Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 80) A Room
At the back left corner of the natural interior wall, Stephen sees massive boulders that appear shiny in the beam of light. The sound of running water is apparent and he believes it has to be associated with the underground water system that is naturally part of this land.
Moving his light in a clockwise direction, he slowly fans its beam around looking for anything that may serve as an electrical source. Further off in the distance he sees what appears to be a room with a door on it and hoping this is what he is looking for, he starts to move in that direction. At this moment, Zsofia yells down to check on him.
“Everything okay?” she says loudly but to Stephen, her voice is muffled and distant and he waits a few seconds before answering.
“Yes, just give me a minute.” He replies and then continues to walk toward the small room.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 79) Pungent
Just as Stephen thought, that musty almost moldy smell of old houses and crawl spaces, is quite pungent. He steps to the side out of the dim glow of Zsofia’s light, takes his pills out of his pocket, and quickly slips one into his mouth. It is so very dark down here and the space is massive, with rows of thick support beams that go on into an abyss of blackness.
Looking back at the staircase he just walked down, he realizes each step is open. This sends images into his mind of someone or something grabbing at his ankles as he tries to flee the area. As frightening as this dark and foreign space is to him, the thought of climbing the stairs at this moment is far worse.
Looking beyond his current focus, straight back behind the staircase and in the center of this massive open space is an area of bedrock. It is sitting in the center of this huge dark room and Stephen assumes it must be under the conservator, much like a large container holding the soil and roots of the plants and trees in place.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 78) Motivation
Zsofia now points her flashlight down in the same direction as Stephen’s, which offers a little more detail to what they may expect at the bottom of the stairs. It is obvious, just as Stephen suspected that the floor is made of dirt, which has been compacted into an almost concrete surface.
“You don’t need me to go down there with you, do you?” Zsofia questions hoping the answer will be no.
She wants to be supportive but an undesirable feeling seems to be holding her back and Stephen does not speak as he takes the first step. As if testing the staircase to see how secure it is, he pauses in place for several seconds before moving again. With Zsofia staying behind, he is already contemplating that once at the bottom, out of her sight, he will take an anxiety pill and this now becomes the motivation to move faster until he steps off onto the earthen floor.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 77) Quizzical
“That seems odd.” Stephen says as he shines the light along the black metal that connects to the wooden door in some strange woven pattern. “Is this a normal design for this area? I have never seen anything like that before. I mean, there is iron on the main door but it is thin and somewhat, I don’t know, delicate.”
“No, I cannot say that this design or technique is normal in any way. This is the only place I’ve ever seen it.” Zsofia replies as a quizzical appearance comes over her face. “I don’t know that I like it either.”
Stephen agrees but does not say anything as he opens the door and shines his flashlight down the thin dusty wooden staircase. They descend in such a steep manner and go so far down that he cannot see the bottom step and he begins to feel dizzy. Zsofia does not say a word as she remains very close to him and neither one takes a step forward.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 76) Mysterious
“It’s all a bit overwhelming, you know,” Stephen states as he pushes the door shut, which makes a squeaking sound before it clicks into place.
“I cannot imagine what you are going through.” Zsofia says as they begin walking. “Here you are, in a different country with only a handful of aging relatives left in your family,” she says in a caring way, “and you’ve been handed the key to a place that is one of the largest and most mysterious homes in the area.” She shines her light on the handle of a large wooden door with huge black twisted metal bars running parallel on the door itself as well as the door jamb.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 75) Underbelly
The short statement from Zsofia about finding the basement intrigues Stephen for he knows most electrical boxes are typically found there, at least they are where he is from. However, as bad as he wants the utilities on, the last place he feels he should go right now is to the dark, musty, and what he suspects will be the earthen underbelly of this mysterious house. The daily battle he has with anxiety is beginning to flare as he tries to respond to Zsofia’s statement in a calm controlled manner.
“You seem distracted,” Zsofia says as she watches Stephen carefully. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, well. . . yes I’m alright.” He replies firmly as if her question was an insult, but this was not his intent.
As he takes hold of the open door to the kitchen, he is surprised that she was able to tune into his discomfort so quickly. He would give anything if he could take a pill, just one to help his nerves. Without looking at Zsofia, he can tell she is watching him and he wants to apologize for responding to her in such a sharp tone.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 74) Guess What
“Zsofia?” Stephen questions as he walks toward the open door to the hall. “Zsofia?” he calls again as he leans out, looking down the gloomy hallway, but he finds she is not there either.
