The Haunting of Pitmon House

by Michael Richan

  Shane’s breathing began to change. His chest moved up and down, increasing in speed as though he was beginning to hyperventilate.

  “Robert?” Eliza asked, watching Shane inhale and exhale rapidly.

  “Be patient,” he said, holding the canister in place.

  Suddenly Shane’s chest stopped moving altogether. A rasping sound came from his mouth. He was gasping for air, choking.

  “Robert!” Eliza cried. “Stop!”

  Robert looked up at her and reluctantly removed the canister. Shane stopped gasping, but his chest didn’t move.

  She felt a slow relaxation in Shane’s hand and she began to panic, worried that Shane was dying. She ran her hand up Shane’s arm. “All of his muscles are completely relaxed now. Robert, I’m worried.”

  They watched, hoping Shane would open his eyes. His fingers began to move, twitching, shifting back and forth.

  “What’s happening to him?” Eliza asked.

  “I’m hoping it’s the counter agent, taking hold,” Robert replied.

  Eliza was afraid that Shane was having some kind of seizure, and she considered calling for help. His fingers continued to dance in her hand.

  Then, finally, his chest took in a huge lungful of air, and he began to breathe. His lips started to move; he was saying something, faintly.

  Robert leaned closer to Shane’s face, hoping to hear what was coming from his lips.

  “He’s saying ‘Gordon’,” Robert said. “‘Come on, Gordon.’ That mean anything to you?”

  “Gordon?” Eliza repeated.

  Robert listened. “He’s saying, ‘jump Freeman’.”

  Eliza rolled her eyes. “It’s that damn video game!” she said, relieved. “Gordon Freeman is a character in that video game he plays! Look!” She raised his wrist as high as the restraint would allow, letting Robert see Shane’s moving fingers. “He’s playing the game in his head!”

  “I think that’s a good sign,” Robert said, smiling at her.

  She smiled back, lowering Shane’s hand, feeling a huge relief. Robert’s solution had worked.

  “How long before he’s back to normal, do you think?” Eliza asked.

  “Not sure exactly,” Robert replied. “But with the infection out of him, I don’t think it will be long. The main thing to be concerned about is all the rest of him; he’s been lying in bed a long time, and it doesn’t look to me like he’s eaten much.”

  “Any side effects from the counter agent?” Eliza asked. “Or left over from the infection?”

  “You’ll just have to keep an eye on him and see,” Robert replied. “Hopefully not.”

  Shane opened his eyes and looked at them. He opened his mouth, stretching his jaw.

  “Shane?” Eliza asked. “Shane? You’re in a hospital. Can you hear me?”

  “Of course I can hear you,” he said. A look of panic crossed his face. “What happened to my arms? I can’t move them!”

  “No, your arms are fine,” Eliza replied. “They’re restrained.”

  “I am so freaking hungry,” he said, closing his eyes.

  “Help me undo these straps, will you?” Eliza asked Robert. They unbuckled the leather restraints and Shane slowly raised his arms to his face.

  “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “My arms hurt.”

  “Shane, this is Robert,” Eliza said. “He’s going to stay with you while I go talk to someone and figure out how to get you out of here. Wait here with him, OK?”

  “Alright,” Shane said, and she turned to leave the room.

  “Bring me a cheeseburger!” Shane called after her.

  She smiled. He’s back, she thought.

  ●

  “Well, well!” Donette said, standing in the doorway. “I honestly didn’t know if I would ever see you again.”

  “I said I’d return it,” Eliza replied, holding up Nick’s journal. “Here it is.”

  “I just made some iced tea,” Donette said. “Would you like to come in and have some?”

  Eliza imagined she’d hand the journal back to Donette and leave, but the invitation to talk more with her suddenly seemed welcome, and she nodded yes.

  Donette’s apartment was decorated with leopard print fabric and bright colors. She led Eliza to the kitchen, which was painted a deep red, and offered her a glass.

