The Fater Family

[zigs]

It was July, 1999, and I was merely 11, when my father arrived at the door and ebraced my mother as she stood at the kitchen sink. His black hair intertwined with hers, and their cheeks rubbed together as they both smiled like a loving couple, well of course, they are a loving couple.
"My sister wants us to come and stay in her new manor up in Scotland!" He laughed as these words registered in my mother's head.
"Oh that would be wonderful! But what about the children?" She asked in her beautifully calm voice.
"It's going to be a family holiday!" My father picked her up and tickled her, she giggled loudly.

When I entered the room to find them on the floor, laughing and tickling each other. Their faces giving such a warm happy expression, I was instantly removed from my morning mind.
"What's going on?" My identical twin brother asked next to me, whilst brushing his slightly lighter hair from his eyes.
"You're going to meet your Aunt and Uncle!" My mother smiled as she stood up and brushed herself off. My father sat on the floor and wiped his face.
"My sister just married, and she wants us to come and stay for a while, and I agreed for it to be when we have Jett's room fixed up." He chuckled, then stood up.
"Aunt who?" I asked quite rudely.
"Aunt Zoe." My mother smiled.

That evening as the builders came, I found myself helping my father load up the car with our bags and belongings. Our house keepers would be staying in the house, because they insisted they didn't like the idea of strangers walking in freely.

My older brother Greg sat at the back of the car with my sister Isabelle. Greg resembles my father right down to the nose and the odd eye colour, blue and green.
My sister resembles my mother a great deal, but she has her grandmother's dark brown wavey hair.

Chester and I, are identical, there are only two things that help people tell us apart. Our hair, my hair is darker than his, because he spends more time in the sun, and the scar on our arms, mind in on my right, his is on his left arm.
If you don't understand let me bring you back 11 years... We were siamese twins, conjoined at the arms, our bones were fine and seperated, it was our a piece of our muscles that failed to divide properly.
Thankfully I am left handed, so I have no serious issue, and Chester is right handed...

Chester and I sat in the middle of seven seater car, leaving the middle seat free for our brother Jett.
My mother came out in her white dress and a white sun hat, but she was carrying my little brother Jett in her arms, his head resting on her shoulder, as he was soundly asleep.

My father spung out from his driver's seat and collected him where he then placed Jett between Chester and I.
before we knew it, our parents were in the front, the doors were closing, and my father was starting the engine of the car.

It was going to be a long journey, so my mother put some music on, not rock as we usually prefer, but some relaxin music, because of course, Jett was asleep.

Finally we arrived at the manor, with Mr and Mrs. Fater standing outside on the drive. There was something about that house I didn't like. It looked old, expensive, large and haunted. But what made it worse was the Fater family.
My aunt Zoe looked grim and tired, her long dark hair was ragged at the ends, and her long black dress terrified Greg and I, since it was the first thing we saw.

Mr. Fater, aka Daniel Fater, wore a sharp navy blue suit which showed off his blonde hair and pale complexion.
Amy Fater a bit older than Jett, but definately younger than me, her long blonde hair was finely trimmed, she was in a pale blue dress and was holding a brown bear.
Eric and Mark Fater were standing close to each other, Eric being my age, and Mark being Isabelle's age, both with dark blonde hair, this showed they were not at all related to Zoe.

My father stepped out of the car and shook hands with Daniel, and hugged his sister, there was something about Daniel's reaction to my father hugging my sister that scared me.
My mother stepped out of the car and did the same, she then called us out of the car, Jett was still asleep, so my father took him out, but awoke him. Jett began to cry slightly, and hugged my father tightly.

"Oh hello Jett!" Zoe smiled and stoked his hair back. "Remember me?" She asked.
"He probably don't." My father smiled, then kissed Jett's forehead. "He's still got a temperature honey." He informed my mother.
"Just sit him in the car for now." My mother smiled again as she was introduced to the children.

