New Ebook (Working title) Chapter 1

This is the first chapter of the next ebook i'm writing. Feedback very much welcome!

Halloween Story

Chapter 1

Frank’s Cafe

Flipping the sign to closed, I turn and let out a sigh of relief. Today has been very long and we’ve still lots of cleaning to do.

“Nearly done now James,” Frank shouts to me from behind the café service counter.

I give him a wry smile and a nod—before picking up some dirty coffee cups from a nearby table.

“Thanks for covering today…,” he continues talking, as I head towards the wash-up sink.

“Oh no worries,” I reply, putting the empty cups into the sink. “I felt compelled to be here today for some reason. I guess I need money also.”

“Well…you saved my ass. I couldn't have done this alone today.”

Frank then looks over at the café seating area and lets out a long weary sigh. He glances at me and winches. We both then share a moment of exasperation.

“We need to go get a new mop head,” Frank says, refocusing on the counter he’s wiping down. “Do you mind going upstairs to get one..?”

I look at him and shrug.

“Yeah..,” I flippantly answer. “Not a problem.”

Instantly stopping what he’s doing, Frank looks up at me with fear written across his face. I want to ask him what’s wrong, but before I can, he’s already walking toward me.

“I have to warn you, James,” he says sternly. “The upstairs in this place is a little freaky. Just head straight to the stock room cupboard and come straight back down again!”

I can’t help but feel curious. The anxious expression that he’s pulling does make my hairs stand up on end. I’ve never seen such deep worry lines on a man's face before!

“….Why….?” I ask, wiping my hands dry on the towel attached to my apron. “What's up there that I need to be worried about?”

Frank nervously ticks his eyes, then quickly looks away.

“Oh, some staff members have experienced some strange occurrences!” he answers, rubbing his arm. “Just don’t explore the room or any other rooms for that matter. Don’t do anything else other than open the cleaning cupboard.”

I narrow my eyes. I wonder if he’s trying to wind me up.

“Didn’t this place used to be a toy shop before?” I ask, almost more sarcastic than I meant it to be.

Frank gives me a fleeting look before moving back over to the counter he was cleaning.

“That’s true…yes,” he says. “You’ll see the cleaning cupboard at the top of the stairs. Again, please just come straight back and do as the signs say.”

Rolling my eyes, I know he’s winding me up. He’s gotta be!

“O…kay…,” I sarcastically reply. “Be back in a minute.”

Walking into the back room on the first floor, I see the staircase that leads to the next level. It’s tucked away In the corner and large takeaway cup boxes are blocking the way.

Shifting the boxes to one side, I look up into the pitch-black. It does seem very creepy. I feel like I’m being watched from the top.

It’s very typical of the café company we work for to take on old and forgotten retail units. What they tend to do is only modify the main floor to reduce costs. What that means is the floors above or below are left completely intact and very vacant. Like time capsules from years past, Left completely to the shifting entropy of time.

The staircase itself looks old and worn. You can almost smell the musty air wafting down. That’s when I see a big red sign plastered on the wall.

“Warning,” I say, reading out a handwritten memo “Staff must not go beyond the designated area…?”

I roll my eyes again. If this is what the manager does to trick newbies here, he’s got a sick mind!

I shake my head in disbelief and flick on the nearby light switch.

The lights for the staircase flicker wildly. The strobing effect of the lights makes me look away. As I do I hear the fluorescent continue to click loudly as they struggle.

Eventually, they do come on and I’m left with the sound of gentle buzzing.

Looking up the staircase, I can see the room at the top of the stairs. I can also see the dust particles floating around under the fluorescent lighting.

“Jesus Frank,” I complain, taking my first step on the creaky old wooden staircase. “Maybe open a window or something up here!”

Step after step, the stock cupboard he’s talking about comes into view.

Eventually reaching the top, I look around at the large empty room. The stink of the old and damp carpet was almost overpowering. It was almost making me gag. They really need to open a window!

I look into all four corners of the room and there’s not a single door or window. Just the café cleaning cupboard in front of me and four mono-yellow colored walls. Yet, I couldn’t shake this sinking feeling like something was watching. Like something was gently pulling at me.

