by Connie Myres
Moose started the engine. “Oh, great, the curse is still alive. What did she see?”
“She didn’t go into detail, but it looked like an ugly old witch, but she thinks it was her imagination because she’s had a fever. All I know is that I want to have my friends at the Anisteem Ghost Hunters check out the house—if Mary agrees to it.”
“It was that old man who placed the curse on the family,” Moose said, pulling away from the dock. “Zachariah De Moen, I think was his name.”
“Or a demon.” Eddie laughed. “I’m with Mary on this, it was a fever making her hallucinate.”
“You don’t believe in paranormal things, do you?” Madisyn said, disappointed. She wanted him to be perfect like his cleanly groomed hair blowing in the wind and his smile.
Eddie shrugged. “It’s not that I don’t believe, it’s just that I haven’t seen any proof of such things.” He paused, then said. “You look like I just ran over your dog.”
Madisyn acted like it didn’t bother her. It wouldn’t bother her at all if she weren’t attracted to him, but she was. No wonder Mary had a twinkle in her eye when she spoke of Eddie going along for the ride into Anisteem. Then she had an idea. “Why don’t you come to the house when my friends investigate. Maybe we’ll make a believer out of you.”
Eddie looked to be in thought before he said, “Okay, I’ll come out. Fortunately, Mr. Stine assigned me to Mary’s case, giving me time to help out and hang out over here.”
Madisyn could hardly breathe. This man acted like he liked her and that’s good because she was definitely liking him.
The air was crisp and fresh as they crossed the water to the mainland. Moose docked at Chesham Charter Boats.
“Can you two young people handle the chores for Mary? I have to check the engine on Daisy Dancer, it seemed to sputter a little bit.”
“I think we can handle things,” Madisyn said, happy it was going to be just the two of them. “We’ll be back later.”
Moose tossed Eddie a set of keys. “You can drive my car so that you have someplace to put groceries and things.”
Eddie caught the keys with such ease, Madisyn imagined him having experience as a baseball player. “Bye, Uncle.”
“Thanks, but we can take my car,” Eddie said, following Madisyn to Moose’s old sedan.
“Take mine, it’s on the house today,” Moose said, walking into the shop.
Madisyn and Eddie got into Moose’s dusty four-door. An empty pack of Marlboro cigarettes sat on the dash and the inside smelled of stale smoke.
“I take it your uncle’s a smoker,” Eddie said, glancing over to Madisyn as he started the beast of a car.
“Yep.” Madisyn felt like she was on a date. She was happy, and it showed.
“Where to first?” Eddie said, driving out of the parking lot.
“Let’s get Mary a cell phone, then stop by and see my friends. Maybe they can come out to the house in the next three days.”
“Three days?”
Madisyn wasn’t sure if she should say anything more about what Mary had encountered, not wanting Eddie to think she was a weirdo. But she said it anyway, “That thing that was in her room said she would be dead in three days.”
“Are you serious?”
Madisyn nodded, studying his face for signs of wanting to get away from her. To her relief, he seemed concerned. He simply nodded in agreement.
After Eddie purchased a cell phone for Mary, they walked down Anisteem’s main street. It wasn’t too busy that Thursday morning. The sun warmed the air enough to feel perfect on the skin. Grilled burgers scented the air and flags waved casually above shop windows.
“There it is,” Madisyn said, pointing toward a shop window with Anisteem Ghost Hunters written in an eerie font with ghosts resembling Casper the Friendly Ghost encircling it.
“Looks non-threatening,” Eddie said.
Madisyn took his hand and started across the street. “Let’s go.”
“We’re jaywalking, that’s against the law,” Eddie said, following along.
Madisyn felt energized when they got to the other side. “If we get caught, I’ll have you defend me in court.”
“Oh, I see how this is going to work.” Eddie looked at her with adoration.
Madisyn wanted to kiss him, but she dared not. Instead, she said, “Let’s go inside.”
A bell jingled as they walked through the door.
