Midnight Maddness

2 Must Be The Storm

Joel turned to Benji, “Well it looks okay,” his voice quavered hinting with question. Benji shrugged and stepped just a little closer to Joel.

They started walking through the rain as lightning crashed above them. “I'm cold,” Benji mumbled. Joel nodded, “Yeah, hopefully they have a phone.”

They stepped up to the front landing of the mansion. There were gargoyles flanking each side of the entrance, stone columns beside them and detailed iron designs built into the heavy wooden door.

Joel reached up and pushed the doorbell. A clinging metal noise was heard inside and Joel inched ever so closer to Benji, their shoulders now touching.

They held their breaths as another metal noise signaling a lock being opened echoed through the door in front of them. A loud creaking followed as the large door was slowly pulled open.

Their gaze fell upon a tiny countenance of a man. His shoulders drooping, hair thinning, pale skin, dark clothing and piercing sunken eyes looking between the two similarly mirrored images.

“Hello,” the voice squeaked.

Benji visibly jumped and Joel cleared his throat, “Umm, hi. I…..I’m Joel, and this is my b-brother Benji.” Joel paused as tiny sounds of screams met their ears- whether good or bad neither he nor Benji knew. The man in front of them roamed his eyes over Joel’s wet body then to Benji’s as Joel spoke again. “Our…….our car got a flat tire. And- and we were,” Joel paused to take a breath, “Do you have a phone we could use?”

The man’s gaze remained on Benji, “You’re wet.”

Silence. “Yes, its raining.” Benji said quietly. Joel nodded, “Yeah.”

The little man blinked his yellowed eyelids, “Oh.” A bolt of lightning flashed causing Benji and Joel to jump. “I think perhaps you both better,” the man stepped forward, “come inside.” His mouth curled into a sickly smile.

Neither of them moved just stared at the man. Joel nodded and slowly stepped forward. He lightly tugged Benji’s arm and they slipped through the open door. Staying far from the little man.

They stepped into an earthly dust laden foyer. An old staircase with faded blood red carpet led upstairs and various artifacts lined the walls. The dimly lit area cast shadows along the open spaces. An eerie feeling loomed in the old house.

Joel and Benji gingerly stepped forward into the center of the room. The door slammed behind them and they jumped turning around. The little man with his smirk stepped towards them as they stepped back.

“This way,” he motioned. “The master will be delighted we have guests.”

Benji and Joel paused letting the man get ahead of them. Benji leaned in, “Master? It’s 2002. Master?” Joel just shrugged and they slowly followed.

They were led through another set of doors and down a long corridor. Spooky pictures lined the walls. The kind of pictures where the eyes appeared to be following your every move. The twins crowded closer together nearly locking arms. Benji looked up at Joel.

“We- we would really,” Joel paused wincing at the echo of his voice, “just like to use the phone. Call a tow truck or- or a cab.”

The man turned on his heels and the boys jumped again. “Phone? Alright.” He looked behind the two of them and pulled a cart on squeaky wheels out of a nook in the wall.

Joel looked at Benji and reached a shaky hand out to the phone. He picked up the old-fashioned receiver and held it to his ear. He listened and cast his eyes to Benji and said quietly, “It’s dead.” He set the receiver back down and they looked at the little man.

His smirk was growing, “Is it dead?” his voice hissed. “Must be the storm.” Hidden amusement in his squeaky voice.

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