A Wrong turn

By Sue Evans

A wrong turn

A wrong turn at a fork in the road unqittingly leads two friends into an encounter with a charming yet mysterious stranger....but they soon discover that beneath his kindly mask lurks a sinister alter ego capable of pure evil....

Lured by his charm they enter into a nightmarish sequence of events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Upfront
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781784567132

Book preview

PART ONE

A Wrong Turn

CHAPTER 1

Baylor sat lazily relaxing, hypnotised by the dancing flames in the large stone fire place.

His two faithful wolfhounds, Silas and Wolf, dozed on their finely embroidered rugs which graced the flag stone hearth. Silas, being the elder of the two, succumbed easily to his nap, but Wolf kept one ear cocked, ever the alert one.

Such faithful hounds, Baylor mused. They were the only two living creatures he felt genuine affection for, apart from himself of course.

Nursing a tumbler of brandy he glanced around the splendid lounge, the thick stone walls and polished varnished floor, beautifully crafted wooden furniture, large leaded windows, indeed it was a palace fit for an emperor. And he was the current emperor, having extinguished all potential competition for the inheritance of the family estate.

It was all down to his careful forward planning, and he had executed it perfectly to ensure he was the sole beneficiary. His parents had long since departed this world, following a fateful evening with their ‘loving’ son. He had wined and dined them on a specially prepared meal laced with hemlock, which he prided himself on growing by his own hand. He smiled at how easy it had all been for a man as clever as he.

Wolf’s Lair Manor, his family home and current residence, was aptly named given his rather unusual hobby. This hobby required a hunter as cunning as a wolf and a secluded den to operate from. The manor being remotely set in woodland a good distance away from the nearest village fitted the criteria perfectly.

Noticing that the embers of the fire were dying, he rose gracefully and sauntered over to the large wicker basket full of logs near the hearth. He stooped and threw a couple onto the glowing coals causing a swift surge of flames to burst forth, magically lighting up the room. He felt the sudden emanating warmth and relished it against the evening’s distinct chill.

He watched the flames dancing wildly as he stoked the fire with a large iron poker. His thoughts wandered to Ella, so exquisite and so lovely. She had been his last captive and had been such easy prey having become lost in the woods and grateful for bumping into the tall, handsome Baylor whilst out walking his dogs. Displaying his perfect gentleman act which he had perfected over the years, he graciously offered to help her of course.

He recalled how he had enticed her with his oozing charm to accompany him back to the manor. They all fell easily into the trap every time, but there again that wasn’t so surprising, after all how could they possibly resist him? Oh how he had enjoyed slowly extinguishing that fiery passion by steadily subjecting her to unimaginable cruelty and horrors over a period of two weeks. Admittedly she had held out longer than previous ones, but eventually she too had yielded and the fire in her eyes finally flickered out. It was replaced with an expression of deep loathing which he had eventually witnessed with all of them so far. When this occurred they effectively signed their death warrant, but each time the process truly fascinated him all the same.

On that final day one month ago he had sensed her resentment growing and recalled the anger that he felt toward her. So, he beat her, despite her begging and protestations that she loved him dearly, he could see through her thin veil of deception. He had tired of her so she had been released into the Maze early the following morning, ripe for the hunt. Oh how she ran through its many passageways eager for her envisaged freedom, but alas the hounds caught her eventually. He stole her life without a blink of an eye and felt no emotion. She was just another pawn, in his most enjoyable yet deadly game of hide and seek.

If only she had shown the right kind of love toward him but she had not, so having failed the test she had to be eliminated just like the others before her. Sadly, he always grew tired of them and rather quickly too, though deep down he hoped to find one that would prove worthy of keeping around. But there again the whole point was to break and destroy them, that was the fun element, the excitement and stimulus he craved.

He captured these ‘exciting’ moments on video, just so he could re-enact them for as long as they aroused him. But eventually his interest waned and he would crave fresh flesh. That familiar tingle had been growing in intensity for a couple of days now, a sure sign that he needed another fix, and soon.

He wandered over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself another generous brandy. He used it to salute his faithful hounds, it’s that time again gentlemen he said politely time for the hunt.

Wolf’s ear flickered slightly, and Silas opened an eye, just for a moment.

CHAPTER 2

Frankie Woodward and Monique Bryant were co-workers at Ellswood & Partners Insurance Services situated in the thriving market town of Warren cum Moorby. They had both worked there for 10 years and had formed a firm friendship over the time shared.