"This is Isabelle." She stated as she introduced the children to us. "She is fifteen and extremely excited to me you."
"Hello." Mark held out his hand, Isabelle shook it politely, and Greg grunted.
"This is Gregory, he's thirteen, a musical boy." My father smiled as he placed Jett in the car.
"This is Ziggy and Chester."
"My pleasure to meet you." Amy grinned. "Vivian says hi too."
"Vivian?" I asked as I looked around to find there was no one else here.
"She's my friend." Amy smiled.
"Imaginary?" Chester asked.
"She's real!" Amy snapped.
"Is Jett ill?" Daniel butted in, and stood in front of Amy.
"Well not ill, but he has had a headache for a while now." My father noted.
"How's about we show you to your rooms and let the little tike rest..." Daniel smiled happily.

There was still something about this house I didn't like...

[Deleted]

interesting. hmmmm

[zigs]

There was this unusual look in Daniel’s eyes that caused a quake of fear in my heart. He has some sort of obsession with smiling at Jett, it scared in deeply, but what was I supposed to say?

“The three older boys will be staying in Eric and Mark’s old bedroom…” Daniel began as he twisted his wrists. “And Jett will be staying Amy’s old room…”
“Not alone!” My mother stated in alarm.
“Oh no! He’ll be staying with Isabelle.” He hesitated.
“Oh, that’s okay then, right?” My mother asked my father.
“We’ll have to look at the room, sorry but Jett gets claustrophobic.” My father insisted on seeing the room, and reluctantly, Daniel agreed.

The first room we saw other than the dimly lit entrance hall was the Victorian kitchen, re-decorated with deep red hardwood and strong white tiles. That then lead to the dining room, a large medieval table stood in the centre; the chairs were newly refurbished, long red velvet drapes blocked out the healthy refreshing sunlight.

The long table had twelve seats and a long white cover to shield it from stains, upon the cover was large red candles, and several fruit bowls.
“They know how to dine…” Greg stated as he looked at the fruit bowls in awe, but I was entranced by the painted portraits. One was a family portrait, a new one, and it had Aunt Zoë in it, but for some reason… She didn’t appear to be ill.
“This house was raided after the second world war as bandits were affected by inflation, as my grandfather effortlessly defended his villagers and heroically held this manor like a fort from invaders.” Daniel somewhat gloated, my father looked at the family portrait and grunted slightly.

The next room was up stairs, and it was thankfully one of three bathrooms, and just to save time, these bathrooms were simple, a sink, shower and bath, as well as a toilet, and to feed my paranoia, there was a portrait of Daniel’s dead grandfather in every bathroom…

“Oh… How merry…” Isabelle grimaced as she stared at the portrait.
“He was a great man…” Aunt Zoë smiled and looked up at the fine painting.
“Doesn’t it disturb you?” Greg asked worriedly.
“What?” Zoë seemed a bit confused.
“I mean, when I go to the loo, I don’t like the idea of a dead man staring at my treasures…” Greg replied politely.
“You’re a morbid bunch!” Daniel laughed. “This is simply a memorial.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry but I ain’t too keen on anyone gawking at me while I shower…” Greg grumbled.

The next room was Eric and Mark’s room, but we stayed away from there, so instead we went to where, Chester, Greg and I would be sleeping.
There was a large bunk bed and a double bed, on the desks next to them was labels of who would be sleeping in what bed.

I was sleeping on the bottom bunk, Chester was sleeping above me, and Greg had the large bed. The room had long navy blue curtains; the floor had dark blue rug and dark hardwood. There were pictures in this room, thankfully only wolves and bears.

Jett’s room was split in two by Japanese fabric walls, this was a good thing, I guess, giving Isabelle her space and she shouldn’t awaken Jett when she goes to bed late.

My parents’ room was the largest of the bedrooms, considering the wardrobe was built into the entire wall, there was a large door leading to the en suit bathroom and a fireplace was stationed opposite the bed.

