The Hauntings Of Sugar Hill: The Complete Series

by M. L. Bullock

  Jessica Chesterfield

  It was almost midnight now, but I was wide awake and waiting for the other shoe to drop. We hadn’t seen the end of the activity yet. I knew that from my many experiences with My Haunted Plantation. Sure, filming those “haunted” locales was often boring, but on rare occasions, they were lively and full of activity.

  Just like Sugar Hill. And now Thorn Hill.

  The destroyed book lay between us on the dining room table, a silent witness to the chaos that had occurred a mere thirty minutes ago. There was no more shouting, no creaking floors or loud bangs, but the book said it all.

  Avery’s blank expression melted my heart. She looked confused, lost, and hurt. We didn’t speak for a while. She held her glass of water in her hand but didn’t drink it, and I was doing my best not to focus on the shadows that flitted just outside the open door. If I focused too much on them, I might enter a trance, and the last thing Avery needed right now was me babbling to myself.

  My friend needed me. Imagine that, Avery Dufresne was my friend. I had so few of them, but I genuinely liked Avery. It had nothing to do with her celebrity status or her wealth. Did I feel comfortable with her because I’d watched her on television from time to time? I didn’t think so. I’d never imagined I would even meet America’s Newscaster, much less visit her in her home.

  And what about this place? It was as if it were built to hide a deep, dark, ominous secret, and it had been successful. Despite the architecture and fine furnishings, it was definitely home to something sinister. It was as if darkness belonged here and had grown stronger over the years.

  Okay, Jessica. Get it together. You’re dancing on the edge right now. Stay in the moment!

  I felt like a ticking time bomb, and I couldn’t just sit here and stare off into space. “Talk to me, Avery. Tell me what happened. I can help you if you let me.”

  “I don’t even know where to begin. It’s not something I can explain.” Or want to explain. I heard that last part without her saying a word. Droplets of condensation beaded on the sides of the glass, and she rubbed them absently.

  “I’ll help you if you let me, Avery. Tell me what has happened. I know things have changed, and I don’t mean to hurt you, but it’s clear that you’ve changed too.”

  Her blue eyes flashed in surprise, or was that anger? Whichever it was, she didn’t deny it.

  “I saw the ghost in the woods this evening. I don’t know what you’re thinking, Avery, but Ambrose is not a nice spirit. He’s not a guide or a friend. He’s a trickster, and he doesn’t mean you any good.”

  Immediately, Avery was on her feet.

  “You don’t know that! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” I didn’t have a chance to respond before her glass went sailing across the room on its own. If she’d touched it, I didn’t see it. I rose slowly, my hands flat on the table. Water and glass were everywhere, but I had to remain calm. In a split second, my suspicions were confirmed; my friend had fallen under the spell of this malicious spirit.

  Woman, go now… I heard him growl in my head. I batted him away and reached for a towel before continuing.

  “Avery, I want you to think like a reporter. Use that analytical mind of yours and think about this. What do you think happened to Reed? Ambrose attacked him. You know it’s true! Why would he do that, Avery? Why?”

  When she wouldn’t answer, I answered for her. “Because of you. Because he thinks you belong to him. He will never allow anyone to be close to you. Look what he did to Jamie. He drove the guy crazy and pushed him over the edge, and now Reed. He’s after him, but there’s got to be a way to stop this.”

  Still, Avery did not reply. She stared in my direction, but her eyes had that far-away, unbelieving look to them. She was clearly under his spell.

  “I need to show you something. Will you trust me?”

  “Where are we going?” Avery made no effort to help me clean up. I stepped over a menacing-looking chunk of glass as I walked toward her.

  “You have to see it for yourself. Didn’t I see some pairs of flip-flops by the door?”

  “I think so.”

  I didn’t dare go upstairs to get my shoes. I wasn’t sure she’d go with me, and Ambrose Dufresne was eager to make himself known in even deadlier ways.

  “It’s on your property. About a five-minute walk. Please trust me, Avery. You have to see it. You trusted me about Regina. You trusted me before, so please trust me again.”

