Authors Interviewing Characters: Holly Payne-Strange

Welcome to Strange and Twisted Things. In a quiet village nestled deep within the heart of Italy, an elderly woman finds herself abandoned by her family, the depth of her loneliness almost overwhelming. Seeking solace in an elegant yet decaying house, Greta clings onto the memories of her estranged husband, whose absence haunts her every waking moment.

As she steps over the threshold of her new home, the house awakens with an ominous energy, enveloping her in its unsettling embrace. Strange occurrences plague Greta’s days, while chilling whispers echo through its ornate dilapidated hallways. Only one fact cheers her- she is clearly not alone.

Caught between the longing for companionship and the terrifying consequences of embracing darkness, Greta must make a harrowing choice. Will she succumb to the allure of the house’s sinister inhabitants, finally gaining the company she so desperately craves, or will she break free from their clutches and confront the horrors that lurk within?

I’ve chosen to explore Davide’s perspective on the events that transpired in this house. As one of a small group of people to actually knew Greta, he has a unique perspective on the bizarre twists and turns her life took. We sit down outside a small Tuscan cafe, overlooking the rolling green hills, dotting with vineyards, the air just lightly perfumed by yellow roses crawling  up the stone walls. 

Holly: Obviously the whole town has heard about Greta, and everything she did. Or at least, everything she is accused of doing. She doesn’t have many fans in the area, but she seems to have left quite an impression on you in particular. Can you tell me a bit about that? 

Davide:  Greta made an impression on everyone, as you say. I’m not sure if she knew that, she was so reclusive. Hardly talked to anyone apart from me. I’m ashamed to say there was quite a lot of gossip about her. No one really knew what to think about this strange woman who just appeared out of nowhere one day and did whatever she wanted to.  She was incredibly headstrong and capable, especially for a woman of her age. I don’t think I know any seventy year olds that would even attempt to take on a…well. I don’t want to say ‘haunted house’, that seems so cliche. But honestly, I can’t think of any other way to put it. 

Holly: Can you tell us about your early memories of living near this ‘haunted house’? What was it like growing up in the neighborhood?

Davide: Uh. Strange. There were always rumors about it. Always. But we just assumed it was kids stuff, you know? Legends. And then, oh, a few decades ago, this new family moved in. And it destroyed them. Within a month they were all dead or vanished. They could have been accidents, of course. Someone fell through a window, the mother, I think it was. Someone tripped down a flight of stairs. Normal enough things, but the whole family, one after another, just like that.  It doesn’t bear thinking about. 

After that, people started to pay more attention. But of course, that just made unruly teenagers more interested and I’m ashamed to say that I count myself in that group. Yeah, I broke in a couple of times. Smashed a few windows. I regret it now, of course, but at the time it felt so…powerful, I guess. It felt good, you know, to go against this spooky haunted house and actually win.  Well, until I saw the eyes, that is. 

Holly: The eyes?

Davide: Yeah. Just this pair of glowing red eyes, cloaked in shadow. It sounds a little cliche, maybe, out here in the sun. But when you’re in there…it’s like something is looking into your soul. Dragging you down into darkness. You can just feel how evil it is, how cold and violent. 

So when Greta moved in there, this nice old lady who seemed like she couldn’t hurt a fly, I was worried. I made up excuses to check on her.  I made my husband bake a pie so I could have an excuse to meet her. I even prepared my guest bedroom, just in case she needed somewhere to stay!  But she thrived there. I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but she did. 

Especially, and I can’t believe I’m saying this. I don’t want to accuse her of anything even now…but especially after that poor boy went missing. After that she just seemed…more confident, I guess? 

Holly: His mother eventually disappeared too. 

Davide: Yeah. Creepy.  Can’t say much more because it’s an open investigation but… I mean, do I really have to say much more? That house…it’s not safe. 

Holly: But you seem to like Greta? Or you used to. 

Davide: Oh yeah, she was lovely. Just a genuinely kind person. The kind of person that would remember the things you said, follow up and see how you were doing.  She rescued a cat when she moved here. Oh God she doted on the thing.  I have him now, after, well, you know. Everything. But she was just so tender with him. So tender with everyone really, she had a very warm personality. I’ll never be able to understand how she lived there for so long. I hope she was happy, she deserved to be. But on the other hand….what kind of person would be happy round such darkness?

Davide sighs, gazing once more out across the Tuscan landscape, obviously contemplating the fate of his once friend. All he knows is, he will never dare to enter that house again. 

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Holly Payne-Strange is  a published poet, novelist  and podcast creator. Her work has been described as “genuinely captivating” by LA Weekly and “profound and sincerely engaging” by USA Today. She was also a writer for Fireside Mystery Theater, a classically spooky podcast that The New York Times called “one of the top ten podcasts to bring drama into your home” . Her poetry has been published by Curating Athena, Door Is a Jar Magazine and Rising Sun Productions, among others.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing