Holly Cottage

48, High street,

Edinburgh,

YO13 OAE

*******J *******

12^th September 2003

Dear Mr Brown,

I am writing to apply to your advert that is in the Evening News. The one about spending a night in Darkwood Manor and receiving £500.

I am a bit curious about it though, because there isn’t any decription of the place; for example: Are there bathrooms in each room, is the payment of breakfast included or do you have to pay for that everytime you eat? Is there electricity in the rooms? Do you have to pay for electricity separately or is it in the bill? Is it nice and clean or is it scraggy with rotten carpet and peeling wallpaper?

I hope I am being reasonable and not nosey, and I hope I am one of the first 40 people, to apply and that I will be accepted.

Yours sincerely

Miss Lisa Osborne

J *******************J

I walked down the stairs to the hall in my pyjamas to the sound of the daily mail coming through the letterbox. I slouched towards it and picked it up and flicked through. It was mainly bills, but there was one that was addressed to me in red ink; it was somebodys handwriting that I didn’t recognize.

I went into the kitchen and placed the letters on the table and made a cup of tea. I sat down and read until I finished reading all the bills; I then opened the envelope that was printed in red ink.

I read through and by the end I was shocked to see that it was a reply nine months later, from the owner Mr Brown, of Darkwood Manor! I had been accepted nine months later to go to Darkwood Manor and get £500 just to stay for one night!

Two weeks later with all my bags packed I walked down the drive to the sheltered bus stop. It was a glorious evening and the sun shone down and there was a light breeze.

It was 6’ o clock and eventually the bus came at half past six. The journey was quite long and it took 2 hours to get there. When I arrived I had to walk down the pavement a little bit till I came to the sign saying

Swan Hotel it was getting dark and cold I zipped my coat up and walked up the driveway.

There was a big wooden door as the entrance. I pushed the door opened and went inside, there was a glow of light in the room that I was standing in but only faint. I looked up to see a small light above me. I seemed to be in a hall; there was a chest of drawers at one side and a bookcase.

I then saw a sign saying: "This way," with an arrow after. I went the way it said and I came to a door. I stopped and heard people talking, so I stepped forward and opened the door.

Inside there was a gathering of people and in the corner there was what looked like biscuits and a drink of some kind. There was another sign saying: "Luggage here." I went and put my luggage down and then went and got a biscuit.

I felt very lonely because I didn’t have anybody to talk to, and I was shy. I saw some people sitting in the corner so I went and sat down next to them. They said hello and then introduced themselves. One of them was called Christina Cowen, another was called Jenny Bell and, lastly, a boy called Dennis Cox.

Christina was 24, lived in Scarborough and was an Artist. Jenny was 23, lived in Birmingham and went to University, and Dennis was 29 lived on the North York Moors and worked for the council.

I told them who I was – Lisa Osborne, 25 and my job as a Vet. They asked me if I got the letter nine months later, and I said yes and asked them if they were curious about it too. Christina and Jenny said they were a bit curious but Dennis said that he was extremely curious and couldn’t wait to get to Darkwood Manor. Suddenly the door creaked open I turned to look who was there.

It was a man with dark round glasses. He was bald and was wearing black cords and a brown shirt with a blue checked tie. He was looking around the room and then he walked into the centre of everybody.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Mr Brown," he said. You could hardly hear him, but he got everybody’s attention. "I am very grateful for you all coming here tonight and for your willingness to stay at Darkwood Manor," Mr Brown stuttered. "Is there annny…………… questions before I continue," he said as if he was worried.

Somebody put their hand up. "Yes sir what is your question?" he asked.

"Is there any electricity in Darkwood Manor?" said a man in the corner.

"Nnnno there are no servises," Mr Brown replied.

I put my hand up. "Yes madam, what is your question?" he asked. I asked him why he was giving £500 away. He replied with, "It said on your letter didn’t it, to stop the malicious rumors."

