THANK YOU DEAR FRIENDS! ♥
It is time to close this chapter and with the ending of Doors To Mirrors, this is my final post.
Thank you all very much for the support through the years and I hope you enjoyed the four books posted here for free. Love to all and best of wishes to you forever!
~StorySmitten ♥
Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 597) Wondering
Slowing his pace, Stephen steps up next to the open door but refrains from touching the handle at first. The heavy darkness behind the frame seems to be peering out at him as he reaches up to push the door closed. It is at this time, with his hand extended, as he gets closer to the doorway to the basement, he hears a faint, yet familiar low raspy laugh.
Stephen pauses for a moment, wondering if what he just heard actually happened. He thinks to himself, “Am I simply remembering the sordid past due to the events that happened in the basement?” With the door slightly cracked open, he wonders if the scent of the moist earthen floor merely triggered a memory.
Very gently, in a slow fluid motion with his foot, he pushes the door shut until it clicks. For several minutes, he stares at the frame and wood with its thick inlaid iron design and heavy bolted hinges. He salts the other half of the egg he has already taken a bite out of, plops it into his mouth and chews it up as he watches the handle of the door for movement.
Standing there for several more minutes, thinking and wondering what it is he heard coming from the basement steps, Stephen slowly salts the remaining egg. He then tips the shaker onto its side, loosens the lid, and empties the entire contents in a line at the base of the basement door. Pulling his ring of keys out of his pocket, he inserts the old ornate key into the door, turning it until he hears the lock click. Without pausing any further, he quietly continues down the hall to his study.
~The End
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 596) A Bit Of Banter
“Mind if I pilfer two hardboiled eggs for breakfast?” Stephen asks the cook who is standing nearby.
“I always prepare more for that very reason.” The man says with a smile, and a nod yes, as he wipes his hands on a towel.
“Great, thank you.” Stephen says to the cook then turns to Zsofia and rests his head on her shoulder. “I’m heading to the study to balance last month’s records, I will see you later.” He teases as if what he was telling her was a secret and neither can help but grin at their silliness.
As Stephen passes the small table of kitchen supplies, he takes the shaker of salt with him and lightly dusts one of the eggs before biting a large chunk out of it. As he steps into the hall, he says hello to a bellhop and the two swap a bit of banter. Still laughing from the exchange, he turns to continue down the west hall toward the study when he notices the door to the basement is slightly ajar.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 595) Accomplishment
Never in his wildest dreams did Stephen think the renovation of the old structure would be this successful. The manor is bustling with guests, and music from atop the fourth floor drifts lightly on the air to individuals strolling through the gardens and grounds in the mid-morning sun.
The renewal of the manor is one accomplishment he is very proud of, but the greatest thing to him, is finding the beautiful person he connects with unlike anyone he has ever met. Never in his lifetime did he think he would find someone to love as much as he does Zsofia.
From the mudroom, just off from the kitchen, Laszlo and Klara stand just outside the half-door. Every morning, after taking a leisurely early morning stroll, they stop by the manor. Waiting for them next to the door is a plate with two muffins and next to it, a cup of coffee and a cup of tea. They stay only long enough to say good morning to whomever may be in the kitchen at the time, and then go on about their way.
Without much conversation, and an all-knowing flirty glance between them, the two elders gather their breakfast and wave goodbye as they exit. Watching out the kitchen window, Zsofia laughs as she comments on how happy her grandfather appears to be as the elderly couple, hand in hand, amble toward the woods to Laszlo’s house. Klara’s stature seems to be less weighted and bent and Laszlo has a lighter step these days for the two are rarely ever seen apart.
“It took them awhile, but they both found happiness.” She says as she dips a mixing bowl into a sink of soapy water.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 594) Laughter
Zsofia enters the kitchen in a lighthearted way as she begins to assist the cook with several large and small trays of food. The smaller sets are sitting in neat rows for delivery to individual guests rooms, while the larger trays are adorned for the breakfast buffet in the main dining room.
“We are booked full, Ma’am.” A young man says as he taps on the door frame of the kitchen.
He is wearing black pants, a white shirt, burgundy vest and a thin black tie. His shoes are shiny and clean and his hair neatly combed. He quickly turns away and Zsofia watches as he smiles at someone coming down the hall. Soon, Tamas is in view and she observes her brother, and this man of about his age, partake in a handshake known only to them.
