The Ghost Hunt

By Jack Horne

David Andrew reluctantly agrees to accompany his oldest friend, Suzy, an up-and-coming actress, and her fellow actors on a late night ghost hunt at the ruins of Bury Seymour castle, reputedly the most haunted place in England.

Suzy is starring as a ghost in a play at a haunted theatre, where the sinister specter of a hanged actor stalks the building unnerving staff and actors alike. Adding to the mystery, there appears to be some link between the ghosts in both locations.

David refuses to believe in the paranormal, but when he encounters the hostile spirits, he is forced to abandon his lifelong skepticism.

Initial unease soon gives way to fear, and then becomes full blown terror, as David and his friends realize the full extent of the malevolent forces they are up against. When tragedy strikes, they know they must fight to survive, but they are totally unprepared for the battle.

How can they possibly beat such powerful and lethal adversaries?

• Language: English
• Publisher: eTreasures Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781937809553

Book preview

A Ghost Hunt

by

Jack Horne

Published by eTreasures Publishing, LLC at Smashwords

ISBN

*****

Copyright 2013 Jack Horne

All Rights Reserved

Cover Artist: Char Adelsperger, Wicked Cover Designs

No part of this book may be reproduced, except for review purposes, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any format or by any means without express written consent from the publisher. This book in electronic format may not be re-sold or re-distributed in any manner without express written permission from the publisher.

Print version will be available at eTreasures Publishing, LLC

Visit Author Website at http://jmhorneghosthunt.blogspot.com/

This book is entirely fiction and bears no resemblance to anyone alive or dead, in content or cover art. Any instances are purely coincidental. This book is based solely on the author’s vivid imagination.

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Chapter One

I can’t believe she’s in there, I said, looking down at the coffin and shuddering. I keep expecting to see her…as she was…before.

Suzy squeezed my fingers. I know, love. Me too.

The elderly priest frowned at us and spoke louder. Let us commend—

The rooks in the surrounding trees cawed noisily as if trying to drown him out, perhaps they’d heard the same words too many times, as I had—the second funeral in a matter of days.

It started to rain, making the ancient graveyard, with its fallen headstones and decapitated stone angels seem even bleaker. What a place to spend eternity.

Shivering, I pulled the collar of my overcoat up and glanced round at the others. At least fifty mourners. I wondered if as many people would attend my funeral. Probably not.

The rain lashed us and I didn’t bother to wipe the stubborn tears away after that.

Only half-listening to the priest’s words, I recalled the terrible events of the past few weeks…

~ * ~

You really have to get over her, Dave, Suzy said, staring around the lounge, her green eyes huge.

I followed her gaze. I haven’t got round to tidying for…a day or two.

A week or two you mean. Geez, what a dump! How can you live like this? There are takeaway cartons and beer cans everywhere.

I shrugged. I’ve been working late and haven’t had the time–

She shook her head, reminding me of a shaggy dog shaking itself dry, her long fair hair flying in all directions. Admit it; you’ve been moping around, hoping she’ll come back to you. She guessed I was fascinated with her hair and muttered, I’ll be glad when I can have this bloody mane cut.

How’s the play going? I asked, hoping to change the subject.

We played to a half-empty house last night. Not a good start. It’s been quite popular at other theatres.

Ah, well, it’s early days yet—you’ve got a fortnight left. I rubbed my stubbly chin, mumbling, Sorry I couldn’t make your first night party, by the way. Something came up.

You don’t have to put on an act for me, Dave. I know you too well and I hate seeing you going to pieces over a heartless little bitch like Raquel. Suzy sat closer to me, her plump knee touching mine. Come out with me tonight after the play. A group of us are going on a ghost hunt.

A ghost hunt? I laughed. Isn’t playing a ghost enough for you?

One of the guys reckons there’s a haunted castle near here. He says he’s seen a ghost walking down a ruined staircase there.

Bury Seymour, I suppose? I didn’t try to hide my bored expression.

Yeah, that’s right. My gran always said we were related to the Seymours.

I remembered the time I’d met Suzy’s gran. She’d looked around ninety and had worn a bright red wig. Her lounge had been full of past pets she’d had embalmed. She conversed with them about a UFO she insisted she’d recently seen. My face must have betrayed my thoughts.

Suzy laughed. Yes, I know Gran was a bit eccentric, she said, But I’ve always wanted to see the place, just out of curiosity. Have you ever been there?

I shook my head. No way. I don’t believe in ghosts. Nodding towards an opened bottle of whisky I said, That’s the only spirit I believe in. I poured two glasses and passed her one.

Suzy grimaced as she took a sip. How can you be so sure if you’ve never been there? I mean, you’ve obviously never seen a ghost before, but maybe you will.

Have you ever seen one?

She seemed to think about her answer. No, she said. But I’ve felt a presence.

