The Depths an exciting horror story - stories library
A cloth of mist draped over the promenade and enshrouded the red brick lift shaft in front of them
The glossed red doors to the entrance were locked
Vonnie shivered and flung her scarf end over her shoulder
The guy from Blackpool Civic Trust had said seven o'clock, and it was twenty past
She felt Jez's glare almost melt the side of her face
“This was your chuffing idea
I shouldn't be exposed to weather like this
Blackpool prom in February?
Damp castles I can handle, but I can't feel my bloomin' feet Von
” He blew into his cupped hands and stamped his feet theatrically
“He'll be here
Stop moaning
”
She wondered where the Civic Trust guy was
He had seemed keen for Slightly Haunted to feature the Cabin Lift
He had contacted them, he would turn up surely? A burst of music came from Vonnie's bag
As she grabbed for her phone she saw a man in a white shirt approach from across the road
“Just a text, I'll get it later, he's here now
” Jez was holding his mobile;
it was probably another snipe about the cold
Typical psychic, she thought; a prima-donna
He always complained on their fact gathering trips but insisted on coming every time
The small lean man beamed
“Hello there, I'm Edward, pleased to meet you
If you'd like to follow me I'll take you down now
” Edward rooted round in his sack-like pockets and pulled out a huge bunch of clanging keys
Jez tutted and rolled his eyes
“In your own time, it's not as if we've been stood here long is it?” Jez rolled his eyes and tutted
Edward didn't seem to notice, and waved the key around with triumph a few minutes later
Jez's mouth by this point resembled a cat's backside
He folded his arms with a loud sigh
Vonnie chuckled as Edward unlocked door and swung it open
It creaked and scraped the floor
Jez lagged behind as they entered the windowless corridor
It wasn't completely dark outside yet
The surrounding mist made Vonnie feel wrapped in cotton wool
It was a relief to step into the echoing entrance
Ahead stood the lift door, vintage but in pristine condition
Jez shifted his weight between his feet and held back as Edward ushered them into the open mouth of the lift
“So, who was it that designed this place?” She smirked at Edward
“It was a gentleman called John Charles Robinson,” he replied
”It was built in 1930
As you can see it's designed to carry folk down Bispham cliffs to the lower promenade
It's not used anymore, shame really
” He slid the concertina lift door shut with a clatter
Inside the light glowed amber
Vonnie made a mental note of the architect's name
Edward leaned past Jez who took a step backwards
He pressed a button and the squealing of old mechanisms began as they journeyed slowly down
“Yes he designed quite a few of the art deco buildings in Blackpool, Bispham library, Stanley Park cafe, amongst others
This is his least known work
” He carried on
“He was and still is a much undervalued artist
” Vonnie hoped this architect wasn't so undervalued that he wasn't on Google
It did seem creepy enough in here though, so the night-vision cameras would have the desired effect if she could make sure there were no light in the lift
“Could the lights be turned off with the lift still running?” Jez jumped in with the question before she could ask
Edward turned slowly to the lift controls and smiled mischievously
“Of course,” he said
The lift went black
Vonnie felt her stomach suddenly rise to her throat as the lift dropped
A shriek came from the lift mechanisms above
Her fingers pressed against the icy metal box around her as she grasped for purchase
It sped up
Faster and faster they plummeted
“No help help stop!” Jez screamed
On and on they plunged
Then it stopped
Vonnie crashed to the floor and felt Jez land on her leg
“You lunatic what are you doing?” he screeched at Edward
“Put the lights on Edward please” Vonnie said, her voice wavering
There was no response
Jez pulled Vonnie's arm and clung to her
The sound of the waves smashing against the sea wall grew closer
The sea grew louder
Vonnie felt the box begin to sway as if engulfed in the tide
The acoustics inside the metal casing sounded hollow
As if they were submerged
Jez shrieked and threw himself around the metal box hammering the walls with his fists
Vonnie felt cool wetness touch her foot, seeping through the lift door
She sobbed and curled into a ball, rocking gently back and forth with the sound of the water trickling inside
The lights flickered and filled the box
Silence
Vonnie looked at the bone dry floor and stood up quickly
She scanned around then looked at Jez's puffy red face
They were alone
Jez whimpered and began to wail
Vonnie yanked the lift door open and ran through the dark tunnel to the door; Jez clung limpet-like to her arm
They crashed through the wooden doors back outside to the lower promenade
For a few long seconds they stood under the cool moonlight and stared at the tide far in the horizon
Beyond; the damp empty beach
A screeching gull broke the silence
Without looking back, they ran to their hotel
Jez and Vonnie sat opposite each other in the Hotel bar
Neither could make eye contact
Jez held his brandy glass so tightly his knuckles blanched
“It was a clever trick
Hilarious
Well they got us good and proper, they've made it on to the next series,” he mumbled
Vonnie threw her vodka down her throat in one action, and then thrust her phone in Jez's face
The last text, from the Civic Trust, said;
7
24pm: SORRY CAN'T MAKE IT TONIGHT
REGARDS, FRANK
