Monster of Terror Page #2

I wonder if you realise

how like Corbin you've become.

There's no similarity whatsoever.

I've uttered no incantations.

Neither have I cried out

to any of the other so-called...

creatures of evil.

- It's only your methods that differ.

- And do you know why?

Because I don't believe in it.

I never have believed in it.

It is you who would perpetuate

these blasphemies, these absurdities.

Nahum, I saw your father change

from an upright God-fearing man

into an old man possessed of the devil.

Whatever happened to my father

will not happen to me.

It's already happening.

I could see it happening to you,

Letitia, not to me.

It's happening to all of us.

There's evidence of it all around us.

There is nothing to do with Corbin Witley.

Corbin was invoking the dark powers

when he died.

Now, his call is being answered.

So that is why

you sent for Stephen Reinhart.

I sent for him to take Susan away.

- What have you told him?

- Nothing.

- Are you sure?

- I don't need to tell him anything.

- He can see for himself.

- I don't want him here.

- One way or another, he must leave.

- He is a guest here, Nahum.

I will not have him interfering.

Would you prefer that I went

into the town and showed myself?

The once beautiful Letitia Witley.

Very well.

A day, perhaps, but no more.

Then he must leave.

Well, perhaps by then

you will have seen the truth.

The truth?

The truth is that I see the future,

and all that I've planned will fill it

with a richness we've never known.

Yes, that is what you see.

All that I can see is horror.

Horror!

I'm sorry, sir.

This is a very large room.

Big enough for a king's banquet.

There used to be many parties here

in my great-grandfather's time.

- But none since?

- None that I remember.

- Why not?

- I don't know.

Perhaps the name of Witley

no longer commands

the affection and respect it once did.

Is that why no one in the village

would drive me out here?

- You had to walk all that way?

- Mm.

The villagers have no use for us,

Mr Reinhart. The feeling is mutual.

- Merwyn.

- Yes?

Has Mrs Witley had her dinner?

I placed a tray before her,

but she didn't want it.

I'll take her up something

a little later, Father.

What was that?

Uh, Mr Witley, I um...

noticed a strange blackened area

on the way to the house.

What happened there?

- There was a fire, Steve.

- A fire?

- Why do you say it like that?

- Well, did you see it?

No, but Father did.

- Why are you so curious?

- Everything is dead in the area.

Nothing grows.

I touched a branch and it fell to ashes.

My daughter had already told you.

There was a fire.

But, Mr Witley,

no fire leaves a place like that.

Father's never allowed me

to go on the heath.

- Why not?

- I don't know.

After the fire,

some villagers disappeared there.

No one's ever explained what happened.

I think, Susan,

you're inclined to exaggerate.

I would suggest that you both...

Merwyn!

- What's the matter with him?

- This has happened before.

- But he's unconscious.

- It's perfectly all right.

I know exactly what to do. Susan.

Come on, Steve.

Steve.

Mother? I've brought your dinner.

It's your favourite.

- Take it away.

- You must eat.

Sh.

Quiet, child.

Listen.

- What is it?

- Sh! Quiet.

Yes. Yes!

- Steve!

- What's wrong, honey?

- I saw something outside the window.

- What? Who?

I don't know,

but something was staring at me.

Are you sure you weren't imagining it?

- Oh, I don't know. It's this house!

- What about this house, Susan?

There's something in it,

something smothering.

- I'm taking you away.

- I wish I could...

- Tonight!

- I can't.

- Why?

- I can't leave Mother how she is.

First she couldn't stand the light.

Now she won't eat.

It was your mother

who made me promise to take you away.

- I want to go.

- We're leaving right away.

- It's impossible.

- Tomorrow morning, then.

I'm afraid she won't be any better

in the morning.

Oh, Steve. I wish I knew what to do.

- Steve!

- What?

The window!

- Nothing. It's your imagination.

- I'm not imagining it.

We'll discuss it tomorrow.

Now, you have to get some rest.

Oh, Steve. I love you.

And I love you.

Everything's gonna be all right.

It came from downstairs.

- Where does this go?

- It leads to Merwyn's room.

- Father!

- You shouldn't come here.

But the screaming and the noise.

It's Merwyn. He's dead.

It was terrible.

Please go back to your rooms.

Nobody can do anything to help now.

Now, wait a minute.

What's this all about? How did he die?

- He's been ill for a long time.

- Where's the body?

- That's none of your business.

- I think it is my business.

- No, Steve...

- You don't realise what's happened.

This is my house. I ask you to allow me

to run my own affairs my own way.

- But a man is dead!

- Steve!

- Get dressed. We're gonna leave now.

- I can't leave now, Steve.

Please don't make trouble.

Good night.

Good night.

- Yes?

- Is the doctor in?

- Did you have an appointment?

- No, but I'd like to speak to him.

- Is it an emergency?

- It's important that I speak to him.

Come inside.

This way.

- You wanted to speak to me?

- Dr Henderson? Steve Reinhart.

I had to talk to you.

Nobody in the village recommended me,

I'm sure.

- I found you in the phone book.

- I've been out of practice for some time.

I didn't come to see you

in your professional capacity.

I... Something funny's happening.

The family I'm staying with

may be involved.

- Why come to me? Oh, drink?

- No, thanks. It's a little early.

I thought someone objective could

help me, give me some information.

- About what?

- About the people I'm staying with.

Why was everyone frightened

when I said where I was going?

Frightened? You're talking about

the Witley place.

Only "Witley"

could bring out that reaction.

- Can you tell me why?

- Sorry, I can't tell you anything.

An old man died out there last night.

I don't give one damn what happened

there, neither does this village.

You're scared. You're a doctor,

don't you have pride in what you are?

- I may have seen a murder.

- Murder?

- That's right.

- I'm sorry, I can't help. Go away.

You too. What's happened here?

Why is there that fear

when "Witley" is mentioned?

Miss Bailey.

Will you show Mr Reinhart to the door?

You asked the doctor

about the Witley place.

Can you tell me anything about it,

anything about the Witleys?

Only this. Dr Henderson

was a good doctor, a wonderful man.

Corbin Witley died

in Dr Henderson's arms.

Dr Henderson returned from that visit

and he's never been the same.

- What did Corbin Witley die from?

- It's never spoken of.

On the death certificate it said cerebral

haemorrhage, but there was no autopsy

because there was no funeral,

and I'll tell you why.

With the exception of Dr Henderson,

no one in the village saw the body.

I've said enough.

I've said more than I ought.

Mother?

Mother, please let me in.

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