The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1) by P. A. Fielding Read Free Book Online Page B

reading her latest novel, and Jim was checking messages on
his iPhone. “I’d a funny day,” he said to Mary. “In which way funny? Didn’t you like putting the overalls back on?”
    “No,
not the painting, I enjoyed that – it took me back to working with the old man.
No, there were a few strange things going on.”
    “Strange
things?” said Mary, putting down her book. “What do you mean by strange
things? ”
    “Well,
first of all my iPhone started making funny noises, then the floorboards were
creaking. That would’ve been OK but then I thought I heard footsteps on the
second floor and in the attic. But when I got to the attic it was just an open
window banging on its frame.” Mary started to read again. “There you go! It’s
just because you were on your own in an old house – you’ve got an over-active
imagination, that’s all.”
    “Maybe, but there’s definitely
something spooky up there. Besides, I found some new scratches on the wall leading upstairs, and on the
floor in front of the old chest.” Mary put her book down again; she realised
she wasn’t going to get any more reading done. “What is it with this chest that
you’re all talking about? It’s only an old travel trunk, surely, that was
forgotten when the last owners moved out. And, as for the noises, you said
yourself that the house is well over a hundred years old – there’s bound to be
some unexplained creaking.”
    She
put her reading glasses and book on the bedside table. “You’re making me feel a
bit worried now, though, about leaving Zoe here on her own .
Do you think she’ll be OK?”
    “I
knew I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
    “No.
I’m glad you did. I just don’t want her to have a relapse, that’s all.”
    “Mary,”
said Jim, kindly, “that’s over four years ago now; we need to move on. The past
is the past.” Mary picked up her drink. “I know you’re trying to keep her
occupied with the games testing, but I’m her mother – I worry about her.”
    “That’s
only natural, but she’ll be fine. She’s an adult now.”
    6
    Zoe
was the only one still awake. After a mad half hour of text-chatting with Vana,
checking Facebook, and altering her status, she posted – my second night and
the bedbugs are biting! The only thing keeping her awake was the noise of
creaking floorboards above – that, and the urgent need for the toilet. In the
end, in desperation, Zoe braved it, climbed up the stairs and walked into the
bathroom, closing the door behind her.
    Ten
minutes later and she was ready for bed again. She closed the bathroom door
quietly so as not to wake everyone, and crept slowly back down the stairs. She
felt a blast of cold air across her neck and turned cautiously, staring into
the darkness. She felt as if there was someone there.
    Once
safely back into her bedroom, she snuggled down under the duvet – but she was
not alone; a dark silhouette was watching her from the shadows.

8: He’s a
joker
    1
    “Mary!”
Jim had suddenly woken up to the loud sound of creaking floorboards upstairs;
he was then aware of movement downstairs. “Mary, wake up!” He gently tugged on
her right arm. “Not now, go back to sleep,” she mumbled, tapping the side of
his face. “Mary, I’m not being randy. Can you hear that?” he whispered, “I
think there’s someone downstairs!”
    “What?
What did you say?” replied Mary, struggling to wake up. “For
crying out loud. You’re hearing things, go back to sleep.”
    “No,
listen,” he insisted, “there it goes again.” The sound of a door closing echoed
up the stairs. Mary quickly turned on the bedside lamp as they both sat up in
bed. They looked at each other, in fright, as they heard a loud thump coming
from the second floor.
    “I’m
going to check it out,” said Jim.
    “No
wait.”
    “Why?”
    “Listen.”
    They
heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “I don’t like this,” whispered a terrified
Mary. Jim