Tanners Dell: Darkly Disturbing Occult Horror

by Sarah England

  “Yes, go and see her. But hurry. They’re protecting her.”

  “How? I don’t understand! How do they do it? I mean, I understand someone trying to mow me down because they think I’m onto them, and I even understand people conducting cruel ceremonies because they get off on it. Horribly, I even get the child abuse part because there are some lousy, evil people in the world. But what I don’t understand one bit is this dark madness inflicted on us from a distance. I don’t get the power over someone lying in a hospital bed, or how the shape shifting out of shadows happens? How do they infect your dreams and send you mad?”

  “A lot of what they do will be very human and very culpable. They’ll use drugs, both herbal and illegal, and inflict pain and suffering as you say – to release energy. But the rest? Well, some people believe you can raise the inhuman – dark, negative entities – through black masses, group chanting and sacrificial blood release. What these people do to gain power over others, exact revenge, or satisfy their perversions is to invert everything to do with the church. They even take items from churches in order to defile them for ceremonies. They use black bibles and recite prayers backwards; extract fat from graveyard corpses or use foetuses to make candles; torture and debase other living creatures, notably children and animals, babies even… They’ll conduct these rites at particular times of the year. There will be thirteen of them and a mediumistic person to channel the entity is particularly useful – someone like Ruby for example. And of course it is all executed with a specific target in mind.”

  The room was now positively icy and the lights dimmed further.

  “To anyone who doesn’t think it’s real it can be an exciting game, an excuse to live a certain way, a thrill…but black magic has existed throughout centuries and there are some highly disturbing and inexplicable examples of things going badly wrong. Personally, even though I am a medium and believe in spirit, I didn’t believe anyone could really raise evil; but after my experience in Woodsend, I now think that they can. In fact I know they can.”

  “From a distance?”

  “Yes. Sometimes they will use a keepsake or item taken from the person they want to harm – like hair or nails or clothing – to personalise the demand. Or it might be a doll or poppet, so that’s what you’d look for…” Her voice trailed away.

  “Are you alright, Celeste?”

  “Oh my dear, they don’t know what they’re dealing with, you see? The idiots think they can put the genie back in the bottle whenever they please, but they can’t. They’ve made themselves instruments for channelling intelligent evil into our world, and as soon as they’ve served their purpose they’ll be thrown away. He who sups with the devil should use a long spoon and all that… ”

  Becky glanced over her shoulder and then swung round to look at the doorway. “I’ve got a weird feeling – like we’re being watched. I’m scared.”

  “Yes. So am I.”

  “Oh God, I thought you of all people would tell me not to be. That you can shut these things down and —”

  “We’re not talking about the ghosts of humans,” Celeste’s voice had spiked with panic and frustration. “We’re talking about the demonic! And ‘they’ have let it in. It’s here. That’s why I told you – time’s running out. Very soon you and I will be stopped because it knows we’re on to them. There is an intelligence.”

  “I’m scared of possession, Celeste – is that what they’ll do?”

  “Demonic entities don’t have a human body of their own – in fact they despise humans – but one of the ways they can destroy us is either by manifesting, often as a child or an animal, or possessing a person. They will find a way once they’ve been given a gateway by these self-serving fools. You must stay strong – extremely strong – and protect yourself. Some people are naturally more at risk from possession than others, of course. In my opinion they are the lonely and disenfranchised, the mentally ill, and of course, those who dabble with the occult…wherever there is heightened vulnerability or a vacuum of faith, I suppose. But we can and must protect ourselves.”

  They sat in contemplative silence for a moment or two, while the wind buffeted the windows and a low moan whistled down the chimney.

  Becky took a deep breath. “A vacuum of faith? That seems terrible.”

  “It’s just my opinion.”

  “Okay, I’m frightened out of my wits but I’m going to try and think positively – take control of what I actually can do! Supposing I find the diary, and supposing between us we can coax some more information out of Ruby? Even supposing I find Alice and manage to persuade her to come with me…who do we go to with the information? The thing is, and I have to tell you because this just gets worse, I was tipped off recently about a very senior police officer – the one who closed the case as it happens. So how is this thing going to end? Do you see? Frankly, I’m terrified Callum will never wake up and that I’ll be attacked again and this time I might not survive. Celeste, what do we do and who do we confide in?”

