The Shell - PART 2

She tore the door open and looked around. Everything seemed to be alright. The shells were in their aquariums. But the strange sound was unpleasant. Where did it came from? Sandie remembered the big, stinking shell. The sight of it made her scream. It was covered by a red liquid which suddenly split up. Little green lumps slowly arose. It was five enormous worms with bodies resembling cactuses and bloodshot eyes.

Sandie flinched. The worms were getting out of the aquarium. They would attack her. Unless.... She grabbed a spade and waved with it. One of the worms immediately attacked her middle finger. Sandie had never felt such a pain. It cut through her entire body.

Ten minutes later, she woke up. In the beginning, she only heard drawn out screams and distant voices. She laid on the floor, surrounded by red pools of blood which smelled like the shell. Aunt Mandy and uncle Jeffrey bended over her. Jeffrey held a pistol.

"The worms are dead", Mandy said. "I'll take you to a hospital."

Only then, Sandie discovered that one of her fingers were gone.

"I'll stay here", Jeffrey muttered.

"Are you angry?" Sandie asked.

"No, of course not. Your cousins could have done the same thing. I'll set the shells on fire."

As Sandie looked out of the car window, she could see the nightmare be burnt out.

The End

The Shell - PART 1

Sandie didn't recognize the house. It had undergone a total restoration, but then her aunt and uncle had always wanted a basement. Its little windows attracted her attention.

"What's in there?"

"I'll show you", uncle Jeffrey calmly said.

She noticed that the cold increased at the very bottom of the basement. Jeffrey suddenly stopped in front of a big door and opened it. They entered a hall full of wooden benches. At a distance, Sandie caught a glimpse of some aquariums.

"What's in them?" she asked.

"Shells".

Sandie sighed.

"Perhaps not that interesting to you", Jeffrey admitted. "But it's my hobby. I've collected them ever since I was a kid."

Sandie glanced at the biggest aquarium. She saw a gigantic shell, almost wide open.

"Oh, that one is special", Jeffrey mumbled. "I don't know what to do with it. It smells terrible."

He walked away and didn't notice that Sandie was left behind. She opened the aquarium and observed the shell. A disgusting smell immediately met her. You'd think it was spew.

"I've got to help Eric with his homework", Jeffrey shouted. "I don't mind if you stay down here - as long as you keep an eye on the shells."

"No problem!"

She heard him shut the door and got an idea: she would open one of the bottles and pour out a little into the shell. Sandie seized the black bottle and got the cork out. The liquid was black as well. What if she'd pour out more of them? What would happen? She'd always liked experiments.

In a little while, ten bottles were empty and lined up in front of her. The shell was besmeared, the liquids ran into the hole. Sandie was worried about the bottles. She'd have to hide them, otherwise Jeffrey would discover her experiment. A safe-deposit box became the rescue. And she was lucky. It wasn't locked.

During the dinner, Sandie pretended to listen to aunt Mandy.

"Come on, tell us", she eagerly said. "What's down there? Jeffrey is so secretive."

"Shells", Sandie answered. "Nothing but shells."

"Really?" Aunt Mandy disappointedly said.

"Unfortunately", Jeffrey laughed. "No swimming-pool, no doll house, no statue. Just my shells...and their liquids. I don't want them to decay...."

A rapid thought dashed through Sandie's head. Something was wrong.

"I must go down again", she resolutely said.

"What?" Mandy exclaimed. "But my strawberry ice cream...."

"I'll eat it later."

The Hidden Horror

Corinne knocked at the door. It was opened by a tall man in a black jacket.

"I assume that you want a room. Any particular number?"

"Number 17, please."

The man took out a file and started to turn over the pages.

"You're actually my first guest today. Nowadays, this place is quite empty - it was different when my father was alive. He painted the sign out there...."

Corinne looked around in the little room. Paintings depicting rabbits covered the walls.

"My father was fond of rabbits. Sign your name here...."

Corinne made a careless signature.

"Well, you've got the key. My name is Michael De Boute."

The room was plain. It consisted of a brown wardrobe, a big window, a black desk and a single bed.

"This door leads to the basement", Michael said. "At one time, my father used it as a laboratory."

"Laboratory?"

Corinne knitted her eyebrows.

