Thriller: Horror: Spirit Doll (Mystery Suspense Thrillers) (Haunted Paranormal Short Story)

by Stephen Kingston

  I would just have to enjoy our days and hope that we could get her through the nights. Mom and I went into the kitchen and we prepared breakfast together, bacon and egg with toast, and then spent the rest of the morning doing word puzzles and she helped me do laundry. We stopped at lunchtime when her nurse and PCA showed up for their introductory meeting.

  “I am Amber, Ms. Betty; can I take your vitals please?” The young, smiling, and pretty young woman who seemed to just vibrate with energy asked. Her light brown hair was pulled back tight away from her face and Mom warmed to her instantly.

  The PCA, Penelope, with copper red hair, freckles, and green eyes, stood back, letting the RN do her job as she watched the woman in action. We sat together and I learned that she would be coming three days a week at first and about the duties she would perform while Amber took Mom’s vital signs.

  “All good here, Ms. Betty!” Amber said as she wrote down the results on a chart. “Any diabetes or heart problems?”

  Mom looked confused for a moment and I quickly jumped in to answer as she lay down on her pillows. Motioning the women to follow me out of the room I replied to Amber.

  “No, not that we know of. She sees a doctor regularly so that is all monitored.” I then remembered we’d had to change her doctor. “Her doctor was up in Statesville so we’ve changed to one down here. That drive was just too long and hard on both of us so I have switched her GP to one closer to the house. Her first visit is later this week.”

  “Right, I will start coordinating with her doctor then so he is informed of how she is progressing. Have you got any questions for me? Any concerns?” Amber asked with a clear expression, not passing judgement and trying to look open. She was a sweet girl; I could see that already from how she had tried to put us both at ease.

  “No, not at the moment. But I am sure I will later.” I hoped the words did not come out sounding like I would soon start harassing her with a barrage of phone calls for questions. “I have done a lot of research so far and I think I am prepared for most things.”

  “Alright. Well, if you do have any questions my email and cell phone number are on the card, feel free to call or text. I will be back around Wednesday to check her once more, if all goes well here. If not, please do call me.” Amber smiled as she left and I turned to Penelope, surprised she was staying.

  “I am scheduled for eight hour shifts so whatever you need me to do, wash her clothes, clean her room or the areas she uses, anything to do with your mother, just let me know. I will even be able to run errands and do shopping for her. I have also been trained to give her medicine and know what all of her medicines are so if anything new comes in that could be bad for her I will know. And I have had other training that should help to make your days easier as well, bathing her, fitting any devices she may need, such as a catheter, doing glucose tests, a lot of things I will be able to do. Just show me what you need doing.” The young woman stared at me expectantly as she stopped talking.

  “Oh, um. Well, she has only just got here so there isn’t much to do. And she is not too bad off just now but I will show you around and give you an idea of what might need doing.” I hadn’t realized the PCA was going to be doing so much and was a bit shocked at the list she had rattled off of things she could do. This really would be a help. “Will you be able to take her to appointments as well?”

  “Yes, of course. Anything that she needs doing, that is what I am here for. Any kind of appointments, errands, all of those are things I can do for her or with her if she is well enough to go out on those days when we run errands.” Penelope said with a smile that was genuine, not just the fake one people sometimes used.

  “Oh my. I think I will go with you to most of these appointments but sometimes I may need to go out on my own for the girls or to do my own shopping. That is such a blessing because it means you can take her when there’s a conflict.” I truly was relieved and suddenly did not feel as overwhelmed. I had tried to hide my worry from Wes and my mother but I had been wondering how I was going to cope.

  “I am here to help her and you by extension, Mrs. Slade. Anything you need you just let me know.”

  “Oh, please, call me Clara. I have a feeling we are going to be working very closely together so we shouldn’t stand on formalities. Have you worked with patients like my mother before?” I was wondering if the young woman knew what she was in store for.

  “Oh yes, twice now. One for a year and another one for three. Both were female as well.” Penelope said with a sad look. I knew that look meant I shouldn’t ask why the cases ended, the obvious conclusion for Alzheimer’s was death, there was no cure or magic pill that made it go away.

  I gained some respect for Penelope with that response; it meant she had become attached to the patients at the least. She would not have expressed any sadness at all if she had not cared for those people. Her sadness was an indication of caring and I hoped it carried over to my mother. I had heard horror stories but Penelope had a look of sweetness and kindness to her that made me trust her. I felt a weight lifting from me as the day carried on and Penelope and I went through a list of things she could do for Mom each day that she worked. I knew I was not alone in this battle anymore.

  Chapter Three

  By the weekend I could see a routine forming with the family. I would get Wes and the girls off to their days then Mom would get up and we’d start our day together. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Penelope and Amber came and that helped me immensely. Penelope would stay with Mom while I did my own errands and on Friday Penelope went with me as I took Mom to her doctor appointment.

  Mom had only had one more episode of sleep-walking but this time she had woken all of us up screaming as she threw pots and pans at the wall the night before. I had woken up with the first pot that went flying and run down the stairs with Wes. We’d seen Mom, small and frail, looking more so now, especially in her long cotton nightgown, screaming as she threw pots around the room, pulling at her long white hair in between screams. The room was lit only by moonlight but it was enough to see her by.