  “This must mean you were able to save your brother,” Donette said.

  “Yes,” Eliza replied. “He came home from the hospital yesterday. Seems fine, aside from missing a lot of school work that he’ll have to make up.”

  “And Granger? Robert?”

  “Granger was hurt in Pitmon House,” Eliza said. “He’s still in the hospital. They expect to release him Friday.”

  “What happened to him?” Donette asked.

  “Knife wounds,” Eliza replied. “Lots of them, on his back.”

  Donette raised a hand to her mouth. “Just like Nick.”

  “Nick died from a knife attack?”

  “I think they said thirty stab wounds,” Donette answered. “That was what killed him. He was burned after that, but the autopsy said it was the stabbings that killed him.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Eliza said. While they’d been in the middle of trying to help Shane, the full weight of what had happened to Nick hadn’t settled on her. Now, after the attack upon Rachel and Granger, she was realizing just how dangerous the entire enterprise had been.

  “I’m just glad to hear Granger is OK,” Donette said. “If they’re letting him out of the hospital, he must be on the mend.”

  “He’ll be fine,” Eliza replied. “We were worried at first, but none of the knife wounds damaged anything internally.”

  “Thank god,” Donette said. “Robert? And your other friend?”

  “Robert is fine,” Eliza answered, “My friend Rachel was burned pretty badly.”

  “Oh, no!” Donette said. “How is she doing?”

  “I don’t know,” Eliza replied. “She’s completely disappeared. She checked out of the hospital she was in. I tried other hospitals, but she’s not at any of them. I went by her home, and she’s not there either. So I don’t know.”

  “Just up and left?” Donette said. “How strange.”

  The room fell silent for a moment, then Donette asked, “What happened at Pitmon House?”

  Eliza related the story of their activities, ending with the removal of the items from the attic room. “I think Tena and Dominic are gone,” she said. “Dominic is most certainly the one who killed Nick.”

  “Well,” Donette said, wiping at her eyes. “Justice has been a long time coming. It’s good to know it’s been resolved, and I have you to thank for it. I guess loaning you his journal was a good move. It’s actually a relief, after all this time, to know the reason.”

  “You really weren’t sure I’d come back?” Eliza asked.

  “No,” Donette said. “I honestly didn’t think any of you would make it.”

  They chatted a while longer; Donette recounted some of Nick’s stories, and Eliza answered some of her questions about her schooling and work. After a refill of the tea, they parted and Eliza left the apartment, anxious to make her appointment with Robert in Spring Green.

  ●

  “You’re sure?” Robert said, breathing heavy as he stared down into the hole he’d just dug.

  “I’d rather know where it is than wonder who might be stumbling upon it,” Eliza said, standing next to him. “Besides, you assured me it’s inert, right? Can’t radiate anything and cause any harm anymore?”

  “I soaked the wood in the counter agent for three days,” Robert said. “Then I lined the inside of the metal box with the wood, and welded it all shut. The metal will keep the wood from rotting.”

  Eliza looked at the three foot metal cube at her feet. She’d wrestled with where to bury Sydney, but in the end she decided to inter her on her property, choosing a heavily wooded spot, far from the house and barn. And the graveyard.

 
“Should we say something?” Eliza asked. “I’m not sure I know what to say.”

  Robert jumped into the hole, and carefully lifted the metal box. He placed it gently on the soil at the bottom of the hole, then climbed out and joined Eliza, looking down into the grave. “Well, she was loved,” Robert said. “Whatever she was, she was loved. I suppose that’s as good of a thing as you can say about someone.”

  “Yeah,” Eliza replied. “I agree. It is.”

  Robert took the shovel and began filling in the hole, rocks ringing as they hit the metal. Eliza watched as he worked and the grave was slowly filled. Soon it was covered completely. The mound wasn’t in the shape of a human grave, since it was square. Eliza was reminded of times when they’d buried family pets on the property.