"Let me explain. My father was extremely decent, he never used animals in his experiments. However, he prepared medicines for them. He never used animals in his experiments, the very thought of it would have shocked him. My father...."

"Don't worry, I believe you", Corinne said in a low voice. "I need something to drink."

"Yes, of course. I have a hunch that there's a bottle of champagne somewhere."

De Boute poured out the refreshment. Corinne stared at the grey door, the door leading to the basement. Michael was hiding something behind it, something secret....

"Thank you very much. I'd like to go to bed, I'll get up early tomorrow."

Michael smiled.

"Good night then."

Corinne cuddled up in the bed and quickly fell asleep. She was awakened by a piercing scream. It was Michael.... And it came from the basement.... Corinne opened the grey door. She saw a preciptous staircase. Michael laid on the stone floor. A large white rabbit was hanging over him - but it no longer resembled a rabbit. The body had enormous proportions and the teeth were dripping with blood.

"Shoot it!" Michael screamed.

He pointed at the gun on the wall. Corinne tore it off and aimed at the terrifying animal. At the same moment, she caught sight of a large white poster on a cage.

CAUTION. Experiment number 29.

It made her blood run cold. It was true.... She took the gun and pulled the trigger of. The large rabbit collapsed.

The End

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 7

James shouted at the twins to shut their eyes. Lynn pressed Carol close herself, trembling with sobbing. The little girl was dead. Ellie hugged her sister-in-law.

The two pumas got hold of Patrick's shoulders. Stanley and Douglas were tearing at each of his legs.

"Let go of my son", Douglas growled. "Let go of my son, you carcass!"

A third puma joined them. It tore off Stanley's hands. Lynn fainted. The twins fell backwards into the water. The two pumas immediately attacked them. Ellie Treeton saw their mutilated arms and legs sink down to the bottom. A cascade of water demolished the bloody surface. The fourth puma slashed Ellie's stomach.

Maggie cried.

"Mum! Mum! Wake up!"

But Lynn didn't move. Douglas desperately tried to defend himself against two pumas.

"James!" Maggie screamed. "Fetch the gun!!"

James ran to his family's caravan and tore the door open. He knew that the gun was in the chest. And the key was hidden away under a hat. James grabbed the gun and ran out. He fell on the gravel. The delay became devastating.

He rushed down to the lake and shouldered the gun.

"Dad!!" he bawled. "Maggie!! Do you hear me?"

It was dead silent. James looked through his binocular. Not a living soul.... It meant that....

"Joseph", James thought to himself. "Joseph."

The End

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 6

Upon his return, Patrick attracted a great deal of unreserved attention. The twins touched his arm and peeked at the stitches. Douglas wept a few tears, Ellie practically drowned little Joseph's voice.

Three days later, Maggie, Sam and Clarice took a walk in the forest. On the way home, Clarice wanted to play hide-and-seek among the trees. She had found a perfect hiding-place under the cover of a large branch. Maggie would never be able to find her. Clarice suddenly heard distant sounds. Paws tramping on the path, a growling.... She gave a cry and rushed up to Maggie.

"Monsters! They'll eat us, they'll eat us!"

"You're mistaken", said Maggie. "There are no monsters."

"They're here!" Sam whined.

"Let's go back", Maggie mumbled. "Come on."

About twenty metres from the base camp, dozens of pumas kept a sharp eye on the families....

July 23th was a hot day.

"Let's go to the lake!" Douglas shouted. "We'll have the sun chairs, the radio, the ice cream.... It'll be terrific!"

Patrick and Carol were diving. They saw lots of crabs and tried to seize them, but the little shellfishes were too quick. Carol caught sight of something else, something on the shore.... It appeared to be large, very large.... As she carefully approached it, she felt an inconceivable pain. The puma had scratched her neck. Patrick screamed. Another puma plunged into the water and seized his foot.

Stanley gesticulated on the shore.

"Hey! Anybody seen Carol and Patrick?"

Douglas and Lynn immediately jumped into the water. Ellie remained in the sun chair - deathly pale and ready to cry.

"What about Sammy and Clary?!" she screamed.

"Don't worry, Mom", said James. "They're with me - on my back."

Maggie suddenly caught sight of Carol.

"Oh no. Oh no."

