Whispers in the Dark

with Ellie Navarro

Submission by C. Zverev

 

The building was located a few miles out of town, down a long gravel drive through thick, twisting pines. I drove past the remnants of an old iron gate. Only one of the sides of the wrought-iron had a door, hanging by a single hinge. It hung crookedly, unable to bar the way.

I drove under the arch and continued down the drive, rocks crunching sharply under my tires in the forced silence. The radio had scratched between static and old country a few miles out of town. I had turned it off. It was just me, my worry and the subtle grumbling of the road for the last thirty minutes.

I’d stared at the advertisement for long hours debating whether I was cut out for such a mind numbing job. Overnight security needed. The 12hr shifts sounded brutal, the isolation worse. I didn’t like being alone, but I needed this job. If I didn’t find something soon I’d be living out of my car.

As I pulled into the circular drive the building loomed over me. Tall, expansive brick. A relic of a bygone era. The windows of the second floor were boarded up, glass shattered across the ground like broken teeth. The place looked thoroughly abandoned, save for a battered old truck I pulled behind and parked. Why it needed a security guard at all was a mystery.

I walked up the broad sweeping steps to the front door and raised my hand to grasp the knocker. I nearly jumped from my skin as the door swung open before me. An old man stood there, flashlight in hand, its beam too narrow in the night.

“I-I’m here for the security job.” I sputtered out as the silence stretched out between us, making gooseflesh rise on my arms. 

“What are you waiting for? Come in already.” the old man said in a slow drawl as he shuffled out of the way to let me pass.

“Hi there, I’m Tommy.” I replied, trying to force some cheerfulness into the oppressive gloom.

“Name’s Jim.” He replied, locking the door behind me. “I’ll give you a quick tour, then I’m out.”

“Sounds good.” I said.

I followed him down the dimly lit hallway. The dust of the room muffled out steps, deepening the silence. No janitor on staff. I thought. They weren’t kidding in the advertisement. Solo security guard. 

At the end of the hallway Old Jim stopped and gestured to a door. 

“This is the only staircase to the second floor. It’s all boarded off up there. My old knees can’t take the stairs and the boss said it’s fine as long as you check that the door is locked.”

“Does anyone go up there?”

“Not really. Not safe. Only one way down, so if there’s a fire, you’re stuck. Doesn’t meet code anymore. Probably why this old building isn’t used anymore. That, and we’re in the middle of nowhere.” Jim said, walking on without looking at me.

“Pretty old place.” I responded. I followed the old man for a few paces before awkwardly trying to fill the odd silence Jim seemed so at home in. “Ever had any trouble?”

“Called the cops a  few times. Dumb kids breaking in thinking the place is haunted.” He said, shuffling back the way we came.

“Is it?” I asked, skeptical at best but trying to be polite. You never knew who was a diehard believer.

“It’s as haunted as you let it be.” He replied with a shrug. “Never had any problems over the years. There’ve been a few folks who quit real sudden, but  maybe they were just more… sensitive.”

“I guess I’ve never thought of it that way.”

“Mmm… Respect the building, it’ll respect you back.”

We approached an office room near the front of the building. This room saw use, it had considerably less dust than the rest of the place. The room was small, with a few monitors blinking faintly, watching the doors to the outside and the main hallway. A large window overlooked a dark room. I could just make out the silhouette of seats surrounding a small central stage.

“What’s that room all about?” I questioned, peering through the dark glass.

“Oh, the amphitheatre. Stays locked. Bosses orders. You’ve got a view from here, so no need to go in. Best you leave it be.” His tone left no room for argument. The silence stretched again.

“Well then….Is there a punch card for my hours?”

“Yeah, over on the wall. Punch in when you get here and punch out when you hand over the keys.”

“Can do!” I replied, finding a card with my name at the top and punching it into the machine.

“You’re to do a round when you get here, again before your lunch, and once more before the morning handoff,” Jim instructed, handing me a small ring of keys.

We walked in silence to the front door. I cleared my throat a few times, but Jim didn’t seem interested in small talk. As I waited, he trudged to his truck, paused at the driver’s side door, and stared at the handle for a long moment.

“Everything okay, Jim?” I called out, a bit concerned.

“Yeah… one more thing. Just… don’t answer the phone, Tommy.”

“What phone?” I asked, puzzled. I hadn’t seen one during the tour of the place.

“The one in the amphitheater.” He didn’t wait for a response. He slid into his seat, started the engine. I could hear the faint notes of country music twanging through the night. 

“Have a good night” I called after him as he pulled away from the building, leaving me to lock the door and make my way to the office. 

Uncertain of how to pass the time, I watched the monitors for an hour before growing bored. On a shelf sat a few rags and a spray bottle of cleaning solution. I spritzed the monitors and table, running the rags over the surfaces in an attempt to get every mote of dust. I returned to my seat in front of the monitors and noted the time. It was almost lunch time.

Time to do the rounds I guess. I thought to myself, slowly standing up and leaving the now pristine office behind. I examined the keyring. Front, back, Stairway, and ‘A’… must mean amphitheater. 

