until the turn of the century that people began to leave the town, not just for a better life but out of fear as well. Ever since the disappearance of one the cleaners that was sent by the owner then, Mr Connors Shipp, no one else would dare to set foot in the mansion. Even looking at the black mansion was seen as a superstition. Grandmaster Lord Caligo, along with some of his followers were presumed dead eventhough their bodies were never found and the room that supposedly held his most unholy secrets was found empty. No secret exits were ever found either. Only a room with eight walls, eight red banners and 8 paintings. There was no logical explanation on how they manage to escape on that night when allegedly, one of his followers, strong of will as they would say, managed to break free from his influence before running away and seeking help from the town.

It was said that on that night, he was preparing for a ritual that would ensure his survival and that it will also be his most vulnerable moment. It was rumored that the town's mayor's son was involved. Before he was able to carry out the dark deed, an angry mob forced their way into the mansion. His guards managed to hold them off, long enough for the rest to escape into his private chamber. The mob soon outnumbered the guards before they make their way towards the upper floor, where the room resides. They started pounding and hitting on the door with what ever that can be used before a battering ram was brought forward. By the time they managed to break in, the room was already empty. Frustrated, they then proceed with an attempt to burn down the mansion but for some reason, a fire can never be properly lit inside the building no matter how many times they tried. Plans to bring down the mansion were immediately brought forward but no one had the slightest idea on how to demolish a structure that was made completely out of black marble, a material that was well known for its strength and above all, its price. With a heavy heart, the mayor, whose son was said to be missing as well, decided to just let the matter go but refused to back down without a fight.

The Black Mansion was soon auctioned off and surprisingly, there were many takers, especially with the fat cats from the city who heard of the mansion's reputation. The experience was said to be akin to staying and living in a house of a notorious murderer. That was when people started to disappear mysteriously inside the mansion and was never to be found again. This, however, didn't deter the property from being passed on to its next owner or “lord of the house” as they would call it back then. Thirty years later, the property would finally find its way into the hands of Mr Connors Shipp, who bought the property solely because of its extremely low market price. Unsurprisingly, he never stayed in the mansion and barely visited the place. It would take another 20 more years before he decided to sell off the property and therefore, sent 2 cleaners, a brother and a sister to clean it up. It wasn't because he cannot afford more cleaners, it was because no one else was up to the task. With a good pay for a 3 day job, the two find it hard to resist the offer, even though the task was almost impossible to be completed with limited resources and time. The rest is history. Just like before him, the boy was never found again. The sister frantically searched the mansion, unlocking and opening every single door she could find. She pleaded with Mr Shipp to aid in her search but her words fell on deaf ears. Not only did she lost her brother, but her income as well since she was no longer allowed to go inside the mansion seeing how she constantly begs for the owner to help with her case. No one knows what became of her or the rest of her family. A few years later, the residents began to leave until all that was left was a ghost town that Niko was looking and recording at the moment.

Niko made a quick sweep of the area. As much as the ghost town of Doonesberry was part of the exploration, he was more interested in the black mansion more than anything else.  They drove for another few more minutes through the town before reaching a hilly area. There was a path that led all the way up to the top of Quelptic Hill. Luckily for them, it wasn't steep enough to hinder their progress. The engine roars into life again as the van began to ascend the hill that has long been forgotten since its last encounter in 1985.

“The last person to disappear in that mansion was some guy from back in the 80s. A bunch of junkies or so I heard,” said Vader while driving carefully uphill.

“Junkies? Really? All the way out here? Why?” asked Niko.

“AP haven't always been this lax with drugs law. Back then, even the addicts get the hang. So by hook or by crook, they always find a way to get their fix.”

“So, what exactly happened? One guy went missing and the others just left?” asked Niko again.

“Don't really know the exact details but supposedly, just like the previous disappearances, they heard a scream. Someone went to have a look, can't find the lad, started panicking and they just dusted the scene.”

“I see...”

“And oh, get this, they actually said that the statues were attacking them..[Laughing]..Oh, God..”

“Yeah, that is some crazy shit,” replied Niko. The van then stopped near the top of the hill. Cass was finally awake. Vader went out and head for the tall black gates in front of them.

“Hey, Jay, this property is abandoned, right?” asked Niko.

“Uh, not sure fam, I mean the gates are still up..so..” There was a look of uncertainty on both of their faces. Vader then returned to the vehicle before they finally entered the mansion’s area.

“This property's abandoned right?”

“Abandoned? Oh hell no, mate, some poor sap still own this God-forsaken place, sad eh?”

“What! Are you being serious? You know I don't do trespassing, bro!”

[Chuckling sound]

“Hold on to your horses, cowboy..no worries..no one's coming to check on us..” The van stops. Vader then pulls the hand-brake before turning towards Niko.

“In fact, no one dares to come in here, not even the cops.”

“What?” Niko was left hanging with that thought as Vader exited the van.

[Yawning sound]

Cass was yawning as she went of the vehicle. Seconds later, everyone was out and about within the mansion's compound. Niko wasted no time continuing with his recording.

“Ok guys..we've passed the ghost town of Doonesberry..and now..now we're at the very heart of the..well not the heart..but still..the entrance to the notorious..and insidious..black mansion of Doonesberry..” narrated Niko as he started recording the black mansion’s exterior.

“Some call it the mansion of the eternal night,” said Cass before the camcorder was focused on her.

“Really? Wow, that is another revelation for the day..[Camcorder moving around near the steps towards the main entrance]..and uh..as you can see here..no surprises why they call it the black mansion..check this out..[Zooming in on the steps, pillars and eventually the double doors]..every..single one of them..black..black as the night..black as the black pearl..black as the black marble..[Jay then passes in front of him]..uh..yeah..that's it..black as the black marble..black marble..obviously..[Clearing throat]..uh..yeah..we're..we're going up the steps..[Vader was already at the door with Cass]..and..and..Vader and Cass will try to unlock..”

“It's not locked, mate..I'm just opening it..” Cass then laughs.

“Ok..ok..so he's opening it...Cass thinks that's funny..[Laughing]..and I think so too..[Vader opens the door]..ok guys..this is it..this is the moment we've all been waiting for..wait for it..wait for it..”

Niko momentarily put down his equipment.

“Holy, motherload..”

Just like most first-timers, Niko suddenly felt like he just stepped into a different “zone.”

“Where's the light switch?” asked Jay.