Spooked, I Quickly look at the stock cupboard, I see the warning signs attached to it.

“Don’t wander off….?” I say as I read it out loud.

I raise an eyebrow and look again at the eery, yet bland empty room.

What do they think is going to happen here? You’ve gotta be some sort of serious stupid to get lost in this empty room!

Shrugging, I move towards the stock room door, but then instantly stop dead still. Something is deffo watching me! I can feel its stare burning a hole in my head.

A loud creak then echoes through the room from the far corner. My heart flutters and my gaze shoots in that direction.

Feeling dread wash over me, I stare into the corner with wide-open eyes.

“What the hell?”

I don’t know If I’m just tired, but that door was not there before. I’m sure of it!

Staring at the plain brown door, I feel a shiver run down my spine. Something seems so off about it. The wood seems unusually darkened compared to the rest of the room. It had dents on its lower half that make it look like he’s been kicked hard.

Why does this simple door make me feel so uneasy! Yet for some reason I can’t take my eyes off it.  I feel compelled by a deep desire to open it.

Turning to look back down the staircase to check Frank is not the one watching me, I see the coast is clear. Then taking a single step toward the door, I focus intently on the door. As I move, the stale stink fills my senses. I almost feel intoxicated by it.

It takes me a long few moments to transverse the room. It’s so much larger than it appears when you first come up. No wonder the company didn’t want to touch up here. It’s massive and extremely creepy!

Now standing at the beaten old brown door, I feel an intense chill emanating from it. I look back to ensure I’m alone. That feeling of being watched is still making my hairs stand up on end.

Focusing on the worn, dirty look door handle, I remember the warnings. Taking a deep breath, the desire to open it is far too strong to ignore.

Reaching to grab the door handle, I shudder a little as it feels like ice to touch.

“Weird…,” I mutter, turning the handle and pushing on the door to open it.

As the light-feeling door creaks open, I pear past it into the room on the other side. To my confusion, the lights are already on and I can hear them gently humming. I can also feel how cold the air is rushing from the room on the other side. It’s like a rapid stream rushing past my body.

Opening the door fully, I stand in the door and survey the next room. Again it’s another yellow-colored bland empty room that smells of dampness and dust. Only this time, the desire to explore is even more intense.

I look in each corner to satisfy my curiosity. This room is one hundred percent empty. Not even a window I can crack open to vent the place.

“How big is this building?” I ask myself, commenting on the size of these empty rooms. “No wonder they only updated the downstairs.”

As I stand in the doorway, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Grabbing it from my jeans, I bring it to my face and swipe to open it.

“That’s weird,” I say, as my phone appears to be completely frozen.

I tap at the screen and press the power button multiple times to get it to respond. To my frustration, the phone remains frozen. Its behavior is extremely odd. The screen flickers—just light the lighting in these rooms.

“Oh great!” I moan, shoving it back into my pocket in exasperation. “That better not be broken!”

Rubbing my face and sighing, I shake my head.

As I do, another long groaning creak makes my hairs stand up on end. I look over in the direction of the sound and to my astonishment, another brown door has appeared in the corner of the room. That deffo was not there moments ago!

“Fuck off…!” I hiss, feeling a little scared.

As my heart beats faster and faster, I look around the empty room once more. It’s still very much empty, bar the door that’s on the other side of the room.

I rub my eyes again and sigh. I must be so extremely tired--my mind playing tricks. Still, this next door—it’s calling to me. It’s urging me to open it.

That’s when I feel a strong and unusual feeling of familiarity. It feels like a very powerful feeling of deja-vu.

I narrow my eyes and stare at the darkened brown door. I’ve never been in this room before—how can I have this feeling about such a thing!?

My body seems to take a step without my doing. It’s like my entire being is being pulled towards this one door. It’s such a powerful feeling. It’s like It would hurt to leave not knowing what's on the other side.

Feeling so inclined to find out, I rush over to the door.

My heart beating like crazy, I take hold of the freezing cold door handle and push the door wide open. A feeling of pure dread fills me with terror! Like touching this door was opening pandora’s box!

