by Rick Kueber
After settling in, Amelia began to find herself growing ill. She would feel fine most of the day, but every morning she became nauseous, and so she requested the doctor to make a house call. When he finished his examination and his tests, he picked up his black leather bag to leave and turned to Amelia with a smile, and said, “My dear, you are a miracle. Not only did you survive that horrible fall, but I firmly believe your baby did too.” And with that he tipped his hat and exited her home. “I will be back to check on you in a few weeks.”
Amelia was in shock. She had left her husband, most everyone thought she was dead, and after losing all four of her children, she was suddenly expecting another. She lived next door to the old family home for many years, in the home that was originally set up to be Charles' mother's home. The old homestead was put up for sale, and the Board of Directors for the local social club, The Order of the Owls-Nest #30, purchased the property from her. The deal was struck, and though the club didn't occupy the building for nearly five years, it was as if a weight had been lifted, when the deed was finally handed over.
She decided to keep a low profile, and did so for most of her life, and though she did not change her name, it seemed that no one really knew her or her past, which she found liberating. She began to make new friends, and to go to the church that sat just across the street from her home. It was almost as if she had been given a chance to be who she wanted to be, and not be the controlled housewife of a businessman with beyond questionable associates.
The time came, and Amelia gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, which she named Allison. The two of them lived and loved happily together for many years. When she became an adult, Allison began to question her mother relentlessly about her father, and her mother's life before Allison was born. She was nearly twenty-eight years old, and her mother was nearly sixty, when Amelia finally felt it was time to tell of their family's dark past.
Allison listened intently to every syllable of every word, hanging on at the end of each sentence for the next one to begin. When it came to the end of the story where Amelia had been pushed out of the window, and Charles had been placed in the state hospital psychiatric ward, Allison grew angry and felt as if her mother had cheated her all of these years. She could have at least met the man who was her father. She had grown up with the vague story that he died in an industrial accident that her mother refused to talk about. The anger began to overtake Allison, more strongly with each passing day, until she couldn't hold it in any longer.
“I can't live here any longer. I hate you for keeping my father a secret from me for all of these years. Crazy or not, I had the right to meet him, to see him, to get to know him. I hope you have a happy life mother.” She spat out the words like venomous poison, and grabbing her things, she made her way across town with only a suitcase filled with clothes and a few of her favorite books and memories.
Allison had a sizable bank account and lived modestly, but without worry for many years, and each year when the holidays would come around, both Amelia and Allison would spend them alone, often crying. Allison never married, and her mother never married again. It wasn't until Allison learned of her mother's passing, that she truly felt deep regret for her actions, and for the life they did not share. It was also then, that Allison inherited the Bettiger Property on First Avenue.
Allison lived her life out in that beautiful home next door to the Owl’s Nest until one day she felt she could no longer be this lonely. She put the property up for sale, and soon had a few prospective buyers. A young and prosperous couple named Fred and Linda Sammet, bought the property. Linda Sammet became close friends with the now elderly Allison, and when she eventually moved north, near Indianapolis, Linda helped her pack up, and even unpack and arrange her new home. The distance did not hinder their friendship, though. Both women would frequently call, or send cards and letters to each other. As the years passed, the time between phone calls and letters grew longer, until it was only on holidays, and sometimes, not even then.
***
Though the story was told from several different people, and from several points of view, that was the 'gist of it'.
“...and that pretty much brings us up to date.” Katie said when we had reached the end of the puzzle. “Wow...” I paused. “That's a lot to absorb.” “Yes it is.” Theo agreed.
“It's time to formulate a plan.” I said. “I'm just not sure where to start.”
Chapter 16
An Introduction to the Past
We had souls to aid, and people's concerns and fears to ease. It was only a matter of deciding the most effective way to accomplish both in as little time as possible...not because we were in a hurry to move on to the next case, but because we had been warned, for a lack of a better term, that we needed to do this 'before it was too late', which gave us an uncomfortable sense of urgency. As we sat there taking in all that we had just been enlightened of, we began to formulate the steps we might take.
“I think it seems obvious to me, that the spirits of the children are hiding for a reason. Maybe they need to feel protected.” Katie said.
“Agreed... and perhaps they feel abandoned by the very people who were supposed to protect them.” Jenn added. “I think it might be good to let them know that they aren't alone.” Rick Hayes began to scheme. “That we not only know they are here, but that they are accepted and it's okay that we share the same space.”
I thought for a brief moment. “I might have an idea worth thinking about. There was talk about doing a fund raiser for the Owl's Nest.” I raised my eyebrows and looked around at everyone. “What about doing a ghost tour here... open to the public...and maybe a ghost hunt afterwards? We could let the spirits see that people not only know they are here, but that they want to experience their presence.”
“That's a good idea. We can even tell their story to the people who come.” Theo added to our thoughts. “We can make it very open and honest about the children being here, and let them know that they don't need to be afraid.”
