"Briarwood by J A Hitchcock" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hitchcock J A)

"I thought it would end with me." She paused and knelt in front of her son. "Lionel, I was once married to a man named Warren Martin. In that house. His ancestors lived there off and on for years. I found out that once in a great many years, one of Warren's family would disappear. I was fascinated with the story and delved into old family books, journals, anything I could get my hands on. I discovered that the house was over 500 years old. All of the journals described the same thing -- someone had been sad in that house."

Her voice dropped and Lionel leaned forward.

"Not just sad, but miserable; then that person disappeared. It was almost like the house and anyone who dwelled in it was cursed." Emily's voice rose a little. "Soon after, Warren changed. It seemed like it happened overnight. He stayed out late at night, drinking and carrying on. He would come home and," she paused again, "there were times when I could not move, the pain was so great. I feared for my life every day. Then, I saw the castle."

"This castle, mother?" Lionel's asked quietly.

"Yes, Briarwood. At first, I thought I was crazy. Then I knew it was real. Your father would watch me from here. We would smile at each other. I would find little presents on my balcony. We were so much in love." Emily paused. "I knew this castle was from a different time, possibly even another world, but I didn't care." She sighed. "Warren became worse. I knew I had to escape or I'd die. One morning, I was out walking in the garden and suddenly I saw the opening that let me view the castle and your father. Without thinking, I ran to it. I leaped and landed in your father's arms. I think he was as amazed as I."

Emily's soft laugh made Lionel smile. She stood and looked out the window. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Sometimes, I hear her crying."

"Mother?" Lionel stood next to her.

"She belongs here." Emily looked at her son. "Lionel, go to her. But end this madness."

"How?"

"Destroy the house. It is cursed with misery." Emily wiped tears from her cheeks. "Tomorrow, Lionel. Tomorrow the window to that horrid house will open again. You must get her, then destroy the house and return to Briarwood."

Lionel nodded. "I love her, mother, with all my heart. I will bring her back."

Emily smiled, not surprised at all that her son could love someone he'd never met. It had happened to her, so why not him, too?

Lionel put his arm around his mother's shoulders and they looked at the night sky together._

Amberly opened her eyes. She blinked and felt a hand on her arm. Richard lay next to her, his snores muffled by the sheet over his head. She gently moved his hand off her arm, then sat up. Pain filled her body. She didn't remember what time Richard had come to her room. The minute she had smelled the alcohol on his breath, she tuned him out as she always did.

Amberly walked to the bathroom and quietly closed the door. Tears of anger spilled out of her eyes as she looked in the mirror. Bruises were already beginning to show. She tenderly touched on her right cheek. Richard was getting more violent and seeming not to care where he hit her. She filled the sink with warm water and soap. She dipped a washcloth in it, then began the ritual of cleansing her body.

"You have to get out of here, Amberly," she whispered to herself. "Before he kills you."

Richard knocked on the bathroom door and Amberly jumped.

"I'm leaving now. I'll see you around six." He didn't wait for a reply and Amberly heard the bedroom door shut, but no sound of the key in the lock.

Amberly wasn't surprised. It was a silent truce between them when he had one of his "bad" nights. She intended to take full advantage of it today and escape.

Amberly quickly got dressed, overwhelmed with fear that Richard would return. The phone rang in the hall and she jumped.

Amberly picked up the receiver on the fourth ring.

"Hello?"

"Amberly, luv, is that you?" A familiar voice.

"Yes. Who's this?"

"Marion Chambers, from dinner last evening. I called to see how you were feeling."