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 5

The fishermen were returning. Clarice was the first to discover the little person who waved in a desperate way.

"It's Carol!"

"She's happy to see us, that's for sure", Douglas said.

They finally reached the shore and heard her words.

"Patrick is bleeding! A monster has bitten him! We need help!"

Douglas turned pale. He and Stanley jumped into the water and rushed up to Carol. Ellie joined them - her eyes spurted with tears - in their reckless rush into the forest. Lynn was left behind with Maggie, James and the twins. A thought crossed her mind. Joseph!

"I hope nothing has happened to him! Follow the others, I'll join you later on!"

They caught a glimpse of Patrick, who was unconscious. Ellie shooked with sobbing.

"Lynn's sister is a doctor, she has taught her a lot", said Stanley. "We've got a first-aid kit."

Maggie couldn't remember if she'd ever ran that fast and that long. They finally approached the caravans. Lynn emerged, carrying Joseph.

"How is he?" Stanley asked. "Is he alright?"

"Yes, thank God! What about Patrick?"

"His arm has been ripped", said Douglas. "Stanley said that your sister is a doctor and that she has taught you a thing or two. You've got a first-aid kit...."

"Let's go inside our caravan", Lynn decided. "Maggie, take care of Joseph and the twins. They've seen enough."

Lynn dabbed cotton balls with healing ointment and wiped off blood.

"What are we going to do?" Ellie cried. "What can we do?"

"I'll wrap up his arm with this bandage. But that's not enough. It's a long way to the nearest hospital, but my sister works there - she knows more than me. She'll sew this wound. Patrick has lost a great deal of blood."

"We'll go at once", said Stanley. "Believe me Ellie, it's best for you to remain here. The twins and James will need you."

Lynn's sister Louise immediately took care of Patrick. A male doctor told them they could breathe out. Douglas placed himself in an armchair in the waiting room.

"Stan, I understand if you're frightened", he said. "So am I. But this won't change anything. We're going to camp out, relax and have fun. We'll stay."

"Listen to me, Douglas. I've got good reasons to believe Patrick was attacked by a puma or something like that. Remember those pictures at The Zoo? They showed injuries caused by wild animals. Suppose there's a puma somewhere. In that case, it'll be dangerous to remain here."

"Don't forget my gun", said Douglas. "I killed wolves once upon a time. A puma mustn't destroy our vacation."

Stanley sighed.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 4

"Let's go to the forest! Do you think the stump is still there? The one we found last year?"

"But Mum said...."

"We'll be back before they return. And Joseph is sleeping like a log. Nobody's going to run away with him."

Carol and Patrick started to walk and eagerly kept a lookout for 'the stump'. Well, it wasn't that remarkable. But to them, it represented a border. The stump concealed a whole world. You could meet nice animals with large legs, or bad animals like the grey eagles. They'd come at any time and their crying made the blood froze.

Carol pretended she'd become a fairy. Patrick observed the path which lead to the mountains.

"Don't go away! Don't leave me here!"

"I'll be right back", Patrick mumbled.

"The grey eagles will take you!"

Patrick disappeared behind the large trees.

"I didn't see anything", he boldly proclaimed, happily brushing the needles off. "We should go back to Joseph and..."

Patrick saw Carol's face and immediately became silent. Her eyes were filled with horror.

"Behind you", she whispered. "Behind you."

Both of them screamed. They saw an approaching animal. Its pattern of behaviour was threatening and aggressive. It suddenly attacked Patrick. This was the monster, the horror from the mountain....

He saw the jaws of the monster, he felt a terrible pain. Scraps of flesh spurted out on the ground. Patrick bawled. Carol threw a stone towards the monster. It ran away at lightning speed. Carol's hands still quivered as she cuddled up against Patrick. His forearm was all bloody. She ran towards the lake - there was no time to lose.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 3

James, Patrick and Carol laid awake, although it was close on midnight.

"What's the name of your girlfriend?" Carol suddenly asked.

"Brenda", James answered. "We've been together for 2 years. We'll get married when we're 20. At least that's what Dad thinks."

"I don't want to be your page", Patrick muttered. "It's so childish."

"I've been a bridesmaid once", said Carol.

"Is that so, little C?" James laughed. "Did you get any reward afterwards?"