His answer was very short and brief as if he was hiding something. There was many more questions after that, but eventually Mr Brown stopped the questions and then went silent for a while. Dennis suddenly said really loudly "Shall we go and pick up our luggage then?" and jumped up but there was no reply.

"Well, we won’t be going yet, because there has been a problem at Darkwood Manor so if you all come back next week, we will gooo………… then!" with that he left the room with a silent walk.

The door slammed behind him and when he had shut the door everybody lifted their voices in an uproar. Soon there was biscuits flying through the air and saucers being used as frisby’s while cups were being thrown at the peeling wallpaper.

My eyes darted to the side as I saw Christina throw a saucer that nearly missed Jenny’s head.

Some people were heading for the door to leave. I grabbed Dennis, Jenny and Christina and told them I was going to find a Hotel to spend the week at. They said they would come and find a Hotel too. Jenny said we should try the Hotel we were in now so we all agreed and went back into the hallway where we came in.

Christina said she had spotted the reception on the way in which I hadn’t we walked over. Behind the counter was a short lady in a red dress. She had a pearl necklace round her neck and a pair of white glass earings. We asked the lady for four different rooms she gave us the keys and we set of for the different rooms.

A week later here I was standing in the hallway of Darkwood Manor. It was really dark because all the windows were shuttered.

I could just make out the staircase, I flicked my torch on and peered down at the plan of the ground floor. Yes that was right, they were stairs to the 1^st floor. There should be the ballroom on the left where we were going to stay.

I shoved the plan in my pocket and flashed my light on the door of the ballroom. It was a big door with carved in pictures of flowers, which were probably have been painted white. I could tell this because there was some paint still there, but most of the door was brown where the paint had peeled.

On the other side of me was another door which was probably to the dayroom. I looked up there was a faded and moth eaten light shade I could only just see it.

Suddenly a horrible smell hit by nose-it was awful! It was a damp, rotting smell. Mr Brown said that it was a rotting smell so I was right. At that moment I had a feeling I wasn’t welcome.

He took us into the ballroom. As Mr Brown opened the door it let out a great creak. Inside the ballroom the same smell was there. The whole room was a rectangle and the walls were pink but very dusty.

The floor was wooden and as we walked around the room the floor creaked underneath us. I looked up. There in the centre of the ceiling was a beautiful chandelier but it probably didn’t work seeing no other lights in the Manor appeared not to work.

In the corner there was a little cubicle where I think the loo was. Apart from the chandelier there was nothing at all in the ballroom. Mr Brown asked us all to go and put are luggage down. I grabbed Dennis’s because he was too busy talking to Mr Brown. After that we went and had a guided tour.

The most interesting room was probably the parlour which had a dusty painting of the man who used to live here, and also it had a space where a picture of the mans wife had been. The floor was wooden again and the ceiling had a pattern on. The wallpaper was covered in finger marks and was yet again peeling. I thought this room was quite interesting aswell because this room was the one that hadn’t been used that much since the malicious rumors.

When we got back to the ballroom we set up our lilos, blow up mattresses chairs etc. I set my blow up mattress up next to Christina, Jenny and Dennis and some other ladies I made friends with.

We shared our food out and helped each other set up I got my blanket and sleeping bag out and placed them neatly on my bed. Then I joined the others and we sat and chatted and ate loads, (I was starving.) A lady called Hetty had brought some grapes which was really weird but we still ate them happily. Another lady called Christina Shore had brought some wine so we had that, which was much better then a cup of tea (which I had.) With a slight creak the door closed and the key turned: we were locked in.

A shudder went down my spine when I heard the door close. I felt worried; scared what was going to happen. The others didn’t seem to notice but I think Christina did because a look of worry came across her face and she flinched as if she was terrified. I looked around: some people were still getting their beds ready, but most people were settled and gathered in groups. I turned back to my Group and took some biscuits. I joined in with their chatter, and settled myself down again.