  “Momma!” I had shouted at her. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “The walls are bleeding, Jenny. He is making the walls bleed. The walls are bleeding, make it stop!” She had pulled at her hair as her eyes darted around frantically, her expression of pure terror. There was nothing on the walls, there was no man, and she was sleep-walking again.

  “Wes, go check on the girls. You get them back to sleep and I will get Momma sorted out.” I had urged him away so I could deal with this on my own.

  “Come on Momma; let’s leave the room if it is so scary. We will just go back to your room.” Sighing as my exhaustion made it feel like I was being pulled down into the floor I took her by her shoulders and guided her back down to her room.

  I had spoken with her doctor about that one incident but he had assured me it probably would not happen again. He said it was probably the move that disturbed her and she should settle down. Well now it was happening again, only it was worse.

  I did not know how long it would take me to get her back to sleep but I hoped it was not going to be too long. Pouring some water from the jug beside her bed, I helped her to swallow some of it before she lay back against her pillows once more and closed her eyes. I stayed in the chair beside of her bed until she had fallen back to sleep, her light snores waking me from my own dozing.

  The rest of my night hadn’t been peaceful after that, my dreams filled with images of bleeding walls and a screaming young woman covered in a thick black sludge that I did not want to examine. I had run from room to room, but could not get away from the walls or the woman.

  I was sitting in the porch swing with Wes late the next morning, thankfully a Saturday, the girls and Mom inside of the house napping. I was enjoying the peace and quiet of a warm weekend day as Wes pushed the swing with his foot. A steady breeze kept the heat down enough in the shade to make the day enjoyable.

  “So how is it all going my l
ove?” Wes asked, stroking my blonde hair with his long fingers. I had my eyes closed, contemplating my own nap as he pushed us steadily.

  “It is going well, really. I was expecting chaos but so far it has not been bad until last night. I was most worried about the tendency some people have towards violence as their condition deteriorates but Mom hasn’t shown any signs of that. Although she does keep moving things and she broke a vase but doesn’t remember doing it. We were the only ones at home. It is not as though we had an earthquake or the vase just fell off of the shelf. She just doesn’t remember doing it.”

  “Maybe that will calm down as she gets used to being here?” Wes offered.

  “No, I have a feeling it will only grow worse in that regard. She kept calling me Jenny last night, after you and the girls went back to bed. It is much worse at night. All of the advice I have read says not to let them sleep during the day but I have found it is better if Mom rests with a nap then gets back up.”

  “Maybe it is time to put the more expensive items in the house away then?” Wes asked, trying to be helpful and supportive. I do love this man.

  “No, the main thing is that we not move around too much or change things too often. Penelope and I have hidden things she might be able to hurt herself with but the rest of it should be fine. All of the plates, figurines, and vases have all been put away. We went through the house that first day and did that.”

  “I thought I had noticed some things missing. You two have been busy then. How do you like Penelope? And is the nurse Amber?” Wes started to massage my neck as he spoke, his fingers digging deep and I turned on my side so he could reach the sore muscles better.

  “Mm, that is nice. Yes, Amber is the nurse and Penelope is great. I do not think I could get through this without her help. I had no idea how useful she was going to be.”

  “That is good then. I wish I could be here to help you more often.” Wes sounded sad and I looked up to see he was staring off into the distance as if lost in thought.

  “It is alright babe, you are working and you were just promoted. You have to dedicate yourself to that right now. And you are providing for all of us. You are helping.” I assured him, letting my hand wander as I patted his leg. He looked down at me as he felt my hand moving and a grin started to spread across his face.

  I was about to close my hand over a very interesting spot when I heard the screen door slam and the girls came charging out with happy screams. I jumped as the door slammed and looked over at Wes guiltily. His look promised “later” and I smiled at him as the girls started prancing in front of us.

  “You have to wake up Grams. Shadow Man says we have to play games with her!” Twilla insisted.

  “But you said you weren’t playing his games earlier this week.” I replied, looking at her in amusement.

  “He says we have to. And that Grams knows some games that we’d really like to play so wake her up Mommy!” Lindy responded, dancing in place with excitement. Oh to have the energy of an eight year old!

  “Now girls, Grams needs her rest. Why don’t you go play in the back yard?” Wes had learned the compromise game too.

  “No, we have to do what the Shadow Man says!” Twilla said almost angrily.

  I looked at her in displeasure. This was not my normally well-behaved child.

  “Twilla Marie Slade! You do not speak to me like that!” I said sternly, not willing to allow the behavior.

  “I am sorry, Mommy.” She said quickly, hanging her head. But then she popped back up. “The Shadow Man says…”

  “I do not care what the Shadow Man says, I am your mother. Now go play on your swing.”

  “Why don't we order pizza tonight, Clara? And if the girls are good we will watch a movie later.” Wes offered.

