Devil's House

* A Beautiful Day *

10.30am

Vince Lawrence woke up with sweat dripping off his body. The summer
heat had hit full force and Vince woke up groggy, feeling as if he had
had more then just a few shots of whiskey the previous night.
He felt as if he had the whole bottle such was the feeling of his head
pounding from dehydration.
He got himself up from his bed and headed to the bathroom where he
splashed cold water onto his face.
Feeling a little more awake, he made himself a coffee from the kitchen
downstairs and proceeded to get back into routine, a shower, dressed,
breakfast and got himself ready to look for work before the Job centre
shut at four 'o clock.

As Vince sat in the bus that would take him to the Gallowsfield town
centre he admired the beautiful weather from the window and felt
optimistic about his job prospects. He had been out of work for nearly
a year now after being made redundant from his nine to five factory job
and the settlement he recieved after ten years labour was more then
enough for him to keep his rent on his house and manage to scrape by.
He had regretted selling his car but he felt he needed to in order to
keep his head above water in the long run just in case he might be
waiting a long time to return to employment.
Eleven months later and he had been right. No job oportunities and no
openings. 'Too old at thirty-two', he often thought to himself.
Things were not that bad however, and they could be a lot worse. He
still had a wonderful girlfriend named Lisa and she was his rock,
always helping him cheer up when he was down in the doldrums, and
keeping him becoming a moaning old man.'Moaning old git at thirty-two',
he thought again to himself with a smirk.

* The Job Centre *

12.23pm

Town was reasonably quiet for a Thursday midday and Vince waited no
longer then a few minites to queue at the job centre and check on any
latest vacancies that he was qualified to do. Which was pretty much
industrial work and hard labour and that was it. Although no
muscle-bound adonis, Vince was far from unattracative and his build was
strong enough for most physically demanding jobs.
As he sat opposite the Job centre employee that was reviewing his
latest attempts of gaining work, Vince had a quick look round to see
who else was in the office. A couple of the other Job Centre employees
were talking with other work seekers in a similar mundane tone which
seemed to be obligitory in this building, as if the less interested you
were, the more interested you would be in gaining employment.
Another group of people were looking on notice boards at vacancies and
others were seated, waiting for their turn to be 'reviewed' by the
robots.
Everyone looked the same as if color coded in some way, you could
distinguish the unemployed-looking-for-work from the
employed-and-looking-for-something-different with no difficulty.
The usual suspects, so to speak.
As Vince drifted into a state of hypnotism from the drone of his
reviewer, who was going on about some sort of employment scheme the
government had recently brought in, he had another glance at the group
of people over at the noticeboards. Apart from the usual clustered
gathering of young and old, Vince noticed a figure dressed head to toe
in black that seemed to grab his attention.
He couldnt distinguish whether it was a female or male as the figure
had its back to him, but he noticed long black curling hair dribbled
from the charcters head, and what appeared to be silver tipped
shoes.
Not too sure why this sight had kept his gaze, Vince turned his
attention back to the reviewer only to be embarrasingly met by a a
stern look.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Mr. Lawrence," spoke the
reviewer in a sarcastic yet still mundane tone, "perhaps if you looked
for a job as much you looked at other people then you might not be
sitting in that chair every week."
Vince apologized half heartedly as he met the reviewers somewhat stone
look. He was a chubby and large man, a face of a man that to be
fair,looked like he ate a lot of food and never walked further then
what was needed. His thick brimmed glasses seemed to sit on the guys
cheeks more then his nose, and although Vince never judged anyone, this
guys somewhat unneeded remark made these thoughts seem deserved. For
the past eleven months, Vince had always had his job searches reviewed
by this oaf, never the pretty young office workers that popped in now
and then and that always seemed to see the guys that were next in line
after him.
"Dont apologize to me, Mr.Lawrence," continued the babbling baboon," it
is not me that is sitting in that chair. You need to concentrate on
your work efforts a lot more then you have been, or we will have to
review your allowance benefits."
Vince couldnt beleive what he was hearing. This guy seemed to be
mocking him and threatening to remove the measly ?40 a week 'benefits'
he had only just signed on for the previous month.
Although he had a fair ammount of cash to get by for possibly a few
more months, he had felt it a good idea to sign on. Even for the
further motivation of working again, as Vince felt he was a proud man
and did not like being branded a lazy guy, or a cheat or any other
unfair names that could be possibly branded about.
"Im typing a reminder in your file so that the person you speak to next
week will know what you have needed to do this week," continued the
reviewer before Vince could even respond, "so you need to make an
improvement on searching for work Mr.Lawrence."

