By Rachel Dib
“Em! This wardrobe is perfect for your new apartment!” Gillian waved emphatically at a cedar monstrosity.
Scowling at her exuberant friend, Em pointed to deep scratches marring the doors. “Why would I want something that looks like it picked a fight with raccoons and lost?”
“We can sand those out. It’ll look vintage.”
“Will the accompanying ghost be vintage, too?” Em pointed to the “Not Haunted” sign hanging from the iron knob.
Gillian rolled her eyes. “That’s just there to grab your attention. They’ve probably been trying to sell this thing for ages.” She jerked on the knob, and the door swung open with a jarring squeak.
“Now that’s a noise I can look forward to every morning.” Em snorted.
“A little olive oil on the hinge and it’ll be as good as new.” Gillian yanked open the other door, and a moth fluttered out. “There’s plenty of room for all your clothes. I still can’t believe you rented an apartment with no closet. Didn’t even know that was legal. If a bedroom isn’t considered a bedroom without a closet, how is a studio apartment a proper apartment without a closet? It’s ridiculous!”
“Your kitchen doesn’t have a pantry.” Em placed a hand on her hip. “Does that make it an improper kitchen?”
Gillian lowered her chin and glowered. “That’s not the same at all.”
“Isn’t it, though?” Em shrugged. “Anyway, I can buy a small hanging rack and a dresser. I don’t need a huge beat-up armoire that may or may not be haunted.”
Gillian pointed to the red price sticker. “True. But this wardrobe is only twenty bucks, and you can buy it right now while I’m here to help you move it. Then you won’t have to order anything else! Plus, I know you. You’ll keep all your clothes in suitcases until I visit again and force you to unpack them.”
Em pressed her lips together.
Gillian nodded. “Great. I know just where you can put it.”
Em stared at the TV, her mind numb. She wanted to sleep—needed to sleep. But for the last three days, every time she’d drifted off, a sharp knocking had jerked her awake. At first, she’d thought it was someone rapping on the front door, then running away. A wayward teen perhaps? But after questioning a few neighbors, she’d discovered no one else had experienced such misdeeds.
In fact, Mrs. Norris—a Miss Marple lookalike who lived across the hall—appeared to wish a knock-and-dodge rascal existed.
“This is a rather quiet building. It could use a little excitement.” She’d peered at Em over her spectacles. “You don’t happen to play overly loud music or throw raucous parties, do you?”
When Em shook her head, the elderly lady’s shoulders drooped.
“Pity. Another boring lodger,” she’d muttered, then added, “Perhaps check with Larry Dilinger in number thirty-nine. I hear he had a rat in the walls recently. Maybe you have a similar problem.”
Em had tracked down Larry only to discover it hadn’t been a rat but a bat. And the bat hadn’t been stuck in the walls but in a kitchen cupboard. How it had gotten there, Larry didn’t know. Once released, it had flapped around the apartment for a good half hour before he’d finally managed to shoo it out a window. It was an interesting story but entirely unhelpful. Dismayed, Em had returned to her apartment, mentally preparing herself for another restless night.
Now, she binge-watched a cheesy romcom and waited for the knock—which came just as “Mr. Perfect” was leaning in for the kiss.
Em’s gaze snapped to the wardrobe, a shiver pricking up her spine. Narnia originated in a wardrobe, didn’t it? Then she remembered the “Not Haunted” sign.
“I would get a ghost instead of a passage to a magical land.”
Another knock sounded from within the wardrobe.
Em sighed. She wasn’t familiar with how haunted items worked, but she doubted she’d fix anything by leaving it alone. She crossed to the wardrobe in two quick strides and flung open the newly oiled doors. An ethereal man dressed in loose-fitting pants and blouse, wool stockings, a frock coat, and a tricorn hat stood amongst her clothing.
She stared at the pirate. The pirate stared back at her.
When he didn’t offer any immediate explanation, Em crossed her arms. “So, what do you want?”
The pirate blinked. He glanced past her at the room and scrunched up his brow. “Well, I wanted out, but now I’m unsure where out is.”
“‘Out’ is my apartment.” Em waved a hand at the one-room setup. “A place I’ve yet to enjoy, thanks to your hammering at my wardrobe door.”
“So, I’m not aboard a ship?”
“No.” Em pursed her lips. “Now, who are you?”
The pirate puffed out his chest. “I’m Russetbeard, Captain of the Glistening Doom.”
Em coughed, trying to stifle a laugh.
Russetbeard narrowed his eyes. “I’ll have you know my ship was a fright to behold, and my name a terror to those traveling the seas!”
Em shrugged. “Well, I’ve never heard of you.”
“Never?”
“Nope.”
Russetbeard deflated. “Then the curse is true.”
“Curse?”
“The curse of the Devil’s Armoire,” he whispered.
Em tilted her head. “Sorry, I haven’t heard of that either.”
“It’s a legendary curse!”
“Maybe in your day, but now…”
Russetbeard sighed. “‘To whomever enters the Devil’s Armoire, may his name forever be banished from man’s lips.’ My own first mate ensnared me in this tomb.”
“That’s… unfortunate.”
“It’s mutiny!” Russetbeard cried. “The worst form of betrayal!”
“Right.” Em scratched her chin. “Sounds horrible.”
“It was.” His face brightened. “But you’ll remember my name, won’t you?”
“Oh, I doubt I’ll ever forget it,” Em assured him.
“Then the curse is lifted. I can rest in peace.” Russetbeard held out his hands, and his ghostly form dissipated.
Blinking, Em stared at her clothes. “What did I want in here again?” Sighing, she closed the doors. “I really need some sleep.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
That poor pirate.
Yea his fate was rather unfortunate… Thank you for reading!
I almost expected Peter and Susan to pop out, but Russetbeard the pirate cracks me up! Loved the ending!
Thank you 😊
” Miss Marple lookalike” love it! Haha I like the ending too where she immediately forgets him.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I loved this story – it was so vividly and beautifully written. I particularly liked the Miss Marlple character with her longing for excitement. And the heroine was extremely well done and very believable.
Well done! I’m looking forward to your next story.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
That was a cute story, enjoyed reading it. Good thing she found what causing not to sleep at night and being able to rescue the pirate.
Thank you!
Russetbeard probably named his ship.
Most likely lol.
Thank you for reading!
Great story! She better be careful not to step in the armoire!
Wouldn’t that be interesting! Thanks for reading 😊