I laughed again. It’s easy to get carried away and imagine all sorts of things. I used to feel like someone was watching me at your old flat. I swallowed my whisky and poured another.

She was staring at me. Yes, at my old flat. I felt that all the time. Apparently, an old man died there.

People die everywhere, I said. Someone may have died here, but their soul or spirit or whatever isn’t here. It’s all nonsense, Suze. Kids’ stuff.

Okay, she said, a trace of irritation in her husky voice. If it’s all total rubbish, we can still have fun, and there’s nothing to be afraid of, is there? I’m curious now and want to see the place. She swallowed the rest of her whisky and had a coughing fit. We’ll call for you tonight around ten thirty. Oh, and bring a torch. I haven’t got one.

~ * ~

After she left, leaving behind the smell of her expensive perfume, I tried once more to write my letter to Raquel. ‘Please, can we try again?’ I balled the paper and stared at a fresh sheet. ‘Please forgive me, love. I know I was wrong, but nobody’s perfect.’ No, that wouldn’t do either. ‘Babe, you misunderstood me…’

Balls of paper lay strewn around the litter bin. I crumpled up that letter too and aimed it at the bin. I missed, adding another ball to the floor.

I looked around my cluttered lounge. Suzy was right. Raquel wasn’t coming back to me. I had to get over her.

It took me nearly an hour to bag up the debris on the floor. After I used the vacuum cleaner, the room was almost neat. Suzy would stop nagging at least.

I had heard of Bury Seymour castle, but didn’t know much about it. To be honest, I’d never been interested enough to even find out where it was. Perhaps it would take me out of myself, and it certainly couldn’t do any harm.

I shaved, took a long hot shower, and felt more upbeat. Sucking in my belly, I looked in the full-length mirror. Not a bad-looking specimen for nearly thirty-five. I still had all my own teeth and hair. A few gray hairs at the temples but they say dark-haired people always go gray early. My eyes were still bright blue, and no bags or wrinkles yet. There are plenty more fish in the sea, I told my reflection, and winked. But there was only one I wanted.

Realizing I hadn’t eaten for around fifteen hours, not since the evening before, when I’d picked up a curry and more beers. I decided to make a sandwich but the fridge was empty, with the exception of stale milk and moldy cheese.

~ * ~

I sat in the park and ate the sandwiches I’d bought. Drinking orange juice straight from the carton, I remembered picnics there with Raquel. For me, sunshine always makes everything seem better. I closed my eyes, relaxing, deliberately concentrating on simple pleasures. Wasn’t that what Raquel’s psychiatrist had advised?

When I opened my eyes again, and once more looked up at the blue sky, I felt that everything would be all right. I didn’t believe in anything supernatural, and certainly wouldn’t claim to have experienced a premonition, but such a day made me happier than I’d been in months.

I was even looking forward to the ghost hunt. Some harmless fun with an old friend and some of her associates. No doubt they were all typical arty-farty actors but there was nothing wrong with that, really. I smiled, remembering some of Suzy’s friends from a first-night party at the first large theatre she’d played at. I couldn’t even recall why I’d gone to it. Perhaps it was one of the many times Raquel and I had split up but Suzy had insisted on my attending. I had a great time from what I could remember, and woke the next day with the biggest hangover of my life.

Strolling home, I felt my old joie de vivre returning and interpreted it as a sign that Raquel would come back to me. Not that I believed in omens, or sixth senses, you understand. But somehow I always sensed when she was ready to kiss and make up.

~ * ~

When Suzy rang my doorbell that night, I greeted her with a kiss.

What’s got into you? she said giggling, looking up into my eyes.

Oh, nothing, I said, grinning. I just realized you were right, I couldn’t wallow in self-pity forever. I kissed her again. Thanks for being such a good friend.

She smiled and patted the small of my back. Come and meet Tom.

I closed my front door and followed her down the stairs, determined to make an effort at being good company.

You’ll like Tom, she said, looking over her shoulder. You’ll like them all. There’s not a drama queen amongst them.

I grinned. I can’t believe that. All hactors are the same!

Suzy introduced me to her friend in a bright red open-top sports car parked under a streetlight. She placed her hand on my arm. This is Dave, my…oldest friend.

The handsome dark-skinned guy in the driving seat smiled up at me. I liked him instantly. And you must be Tom, I said, grinning back at him.

We shook hands, and I sat in the back seat with Suzy.

How was tonight’s play? I asked.

Oh, don’t ask, Suzy said. Let’s just say there were slightly more in the audience than on the stage, but only just.

I’m sorry. I meant it. Suzy had the makings of a great actress, but the lucky break had so far eluded her. I’d love to see it. Perhaps I could come next week sometime?

Sure, I’ll see to it that you get some comp tickets, Tom said. We’re on till the end of the month.

Comp is short for complimentary, Suzy whispered.

