Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 359) Spooked
The other men say their good nights to each other as Stephen pulls his wallet out of his pant pocket to pay for his drinks. He received several envelopes of currency at the funeral and is thankful he is carrying it with him tonight.
“No need,” says the bartender as he takes the key to the door out of his cash drawer. “Toborc picked up your bill, you are paid in full.”
“Oh, I had no idea.” Stephen says with surprise.
“He’s a good man, a friend for life kind of guy.” The bartender flips a switch on the wall, which shuts the lights off near the door. “I do not mean to throw you out, but it is time to lock up.”
“Oh, yes, right.” Stephen says as he stands up.
“You spooked about their ghost stories?” The bartender asks but does not give Stephen a chance to reply. “Don’t be, those tales have been handed down for generations and have probably grown into something bigger than they actually are. It’s the twisted minds of parents who make up such nonsense to keep you home at night.”
“Yeah. . . well, I better get going.” Stephen says as he slowly walks to the door.
“Thanks for stopping by!” The bartender says as he follows so he can lock up for the night.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 358) Be Safe
Stephen knows he should be heading back to the manor, but the path he took into town was much longer than the hike through the woods. However, after hearing the tales of the Guta, he dare not attempt to travel home in the dark, not after what happened last night. At this point in the evening, he truly feels trapped here by his own fear and the validation of such a nightmarish beast.
“I think he’s a bit under the weather.” The bartender says as he removes the empty glass from Stephen’s hand.
“Ah, you can stay with me if you need a place to rest your head.” Fernec says loudly. “My wife is used to me bringing home strays!”
Fernec grins as he looks at the bartender for a laugh to the joke, but his comment is greeted with a stern unemotional and uninterested stare. Fernec’s smile fades and he clears his throat.
“No, I’ll be fine.” Stephen assures them but in his mind, he has no clue of his next move.
“All of us need to be getting on our way if that wind is bringing in a storm.” Toborc directs. “Be safe, Mike.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 357) Cutoff
Several hours have passed since Stephen first stepped foot inside the bar and the local men have had as much to drink as the bartender will allow. Surprisingly they are not upset when he tells them enough is enough. Obviously, this is a normal routine for them and they accept the fact that cutoff time has arrived. Stephen rubs his eyes for they are now feeling the burn of too many waking hours as well as the numbing effects of alcohol.
“Hope we didn’t spook you too much there, Mike.” Toborc says as he pats Stephen on the back. “At least we ended things on a lighter note, yes boys?” He yells as the men cheer. “You staying here in town or do you need a ride somewhere?”
“What? Oh, I. . . “ Stephen finds himself stammering over his words.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 356) Hideous
Finally, after Zsofia’s second attempt at gaining her brother’s attention, Tamas stops and looks at her. The expression on his face is vague and distant as if he does not recognize where he is. Noticing his odd behavior, and with the words spoken by Klara still fresh in her mind, Zsofia rushes toward Tamas.
“Are you okay?” She questions as she takes his hand and forces him to look her in the eyes.
“Your hands are cold, Tamas. We need to go inside.” She says as she slowly turns him around but he looks back and shakes his head no. “Yes, we are going inside, I brought you some of your favorite tea.”
She smiles now that he is responding to her and together they enter the house. With one last glance at the darkening woods, Zsofia pulls the door shut. Rarely does she click the lock into position, but tonight because of what Klara spoke of and the strange actions of Tamas just now, she feels it is best to do so.
As the evening turns to night and natural light fades to darkness, many stories are told by the men at the bar. Some are funny, some edgy and sad, but none are as fearful to Stephen as the dreaded Guta. Even now, with laughter from the men booming out into the room due to a story deserving of such a reaction, nothing calms Stephen’s nerves. He cannot suppress the terror he feels from the earlier confirmation of such a hideous creature as the Guta.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 355) Let’s Go Inside
Klara’s hold, as she stands in a trance state, almost becomes too much for Zsofia to tolerate. The old woman then looks behind her and releases Zsofia’s hand as she taps her cane hard on the ground three times. Without another word, she hurriedly, in her crumpled position, walks in the direction of her strange little shop.
“But wait Klara, what do you mean about Tamas?” Zsofia says loudly so Klara can hear her over the increasing wind but she does not receive a response. “Okay, have a good evening.” She says to herself as she looks up at the darkening sky and continues up the road in the direction of her home.
