The Haunting Season

by Michelle Muto

  That life wasn’t moving too fast.

  You want ghosts, but what you need is something real to hold onto.

  Jess shook the thoughts from her head. Ghosts were real. So was the past. She wasn’t ready to set those memories aside just yet.

  Baby steps. Stick to the plan. See if I can talk to ghosts again and prove I’m not going mad. Get my college fund back. THEN go to college and get a normal life. Whatever that is.

  “Allison? Did Riley follow you here?” Jess asked.

  “Oh no, he’s been here a long time,” Allison replied. “And before that, he wasn’t Riley. Although that’s what he calls himself.”

  “Go on,” Dr. Brandt encouraged.

  “There are others here,” Allison said, moving the discussion away from Riley.

  She had mentioned this before, but her tone unnerved Jess. Even if Allison managed to hold it together long enough to help her find and talk to the girls, even if she found some way to help them find their way out of Siler House, what scared her most was not the ghosts of the girls or anyone else. Dr. Brandt kept asking Allison whom she was talking about, but Jess began to wonder if maybe it was more of a what than a who.

  The guys had entered the room while Allison was talking, but Dr. Brandt had motioned for them to keep quiet. They each took a seat and listened, too.

  “Allison, who was he before he became Riley?”

  “A demon,” she said.

  “Which demon, Allison?”

  Allison began to tear her paper napkin into tiny pieces. “They don’t like to give up their real names, and bad things happen when you try to force them. People die.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Gage took a seat quietly, as Dr. Brandt had motioned for him and Bryan to do. Allison was at it again. Demons. Evil spirits. The girl needed to let off the crazy pedal. Okay, so they all had some sort of experience and, as he saw it, had time to come to grips with it before they’d come here. It wasn’t like they’d all been invited here for a picnic.

  Sure, it was a bit freaky. But if Allison didn’t chill, she’d soon find herself on the fast track to the funny farm. He’d hate to see that happen.

  Jess sat at the table a bit too stiffly. Gage offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. He could see Allison’s nervousness was wearing on her. In fact, the whole topic of Siler House had begun to cause a rift between the two girls. It didn’t take a genius to figure it out. Jess loved Siler House—so much so that Gage sometimes thought she and the house could use some alone time. It was the way she looked at everything, the way she studied it and touched the furniture and art. It was even in the way she listened so intently when Dr. Brandt talked about the place.

  In contrast, Allison hated the house. Feared it. Even said it had done bad things. And that was a bucket full of crazy.

  Gage had come to grips with the fact that there probably were ghosts, as well as ways to make weird shit happen—like make stuff vanish or…reanimate things that had been alive. But a house was just a house. Just walls and floors and a roof. It didn’t have a soul or a spirit. It had never been alive and therefore, couldn’t die and haunt people. Maybe Allison meant the house was haunted as in ghosts were haunting the house.

  He and Bryan listened as Dr. Brandt quickly filled them in on what happened last night. Ghosts in mirrors? That was some weird, freaky shit.

  “If Riley is some sort of demon or evil spirit, do you think he’s hurting them? The girls and the other ghosts?” Jess asked.

  “They’re dead, Jess. If they’re really ghosts, they’re not feeling anything,” Gage pointed out softly.

  She glared at him, which definitely wasn’t the response he’d hoped for. So much for trying the reassurance route.

  Bryan rubbed his chin. “Maybe we could talk to them. Find out if they’re in any sort of danger from Riley.”

  Jess’s pretty eyes lit up in Bryan’s direction.

  Grrrreat! Leave it to Bryan to say exactly what Jess wanted. And the doc just sat quietly, scribbling down notes and watching everyone’s interactions like a hawk. Gage didn’t trust Dr. Brandt. Of course, he didn’t trust this whole experiment, but until he checked out what Brandt was writing, he didn’t have any real proof. Yet. First step, see what buttons to push.

  “Wait…” Gage said. “How do we know any of this is true?” He glanced at Dr. Brandt. “You said you wanted to see how we’d respond to what you say is a haunted house. We don’t actually know the house is haunted. Yet.”