Unsure if he should stay here and wait for her to come back or simply continue down the hall alone, he stands quietly. Glancing back at the kitchen and then again out at the hall, he decides to step out of the room. Just as he turns to make his move, Zsofia appears in the doorway startling him again and he quickly takes two steps back.
“Guess what I found.” She says quietly as she avoids reacting to Stephen’s nervous behavior. “I do believe I’ve located the door to the basement.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 73) Nervous
Stephen hears what Zsofia is saying but does not reply as he walks around the large kitchen, opening pantry doors and pulling drawers out to peek inside. He walks over to the sink and turns the spout on as water spurts and air bubbles in the pipes try to race ahead of the flow causing a loud rattle in the wall. Finally, a steady stream of water begins to run clear. Just as his great-aunt stated, he has his work cut out for him.
Zsofia has continued to talk, but he is not paying attention to her actual words and he has yet to notice she did not enter the room. He glances out the window to see the landscape brightening as the sun moves higher in the sky when he notices off to the side is a mudroom with a door that leads outside.
Thin dingy curtains cover the small window on the door and three heavy bolts lock it securely in place. Hooks for hanging coats line one wall and a wooden bench with dusty worn cushions sits on the other next to a steep and narrow spiral staircase partially hidden behind the wall. It is now that Stephen realizes Zsofia is not with him so he turns and walks back into the kitchen expecting to find her there. However, the room is empty and he feels slightly nervous.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 72) Sneak In
Stephen shivers and slides his free hand into the pocket of his jacket as he and Zsofia make their way along this first floor corridor. The hall is long and somewhat narrow with large lanterns secured to the wall near the ceiling. Without power, they too are dark and dissolute in appearance even when crossed by the beam of their flashlights.
“So, when you would sneak in, did you make it to all areas of the manor?” Stephen asks as they approach what appears to be the kitchen.
“Oh no, not at all, I just wanted to be in the conservatory. In my mind, it was no worse than playing in a neighbor’s yard, I never entered the house.” She pauses as she stops in the hall not following Stephen into the kitchen. “My grandfather would have had a fit if he knew that I even came up here alone. Plus, with his close relationship to your family, I would never want to be disrespectful.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 71) Absolutely
“So tell me, Zsofia. Are you on a tight schedule today?” Stephen asks as he shines his light along the hall where they are standing. He is working very hard at not making any eye contact.
“No, actually yes, I suppose I should be cleaning.” She replies honestly with a laugh.
“Instead of that, would you help me find the power source so we can brighten this place up?” Stephen questions politely for he is eager to get this task completed.
“Absolutely, I will.” she replies quickly without any hesitation.
With only their flashlights to light the way, Stephen and Zsofia begin walking the windowless hall on their self-made mission to find the electrical utility box. Even though the fog has lifted and completely dissipated outside, the dampness that crept in with it has remained as a chill inside the manor.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 70) Magic
“So what was the loud sound I heard a minute ago out here in the hall?” Stephen questions as he changes the subject to make Zsofia feel more comfortable.
“I brought a spare light,” she hands a second flashlight to him. “But the sound you heard was me, when I dropped it. Now I’m not able to get it to work.”
“Well, let’s see if we can fix this.” Stephen says as he twists the bottom of the flashlight and pulls the batteries out.
Zsofia is leaning around the open door to get a better look at what Stephen is doing. He adjusts the spring at the bottom of the tube, then one by one, pops the batteries back in the cylinder. He screws the bottom portion back on and slides the switch up. The light turns on and its bright beam shines on the floor at their feet.
“Magic,” says Zsofia in a teasing playful manner as she smiles and winks.
As she glances up at Stephen, he looks at her and they both realize how physically close to each other they actually are. She grins because she has always liked Stephen but as they both smile, he nervously looks down at the flashlight in his hands.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 69) Clever
“When you would sneak in?” Zsofia’s statement puzzles Stephen and he wants her to clarify.
“Yes,” she turns to face him. “It was a long time ago, when I was younger and before I started working for your great-uncle. I found a way into the small lawn at the back corner, between the walls of the house and the conservatory. There is a hidden gate and one day when I was walking around I discovered it was unlocked.”
Stephen looks concerned and starts to go to towards the conservatory when Zsofia reaches out and touches his arm to stop him.
“Don’t worry,” she grins as she taps his arm. “When your great-uncle found me out, he locked it up, and then offered to employ me.” She pauses and a surprised look crosses her face. “You know what I just realized, that must have been his way of keeping me from snooping around at all hours of the night.” She grins and tips her head down as if embarrassed by her folly. “He was pretty clever, huh?”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 68) Her Company
“Ahhh!” Zsofia screams as she jerks back a step and then laughs at her own fright as Stephen tries to settle his own racing nerves.
