Room to Let (standard:horror, 2040 words)
Author: Michael Lance Kersting	Added: Feb 27 2012	Views/Reads: 2933/2088	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Mac Gregor,horror story writer,was in for a chilling surprise at the guest house.

Room to Let 

As the rackety bus pulled up at the depot stop in the little town of
Oakville Trevor MacGregor, writer, got off carrying a brown leather 
duffel bag. It was a small, quiet town in Georgia with many heritage 
houses from the Forties dotting both sides of the street. 

Just the place for me he thought looking around at the quiet
surroundings. He noticed that there weren't many people around and the 
few he saw were all resting in the shades from the blazing noon day 
sun. A mangy dog nearby stretched and yawned widely, looked him 
straight in the eye, scratched its left ear which was slightly bitten 
off at the top, then went behind a store. 

He took in a deep breath and sighed."What a relief to get away from the
mad, hustle bustle of the city. 

he went in search of lodgings. 

He saw a man lounging in front of a hardware store and approached him.
"Good day ,sir, Is there a guest house around here?" "Yes, there sure 
is, young fellow, try the "Knife and Fork," it's jes a block ahead. 
Tell the landlady that Mac sent you ." The old guy then spat some 
tobacco juice in a bucket standing nearby and continued staring into 
space. MacGregor thanked the man, and sauntered up the dusty street. 
checking out the buildings. 

Finally, he found the place. 

It was a two storey building painted in white, with a well kept flower
garden in front. 

The sign over the entrance read : " THE KNIFE AND FORK, BED AND
BREAKFAST" in bold faded red letters. A little note beneath read : 
‘Room to Let"in bold letters. 

MacGregor walked up the three steps, crossed a small porch, and pushed
the door open. A bell tinkled as he entered. The lobby was a bit gloomy 
looking, with stuffed animals and porcelain ornaments everywhere. He 
walked over to the small counter and put down his luggage. 

Eventually an elderly lady dressed in gray, emerged from a small door
behind the mahogany counter. She was carrying a small pot of flowers in 
her bony hands. She had a pair of bright blue gray eyes and cotton 
white hair. Setting the plant pot gently on the counter, she brushed 
down her apron and said in a strong voice 

‘Welcome, Sir, I am Mrs. Robinson, the landlady, what can I do for you?"
" I am looking for a place to stay for a few days. I saw your sign and 
Mac said....." He replied, nodding towards the front. 

The Landlady smiled, He seems quite a pleasant young man she thought "
Well, young man, you are in luck. I do have vacant room to let. She 
turned an old register around to face him on the counter."Will you 
please sign here" she said, pointing a bony finger at a line. MacGregor 
took out a pen from his pocket, and signed his name, noticing that only 
two other tenants had registered previously. Both about a year ago, 
this made him curious. 

She looked at the signature. 

"It's ten dollars  a week, Mr. MacGregor, including meals"." She said
and added "in advance." 

Just then a short old man came into the lobby carrying basket of
flowers. His beady eyes surveyed Mac Gregor from head to foot. “Oh, 
this is Rupert, my assistant.” said the landlady” and this is Mr. Mac 
Gregor.” Rupert smiled showing a couple of missing teeth and 
nodded.”Please to meet you ,Mr MacGregor” he said MacGregor nodded in 
response. The old man set down the basket then returned to the other 
room. "That will be fine." MacGregor he replied, reaching into his back 
pocket for his wallet. Their eyes met and she smiled. “She seems a 
pleasant enough woman he thought He paid. 

‘I will give you your receipt later, She said pocketing the cash, "Now


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