The Collectors Aprentice.

The Collectors Apprentice

“A Journey Beyond the Veil”

Caroline’s heart raced as Richard, her boss, steered his beast of a BMW at high speed around a bend. “Richard, please slow down.”

He glared at her, his eyes sunken from late nights and difficult meetings, aware that if the government contract failed, bankruptcy loomed.

“Shut up. This job’s worth two million quid to the company. Without it, we’re up shit creek. I’m over my head in debt. Those morons I owe money to are not polite people, and you want me to be late.”

“I asked you to slow down before you kill us. Look out,” she hollered, “a boy is standing in the middle of the road.”

His right foot hit the brake, slamming it to the floor. The out-of-control car slid across the tarmac and descended a steep embankment. Its dive ended abruptly at the base of a tree. Caroline’s screams filled his ears.

Richard’s body lurched forward, and the seat belt cut into his chest. He released it and fell into the gap between the seats.

Strangely, everything became dark and quiet.

Caroline stirred, opened her eyes and tried to sit up but found it difficult. Pain erupted with every movement as she dragged herself through the shattered windscreen. Away from the wreckage, she rested. Her eyes drifted to the remains of the BMW. Seeing Richard unconscious, she forced herself to focus and crawled towards the vehicle.

His eyes opened, and he stared straight at her. “Are you all right?”

She laughed nervously, not knowing why. “I ache and feel like shit.”

At that moment, the sky opened. The rain, steady at first, became a deluge.

“It never rains, but it pours,” said Richard. “My ribs hurt. How did you get out?”

“Through the windscreen. It’s not there anymore.”

“Better make a move.” He eased himself out of the car. With the rain streaming over his face, he turned and looked at the wreck. “Not our lucky day, is it? No car, no meeting and no fucking contract.”

She pointed up the slope. “We have to get up there.”

He stared at the heavens. “It’s Murphy’s choice. Stay here and drown or get to the road and hope someone stops.”

The rain dripped through the branches of the trees that grew on the embankment. Brown rivulets flooded the slope, making it treacherous.

Several times, the sodden earth gave way as they clambered up the incline. After much slipping and sliding, they made it to the top. Exhausted, covered in mud, they lay gasping on the side of the road.

Richard looked around, praying he had missed the boy. He scratched his head as he turned to Caroline. “We did see a boy, didn’t we?”

She nodded as the rain washed her face.

“You were right. More haste, less speed and now look at us. My watch has stopped. What time is it?” The pain in his chest decreased, but he didn’t appreciate waiting in the rain for a passing motorist.

The downpour weakened, but the sky remained black. In the distance, lightning chased thunderclouds.

“My watch has stopped as well,” said Caroline. “Someone must live nearby who can contact a garage.”

“Which way?” she said, getting to her feet.

He clutched his chest as she helped him to rise. “The way we were travelling. I don’t remember passing any houses before the accident.”

The road appeared endless as they staggered one step at a time. Richard’s injuries restricted their progress.

He shivered as his eyes searched in the dark. Someone must live in this God-forsaken place.

For a few minutes, they stopped by a stone wall. Exhausted, Richard leant against the sodden stones and rested. He pointed. “Look, over there. A light”

Far off, a solitary light glowed. In the dark, the building remained a mystery, but it gave them hope. Both gasped for breath when they reached the house and climbed the worn, uneven stone steps to the main door.

“This place has seen better days. When the lightning flashed, I noticed it’s in one hell of a state.”

“I sense something wrong,” Caroline said. “But beggars can’t be choosers when you’re cold and wet.”

She hammered on the large, ornate door.

“Never knew you were into such things.” He leaned against the frame, giving the pain in his chest a chance to subside.

To their surprise, two elderly, silver-haired individuals opened the door. On her left hand, the woman wore an ornate Celtic ring. She rubbed her hands and smiled. “Please don’t stand there. Strange as it may seem, you’re not the first to arrive soaked and shaken. Our house attracts those who need help. But then it is the only one for miles.”

A crash of thunder rattled the windows as they crossed the threshold. Shrouded by shadows, a solitary candle lit the hall.

The man tilted his head to one side. “Dearest, I’ll get two towels.”

“Come into the kitchen, it’s warmer,” said the woman. Richard and Caroline followed. The man returned with the towels.

Caroline dried her hair and wiped the remnants of the mud from her face. Although hesitant at first, she described the accident and the boy.

The couple laughed. “Encounters with that young man have caused many a mishap. I don’t suppose you noticed he wore rags and had bare feet?”

