The House on Pythian Road

By Y.L. Stone

The YA novel of the Year, Here's 82,381 words of action-packed adventure!

This high-quality fiction fantasy book is for teens, and grown-ups who love to read epic stories from the queen of Mystery. Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner series. The House on Pythian Road is a suspense

• Language: English
• Publisher: Birch Tree Publishing
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781990089619

Book preview

The House on PythianRoad

Copyright © 2023

The House on Pythian Road

All rights to this book are reserved. No permission is given for any part of this book to be reproduced, transmitted in any form or means; electronic or mechanical, stored in a retrieval system, photocopied, recorded, scanned, or otherwise. Any of these actions require the proper written permission of the Publishers.

Published by Birch Tree Publishing

Printed in the United States of America

Available at all off-line and on-line bookstores 

Amazon.com and other retail outlets

www.Birchtreepublishing.com

First Printed Edition, 2023

Table of contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

M

y name is Erin, and I have been told that this house is haunted. I recently moved from another city. I’ve met a few friends since all of this began. We explored this old, abandoned house as part of a game called Touch and Dare. I believe that's what it's called. I made my first significant mistake by going along with them, but it wasn't my last.

***

Walking around the enormous oak tree, I lifted my torch, and then I saw it - the house. I was hindered by a small branch that brushed against my face while everyone else trudged through the weeds. My body froze; and I couldn't move.

Against the moonlit sky, the abandoned Yorkshire-style house gleamed like a picture book that my grandmother kept on her coffee table. There were massive leaves that hung over the ancient trees that encircled the porches, while large and angular vines enveloped them. The house was probably once painted white. It was obvious to me, even at night. Unfortunately, it is old and dirty now.

A sense of loneliness pervaded the old place, where the windows peeled off in the dark. My legs tensed as I forced myself to move. Under my feet, there was a crunch. Due to this, I didn't know what to do. Following the long path, I continued walking forward. There was something or someone behind me. The only person who reached the window was Shaz.

Her eyes were glowing as she smiled. Two seniors accompanied her. Shaz, with long dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin, is wearing a t-shirt and skinny blue jeans. We almost looked like twins.

Shazz, are you leaving? I asked her.

Not at all! 

She slipped through the broken window without warning. Don't go, she commanded.

Gertrude and Eve followed her.

Are you planning on coming?

I shouted right behind you. When I reached the tall window, I raised my torch and peered inside. Shaz was already avoiding the broken glass. All of them stood there, waiting. 

What are we waiting for? my aunt Eve would say. The air was thick, breathing was difficult, but my hair was a mess! It was straight before, but now it is frizzy.

She does that a lot. It's easy for her to tell me to get used to things, but I've noticed that she would also worry.

Well, then, what are you waiting for? Don't worry about what they say. Your coffee-coloured curls look perfect on you. Shaz smiled.

Would you like me to hold your hand?

Her hands slipped into mine as she moved closer. I was staring at an empty fast-food bag when she caught my eye.

She yelled at me and told me to stay where I was. I knew you didn't want to enter the house. An unexpected cold punch sent me falling backwards. In response to my stumble, she lunged at me once more, extending her arm. Her hand pierced through my rigid, frozen body. 

No, I said to myself. Don't do this now, and don't do that!

This is not the time to do it.

It wasn't as if I could just stand here like an idiot in a trance and take it.

In response, I punched back.

Nobody heard us. We felt as if we were in a freezer. It was so cold. On Shaz's forehead, I could see sweat. We shivered despite wearing long sleeves.

On the inside, I felt cold. The old house kind of reminds me of that.

I stepped out of the warmth of Shaz's embrace and rubbed my hands against my jeans, feigning a laugh. 

Holy crap, I gasped. 

The air was filled with dust, smoke, and the scent of whiskey. There was a foul smell in the air! 

What is the age of this place anyway?

Shaz said, Really old, It must have been built during the war.