* A Call To Lisa *

Vince lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply the smoke into his lungs as he
leaned up against the outside of the job centre. The sheer arrogance
and ignorance of the oaf upstairs had annoyed Vince so much yet he had
not said a word in his own defence. He had merely sunken back to his
childhood years and had taken all the anger inside him and meekly
walked off. He even thanked the bastard for his time! What was he
doing?? After he had left the office, he had stormed down the stairwell
hard enough for him to probably make a world record, if there was one
for anger walking anyway.
Vince looked around as he smoked his cigarette, calming himself and
trying to regain the feeling of pleasentness he had earlier.
The sun was still shining bright, and the greenness of the trees and
grass was a relaxing sight.
One of the things living in Gallowsfield was it was suburban heaven.
Very peaceful, quiet and villagelike. The town was a ten minite drive
from home, and it had a small variey of shops and pubs. Which is also
why gaining work was possibly a problem, the industrial factories Vince
was looking at working at were a further ten minites drive, they were
situated in isolated areas that bus routes rarely went through.
Vince stubbed his cigarette out with his foot and checked his
watch.
Two 'o clock.
Time to call Lisa.
"Hi babe" came the warm and enthusiastic reply of Lisa that Vince was
hoping for, "How did your job search go?"
"It didnt really go at all"
"aww dont be too down, you'll get something sooner or later. You know
we could always ask my parents if money is getting too tight,"
" No, no.." Vince replied, " money is fine honey, its just i need to
start earning again. Stuck in a rut at the moment."
There was no way Vince could look at Lisa's parents in the eyes again
if he had to borrow money from them because he was out of work. Sure,
they were lovely people and warmed to him as he did to them and they
all got on well, but he was meant to look after their daughter.
Especially if he was to marry her which is what he wanted for the seven
years they had been going out with each other.
Marriage was something he and Lisa had both planned and especially
children. He had promised her lasting happiness, and up until his
redundency, he had given her it. Sure, money is not the key to
happiness but it certainly helps, he had often said. Lisa had always
reassured him nevertheless and was sticking with him through this rough
period. She was working an office job nine to five and was bringing
money into their relationship, and she even had said she would take
lease of the rent of the house. Vince was adamant however that his
unemployment was temporary and things would soon be back to their best.
He had no big male ego problem with women being the main income maker
in the relationship, but it made him feel inadequte that he couldnt do
more for her and there was always an insecurity he had that she may
find someone better then him. It was what she deserved anyway, maybe it
was for the best.

