Ecstasy

Chapter 3
Anthony stopped at the bottom of the long gravel path, and looked around at the varying other buildings situated around one large gravel court. All the buildings where four stories high, all made of stone and covered in dark green ivy. They looked almost gothic as they stood with gargoyles and crests on top of each building. Dawson looked across at Anthony who seemed quite content with the situation. Dawson how ever was a little shaky, he wasn’t one to like dark, damp ancient buildings. To many places thi things to hide and scare the shit out of him when he came home late at night, after visiting ladies.

“Which one is it?’ Dawson queried as some people walked past them laughing and chatting amongst themselves. Anthony shrugged his shoulders and smiled at a young woman walking across the main courtyard.

“Excuse me but could you tell me which building is the old masters house please?” The woman stopped and glared at them, her face scared almost at the mentioning of the name of the place. Anthony swallowed hard as she just shook her head in disbelief.

“Christ, what did you do to get a room there?” Anthony shrugged his shoulders as she finally answered him, her voice sounding a little sorry for them.

“Just luck of the draw I guess.” Anthony breathed as she pointed towards the large building opposite them in the courtyard.

“That’s it there, hey and good luck you’ll need it.” Dawson was getting a little edgy as she stared at them shaking her head still as if in pity.

“Thanks but we’ll be fine.” Anthony smiled at her before gesturing to Dawson to follow him forwards.

“That’s what they all say.” The young woman whispered as she watched the two young men walking towards the building she’d pointed to.

Anthony looked up the large stone structure as he and Dawson stood side by side in front of the oak door.
“Do you think it’s safe?” Dawson whispered as he looked at the lead light windows around the house.

“I guess we better find out then.” Anthony breathed as he reached for the brass knocker on the door, it’s deep mellow sound echoing in the now empty court yard. They both took a step back from the door waiting for it to be answered. It didn’t take long for the door to be opened, and a young man stood smiling at them. Anthony noted the way in which his hands and clothes were covered in paint; his longish hair tied up in a loose ponytail. Anthony smiled back as the man looked them both up and down over the tops of his thin glasses.
“Can I help you?” After a short pause the man addressed them, his voice warm. Dawson relaxed a little, at least they sounded friendly enough.

“Yeah, we’re looking for a…….” Anthony looked down at the piece of paper he’d produced from his pocket. “A Craig Lains?” He smiled up at the man who looked at them a little confused and suspicious.

“That’s me, who’s asking?” Anthony raised an eyebrow at the man as he took his glasses off to get a better look at the pair.

“Anthony Fox, nice to meet you.” Anthony put out his hand as the man shook it gingerly, leaving a little paint on Anthony’s hands.

“Hi, I’m Dawson e.” e.” Dawson shook the man’s hand as well before the man walked out of the doorway, shutting the door behind him and smiling at the pair.

“Now what can I do for you?” He asked gingerly as he took out a cigarette and lighter, before lighting it up and taking a long drag.

“We’ve been told to see you about our rooms.” Craig looked across at the pair pointedly, grabbing the piece of paper out of Anthony’s hands and reading over it quickly.

“Shit, they’ve not taken long this year.” Craig looked up towards a window on the second floor of the building. Anthony glanced up and he saw a pale face staring down at him, he had a double take as he looked up again, but it was gone.

“Well are we talking to the right person?” Dawson inquired, getting a little impatient to see what he’d have to put up with for the next eleven months.

“Yeah you’ve got the right person, you better come in then.” Anthony smiled as Craig put out his cigarette on the gravel and re opened the door, walking in front of Anthony and Dawson. Both men looked around wide-eyed as they took in the expanse of wooden furniture within toungounge room. It was like walking into a time warp; everything like it would have been in the 17th century.

“Whoa spooky.” Anthony breathed, as the door slammed shut behind them, the door catching the breeze. Dawson had suddenly got closer to Anthony, all but standing on top of him as they continued to take in the gothic appearance of the dimly light room.

“Now some house rules as I give you the two dollar tour to your rooms. Please don’t try and bend the rules, they’re there for a reason that you’ll soon find out about.” Craig looked at both Anthony and Dawson who nodded their heads in unison. Craig smiled and laughed a little, he’d seen the worried faces on people so many times it was just something to laugh about now. “Down here, is the kitchen, laundry, the main sitting room and there’s a dinning room around the corner.” Anthony and Dawson looked at all the things intently as Craig pointed to them. “Now we have dinner when ever somebody’s ready to make it, and no matter what you do don’t cook apple pie, it’s a long story which you’ll probably hear about but just take the warning.” Anthony laughed a little, that seemed fair he didn’t like apple pie anyway. “Now if you follow me up stairs.” Craig took hold of the handrail to go up the stairs and jumped back a little, pulling his hand away quickly. “Fuck.” He swore quickly, and Dawson jumped with fright, grabbing hold of Anthony’s jumper quickly.

“You alright?” Anthony inquired as Craig sucked his finger clean of the trickle of blood.

