//------------------------------// // Memories // Story: Horror At Sandstone Manor // by WinterStormed //------------------------------// “Deputy Hitch, you ready ? ” Hitch yawned. He was sleep deprived, again. “Sheriff, do we really have to do this early in the morning ? It’s Saturday. A nice cold Saturday. You know, the type of Saturday you want to sleep in. ” Sheriff Glock rolled his eyes, amused by the young stallion’s protest. They were already by the manor. No going back now. “This is rather important Hitch. So listen up. Yesterday, around 12 at the station, Miss Sandstone came by, with a rather peculiar tale.” “A peculiar tale ?” Grumbled Hitch as he rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Did Sand Scone claim that her spectacles were stolen by Unicorns again ?” Hitch did not hide his irritation. Waken up this early for this ? Glock shook his head, Hitch misheard him. Sleepy head. “No, Deputy. I am talking about Miss Sandstone.” Hitch’s ears perked up. “You mean Rose’s mother ?” The Sheriff took note of the warm tone he used. “Yes and I’m afraid her tale involved her daughter. According to her mother, she has been acting strangely since Thursday. ” “What do you mean acting strangely,” Hitch replied in a worried tone as Sheriff Glock knocked on the door. Strange. Thought Hitch. He was with her on thursday. From sunrise to sunset. Nothing was out of the ordinary. “ It is not for me to say Deputy.” Glock frowned at the door, knocking a second time. Minutes went by. A third time. No answer. Shit. “Perhaps Miss Sandstone is still sleeping.” Suggested Hitch. “It is early in the morning.” A look of concern furrowed the Sheriffs brow. What the hell did you do this time Sandy ? “No, Miss Sandstone specifically told me to come at this exact moment today. “ Hitch cast a gaze of concern over to Sheriff Glock who was pawing the ground. He never seen the Sheriff so anxious before. Was there something the Sheriff not telling him ? “Deputy Hitch, I will take it from here. Take the day off.” What ? Hitch narrowed his eyes. Something was up but he did not care. This was his first actual case. No way was he going to miss it, besides it concerned Rose. He had to make sure she was safe. Hitch put his hoof down. “I’m sorry sir but I am going with you. You said yourself that if I ever want to become sheriff I would need experience and now you tell me to go home ? Sorry Sir. I am not leaving. ” Sheriff Glock raised an eyebrow at the young Stallion before a small grin formed. “ I thought you wanted to sleep in today ? Sleepy head.” Hitch rolled his eyes as he gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you sir.” Sheriff Glock nodded his head. He had no choice but to involve him. He did not want to resort to this, involving a civilian, who might end up six feet under, he was not like the others but this was important, hitch, he suspected was the Colt, Rose always spoke fondly of during his weekly visits. Glocks expression shifted into a serious one. “Just follow my lead, okay ? Also whatever you do. Do not freeze up.” Deputy Hitch listened intently. “Yes, Sir.” “Good. Now help me break this door.” It took them a minute to breach the manor via a window. The door, which was made out of solid oak did not budge. Fortunately Sheriff Glock spied a window close enough for them to reach. “Next time we come I’m bringing a sledge hammer to break that stupid door to pieces. ” Hitch said as he moved his right foreleg. His shoulder was sore. Glock gave a signal to keep quiet as he whispered to Hitch. “You search that way and I will search this way. If you find something, give a yell. Got it ?” Hitch nodded as they went there separate ways. The manor although not as big as his friend’s manor was still a sight to behold, well, if it was not so dimly lit and the deafening silence. It was extremely depressing and downright creepy. Hitch entered into another room. The kitchen. “Nothing.” It was pretty dark here. Hitch sighed. “No wonder Rose rarely smiled or laugh when I bring this place up in our conversation's. It’s as if she lived in a haunted house all her life.” Hitch’s ears immediately perked up as he heard a scream. Miss Sandstone. The deputy immediately rushed towards the source of the distress mare, hoping Sheriff Glock heard it as well. Hitch burst in a rather large room that had a long rectangular table. The dining room. There was also a fireplace that was lit. The smell emanating from it was disgusting and foreign but all of that went to the back of his mind his eye's gazed at the pony on the table. Sheriff Glock ! “Sheriff !” Hitch scrambled on top of the table. Glock was covered in blood. Especially his sides, his vest soaked in blood. “W-W-W-W-What the hay happened !” Hitch was in shock. He was freezing up ! “H-H-H-Hitch.” Glock said as he coughed blood breaking Hitch out of his stupor. “Take Miss Sandstone and run. She is by the fireplace.” Hitch felt his fur stand up. He was scared. Very scared. No ! Hitch shook his head.” I am not afraid. I am not afraid ! I AM NOT AFRAID ! “ Steeling himself, Hitch lifted Glock of the table. “Depu- *cough* Deputy what are you doing ?” “Saving your flank sir.” Hitch walked towards the the fireplace and sure enough Miss Sandstone was laid sprawled on her back. “We need to hurry.” Glock said with a cough. “Before she comes.” Hitch realized what was wrong. Rose ! He forgot about rose ! "Sheriff. I need to find Rose, she might need my help !" "No". Glock said weakly. " You don't understand, RosMHPIJHI!!-" “ Hitch ? Is that you ? “ “ Rose ! Gosh, you okay... ” Hitch said with relief, a tiny smile on his face. She’s okay, Where the hell she was at ? Hitch grunted as he held Sheriff Glock by his side. Strange. His eyes were closed. Did he fall unconscious ? Most probably, he lost a lot of blood. Glock was trying to say something before that...owwww. Hitch twitched his right foreleg. His shoulder, still sore from earlier was preventing him from carrying Rose’s mother. Panic was setting in, the shock was ebbing away, he’s barely holding together, this situation was pure horror. They had to get out now, especially Sheriff Glock, he needs medical attention right now . Maybe carrying them out of the house one by one ? Or.... The deputy glanced at Rose. She was strangely quiet, staring at him. Those two soft pink orbs that once twinkled with kindness were now brimming with something.... Hitch felt his heart pounding as the gears of logic and reason clicked in his head. He slowly took backward steps. Why did he not notice this before ? “R-Rose, is that b-blood on your muzzle ?” The flicker from the candle flame revealed dark liquid dripping from her snow white muzzle. “R-ROSE ! Answer me !” Hitch said with a shrill before tripping on his own hoofs, sending Glock and himself flat down on the floor. “Aughhh!” Hitch’s foreleg was throbbing with pain. Her soft chuckle made his fur stand on end. A-A-Are those fangs ? ”Still clumsy and cute as ever. You need not to worry Hitch. I’m not going to hurt you....just step away from the sheriff... ” A small smile formed on her face. “...I’m not done with him yet.” The wooden floor squeaked and creaked as she walked towards them. “Rose, Stay back ! Listen to me, Its not too late to stop this madness. I promise-” Hitch saw red glittering dust enveloping him.“Huh ?” He was immediately flung across the room, colliding with the wall. “Argg !” He groaned in pain as curled his body.”R-R-Rose, p-p-please...” His vision began to fade, the lasting image of a predator walking towards it’s prey.