The Mouth on the Wall
Copyrighted by YzaDora © All rights reserved.
“Salem, Massachusetts has a rich history from its early settlements, infamous witch trials, and of course, we cannot forget, devil worship. Everyone thought the devil was in man, or woman, but no one ever thought that the devil…was in the walls.”
-YzaDora
Just minutes before the stroke of midnight, a group gathered in the shadows of a dimly lit basement.
“We must seek sustenance for it, lest it turn its wrath upon us.” a caretaker whispered urgently. The others nodded in agreement, casting anxious glances at one another.
“But how? The townspeople shun this place, and spreading the word is not an option.” a woman fretted, gesturing wildly in frustration.
“During tourist season, some unsuspecting souls may stumble upon our haven of the supernatural. The youth are bold and ignorant, they will only heed the warning when it’s too late.” a man suggested, his eyes darting nervously towards the entity they served as it took form on the wall, “We beg for your patience, oh mighty one. We are but humble servants, striving to fulfill your desires.” he pleaded, dropping to his knees in reverence. The others followed suit, heads bowed in supplication.
James and Mary-Anne Peterson, high-school and college sweethearts who had just tied the knot, were ready for their grand adventure. Both having graduated from the same university but in different fields, they were now free to explore the open road together. Mary-Anne’s father, a successful businessman, gifted them a shiny new Winnebago RV for their honeymoon. With dreams of visiting all the famous sites and landmarks across the country, James and Mary-Anne were eager to set out on their journey; their loyal companion Rufus, an Irish Setter, happily joined them on their road trip.
As they embarked, Mary-Anne couldn’t contain her excitement, “I can’t believe we’re finally doing this!” she exclaimed, buckling her seat belt, preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.
“Finally we can be alone.” James teased with a wink, igniting a spark of excitement.
As Mary-Anne leaned back in her seat, a mischievous smile played on her lips. With a quick stroke of his hair, she then grabbed a large road map from the glove compartment.
“Um, honey, what’s that?” James asked, snapping his seatbelt in place, ready for the adventure ahead.
“You think I trust that?” Mary-Anne playfully mocked, gesturing towards the GPS, “Father says they’re unreliable and don’t even get me started on what mother thinks of them. Did you know she got lost once because one of those, and that that’s how she met father?”
“So you’ve said and they’ve said, many times, but Peggy and I have been through a lot together and she’s never let me down.” James started the engine, ready for the exciting journey.
“Peggy? Who the hell is Peggy?” Mary-Anne asked, laying the map in her lap and looking puzzled.
“Peggy.” James pointed to the GPS on the dashboard, “She actually led me to you.”
“It did not!” Mary-Anne giggled.
“Trust story, swear on my life.” James chuckled, “Okay, Peggy...talk to me, baby.” he tapped the screen to power it up.
Mary-Anne shook her head stubbornly, opting to read the old-fashioned paper map, but she couldn’t resist peeking at the GPS screen every so often.
Driving for days, setting up camp in parks or remote spots, they basked in the joy of their honeymoon as newlyweds. They shared intimate nights under the stars, filled with laughter and love, while watching Rufus frolic freely. After that, they embarked on a southward journey, exploring Florida and then making their way to the vibrant city of New Orleans during the lively Mardi Gras festivities. Their adventures led them to a mysterious encounter with a voodoo priestess, who warned them about a peculiar green floral wall in a room.
“A green wall in a room?” James mocked, unable to take the woman seriously.
“James, be nice.” Mary-Anne chided gently, intrigued by the woman’s cryptic message, “What do you mean a green floral wall in a room?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
“That’s all I see, it holds danger if you don’t approach it cautiously and respectfully.” the woman’s hands trembled as she spoke.
James scoffed at her words, questioning, “Yeah? And what is it, a glory hole that bite my pr*ck off?” he stood tall, brushing off the woman’s concerns. Looking around the mysterious shop filled with jars of herbs, oils, and macabre relics, and baskets of skeletons of human and animal bones, he then reached for Mary-Anne’s hand, “Come on, you can’t believe this hoodoo-voodoo stuff.”
“Watch it…” the woman warned, fixing a piercing gaze on him, “There are forces in this world that we do not understand, and while you are close minded to the possibility, there are others, like your lovely new wife, that are more curious about such things. However…” she gazed at the young woman, “it is known that curiosity killed the cat, did it not?”
Mary-Anne shuffled closer to James, “Um…” she looked nervously at the woman, “I suppose it did.” she whispered.
“Mm-hmm.” the woman nodded knowingly before rummaging through a basket on her desk. She pulled out two medallion coins with mysterious symbols etched on them. “Here…” she insisted, handing the coins to James and Mary-Anne, “take these with you. They’ll protect you, but ONLY if you believe in them.”
The couple accepted the coins, intrigued by their potential power.
“Coins.” James eyed his wife with curiosity, “Are they valuable?” and as he lifted his gaze, the woman had vanished, leaving the shop hollow and eerie, “Um, hello?” he called out, receiving no response.
“James, let’s get out of here.” Mary-Anne urged, her voice laced with fear. Gazing at the wind chimes made of bones swaying mysteriously, she shivered.
Taking her hand firmly, James guided her out into the bustling and lively streets, “No more shops and fortunes.” he declared.
“Deal.” Mary-Anne nodded, hiding the coin in her pocket.
