by Paul Seiple
Sam squinted. “Just a guy at the beach.”
“Look closer at the pier supports,” Mason said, picking up the mug of coffee and taking a sip.
“Son-of-a-bitch. That can’t be real,” Sam said.
A small child peeked around one of the poles supporting the pier. The image was blurry. The boy was nearly transparent. But there was no denying that it was a kid.
“It’s real. That boy you see drowned two years earlier not far from the pier. And the man in the photo…he died six months later in a traffic accident.”
“Coincidence,” Sam said.
Mason took the binder and flipped through the photos. “There’s twenty-two photos in here all taken by this camera that show apparitions. Every person in the photos died tragically.” Mason stopped at the last photo. “This is Elizabeth Glass. She was an aspiring photographer who bought the camera at an estate sale. The person in the photo with here is Edward Ranch. He died nearly fifty years before this photo. Mary died three days after taking it.”
Sam scratched his chin. His nose still hinted a faint scent of bullshit, but it wasn’t as strong as before.
“Surely you’ve encountered something you can’t explain,” Mason said.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I was hoping Dad could hang out here with you while Terry and I go interview the family who moved into the Challis house.”
“I’m fine here. Mason and I can shoot the shit about strange things that aren’t real,” Sam said. He flashed a quick smile.
“The Challis house?” Mason asked. “As in Jessica Challis?”
“Wait, why are you going there? I should come.” Sam turned to Mason. “I was the lead on The Silent Six case.”
“Dad, I think you should stay here and let Don show you around. We’re going to borrow Mason for the day. If that’s all right with him.”
“Of course,” Mason said.
“Can I offer you a cup of coffee, Sam?” Don asked.
Sam didn’t answer. He stared at Kim.
“Don’t, Dad. Tell ya what, after we’re finished, I’ll grab some pizza and come back. We can all shoot the shit about strange things that aren’t real.”
Sam looked at Don. “You see this, right. My own daughter bribing me with pizza.”
Don smiled. “Is it working?”
Sam shrugged his shoulders. “She’s gonna have to throw in some cheese bread too.”
“Every day, you get a little more demanding,” Kim said.
“OK, fill me on the Tate family,” Mason said, sticking his head between the front seats like an excited child.
“I don’t know too much, but from what I’ve seen, they were your typical family until moving into the Challis house,” Kim said.
Mason ran his fingers through his white beard and scratched his chin. “What has happened beyond you seeing the word ‘Mayhem’?”
“Ben Tate, the father, was taken to jail after an altercation with police and under the suspicion of child endangerment,” Terrence said.
“And once he got home, he took a fall from the attic. He’s in the hospital. Norma, the mother, and the two children are in a motel. That’s all I got from her voicemail,” Kim said. “Can this Mayhem attach itself to people not involved in the Hayes case?”
“No, but it can attach itself to objects related to the revenge sought,” Mason said.
“The house,” Terrence said.
“Possibly.” Mason eased back against the seat. “I’m willing to bet once this family is away from the house, everything returns to normal for them.”
“Except for the father. He’s in a coma,” Kim said.
“The demons are very dangerous, Miss Strode. Staying in that house too long will have permanent consequences,” Mason said.
“But you feel the family is safe at the motel?” Terrence asked.
“Safer than in that house,” Mason said.
Terrence pulled the sedan into the parking lot of the Country Inn.
Sixteen
Charlie Tate drifted in and out of sleep while Bugs Bunny cartoons flashed across the television screen between the static. Sara lay on the floor brushing Rocky’s coat. Norma begged Sara to get off the floor, but she finally gave up after realizing brushing the dog was keeping Sara calm.
Room 18 at the Country Inn wasn’t the most sanitary place. Norma eyed the highway through dirt-covered windows. It’s better than the alternative, she thought as a man stumbled out from a few rooms down. He hit the pavement face first. After a brief stillness, the man got to his knees, dry-heaved, raised his fist to the sky, and cursed the world. Norma closed her eyes and tried to will Kim Strode to get there faster.