“Hey, Maddie,” said a young man dressed in a black tee shirt with the group’s name written on it, just like the store window. He gave her a hug. “I’m surprised to see you. What brings you out here? Visiting your moose of an uncle?” Then he looked at Eddie and gave a quick nod.
“Carl, this is my friend, Eddie. He’s helping me and Mary, the lady who now owns Ender House.”
“Nice to meet you,” Carl said, extending a hand.
“Likewise.”
“Carl goes to Anisteem College with me.”
Carl looked at Madisyn. “Don’t tell me you’re going out to Ender House, you know the history of that place.”
“Actually, I’m living there for the summer to help Mary.”
Carl grabbed his gut. “No way. Have you seen anything paranormal, yet?”
“That’s why I’m here. I haven’t seen anything, but Mary has.” Madisyn told him about the apparition and its warning that Mary would die in three days. “So I was wondering if you could come to the mansion to check things out and see if you can possibly do something to stop it.”
Others in the store had gathered around, including two other members of the ghost hunting group, Donny and Sharon.
“So that makes the third day Saturday night. We can come out tomorrow night, Friday.” Carl looked at Donny and Sharon. “Sound okay?”
Donny squeezed in closer, asking for a more detailed description of the old person. “It’ll help with my research. If we know who we’re working with it’ll be easier—so to speak—to get rid of it.”
“I can only tell you what Mary told me. She didn’t come with us today because she doesn’t feel good.”
“The apparition might’ve done something to her,” Sharon said. “We’ll definitely be out tomorrow. Whatever’s in that house is dangerous.”
“We’ll be out before dark to set up our equipment and stay as long as necessary. If it’s okay with Mary.”
“It will be,” Madisyn said. “Call my uncle so that you can get out to the island. You’ll want to do it soon, so he doesn’t make plans to play poker with his buddies’ tomorrow night or you’ll have to rent a rowboat.”
“I don’t think a rowboat will get across there,” Carl said. “Don’t worry, we’ll be there.”
Madisyn and Eddie left and walked back into the sunshine.
“It’s such a beautiful day,” Madisyn said, walking down the sidewalk.
“We can stop at a café and get lunch before we head to the grocery store if you like.”
It was a date, Madisyn had decided. “Yes, that sounds nice.”
They stopped into Main Street Café. It was busy. They each ordered a sandwich and iced tea and grabbed the last table outside on the patio before it was taken.
Madisyn was too nervous to eat even though she knew she had to be hungry. She wondered if she’d see him again but wasn’t sure how to ask. “So, have you decided if you’re coming out to the mansion tomorrow night?”
Eddie took a swallow of tea and looked at Madisyn. “Are you kidding? Of course, I’m coming out. You still have to prove to me there are such things as ghosts.”
Yes, she wanted to kiss him even more. She smiled and could tell by the way he was looking at her that he wanted to kiss her, too.
Chapter 14
Mary wasn’t back to one hundred percent, but she did manage to set out a plate of cookies—store bought cookies—when the paranormal group arrived at the mansion. Even though she thought the young people were blowing things out of proportion, she was thrilled that Madisyn and Eddie were getting al
ong.
“You’re quite the trooper for putting up with all this hooey,” Eddie said, after traveling over on the Daisy Dancer with the team, their equipment, and Moose.
“I’m pleased you have a level head on your shoulders. And," she smiled, “I’m pleased you and Madisyn are having a good time together.”
Eddie laughed. “This is the first time I’ve been happy with anyone’s attempt at matchmaking. And I must say I’m happy for the scheming you did. I like Madisyn, she’s pleasing to the eye and very kind.”
“She likes you, too. And, I didn’t scheme, I just thought it would be good for the two of you to meet. Sometimes I get a hunch about these things.”
Madisyn walked up and stood next to Eddie. “What are you two talking about? My ears were burning.”
Mary changed the subject. “They brought a lot of equipment. If there’s something in this house, I’m sure they’ll find it.”