"Yes, a big doll house with accessories. I got it on my birthday, a month after Grandma's cousin's grandchild's wedding...."

Five minutes later, James and Carol were fast asleep. Patrick tried to shut his eyes, but he couldn't. He thought of the monster....

"Mum! I wanna sleep with you and Dad."

Ellie rubbed her eyes.

"Let me sleep. Go back to bed....."

"Please Mum!", Patrick whispered.

"Alright. But don't nick Sam's pillow."

A few days later, the two families would go out fishing. Douglas had an aquaintance whose summer cottage was located near by. He offered to lend them his motorboats. But there was one problem. Each boat had room for 4 persons. Douglas realized that 3 of the children would have to stay in the base camp. Joseph - of course - the little fellow was sure to dislike the boat trip. Patrick - poor thing - he hadn't been himself since the mountaineering. He'd like being a landlubber. And Carol - she could liven up both of them. Douglas was satisfied.

Carol and Patrick stood by the lake and waved. Joseph slept inside one of the caravans.

"Don't worry Mum", Carol shouted. "I'll take care of Joseph, it's easy enough - you've taught me everything!"

The children saw the motorboats disappear. Afterwards, they went back to the base camp and started to think about what they'd do next.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 2

"Well done everybody", said Douglas. "We're almost right at the very top of the mountain. Let's eat the donuts. After that, you rascals might as well have a look around. As long as you're sensible."

Patrick's face was still pale. The donut laid on the ground, attacked by a couple of ants.

"Are you alright?" Stanley asked.

Patrick didn't answer. In his mind's eye, he still saw the monster with its eyes, its wide open mouth, the raising paw, he heard the roar....

"I wanna go down!" he suddenly screamed. "I don't wanna be here!"

"Do you want these stone blocks to fall down on us?!" Douglas severely whispered.

"What's up now?" Lynn exclaimed when they returned.

"Patrick went nuts", Douglas explained. "He simply wanted to go climb down. And he won't say why."

"My poor boy", Ellie sighed. "Erratic and furious."

"Mum!" Patrick whispered. "I've seen something.... something terrible. A jaw, spurting blood....."

"You're watching too much TV. I thought we'd talked about that, Douglas!"

He was busy peeling a banana for Clarice and shouted:

"Honey, you know that's your business - all the year round!"

But Douglas couldn't stop thinking of Patrick. Late at night, he began to blame himself.

"I should spend some time with Patrick. You have your hands full, I understand that.... James wants to be with Brenda every single night. The twins are at the daycare centre."

"He's our afterthought", Ellie laughed. "Your mother is 18 years younger than her eldest sister. Not to mention Dad...."

"Look here, Ellie. Maybe we should consult a psychologist."

"A psychologist? No, you're overreacting. Patrick is fine."

"Do you think my absence has a bad influence on him?"

"No. Don't worry."

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 1

The two families reached their destination.

"There's a dent on your caravan", Patrick indicated.

"I know", Maggie sighed. "Dad should have bought a new last year, but he's always saying that it's too expensive."

After the dinner, Stanley dropped the bombshell.

"You know that uncle Douglas loves the mountains. And we've actually been professional mountaineers - that's a long time ago. Tomorrow, we'll take you on mountain climbing."

"All of us?" Carol asked.

"Everybody who wants to", Douglas answered.

"You, me, Patrick, Maggie and Carol", said Stanley and counted on his fingers.

"What about me?" James disappointedly wondered.

"You're strong", Douglas laughed. "Your job is to protect your mother, aunt Lynn and the kiddies."

The next day, uncle Douglas was up early.

"I feel how the mountain is waiting for us! It's moving!"

"Where is Mum?" Carol asked.

"She's sleeping", Maggie explained. "Joseph refused to fall asleep last night."

They walked to the lake and up a path. Patrick caught the first glimpse of the mountain.

"Wow! Right up there?"

Douglas scratched his head.

"No. Then we'll kill ourselves. But I think we'll manage to get to that boulder, at the very left of the corner. Got any objections, Stan?"

"I trust you."

"Listen to me, kids. This is no mischief, this is serious. You'll be tied up to me and Stan."

Carol shuddered. They were alone now, alone with the broiling sun and the clouds. Patrick felt urbane and tough. It was as if he knew the exact location of every stone, every cleft, every hole, every....