As Zsofia approaches her house, she finds her grandfather and Tamas in the yard securing several pieces of lawn furniture from the quickening wind. Tamas looks up, spotting his sister and smiles as he jumps up and down.
“I think it is going to be a stormy night.” She says as she runs up to help in their mission.
“Yes and we didn’t prepare very well now did we.” Laszlo yells as he lays a chair on its back on the ground. “That should do it, let’s get inside now to take shelter.”
As Zsofia looks up, she sees Tamas slowly walking toward the row of trees where the forest begins.
“Tamas!” She yells but he acts as if he does not hear her so she repeats his name. “Tamas, let’s go inside!”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 354) His Friend
“You wonder if he likes you.” Klara states as fact. “And you are worried about him, yes?” Her voice cracks.
“Yes, to both.” Zsofia grins with embarrassment as she looks up at the trees that are now blowing wildly from the wind. “He is alone here and some odd things have happened lately adding a bit of confusion to things.” She looks to Klara for a comment but does not receive one. “I have not had a chance to talk to him about it either.” Zsofia leans down to look into the old woman’s eyes and asks, “Why are you so interested?”
With eyes squinted, Klara looks up at Zsofia for several seconds, then her expression changes rather drastically as she shakes her head from side to side.
“You need to speak with Tamas, make him stay home; his friend is not what he thinks it to be!” Klara says with urgency as the wind swirls around them and she grabs Zsofia’s hand. “No, no, something horrible will happen! You must not let him wander off alone!”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 353) Then And Now
Zsofia has known Klara her entire life for you cannot live in such a small place without knowing practically everyone. Members of the town seem to put up with the old woman but to most, she is an outcast and not the type of person to associate with. However, Zsofia never understood such treatment of anyone and has always enjoyed her conversations, as strange as they may be, with the elderly woman.
“Has my tea order come in yet dear?” Klara asks as she lifts her head slightly as if sniffing something on the wind.
“No, not yet. I hope to have it by the end of the week though.” Zsofia smiles as she watches Klara’s odd behavior. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, are you?” Klara questions as she looks up at her. “You like that Pap boy, don’t you? You liked him then and now, correct?” She questions as she grins.
“Ha ha, yes Klara. Once again you have read me well.” Zsofia laughs for this is not the first conversation she and the old woman have had about her secrets.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 352) You As Well
“So answer my question Tiborc.” The bartender yells from the doorway. “The Guta, is there a way to stop it?”
All the men move back to their huddle like little boys at a campfire telling ghost stories fearing unseen ears may hear their conversation. All are standing and looking to Tiborc, the eldest member of the group, for the answer. He watches as the bartender steps back behind the counter and then clears his throat.
“From all the stories handed down, I do not recall ever hearing of anyone stopping such an attack.” Tiborc looks down at his empty glass and sighs as the men stand in a moment of silence.
Evening is approaching quickly with the wind of a storm as Zsofia locks the door to the teahouse and begins her walk home. As she passes the last few shops before leaving town, Klara steps up next to her.
“Hello, young lady.” Klara says in her weak and shaking voice.
“Good evening, Klara.” Zsofia replies as she stops to acknowledge her. “Looks like a storm is on its way, you should get inside.”
“You as well, darling.” The old woman grins.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 351) Targets You
“Ok ok, but I have a question.” The bartender says quickly.
“Alright,” says Tiborc as he leans on the bar. “What is your question?”
“Can it be stopped?” The bartender asks as he looks at Tiborc. “This thing, the Guta, is there a way to stop it once it targets you?”
The men all begin talking at once and Stephen cannot make out a single word. Suddenly the door to the bar flings open as a strong gust of wind rushes into the room causing all conversations to cease immediately. Standing there like frightened boys, no one moves until the bartender tosses his hand towel onto the bar.
“We must have a storm blowing in.” He says as he walks across the room and closes the door to the outside world.
It is now obvious the evening hours are approaching and Stephen cannot believe he has sat here at this bar for this long. It seems like only minutes but as he tries to clear his mind of the continuous flow of beer, he realizes the entire afternoon is gone.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 350) Quick Slur
Stephen stands up so quickly from the stool he was sitting on that he gains the bartender’s attention.
“Hey, you okay?” The bartender questions as he moves toward Stephen.
“Yeah, I um. . . I guess I just don’t like talking about how people die.” Stephen says quickly hoping his reaction does not come across as odd to the men. The last thing he needs is for everyone to start pointing fingers at him. The authorities would surely take him in for further questioning, and in what little research they would do, could gain access to his extensive past and mental health issues. He sits back down and rests his arms on the bar.