  There was no answer, so I pressed her. “Please.”

  “All right.”

  We slipped the sandals on. Mine were ridiculously large, but I figured they might protect me from briars. We’d have to watch our step near the graveyard. The door clicked shut behind us as we walked onto the front porch. Although there were no streetlights and only a dim yellow front porch light, it was not pitch-black out. The moon was full, and the trees were dark and inky-looking, like something you’d see in a spooky painting. The many sandy spots in the lawn showed like bone dust in the light. Just at the perimeter of the woods, I sensed a growing fog of epic proportions. A supernatural fog. Yes, we had to hurry. No way would that entity appreciate this. He wanted to keep Avery blind to her expected end. I couldn’t let that happen.

  I took her hand, and like two women on the cover of a Gothic 1970s paperback, we ran through the forest toward the forgotten cemetery in our nightgowns. Although it was easy to focus on the negative energy here, the cigarette-smoking, seductive spirit of Ambrose, there were others too. Hopeful beings who would help if they could.

  The forest was quiet, with no birds chirping or squirrels chattering. I told myself that was because it was so late. That the usual sounds of country life had come to a complete standstill because of the hour. But perhaps they too knew that there was something in the woods with us.

  “Look out for this part of the path. There are thorns here. Bad ones. See over there? They’ve crawled up that tree and made themselves at home.”

  She went still beside me as she spotted the broken cross poking up from the half-cleaned ground. Without waiting for me, she walked toward it. She stepped over a broken piece of rusted fence and walked to Susanna’s grave. I squatted beside her. I didn’t have my phone or any other light with me, but the moon proved to be the best nightlight of all. I traced the letters with my fingers and encouraged her to do the same.

  “This is where he keeps them, Avery. Susanna’s here, and over there, that’s Annalee, and farther back is Ida. All these others, I don’t know who they are. Their markers are bare.”

  Although her fingers were shaking, she half-laughed and said, “What does this have to do with Ambrose?”

  “I saw him here, Avery. He didn’t want me to find this place. He threatened me and told me I would die here.”

  She gasped. “No, that can’t be true.”

  “Why can’t it be?”

  “Because he’s not like that.”

  “You of all people know he is like that. You’re just a means to an end to him, Avery. He’s seeking vengeance on Susanna, and he doesn’t care if you die. He didn’t care about her, or her, or any of these,” I said, gesturing to the markers.

  She rose to her feet and tried to wipe the dirt off her white nightgown. It didn’t help. “How can you know he killed them?”

  “He claims this is his garden. That these are his lovelies. He doesn’t love anyone. He’s a deceiver, Avery!”

  “This forgotten cemetery doesn’t prove anything. I know he’s not what he seems, but I don’t know what you want from me.”

  “I want you to stop reaching out to him. Stop saying his name. I came here because of you, Avery. Not because of the Paranormal Channel. I had a vision of you. You were hurt and bleeding, and I don’t want that to happen to you!” A subtle wind blew down the path now, and odd clouds pooled above us.

  “I think you’re looking for ghosts in all the wrong places, Jessica. Let’s talk about you for a change. What about those scars on your arms?” I
felt the blood rush from my face as she took my hand. She held my forearm up to show me my own scars, scars I’d almost forgotten about. That seemed like it was so long ago. Another lifetime. I’d been so broken then. “You seriously want me to believe you’re afraid of a little blood? Why are you really here, Jess? Is it for a scoop? I know about scoops.” She dropped my hand. Her voice had taken on a menacing tone.

  “Avery?” I couldn’t believe my ears. I walked backward, slap into a nest of briars. I squinted as the tears appeared, either from her words or from the pain, I wasn’t sure. “Avery, why are you saying these things? I’m only here to help you.”

  “Sure you are, Jessica.” She raised her hand to me like she was going to push me into the briars when a voice came through the woods.

  “What a little moonlight will do… Watch your step there, Arnold Lee. Watch your step now. Is that too heavy for you?”

  I heard muffled voices and felt relief growing. “Over here, Handsome! We’re over here!”