  “Well, that’s finished,” Robert said. “For what it’s worth, I think you’ve done the right thing. At least it won’t become someone else’s problem.”

  “Until I sell the house,” Eliza replied, turning to walk out of the woods.

  “You planning on selling anytime soon?” Robert asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Good.”

  She smiled at his response. “Come with me back to the house,” she said. “I’ll make you some lunch.”

  ●

  Shane! she thought, forcing herself out of bed. She assumed the loud noise that had just woken her up must have come from her brother. She quickly pulled on a pair of pants and walked out into the hallway.

  The door to Shane’s bedroom was closed. She opened it slowly and looked inside. Shane was asleep on the bed; everything looked normal and quiet.

  What did I hear? she wondered.

  She walked back to her bedroom. I need to get back to sleep, she thought. I’ve got a double tomorrow. She wasn’t looking forward to it; Lois’s niece was annoying, and with Rachel now apparently out of the picture, it was likely the niece would be around for a long time.

  Instead of slipping into bed, she decided to look out the window, down into the front yard. There was no moonlight this time, and everything seemed dark.

  I know I heard a bang, she thought. Maybe it was part of a dream.

  She looked at the barn; in the window she could see a face, staring up at her. Its mouth was moving rapidly, as though it was speaking to her. She looked at it with amusement. I wonder what it’s saying? she thought. Then she heard the bang again. It was coming from the barn.

  Great, she thought. Just what I needed.

  She laid down on the bed and dropped into the River. Leaving her body, she drifted down to the front yard. The head in the barn window turned to face her as she approached, and it backed away as she entered the building.

  Is that you making noise? she asked.

  How dare you! the ghost shrieked at her, raising his hands to show her the tiny faces on its palms, their yellow eyes glowing and the foul air of their breath beginning to fill the barn.

  How dare I what? Eliza asked impatiently.

  Defile my home with your filth! it shrieked.

  She studied the man. She remembered being scared of him at first, but now, after what she’d experienced at Pitmon, she was more intrigued than afraid.

  It’s my home, not yours, she said. I’ll do with it what I want. If you don’t like it, move on.

  The man moved closer. It’s not just yours. Look at you. When you were little and came in here, I used to play with your long hair. Do you remember the feeling of it rising in the air?

  Eliza did remember. It had been one of the things that spooked her about the barn.

  Now look at you! the man continued. Your hair unkempt, like a bum!

  This is about my hair? Eliza asked.

  No, it’s about that abomination you buried next to us! the man said, furious.

  Next to you? Eliza asked. You’re buried out in the woods?

  No, I’m buried in the graveyard next to my wife, the man replied.

  Well, then it’s hardly buried next to you, Eliza replied. It’s on the other side of the property.

  It shouldn’t be within twenty miles of our home! the man shouted. It’ll taint and twist everything, making things unholy!

  It’s sealed in a soaked-wood box, Eliza replied. It can’t leech anything.

  I know that! the man snarled. You think I can’t detect that? If its unsanctified nature was seeping into the ground, I’d be even more angry with you!

  Well then, what’s the problem? Eliza asked. Do you know something about it I don’t?

  I know it’s profane! the man screeched. The thought of my poor dear Justine, lying in the same earth as that abomination — it’s an insult to the family! I’m ashamed to call you an heir! You are to dig it out immediately!

  I’ll do no such thing! Eliza shot back. This is my property to run, and I say she stays.

  It’s not a she! the man said, his hysteria increasing with each sentence. It’s not even a he! You can’t tell what it is! It’s a sacrilegious disgrace! It’s a blemish upon our good name, upon the memory of our family! You were raised better than to associate with that kind!

  Exactly who are you? Eliza asked. Which of those graves out there are you?

  You don’t even know your own history! the man replied. You sicken me. The shame you bring upon us this day will live forever.

  Eliza had had enough. I’m thinking of digging it up…

  The man’s countenance changed; he looked up at her, hopeful.

