Tales Of The Squeaker ~ Fifty thriller stories in one book

Tale Five: The Muttering Towers

The Muttering Towers rose towering, their black windows resembling eyes watching the world below. Nobody knew who owned the structure, and its history was buried in mystery. The apartments were described as exquisite, but only a chosen few were invited to live there.

One gloomy evening, Maria discovered an elaborate mail on her doorstep. The paper was old, and the ink smelled like old libraries. The invitation stated: "Dear Maria,

You are cordially invited to stay at The Muttering Towers. Your presence is planned in Flat number 13.

"Yours faithfully, the Management."

Maria hesitated. She'd heard rumours—whispered in dimly lit bars—that those who entered never exited. But curiosity overtook her, so she accepted the invitation.

Apartment number 13 was unlike any other. The walls appeared to breathe, and shadows moved over the ceiling. Maria's neighbours were also weird. Mr. Trufflewood, the elderly guy across the hall, had a permanent frown. His eyes contained secrets, and he rarely stepped outside.

Mrs Hazlewood, the woman next door, enjoyed collecting antique dolls. They looked at Maria with glazed eyes, their faces locked in strange smiles that hid something creepy. Then there was the enigmatic Mr. Pink, who only appeared at night, his footsteps hushed as he crept inside his flat.

Maria investigated the building, finding secret passages under bookshelves and trapdoors beneath the floors. The walls spoke to her, giving enigmatic meanings. She followed their instructions, assembling a puzzle that led further into the tower's heart.

One moonless night, Maria stumbled onto a room packed with old books. Their names referenced forbidden knowledge: "The Language of Shadows," "Binding Rituals," and "The Pact of Silence." She realised The Muttering Towers were more than just flats; they were a portal to another realm.

As Maria dug deeper, she discovered the truth. The tower served as a conduit between realms, and its inhabitants protected ancient secrets. The Management, it appeared, were beings beyond human comprehension.

In Apartment number  13, Maria discovered a mirror that displayed not her face, but that of a hooded figure muttering promises of power and immortality. She had a choice between embracing the darkness and breaking free.

At the stroke of midnight, Maria approached The Management. Their eyes shone like fading stars. They promised her control over realms, but she declined. Instead, she shattered the mirror and severed the link.

The Muttering Towers shuddered and collapsed in on themselves. Maria escaped as the tower crumbled behind her. As she emerged into the rain-soaked night, she cast a glance back. The Towers vanished, leaving just a space.

But Maria carried their secrets—the whispers, the hidden passages, and her decision. And she wondered if she was free, or had she swapped one cage for another.

The Muttering Towers remained a legend, a story told by firelight. However, those who listened carefully could still hear the echoes of its secrets. But was it real? 

                                                                               

The End

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