The Rug

The rug measures four feet wide by six feet long. It appears to be a fine if slightly plain-looking Arabic carpet, the central design appears to be divided into four sections with two sections just being woven lines that go from the outer edges to merge at a central point at the centre of the carpet. The other two sides contain black rectangles decreasing in size as they progress towards the centre, one side of this design is not identical to the other with there being a gap between the dark areas and the first line to make its way to the centre.

The whole design gives the rug the appearance of having depth. Around the edge of the rug runs an area of exotic-looking symbols and text adding to its ancient appearance.

Possibilities

1 It is a cleverly woven floor rug. A person standing in its centre will get a feeling of being at a great height, bad news for anyone with vertigo.

2 A search among the fringe at the end of the carpet where the dark rectangles don’t meet the first line, reveals two loops at each end - this rug is obviously supposed to be hung on the wall. When hung on a wall, anyone concentrating on the centre design no longer sees a plain black and white design but a corridor stretching away into the distance. Lining each side of the corridor are doors. It is possible to step into the corridor - and find yourself in the corridor, with a multitude of doors to choose from...

3 The rug was owned by an Arabian vampire before a group of suspicious villagers stormed its home. The villagers didn’t find the vampire, so torched its lair. They brought back booty for their homes, including the rug. Unfortunately, the rug is the vampire’s "coffin" - it retreats there during daylight and in times of trouble. In taking the rug, the villagers inadvertently brought about their own doom...

© Gavin Bourchier