An Unusual Fairytale

The Old Mulligan Barn

Edited b DragonRyderRed reposted 9/5/18.

If there are two things that I hate, they are not being in control and horror stories. (And snakes, I really hate snakes, but that has nothing to do with the story.) Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good scary story. But, when YOU are in the middle of the story, not so much.

You see, when I woke up tied to a chair, I immediately recognized the old Mulligan Barn. It was the scariest place around. Me being me, I had been there several times. Of course never after dark. I'm not that crazy.

The barn was in the middle of a field that used to belong to Old Man Mulligan. He was a crazy old man who used to raise wild dogs and wolves. When he died suddenly a couple of years ago, all the animals he raised disappeared. Many people believe that right before he died he released all his animals as a final act of revenge.

The animals were said to only come out at night, which normally wouldn't concern me. However, I could see through a hole in the roof that the sunlight was slowly slipping away.

I tested the ropes that held me to the chair, hoping that I might be able to break free. That wasn't the case. In fact, they seemed to get tighter the harder I pulled.

I suddenly heard two people talking outside the door, preparing to come in. Not really sure what to do, I feigned sleep to see if I could find out what was going on. I listened intently as the two people came in.

"Oh, I wish som'n' would tell me why you's has tu keep this girl tied up in this here barn. I'm all fir justice 'nd all that, but I'd like to know what she done to d'serve it." a man with whiny southern voice said.

"We greatly appreciate your help." A sophisticated sounding voice answered back. (I could tell just by hearing his voice that he thought he was better than everyone else. I can't stand people like that. They're so... I don't know, they just are.)

"Unfortunately, her crime is confidential. Just do what you have agreed to do, and you will receive every penny that you were promised." He finished with his nose stuck up in the air. (Well, technically I didn't see him, he just sounded like he had his nose stuck up in the air.) This man was telling me nothing. However, our southern friend was quite helpful.

"Oh, you means t'night whens I set this here barn on fir'!" the man almost boasted. (That's when I decided to call him Fred. He just sounded like a Fred.)

"Shh!" The sophisticated man (Benjamin I decided. You see there was this traveling nobleman named Benjamin who, oh never mind . . .) exclaimed. "You don't want anyone to hear, it could have this entire endeavour becoming absolutely disastrous!"

"Oh, bah. Don't worry. No'n' can hear ya out here. 'Cept this here girl, 'nd she asleep. She will be outta here b'fur I light 'er up, right?" Fred asked concerned. I appreciated his consideration. Kind of.

"Oh!" Benjamin sounded surprised. "Of course! I will personally ensure that she is out of danger when you," he stopped and in a low voice said, "fulfill your end of the bargain." I for one, wasn't very comforted.

"Oh, uh huh." the man responded. (I was really getting tired of this man and his "oh". I mean really, who starts every sentence with the word "oh".)

"Well, if you will excuse me." Benjamin hinted.

"Oh, well I s'pose I'd best leave ya to do what ya's need to do." Frank said as he shuffled over to the door. I could just imagine Benjamin with a fake smile plastered on his face as the man slowly made it to the door. "'Till t'night then."

"Yes, until then." he answered with clenched teeth. The barn door shut and Benjamin sighed. "Would it kill people to use proper English! That man's horrendous dialect positively exasperates me!" He [comma/capitalization. I normally recommend comma] exclaimed loudly. It took all of my effort not to laugh at him.

"What is keeping Jefferson," the man huffed to no one. I could hear him pacing back and forth. After about twenty minutes, he let out an angry groan and left me once again to myself.

When I heard the door close, I looked around. I reached my hand into my dress pocket (as best as I could, being tied to a chair and all). I found, to my delight, that they had left my pocket knife. (I mean seriously, these are some pretty bad kidnappers if they leave me with a knife. Did they even check my pockets?)

Now that I was alone, I could plan my escape.