Mr.

James A Story in Five Nights

By S.E.Markham

Day One - Thursday

So, how do you like our new teacher then? asked Jason. Daniel walked a bit further though the woods and thought for a while before he answered his friend. I dont know really. Weve only had him for one lesson at the end of today. He seems alright though. They walked together along the edge of the brook that flowed alongside the woodland path. They stopped by the bridge that crossed the brrok and took them towards their homes. Guess where he lives continued Jason. Australia. replied Daniel. No, go on - guess. How should I know? Hes only just started at the school, I dont know where he comes from. Daniel was beginning to get annoyed now. Jason picked up a stick and threw it into the stream that ran alongside the path. You should know; he lives across the road from you, next door to my house. said Jason. What? Hes moved into Mr.Blakes old house? Yes, he moved in last weekend but I only saw him twice in the week and it wasnt until I saw him at school today that I recognised him. Mum and Dad have spoken to him but Ive only seen him going out a couple of times. Oh no! Thats going to be a real pain, a teacher living right next to us. I know. The boys stopped in the middle of the bridge over the stream as they did most days when walking home from school. The path through Ashton woods and the brook led directly from the school to the end of Acacia Road where they both lived, and had lived for all of their lives. They had been friends from being babies and hardly ever fell out. They had been in the same class since they started school and were now inseperable. Their last teacher, Mr. Hudson, had moved to another school and, after three temporary teachers, Mr.James had been introduced as their new class teacher. He was a tall, thin man, very pale with dark hair and small round spectacles. He didnt seem to talk much in the first lesson Daniel had with him,

but instead got the entire class to stand up in turn and introduce themselves. Then, they were asked to write a story about something that had happened to them. This was their homework that had to be finished by Monday. What are we going to do about this story then? said Daniel. I dont know - I havent finished the last homework yet. I thought we were going to get away with that when Mrs. Peters left. Mrs. Peters was the last supply teacher before Mr.James had arrived. She was not popular with the class and had set more homework than anyone before. Her last assignment had been to write a poem about nature, to be handed in on Friday. Daniel had written his poem about endangered tigers but, as usual, Jason was behind with his work. Now, Mr.James had asked for the homework to be handed in the next day and Jason hadnt even started on it. Why dont you write something about the brook? said Daniel. You know; where it flows to, or animals that live in it or something. Jason was silent for a second. I spose I could. Something about pike or voles. he said finally. You dont get pike in the brook! laughed Daniel. He stopped and looked idly at the water flowing under them. His eyes fell on the riverbank and he spoke. I know! You could do a poem about a dirty big, gross water rat! Yeah! replied Jason Thats more like it! Do you think there are any water rats around here? Dunno. said Daniel But theres something big thats tried to crawl out over there - look. Jason looked over to where Daniel was pointing. On the bank, there was a huge mass of piled up wet mud as if some creature had tried to crawl out of the river but had kept slipping back down into the water. Wow! Look at that mess! said Jason Could be a water rat, or something bigger, like a dog. Dogs are always swimming in the brook. The boys continued home. Jason deciding to write about a water rat and Daniel undecided on the new homework. They walked through the cutting in the tall hedge that marked the end of Acacia Road and said goodbye to each other as they headed for their houses at opposite sides of the road. That evening, Jason asked his Mother and Father about their new neighbour. Hes your new class teacher? said his Dad. Jason nodded. He didnt say anything to us when we spoke to him. He didnt even say that he was a teacher. Whats he like then Dad? asked Jason. Well, he seems alright. A bit quiet. I didnt get much out of him

Downright nervous if you ask me. Jasons Mum added. We went over to welcome him to the street and he hardly said a word; just that he was very busy just then. Hes pale as a sheet too - he looks ill to me. I think hes probably busy getting moved in. said Mr. Wright Hell probably be fine once hes settled in. With that, the conversation moved on to other things. Jason went upstairs and started on his poem. Across the road, Daniel was in his bedroom playing on his computer. The light faded and night came. Daniel switched off the computer and closed his curtains. As he did so, he looked across the street at the houses opposite. In Jasons house, the living room light was on and so too was Jasons bedroom light. But, next door at Mr. James house every light in every room was turned on.

