Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 399) Devilish
Turning to his right, Stephen notices the basement door is ajar which shoots a chill through his bones. Gently he pulls the door open and looks down at the depth of the earthen basement. Ever since they entered the unlocked door to the manor, his thoughts have been on the stories the men in the bar shared and the words from the old woman. She spoke of a trap and the release of a devilish creature that now walks freely among them. Most importantly, she warned that he has put his friends in harm’s way.
“Tamas?” Stephen says loudly but his voice is muffled by the thickness of the space. “Are you down there?” He questions as he flips the light on but again, there is no reply.
“I do not believe he is here, Stephen.” Zsofia says from behind him, which causes him to jump slightly.
He felt a jolt and that familiar tingling feeling that seems to run up his legs when caught off guard or spooked. However, Zsofia does not react as if she noticed his fear and with her comment, he gladly turns the basement light off. Backing up the three steps he managed to go down, he shuts the basement door and pulls on the knob to make sure it will not pop open on its own.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 398) All Is Quiet
“I’m so worried.” Zsofia says just under her breath.
Stephen tightens his hold on her and in doing so is not sure if his actions are for her or himself. Standing there quietly in this embrace has somehow empowered him.
“Zsofia, listen,” Stephen says as he pulls back so he can make eye contact. “We will find him.” He reassures her. “Let’s look around on the ground floor and if we do not find him here, we will head back to your house. Maybe your Grandfather has made contact with him by now.”
“Alright.” She says softly as she takes Stephen’s hand in hers.
Without speaking, they search the sitting room and dining room together and decide to split up as they enter the kitchen.
“I’ll look down the hall if you will double-check your favorite place, the conservatory.” Stephen grins for he knows how much she adores it.
Stepping out from the back entrance to the kitchen and the spiral staircase to the second floor, Zsofia walks to the right as she makes her way to the conservatory. Stephen looks down the darkened hallway of the north wing and listens for any sounds that may prove Tamas is here, but all is quiet.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 397) Protective
“Tamas?” Stephen yells.
The sound of his voice seems to boom throughout the room but as soon as the tone fades, all grows quiet. Images of the night before begin to seep into his mind in a repetitious replay of details. As he thinks of the woman and man who were oblivious to what was stirring around them. They had no idea of the taunting creature that was moving about. He wonders what may have happened if he had not intervened when he did.
Gently Stephen pulls his arm free of Zsofia’s grasp but not to push her away. Instead, he pulls her closer holding her tightly at the waist as she presses herself to him. If something unworldly is here around them, he wants to make sure he protects her from harm.
“Tamas!” Stephen yells out once again and with no response, he somehow feels that the manor is empty. “I know this place is massive, but honestly, I don’t think he is here.”
“But with the door unlocked. . . what if he wandered in?” Zsofia questions as she looks up at Stephen.
“He is not able to manage the stairs very well, so he would be in this general area.” Stephen says calmly.
He turns to face her but does not release his hold as she looks into his eyes. The fear she feels for her brother is evident and he wants to tell her everything will be all right, but he knows all too well what can be. Pulling her tightly he holds her in his arms as she buries her head in his chest. There is an understanding between them, a type of serenity and Stephen feels oddly composed and protective.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 396) Dark Door
Standing strong against the breeze the large trees at the edge of the woods, bend and sway with each unexpected gust of wind. The urgency that both Zsofia and Stephen feel pushes them to quicken their steps even more than before until they reach the door of the manor.
Stephen digs into his pocket for the key and just as he inserts it into the lock, the door slowly swings open. He and Zsofia stand perfectly still and do not utter a single word. In his mind, Stephen tries to remember if he locked the door, as he does every time he leaves the manor, but his thoughts from the previous day and night are a bit fuzzy at best. He is shocked that here they stand with full access to the manor, without using a key.
“Didn’t you lock the door when you left?” Zsofia whispers as she wraps both of her arms around Stephens right arm.
