Curse of Remorse

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Peter had been scribbling notes on a yellow legal pad and when Sara finished he stood up and asked her, “Sara, thank you so much. Believe it or not, that tells me a lot and when you are holding hands, can you feel any warmth or coldness?”

  Sara said, “I can feel only warmth coming from the touch of hands.”

  “Thanks again and with the newest member Brain Blades I would love to hear what his dreams and feelings are.”

  Brain sat alongside Ann and she whispered into his ear saying, “Pretend you are floating along holding my hand and we are talking about how nice it is there.”

  Brian squeezed her hand under the table and stood up. He said, “I know this might sound crazy to all of you, but I am enjoying this time not being able to see. There is so much to enjoy without other senses that all of us need to feel, but I feel bad someone has to take care of me, as well as the others. Mr. Fleck has asked that we relate some unusual experiences and as Ann spoke of the dream, I will give you my experience.”

  Brian was looking straight ahead at the wall when Ann reached out and turned him to face the people. He said, “When I first woke up with my eyes stuck shut, I was scared to death. Lucky for me I have two of the best parents in the world and they were both beside me when it was time to wake up. Now to the dream that we all have been part of and like Ann said we are drifting along on a current of warm air in a fog that is wispy and violet in color. It feels very peaceful and it’s like we are in a different world or dimension. When I first started dreaming and drifting along I was alone and then I heard voices close by. I yelled out a hello and was quickly answered by the others. I started swimming and soon I saw the other kids holding hands and floating along. I joined up with them and they all said hi and welcome to the club. By then they had named their adventure ‘The Blind Drifters.’ We chatted for awhile asking and talking about where we might be going and if there were others similar to us. It was over all to fast and I woke up feeling wonderful.”

  Peter stood and said, while Brian sat down, “Thanks Brian and we will need some time to think about what you told us.”

  Peter sat down and the mayor stood up in front of the group and asked if anyone had anything to say. After a few silent seconds, Peter stood up and asked the parents if they could form a circle and that he would like to talk to them as a group. Tables and chairs were moved around and soon a circle of sorts was to Peter’s liking. The kids were ushered out and took home by a special van that had been sent down by the state to use for the kids. Sam drove the van and when all was quiet Peter opened the discussion by saying, “My first impression is that we are dealing with a curse from originally West Africa. I also think it is a form of necromancy and was transported here from Africa to Haiti to Jamaica and then here to the southeast of America.” Peter let the information sink in and then waited for the questions he knew were coming.

  First was Paul Cassidy’s grandfather who asked, “We all can research the information you gave us, but I am curious as to why this is happening at this time and of course, can the curse be lifted or changed in any way?”

  “Mr. Cassidy, those are good questions and ones that we all would like to know the answers to. However, I can only speculate as to the why and as to the removal, it is possible if we have more information. The why is probably because someone is angry about something that was most likely done in the past and now is payback time? When I say someone, it might be more than one, but in reality I think its one person who has put a spell or curse onto this town.”

  A profound silence gripped the library and that silence was finally broken by the good reverend Chris Goodfellow who said, “I did some bible research and found some mention of black magic and strange unexplained things way back during the Old Testament times. I can’t explain it but it sure appears something out of the ordinary is upon us and we need to do what it takes to remove it.”

  Chris made it known he was finished and all looked around and finally Stan Blades, Peter’s friend said, “I wonder Peter, I think you have something going on in that wonderful brain of yours and not a person here will hold it against you if you were to speculate a little about what you might think about this whole thing.”

  Peter looked at Stan and then around the circle until he finally locked onto James T. He held the gaze longer than just a passing look and then he turned and said, “As you know we visited Ralph Naslind this morning and my first impression was that we were being toyed with. First his bookshelves revealed more than one book on magic and many books on history, including Africa. I’m fairly sure his story is true about the Indians and his family history, but he has left out some events that are more important, as to the why of things, more than anything else. Also, his relationship with his black cat and with the addition of his deaf and dumb wife, seemingly able to sense the timing of entry and exit, leaves me a bit perplexed.” Peter let that story settle in and noticed that most of women present shivered, as if it were cold in the room or that maybe a ghost flew by, sending a gust of cold air through the room.

  Veronica said, “Peter you have certainly given us some things to think about and now I am wondering about the dreams these kids have. Do you think it is significant and how would you or do you believe the dreams have an impact on what is happening?”

  This time it wasn’t Peter but James T, in a deep voice, but not as polished as Peters’ said, “I’ve had some experience in this area and will now share with you what I think and as Peter and I have both discussed dreams in depth as regards some form of magic. I must caution that even if we can interpret the parts of the dreams, doesn’t mean we have all of the answers to the riddle of the curse that we face. The ‘floating’ or ‘drifting’ is significant in that they are destined to some location. That location remains to be seen. The color is not difficult, as a violet color is of the warm variety, and not a cold color, so hence the warm feeling of the children. Now the closeness and feeling good part is one of togetherness and as humans we need friendship and companionship in our lives. The encouraging part is, on the one hand, we have a terrible malady in that the victims have grown together eyelids, and on the other hand we have some positive togetherness on an adventure. More simply put, we have both good and evil here and if we can discover the location of the original spell, we can hope to reverse the curse by our direct interference in the procedure that has taken place. Let me now let Peter say a few words.”