They enjoyed spending an occasional day out together when their free time allowed and today was one such day. It was autumn and cold, but reasonable weather for walking, so they randomly picked a rural location on the map and then after a little research chose a nearby woodland walk, which per the guides and reviews was a favourite with hikers.

The chosen spot was about a 40 mile drive from Warren cum Moorby, a place called Potter’s Marsh, which bordered onto the thickly wooded area known by the rather sinister name of Dark Hagg’s Wood.

Neither Frankie nor Monique had visited this place before and they were keen to explore it, both were also excited about spending a husband-free ladies day out together which would undoubtedly also involve a leisurely lunch in a cosy pub somewhere. Well, that was their plan on that fated morning anyway.

Monique clipped on her seatbelt and turned to face her friend sure you don’t mind being the driver today? she asked smiling.

Frankie returned the smile "Of course not, it is only fair.

You drove last time, she replied and added with a wink you can be map reader". Frankie favoured the old fashioned method of map reading as she found the SatNav automated voices very irritating.

Monique rolled her eyes in jest of course, didn’t you know I have a master’s in navigation, the RAF has tried to head-hunt me several times she joked.

Frankie chuckled your dedication to Ellswood & Partners deserves recognition, and besides I would miss you if you absconded to join the RAF.

Aww shucks, I’d miss you too Monique said smiling sweetly, ok, we need to take a left at the junction up ahead and then head for the small village called Potter’s Marsh she said proudly patting the map lain on her knee, we reach that via a dot on the map called Tythe-burn.

Frankie nodded and did as instructed. The friends chattered amicably during this stretch of the journey, mainly about work issues and also the fact that Monique’s husband Tyler was contemplating taking a new position overseas for a short period.

The money will be good and most welcome and it is only for three months Monique said trying to show enthusiasm but then added on a more sombre note but I know I will miss him terribly.

Frankie nodded sympathetically knowing how close a couple they were, well, you know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder she stretched her hand out and gently patted her friend’s leg chin up girl, you know he loves you.

Monique smiled, sign post coming up, Tytheburn is at the next turn

Frankie slowed and turned off onto a single track, winding lane. Passing places were positioned at varying distances but they met no other traffic.

Out in the sticks now Frankie commented whilst absently looking out at the surrounding picturesque scenery. It was abound with open fields occasionally dotted with copses and clumps of bull rushes in marshy pockets.

They soon reached the small hamlet of Tythe-burn which consisted of a small disused stone church, a whitewashed cottage and a run- down old Tudor-style building called The Inn on the Marsh, a sign hung forlornly on a large iron hook stating there were no vacancies. A small beck flowed alongside the road, but other than the sound of trickling water the hamlet was otherwise silent and looked to be deserted.

Strange little place tucked away like this Frankie commented and then asked Where to now?

Hmm, from the map, there looks to be a lane up ahead that seems to go in the direction of Potter’s Marsh Monique said turning the map around as if this would somehow help.

Frankie raised her eyebrows, Ok, well there is a right turn coming up she squinted at the approaching signpost yes, it says Potter’s Marsh. She made a sharp turn onto an even narrower lane; the only difference being this one also contained largish potholes to navigate around.

Gosh, this won’t do the Scirocco’s suspension any good at all Monique exclaimed. She knew how much Frankie doted on her car; her friend gave her a withering look by return, don’t I know it Frankie replied.

The potholed lane seemed to twist and turn for miles through the open countryside but slowly the surrounding area became ever more densely wooded.

No sign of Potter’s Marsh yet or sign posts for Dark Hagg’s Wood either, Monique commented with a confused tone.

Frankie nodded it is odd, surely it must be close now, does the map indicate if we are near?

Well, it’s not very clear, I’ll try route-finder Monique replied reaching into her hand bag to fish out her mobile phone, but sighed in annoyance when she saw she had no signal. She showed the useless handset to Frankie.

Frankie nodded, It figures, we are in the middle of no- where she said, then much to her relief she spotted a fork in the road up head and pointed to it, aha, maybe there will be a signpost at that junction, she said hopefully. Monique nodded enthusiastically but unfortunately they soon noticed that the low wooden sign post was weather worn and the writing had long since eroded away.

The car’s engine ticked over smoothly as they paused at the small T-junction, Frankie’s hands resting on the steering wheel well, which way? Your guess is as good as mine she exclaimed.