  Dr. Brandt set down his pen. “And what do you think is happening here, Gage?”

  Gage didn’t want to say that maybe Brandt was setting them up to look like the Scooby Gang meets Ghostbusters. “I don’t know! Group psychosis? You get all of us to start joining in—seeing what Allison says she sees. So far, I haven’t seen a thing. I haven’t felt a single thing.”

  Allison slammed her hand on the table and glared at him. “I am NOT lying!”

  “She’s got a point. Just because we haven’t seen any ghosts doesn’t mean they aren’t here,” Jess chimed in.

  “Whoa!” Gage leaned back and extended his palms outward. “I wasn’t saying there couldn’t be any ghosts. It’s just that only Allison has seen one so far. And this Riley dude was inside a mirror. In the dark, in the middle of the night. Jess didn’t see him, right? So, don’t you think that maybe just maybe at least one more of us should see something first? Especially Jess. She’s like the Ghost Wrangler or whatever. Has anyone else seen, heard or sensed anything since we’ve been here?”

  “Fine.” Allison crossed her arms tightly. “The house is haunted when you say it is, jackass.”

  Jess and Dr. Brandt sat silently. Bryan was busy covering up a smirk. Gage sighed. He’d hoped to get a rise out of Brandt, not everyone else, and least of all, Jess.

  Riiight. He was the jackass. They were all supposed to take Allison in Freaking Wonderland’s word that the house is twin to the hotel in THE SHINING because she said so.

  Jess stared at him, daring him to say something. Gage held his tongue. He’d have to give in until he found something in Brandt’s room. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe the house wasn’t haunted, he only knew Brandt wasn’t telling them everything. If he could prove there was something weird going on with the study, then maybe his folks would also give up on bringing Ben back. Maybe then they could accept his death.

  “What about those ghost hunting devices?” Bryan asked. “Do you have any of those?”

  “Yeah,” Gage added, motioning to Bryan. “What he said.”

  “Yes,” Dr. Brandt said. “And we’ll be using those tools starting today. First, let’s finish up with the history of Siler House, shall we?” He motioned to the kitchen. “Why don’t you and Bryan grab some breakfast before I begin?”

  Bryan and Gage nodded and headed for the kitchen.

  “So, there really was some kid named Riley?” Gage asked on his way out of the dining room. “You’re not messing with us?”

  “I’m not messing with you,” Dr. Brandt replied.

  Dr. Brandt busied himself with more notes. Gage tried to see what he was jotting down, but without standing over the dude’s shoulder, he couldn’t read dick.

  Gage grabbed a plate of food and returned, immediately digging into his plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. Dr. Brandt stopped writing and pushed his chair back. He took a final sip of his coffee, which had to be cold by now, but he didn’t seem to mind.

  “Riley was their nephew,” Dr. Brandt said. “In 1906, the Silers took him in. The boy had suffered seizures and delusions for years. Doctors claimed he was mentally disturbed. Even at a young age, Riley talked to people no one else could see. When his parents asked who these people were, Riley became sullen, angry, even growling and striking out. He rarely demonstrated affection, unless he found himself in trouble. His mother often made excuses for him when members of the staff found dead farm animals on the property. Since her son had a medical condition as she called it, he didn’t
understand his own strength, or right from wrong. She believed he hadn’t meant to kill any of the animals and insisted some of the livestock deaths were purely coincidence. Riley never showed any remorse or guilt for his actions.”

  “How could the Silers ever let him around their children?” Jess asked. “At least, without someone around to watch?”

  Dr. Brandt raised a hand. “I’m getting to that. When Riley was thirteen, his father tried to kill him. This is where stories differ. Some think Riley killed his mother. When his father found out what Riley had done, he went to fetch his shotgun, then shot Riley. Without his family, some think he turned the gun on himself. Catherine Siler didn’t believe this. She thought a superstitious farmhand shot the whole family after Riley complained of strange creatures that came to visit him in his room at night. On more than one occasion, Riley said the creatures sat at the breakfast table with the family. At any rate, Riley survived. Catherine wouldn’t let her sister’s only child go to an orphanage. Jonathan Siler agreed, but with conditions. The Silers hired a woman to watch after all three children, but Emma and Gracie were her first priority. Jonathan Siler gave the staff strict orders to keep an eye on Riley and not to let him out of their sight. And, for a while, that worked. At least, for three years, no harm came to the girls.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that wasn’t true for everyone else?” Bryan said.

