Mrs. Withers of Lymbarkia Howlsville

Submitted into Contest #92 in response to: Set your story in a countryside house that’s filled with shadows.... view prompt

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Fiction Suspense Fantasy

             It was the year 2043 and the Owman family were establishing their home in Lymbarkia,Howlsville. The Owman family were a peculiar family.Many would say they were doll-like.Their every action, word, and move were precise and perfect.If anyone in this world were to be perfect it would be the Owman family.Purchasing the old countryside house no resident in Howlsville wanted the Owman family were pleased to call it their new home regardless the old legends of creatures appearing at night .Little did they know this old house would forever change the youngest’s life .Clementine Owlman the oldest child of Colette and Janko Owman pressed her hand onto the rusted brass door knob and sheepishly walked into the hallway where the wood beneath her feet whined freakishly.Right behind her was Jacek Owman the youngest in the family.Clementine and Jacek only had a 2 year age gap but were equally as smart and mindful.Peering around the corner of the door frame was Colette and Janko Owman.The family of four looked into the house already taking note of the countless spider webs and dust that smothered the walls.”Well it’ll be a process” Janko whispered out.”Let’s not waste time then the sun will be setting soon” said Clementine as she turned around.Standing face to face from Clementine was Gremy Withers their neighbor or so they thought.”Oh hello ma'am how may we help you” Jacko said with a grin on his face.” Hello Jacko I was just wondering if you and your family are moving into the townhouse ? “ said Ms.Withers.”Yes we are Mrs…” Jacko replied. “Withers” the old lady said back. “Yes we indeed are moving in Mrs.Withers but how did you know my name have we met before” Jacko replied curiously.” Oh nevermind that I’ve come here to welcome you to Lymbarkia and hopefully assist you in any way and form possible” Mrs.Withers replied with a bright grin oh her wrinkly face.” How kind of you Mrs.Withers but as you can see our Limmit hasn’t arrived with our luggage and belongings'' said Clementine. Jacek felt a connection between his family and Mrs.Withers.Maybe they had met before. Limmit was the new version of U-Haul it was a teleportation system were many citizens of Howlsville use to transport their belongings.”Ah I see well I’m right next door if you need any assistance or help ” Mrs.Withers replied back.The family and the old lady bid their goodbyes and continued on with their afternoon. The sun had finally set and the moon was shining brightly on the rooftops of the houses of Lymbarkia. Since the Owman’s limmit wasn’t scheduled to arrive until the next day Clementine and Colette had set up a blanket fort in the living room so they could get some rest and sleep well on the dusty wooden floor.Meanwhile Jacek and Janko were trying to make something to eat that was fulfilling and edible.At exactly 7:27 the Owman family had settled down in the living room to eat some instant tomato soup accompanied with garlic bread that Jacek had found in the backseat of their car.The only noise that passed through the old house was the howling wind and the occasional creaking of the wooden floorboards.Slowly but surely the night fully settled and the Owman’s wistfully went to sleep after some quick goodnight prayers.Their first night wasn’t terrible but it wasn't the hospitality one may expect for a goodnight sleep.The striking of the grandfather clock that was left by the previous owner a decade ago awoke Clementine.She groaned and went back to sleep.The scurrying noises of rats upstairs awoke Janko.With that Janko had added another chore to check off on his to do list tomorrow : Buy mouse traps. Colette turned and turned in her sleep due to the stiff and uncomfortable wood slabs underneath her that it kept her mostly awake during the night. Lastly the youngest member of the family… Jacek.His disturbance during the night was far more peculiar than even his own family.12 year old Jacek dreamed of a bunch of demons who could transform into humans avenging their lost society by trying to find a certain group of people whose ancestors once slaughtered the demons family and friends.Quickly awaken by the terrifying dream Jacek took deep breaths and tried to sleep or so tried to due to the sounds of footsteps shuffling outside.Soon after the disturbances of the night the morning had come once again disturbing the Owman’s but this time it was the blissful sun whose rays had peaked through the windows.One by one starting from oldest to youngest the Owman’s got ready to attack through their day and hopefully unpack their limmet and settle on in finally.Colette and the others eagerly opened the front door expecting to see their limmit and a couple of parcels on the brick floor outside but what they found outside  was a bunch of autumn leaves hinting that summer was ending and autumn was approaching.” Maybe the transporter left our limmit on the side of the house” Colette mentioned.Everyone collectively agreed and  walked outside when observative Clementine said“ What happened to Mrs.Withers house isn’t it supposed to be right here``.Everyone now noticing the empty space where Mrs.Withers house was presumed to be they all grew curious as to what had happened.Narrowing back around the corner the Owman’s were rather confused as to where their Limmit was and what happened to Mrs.Withers house when Jacko was the first to see Mrs.Withers and a couple other elders expect this time Mrs.Withers looked rather off.As they soon approached them Jacek had a flashback from his dream. This exact moment as they were approaching the elders Jacek had remembered the demons avenging for their lost ones.Clementine grew worry about how the elders where peering into the room their bodies looking rather odd.Janko and Colette being the parent figures were solutionizing in their heads on how to approach the brawl of clambering elders knocking and shouting at their home.Jacek pinched his forearm thinking he was in his dream and he was just in a great slumber.Was this really happening he asked himself. Jacek's dreams kept pouring in and out and the elders and Mrs.Withers shape was the exact same as the demons.Odd.Their powerful and vengeful aura was similar to those of the dreams Jacek though.Odd.But this wasn’t just odd this was reality.The youngest of the Owman family was connecting the missing pieces of the puzzles.Was his dream actually reality.10 more steps until the Owman’s reached their pestering guests.Jacek pondered on the possibly that since many people called them perfect,doll - like, and precise that it was all connected to their ancestors. Were they the ones who slaughtered the demons.No that’s crazy he thought.No way his family were crazy demon slayers in the past.9 more steps awaited.Why wasn’t Clementine worrying?Why weren’t his parents worrying about the crazy mob of demons outside of his house.No elders he meant. 8 more steps awaited.His heart pounded and pounded as he got closer to the pit of creatures or humans whatever they were that awaited him.7 more steps.He clenched his hand and abruptly stopped making his family behind stop too but they kept walking dragging Jacek with them. 6 more steps. What are they doing? Why aren’t they stopping and running? Jacek was trying to slow down his pace in hopes to make his family come to their senses but nothing happened.5 more steps.Why did Clementine's eyes look red?Where they always this red Jacek thought.4 more steps.Oh no the demons had now averted their attention to them.3 more steps.Why did mom and dad stopped moving?Why is Clementine with them too? What about him? Why was he walking towards the creatures? Why couldn’t he stop ? 2 more steps. Am I still dreaming? 1 more step.Face to face again with the once known Mrs.Withers but now she was accompanied by other elders- no they were definitely demons.The elders eyed down Jacek’s small figure and looked at the leader of the troupe to signal for her to say something to the frighten human.” Call me Miss Withers Jacek” said the leader with a cackle at the end.

May 08, 2021 02:18

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