Haunted House Tales Read online

  Contents

  The Haunting of Prescott House

  Prologue

  Prescott Mansion

  Truth or Dare

  Blood Flows Deep

  Uncovering the Past

  Incantations

  Beyond the Echoes

  Competition to Chaos

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Luciano House

  Paternal Instincts

  Discovering Home

  In the Arms of Hysteria

  Interpretations of Investigations

  Spectrum of Disbelief

  Perfect Mistakes

  Revelation of the Moment

  The Haunting of Perry Property

  Prologue

  Conception Perception

  Thirty Days

  Unadoptable

  Beyond Known Senses

  Tabula Rasa

  Unknown Entity

  Ethereal Planes

  Through Trust Lies Hope

  The Haunting of Alfred House

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  The Haunting of Woodchester Mansion

  Prologue

  The Hunt For Ratings

  Dreaming of Romance

  Triple Threat Alliance

  Woodchester Mansion

  Manifestations

  Electronic Voice Phenomenon

  I'll Be Seeing You

  Solidarity

  The Haunting of Magnolia House

  Prologue

  Magnolia House

  Prying Eyes

  Revelations

  Secrets of the Past

  Betrayal

  Intervention

  Is There Anybody There?

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Excelsior Hotel

  The Excelsior: The Grand Opening...

  The Excelsior: Under New Management...yet again

  Room 33: Ooooh that smell...can't you smell that smell?

  Room 33: You Have Got to be Kidding Me...

  Room 33: What Was It That Everyone Was Saying About This Place Again?

  Room 33: Wonder if Linda and Her Husband's Offer Still Stands?

  Meanwhile in Southampton: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Jack

  How Did You Miss This, Woser, You Hack?

  The Haunting of Shawcroft House

  Prologue

  Metamorphosis

  Safe Haven Search

  Little Dark Lies

  Emotions Unblocked

  Oddities

  The Nanny

  Unseen Hands

  Second Sight

  Blessing

  The Haunting of Sanderson Mansion

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  The Haunting of Carver's Arms Pub

  Prologue

  Investigation in Herriard

  Investigation in Herriard: All is Not as it Seems

  Another Talk with John Carver

  Carver's Arms: Who Dat?

  Carver's Arms: Who You Gonna Call?

  Carver's Arms: The Ghost Burglar

  Carver's Arms: Case Closed

  Jack's Vindication

  The Haunting of Westmore Hospital

  Prologue

  Welcome to Westmore Memorial Hospital, Jamie...

  Doctor Who?

  Jamie Can You See Us?

  Call in the Shrinks

  Help Me Obi-Wan...I Mean Bert...You're My Only Hope

  Thank God for Google...

  Dr. Malone Makes Rounds...Again

  Home Free

  The Haunting of Sunnyday House

  Prologue - Part 1

  Part 2

  Part 3

  Sarah at School

  Sarah Meets Sunnyday House

  Sunnyday House Comes Alive

  Sarah in Trouble

  Lacey to the Rescue

  Lacey’s a Believer

  Sunnyday House Comes Alive Again

  Epilogue: Lacey in Recovery

  The Haunting of Yellow Sulphur Springs

  Prologue

  Josh and Kylie Come to Town

  Everybody’s Working for the Weekend…Well, Almost Everyone

  Josh's First Day...

  Can Curiosity Actually Kill the Cat?

  Save Us, Kylie...

  I’m Sorry Officer…Did You Say I Am Under Arrest?

  Paging Perry Mason...

  Who You Gonna Call?

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Cleeman House

  Prologue

  A New Start for Nadia

  The Cleeman House is What???

  Sophie Goes Rogue

  Sophie's New Friend

  Sophie's Bombshell

  What Was That You Said About Cleeman House?

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Glass Mansion

  Prologue

  Bye-Bye, Overdue Rent

  Let the Games Begin

  The Real Haunting of Glass Mansion: An Appetizer

  The Real Haunting of Glass Mansion: The Entrée

  The Real Haunting of Glass Mansion: Could I Clear Your Places and Maybe Show You the Dessert Options?

  Hasta La Vista, Henry

  Kristen's Last Stand

  The Haunting of Ashley Mansion

  Prologue

  Dr. Myranda Black In Arizona…But Not For Long

  Dr. Myranda Black In New Orleans

  Blondie’s Intuition

  Myranda’s Sense of Rationality is Shaken

  Myranda Loses Her Skepticism

  Myranda and the Boy: An Introduction to the Other Side

  Myranda and the Boy: The Finale

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Drummond-Evans Mansion

  Prologue

  Halloween Plans in Savannah

  Halloween at the Drummond-Evans Mansion

  So Much for Peace and Quiet at the Mansion

  The Benign Mansion Goes Malignant

  Josh's Fears Realized

  The Legend Lives

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Harmony House

  Prologue

  When One Door Closes, Another One Opens…Even If It Is A Squeaky One…

  Let The Games Begin...

