Abandoned Souls

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Kellie, there’s one more entry. Do you want to hear it?”

  “Yes,” she turned from the window and sat back down at the table.

  “I read a little bit and this one scares me. Grandma writes, “Matthew thought I was asleep last night when he got out of bed and picked up his clothes. He didn’t make a sound when he left the room. I don’t know if he dressed in the kitchen or outside. I didn’t hear anything until the horses rode up. I could see enough through the crack where the shutters meet to see him ride off with Jeb Moore, Lester Clark, and Hugh Bentron. They didn’t head toward town; they headed across the meadow. The only thing in that direction is the Carnfelder estate. I had no idea what they could be doing. I went back to bed, but I’m not sure how long I slept. When the sun rose, I woke and went out into the kitchen to find Matthew sitting at the table with his head resting in his hands. I touched his shoulder, and he jumped. Matthew was never jumpy. He looked at me, and his eyes were red. I asked if he had been crying and he said no. He’d been out early helping with some grain that affected his eyes. I was afraid to ask more, so I set about making breakfast. Matthew walked up to me and whispered that if anyone were to ask, he was home all night. I nodded. He turned me around and looked in my eyes. He said he was a good man, and I told him I believed him. He said sometimes evil must be dealt with and destroyed. All I could do was lean against his chest and try to keep from crying when I felt his heart thumping fast and hard in his chest. Something bad happened last night, and Matthew must have been there. He kissed my forehead and said he’d be back as soon as he finished in the barn. That was the last he spoke of it, but rumors spread through town about the Carnfelder family fleeing their home in the middle of the night. Folks said the nephew was caught and blamed for what had happened to the townsfolk. Some say he was beaten and shot in the legs to make him talk. Others say he was hung in a tree in the cemetery and hit with sticks until he confessed that he was responsible. I have heard a few things I can’t abide mentioning. Rumor is he is buried in the Carnfelder mausoleum where no one will ever know what happened to him. There is no proof of any of this and nothing is going to be done. Life in town is going on as usual. If something horrible happened then my Matthew was involved. I can’t imagine him hurting another, but his fear for me and the children may have led him to follow the others. I pray that only one life was lost that night and the Carnfelder family has left town, but a few people say the Shuland brothers helped the nephew, and they were also killed. They found people for the nephew’s needs whatever they were. I wasn’t able to find out. I heard whispers that the Shuland’s bodies are also hidden in the mausoleum. I needed to write this account, or it would never leave my mind. I am now going to place this in a good hiding spot and try never to think of it again.”

  “Well, that explains why Shuland went after you and the three boys. It must have been revenge. Both Claude and your great-great-grandma seem to know the same story. The Shulands grabbed people; the nephew poisoned them somehow, and the town buried the victims under the bridge. Most of the Shuland family was killed off that night by your relative and the boy’s relatives. My gut feeling is Clifford Shuland may have kidnapped you, but another of his relatives probably a brother killed the boys leaving you with Clifford. He didn’t have the heart to kill a child, but couldn’t turn his brother in, so he remained silent,” Kellie said tapping her index fingers on the table while looking at Marilyn.

  #####

  Deputy Walden knocked on the sheriff’s door. Sheriff Korder’s head was down studying the paper on his desk. He looked up and said, “Sit down Walden; I need to pick your brain.”

  “Sure thing, sir. What’s up?” The deputy studied the sheriff’s face as he sat across from him.

  “I have read this file on the boys and Price girl three times. There’s a criminal profile in here of someone that doesn’t fit Shuland at all. I’m beginning to think this might have a personal angle. Give me your thoughts on this. You are Clifford Shuland. You kidnap four kids, kill the three boys, and bury them near your family plot. You then leave the girl in the cemetery and turn yourself in. After saying she was in the cemetery, you clam up. Why?” The sheriff sat back in his chair and stared at his deputy.

  “Well, the only reason I personally would clam up with the police is to protect someone I care about. That is if I wasn’t a deputy, of course.” He shifted in his chair.

