Asher felt bad, “No, I… I mean, yes, but only to make sure it was safe.”
Raven said, “Safe? Where’s the fun in that?”
Asher said, “Well, I was just looking out for you.”
“No. You wanted to go alone. Admit it,” Raven said, arms crossed.
Asher protested, “No.”
It was an obvious lie. He had to make sure there was something cool before reporting back to Raven. He stepped into the shower with her. “Follow me. I’ll show you what I really wanted you to see.”
He pulled his shirt over his mouth and squeezed into the gap. He walked sideways. The light on his phone guided him. Raven squeezed in after him, not caring about breathing the dust.
They followed the corridor to a T-intersection.
“These are interconnected with other rooms,” Asher said, “You can look through mirrors and peepholes into the bathroom.”
“That’s perverted.”
“I’m not the one who built it,” Asher defended himself.
Raven posed the question. “I wonder if they had a real torture chamber somewhere in here?”
Asher didn’t want to think about that. It was creepy enough everyone on the third floor could spy on each other. This tunnel covered one side of the floor. There was another tunnel on the odd-numbered rooms he didn’t know how to access.
He followed the left path twenty paces before turning down a similar corridor that had a window where the bathroom and wall were located. Obviously, the person inside could see the observer. At the end of the hall was a ladder built into the wall. A latch covered the top. Asher climbed the wood rungs, reaching the ceiling latch. He turned the switch and pushed up, opening to the fourth floor. He crawled into a charred room. Raven climbed out after. Asher had already swept the floor on his last visit. Unlike most of the rooms on the top floor, this one didn’t suffer much damage. The hidden latch was near the front of the room and in a corner.
Raven brushed the dust off her black dress and leggings.
An old rusty bedframe was pressed against the opposite wall. The lampstands were in disrepair. The storm beat against the boarded window.
Asher shined the lights over the walls. Behind the burnt and curled wallpaper were massive paintings of Monarch butterflies. Most of them suffered damage from the fire, but a few survived.
Raven approached one of the walls and touched the butterfly painting. “It’s beautiful.”
Asher followed her, illuminating portions of the wall with his light. “I thought you’d like it.”
Raven turned around. “You know what this is, right?”
“An artist’s masterpiece?” Asher asked.
“No, silly. MK Ultra. Monarch Programming.”
“Uh, what?” Asher asked, extremely confused.
Raven said, “It’s a secret government program… well, not so secret now. Monarch Programming was a type of mind control. They’d break down their subject’s will and fracture their mind into different alters, much like altered personalities.”
“H-how?” Asher asked.
“The handlers would torture their subjects and break their will through trauma. Fun fact. It seems to be a technique satanic cults use on their victims.”
Asher regretted asking.
Raven said, “You dig deep enough, you could tie this stuff to Nazis, but that’s a different story. For millennia, mankind has been practicing how to enslave one another. Even Pluto talked about the shadow in the cave. One group of elites controlling society through sleight of hand and ritual… like the stuff I showed you before.”
“Yeah, that was not fun,” Asher said.
“Some say this stuff ties back to Egyptian times. Maybe even older.” Raven turned back to the butterfly mural. “For the CIA, the Monarch acronym was used because the victims felt a butterfly sensation in their stomach. They’d have a number of alters. Some would get triggered by certain words or images.”
Asher said, “That’s horrible.”
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” Raven said. “These alters would be used for sex slaves and murders. Sometimes the people with them don’t even remember what they did or to who. Imagine living your whole life not realizing you were brainwashed. You know some say this stuff ties into demon possession.”
Asher shook his head. “I don’t know about all that.”
“It’s true.”
Asher said, “Then why isn’t anyone talking about it?”
“Most people can’t handle stuff that dark,” Raven replied.
Asher said, “I don’t believe it.”
Raven said, “You might one day.”
“Did your dad tell you all this?”
Raven replied, “He spent years digging into this stuff. He knows what he’s talking about.”
Asher asked, “Has your dad ever stayed here before?”
“A handful of times,” Raven said. “He wouldn’t write about all this stuff if he didn’t believe it.”
Asher thought to himself, What if her father was the one who was living in the unburnt room? What if he knew about the skeleton in the walls?
Raven walked to the boarded windows. She peeked through the crack. Asher stood next to her.
“You must think I’m really weird, huh?” Raven asked.
Yes, Asher thought. “No,” he said.
Raven said, “You’re lying.”
Asher looked down at his feet. He felt nervous. “You’re different than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Raven said cynically. “I thought so.”
“I never said that was a bad thing,” Asher backpedaled. “It's just…”
“Weird.”
Asher felt like he was trapped. Out of frustration, he asked, “Do you want to be normal?”
Raven said, “I don’t know. My mind is always running. I used to think everyone was like that, but I know they’re not.”
Asher said, “Normal is boring.”
Raven said, “But it's kind of romantic. If there is such a thing as love. And I’m not saying there is, but it seems to just be for normal people.”
Asher didn’t know what to say to that. He never thought about love.
Raven said, “I don’t get how we can know so much about all the bad stuff and still enjoy the little things.”
Asher didn’t have the answer to that either.