“I hope so,” Madisyn said. “We’re going to begin with a séance.”
“They asked me about that and if I felt well enough to participate,” Mary said. “I said I would and told them to set up in the drawing room.”
“You can join us at the table,” Madisyn said, looking at Eddie.
“If you want me at the table, I’ll be there.”
Mary watched the couple gaze into each other's eyes. “Will you two lovebirds take the cookies into the drawing room; people might work up an appetite ghost hunting. And by the way, thanks for the groceries and the phone.”
Moose came up from the basement. “So far nothing’s been caught, but I’ll keep an eye on the traps. Whether it’s a mouse or a groundhog running around, I’ll catch it.”
“Thank you, Moose,” Mary said, walking to the drawing room. “You’re just in time to join us for a séance. Oh, and I almost forgot. There is a box of cigars on the fireplace mantel. You can take them with you, I don’t smoke. And they look expensive.”
“The cigars sound more interesting than the séance,” Moose said, plodding through the entrance hall.
Mary was surprised at the look of the room when she entered. They had found a table where the seven of them could sit around and hold hands. A fat candle burned in the center of the tabletop.
Carl fiddled with a recorder when he walked up to Mary. “I hope you don’t mind that we took this smaller table from another room, but it should work well for the séance.”
“It’s fine,” Mary said, looking at the crew. “Who’s the medium, the one who’s going to be speaking with the dead?”
“None of us are a medium and we don’t have one on staff, but Sharon is the most sensitive of us, so she’ll lead it,” Carl said. “Actually, and I hope it doesn’t bother you, but this will be our first real séance. We’ve practiced a little bit at the store and had questionable results, but with this home’s history, I’m sure we’ll have a good outcome.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Mary said. “Even with the estate's history I doubt you’ll contact anyone, but it’ll be interesting to watch.”
“We have cameras placed around the house,” Carl said. “In this room, your bedroom, since that’s where you saw the apparition, and in the hallway downstairs as well as on the second floor and the third floor. That should be enough for now, we can always come back if we need to.”
Sharon walked past them on her way to the table. “The cameras and voice recorders are good to go, so I’m ready when you are.”
“Mary, you can set next to Sharon,” Donny said, pulling out the wooden chair for her. “I want you close to Sharon, it might help to contact the other side.”
“As you wish.” Mary sat down, and Madisyn sat next to her. Eddie was next to Madisyn.
Moose was about to set next to Eddie, but said, “Maddie, can you move down a seat. I don’t feel like holding Eddie’s hand.”
Madisyn laughed. “Sure, Uncle.”
“I’m a little offended,” Eddie joked, scooting down a seat, next to Donny who was putting a recorder in the center of the table. “What’s that for?”
Donny looked surprised he was asked about the equipment. “Oh, this is a digital audio recorder for capturing EVPs.” He looked at Eddie, then continued. “An EVP is electronic voice phenomena, in other words, spirit voices.” Donny reached into his fanny pack and sat another device on the table. “And this is an EMF meter, it detects changes in electromagnetic energy. Spirits give off this energy and the device will alarm when it detects something.”
“I’m turning off the lights,” Carl said, flipping the switch. He took the seat between Sharon and Donny. “I guess we can get started.”
The candle in the center of the table quivered as if showing it was ready, too. Everyone held the hand of the person next to them.
Mary watched as Sharon closed her eyes and drew in some deep breaths. Other than Moose’s noisy respirations, the room was quiet. She looked at Madisyn and saw her and Eddie smiling at each other. Yes, the two were in love, she was certain.
They sat there for ten minutes in the silence when Mary heard that same scurrying sound in the direction of the kitchen. The rat was back. She squeezed Moose’s hand. He looked at her and nodded, he heard it, too.
Mary jumped when Sharon broke the silence. “If anyone is here, please give us a sign.”
They sat there, looking at each other and around the room, but nothing happened.