Stephen does not reply and together they stay in one place. Finally, after several seconds of uncertainty, Stephen gently presses his fingers to the dark door causing it to swing open all the way instead of just a crack. He feels Zsofia tighten her grip on his arm as he steps forward. Their shuffling footsteps echo lightly as they enter the main hall.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 395) She Told Me
“I spoke with an old woman in town, she told me about my past and things that are happening right now that no one could know.” Stephen explains but to his surprise, Zsofia giggles.
“You are talking to Klara?” She laughs. “She can be sweet and is always mysterious but sometimes you have to know a slippery trick when you see one.” She grins but then continues, “Actually, she stopped me on my way home last night.” Zsofia pauses and the color drains from her rosy cheeks as she looks up at Stephen.
“Zsofia? What is it? Are you alright?” He asks as he moves closer to her but stops short as not to intimidate her.
“She. . . she told me something horrible would happen to Tamas if he wandered off and he has!” Panic now overtakes her as she grabs Stephen by the arm. “We have to hurry. We have to get to the manor!”
Moist air dampens the thick grass of the hillside where Stephen and Zsofia exit the coverage of the forest. High on the hill sits the vast looming walls of the manor. Stephen feels as if he has been away from it for weeks but in actuality, it has been only one full day.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 394) Suspicious
“I know it sounds suspicious, but I went into town to have a drink. She saw me on the street and came at me, yelling and causing a scene but that is all I know.” Stephen says without blinking. “Your friend, the police officer took her back to the hotel.”
He looks her in the eye to prove his story is real and she stares at him for the longest time, almost as if looking into the numerous thoughts circulating in his head, and then she speaks.
“I do not believe the rumors going around that you had something to do with her death. Neither does grandfather.” She says as she breaks eye contact and begins walking once again. “Was Kate ill?” She asks as she pauses to look at him while waiting for his reply.
“Do you believe in ghosts? Maybe not ghosts, but. . . evil creatures or beings?” He quizzes.
“That is an odd question to ask me.” She replies as they begin to stroll along. “I believe in spirits I suppose, why do you ask and what does this have to do with your girlfriend?”
“Zsofia, let me make this clear.” He stops and Zsofia does the same. “Kate and I, we were over and done with months ago, please believe me.”
Zsofia looks him in the eyes and then her attention goes to the trees as the next gust of wind weaves its way through the forest. She nods her head that she agrees with his statement.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 393) The Rule
“After you and Tamas left, I told Kate she was not welcomed.” Stephen says honestly. “However, I also understood she probably needed a place for the night or until she made travel plans.” He looks over his shoulder. “I suggested she sleep on the couch, and then I went to the kitchen where I fell asleep in the chair.”
Zsofia grins at the thought of him sitting on a hard wooden chair, in the dark, teetering back and forth, as he nods off. She looks up at him only after she is able to control her expression and as it softens, she speaks.
“So if she stayed there, how did she end up in town?” She asks as she looks at him trying to read the answer as if it is written on his face.
“I don’t know. When I woke up, the house was dark and the front door was wide open.” He states quietly as if he is afraid someone other than Zsofia will hear him.
“The door was open?” She asks with surprise. “But no one was watching it and we are never supposed to do that.” Zsofia looks around at the woods surrounding them.
Again, she has mentioned the rules of the door at the manor. He cannot help but feel she was told this as a young child for she never questions the rule. Yet, as odd as the door issue is, the old woman in town made comments about it as well. In watching her actions though, Zsofia looks around at the various sections of the forest and Stephen cannot help but think she knows more than she is telling.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 392) For That
“Zsofia, I’m sorry.” Stephen says as he steps closer to her as she slowly begins walking.
“For what?” She questions nervously as she begins walking slightly faster.
“For everything.” He replies as he slips up next to her.
“I highly doubt you’re to blame for any of this.” She replies almost with a laugh, but tears well up in her crystal blue eyes as she thinks about their friendship.
“For that.” Stephen says as he grabs her arm forcing her to stop and look at him. “You are walking away as if you are afraid of me or worse, hate me.” He says quickly but without giving her a chance to reply he continues. “I’m sorry for not turning Kate away when it was obvious that was the only thing I should have done. I was just, she is. . . she was always so overbearing.”
“So what happened?” Zsofia asks as she watches Stephen’s face for expressions.