As the night grew darker, they made their way back to their RV, feeling a bit buzzed from indulging in one too many shots at the lively local bar, where free drinks flowed in honor of the Mardi Gras festivities. Rufus let out a bark as they opened the door, causing a commotion among other campers in the park.
“Shut the mutt up, he’s been barking all night!” a voice shouted from a nearby window, though the source remained unseen.
“Hey, buddy…” James greeted Rufus, giving him a quick pat on the head. “I know, we’re sorry.” he said, listening to the dog’s soft whimpers.
“I’ll walk him.” Mary-Anne slurred slightly, letting out a hiccup before giggling, “Oops, excuse me.” she chuckled, grabbing Rufus’ leash from where it hung by the door, “Come on, Rufus.” she urged, tapping her legs and beckoning him to follow.
“I’ll make some coffee.” James declared confidently, a mischievous smile lighting up his face. With a sudden burst of energy, he bounded up the steps, only to stumble and tumble over the top. Laughing uproariously, he found himself sprawled on his back, the sound of Mary-Anne’s giggles fading as she closed the door behind her. As he picked himself up and headed towards the bathroom, a sense of adventure coursed through him. After relieving himself, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror, studying the wallpaper behind him with amusement. With a shake of his head, he splashed water on his face, “Green floral walls in a room, real specific lady.” he shook his head. Emerging from the bathroom, he found himself in a narrow space, with a mysterious figure rattling the door outside. The thrill of the unknown sent a shiver down his spine. Thinking it might be Mary-Anne who had inadvertently locked herself out, he cautiously made his way towards the door with a mischievous grin. However, his excitement quickly turned to confusion as he heard a man’s voice muttering outside, “H-hello?! Mary-Anne, is that you?!” he shouted firmly, trying to shake off the remnants of a relentless hangover. Rubbing his eyes and mustering up his courage, he shouted once more, “Hey!” but he received silence in return. As he saw their shadow retreat through the small window, he knew he had to act quickly. Scouring through the cabinets above the seats, he found a concealed bag containing a hand-gun. With a determined resolve, he cocked the round and approached the door. Taking deep breaths to steady his nerves, he quietly unlocked the door and swung it open with a bold flourish, “What do you want?!” he demanded. However, his tough facade quickly crumbled as he saw Mary-Anne’s terrified face and heard her piercing screams. Relieved that the situation was not as dire as he had initially thought, he lowered the gun and rushed to comfort her, “Oh my god…oh baby, I’m sorry!” he apologized profusely, realizing the gravity of the situation, “Baby, I’m so sorry!” and with a newfound sense of relief, he embraced her, grateful to have narrowly escaped a potential disaster.
“James, what the hell is that?!” Mary-Anne exclaimed, pointing at the gun in his hand, her eyes wide and tired, “Wh-where the hell did you get that?!” she demanded to know.
James, out of breath from his sudden panic, scanned their surroundings, I’m sorry, but…I-I thought there was someone trying the door.” he explained.
“And you were going to do what, James?! Shoot them?!” Mary-Anne’s tone was incredulous as she quickly glanced around to make sure no one else saw the gun in his hand, “I can’t believe you have a gun, put it away!” she whispered urgently, then turned to call Rufus who was sniffing nearby. With Rufus in tow, Mary-Anne swiftly made her way back to their RV, gripping his leash tightly, “James!” she called out to him, beckoning him to follow her into the safety of their mobile home.
James rubbed his eyes wearily and let out a deep sigh. After one last glance around the room, he followed her lead, making sure to firmly close and lock the door behind him. Safely stowing the gun back in its bag, he securely tucked it away in the cabinet above the seats. Mary-Anne eagerly awaited answers, eager to know why he felt the need to carry such a weapon. As they sat together at the modest table, James reached for her hands, explaining that he had packed it as a precaution for any unexpected troubles they might encounter on their journey, “Rufus unfortunately is a chicken sh*t coward, so I needed something that I could rely on to keep us safe.” James reassured Mary-Anne as he held her hands, “It was my father’s and it’s never been fired.”
“That’s great and all, but you could have told me about it.” Mary-Anne grumbled, “I don’t like guns, they frighten me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, babe.” James said as he sat down next to her. Pulling her close, he planted a kiss on top of her head and rested his against hers.
That night, sleep eluded them as they lay back to back, contemplating the words of the voodoo priestess and pondering the mysterious intruder lurking around their RV.
“This is ridiculous, we’re just being paranoid!” Mary-Anne declared, propping herself up in the bed, “There’s nothing, no one out there.” she insisted, looking over at James as she placed a pillow in her lap, “I think maybe all those drinks and that strange woman’s words are playing tricks on us. That’s all it is...right?”
James sat up and soothingly rubbed her back, “I’m not sure, but this honeymoon is definitely not the idyllic getaway we envisioned.” he leaned his head on her shoulder and added, “Perhaps we should try to get some rest, and before you even ask, yes, I have the gun under the pillow.” he reassured her, noticing the anxiety in her eyes.
As Mary-Anne nodded in agreement, she leaned into his arms, seeking solace in his warm embrace. With a sense of fear, she gazed up at the ceiling above, stealing a glance through the tiny skylight window before finally closing her eyes.
From then on, they became more vigilant, perhaps even a tad superstitious.
