Haunted Happenings

by Lucrezia Black

  They found him sitting up in bed, his covers pulled protectively around him and his little body shaking in fright.

  Celine pulled her son close and tried to sooth him as Marc searched the room for any sign of disturbance. Once he’d finished searching, he looked to his wife and gave a shrug. He’d found nothing amiss in the bedroom. Whatever had frightened their son had clearly been conjured up in his own mind.

  Celine stroked her son’s hair and let him cry into her shirt. When the sobs had quieted, she pulled him away so that she could look into his face. His eyes were wide with fear and his face was pale. She hadn’t seen that expression on his face in a long time.

  “What happened, little one?” She kept her voice calming, soothing, as she continued to stroke his hair.

  “I had a bad dream,” he admitted his voice still a little shaky. “It was a very bad dream.”

  He closed his eyes as though doing so would block out even the memory of it, but the minute he closed them all of the images from the dream came rushing back. He couldn’t seem to escape it. He shook his head and he buried his face against his mother’s chest.

  “Oh, it’s okay, little one. It was just a bad dream. It can’t hurt you. Remember?” She pulled his face away so she could look him in the face again. “Remember how we talked about the fact that dreams can’t hurt us. That once we wake up, they go away and then they can’t hurt us anymore. Dreams aren’t real.”

  Evan nodded but he didn’t think this dream was going to go away. He could still feel it lingering in his mind, refusing to let go. Much like the little boy named Henry had lingered in the corner refusing to leave. Now the boy followed him everywhere, always demanding to play. He wouldn’t leave Evan alone, and Evan had a feeling that the dream would be just as persistent.

  “It felt so real,” he mumbled and tried to fight the tears that wanted to fall again. He didn’t want to cry. He hated crying. He wanted to be tough, not scared. But he was so filled with fear at the moment that he knew that he was going to cry again.

  “I know, little one.” She pressed a kiss to his forehead and looked at Marc for some sort of assistance. He shrugged. He’d never been very good at the comforting thing. That had always been more her department.

  “Sometimes dreams can seem like that, but it’s important to remember that they aren’t real. It’s important to remember that they can’t hurt us.” She tried to reassure him, but he was already crying again.

  “But he wanted to hurt me. He told me over and over again that he wanted to hurt me.” Evan buried his face in his mother’s chest and continued to sob.

  “Who wanted to hurt you?” Her voice was filled with concern.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d had to try to decipher one of his nightmares, but it was the first time in close to a year that he’d woken up screaming. There was clearly something going on, and it was more than just not being used to the house.

  “The man in my dream. He said he wanted to hurt me. He said that it was the only way.” Evan shook his head. He didn’t want to remember the dream. He didn’t want to think about it. But it wasn’t going away.

  “It was just a dream.” Marc chimed in finally. “There is no man and he can’t hurt you, Evan.” He kept his voice level and firm. He watched Evan nod and hiccup on his sobs.

  “Yes, Dad.” He blinked back the tears and took a deep breath to try and calm himself down.

  Celine glanced at Marc in mild astonishment and heaved a sigh. She didn’t really care how calming Evan down was accomplished, more so that it was done and that they could move on with getting back to sleep.

  “Are you going to be fine to sleep in here the rest of the night or do you want to come sleep in bed with us?” She offered. She knew that she shouldn’t. She knew that he was old enough to handle a bad dream and still sleep in his own bed. But she couldn’t help it. He was still her little boy. He was still scared. And she also knew that he was sick, even if he didn’t want to acknowledge it. She would never know when any given opportunity would be her last to do it with him.

  Evan seemed to consider his options for a moment. He glanced around his bedroom, the big space that was filled with his toys and things. It was all his stuff. It was all familiar to him, but at the moment it all felt strange. It all felt alien, and in shadows. It felt ominous.

  He sent his mother a soft smile. “With you, please.”

  Chapter 5

  Neighbours and Friends

  * * *

  Evan spent the night with them but he didn’t get any more sleep. Celine knew because neither did she. She lay awake, cuddling Evan close and staring into the darkness.

  She was trying to make sense of it all. She was trying to understand why things were happening the way they were. She was trying to understand why strange things were going on in the house. She was trying to understand why her son had cancer. She was trying to make sense of life.

  But the answers were not forthcoming. She didn’t really expect to achieve anything with her ponderings, but she at least tried. And it helped to think about it sometimes. She spent so much of her time ignoring it. She spent so much of her time being positive and trying to just put forth a good effort, that she never let her mind spiral.

  She knew she never let her mind spiral because it only resulted in a sleepless night and no answers. But sometimes it was nice to hash things out. It was nice to wonder why, even if there were no answers.

  She sent Marc off to work the next morning with a smile and a kiss like nothing had happened the night before, and sat down for breakfast in the kitchen with Evan like any other day.

  “How about we spend some time outside today, little one?” She offered as she poured each of them a bowl of cereal and made herself a strong pot of black tea.

  His face lit up at the idea, despite the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. “Are we going to work in the garden?”

