A Gothic Horror Piece

A piece of Gothic Writing I wrote for University

“The following are diary entries written by Dr. Percy Lovecraft in the year 1849. They discuss an encounter with an unidentified creature in the city of Lincoln. It should be noted that as of 1853, the creature mentioned in the entries hasn’t been seen in Lincoln since the encounter described. Investigations are still ongoing.” – Sir Malcolm Shelley OBE

Dr Lovecraft’s Diary: January 21^st, 1849

As I, Dr. Percy Lovecraft, record my thoughts in this memoir, I find myself befuddled and annoyed by how often these blasted trains get delayed. I had left York at 6.15 in the morning, and I was supposed to be in Lincoln for around 9.30. Imagine my annoyance when I discovered that the train was held up for at least four hours by some drunk driver. When I say drunk, I mean really drunk. He misjudged the stop signal and almost collided with another train!

I think I’d take my chances with the horse and carriage on my return trip.

So far, my time in Lincoln had been interesting. What is there to say about such a city? It’s quickly becoming a major hub for industry and commerce here in the East Midlands. I have to say, I’m impressed. Still nowhere near London’s progress or how the cotton industry has boomed in Somerset, but it’s still impressive.

However, what I am disappointed by is how bland the surrounding landscape is. I mean, every high place I go to, all I can see is just endless fields that stretch on for miles. If I were to go anywhere, I’d rather go to the South-West and see my mother. But alas, I have business to conduct.

I soon arrived at the place where I would be staying: a little cottage on the edge of a very small hill overlooking the city. It was somewhat quaint when I walked inside but nicely decorated. The owner of the cottage showed me to my room and to speak to her if I needed anything. She then left me alone in my room.

I quickly unpacked my luggage: clothes, cigars, whiskey, a revolver and several books to help keep me occupied. Now, I sit here at this mahogany desk, transcribing my thoughts… I thought I heard something outside. I think it might be a false alarm, but I’d better go investigate anyway.

Dr Lovecraft’s Diary: January 23^rd, 1849

It’s been two days since I came to Lincoln on business. Not the sort of business associated with my trade mind you, but rather the sort that deals with ungodly matters. I’ve seen these sorts of things spring up almost all the time in various books I’ve read: Frankenstein, Jane Eyre.

What’s more is that such things have been ingrained into our very society since time immemorial. From sightings of creatures that seemed to have jumped out of mythology to several unexplained phenomena that elude us to this day.

But I digress, I have some things to record. At approximately 9.00 in the morning, I went downstairs and saw the landlady. She had kindly prepared me some coffee and porridge. As we were discussing the previous night, we were interrupted by the sudden arrival of a panicked young man. Judging from the way he was speaking and his erratic breathing, I assumed he had witnessed something shocking. He said he had seen a dead body on Steep Hill.

I quickly grabbed my notes and my revolver and followed him to where he saw the dead body. As we arrived, I saw that there were several onlookers and even some police officers investigating the scene.

The inspector saw me and allowed me to look at the corpse once I told him that I was a doctor. I could see multiple lacerations across the flesh that went down to the bone. What’s more is that the wounds were most animalistic in nature.

“Do we at least know who this poor fellow was?” I asked the inspector.

“I’m afraid not Doctor.” He replied, “We asked everyone here, and none of them knew the deceased. Have you pinpointed a cause of death?”

“It wasn’t done by a man, that much is certain.”

As far as I know, there aren’t many native animals that could have mauled this man. I mean, there are no wolves or lynxes in Britain, not since we practically hunted them to extinction. Perhaps it could have been something else. I dread to think what it could be.

Dr Lovecraft’s Diary: January 24^th, 1849

The more I stay here, the more strange things I see. I spoke with some of the city folk about the brutal murder, all of them had mentioned one common detail: there was something lurking around the city. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think they might be right. Throughout the day, I had a strange chilling feeling that I was being watched.

What’s more is that when I visited the morgue to perform an autopsy, we discovered that several of the bodies had been… eaten. There was a huge trail of blood that led to a broken window. Whatever forced its way in, was massive.

As I went to sit down to write in my journal, I heard something outside. I looked out from my window and was horrified by what I saw.

As I’m writing this down, there is some sort of creature outside the cottage. It appears to be some sort of quadrupedal beast with leonine and canid features. It’s not moving, at all. It’s just looking around the area, almost like a predator.

Its skin is transparent, almost like glass. I could see its bright, vermillion muscles and its gemstone eyes. I have my revolver on hand should the worst happen. Wait. Is it… looking at me?

“The journal entries stop here. The day after the diary was discovered, the bodies of Dr. Lovecraft and the landlady of the cottage were found. Both of them were partially eaten and had similar gouge marks to the unidentified man that Dr. Lovecraft had examined. As of 1853, the creature still remains at large, having been last seen in Derbyshire. By order of Queen Victoria, we are to find this thing and kill it.” – Sir Malcom Shelley OBE