The Manor in the Woods

It had been a while since I had taken time away from work and the busy city. I decided this weekend to opt for a serene view to relax and work on the novel I had meant to write for a while. While sitting in the taxi, I looked over the reservation. The hotel was a beautiful 19th-century mansion overlooking an orchard with mountains in the distance. The pictures of the hotel had a road leading up to the premise that was a long, extensively paved driveway with towering trees on both sides, giving it a grand and majestic air.  

"Here we are," said the driver interrupting my thoughts. As I exited the taxi and stepped onto the pavement, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from my surroundings. It was clear that the reality didn't match the picture painted. 

The atmosphere was shrouded in a dense fog that blanketed the entire area. The front garden looked neglected with dying and withered plants. The entrance was not well maintained. There were cracked steps leading to the main doorway, and the paint on the walls was peeling. From where I stood, I could see broken windows on higher floors. The building appeared abandoned and in need of repairs.

I had planned to request the diver to wait for me until I made a decision about staying at this hotel. Unfortunately, he had already departed, and I could only observe the vehicle disappearing down the driveway. As I surveyed the surroundings, the area appeared deserted and desolate. Fortunately, the necessary instructions for checking into my room were in my reservation letter. I rang the buzzer for three seconds, as the instructions said to, and the front door slowly creaked open. 

My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting as I cautiously entered the foyer. To my right was the reception, with a sturdy desk adorned with an aged lampshade that casted a warm and intriguing glow. On the left, the room was cleverly arranged with a tasteful combination of tables and chairs, seamlessly blending the living and dining areas into one harmonious space.

A small silver bell was resting on the table, and I gave it a light tap to see if I could get someone's attention. However, after waiting a few moments, I noticed a sign that caught my eye. It read "Self Check-In Before 3 pm", indicating that I would have to handle the check-in process myself. I glanced at my watch and noticed that the time was 2:30 pm. I perused the instructions again given in my reservation. It read: Room 213 on the second floor—access safe in the reception with the code 999 to retrieve the key. Adhering to the instructions, I procured the key to my room from a polished silver safe situated on the edge of the table.

I picked up my small hand luggage and headed to the staircase to find my room. Hindsight at this point would have told me to leave, but the only means of transport had left, The closest town was about a 5-mile walk, and the sun would be setting soon. 

As I ascended to the next level, a feeling of unease settled in my stomach. The stairs creaked and groaned with every step, and I couldn't help but wonder if they would give way beneath me. The cobwebs that adorned the walls were thick and ghastly, adding to the ominous atmosphere of the place. I couldn't help but feel like I was walking into danger. As I moved along the lengthy corridors, I couldn't help but notice the faded brown walls and the old red rustic runner was in dire need of a replacement. However, as I stepped into my room, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was evident that someone had taken care of it, as the room was impeccably clean, and fresh towels were arranged neatly on the bed. The room was beautifully decorated, with a large queen-sized bed adorned with four majestic bedposts, adding to the room's elegance.

Regrettably, the view that greeted me from the room was not worthy of admiration. From what I had seen, it was evident that the place was once home to a flourishing garden, but the lush trees once captured in pictures now stood naked and devoid of life.

Looking towards the upsides of the stay, I showered and dressed in comfortable clothes to settle down to start working on my novel. There was a small study table in the room, and I placed my keyboard and monitor with my notes on the table and studiously settled into my work. Many hours passed before I noticed the sun had set. I ceased my tasks and ambled towards the nearby window to appreciate the scenery beyond. Regrettably, the external landscape was enveloped in an abyssal veil of darkness, obscuring any discernible features that may have been present. The sky exhibited only a handful of stars, and the moon remained absent, leaving the surroundings enveloped in an eerie veil of obscurity. I closed the window and pulled the curtains close. The day had been long and tiring, and I needed some rest. I made a mental note to decide whether to extend my stay tomorrow. I sank into the softness of the bed, feeling the weight of the day lifting off my shoulders. With a quick twist of the wrist, the bedside lamp went off, and the room plunged into darkness.

During my sleep, I heard a whisper, "Wake up." Startled awake, I sat up and tried to scan my surroundings. However, the complete darkness made it impossible to discern anything. I felt my chest tightening and stayed motionless for a few seconds before searching for the bedside switch. I leaned over and fumbled with the light switch, but the light would not turn on. I noticed my breathing becoming shallow, so I took a deep breath to calm myself. At first, I thought it might have been a dream, but then I heard a gentle and persistent knocking on the window. I paused in fear, considering that it could be the wind. However, I remember no trees near the window to create such a sound. I got out of bed and fumbled around for the light switch. I flicked it on nervously when I finally found it, but the lights did not turn on.

I remembered that I could use my phone's light to see around the room, so I searched for it by feeling around. Eventually, I found it on the table in the study. I switched on the flashlight and waved it to illuminate the room, but it only provided a limited view in the direction I aimed it. At this point, the knocking on the window had ceased. I used my phone's light to investigate but found no clues as to what caused the disturbance. I sat on the bed, contemplating whether or not to call the reception. There was a landline on the bedside table, so I decided to use it to report the malfunctioning lights in my room. Unfortunately, the line was dead, and there was no sound. I also checked my phone, but there was no signal. Once again, I felt a sense of unease growing inside me. I was cut off from the outside world with no means of communication.