“I thought you left.” He says as if he is out of breath. He is almost angry with her for scaring him but he also realizes it is not necessarily her fault. In a way, he is somewhat glad to have her company again.
“Are you alright?” she questions with a laugh as she holds the door and continues to look at him hoping he is not angry.
“I am, you just. . .” Stephen pauses and does not continue explaining that she scared the hell out of him. “Do you happen to know where the fuse box is so we can light this place up?”
“As a matter of fact. . . no.” she grins. “I always came during the day, except when I would sneak in; I always had my flashlight with me.” She smiles wide as she flips the switch and shines the light down the hall.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 67) Face To Face
Stephen walks through the room to take a closer look and he realizes Zsofia must tend to this area as well for it is practically spotless. As he approaches the massive framed art, he is surprised at how huge the painting truly is. It has to be one of the largest he has ever seen and the faces have such detail that he would almost swear it is a photograph. He stands there inspecting the item for several minutes as he tries to read the small note written in black paint in the lower right hand corner.
“Well, I have no idea what that says and this isn’t getting the lights turned on.” Stephen says in a whisper as he gives up trying to decipher the words.
Something falls in the hall creating a loud cracking sound and this startles him. Quickly, he walks over to the open door and peeks out, to his right, into the dim hall. With the door standing open, he begins to look around it, to his left, when he comes face to face with Zsofia.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 66) Dazzling
In the dining room, suspended from high above are three huge chandeliers of the typical style with layers and tiers of crystals. Just like the sitting room, there are tall windows high on the back wall with the same spindles hanging down for control of the draperies.
Tugging on the spindle, Stephen pulls one of the curtains back to shine light into the room. Looking over his left shoulder, he watches as the sun hits the crystals on the third chandelier over. The prism affect it creates splashes a dazzling display of speckled color onto the wall across the way.
As he looks to his right, his eyes draw quickly to the item hanging over the large dark fireplace. It appears to be a very old family portrait. In fact, he believes the small boy in the painting might be that of his grandfather.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 65) Impulse
As Stephen shuts the pantry door, he feels an impulse to explore the hall that leads to the north side of the manor. It seems dark and dreary with no windows or lights but since he will need to find the fuse box at some point, he might as well go looking for it now. Without allowing thoughts and fear of the darkness to creep in and stall his plan, he simply starts walking.
After several steps, he notices a single door on the left and he stops to turn the knob. With a slight squeak, it opens to a large dining room with a table that seats thirty or more. Off to the left side he sees two wooden double doors.
“Alright, this is the other room that opens to the entry hall.” He says happily as if he solved some great mystery.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 64) Extinguish
Grabbing the handle of the broom, Stephen walks with it to the area under staircase. He knows this is where Zsofia came when she gathered her supplies, but he does not see a door to a closet or pantry. Leaning back, he looks to the right at the long corridor that goes on far beyond the shadows that extinguish all light. It looks much the same to the left. Deep well-polished wood panels cover the interior side while stonework walls run along the outside.
“This must be how you get to the other areas of the house.” He mumbles to himself. “But not without lights and a flashlight.”
He is about ready to give up on finding a closet when he sees a small notch on one of the wood panels that line the hall. He puts his fingers on the notch and pulls back. The panel pops open to expose a small pantry with hooks for the broom and dustpan and shelves for small towels and cleaning supplies.
“Definitely ahead of their time.” He mumbles to himself.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 63) Direction
Stephen finds Zsofia’s request about watching the doors to be an odd statement. He usually closes doors when he enters or leaves a building, he assumes most people would. To avoid questioning, he nods in agreement and Zsofia responds with a smile. She is almost blushing as their eyes meet; she then waves her hand and quickly rejoins her brother who has already started making his way down the path.
Immediately, Stephen reaches into his pocket, pulls out the noisy plastic container and pops two pills out into the palm of his hand. Without a pause, he drops them into his mouth and swallows them down. Standing in the silence of the house, he is at a loss as to what he should do next. He had no idea of the enormity of the building and at this time, does not even know which direction to take.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 62) Next Monday
“No, I mean yes, I would like you to continue coming here to clean.” Stephen nervously puts his hands in his pockets. “What days are you usually here?”
“I own a teahouse in town and usually spend my days there from ten to five o’clock, but we are closed on Monday’s,” she grins. “So I’m usually here then.”
“So I’ll see you next Monday?” Quizzes Stephen as he thinks of how long away that seems to be.
“Or earlier if you want.” She replies. “We live within walking distance, about fifteen minutes down the road, or ten minutes if you take the path through the woods. If you have questions or need my help, I can come up.”