In the days that followed, after filling up the RV tank and loading up on supplies from local markets, they set off towards the Eastern states. Making pit stops at quaint locations and charming restaurants along the way, the couple’s journey finally led them to Salem, Massachusetts. Here, they were captivated by the town’s intriguing history, particularly the tales of witches and witchcraft. Both having studied the occult in college, they were thrilled to be in the very place where it all unfolded. As they drove through the town, Mary-Anne eagerly pointed out the windows, spotting women dressed in eerie all-black ensembles from head to toe, making it seem as if they were part of a Halloween parade strolling down the winding streets, “I guess they take their beliefs seriously, even ’til this day.” she noted, tearing her gaze away as they lingered, eyeing them warily as they sauntered by.
“Maybe they heard you.” James chuckled, stealing a glance at her before momentarily diverting his attention from the road.
“JAMES!” Mary-Anne cried out, pointing ahead.
Swiftly shifting his focus to the path ahead, James pressed hard on the gas pedal, bringing the RV to a sudden stop as men traversed the roadway. Extending a nod of apology, he rolled down the window, hearing the men voice their disapproval of his driving antics, “Sorry!” he called out earnestly before pulling his head back inside and rolling up the window. He stole a quick glance at Mary-Anne, mumbling, “I said I was sorry.” his eyes widened as he saw the men turn to stare at them as they crossed the street and stood near the lights.
“Maybe they heard you.” Mary-Anne teased with a grin.
“That’s not funny.” James grumbled. Making sure no one else was crossing, he veered the RV to the left, searching for the park that was supposed to be on the right. But as they neared, all they saw was an empty lot, “This isn’t right. Peggy said it should be here.” he said, frowning as he gripped the wheel tightly.
“Peggy’s always right, huh?” Mary-Anne declared with a smirk, flicking through the map, “It’s back there.” she pointed over her shoulder with a confident thumb, “On the other side of the town, so see…” she added, giving the GPS a triumphant yank, unplugging it, “they’re NOT always right.”
“Alright, alright…don’t get my b*lls in a twist.” James grumbled as he expertly backed up the motorhome, being cautious not to scrape any parked vehicles. With precision, he maneuvered the RV towards the park entrance, his eyes scanning for any obstacles.
“Maybe we can stay in one of the hotels or Inn’s nearby. I really don’t want to sleep in the RV again tonight. It’s been too long, and I’m starting to feel...” Mary-Anne mused as she glanced at their Setter, “too cramped. Rufus too.” the thought of a comfortable bed and some room to stretch out was enticing after a long day on the road.
“Yeah, sounds nice.” he nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings, “But first, let’s find a spot. Now where’s the office?” his gaze darted around, searching for the RV park office. After squeezing through a tight space between two massive class A buses with Rufus and their bags, they started their slow trek through the park. Though not the friendliest place, they pressed on, keeping to themselves with Rufus trotting alongside.
Strolling down the winding streets, they pointed out interesting sights, capturing memories with photos and videos. The couple pushed past recent disturbances and unsettling encounters, leaving them in the dust.
“How about that one?” Mary-Anne’s finger pointed towards a hotel in the distance, “It isn’t too far from the park, and at this point, I don’t care. I’m hungry, and I want to take a proper shower.” she leaned in closer to James, pleading, “Please?” her head rested gently on his shoulder as she gazed up at him expectantly, “You can scrub my back, and I can scrub yours.” she kissed his shoulder.
Unable to resist her, James knew he couldn’t say no. It wasn’t that he was weak, but his love for her was undeniable.
“Okay.” he said, taking her hand and leading her forward, his eyes scanning their surroundings vigilantly. There was a strange feeling nagging at him, a sense that something was amiss, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Suddenly, across the street, he spotted a figure lurking in the shadows beneath a burnt-out street lamp. It looked just like the woman from the shop in New Orleans. Halting abruptly, he pulled Mary-Anne back, a adrenaline-fueled sense of adventure coursing through him as he watched the mysterious woman vanish before his eyes.
Mary-Anne’s heart raced as she called out to James, “James, what is it?” she scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of danger, “JAMES, you’re scaring me!”
“S-sorry, but…” James hesitated, his voice shaking as he spoke, “I swear, Mary, I could have sworn I just saw that woman from the voodoo shop in New Orleans.”
Mary-Anne’s eyes widened in disbelief, “What?! are you sure?!”
“I-I think so, I don’t know.” James replied, his hands trembling. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, “Maybe I’m just tired, and seeing things.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Mary-Anne grasped his hand reassuringly, “Come on. Once we get inside, you can take a shower then get some rest. I think we both need it, hmm?” she suggested, leading the way.
James nodded, “You’re right.”
As they neared the hotel, they were taken aback by what met their eyes. The place had no name, resembling a quaint bed and breakfast from a bygone era. Its eerie charm hinted at possible paranormal activity. Stepping inside, the sound of the bell announcing their arrival filled the lobby. A chill ran down their spines, intensifying when even Rufus, their loyal companion, whimpered softly and tugged at his leash. The stage was set for an adventure unlike any they had experienced before.
As they approached the front desk, a man appeared and cheerfully asked, “Good afternoon, how may I help you?” his appearance was unremarkable, with no distinguishing features that would make him memorable, but his sleek black suit complemented the hotel’s atmosphere.
“Afternoon, man. We’re looking for a room.” James declared as he set down his bags.
“Wonderful.” the man beamed, resting his hands on the desk, “Just the two of you?” he inquired, glancing at the couple.