Laughing aloud, Stephen joins them in a three-way rendition but since he does not know it, the end effect is quite different and comical to say the least. At this point, everyone in view is breaking into laughter at such a haphazard cluster of befuddlement.
“You men are crazy.” Zsofia says as she dips muffin batter into pans for baking. “But at least you gave it your all.” She grins as Stephen enters the room.
“I have no idea what you are referring to, that handshake was a display of perfection.” He laughs as he wraps his arms around Zsofia, causing her to stop stirring the sweet mix. She sets the spoon down and turns around in his arms.
“Good morning, again.” Stephen says as he kisses her gently.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 593) Magical Setting
Downstairs in the main entry hall, a woman is dusting the banister railing while another is dust mopping the beautiful shiny floors. Fresh flowers adorn a table near the main door and coming down the west hall from the kitchen, a short thin man is pushing a potting cart. He stops at the entrance to the conservatory where he carefully slides the door open in a methodical way, and pulls the cart inside, attempting to be as quiet as possible.
The tall glass garden is overflowing with flowering plants and shrubs along with ornate sculptures made of copper and colored concrete. The many suspended walkways are secure and supported showing off their firmly scrubbed surfaces, which are now free of dust and debris. The tallest trees are trimmed and the ornamental plantings reshaped and manicured perfectly creating a magical setting for easy strolls and gentle conversations.
Inside the contained garden, several individuals are bustling about, one sweeping the twisting curving walkways free of any mulch and dirt, while another is feeding fish in the largest pond near the gently flowing waterfall. As the sun drifts higher, bright light begins to filter in through the many glass angles of the structure creating a prism of light to paint the wall on the western side.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 592) Majestic
As time moves on and months pass, many things have changed at the manor. The restoration is near completion as the structure returns to its once beautiful majestic expression. Stephen’s vision of a country hideaway for travelers has come to fruition as the workers of the manor begin their daily routines to keep guests happy and healthy during their stay.
The sun is just rising over the manicured and neatly designed garden that encompasses the eastern portion of the landscape. Stephen and Zsofia lie in bed, holding each other lovingly, and happily, as the golden rays of the morning begin to peek into the window of their bedroom. The building is so sound and study, they cannot hear the bustle of patrons hurrying down the hall to catch the sunrise from the eastern verandas and sitting areas.
“It’s amazing that one year ago, we were just starting the renovations.” Zsofia’s smile is wide as she leans up on one arm to get a better look at Stephen’s face.
Smiling back at her, he confidently pulls her to him, kissing her on the neck as she begins to giggle. Together they playfully continue their conversation as they begin their day, just as they have many days before it, with ease and contentment. Stephen no longer relies on a bottle of pills to get him through for his world is brighter and more organized than it has ever been before.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 591) Weak Eyes
The bottomless cavern grows quiet with the exception of water running over the cliff as it follows the path taken by the Guta. Held in Laszlo’s arms, Klara stirs and feels for the rope that nearly pulled her to her death. Gently they remove the rope from her neck and slowly she turns to look at Stephen.
“You cut it?” The old woman asks in a weak and almost nonexistent voice.
“I did, you were tangled with that. . . that thing” Laszlo says as he takes the soaked item from her hand and with weak eyes, she looks at him and says nothing.
Lighting only a small portion of the deep dark cave is the dim yet steady glow of the flashlight. The cavernous hole where the Guta fell appears never-ending and colossal. Zsofia and Tamas hold each other as they look down at the scene while breathing a sigh of relief that everyone has survived. Though injured, in need of rest and a plan to escape the massive cave, they are alive nonetheless.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 590) Decaying Rope
With the locket of the woman he once loved in his hand, Laszlo rises up from his position on the edge of the cliff as he denounces her name.
“I hate you for what you did and your photograph means nothing to me now!” Laszlo yells as he presses the Turul Amulet onto the monster’s back.
The item steams and burns deep into the red tinted skin of the beast. The Guta lets out a scream and thrashes around as it reacts to what Laszlo has done as the old man hobbles backward to avoid being attacked. Until the beast turns, the old man is unaware of Klara’s entrapment to it. Looking on in horror, he sees her flaccid body being pulled and trampled upon as the creature attempts to remove the locket from its burning skin.
Now panic-stricken, Laszlo grabs for Klara but the forceful pull from the Guta is far too strong and she slips away from him with ease. As the beast moves rapidly in a haphazard motion and a crisscrossed manner, the old man pulls a knife from his pocket and slices through the old decaying rope, cutting Klara free. She is limp and muddy and her clothes torn and tattered but she is breathing, barely.