He heard it. Far from there, a rumbling roar and a cat-like animal. But it wasn't a cat. It was a monster.

Patrick cried out and fell backwards. Carol started to cry and Maggie shut her eyes.

"No!!" Douglas bawled. "Hang on, Patrick!"

The Horror Of The Mountain - PROLOGUE

Some relatives are spending their summer vacation in the mountains. The children enjoy spending time with their cousins and the adults happily arrange fun activities. Patrick, one of the boys, is the only one who sees the terrible monster. And it's eagerly waiting to strike....

I chosed to include relatives in this story because I think relations between relatives simply are interesting to write about. I wanted to create a certain atmosphere: a feeling of safety, friendship, light-heartedness, care and consideration. And isn't that how a good horror story (or horror film) shall begin? You depict the idyllic setting, you let the reader be lulled into thoughts like: "This is nice, this is enjoyable." And in a carefully chosen moment - you take out the terror.

The hot summer's day had turned into night. The silence descended over the mountainous landscape. Only the owls stubbornly hooted. Little Carol Morton slept deeply, safely leaning towards her cousin Patrick. They were inseparable and Stanley - Carol's father - jokingly used to fantasize about 'a future marriage'. Almost all of the children had participated in these little excursions ever since they were infants. Somehow, going to Cliff Mountains in the eastern California (and camp out in two months) was a tradition in the family. The date was an important detail. July 13th, three days before the birthday of uncle Douglas. He promptly wanted to celebrate it in the mountains. Not on July 4th, not on the national day. No, he had to be out in the streets (with a flag in one hand and a can of beer in the other).

Uncle Douglas was half mountain, half city - as his oldest son James used to describe him. His father was a slick lawyer who loved nightclubs. He was having the time of his life on New Year's Eve, mixing and conversing with loved ones. But there were times when he didn't like the city life, when a longing for peace and quiet came upon him. In the beginning, he had frequently camped out in the forest or by the sea. That caused some trouble concerning his working life. Douglas Treeton spinned between courtrooms, family life and glades. He understood that something drastic had to be done. The idea of 'going on mountain excursions' arised. Douglas could easily concentrate on his work and simultaneously long for July 13th. That day, he became a mountain - an extremely romantic one. That was the best time for his wife Ellie and their children James, Patrick, Clarice and Sam. They could spend time with Douglas and he wanted to see them. But during the rest of the year, he and his family lived in separate houses. The children could observe their father, who entertained rich men and arranged dinners.

Stanley was different, he worked at a restaurant called Meal. His wife, Lynn, was a broker. Ellie was a housewife and therefore jealous of Lynn. And Lynn wished that Stanley had lots of money, like Douglas. They didn't have an economic crisis, no and no again! But Lynn had worked as a waitress in her early teens and all alone supported her grandparents. She didn't know the identity of her parents. Lynn was proud of her hard work. She didn't like seeing Ellie revel in the money - mrs Treeton really didn't do anything in the daytime. Cleaning, cooking, taking care of four children.... nonsense! Stanley dismissed the whole thing as nagging. He reminded her of the fact that their children were lucky - regarding one thing. Maggie, Carol and the new addition Joseph had access to both parents all the year round.

That was never a source of quarrel or jealousy among the cousins. The Treeton children generously gave away some of their father's expensive presents. It was a secret which kept their feet firmly on the ground. The Morton children were happy and grateful.

The Abandoned Children - PART 8

"Felice", Janet whispered. "We regret everything. If there's anything we can do to help these children.... You know that Mark and I can't have any."

Felice observed the children.

"Mak and Jant", she said and pointed at her aunt and uncle. Alice put her arms around Janet. Annie and Tom embraced Mark. They turned around and noticed Joe.

"Nce", said Felice. "Not da-a-a."

The children carefully approached Joe. Alice seized his hand.

"Grandpa."

Felice was astounded. Alice had said all the letters! And she wasn't afraid. None of the children were afraid. They prepared themselves to leave.

"Stay with Janet and Mark", Felice slowly said.

The children nodded. They understood!

"Mum", said Alice and pointed at the cabin. "House."

"You are always on her mind", Felice whispered. "You can always go there."

THE END