  The girls cheered and went off to play in the back yard while I went in to order pizza online. There was a lot of bad to say about technology but being able to order delivery online was definitely a good thing. I went into the house, closing the screen door quietly as I went into the living room. Before I made it to the laptop something odd happened. A light popped in the living room, as though a lightbulb had overheated and a bright flash of light accompanied the glowing filament before the whole thing blew. But the light was still on, overhead, the other lamps were all off and hadn’t been used at all that day. I was not sure what it was all about but decided to worry about it later. My laptop was in the living room from last night and my babies wanted pizza. I wanted some too, if I am honest.

  With a smile to myself, I settled on the couch and opened the computer up to see a webpage already open on the screen. That is odd; I always closed all open pages down at night. One of the girls or Wes must have used it this morning. I was clicking to hide the page and open a new one when I heard a noise from the direction of Mom’s room. It sounded like a growl.

  Concerned Mom was ill I rushed to the room, flinging the door open. I gave a sigh as I saw she was still asleep, her frail arm hanging from the side of the bed. I put her arm back under the cover and closed the door once more as I left. She needed her rest.

  Heading back into the living room I sat down at my laptop once more. The page was still open so I went to close it again but the headline caught my attention.

  “Shadow Ghosts and How They Really Can Hurt You!” The headline screamed in red letters made to look like dripping blood. That was not what caught my eye though, it was the shadow part. The girls called their new invisible friend the Shadow Man. Had Wes been looking up the man or something?

  My attention was caught by the sound of the girls giggling in the backyard and I opened a new tab, dismissing my curiosity while I ordered the pizza. I would ask Wes about it later. Perhaps he was worried about it? The girls did keep mentioning the “man”. Ghosts weren’t real though, I do not know why he would be worried enough to look him up. Besides, imaginary friends weren’t ghosts.

  But why had Wes used my laptop? He usually used his own. And the girls did not use either without asking first. Dismissing it as weird I was far too busy to worry about it too much. Maybe Wes was just playing a trick anyway. He sometimes had a very mischievous sense of humor. Perhaps this was another one of his jokes. “Scare the wife and get the reaction on film.” I looked around but saw no cameras.

  “Well, you haven’t scared me or tricked me Wes.” I said out loud, just in case. “You are getting anchovy pizza by the way. That’ll show you!”

  I stood up with a grin and went out to the porch once more. Wes was in the back pushing the girls so I stayed on the porch where I would hear Mom if she woke up. Sighing once more I kept an eye out for the delivery guy and tried not to fall asleep. I was a bit tired myself. The late morning just hadn’t been enough to get rid of the exhaustion caused by last night’s bit of lunacy.

  Feeling crabby I decided maybe a glass of wine would be nice later and was smiling as I thought about where sharing a bottle of wine with Wes might get us. We’d both fell into bed exhausted each night since Mom came to stay. I was busy with her all day and the girls after school. Wes came home from work a few hours later and helped out in a major way by keeping the girls occupied. We were both running out of steam at the end of the night and our sex life was suffering for it.

  I was going to get up to head out to the gas station just up the road to buy a bottle when I felt a shadow pass over me and a cold chill broke my skin out in goose-bumps. Startled I sat up in the chair as my eyes popped open. I inspected the long porch but there was nobody there.

  I looked out into the yard but saw nobody out there either. I had heard no footsteps but I had felt a presence, the shadow had blocked out the light of the day it was so large. And the air had been so frigidly cold! I put my hands on my shoulders, trying to soothe away the feeling that had passed over me. It was a weird moment but I had to put it off as exhaustion, I thought to myself. There simply was not anyone there.

  Pushing off from the chair I went around to the back of the house to tell Wes what I was doing and
to keep an eye out for the delivery man. The girls were playing on their swing set and Wes was sitting under a very old and large oak tree that stood tall over the play area. He looked so peaceful there watching our girls play. I was smiling as I walked up to them but the smile disappeared when I got near the tree.

  For a moment it looked like a man with a hat was standing behind the tree, just where Wes could not see him. The shadow seemed to jolt in my direction then disappeared. It is just your mind messing with you, Clara, I assured myself. There are no such things as shadow people or shadow ghosts. You did not really just see the girls’ invisible friend. But that did not stop the prickle of fear that made my skin go ice cold.

  Chapter Four

  “Ms. Betty seems to be very lucid today.” Amber commented as she told me about Mom’s vital signs and overall health Monday morning.

  “Yes,” I agreed my green eyes tired and bloodshot from the long weekend. “It was a rough few days though. I do not know if this sleep-walking is a symptom of the disease or her medicines but it has to stop.”

  “I understand, Clara. I have put a call in to the doctor for something different to help her to sleep. Hopefully that will fix whatever the problem is. She is incredibly lucid but that doesn’t mean much when her nights are spent sleep-walking. It happened Friday, Saturday, and last night you said?” Amber put a compassionate hand on my shoulder as I struggled up from my chair in the kitchen.

  “Yes, and I am so glad Penelope is here to help her take a bath this morning and to keep an eye on her. I am going to have to take a nap before I go to the doctor this afternoon. I am just so tired.”