Spook-tober: Day 30

Bump In the Night

by Elizabeth Averay

Heavy thuds coming from the attic. They start at midnight and carry on until just before dawn, then blissful peace. I am the only one that will admit to hearing it. The others in this share house pretend not to have heard so much as a creak. But I can see – by their stiff shoulders and hunched backs and dark circles under their eyes – that they know exactly what I am talking about. It’s been going on now for two weeks.

At first I tried to ignore it; when that didn’t work I bought earplugs. They are very uncomfortable. So I put up with the noise.

I tried asking the landlord about the sounds but all she will say is that the attic is locked and no one can get in, not even a locksmith.

I have bought myself some tools and hide them in my room so the others won’t know. They are going to a big party on the other side of the campus tomorrow night, so that’s when I will try to get in.

I start off first with digital lock picks. It says it is unlocked but the door won’t budge. The handle turns freely but no movement of the door. Maybe the handle is broken; so I disassemble the handle and hammer out what I can’t shift on this side. Still nothing. 

My last resort: the trust sledgehammer. I will pay for a new door afterwards.

First blow, the door vibrates. The second, the wood splinters. The third, I’ve made a hole. I keep going ’til I can get through.

Flipping the light switch, but nothing happens. I race down to my room, grab a high-powered torch I bought just in case. By this time it’s 11:30 pm. Charging back up to the attic I switch the torch on and step into the attic proper, with nervous curiosity. 

I walk the length and breadth of the room. It’s completely bare, nothing at all. Strangely, not even a cobweb!

Completely confused and annoyed I head for the broken door when I hear a click.

A section of wall has come away from the adjoining attic and in steps our elderly neighbour, Mr Harrison, dressed in overalls, long boots, and gloves. His wife has appeared in the destroyed doorway. She crosses her arms and says, ‘No one can come in here. If they do they can never leave. Let us show you what we do to those who walk where they’re not meant.’

With that Mr Harrison flicks another switch and with heavy thumps a large cast iron bathtub shudders out of the same wall. 

Mar Harrison then raises a machete and lunges at me…