It got dark quite quickly for summer, and extremely quickly we were dining.
The candles were lit, and the food was prepared, my family and I changed into our ‘evening’ clothes, and sat promptly at the table.
“It is such an honour to have you and your family come to stay at my home.” Daniel was somewhat sucking up to my father, and I was somewhat annoyed.
“The honour is all mine.” My father returned the compliment as he sipped his red wine. Daniel smiled and gestured a small toast.

I looked up from my empty plate to find Amy staring at me. Her eyes lingered for a few moments, leaving me uncomfortable and restless. Her pupils shifted onto Chester, then to Greg, then back to me… She scared me the most, next to her father..

[Deleted]

yeh they seem to be after something.

[Deleted]

this is a kool story. greg was VERY funny with the loo dialouge.

[zigs]

Throughout the dinner I found myself becoming less secure about everything.
Daniel seemed a little awkward every time my mother stopped paying attention to Jett, this alarmed me quite badly actually.
Amy had thrill in making me feel more conscious about myself, she was always watching, as though the food I was eating was important, and everything I ate was like a god eating a village… Amazing!

After dinner, Chester, Greg and I decided it would be best if we stayed upstairs. We promised we’d go straight to sleep, but for some reason, we were in a different house and we just had the urge to talk to someone about it.
There was a long silence as we got changed.

Greg went into the toilet next door to use the toilet, and Chester was under the bed pushing his suitcase back. The door was closed, so I finally took my shirt off and pulled my night shirt over my head.
As I pushed my head out and opened my eyes, Amy was stood at the wide open door, her teddy was drooping next to her, her eyes were fixed upon me, like some possessed demon. I knew it was something quite harsh to say about a little girl the age of ten, but she honestly looked like some kind of vampire.

“You don’t look like princes.” She stated calmly, I knew it was quite weird, I felt the bed as Chester jumped, and Greg was behind her looking quite scared.
“I beg your pardon?” Greg asked bluntly.
“You’re father is probably the greatest man in existence and you are dressed like commoners.” Amy seemed quite offended by our clothes. Greg pulled a funny face.
“Well to be honest, wearing fancy clothes in bed is pointless, I mean no one is gonna see me while I’m asleep… Same can’t be said whilst going to the toilet in this house though…” He replied rudely.
“Even in your evening clothes, you seemed a bit… Common…” Amy snorted.
“It’s a funny thing you know… Humans… Being common…” Greg laughed as he entered the room.
“You’re father is the descendent of the greatest bloodline and you’re obsessed with a portrait in the bathroom.” Amy looked at her bear. “Anyway you lot mind yourselves in here tonight.” She grinned.
“What?” Chester asked as he pulled himself from under the bed.
“Well this room was used to hold a mental patient a few years ago, my grandfather had to shoot him… Dead… In this very room, and to be honest… This room has changed since then…” Amy smiled menacingly.
“Well I ain’t surprised, I mean a guy did die in it!” Chester blurted.
“Stop scaring them!” Greg shouted. “Now get out before I sleep naked!”
Amy shrieked but then calmed down.
“Well it’ll only please Vivian.” She smiled then ran off.
“What twisted little girl…” I muttered as the door closed behind her.

Greg and I sat on our beds, talking merrily, when Chester came in after using the toilet, he was incredibly disturbed.
“Greg… How did you use the loo?” Chester asked nervously.
“I didn’t… I mean using the toilet when some old man is watching isn’t what is known as polite.” Greg grumbled.
“Is it really that bad?” I stuttered.
“How’s about you go find out?” Chester gestured towards the toilet.
“Nah, I’m okay thanks.” I reassured.
“Well basically Ziggy, if the shower curtain could reach the bog, I would have used it to shield my honour, but unfortunately that shower curtain is only for totally naked people on the shower, instead of men peeing…” Greg placed it bluntly. “The eyes follow you…” He seemed serious, but I was going to take it from him, this guy was serious.
“What scares me more is that he’s also a murderer…” Chester tightened his eyes and inhaled deeply, when he relaxed he climbed on the top bunk. “Well goodnight!”
The night I stayed perfectly still, my eyes wide open, and the moonlight cast shadows across the walls.