“This is all well and good, but don't you think we need to try to separate them from these malevolent entities, reunite them with their parents, or something? We were told to help them before it was too late, right?” Katie had a very valid point. “It might be a help to them to give them acknowledgment, and acceptance, but I don't think that's all we need to do. It just feels like we are missing something.” Katie half mumbled to us, half to herself, but we all heard her, and we all knew she was right. Something felt off...missing... but it was a good place to start.
“I also believe that we need to somehow reunite the family members who have passed...the children need their parents.” Theo recalled. “That was the focus of the message I received from my spirit guides. It is most definitely important.”
“Okay. Let me see how quick we can set it up, and we will try to keep brainstorming on what else we can do.” I said, still unsure of what else we could do, but I knew there must be more.
*** After parting ways, I made a call to the Heerdinks. I met them and the officers of the Owl's, to discuss the public event. We were just in time to get the announcement in the next 'HOOTS' newsletter before it went out later that week. It was short notice, but we made our plan to host the event in only three weeks. It was more than enough time for the team and I to prepare, almost too much time. I must admit that I was nervous since we had already been vaguely, and repeatedly, warned that our time was limited.
I confirmed the date with everyone, and it even though it was three weeks away, it conflicted with Rick Hayes' schedule. The plan had already been set, and instead of trying to alter it, it was decided to follow though. After a long discussion with Rick, and the Heerdinks, we thought we might need to all meet up at the Owl's Nest after the public event for another investigation to see if we had been successful on any level.
*** We went about our lives as if the time constraints didn't matter, but there was an overwhelming feeling that it mattered a great deal. It had been nearly
two weeks since our meeting, and it felt like the event date would never arrive. We had the occasional phone call or text message between one of the team members and me, but an oppressive feeling constantly shadowed us. There was a sadness that I could feel in the tone of the voices and even in the content of the texts. It was as if the team and I were slipping into some sort of depression.
It was on a night almost a week before the event, when a cleansing rain came to our small town. The evening wore on with ever darkening skies, and steady showers that soaked the world around us. The random, low rolling thunder, in the distance, filled me with romantic thoughts, and I wished, with every grain of passion in my soul, that I had someone special to share it with...but I didn't. I loved a good storm, even though there were terrifying memories that I associated with them. Not having someone to hold, while I beheld nature's fury, filled my heart with gloom and sadness. Still, I couldn't help but love the tranquility and isolation that it brought to me.
My enthusiasm for atmospheric phenomenon was apparently not shared by everyone. Katie sat alone in her room watching the ending of her favorite movie, wishing that Sean hadn't had to work that night. When the film had ended, and she (feeling quite sappy) wiped the tears from her eyes, she turned out the lights. Well into the summer, she kept the air conditioning turned low. It made for good sleeping, and she found it nice to feel the coolness on her face while the rest of her was hidden, wrapped up and snuggling with her white, down comforter.
She lay there, draped in the warmth of her blanket, and listened to the rain tapping gently at her window pane. It was very soothing to her, but only until she began to hear the grumbling voice of the thunder. Though it wasn't close, it filled her with discomfort. The thunder and occasional lightning were separated by minutes, and Katie found herself beginning to doze in and out of
consciousness. Deep in her sub-conscious, dreaming had begun, if only a few seconds at a time. The images and flashes of her alterreality were vague at best, and like most dreams, made no sense to her. She found herself walking on a lake shore, feeling the grass under her bare feet, and looking, searching, for someone or something. Then the sound of raindrops becoming a deluge disrupted her sleep for only a brief a waking moment.
Katie found herself standing in the cool night breeze. It seemed as if she were in some type of an open tower, overlooking the darkened town. Looking down at her feet, she saw an open stairway leading down and felt uncontrollably compelled to descend. When she reached the bottom, only a dozen steep steps, she found herself in a cramped space. To her left was a wall, and to the right, the area opened up, only slightly. Stepping off of the stairs, she found herself facing a door...a door with a red glass knob. Her hand reached out, and just as her fingers touched the chilled glass, the sound of scuffling startled her from behind. She spun abruptly. From a small space beneath the steps, she heard the sound once again, hidden in the black shadows.
'Is someone there?' she spoke in her dream, and was terrified that a response may follow her question. 'Save the children, before it's too late.' came the persuasive voice of Ashley Sue. Her words brought a light to the hidden space under the stairs, and revealed the little burning girl, and four smaller children who were huddled, frightened in the corner. There was a light that came from everywhere, and nowhere, yet it refused to reveal the details of these hidden children.
'How, Ashley? How do I save them?' Katie cried out in distress and confusion.
'Home isn't home...not anymore.' Ashley's words trailed off along with her presence. The children who had been hiding in the corner stood up, and the smallest of them, only a toddler, held out a small stuffed animal in his hand, as if it were an offering to Katie. Her hand stretched out to take to small toy elephant from the tot. Suddenly, all four of the children rushed to her with bluish faces, and dark circles surrounding solid ebony eyes. Their mouths silently screamed to her. Katie turned with a jump and grasping the red knob in her hand, found herself locked in with the ghastly children. She turned back around to face them, and slammed her back against the door. The children, all boys, began to surround her, reaching up with cold and clammy outstretched hands. Katie only wanted to escape, but it seemed impossible and she found herself giving in and giving up. Covering her face with her hands, she sank down with her back sliding against the door until her butt hit the floor. There was an eerie combination of a calming peace and dread. Her hands slowly slid down her face exposing her eyes to the see the faces of four lost and frightened boys, no longer the horrific ghouls that had her petrified. In a rush of screams and dust, and flying debris, the floor and walls gave way around and beneath her. Katie fell.
