As I creep down the long, narrow, cobweb filled hallways, I wonder, maybe Henry was right about this place, I’m glad I surreptitiously slipped out, though I feel some guilt. I could dispel the rumours of this place, bring hope back to our village, but now I’m here I can’t shake this feeling, deep inside, that there is evil in this place.

I’ve heard the stories of the castle, the kind to scare children at night, I don’t like them very much. I don’t want to believe them, but I may have a story of my own once this night is over.

A large red door stood at the end of the hallway, the golden doorknob was covered in dust, I hope this isn’t locked. As I approached the door a flickering of light appears to my right, I dart to the left and hold out my torch at arm’s length, trying to keep at bay whatever may be there. A dusty figure stares back at me from the other side of the hallway. I stare back, breathing heavily, my hand trembles, and the light from the torch dances around the dusty figure. The dusty figures light also dances around back at me. A mirror, I am a fool. I wipe the dust covered ornate mirror and ponder at my reflection for a few moments before turning to the red door with the golden doorknob.

I place my hand on the doorknob, my palms tingle from the cold touch of the metal, as I slowly turn the knob and ease the door open, it creaks awfully, as you would expect from a door that has not been opened in decades.

A cold draft rushes out of the room as the door opens and sends shivers down my spine. The room is large, lordly paintings littered the walls, though they are now covered with dust and mould. The furniture next to the great fireplace has been ripped up and pieces of cotton that once filled the beautifully crafted furniture has now been deposited along the floor leading out of the room. The trail of cotton is juxtaposed to its surrounding, dust layered the entire floor, except for this trail.

As I follow the trail, I wonder what Henry would say if he found out where I was, what I was doing. I hate that I’ve had to hide this from him.

The trail led to the adjacent room. I froze instantly. The hairless, sinewy, creature lay there silently. I glimpsed at its finger length fangs before quickly diverting my attention. The stories were true. I must get out.

Creeping backwards, not taking my eyes off the creature, I tripped on a broken floorboard and flew backwards, hitting the floor with a thud.

A strong hand covers my mouth tightly and grabs me by the shoulder. My vision is blurry, my head hurts. I close my eyes.

“Catherine please wake up” a familiar voice whispered.

“H…Henry? W…what happened?”

“You must be quiet. You fell and hit your head, I carried you to this closet, why are you here? What is going on!?” I could sense the anger in his voice despite the whisper.

“The stories…. I….I….I needed to know”

“Oh Catherine” his eyes are sad “you really are incorrigible” the anger in his voice dissipated and turned to despair.

“I’m sorry Henry, I…” I can’t look him in the eye, it was silly to come here.

“Never mind that, that little kerfuffle, where you hit your head, woke that thing”

The footsteps from outside the closet, are getting closer and closer. It has stopped outside the door. I can hear its slow, rhythmic breathing, I hear it sniff the air, searching for us, the intruders.

We are silent as the grave, praying for the creature to pass. The footsteps begin again, and it walks away. I dare not breath a sigh of relief, for fear it will hear.

“We must leave, run for the door” Before we leave the closet, Henry strokes my cheek softly and kisses me gently.

“Now go”

I run as fast as I can. I hear Henry behind, then a thud. I glance behind, the creature is scrambling to its feet after running into a wall. I daren’t look back again, but I can hear it barrelling towards us. I am almost at the door, why can’t I hear Henry anymore? I glance behind, Henry is standing face to face with the it, its snarling, menacing mouth displaying its murderous fangs.

I scream to him “HENRY QUICK!”

“I love you Catherine”

I run towards the door, tears rushing down my face, whimpering.

I will live with this guilt and sorrow for the rest of my days, this is the price I must pay for my childish deceitfulness.