[Laughing sound]

“There is none,” answered Cass while looking at the windows high above the walls.

She then turned towards one of the statues that looks like a humanoid figure with the head of a vulture.

“What crazy S.O.B would ever..[Screaming]..” Everyone immediately turn towards her direction. Her boyfriend just grabbed her from behind before proceeding to “biting” her on the neck.

[Giggling sound]

“Oh get a room,” thought Niko while Jay just smiled wryly. He then returns to his recording again.

“Ok, guys..I'm gonna do a quick sweep of this area before we setup for the night..[Focusing the camera on each of the group member before moving further inward]..so..ok..thankfully it's still bright..though it's weird cause..[Focusing the on the black windows]..God, this weird..why is everything black?..Even the light in here is..is..uh..I dunno..blackish?..[Chuckling]..Anyway..let's go towards..[Moving towards the study room]..over here..we have a room..so I've never been in here before..and neither is the rest of the gang..but hey..a room is a room..how bad can it be, right?..[Grabs one of the door handles]..so here we go..[About to open the door]..and..holy shit! Fuck!..” Niko immediately backs away from the door.

“What? What’s the matter?” asked Jay who was the closest to him.

“Shit..shit..what the fuck was that!” cursed Niko. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

Someone or something was peering through the gap when Niko was opening the door. He kept his equipment focused on the door, nevertheless.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 1: Welcome to Acordia Petra

12:41 PM,

Saturday,

20th Oct 2007,

Goldwing Airport,

Maysteirn City,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“Like a true nature's child...we were born, born to be wild...we can climb so high...I never wanna die...born to be wild...born to be wild...”

Niko was banging his head slightly while doodling on his drawing pad.

“Born to be wild..”

When he was satisfied with his work, he took off his headphone before taking a peek at the small circular window beside his seat. Small gray rectangular shapes can be seen in a distance. He took another glance at his sketching before putting it back in his knapsack. Instinctively, he turned towards his left. A young girl with a long purple dyed hair, wearing a white mini-tee and a red short skirt was staring at him. Their eyes met and locked for awhile. He can only guess that she might have been staring at him for quite sometime during the flight.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your seats, put your seats upright and fasten your seat belts. We will be landing shortly...”

“Finally..” thought Niko. He was finally there.

A couple of minutes later, the aircraft began to descend slowly before its tires finally hit the runaway.

[Loud blowing sound]

Nicholas “Niko” Bailey, a 25 year old online celebrity, flew all the way from Novus Stellar to Acordia Petra to meet up with his ghost-hunting buddies he befriended from the “Ghosts R Us” online forum. His interest in the search for the supernatural began all the way back from when he was a teenager, back before online video-sharing was even a thing. He had tonnes of footage that fueled his channel on the “WatchMe” video-sharing website. That garnered him no less than 1 million subscribers, thanks to his never-ending curiosity in exploring abandoned structures and supposedly haunted sites. The aircraft finally came to a halt.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed on Goldwing Airport. Thank you for flying with Zephyr Airways and we hope to see you again. Have a nice day.”

Niko was about to get up after unfastening his seatbelt but before he had a chance to do so, the girl that was sitting across the aisle suddenly bumped into him.

“I'm sorry..[Giggling]..”

“It's ok..no harm done..” said Niko while smiling back at her.

Something fell from her hand and onto his lap when she was moving forward towards the exit. It was a piece of folded paper. Niko immediately grabs it.

“Miss!”

By then the girl was already way ahead of him amongst the other passengers that was exiting the aircraft. He then unfolds the paper.

“[email protected]”

Niko smiled to himself.

[Moments later in the baggage reclaim area]

The glass door slides open as he exited the baggage reclaim area. He immediately looks for his ride amongst the crowd where dozens of placards were being held up in the air.

“Where the hell are they..”

Seeing how they agreed to make their first meeting more interesting, none of them knows what Niko looks like and vice versa. The only form of identification would be his name, written on a placard and hopefully with 3 people waiting for him. He was dragging his single luggage and almost reached the end of the line when suddenly, he heard a chanting.

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

He saw a placard being raised, coming from the direction of the sound but it was not until he was close enough that he was able to read was written on it.

“WE WANT NIKO!”

“Oh my God..seriously?..[Chuckling]..”

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

Two guys and a girl was chanting his name while looking over him, somewhat oblivious to the fact that he was already standing right in front of them. The guy wearing an orange t-shirt and a pair of sunglasses was the closest to him and was at least an inch taller than him. Niko cleared his throat.

“Ahem..”

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

“What the fuck..”

“AHEM!”

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

“Guys..guys..it's me..I'm Niko..”

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

“Hey! It's me..I'm Niko..you can stop now..”

“Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..Niko..”

“This is unbelievable..”

Either he was invisible or they just simply choose to ignore him. Running low on patience, Niko did something else. Without warning, he jumps and grabs the placard that was being held by the tall guy. That definitely got their attention. Everyone went silent. All of them exchanged awkward stares for a moment. The tall guy then walked towards him before checking him out from head to toe. His action was somewhat intimidating.

“The hell is he looking at..”

The guy then took off his sunglasses.

“Hmm..”

He took a quick look at his friends before looking at Niko again. Suddenly, he raises his hand and started “measuring” Niko's height by hovering his palm above his head.

“What are you doing?” asked Niko.

The guy paused momentarily.

[Laughing sound]

His laughter was followed by his friends.

“[Laughing]..I thought you'd be taller..are all Novatians this short?”

Niko can see what was going on.

“That depends, are all Petravians this annoying?”

They stopped laughing. The look on the guy's face suddenly changes.

[Laughing sound]

Niko can't help but feel like he's in a very bad circus show.

“[Laughing]..I'm..I mean..[Laughing]..We're sorry, mate..it's just..[Laughing]..it's just a friendly fire..that is all..[Chuckling]..We already saw you but..you know..since we thought you would be taller..we just wanna be sure..[Chuckling]..”

Niko stood silent.

“[Chuckling]..Sorry..[Chuckling]..Sorry bout' that mate..anyway..glad to finally meet you..I'm..”

“Vader, right?”

“Yeah..yeah..that’s right..or you can just call me by my nickname which is Vernon Masterson..[Chuckling]”

“No kidding..you're just as 'hilarious' as you are in the forum.” said Niko while maintaining his expression.

“Really..ok..hehe..hey..no hard feels eh?..We're all friends now..and your nickname would be?”