“With she and I?” He questions as he releases her arm.
“That night.” Zsofia says softly. “What happened after Tamas and I left the day she arrived?” She looks out at the woods as a cool breeze flows past them blowing her light blonde hair over her shoulder.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 391) His Actions
Without another word, all three make their way to the door and out to the yard. Sunlight is glistening through the trees as the morning awakens and silently, Stephen follows Zsofia to the beginning of the path that wanders through the tall thick trees of the woods. Hesitant to enter the canopy of green, he stops and looks back at Laszlo.
“Which way are you going?” He yells in the old man’s direction and Laszlo looks up at him.
“I’m heading further from town and then I will double back.” The old man states in a booming voice.
“I can go back to town.” States Stephen as he begins to walk toward Laszlo.
“No no, that would not be a good idea, not after last night.” Laszlo says firmly as he shakes his head no. “Go on and check the woods and manor, he has to be close by.”
This of course is not what Stephen wanted to hear. Even in the warmth of daylight, the woods will forever be a dark and foreboding place to him. The evil creature that now seems to be as interested in him as he is of it, may very well be hiding therein waiting for its chance to pounce.
Looking back at Zsofia, he catches her watching him and her expression is of sorrow and pain. It is now that he realizes how his actions must appear to her. Is she thinking he does not want to spend time with her? Or perhaps she believes he does not want to waste time looking for her brother.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 390) He Could Be
“Stephen, I meant to say this to you earlier, when we were walking from town.” Laszlo says earnestly for he wonders if his own actions are causing the strange apprehension between the younger adults. “I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you a couple of days ago, when you nearly knocked me down at the manor’s door.” He looks Stephen in the eyes. “It was reckless of me to say such a thing and I am sorry.”
Stephen is so accustom to people treating him like an outcast that he nearly forgot the entire incident. With an appreciative grin, he nods to Laszlo in an understanding way.
“Thank you for that.” Stephen says as he looks up once again at Zsofia and Laszlo clears his throat.
“I am going to go look for Tamas and I want you two to check the manor.” Laszlo states with authority.
“I just came from the manor and. . .” Zsofia begins to say as she turns around but her grandfather interrupts her.
“He was not there, I know that’s what you said, but he may be there now and if you did not check the door, he could be inside.” The elderly man says in a calm tone. “Maybe he took the longer path that leads to the back of the manor and he is now waiting for Stephen to come home. However, if the doors are locked, do not enter the dwelling, just come straight back here.” Laszlo states as an order. “You two, take the path through the woods and I’ll walk the road. He cannot be far.” He affirms in a positive way.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 389) To Avoid
“Tamas was asking about Stephen last night.” He hears Zsofia say as he comes up the hallway still out of sight but within earshot.
“Did I hear my name?” Stephen asks as he steps into the room and sits down at the small square table, his eyes on Zsofia.
“It was Tamas, last night he was up, roaming around. When I walked him back to his room he asked about you.” She replies as she looks down at her hands. “He wanted to know if we are friends.” Not once does she look up as she speaks which is out of character for her.
“You told him yes, right?” Stephen questions softly as he tips his head down trying to make eye contact with her.
Zsofia continues to avoid him for several seconds before standing and walking over to the window. Sitting at the table with Stephen, Laszlo looks from his granddaughter and back to Stephen several times before speaking.
“Have I missed something?” The elderly man questions as he watches and waits for Zsofia to reply, but she does not say a word.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 388) Refreshing
Stephen stands up and walks toward the hallway but looks back at Zsofia who looks incredibly nervous as she avoids any eye contact with him. Running through Stephen’s mind is the image of her sitting at the outdoor table with the police officer. His impression was that it appeared they were having a wonderful time with each other and a severe twinge of jealously bites at Stephen once again.
Now is not the time or place to bring up his thoughts on the friendship he was building with her, but he feels tension between them and wants to resolve it. Not only because he truly enjoys her company, but he sincerely wants to be here to help her during this stressful moment. Looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, he appears drawn and sullen as if he has been awake for days.