* The Figure In Black *

Vince spoke to Lisa for a good fifteen minites before they ended their
chat and he decided on buying a copy of the local paper for more job
vacancies. He was about to turn around and walk down the street to the
newsagents when he was surprised by someone walking into him just as he
passed the job centre doorway.
" Oh god , sorry " apologised Vince sincerly, when he looked up and saw
it was the figure in black he had glimpsed in the job centre.
He was half surprised when he realised the figure was indeed a woman,
dressed in a black trenchcoat that was as long as her ankles. He again
noticed her silver tipped shoes and looked up to see a middle aged face
with dark make up. Her lips were black, her mascara was black and her
eyes were so dark she looked instantly like a Gothic.
Vince was taken back a bit but quickly regained his composure after
apologizing.
"No I must apologize, it was me," spoke the mysterious woman in a dark
and almost husky voice that seemed friendly yet ..."I was in a rush and
i did not see you there. I just came down from the office
upstairs."
Definitly a foriegn accent, perhaps eastern european thought
Vince.
"Hey no problem, i shouldnt have been in the doorway.Sorry" said Vince
in a polite manner.
He was about to set off on his walk to the newsagents after seeing she
was ok when she began talking to him again.
"You have been looking for a job too?" asked the lady in black in a
friendly but odd tone of voice. Despite Vince's initial reaction, she
seemed friendly although he was waiting for a plea of somekind for
money.
"Yeah, no luck as usual" spoke Vince, not quite sure as to why he was
indulging in personal things that had nothing to do with this complete
stranger. "What about yourself?"
"I am not here to find work " the lady laughed, surprising Vince. 'No,
maybe she's here for the annual circus reharsals' he thought.
Sensing that she was almost asking him to ask her, Vince reluctantly
said, "Why are you here then?"
The lady in black's eyes widened.
"I am looking for workers," she said slyly.
Vince immeditely thought of some sort of illegal activity going on, and
he grinned and decided to walk away without asking any further
questions. 'Sure im broke,' he thought,' but im not going to get myself
involved in some weirdos little cult.'
"Sorry" said Vince, " but i have to meet someone and i am running late.
All the best"
"Shame," said the lady just as Vince was walking away,"for a few hours
work it is very good money"
Vince stopped in his tracks. How good? He walked back.
"Ok lady, what is this job?"
A smile almost appeared on the lady in blacks face revealing the tip of
what seemed to be dark yellow teeth. It was not a sight Vince wished he
had seen.
"You look in shape, it is removal of furniture from my home.That is why
i here at this building to ask them to place an advert on their notice
boards," smiled the lady in black, "But they did not."
Vince still thought this whole thing was suspicious but was keen to
know how much money was involved in removing a few items.
"Why not call proffesional removal? Im sure if you are willing to pay
good money, they will possibly do you a deal that is reasonable and
quicker- " Vince was cut off by the lady in black.
"Two thousand pounds to do the job today."
"T-two thousand pounds??"
"Yes, today. Now. Are you interested yes or no."
There was now a sterness in her voice, an icy coldness. But Vince was
now no longer concerned about that. 'A chance to gain two grand for a
few hours work? This woman is nuts.Even if this is a big set up of some
kind, its got to be worth the risk'
"What kind of furniture are we talking about here? Am i expected to
work on my own?"
The lady in black turned to Vince, and said "We can discuss on the
way."
With that, to Vinces surprise, they had walked to the end of the street
and had walked upto a parked car.

*** Uncertain Answers ***

The journey was pleasant. Very pleasant. The luxirious seating of the
back interior of the Saab car Vince shared with this lady in black made
him settle into a more relaxed mood. They has travelled little more
then a few minitues, exchanged names and had discussed this two
thousand pound removal deal.
Apparently the lady in black was from Eastern europe, her name was
Louisa and she had moved from Czcheckolsvakia some years ago to live
here in England. Vince still was unsure and was on his full awares of
the full motivation behind her being in a job centre and askng for
'workers' as she had put it. 'Its a bad move , but at least im moving
in some direction' he thought as they drove past Gallowfields housing
estates and past the industrial business parks that surrounded the
outskirts of the town.
Louisa seemed pleasant enough, she made small talk along the way, her
driver apparently a hired hand which made Vince ask how she was so well
off in the money stakes. Her answer had been that she had family in the
United Kingdom and thats how she came to a simple move from
Czechoslavika, to work for her family.
"So what sort of business do you help run?" asked Vince,
"My family are dead." came the reply, in an almost humourous
tone.
Vince immidietly felt bad and as if he asked the wrong question,
although this whole day was beggining to feel very strange. But he felt
he had every right to know considering the circumstances surrounding
this bizarre meeting and job offer.
"Dont feel bad," came the almost giggling reply, " my family are dead,
the business is not."
Relieved Loisua was not taking his unfortuante question too deeply,
Vince relaxed further into the relaxing interior of the car.
"So can i ask what your business is?"
Louisa with her dark make up and dark dress seemed to be more looking
of a witch then ever, with the passing traffic and surroudning woodland
creating dark shadows illuminate into the car.
Even in daylight, half two in the afternoon, it seemed darker now
somehow.
"My business is to open business here in the U.K." came the heavily
accented reply.
Vince raised his eyebrows and although he felt Louisa did not want to
go further into discussing her business, he felt he ha a right to know
what and continued to push.
"This whole thing is bizarre to say the least," Vince began, now tiring
of this quite insane set up of events," and im not too sure im
interested in this whole thing anymore if you are not going to tell me
some more information,"
The Saab drove right into a country road and up a dirt track, passing a
dust covered sign in need of some serious paint work and
maintenace.
Vince could not make out what was on the sign post and the Saab drove
up unto a large gate that was the entrance to what seemed a large
manor.
"I am interested in opening a furnishing shop," began Louisa, at last
giving Vince some sort of insight into what this was all about, "and
that is why I need you to remove some furniture here. I am expecting my
own to be arriving here tomorow and i need this old junk to be gone in
time. The furniture you move for me today will be stored in a
warehouse. Some will be sold in future in my shop but most will just be
preserved in the warehouse."
At last a straight forward answer. What was the big deal in that? Why
didnt she just simply tell him this from the begining instead of
drawing out this big mystery? Vince put it down to perhaps a lack of
communication between the two and perhaps lack of understanding on his
part.
Maybe this was just how Louisa was, and that he shouldnt have pushed
for so much information.
After all, he was being paid two thousand pounds to remove what he
assumed would be reasonably sized object, possibly some wardrobes and
the like. With that in mind, he felt a slight bit guilty as they
approached the manor entrance.

