"The Nothingness Inside Castle Hanpenburg" - Horror Hill

Marlo Stark (0:00)

I fear that I have brought something forth into the open, a thing that no man could ever hope to vanquish on his own. It was all because of that damned castle. One simple phone call changed my perception of our place in this universe. We are but ants to beings that exist far beyond what our imagination is capable of. I find myself in a position where I must warn others about the impending danger.

It will not stop the other beings beyond our consciousness from having their way with us, but I hope that this last warning can at least prolong the abyss from taking all of us in it.

My tale begins in my office. I had been a private investigator for the better part of a decade, so I had developed a reputation. There were many strange things I encountered in my line of work, many gruesome sights that would have been the end of lesser men, but not of me. I was foolish to think that the world, the universe had thrown its worst at me.

I had been enjoying a glass of bourbon when my desk phone rang. I answered to hear a distraught, feminine voice on the other end. Is this Marlo Stark? This is he? I replied. How may I be of assistance?

I'm afraid I must ask of your services. The caller paused for several moments before continuing.

My name is Anne Hanpenberg. I've heard from respectable sources that you are a talented private detective. I thought the bit of flattery was a nice touch, though I wasn't in the mood to pussyfoot around what Anne wanted. I am Miss Hanpenberg. I've solved many mysteries and helped find many numerous items and people. Listen, Miss Hanpenberg, I'll cut right to it. What do you need my services for?

There was silence at the other end of the phone. I was about to hang up when she finally spoke. My brother Fredrick. I could hear the anxiety in her voice as she continued. My brother has gone missing. It's been over two weeks since anyone has seen him, and I'm so worried, Mr. Stark.

I tried to put on my best sympathetic voice.

I see, Ms. Hanpenberg. It's no small matter when someone hasn't been seen for that long, especially a family member. Before we go in further, did he have a wife? Perhaps someone he spent a lot of time with would be able to have an idea of his whereabouts? No, Fredrick was a loner. The only people who saw him regularly were the cleaning crew that worked for him. I sighed. I see. So I take it they haven't seen him either? That's correct. It's like he vanished without a trace.

I was about to ask another question, but she interrupted me. You see, Detective, I know where he probably is. Oh, and where might that be? He's somewhere in our damn family castle, she said in clear distress. He lives in that horrible place. Fredrick never left it and never let anyone come to visit outside of me and the help, as mentioned earlier. It was just him inside those ancient walls. I know that's where he must be, Detective. That's why I called you, to ask you to go find my brother.

I mused over the situation before asking, if he's in your family home, why are you not searching for him? You don't think I've tried, Detective. I've searched that place from top to bottom, but I know my deduction skills are not as great as most. I don't try to pretend that I can find the tiniest detail and draw a conclusion. That's why I need you. I need a man of your expertise to search that castle for him. I'm desperate, Detective. I promise to pay you double your normal asking price and pay for your airfare and travel expenses. Airfare? I questioned. Where, might I ask, is your family castle located, Miss Hanpenburg? Deep in the mountains of Germany, Detective, she answered almost immediately.

I thought for a moment about what I should do. I could feel that she was anticipating an answer from me. I sighed. Then it looks like I'm going to Germany. She seemed all too happy for me to be accepting the case and said she would send everything I would need for my trip as soon as possible.

Though I hung up the phone, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

The flight across the sea was uneventful, as was the main drive up to the castle. However, there was a shift in the atmosphere as soon as I hit the forest surrounding the estate. From the drive up to that point, the feeling was pleasant and almost relaxing. As soon as the trees towered over my rental, a feeling of dread filled the pit of my stomach. The trees themselves did not seem sinister, but there was something different that hung in the atmosphere. I could not place why I felt this way, just that it was there and it was lingering. A sense of isolation helped affirm the nagging thought of danger at the back of my mind. These negative thoughts didn't come to my mind until I glimpsed the castle. The anxiety within me grew as I pulled up to the estate's makeshift gravel drive. I noticed two cars parked close to the doors to enter the castle. I decided to park a little further back and walk the extra hundred feet. I was not informed that anyone would be waiting for me when I arrived, so the presence of vehicles belonging to unknown persons further intensified the growing belief that something was amiss.