  “Of course, anything else?” The sheriff leaned forward putting his elbows on his desk.

  “Umm, yeah, the person would have to be close as family. Isn’t it unusual for a serial killer to work with anyone?” Deputy Walden shrugged.

  “Yeah, it is unless they were bonded by blood or need. Clifford Shuland has or had a brother, but the guy had a solid alibi in California at the time of the crime.”

  “Alibis can be bought. Sheriff, what if they both kidnapped these kids. One killed the boys, and when Clifford was supposed to kill the girl, he couldn’t do it. By then the brother could have been on his way back to California. Clifford couldn’t kill anyone, so he left the Price girl in the cemetery and turned himself in not saying a word.”

  The sheriff hit his desk with the palm of his hand and the deputy jumped. “I think you got it there, son. We may never prove it, but I don’t believe Clifford Shuland was a killer. Maybe he couldn’t deal with murder and left the girl behind. My notes say Marilyn was uninjured physically. It makes sense.”

  “You may have solved it, sir. At least we know what probably happened, and maybe the families might have closure. Wouldn’t we have to put the other Shuland on trial to end it? I doubt the D.A. would see this as conclusive evidence.” Deputy Walden rested his chin in his hand and raised his eyebrows. “It might have to do as it is.”

  “I agree. I will run it by the assistant D.A. and see if I can at least let the families know of our theory. You’re right; it might have to be enough.” The sheriff closed the file and blew out a breath. “Maybe after the funerals I can put their minds at ease.”

  Deputy Walden stood and nodded, “Anything else, sir?”

  “No, you were a big help. Thanks.” He turned and replaced the file in his cabinet.

  The deputy smiled and waved as he left the office.

  #####

  Kellie and Marilyn cleared away the dinner dishes and made plans to drive past the Carnfelder estate in the morning. After a long discussion, Marilyn decided to wait until after the boy’s funerals to ask her mom about the albums she found. She also needed her dad to sit in on the discussion since he was a Price by birth and a direct relative of Matthew Price. He would want to see the journal.

  Both young women had a hard time keeping their eyes open as they watched the late news. They decided to call it a night.

  Turning out the lights, both were asleep in minutes. Neither had thought to look out the windows before retiring. If they had, they would have seen the figure dressed in black watching the house from the edge of the woods.

  After waiting approximately fifteen minutes, the man left the shelter of the woods and approached the house. He planned on walking around the perimeter of the house, but the motion activated lights came on causing him to run back to the safety of the woods.

  He grumbled to himself before he left, “Better to find out about the lights now rather than later.”

  Neither young woman noticed the lights and slept until their alarms woke them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Over breakfast, Kellie asked Marilyn one last time if she was sure she wanted to go to the Carnfelder estate. “I’ll need to walk around it to get an idea if there are spirits. I don’t want you to be frightened.”

  “I’m tired of being afraid. Remember at college when I hated my glasses, but didn’t think I could put contacts in my eyes? You and Taylor went to the optometrist with me and waited while I learned how to do it. Now, I can’t imagine not wearing them. I went through the same thing when I sent in my first manuscript. When it was returned, I was devastated and dec
ided to stay at the newspaper forever. I sent it out several more times, found an agent; my book was published, and made it to the bestseller list. I’m tired of being afraid of failing. I’m stronger than that timid girl at college or the kidnapped child. Let’s do this,” Marilyn said flexing the muscles in her arms.

  “Okay, lead the way brave woman,” Kellie laughed as she followed Marilyn to her car.

  Marilyn drove through town until the area became rural and turned onto a gravel drive. “No one ever repaired this house after the Carnfelder family left. The town feels it’s truly haunted to the point that when I was in high school none of the kids would come out here even on a dare. You’d think it would be a great party place, but it terrified the girls and the boys wouldn’t admit it, but they had no interest in the house. I think they were afraid, too.”

  Kellie asked, “Most kids don’t care. What is it about this house?”

  As Marilyn pulled up in front of the house, she said, “They all thought the idea of ghosts was funny, but they believed in the curse and witchcraft legend. It was enough to keep people away.”