Whipping violently and screeching with deafening sounds, the creature from the underworld steps back as it spins round scratching at the locket that has now sealed to its skin. With a beastly howl and thunderous pounding, the creature plummets over the edge of the cliff, falling into the deep black abyss with no sound of a landing or an end.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 589) Hanging Rope
Stephen hears the gurgling dry sound of the Guta and with one more shake of the light, it clicks on. Completely petrified as he looks up, Stephen finds himself looking directly into the eyes of the demon. Its powerful arms raised as it straddles over him prepared to thrust its fists down upon him. The rope that Klara worked so hard to retrieve is looped around its neck and to Stephen’s horror, Klara’s limp body is on the other end, tangled and tied to the beast with the same heavy and wet cord.
Stephen is not sure how he knows it, but if he is attacked as he believes he will be, it will be the end of him. He looks up, past the beast and see’s Zsofia staring down at him, knowing she is unaware of what is about to happen. His fear is not for himself instead it is for Zsofia and Tamas. If they witness his death, he knows that image will stay with them, haunting them much as his grandfather’s death still haunts him.
In a slow motion scene played out in his mind, his thoughts and visions of the here and now as well as the past, begin to drift by like clips from a movie. He no longer sees the creature standing over him as the faces of those he loved and lost appear to him, like a collage of snapshots taken over time.
Due to the ceremony presented by Klara as the water level continued to rise, and Laszlo’s attempt to join her, the old man’s eyes are now open and clear. He is now able to see the Guta just like Stephen and Tamas. However, he is unaware that Klara is bound to the beast from knots and twists of the hanging rope.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 588) Black Tomb
“Stephen! Stephen are you okay?” Zsofia yells out her voice echoing down into the cavern above the sound of the water gushing over the cliff.
The tumble Stephen took causes the flashlight to shut off and as soon as he gains his bearings, he begins banging on it to relight. From his left he hears a dry childlike giggle, which sends terror through every inch of his body. He recognizes it immediately and knows the demon is there. Without the light, he cannot tell how close the creature is and realizes he is now easy prey. Straining to tighten his muscles, he waits for a painful punch to the ribs but nothing happens.
From high above, he hears Zsofia screaming down to him. It is not because she knows what is happening for she can neither see in this darkness, nor hear the Guta as it sits patiently waiting. No, her anxiety is building because Stephen has not answered her back. In this never-ending black tomb, it is obvious to all that the devil is alive and well here.
Shaking the flashlight, he moves to his right believing he is going back toward the wall but instead, he is moving toward Laszlo and inadvertently trips over him, falling face first onto the solid rock platform. This sudden jolt causes the flashlight to flicker but shut off once again as he rolls onto his back.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 587) The Grotto
Slowly, Stephen steps down from the earthen floor of the basement and finds a foothold as he carefully lowers his body down the rock wall. Gradually and carefully, he finds his footing and continues to weave from left to right as he descends deeper into the large opening.
The flashlight hanging on his belt shines light back and forth with each movement like the pendulum of a clock. Before Stephen reaches the ledge where Laszlo is lying, the old man awakens and begins to roll in an attempt to stand up.
“No grandfather! Don’t move!” Zsofia yells in an effort to stop the man from getting too close to the ledge.
She and Tamas are watching from the opening above and Stephen knows they feel helpless to the situation. He is trying to scale the wall as quickly as possible without causing injuries to himself, but his biggest fear is that going any slower may allow Laszlo to fall deeper into the depths of the grotto. He simply cannot allow any further tragedy to befall this family.
Pulling himself to the right for better footing, he slips in his haste and slides a full body length down the hard cold wall before stopping himself with his foot on a stone jetting out. Stephen looks for a place to grab on with his fingers and just as he reaches out to take hold, the stone supporting his weight breaks away.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 586) Optimism
The stones of the wall are wet due to the overflow of water splashing down from the flooded creek, creating very slippery conditions. Stephen sees several rocks protruding out on the right from the naturally formed wall of the cave entrance. He decides this will be the best option for climbing down to help Zsofia’s grandfather.
Glancing up he sees Zsofia looking at him, tears floating in her eyes on the verge of trickling down her cheeks. This entire time, from the moment she first walked into the manor and the first time they kissed, she has been the strong one. She has been the one supporting him and now the tables have turned.