“I’m with Mike on this.” Ferenc says in a quick slur. “I don’t want to hear anymore about it either.”
He waves his hand out in a straight line from right to left, and then puts his arm across Stephen’s shoulders, leaning on him in a drunken stance. It is all Stephen can do to stay upright on the stool under this man’s wobbling pressure.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 349) Screaming
“Did you hear about that woman who died last night?” Armin questions.
The other men shake their heads no while Stephen takes a long drink of beer for he knows Armin must be referring to Kate. Even though they had cut the ties between them, he does not want to hear any details of her death.
“She was alone in her room, doors and windows shut and locked tight from the inside. They said the room was a mess, broken thinks strewn all around like she was fighting to get away, but there was no way anyone could have been in there but her.” Armin says in a firm way. “The expression on her face was as if she was screaming!” Armin’s voice gets louder and Stephen quickly stands up from the stool he was sitting on.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 348) Family Name
The shock of hearing his family name in this conversation raises Stephen’s heart to a rapid rate as his skin becomes moist with nervousness. Can they tell by looking at him that he is nervous? Do they see a resemblance to the family line? Is the creature he saw as a boy, the demon the old woman spoke of, and the Guta, one and the same?
“What does it look like, if anyone could see it, I mean.” Stephen questions as he tries to conceal the shakiness of his voice.
“Our parents and grandparents described it as small but fierce and relentless.” Tiborc states firmly. “It’s supposed to sit atop its victim and pound the hell out of the poor soul until they die.” He slams his fist down on the counter.
“Hey watch it! You break it you buy it!” The bartender says as he glares at Tiborc for his over-zealous behavior.
“That sounds awful.” Armin says softly about the example Tiborc just gave.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 347) Not Natural
“You alright there?” Armin questions as he smacks Stephen on the back. “He’s just telling ghost stories, the old man doesn’t know anything.” He says jokingly and then Tiborc grows angry and says something to him in Hungarian that shuts him up quickly.
“What did you say?” Stephen asks as he looks from face to face.
“Don’t be rude, tell him what you said!” The bartender says as he throws his towel at Tiborc, but the man does not speak. “He claims two of his friends died by the hands of the Guta.” The bartender says as he takes the empty glasses from the counter. “He is always in here talking about it anymore, the story is getting old, like you old man.” The bartender spats off at Tiborc.
“It is true. There is no other explanation for it.” Tiborc says in a solemn way as he looks down in memory. “The Pap’s were wonderful people, but the way they died. . . no. . . no, that was not natural.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 346) Restricted
“How can you stop it? If I see the little shit I’ll knock it in the head!” Ferenc says loudly as he punches his fist in the air.
“Hush Ferenc!” Tiborc grabs him by the head and covers his mouth with his other hand.
It is all Stephen can do not to laugh at this trio but the story they are telling is far too familiar for jokes and it keeps his demeanor restricted.
“You cannot see it.” Tiborc slowly releases his hold on Ferenc. “No one sees it to live and talk about it.”
Stephen is shaken by this story of old for it sounds very much like the creature he is so fearful of. Both his grandfather and great-uncle passed due to heart attacks. However, he knows for a fact that his grandfather was brutally bludgeoned to death by something disingenuous. The old woman spoke of this today as well.
“What was it she said?” Stephen thinks to himself. “She mentioned a chamber, something about my great-uncle opening a chamber or cell letting it out, and then he died of a heart attack.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 345) Not The Case
“Ah look at him all nonchalant.” Says Tiborc as he leans on the bar. “I betcha never heard of the Guta, now have you?”
“The cheese?” Stephen questions and the men, except for Tiborc, laugh in a very boisterous manner.
“No! No no. The demon!” Tiborc replies as if he is disgusted. “The Guta is feared by all in this region from beyond the mountains and borders of the country to the corpses buried in the graveyards across the land.”
“Fill me up there.” Armin says quietly to the bartender as he moves in closer to the huddling men.
“This demon, and I am not using that term out of context,” he lowers his voice to nearly a whisper, “The Guta is truly a demon. It beats it victims to death.” He pauses as he turns to look at the entrance door as if someone was about to come inside, he then lowers his voice even more.
“You may think the death was from a stroke, or heart attack or paralysis but that is not the case. No, that is not the case at all.” He gulps down nearly a full glass of beer in a matter of a second.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 344) Old Tales
The bartender shakes his head at his three regulars and turns around to clean the mirror behind him but Stephen notices he is watching him in the reflection. The men begin to introduce themselves and the dark-haired man goes first.