Raven sighed, “One day I hope to find the balance. I’d live in a big Victorian mansion and have a bashful lover just as sinister as I am. We could have our little dark-eyed children running around and host these amazing Halloween parties.”
“Halloween is coming up soon,” Asher said, not sure how to get into the conversation.
Raven said, “You should dress up.”
“Nah.”
“Come on.” Raven poked at his side. “I want you to surprise me.”
“Hey!” Asher scooted away from her poking.
“Ticklish!” Raven said.
Asher shouted and ran from her. Laughing maniacally, Raven chased him around the room and tickled him.
“Stop—ahahhaha—S-stop! I’m serious, hahaha! Oof!” Asher's foot snagged on the leg of the bed frame and he crashed on the floor. Unable to stop running fast enough, Raven tripped and landed on top of him.
She quickly rolled off, holding her belly and laughing.
Asher rubbed his head. “Ow.”
He fixed his glasses. He felt his lungs get tight and he started coughing.
Raven’s laughter died down. “Are you okay?”
Asher sat up, pulled out his inhaler, gave it a shake, and blasted a jet into his mouth. His airways felt like they opened again. He lay back down the floor. His stomach rose and fell.
Raven said, “Thank you.”
“Huh?”
“For listening to me ramble,” Raven said. “My dad says I talk too much. That’s why he likes me out of the room.”
Asher said, “Well… I’m glad to listen.”
It sounded cheesy. He internally
cringed.
Resting in ash and dust, the two of them looked up at the ceiling.
What now? Asher thought. Is it too quiet? It’s getting awkward. The inhaler must have made me look like a wimp.
Raven rolled to her side and pecked Asher on the cheek.
Asher froze.
Raven laid on her back.
Asher gently touched his face. It was like he had a million thoughts and none at the same time. Did she just… Asher put his hand back on his belly, trying to downplay the whole thing. His mind was consumed and enticed, but there were butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
17
EMF Meter
Justin left McKenzie’s house through the bedroom window. He dangled from the soaked windowsill as fat raindrops stoned his back. He moved to the screen roof railing and regained his balance. McKenzie’s sorrowful expression tempted Justin to spend the night. Beautiful women hypnotized him more than any other vice. However, he was soon coming to the realization that he needed to live his life for himself.
He dashed to his vehicle. His foot nearly slipped on the muddy front lawn. McKenzie watched him speed away.
Drenched and shivering, Justin drove back to Club Blue. He noticed a large tarp over one of the second-story windows.
He parked on the side of the building. He rubbed his freezing hands together but failed to conjure any heat. Keeping his head down, he dashed for the car and into the front lobby doors. He pulled on the handles, but the doors didn’t budge. A dim light illuminated the room. The front desk was unoccupied.
Staying under the awning, he walked until he could see the tarp-covered window. Though pinned down from the inside, the blue covering flapped. Confused, Justin pulled out his front door key and opened the lobby. He locked it behind him. “Mom?”
His voice echoed.
Tracking water across the tile floor, he walked behind the front desk. The door to the office was locked as well. He used his key for that and checked his mom’s office. She wasn’t there.
Justin hugged himself. His wet clothes clung to his pasty skin. He pressed the elevator button rapidly before it opened. He quickly moved to the second floor. The hallway was long and empty.
Justin approached his mom’s door and knocked.
No reply.
He hammered his fist on the door. “It’s Justin. Open up.”
Still no reply.
He rubbed his hand down his mouth. Being back inside the hotel, his heart raced. Though he didn’t see the faceless man, the idea of an invisible force lurking about terrified him.
Justin hit the door harder. “Mom. C’mon. We need to talk.”
The door opened a creak. A sliver of his mother’s face was visible. Her bloodshot eye glared at Justin. There was a scratch on her cheek.
“You alone?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Justin said, annoyed. “What’s going on? What happened to the window?”
Anna opened the door.
She wore a bathrobe. Her hair was wrapped in a towel. Small scrapes and cuts painted the left side of her face. There were more scrapes and splinters on her hands.
Justin opened his mouth to speak.
Anna embraced him, hugging him tighter than a life raft.
“Mom…”
Anna let go. She glanced out in the hallway. “Get in. Hurry.”
Justin followed her inside, shutting the door behind him.
Anna’s wet clothes were bundled in the hamper. She walked Justin into the center of the room.
Justin said, “Tell me what happened.”
Anna grabbed the bottle of vodka from the lampstand and took a drink.
Justin was appalled by the action. He grabbed the bottle and yanked it out of her hand. “We don’t have time for that.”
Anna glared at him.
Justin said, “We need to get Asher and get the hell out of Sebring.”
Anna yanked the bottle back from him. “First of all, don’t touch my drink. Secondly, where have you been?”
“I needed to clear my head,” Justin replied. He reached for the bottle.
Anna pulled away. “You weren’t here, Justin.”
“Duh. This place is cursed,” Justin said, feeling crazy saying it.
“I was attacked,” Anna said. “And you care more about some stupid ghost thing. Give me a break, Justin. If you don’t like here, you don’t have to lie.”
“Attacked?”
“There was a rapist in my hotel!” Anna shouted.