  Celeste shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about that too, and there is someone else who might be able to help: he’s not in a good position and certainly has his own demons, but there’s Ruby’s boyfriend, Jes. It’s just something Ruby mentioned when I saw her earlier, and now the feeling we need to contact him is growing. I met him once and he’s a rough man, operates in the underworld for sure…but I think he might hold a key.”

  “God, I wish Callum was with us.”

  “So do I. Look, Becky, don’t question me on this one, okay, because I’m going to ask you to do something? We’ve got to be exceptionally resilient spiritually for all the reasons I’ve outlined, and I’m glad you take it seriously because without this protection they will win! They’ve got some pretty nasty stuff on their side.”

  Becky nodded.

  “You need psychic protection at all times even when you’re sleeping – especially when you’re sleeping.”

  “Yes, I’ll go with that.”

  “Right. Imagine you’re filled with light – from the solar plexus to the top of your head. A brilliant tube of white light that expands to fill your whole body until there is a huge bubble with you cocooned inside it. Have you done that?”

  Becky nodded.

  “Do you believe in God? It doesn’t have to be Christianity or any particular religion – but a divine spirit – everything that’s good, positive, pure and whole… kindness, benevolence and truth.”

  “I’m a humanist but, yes, I believe in spirit too. Well, I do now!”

  “That’s fine. Light over darkness is all I ask, because you need to visit Kristy and you’re going to need a shield of armour when you go.”

  “She’s possessed, isn’t she – like Jack was?” Becky’s gaze once more flitted around the room. “I’m scared, Celeste. Really scared of going because of what I might see, and, well, do you know if just being with someone who’s possessed means it will latch onto you? My biggest fear is to lose my mind, to lose who I am.”

  “Do you mean, ‘is it contagious’? I don’t think so. During exorcisms it has been known for an evil entity to attach itself onto anther’s aura if it isn’t conducted properly, but I don’t think a demonic possession will come out of the host unless it’s exorcised, no.”

  “Okay.”

  “How did Dr McGowan come to be possessed, do you know?”

  “He hypnotised Ruby. I was there but I didn’t really see what happened because I passed out.”

  “Whatever was inside her must have recognised the chance of a more influential and powerful host? Interesting.”

  “I’ll be honest – I’m really frightened of even seeing Kristy. She was so sober and so ‘together’. It’s going to be a shock because if it can happen to somebody like her it could happen to anyone. And all she’d done was visit Jack, you see? She hadn’t hypnotised him or been present at an exorcism!”

  “She wouldn’t have been protected. Just don’t look into her eyes or recognise what is inside h
er or it will hypnotise you and draw you in. Don’t converse with it and be prepared for it to imitate her very adeptly. I’m guessing she conversed with what she would have thought was Jack. Now, remember your main objective is to get the diary – search her room and ask your nurse friend. Keep your eye on the prize.”

  Becky laughed drily. “What choice do I have?”

  “We all have choices. You can run away and never come back, of course you can, and you’d be safe.”

  “I’m not sure I could live with myself, though.”

  “Quite. And my belief is that if we fail in this life we’ll be brought right back in the next one faced with an even harder task.”

  “I’m glad I don’t believe what you believe!”

  “Now listen – one more thing – I want you to promise me on your life that you will not go to Woodsend on your own looking for Alice. I have a bad feeling about that. It’s a far more dangerous place than you can ever imagine. I see windows and doors in every house blackened and closed. Locked and barred. There is fear imprisoning those in every household there and with good reason. Don’t go.”

  “Okay but at some point I’m going to have to. Is there anyone I could trust? I mean, if I get this diary for example, what’s our next step? Because it seems to me that whoever gets involved in this is almost immediately put in harm’s way. We need someone who can take action quickly and who has contacts. I wondered about a young police officer I met - Toby Harbour?”