Niko took a moment to “forget” Vader's bad joke.

“[Clearing throat]..I'm Nicholas..Nicholas Bailey..”

Both of them then shook hands.

“Wow..that is your real name..no kidding..” said Vader, looking for another joke to crack.

The blond girl wearing a white sleeveless top with black stripes then went forward towards them.

“Hi..We're sorry about that..Vernon can be such an asshole sometimes..I'm Cassandra..Cassandra Yates..”

“CutiePieCass..of course..” It was no secret that she was Vader's girlfriend.

“Yeah..well..it's just Cass if you don't mind..” smiled Cass.

The big black guy wearing a silver-purple basketball jersey with a cap that matches the color then joined in.

“And you must be JayBird..” said Niko before Jay can say anything.

“Right on, fam..Jermaine Colster..at your service..” said Jay while shaking his hand.

“That accent..you a Vynaerian?..”

“Guilty as charged, fam..[Laughing]..”

All of them laughed for a short while before heading towards a big white van that was parked nearby.

[Sliding sound]

“This is a sweet ride you got here, bro..” said Niko as he shut the back door closed.

“You can't have a sweet ass of you don't have a sweet ride, ain't that right, love?” said Vader while looking at Cass who was sitting next to him. She then smacks him on the shoulder.

“Nevermind him, Niko..you'll get used to it..” said Cass.

“Do I have a choice?” All of them laughs again.

“So, Niko, you got a girl back home?” asked Cass. The question was even more awkward than Vader's bad jokes.

“Uh..not really..hehe..why do you ask?”

“See..told ya' he's a virgin..[Laughing]..” said Vader as he started to maneuver the car out of the parking lot.

“What? How would you know? I'm just single!”

“They said that virgins have this certain look and smell..[Laughing]..” replied Jay.

The laughter continues.

“Alright..alright..enough jokes..let's get you to safety first..” said Vader as they finally made it out into the highway.

“So..are we gonna start talking about the house or..”

“No..no..mate..mate..come on..it's been a long ride..let's just get you back to the hotel first, yeah? And hopefully some action for the night..[Laughing]..” Cass smacks her boyfriend's arm again.

“[Wincing]..Love!..Dear!..It was for him!..God knows he needs it!..[Laughing]..”

The van continues to move along the highway. In a distant, a tall metallic cylindrical building can be seen coming up on the horizon.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Prologue - Part 2

6:33 AM,

Monday,

5th July 1897,

Quelptic Hill,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

Suddenly, he felt a tug on his right arm.

“Sebastian! Wha’ are ya’ doin’ ere’!”

[Startled]

Sebastian felt like his skeleton just jumped out of his skin. Valerie was standing in front him with fury in her eyes.

“Uh..uh..”

He was momentarily “saved” as Valerie was distracted by her surroundings. She twisted and turned her body just as her brother did earlier.

“Wha' manner of a room is this? An’ how did ya' ge' in ere’?

“Uh..I know..right?”

“I wasn't askin’ for ya’ opinion nor was I in agreement with ya', lil' brotha'..” Sebastian gulped.

“Ya’ haven't answered ma’ question, how did ya' ge' in ere’?”

“Uh..the door?..It was unlocked..” Valerie then took a glance at the doors.

“Mr Shipp said the rooms upstairs are all locked..” They stared at each other awkwardly for a moment.

“Neva’ the matta’, ge' downstairs now..the study will be to ya' left side..” said Valerie before walking towards the exit.

Sebastian was about say something when Valerie suddenly turned towards him again.

“I said...downstairs..to ya' left..now, Sebastian!”

“Ol’right, ol’right..” said Sebastian while trembling slightly.

He had to wait until his sister has left the room before he had the guts to move. Before walking out of the strange chamber, he took another look at it before finally closing the doors behind him.

[Doors closing sound]

Sebastian slowly head back downstairs. He passed the statue before going towards his left side. His sister was nowhere in sight.

[Sighing sound]

The nocturnal ambiance, coupled with the statues that were lined up on one side of the mansion gave an eerie feeling like he was in a strange twilight dream.

“Wonda’ if they’d laugh at ma’ jokes..how magnificent would tha’ be indeed..” He chuckled at the thought.

[Clicking sound]

The handle was turned and the door to the study was slowly being opened. Sebastian took a peek. Much to his relief, it was a regular study room with no extra walls. He gave a sigh of relief.

[Sighing sound]

Tall book shelves filled with books of every color and sizes were on either side of the room from where he was standing. At the very least, not everything in the study room was black. In front of him was a coffee table with red sofas surrounding it and there was a fireplace nearby that was covered with cobwebs. Two red banners, similar to the ones he saw earlier were hanging on both sides of the fireplace, covering all the way to the floor as well. Something caught his attention. He closes the door before taking his bucket and mop to the center of the room which was also illuminated by the black tainted windows, high above the walls of the chamber like the rest of the mansion. He moves closer to the fireplace.

“Huh..”

Just like the bizarre paintings in the previous room, the mysterious painting above the fireplace was also depicting a dark figure that was “sitting” silently within its artistic virtuosity. Similarly, the most visible part was its right hand, wearing an emerald ring and resting its palm on top of a hilt of a sword.

“Is tha’ a gauntlet?”

Sebastian was taking his time, scrutinizing the painting when suddenly...

“Sebastian..”

[Startled]

He immediately turns around, thinking that it might have been his sister sneaking up on him. The doors at the other end remained closed.

“Sebastian...”

That was when he heard and felt the breeze, just like in the octagonal room.

“Sebastian...”

Then he saw it, just to the right side of the fireplace, eerily similar to his earlier encounter.

“Sebastian...”

For the second time, Sebastian can't help but move towards it. He felt like he just cannot let it go.

“Sebastian..”

The sound became louder and the banner started to wave even more until part of it was lifted off the wall.

“Wha’?”

Just as he had anticipated, there was indeed an opening behind the banner. A doorway without a door. He grabs the banner. The sound stops. He can hear neither the whispers nor the wind. It was complete silence in an instant.

“Thas’ odd.”

It was at that moment that Sebastian had to make a decision.

“Not all who wanders are lost but all the lost ones are always forsaken..thas' what mum used to say..”

After taking a hard look at his surroundings, Sebastian finally made his decision. The banner once again obscures the opening as he made his way into the dark tunnel and beyond.