“What do you mean?” said Caroline.

A long silence followed. “You and others have seen him. When we see him, he appears real enough,” said the old man. “Legend has it that he died under the wheels of the Squire’s coach long ago. No one knows who he is or why he appears during a storm.”

Richard frowned. “How long has this ghost or whatever been around?”

“From the moment he died,” the old lady said.

“You’re joking?”

“You may think that, but my wife and I believe that when we leave this existence in fear for our lives, something remains. You may call it what you wish, we call it the spirit of life.”

Richard interrupted. “Can we use your telephone to contact a garage? I’ll pay for the call.”

The man smiled at his wife. “If we had one, you’d be most welcome, but we find little use for such modern things. We enjoy being here, away from the hustle and bustle out there. Anyway, tomorrow’s another day, and as it’s late, I suggest you get those wet clothes off and stay here for the night. Our bedrooms are always ready for visitors, so it’s not a problem.”

Richard turned to Caroline, who smiled. “We accept your kind offer. Thank you.”

“My watch is broken,” said Richard. “Could you please tell us the correct time?”

“Time is something we never consider,” said the old man, “Today and tomorrow are the same to us. Go and rest, and you’ll find time is of little importance.”

The old woman said, “We are here to help lost and weary travellers. One thing you must understand. We won’t be here in the morning. You will have the entire house to yourselves.”

Caroline glanced at Richard, uncertain.

He shrugged. “Are you sure?”

“I don’t see a problem, do you?”

Caroline shook her head. “Will that be all right?”

Richard caught the smile that passed between the old couple.

“It’s late, we’re not as young as you, and we need our rest,” said the man. “Please follow me. I’ll show you to your room.”

They climbed the ornate winding staircase. The house’s emptiness and the stale air were uncomfortable. Their footsteps on the polished wooden boards reverberated off the stone walls.

The man opened a door, not entering himself. “One of our better rooms: I hope you will be comfortable. Don’t worry if you hear odd noises; it’s an old house. Wood and plaster shrink, then move. Strange things can happen. Sleep well. Oh,” he pointed, “the bathroom’s the third door on the left.” As he walked away, the dark swallowed him.

Richard glanced at the dust-covered light hanging from a twisted flex. “I last saw something similar on a school trip when I visited Pinewood Studios. They’d just completed one of the Hammer House of Horror films.”

“That’s not funny,” said Caroline. She shut the door and noticed the magnificent pieces of furniture in their room.

Richard glanced around. “Who can afford a place like this? Most of the furniture should be in a museum.”

She tested the huge four-poster bed for comfort. “The bed’s mine, seeing as your bad driving got us into this mess.”

He chuckled. “They must think we’re married. It’s yours. I’ll sleep on the couch.” The musty smell of an unused room filled his nostrils. “I’m off for a quick wash.” On his return, he removed his clothes and draped them over the back of a chair. “Hope they dry by the morning. Leave the door ajar, it’ll help you find your way to the loo.”

Caroline removed the bed’s top cover and placed it on the large sofa.

The hoot of an owl broke the silence as she went for a wash. Ten minutes later, she returned and closed the bedroom door. “Richard, I haven’t stopped shivering since we arrived.”

He admitted to himself his nerves tingled, but said with a false bravado, “A good night’s sleep and you’ll be fine in the morning. You can undress under the covers and pass me your clothes.”

“Don’t be silly,” she said, “Turn your head away, and I’ll strip to my bra and knickers.” She hung her clothes over a chair. “Okay, I’m in bed.”

He turned out the light, wrapped the cover around his body, slumped onto the couch, and relaxed as best he could, closing his eyes.

Caroline woke with a start. Her fear grew as a black shape leaned over her. She went to scream, but couldn’t as the sound of footsteps thumped across the uncarpeted floor. Jumping out of bed, she ran to Richard and woke him. “Somebody’s in here.”

“Go back to bed,” he mumbled, “It’s nothing but the sounds of an old house.”

“Come and sleep with me,” she pleaded.

“You sure about this?”

“I need you as a protector, not a lover.”

As they walked across the cold wooden floor, they stopped. In the shadows by the window stood the figure of a child, her white dress fluttering as if in a breeze. Caroline’s hand tightened on his. She stifled a scream. An icy current of air wafted across the room, the curtains flapped, and the child vanished.

“What the hell?” asked Richard. “A trick of the light.”

“I’m scared.”