“And our dog.” Mary-Anne chimed in, “Do you allow pets?”
“Normally, no, but it shouldn’t be a problem. As long as he is potty trained and leaves no messes behind.” he peeked over the edge of the desk, “That will cost extra at check-out.”
“He is, no worries there.” Mary-Anne grinned, placing her purse on the counter.
“Excellent.” the man nodded, “Please sign in here…” he pulled out a book from under the counter and placed it in front of them, “I will also need to see your I.D. cards, please?” he handed them two pens.
As James and Mary-Anne dug into their wallets, Rufus began to whine and bark anxiously, managing to slip off his leash in the process, but before he could get far, James swiftly grabbed him by the collar and brought him back under control, “Sorry about that.” James addressed the man.
“It’s alright.” the man replied, raising a curious eyebrow, “He’s not a barker, or whiner, is he? I only ask because I don’t think the others on the floor will be too accustomed to all of the racket.”
Mary-Anne reassured with a confident smile, “He’ll be fine, really. He’s just nervous. New place, new smells. You know.” she casually shrugged, signing her name into the book.
“Mmm.” the man let out a low groan before handing back their I.D. cards, “Follow me.” he instructed, grabbing a key from the wall behind him. It was strange; none of the keys were missing, so who else could be staying in the hotel? With a cramped elevator ride ahead, they squeezed in as the man pressed the button for the third floor. The elevator jolted roughly, but started to move upwards, “This is an old building, everything runs a little behind and...” the man explained.
“Old?” James mocked, unable to resist making a joke.
“James…” Mary-Anne whispered, shooting him a warning glance, “don’t do this again.”
Realizing, James quickly apologized.
The man reassured him, “You have nothing to be sorry for, young man. You’re right. This place is old, but it’s home. To me, and…many others.” and as the elevator doors opened with a loud ding, the man gestured down the hall, “Ah, here we are.” he announced, leading the couple to their room on the left.
As James, Rufus, and Mary-Anne trailed behind him, the doors to the rooms appeared to be suffering from wood rot, with the wallpaper peeling in spots.
“Cheerful.” Mary-Anne muttered to herself, then she thought she saw one of the doors creak open before quickly shutting again.
“Here you are.” the man declared, reaching a room on the right at the end of the hallway, “Enjoy.” he handed James the key, “There’s a lounge downstairs for drinks and room service if you’re hungry.” and with a nod, he turned and headed back to the elevator. Just before the doors closed, he glanced back to see the trio lingering outside the room, hesitation in their eyes before James finally inserted the key into the lock. A faint grin played on the man’s lips as he thought they might have what it took to conquer the challenges that lay ahead. There was always something hungry to be fed in this mysterious place, and he anticipated more daring souls to follow in their footsteps soon.
Pushing open the door with a loud creak, James and Mary-Anne stepped into the room. The decor was not at all what they had expected; green paisley walls adorned with oversized flowers and leaves, with various paintings hanging askew and what seemed like black graffiti scrawled in random spots. She gasped, “What are the odds of that?”
James raised an eyebrow skeptically, “Maybe the colors are throughout the building?”
Mary-Anne shrugged and made her way to the bed, dropping her bags at her feet, “Maybe.” she mused, looking around the peculiar room, “It’s not THAT bad, I mean…I find it…” she pondered.
“Strange? Weird?” James commented.
“James, we’re here now, and I am keeping my word about that shower.” Mary-Anne declared, I’m sure the shower is big enough for us both, unlike the RV, and you know there’s that little spot on my back that I can’t quite reach, so…” she grabbed his bags and nonchalantly tossed them onto the bed. It was time for a new adventure, and they were ready to make the most of it.
James, with a mischievous smirk, shut the door behind them before sauntering into the bathroom with her. The hot water enveloped them as they shared a tender moment and bliss, emerging refreshed and ready to explore the world. After changing into fresh clothes, they decided to head downstairs for a late lunch or an early dinner. settling at a table and perusing the menu, they couldn’t help but notice a mysterious man in the corner.
Mary-Anne raised an eyebrow and asked, “James, why do you think that man keeps staring at us?”
“I don’t know.” James replied, shrugging, then called out to the man, “Sir, can we help you with something?”
The man rose from his seat at the bar, taking his drink with him as he made his way over to their table. After asking if he could join them, the couple hesitantly agreed, “Are you new to the town?” he inquired, eyeing them both with a hint of curiosity, waiting for one of them to make the first move.
“We’re just passing through.” Mary-Anne declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “We recently got married.” she added, sending a loving glance towards James.
“Oh, well, congratulations!” the man cheered, lifting his glass in a toast, “What brought you here?” he asked, taking a sip of his drink.
“Nothing in particular, really.” James replied nonchalantly, “Perhaps the history.” he shrugged.
“Ah, yes...the history.” the man agreed knowingly.
“What do you mean?” Mary-Anne inquired, intrigued by the man’s mysterious tone.
“Nothing, just rambling on.” the man dismissed, waving his hands casually.
Just then, the desk-clerk burst into the lounge, scolding the man, “Henry, I told you to stop bothering the guests, you know better.” he chided.
“He wasn’t bothering us, it’s fine.” James interjected, “It’s been a long few days, and we could use the company, to be honest.”
“If you say so, Sir.” the desk-clerk conceded, with a reluctant nod before retreating back to the front desk.