“Okay then, great. Thank you.” Stephen replies and then waves at them in an awkward way.
“Bye,” replies Tamas in a weak voice.
“Bye, Tamas. . . Zsofia.” Replies Stephen as he begins to push the door closed.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Zsofia says as she turns and steps in Stephen’s direction. “The exterior doors of the manor are to be closed tightly at all times, especially if left unattended.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 61) See You Again
Zsofia smiles as she looks up at the ceiling of the manor as if trying to hold back tears but the moment is short-lived as she turns her attention to her brother. Opening the door, she and Tamas exit the building and just as she is pulling the door shut, Stephen speaks up.
“Where would you like me to put the broom?” He asks.
Both Zsofia and Tamas stop and turn around to look at him. Stephen is doing this to make conversation for it really does not matter at this point where the broom sits. After all, in discovering the true size of the structure, he knows it could be months before he has to worry about hiding cleaning supplies.
“No, I know,” He says before Zsofia has a chance to speak. “I have a good idea of where the broom goes. What I am trying to ask is will I see you again? Both of you I mean?” However, he is looking directly at Zsofia when he says it and she smiles.
“Yes, I need to come back and finish my cleaning. Your great-uncle always paid me in advance, so I have two weeks left. That is unless you no longer need my services.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 60) Here Today
Taking Tamas by the hand, Zsofia slowly walks with him, leading him along as all three leave the conservatory behind. Stephen stops to shut the doors off from the main house as Zsofia opens the front entry door to leave but something she said puzzles him.
“Wait, why would your grandfather be upset that you are here, he knows you work here, right?” Stephen questions.
“Umm, actually,” she pauses as she places her hand to one side of her mouth so Tamas does not hear her. “After your great-uncle died, grandfather told me the place was cursed and to never come back up here.”
Stephen looks at her with a puzzled expression. Not only does that seem odd, but she said she came here to clean today, so he does not understand.
“But you are here today?” He questions.
“And grandfather does not know it.” She whispers as she grins. “I love this place.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 59) Followed
“I really have enjoyed your company.” Stephen says to Zsofia. “And I would like to get to know you too,” he says as he looks at the young man. “Tamas,” says Stephen, “my name is Stephen. It is nice to meet you.”
“Ste… Ste…phen,” replies Tamas with a stutter. He smiles and claps his hands.
“Very good,” states Zsofia with a grin, she then kisses Tamas on the cheek. He laughs and looks down as he wipes it away with his hand and this makes all three of them giggle a bit.
“You should be at home with grandfather.” Zsofia says in a firm but very loving manner, as she looks her brother in the eyes.
“I was going to ask if he came with you.” Stephen states with a bit of concern.
“He must have followed me, which means grandfather is probably looking for him.” Zsofia smiles at Tamas. “And if he finds us here we are going to be in big trouble.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 58) Tamas
Stephen is completely annoyed that these two strangers are here on his property, freely coming and going as if they own the place. Now he just wants them to leave so he does not have to be bothered or distracted any longer.
“This is my brother, Tamas.” Zsofia says softly.
“Zsofia,” says the young man, he follows with a smile.
“He would never hurt you, he was just curious.” Says Zsofia as she looks Stephen in the eyes, she is very serious, calm, and protective of her brother and wants to make sure this is known. “I saw him heading your way, and immediately left the suspension walkway to intervene. He was just saying hello, I am sorry for bothering you.” Zsofia wipes the young man’s hair back from his forehead and starts to turn him toward the entry hall door.
“No, wait.” Stephen says quickly now embarrassed by his reaction.
To his own surprise, he does not want them to rush away, especially not like this. Yes, he would prefer to roam this house alone, or so he thinks. However, Zsofia’s energy made the discovery of this conservatory a bit more exciting than it may have been alone. In fact, he knows it did. Zsofia and Tamas are standing, holding hands, waiting for Stephen to speak.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 57) Don’t Hurt Him
Peeking in and around the foliage Stephen realizes everything looks healthy, not crushed or bent or injured in any way. Just as he turns to go back in the direction he came, he bumps directly into a man with light brown hair. Shocked he puts his hands up ready to throw a punch when Zsofia runs at him pushing the young man back.
“What’s going on?” Stephen questions now angry and confused.
“No, don’t hurt him!” Zsofia says firmly to Stephen.
In one fluid motion, she puts her arms around the brown-haired man pulling him back a few more steps. The young man makes a high-pitched sound in protest but does exactly as she directs.
“I wasn’t going to hurt him, I was just defending myself.” Stephen says as he puts his arms down.
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