For the first time in his life he is the one in control, he is the one who can make a difference. The nervousness and fear that has shadowed over him like a dark veil, has lifted. Stepping closer to Zsofia, he looks into her eyes.
“He is going to be okay, I just feel it.” Stephen says to her as he pulls her close.
With emotions elevated, she begins to cry and he tightens his hold on her. Realizing Tamas is standing alone, he motions for him to join in the hug as well and Zsofia laughs as she kisses her brother on the cheek.
“I need to get down there.” Stephen says as he shines the light down the dark opening once again.
This time, Laszlo’s left arm moves slightly, or at least he thinks that is what he saw. This gives Stephen hope that he is alive, but he keeps quiet as to not create a false sense of optimism. One thing he knows for sure is that he must help the elderly man before anything else happens to him or the group. The one thing that causes concern for Stephen is the whereabouts of Klara. What has happened to this mysterious old woman and is the Guta with her? Or, is it hiding in the shadows, still watching and waiting for an opportune time to attack?
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 585) Descent
“Grandfather? Klara?” Zsofia asks as they approach the huge dark opening.
The current is a little stronger here and it is obvious from the sound of the water, there is quite a drop just past the foundation of the house. Stephen shines the beam of the flashlight down inside the huge opening and it appears their suspicions are true. The grotto is much like a tunnel jetting straight down and the beam from the flashlight does not travel far enough to see all the way to the bottom.
“Klara! Laszlo!” Stephen yells as he carefully leans toward the cavity.
“Be careful.” Zsofia says as she stands behind him.
“Hello?” She yells but again there is no response. “Oh where can they be?”
Stephen hears the panic in her voice as she calls out. Unfortunately, he fears this will not come to the happy conclusion they are hoping for. Stepping dangerously close to where the water cascades over the ledge, Stephen holds onto the masonry wall as he shines the light downward. The cavern seems to go on forever and as he draws the light closer to the inner wall, he is shocked and surprised by what he sees.
On a narrow ledge that is some distance below where Stephen, Zsofia and Tamas are standing, Laszlo is lying face down. In his hand is a short section of the rope Klara retrieved from the conservatory and just moments ago, had it wrapped around her own neck.
The cavernous hole goes straight down into a dark abyss and if Laszlo is still alive and wakes up, the risk of him falling is great.
“I have to get down there to him.” Stephen says as he shines the light around the rock crevice looking for a place to start his descent.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 584) Entrance
Understanding that Zsofia’s pause means she fears the worst, Stephen does not elaborate. He realizes if Laszlo is gone, both siblings will have a very hard time moving forward without him. The loss he felt when he learned of his parents passing begins to saturate his own thoughts.
It was the realization of knowing he was completely alone in the world that made him feel empty and vulnerable. Shivering, he blows on his hands to warm them and then reaches for the flashlight in Zsofia’s hand.
“Can I use this a minute?” He asks as his hand touches hers.
“Yes.” She replies as she looks up, and then runs her fingers across his brow to clear his wet hair from his face.
“We need to find Klara and your grandfather.” He says without taking his eyes off her.
Without another word, he turns the beam of light toward the dark and painfully calm water. Panning back and forth, he hopes to find Laszlo and Klara walking toward him, but this is not the case. He looks back at Zsofia as she holds hands with Tamas, guiding him along the slippery stones and dirt that span the length of the stream.
Up ahead, where the stone frame of the house creates a straight long wall, Stephen notices a large dark area and can hear water running as if a waterfall is near. He helps Zsofia with Tamas and as they get closer, they realize the dark area is the massive entrance to a cave.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 583) Searching
The chilled water is beginning to become painful with each step Stephen takes and he now realizes that somehow, Klara must have protected them from the cold. Now with her missing, that protection is gone. His clothing feels tight against his body and the stones beneath his feet slippery and round causing his footing to be tricky.
Flickering on the earthen floor is the candle that Klara gave Tamas and it is the only one out of the group left burning. The young man bends down and carefully picks it up just as Stephen steps onto the dry earth. Zsofia rushes to him and as she puts her arms around him, she realizes for the first time how terribly cold the water is.
“Stephen, you must be frozen.” She says as she pulls back quickly.
“I am.” Stephen stutters from the cold as he answers. “Where is your grandfather?” He asks as he shivers and looks around.