“Calm down,” Justin said forcefully.
Anna took a swig.
Justin said slowly. “Start from the beginning.”
“While you were clearing your head, I was assaulted at my hotel. My hotel.”
Justin put both hands on his head, unsure how to handle this information. “Assaulted—What? Have you called the cops?”
“No, I gave him a free room voucher and a bottle of champagne—of course I called the cops! What kind of a dumb question is that?”
“Well, I don’t know what’s happening!” Justin shouted.
“You would if you stayed!”
The conversation fell into silence.
Justin brooded, angry, frustrated, unsure if he should hug his mother or punch the wall.
Anna walked to the window and sipped her drink. She winced at the taste and looked at the black storm outside.
Justin calmed himself, remembering that she was the victim here. “Are you okay?”
Anna chuckled and shook her head. She had another drink but didn’t swallow. She looked at the bottle with disgust and set it aside.
Justin said, “This place is bad for us, Mom.”
Anna stared outside. “I was pushed through a window.”
Justin’s eyes widened.
Anna continued. “I fell two stories. The tree broke my fall. I got bruises all up and down my back and butt. Cameron said it was a miracle I didn’t need to go to the hospital. The paramedics suggested that I go, but who is going to pay for that? We have enough debt already. Add a couple of thousand and we’ll never get out of this pit… I suppose it's my fault. I should’ve been wiser with our money.”
Justin said, “Did this man that attack you… did he…” his voice trailed off. The rest of the question scared him.
“No, thank God. Cameron showed up before he could do more than rough me up. None of this would’ve happened if I wasn’t alone.”
Justin balled his fist. “Okay, sure. Blame me. I’m the cause of all your problems. The high school dropout. The loser. Raped a girl. I’m just as bad as that guy, is that it?”
Anna glanced over her shoulder. “I never said that.”
“It’s what you’re implying. First, I wasn’t strong enough to stop Dad, and now I’m not strong enough to keep you safe here. I’m the screw-up child. What about Asher, huh? When does he start taking some of the blame?”
Anna turned back. “He’s fourteen!”
“I was running the house at fourteen while all he did was play his stupid games. That’s all he ever does. Where was he tonight?”
Anna said, “I don’t know.” She cast down her eyes. “I haven’t checked on him.”
“So he’s probably playing his stupid game.” Justin wanted to punch the kid’s teeth out. “When will he grow up? When he will he take some of the responsibility?”
Justin’s bitterness towards his brother had deep roots.
Anna said softly. “Asher’s a fragile boy. He can’t know about what happened tonight.”
Justin set his jaw.
Anna approached him, swaying slightly from her drink. She grabbed Justin’s wet sleeves to keep her balance. Her hand squeezed the cloth and water poured out. “Please, Justin. He can’t know.”
Seeing his mother’s desperation softened Justin’s heart. Nevertheless, his expression was still hard as stone. He said, “We need to leave.”
Anna let go of him and backed up a few steps. She wiped her leaky nose and rubbed her finger on her thigh. “We can
’t just walk away.”
Justin said, “Our lives are in danger.”
Anna replied, “We have bills to pay. I have mouths to feed.”
“Settle for bankruptcy,” Justin said.
Anna replied, “And screw up our lives forever? We can’t go back to York.”
“We’ll stay at Grandma’s,” Justin suggested.
“That’s not a long-term solution,” Anna said.
“It’s life or death, Mom,” Justin replied.
Anna shook her head. “I won’t go.”
“You were almost raped!” Justin exclaimed.
“This hotel is all we have,” Anna replied.
“It’s a death trap. This place is garbage, anyway.”
Anna’s eyes watered. “Don’t you dare say that. All your father’s fortune is tied into this place.”
“So what? It’s a building, Mom. That’s all it is. In a few years, we’ll get another,” Justin said.
Anna’s face turned red. “If you hate it so much, go. You’re old enough to make it on your own. I’ll pull Asher out of the school and he and I will run the place.”
Justin crossed his arms. Annoyed, he said, “You’d take Asher out of school for this dump?”
“Don’t call it that!” Anna snapped.
Justin said, “You’re obsessed.”
“This isn’t just a building. It's our home. Our dream,” Anna replied, passion in her voice.
Justin replied, “Whose dream?”
“Ours,” Anna said firmly.
“Is it?” Justin asked. “You’re sure?”
“Justin, I swear…” Anna warned.
“What?”
“You make me want to tear my hair out.” Anna grabbed the vodka bottle.
Justin hugged himself tighter. His teeth chattered. “I’m gonna take a shower.”
Anna sat at the corner of the bed and didn’t say anything.
Justin stopped midway to the door. He turned back. He felt an apology at the tip of his tongue. He turned back to the door and left, not saying another word.
Justin closed the door behind him and stormed to his room. The moment he entered, he threw off his clothes and entered the shower. Hot water splashed over him. A large part of him wanted to pack his bags and leave tonight. Anna was right about him surviving on his own. He believed himself to be resourceful. But who would take care of his mother?
The Haunting at Sebring Hotel (A Riveting Haunted House Mystery Series Book 13) Page 11
