An old car.


A dreary house.


A dark and stormy night.  

     It was the second of February, nineteen sixty-eight. Professor Dun, a highly regarded doctor, was traveling cross-state. His new-found fame in the medical industry meant he had quite a few conferences to attend. He had been driving for hours now, in a feeble attempt to reach his destination by morning. However, as his eyes began to close of their own accord, he reluctantly began to search for somewhere to stay for the night. Although, the miles of empty road ahead of him and the only change of scenery being forest to field, even a cheap motel seemed off the table. This is why, when the rundown, ramshackle, almost castle-looking home appeared up ahead, he pulled into the driveway, thanking the God above that there was a light flickering inside.

     Collecting himself, he got out of the car and walked up the uneven steps to the wide stone porch, and knocked. Hard. Three short, concise, loud knocks. He was in no state for feeble, timid actions. It was either knock on the door or sleep in the car. He would not like to sleep in the car, thank you very much.

     Thankfully, thankfully, a man dressed in a smart black suit answered the door only minutes later. Dr. Dun fought the urge to collapse into the man's arms, fatigue taking over his body, the case in his hands suddenly growing ten pounds heavier as soon as he felt a welcome burst of warm air as the door was opened.

     "Good evening, welcome to Midway Manor," the man started, stepping aside, as if to make way for him. "Please, come inside. How may we help you?"

     Dr. Dun stood there for a moment, slightly taken aback by the odd welcoming, but stepped in nonetheless. It was too cold not to. "Ahem," he cleared his throat. "I am Professor Joshua Dun, I've been driving for quite a long time. I fear the closest town is still quite a ways away and was wondering if you might allow me to stay the night?" He asked, trying his best at a friendly smile, though feared his exhaustion might make it seem more like a forced grimace.

     The man's eyes lit up. "Why of course! There's always room for another. I am Mr. Brendon Urie, the butler here at the Midway. Please, let me take your coat and briefcase, I'll take you to the parlor to meet the Master of the House."

     Dr. Dun thanked him profusely, handing him his things as he lead him into one of the rooms branching off the main hall. Joshua looked around as they walked, his gaze first drawn to the magnificent grand staircase at the back of the hall. Continuing to look up, he realized the ceiling was quite higher up than he would have imagined, balconies from the second and third floors going all the way around, so if someone were to stand up there they could look over the edge of the railing, down onto the first floor. The whole place was decorated lavishly, the doors and walls had beautiful dark wood paneling, with what looked to be carvings of all different kinds on most walls.

     The butler lead him him through a door closer to the staircase, and once again Joshua was amazed by the simple elegance of the room. The main attraction was a group of plush-looking sofas and chairs around a small table in the middle of the room, facing a grand fireplace. There was a record player in one corner, and a whole wall full of bookcases behind the largest sofa, directly across from the fireplace, on which his host was sitting. The sofa, not the bookcase, that is. Though even that would not be so strange at Midway.

     "Sir Tyler Joseph," the butler introduced him, the man in question looking up at the sound of his guest entering the room. He had short, dark hair, a glass of something smooth in one hand, a well-loved book in the other. He was dressed nicely, the charcoal grey suit a compliment to his warm complexion. "Owner and manager of Midway Manor."

     "Professor Joshua Dun," he extended a hand to the other. "Pleased to meet you, sir. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your beautiful... home." His smile faltered on the last word. Although the house was quite lovely, it didn't seem quite welcoming enough to be called a "home." But now, as in most cases, manners won out over opinions. A home he would refer to it by, unless told otherwise.

     Sir Joseph set down his book and drink before shaking the others hand, taking his time with each action. "It is my pleasure." He told him, finally meeting his eye. He spoke with a deep accent, though this Joshua barely registered, his attention more focused on the sharp shiver making its way down his back at the way the other man looked at him. Something about this whole ordeal just seemed... off.

     Dr. Dun was brought back to reality at the scoff coming from the butler, still standing in the doorway. "Please, drop the accent." He told Sir Joseph, earning himself a stern glare. "You sound like you're from London, I know you are from Ohio."

     "Brendon," Sir Joseph addressed him sharply, his accent much less London-like this time. "Why don't you take our guest's things up to his room? I'll need you back down here with empty arms to welcome the rest of our guests, they should be arriving soon." He directed through gritted teeth. Brendon nodded, rolling his eyes as he turned around, though the slight hurt came out through his voice as he spoke.

     "Yes, Sir, of course."

Published February 15, 2019