  “How well do you know him?”

  “He sat with me the night Callum was admitted to hospital. He’s young and naïve but I’d trust him.”

  “He has to know what he’s up against then or he can’t do it. He’ll be overpowered very quickly. They always overpower the naïve and unsuspecting, like taking candy from a baby.”

  “Yes.”

  “Make sure you put him fully in the picture and that he has psychic protection. Tell him it is not a joke. We wouldn’t go into a physical battle without armour and weapons, yet most folk are quite happy to take on the dark side totally unarmed. All of which makes it very easy for ‘them’. ”

  “I promise. And I’ll ring you to let you know how I get on.”

  “Yes please. Oh and I would like to visit Ruby again very soon if that’s okay? I’ll need someone with me though because of that switching – I think it could be very dangerous instructing her in mediumship if she’s not… you know…”

  “Yes, I’ll make sure I’m there.”

  “Good. Meanwhile I have some work to do on another level.”

  A light rain spattered against the window and another heavy gust of wind buffeted the walls. A velvety dusk descended on the room and Celeste seemed to slump in her chair.

  “Celeste? Will you be okay?”

  The slow hiss of Gerry’s oxygen cylinder seemed to fill the house, reminding them both of his invalid status and vulnerability. “And your husband?”

  “I feel a bit sick and woozy, dear, that’s all. I’ve had a long day going over to Drummersgate and then coming back to see to Gerry.”

  “Shall I turn the heating up for you? Draw the curtains?”

  “The heating’s on full. But yes – do draw the curtains. Thank you. Actually I’m ever so tired.”

  Becky reached for a travel rug from a nearby chair and put it across the older lady’s knees. “I’ll have to get a shimmy on but I’ll ring tomorrow and hopefully I’ll have that diary with me. Then we can decide what to do next. Is there anyone you want me to ring to come and help with Gerry?”

  “I feel as though I’ve the flu coming on and that’s all we need, isn’t it? I mean I’m no good to anyone if I’m poorly, and you can’t do this on your own. Becky love, you must get some help.” Her voice trailed off somewhat and Becky strained to hear. “Would you pass my address book? I think I’ll ring Gerry’s brother in Scarborough and ask if he’ll have him stay for a while. I want to do it now. Right away.”

  “And be here on your own?”

  “Yes. It’s for the best.”

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  Laurel Lawns Private Medical Home

  Kristy Silver was not at all well.

  After a phone call to check on Callum, Becky took a taxi straight up to Laurel Lawns. The phrase ‘having the devil at your back’ seemed apt, she thought, flying into Reception amid a swirl of leaves. Celeste had given her the heebie-jeebies. Still, hopefully the diary and whatever was in it would be here.

  After signing the visitor’s book she took the lift, frowning in concentration as it cranked through the floors to the top. What was so important about this diary? Martha’s predecessor, Linda Hedges, had been the social worker covering Woodsend during the 1990s while Martha was off sick. Bet she’d found something out and written it down! The question was, had Martha read it and in doing so, put herself in the firing line? And had she really then sent it to Kristy? It was a distinct possibility. And of course, Celeste seemed to have a hunch that it was here. And Celeste, she was coming to realise, did seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing things others didn’t. The lift bumped to a halt and the doors juddered open.

  Although it was only four in the afternoon, the short December day had cast the clinic’s corridors into gloom, and through the elegant Georgian windows, rectangles of lamplight extended over immaculate lawns. Becky walked smartly towards the ward and straight up to the nurses’ station. Her old friend, Nora, looked up and shook her head gravely when she saw her coming. “Are you sure you want to do this, Becky?”

  “That bad?”

  Nora nodded. Although the same age as herself, Nora seemed drawn and somehow weighed down as she led the way to Kristy’s room. They’d moved her further down the hall, she explained, because of the noises unsettling the others.

  “What noises?”

