The Picture Frame: A Horror Novel by Iain Rob Wright

Author:Iain Rob Wright [Wright, Iain Rob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-09T05:00:00+00:00

18

By the time they were on the road it was dark and raining. Stevie was staring out the window and smiling, but it wasn’t a happy smile. It was more like the smile one wore when thinking of a childhood friend—a happy loss.

“You okay, Stevie?”

“I always loved the rain,” he said. “I don’t want to say anything as cliché as it washes everything clean, but…maybe that’s it.”

Blake thought about it. “I know what you mean, although it’s a bugger when the field floods.”

Stevie chuckled. He had the sackcloth and picture frame on his lap and looked down at it now. “Can you believe we’re doing this?” he said. “We’re heading to see a priest about a curse. Strange way to spend a Monday evening.”

“It’s pretty messed up, and if we end up feeling stupid about the whole thing afterwards, I’ll consider it a good result.”

“Is it wrong to admit I’m kind of enjoying this?” Before Blake could respond, Stevie elaborated. “When I was a little kid I was always heading into the woods or some ruined building to have adventures, and every time I wished my big bro would come with me. The last time we spent time together like this was when Mum and Dad were still alive. I guess I changed after they passed.”

“We both did. We both went down our own dark paths, but we’re okay now. The past is the past. At least it’s going to be, once we get rid of that thing in your lap.”

Stevie huffed. “Yeah.”

Blake stole a quick glance at his brother and saw his eyes flickering with sadness. “What is it, man?”

Stevie coughed into his hand and forced a smile to his lips. “Sorry. It’s just so nice to see you. I get emotional, you know? Especially since I quit the drink.”

“Join the club. I think being overly emotional is something we both get from Dad. He was either flying like a kite or in a puddle of beer and vomit.”

“I loved him, though.”

Blake nodded. “Me too.”

They entered Redlake and passed the abbey beside the lake. The only light came from the moon and a couple of security lamps fixed to the abbey’s walls. Redlake sure did have its sights and history, but Blake wondered if it also had its secrets.

A mile past the lake and they reached the town centre. Redlake’s high street was a modest mix of chain stores and local shops. Blake had never spotted the museum before, but the website’s directions listed it as being next to an OXFAM charity shop.

They parked in front of the town’s Chinese restaurant and Blake switched off the engine. Inside the eatery, idle staff peered through the window expectantly. Blake and Stevie disappointed them by crossing the road and heading in the other direction.

“I see the charity shops ahead,” said Stevie. “I don’t see any museum, though.”

Blake didn’t either. The shop interiors were flooded with shadows and the only lights came from their blinking alarm consoles.

There was a sign on the wall between two of the shops.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.