*** Removal ***

7.35pm

Five hours had past since Vince had been in the manor. The evening dusk
was begining to settle in over the sky. Vince was upstairs on the
second floor of the three-floor manor and had been working on his own
since his arrival, carrying various object downstairs and then outside
into an empty trailer which was to be driven away to a warehouse by a
driver the next day.
So far , carrying small cabinets, lamps, chairs and tables had been
relatively easy to bring down the wide spiralling staircase and Vince
was finding this the easiest two grand he had ever made.
The money was already in his wallet in his jeans, given to him almost
the moment after he had stepped inside the seemingly old and victorian
building by Louisa.
The driver of the Saab that had taken them here had also got out and
dressed in a dark suit and tie, had gone elsewhere in the manor. Louisa
had quickly shown Vince the rooms in which she wanted cleared and what
objects to move. She had told him to take as much time as he wanted but
aslong as the job was completed by midnight. Vince, having seen what
the task was, agreed.
The two rooms he was working in and taking objects downstairs were
located at the far end of a coridoor that lead from the top of the
stairs.
The first room Vince had cleared was a small den, most of the furniture
was old and wooden but all was in perfect condition, spotless and
clean. The room Vince was now working on was a larger room, possibly
previously a bedroom. A few things did, however, seem a bit strange.
Not that this was not a weird day already, but the decor of the manor
seemed very forboding.
Sure it was an old victorian style Manor and it seemed very gothic from
Vince's inital reaction upon entering the place, but Vince had put it
down to Louisa and her querky ways, Vince half expected to find Count
Dracula's coffin amongnst the furniture!
But inspite of the oddness and cold feeling vibe of the place, Vince
noticed that there were not many windows in the rooms he had been
clearing. In fact, there were not many windows on the second floor at
all. He had noted that there was a large almost cathedral size window
on the ground floor and a couple of smaller windows in what he assumed
was the living room area. But he was surprised that there was none on
the second floor and the lack of natural light was surprising. Vince
had not gone up to the third floor and was not keen on upsetting Louisa
in any case. He simply was going where he was meant to, doing his job ,
and then intended to get home.
Vince had called Lisa to let her know how long he expected to be doing
this job. He had estimated possibly a few more hours, perhaps a ten ' o
clock finish judging by the furniture that was remaining in the
room.
Vince returned to the room following a quick cigarette break
outside.
He had taken a breif look around the outside of the manor to find they
were on the outskirts of Gallowsfield as he could see the smoke
bellowing from the factories in the distance.
At least the Saab was still parked so the driver must still be in the
manor, so hopefully he could get a lift back into town at least.
Although a taxi fare really would not be a problem as his current
financial status had just got two thousand pounds better.
Vince was deciding on which object of furniture to move next when he
heard a 'THUD' from above him.
Vince had been curious as to what was on the third floor but had not
ventured up to find out what was up there.
Perhaps Louisa was up there. Or the driver.
Vince put it to the back of his mind and looked around the room,
picking a medium sized cabinet to take down stairs.
He was about to walk out the room with the cabinet when ..

