The House on the Horrid Hill

Chapter 16

When Alfreds feet finally stopped, he doubled over and rested his hands on his knees, gulping in big deep breaths of air. He stood still as the minutes ticked by and tried not to think about anything. He didn't want to think about the twin he should have had and he certainly didn't want to think about what cruel torture he may have suffered at the hands of his father's arch enemy Ozax.

What a cruel twist of fate that he should discover the wonders of Crudmoor Creek only to discover moments later that he should have lived his life here, full of love and laughter with a mother AND a brother. He could only imagine all the fun they would – should – have had.

Kicking the dirt furiously, he let out a loud animal-like wail that echoed right back at him. Looking up in surprise he realised he was now deep in the woods that circled the House on the Horrid Hill, the same woods he had found unbelievable scary on his first day here. He still did, truth be told, but he had far more important things to think about at that precise moment to be concerned with the monsters.

He settled down in the damp grass, resting his back against an old oak tree and tried to straighten out his jumbled up brain.

Not only was his father an Arx but two of The Nobles, Allota and Bailwick were his grandparents! Infact, had his father not abandoned his life here he was in line to be made their successors when they completed their 100 year reign. His own father, running a magical empire, it was all too much to take in.

And if that wasn't enough he now had to comprehend that his father had an enemy, an enemy who felt such hatred for him that he had kidnapped and murdered his wife and baby son. Worse still, the enemy in question had once been his best friend. They'd spent their entire lives side by side, sharing a bond so strong the older Arx used to joke that they themselves must have been twins separated at birth. An irony not lost on any of them now.

No one could have guessed that the not-so secret love Ozax had held for his mother would create such a powerful jealousy inside him and cause him reason to destroy his fathers' life.

Alfred felt a shower of emotions all at once that exhausted his mind and his body, all the thoughts made his head fuzzy and he dozed off against the tree.

Meanwhile back in his lair, Ozax had watched the events unfold before him as Possil beamed them onto the walls of his castle. He smiled a wicked smile as he realised the time to complete his plan was here at last and moved quickly to put things into motion. Now as he stalked through the woods he finally felt excitement creep through his bones as he moved closer to the tree Alfred was sat beneath.

Soon, his old friend Ulwin would really know what nightmares were about.

Alfred remained in a deep sleep as Ozax swooped on him and scooped him up over his shoulder. Of course, the simple sleep potion he had stuffed under Alfred's nose would keep him sleeping soundly for a while yet. Soon, though, he would wake up, in a strange and scary place and discover secrets that had been kept for such a long time.