  “Miss Jessica? I thought I heard someone over there.” Handsome came walking out of the woods with a bag of salt over his shoulder and a boy at his side. The boy was carrying a bag of salt too, and his load looked as if it might take him down at any moment.

  “Hey, Handsome!” Avery stepped out of the cemetery. Everything about her changed—her expression, her countenance, and her voice.

  “Miss Avery, you out here too? Well, I guess Miss Billie called in reinforcements tonight.” He walked over to us and shook our hands. That was Handsome’s way. He was always so polite.

  “What’s all this?” Avery asked pleasantly. “And who is this young man?”

  “My name is Arnold, but Grandpa calls me Arnold Lee. That’s both my names. You can call me Arnold, ma’am. We met before. We’re here to put the salt out,” he said proudly as he let his bag slide to the ground.

  “Salt?” she said. I could see her face tighten.

  “Oh, yes, ma’am. It keeps the haunts down. Keeps everyone in their graves where they need to be.”

  “Oh, Handsome. I had no idea you came out here and did this. I don’t really think it’s necessary, though. From the look of things, nothing has been stirring around here for quite some time. You and Arnold Lee need to go on home and get some rest. It’s late. Too late for a boy to be out here in these woods with all these stickers, and heaven knows what else. Right, Jessica?” Although she smiled in my direction, I could tell she didn’t really care what I said. She was facing Handsome now with her hands on her slim hips.

  “You sayin’ you don’t want me to salt the ground? I always done it for Miss Anne. It really does help, and Miss Billie sent me here, Arnold Lee and me. He hears her singing too. She’s singing about moonlight tonight, and she just won’t quit. Please let us help you. We’ll just salt around these and up the trail there and then be on the way home. We want to help you, Miss Avery.”

  “No help needed, Handsome. Save your salt for another time.”

  Handsome’s sad expression said it all. He bent down and picked up Arnold’s bag in silence, and the two walked back into the woods. Arnold glanced back once, but Handsome said nothing else, just sang his sad tune. When I couldn’t hear him anymore, I stood with Avery in the dark. The house shone in the distance. What do I do now? Where do I go?

  “Let’s go back to Thorn Hill, Jessica. I’m sorry if I said anything to hurt you. It’s been a rough day, and I’m afraid I might have taken it out on you. Let’s go clean up the mess and try to get some sleep. I’m sure everything will be clearer in the morning.”

  I nodded and said, “Okay, Avery.” We walked back to the gloomy-looking house. My car was in the driveway, but I couldn’t make myself leave.

  No matter what, I wasn’t going to leave her to fight Ambrose on her own. She needed me.

  Whether she knew it or not.

  Part III

  Chapter Sixteen

  Summer Dufresne

  Jessica’s hands were cold. Did this girl have any blood in her at all? If she knew anything about me, she’d know I didn’t like being touched. Obviously, she didn’t know much. “Hi. What brings you here?” I asked. I hoped I didn’t sound short, but Bray was supposed to be coming by in a few hours, and I was expecting a phone call from Jamie any minute. I hoped the information he had to share with me would be equal to whatever “favor” he expected.

  I couldn’t make it too easy for him. As far as I was concerned, my easy days were over. In fact, the last time I fooled around with anyone was with Becker, Jessica’s My Haunted Plantation crewmate. I hoped that wasn’t why she was here. She’d clearly had a thing for him at the time, but the girl with the mouse-brown hair and expressive eyes had never made her move. I could have told her she was wasting her time, that he wasn’t anything to write home about. He’d actually been a decent lover but was a bit too clingy afterward. I never answered his calls after he left and didn’t anticipate that changing. I had my sights set on higher fruit on the tree now. I wasn’t sure how I’d pull it off, but I wanted Jamie Richards, and not just to roll around with. I wanted to marry him. He was the kind of guy you could build a future with if you knew how to appreciate him. Clearly, his ex-wife didn’t.

  “I had a vision about Avery and came down to check on her. I spent the night with her last night at Thorn Hill, but something is wrong. I really need to talk to you.” She shuffled her feet on the front porch, and I welcomed her inside.