“He went into the water to help, but. . .” Zsofia starts to say then stops short as she looks at her brother.
It is obvious Tamas has been crying and he appears heartbroken as he holds his candle out in front of him, diligently searching the water’s edge for his grandfather.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 582) The Current
The beam shining across the flooded creek is not as strong as it was earlier. Looking around, Stephen does not see Klara or the Guta anywhere and he is not aware that Laszlo entered the water at all.
“Oh Stephen, are you okay?” Zsofia questions, almost in a whisper, as she points the light in his direction but not directly. “Grandfather? Where are you?” She questions a little louder as she moves the light slightly but not so much that Stephen would be in the dark.
“Do you see anyone?” Stephen asks as he takes a few steps in the direction he thought Klara was standing.
“No, I do not see anyone but you.” Zsofia says as she and Tamas step as close to the water’s edge as possible. “Everything went quiet very quickly. What happened?”
“I’m not sure.” Stephen replies as he begins to feel the true temperature of the water. “I’m coming to shore, we need to follow the current, maybe they floated downstream.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 581) In The Hush
Leaning back and tugging at the same time, Stephen pulls Klara enough that she latches onto him by wrapping her thin arms around his neck. He immediately tightens his arms around her to hold her above the water. Gasping for air and in a weakened state, she begins to speak.
“Stephen,” she gulps as she tries to breath, “the locket,” she gasps again. “We need to. . .”
Before she can finish, she and Stephen are violently pushed and they both fall over into the darkness. Without letting go of her he immediately rights himself. However, no sooner does he get her head above water, he feels her pulled from his grasp, snatched from his arms as if he had no strength at all.
Just as Stephen takes a step, he is hit with a powerful blow that once again knocks him into the water, this time much deeper than before. Under the current, he hears the screams of many voices as he scrambles to gain access to the air above. This time, when he emerges, all is quiet and the water is nearly smooth. After a few seconds of silence, he hears Zsofia calling from the water’s edge and her voice echoes loudly in the hush.
“Grandfather? Stephen?” Zsofia’s voice reverberates as she hits the side of the flashlight desperately trying to get it to work.
“Klara?” Stephen whispers in a low tone, but he does not receive a reply from the old woman.
“Stephen? Stephen, is that you?” Zsofia’s voice resonates in the darkness as the flashlight finally flickers on.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 580) I Give Myself
“You cannot harm them any longer!” Klara yells loudly in order to be heard over the abnormally noisy surroundings. “I give myself to you as an offering to free these innocent souls!”
“No, Klara! Don’t!” Stephen yells as he races to find her but in the dark it is nearly impossible for him to know where she is.
“You cannot harm them for they are enveloped in light, You cannot. . .” Klara’s statement cuts short as Stephen hears a loud splash and water hits his face, making it obvious she is near him.
“Klara!” He yells even though he knows this will draw attention to himself.
Reaching down in the water with his hands, he thrashes around hoping to get a hold of her. Unexpectedly, when she grabs hold of his arm, it frightens him to the point he yells out, however, even though he pulls back, he manages to keep hold of her wrist. Grabbing on tightly, he draws her to him.
The all too familiar raspy laughter of the Guta rings in his ears as if it is within inches of him. The complete darkness does not save Stephen from seeing the beast for the image has been fixed in his mind for far too many years. He knows it is grinning as it toys with him but Stephen’s concern for the old woman is far greater than his own safety.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 579) Rushing Water
Gasping for air, Stephen jumps up from the dark water. This enormous intake of air is not only due to his near drowning, but also from his fear of the complete and total darkness of the water and surroundings. The level of fear he is at within himself has nearly pushed him to hysteria.
Stephen has never been an individual who enjoys being around water. He knows how but does not like to swim and even flying over the ocean in the plane was bothersome to him. Here, in this intense darkness and black water, his fear of the distorting qualities cause his apprehension to be overwhelming. As the water rushes out of his ears, he realizes Klara is speaking in another chanting type of way and he hears her loud and clear as if she is right next to him.
“My mind is zealous, my heart enormous, my soul as old as time.” She says clearly. “I bind you to your beginning; I bind you to your end! I ban you from these intimates, for they have committed no crime or sin!”