Day Two - Friday

Funny that; said Daniels father at breakfast. I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink and I just looked out of the window as I was going back upstairs. That Mr.James opposite had his lights on in the house - all of them. Hell waste a fortune in electric. commented Daniels mother. Daniel and Jason met in the street and walked together to school. Ive done the homework. said Jason proudly. Just in time too!. They walked together through the cutting and down the slope to the woods. It was a cold morning and the ground was misty in the woods. The boys approached the stream. Lets see if that rats about. said Daniel. They both looked along the river bank for signs that the rat had been there, but without luck. Ahh. It mustve been a dog. decided Jason Ive never seen any rats about here anyway. They continued into school. In class, just after registration, Mr. James asked to see their homework. The class handed in their work and Mr.James sat marking the work as they got on with drawing, followed by a maths lesson. Mr. James was quite strict about talking in class but everybody thought that he was much better than Mrs.Peters, who had been universally hated in the three weeks that she had taught them. After lunch time, it was English and Mr.James handed back the homework poems before starting the lesson. Jason looked at his book. There were a few spelling corrections in red pen, but at the end was written in the same ink: Very interesting and unusual subject - watch your spelling B+. Jason was pleased; he had rushed the homework and still got a B+! He looked over at Daniel, who was looking in puzzlement at his book. Whats up? He whispered. Dont know; replied Daniel I havent been given a mark - and this is weird. He pushed his book over to Jason. There on the page was Daniel poem Lost Tigers but at the end of the poem, in the same red pen was written Remember the whisper of the willows by the silent lake. What is it? he whispered to Daniel. Dont know. said Daniel Maybe its from a poem or something. At the end of the lesson Daniel went to see Mr.James. Sir. he said I dont understand about the willows. What? Mr. James looked suddenly surprised. Im sorry - What did you just say? On the homework Sir. Youve written it. Remember the whisper of the willows by the silent lake- What does it mean Sir?

Mr. James eyes flashed behind his glasses. His face paled and he froze as if rooted to his chair. Its here Sir, look.. said Daniel opening the book to his poem. Mr.James stared in horror at the page that Daniel held out in front of him. Daniel glanced down at the page. There, at the bottom of the poem was written clearly in red ink Excellent verse. A-. That night, as Daniel looked out of his bedroom window, Mr.James lights were full on again all night.

Day Three - Saturday

On Saturday morning, Daniel and Jason met up and rode down to the stream on their bikes. They raced to the end of the street and through the cutting, before rattling down the muddy path towards the woods. Daniel found himself behind as they rode and only caught up with Jason at the bridge, where Jason had stopped to wait for him. As he rode up to the bridge, Jason was leaning on the rail and looking at the riverbank. He looked up as Daniel approached. Look at this! He called. Daniel stood beside him and looked across at the riverbank. In the mud at the side of the stream was the same mass of piled-up mud that they had seen before. Looks like the rat is back! said Daniel. No; No way said Jason Look. Daniel looked harder. In the mass of mud there were marks of something sliding down in the mud, but in place around the bank were prints. Lets take a closer look. said Jason moving back along the bridge. He got off his bike and propped it up against the bridge. He the walked along to the bank, followed by Jason. They both sat near to the mud slide and peered at the marks in the mud. There were straight lines in the mud, as if fingers had gripped the mud and slid downwards leaving finger marks as they slid. In the mud closest to the river were footprints - human footprints. Now that they were closer, the boys could see that there were green leaves squashed into the mud. Someones been trying to swim. said Jason They must be in a real mess. They must be mad. Its freezing cold in there. The boys stood up and moved away from the muddy bank. Hey, look! called Daniel They got out OK anyway! Daniel had found a set of footprints leading away from the river. Not very clear, but clear enough to show that somebody had walked barefoot from the river towards the cutting at the end of Acacia Road . As Daniel looked at the footprints, he realised what was wrong with them. They were so thin, almost skeletal in their appearance. He realised now that the marks down the bank were the same in appearance. And they led towards his street. The boys filled the rest of Saturday with a trip to the swimming baths and a couple of hours on Jasons latest Playstation game. After dinner, they spent some time playing in the woods before staying over at Daniels house. They took it in turns to stop over at each others houses; usually so one set of parents could go out for the evening. This evening it was Mr. & Mrs. Wrights turn so Jason

was staying with Daniel. That evening, Daniels Mum brought them up cheese on toast for supper, with hot chocolate. They sat in the dark on the edge of Daniels bed and looked out in the street while they ate. They sometimes saw a bat flying around at night, but now that summer had gone and there were less insects in the air, this was rare. The lights in Mr. James house were all on as usual, shining across the street. In contrast, Jasons house next door was in darkness. Its like a fairground across there said Daniel. Yeah. My Mum thinks hes a bit weird. He leaves them on all night long every single night. Maybe hes scared of the dark. Hah - what a baby! laughed Jason. Dont be mean. Youre scared of spiders. replied Daniel. Thats not the same! Anyway...... Jason stopped as Daniel grabbed his arm and pulled. He followed Daniels gaze towards the cutting at the end of the street. Look! hissed Daniel. Someones down there! In the darkness at the end of the street there was movement. A figure could be seen moving back and forth across the shadows. Occasionally, the figure moved into a lighter area and appeared to be dressed head to toe in dirty white rags. As the figure moved, the rags that clung to the figure flapped in the wind and occasionally, thin white arms or legs could be glimpsed under the tatters. The figure moved about the street for some time and the boys could tell from its movements that it was searching. Eventually, the figure melted into the darkness and Daniel and Jason sat still, not daring to move until they were sure that the strange figure had gone. Finally, Daniels mother came upstairs to check on them and they gratefully drew the curtains and settled for the night. Theres something wrong here. said Daniel I dont mind telling you; Im scared. I dont know what it was but there was something about that tramp or whoever it was down there that didnt look right. Daniel pulled the bed covers tight around himself. I know what it was. said Jason It was too thin. They slept with the light on that night.

