Writing for Fun
December 2020
Ava - Lynn Gale
'Wow, look at this place.' Jake dropped his case down in the middle of a spacious hallway. An open plan staircase and large ceramic pots that overflowed with green-leafed palms adding to the luxurious feel of the modern hillside house.
Jake spun around, arms outstretched. 'This hall is bigger than your flat.'
'What is this meant to be?' He picked up one of a pair of unusual twisted wood figurines from a small table and turned it over in his hands.
'Be careful with that!' Kelly struggled through the door, shrugging off her backpack and setting her violin case against a wall, 'It’s probably worth a fortune.'
Jake carefully placed it back on the shelf. 'Ugly looking things.'
He rubbed his hands together. 'I can’t believe this place was available.'
'It’s like a mansion,' Kelly said, looking around. 'What was the name of that company?'
'Hardwire Home-share,' he replied, 'I found it on the Internet, it popped up on my screen, amazing isn’t it, exactly what I specified, large, airy, and isolated.'
'It’s certainly isolated, must be a mile from where the taxi dropped us.' Annoyance, evident in her voice. 'I need a drink after that climb.'
'Come on, be positive, you can practice for your recital with no complaints, let’s check out our bedroom,' he said, a sly smirk across his face.
Jake picked up his case and Kelly’s backpack and climbed the stairs.
She followed behind, noticing another pair of figurines in a recess on the stair wall.
Their bedroom had a walk-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom, and a comfortable looking king-sized four-poster bed. Jake slid open the floor to ceiling glass doors and stepped out onto a small balcony.
Kelly joined him and smiled. 'That’s some view.'
The clear blue lake at the bottom of the hill reflected the setting autumn sun, while the trees still wearing their red and golden leaves rustled gently in the breeze.
'We’ve hit the Jackpot here, Kel.' Jake wrapped his arms around her as they looked out over the spectacular view. He kissed the top of her head and sighed. 'A great place to practice.'
'As long as your wife doesn’t find out?' Kelly pulled away from his embrace.
'She thinks I am on a business trip; you have me all to yourself for the next three days.'
In the modern grey and chrome kitchen that looked brand new, Jake opened the cupboards and fridge and stared at the fully laden fare. 'Well, we won’t starve. There is enough food for months.'
He flicked through a welcome pack on the table and helped himself to a packet of crisps.
'Are you sure we can use their food,' Kelly began.
'It’s all included in the price,' Jake interrupted, 'Says so in here, Oh, get this, this is a voice controlled house, we need to ask Ava.'
'Who’s Ava?'
'Automated voice Activation, apparently she controls the house, we can operate everything by just asking her.' He said excitedly, 'The instructions are here; let’s do it now.'
'I don’t know,' Kelly sounded uncertain. 'I thought we were avoiding technology.'
Jake was not listening; he was already calling out the instructions.
'Two, Seven, One, One, Hillside House, Control.'
A small black box in the ceiling above them began to emit a pulsating red light.
‘Welcome to Hill Top House,’ A soft female voice intoned. 'My name is Ava; please say your name clearly for authorisation. Jake laughed. 'Hi Ava, I am Jake.'
A low hum came from the box.
‘Hello Jake, you are now programmed as the principal user, you can now request me to perform tasks around the house or ask questions.’
'Come on, your turn,' he turned to Kelly. 'It’ll be fun.'
'No thanks, far too creepy for me.' She wandered into the living room, her eyes drawn to another pair of those strange figurines in the corner.
'There is something very odd about them.' She turned to Jake; a sudden whirring sound made them both jump, as another black box attached to the ceiling blinked into life.
‘Shall I close the blinds and switch on the lights, Jake?’ Ava’s voice echoed over their heads.
'Yes, please, Ava.' They watched as grey and gold blinds rolled down over the windows, and lamps lit up to cast a warm glow around the room.
'Fantastic, can you play some chill-out sounds for us, Ava?'
‘I hope this is acceptable, Jake.’ The sound of Coldplay filled the house.
'That’s perfect, Ava, my favourite band.'
'You are welcome, Jake,' Ava’s voice soft and seductive.
'Perhaps Ava can make your dinner,' Kelly snapped, marching off to the kitchen.
'Don’t tell me you are jealous of a machine.'
'Of course not, but something’s not right here,' she said, placing a large pan on the hob.
'Come here,' Jake took her into his arms. 'I know you are worried about the recital, but as your tutor, I know you are amazing; that place at the Academy is yours, a piece of cake.'
'I sorry,' she snuggled closer to him, 'I’ve been such a grouch lately.'
He kissed her tenderly.
‘Beware, Jake,’ Ava’s voice interrupted. ‘Fire warning.’
Kelly spun around, automatically lifting the pan off of the high flames that licked around the edge; she screamed as the metal handle burnt into her hand. Dropping it into the sink, she stared at her hand as the pain intensified.
Jake turned the hob off and ran the cold tap, causing a jet of steam from the hot pan to engulf them; grabbing Kelly’s arm, he forced her hand under the cold running water.
'It’ll be all right, Kelly.' He tried to sound reassuring, but he could see the blisters beginning to bubble up.
He soaked a tea cloth and wrapped it around the burn.
'I hadn’t turned the gas on, Jake,' she sobbed.
'It was just an accident, Kel. Perhaps we had better get you to a hospital.'
'Ava, can you call a taxi, please?'
‘I am sorry, Jake, No telephone signal available.’
'Use the internet then, Ava,' Jake shouted.
‘That is not possible, Jake.’ Ava’s disembodied voice sounded harsh.
'What!' Jake was angry now. 'How are you operating then, Ava?'
‘I am the house, Jake, and soon you will be too.’
'Come on, Kelly, we have to leave.' Jake helped a distraught Kelly to her feet.
'What’s happening?' she whimpered.
As they approached the door, it banged shut, and no amount of pulling would open it.
Jake frantically looked for another way out, but every exit was locked.
'Let us out, Ava,' he screamed as a fire began to spread throughout the house.
The house darkened and the choking smoke engulfed the crying couple.
'Happened again tonight.' Tom had the attention of the attractive woman at the bar.
'Strange lights, coming from the ruins on the hill.'
'Really,' she purred, patting the empty stool next to her. 'Sit and tell me more.'
'In the 17th Century, the Master of Hill Top House accused his wife of being a witch; after she was hung, he moved his mistress in. The story goes, she came back for revenge, burnt the house down, and made figurines out of their charred remains.
'Sounds fascinating,' her voice, soft and hypnotic.
'Can I buy you a drink, Miss…?'
'Call me Ava,' she smiled.