Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

Chapter 2 

Stenches of mould, rotting wood and decay hit Hans too suddenly. In all his years he had lived, not even the poor souls who had been burnt at the stake had smelt so foul. Stifling a cough, Hans hauled himself to his feet. His movement caused rats and even cockroaches to scuttle into hiding, which disturbed the many inches of dust that blanketed every surface. No one could possibly live here. 

Hans advanced. He headed towards what appeared to be an ancient chair, where there were notches and chips in every possible square inch. The chair faced a fine paned glass window which had a fine layer of ice etching its way into it. Hans took a step towards the window. As he exhaled his breath glided through the air as a misty vapour and mingled with the ice on the window.

"I see you, boy!" 

Started, Hans turned around. A stooping figure had appeared in the shadows. Unknowing of what to do... Hans remained silent. Hans remained still.

"I said boy, I see you!"
Hans remained silent. Hans remained still. The figure in the shadows lumbered forwards. He was soon in the light where Hans could see him more clearly. He was stooped over a walking stick, so severely it was as if the ancient walking stick was supporting his life as well as his frail frame. Hans could also see his pale skin, and although no wrinkles showed, his face still expressed age. Age of no younger than 60. What struck Hans the most was the similar likeness of the mans eyes compared to his; they were blue,
yet blazing, and sunken. 

"I... I'm sorry, sir, I will leave now..." 
"No, boy, you will not..."
"Oh... I see.." Hans was too taken aback to summon a reply. Somewhere, once before in his long life, he had seen this face before... yet he had not. Maybe he remembered it from before... in a mirror? No. That was not possible. Hans had the face of fourteen year old, not a sixty year old who may have been much older. 

"Take a seat...?" The man paused for a moment, as if he was expectant of a reply, before he continued slightly agitated, "What is your name boy?"
"Oh, sorry, Hans is my name." Hans was still not capable of fully formulating an answer... so his reply came out as more of a jumbled order of words.

"Interesting, and how did you get here Hans?"
"I... walked?" Hans was now questioning the mans logic, did Hans look wealthy enough to own a horse... did he look like he would a get a train just to explore an old house? Hans though not.

"Well, Hans who walked here, I rarely get company, so why don't you stay a while?"