Building 13 “The Creature Below the Floorboards”

The entry below comes from a journal that was delivered to me anonymously, and contains other notes, including drawings of the spoken of creature. It could have easily been a hoax, as I have found no reports on the subject in local records. The local boarding house matches the description of the building, but the owner denied ever hearing knocking coming from underneath her home, or having heard similar reports from the previous owner.

“It huddled by the light of the lantern, that small and hideous thing. It barely moved at all, and excluding breathing gave scarcely an indication of life, its shriveled form on the thinner edge of life and death. It curled into a tighter form as I leaned down to investigate it, as if it was almost able to detect me through its wrinkled, closed eyes. Its lip-less mouth grimaced, its teeth gritting as I took out a small probe and tested the elasticity of its skin. And I marveled at the odds of finding such a thing in these hidden tunnels, under the floorboards of the orphanage.

My investigation started off after I heard reports of knocking coming from below one of the local buildings. The owner was talking at a local store and was willing to let me investigate. I asked to spend the night, as most of the disturbances occurred during that time. I was given a room on the bottom floor, close to where the knocking was often heard. For much of the early hours there was little to report, just the sound of the children of the home playing upstairs.

At last the children went to bed, granting me a chance to truly hear the sounds of the home. For hours I sat in silence, but outside of the expected creaking of the wood, there was little of note. Then at around the witching hour, I heard a noise coming from under the floorboards. At first it was faint, but then it became increasingly clear, identifiable as a steady tapping, like a pick against stone.

This continued for an hour or so, then slowly began to die down. When I found the source, I took the time to check the floorboards under which the noise originated, only to discover that there was a hollow noise from underneath. I grabbed a lantern and went to work removing the floorboards of the home. They came up with little resistance. After removing a few boards, I could see that there was a hollow space below.

I noted that the depth was deep enough to allow me to drop down with little trouble. After landing, I saw that the tunnel ran from east to west. It had been carved by manmade tools, though it was clear it was quite old and had been untouched for some time. A thick layer of dust was settled on the ground, a heavy, thick feel to the air. It was likely that it hadn't been disturbed in years. Not sure which direction to take, I decided it was best to try and stick to an area under the house and went to the east. After only a short while I came to an open space.

It was slightly larger than the rest of the surrounding tunnel, but had no exit. In the middle of the space I found the creature, and at first I assumed it was some dead animal. Only upon closer inspection did I realize it was both alive and humanoid in nature.

I brought the lantern close to it, and it seemed to react to the light. Its hands were no larger than an infant, and ended in ebony hued claws. As I prodded its flesh, it let out a sharp, pitched cry followed by a series of clicks. Upon examination of the eyes, I found that they were a pale color, and though slightly underdeveloped seemed to follow light well.

The genitalia revealed the sex of the creature to be female, and her body was devoid of hair save a slight stubble on her head. The hue of her skin was a muted scarlet, and her ears were oversized, ending in high points. Her canines were extended, and I believe her normal diet would be protein based. She was resistant as I examined her musculature, showing surprising strength both for her emaciated state and lean musculature.

I wished to work further, but I noted the sound of tapping coming towards my location. I removed my coat and wrapped her up, retreating to the room above and replacing the boards. I left within less than a minute, the sound growing more pronounced as I left, the creatures tail wrapping around my arm. No one managed to note my escape.

I did not mention to the landlady what I found, and have kept the thing in a room in my basement. Its screams are not loud enough for any of the neighbors to hear, but are enough to make my examinations a taxing experience. It feeds almost exclusively on raw flesh, and has refused all other forms of food.

What I found in those tunnels underneath that old orphanage can be nothing less than monstrous. When the rest of them find me, it will surely be my death. But for now I can solace in knowing that my findings are being recorded.”

I have decided to talk to the local historical society to see what they can tell me, but suspect I will find little. I am reminded of the old room under my home, and wonder if it may play a role in the tale. I remember the scratches in the wall, and the fact that the walls of the basement are made of concrete.