The Thing in the Hall

The Thing in the Hall by E.F. Benson

A medical expert recounts the chilling experiences of Dr. Assheton, who, along with his friend Louis Fielder, becomes embroiled in a series of supernatural events linked to a mysterious entity referred to as "the Thing." The narrative begins with the aftermath of Dr. Assheton's death, which follows closely on the heels of Fielder's own tragic demise, both ruled as suicides. The two men, despite their contrasting personalities—Assheton being methodical and Fielder being more flamboyant and curious—share a deep fascination with the unknown. After returning from Paris, Assheton sets up his practice in Chelsea, encouraged by Fielder to escape the conventional medical community. Their friendship rekindles, and they engage in discussions about the mind's influence on the body, leading to Fielder's interest in spiritualism. During a dinner, they experience strange occurrences, including unexplained knocks and vibrations, which Fielder attributes to the presence of the Thing. Fielder proposes a séance to explore these phenomena further, and they conduct several sessions where they witness inexplicable events, including table movements and eerie lights. Fielder believes the Thing is an Elemental, a supernatural entity that has entered their lives. Assheton, skeptical yet intrigued, observes the events, attributing them to thought-transference and the power of suggestion. As their experiments continue, the manifestations become more intense and disturbing. They invite a medium to their sessions, leading to a terrifying encounter where the medium is attacked by a tangible force, leaving him injured. This event marks a turning point, as the Thing begins to materialize in a more physical form, causing Assheton to grow increasingly alarmed by Fielder's deteriorating mental state and moral decline. Fielder's behavior becomes erratic and cruel, culminating in a horrific incident where he is found dead, his jugulars severed. Assheton, now haunted by the presence of the Thing, experiences its manifestations in his own home, suggesting that the entity has not only claimed Fielder but is now pursuing him as well. The story concludes with Assheton's own demise, echoing the fate of his friend, leaving a lingering sense of dread and the unresolved mystery of the Thing that has ensnared them both.

By E.F. Benson · First published 1926 · Genre: Horror, Supernatural Fiction, Psychological Thriller · 5,592 words

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The following pages are the account given me by Dr. Assheton of the Thing in the Hall. I took notes, as copious as my quickness of hand allowed me, from his dictation, and subsequently read to him this narrative in its transcribed and connected form. This was on the day before his death, which indeed probably occurred within an hour after I had left him, and, as readers of inquests and such atrocious literature may remember, I had to give evidence before the coroner's jury. Only a week before Dr. Assheton had to give similar evidence, but as a medical expert, with regard to the death of his friend, Louis Fielder, which occurred in a manner identical with his own. As a specialist, he said he believed that his friend had committed suicide while of unsound mind, and the verdict was brought in accordingly. But in the inquest held over Dr. Assheton's body, though the verdict eventually returned was the same, there was more room for doubt.

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The Thing in the Hall is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.F. Benson, dated 1926 CE.

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Supernatural Fiction · Short Story Collection · Horror · Mystery · Psychological Thriller · Gothic Fiction · Atmospheric Setting · Isolated Location · Sense of Dread · Uncanny Experience · Paranoid Narrator · Unreliable Narrator

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