Wow, that's really old!

Our torches created a mesmerizing light display in the pitch-black room. It was then that we realized there were empty bottles on the floor and the wallpaper was peeling. In the same way that these old houses do.

Lifting the torch to the far wall, I discovered an intriguing tattoo painting. It was a dragon with a black heart. A red cross ran across its neck, with a peculiar pattern running through it, resembling something you might see on someone's arm. 

I think I saw it, Shaz said, strolling over to the dim circle of light. You can still see the blood.

Blood, where is it?

Shaz commented, You're such a dimwit. 

My God!

What's wrong? I said to Shaz.

Look down there, there's a body.

Wait. What?

I turned around and stared into the corner. My pale face was fixed on Shaz's. Her eyes were narrowed on the pile.

The light led me to a small pile of sticks stacked on top of each other.

It turns out they weren't sticks at all.

In a whisper, Shaz said, They are bones.

Suddenly, a strange sound came from my throat.

No one is forcing you to stay, Shaz said to her aunt Gertrude, who rarely spoke but made her opinion known by pointing at her sister. 

She is whispering, and I think she wants to leave, Shaz said.

It's obvious they died alone. 

She smiled and patted me on the back.

Throughout the room, darkness enveloped, stealing the warmth from the gentle breeze. There was a grunt somehow coming from the old house. It was a massive place. In addition to its many rooms, who knows what else might be inside? However, I felt very lonely.

My heart swelled as I stepped into the spacious hallway that stretched down the center of the house. I was only a child, but I have vivid memories of the floods from my childhood. My grandmother was glued to the news coverage. Her hands were fisted together, her eyes filled with worry. Her fragility frightened me, as I had never witnessed her appear so terrified before.

My understanding of things only came after Gran passed away. It was never a subject she discussed; she kept it to herself. Well, looking back on it now is really pointless. In any case, I never gave it much thought. There wasn't much to look back on. When I was a child, my parents got along well. Gran, however, had a camper by the sea and always maintained a simple attitude. My aunts left their mother for a fresh start, but I never heard her mention it.

My Aunt Mary met John, a tradesman, in England during the war. The couple married in 1954, moved to Leeds after having one child, and eventually settled in Yorkshire. Aunt Eve met her first husband, George, in 1962. They married in England, had two children, and settled briefly before George uprooted and emigrated to Sydney. It all made sense now.

Nothing could have prepared me for how my life would change. I didn't care about how the world was suffering. I realized at nineteen that some wounds would never heal. Strange things have been happening in this haunted house. A high-pitched voice spoke. The sound sounded like it came from the garden. I went with Shaz to look. Through my flashlight, I saw Shaz smile as she traced her finger along a grid. 

It’s covered in blood.

Where is the blood? I asked her.

As she looked away, she walked towards a stack of hay. Although I tried to focus on the noise around me, it was very faint. It was the sounds of the city at night - sirens, horns, music, and laughter.

If you listened closely in Yorkshire, you could always hear something. I could, at least.

There was a low buzzing sound that threatened to drown everything out. The only thing I could see as I swung the torch toward the window was the shadows of gigantic trees.

It felt as though someone was watching me.

As far as I know, neither Shaz nor I am certain.

Her voice was full of deliberate drama when I asked her. It is said that coincidences happen when the moon is full, like tonight. There's blood on the walls. Maybe it's Rosie. You can hear her crying upstairs at night; she is one of those who haunt this place.

Although it was obvious what she was doing, my heart raced faster than before. She looked like a wannabe actor reading a script from a low-budget horror movie. In spite of not being surrounded by many kids my age, I wasn't stupid. Shaz and I had been friends for a long time, and Shaz and Jue were sisters. They grew up together, so I was the new girl who didn't fit in.

To be honest, the dark tombstones and the repulsive smell did not appeal to me. I tilted the flashlight to shine on something that frightened me, keeping my eyes fixed.