“Is anyone with us?” Sharon said. “Make a sound or speak into the device on the table.”
Mary was surprised when the candle flickered at the same time the room became cold. The EMF meter began to light up. She looked at Carl and Donny who themselves looked astonished. Mary knew these newbie paranormal investigators were not hoaxing; anything that was happening had to be legit.
Then the table began to vibrate as Sharon’s face contorted and a voice came out of her mouth, a voice that was not hers. Mary’s heart almost gave out when Sharon opened her eyes and looked directly at her with a face that made her think of the poor girl in the Exorcist, except that Sharon was not spewing pea soup. Yet by the frightening look on Sharon’s face, Mary wouldn’t have been surprised if bile started dripping from her mouth and down her chin.
“Mary McMaster; I’ve been waiting for you.”
Mary heard Madisyn, and even Moose, gasp. This was not Sharon’s voice.
“Don’t break the circle,” Carl said, as the EMF detector screeched.
“And because of your good deed of murder, you are the last living heir of Humphry McMaster.” An evil giggle came from Sharon. “You will be dead and condemned to Hell before the midnight hour tomorrow.”
“What murder? Mary has killed no one,” Madisyn said.
Sharon—no, the evil spirit—laughed so loud that the house shook, causing the cigar box to fall from the fireplace mantel, spilling its contents onto the hearth. “But she has. A baby girl was once in her womb until she had it ripped out and thrown into a dumpster to die.”
“Who are you?” Mary screamed. She wanted to run away but Sharon gripped her hand with such strength, there was no releasing it. Even Moose was holding on tight, but more likely from fear. “I was young and forced into it. I didn’t want an abortion, but they made me do it. They forced me; I had no choice!”
“Mary McMaster, soon to join me in the netherworld. To burn forever and ever in the bottomless pit.”
Then Sharon collapsed into Carl’s arms—the entity was gone. Mary’s hitched breathing fought to hold back tears. Madisyn rushed to her and held her tight as everyone gave each other a look of, “What the hell just happened?”
“Don’t leave Mary alone,” Carl said while Donny turned on the lights and began listening to the EVP recorder.
Chapter 15
While Mary sobbed in Madisyn’s arms, Carl said, “The site is hot, we have to keep going. Maddie, you stay with Mary.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
“That was Zachariah De Moen,” Moose said, trading seats with Madisyn. “I always f
elt sorry for the guy because of what the McMasters did to his family, but now—” He shook his head.
Sharon placed a hand on her forehead. “That was a powerful spirit, I’m totally wiped out. I don’t think I want to do it again.”
“I don’t blame you,” Carl said, letting go of her arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“Was it Zachariah De Moen?”
“It was a person with an ax to grind with the McMasters, but—” Sharon frowned.
“But what?” Carl said, frowning back.
Sharon looked around the room. “There’s something else here.”
“Something worse than the Zachariah spirit?” Carl asked.
Sharon nodded. “I think so.”
“It’d have to be the devil himself,” Moose said.
“Or one of his minions,” Eddie said, giving a half-suppressed laugh.
“Even minions can be pretty dang evil,” Moose said.
“I’m sorry,” Mary said, as everyone avoided eye contact with her. She took a deep breath and wiped tears from her cheek with the tissue that Madisyn had gotten her. “I’m evil myself having done what I did as a young woman and—”
Moose cut her off. “Don’t you worry about it, Mary. We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. Leave it in the past, it was a different time.”
Mary sighed. “I’ve lived with the secret all my life, knowing I killed my unborn child.”
“Listen to this,” Donny said, holding the EVP recorder over the table for everyone to hear. Everyone quickly looked at the recorder, seemingly happy to change the subject.
They heard Sharon ask if anyone was with them and the vengeful response by Zachariah saying he had been waiting for Mary. But right after that, before Carl said not to break the circle, a throaty voice of cancer came through loud and clear. A voice that oozed dominance over old Zachariah and every soul in the room. “Death to all who occupy this house.”