“Well you look like shit.” He says to himself as he pools water into his hands and splashes it on his face. “What was it the old woman said?” He whispers to himself as he uses a towel to dry his skin. “It was something about Zsofia and Tamas getting hurt.” After cooling his face with the clear and refreshing water, Stephen slowly walks back down the hall to join Laszlo and Zsofia in their discussion.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 387) Did You Enter
“Are you sure Tamas isn’t just walking around, maybe to the manor?” Stephen suggests.
“That was my first thought too but. . . I just came from there.” Zsofia says as if out of breath and without looking at Stephen.
“Did you enter the building?” Laszlo quickly asks.
“No. . .” Zsofia pauses as she looks at her feet. “I didn’t want to. . .” She pauses again without finishing her statement for her excuse is that she did not wish to speak with Stephen and she had no idea he was detained in town. “Oh this is my fault. Where has he gone?”
“How could this be your fault?” Stephen quizzes but is quickly interrupted by Laszlo.
“Let’s get inside and see if we can figure this out in a calm way.” Laszlo says as he takes his granddaughter by the hand. “Stephen, please join us.” He says without looking up to make sure Stephen is following.
The three of them enter the house and sit down at the small square table in the kitchen. With lace curtains and hard woods as the main decorative pieces, the house is cozy and warming.
“Excuse me,” Stephen says to Laszlo, “I’ve been locked up all night, may I use your restroom?”
“Of course, yes. It’s down the hall to the right.” The old man says as he rubs his hands together as if they hurt.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 386) His Path
Stephen can see out of his peripheral vision that Laszlo is looking at him, awaiting his reply. How can he possibly tell this man the truth? No one in their right mind would believe the things he has witnessed and Laszlo has already accused him of being crazy. In no manner does Stephen feel he can divulge the true facts of the strange event.
“Shouldn’t I be walking back the other way?” Stephen questions for he now realizes they are almost to Laszlo’s house where he will surely run into Zsofia.
“You can take the trail through the woods, it is much faster.” Laszlo replies.
The old man’s statement is true, but he does not know how terrifying Stephen’s last walk through the woods was to him. Even though the sun is now up, all he can think about is how interested the creature seemed to be in him. He knows it will come after him and he is beginning to believe that Klara’s suggestion of turning the place over to her is possibly the only thing he can do now.
“Grandfather!” Zsofia yells as she runs out of the woods toward him and Stephen.
“Zsofia? What is it?” Laszlo asks quickly for he can tell something is terribly wrong.
“It’s Tamas! I cannot find him!” She says as she holds her grandfather’s hands. “This morning when I woke up, I checked on him as I always do, and he was not in his room.” She stares at Stephen with a pleading look in her eyes as if asking if he has crossed his path.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 385) No Hero
“What were you doing out so late? They said you were a bit drunk and disorderly banging on someone’s window in the middle of the night yelling and screaming. Apparently a woman was taken to the hospital?” Laszlo says in a questioning tone but Stephen does not reply.
“The officer told me that once they calmed the woman’s husband down, he explained the situation with his wife, something about having an epileptic attack of some sort.” He looks at Stephen for an answer.
“Yeah, an attack or something.” Stephen replies without divulging any of the details, as he knows them to be.
“Her husband said you had nothing to do with her situation other than your yelling and banging on the window woke him up.” Laszlo says as he shuffles over a rough patch in the road. “It sounds like she may have died if it weren’t for you alerting him.”
“I’m no hero.” Stephen replies as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
“What drew your attention to the house in the first place?” The old man asks. “I find it odd that you would have known to look in the window.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 384) Offended
“They called me first thing this morning, asking if I could come in to prove who you are.” Laszlo says quietly as they walk along the road but he then begins to laugh. “The way they were talking, I thought I was coming here to identify a body.”
Laszlo laughs again as he pats Stephen on the back. Unsure of how this can possibly be funny to the old man, Stephen becomes quite offended and stops to stand still. After two steps, Laszlo stops as well and looks up at Stephen a bit startled, and then he laughs again.
“Oh! I just realized how that sounded, I am sorry son.” The old man says as he pats Stephen on the shoulder once again. “I am relieved that you are alive.” He laughs and shakes his head at his misuse of terms. “They know that our families have been close for years and I was the only one they knew to call.”