Henry’s eyes followed the man as he vanished, then he leaned in closer. With his elbows propped on the table, he regaled the couple with tales of old stories, folklore, and legends of ghosts and witches persecuted for witchcraft, “I'm sure you didn’t know that this very hotel was one of those that housed devil worship practices and rituals.” Henry’s eyes sparkled with a mix of horror and excitement as he observed the couple’s reactions, “No? Well, that’s not all. There have been sightings of spirits reappearing and disappearing up and down the halls, or through the walls.” he gestured wildly, “Even strange noises, screams, or missing items that just mysteriously disappear from the rooms. Like magic, POOF.”
“Magic?” Mary-Anne whispered.
“Poof?” James echoed, his curiosity piqued.
“Indeed.” Henry reclined in his chair and let out a hiccup before declaring, “Other than that, it’s all stories. I have been here for twenty years, and I haven’t seem a damn thing, so it could be true or a load of bullsh*t.” he scrunched his brow and turned to the woman, saying, “Apologies, Ma’am for my language.”
“It’s, uh…” Mary-Anne reassured him, “it’s alright. I just think you might have had too much to drink.”
“Y-yeah, maybe...” Henry rubbed his unkempt beard, then slammed his hands on the table with force, causing a stir, “there’s another thing that I know to be true. Have you fed them yet?”
James inquired, “Excuse me?”
Henry locked eyes with him, insisting, “Them, the things in the walls! Have you fed them yet?!”
“Fed who?” Mary-Anne shifted away from the erratic man, feeling a sense of unease creeping in from his strange words.
“THEM, aren’t you listening?! The things in the walls, have you fed them yet?!” Henry’s outburst had definitely added a new layer of mystery and danger to their adventure.
“Look…” James declared, standing up and taking hold of Mary-Anne’s hand, “I think you should find a room or something, take time to cool off, cause we’re done here.” and with a gentle push, he guided his wife across the room.
“Wait! Whatever you do…don’t feed them!” Henry exclaimed, leaping from his seat and causing his chair to topple over, “If you do, you will never get rid of them, the mouths on the wall are their home! They come from a world that isn’t part of this one, DON’T FEED THEM!” and despite his warning, the couple had already left. Henry let out a sigh, straightened his jacket, and took a swig from their abandoned drinks, muttering to himself, “Just trying to warn you.” but as he sat there, he felt a strange presence lingering. When he glanced over his shoulder, he caught a glimpse of shadows moving just out of sight, “I was just trying to warn them, they seem harmless.” Henry muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.
“It isn’t your place to warn them, Henry. They must choose to feed them or not.” a woman insisted in a hoarse, direct voice.
“Only the mouths can determine if they’re worthy.” a man groaned, “But now that you’ve opened your mouth, how are they going to believe the tales now? They’ll probably think it’s just a trick.” he glanced around nervously.
Henry turned to face the three men and three women clad in eerie, ceremonial attire. Taking a deep breath, he nodded resolutely and brushed back his golden locks, “Do what you want with me, I can’t do this anymore.” he muttered, shifting uneasily, “I just can’t.”
“It’s not your choice, Henry. Only the mouth decides.” the woman stated firmly, giving a nod toward the men, “Take him to the basement and feed him to it, it’s hungry.” and with a quick step to the side, she made way for the men.
“N-no…” Henry’s eyes widened in terror as he backed away, desperately pleading for mercy, “no, please! I give you my word, I won’t say anything! I’ll leave and never come back, just anything but that, PLEASE!” he cried out, but it was futile. The men seized him and began dragging him out of the room, his screams echoing through the empty halls, “NOOOO!” he glanced at the unattended front desk, the scene was left in chaos.
The women looked at each other, uncertainty in their eyes, “What now?” one asked.
“Only time will tell.” another replied with a knowing nod, “Let them settle in, then we’ll summon them to see if they’re worthy.”
Mary-Anne and James trekked through the bustling town, weaving through narrow streets with a watchful eye, recounting Henry’s wild tales and nonsensical ramblings.
“Just what we need…” James grumbled as they walked, “staying at a haunted hotel.”
“What do you think he meant by feeding them?” Mary-Anne questioned in a hushed tone, crossing her arms.
“The pigeons or rats, for all I know, but we’re not staying here long.” James declared firmly, meeting her gaze, “We will stay for the weekend, but that’s it. We’re out Monday.”
“Fine with me.” Mary-Anne chimed in with determination.
Returning to their room, they doublechecked to ensure the door was securely locked. They then indulged in ordering room service and lounging in front of the TV, exchanging playful pillow fights and sharing moments of laughter. James playfully pinned Mary-Anne on the bed, tickling her, while Rufus eagerly joined in on the fun, jumping on the bed in an attempt to cuddle with them.
“Hey, boy. We didn’t forget about you.” James chuckled.
Mary-Anne showered Rufus affection, “Who’s a good boy?”
Rufus responded with a joyful bark before rolling over, eagerly waiting for his belly to be scratched. His tail wagged in delight, reveling in the attention from his beloved owners.
Later that night, as the clock struck midnight, the couple and their faithful Irish Setter were sound asleep. But little did they know, hidden behind the crooked paintings on the wall were small creatures, with leathery skin glistening in the dim moonlight that seeped through the curtains. Their beady eyes squinted as they silently emerged from their holes, creeping towards the slumbering trio. With a soft shrill, the creatures made their move, leaping onto the bed and skittering along the pillows like agile mice. But their sneaky antics were soon interrupted by the rousing bark of Rufus, the vigilant canine. As he paced the bed, riled up by the intruders, the couple stirred from their slumber.