  Kellie opened her car door and said, “I believe that. None of the windows are broken. That’s unusual. It looks as if someone has been here. There’s an old doll sitting on the porch in front of the door.”

  Marilyn climbed out of the car and turned to look at the house and doll. “Kellie, I think that’s my doll. I had one like it.”

  Kellie said, “Marilyn, get back in the car now.”

  Marilyn didn’t hesitate and asked, “Why?”

  “Look at the house. The doll disappeared from the porch. It’s sitting in the front window.”

  Marilyn’s head snapped to look at the house, “Oh no. We’re leaving.” She started the car, put it in reverse, and immediately hit the brakes.

  “What’s wrong?” Kellie asked.

  Marilyn pointed to her rear vision camera and said, “I see something. Is that a ghost?”

  The filmy image showing up on the camera floated a few inches off the ground. Kellie could sense its evil.

  “Yes, turn around and drive away. It can’t hurt us. It’s trying to scare us. The spirit knows it can’t get past me, but I’m not sure why. I’ll call Claudia when we get clear of the house.” Kellie turned her head and could see the spirit without the aid of the camera.

  Marilyn’s palms were sweaty, but she turned the car in the drive and headed for the highway.

  As they left, Kellie looked back at the house, and the doll was no longer in the window. “I’m not sure if the doll is possessed or if the spirit is moving it. I don’t sense evil right now. I’m going to call Claudia.”

  As she reached for her phone, it rang. “It’s Claudia; she always knows when I run into a spirit.”

  “She’s a psychic; I would expect her to know,” Marilyn said.

  “Hi Claudia. You saw the doll, too? Is it possessed? Okay, yeah I understand that. I’ll watch out for it, and I won’t go back without more people. Safety in numbers, I remember. What about the spirit that was behind the car? Interesting, is that why I was able to make the evil leave the cemetery?” Kellie smiled at Claudia’s concern. “I’ll call if I do, bye.”

  “I’m almost afraid to ask what she said,” Marilyn said as she gripped the steering wheel tighter.

  “The doll is not possessed. It’s being carried around by the young Carnfelder child who died from whatever the crazed cousin did to him. Claudia said his spirit is attached to the cousin. Both move between the house and cemetery near your house. That’s why the spirit behind the car just stood there, and I sensed it wouldn’t hurt us. It was here guarding the child. Claudia said the boy isn’t dangerous, but the cousin is and we’re to be careful. This time we were fortunate it didn’t attack us. We should have more people if we go back.” Kellie leaned her elbow on the door rest and stared out the window.

  Marilyn’s eyes opened wide, and she asked, “You’re not considering going back are you?”

  “Of course. I promised to help Katrina May and the others under the bridge. I think part of the mystery lies in the Carnfelder home.”

  “Oh my, I need chocolate. There’s a nice diner near here with great burgers, fries, and chocolate cream pie. There’s an antique shop next door and a homemade candle shop that also sells essential oils. They’re wonderful. We can shop and build up an appetite.” Marilyn glanced at Kellie hoping to convince her not to want to go back to the house.

  “Sounds great. I love candles and essential oils. I use the oils to make my own hand soap which always smells lovely. Randy loved it.” Her breath caught. “Oh, I forgot for a second.”

  Marilyn grabbed her hand, “It’ll happen for a while. You’ll be okay. We’re there.” She pulled into a parking spot.

  Kellie nodded and sighed.

  #####

  After their overindulgent lunch, they headed back to Marilyn’s house. Settled in the kitchen, Marilyn pulled out the journal again. “I can’t believe my family was responsible for murders. I’m not sure how to bring it up to my folks, but they have to know.”

  “Back when your ancestors settled here, there wasn’t any local law and maybe they were afraid the person responsible for all those people buried under the bridge would get away. It might have taken too long for someone to go for a lawman, and they did what they had to do,” Kellie tried to assure Marilyn.

  “I’ll buy that, but I still have a big question.” Marilyn closed the journal.

  “What?”

  “How did my doll get to the Carnfelder estate?”