[Seconds later]

[Coughing sound]

Sebastian finally emerged on the other side of the short tunnel, surprisingly from behind another banner after brushing himself against cobwebs and dirt. He was dusting himself before taking a good look at his new surroundings.

“Wha’ room is this now?”

It was unbelievable. The room was similar if not exactly the same as the room on the upper floor. Eight sides, eight red banners and eight dark paintings.

“Who would build such rooms?”

On one end of the room was an altar that was filled with books and scrolls but the things that really caught his attention were being lined up all around the room up until where he stood. An armory of sort such as armors, axes, long swords, halberds, maces and even an iron maiden were placed next to each other. Sebastian was stunned.

“Wha’ have I stumbled into here?”

He walked towards the center of the room, stepped on the octagonal shape on the floor before looking upwards.

“Eternal night..”

A mild sensation suddenly went through his body and his mind was filled with ominous thoughts.

“Something's wrong..this isn't right..”

He turns around and walked quickly towards the banner behind him.

“Wha’? No..No..No!”

There was nothing behind the red banner but a black barren wall. Sebastian started tapping and pounding on it before using his fingers to feel and find the opening's edges. There was none. It was as if the opening was never there to begin with. In a state of panic, he ran towards every banner before inspecting the wall behind them. The chamber was devoid of an exit.

“Help! Valerie! Help!”

[Pounding sound]

“Help! Sista'! Help me! I'm here! Help!”

[Pounding sound]

Sebastian continues to pound on the wall with his fists, almost as if he was hoping it would come down at any moment.

[Pounding sound]

“Help!..Please!..Help!..Valerie!”

“Sebastian..”

[Startled]

It was the same whisper he had heard earlier. Sebastian then turns his back against the wall, trying to stay away as far as possible from whatever it was that was whispering his name.

“Who's there? Who's there? Show ya’ self!”

“Sebastian...”

He turned towards his right. There was a halberd that was mounted on the weapon rack, the closest to where he was standing at the moment. He immediately went for it.

“I'm..I'm not scared of ya’..show ya’ self!..” warned Sebastian while holding the weapon with a less than convincing combat stance. He walked towards the center of the room while twisting and turning his body around. After a few anxious turns, from out of nowhere, a familiar figure appeared next to him.

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

[Startled]

He found himself looking at his sister, standing right next to him. She smiled at him.

“Valerie!..Bush berries!..Ya' scared me..”

Both of them stared at each other for a few seconds.

“Wait..how are ya' in here?..Where..where did ya' ge' in?..Is there another door?”

Valerie continues to smile at him.

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

“Wha’?” Sebastian felt clueless. Something was off.

“Wha’ do ya' mean? Why are ya' in ere’, sista'? Where is this place?”

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

His blood ran cold and his heart began to pace.

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

“Why do ya' keep sayin' that? Valerie?”

Sebastian instinctively raised the halberd towards his sister.

“Who are ya'! Wha' ave' ya' done to ma’ sista'!”

Valerie took a step forward, still with the eerie smile on her face.

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

“No..no..”

She then grabs the sharp end of the weapon when she was barely inches from it. Blood began to drip from her palms as she began to push the halberd against her brother. Sebastian was forced to move backwards.

“Wha'?..No!..No!..No!..Valerie!..Sista'!..Stop!..It's me!..Ya' lil' brotha'!”

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

In an instant, he was pushed towards the altar until his back was against it. There was no escape for him.

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian?”

Valerie then pulled on the halberd with such force that it flew away from Sebastian's sweaty palms.

“No!..Stop!..Valerie!..Wha' are ya' doing!..Stop!..Help!”

“Are ya’ worthy to serve the Lord, Sebastian? [Laughing]”

Sebastian watched in horror as his sister with an unholy look on her face, began to move closer and closer towards him.

[Screaming sound]

[Meanwhile in the study room]

“Sebastian! Wha' takin' so long! Are ya' done yet!”

Loud footsteps can be heard from outside the study room. Momentarily, sweats can be seen dripping on her face as she enters the room with haste. Sebastian was nowhere in sight.

“Sebastian! Sebastian! Where are ya'! Sebastian!”

Angrily, she walked towards the table near the fireplace. The painting above it caught her attention as did her brother earlier.

“Wha’ sort of lords do this mansion 'ave anyway? Not even a fanciful taste in the artistry or even a proper chamber aesthetic..” Her feet suddenly bumped into something. A bucket filled with water was on the floor.

“Sebastian! Ooh..hogwash!,” cursed Valerie. Then she saw his cleaning rags on the table and his mop rested on the wall.

“Sebastian! Ya' betta’ not be playin' hide an’ seek with me! Come out ere' this instant!”

[Distant whispers sound]

Valerie remained still. She looks puzzled.

“Whas’ that sound?”

[Distant whispers sound]

One of the red banners beside the fireplace was swaying again as if blown by a draft. With curiosity in her eyes, she move towards it. Seconds later, its movement was halted by her grip on the cloth.

[Ruffling sound]

The banner was pulled aside.

“Huh?”

Nothing but a black wall. She stared at it for awhile, almost as if she was hoping that something will jump out of it. Her brother was still nowhere in sight. Sense of dread began to fill her mind. She began looking for him inside the room before running out of it.

“Sebastian! Sebastian! Sebastian! Answer me! Sebastian!” There was no response and the mansion was silent as a grave except for the sound of her own echoes.

She looks into the study room from the outside, one more time before she started looking in every direction. The statues caught her attention for a moment.

“Sebastian..” Her voice almost sounded like a whimper.

“Sebastian..Sebastian..Sebastian..” Her eyes began to fill with tears as she spoke her brother's name while looking everywhere.

“SEBASTIAN!!!”

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Prologue - Part 1

6:03 AM,

Monday,

5th July 1897,

Quelptic Hill,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“..There was no way to escape..I can hear them tailing on my heels, getting closer and closer with every step. Shouts and screams of anger and vindication echoes within these walls. There was only one place I can turn to..only one place to seek my final refuge..my final sanctuary..our sanctuary. As I finally closed the door behind me, their voices continues to reverberate. There was no way that the door will hold against the juggernaut that is the mob. I immediately went to the altar and turn the pages of the tome..my followers braced themselves for the worst..I've always hoped that it would not come to this..trust have always been my Achille’s Heel. The banging at the door was getting louder..the page was right in front of me. I read its passage, post haste, to my best of chanting the right words with the right flair..it shall not end like this. Splinters began to fall off from the door..it will not hold much longer. I have to finish the passage..[Groaning]..Curses!..The fiery pain was searing on my skin!..Eating me alive!..I have to keep reading!..I have to..”