There are times when I regretted opening my smart mouth. This is the case now. The door to the kitchen stood closed as Shaz led us through the shadows. A hidden staircase was revealed when she opened it, revealing stale air.

Taking the first step forward, she said, This is what the servants used.

There must be blood then? Shaz said out of nowhere. 

It belongs to a peculiar dragon. She cried in terror.

When I heard her screams, I felt a chilling sensation.

Erin! Shaz called out as we swung the torches.

As Orion pressed the girl against the wall adorned with art, he covered her mouth with his hand. Her eyes filled with fury.

Shaz muttered, What a jerk.

Apparently, she replied.

A laugh escaped from Orion.

Let her go. 

She's not who you expected, said Jue, as the three words were strung together.

There is always a first time for everything.

As Orion stepped away from Shaz, a smile curled up on his lips. In fear, she flinched back and moved cautiously as she climbed the stairs.

She looked at him while he was covered in disgusting grasshoppers imported from overseas.

We want to settle down for the night and get hooked up together.

Jue hissed at him, shining her flashlight into his eyes.

No one wanted you here to begin with.

The corners of his mouth curled up.

Who's scared now?

She narrowed her eyes.

I would appreciate it if you made him go away, Shaz.

As Shaz moved in between them both like a referee, I felt sorry for her.

Shaz said, I want him to stay here.

I stepped away but couldn't stop staring at the glistening green eyes.

Shaz said, If Orion goes, I go.

It seemed as if the walls were being pushed even closer together. Shaz, however, did not move. Nobody dared. 

After a long, hard second, Shaz moved first, looking up at her sister. Seeing each other's eyes, they understood one another.

Despite lying, Jue said, Everything's fine.

It was obvious that she was lying. The expression on her face said it all.

A terrible drone began to scream even louder, and the walls could not stop watching. It felt as if someone was or had been locked up here.

It’s time to go, I said.

I feel like a sitting duck, Shaz said.

Do you need me to lead the way? Orion asked.

Oh, you should shut up. Shaz replied, With all the words you keep using.

All right, get your torches ready in front of you. We will follow. Shaz will follow Jue, and I will be behind Orion. 

I swear I saw him glance quickly, but he said nothing.

Upstairs, they were lined up side by side, blocking the doorway as if they were in a hotel.

Except for the humming through the invisible veins.

Jue swung open the door to the left and disappeared.

We all followed. My heart continued to pound as we changed rooms.

I was stopped by a mattress. It was surrounded by a red tea light candle, and the smell of dead flowers filled the room. Crouching down beside them, Jue glared up. Her dark hair was tangled.

Would you like to see? she asked.

I

t felt as though an enormous goblet had been hurled at me when the torch's rays swept across the room.

The shine in Jue's eyes ran deep. As everyone watched, she stood up. It was all about Jue, me, and Shaz. It was intended for Shaz.

Daring me to move, she staked her claim. Instead of giving her the satisfaction of scaring me away, I chose to back away and run. From Shaz, not from the house. Let's open door number one first, and then door number two. Taking risks is an integral part of life. It takes courage to follow a different path and dream different dreams, no matter where it leads you. Turning around and walking away will not reveal what would happen.

That's not something I've ever been good at. With my resolve intact, I stepped further into the room and witnessed flashes of lightning illuminating the cloudless sky, now adorned with eerie blue shadows. All of that happened in the blink of an eye. There was an out-of-focus effect on everything. There was filthy litter on the floor, and there were wood mites on the pine wood. The windows were coated with grease and grime. The walls were smeared with green slime. I was impressed by the mattress as well. The surface was red, as if blood had been spilled on it.

Also there was one slipper lying upside down, and under the bed was a mobile phone. Apart from that, one of the girls lay limp like a ragdoll as I gasped for breath. A short black skirt and black ribbed tights barely covered her long legs.

