#2 Orchard Woods

Pin Icon Orchard Woods

The woods of the surrounding area were once planted apple orchards (as the name suggests) but have since largely run wild and been partly overwhelmed by invasive species, such as elm and ivy. The result in daylight is picturesque, yet at night and in the storm, the woods are something out of a gothic nightmare. The cottage itself is set back some distance away from the main road, on the other side of a rising hill, and is therefore quite secluded.

As Charlie, Emilia, and Frank arrived at their destination, despite the dangerous rain and mud under the car's wheels, it felt nothing short of a miracle that the car had managed to take them so close to the cottage safely. Frank skilfully navigated the vehicle to a spot further from the main road, and he even positioned it for a quick escape if necessary—a thought that occurred to him and seemed quite practical?

The cottage was a recently renovated, single-story, old colonial-era property. Behind it stood a small barn, now serving as a garage. Emilia stepped out of the car, feeling the rain continue to fall onto her skin. She gazed up at the sky, as if it held the answers to what had transpired here not too long ago.

“ I… I remember! My papa and I, we were… robbed?! Someone came here, to hurt us.”

Emilia turned to Frank and Charlie, as if they might hold an explanation, but Charlie remained silent. Overwhelmed by the situation, she shifted her gaze to Frank. Should they venture inside the cottage with Emilia?

@Frank Flower

As the car neatly came to rest near the house, Frank took a moment to feel pride. He was an excellent driver. Perhaps he would one day consider a career as a professional racing car driver so that a wider audience could marvel at his ingenious control of these marvels of modern engineering. But for now, he was a detective. A detective reporter. Perhaps in a few years, when he is drinking champagne after a car race with mayors and famous models, he'll think back on the brilliant exploits of his youth. He'll share the story of how he rescued his parents and how impressed his younger sister was.

Frank came back to reality. The house ahead looked suspicious. Frank heard the vague warnings from Emilia. A robbery? Some sort of thuggery? This wasn't the sort of adventure that Frank was looking for. However, Frank had boundless confidence in his physical capacity to deal with such things. He leapt out of the car, feeling the rain on his face. He called out "Young Emilia! Fear not. I shall scout ahead and ensure that there are no vagabonds intent on mischief. Er, you mentioned your father? Perhaps we should start by hailing him!". Frank took a deep breath then called out "Father!". He stopped embarrased for a moment and began again. "Emilias Father! Please make yourself known! I am a gentleman investigator and I seek to ensure that all is well so that your daughter might be safely returned to you!".

Frank peared into the darkness, to see if he could discern any ne'er-do-wells lurking in the shadows.

Frank rolls for spot hidden

As Frank swept the area, he couldn't pinpoint anything specific. No signs of life could be seen, and his shouts went unanswered, which was undoubtedly concerning. Then, out of nowhere, he heard a loud banging coming from a nearby cottage. The door continued to swing open and shut, driven by the relentless wind. At that moment, Frank also heard distant thunder, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Was someone inside the cottage? Why was the door left open?

@Frank Flower

As Frank stared into the darkness, he found himself once again daydreaming. The banging sound of the cottage door brought him back to reality. Well, it would probably be more comfortable inside the house than standing outside in the rain. Surely his bellowing voice would have scared off any vagabonds? Frank quickly informed his female companions: "Please remain in the car, with the doors closed and secured. I shall enter the building and ensure that nothing is amiss. I shall call for you once I have ascertained that all is well." With that, Frank promptly headed towards the door of the cottage. As he he walked, he whistled a jaunty little tune, reassuring himself that this was still a merry adventure.

As Frank descended toward the cottage, his attention was drawn to a crowbar lying in the tall grass nearby. Could this be the reason behind the wide-open doors? Upon entering the house, he immediately realized that the electricity was off. Darkness enveloped the interior, making it challenging to see much. A corridor extended to the left, while the right wall featured two sets of doors, one of which was ajar. Strangely, an eerie orange glow emanated from the partially open room, possibly from a dying fire in a firepit. But would Frank have the courage to step inside and investigate further?

@Frank Flower

Frank paused his jaunty whistling. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting to find, but was hoping at least for a response from Emilias father or a robber to chase. The silence was unfomfortable and Frank suddenly felt a little cold. Of course, not afraid. But perhaps wise to take precautions. Frank considered whether the cold heft of a crowbar in his hand might help reinvigorate his spirits. With one eye on the strange glow, he retreated outside to pick up the crowbar.

Frank easily grabbed the crowbar, which provided an explanation for why the doors of the house had been opening and closing, swayed by the wind. He could notice marks on the edges. The scene appeared deeply unsettling, and Frank couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. However, the house appeared vacant, and he couldn't see what was inside. At least for now, he was safe, but the duration of his safety remained uncertain.

Charlie and Emilia remained by the car, keeping watch. This was not a suitable place for women, particularly given the apparent danger. The only way for Frank to uncover the truth was to venture inside and investigate for himself.

@Frank Flower

Frank was reassured by the crowbar. It was cold and real. Not like one of his daydreams. Yes, this was a time to face reality. He turned back towards the house and walked down the corridor towards the eerie glowing light. Of course it would be a room with a fireplace and quite ordinary. As he went down there he called out: "Emilias father! I'm entering your premises to ensure that all is well! Do not be alarmed."

Frank considered the most likely remaining explanation. Badgers? Badgers were a perfectly ordinary sort of creature. Perhaps badgers broke in, looking for food. Could badgers use crowbars? Frank had never seen a badger, so decided that it was definitely possible. Frank moved towards the door.

As Frank stepped into the house, an eerie sensation sent shivers down his spine. A long corridor stretched before him, and one of the doors was ajar as he entered. This room appeared to be the reception area, bathed in a faint, orange-tinted glow emanating from the dying fireplace. Weak light revealed a truly horrifying sight. Two lifeless bodies lay before him, one belonging to an elderly man and the other, a somewhat younger man. There was an open metal coffer on the floor as well.

The older man, with a slender, deeply lined face, close-cropped white hair, and beard, is slumped on his knees resting against an armchair, his shoulder bloody and face ashen.

The younger, on the other side, remains in a strange and horrific condition. He was a young man in his early twenties, but now his features are contorted in agony and almost unrecognizable. His jawbone and many of his joints have been self-dislocated in the throes of violent convulsions, and he lies like a discarded and broken marionette on the floor. The lower half of this body has been reduced to ashes, as if some intense heat had burnt him from the ground up. On what remains of his upper body, his skin is blood-blotched and blackened as if his veins had exploded within him, and his eyes are red-black masses of haemorrhage.

@Frank Flower

Frank has to roll for sanity now!

Frank bravely rolls for sanity