“..and jus' like tha'...they suddenly vanished!..Jus' like tha'!”

“Hogwash...”

“I beg ya' pardon!”

“HOGWASH! ARSECRACK! HORSE DUNG! COW DUNG! YOUR SHIT-STAINED BACKSIDE!”

“Ya' kiss mum with tha' mouth? An’ ere’ I thought ya' a lady..[Laughing]”

“I am a lady, little brotha'..but only in tha’ presence of another man..you..little brotha'..are no man..”

“Ol' right, ol' right! Mock all ya' will! An’ it's a true story I tell ya!' Thas’ wha' exactly happened there!..”

“Ya' ge’ in all too worked up over some fairy tales..”

“Fairy tales? Have ya' been stickin' ya' head so deep into the underworld?”

“Don't talk back to me like tha', Sebastian! I'm still ya' olda’ sista'!”

Sebastian went silent for awhile. All that can be heard was the sound of the cart which was carrying buckets, brooms, mops, feather dusters and rags, creaking as they slowly made their way towards a black structure that was coming up ahead.

“Woah..” Sebastian was in awe at the sight of the old black mansion that still stood after half a century later.

“Don't open ya' mouth like tha'..flies will ge’ in an’ eat ya' bowel an’ guts.”

“Thas’ not true..”

“Sure it is..ya' believe in all them little fairy tales, right?”

They finally stopped in front of the steps towards the main entrance. Red octagonal shapes were engraved on the heavy double doors.

[Jingling sound]

Valerie then produced a large set of iron keys before heading towards one of the doors. Seconds later, a clicking sound echoed within the walls inside the mansion. Sebastian can barely contain his excitement.

“Don't ge’ all too excited now..ya' don't wanna ge' we’ inside ya' pants..” Her dry humor was almost inhuman.

Finally, she pushes the doors open. Dust and dingy smell immediately fill their nostrils.

[Coughing sound]

“Good heavens..” said Valerie as she was fanning the dust away from her face with her hand.

What they saw before them was definitely a sight to behold.

Grandmaster Lord Caligo's Mansion a.k.a The Black Mansion was located at Doonesberry Town, quite a distance from the nearest civilization where it had been hiding itself on top of Quelptic Hill. The Black Mansion was as mysterious as the man himself. In 1844, a man who calls himself Grandmaster Lord Caligo, arrived in the town one day and simply proceed to purchasing the piece of land on top of Quelptic Hill, in cold hard cash. No one really knows where he was from and the property was never for sale to begin with, but seeing the amount of money that he had to offer, the mayor was more than willing to overlook the policy and approved the purchasing of the public property. The hill had always been a popular spot for the residents to enjoy the scenery from the top of the hill while having a picnic or just a simple trek going up and about. All that changes the moment Grandmaster Lord Caligo bought the place all to himself. The resentment eventually grew bigger at the corruption of the local authorities for allowing the privatization of the public property. They eventually learned that Grandmaster Lord Caligo was more than just a rich outsider, much more than a man with a lavish mansion who had a thing for the darker shade of colors.

“Oi! Where are ya’ goin’ now!”

[Running footsteps sound]

Sebastian went running across the hall towards the twin staircases that would spiral next to each other at the end of the large hall. There was also a short staircase that led downstairs, between the other two staircases. Just about every material in the mansion was painted black or made of black materials including the glasses on the high windows that eerily filters the light of the day. There were tall black statues of bizarre looking figures, some with animal heads and holding weapons, standing on every corner of the ground floor. Sebastian went towards the one that looked like a monk wearing a robe with its head down and holding a staff in one hand, standing near one of the staircases. His sister finally caught up with him.

“Damn it, Sebastian! This isn't the Doonesberry Drive on a Sunday!” scolded Valerie while taking her breaths.

Sebastian took a closer look at the sculpted figure.

“Ave’ ya' eva’ seen anything so majestic?” asked Sebastian.

“An’ did ya' know tha’ this whole mansion was made of black marble? Imagine the amount of gold he must ave’!...An’ did ya' know why the last lord of the house sold this property?”

“No..lil’ brotha'..do pray tell..”

Sebastian chuckled for a moment.

“Oi sistha'..[Chuckling]..such ignorance!..It was said..tha’ his brotha’..which was the true lord of the house before he inherited it..gone missing, inside the house!..Jus' like tha'!..Like the wind!..”

His sister was still far from being impressed with his story.

“But..it was said tha’ he didn't jus’ went missing..he went missing in this house after enterin’ a room..the same fate that befell on the other lords after Grandmaster Lord Caligo...the lost room..” said Sebastian while trying to add an eerie tone to his tale. His sister maintained her blank stare.

“The very same room tha’ Grandmaster Lord Caligo disappeared into..it was said tha’ the room would appear and disappear on any walls of tha’ house..searching for its next victim..”

“Ya' done?”

“Wha’? Damned be to ya' funny bones! Ya’ ave’ no sense of a good tale!”

“Ya' mean tha’ yarn tha’ ya’ spun over an’ over again?”

Sebastian looked disappointed.

“Hey sistha', where did Lord Cali go? Huh? Savvy? [Laughing]”

Valerie can barely contain her emotions anymore.

“An’ did ya’...”

“Sebastian! We're not at some royal grand ball, exchanging tales of grandeur, cock an’ bull on top, sipping our wines an’ admiring stones an’ such! We're ere’ to clean!” Valerie then shoved the bucket containing the cleaning items as well as the mop at his brother.

“We ave’ 3 days!..3 days!..That's all we ave’!..Now go to the study room an’ start cleaning!”

Sebastian took them without much enthusiasm. His sister then took hers before heading towards the back of the mansion.

[Sighing sound]

Moments later, after filling up his bucket with water from the well and reaching the upper floor, he finds himself walking along a dark and short hallway right in the middle of the level. Another double door engraved with the same octagonal shape guards the entrance to its domain. He took his time walking slowly towards it before turning on one of the handles.

[Loud clicking sound]

[Creaking sound]

“By the stars and the moon..” whispered Sebastian.

The room before him was unlike any other room he had ever seen in his life. For starters, it had more than 4 walls, 8 of them to be precise. Sebastian slowly walked towards the center of the room while “spinning” around. It also had a low illumination from the windows high above the walls.