  Harmony House: The Waiting Game

  Harmony House: Work In Progress

  Harmony House Ghost Hunters Is Launched

  All Of A Sudden A Minimum Wage Job Does Not Seem So Soul-Crushing…

  Whoever You Are…You Sure as Hell Ain’t Jack Sawyer…

  Harmony House…Harmonious Once Again…They Hoped

  The Haunting of Abberfield Church

  Prologue />
  Leaving Las Vegas...Oops...I Mean Sheffield

  Trying to Make a Church a Home, Part 1

  Trying to Make a Church a Home, Part 2

  Abberfield Objections and Lawyers

  Weirdness Abounds

  Louise Goes Snooping

  Louise vs. Darren

  Rescue and Resolution

  Six Months Later…

  The Pet Store

  Prologue

  Help us Make a Difference

  Like We’re in a Cop Film

  Have You Found What You Need Yet?

  We May Be Here for a While

  Not in the Past Anymore

  That Feeling on the Back of Your Neck

  A Growl from the Corner

  Retribution

  The Cat Clairvoyant

  Prologue

  New Beginnings

  On the Edge

  Discoveries

  Leaving Our Troubles

  A Normal Day?

  Desperate Times

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Sprucewood Mansion

  Brodie

  Ashley

  Ted

  Carol

  Julia

  Jeremy

  Morgan

  Annie

  Miss Faye

  Samuel

  The Haunting of the Regent Theatre

  Prologue

  Not The Same Old Theatre

  Introducing The Swinson Review Staff

  Seeing Through Lynch

  Haunted Night Events

  Life Goes On At The Swinson Review

  The Haunted Evening At Last…

  The Haunted Evening Takes A Twist

  Amy Roberts Version 2.0

  Amy Roberts And Rosalva

  The Haunting of Daucourt Mansion

  Introduction

  Prologue

  Back to the Present

  Road Trip for the Team

  On the Road Again

  St. Francisville, Louisiana…Finally

  Welcome to Daucourt Mansion

  There Might Be More!

  The Return of Glory Trevil

  Glory Comes Clean

  Josh Rediscovers Himself

  Epilogue

  The Haunting of Crooked Cottage

  Prologue

  An Inheritance from Out of the Blue

  Childhood Reunion

  Back to The Crooked Cottage

  The Old Cottage in 2017, Part 1

  The Old Cottage in 2017, Part 2

  Alice and Pixie

  Alice Becomes a Believer

  The Crooked Cottage Tells All

  The Haunting of Bonner Springs

  Prologue

  Farewell to the Big City Lights

  Farm Life

  Bye Bye Bertie

  In Jasper’s Eyes

  Dr. Price

  Secret Talents

  The Aftermath

  The Haunting of Mason House

  Prologue

  Location, Location

  A New Home

  Message on the Floor

  Secrets in the Drawings

  Secret in the Attic

  You’d be Better Without Him

  New Beginnings

  The Haunting of Carroway Mansion

  Prologue

  Background

  Lights…Camera…Action!

  Liz Wonders What She Has Truly Taken On

  The Carroway Mansion…Just as Advertised

  Time to Get Down to Work

  The Crew from America Arrives

  The Carroway Mansion…Clara and Dean Join the Fold

  More Problems on the Set

  Sounds and Sights…But Not in the Film

  The Final Act

  Epilogue: Back Home

  Connect With Riley Amitrani

  Books By Riley Amitrani

  Copyright Notice

  The Haunting of Prescott House

  By Riley Amitrani

  Prologue

  5th September 1959

  Prescott House, near Bristol,

  England

  7:34 PM

  Martin Prescott threw his neck back to pour the last of his whisky down his throat. He slammed the glass down on his desk, not caring when it shattered from the force. Underneath the shards of glass was a pile of unopened letters. He was in his study, shut away from the rest of the house where his wife and two children went about their evening oblivious to Martin’s pain. He got up and headed to his drinks cabinet. It was once filled with a most impressive spirit collection. Now it was a hoard of near-empty bottles. He picked up a bottle of whisky and shook the last dregs into a fresh glass, took a packet of Camels out of his pocket and lit one.

  “Daddy?” A voice called at the door. Martin spun around to see his youngest girl, Elizabeth, watching him from the hallway. In her tiny hand, she clutched a picture she had drawn for him.

  “Go back to your room, Libby.” Martin turned from her, not wanting her to see him in this state. Libby pouted, at four years old she did not care to see her father unhappy, nor could she begin to understand the reason why. She dropped the piece of paper she was carrying on the floor and toddled out of the room.

