The Murder at Meyer Manor

The sun was sinking on the horizon by the time I was ready, and I was getting nervous...

I was getting ready for a party. Now, under normal circumstances this wouldn't be a problem. But this party was unusual. I'd received the invitation from someone I didn't know. In fact, there was no name on the invitation at all. It just invited me, James, to a party at Meyer Manor on New Year's Eve. This does sound exciting, yes, but there was a strange note at the bottom. It said that if I lasted the night, I would win $10,000.

I was going just to kind of check things out. I'd had a rough year and needed both a good time and money. I had recently been kicked out of my father's house for being gay. Now, he didn't find out because I told him. He found out because I attempted to break up with my now ex-boyfriend, and he beat me up and posted all over town that I was gay.

I needed a fresh start.

Anyway, I took a look in the mirror as my mind came back into my tiny apartment. A 24 year old thin framed bespectacled man looked back at me. My light brown hair had been spiked up in a careless way that I liked, and I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans. My pale skin gleamed in the light from outside, shadowing my abs well. Too bad they really weren't that prominent.

I grabbed a tight black t-shirt from my dresser and put it on, as well as a pair of my favorite black leather boots. Finally, I was ready. Grabbing my backpack with some essentials, I walked out the door and to my jeep.

As the sun set below the horizon, a fog crept in around the road and surrounding trees. It did nothing to calm my nerves...for all I knew, this was all a trap. My ex had threatened to kill me, but I had to continue living my life.

My headlights pierced the fog just fine, and I made it to Meyer Manor just fine. An enormous facade greeted me through the mist, and I couldn't help gasping.

I was apparently the first one here, seeing as there were no other vehicles in the driveway. I grabbed my pack, exited the car, and knocked at the front door.

After a moment, the door creaked open, and I was greeted by a horrifying face...a grizzled old woman with an abnormally large nose. I held in my shriek of terror in order to appear braver than I really was.

'Yes?' the woman inquired in a high pitched tone.

'Um, hi. My name is James, and I've been invited here this evening.'

'Ah, yes. One of Professor Meyer's guests. I'll show you in. Follow me, please.'

I stepped inside the door and immediately cried out in awe. It was simply gorgeous inside! There was marble, leather, and stainless steel everywhere! A marvelous staircase led up to the upper levels, which appeared to be numerous. I was dying to explore this house!

The woman led me up the staircase to the third level, where a large corridor of doors greeted me. Passing door after door, I wondered where I was being led. Finally, we stopped outside the last door on the right, next to a beautiful tapestry. She unlocked the door with an old skeleton key and led me inside. The room was decorated in shades of blue, with a beautiful four poster bed.

'This is your room for the night. The bathroom is down the hall. Dinner is at 7 sharp. Do not be late. If you need anything, my name is Helga.'

'Thank you, Helga. I appreciate your help.'

With that, she turned to go, stopping in the doorframe. Without turning, I heard her mutter, 'Good luck,' and snap the door shut.

Well, that was strange...

After she left, I began to feel a tad lonely. Even an ugly old woman is some company. I glanced at the clock on my night stand. 6:35 it read. What on earth was I going to do for 25 minutes?

Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the hall. Bolting to the door, I composed myself before opening it. I couldn't appear too desperate for friends...

As I glanced into the hallway, I saw Helga approaching with a young man. I was able to catch a glimpse of him as Helga approached the door. He stood about six feet tall and had dark brown hair and light eyes. He wore a red hooded sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. He had broad shoulders and a small waist, and a bit of scruff on his face.

He was incredibly handsome.

He lifted his eyes to me as he entered his room, and smiled, showing a row of beautiful white teeth. Even though I wanted to go into the room immediately and introduce myself, I waited for Helga to explain everything and wish him good luck before I wandered in.

'Knock knock!' I said, coming around the door into his room.

He didn't have a shirt on.

'Oh, God, sorry!' I said, and I felt my cheeks go red.

'No, don't be sorry, I like being seen without a shirt on!' this guy said in a cheerful British accent. 'You like tattoos?'

'Yeah, I do,' I managed to stammer out. His tattoos were beautiful! Colors were everywhere on his body, and my immediate favorite was a quote.

"Our doubts are liars"

The quote was in an old form of handwriting, and was on his right pec. His nipple was stiffening in the cool air.

'You like them?' he asked me.

'Yes, I do. I think they're amazing.'

He took out a white t-shirt and place it over his tatted torso, and finally I could stop admiring his abdomen and start looking at his face. He stared at me, his smile reaching his eyes.

'I'm Andrew, and it's nice to meet you.'

'I'm James, and it's nice to meet you too.'

He giggled a bit, and his eyes wandered up and down my physique.

'You're a handsome guy,' he said. 'What are you doing here?'

'Wow, thank you!' I said, blushing even more. 'You are too.'

It was his turn to blush.

'As for what I'm doing here, I'm not sure. It must be some kind of competition. We're competing for ten thousand bucks.'

'Yeah, I saw that. I just hope we get a chance to party before the whole thing starts. I need it.'

'Oh, me too!' I said. 'It's been a rough year. I'm ready to start over.'

'Aww, why so rough?' Andrew asked me, a smirk on his lips.

'Uh, maybe I'll tell you later...'

'Oh, you've got trust issues,' he said. 'We'll see if I can work those out!'

With that, he gave me a peck on the cheek and walked out of the room, leaving me astonished.

What was this?

***

After a while of sitting in my room pondering what Andrew was up to, it was finally five minutes to 7. I walked out of my room and walked in the direction of voices and music. Popular dance tunes were coming from a speaker somewhere, an laughter was coming from the same location.

Finally, I found the dining room and in turn, found the other guests. Andrew was there, standing by the bar and looking surly and handsome. There were about 6 other people in the room. Four women, and two men. The other guys were being stupid and attempting to get the girls drunk. One girl wasn't having it. A girl with blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail.

I approached Andrew, seeing as we had already met. His mood improved greatly upon seeing me.

'Hey, cutie!' he exclaimed. 'Care for a drink?'

'Sure, a whiskey please.'

Andrew set upon my drink, when suddenly the blonde girl approached me.

'Hi, I'm Summer,' she said. You guys look normal.'

I couldn't help but laugh.

'I'm James, and this is Andrew. We just met upstairs.'

'This whole thing is weird, isn't it! I mean, no one's been in this house for years, and suddenly this professor randomly invited us all here for some contest or something?'

'Oh, I know, girl,' said Andrew. 'It's all kind of exciting, though, right?'

'I guess,' said Summer. 'We'll see, won't we?'

And we just sat there, enjoying our drinks. Suddenly, a short man in a white suit and thick glasses entered the room.

'Quiet down, everyone!' he said. 'My name is Professor Meyer, and I'm here to explain why you're all here.'

Andrew, Summer, and I all exchanged glances when suddenly there was a bloodcurdling scream from the next room. We all rushed out, only to find Helga on the floor with her throat cut. The blood fanning out on the floor. Three of the girls shrieked and hid their faces, while Summer didn't flinch. Andrew grabbed my hand and moved me back. Professor Meyer looked stunned.

Then, one of the other guys backhanded the professor, dropping him to the ground.

'I think you'd better explain yourself!'

...to be continued...