I walked down the dust clad hallway and opened each door to peer inside. None of these interior doors were locked. The rooms were empty. Dust had collected on the windows. Even the bright light of the full moon failed to pierce the film.

Tall windows stretched from one wall to the other. It could have been bright and airy. It should have been, but the room was somehow suffocating. The walls felt narrow, almost like they were closing in around me. 

I flipped on the light switch, hoping the brightness of the bulbs would banish the feeling of dread in my stomach. Dust swirled into the air from where my arm brushed the wall. I coughed and the room seemed to swallow the sound. Where was the echo? A chill scattered up my spine. Even in the light the room felt wrong, uninviting.

I turned off the light and swung the door closed. Do I even want to explore the other rooms? I pondered. Might as well… there’s not anything else to do. Surely they all can’t be so weird.

Each room was bathed in dust from floor to ceiling. No one had been in these rooms in years, no trail traced in the dust underfoot. No one had bothered, no one had cared in ages. The building was all but abandoned. Why bother with security? I questioned again.

The air was thick and unnerving. It’s just the dust. That musty smell. I reassured myself, checking the locked doors and making my way back to the office. I ate my lunch and continued to stare at the monitors. 

I must have nodded off, jerking awake each time my head thumped against the back of the chair.

Brrriiiiing

I jumped, twisting sharply, eyes darting around the office. Jim’s warning echoed through my pounding heart. Don’t answer the phone. 

I scrambled to locate the sound. The room blurred before me as I desperately tried to blink sleep from my eyes.

Brrriiiiing

My eyes darted to the window, staring into the deep darkness beyond. I waited for the ring to sound again.

A light flashed out of the corner of my eye and I turned. My phone was on the floor. Buzzing softly before letting out a ring. I breathed a sigh of relief. The place had me jumping to strange conclusions.

The screen flashed “Mom” and I hurried over to answer. 

“Hi Mom,”

“Good Morning, Tommy.” she said, voice strained and a little clipped. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked out of habit, always trying my best to cheer her up.

“Oh nothing serious. I just need help moving some furniture. Do you think you can help with that?”

“Sure thing!” I said, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and searching for the clock. It was early, but not quite time for the shift change. “I get off in an hour and I can come right over.”

“Get off? Did you get a job, Tommy? You didn’t say anything.”

“Yea. Tonight’s my first shift. I’m doing security at this old building outside of town.”

“Old building… How far out of town?” She questioned, sounding slightly concerned.

“A few miles. The building is mostly abandoned but they keep a security guard on the property. I guess some kids think it’s haunted.”

“I don’t like this Tommy. I think you should find something else.” 

“I’ve tried, Mom. Nowhere’s hiring really. If I don’t have something, I’ll lose my place.”

After a pause, she said “You could always come live with me.” 

“I don’t think that would work out. I’d be sleeping on your couch. This job pays well and it’s not hard.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about Tommy.”

“Then what is it?”

“I just…. That place isn’t good. No one should be there.”

“What happened here?” I asked, perking up with the thought that someone might know something about the creepy old place.

“I… I don’t know for sure, but people talk and it’s never anything good.”

“Oh” I replied, disappointed in the lack of details. “If that’s all, I have to get back to work. I have to check the doors. Love you Mom.”

“Please be careful Tommy. I love you.” She said before hanging up.

I slid the phone into my pocket before walking out into the hallway. I checked the front door then powerwalked down to the back door and twisted the handle. Locked. I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked to the stairwell. I’d fallen asleep on the job… Maybe I should check the top floor… No. There’s no footprints in the dust. No one’s been here.

Trudging back towards the office I remembered the amphitheater. Might as well check it too. Just to be safe. 

The flashlight beam illuminated the doorframe. I reached out and turned the handle. It gave and the door creaked open. Oh no… there’s no way. The doors were locked! Panic flooded my stomach.

The flashlight beam fell to the floor and I examined the dust. No footprints. No disturbance. Nothing to indicate someone had been in the room. Still…. I gotta check it.

I stepped into the large, dark room and felt along the wall for a light switch. I coughed as dust filled the air. That same, muffled feeling washed over me, as if the air was swallowing the sound. I traced the light over the walls, struggling to find a switch.

Flashlight it is. I thought, trying not to let the room get to me. I carefully picked my way down the rows of seats to the center platform. From there I was sure I could check the whole room. The beam flashed out across the room like a lighthouse.

Something on the far wall glinted in the light and I made my way over to it, hoping for a light switch. My breath was coming faster and my heart pounded against my ribs. Silence ringing in my ears.

My hand left a print on a dust covered seat. It seemed even thicker here. I brushed my palm against my jeans, knocking off as much of the dirt as I could. 

I followed the curve of the wall and brought the light up before me. It wasn’t a light switch. It was an old rotary phone. This must be the phone Jim was talking about. I glanced around for a light switch and sighed. It wasn’t here either.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

The sound pierced through the darkness, making me drop my flashlight and turn, panicking.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I turned to the rotary phone and waited.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I felt the buzzing in my pocket and let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I flipped open my phone without looking at it and brought it to my ear.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

My phone didn’t buzz. I looked at it. The screen was black. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I turned back to the rotary phone.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

It shivered softly in the muted silver of the hanger. Vaguely illuminated by the stray beam of the flashlight.