To my amazement, the room on the other side was also already lit. My eyes grow wide as I take in what's on the other side of the door.

“Oh my god!” I mumble, peering inside.

This room is completely different from the others. Although the walls are the same colors, the room is filled from floor to ceiling with storage racking. The stale smell and chill in the air were just as intense, but it seemed like a normal room.

Stepping inside, I see the layers of dust on storage shelves directly in front of me. No one has been here for decades! I’m even leaving footprints in the dust on the floor.

As I investigate the racking further, I see very old boxes of discarded forgotten toys. These must have been left here from the old toy shop when I closed down.

“Seems I’m the first in here in a while,” I say, picking up this one toy. “Casper the friendly ghost?” I say, looking at the branding on the box.

“How old is this!?” I grumble, flipping the box around to look at the garish artwork on the back. ”The nineteen nineties eh? I can’t believe the lights have been left on all this time.--maybe I should turn the lights off… seems like a real waste of electricity.”

Putting the box back, I feel another deep chill pierce through my body. It makes me shiver.

Trying my best to ignore it, I Walk along the ends of the racking. I pear down each lane looking for the light switch on the other side of the room. As I get around the middle of the room, I stop. For a moment I stop breathing. I could have sworn I’d seen something move down this lane.

Weirdly, this corridor seems to draw me in. Between the large racking, it felt familiar—like the door moments ago.

I try shaking the feeling from my head, before rubbing my eyes.

Why does It feel like I’ve been here before!? Why is it so cold!?”

Allowing that feeling to dictate my actions, I decided to walk down this one lane between the shelving. As I do, the feeling of dread and cold seems to hit my body like an invisible brick wall. Like the door handles, I feel it touching every part of my body. I swear, I’ve my eyelashes are standing on end!

As the intense cold starts stinging my skin, I stop and nervously look around. Again, that feeling of being watched. Is it Frank!? Is he trying to scare me!?

As I franticly look all around me, trying to catch him out, I see something on the racking that almost talks to me. Surrounded by more forgotten toys, this one in particular teddy gives me an instant chill to the depths of my soul.

It’s a small-looking cuddly toy, but it looks as if it’s staring straight through me. I feel real terror for the first time as I stare at it with wide-open eyes. I feel the fear of death.

Even my goosebumps have goosebumps! How can a toy give me such powerful feelings!?

Although terrified of the small very dusty cuddly toy, again I feel a strong feeling of familiarity. The feeling of deja-vu is extremely intense. Almost like a clear memory was coming to the forefront of my mind. I feel yet again, compelled to touch it!

Even though my instincts are telling me to run, I Reach through the chilling cold pains stinging my skin, to push the other dusty toys aside.

Breathing extremely loud, I lean toward the toy as feel ever more compelled to touch it. I could swear it was gently whispering my name.

As a single fingertip touches it, It feels ice cold. Like the coldest thing, I’ve ever touched! As a second fingertip touches, the room instantly starts spinning. My stomach turns and my blood boils.

I’m unable to see. I’m unable to hear. Everything just jumbles in my mind. Like I’m being rewired from the inside!

Then like that, Instant quiet.

Things feel so very strange and different! They also feel so very familiar!

“Melissa!?” I hear another voice call out.

Catching my breath I almost, I find myself staring at the same shelf and toy. To add to my pure confusion, the toy looks brand new. I quickly move my hands away from it and put them by my sides.

“Melissa!?” a female voice calls again from the other side of the room. “Are you in here?”

Startled by the sound of another person in the room, I franticly look around me to see where it’s coming from. I can’t see her. Someone is in here with me!? I thought I’d imagined that the first time! Who’s….Melissa?

That’s when I notice the changes with my own eyes. It wasn’t just a feeling!

The shelves are suddenly full to the brim. The boxes all look new. No dust particles floating around my face. What the actual fuck is going on right now!?

“Girl…what are you doing?” the female voice moans, causing me to jump.

I look in the direction and a large woman stands at the end of the racking lane. My mouth drops as I look at her in terror. Who is this woman—does she work for the café company?

“What’s with that face Mel?” she questions, now looking more frustrated.