“What manner of a room is this?”

On top of every side of the room just below the windows, hangs a painting. He looks down. The floor was adorned with yet another octagonal shape that seems to “radiate” from the center of the room with its extending layers until it hits the walls surrounding it. Sebastian took a glance at all of the paintings. The imagery and scenery on the paintings were beyond his imagination and comprehension. All of them, however, share one thing in common. There will always be a dark figure looming somewhere behind. Aside from its semi-obscure silhouette, the most visible part of the figure was its shiny black hand with its forefinger fitted with an emerald ring. At least one of the drawings was that of a naked woman who was her on knees, almost as if she was in sorrow while a dark figure stood ominously at a distance, looking and “waiting” on her. Underneath the paintings were long dark red banners that covers the wall all the way to the ground. Sebastian was about to look closely at one of the paintings when suddenly, he heard something.

[Wind blowing sound]

He immediately turns around to locate the source of the mysterious sound.

[Wind blowing sound]

After a few turns, he finally saw it. Towards his far left, underneath one of the paintings, the banner seems to be slightly moving.

[Wind blowing sound]

It was unmistakable that there was definitely an opening behind the wall that was causing the banner's movement. Sebastian hesitated for awhile before he decided to a few steps towards the mysterious occurrence in front of him.

“Sebastian...”

It was faint but he was sure that he heard his name being whispered. He approaches the banner cautiously.

“Sebastian...”

He stretched out his right arm, inching ever so slowly towards the banner that was lightly waving in the air. The voice became louder.

“Sebastian...”

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

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[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Still working on my seventh book. How are you guys doing?

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[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Lost Tale #2 (Full Version)

We Wait (on Wattpad) http://my.w.tt/UiNb/n8QRXZ4qgB "It took him awhile to realize that those weren't red dots. They were eyes. Red eyes."

#blood #creepy #dark #horror #macabre #scary #strange #supernatural #uncanny #unexplained #books #wattpad #amwriting

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

If you've been reading my lost tales, Lost Tale #7 is currently in progress. Thanks for reading :)

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[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Epilogue

11:39 PM,

Tuesday,

18th November 1952,

Location: Unknown

“..Solomon Grundy..born on a Monday..christened on Tuesday..married on Wednesday..ill on Thursday..”

[Dragging sound]

The man was singing to himself as he was dragging a body part on the floor.

“..worse on Friday..died on Saturday..buried on Sunday..that was the end..of Solomon Grundy..”

He finally threw the arm on top of the heap of other body parts that was piled up on one side of the dark and dingy room.

“You know..I actually knew who Solomon Grundy was..or is..anyway..that's not even his real name..or at least not the name that I gave him..people can be so imaginative when it comes to doodling their tales and tunes..[Chuckling]..” said the man while staring at the bloody pile of mess in front of him.

“Nevertheless, he was one of the best that I ever came up with..the perfection..the immaculateness..flawless if I may say so myself..[Chuckling]...but that's the thing about perfection..it has a mind of its own..rules of their own..” The man then turn towards a nearby table.

“I wanted a perfection that will obey my every rule..fulfill my every desire..bend to my every will..it did just that..and more..until it realized that it no longer needs me..imagine that..just when I thought it would be impossible for them to do just that..” The look on his face changes.

“To think that it can come up with such a plan to outwit my safeguards..[Sighing]..funny thing actually..it was more “alive” than any other living person I ever met..imagine that..a dead one that was more alive than a living one..” He took a pause.

“..Oh well..bygones be bygones..not really a cause for concern at the moment...but enough about me..let's talk about you..Mr Salazar Hutchison..indeed..let's talk about you..”

The man then went towards the metallic table that he had been looking at since earlier. The only source of light was shining on the pale body that was laying on it.

“You...my friend..have definitely taken this to the next level..I mean who would have thought..[Laughing]..” said the man while looking at a wooden torso on the ground near the table.

“[Laughing]..Oh, the irony..such sweet, sweet irony..too much love can definitely kill I suppose..” continued the man.

“I..I'm not sure what to make of your situation..it's funny..weird..sad..tragic..I mean you came to me looking for a cure for your solitude..and now..here you are..” The man bends closer towards the body.

“What happened back there, Mr Hutchison? Oh wait..wait..don't tell me...I've lived long enough to make a very, very deductive guess about this sort of predicament..[Chuckling]..hmm..let's see..I bet you didn't even read the manual right? Because if you did..none of these would have happened..or at least that..” The man then turned towards the wooden torso again.

“That thing...over there...should have been..COMPLETED!..[Sighing]..Why do I even bother writing instructions?..I don't even need to!..It's very simple!..Complete your creation..put the damn pouch in..and chant the spell..just how hard is it to remember that!” He looked furious.

“Almost every single time..in any century..be it an apprentice..a customer..or even a nobody that just wanted to learn the arts just for the sake of learning it..have never failed to disappoint me with their own undoing..their own vanity..” He looks at the unfinished wooden creation before picking it up with both hands.

“If I have to guess..something spooked you before you can finish this thing..or should I say..your wife?” said the man while observing the intricacy of the incomplete life-sized doll up-close.

“Hmm..refined hinges..sockets..hmm..you do know how to make them look real..for a toymaker that is..too bad you didn't get very far..” The man then placed the torso on another nearby table.

“You were probably admiring your creation..looking at the progress that you've made so far..then out of the blue..you decided to take the pouch and have a preliminary fitting..” said the man while checking the back of the doll's head.

“Hmm..at the back of the mouth, huh?..I thought you might at least put it somewhere inside the body..” said the man while knocking on its torso.

“And then..I'd say..you pulled out the manual..read it..and for some reason..you either don't understand my handwriting or you just choose to deliberately be absent minded..” scoffed the man.

“And guess what?..I can't find the manual anywhere..so I'm just gonna guess that whoever broke into your house must have taken it..and you better hope that they don't know the true meaning of the words written on it..” The man took another pause.

“Now where was I..oh yeah..the manual..[Chuckling]..[Sighing]..Anyway...you then recited the spell or read it aloud unintentionally which was pretty much the same thing if you already put the thing in there..so..you..my friend..just resurrected your wife..pretty much in an incomplete body..while casting a spell that calls for completion..”

He started walking around the metallic table.