  Dr. Brandt gave a nod of agreement. “The first death was ruled a suicide. A pastor who came to say blessings over the house. He didn’t die here, though. He was found hanged in his own church.”

  “That’s awful,” Jess said. “What happened? Was there an exorcism?”

  Allison inhaled sharply and her eyes darted from Bryan and Gage to Jess, and then to Dr. Brandt. “I don’t think I want to hear any more right now.”

  “Not at first,” Dr. Brandt went on, ignoring her. “Not until after the servants started to complain of cold spots and doors opening or closing on their own. One reported hearing Riley talking to someone, but found the boy alone, sitting on the floor facing his opened armoire. She swore that its doors slammed shut right after she’d entered the room.

  “Other occurrences made the hired help nervous, too, like a large amount of dead sparrows in close proximity to the house, and dead, shriveled plants that had been vibrant and alive the day before. Riley often sat on the stairwell and stared at the maids as they cleaned. They’d order him outside to play, but that also meant one of them had to go with him to ensure the girls’ safety. Since none of them wanted to be alone with the boy, even outside, they let him stay.”

  Dr. Brandt paused for a sip of his coffee. He had Jess and Bryan’s full attention, Gage noticed. Allison stared at the floor. Only when Dr. Brandt paused did she steal a glance in his direction, waiting for him to go on with the story.

  Dr. Brandt obliged and sat his coffee cup down. “A few of them became so nervous around the boy, they became accident prone. One of the maids fell from a ladder while cleaning a chandelier and broke her neck. Later on, another maid swore Riley had locked her in a room while she was cleaning, although no one had actually seen Riley near the room at the time. A cook quit after he cut off a finger while making dinner. The boy had come into the kitchen asking for a snack at the time of the accident.”

  “Finger food?” Gage scoffed.

  Jess winced and Allison began to rock in her chair in seeming discomfort, but Dr. Brandt didn’t notice. “Then, Riley began to have seizures. They terrified everyone who witnessed them. He sometimes spoke in strange voices, foaming at the mouth and twisting in ways that should have broken a few bones. Finally, the Silers talked about having Riley sent to a hospital that could more easily care for him. That’s when the seizures stopped. Almost everything stopped. The accidents, the odd voices. But the cold spots didn’t stop, nor did the reports of doors opening and closing on their own, or the occasional sound of footsteps in empty hallways during the night. For whatever reason, most of the staff stayed on despite these reports. No one quit or talked of leaving. That is, until 1909, when Gracie and Emma were murdered.”

  Allison leapt from her chair. “I said I don’t want to hear this!” She turned and fled from the room.

  Jess shot Dr. Brandt a harsh glare, although she’d seemed as interested as everyone else in learning what had happened. Again, Dr. Brandt didn’t pay her much attention.

  “Allison!” Jess called out before running after her.

  Bryan seemed ready to go follow the girls.

  “It’s a girl thing. I suppose,” Gage offered. “Let them talk it out.”

  Bryan seemed unsure. “You think so?”

  “Hell if I know, but sure. I just know I wouldn’t get up and run after you, bro.” Gage grinned. “If you didn’t want to listen to the story because it freaked you out, don’t look to me to hold your hand.” Although Gage wanted nothing more than to go after Jess, to make sure she was okay.

  The corners of Bryan’s mouth twitched. “You’re such a jerk, man. But do you think one of us needs to see if they’re okay?”

  “Only if you wanna be one of the girls.” Gage gave him a cockeyed smirk. Bryan laughed and settled back into his seat.

  “Do you think we could take a look at some of the equipment?” Bryan asked. “Might as well since the history lesson is on hold, right?”