“R-Rufus?” Mary-Anne whispered groggily, fumbling for the bedside lamp.
James rubbed his eyes sleepily, “What’s going on?”
With a furrowed brow, Mary-Anne muttered, “I don’t know, something bothered Rufus.” she watched the Setter darted under the bed in pursuit of the elusive creatures,” What is it?” she peered under the bedcovers, she found nothing but shadows lurking in the darkness, “There’s nothing there…just the shadows.” she reassured Rufus, scratching his neck soothingly, “It’s alright.”
“Anything?” James inquired, his curiosity piqued as he propped himself up on the pillows.
“Nothing.” Mary-Anne climbed back into bed, extinguishing the light. After fluffing her pillow, she snuggled up to James and shut her eyes.
Meanwhile, Rufus persistently whined and barked, his tail wagging anxiously.
“RUFUS!” James abruptly sat up, tossing a pillow in the direction of the dog, “Go to your bed!” he commanded, gesturing towards the large pillow on the floor beside him, “Come on…”
With his head hanging low and tail tucked between his legs, Rufus obediently walked around the bed and settled down, softly whining while peering under the bed.
“What’s his problem all of a sudden?” Mary-Anne groaned, “We told that guy downstairs he’s not a problem, but if Rufus keeps this up with the barking?”
“I don’t know, probably got a tick up his butt.” James grunted, resting his head on the pillows, “I’ll take him for a walk tomorrow, get it out of his system.”
Hours had passed, the clock showing a time around 4:00 in the morning when a series of loud bangs and dragging sounds reverberated through the room, jolting both James and Mary-Anne awake. As they sat up in bed, they scanned the room frantically, trying to pinpoint the source of the mysterious noises, but found nothing visible.
“Wh-where is that coming from?” Mary-Anne asked, her voice tinged with concern as she rubbed her tired eyes.
“The walls, I-I think it’s coming from the walls.” James observed, taking tentative steps towards the source.
“James, what’re you doing?” Mary-Anne exclaimed, reaching out to hold him back, a sense of apprehension creeping into her voice.
“Shh…” he whispered to her, pressing a finger against his lips. Digging into his bag for the gun he promised to keep hidden in the RV, he glanced at his wife who shook her head in disapproval, "Hey, you never know.” he shrugged, cocking the small pistol. With determination, he approached the wall, inspecting behind the paintings, but finding nothing. The mysterious sounds persisted, urging him to lean in closer and listen intently, “It sounds like rats.” he remarked, eyeing Mary-Anne suspiciously.
“Rats? I’m calling the front desk.” she hissed, darting over to the phone on the nearby table. She stood there, waiting for someone to answer, only to be met with endless ringing. Frustration boiled over as she slammed the phone down, “Damn it!” she turned to James with a demanding gaze, “What the hell is going on?” she questioned, a glint of fear in her eyes, “Maybe that guy in the lounge was onto something, maybe this place is…”
“Don’t say it, please Mary, don’t say it.” James pleaded, turning to her with a sense of urgency, “We’ve seen and heard a lot of things during this trip, so let’s not start now by going down the rabbit hole into the weird and strange, hmm?” and carefully setting the gun down on the table beside the bed, he approached her, his hands gently resting on her shoulders. Locking eyes with her, he drew her close, feeling her arms wrap tightly around him, “We’re not staying here, we’re leaving first thing.”
“Good.” Mary-Anne nodded quickly, her voice barely a whisper.
With the lights still on, they settled back into bed, Rufus lying faithfully at their feet, his muzzle securely fastened. Adventure awaited them at dawn.
The break of dawn brought a ray of sunlight that illuminated the quaint town as it emerged from the distant horizon. James and Mary-Anne had just placed their breakfast order, overlooking the tension and peculiar events unfolding around them. In a playful gesture, Mary-Anne teasingly flicked a french fry at her husband, landing it gently on his forehead.
“Wh-what was that?” James exclaimed with a mischievous smile.
“What was what?” Mary-Anne giggled.
“Mmm, so you want war, huh?” James retaliated by picking up a fry from his plate and tossing it back at her, only to have it land somewhere in her luscious blonde locks, “Oops.” he chuckled, watching as she combed through her curls searching for the stray fry.
“Got it!” Mary-Anne declared triumphantly, tossing it back at James and hitting him square on the nose. “Oops.” she shrugged playfully.
“Okay, now it’s on!” James exclaimed with a grin.
The couple found themselves caught up in a spontaneous food fight, sending their fries flying across the room and onto the floor. Little did they know, some of the fries were mysteriously disappearing, much to Rufus’ confusion as he paced and whined nervously.
“Now what?” James growled, scratching his head in confusion, “Rufus, hey boy…what’s wrong?” he asked with a puzzled expression.
“James?” Mary-Anne questioned, hopping off the bed, “What’s that noise?” she paused, listening intently to a strange smacking sound echoing in the room. Rufus was barking at the wall, ruling him out as the culprit, “It sounds like smacking, or someone eating.” she observed, casting a suspicious glance towards her husband.
“Y-yeah, shh…” he motioned for silence with a finger to his lips. Stepping off the bed, he strained to listen closely. The mysterious sound seemed to be coming from the wall above the bed, “It’s behind the walls.”