Everybody decided that they were going to explore; we went off in different groups. I went with five ladies they were called: Andrea, Christina Shore, Hetty, Jenny and a lady called Molly.

We started off for a door in the corner. We tried to open it but it was defiantly locked. We didn’t have anything to pick it with either. We tried to using Molly’s snapped toothbrush, but it didn’t work, and then Hetty suddenly shouted, "Hey look over there guys." Yep she was right there was a ladder. It was hidden next to the loo and could hardly be seen. We all gave up on the door and shifted ourselves through the flocks of people to the ladder.

I looked up. There was nothing there though, so we gave up. Molly got out a pad of paper out of her pocket and moved over to a painting in the shadowy corner. I went over to her and asked her what she was doing. "I think I might copy this painting seen as we are going to stay here. But I can’t really copy it when it’s on the wall. Could you help me get it down?" She replied.

"Yes sure I can," I responded. So we both got to a side of the painting. The painting was massive and had lots of detail on it. The others came over and Hetty and Andrea helped us get it down while the others watched.

"Look there’s a passage!" Christina cried. I turned round and sure enough there was an opening of a passage. Everybody jumped with glee we had found a way out.

Andrea stepped forward and said, "I’ll go first," and that was what she did. Then Molly went, then me, and then the rest followed. It was very dark-you couldn’t see anything Andrea shouted for us to put our torches on. That was better we had some light. I shone my torch. To the side of me a hard stone wall was on the right, and railings on the left. You could see over the railings and in the distance was another stone wall.

We calmed Jenny down and walked on at a very, very slow pace. "Hole!" Molly shouted from infront. I looked down there was a hole and it was zig zagged round the sides as though it had been cut with a saw or knife!

My hand was numb from grasping the torch and I was scared so scared I could cry. Somebody tapped me on the shoulder I looked round it was Jenny offering me a boiled sweet. I took one and placed it in my mouth. My mouth was dry and I sucked the sweet and thought about the delicious taste to try and get my mind off the sign.

I looked over Molly’s shoulder. It looked as if some stairs were coming up. We got closer, the stairs were going upwards Andrea was on the first step of the stairs – it creaked as she stepped up. Molly followed then me we went up the stairs wondering what was going to be at the top.

When we reached the top of the stairs we found ourselves in one of the kitchens. I guess we must of come from the cellar because the only kitchen that had stairs was the one with the cellar. I looked around there were plates, saucers, cups and all sorts scattered around everywhere, and it didn’t look like the room had been used for ages.

I scanned the room looking for a door – there was one in the corner, so I told the others and we headed off for it. We went through the door and found ourselves in kitchen number one. Everything was the same in here with things scattered everywhere.

Then Andrea let out the most ear splitting scream and fell to the floor, her hand clasped over her face! Molly was by her side on the floor, Jenny rushed forwards and knelt down next to Andrea aswell she had been training for being a Doctor at University. Meanwhile me, Christina and Hetty stood and stared at what was lying on the floor…………

I looked over to Hetty who was motionless as well, and her mouth open wide so you could see her glistening white teeth. I looked behind me. Andrea was back on her feet and making her way towards us with Molly and Jenny at her side. Jenny ran forwards as she saw the body and knelt down next to it. Molly joined her after checking that Andrea was alright.

Then suddenly Molly pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. "This is the guest list I found earlier from 1958. Do you think this man might be on it?"

"Yes but we don’t have any identification," Christina replied.

"You do now," Hetty said pulling out a passport from his bag.

"Great," Molly cried. I took the passport from Hetty and flicked through it. "It says that his name is Wilfred Armond." I said. "Oh and there’s a picture of him here." I passed it to Molly who looked at it then turned the body over with the help of Jenny. The man’s features were the same as on the photo, but he was at least 75 and his face was all wrinkly. "Ddo you think hes been in here from 1958?" Stuttered Christina.

"Hopefully not," whispered Molly.