I stood up and walked across the hallway, I opened the door quickly, as I clenched my fists. Amy stood in front of me, she smiled.
“Hello.” She smiled warmly… What on God’s green Earth is going on with this girl?

[Deleted]

this si getting all too weird.

[Deleted]

whoa...no comment

[zigs]

“Hi…” I greeted nervously as I unclenched my fists slightly, I stepped out into the landing and tried to move away towards the toilet. But she blocked me off.
“Vivian likes you.” Amy grinned.
“That’s nice…” I winced nervously as I tried to divert her.
“She says you look really handsome.” Amy smiled.
“Tell her…. Sorry… But I need a pee…” I darted passed her as my bladder felt like an explosion.

In the toilet, I was about to go but found myself being gawked at by the portrait of the old man.
“These people are weird… What has Zoë married into?” I asked myself. As I found myself trying to face away from the… Somewhat old man.

After I had gone, my heart was actually pounding in my ears. And my bed was rather cold when I climbed back in. In the darkness of the night I laid on my side and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly out of no where a hand flopped down. I jumped out of my bed and ran out of the room, straight into Daniel.
“Oh great…” I mumbled.
“What is a young lad like yourself doing running round at this hour?” He asked in his snooty voice.
“I had… Err.. Bad dream…” I hoped he didn’t get the idea that I was terrified of his home, his daughter scared me into tears, he is obsessed with his granddad and a hand just hung over my bed… because that would be telling the truth, and I don’t want to tell him that…
“Now, now, come with me.” He lead me back to my temporary room, he flicked the light on to reveal there was no hand hanging over my bed, and Chester was asleep under the bed.
“What on Earth?” I asked more or less rhetorically.
“Master Chester, what is going on?” Daniel asked in concern, Chester awoke and shook his head.
“Huh? What? Oh sorry! I must have fell asleep on the floor and rolled under here!” Chester laughed as he climbed out from underneath and climbed back onto the top bunk.
“Oh okay.” Daniel smiled.
“What were you doing?” I asked him.
“Oh… Just getting a midnight snack.” Daniel hesitated.
“Oh… Okay…” I sat back on my bed.
“Does Jett have nightmares?” Daniel asked suddenly.
“No, night terrors.” Greg mumbled, even though he was actually asleep.
“Thank you master Gregory.” Daniel nodded and left the room, turning the light as he left.
“No! Eat your own slipper!” Greg murmured.

Early the next day I woke up and headed towards the dining hall, when I found Jett sitting in the hall, he was happily playing with some toy cars.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked carefully, trying not to alarm him.
“Dad’s talking to Dracula.” Jett pointed to the dining room, where my father was talking to Daniel. I chuckled slightly.
“Yeah…” I moved in closer to listen to what they’re saying.

“His mind has the capacity of a super computer.” Daniel began. “I don’t believe for one minute he is as slow as everyone says he is.” Daniel shook his head and sighed.
“Well, he has a few problems with his body, and I believe his mind could also be affected.” My father frowned.
“Such as?” Daniel asked enthusiastically.
“He suffers with Dextrocardia for one.” My father sighed and sipped his morning tea.
“Dextrin what?” Daniel looked baffled.
“Dextrocardia, where his heart is on the right hand side instead of the left.” My father stood up. “He is also paranoid, has night terrors every night, he has this issue with believing he can see things that aren’t there..”
“Doesn’t mean he isn’t a genius.” Daniel stood up. “That young man has some potential.”
“I know he does… He just doesn’t show it.” Kevin headed towards the door.

I down the corridor, the lights and the smell put me off guard, and I stumbled onto a door Daniel hadn’t shown me… Curiosity always kills the cat…But I was an idiot, and Chester and Greg were too, so they joined me.

[Deleted]

just a question: did this story actually happen to you?