  “Are you sure it’s your doll? Claudia explained that the child is attached to the doll. It could have come from anywhere over the years.”

  “Yes, the doll was dressed in a pink sundress. I forgot about it until I saw my school picture.” She slid the picture toward Kellie. “Look, I’m wearing the same dress. My grandma made both of them as an Easter surprise the year I was kidnapped. I wore it the day I was kidnapped and taking the doll to school for show and tell. I forgot until I saw myself in this picture.”

  “You buried a lot of memories because of your age and the traumatic experience,” Kellie said. “It could also be why your mom couldn’t bear to look at this picture. It reminds her of that day.”

  “Maybe, but she still has to explain why she didn’t keep the rest. Wait,” Marilyn grabbed the photo album of her pictures and began to skim through it. “Look, I remember this. It was Easter. I loved the dress so much my mom let me try it on at grandma’s house and since I had the doll with me, I dressed her, too.” She turned the album so Kellie could look at the picture.

  “It looks like the doll at the estate. Since you had it with you, I’m sure Shuland grabbed it, too. He wouldn’t leave evidence on the sidewalk. If he drugged you as we surmise, you wouldn’t know where you lost the doll. The ghost of the little boy became attached to it, and it most likely disappeared.” She looked at Marilyn, “We need to find out the boy’s name. Maybe I can communicate with him when he’s not near the nephew.”

  “We also need to make copies of my grandma’s journal before I show it to my parents. They may burn it. A trip to the library will take care of both. They have a better copier than I do here at home, and I want to be sure we get good copies from the thin paper in the journal. Legally, I think the journal is mine since it was in the house, and I’d rather give the sheriff copies before his people tear the pages. First, we have that funeral tomorrow. I wish I could stay home.” Marilyn pursed her lips tightly while bouncing her hands on her thighs.

  “You won’t be alone. I’ll be at you’re side. I doubt your parents will burn the journal. You can tell them you spoke to the sheriff about it. You have to tell him at some point. It explains a lot.” Kellie ran her index finger under her lip.

  #####

  Kellie and Marilyn rose early the next morning. Jimmy, Allen, and Tommy’s funeral would be in a few short hours. Marilyn’s mom insisted she attend. She had become friends with the boy’s parents
, and it would seem to be in bad taste if Marilyn stayed away.

  “After all,” her mom explained, “it’s only a church service and burial.”

  “I didn’t think I’d be wearing this dress again so soon,” Kellie said. “I felt like donating it when I got home. After this funeral, it’s what I’m going to do.”

  “Me too,” quipped Marilyn. “I’ll never wear this dress again. Maybe I understand a little how my mom felt about the things that reminded her of my kidnapping. It could be it wasn’t my things that bothered her, but the fact the boys photos would never be there. That doesn’t explain the report cards. I’m still confused.”

  “You’ll get answers eventually, I’m sure. Ready?”

  “No, how can anyone be ready for a funeral like this.”

  They entered the church together and saw three small, white caskets sitting side by side at the front of the church. In Marilyn’s mind, she saw four caskets and the room began to spin. Kellie helped her to a rear pew.

  “Take a deep breath. It’ll help.” Kellie suggested.

  Marilyn whispered, “When we walked in, I thought I saw four caskets, one for me.”

  “I understand. It’s stress. Look what happened to me at Randy’s funeral. I think it is best if you just stay in this pew. If you feel sick, we can leave without people noticing.”

  Marilyn’s mom spotted her and insisted she sit up front with her and Marilyn’s dad. She refused.

  Kellie spoke up, “She had a bad panic attack. Sitting here is helping her.”

  Her mom glared at them both and said, “Fine.” She strode back to her husband and whispered to him. They could see him shake his head.

  “They’re angry,” Marilyn whispered. “Just wait until they find out why we were all kidnapped. At least they won’t blame me.”

  Kellie held her hand during the service and drove Marilyn’s car to the cemetery. “I’m happy they’re being buried in the new cemetery. It’s beautiful and open here. Lots of sunshine.”