I started to feel the presence of something becoming imposing behind me, and I turned around and shined the light in that direction. As I lifted my gaze upwards, I saw a chilling sight. Two elongated vertical eyes stared back at me from a grotesque face that seemed carved out of the darkness. The wickedly wide smile on its lips sent shivers down my spine as its long arms stretched towards the sky. Overwhelmed by terror, I stumbled and fell to the ground. Suddenly, it began moving towards me, and I quickly fled my room, struggling to maintain my balance. I raced down the hallway, but the dimly lit passage was unknown to me, and I was unsure where to go. Desperately attempting to find a way out, I hurriedly tested the locked doors along the corridor.

I looked back to see if the gargoyle-like creature was near me, but I could hardly see anything. Soon after trying enough doors, one opened, and I barricaded myself inside as best I could. Hyperventilating, I sank to the floor from the desperation of my situation. The only thought in my mind was. I must get out of here. I felt in my pocket for my phone, but I couldn't find it. I realised that I must have left it behind in the room. Looking around my environment, I noticed it must have been the utility room, for it was small, and I could only find cleaning supplies and toiletries around. I went over to the small window in the room to see if escaping from the window was viable. Unfortunately, I could barely see the ground or if there were any means out. I was already two floors up. I stood motionless, wondering what other plan I could devise. Then I heard a soft voice from nearby, "Help me." Upon hearing this voice, I inhaled sharply. 

The moonlight crept through the window and revealed only the doorknob of a connecting room. There was another door that was separate from the room I went into. The voice was seemingly coming from the room. Against my better judgement, I slowly turned the knob and allowed the door to swing open. There was a dimly lit lamp in the room, and In the centre of the room, a man was tied to the chair with red fluid running from his forehead. My hand covered my mouth from the sight. His features were swollen with red blood trickling from his forehead, and he asked again for help. One part wanted to help, but the other was still determining if I could trust anyone. I went to the sink, soaked a towel, and approached the captive. 

Can you tell me what happened here I asked while wiping the oozing blood from his face. I needed to know if letting the captive free would endanger me more. 

He strained himself to stare at me with his bloodshot eyes. "I am a guest; I came to stay now. I found myself in this situation."

Horror filled my chest cavity as the thought occurred to me that this was a possible fate awaiting me. 

I asked him if he would pose a threat to me if I set him free. He nodded in response, assuring me that he wouldn't. Despite my doubts, I decided to take a chance and consider my options. Trying to untie the rope, I realised it was too difficult. "I can't undo these ropes I told him. "Cut. The. Rope," he said. "My coat, my room". He was straining to get out the words. "There is a Swiss knife in your coat," I asked. I saw a key conveniently on the table. "In this room," I said. He nodded his head. I took the key and looked at the Room number - 310. 

The room I had to go to was on the third floor, and my heart sank with fear. However, I knew I could not stay here and await the fate likely to reach me. So I mustered up the courage and went out again. Summoning up my courage, I left the room and carefully marked it with a torn fabric to ensure I could find my way back. As I felt my way around, I discovered the stairs were nearby and began to climb them slowly. Though they were old and rickety, I persevered until I reached the top. The stairs creaked loudly, but I tried to remain calm and not give myself away. 

Right now, I longed to be in the comfort of my own home, snuggled under my blankets, engrossed in a good book. But I quickly shook off those thoughts and reminded myself that we could reach home once we got through this situation. I needed to concentrate on the task at hand. 

Entering the hallway, I surmised from having to search for my room the pattern of the key numbers. The first number represented the floor, and the final two numbers the room order. I ran my hands along the doors until I found the one I was looking for. Luckily, when I put the key in and turned it, the door opened, and I could enter the room. I found the jacket hung on the hook on the wall and the utility knife inside. As I rummaged through the coat, I discovered a police badge and ID in the pockets. The name on the badge read Detective Norton, which gave me a glimmer of hope. Upon inspecting the desk, I noticed an empty holster. However, I wanted to keep my hopes high.

I heard footsteps approaching the room, prompting me to hide under the bed. The door creaked open, and the creature moved in, slithering across the floor. I waited until it reached the other side of the room before rolling out from under the bed and fleeing the room. As I ran away from the gargoyle, I attempted to slow it by pushing a small table in the passage in its way. After retracing my steps, I found the detective. He was still tied up, and I quickly cut the rope. "Hurry," he urged me. 

"I'm doing my best," I replied. "We need to move quickly." Once I freed him, he stumbled a bit before managing to stand. "We have to hurry," I reminded him. 

"I know," he said, leaning on the wall for support. He led us along the hallways, and I followed anxiously, worried about the creature catching up to us. 

"This way," the detective said. 

"How do you know where to go?" I asked. 

"I've been here before," he explained. "I parked a car behind the property. We can use it to escape, and the keys are in the car." 

As we made our way down the final staircase, we heard the creature's sounds once again.

"Hurry, get to the car," he said.

I sprinted down the flight of stairs and out of the building. Following the detective's instructions, I turned right and found a small black vehicle parked. I opened the car and found the keys in the glovebox as he instructed, and I turned on the car and drove to the entrance of the building. Where are you, detective? I thought to myself. Soon I saw him emerge from the building limping and holding his chest. I swung open the door, and he threw himself into the car. 

Pressing the gas, I shifted the car into gear and sped out of the driveway, the sun was starting the rise, and the night was ending. "Detective, Are you okay? I asked. "Detective," I called again, this time turning to look at him, but there was no response.

"Detective", I anxiously called out once more. I averted my gaze from him and became aware of my upright posture in a brightly illuminated chamber. The weight in my chest impeded my breathing. The classic decor in the space seemed familiar, and I came to the realisation that I had returned to the identical hotel room.