Day Four - Sunday

I think that Jason had better come home right away said Mr. Wright. Jasons parents normally called him over for Sunday Lunch, but this was 9 oclock in the morning. Is everything alright Bill? asked Daniels father. Yes,yes. Its just Frances - shes had a bit of a shock last night and I dont know what to make of it. Jasons father sat down a chair in the kitchen. The doctors with her now - hes given her something to calm her down so I came to get Jason. Wouldnt it be better if Jason stayed here? asked Daniels father I mean; it will give you a bit more time to get yourselves straight. I really dont know what to do said Mr. Wright Its all so strange. Do you believe in ghosts? he asked suddenly. What? Fran saw a ghost? Is that what youre saying? Daniels father sat down and poured a cup of tea which he handed across the table. I dont know what she saw. I dont know what I saw. Look; Id better tell you what happened: Wed been out to the pictures and went to the Golden Lion for a drink afterwards. We must have left at about 11 o clock and walked back, so it would have been about quarter to twelve when we got back. We got to the garden, and that fellow next door had his lights all on as usual. Anyway, I started to walk up the path. Next minute, Frans shouting that shes see n a hedgehog run along the edge of the gutter and decides to follow it down the road. I had the key in the door so I opened it and called her back. She didnt turn around, just followed where the hedgehog had run so I walked after her. She was only at the end of the road when I heard her scream. The next minute shes crawling around the road crying then curling up in a ball. I thought she had slipped or been bitten or something, so I ran over. I got there and saw someone going through the hedge into the Lat imers garden. I picked up Fran and carried her to the house - Weve been up all night. My god! Was it a mugger or something? Is she hurt? No. You dont understand. Mr. Blackburns shoulders sagged. He looked shattered. He was silent for a moment as if thinking about what he was going to say. He looked at the floor as he spoke slowly and quietly to his friends: When I said I saw it go through the hedge, I meant through the hedge. There arent any gaps in the hedge; there or anywhere else, you cant even get your hand through it. Fran wasnt hurt. Shes just plain terrified. Mr. Wright looked concerned. He glanced across at his wife who was obviously shocked by what she had heard. He looked at Jasons Father and spoke clearly.

There must be some explanation. Are you sure he didnt jump over the hedge or something? I mean you must have been more concerned with Frances rather than looking where this thing went to. If it was just me, I would have agreed. said Jasons father But its what Fran saw. he paused, as if steeling himself before he continued. She said it was small - no bigger than a child. Thin and pale with rags around its body. Where the rags didnt quite cover it she could see that there was hardly any flesh on it and its face was nearly a skull. Its eyes were glazed over too - they were almost white Daniels parents sat in silence as Mr. Wright continued. Oh yes; and it was wet. Yes, thats what she said. again and again. It was wet.... Daniels mother went back to the house with Mr. Wright and there she stayed until late afternoon. Daniels father made Sunday lunch for the two boys and himself, which consisted of him driving to the nearest burger bar and returning with three large bags of food. Jason and Daniel were not told what had happened, other than Mrs. Wright was ill. Jason returned home in the evening. A phone call from Mr.Wright later that evening said that Jason would not be at school the next day. Daniel went to bed as usual that evening. Mr. James lights were on again, as were the lights next door at the Wrights house. Daniel slept that night with the light off and the curtains closed, but didnt look out of the window as he had the previous evening.

