whispers in the dark

Whispers In the dark. 1

The old Mathesion place had burned down years ago; it had been built of the finest sandstone, and was typical of the kind of city home belonging to the wealthy merchants of the day and had stood on the left bank of the Clyde, overlooking the river.2

It was said in some quarters that the flames from hell had burned straight through its concrete foundations, razing it to the ground. 3

Of the occupants known to have been in the house at the time no trace was ever found, the local spey wives swore that they had been taken by Old Nick for the past sins of their forefathers. 4

The house had been built over a hundred and fifty years ago using money gained from the buying and selling slaves, and over the years hundreds of Negro’s from the African continent had found themselves chained in the cellars below its grim exterior.5

The house was perfectly situated to receive its human cargoes straight from the stinking holds of the slave ships, bound to each other by heavy chains they were unloaded straight from the ships and into the damp dark cellars. There they were kept for months on end before being shipped to plantations in Jamaica, or the southern states of the U.S.A. 6

In more recent years the house had attracted the baser element of the human populace, and over the years there had been at least two murders and a suicide within its brooding walls.7

During its unsavory history, the stories told about the house exaggerated or otherwise, had turned its ruins into a testing ground for the young guns of the day to show off their bravado and test their nerve.8

Mostly it has to be said, in impressing their young ladies. 9

Tales were told of ghostly figures which apparently walked through solid walls, and of phantom footsteps that echoed throughout its blackened interior. The city’s vagrants, or those of them who had the nerve to shelter within its walls, told of hearing unearthly whispers, followed by quiet unnerving laughter.10

Others claimed that while passing by its ruined walls, screams and maniacal laughter could be heard.11

Perhaps the most believable of the stories came from those same vagrants who had at one time or another sought shelter within what was left of its walls, tales of an unseen presence which made even the most desperate of them want to vacate their sanctuary without too many regrets. Unseen it may have been, but so strong was it, it touched each and every living soul within the walls. A presence so full of evil, it seemed to threaten their very existence. Three young teenage hoodlums sat drinking cheap wine in a public house called the Dirtry Dog; it was the kind of establishment that the ordinary hard working man steered clear of. 12

Martin Longmuir at nineteen was the unchallenged leader of the trio, his tough upbringing in a succession of children’s homes and latterly in borstal, had all but banished the word fear, from his vocabulary. There was no situation he would run from, no confrontation he would shirk. Fist fights throughout his young life had toughened him mentally and physically, and at the end of the day if fists and feet would not do the job, he would think nothing of using the first thing that came to hand and to hell with the consequences.13

His reputation was well known locally, especially so by those who had been unlucky enough to have fallen foul of him at one time or another. He had asked his companions to meet him that evening in the Dirty Dog, for some time now; he had been planning to rob the local insurance agent Tam Ingles. 14

Tam was well known to most people in the district, as he had called at most of their homes every Friday evening for over a decade. Cooper Street was the last street on his round, after that he could head for home. The amount of cash collected this week was better than average, and the battered old valise he used to transport the money bulged with notes and coins. 15

As he descended the stairs of the old tenement he whistled to himself, he was looking forward to the week-end. 16

On the last landing before the close mouth he paused, the gas lamp in the close had gone out leaving it in complete darkness.17

Standing on the landing he nervously stared at the dark close mouth below, he tried to be objective, it may just have blown out. Another possibility was that someone had deliberately put it out.18

Outside he could make out the faint glow of a street lamp, he stood listening intently for two or three minutes for the least little sound, which would give away the presence of anyone waiting in the darkness below to jump him.19

As the minutes passed the only sound was from his heart thumping against his ribcage, tightening his grip on the handle of the valise case he took a deep breath, and started downstairs.20

In the surrounding dark he slowly slid one foot in front of the other, feeling where one stair started then finished, before moving on to the next. Somewhere in a nearby flat the sound of a couple arguing reached his ears bringing him a modicum comfort, anything was better than the eerie stillness that surrounded him.21

On reaching the close he took a deep breath, so far so good he told himself, and then a bright light exploded in his head. 22

The first blow to the back of his head pitched him forward knocking him off balance; a second brought him to his knees. Through his fast disappearing consciousness he could hear voices that seemed to come from a long way off and felt someone tear the valise from his grip, and the sound of feet running into the night.23

An hour later in the Hangman’s Rest just off the High Street, Martin Longmuir and his two cronies sat drinking at a table in one of the coroners of the near empty lounge bar.24

They were in fine spirits as they celebrated their latest ill gotten gains, Martin Longmuir was doling out cash to the two men who sat opposite him. He split the money three ways, fifty per cent of it going to him, the other fifty per cent he split between the other two.25

They had learned the hard way in the past not to voice their opinions too strongly, regarding the size of any share out.26

They left The Hangman’s Rest at around nine thirty, buoyed up by the amount of alcohol they had consumed, Martin longmuir had arranged to meet his girlfriend from her job as a cleaner in an office across the river, the other two would accompany him so far, and then go their separate ways.27