He sighed. “Can you sleep if we leave the light on?”

She nodded in agreement. “I’m knackered, let’s try.”

They got into bed and lay close to each other, the warmth of their bodies comforting. The dark returned as the lamp went off. Richard stared at the ceiling. Caroline slept holding his hand.

Later, shafts of sunlight through tattered drapes woke them.

Although ill at ease, Richard knew he had awoken from a deep sleep.

Caroline rubbed her eyes and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “At least our clothes are dry.” As she dressed, something unseen brushed her legs. Fear gripped her as she listened, but silence filled her ears. Fingers of ice encircled her. “Whatever happens, don’t leave me,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry, I won’t, but hurry.”

Once dressed, Richard grabbed her hand and went to open the door. It was locked. He let go of Caroline and heaved on the handle with both hands. The ghostly faces of the old couple appeared and faded through the door. Then, as if unlocked, it flew open.

With terror etched into his face, he grabbed Caroline’s wrist, and they dashed out and ran along the landing.

Cobwebs, similar to silken drapes, hung from the high ceiling. Their haste disturbed layers of dust.

Hand in hand and at speed, they descended the stairs to the main hall. Caroline pointed at what appeared to be a moving floor. She screamed as rats scurried out of their way. “What’s happening?”

Confused, he shook his head. “Run for your life.” His voice echoed in the dark, empty spaces around them.

“Don’t let go of my hand,” she cried.

Together they charged across the rubbish-strewn floor to the main entrance, not once stopping or looking back.

Shivering with fear, Richard wrenched open the heavy door. It groaned as he did so. When the gap became wide enough, they squeezed through and descended the steps. Outside, the sun shone, but there was no bird song, nothing. With a resounding crash, the doors fell back into the building.

A tense expression filled his face. The house behind them crumbled and collapsed inward. Out of his depth, he didn’t know the questions, let alone the answers. “Come on, we can walk to the main road and hitch a lift.”

He dared a glance back. The roof of the grand house gaped to the sky, and windowless holes in the walls stared across empty fields.

Arm in arm, they began the long walk along the track. After a while, they stopped and looked back; only the skeletal ruins of a grand building pointed skyward.

The barefoot boy startled them. Richard grabbed him by the wrist. “What are you playing at, boy?”

The boy’s bright eyes sparkled. “I knew you were in the house, but I’m not allowed in there. I’m told it’s on the other side. Gabriel sent me back to wait for you.”

Richard let him go. “Who the hell is Gabriel?”

The boy grinned. “My governor in the afterlife. He’s a bit of a stickler, and when I returned without you, he wasn’t a happy angel. Lost his rag, he did.”

Caroline shivered. “What do you want from us?”

“You don’t understand, do you? After a loaded hay cart ran over me, I was the same as you.” He placed both hands on his hips. “You think you survived when your car went off the road. Let me tell you, you’re both dead. Your spirits became trapped in the abyss of time. I’m new to this and missed you, but Gabriel told me that if you escaped from the house, I could redeem myself.”

Richard stood and folded his arms. “Do you expect us to believe such a load of rubbish? We are alive and although a bit bruised, well.”

The boy pointed to Richard’s car. “You’re dead, and your corpses are in the wreck. If you don’t believe me, go and look.”

Caroline laughed. “I can feel my skin, the wind blowing my hair. I’m also rather hungry. I’m not sure what your game is, but we’re not idiots.”

Richard grabbed the boy by his right arm. “We are going to check my car and show you how wrong you are. Struggle, and I’ll throw you down the slope.”

“I’m dead, mister. You can’t hurt me.”

Together, Richard and the boy slid towards the car. When they reached the wreck, Richard held on and peered inside. “Oh, my God.” He stared at two blood-covered corpses.

“Do you believe me now?” the boy said.

Richard laughed. “All debts paid in full.”

On returning to the road, Caroline grimaced. “I’m not so bothered about being dead, but I would have loved to see my mum one more time. Maybe had a night out with the girls.”

“Now you know,” the boy said. “Please come with me.”

“Why?” asked Richard.

He smiled like a naughty child. “Let me introduce myself. “I am the same as you. In another realm, I work for Gabriel. I’m the collector’s apprentice. My job is to find lost souls. “I can’t tell you where you are going because I don’t know,” the boy said with a grin. “But you’re travelling to somewhere new. Didn’t a writer once say, ‘A brand new world’?

As they followed the boy into a portal of mist, Caroline glanced back. The ruins were gone, and the sun shone bright.