“Well I suppose that makes sense.” Stephen says and deep down, he is thankful for the association. “I appreciate you coming here to get me out.”
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 383) Power Play
“Due to the circumstances we felt it best to detain you, for drunkenness.” The tall officer stays flatly without blinking an eye.
“But he saved someone’s life!” Laszlo interjects.
“That will be taken into consideration.” The officer replies as he stands directly in front of Stephen glaring at him as if daring him to start a battle.
The silence between Stephen and this officer is thick and challenging. It is obvious neither likes the other and one will not back down first from this silent yet fierce confrontation. Words are about to be spoken when Laszlo steps in to break the power play.
“Come along, Stephen. They have released you to me.” Laszlo says calmly as he tugs on Stephen’s arm.
“See you round,” The man in the next cell says to Stephen.
“Yeah, good luck to you.” Stephen replies as he glances at Laszlo.
Stephen cannot tell if Laszlo is upset with him and only hiding it until they are clear of the police office, or if he is truly trying to help. After walking for several minutes in silence, the elderly man begins to talk.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 382) Deduced
“Hey,” the man in the cell next to Stephen says in a low voice. “They are coming to talk to you.”
He then quickly sits down on his cot and acts as if he is ignoring everyone. Stephen follows his lead and as soon as he too takes a seat, the group walks up to his cell door.
“Istvan, Stephen.” Laszlo shakes his head for calling Stephen the wrong name. “I’m taking you home.”
Shocked by this unexpected statement, Stephen stands there dumbfounded. An officer unlocks the cell door and two of the men step inside. One of them Stephen recognizes as the husband to the woman. He immediately steps up to Stephen and grabs his hand for a handshake.
“He wants to thank you for waking him up.” The officer says. “If you had not noticed his wife was having convulsions, she may have died.”
“Convulsions?” Stephen questions.
“Yes, they checked her over and found no medical reason for her to be in such pain. They deduced she must have been having convulsions from a seizure.” The officer states firmly.
Stepping in behind them is the tall officer who came to the manor asking questions about Kate. He is the same man who pulled Zsofia aside when Stephen wanted to speak with her, and the same man who was sitting at the outdoor table with her late yesterday evening.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 381) Caged
Early morning light trickles in through a small window on the other side of the building as birds begin to chirp and flutter around outside. Stephen now believes he has been here for at least four hours and the wind must have brought with it rain showers for the air is damp.
“They say they heard from the hospital, the woman is alive and stable.” He says as he looks over at Stephen in a questioning way. “You try to kill someone?” He questions in a whisper.
“No, I tried to save someone.” Stephen replies now worried more than ever that his actions might be confused with his true intent.
“Apparently many people witnessed you acting like a mad man.” The man states quickly, once again looking at Stephen as if he has doubt about his innocence.
The front door to the jail opens and two other men come in from outside to join the discussion. Stephen recognizes one of the voices to be Zsofia’s grandfather, Laszlo Eszes. The last thing he needs now is a scolding from the old man just to be told once again how crazy he is. Rubbing the back of his neck and with stress building, Stephen begins to pace in his cell like a caged animal.
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Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 380) Conversation
The wind continues to howl through the valley and trees as it drifts in waves across the countryside. Zsofia lays in her own thoughts until she slowly drifts off to sleep while abruptly, Stephen awakens in the jail cell to the sound of men talking. They are not excessively loud but at the same time are not trying to keep their voices down either. In the cell next to him, sits another man who entered only moments ago for he was not there when Stephen arrived. The man looks at Stephen, nods his head as if to say hello and then asks a question, but Stephen does not understand.
The man is listening intently to the conversation from the other room between the three police officers on hand. Looking down at the floor it is obvious he is in deep thought and then he quickly glances up at Stephen.
“You American?” He asks quickly and Stephen nods yes. “They are talking about you.” The man says as he tips his head in their direction, then looks down again.
“What are they saying?” Stephen asks as he steps over to the wall of bars but the man does not respond immediately as he continues to pay attention to the conversation that is taking place in the distance.
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