  Dr. Brandt stood. “Let me refresh my coffee. Anyone else?”

  Gage and Bryan shook their heads.

  “I’m good,” Bryan replied.

  “Hey,” Gage called to Brandt. “Let’s pick up where you left off. So, the girls died in 1909. Then what?”

  “That’s when a lot of people died,” Dr. Brandt replied as he returned from the kitchen. “It just started with Gracie and Emma.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Jess found Allison in their room, sitting on her bed, knees tucked against her chest as she rocked back and forth.

  “Allison, it’s okay,” Jess said quietly as she sat next to her.

  “I want to go home,” Allison cried.

  “Can you call your parents or your aunt to come get you?” Jess asked, knowing they weren’t likely to answer Allison’s call, much less come and get her. Not if the incident yesterday was any indicator.

  “No one will come get me,” Allison said, sniffling. “They all wish I’d go away. Or that Dr. Brandt will tell them I’m nuts enough to go to the psych ward again. They’d all prefer to have me locked up until I’m eighteen, at least. Then, they can force me to stay away from them. They wouldn’t have long—just another few months. I think it’s why they’re happy I’m here. It’s one less month they have to deal with me.”

  Jess patted Allison’s back. She wanted to say her parents wouldn’t send her away, but she didn’t think Allison had lied about her family.

  “I’ll talk to Dr. Brandt. Tell him you need more time—”

  “I don’t need more time. I need to get out of here. But I can’t.” Allison swiped at her tears.

  “I’m sorry,” Jess said. “But if this place scares you so much, maybe if I talked to Dr. Brandt—”

  “No! I can’t leave because if I do, you’ll all die. They’ll kill you.” Her eyes met Jess’s. “They want to, you know.” She began to laugh. “It’s doing it. The house.”

  Jess frowned. “Doing what?”

  “Keeping us here, that’s what!” Allison said. “It’s started already. I found Dr. Brandt sitting in the Great Room this morning. He kept staring at the picture above the fireplace. He told me Siler House was the most incredible, most beautiful house he’d ever been in. Don’t you find that weird? He’s been all objective and scientific, but suddenly, he’s infatuated with the beauty of the place?”

  Jess withdrew her hand. Allison had seriously lost it, and her behavior scared Jess more than anything Dr. Brandt had said about the murders or Riley. Yeah, it was odd to see a man so infatuated with a house—but that didn’t mean the house was doing anything to him. And his behavior wasn’t exactly alar
ming. Maybe old homes were his thing. It was Allison who made her feel uncomfortable. She’d have to talk to Dr. Brandt about the sleeping arrangements.

  “I’m not crazy!” Allison insisted as though reading Jess’s mind. “He’s in there,” she said as she motioned toward the mirror. “He’s in all of them. You know, Jess. Deep inside you know what I’m telling you is true. But you doubt yourself. You know we’re being watched. The house is plotting against us.”

  “I don’t see anyone,” Jess said, feeling a bit unsure. Was someone watching them? Or was she letting Allison get to her again? Why couldn’t she see them? “Allison, you have to stop doing this.”

  “Stop doing what, Jess? Scaring you? Don’t you see how frightened I am? I’m staying for you, Jess. You and the others. I’m the only one who understands what we’re up against. I’ve done enough…bad things that maybe before I die I can set them right.” She took a tissue from the nightstand and wiped her nose. “If you believe in ghosts, then why don’t you believe what I tell you?”

  What could she say? Allison had a point. Still, her weirdness and insistence that everything was demonic and out to get them didn’t sit well with Jess, especially since Allison had said she was staying for her? For Gage and Bryan, and Dr. Brandt, too? And what bad things had she done? That bit of information wasn’t exactly helping her see Allison’s cause. Maybe if she stayed calm. Maybe if she tried some logic, her roommate would relax a little.

  “Allison, please. Understand that not all of us are afraid. We haven’t gone through what you have.”

  Allison laughed again and pressed her hands into her face in frustration. “Oh, I suppose all ghosts are perfectly harmless!”