Alfie stood in his bathroom, staring at his gaunt face, as he heard his friends’ voices outside. They had decided that they would try to remain in the group whenever possible. They were sitting in his minimalistic apartment now, talking about all the possible people they could interview about the woman.
I can’t go on like this, he thought. If I have to fight, then I must let my pain go. He took out a razor and a can of shaving foam from the small cabinet above him, and started shaving.
Moments later, when Alfie stepped out of the bathroom and went out to the living room, he looked younger. He looked his age. Eddie smiled at him, and so did Sadie and Lani. He sat down beside Lani and asked, “So … what do we have?”
“We are going to go to my mother first,” Sadie said. “I’m sure she knows something; she knows every bit of gossip in the town.”
“What if she refuses to say anything?” Eddie asked. “What if she tries to keep the secret hidden, like Dr Black and Owle did? We can’t possibly twist her arm!”
“I’ll ask her,” Sadie said. “And I’m sure she won’t hide anything. At least … I hope so.”
“She’s our best chance,” Lani said, nodding.
“So that’s it, then,” Eddie said. “Let’s go now. We cannot waste a single minute.”
Sarah Pine shuffled into her kitchen with her cup of morning coffee, yawning. Her alarm had failed to wake her up at 6, and she had slept till eight. She was not very old, but she was already a victim of severe arthritis, migraines, and lumbar spondylitis. She eased herself onto her couch and sipped her coffee, as she fumbled on the seats for the TV remote.
Her daughter hadn’t called in a few days, and she wasn’t fit enough to go to Sunrise Towers. Even though the building was not very far from here, she still missed her daughter sorely. She had been horrified when she had said that she wanted to move out into an apartment. For privacy, Sadie had stated, and to become more independent. Sarah was even more reluctant when Sadie started talking about Sunrise Towers.
But Sadie had grown up to be headstrong and stubborn. Even though Sarah tried to refuse, even though she implored with her and quarrelled with her, Sadie stood her ground. When she finally agreed, Sarah was distraught. She had only ever had her daughter. What would there be if even she left her?
The doorbell rang, and she groaned as she stood up, walking slowly towards the door. She opened it and saw her daughter standing on the threshold with Lani and two men. She was overjoyed to see her, and she pulled Sadie into a tight hug. And then she raised quizzical looks at the men.
“They’re friends,” Sadie said dismissively as she walked into the house. “Mom, there is something we need to ask you.”
“Later, dear,” Sarah said. “First let me fix you some breakfast! You look so terribly pale! Sit down, everyone, I’ll quickly make some pancakes.”
“We don’t have time, and we’ve already eaten,” Sadie said. “Mom, what do you know about Sunrise Towers?”
Sarah stopped smiling. She glanced at Lani and the two boys and said, “Why, Sadie? What is there to know? You live there, and …”
“Cut to the chase, Sadie,” Eddie said. “Ma’am, we needed to ask you what you know about the woman who haunts the building.”
How do they know?! Sarah’s face whitened as she sank into the couch. She gulped and said, “How did you know about … about her?”
A look of triumph passed over all their faces, and Sadie said, “Let’s just say that we have seen her. Who is she?”
“I don’t know much,” Sarah said. “I had just moved into the town with your father … and the story is so old …”
YOU ARE READING
Below The Dark
Terror*********** There's something about Sunrise Towers. A curse, maybe. A horror. As a group of friends start exploring, they are haunted by a strange entity. An entity from below the dark, dank basement. A place where the sun never rises. *********** ...