The burning sensation in my throat prevented me from breathing. I also felt pain in my chest.

Jesus, I thought.

Then shadows in the corner of the room matched the image in my mind. Blinking, I saw exactly what I had imagined. Amidst cobwebs and candles, Jue crouched beneath the mattress. Shaz hovered beside me, scowling in a corner a few steps away. I could see that Orion was scared as they all went crazy.

Lightning struck once again. Thunder rumbled through the clouds.

As Orion muttered, he said, "You are as cold as ice."

Then, I realized he was holding onto my arm.

My eyes grew dim as I moved away from him, hoping the image would become clearer. There was no light in the room, only blood and a knife lying on the floor.

As I lay on the bed, I thought...

I've always remembered that when lightning and thunder struck. I'm under the blanket, clinging tightly to it.

I miss having someone to hold onto. There's nothing like cuddling up to a teddy bear, which feels exceptional, but it's not the same.

It's a nice pale shade, I murmured.

Never speak out against anything you see, Gran always told me.

A grin spread across Shaz's face as she poked me with her flashlight. 

What's the matter? 

There's a ghost here.

Say something! 

Don't just stand there like a freak, I forced myself to say, keeping my eyes on them.

Shaz did not look. It felt unsettling to have the sensation of being watched. 

Do you feel anything? I asked, crossing my arms to ward off the shiver, but it wouldn't go away.

Do you feel that? Rosie asked, as her voice filled with fear. 

I didn't look at her because I would have to look at Shaz. 

It's cold, I replied.

A laugh erupted from Orion. 

I know it's not funny, but it's extremely hot in here.

Are you kidding me? 

It feels like being inside a refrigerator, I said, as I crawled underneath the mattress.

It's like one of those ghost-hunting shows. 

Rosie pushed her hair back from her face and rolled her eyes.

Exactly she said.

That's why my shirt is sticking to me. Heat and humidity don't mix, but I didn't even consider that.

Wait, Shaz closed her eyes and opened her arms to we come. However, I think I am feeling something.

Shaz moved closer to Jue.

Get the candles, get the mattress, she mumbled. 

It's perfect timing! I said.

Perfect? What is it perfect for?

Is it possible for you to see through the shadows and light? 

We can hold a séance and see if there are ghosts up there.

Does anyone have a lighter? she asked, picking up a candle.

Jue said, I don't think this is a good idea.

Shaz then joined in, making everyone line up in pairs. 

Don't be scared. Come on.

Are there any deceased individuals you would like to communicate with? 

The thought of death made me momentarily unable to breathe. Imagining a woman floating around in this haunted place was strange.

Would she come if I called her?

It was something I didn't want to accept that drove me. It wasn't that I didn't understand. As I approached the altar and saw the dirty, worn-out mattress, the heaviness in my chest deepened.

I got down on one knee, leaned over, assessed the situation, and started counting to ten.

Let me light the candles now.

I dare you to touch the altar. Jue said.

She was the oldest of the two girls, and she enjoyed being in control and making decisions. She never considered the possibility of a table turning. Especially when you touch it. There was something dark hovering nearby. Shaz responded cleverly to my challenge, but she had already started the game. 

You've already started, I replied. 

As long as you're willing to cooperate, it's fine.

It looks like blood, but don't be alarmed.

Gather closely, I dare you to touch the altar. 

It's only if you're joining the séance.

Orion started laughing and singing. I heard him say, Hey, wyke, hol, nui in what sounded like a Yorkshire accent. 

Touch me.

The way he said touch made everybody laugh... or maybe it was the way he said me. Who knows what he's capable of?

Shaz's eyes glowed with disgust, as if daggers were piercing through them. My expectation was that she would insist on Orion leaving.

She glanced at where I was crouching.

She whispered, If I go, Would you like to come with me?

It's okay to be scared. I'll make him back off.

After being warned, Orion backed down. He laughed and said, Ha-ha.