“Behind the walls?” Mary-Anne’s voice quivered as she grabbed Rufus’ collar, her fear palpable, “I don’t like this James, I want to go home.”
James continued to listen intently, slowly removing a painting from the wall. Suddenly, he let out a cry of fear as he saw a small, human-like mouth with rotten teeth on the canvas. Startled, he leapt backwards, causing the painting to crash to the ground. As he looked around the room, he noticed that the other paintings were also moving, revealing more eerie mouths hidden among the green wallpaper and graffiti art.
Mary-Anne’s shrill scream pierced the air, “Oh god...what the hell is that?!” she cried, seeking comfort in James’s arms.
“I-I don’t know!” James mimicked her tone.
The mouths on the walls began to move erratically, stretching wide and releasing tiny creatures with sharp teeth and red eyes. These creatures, reminiscent of rats, scurried out in all directions, creating a chaotic scene in the once peaceful room. It seemed as though the graffiti art had disguised the sinister mouths and their creepy inhabitants, only to reveal them in a terrifying display of unexpected horror. The tiny creatures scurried around the bed, snatching fries before retreating to the shadows, nourishing themselves from the mouths they came from.
“Is this really happening?” Mary-Anne whispered in disbelief.
“What the f*ck is going on?” James pondered, his eyes wide with astonishment. Suddenly, the creatures stopped feeding and turned their attention towards them,“Sh*t…” James gasped as they jumped off the bed and darted around their feet. They even attempted to climb onto Rufus, who barked and shook them off furiously. James and Mary-Anne frantically stomped on the creatures, but they were incredibly agile, “Damn it, they’re fast little f*ckers!”
“James!” Mary-Anne cried out, pointing to the walls where more creatures were emerging from the mouths, “Oh my god, are these mouths giving birth or something?!”
“I don’t care, we’re getting out of here!” James declared, determination in his voice. He quickly grabbed their bags, already packed and ready to go.
Mary-Anne raced forward, then stopped abruptly, letting out a loud scream as a creature lunged from the wall and landed in her hair, clinging on tightly. She grunted in pain, feeling the sharp teeth of the creature biting at her hands.
“Get it off, James, GET IT OFF!” she shrieked.
James quickly dropped the bags and rushed to her side. As he ran his hands through her hair, he grabbed hold of the creature’s small body, ignoring the bites it inflicted on his hand. Just then, the phone began to ring nearby. With a swift movement, he reached out his right hand and answered.
“Good morning, Sir. I’m sorry to disturb you, but there are complaints from your neighboring guests.” a man’s voice spoke with clarity.
“Y-yeah, sorry about that. We, uh, are just getting ready to head out, we’re chasing the dog around. You know.” James apologized as he hung up the phone and tossed the creature aside. Suddenly, there was a loud knocking at the door, making both James and Mary-Anne jump in surprise, “What now?” h muttered, keeping his eyes fixed on the creature scampering around the room, “Who is it?” he called out.
“Security.” a man’s voice answered.
“Security?” James exclaimed in disbelief.
Mary-Anne quickly rushed to the door and opened it, “Finally.” the sense of relief quickly washed over her, “Oh, thank god!” she exclaimed.
“Is everything alright here?” one of the security men questioned.
James replied with a hint of skepticism, “You probably wouldn’t believe us if we told you.” he appeared in the doorway, puzzled by how quickly they had arrived, “Hey, uh…how did you get up here so fast? I just hung up and didn’t mention anything a thing about needing security.”
“We were tending to another call when we received reports from the front desk. Now with respect, Sir and Ma’am, please keep the noise down.” the other guard acknowledged with a nod before striding down the hallway towards the elevator.
“Wh-what the hell was that?!” Mary-Anne whispered, swiftly closing the door behind her.
“I don’t know, but we’re not staying here to find out!” James declared, grabbing their bags with determination, “They can keep our money.” he added with a fierce glare, heading toward the door. Mary-Anne pushed it open, revealing the hideous creatures leaping toward them. Without hesitation, they stomped on as many as they could, creating small pools of green goo, “Go…” James urged, guiding Mary-Anne away from the chaos. They sprinted down the hallway and reached the elevator, frantically scraping the goo off their shoes.
“Come on…come on! Damn it!” Mary-Anne repeatedly hit the button, then gasped, “James!”
Turning around, James saw the horde of creatures filling the hallway, slithering along the floor and scaling the walls. There was no time to waste; they had to escape before it was too late.
“COME ON!” Mary-Anne exclaimed, banging on the button panel until the elevator doors finally opened with a loud ding, “It’s open!” and without hesitation, she and Rufus rushed inside, “James!” she called for him to join them. As soon as he stepped in, Mary-Anne frantically pressed the buttons to close the doors, but there was a brief delay that had her exclaiming, “Oh come on, don’t do this now! Close, you piece of sh*t!” she continued to press the buttons until the doors finally shut just in time, but not before some of the creatures managed to slip through, only to meet a gruesome fate as the doors closed on them, leaving a trail of green blood. Others, however, quickly disguised themselves before dropping onto the bags at the couples’ feet. It was a race against time as they tried to fend off the creatures and escape the elevator. Little did they realize, some had squeezed through the zippers of the bags.
