The letter asked me to be there at dusk, so, there I was, sitting in my rented car out front, with my high beams laser-locked on the front doors. I had tried one of the doors earlier, but it was locked, so I just had to wait. Did I mention it was raining? No? Well, it was. I had my heater on blast trying to warm myself and dry my clothes, but it was no use. It was as though cold had sunk into my bones, freezing even the marrow. I was miserable.
Then the front door opened by itself, so, like the great idiot I was, I ran into the castle, hoping for some blockage of the rain. When I crossed the threshold, the door closed behind me and a voice beckoned me. "Use the trap door, if you please, Mr. Phillips."
Now, I had seen enough horror movies to know that this wasn't going to end well, but I was already committed, so I figured I better at least meet this mysterious man that lived at Astonberry Castle.
Down I went, deep into the depths of hell itself.