Quickly, I turn to look behind me to see who she’s talking to. There’s can be no way she’s talking to me!

As I do, I feel the weight and movement of hair affixed to my head. Like I’ve got a ponytail all of a sudden. That’s not right!

Not expecting that feeling, I slowly reach up behind my head. Almost letting out a squeal, I feel soft long hair tied up into a long ponytail that cascades down my back.

What the fuck has happened to me!? I don’t have long hair!

“We’ve got an entire shop floor to move tonight Melissa!” The woman groans, now glaring in my direction. “Can you hurry up already and come help us!”

Stunned and confused, I stare into her eyes as she glares back. There's no mistaking she’s talking to me!

“Errr……” I go to reply but instantly stop. My voice sounds completely off!

I go to speak again but stop once more. The voice coming from my mouth is not mine! It’s high-pitched and very feminine. I sound like a child!

Beyond confused, I slowly look down at myself.

As my body comes into view, it makes my heart thump wildly in my chest. It’s impossible what my eyes are showing me! I can only be dreaming.

My clothes are completely different. Gone was my apron, and white shite. Replaced by what looks like a fitted tight t-shirt.

That’s not the only change I notice. I’d felt heavier on the chest and now I know why. There is no mistake that the large mounds on my chest are breasts! I can feel the tight bra holding them wrapped around my chest and back.

The feeling of underwear up between my butt cheeks also has me concerned. Did someone give me a wedgy?

Trying to ignore that, I see a name tag attached to my shirt. Although I’m reading it upside down, it clearly has Melissa written on it

Am I Melissa!? That’s fucking insane! I’m not a girl!

“Melissa,” The woman shouts, getting very irate and angry. “Answer me!”

I try not to focus too much on the empty feeling between my legs and the underwear up my ass. I think this angry woman would knock my block off if I do anything other than answer her.

“S-sorry…,” I say to her softly, wincing at the sound of the voice coming out of my mouth.

The lady then frowns and shakes her head. Letting out a long sigh, she rubs her face.

“Just come on,” she says, waving me towards her. “We’ve got a lot to do tonight and I don’t want to keep everyone later than needs be!”

Not knowing what else to do, I scurry toward her. Every step I take, my body feels completely foreign to me! I can feel parts jiggling where they shouldn’t be. It’s especially noticeable on my chest!

As I approach her, I see a name tag attached to her bright red shirt. It says, Lisa.

“W-wheres Frank?” I nervously ask as she glares down at me.

Placing a hand on her hip, Susan gives me a frustrated look.

“Who’s Frank?” she impatiently asks.

“He’s the café manager,” I reply, awkwardly standing In front of her and realizing how much taller she is than me.

“Café manager…!? Have you hit your head or something Mel?”

I reach up to my head and pat my long soft hair. I don’t think I’ve hit my head…?

“No…..I don’t think so?” I respond, feeling unsure if that’s true or not.

“It’s just me, you, and James tonight. No—Franks”

Still touching the top of my head, I give it a confused scratch. If Franks is not here…where the hell did he go?

“I don’t get it!” I grumble, looking down again at my feminine-looking figure. “Where am I?”

“Stop trying to get out of working hard,” Susan grunts, grabbing me by my wrist. “We’ve got so much to do!”

Her grip hurts me. I feel her long nails digging into my skin. I try my best to stop her from pulling me, but she’s much bigger and stronger. It appears I really have shrunk.

Trying to keep up with her, I look around the room and notice so many changes. Nothing looks like it did moments ago. Everything seems so much more…brighter.

Even the darkened door, which felt so sinister moments before, Look completely normal.

As she pulls me through the door and into the other room, I see the staircase. However, that’s the only thing that looks the same. The room is now completely full of furniture and even a few vending machines.

“Where did all this stuff come from?” I desperately ask, trying to keep up with Susan as she pulls me toward that same staircase.

“Huh…?” she grunts, not understanding. “It’s--always been here.”

Stopping just at the top of the stairs, she lets go of my arm. I instantly rub it with my other hand to soothe the pain.

That’s when I see my bright pink-painted nails. I frown at how garish they are. I’d never paint my nails, let alone a color like that!

