The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Feathered Phantoms 
by Kathleen McCluskey

In a secluded, centuries old, gothic mansion nestled deep within a sprawling, overgrown garden, an eccentric ornithologist, Dr. Martin, had been conducting forbidden experiments. He was obsessed with the latest technology and with nature. He had developed a sinister machine that can transfer human consciousness into the bodies of birds.

One evening, a group of unaware guests received invitations to the mansion. Drawn by the promises of an exclusive event, they find themselves at a lavish dinner party. The host, the ornithologist, continued to hum a tune as he was mingling with his guests. Throughout the evening, strange occurrences began to make the guests uncomfortable. Pigeons and other avian species with unnatural red, human-like eyes began to gather outside of the mansion. They peered into the windows as Dr. Martin continued to hum.

Soon, it became apparent to the dinner guests that the ornithologist had ominous plans, he intended to use his machine to transfer the consciousness of his guests into the pigeons. The gift of eternal existence comes at a terrible cost; a life bound to the skies as feathered phantoms to do the scientist’s bidding.

The sprawling estate held many secrets that would become apparent as the guests tried to navigate the mansion and unravel its secrets. The ornithologist stood as his humming became louder. Birds of every species began to scream wildly and fly at the window. The guests all screamed and scattered. His humming abruptly stopped when the feathered phantoms burst through the glass windows. Dr. Martin raised his arms to his side and tossed his head back. He began to give silent, hand commands to his feathered brethren. They broke off into groups as they chased the terrified guests into the more decrepit areas of the gothic mansion. The ornithologist sat at the table and drank a glass of champagne. The shrieks and anguished cries of his guests brought a smile to his face. He leaned back in the high-backed chair, closed his eyes and sighed.

His flying terror returned to him; breaking his tranquility. Their feathered bodies were covered in flecks of dark burgundy and crimson. He smiled when the sound of his guest’s torment began to fade. It was time to transform his almost dead guests into one of his creations. He stood and with his feathered brethren in tow, he made his way to his laboratory.

Outside the laboratory’s cracked windows, the wind and branches made eerie, scratching noises on the glass. The birds, forming a ghostly flock rushed into the room. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they descended onto Dr. Martin.

Panicked, the ornithologist stumbled back. He realized that his feathered experiments had turned into vengeful spirits and tried to flee the room. With a sinister caw, the lead raven led the onslaught and together they formed a precision attack. They herded Dr. Martin towards his own infernal machine as the doors creaked open.

In a final act of poetic justice, the machine closed it’s gaping jaws and Dr. Martin was consumed by the very forces he unleased onto the world. The avian phantoms, now with their revenge complete, dispersed into the darkness leaving behind only a haunted mansion and the chilling echoes of their calls.

Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgemental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!