[Deleted]

well it's 90% fact i think

[zigs]

Chester, Greg and I stumbled down the cold steps of the manor basement, our hearts pounding every living moment, and out eyes fixed on the darkness.

For me, it was the decider of whether the Faters were vampires, for my brothers, it was the decider of the rest of our lives.

There no lights in the basement, everything was enshrouded in darkness, and was propelling a deeply musky odour of dust and wood, the smell of mould and dampness, the smell of... darkness.

I clenched my fist, and held tightly to the railing of the stairs, Chester took a deep breath, where as Greg grabbed his inhaler and soothed an upcoming asthma attack.

We reached the final step, and at this point we could no longer see our own feet, and lowering my hand just to my knee level caused it to be overcome by the shadows.

"This is all too weird." Chester panicked and tried to scramble back up the stairs. I agreed and tried to run back up the stairs but something or someone was holding us back...

It was simply Greg, his inhaler was back in his pocket and his hands were gripping tightly to our collars.

"You're two silly babies, if you're brave enough to come down here; you're brave enough to go deeper." He snarled angrily.

He was right... to some extent. But I think I stayed with him because I didn't want to leave him alone. Chester however panicked so much his bladder broke, so being polite we sent him back up the stairs, with a promise to tell no one.

Greg and I turned to face the darkness. We'd seen a film like this once, but not everyone survives.

Greg found himself a large torch which illuminated the entire room, it was full of old ale crates and sowing implements, there was yarns of wool, and rolls of string and rope. There were many magazines, and many litres of whisky and ale.

Greg sniffed some of the whisky.

"Musky and ripe, it's been watered down a bit... Probably about ten years old." He whispered as he dipped his fingers in a barrel.

"How do you know that?" I asked impatiently as I noticed the old broken light was swaying slightly.

"I have my ways, but my ways also tell me that these folks liked this stuff, but suddenly swapped to their red wine." Greg inspected another barrel, and wiped off the dust that covered its label. "This ale is over a hundred years old." He gasped, and then removed the lid. "It's been drunk slowly and recently." He pointed out how the tap wasn't dusty.

"Why would you drink dusty whisky? And have ale one hundred years old?" I asked, and then thought to myself. I looked up at the clear wall and noticed the circle of light was somewhat shivering.

"Don't worry Ziggy; we'll get to the bottom of this." Greg reassured.

We scavenged deeper and deeper into the unusually secretive basement; finally we came across a door. It wasn't a good door because there was a slight breeze and ivy was creeping in like a hand waving a fan. Greg picked up an axe that rested beside him, I moved out of the way as he chopped the ivy out of the way. He then opened the door.

"That's funny, it weren't even locked." He grumbled. My hands shook more intensely.

"Was it because of the ivy?" I asked nervously.

"Most rich people lock even the jammed doors, especially when they have valuables." Greg stated, he seemed unconvinced that this was merely an accident. "And this hasn't been opened in at least fifty years." He continued, he wiped his forehead and analyzed what lied ahead.

A stone stair case, leading to the garden, this must be the maze someone told me about at some point yesterday. Greg jumped back and gestured me to sensor the light in his direction. As I did, I watched him pick up several balls of yarn.

"We're going in there?" I asked anxiously.

"Yep." Greg replied bluntly. "What is gonna happen is: We place a ball of yarn on the floor and walk off in different directions, when we find an exit or get in trouble, we retrace our steps by following the yarn."

"That's ingenious!" I smiled; I knew I idolize him for a reason.

"Yeah, but also..." Greg picked up a screw driver and passed it to me.

"For protection?" I asked. I knew we had to split up to cover more ground, but now there was an ache that I wasn't going to be safe the moment we go separate ways.

"Tada!" Greg grinned.

(This story is actually based on the event... It's 98% fact, because I have put how I viewed it, and I was 11...)

[Deleted]

ok i thoguht it was msotly fact

[Deleted]

so like is "I'm not dead yet" fact?

[Deleted]

indeed i'm not dead yet is fact. i think thas 99% fact as it is still his opinion on the events