I think Dave probably guessed that, Suze. Tom laughed. We’re picking Mike up on the way, so I’ll have to take a bit of a detour, I’m afraid.

We chatted amiably as we drove along. It reminded me of when Suzy and I were kids, going for a jaunt with our school. I realized this was probably just what I’d needed to take me out of the doldrums.

~ * ~

We took a winding country lane and came to a secluded farmhouse.

This is it, I think, Tom said. He checked his watch and sounded the car horn twice. Mike’s visiting his aunt, he explained. That guy will be late for his own funeral, I swear.

I laughed politely and looked towards the ancient stone building as a door opened. A hulking shape bent to kiss a small figure hunched over a walking frame, and then waved to us, striding towards the car.

He banged on the car bonnet before opening the passenger door.

How do you do? he asked in a squeaky voice.

I stared in surprise, but Tom and Suzy dissolved into fits of laughter.

Speak normally, man, Tom said. You’ll scare Dave away!

I’m Mike, he said in a gruff voice, grinning around at me. He shook my hand, nearly breaking it in his.

You’ll get used to him, Tom said, driving off.

I smiled, but took an instant dislike to Mike. It took several minutes before I realized what his real voice was. He was very talkative and it seemed that his loud, rather posh voice was the only sound in the car. I must admit, I was jealous of his size and almost unbelievably good looks too. I knew Raquel would have been putty in his hands. I suspected that all women were.

Suzy gently squeezed my hand, smiling. He has no off button, I’m afraid, she said.

Mike stuck his tongue out at her. I heard that!

~ * ~

We drove on for about an hour, Mike talking nonstop all the way. I found the dead fox that we drove around in an overgrown lane more interesting than him, but tried to hide my feelings.

Eventually, we reached the foot of a steep hill.

This is it, Tom said. Bury Seymour, the most haunted castle in Britain.

Allegedly, Mike added.

We sat in the car, looking up at the silhouette ruins of the castle. The moon seemed to perch on top the tall gatehouse.

Pierre’s meeting us here, Tom said.

Is he French? I asked.

No, Scottish, Mike said.

Smartass, I muttered, tired of humoring him.

I was longing to leave the car and escape Mike’s boorish personality. Sulking, I wished he hadn’t wanted to come.

I’ll get out and stretch my legs, I said, closing the door again as a motorbike sped towards us, its engine drowning out Mike’s voice.

Mike mouthed something that looked like a stream of obscenities and laughed, waving to the motorcyclist.

The newcomer circled the car twice and finally stopped. He removed his helmet, grinning at us. He was a small, stubbly-looking man.

Like an old man sitting on top a hill, he said in a heavy Scots accent, nodding towards the castle.

Suzy slapped my hand. He said sitting, she whispered, correctly guessing how Pierre’s accent would sound to me. He does a great Sean Connery impression.

I nodded, looking up at the crumbling castle. I didn’t think I’d like Mike or Pierre.

How do we get up there? I asked. It looks like it’s surrounded by some sort of forest.

Yes, we’ll have to walk through the woods, Tom said. There’s a little fence— his face creased into a grin— with a warning to trespassers pinned on it. We climb over that and take the short cut through the woods. There’s a worn path all the way up to the castle. Everyone takes it.

No security guards, then?

Nope, I didn’t see any when I came here, Mike said. But that was when I was a teenager.

Tom nodded. Yes, I saw the guard once in the early evening. Nice guy. I gave him some comp tickets and he left us in peace.

And have you got any comps with you tonight? Mike asked.

I told the security guy to phone the theatre, idiot. Tom punched Mike’s arm good-humoredly.

No one would want to see this play, Suzy said. So we’re stuffed if we meet the security chap tonight.

Tom continued, He came to see me in Sheep, that dreadful comedy I was in last year down here, and he said he and his missus had loved it. If they liked that, they’ll lap up every moment of Bed.

It’s called Death Bed, Suzy explained.

I nodded. So are we going up there tonight or just sitting here?

Have a look at my map first, Tom said. He passed a sheet of paper to Suzy. Pierre stood by the car and leaned over her. With smug satisfaction, I noticed how she moved away from him and closer to me.

I studied the map curiously. The castle was an oddly shaped place, an uneven oblong with an added square at the top left hand side. It reminded me a little of a crudely drawn angular teapot without a handle or lid. I wondered if it was Tom’s lack of skill at map-making or if its walls really were of such uneven lengths. There were six walls, ranging from very long to very short. One wall had a tower near its corner. There was a gatehouse, and an L-shaped building inside the walls. Tom had written woods around four walls, and cliff outside the other two.

~ * ~

We followed Tom to the three-bar fence. Grinning, he shone his torch on the warning sign, meant to deter trespassers, and leapt over the fence. Mike showed off, jumping over like an athlete hurdling. Pierre, shorter by a head than his friends, climbed. I helped Suzy over and then leapt. I was only slightly taller than Pierre and prayed I wouldn’t disgrace myself by tripping.