  …and reburying it here in the garage.

  His face contorted in horror. You can’t do that! You perverse, sick child!

  Or, Eliza continued, I can dig you up and move you to the county cemetery. How about that?

  The man looked even more terrified. No! You mustn’t!

  Why mustn’t I? Eliza asked, walking closer to the man. You’d be far, far away from Sydney; you should be happy about that.

  No, you have no idea what you’re doing! the man said, retreating from her. As she got closer he raised his hands again, exposing the faces in his palms. They hissed their odor at Eliza, and she stopped.

  I don’t know what your problem is, Eliza said. You’ve obviously been in this barn a long time. You liked it when I was scared, when I was a little girl and afraid of you, didn’t you? Things have changed. If you want to stay, you’d better learn who’s in charge around here, and show some respect. I just exorcised ghosts from Pitmon House, and I can exorcise you in heartbeat. Now I’m going back to sleep, and I expect you to shut up! Don’t make me get up again!

  The man’s look of horror froze, and he faded from view. She knew it was a defensive move.

  She looked around the barn. It was still and quiet.

  As she returned to her body, she wondered if the old man got the message. If he turns into a problem, she thought, I may have to figure out who he is. She settled back into her body, dropping slowly from the River, and tried to get back to sleep.

  ●

  She walked from the break room to her station at the ticket counter relieving Alice from covering for her.

  “Thanks, Alice,” she said. Alice just checked her watch and waddled slowly back to the gift shop.

  Things were picking up; she’d issued twice as many tickets today alone as she had last week. Soon we’ll be swamped, like every summer, she thought.

  She missed Rachel. She’d spent an inordinate amount of time trying to locate her, and trying to figure out why she’d disappeared. She suspected it was Rachel’s doing, not something nefarious. Rachel was upset about the attack, she reasoned, and she didn’t want to talk to me about the whole thing anymore. I can understand. If I’d been burned like she was, I’m sure I’d reconsider what I was doing. I might not want to explain myself.

  Still, it bothered her a great deal, and she wished somehow she could talk to her.

  She issued more tickets and tokens. Every time she handed the tokens to a customer, she worried that they might be gifted, and they might experience what happened to Shane once they were inside the ex
hibit. Robert was making a form of the counter agent that she could paint onto the music machines that showed signs of activity. It wouldn’t help with the ones that didn’t come from Kendall Pitmon, but with Rachel and her Tapura gone, she had no way of knowing which ones did and which ones didn’t, with the exception of the fishing scene that had been responsible for Shane. I’ll fix that one first, she thought as she dropped tokens into a woman’s hand, and the woman divvied them up between her children.

  She looked forward to seeing Robert later that night. They were meeting so he could show her how to apply the counter agent paint. It wasn’t formally a date, but it kind of felt like one; he was driving out to Spring Green, and had offered to take her to a restaurant for a late dinner after their business was done. She felt optimistic about the possibilities.

  There was also the allure of Aceveda. When she returned the lockpick, the woman had invited her to her home for further studies. She suspected there were ulterior motives in the invitation that Aceveda didn’t explain, but she was nonetheless intrigued by the things the woman might be able to share with her. As unpleasant as learning the lockpick had been, she was proud that she’d been able to wield it successfully.

  She stood up straight, realizing that by this point in the day she usually felt tired. Not today. The old man notwithstanding, she thought, I’ve been sleeping pretty well. No bad dreams. No waking up in a sweat, worried that we’d be penniless and living in a camp.

  “Code 66, Mikado Room,” she heard from the radio, faintly in the background. It meant that a child had become frightened inside the exhibit, and was freaking out. It happened occasionally. Most children were scared by at least some of the dark displays, but few had meltdowns over it. Security had a policy of helping mothers with extremely distraught children to find and use employee exits, if they chose.

  Poor kid, she thought. I know how scary it can be in there.