They walked down Saltmarket street and crossed the over river into the south side of the city, the mist from the river shrouding the surrounding streets gave the place an eerie look.28

“I hate this weather Abe Roberts remarked, it reminds me of those old movies about Jack the Ripper, werewolves, and that kind of thing”.29

“Surely you don’t believe in that crap Martin Longmuir said turning towards him, all that stuff comes from someone's over fertile imagination he said..... They’re just adult fairy stories”.30

Danny MacLean kept his council to himself, as an eight year old he had awakened from his sleep one night, to find what had looked like a mist or fog at the bottom of his bed.31

As he lay there trembling beneath the blankets something hidden in it whispered to him, bidding him to come closer, “I have things to tell you it continued....secrets.”32

He lay there listening as the voice coaxed and cajoled, but some inner sense told him no. He could still recall that night clearly even now, the voice had become more urgent, more insistent that he come closer. 33

He could recall the horror of the smoke like tendrils that had crept slowly across the blankets towards him, he drew his legs up under his chest closed his eyes and screamed.34

He could remember his father holding him and telling him that everything was all right, telling him it was just a bad dream.35

He knew for certain that it was not.36

Abe Roberts’s voice cut across his thoughts, “if their only fairy tales he was saying to Martin Longmuir, then you wouldn't be afraid to go into the old Mathesion place by yourself, and stay there for say..... half an hour”? 37

Martin Longmuir turned to face him; there was a hard edge to his voice when he spoke.” When have you ever known me to be afraid of anyone or anything”?38

He glared menacingly at him, when he spoke again moments later, his voice was almost conciliatory, and a smile of sorts played on his lips.39

“Tell you what he said addressing both men, since Abe brought the subject up, why don’t we all go over to the Mathesion place right now and spend half an hour inside together?”.40

There was a stunned silence as both Abe and Danny stared at each other, “no fuckin way Hosey, you can forget that Abe said.41

“How about you Danny, Martin Longmuir asked him, are you afraid of the Bogey man as well?42

“No he retorted I don’t believe in the Bogey man as you call him Abe said, but I believe that there is something in that place that I wouldn't want to meet.43

“So are you two big girls telling that me you actually believe in spooks he said grinning at them, well...well. 44

“Tell you what, how about a small wager just to make it interesting, the cash that I split with you two earlier, how you would like to bet it against my cut,”45

“What exactly are you proposing Martin, Danny MacLean asked?46

“Its simple enough Martin Longmuir said, I'm willing to bet my share of the split against yours and Abe’s, that I can go inside the old Mathesion place on my own, and stay there for half an hour.47

“If I come out before the time is up you two win, if I don’t come out before half an hour is up I take back the money I gave you two earlier. Of course he said and smiled; if I don’t come out at all, you win anyway”. 48

“Is it a bet he asked?49

“A bloody stupid bet if you ask me Abe Roberts retorted, count me out its just plain stupid to tempt fate that way”.50

Danny Maclean nodded, “I agree with Abe, this is not just another empty house were talking about Martin”. What if the stories we’ve heard about, happen to be true?51

The house had been boarded up since it had burnt down thirty years before, but as it was a listed building it could not be pulled down without special permission.52

Steel shutters had been put in place around he ground floor windows and doors and bolted into place, around the back of the building however some of the brickwork had perished over the years leaving an opening a couple of feet in diameter.53

It was just wide enough to allow a man to squeeze through provided he was not vastly overweight.54

By the glare of the street lights almost two hundred yards way the three men squatted around the opening not speaking, Martin Longmuir had removed his jacket to make crawling through the opening that bit easier, he handed it to Danny Maclean.55

“Right he said, just to prove that it’s all a load of old crap, I'll go in by myself and stay there for…say, fifteen minutes, I would stay longer but I’m meeting the girlfriend later on to-night.”56

“Last chance to prove your not chicken he said to them, when there was no reply he disappeared head first through the hole in the wall.57

Both men watched as Martin Longmuir’s feet disappeared through the opening, “he’s a right crazy bastard Abe said, but you have to admit he has balls.”58

On emerging headfirst from the opening, the first thing that registered in his brain was how cold the interior was, and how black his surroundings were.59

Gradually as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness faint outlines emerged, they were just visible thanks to pinpoints of light filtering through the narrow openings of the shutters from the street lights outside.60

Standing in the pitch black interior he wondered just he would pass twenty minutes; he stretched out his hand and felt for a wall, when he made contact with it, it was soaking wet, and felt slimy.61

As his eyes became more accustomed to his dark surroundings he made out what looked like a window sill a few yards from where he was standing, I might as well make myself as comfortable as possible he said to himself, and have a seat 62

As he edged his way towards it he counted each step from the opening in the wall he had entered in through. He glanced at the luminous dial on his watch and was surprised to note that it had been less than five minutes since he had entered the ruin.63