With a noisy gasp, and a reflexive jerk, Katie hit the bedroom floor and awoke. Sitting up, her right hand went, instinctively, to her tummy where her unborn child lay hidden inside her. She placed her opposite hand on her forehead where she felt the cold sweat that had beaded up. Deep breaths slowed, and her racing heart eased over time. She crawled back into bed, and though she feared the possibility of a reoccurring dream, eventually she found sleep again.
*** The day had finally arrived and Jenn, Katie and I met up at my apartment. We discussed Katie's dreams while we checked over our equipment’s batteries and calibrations. We loaded up our banners and the numerous cases of equipment into the trunks of our cars, and anxiously waited for ten o'clock.
At nine-fifteen we showed up on the doorstep of the Owl's Nest. Our nerves were high, but the butterflies we felt were good. This was the first public event that we were hosting, and we hoped that not only would there be a good crowd, but that things would go smoothly. The last thing we needed was for someone to have a terrifying experience that caused them to run through the darkness and hurt themselves. Gathering my composure, I opened the door for the two ladies on my team. The bar room was crowded and the music played loudly. It felt as if every eye in the room suddenly stopped to stare at us as we entered. Maybe it was that we were strangers to most of them, or it may have been that we were all wearing our EVP shirts with the trademark skull and spyglass. Whatever the reason, we couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable, and slightly unwelcome.
The large entrance to the dance hall was closed off by a folding partition, from floor to ceiling. The girls and I stood frozen for a moment, wondering if we had somehow ended up in some twisted twilight zone episode, when the familiar face of Barb Heerdink appeared from the back hallway between the kitchen and the dance hall. There was an almost humorous and collective sigh of relief. From across the noisy and crowded room, she motioned us over to her, which we quickly obliged. We followed as she turned away and walked through a door that led us all into a much quieter, brighter, and emptier dance hall.
“Well, this is it guys. What do you think?” Barb said, as Del walked over to join us. “Looks great.” I said honestly. There were tables and chairs set up at the front of the room, just in front of the stage, facing the rear, and a dozen or more rows of chairs facing the front of the hall.
“Is it okay if we rearrange a few things?” Jenn asked politely.
“Of course.” Del answered. “We just set this up, and thought it might work for you.”
“Do you have any extra tables we could use?” asked Jenn. “Sure, how many do you need?” Barb replied to Jenn's question, but looked at Del, as if letting him know it was his task to accommodate our needs.
“I think just a couple more.” Jenn looked over to Katie and I. “We should set one up by the door where people come in, to take donations, and one over there,” she pointed to the opposite side of the room, just past where the front tables had already been set up, “where Theo can set up to give readings during the 'ghost tours'. What do you think?”
“Yep, that should work.” Katie smiled, knowing that things were coming together, and for some reason, she had a very good feeling about the night.
“Two tables? That's easy enough!” Del said, and then disappeared through a door in the rear of the room. Barb pointed us to an exit
door on the right side of the room, near the back wall. “You can bring all of your 'stuff' in through that door, just don't let it close, or you'll be locked out.”
We proceeded to the parking lot, and after numerous trips we had unloaded everything and brought it in to the dance hall. Katie and Jenn began covering the tables with our hunter green table cloths, and while Jenn ran extension cords to plug in the laptops and monitor, Katie began to display our team t-shirts and photos. Jenn set up a slide show of photos on the monitor, and fired up the laptop to play the audio recordings of the phantom voices we had captured on other investigations. Del had already brought the first table and now returned with the second. Barb had directed me to a ladder, which I used (awkwardly I might add) to hang our rather large banner from the ceiling, and after getting permission, I hung a second banner on the chain-link fence in front of the club.
Upon reentering the dance hall, I was feeling very good about the professional look of the area. As true as that statement was, my slight OCD caused me to adjust everything that the girls had already done, something I was constantly teased about. Then as we started to open our equipment cases and display all of our gadgets, Theo walked in, with his arms loaded. While I decided the best way to showcase our meters, cameras, and recording devices, I watched Theo set up his table and display. It was difficult and I bit my tongue, but I did not suggest any arrangement tips, nor did I 'adjust' anything that had been placed (even though part of me, my OCD, knew there were things that just weren't spaced correctly).
“Hey, what do you think about this?” Theo said from the corner of the room.
“Looks great!” I shouted from the opposite side of the room. “Perfect!” said Katie, standing with Jenn, in the middle of the space. Jenn smiled and gave Theo 'two thumbs up'. The girls came walking over to me as I stood silently overlooking the entirety of the display. Jenn walked up very close and with her back to Theo, leaned in and whispered to me.
