by Hope Jameson
The ghost nodded.
“Were you mad because she didn’t die when you did?” Suzie continued to use her soothing voice.
The ghost shook her head indicating she wasn’t angry.
Jill looked at Suzie with annoyance. “How will we ever figure this out?”
Suzie opened her mouth to answer and she suddenly looked up to the ceiling. “I think the place is on fire. Do you hear that crackling? And I was so focused on Elise I didn’t notice the smoke. We need to get out of here.”
Jill looked panicked. “I didn’t notice any of it! Oh, God! How did this happen?”
“That doesn’t matter now. We just need to get out.”
They were in the back of the building and they started running down the hallway to the front. In a flash, Elise was right in front of them, blocking their way.
“Cynthia,” mouthed the ghost as she pointed at Jill again.
Suzie looked at Jill. “It looks like she’s pointing at something specifically. She’s been pointing at the same place. What’s in your locket?”
“Some of my grandmother’s ashes.” Jill looked frightened and anxious to get out. “We need to get moving, Suzie.”
“I know, but I think she wants your locket.”
“Cynthia. Of course! Why didn’t I realize that!” Jill wanted to scream since it was finally making sense just as she needed to get out of the burning building.
“Give it to her,” urged Suzie. “I know you don’t want to lose it, but it might help her go.”
“She is here, Elise.” Jill took the locket from her neck and held it in front of her. “I’m sorry it took so long.”
Jill dropped the locket on the floor as Elise watched in anticipation. This was only the second time she’d seen her expression change.
“Hello, Elise.” Jill turned around quickly to see who had joined them in a burning building that they should be running from. Her grandmother stood with a warm smile and she looked just as she had right before she died.
“Cynthia,” mouthed Elise with a wide grin.
“I’m sorry I took such a long time to get here, but I kept my promise. I came back for you. It’s time for us to go.” Bub didn’t seem to notice anyone but Elise.
Elise nodded her head and held out her hand. Cynthia walked over and took it.
“Bub,” said Jill recovering from the shock. Cynthia looked back and smiled at Jill.
“Your grandmother?” asked Suzie.
Jill could only nod.
“Thank you, Jill,” said Bub and then she turned and kept walking. In just a moment, they were both gone.
Jill coughed as the smoke got thicker. “Come on, Suzie, we’ve got to get out of here. Now.”
“Yes. Yes, we do. Run!” Suzie grabbed Jill’s hand as the two women ran for the front door.
When they made it outside, Jill called nine-one-one to report the fire. Soon the place was full of firetrucks and firemen trying to put out the flames.
After two hours of fighting the fire, the fire chief stopped to talk to her. “Looks like it’s going to be a total loss. I can’t believe how fast this thing went up and burned. At any rate, I doubt there’ll be anything left to salvage. I’m sorry.”
Jill nodded and thanked him for his help and that of all the firefighters who had shown up.
“I think I’m ready to go home. Thanks for staying with me, Suzie. I’ll worry about all this later.”
Suzie nodded and walked with her to the car. They drove away and didn’t look back at the smoldering pile of rocks that was once the Briarsville Orphanage.
Epilogue
Briarsville, Oregon; Spring, 2017
The landscaping was just starting and Jill was proud that her project was in the final stages of completion. Soon, people could move in and the place would become a place of joy where people lived happily.
Together with her parents, she’d decided to make the property that could serve more than one purpose. There was enough room to build a small retirement home and a day care center. She thought it was quite appropriate to bring the young and the old together.
The grounds included a park with a walking trail and a playground. There was room for a small vegetable garden if any of the residents wanted to put it in and tend to it.
The facility met a need in Briarsville and Jill believed that Bub would be happy with her choice.
After the building ended up in rubble, the project was easy. No more worry about the building and safety concerns. No more worry about how it could be repurposed. And after Bub had shown up to take Elise and the others to peace, there was no more worry about ghosts and hauntings.
The small complex was named Babcia Square in honor of Bub. Jill was sure many happy times would be had in this place and she was amazed that her journey had brought her here. Yes, Bub would be happy.
About the Author
Hope Jameson grew up in Georgia and enjoyed long summers of campfires and fun with her friends. One of their favorite things to do was tell ghost stories around the fire or under the blanket with a flashlight.
The fond memories of her childhood made her start writing some of their stories down – the ones she could remember after all these years. Now you’re getting to enjoy a peek into her childhood along with a more developed imagination that makes her scary stories come to life.
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