“Yeah always forget that’s there.” Craig smiled and pointed to a knife blade sticking out of the end of large wooden banister.

“What the hell have you got a knife in the banister for?” Dawson queried as they continued up the stairs, Dawson still holding onto Anthony for dear life.

“We didn’t put it there, it just appeared one night. Stuffed if we can get it out, we’ve tried but it just won’t budge. You’ll get used to the little things around this place” Dawson looked at Anthony, fear clearly written across his face. Anthony smiled at him, holding onto his arm comfortingly, it was probably all just shit to frighten them on the first night.

“Now this is the first floor, My bedroom’s the one on the end. Jason’s is next to mine. Alan’s is next to the bathroom there and Jake’s is the one at the far end.” Craig pointed out all the rooms before moving down the hallway towards the next set of steps. The floorboards creaked as the three of them walked quietly down the hall.

“So where is everyone?” Anthony inquired as they walked further towards the steps.

“Well Jason and Alan have gone out with dates as usual, Jake is in his film production lecture. I’m here and Josh is at a rally for human rights and Alex is upstairs probably writing as usual.” Anthony smiled at the name, he’d heard the guide mention earlier on in the art gallery.

“Alex lives here?” Anthony queried again just to make sure he’d heard right. Craig turned around at the top of the stairs and nodded smiling at him suspiciously.

“Yeah, she’s been here three years more than the rest of us. Do you know her?” Craig inquired as Anthony and Dawson came to the top of the stairs.

“No not personally, we’ve just heard about her.” Craig nodded his head and began to walk down the hallway.

“Well don’t believe everything people say, she’s a really nice person.” Anthony nodded as Craig pointed to a room, the door closed. “That’s Alex’s room, just a hint don’t go talking to her unless she talks to you first. If she likes you she’ll make conversation, oh and don’t piss her off she gets nasty sometimes and don’t go into her room!” Dawson looked at Anthony trying to see what his reaction to that comment was, but Anthony was just staring at the door to Alex’s room. “Now that’s a bathroom, and Josh’s rooms the one down the far end next to the stairs. This is you’re room Mr Paige and Mr Fox yours is next to it.” Craig opened the doors to both rooms, allowing both men to go inside their rooms to inspect the accommodation. Dawson followed Anthony into his room, still reluctant to part company with his best friend.

“Nice.” Anthony remarked as he dumped his stuff down on the floor next to the bed, before opg thg the curtains and falling down on the double bed in the corner. Dawson noted the way that the bedrooms and bathrooms where fairly new and modern compared to the rest of the house. It made him feel a little better, to have a less spooky room to sleep in but he was still at an edge. “Who’s next door.” Anthony questioned as he got up to follow Dawson and Craig into Dawson’s room.

“It’s a spare room, no doubt they’ll fill it with someone before the terms out.” Craig smiled as Dawson dropped his stuff the same way Anthony had done, falling onto the bed and sighing as he sank into the mattress. “Now I’ll leave you to it in a sec just some general things to be said.” Anthony leaned up against the window frame, as Dawson sat up to face Craig so he could hear him properly. “People are going to tell you stories about this place and some of them are true and the other stuff is just bull, most of the truth will come from us okay.” Anthony and Dawson nodded as Craig continued. “Just to get you thinking nobody ever goes up stairs onto the third level, unless you have a death wish. There’s no curfew as such, just a hint. If you like sleeping at night, I suggest being in bed before twelve or if you get stuck out don’t bother coming back before light. If you’re having company you’ve got to sign them in and out in the book at the bottom of the stairs. Keep it quiet if you’re planning on having that type of company, things seem to echo shockingly through this place. We’re willing to answer any pressing questions about things you see or hear during your stay and most of all don’t believe everything you hear. We’re nice people if we’re given our rights, and you’ll last longer if you don’t try and upset our non being guests.” Anthony and Dawson looked up at Craig a little confused as he smiled at them and laughed.

“Non being guests?” Dawson questioned, trying to get a grasp on things being said and why the rules applied.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be told soon enough. No doubt tonight before you go to bed just to make you that bit more uncomfortable with things. Alright I’ll leave you to it, thprobprobably serving lunch at the canteen in about an hour so I suggest getting something to eat, Alan will cook dinner when he gets home but it’s usually late.” With that Craig disappeared out of the room closing the door behind him. Anthony smiled down at Dawson who fell back on the bed, closing his eyes and putting his hands behind his head.

“See it’s not going to be that bad.” Anthony joked as he fell down on the bed next to Dawson, resting his head on his chest as he smiled up at him.

“We’ll see after a week if it’s not going to be that bad, then and only then will I be convinced.” Dawson sighed as he brushed his hand over Anthony’s cheek, dragging his finger down to meet his lips.

“Everything’s going to be fine.” Anthony whispered as he kissed Dawson’s finger before leaning up and kissing Dawson longingly on the lips.

TBC.........