  Peter thanked his friend and as before, silence gripped the group of concerned parents and in Johnny’s case his brother sat listening and absorbing what he heard. Peter then said, “Let’s adjourn for now and I’ll talk to Sam about some further interviews with some old folks who have or have not some valuable things to tell us about local folk lore or stories that might lend some insight into what we are facing.”

  After Peter and James T left, the parents remained to talk among themselves. Ann’s mother Joan spoke first and said, “I don’t know about you, but I am so stressed out I could spit. How could we be facing what we are? None of us here have done anything to anyone. I don’t know whether to be mad or cry. I feel so totally helpless and hamstrung.”

  “I feel the same,” said Nancy. “But instead of just sitting here moaning and groaning, let’s do something constructive, like bake a cake or something.” That brought on a round of laughter and all got up to leave shaking hands and wiping happy tears from their faces.

  * * *

  Back in their room, Peter and James T took a much need break, one in the chair and the other stretched out on a bed. Peter, sitting in the chair, a grim look on his face said, “James T, we are in for a rough ride here I think. The more I think about it, the harder it gets. This guy Ralph Naslind is playing with us. He is going to string us along like a hooked fish in a pond. What I really wonder is how many more are like him and if so, are they working as a group or is it just a vendetta against the town that Ralph is targeting?”

  James T. rose up to answer Peter and sat on the side of the bed. He looked all
in as well. He said with a voice just above a whisper, “The dreams have me really puzzled and I feel a headache coming on.” Peter smiled at him and James T continued, “What is the destination, if any? What could possibly be at the end of their journey? Well, be that as it may, our new found witch, Ralph and most likely his wife, present a formidable team. I wonder what will come out of the wood work next.”

  While they were talking Sam was hurrying back from a brief visit with an old lady who had the reputation of knowing more about the history of this area than she let on. He found her receptive to a visit by Sam and his visitors for the next day early morning would be best she had told him. She had no phone, so Sam suggested seven am and she agreed. Sam hoped he did right by setting up a meeting without checking with Peter and James T.

  Meanwhile, Peter had made a call to a friend who made a call to another friend to run a check on Ralph Naslind for any and all information about him and his wife. Just before Sam arrived Peter’s computer notified him that he had mail. Peter clicked on his new e mail and found an attachment from his query about Ralph. After downloading and printing two copies for each of them, they both read in silence for the next ten minutes.

  Peter was the first to finish and sat there looking up at the ceiling making believe the answers to his thoughts were written on the faded brown ceiling. It was the cracks he was looking at and wondering if the key to the puzzle was in a crack somewhere. So many lines with cracks that could spell the answer to the riddle facing them that he vowed to follow any small crack or line of information.

  James T broke his train of thought by saying, “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary here about our friend Ralph and his wife. However, there is a time line where he seemed to be gone for about two years. I think we need to contact the state department and see if he traveled outside the states during the time frame he seems missing.”

  “Good idea and while you are at it, what do you make of his advanced degree in epistemology?”

  “In that regard, after some careful thought James T said, “My first reaction is Reliabism. Obviously he believes in witchcraft and has proved to himself that it is real and believable. We are up against not only a smart man, but he has the age and education to back him up.” It was at this time a knock rather loudly and persistent broke their train of thought. James T answered the door to a slightly out of breath Sam.

  Sam said, “I’ve just come from an old lady who says she can shed some light on the history of this town and its people as regards some dark times in its past. I took the liberty of making an early morning appointment as she doesn’t have a phone for seven am tomorrow morning.” He looked back and forth at the two men with anxious eyes expecting to be chastised for arranging an appointment without their permission. However, Peter asked Sam to take a chair and relax. That he indeed did well and they would be up early for the meeting tomorrow.

  Sam sat down and then told them the story after Peter gave him the go ahead nod. “I first heard about Sophia Framer from some of the regular coffee drinkers at the café. I’d never met the woman, but drove out there after dropping you guys off after the library meeting. She lives not so far from Ralph Naslind. It’s just one forty acre field across from him but on a different road. No one knows for sure how old she is but looking at her she is very old indeed. She seems nice and friendly and the remarkable thing I noticed were her twinkling grey blue eyes. I also noticed she raises German shepherd dogs and that she has a helper man living in a small cottage behind the main house. I didn’t catch his name, but before dinner tonight I will have his name and so forth.”

  “Many thanks Chief,” said Peter. Sam smiled with satisfaction that he had done a good job. Sam asked if they were ready for dinner at the local café and both Peter and James T nodded a yes to that question.