In a gasp for breath, Shaz struggled to breathe. 

Scumbag, what a despicable person.

It was Shaz who spoke first. 

Truth or dare? she said before Jue could respond. 

As the silver cross dangled around her neck, she brushed her fingers through her hair. 

If Shaz takes a dare, there will be trouble, then the room went silent. 

They went crazy with vibrating objects. 

Jue said, Walk away if you have any common sense.

No, I'm just an outsider; the newcomer is somewhere around.

Orion.

I was startled by a voice from the tense undercurrent. You don't have to do this, he said.

I don't have to do what? .... I am not afraid."

That's not true, he said.

While crouching beside me, Shaz whispered, Maybe you should go. 

She leaned over the mattress, placing a hand on the copper-stained frame and pushed it towards the center of the room. Her sister's torch beam contrasted with the purple nail polish on Shaz's nails and the pale skin of her fingers as she held it there.

Are you feeling happy? she asked.

When our eyes met, I was rendered speechless, but it was the best response I could muster. The game was being played, and we both knew what was happening.

Give me your torch.

Game, game, game, game!

There was a buzzing noise that the others didn't hear. The loud buzz was not heard by anyone else. However, my ears heard the sound of a ringing bell.

Do you feel scared? Jue asked.

All right, that's enough. Orion shouted.

Nevertheless, I ignored him.

Instead of hearing him shout, I would have preferred to hear the truth.

As a child, I believed that a smile reflects happiness and makes you feel good. Love and compassion are conveyed through a warm, friendly smile.

There's none of that with Jue. It's only a triumph of victory, and she's usually loud.

Shaz didn't take any of it. She stood on her feet, but then something yanked her into a corner, causing her to drop her phone.

As Orion stood rigid, anger seeped through his words. It was as if he wanted to drag Shaz along with him. Holding her head high, she let her hair fall past her shoulders. Her red tank top had ridden up, exposing the Celtic cross chain and her tattooed lower back. Despite Aunt Mary's dislike for them, Shaz thought they were pretty cool and was intrigued by them.

Trust me. He whispered as he came closer to kiss her. 

As she backed away, she rolled her eyes at me. As she got closer, her gaze was fixed on me.

Who's there? she asked, hearing a voice singing.

Then, I realized where the noise was coming from.

Are you interested in meeting up with me?

Shaz frowned as she said, You what? 

What exactly do you want from me?

Her words slipped from her mouth as I stood still. This was something I had asked for, but I never intended for it to happen.

It was inevitable that something like this would happen. It was my request to be the first to dare. It was my responsibility to tell the truth. In fact, I was frightened.

However, I was far too adventurous to indulge. I looked up at Shaz with a parched mouth. My awareness faded, and everyone around me seemed blurry.

I don't want to be set up with anyone, I said, sliding my feet across the floor. 

The experience was better than standing. This way, she couldn't look down on me.

We were face-to-face.

Who? 

With whom would you like to spend time?

With the question, I knew there would be no winning and had no idea where it was going. I reacted sharply, responding with a torch and a challenge. As my mobile rang, I said, Dare for a dare.

It was Shaz's usual routine for her hair to fall into her face. There was no longer any shine; it was all sticky. As she let the torch fall to the ground, she apologized. 

You've already got your future planned, so relax! 

This statement hit me hard, and to be honest, my heart started racing. Looking through the shadows, I saw Orion watching me.

There were worries in his eyes, but I hummed as something roared within me.

His voice was emotionless as he said, You better check this out. Unless your Aunts freak out and call the police.

Obviously, he was right. There were only two people who could have texted me, and I knew it wasn't Petra. Her boyfriend didn't like it when she diverted her attention elsewhere while she was with him.

Up here, on a cloudless night, the temperature was ten times hotter than downstairs, where the wind blew through a broken window. My phone was in my pocket as I pulled it out and turned it on, and I felt everyone watching. I received