“Go on--James is waiting for you downstairs.” Susan says, giving me a stern expression, pointing down the staircase.”

I look down and the staircase is carpeted. It was just plain wood before. The walls also seem smooth and like....new.

“S-sure….,” I answer her, turning away to go down, feeling the smooth painted walks with my delicate feminine hands.

“Just make yourself useful you silly girl,” Susan says spitefully, as she heads off in the other direction.

Who is this woman--and why is she so rude?

Weirdly, I did notice her name tag said manager on it. Maybe she’s……killed Frank or something!?

Shaking my head at that silly thought, I nervously take step after step. The knee-length skirt I’m wearing wasn’t allowing me to move as freely as I wanted. It was constricting my stride.

As I get to the bottom of the stares, I cautiously look around. Again, the backroom of the café looks completely different. It’s full of shelving like upstairs.

Wanting to understand what's happening to me, I quickly sneak over to the backroom door and look out onto the shop floor.

I gasp and put my hand to my mouth as I see no trace of the café.

“Fuck—ing--hell,” I whisper to myself.

Pushing open the stock room door, I stare in awe at the transformation that’s occurred. The café is now a toy shop. Aisles are aisles of racking, fill up the store. Each one is full to the brim with teddies and toys.

Nervously rubbing my arm, I move further onto the floor and look around at the items on the shelves. They're like nothing I’ve seen before. Everything seems so old-fashioned.

“Hey Mel,” a male voice says, appearing from around one of the aisles.

Startled, I jump and stare in his direction.

Unlike before with Susan, it’s a young man with a big smile on his face. He’s wearing the same color and style t-shirt I’m wearing. Strangely, I feel at ease in his presence. I feel that same feeling of familiarity with him. It’s Like I’ve known him all my life.

“H-hey,” I answer, giving him a quick smile.

“Did Susan get angry at you..?” he asks, giving me a concerned, but a caring expression.

I nod my head.

“Ah darn,” he continues, walking over to me. “She’s been a pain today--hasn’t she?”

I couldn’t answer him. I just stare at him in some kind of trance. I could not shake the feeling that I knew this guy.

It’s impossible! I have no idea who he is. For that matter, I have no idea who I am or even where I am!

Tilting his head to the side, he gives me a comforting smile.

“Everything ok there Melly?” he asks, gently touching me on my side.

Feeling his warm hand against my narrow waist, I instinctively step back from him. He gives me a curious expression.

“Are you……ok?” he questions, now looking more concerned than before.

I vigorously shake my head.

No, I am not ok! I’m totally freaking out inside. I have no idea what's going on! It’s made even worse knowing that I’ve likely got a vagina between my legs.

“I think I’m lost,” I admit to him, feeling it safe to do so. “You seem to know me, but I don’t even know your name.”

He goes to laugh at my comments, thinking I’m joking. He very quickly realizes that I’m not.

“Did she hit you or something..?” he asks with real worry, reaching to touch my face.

I back away again and shake my head.

“It’s me Melissa,” he pleas. “It’s James.”

He looks at me extremely baffled as I move away.

I do have a strong sense that I’m safe with him, but that makes no sense. My brain tells me not to trust him.

“Where am I?” I question, feeling jaded by this experience.

He looks at me puzzled.

“We’re--at work…,” he slowly answers, looking increasingly upset.

I look around me in bewilderment. This building looks like the café, but it’s not!

“This is not my work!” I try explaining. “This was a café literally like twenty minutes ago! I just went up to get a mop!”

Looking around him, then focusing back on me, he nervously laughs.

“This….,” he pauses and stares me directly in the eyes.

Struggling to maintain eye contact with him, I look away from his big blue eyes.

“It’s always been a toy shop..,” he continues, now clearly thinking I’ve gone mad. “Are you sick--do you need a doctor?”

Shaking my head in disbelief, so many thoughts run through my mind. None of them make any sense or seem even possible.

“I-I-I-I….,” I stutter, trying to work out what's going on.

James then presses his hand against my calmy forehead. His hand feels cool against my burning skin.

“Oh wow!” he says, moving closer. “You’re burning up!”