'THUD!!'

Louder.

Vince placed the cabinet down on the floor.
It was louder then the last one, as if a large object had been dropped
on the floor exactly above him.
He looked up at the cieling , half expectng to see a crack form.
"OK up there??" aske Vince loud enough to be heard in the third
floor.
No reply.
Vince asked again, louder, but again, no reply.

'THUD!!'

Third time. As loud as the second and exactly above where Vince was
standing.

Vince decided to go up to the third floor and find out what was making
such a noise.

*** The Third Floor ***

The staircase to the third floor was a lot more narrow then the
staircase that led from the ground floor to the second. It was a
stairwell that Vince felt uneasy walking up. The steps were small and
the bannister he held whilst climbing up felt old and rusted, cold and
in need of a clean.
This was surprising as the rest of the manor seemed in impeccable
condition.
There was an old door that was the entrance to what Vince presumed
would be another coridoor on the third floor. He opened the door
quietly, anxious but cautious.
There were no lights but Vince could make out it was indeed another
coridoor as there seemed a red glow from the other end of the
hall.
Vince squinted through the door way.
The red glow was in fact, a tinted light that made the place seem very
eerie.
He could make out a few doors on either side of the coridoor, but Vince
felt uneasy.
A cold chill swept down his spine, and beads of sweat began to form on
Vince's forehead.
His hand felt sweaty as he still held on to the door knob, keeping it
open just enough to peek through.
'What the hell am I doing up here?' he thought to himself, 'Ive got no
right to be up here, its none of my business what goes on up
here'.

Just as Vince was about to turn around and close the door to go back
down the stairwell:

'THUD!!'

Second door on the left.

Then...
A scraping sound from the same room, as though something was being
dragged across the floor.

A strange sence of fear and curiosity fell over Vince as he watched in
darkness, all he could see was the doors in the coridoor being slightly
illuminated by the red light from the other side of the hall.

A part of him wanted to turn around, go downstairs and continue with
his job. Another part of him wanted to get out of the manor completly.
But he had the strangest feeling that he had to find out what was going
on beyond that second door on the left. Just a peek inside.

He took a step inside the coridoor hallway. Then another. Before he
knew it, he was facing the second door on the left, an arms length
away.
Vince froze.
A strange sound from beyond the door.
A kind of.. cackling sound.
Almost..laughing but more like grunting in between.
But it was not normal, something sinister.
Vince was frozen, he could not walk back and he dare not open the door
in front of him.
The red glow only served to make things worse.

Suddenly, voices could be heard coming from the other end of the hall,
nearest the red lamp.
Vince's fear subsided and he moved quickly back to the coridoor
entrance and out the door.
He left the door ajar so he could hear the voices as they approached
the coridoor and peeked through the gap.
Louisa's voice was one, but the other was unknown. A male voice,
possibly the driver.
Vince could see two figures emerging at the end of the hall, their
shadows warped by the sinister red lamp .Both were still silouettes,
but it was definitly Louisa and the driver judging by build.
Their voices became clearer, echoing slightly.
The scraping sound began again in the second room on the left.
Definitly a scraping of some kind, and that cackling inbetween.
Louisa and the driver were still at the bottom of the coridoor. It
looked as though they were facing each other discussing something of
importance. They were speaking in foreign, Vince could not make it out,
only Louisa sounded very stern and aggresive.
Suddenly, their shadows flickered and extended along the coridoor as
they bagan walking down the coridoor towards Vince. Their stride was
fast, walking with authority and a menace that made Vince freeze.
More cackling from beyond the door. Scraping, and a kind of wheezing in
between.
Louisa and the driver's footsteps echoed along the coridoor as they
approached Vince.
Dont see me was all Vince could think of as he stood looking beyond the
gap in the door.
They were approaching closer and closer, showing no sign of slowing
their pace.
Vince's heart was beating faster, he could feel it thumping yet he
remained frozen on the spot.
He was not sure why he was feeling so scared, but something inside him
was telling him Louisa and this driver were a threat to him somehow and
he was somewhere he was not meant to be.
To his immidiate relief, they stopped walking and stood a dozen feet
away from Vince, exactly opposite the door the odd sounds were coming
from.
Vince wiped sweat away from his eye brow as he looked on.
He could see them clearer now, although the red glow provided little
comfort at least from this distance he could be positive it was Louisa
and the driver.
Louisa knocked three times on the door.
There was no reply, but the sounds stopped from the room.
The driver then opened the door and they both walked in and shut the
door before Vince could get a look at what was inside.
He was about to go back down to the second floor when he heard
footsteps coming from below.
Someone was coming up the stairwell.
Slowly.
The footsteps seemed dull, heavy, hypnotic almost.
Vince was in two minds now. Face whoever was coming up the stairs and
find out what was going on, or run across the coridoor towards the red
glow.
The footsteps were becoming louder up the stairwell.
Whoever it was that was coming up, was getting closer to the top, right
where Vince was standing.
Vince decided to look over the balcony to see if he could see who it
was.
It was still pitch black but Vince squinted to see if he could decipher
whether it was male or female.
Then a glint caught his eye.
A flash of light reflected amongst the darkness from the
stairwell.
Vince could hear heavy breathing, heavy footsteps as he followed the
reflected light climb higher up the stairs.
Vince realised it was a knife.