“Mommy, do you think Jessica will find us here?” Sara asked, walking toward the window.
Norma drew the curtains, sending flecks of dust into the air. She didn’t want Sara to see the drunken man stumbling outside the window.
“Keeping the curtains shut won’t keep her away,” Sara said. “She’s mad.”
“I won’t let it hurt you,” Norma said, clearing dust from her throat. “Why is it mad?”
Sara took a seat next to her mother on the windowsill. “She said that if I told you about her, you would make her leave.”
A knock at the door startled Norma and Sara. It woke Charlie and drew a few snarls from Rocky.
“Is it Jess?” Sara asked.
Norma shifted the curtain slightly.
“Mrs. Tate, it’s Kim Strode.”
Norma inhaled, catching dust in her nostrils, sending her into a coughing spell.
Another bang on the door.
“Norma?”
“One second.” Norma coughed and cleared her throat before removing the chain on the door.
“You cops,” the drunk man said, barely getting the words out between slurs.
“Mind your business,” Terrence said.
“This is my business. I’m the king here,” the drunk said.
Terrence turned toward him. The drunk raised his arms above his head. “OK, OK. I’ll give you a day pass at Chateau Thunderbird.”
“I’m sorry. Come in,” Norma said, opening the door. “Money’s tight since we bought the house. This is the only place I can afford.”
“Don’t apologize. What’s going on in your house?” Kim asked.
The lack of empathy in Kim’s words caught Norma off guard. She turned and walked to the edge of the bed and sat down. Kim was trained to read emotions.
She noticed her mistake and stepped toward Norma and placed her hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, it’s been a crazy few days.”
“It’s Jess,” Sara said. “She’s mad at me, and she’s hurting my family because of it.”
“Jessica Challis?” Mason asked, stepping over the threshold into the hotel room. “You’ve seen the little girl?”
Norma stood, placing herself between Sara and Mason.
“It’s OK. He’s with us, Norma,” Kim said. “This is Mason Atkins. He’s very familiar with…” Kim caught herself before saying the word Mayhem. “…he’s an expert on strange occurrences.”
Mason extended his hand to Norma. “Pleased to meet you. I wish it was under better circumstances, but here we are.” He let out a short burst of laughter.
Terrence stepped into the room as the drunk man mumbled something else. His words were blocked by the shutting door.
“You remember my partner, Terrence Simms,” Kim said.
Terrence nodded and pressed his back against the door.
“You’ve seen the Challis child?” Mason asked again.
“It’s OK, honey, tell them what you told me,” Norma said.
Sara stepped out from behind her mother. “She’s mad at me. I didn’t keep our secret.”
“What was the secret?” Mason asked.
“I wasn’t supposed to tell Mommy and Daddy about her. She’s punishing us because I broke my promise. Daddy is in the hospital, and we are stuck here,” Sara said.
Charlie sat up in
bed and propped himself against a few pillows. “She told me we were all going to die in the house.”
“You saw her too?” Mason asked.
“When the cops were arresting my dad. She popped up out of nowhere, and then I got sick,” Charlie said.
“The emergency room doctor said it was food poisoning,” Norma said. Her tone held a hint of defiance as if her parenting was in question for keeping the children in the house.
“What have you seen, Mrs. Tate?” Mason asked.
“I haven’t seen it. I’ve heard children laughing. I’ve seen children’s dirty footprints. I’ve seen things fly around the living room. But I haven’t seen it.”
“Jess won’t show herself to Mommy. She’s afraid Mommy will kick her out of the house,” Sara said.
A tear caught a wrinkle in Norma’s cheek and traveled down her face. “What is this thing? My husband is in the hospital. Why is it hurting my family?” She swiped at the tear, hoping Sara didn’t see it.
“Has anything strange happened since you’ve been away from the house?” Mason asked.