Allowing him to do so, I need to ask more questions. I need to work out what happened and how I can get back to Frank and the café.

“This is a Toy Shop…?” I ask as he holds his hand on my forehead.

“Erm…yes,” he slowly replies.

I consider what that means for a moment. It was a toy shop before. Have I gone back in time!?

“What year is it, James!?” I ask, blurting out before he can say anything else.

James takes his hand from my head and allows his shoulders to sag. He looks concerned.

“It's….err…. nineteen ninety-five,” he answers.

I stare at him in disbelief. Bloody rushes to my face. No way that’s possible. He’s lying!

“Shut up,” I angrily growl.  “Let me look at the date on your cell.”

James chuckles and shrugs his shoulders.

“I don’t have a cell phone, Mel,” he nervously chuckles, giving me a big smile.

“You don’t have one?” I reply, looking at him like he’s a weirdo. “Not even an iPhone?”

“What’s an iPhone..?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

A chill runs down my spine. I feel my heart beating harder and harder. It can’t be—time travel is something reserved for sci-fi!

James continues to look at me confused, but I had to know for myself. Looking down at myself, I start patting my body, hoping this girl I’ve become has a phone on her.

Feeling my face go bright red, I don’t find any pockets on my skirt. Where does a girl keep her phone!?

“Mel…,” James says, as I stop searching myself and look up. “Don’t you believe me?”

I shake my head and my ponytail flicks around behind me.

“No,” I feverishly answer, now looking around at the shop for anything that might have a date.

I spot the service counter. That has to have some sort of till or PC behind it.

Rushing over to it, My breasts and hair bounce like crazy as I run. The skirt constricts my stride, almost causing me to tumble.

Going behind the service counter, I audibly gasp at the sight of an old CRT monitor sitting upon an old beige-looking PC.

Rushing over to it, I see a poor-quality version of windows on the screen. Grabbing the light grey mouse, I open the date in the bottom right corner.

Up pops the date and year. What I see fills my soul with dread.

“JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!” I scream out, now feeling like my chest is being crushed in a vice.

At the onset of a panic attack, I back into a corner. Hitting the wall hard, I slide to the floor.

“Mel!” James cries out, rushing over.

Unable to calm down, I felt like I was breathing syrup. Every breath was a battle. My entire body and mind felt like it was imploding. I couldn’t focus or think anything.

Sharp pains emanate all around. My jaw feels like it’s clenching tight, my neck feels like it's snapping and a powerful shooting pain runs down my left arm.

“Mellissa!” James shouts again, now kneeling in front of me.

I try to look at him, but my vision is completely blurred. I want to say something, but my speech is slurred.

I couldn’t focus on anything else but the pain. My heart felt like it was going to explode!

The room then starts fading to black. All I can hear is the thudding of my heart and the vibrations of my lungs struggling to breathe.

Then, as if someone has pulled me from deep water, I gasp out for air. My body is burning and my heart is racing.

Trying to catch my breath, my vision returns, and I see the familiar ceiling of my bedroom at home.

Instantly sitting up, I look around my pitch-black room. I see only the faint light of my TV’s standby light glowing in the corner.

Taking a second to slow my breathing and panic, I flick off the covers to see my body and the boxers that should be there.

That’s when I feel the chill once more. I feel that feeling of being watched. It terrifies me

Reaching over to my phone--my hands shaking like a leaf. I manage to grab it and swipe it open.

Turning the phone torch on, I shine it in all four corners of my room.

Thankfully… nothing seems to be out of place.

“A dream….,” I huff. “Just a…..dream?”

As I stare at the phone, I look at the time. It’s six in the morning.

As that sinking feeling disappears, I stare at the background on my phone. My head is throbbing. I feel like I’ve gone on an all-weekend drinking session.

Wiping my sore dry eyes, a message pops up on my screen. It's from my boss.

“Frank needs help at the Valemount store…?” I question, as I read the message to myself.

Swiping the message away, I look at the date.

That can’t be right! I’ve already lived this morning! I’d already help Frank out!

Did that not happen? Was that all a dream too?

Throwing my head down onto my pillow, I close my eyes tight.

What’s happening to me!?