The rain lashed noisily against the windows and drummed upon the flat roof of the dormer. She pulled the blankets up over her head and tried to shut out the incessant din but it was no use. The howling wind whistled around the eaves reaching a thundering crescendo before dying away, only to return with equal ferocity moments later.   Outside she could hear the distant roar of the sea, waves crashing mercilessly against th...

There's a house, in the south, with a room I once dreaded. No-one was murdered there, no-one beheaded. I loved the house, the home of my cousins, But I hated that room, and for that, there's no reason.   On a bend on the stairs, was a step to a door. I would hurry past, though I knew not what for. No reason to worry, there was nothing to fear and yet, when I passed, I could not linger near.   As a child, I would visit, at...

At last I am free but I must wait just a little while longer. These aged walls no longer hold me and yet I cannot shake off these earthly shackles until my soul is absolved. They don't know my name, no-one ever did, Uncle made sure of that, but now my bones are laid to rest in the grounds of the old house and my soul is free. As I look down on the handful of witnesses, nine words are all I need as the blessed water splash...

So, Doctor, what can you tell me? I see. So you think he was a young boy, then? Between what, nine and twelve years old? What about the time zone, have you got the results of the carbon dating? Interesting. So about the time of the crusades then? Are you saying that this could be the illegitimate son of Richard the First, The Lionheart and the damage to the ends of the distal phalanges indicates he was placed alive in the...

Have you noticed anything odd about this wall? It seems out of place somehow. Don't you see? Look, it is much thicker than the other walls. I looked upstairs, at the rooms above this one and they are much thinner. Fine, yes, I understand this is a cellar but it just doesn't make any sense. None of the other walls are like this one. What does the ultra-sound scanner show? A void? I knew it! And there is something else, you...

No! Please! Don't shut me in here. What have I done to you? I thought you were my friend, Uncle. Like a father to me whilst my own father fights in the Crusades. It is so dark in here. Come back, Uncle, let me out... Please! Where are you? Is it night? Is it day? I can't breathe in this tiny space, Uncle! My fingers are so sore from scratching at the unyielding stone... Let me out! Let me out... I will surely die here. No...

Look at them! Every day they visit the house. When they have seen enough, they return to their comfortable lives. How I envy them, their freedom. I see them but they don't see me. Oh, they think they do, some of the clever ones who think they have the gift... but they don't. They have no idea that I am locked in this room, trapped until some kindness can release me. If only that one person could see beyond the walls, find...

I had a phone call this morning. I wasn't happy because it was early and I was warm in bed. I reached out and picked up the handset. “Hello?” It was my friend, Stacey. “Can you come over and help me... please?” She sounded desperate. “My windows,” she said. “Completely frozen.” I sighed. “Don't you have a can of de-icer?” “Yes,” she said meekly. “Then spray plenty on and wait a few minutes!” She hung up. A few minutes lat...

I went for a walk recently with my son and his dog which duly did its 'duty' on the first grass verge. He turned a bag inside out on his hand and picked up the warm smelly mess but, as he turned the bag the dog jerked the lead and the contents landed in his palm! Laugh? I almost broke a rib! He cleaned up with a tissue and we walked another hour. As we approached home the dog did another pile. Suddenly, my son retched. “N...

My Princess Why do you look so sad, as you stare out from the screen?Why do you look so sad, with beauty like I have never seen?You do not belong here, with those eyes so beautiful and blue.You do not speak yet I see into the heart of you. What has happened to bring you to this place?What has happened that the pain shows on your face?Still, you have not spoken yet I feel you screaming outWon’t you talk to me, a friend? Wh...

It began. It was just a feeling at first, but I knew it was coming. I couldn't stop it, all I could do was wait and hope it passed me by. It didn't, it just grew and grew in intensity. But then... Wait! Had it stopped or was it just lurking, waiting to take me by surprise? I began to relax, relieved that it had come to nothing. That was the moment it sprang, and I couldn't avoid it! I fumbled in my pocket for something bu...

When she awoke, she was alone. She couldn't make sense of it. Only a moment ago she was sitting with her mother and father and two brothers having breakfast, but now it was dark, and she was alone. She tried to move but something was holding her, crushing her and she cried out in pain. “Mummy, Mummy. I'm stuck! Where are you?” There was no reply. She opened her eyes. They were full of grit, but there was no light. “Mummy....

The wires screeched in protest as the strain pushed them towards their limit. There was nothing she could do but cover her ears and wait as the unbearable cacophony built to a terrifying crescendo and then... it happened! The strain on the wires became too much and with a fearsome twang the first one failed and whipped back, released from its torment. She waited, the silence deafening, her heart pounding in her ears knowi...

My head felt as heavy as an iron wrecking ball. The pounding was so loud that I could hardly hear the voices... Voices? I kept my eyes closed and tried to make sense of the babble. There was something about trending, about 'Tats,' something about my son and, even worse, about 'no knickers'! It didn't make sense. I've no children; I don't have any tattoos and what exactly is 'trending'? No knickers for goodness sake, what...

PING!   I took the coffee from the microwave but it was still cold, I had forgotten to press the button. I put the cup back inside and pressed it. Funny though, I definitely heard a really annoying 'Ping.' I sat down again and waited. There it was again, that really annoying 'Ping' and yet the microwave was still humming. Damn it; it must be the doorbell. Well, whoever it is can just go away. I've lost my knickers, and I'...