An owl hooted, breaking the silence.

Tom and Mike led the way through the woods, both with powerful torches. Suzy walked between Pierre and me, slipping her hand into mine.

I tried not to wish Raquel’s hand grasped my fingers instead.

This is some trot, Suzy said, panting slightly. Uphill all the way. Are we nearly there?

Yeah, it’s not far now, Mike said in a low voice. Just round this bend, right Tom?

Tom’s nod was just visible. I feel we’re being watched, he said, also keeping his voice low. Do the rest of you feel that too?

We stopped, looking around, Tom and Mike swinging their torches wide.

The security guard? Suzy suggested. Perhaps he’s heard how bad Bed is and doesn’t want to get offered any comps for it.

We all laughed, instantly trying to mute the sound as though we were in a library.

No, seriously, Mike said. I feel watched too.

Yes. Pierre’s eyes looked huge when Mike’s sweeping torch shone on him. Yes, someone’s here.

Suzy tightened her grip on my hand, but said nothing.

I don’t feel a thing, I said. But I’m not over-imaginative like you lot.

What about you, Suze? Mike asked.

Suzy cleared her throat. Maybe it’s my imagination. Not sure yet.

We walked on in silence. I’d read about the power of suggestion and realized it was working on me too. Tom and Mike, hammy actors that they undoubtedly were, had succeeded in spooking me. But I wouldn’t let on. I wasn’t playing their game.

Here she is, Mike pointed with his torch. Bury Seymour Castle.

The castle, its walls soft yellow in the moonlight, was clearly in a bad state. I seriously had doubts if it was safe to enter the place. Piles of stones lay heaped where they had fallen.

The whole place looks like it’ll collapse any second, I said.

I don’t know about that, but someone’s definitely watching us, Suzy whispered. Can’t you feel anything, Dave?

I shook my head defiantly.

Pierre wandered over to Tom and Mike, where they were shining their torches into the lower stone window frames of the gatehouse.

Alone with Suzy, I sheepishly admitted, Well, perhaps, a little, but I think it’s just being in a creepy place at night that’s affecting everyone.

Suzy shrugged. Maybe.

We both jumped as the owl hooted again.

Mike had decided to shine his torch around the grounds at that moment and noticed my unease. I disliked him even more when he laughed.

You two seem pretty spooked, he said. Are you sure you’re okay with staying here?

Suzy patted my arm. I knew she was more afraid of me losing my cool than of the castle’s alleged ghost.

I forced a laugh. I wouldn’t leave for the world, I said. So, where is this ghost? Is it shy or something? Helloo, is there anybody there?

The others laughed.

She—it—was pretty bold walking down the staircase in front of me, Tom said. Come on, I’ll show you all where it happened.

He led the way along a lengthy wall to a particularly decrepit tower. Shining his torch in through the ruinous window frame, he pointed to some spiraling steps.

See them? he said. She was walking down them. Tom beamed his torch upwards. As you can see, there aren’t many tiles up there, it’s virtually open. He shone the torch downwards. I don’t know if you can tell, but the steps end several feet from the floor.

We all peered into the empty window space and saw that he was right.

So, what happened? Pierre asked. Did she see you?

No, not as far as I know. She was just floating down the steps—

Floating? I interrupted. I thought she was walking?

She was wearing a long dress. I couldn’t see her feet.

Ah, but did you see her face? Was she the spitting image of Suzy? Pierre smirked.

Tom ignored the question, and continued, Anyway, she just disappeared. And there’s nowhere she could have gone to.

You’re sure it wasn’t something else? I asked, coughing and moving away from Pierre as he lit a cigarette. Smoke, for example.

Suzy fanned the drifting smoke from her face. Was anyone smoking at the time of the sighting?

I was with Joanne, and, no, she wasn’t smoking. Tom watched the spiraling smoke for a second or two and conceded, At least, I don’t think she was smoking at the time.

So, how will we know if we see smoke or a ghost? Mike asked.

With a muttered expletive, Pierre stamped his cigarette out. Okay, if you see anything it’s not smoke, he snapped.

Oooh, hark at her, Mike said in a mocking voice.

You’re such a drama queen, Pierre retorted.

Behave, children. Suzy placed her hands on each man’s arm.

I don’t know if any of you has read about this place, Tom said, but it’s said that the atmosphere unsettles people and makes them argumentative and even violent. Just something to be aware of.

Sorry, bud, Mike said. He slapped Pierre’s shoulder.

I glanced around me. I was sure I could feel someone or something watching us. The feeling was so strong. I peered into the blackness of the woods, but saw nothing.

None of the others mentioned the watched feeling again that night, but I noticed they all looked round several times, obviously expecting to see someone,