  It was close to six pm and Peter had forgotten he was going to meet Candice for a talk. When they walked into the café, it was brimming with the press. There was not a place to sit in the whole place. Sam paced back and forth and soon they were surrounded by news hounds. There was not much Sam could do when the owner walked up to him and motioned that he and the two visitors were to follow him. Sam nodded to Peter to follow him and they were led through the kitchen and to a side door. That door led to a private eating area that was usually reserved for the Rotary and Lions club. The owner, whose name was Rex Allen, told them they could leave by the back door when finished eating.

  Peter asked Sam if he could find Candice and ask her to join them if she was out front. Sam hurried out and soon was back with Candice hot on his heels. She smiled and stood there not really knowing what to do when Peter asked her to join them for dinner. Peter said, “Sorry I missed you but we were rather busy this afternoon.”

  “That’s fine as I felt we would meet up sooner rather than later. I hope you can share with me some of your thoughts and anything else you might have discovered in your short time here so far.”

  “I can tell you this, but can’t mention names as you full well understand, but we have made some progress however we still have a long ways to go. We have some strong feelings we are dealing with a curse upon the town and its people. The reasons are not yet known but as the days go by, we hope to interfere and reverse it if possible. I really can’t say anymore than that, but hope you’ll have dinner with us tonight.”

  “I’ve already eaten, but I could do with some pie and coffee,” Candice replied with an ear to ear smile. Peter thought she reminded him of a young grad student he had some years back who never seemed to have anything but a big smile on her chubby face all the time. She went on to make him proud and now sat in the House of Representatives from her state of Alabama.

  Sam had asked if meat loaf was fine with them and as both Peter and James T nodded yes, he left to relay the message to the kitchen as the waitresses were way too busy to wait on them. Small talk occurred as Candice asked a few questions and then after coffee and pie for everyone, including Sam, they left by the back door and walked in the slippery alley from the snow and ice buildup. No snow was falling but the cold air was felt by all including Sam. Puffs of frosty air billowed out of four mouths. At the City Hall they said their good nights and the boys from the south were happy to be under the covers that night nice and warm.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning brought some warmer weather, but still not above freezing. The sun was just breaking over the east coast when Peter, James T and Sam walked into the mostly deserted café at six o’clock. Peter was not surprised to see the Veronica Blades sitting at a table waiting for them. Ironically Ed the Nose was sitting by himself talking to the waitress at the counter drinking coffee. Peter didn’t know him and Sam was not about to introduce him either.

  Veronica smiled and said her good mornings and asked about their accommodations which Peter and James T both told her all was well. Veronica asked about their upcoming visit with Sophia and that she had some information to share with them. She went on to tell them Sophia Framer was ninety nine years old and had lived here all her life. There family dated back to the original settlers, but were always farmers and not seafarers.

  Peter asked about her son and she told them he was doing just fine and that he would call her later this morning to relay his dream of last night. Breakfast came and as all were quiet thinking about the coming visit to Sophia’s farm, breakfast was eaten rather quickly.

  Once outside of town the road turned into an icy roller coaster of packed snow and ice. Peter was a bit dizzy upon arriving at their destination. They were greeted by a rousing thunder of barks from the kennel announcing their arrival. A man stood by the kennel with a shovel in his hand denoting his job. Long puffs of fog came from his mouth as the crisp morning said what the temperature was. He looked about fifty, but hard to tell as his full head of black hair and beard belied his age.

  Sam led the way up a clean sidewalk freshly swept. Peter noticed the fields were sparking as the early morning sun crept up the eastern horizon spreading l
ight to the west reflecting the pure white snow. Beautiful, Peter thought, as Sam knocked on the door producing an in house deep throated bark that made both Peter and James T a little nervous.

  The door opened with a little old lady smiling up at them. Peter guessed she was less than five feet tall and a black German shepherd stood alongside her with his head almost to her chest. One of her hands held a choke chain and the other held the door. She bade them welcome and turned to have them follow her into the heart of the house, which in this case was a large kitchen with an equally large wooden oak table with matching chairs.

  As they passed the living room Peter noticed a warm fire coming from a pellet stove and one wall was covered with bookshelves filled with books. They had shed their boots and were walking on a rug that mostly covered the hardwood floors except the kitchen. The kitchen was overly warm with an old wood stove perking away. A giant kettle was spewing forth steam and three mugs were lined up next to the stove in anticipation of their arrival. The only thing that looked modern was the drip coffee maker and coffee bean grinder alongside the mugs. Peter took a deep breath of the nice coffee smell and sat down behind the table to face the stove and watch his host fuss budget around. The dog, whose name was King, sat with is back to the outside door and kept a close watch on the visitors. .

  Mrs. Framer never said a word until the coffee had dripped and was ready for her guests. Peter took note of her demeanor: erect and shoulders back as if she was much younger than her years. Her silver grey hair was still thick and coiled up in a bun on the crown of her head. When she turned to deliver the coffee, her smile lit up her face and in particular her eyes shined with sparkling blue-grey. Peter also saw a rather large nose, but her wide mouth revealed she had retained most of her regular teeth albeit a lot of gold was noticed.