  Nora turned to face her when they reached Kristy’s door. “I shouldn’t say this but you and I go way back and, oh God, Becky, you’ll see for yourself in a minute. Frankly, I’ve never known anything like it but no one’s doing a thing to help this woman – they’re just leaving her here! A lot of the nurses have gone off sick, you know? We can’t cope with it. She needs Solitary and expert psychiatry…but Dr Morrow won’t listen and the trustees insist it’s all kept hushed up. Like I said, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, her colleagues and friends have had to be kept away…”

  Becky nodded and so Nora took the keys out of her pocket. “Okay, well she’s heavily under and you’ve got a panic button. I’ll be here in a flash if you need me. Just don’t make eye contact. I’m serious – it’s worse if you do.”

  Becky nodded and a second later she was in. Behind her the door clicked shut and she took a moment to adjust to the scene, keeping her back to the wall. Inside she said a prayer and pictured white light around herself in the way Celeste had taught.

  Kristy’s breathing was rattling in her chest as if there were ten emphysemic men in there. Her wrists and ankles were in tight restraints and her pale, normally silky blonde hair lay matted in clumps on the pillow; her alabaster skin a roadmap of broken veins.

  In stark contrast to the fresh cool air outside, a strong sulphurous odour filled the hot, suffocating room; and inside her coat over several layers of woollens, Becky broke into a sickly sweat.

  Part of her wanted so badly to help Kristy in the same way Kristy had done her best to help Jack. Another part of her wanted out of here right here and right now. She stared at the virtually unrecognisable creature in the bed. How could this have happened? How?

  The diary…keep your eye on the prize…this is why you’re here…

  Against all her instincts Becky inched slowly towards the bed. As she drew closer, the overpowering smell of rotten eggs became ever stronger and she tried to inhale only through her mouth, as the sound of increasingly heavy, wheezy breathing filled the room, pulling her into its rhythm.

  Finally she was level with the bottom of the bed. Although Kristy’s eyes were shut there was a feeli
ng she, or something within her, was aware of Becky’s presence. Clutching the sheets, Kristy’s fingernails were blackened and bitten to the quick, and blood streaked her arms and chest as if she’d been clawed by a wild animal. Her skin was corpse-white, glazed with feverish sweat, and the carotid pulse throbbed visibly in her neck. The grotesque image was hypnotic though, and Becky had to force herself to stop staring.

  A few feet away from the bed was a small cabinet, seemingly empty, but it was worth a look. As quietly as possible she tiptoed over, keeping a nervous eye on Kristy before scanning inside it. No sooner had she bent down though, when a loud chuckle made her stand up again sharply. It seemed to be emanating from deep within Kristy’s chest and sounded like several drunken men laughing raucously at a dirty joke. She had maybe one or two seconds at best to get this diary. Bobbing down she frantically felt around inside the cabinet – no, there was nothing – before backing rapidly towards the door – her focus still fixed on Kristy.

  She was almost there, about to reach for the panic button, when Kristy’s eyes flicked open.

  OhmyGod!

  Becky stared open mouthed. Kristy’s eyes were no longer blue. Rather they were alien pits of oil-black. The lips were beginning to stretch and horrified, Becky couldn’t look away, as a clown smile cracked open to reveal a long, forked tongue that flicked in and out like a viper between rotting teeth.

  There was nothing she could do for Kristy; she had to save herself and leave right away. Sod the diary.

  “Yes,” came a choral hiss from Kristy’s body. “Fuck off, bitch!”

  Becky fleetingly scanned the rest of the room as she banged furiously on the door for release. The rest of the furniture had clearly been removed because there wasn’t so much as a chest of drawers to look in. Kristy had been left here in a spartan cell until she suffered an undignified and terrifying death, hadn’t she?

  In blind panic now she pounded on the door repeatedly, shouting to Nora; while behind her Kristy’s body began to thrash around violently. Involuntarily Becky watched out of the corner of her eye as the sheets worked their way down to reveal a shockingly skeletal torso: every rib jutted out like a blade with the hollow abdomen dipping so far back as to almost touch the spine. The bed was now rattling on the floor with the power of the creature’s fury and the restraints were tearing into Kristy’s skin as her neck jutted back almost at right angles and a scream roared from her throat.