Monique desperately poured over the map but they both had to finally concede that they were in fact lost.

Ok, right or left? Frankie joked.

Damned if I know Monique replied laughing, let’s toss a coin heads we go right, tails we go left

I can see your expert navigation skills are surfacing Frankie smiled.

Well of course, I’ve learnt a thing a two over time and I happen to know that this is exactly what an experienced RAF navigator would do? Monique laughed, You do trust me don’t you? she added grinning.

Hell yes, Frankie replied with a smile, why didn’t I think of that, let’s do it.

The coin was tossed and tails won the day, they turned left in the direction of Hell and its charming gate-keeper.

CHAPTER 3

Spider-web tendrils of frosty dew clung to the high hedgerows which bordered the long drive. The dogs were eager for their morning exercise but sat faithfully awaiting their master, their panting breath forming vaporous clouds in the morning mist.

Good morning gentlemen Baylor said jovially as he approached them it is indeed a fine morning and perhaps we will be fortuitous today. The hounds both licked his hand as he reached to pat each of them causing the duet to sing a happy whimper.

Baylor began to stride along the drive, the dogs trotting either side of him with heads held proudly, high and alert. They sniffed the air enthusiastically as if sensing their master’s intentions.

They reached the narrow lane at the end of the drive way and entered into the woods. At first keeping to the leafy pathway but after a short distance they turned onto a trail which, lead them deeper into the heart of the wood.

Baylor marvelled at the peacefulness, he loved these woods as much as his beloved lair. Given the manor’s central location within the wood he viewed it as its beating heart. He respected the wood but also perceived it existed to serve his own personal pleasure and needs, and any human prey he chanced upon were trespassers to his mind.

He took special care in choosing his prey. They must be female and attractive to him; he was a tall, strong build but preferred them petite, for ease of handling because he liked the pleasure of controlling them with his hands as much as his mind.

He always chose lone females too, didn’t want the additional hindrance of having to deal with or dispose of an inconvenient male companion. The lone aspect was also crucial to acquiring the prey in the first place. He needed to befriend them, establish if anyone knew of their whereabouts. Out of the many candidates so far only five had been sufficiently low risk to lure away, he had had to allow the lucky ‘others’ to continue unharmed due to such complications; an annoyance but absolutely necessary in order to remain safely anonymous. None of the lucky ones ever suspected that such a handsome, well spoken gentleman could be capable of any evil wrong-doing.

Only Silas and Wolf, his trusted companions, were privy to his secret activities. They formed a splendid, close team indeed.

There was something in the air this morning, Baylor could almost taste it and he wondered if his companions could too. He recognised that taste only too well, the sweet taste of luck.

Yes, perhaps he would find something sweet tasting today. He looked down at his canine friends, smiling in anticipation.

CHAPTER 4

The car’s front left tyre was now flat, following an unfortunate encounter with a large ragged edged pothole.

Frankie and Monique stared down at the punctured tyre in despair, both with arms crossed in contemplation.

You do have a spare? Monique enquired raising her eyebrow in hope.

Frankie nodded, sure I do, it isn’t going to help us though she said sadly because I have no idea how to change a tyre Monique looked at her and shook her head in agreement me neither.

That means we have a problem Frankie said her gaze still fixed on the flat tyre. She also noted a faint acrid aroma of burnt rubber emanating from the sad looking wheel.

Again Monique nodded in agreement we sure do she agreed.

The tyre had ripped open and the car had ended up in the ditch, but otherwise it was undamaged and luckily it wasn’t blocking the lane so the two friends considered it could have been worse.

Problem number two is that we have no signals on either of our mobiles, Monique added so what shall we do now? she asked glancing at Frankie.

Lord knows Frankie said sighing I suppose we will have to walk back to Tythe-burn and hope that someone there has a telephone

Monique wasn’t too hopeful at this being their salvation and she said so the place looked pretty much deserted.

Frankie nodded and conceded I agree it certainly looked that way didn’t it.

Monique shrugged in resignation well despite that, retracing our steps along the lane is our best option rather than enter the wood, we’ll just get even more lost than we already are she commented.

Frankie nodded, yep, let’s get our bags and head back along the lane then. We may pass someone who lives nearby who can help us.

Bags retrieved and car locked the two women shrugged and looked at each other.

Hell of a day out so far Monique commented with a grin.

We’ve had better for sure but it could have been worse said Frankie smiling mischievously.

"It could? In what possible way?