*** The Hunt ***

Vince's choice was made.
He had bolted towards the other end of the coridoor without looking
back and didnt care how much noise he made in the process.
He reached the red lamp before he looked back.
Louisa and the driver had rushed out of the door and were staring at
Vince, as the figure from the stairwell emerged beyond the other end of
the coridoor.
Vince could only make out it was a tall figure, all three of them stood
together looking at Vince from the other end of the coridoor.
Now he felt he was in real danger.
He took the left turn and ran to where he expected another stairwell
leading down would be.
Instead it was a staircase that only went up further.
He heard footsteps behind him, running.
Vince had no option but to take the stairs and he ran up without
looking back.
The stairs led Vince to another door which he barged through, almost
bringing the door to crack off its hinges.
He stopped in his tracks.
Bodies. Dead bodies. Everywhere.
The smell was unbearable and Vince's stomach turned over, vomit
swelling and accelerating up his throat.
The smell was vile, he had never smelt anything like it in his life.
Death everywhere.
At least thirty or forty bodies on each side of the room. Blood
stained. Vacant eyes in faces frozen with fear.
Limbs were hanging from threads, cuts were deep in flesh exposing
internal organs and in some, bones were spearing through their own
skin.
Vince threw up and felt dizzy, intoxicated with death and felt as if he
couldnt breathe.
He gagged on the scent and found himself on the floor of the room,
trying to get himself together.
Blood was stained on the floor and flies were now visible
everywhere.
Maggots and other insects were crawling on the floor and on Vince's
hands as he wiped them off he looked for a possible exit from this room
from hell.
It was almost impossible to open his eyes, such was the stinging
sensation that the smell of the room brought to them.
He stood back on his feet, covered in dark red blood and a few maggots
that had made their home on the variety of flesh scattered around the
room.
He looked to run back to where he came in from only to see the figure
from the stairwell holding a knife, standing at the doorway.

Vince saw that it was indeed a man, but his facial features were half
covered by a phantom of the opera style mask.
He wore a dark cloak and looked every bit the fiend from the famous
play.
He was also tall, much taller then Vince and held what looked like a
very sharp butcher knife.
"W-what do you want??" spluttered Vince as he choked again on the
horrid smell from the room, almost falling to his knees, "what do you
want from me!?"
There was no responce from the phantom-like figure. He stood there
breathing hard, holding the knife and staring at Vince through his
mask.
"You have got yourself in a situation," came Louisa's voice as Vince
looked up to see she had joined up in the room, along with the driver,
" and i think it is time we concluded this game."
Vince, vision blurred and his stomach heaving, said, " What game ? What
are you talking about??"
"Did you really think we would pay you two thousand pounds for simply
moving furniture? The two thousand pounds is to pay for your soul!"
spoke Louisa with unsympathetic glee.
The next thing Vince knew he was being hit over the head by some
object, a spinning sensation , then fading darkness engulfed him as he
fell unconcious.