Before Norma could answer, Rocky perked up from the side of the bed and growled.
“He’s harmless,” Norma said. “Rocky, be quiet.”
The German shepherd let out a low growl and moved toward Terrence.
“You sure he’s harmless?” Terrence asked, stepping to the side.
The dog sat next to Terrence as if he was helping guard the door.
“Well, OK,” Terrence said. “I guess I could use the extra help.” He patted Rocky’s head.
“How do you feel once you’re away from the house?” Mason asked.
“Things seem normal,” Norma said.
“And how about you, young man?” Mason asked Charlie.
“I’m good. My stomach doesn’t hurt.”
“And do you see the Challis girl?” Mason asked Sara.
Sara nodded. She stopped mid-nod. “Wait, something happened at the hospital when I was playing a game on Mommy’s phone.”
A loud bang against the door startled everyone. Rocky barked. Another bang.
Terrence took a deep breath. “It’s probably that drunk. I’ll take care of it.”
Terrence opened the door. The man swayed, catching his balance before falling.
“What did I tell you?” Terrence asked. “You’re leaving me no choice other than to haul you in for public intoxication.”
The man ignored Terrence. He raised his arm and pointed a stuffed bear towards Sara. “You left Gorgon at the house.” The man spoke in a girl’s voice. “We’re very lonely without you, Sara. Please come home.”
Terrence and Kim drew their guns on the man. He dropped the toy in the doorway.
“What the hell?” the man asked.
“Don’t move,” Kim said.
The man raised his hands above his head. Terrence dove, hitting the man in the ribs and taking him to the ground.
“What did I do? No need to rough me up,” the man said.
“Who are you?” Kim asked with her gun pointed at the man’s head.
“James Freeling. I’m just a drunk. I…”
“Where did you get the stuffed bear?” Kim asked.
“I…don’t…know.”
“He’s telling the truth,” Mason said. “Cuff him, but don’t hurt him. At the moment, he’s innocent.”
“What do you mean ‘at the moment’?” Terrence asked, forcing James’s hands behind his back.
“The demon has left him,” Mason said.
“Demon?” Norma asked. “Is that what’s after my family? A demon?”
“I’m afraid so,” Mason said. He stepped on the stuffed toy. “Did the Challis girl give you this?” he asked Sara.
“Yes.”
“Who named the bear Gorgon?” Mason asked.
“Jess said that was his name,” Sara said.
“Miss Strode, do you have access to a safe house?” Mason asked.
“Why?” Kim asked.
“This family can never go back to that house. We need to keep them under the watch of the Good Light.”
“Demons? Good Light? What is happening? “Norma asked.
“The Good Light is a small group of white witches who keep balance in this world,” Mason said.
“Witches? No,” Norma said.
“I assure you, Mrs. Tate, you will be safe with them. You have no other alternative,” Mason said.
Kim placed her hand on Norma’s shoulder. “I’m really sorry this is happening to you. It sounds weird, I know. I struggled with it too, but it’s real. If Mason says this is how we keep you safe, please don’t fight it.”
“What about this guy?” Terrence asked.
“I need to question him, but not in jail. Here. Mr. Simms, can you take the Tates to the safe house? Call Debbie.” Mason swiped across his phone screen and read a number aloud. “She will meet you there.” He turned to Norma. “Debbie is a white witch. She will keep the evil away.”
“I should really stay with this guy?” Terrence said. “Who knows if that thing will show back up?”
“It’s not coming back. It wanted to show us how powerful it is, and it did,” Mason said.
“You said it couldn’t leave the house too. How do we know it won’t come back?” Terrence asked.
“Faith, Mr. Simms. We all need to believe in it more now than ever,” Mason said.
Mason paced around James Freeling, who sat on the edge of the bed, handcuffed to a post. He opened a bottle of warm water and gave a sip to the drunk man.
“Where do you live, Mr. Freeling?” Mason asked.