"Do you feel like something’s watching you?" Christina asked. Now those words had scared us we ran through the door to kitchen number two, and down the steps into the cellar. Hetty was at the back then Christina and then the others including me. "Hole!" Molly tried to shout but the clattering of our feet drowned the words out. Fortunately I managed to see the hole and skirted round the side of it.

Suddenly Christina shouted for us to stop! Her voice sounded terrified! We clattered to a halt and turned round to see what she wanted. "Where’s Hetty?" she cried. "She seems to have dissappered!"

"Oh no" Molly replied. "She must have fallen down the hole!"

"We’ll have to go and find her then! We can’t leave her there," Andrea replied.

"I would jolly well thing not!" Christina shouted.

We all decided like Molly had said that she had fallen down the hole. "Hetty are you down there?" Christina yelled, down the hole.

"Yeah" a muffled voice replied.

"Are you okay?" Jenny asked.

"I think so but I need some help because I’m in a muddle with my legs!" Hetty muttered through her breath. Without hesitation Christina jumped down the hole and quickly helped Hetty to untangle her legs. "I think there’s a passage down here!" Christina yelped with joy.

"Hopefully this one won’t have dead bodies in!" Andrea said with a disgusted smile.

"We’ll set off now and you can follow us when you get down." Christina told us.

By the time we had got down through the hole Hetty and Christina were nowhere to be seen. We set off down the passage in single file. The walls were black with holes in, and the floor was wooden yet again.

We got to the end of the passage or so we thought to find Hetty and Christina waiting for us.

"There you are, we have been waiting for you for ages," Hetty started. Luckily though Christina butted in. "There’s a door here made to look like stone – look!" She was right! There was a door. It was really hard to tell though. "Me and Christina were leaning on it earlier and it turned to leave a small gap, that’s how we know it’s a door." Hetty explained.

Hetty, Christina, Jenny and Molly went first because there wasn’t time for me and Andrea to get through before the door closed. Next me and Andrea went. I closed my eyes and hoped there wasn’t going to be anything horrible on the other side. I heard the door close behind me and shift into its position.

I opened my eyes to find myself in the ballroom and just in time too, because as I turned round to look where people were gathered Mr Brown walked through the door with a cheesy grin on his face. We all shuffled forwards to where he was stood and waited. "I hope you had an enjoyable night," Mr Brown giggled with a look of interest in his eyes.

"Enjoyable night? We found bodies that scared the living daylights out of us!" Christina shouted from beside me.

"I found dynamite and…" someone tried to shout out but got interrupted by a man sitting behind me. "We found guns which were in a room of bodies!"

"We found computers and stuff," a lady called out from infront.

I noticed that Mr Brown winked at her as if they were sharing a secret. "Good, good anyway enough of your stories, I have some things to tell you!" Mr Brown sneered. "You are on the new programme ‘Scare World!’ If you look around the room, you might see some little tiny black things in the walls which are cameras. All of the bodies are fake and everything, but the computers are some of our spare equipment. Now if you don’t want to be on the programme then come and see me after we have left." Mr Brown looked beside himself with happiness. There was silence for a while, and then an explosion of laughter could be heard.

"Oh yes would you like to put your hand up if you work for me." Mr Brown asked. I looked around; about four or five people had their hands up and were exchanging grins including the lady he had winked at.

We eventually made our way out of The Manor and down to The Swan Hotel where we had breakfast and said our farewells. Hetty, Christina, Molly and Andrea all promised to keep in touch but Jenny had left for the train, by the time I had said goodbye to the others.

I walked down the pavement thinking about the night of a lifetime I had just had. The bus arrived fairly quickly and off I went on my journey back home to Edinburgh. It seemed to take forever but I got there in the end.

That night I sat on the settee with Betty my cat, curled up on my lap and my best friend Lizzy. I sat there watching myself on the T.V. with giggles of excitement. It had been a surprise of a lifetime.