Secrets of Tempest Island

A Mighty Scare

“Dad!” Ewan’s voice rang out in the quiet room, causing Coby to flinch. He quickly moved the phone away from his ear, the sound almost too loud. The room fell into a tense silence as Coby anxiously waited for Ewan to speak.

“There was… there’s this wicked man who came looking for you,” Ewan interjected urgently, his voice quivering with fear. Coby sensed his soon-to-be stepson’s unease and knew he had to calm him down.

“Take a deep breath, Ewan,” Coby said, his voice steady and reassuring. He glanced out of the window, the muted colours of the grey sky and the strong sea breeze giving the room a sombre atmosphere. It seemed like the perfect day to stay indoors and deal with the situation at hand.

Ewan hesitated for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. “Uh, okay,” he finally responded.

“Take your time,” Coby urged, moving to the balcony to ensure his conversation remained private. He hoped Gracie wouldn’t overhear him speaking to her son.

Ewan’s voice trembled as he continued, “There was something strange about him.”

“What was it?” Coby pressed, his curiosity piqued.

“Yes, that’s it!” Ewan exclaimed, his voice filled with realization. “He had one green eye and one blue eye. It felt like he could see right through me. He gave me this death stare. I almost…”

Coby interrupted, unable to contain his concern. “What did he sound like?”

Ewan let out a frustrated sigh. “He didn’t sound like one of us. It was strange, like those people we see in the movies.”

“American?” Coby questioned, trying to piece together the puzzle.

“I guess,” Ewan replied uncertainly.

“Where is he now?” Coby asked, his voice laced with worry.

“He ran away,” Ewan answered, the tension clear in his voice. “Josephine scared the s**t out of him, and he tried to shoot her and…”

“He had a g*n!?” Coby exclaimed, a mix of fear and astonishment creeping into his tone. Gracie, overhearing the conversation, rushed out with wide eyes, but Coby quickly silenced her with a finger to his lips.

“Yes,” Ewan confirmed, his voice filled with dread. “He pointed it at me and then shot at Josephine.”

Coby’s heart sank at the thought of his loved ones in danger. “Listen to me carefully, Ewan. Run to Auntie Elaine’s cottage and ask her to call me. It’s urgent.”

“Okay,” Ewan replied and hung up.

Coby stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing with worry. As he waited anxiously for Elaine to call, he couldn't help but replay Ewan's words in his head. The image of a man with mismatched eyes haunted his thoughts. Who was this wicked man, and why was he looking for him? The mention of a g*n sent chills down his spine. He couldn't bear the thought of his family being in danger.

Finally, Elaine called, her voice filled with concern. Coby wasted no time explaining the situation, urging her to call the police immediately. He knew they needed to find this man before he could harm anyone else.

As he hung up the phone, Coby felt a wave of urgency wash over him. He needed to protect his family. He turned to Gracie, her worried eyes meeting his determined gaze.

"We need to stay calm, Gracie," he whispered, his voice filled with determination. "But we also need to be prepared. Let's gather our things and head back home. It's safer."

Gracie nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and trust. They hastily gathered their belongings, including everything the baby needed.

As they made their way out of the hotel room, Coby couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every sound seemed amplified, and every shadow felt ominous. He held onto Gracie's hand tightly, determined to keep her safe.

“No boats can come or go in this weather,” the young girl at the front desk cautioned. Gracie shot Coby a quick, anxious glance, her eyes darting back and forth. He gratefully thanked the receptionist and gently grasped Gracie’s hand, guiding her towards their opulent room.

While Gracie lovingly tended to Struan, Coby ventured off to occupy his restless mind. The Hotel Luminara held countless captivating tales of the supernatural, waiting to be unravelled. As he leisurely strolled down the softly illuminated corridor, a sudden flicker in his peripheral vision made him halt. His writer’s senses tingled, compelling him to retrace his steps, where his gaze fell upon an intricately adorned door marked with a forbidding "Do Not Enter" sign.

Room 316 exuded an undeniable aura of intrigue, captivating Coby’s attention. The tarnished brass numbers on the door bore the unmistakable marks of time’s passage, their aged appearance adding to the enigma. However, it was the final digit that seized Coby’s gaze. The "6" had detached itself, now dangling upside down, casting an eerie silhouette that distorted the room number into 319 amidst the sombre lighting of the dimly lit hallway. Whispers of peculiar incidents within this room had reached Coby’s ears, leaving him to ponder whether the jumbled numbers were a mere coincidence or a forewarning of something far more ominous lurking beyond that threshold.

Unable to resist the allure of the mysterious room, Coby's curiosity overwhelmed him. With trembling hands, he reached out to grasp the brass handle, hesitating for a moment before turning it slowly. The door creaked open, revealing a room shrouded in darkness. A chill ran down his spine as he stepped over the threshold, the air heavy with anticipation.

The room itself seemed frozen in time, its decor reminiscent of a bygone era. Dust particles danced in the dim light that filtered through heavy curtains. Coby's heart raced as he cautiously explored the room, his senses heightened by the unknown. As he rummaged through the desk, he came across a solitary candle, its shape distorted and aged. With a flick of his wrist, he ignited the candle, instantly filling the room with a warm glow and casting eerie shadows along the walls.

As he ventured further, he noticed ancient photographs resting on the dusty bedside tables, capturing moments frozen in time. Intrigued, he lifted a photograph of a young man and woman, their eyes locked in a tender gaze. Their faces came alive, as if whispering ancient secrets and long-forgotten tales. A rush of recognition flooded through Coby, hitting him with the force of a tidal wave. It was Jamie and Tilly Ross, the former hotel managers from a distant time.

Out of nowhere, an icy blast of wind swept through the room, causing him to shudder involuntarily. Ominous shadows danced and writhed across the walls, intensifying the feeling of unease. Coby could hear distant whispers, barely audible but filled with an undeniable sense of urgency.

With a deep breath, Coby gathered his courage and pressed on. As he turned to leave, a soft voice echoed through the room, urging him to stay. It was a voice that seemed to come from the past, calling out for someone to uncover the truth.

He slowly turned, his heart pounding in his chest, and saw the ethereal form of a young woman materialising before him. The surrounding air seemed to thicken as Tilly Ross, her spectral figure flickering, cast haunting shadows that danced along the walls.

Outside, the wind picked up, its eerie whistle carrying secrets through the gnarled branches of the surrounding trees. Coby shivered, feeling a chill that seemed to seep into his very bones, causing him to rub his arms for warmth.

In that moment, a sense of awe and curiosity consumed Coby. He knew he couldn’t tear his gaze away from this extraordinary sight before him. It was a mystery begging to be unravelled. As he continued to watch Tilly, a ghostly apparition of a man flickered into view, standing beside her. Coby’s breath caught in his throat as he recognised the figure—it was Jamie, Tilly’s husband. They stood together, their ethereal gazes fixed upon Coby, silently conveying an unspoken understanding.