  Martin went to the door and slammed it shut behind him. He picked up the drawing. It was difficult to decipher the scribblings of a four-year-old, but he could make out her intention. She had drawn herself and her sibling, Rose playing outside in the garden. She had scrawled red to depict the rose bushes which gave their house a sense of traditional English grandeur. Inside the yellow house she had drawn a figure who must be Sally, Martin’s wife. She was standing in the doorway, keeping a careful eye on her girls, in the picture as she does in life. But where was Martin? Libby had drawn him alone in his study. Martin screwed the picture up and threw it at the paper basket. Taking a last drag of his cigarette before he stubbed it out, he straightened his tie then headed down to the dining room where he found his wife.

  “So you're joining me for dinner then?” Sally said, arching a perfectly pencilled brow. She poured a glass of wine for herself and for him. Martin noticed that the bottle was almost empty. The roast dinner on the table had long gone cold. Martin sat down without a word and started to eat, not bothering to put his napkin on his lap. The dining room was as opulent as the rest of the house. The dark oak furniture was antique and above them hung a glass chandelier which shone warm light around the room. But the atmosphere was cold, with only the sound of the grandfather clock ticking to fill the silence, until Sally spoke.

  “I need to go into town tomorrow to get a new dress.” Sally said. “I’ve been invited for tea with Sandra and Louise and can’t wear something they have seen before.” Martin carried on eating. “So I really need some money. I’m sick of darning my old dresses and pretending that they’re not the same ones my friends have seen before. Are you listening to me?” She raised her voice.

  “You have a whole wardrobe full of dresses.” Martin said. “You don’t need another.”

  “I don’t need another? I’m your wife, not a servant who should have to ask every time I need something. You should be providing for me.”

  “I have to pay off this ludicrous house you had us buy. You wanted this, didn't you?” He got up, knocking his chair over as he did, and stood above Sally. “Didn't you?” His voice roared and echoed through the house.

  “I want a husband and a father. A real man.” Sally stood up. Martin raised his hand and slapped her, the force of which made her fall back into her seat. “You said you would never do that again.” Sally said, clutching her red cheek. “Tomorrow I’m taking the children to my mother’s.” Sally ran out of the room.

  Martin was enraged. He headed back to his study, where he picked up a bottle of liquor. He swigged it straight from the bottle. Something caught his eye out the window. He turned the light off and looked outside. There was a shadow of a man outside on the street. He was standing next to a tree, smoking and watching the house. No doubt he was one of the
men Martin owed money to for unpaid gambling debts. He had done this all to keep his bitch of a wife happy. The wife who had threatened to leave him just because he couldn’t afford to keep up with her spending habits. His head was spinning, his eyes blurred but he knew what to do. He took a final gulp of liquor. He headed over to the drinks table, on which was a box of cigars. He turned the box upside down causing the few remaining expensive cigars to fall on the floor. A silver key also fell out. He took the key and used it to unlock the bottom draw of his desk. He removed an item from it, concealed in a black bag.

  He headed upstairs, past the staircase to his children's bedroom where his pretty blonde daughters slept peacefully, oblivious to their parents’ problems. He got to the opulent room he shared with his wife. The four-poster bed was still made. She hadn't gone to bed yet. He noticed light coming out under the door to the bathroom. He tried the handle. It was locked. He kicked the door. He heard Sally scream inside. He kicked it again and again. On the third try it sprung open revealing Sally in the bath. With her blonde curls loose around her and eyes wide, she looked vulnerable.

  “What are you doing? Are you insane?” Sally said, shrinking back in the bath. Martin did not respond. He pulled a silver handgun out of the bag. He held it up and aimed it at Sally's head. “No, please,” Sally begged. He shot, the silencer dulling the sound of the bullet. It flew out and landed in Sally's skull, causing bone and brain matter to splatter across the white tiles. She sank lifeless into the water as it slowly became a bath of blood.

  “Daddy?” Elizabeth stood in the doorway, she was dressed in her pyjamas, her doll in hand. “What’s happened to Mummy?”

  “Close your eyes, Libby.” Martin said as he raised the gun a second time.

  Prescott Mansion

  30th April 2016

  Cambridge

  Cambridgeshire

  England

  3:10 PM

  “Come on! What is taking so long?” Amanda reached into the car’s open window and pressed the hooter. It was a new model Mini Cooper in red that she had recently received as gift from her father. She leaned against it, cigarette in hand and sunglasses on. It was parked outside the student digs which her friends Kim and Gemma shared, situated on a cobbled side street a stone’s throw from the River Cam. As she waited, a group of Chinese tourists came down the street. They paused to take photos of Amanda. She had long blonde hair and was dressed in cut-off denim shorts with a shirt tied up to expose her midriff. Leaning against her car and outside a quintessentially British town house, she looked like a model awaiting a shoot. But instead of basking in their attention she repaid their curiosity by giving them the finger.

  “Amanda! Do you really need to swear at the tourists?” Kim said as she came out of the house. She was dressed in a suit jacket, blouse and chinos. She carried a large hold-all over her shoulder. “And are those shoes really suitable for a drive?” Amanda looked down at her chunky wedges and rolled her eyes. Kim was too sensible for her own good.