“I’m homeless.”
“What did you before your current unfortunate circumstances?” Mason asked.
“I was a musician. Do I have to answer these questions? I want a lawyer,” Freeling said.
“You’re not under arrest,” Kim said. “But, yes, you have to answer the questions.”
“How old are you, Mr. Freeling?” Mason asked.
Freeling looked at Kim.
“Answer him,” Kim said.
“Sixty-two.”
“Have you ever practiced the Dark Arts?” Mason asked.
“Dark Arts?” Freeling asked.
“Are you a devil worshipper?” Kim asked.
Freeling laughed. “If I was, I would have sold my soul to him for fame and fortune. I sure as hell wouldn’t be homeless right now.”
“How did you get the bear?” Mason asked.
“I don’t know. The last thing I remember is an earache. Something cold blew in my ear. I remember the pain. But that’s it until your partner tackled me. Which, by the way, is police brutality. I’m homeless. I’m a drunk. I’m not stupid.”
Mason reached into the pocket of his tattered gray slacks and produced an equally weathered wallet. He handed a hundred-dollar bill to Freeling. “You’re free to go.”
“Wait. That’s it? He didn’t tell us shit,” Kim said.
“He doesn’t know anything, Miss Strode. For his safety, I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Can you separate me from this bed post now?” Freeling asked.
“You sure about this?” Kim asked, reaching for the keys to the handcuffs.
“He’s innocent,” Mason said. He turned to Freeling. “There’s light in you. Stop shielding it with alcohol. Turn your life around.”
Freeling didn’t respond. He tucked the hundred-dollar bill into the pocket of his stained jacket and walked out.
“This makes no sense. Are you going to tell me this Mayhem is in the wild now and not attached to Hayes anymore?” Kim said, watching Freeling stumble through the parking lot.
“He was inebriated. It gave the demon an easy way in. Make no doubt about it, Miss Strode, the demons are watching us. Faith and strong will is needed to survive this. Remember when I told you that you would believe in God? Now is a good time to start.” Mason picked up the stuffed bear. “Do you know the origins of the name Gorgon?”
Kim shoo
k her head.
“In Greek mythology, a gorgon is the name for three sisters who had hair made of venomous serpents. “
“Medusa,” Kim said, interrupting Mason. A nauseous wave crashed in Kim’s stomach, sending a burning sensation to her throat. She dry-heaved.
“Are you OK, Miss Strode?”
“Snakes. When I saw Luke Barton’s death, he was bitten in the face by snakes,” Kim said, clearing her throat. “We can’t beat this, can we?”
“Of the gorgons, two were immortal. Medusa was not. She was beheaded. That gives us hope,” Mason said.
“What’s our next move?” Kim asked
“We go to the house,” Mason said.
Seventeen
“Just looking at this house gives me the creeps,” Terrence said, pulling into the Tates’ driveway. “Curb appeal wasn’t on their must-have list.”
The front porch of the house needed work. Mostly cosmetic fixes, replace a few rotten boards, and a new coat of paint. There wasn’t much structural damage, which was surprising, since the house sat on the market for several years without much attention. Patches of browning grass wrestled with weeds, but most of the front yard was dirt. Several trees looked to be dead. One was missing a large chunk of bark due to a lightning strike.
“The price is what sold this house. It’s funny how money can turn you blind to things,” Kim said, looking at her watch. “Where the hell is Don?”
“He can’t get here soon enough,” Terrence said.
“I really hope Dad is safe with those white witches.”
“I trust Don and Mason. I don’t think they would put him at harm,” Terrence said.
“I don’t either. Don’s questioning Dad’s Alzheimer’s. Don says he is classified an Expert by the USCF, and Dad beat him at chess five times in a row.”
“You think this spell…or whatever it is…is affecting your dad’s memory?”
“Don thinks Dad is as sharp as any old man he’s ever met.”
Terrence chuckled. “Wonder what Mason would think about that.”