“All the possible unanticipated outcomes..the doll probably blinking its eyes..the body probably jerking uncontrollably..the head probably twisting in every direction..or maybe...it started talking to you in a ghostly voice..that probably scared the life out of you..so much so..that you dropped dead from it..[Laughing]..by the Lords of the Underworld..you sir..are the true definition of modern day irony..” His laughter resonated within the room.

[Clearing throat]

He then began to inspect the strings that were sticking out from every crevice of the doll's wooden torso.

“Hmm..interesting..these strings..I can sense some residual life force in them..oh yeah..of course..[Chuckling]..it seeks completion..and when it doesn't have that..it evolves towards it..who needs arms and legs when you got strings, right?” The man gave a sarcastic smile at Mr Hutchison's body.

The man then began to feel it while closing his eyes.

“Amazing..she actually channeled her life energy through these strings..and that’s probably how she was able to inject life into your other toys as well..that spider that got knifed..those creepy dolls with dresses..practically, extending her limbs..[Chuckling]..”

He then returned towards the metal table again before running his hand on Mr Hutchison's body.

“And the ability of those strings to preserve the bodies..fascinating..even their blood still runs red..but I suppose it didn't last very long outside the host...” His hand stopped at the chest.

“It's normal for a living thing to defend itself against danger and preserve their environment to the best they could..even if it means they have to clean up by wrapping their garbage in a web and sticking it to the walls and ceiling..” said the man while looking at the pile of body parts again.

“She saw every single one of them as a replacement for her missing parts but nevertheless, the essence of your wife was there..which was probably why she didn't attack you..” The man suddenly pulls the body's shirt apart, revealing a pale hairy chest.

“There's nothing I can do about the rest. I don't deal with damaged goods, trust me, it doesn't end well. But you..thanks to the preservation power of the strings..you are well preserved..”

The man then bit his thumb. Seconds later, a circle containing archaic symbols were drawn on the chest using his own blood. He then licks his thumb.

“Your work is far from over, Mr Hutchison. See, I never thought that it would work on an inanimate object but you have proven me wrong..partially wrong at least. So now..I'm going to give you a chance..to finish what you started. After all..I'm still waiting for that telegram that you promised..”

He slams his palm on the center of the chest before mumbling something.

“..necro..invictus..” said the man at the end of his incantation before leaning closer towards the face.

“Your work is not done yet..Mr Salazar Hutchison..if anything...it has only begun..”

The body remains motionless.

“Welcome back, Mr Hutchison..welcome back..”

He kept looking for any signs of life. Suddenly, the eyelids were opened.

[Loud gasping sound]

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 7: “Reverse Duck” Revisited – Part 5

5:37 PM,

Thursday,

20th November 1952,

The Pheonix Residence,

Arcadia Stream,

Green Valley Town,

West Aeston Peak,

Valendria, Novus Stellar

“So..that's exactly what happened?”

Bradley became furious with that answer.

“What! After all that's happened, you're actually asking me that? How dare you!”

“Relax..daddy-o..I'm just kidding..[Chuckling]”

“Well, it's not funny..that big ass spider was on top of me..”

“So it looks just like the spider from the basement?”

“The bunker..Tommy..and yeah..something like that..or was it bigger?..I don’t know..it's was dark..you remember what that was like...”

“Yeah..I do..hmm..lucky you had that knife then..”

“Yeah..lucky me..” Both of them suddenly looked glum.

They were thinking of the others that didn't share their luck that night.

“But think about it, how was it possible? They found nothing! Not a single thing! Not the spiderwebs..not the blood..and not even the spear or even the dust on the floor!..Nothing!”

Tommy stayed silent.

“I mean they found the bunker..that was great..but..I don't get it..there was nothing there..nothing..not a single trace of anything..and the cops only got there the next morning because of Melody..was the siren even real?..God..” Bradley then covers his face with his palms.

“I don't even know what's real anymore, Bradley..we're lucky enough to make it out alive..even luckier that our parents bought our story..I was almost grounded..”

“You and me, man..[Sighing]..”

[Knocking sound]

Seconds later, the door was opened.

“Tommy..Mrs Weatherby's here to see you..again.” The look on her face was enough to indicate what the visit was all about. It can only be about one thing and one thing only.

“Ok, mom..I'll..I'll be there in a minute..”

“You want to stay for supper, Bradley?”

“Thanks, Mrs Pheonix..but I gotta head back home anyway..”

“Ok..well I'll cook extra anyway..just in case you change your mind..”

“Sure, thanks again Mrs Pheonix,” said Bradley with a smile on his face. It was really hard for both of them to put a genuine smile with band aids on their faces.

“Don't take too long now, Tommy,” said his mother before closing the door.

“Well..I have to get back now..pops don't really trust me staying out late again..especially with you..” said Bradley before standing up.

“Do you still keep it?” asked Tommy. Bradley's hand was already on the doorknob.

[Sighing sound]

“Yeah..sure..of course..my fingerprints are all over it..you want the cops to find it lying around in the house?”

“But our fingerprints are all over the house..”

“[Laughing]..You know what?..You’re right..[Chuckling]..” Bradley then opens the door.

“Sometimes..bad things just happens for no reason..at least that's what my pops says anyway..”

“What should I tell her?” asked Tommy. Bradley was already at the doorway.

[Sighing sound]

“You want my advice? Tell her the truth..the truth that her son is still missing..”

“What? Why? We found him, didn't we? I mean you saw the body right?

“I know..and we're the only ones that saw everything that night..no one else did..and guess what..it's not there anymore..nothing is there anymore..not a shred of anything..so if I were you..I'd tell her the truth..the truth that her son..and everyone else..is still missing.”

Bradley took another pause at the doorway.

“You want another piece of advise? Let it go, Tommy. There are things beyond our understanding and I'm not willing to lose my head over it. Whatever happens..life goes on..[Sighing]..I gotta go..see you around daddy-o..”

With that, he closes the door behind him. Tommy waited for a moment before pulling out something from underneath his bed. It was a red box with a picture of a cookie on top of it. He locks the door before putting it on the table and opening it. Inside was a piece of paper. He took it out before unfolding it slowly. No matter how many times he read it, the true meaning of whatever that was written on it will probably remain a mystery forever.

“To Mr Hutchison, it is IMPORTANT that you READ and FOLLOW this manual to the very letter.

DISCLAIMER: There is NO GUARANTEE PROVIDED. Proceed at YOUR OWN RISK.