Day Five - Monday

Daniel walked to school on his own the next day. As he crossed the bridge over the brook he didnt even bother to look across at the mud bank. If he had, he would have seen the same marks in the mud as Saturday and, there amongst the tracks buried in the deep mud, could be seen the green of leaves and weed clinging to the mud. At school, Daniel went into his class early and sat at his desk. He took his exercise book out of his bag and hurriedly scribbled down the last couple of paragraphs of his homework. He had decided to write about the strange figure that Jason and he had seen on Saturday night. When the boys had talked about it the next morning, they thought that it had been a tramp wandering about in the night. But, for the story, Daniel decided that it was much more exciting to tell it as a ghost story with the strange figure as the star of the tale. Daniel finished the story. Plenty of time; ten minutes to registration. he thought as he looked idly around the classroom. There were the usual posters on the wall and bookshelves full of the books that he had already finished reading well ahead of the rest of the class. On the blackboard, writing was left over from the last lesson: Go, and I will follow you. Daniel wondered what it was for. He didnt remember Mr. James writing that on Friday and the last lesson was maths anyway. He looked up as Jodie and Ruth Leach entered the room. Soon, the classroom filled and Daniel forgot about the writing. Mr. James entered and sat down. He took the register as usual calling each name in turn. .......Julie Wilson. Yes Sir. Jason Wright.... Mr. James looked up as there was no answer. Is Jason in today? he asked the class in general. I dont think hes very well Sir replied Daniel His Mum was ill yesterday; maybe he caught something. Alright Daniel, thank you said Mr. James and closed the register. He placed the book into his desk and took out two folders which he placed on the desk. Well start today with your homework for the weekend; which was..... Mr. James trailed off his sentence. Picking up the blackboard duster, he had caught sight of the writing on the blackboard. He stood silent with his back to the class for over a minute. Then, he sat down. The whole class sensed that something was wrong and the children and their teacher sat in silence. Daniel looked at Mr. James face. It was white as paper and his eyes stared into space. Under the

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teachers eyes were large bags as if he had not slept for several days. Finally, with a shaking voice, he addressed the class. We will continue with your homework projects he said quietly Jane; you read your story first, please. Jane Hopkirk stood up. She was unsure whether to begin or not, as the class was still in silence and Mr. James looked horribly ill. She shifted uncomfortably until Mr. James, sensing that some response was needed, looked at her and nodded. Jane began her story. By the time several other children had read their homework, or had given excuses not to, the mood in the class was back to normal. Mr. James still looked pale but had lost the empty stare that had made him look so terribly ill. Soon, it was Daniels turn to read. He stood up and began his story, telling of the strange figure that Jason and he had seen moving about in the darkness. As he continued with his story, a change came over Mr. James face once again. This time he looked truly terrified. Daniel didnt notice this as he was reading from his book and carried on talking. As he reached the point in which the figure appeared to be searching, Mr. James gave a deep cry of horror and leapt to his feet. His chair crashed to the floor and Daniel stopped. Mr. James face was alive with fear and sweat glistened on his face. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, and then fell in a heap onto the floor. The class watched, nobody knowing what to do. Jane Hopkirk began to cry and the rest of the class all started talking at once. One of the girls left the class and quickly returned with Mrs. Waters from the next classroom. Mrs. Waters sent the girl away again to fetch the headmaster and leant over Mr. James. She checked his pulse and talked to him to try to wake him. Mr. James remained unconscious. The headmaster had arrived and, when Mr. James had recovered enough to sit up, took him to hospital. As Mr. James was led out, Daniel noticed the writing on the board that had first caused such a change in Mr. James. It now read If you dont come to me, I will come to you. In the last lesson, the class were told that Mr. James had been seen by a doctor at the hospital and, although much better, had been sent to home to rest for several days. Daniel arrived home that evening to find that Jason would not be at school again on the following day. He went up to bed early, although not before telling his Mother and Father about Mr. James. As he sat up in bed, he could see the houses opposite through his open curtains.

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Once again, Mr. James and Jasons house were filled with light. Daniel suddenly felt a sense that something was happening outside. He felt a strange urge to go to the window. He did this and looked into the street. Empty. But then; a movement. In the darkness at the end of the road he could detect a movement amongst the shadows. There it was again. Then, a figure emerged. The same figure that Jason and he had seen before. This time its movements were quicker, more eager. It rushed back and forth until it paused, as if sensing something. It was standing at Jasons gate now, directly under Daniels bedroom window. The figure slowly turned its head towards Daniel and, as it did, he saw the creature face to face for the first time. The tattered rags flapped feebly about what there was of the face. The skin was as pale as the rags about it and, behind the sunken eyes, Daniel sensed no life or feeling. Then, horribly slowly, and still focused on Daniel, the features twisted into a ghastly smile of triumph. Daniel fainted.

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Day Six
Daniel awoke late on the next day. He noticed his clock. It was after nine, but his parents had not woken him. He became aware of noises outside and looked out of his window. His parents were standing in the street next to Jason and his parents. There was a police car outside the house and several of the neighbours were also gathered around outside. Daniel ran outside to his Mother and Father. Apparently, Mr. James was missing. There were signs of a struggle inside the house but no sign of anything missing or stolen. The police were baffled by the disappearance and eventually put Mr. James on file as a missing person. Nobody ever saw him again. Mr. Wright found footprints leading through his garden but, as they were barefoot said the police, were not any indication of an attacker. In any case, the marks were obviously that of a child. The only other puzzling part of the case that the police were never able to explain was the presence of these same footprints in Mr. James house. Most puzzling of all was that the footprints were wet and muddy and the green leaves that were found crushed into the carpet were from willow trees. And there were no willow trees at all in Ashton woods.

The End

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