  Robin must have overheard us because she piped in, “Avery okay?”

  “She was when I left,” Jessica answered.

  I said, “I’m sure she is, Robin. Why don’t you call her and see if she needs anything?”

  She smiled and left us. I really needed to give her a raise. Or rather, Avery did. You couldn’t ask for better help, and God knows she was miles better than Dinah. Dinah had disappeared over a month ago, and no one had seen her since.

  “Tell me what you know,” I said as I led Jessica to the sofa in the front parlor.

  “Avery made contact with…him…” she said as she glanced around, “and she’s not going to stop. She’s under his influence, and he attacked Reed. Did he call you?”

  “No. Good Lord, seriously? When did this happen?” I picked up my cell phone to call Reed.

  “Last night. They were together. I guess I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, so I’m not betraying a trust. Well, anyway, they were together, and afterward, she was reading a book. A journal, something her grandmother left her, in the study. From what I gather, he attacked Reed while she was in there.”

  “Go on.” My stomach tied itself in knots, and I leaned back on the sofa to hear the whole story.

  For the next few minutes, Jessica poured her heart out. She told me about her encounter in the woods, her discovery of Susanna’s grave, and her fears about Avery. “I swear to you, Summer. I saw her. Her hair was cut off, and she wasn’t breathing. Avery is in trouble, and I don’t know how to help her. This isn’t anything like investigating a haunted house. This…thing is determined to possess her, and you know how that will end.”

  I chewed my lip. “She has to renounce him, but she has to want to do that, not just say the words. Do you have any ideas? Any knowledge we could apply here?”

  “I visited with Handsome this morning. He says we need access to the Mirror Room. Those mirrors will show her who he is, and Chase is there. It’s all about those two. If Avery summons him there, I think he and Chase will be forced to face off. Finally.”

  “That sounds extremely dangerous. Even I know that’s a recipe for disaster.”

  She nodded, her sad eyes filling with tears. “I know that, but there’s no other way. The mirrors will reveal who he is, and they’ll also make it easier for Chase to get through. He might be able to help. He’s got positive energy. I can feel that. But again, we have to depend on Avery. She has to want this, like you said.”

  I patted her hand because I knew she needed the contact. With a smile that didn’t fe
el sincere, I assured her that everything would be all right. “I’m going to call Avery and invite her to dinner. You should join us too. How about just before sunset?”

  “Yes, that will be fine. Well, I better get back. I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”

  “If you need me, call me. I’ll shoot right up there. And thanks, Jessica. I appreciate you looking out for my cousin. It means a lot.”

  “Of course. Anything I can do to help. I consider you my friends.” She stood up, ready to go now that she’d delivered her burden.

  Her eyes widened as she remembered my experience on the Ramparts not long ago. As a young woman, I’d wanted nothing less than to be Matrone, and I’d been willing to do whatever it took to make that happen, including call out to Ambrose. He’d rejected me for whatever reason, though, and my obsession with him had grown until I had to make a decision. Choose life or choose Ambrose. Choose family or choose Ambrose. In the end, it hadn’t been a hard decision to make.

  Now Avery had to make the same decision. Had any Matrone been able to resist the Lovely Man? I didn’t believe any had, but I had faith in Avery. She could do this with our help.

  Then I had a thought. “Should Reed be here too?”

  Jessica’s large eyes widened further. “I’m not sure, but I have no doubt he’d want to be. I’ll leave that up to you. I do think Handsome should come. I can go by and invite him if that’s okay.”

  “Okay,” I agreed. I had a soft spot for Handsome. I mean, if it hadn’t been for him, I wasn’t sure I’d still be alive. But it bothered me that he seemed to know so much about our family, like he was the silent keeper of our secrets. I shivered and trailed behind Jessica.

  She was already halfway out the door now. Jessica was one of those people you just had to keep an eye out for. She had a rare innocence, and I suspected she trusted folks way too much. I leaned against the doorframe and watched her vintage Volkswagen pull out of the driveway. Such a nice girl. I hoped the Dufresne tornado didn’t tear her to bits. It had a tendency to do that.