“I am Armin.” The man says as he reaches over to shake hands with Stephen.
“My name is Ferenc and my old friend here is. . .” The pudgy man starts to say.
“I think I can say may own name!” The oldest man interrupts with a loud spurt.
“Well hell, say it already!” Ferenc says in a grumpy almost embarrassed manner before he gulps from his glass.
“I would if you’d stop taking up my time!” The man barks and Stephen finds this trio to be quite humorous but he dare not laugh or grin. “I’m Tiborc and it is nice to meet you, Mike.”
“Well Mike,” says Ferenc, “we are dwelling on old tales that used to keep us home at night when we were kids. You know the kind?” He asks as he stumbles over to pull the stool that is next to Stephen out to sit down.
“Um, well yeah, I think we all have ghost stories that haunt us.” Stephen replies as if he is not very interested. “Can I have another?” He asks the bartender as he points to his empty glass.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 343) Mike
Stephen takes a good long drink of beer and sets his glass down. He knows the passing of his uncle was big news in this area and the last thing he needs is a bunch of people snooping around the grounds of the manor.
“So get on with it, keep going with what you were talking about.” The bartender says in English. “This guy looks like he could do for a good story so don’t be rude by leaving him out.” He says as he tips his head toward Stephen. “I need all the customers I can get and don’t want them pushing you out the door in an uncomfortable way.”
“What’s your name?” The older looking man in the group asks as he looks directly at Stephen.
Stephen pauses for if he uses his real name, he is positive they will know who he is. Glancing up at the bartender, Stephen tries to think of a name that would keep any suspicions at bay. The most American sounding name that pops into his head is Mike.
“It’s Mike.” Stephen states and then immediately takes another sip of beer.
“Welcome to you, Mike!” The three say in unison then they look at each other and laugh at their common statement.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 342) Three Patrons
Upon entering the building, Stephen realizes only four other people are there, three men sitting at the bar and the bartender. The three patrons are involved in a serious conversation when Stephen joins them. He sits at the bar leaving two stools between him and the other men. In a quiet tone, he orders a local craft beer from the bartender.
One of the men turns to him and nods hello as the other two hold their glasses up as if asking him to join them. They say something in Hungarian but since Stephen does not speak the language he shakes his head no and looks down at his drink.
“He’s American.” Says the bartender as he swipes a cloth across the top of the bar wiping away water rings and drippings.
“You are from the states, welcome.” The roundest man says before he downs his beer in one quick gulp.
“Where are you staying?” Ask a shorter fellow with dark thick hair and rosy cheeks.
“Um, I’m visiting friends, out on the edge of town.” Stephen replies quickly as to conceal his true identity from them.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 341) I Need To Be
Stephen stops and steps back against the wall of the building in order to observe the interaction between Zsofia and this man without them noticing him. However, there is such a distance between where he is and where they sit, that he cannot make out what they are saying. Zsofia is smiling and laughing and Stephen is deducing this is not another interrogation from the man, but more of a social call.
“I’m a stupid idiot.” Stephen says under his breath.
He is angry that he did not immediately stop Kate’s disruption to his and Zsofia’s conversation and even more upset that he allowed her to stay. Most of all he regrets not following Zsofia out the door as she and Tamas left. He should have made his feelings for her clear because now he fears their friendship is over. Once again, Kate has gotten her way and destroyed something positive in Stephen’s life.
Zsofia and the man break into loud laughter as they stand up from the table. They talk a bit more and then enter the shop together. From down the street in the other direction, loud voices can be heard as two men come out of a bar, singing at the top of their lungs.
“Well, that’s where I need to be.” Stephen says to himself as he walks in the direction of the bar.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 340) With Her
With his nerves on edge, Stephen discretely takes one of his pills before glancing up and down the street. He is looking for Zsofia’s teahouse but he does not know the name of it or which direction he is to go from here. However, the town is small and it should not be too difficult to locate.
Turning to his left, he begins walking along the storefronts, peering into the windows of each building as he makes his way along the nearly deserted street. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot get the old woman’s statements out of his head, nor can he stop thinking about Zsofia.
After passing by many buildings of various businesses, the road curves slightly to the left. When Stephen rounds the corner, he sees Zsofia up ahead and several shops away. She is sitting at an outdoor table and with her is the tall police officer who was at the manor, questioning him earlier this morning.
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