  She smiled. It was as though he could read her mind sometimes. “That’s exactly what I was thinking we could do.”

  She had always wanted a garden. They’d never had a chance to put one in. At first, she’d been busy with work, then with Evan as a baby, and then before she knew it he had become sick.

  It was nice to have the chance now. It was nice to be outside in the late spring weather with Evan, and have the opportunity to play in the dirt. She missed being able to do that. It was so simple, so soothing, and right now she really needed to be soothed.

  After breakfast, they settled out in the garden to pull the few weeds that had grown since they’d moved in and plant whatever she’d picked out at the nursery. Celine intended planting her own selection in the space left between the plants planted by the landlord.

  They had been outside for no more than an hour when she heard the cheerful greeting from the neighbouring house. She glanced over to see a middle-aged woman leaning on the stone fence that separated their yards. Her blonde hair was tied into a ponytail and there was a smile on her face.

  “Hello, you must be the new tenants,” she said, her voice filled with friendliness. “I’m Laura Dodge. I live next door, obviously. I’m not just hanging out in some stranger’s yard.” She chuckled.

  Celine offered a friendly smile. “I’m Celine Burke. My husband Marc is at work, and this is our son Evan.” She glanced at Evan who was busy digging in the dirt for no purpose other than to get as much dirt on him as possible. “I’d shake your hand but mine are fairly filthy.”

  “No worries,” Laura laughed again. “Mind if I come over?” She gestured towards the wrought iron gate that separated their yards. “As fun as talking over the fence is, I would prefer to use a quieter voice.”

  “Of course.” Celine waved her over enthusiastically. It was nice to have another adult to speak with, and another woman.

  She hadn’t really had much of a chance to go out and meet people since they had moved to Leeds. She’d been busy settling in and looking after Evan. She’d been busy making a home and making meals for Marc.
She looked at Laura as a potential friend who would be easily accessible. She looked at Laura as someone who was close, an adult, another female, and someone who could help her through.

  It didn’t matter that they had just met. Celine was certain that this would be a good friendship. She had a good feeling about Laura as she watched the woman walk over and sit next to her on the ground despite her light-coloured slacks. Yes, she was going to make a good friend.

  “That’s much better.” Laura smoothed the top of her slacks and smiled. “Out mucking around in the garden, I see. I still have to put mine in. I’ve been ignoring mine for no particular reason. Sometimes it’s just nice to put things off. I got my flower garden started out front, but my vegetable garden is my true pride and joy most years. I do love having a vegetable garden. It’s nice to be able to just walk outside and pick what you want, cook it up and know that you grew it.”

  Celine smiled. “It’s something I’ve always wanted but never had a chance to do until now. So, I’m looking forward to it a great deal.”

  Laura nodded, the happy smile still on her face. “So what brings you to Leeds? What brings you to the Blackmore House?”

  Celine glanced over at Evan who was thoroughly covered in dirt but seemed to be having a grand time. He was a few feet away from them and fully occupied, but she still lowered her voice a little before she replied. “My son had Leukaemia, so we’ve come here for treatment.”

  Laura’s face softened. “Oh that’s terrible. He doesn’t look sick at all.”

  Celine nodded. “It’s been hard, but we do our best to just let him be a kid as much as possible. We’re just waiting on test results before we can move forward with a treatment plan at the moment.”

  “Well I hope everything goes well. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers for sure.” Laura reached over and gave the other woman’s dirt covered hand a squeeze.

  “I appreciate that.” Celine smiled.

  “Of course, and anything you need, you just ask. I’m only right next door.” Laura glanced up at the Blackmore House. “How are you finding this place? No problems?”

  Celine’s brow furrowed. It was such an odd way to phrase the question. She hadn’t asked how they were settling in. She hadn’t asked how they liked the new place. She had specifically asked if they’d had any problems with the house.

  Celine followed her gaze towards the house and considered how to answer the question. It was clear that Laura knew something about the house. So perhaps it was best if she was just honest. She had always strived to be honest in all aspects of her life.

  “Actually, things have been a little off in the last week.” Celine felt ridiculous saying it but she knew that she needed to.

  “How so?” Laura tilted her head inquiringly, her eyes filled with concern.

  “I’ve heard things that aren’t there. Evan is having strange dreams. We both feel uneasy in the house even though there is no reason for it. It’s like there is something in the house, something that doesn’t really want us to be there.” Celine sighed. “It sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud. You must think I’m a crazy person.”

  “Not at all.” Laura glanced up at the house again. “Did anyone ever tell you the history of this house?”

  Celine shook her head. “I just know when it was built. That was really all they told me. It’s a rental. I suppose we could have asked for more but it didn’t really come to mind. They provide all that information when you buy a house, but we weren’t looking to buy.” She shrugged.

  “Well I’ve lived next door to this house my whole life, pretty much.” Laura folded her hands in her lap and looked thoughtful for a moment. “But the story of the Blackmore House starts long before I was born. Peter Blackmore had it built and he lived here with his wife, Lydia and their son, Henry.”

  “Did you say Henry?” Celine’s eyes went wide.

