Haunted

In keeping with the Halloween spirit, this week, Writer's Island is 'Haunted.'

I'm afraid it might be a little predictible, but at least I have something to post for this week's theme:

As the couple came up the steps at the bed and breakfast, they were surprised to see the innkeeper, waiting for them on the wide front porch. He merely nodded to them, as they gave him they're names, and with a sweep of his arms, motioned towards the front door.

Robert sighed, as he balanced the suitcase with one hand, and held the carved wooden door open for his wife, with the other.

"He could have offered to take our bags," mumbled Robert.

"Hush," Jeanine, hissed. "He'll hear you."

"Or at least held the door," Robert hissed back, while still holding both the suitcase and the door open, waiting for Jeanine to go inside. Someday soon, he hoped. It felt like he'd been carrying this baggage around forever.

Jeanine didn't move, however - she was busy giving him the look - the one that Robert knew meant he was being socially clueless - again.

"He's old!" she mouthed, silently but emphatically.

Robert grumbled under his breath, "Well, at this rate, we're not getting any younger, ourselves." He paused, as an odd feeling came over him. "You know, I feel like I've seen him - somewhere, before."

She glanced over her shoulder then, to asses whether the elderly man had been paying attention. Thankfully, he must have tottered off, probably to take a much-needed nap, judging from the looks of him. He had to have been at least 80, if he'd been a day. Maybe older than that.

"Who's there?" The loud sound of the clerk's voice from the lobby parlor room, as she was looking backwards for the old man, made Jeanine jump a little. She turned and gave a nervous smile to the young man standing next to the desk.

"We're the Wilkie's," said Jeanine, advancing towards the young man, arm extended ready for a handshake.

The young man regarded her outstretched hand as though it were a snake, for Pete's sake. She looked at Robert for reassurance - as usual, he just shrugged. She wondered once again where that phrase, "Pete's sake," originally came from, as she turned her attention back towards the desk, where the young man had been standing, only a moment before. Now, he was nowhere in sight. The people around here, certainly seemed to disappear at an alarming rate.

She heard a voice coming through a door, that stood partially ajar. It sounded as though the young man was on the telephone, in there. Funny, she hadn't heard the phone ring...

Jeanine stepped tentatively towards the doorway, and peered through the crack. Yes, that's where he'd gone, she could see him now, on the phone in the kitchen. She stood waiting anxiously - should she motion to him, to remind him of their presence? Or should they just wait there, till he was done? She was so tired...she just wanted to lie down, and rest awhile.

She tried to hear what the young man was saying on the telephone, but she could only hear bits and pieces - it was as though he were farther away than he really was, and what little she could hear, didn't make much sense to her. You'd think a bed and breakfast would want to make their guests at home, right away - you'd think they'd want the business...she put her hand on the door, and eased it open just a bit more. My, these old doors are heavy, she thought. It's all I can do to budge it...

"Yes, they're back again, I tell you! I don't care what that psychic told you about them 'moving on to the light' - that was just a bunch of woo-woo mumbo jumbo! " The young man, coughed nervously, and ran his fingers through his hair, standing it up on end. "The front door banged open, and a cold gush of air burst in - nothing happened for a minute - but then I swear, it came straight towards me - this time I could see this foggy hand reaching out in my direction! All I can say is, if you want someone to cover the front desk, you better come down here yourself - because I'm out of here!"

The young man hung up the phone with a bang. My goodness, Jeanine thought, he was an emotional sort, wasn't he? She watched with puzzlement, as the young man glanced nervously towards the doorway where she waited - she'd only pushed it open a little more - it was so heavy - she was just trying to get his attention - but then he went white as a ghost, and ran out the backdoor of the kitchen, letting it slam closed behind him.

"What do we do now?" Robert stood behind her, shifting the bag in his hand. Why did this always seem to happen to them? This felt like deja vu...

"I suppose we just show ourselves to our room," said Jeanine, as she led the way up the stairs. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she was pretty certain which one was their's. It was all so familiar - hadn't they stayed there, before?

To see what else is 'Haunted,' visit this week's Writer's Island.

Happy haunting...

Mwa ha ha ha!

'The Mansion,' original in *watercolor and pencil, 11x14,

by Tinker

*magically drained of color for this post - b&w is so much more atmospheric

;-)

Someday I'll show it to you again in living color...

Comments

[miss*R]

BOO!
we don't celebrate Halloween down here but I am having fun reading other posts :)

[keith hillman]

So atmospheric. A great read.

[rochambeau]

A great story and I adore your haunted watercolor and pencil drawing!!

See you tomorrow!!

[Paris Parfait]

A terrific read and your art to match completes the perfect spooky package for Halloween. Well done, Terri! xo

[Janet]

LOVED this story!! And your art is just the right touch to go with it.

[Tumblewords]

Way to go! What a story - there'll be more? And the sketch is a glorious companion.

[kai]

what a groovily haunting read Witchy Tink!!
stir the cauldren... mwahahahaha...

LOVE the drawing! PEace and fun, Kai xx

[gemma]

Ew spooky story and fantastic art.
xx

[Pam Aries]

I knew you would have a great story!!! THe haunted house is fun too! ..I've been on the internet way too long tonight...my comments are starting to bore even me! ha !

[inlandempiregirl]

I love the drawing and the story helped get me in the mood for Halloween tomorrow!

[Cre8Tiva]

what a lovely house to be spooked in...just stopping by to wish you happy halloween...have a hauntingly goulish time...okay let's dance...blessings, rebecca

[JoyceAnn]

Wonderful story Tinker , enjoyed the read.

Happy Halloween !!

[gautami]

Great story, tinker! I loved it. The water colour is very good too.

[Pacian]

Got chills now. o_O

[Angela]

Spooky Story..... but I have to say wonderful drawing! Thanks for sharing it! *HUGS*