Don’t answer the phone, Tommy. Old Jim’s voice echoed in my mind.

Surely… This had to be a prank. Testing out the mettle of the new guy.

I reached out and put my hand on the receiver. Slowly I lifted the receiver and brought it to my ear.

Silence greeted me. 

“Hello?” I calmly asked.

Still nothing.

“Um… Goodbye…” I said before putting the receiver down.

I bent over to pick up the flashlight.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

The rotary phone cracked through the darkness, though unlike every other sound, the air didn’t swallow it up. It echoed. It crashed through the room, sounding like a multitude of phones.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Slowly I stood up and brought the flashlight beam to hover over the phone, illuminating it entirely.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I reached out once more to pick up the receiver, bringing it to my ear. The soft sound of breath emitted. Or was it my own panicked breathing I was hearing?

“Hello, This is Tommy.” I said into the stillness of the room.

Nothing. Just the silence that swallowed all sounds.

“Knock it off. This isn’t funny.” I ground out before slamming the receiver on the hook again.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I took a step back and stared at the old phone. Did they have a camera in here? Were they trying to prank me?

As I turned to walk away I noticed the cord running to the phone was cut and frayed.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

What is going on? I backed away quicker this time, stumbling over chairs on my way to the door.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I slammed into the old door and fumbled for the handle. At first it refused to turn. After a minute of my panicked clawing I managed to get the angle just right and went crashing through the door. I rolled across the hallway, hacking and coughing in the dust, unable to catch my breath.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

With shaking hands, I crawled over to the door and turned the key in the lock. 

Click.

Silence greeted me. Long minutes stretched out before me. I was never so glad for silence in my life.

Bang bang

My skin shivered with anxiety. 

Bang… “Tommy? You in there? It’s Jim.”

For the first time I noticed that the hallway was slightly illuminated by the morning light. I made my way to the front door, trying my best to swipe the dust off of me.

As the door swung open, I noted the look of concern on old Jim’s face. His voice was tense, “Tommy…. Did you answer the phone?” he asked, eyes sweeping me up and down. 

“Yeah.. that was some crappy prank to play on the new guy.” I said, my anger growing now that fear was abating.

“That wasn’t a prank… I told you not to answer and I meant it.” He said harshly. “Foolish youngins these days can’t leave well enough alone. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The old man brushed past me and headed straight to the amphitheater’s door. He firmly grasped the handle and turned. It didn’t budge. “At least you didn’t leave the dang door unlocked.” He said. “Gimme the keys and get outta here.”

“Sure thing… Sorry Jim.” I fumbled for what to say as I handed over the small ring. “I’ll see you tonight?” I wasn’t sure if I still had a job, or would after Jim talked to the boss.

“If you make it that far…” Jim said cryptically.

I slammed the door to my car and scraped the key into the ignition. My palms stung as I pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Did I mess this up? I needed this job.

There was nothing I could do. If I wasn’t fired, I’d be back tonight. The old man must be in on some prank. I thought to myself, tracing my way back down the gravel drive. 

I helped my mom move furniture, keeping my mouth shut about the strange phone call. Whenever I inquired about the old building, she just responded with ‘it’s no good.’ and left it at that.

I thought about checking the local county records to see if I could find something… but that seemed to be going too far, especially for something that was obviously some elaborate prank. 

I stumbled into my bed, nearly asleep as my head hit the pillow. 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I jolted awake, heart pounding out of my chest.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I grabbed my cell phone and flipped it open. “Hello” I said, wiping sleep from my eyes.

Nothing greeted me. Silence and then… almost imperceptible, the faintest rasp of a breath. I looked at the caller ID and noticed my screen was black. I wasn’t even on a call. With shaking hands I closed the phone.

I tried to go back to sleep. It was nothing. It had to be nothing.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I put the pillow over my head.

Briiiiing Briiiiing This time louder, almost inside my head it felt.

I sat straight up and answered the phone. Silence.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

It wouldn’t stop. I just needed to sleep. To be rested for the new job. 

“Please….” I called out, begging for the sound to stop.

It was quiet for a few hours. I think I slept some, but I jolted awake at every sound.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I needed it to stop. I answered the phone again, nothing. Silence. “Please stop calling.” I begged.

Briiiiing Briiiiing 

I stood up, not bothering with a coat. I stomped out of my apartment and down to my car. I sped, mind racing as I tried to piece together what could be going on. A prank? A ghost? Jim knew something. He’d have to tell me.

Rocks spewed behind me as I barreled down the gravel road. I left the car running as I slammed it into park, vaulting out the door and up the front steps.

I pounded the knocker. “Jim!” I yelled, “Jim, you have to help me.”

I pounded over and over and just when I was about to give up, the door slowly creaked open. Old Jim was standing there, a sorrowful look in his eyes. “Can’t do nothin’ for you.” He replied. “I told you, don’t answer the phone.”