The Crooked Man

Chapter 3

...This is so strange. I should sleep and forget about it.

Moving for a change of pace, huh... Guess that's not working so well. I appreciate Paul and Marion's help, but...

--

I hear someone outside...

...Is that a kid I hear? What kid would live in these beat-up apartments? ... Heck, maybe they're lost... I should go check.

I went outside, no one's there... 'Course there's no kids here. Must be getting tired...

I was about to go inside my room then... I heard something broke.

I quickly checked to see what it is. My cup of coffee fell from the table.

Just a broken cup... Geez, that startled me... W-Wait, what?!

The coffee that spilled formed letters... It spelled... "HELP ME".

The coffee says...?! Y-You gotta be...

This room... Is really, really strange... With its voices... And TV's turning on... What IS this...?

--

The next day... I called Paul on the phone...

"Uh, hi, Paul? It's David."

"Yeah, what's up?... Man, you sound sleepy! Haha!" Paul said.

"Haha... Yeah, um, was up all last night... I gotta ask you something, is now okay?"

"Yeah? What?" Paul said.

"... Do you know who used to live in this room?"

"... Nah, I dunno. You asked the landlady? ... You curious about something?"

"Well... Seems like he forgot a lot of stuff. But I'll ask the landlady, sure. Later."

... The landlady's on the far end of the first floor. I'll go see what she knows...

I went to the first floor and knocked on the landlady's door...

"Hellooo! Oh, it's Mr. David! What seems to be the matter?" She said.

"Good day, miss. I just wanted to ask something, you see... About the room I'm in.. Can you tell me anything about the person who used to live there?"

"Hmm... Well, you know, these apartments always have people coming and going... Now what was that boy's name... I believe he was a man about your age... He suddenly left about a month ago. Said to leave the furniture and use it however!" She said.

"... You wouldn't know where he went?"

"I never heard that, no... Really just up and left out of the blue!... Ah, I just can't remember that name! I could rummage through my documents to find the previous tenants if you'd like?" She said.

"N-no, there's no need... I was just a little curious. Thanks, I'll see you around."

"Alrighty! Sorry I wasn't very useful!" She said.

A man about my age... I can only wonder. Oh well... I'll get back to my room.

I entered my room and I saw black tracks on my room.

...W-Why are these tracks on the floor?! They lead up to this wall with a crack... Is there something in this crack?

I got a brass key... This key is pretty fancy. I doubt it's for anything in here, so I wonder where...?

--

...The guy's voice, the kid's voices, the mirror writing, the TV turning on, the coffee... Hah, it's like a poltergeist or something... But I would have thought the landlady would mention this kind of thing... What's going on here...?... Not that I'd care if there were ghosts here. I wouldn't much care if they haunted me and killed me, either... But I wonder about that scrap of paper... What was the man who lived here like...? Did this stuff happen when he was here?

... Not much use thinking about it. I'll call it a day...

In the middle of the night, I was awoken by a static noise.

W-What?! Why... Where's that coming from?... Is it... From inside the house?

I went inside the computer room and heard the noise come from the closet.

Aha! It came from in... Here!... Radio? What's... Why is this in my closet? Not to mention turning on by itself...Hm? There's something on this paper here... It's... an address? "Our Special Place"... Where's that supposed to be?

I went back to my bedroom and what I saw terrified me... There were blood writings all over the walls, it says "I'M WAITING FOR YOU". I was shaking in fear...

...w...wh... I'm... "I'm waiting for you"...?! What... Why did... How... And when did it?!

...wh...WHAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!! I quickly left the apartment and ran.

--

The next day...

"... So, you sleep well last night? Sorry you had to sleep on the couch..." Paul said.

"Nah, I should be sorry for coming over so late..."

"Hah! Wasn't expecting it, but don't sweat it... But, hey, did something happen? You don't look too hot." Paul said.

"Oh, there's no particular reason... Or maybe I felt like intruding into the newlywed's love nest."

"Hey! Why, you!" Paul said.

"Hahah, just kidding."

"... Seriously, though, you can tell me if anything happens, okay? I'll do whatever I can for you!" Paul said.

"...Alright. Heh, I'm glad to have a buddy who looks out for his friends."

"Hey, you making fun of me?... Oh yeah, I heard from Marion. Sorry about the Shirley thing... I told her off for that." Paul said.

"... Don't worry about it. It's not Marion's fault."

"...Well, it's not about whose fault it is... I'm just not happy about it... Don't let it get you down, alright? I know you've got your mother to look after... But I think it's time you move on and look for new people!" Paul said.

"... As if a guy like me could find a date. I'm just some clerk with a mom in the hospital... And the girl I wanted to marry ran from me."

"Maaan, don't be such a sissy! You keep up that moping and you'll have your own personal rain cloud!" Paul said.

"... Hah, well, I'll be careful... Oh, so I'm going to go on a little trip. Don't want to waste my vacation, you know."

"Ooh, great idea! Where you going?" Paul asked.

"... Just somewhere I was wondering about. I'll call you when I get there."

"Sweet! Send a postcard!" Paul said.

"Breakfast's ready, Paul! David, will you be eating too?" Marion said.

"Nah, I'm not hungry... I'll be going."

"Aw... That's too bad. Come by anytime you like!" Marion said.

--

...There! Looks like this address is in the mountains... About a five hour drive. Did the former tenant go here...?... I just want to ask him about this room. Maybe he'll know something... Heck, I'll go right now. I can't stand this place, anyway...

I arrived at the place after five hours...

...Geez, it's gotten dark. But this is the place... No doubt. Huge place... Looks like a hotel... Would he be here?... I guess I'll have to check.

I looked at a faded board near the entrance..." Hotel Ruhenheim" Giving You A Serene Stay.

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