1. Make sure that your creation is COMPLETE. NO MISSING PARTS. REMEMBER, this is VERY IMPORTANT.

2. Only and only when your creation is COMPLETE will you put the pouch in a designated place of your choosing and read this incantation and NOT BEFORE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

3. Read this incantation ALOUD in front of your COMPLETED creation.

“From the depths of every corner to the depths of the abyss,

I scour and salvage your very essence, your every bliss,

As I lay you in and bound you to my very creation,

I seek and beseech that you return to me and be whole again.”

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[its-the-fifth-horseman]

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[its-the-fifth-horseman]

Chapter 7: “Reverse Duck” Revisited – Part 4

9:07 PM,

Tuesday,

18th November 1952,

Eve’s Flow Hills,

Green Valley Town,

West Aeston Peak,

Valendria, Novus Stellar

“What?”

“Reverse duck!”

“What? Reverse..reverse..”

“God damn it Jake, see what you made me do,” cursed Bradley.

Around the same time, a shout and a whisper mentions the same words.

“Bend backwards!” shouted Bradley.

“Bend backwards...”

“I can't..I can't..” cried Tommy as he tries to struggle again.

“Tommy! Now!”

“I can't..[Crying]..I can't..”

In a dire moment like this, one will can barely think and for some, there will be nothing to do but cower in fear and accept their fate. Tommy screamed as loud as he can before trying very hard to bend his body. He might not be able to move his body but he can still bend his head backwards, even though that would still be pointless at the moment.

[Screaming sound]

Bending his head backwards while screaming out loud would seem like the end for him. Seconds began to feel like hours as the evil strings began to dig deeper into his lips. He can see the top of the figure’s head slowly emerging from his point of view as it was stretching out its head towards his. He can feel their bodies touching.

“I'm gonna die..”

With his teary eyes and his upside-down view, Tommy can see parts of the portrait behind him. For some reason, it was funny to see the painting of Mrs Hutchison, hanging upside-down before his demise. His eyes were about to close and his lips felt like it will be rip to shreds at any moment. Suddenly, he heard a sound. Something just hit the painting behind him. For a split second, right before the impact, he was able to catch a glimpse of a long projectile that flew barely inches above his face before heading for the wall above the fireplace. Seconds later, everything went silent. He can no longer feel the strings pinching on his lips.

[Whimpering sound]

Tommy maintained the position for a few more seconds before he finally had the guts to slowly lift his head up again. That was when he found himself face to face with the figure’s bulging eyes staring straight ahead and its mouth still wide opened. The strings were no longer attacking. They just wave endlessly in mid-air.

[Whimpering sound]

Suddenly, the figure began to walk backwards.

[Creaking sound]

The figure was swaying left to right, walking in an awkward manner before gradually losing its stability. It gave one last “look” at Tommy. Then in a blink of an eye, the figure suddenly fell apart.

[Thud sound]

[Screaming sound]

All four limbs suddenly became detached from the body and all that was left was a pile of body parts. Around the same time, the strings that were holding him lost its grip. Tommy immediately falls to the ground. In an instant, he was covered in dust.

“Tommy! Tommy!”

Bradley immediately ran towards him.

“You alright, man?”

Tommy was still crying. He immediately stood up and hugs his friend.

“Hey..hey..it's ok, man..that zombie is dead..” said Bradley.

“Zombie?..[Sobbing]..What do you mean?..”

“That's how you kill a zombie..you shoot the brain..” said Bradley as he was showing the handheld harpoon gun to Tommy.

“Wait..was..[Sobbing]..was that the one from the wall?” Bradley just nodded.

“How..how did you know how to..to use that? How did you know it was gonna work?”

“I didn't.”

The answer was far from satisfying but it was not the time for more bickering.

“Come, let's get out of here, man..” said Bradley.

“Wait..wait..”

Tommy was staring at the pile of broken body parts in front of him. He grabs his flashlight.

“Is..is that what a zombie looks like?”

“I don't know, she sure acts like one.”

“She?”

He started walking cautiously towards it. Deep in his mind, he was so afraid that the 'zombie' might not be done with him yet.

[Hissing sound]

“What is it now?” said Bradley.

“Look..” said Tommy while flashing his light on it.

Bradley then went forward, just in time to see the body parts began to revert to its original form. The arms and legs were of uneven sizes and somewhat smaller than the body. The legs were once again covered in jeans and sneakers. The torso laid on the floor like a broken toy with its head turned to the side and its jaw missing. Suddenly, the two eyeballs popped out of its eye sockets before rolling on floor near them.

[Startled]

Both of them took a step back.

“Do..do zombies do that?” asked Tommy.

“Hell if I know..I was just reading some scary stuff from the magazine..I didn't think it was real..” said Bradley.

Both of them then bends forward to take a closer look at one of the eyeball when suddenly...

[Thud sound]

[Screaming sound]

Right next to the pile, another body just fell from the ceiling. Tommy dropped his flashlight.

“God damn it! Why does it have to be the ceiling!” cursed Bradley.

Tommy instinctively reaches for his flashlight on the ground. The body had its back towards them, but there was something familiar about it. Tommy took a few steps forward.

“Tommy..let’s just go..ok, man?..”

Seconds later, he was standing right next to it. Bradley had no choice but to follow him. The body’s clothing definitely looked familiar. Very, familiar. Tommy then bends down.

“Tommy..”

He grabs one of its shoulders before slowly turning it around. Both of them jumps back at the sight of its face.

[Startled]

With the body facing upward, it wasn't hard to identify who the body belongs to, even though it was missing a pair of eyes.

“Oh God..no..no..[Crying]..”

“Good Lord..” said Bradley.

“No..no..[Crying]...no..”

[Siren sound]

“What? Who called the cops?” Bradley was stunned.

Tommy continued crying.

“Shit..come on!..We gotta go, man!”

“But..but Jake..[Crying]..he's..he's..”

“Tommy! Listen to me! He's dead! He's dead! And there's nothing else we can do here! Cops will be all over the place in minutes! We have to go now!”

Bradley decided to just grab him by the shoulder before “dragging” him towards the front door. The giant spiderweb was no longer there but there was more dust on the floor. Right before he was pulled out of the house, Tommy managed to take one last look at the painting above the fireplace. It was too dark and too far for him to see anything else but as they closed the door behind them, there was something else that was pinned against the painting. Something that the spear had hit along its projection path. A small pouch was hanging precariously by the end of the spear that had pierced through the portrait, right were the mouth was painted on.

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