He had no idea why he turned his head and peered into the oppressive blackness of his surroundings, but moments later he had the unmistakable feeling that he was no longer alone. 64

It was as though someone was standing on the opposite side of the room watching him.65

He tried to shake off the feeling telling himself no to be so bloody stupid, he could expect this kind of behavior from Abe, or Danny, after all they believed all the stories about this place.66

He turned his mind to meeting up with his girlfriend later that night and tried to picture her face in his mind, and then smiled broadly at the thought of the respect he would receive from his friends, when he crawled back out through the hole to the outside world.67

A faint noise startled him from his reverie and straight away his eyes were drawn in the direction of it, in the pitch darkness came the unmistakable sound of whispers, followed moments later by muted and somewhat disturbing laughter.68

“All right he shouted with a show of bravo while trying to keep an uneasy feeling at bay; is this wind up”?69

Thinking that his friends had taken it into their minds to try to surprise him and scare the shit out of him, he called out in a falsetto voice, come out come out whoever you are.70

At first only the silence greeted the invitation, gradually however the sound of the whispering became audible once more, but as yet it was not loud enough make out what was being said. He couldn’t be sure, but it sounded as though whoever it was was now closer to him than when he first heard it, it had to be his friends taking the piss, trying to put the frighteners on him. 71

He was determined not to respond, glancing at the luminous dial on his watch he noted that he still had more still seven more minutes to go. 72

The sound of whispers reached his ears again but this time from a different direction, more and more he had the feeling that there was someone or something not too far standing in the darkness watching him. 73

Slowly his perception that it was his friends trying to trick him was changing, but if it was not them who was it? 74

Suddenly he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching him from the far side of the room, the steady tread of someone crossing the cold stone floor towards him. 75

For the first time in a long time, Martin Longmuir felt afraid of the dark, the last time he had felt like this he been six years old. He had been locked in a coal cellar by his drunken father who had told him that the coal in the cellar was for Old Nicks fires in hell, and that he would send one of his demons to get it when the fires died down.76

With those memories revived he stood in the pitch blackness of the building hardly daring to breathe, he was aware that his eyes were bulging as they tried to penetrate the inky blackness surrounding him.77

Once more the sound of whispers reached his ears, but try as he might, he could not make out what was being said.78

As he moved closer to the wall at his back his foot brushed against what he thought was a brick; slowly he bent his knees, his hand searching for it. He smiled to himself, if someone wants to play silly buggers lets see how they like this, his hand closed around the thing at his feet, whatever else it was it was not a brick. It was wet and slimy and it moved. 79

He let out a gasp and quickly withdrew his hand wiping it on his trouser leg, to his left, someone laughed quietly in the darkness.80

He took a deep breath and steadying his breathing he started back towards the opening he had entered through what seemed an eternity ago, as he did so he was conscious of the sound footsteps heading in his direction.81

Again the sound of whispers reached him, louder this time, allowing him to make out what was being said.82

We can see you they mocked; this was followed by someone laughing. Worse still he could not shake off the feeling that in the surrounding blackness, dozens of eyes watched him.....Cold hostile unfeeling eyes.83

Suddenly something brushed lightly against his left leg as he retreated towards the opening in the wall, he whimpered softly and forced his body hard against the wall at his back. 84

He cursed suddenly himself for a fool; what with all that was happening around him was now unsure in what direction the opening lay. 85

The by now familiar threatening presence was now stronger than ever, something was terribly wrong; the whole atmosphere surrounding him was to say in the least unnatural. 86

Before entering the old house he had derided his two mates over their superstition regarding ghosts, evil spirits and other unnatural things that were reputed to inhabit the darker regions. Now he was not so certain.87

He stood looking around uncertain of which way to go panic rising in him, which way he asked himself.....Which way?88

He suddenly let out a scream, as a blinding light almost up against his face light left him temporarily blind; he wet himself seconds later as something grabbed a hold of his arm. He desperately tried pulling away from whatever held him in its grip, tears ran down his cheeks and he sobbed.89

“Hey take it easy Martin; a familiar voice said it’s me, Abe”.90

Outside the fog had cleared, Martian Longmuir stood with both hands braced against the side of the building his body convulsing, as his stomach disgorged its contents.91

He leant there taking in deep lungfulls of air while trying to control the shaking, trying to desperately to hold onto some credibility in front of his mates.92

“Are you all right Martin, Abe Roberts asked When you didn't come out after half an hour we thought something had happened, and came to look for you.93

“How long did you say I was in there he asked? 94

“Almost forty five minutes” Abe said.95

After that night Martin Longmuir noticeably changed, gone was the arrogant hard man image and the shows of bravado when it came to matters of the supernatural kind.96

When the dark winter nights gathered around him martin Longmuir kept to the well lit streets, and main thoroughfares. 97

One side effect from that night manifested itself on his personality; in that he could not abide the sight of people whispering.98