  “Yeah, why?”

  Celine glanced over at Evan who was still playing in the dirt. “That’s the name of his imaginary friend.”

  Laura nodded. “I’m not all that surprised to hear that, but you’ll understand that part in a second. Peter loved Lydia more than life itself, but she died of influenza shortly after their son was born. It destroyed him.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Different times. He resorted to some questionable methods to cope with his loss. The story goes that he delved into to black magic, hoping he could find his wife in the afterlife and somehow bring her back. He gained quite a reputation and, in doing so, he also neglected his son a great deal.” Laura looked up at the house. “Henry grew up in the care of a nanny, housekeeper and cook, essentially. Not only did he lose his mother, but his father quite literally abandoned him in their own home.”

  “He sounds like a terrible man,” Celine observed.

  “Perhaps he was. Perhaps he was driven mad with grief. It’s really hard to say. No one really knows what happened to them all. The police found Henry, the cook, the housekeeper, and the nanny dead in the basement. There were no signs of foul play. And no one ever found Peter Blackmore. Some say he finally managed to reach the afterlife and connect with his wife. Some say he just vanished. We’ll likely never know.”

  Laura met Celine’s troubled gaze. “The house has had many owners since then. Some have lived here peacefully and others have stayed for just a short time. I think that’s why it eventually became a rental property. It just made more sense.”

  “You’re telling me people actually died in the house?” Celine looked back at the house and could feel the chill crawl back up her spine.

  “It’s hard to find a house with any sort of history that someone hasn’t died in, Dear. I wouldn’t think too much about it.” Laura shrugged. “My house has had about a dozen people die in it since it was built and I’ve had not a problem.”

  Still her face sobered at the concern she saw in the younger woman’s eyes. “If you are really concerned about the house, about your son’s dreams, then I can suggest someone you can speak to.”

  “Really?” Celine didn’t really know if she wanted to talk to anyone else about it, but she knew that she was worried. She knew that she wasn’t pleased with the state of things as they were. And she knew that she was uncomfortable in the house.

  “His name is Reverend Paul. And I’m not assuming your religious focus or anything by sending you to a Reverend, but he’s a very good man. He’s also had a long history with this house. I think he would understand what you’re going through.” Laura laid a comforting hand on Celine’s. “You don’t have to be alone in any of this, no matter how silly something might seem. There’s always going to be someone you can talk to.”

  “Thanks, Laura.” Celine smiled and glanced over at Evan. “I really needed to hear that.”

  Chapter 6

  Reverend Paul

  * * *

  Celine hadn’t found the time to go and visit the Reverend recommended by Laura, but Laura came over for tea every morning and chatted with Celine well into the early afternoon. It was nice to have the company and to talk to another adult.

  After almost a week Laura finally called the Reverend for her new friend and had him join them for tea the next morning. She didn’t care that it was a little unconventional; she was beginning to worry. Evan and Celine seemed not to have slept well in days. They both looked like they were suffering at the hands of whatever was going on in that house and Laura was genuinely concerned.

  Celine wasn’t surprised when Laura joined her for tea the next morning with Reverend Paul in tow. She had expected it would be only a matter of time before something like this happened.

  She’d really wanted to get in touch with him. She’d really meant to visit the church and talk to him. Things had just been hectic lately.

  Perhaps she was making excuses. Perhaps she was putting it off. She didn’t really know, but he was here now so she would deal with it. She would now talk to him.

  “Hello, you must be Reverend Paul. Laura has
told me a great deal about you.” She reached over and offered him a hand. “Can I get you some tea?”

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Reverend Paul settled down at the breakfast nook with Laura and waited while Celine brewed the tea for them. “Where is young Evan?”

  Celine smiled softly. “He was feeling a little low this morning. He’s still having a lie down. They started him on some medication this week and it’s not really agreeing with him.”

  “My condolences on his illness,” he said, with genuine sympathy reflected in his tone. “For one so young to get sick is always a tragedy.”

  “We’re doing everything we can for him, and we have some fine doctors on our side. We are nothing if not optimistic about the whole thing,” she said as she poured tea for them.

  “Then what is making you lose so much sleep, if you will forgive my bluntness.” He saw her head snap up at the question and then her eyes cast downward at the table.

  “I suppose Laura has filled you in a little bit about my current predicament?” She glanced over at Laura.

  In a way, she was glad that her new friend had saved her the effort of having to explain the predicament. She always felt so ridiculous when she did, as if she was talking nonsense. Probably because it all seemed like nonsense. Ghosts and black magic and people who were long since dead – it all seemed like nonsense.

  But perhaps it wasn’t nonsense if the Reverend was sitting across from her now. Perhaps someone thought it was indeed a legitimate problem. She was still sceptical, but she was too tired at this point to argue. And she was too desperate to turn away any help that was offered.

  “Laura has told me a fair bit about what might be going on. It would be nice to hear your take about what’s going on though. You will clearly know more than whatever Laura has been able to tell me.” The Reverend folded his hands on the table. “So, what is troubling you?”