Checking his hand, James examined the red bite marks arranged in circular patterns that started to sting and burn. He shook his hand and saw Mary-Anne looking at her own bites. As the elevator descended to the lobby, the couple squeezed through the doors just in time before they fully opened, dashing across the deserted lounge without encountering anyone, not even the desk-clerk.
“Maybe this place is haunted.” Mary-Anne whispered.
“Haunted or not, let’s get out of here!” James exclaimed, holding the door open for her and Rufus.
Hurrying down the street, they hurried back to their RV. Without hesitation, they revved the engine loudly and left the town in their dust, eager to put the strange encounter behind them.
As their bags sat on the seats of the table behind the driver and passenger seats, a mysterious presence emerged, wriggling its way out through the gaps in the zipper. Silently making their way along the seat, a group of creatures suddenly leapt off, darting across the floor and vanishing into the cabinets in search of sustenance.
Rufus sprawled out on the lengthy couch opposite the table, startled by the movement of the motorhome, barking loudly as he fixated on the cabinets.
“Hush, Rufus, god damn it!” Mary-Anne’s voice resonated from over her shoulder, “It’s alright, boy, it’s okay.” she shut her eyes, resting her head against the seat, “Oh my god, I can’t believe that happened! What the hell were those things?!”
“I don’t know, I don’t think I want to know, but it’s something to tell the grand kids, huh?” James quipped, his hands gripping the wheel with determination.
“That’s not funny.” Mary-Anne grumbled, her eyes shut tight, “I never want to talk about that place EVER AGAIN.” she pondered, “Do you think it was a trick, you know, to get the hype about the place? First, it was that guy in the lounge, and then those things?”
“Hype? Out of what?” James inquired, giving her a questioning look.
“I don’t know, it’s Salem.” she replied with a shrug, “Maybe Henry is the guy that tricks you into thinking the place was, or is, haunted, and then the staff is on it, I don’t know, playing along?”
“Whatever that was, it wasn’t a trick!” James insisted, focusing on the road ahead, “And whatever those things were, definitely weren’t a trick! I’ve still got their goo on my shoe!” he grimaced.
Mary-Anne bit her lip, acknowledging the truth in his words, “I was just thinking out loud.” she whispered.
A diligent housekeeper swiftly tidied up the room, gathering all the scattered food with a sweep of her hand. As she readied the space for the next occupant, she approached the wall adorned with green wallpaper and placed her hands upon it, “Don’t worry, there will be more.” she whispered reassuringly, “Be patient.” and with a knowing smile, she pulled out a sweet treat from her pocket and offered it to the wall, “Here you go.” and to her surprise, eerie mouths emerged from the wallpaper, eagerly accepting the candy with unsettling movements and smacking. Listening to the crunching and smacking sounds, she gathered her cleaning supplies and headed out the door with a grin. Pushing her cart down the hall, she made her way to the basement with a sense of adventure. Descending the steps, she encountered a group of individuals standing before a wall adorned with the same green wallpaper, but this time with a much larger mouth filled with decayed teeth and drool. Undeterred, she faced the challenging sight with determination, ready to tackle whatever lay beyond the mysterious wall.
“Is it done?” the woman asked eagerly.
“I don’t know.” the housekeeper replied hoarsely, “Only it knows.” she gestured toward the mouth, observing as it silently moved, releasing a multitude of small creatures that scurried around.
“We must wait.” one of the men declared boldly, “They’ll return. They always do, seeking the truth.”
“What if they don’t? The mouths were robbed of food.” another man pondered.
“It won’t be long. Some escaped and hid away in their bags. It’s a matter of time, that’s all, and we must wait.” a woman said, her voice filled with determination.
“We can wait, yes, but they’ cannot.” another woman watched in horror as a ghastly mouth on the wall extended a long, red tongue and snatched another woman in its grasp, much like a chameleon catching a fly, “Wait, no…no!” the woman pleaded desperately to the others, but they stood frozen, unwilling to help, “Help me, please!” she reached out, but her cries fell on deaf ears.
As the woman’s screams echoed throughout the basement, a man declared, “It’s hungry... who are we to stop it from eating?” he then turned away and left the room, taking no stand against the monstrous entity.
“NOOOOO!” the woman screeched in terror as she felt the small creatures nibbling at her ankles and feet.
The rest of the group turned their backs, unwilling to witness the horrifying scene unfolding before them. The sound of bones cracking and flesh being devoured filled the room as the hellish mouth satisfied its insatiable hunger.
After several days had passed, a pair of unexpected guests arrived at the hotel.
“Ah, hello again. What brings you back?” the desk-clerk asked as James and Mary-Anne wearily approached the counter.
Exhausted and weary, they bore dark circles under their eyes and seemed burdened by unseen weight. As they looked down at their shoulders, tiny creatures scurried up their backs and leaped onto the counter.
“Alright, we get it.” James grumbled.
The desk-clerk furrowed his brow in confusion, “Get what?” he inquired.
“What this place is, we know.” Mary-Anne asserted.
A mischievous smile crept across the clerk’s face as he replied, “Oh, I doubt that.”
“Tell us, we want to know.” James demanded.
With a nod, the desk-clerk motioned for them to follow him. He led the couple down to the basement, where they would face the chilling truth.
Tragically, like so many before them, James and Mary-Anne became victims of the hotel’s horrors. Their fate was sealed as they joined the hungering mouths on the wall, forever trapped in eternal torment…never to be released.
The End.