Stephen cannot see her or the menacing Guta, but he can tell they are near for Klara’s voice is remarkably strong, as is the cat-like hiss coming from the Guta itself. Listening to her speaking above the rushing water, he tries to find his way to her. He wonders how she managed to free herself from the tightening rope that was around her neck, but he is thankful that whatever she did, must have worked.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 578) Her Spell
“Klara told me I would know what to do. Now is the time for me to do it.” Laszlo kisses the locket before looping the chain over his head and dropping it down to his neck.
“What? No! Grandfather you can’t!” Zsofia says as she takes hold of his arm.
“I must! This is my fault! Not yours and not his!” He points out toward Stephen as he looks into his granddaughter’s tear-filled eyes.
“Do you not think that if she could create all of this, that she did not control you as well?” Zsofia yells as she tries to reason with the old man. “She used you and your love for her to get what she wanted, but it would have never been enough! Whether she truly loved you in the end or not, I know you grandfather, I know you would have never done any of this willingly!” She takes hold of his arm. “You were duped and under her spell, you too were a victim!”
“I love you, Zsofia. You have grown to be a wonderful caring and loving woman.” He kisses her on the forehead and reaches to Tamas pulling him into a strong hug. “Take care of Tamas, just as you always have.” Laszlo says in a calm tone as he looks into his granddaughter’s eyes.
With his statement made, the old man walks toward the water and after only two steps in, begins to feel sharp biting pains from its frigid temperature. Despite this horrific pain, he presses forward to do what he must and to suffer what he is due.
Tamas begins to cry aloud as Zsofia pulls him to her. Together they watch their grandfather step beyond the range of the candles dim glow as the rushing water takes him in to its depths.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 577) Once Loved
Zsofia is knee-deep in the frigid water by the time Laszlo grabs her, pulling her back to the bank and out of the freezing temperatures. Thrashing around and fighting her grandfather to free herself, she drops the flashlight leaving Stephen and Klara completely in the dark.
Tamas grabs the light and begins clicking the button repeatedly in an attempt for it to turn on. At this point, the only candle that remains lit is the one Tamas set on the ground as he tries to reactivate the flashlight.
“Grandfather, please! He is going to be killed!” Zsofia pleads frantically as she desperately works to free herself from Laszlo’s hold.
“No, if anyone is going out there, it is me. I love you far too much to let you get hurt! This is my fight anyhow. I caused this and I will not let you fall victim because of it!” The old man says with much authority and love for his family.
Reaching into his shirt pocket, Laszlo retrieves the small locket that fell at his feet in the upstairs sitting room. In the dim light of the single flame still burning, he pops it open for a quick look at the woman he once loved more than anything in the world, then immediately clicks it shut.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 576) Fierce Blow
“Is it near?” Laszlo asks of his grandson. “Is the beast here, do you see it?”
Tamas replies with a nod yes as his eyes stay fixed, he then points toward Stephen and Klara. The look on his face tells them something horrible is happening as tears begin to roll down his cheeks and he fights to refrain from yelling out.
“What is it you see, Tamas?” Zsofia questions as she looks at her brother.
“Evvv. . . evil.” Tamas replies with a stutter. “Hurting th. . . them.”
Quickly Zsofia looks back toward Stephen just as Klara appears to be plucked out of his arms. One end of the rope is sticking straight up, out of the water as if someone is holding it. Her mind races at trying to comprehend this for she cannot see the Guta itself. Stephen lunges in the water in an attempt to help the elderly woman but the Guta meets this reaction with a fierce blow. Stephen goes face first into the water in a forceful way that appears as anything but normal.
“Stephen!” Zsofia yells out as she starts to run toward him.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 575) Unyielding
The frightening and dominant beast does not seem effected by the movement of the escalating water. In fact, it stands rigid and unyielding without much effort at all. Klara is frantically holding onto Stephen as she begins to yell out orders once again but the Guta seems to feed off her fear as it takes hold of the rope. With an evil grin and grumbling voice, it tugs at the old cord causing it to tighten around Klara’s neck like the noose that killed her sister. Slowly the monster begins to reel her in and the old woman’s voice becomes stifled and mute from the pressure on her throat.
“No!” Stephen yells as he pulls back on Klara but immediately he realizes this merely makes things worse for her as the rope gets tighter and smaller blocking all the air she is trying to take in.
At the water’s edge, Zsofia continues to hold the light but is becoming more and more confused as to what is happening. She cannot see the creature as it toys with Stephen and Klara and to her; they are simply trying to stay afloat. She looks to her grandfather in a questioning way and he too appears frantic as he steps closer to Tamas.
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