*** Simple Revelations ***

Vince Lawrence woke up with a pounding sensation ringing through his
head.
Expecting to wake up in the comfort of his own room, he was taken aback
when he opened his eyes.
He was laying in a heap on a wooden floorboard in a room he could not
recognise.
"Wake up"
Vince tried to move his head to see who spoke but moved too quickly and
his head erupted in pain.
"WAKE UP!"
Vince sat up too see Louisa standing opposite him.
It was just the two of them in a a dimly lit room. A green lamp
flickered above them from the cieling. It made Louisa look like the
witch from wizard of oz, but that comparison was far too
flattering.
Suddenly it all came back to Vince.
The job. The room with the strange sounds. The phantom of the opera
lookalike with the knife. The dead bodies in the room from hell.
Before he could move any further, Vince realised his arms had been
strapped to the floor and his legs were also. The straps were leather
and tight round his body. Movement further then sitting up was near
impossibe.
"Why are you doing this?" spoke Vince, his throat dry and raspy.
"Why do you ask? " came Louisa's reply, "It is not as if it will help
you knowing."
"WHY DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME!??" yelled Vince , his throat aching in
pain at his raised level.
"Screaming like a baby will not help you either," sneered Louisa as she
walked up and down the room, constantly staring at Vince. It was as if
she was waiting for something and was becoming impatient.
"Look, i've got people that will look for me, you cant just do this to
people," Vince was getting angry , panic and fear subsiding for a new
emotion to build up, "you bastards wont get away with this,"
Louisa grinned. " We have been getting away with this for years," she
chortled, " as im sure you could see when you went into that
room,"
"People will look for me "
"Your lady friend will look for you. But wont find you. No one finds no
one here,"
"Let me go, take your money back, let me go." Vince was becoming
desperate as he tried to wrestle with his restraints but to no
success.
Louisa laughed loudly and mockingly at Vince. "We have taken the money
back! How is two thousand pounds good to a dead man!"
"OK OK" Vince was trying to reason with this insane woman, he felt it
was his last chance, "i'll help you, i'll do anything you want,"
Louisa walked close to Vince and knelt down so she was face to face
with him.
Vince could smell her foul breath.
"You will die" she said cold heartedly.

With that cold and completly unremorseful remark, the door of the room
opened.
Vince struggled to see who was entering the room, his heart pounding
and his mind racing. This is it, he thought, im going to die.
In stepped the phantom, 6foot 7 tall at least, and draped in a black
cloak and mimic mask of the opera killer.
He walked slowly, zombiefied almost, over to where Vince lie, and
looked down at him. Vince could see two evil eyes peering from beneath
the white mask. His lips seemed cracked, and what facial skin that was
revelaed , seemed scarred. But what startled Vince the most was the
knife in the phantom's hand.
"You lot are fucking INSANE!!" yelled Vince.
The phantom put a finger to his lips, "Hush, hush," he spoke softly and
calmly.
His voice was reassuring and Vince for a split second felt as if this
nightmare was a practical joke of somekind. That thought soon
vanished.
"I do not like a lot of noise when i work," spoke the phantom in the
same soft and composed tone,
"I like to hear the skin peel."

Louisa had moved to the other side of the room and was talking in
foreign again, presumably to the phantom.
Vince was nearing madness. His mind racing of how to get out of this ,
his survival instincts nullified by the leather restraints.
"Ive got money, i can get you money," cried Vince in desperation, but
the phantom casually looked him up and down.
"Money is no good here,we dont need money," said the phantom.
Louisa came over to Vince with a lit candle and began to do some kind
of bizarre ritual over Vince. She waved the candle erratically over
him, small fragments of wax dropping onto Vince's clothes. She was
ranting a chant of some kind that Vince could barely put
together.
Whislt this was happening, the phantom looked on, a smile visible on
his scarred face and his eyes gleaming with pleasure.
"It is easy to attract people like you," spoke the phantom as he looked
on at Louisa.
"You would do anything for money, it is easy prey."
Vince was feeling breathless and tired but managed to gasp, " just tell
me why you do this?",
before he almost fell unconcious again.
"No" was the phantom's reply as he raised his knife to Vince's neck and
cut deeply into his jugular vein, causing a spray of dark red blood to
emerge.
The feeling of a cold steel blade slice through his own neck was the
last feeling Vince Lawrence ever felt.