Alex turned on the shower and guided Sam into the bathroom and helped her get out of her sweats. She only left her alone when Sam assured her she would be okay on her own.
Sam’s robe and pajamas were already in the bathroom from her morning shower. She could take her time and let the hot water do its thing. Then hope the drugs would kick in soon as her back had stiffened up from the drive home. Sam hoped she didn’t drop the soap, because bending over to get it may not be an option right now. Going down wouldn’t be a problem, but coming up may take help and her helper was in the kitchen doing the dishes. She would have to pay attention and wash herself very carefully.
Alex finished the dishes in a flash as everything had just been reheated in the microwave. As she wiped off her hands she headed for the bathroom to check and make sure Sam wasn’t stuck in the shower. As well as help her into bed if she didn’t want to watch any TV.
“Are you okay?” Alex tapped lightly on the door as she slowly opened it.
“Yeah, just moving slower than usual.” Sam felt like this was her first day instead of her fourth.
“Was today a lot tougher than last week?” Alex knew it should get harder, but how much?
“Today we had to run the track doing sprints and a little obstacle course. I’ve never jumped over so much crap in my life. I guess if you are chasing someone the conditions are not going to be perfect. I’m beat.” Sam looked at the clock on the sink and gave out a sigh.
“If you want to turn in now, please do. I won’t be upset. I have a test to prepare for Friday and can do it tonight.” Alex only needed to change a few details since English tests didn’t change a lot from year to year.
“Really. I think I may just do that. Lunch was great. I ate everything you gave me and loved the protein bars.” Sam would be heading for bed as soon as she rinsed the toothpaste out of her mouth.
Alex smiled and patiently waited for Sam to slowly sit on the bed and lay back. Sam hoped her back muscles didn’t go into spasm as she felt like it wouldn’t take much.
“Goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.” Alex kissed Sam softly and turned out the overhead light.
Sam only mumbled a response back. Alex was now free to get on her computer and see if she could find out who the mystery woman from the cabin was. But without a name or even when she died she had no idea where to start – or did she.
Alex went looking for Oliver and hoped his great memory could describe what the woman looked like and what she was wearing.
“Oliver where are you?” Alex was whispering but it wasn’t necessary as Sam’s snoring could be heard in the Living Room.
Alex checked the guest room and then found Oliver waiting for her at the kitchen table.
“There you are. I need that fabulous memory of yours to describe the woman from this afternoon. Can you tell me what she was wearing and describe her physical features?” Alex went for her school bag and pulled out a legal pad.
Oliver’s attention to every detail was amazing as he’d remembered everything she was wearing and gave a very accurate description of her.
She was 5’9”, blonde hair, very thin as Oliver saw her collarbones. Fancy fingernail tips as Oliver called them and she was wearing fancy clothes that were whitish. Alex could do some searching on the internet for different styles over the years and have Oliver confirm if that was what she was wearing.
It was almost Alex’s bedtime when she finished printing the last item for Oliver to review. She laid them out on the kitchen table and asked him to pick the items she may have been wearing. Alex then excused herself so she could get ready for bed. When she returned there were several pictures with corrections and Alex was amazed to find Oliver was able to write now. His handwriting was that of a very young boy, but she was able to read his notations. The spelling wasn’t perfect, but Alex could help him with that – if he wanted to learn.
Alex gathered up the papers and placed them in her bag. Then thanked Oliver for all of his great help. Now she was ready for some sleep and hopefully a dream to explain what she was needed to do.
Chapter 33
Alex’s head no sooner hit the pillow, than she found herself walking up the road to the cabin that she just visited hours before. But now it was freshly painted and looked lived in. It was quite cute and looked like a place someone loved very much.
There were no cars parked in the little carport or on the driveway leading up to it. Alex didn’t feel anything disturbing or evil until she opened the front door. There was a presence that felt depressing – so, so depressing. But the heaviness didn’t seem to have a body to it. It seemed to be present, hanging in the air like a bad odor permeating from the walls. Alex felt like she was trespassing, but it was a dream so how does that work? A quick tour of the place didn’t give her any idea of who lived there. No pictures out on display or hanging on the walls. Plus Alex wasn’t getting any visions of anyone being killed there. So why was there a woman’s ghost hanging around. Alex went to the small writing desk in the corner and found a note lying on its surface. The sentiment sent a chill up her spine.
That poem, why that poem, the fear came flooding back to Alex as if she had received it just yesterday. Could this poem be written by the same man who had tried to kill her? Could this have something to do with Richard Greenway – could he have committed a murder that no one knew about?
As Alex began to shake she reread the note, the sick feeling in her stomach growing stronger with each passing second.
Roses are Red Violets are Blue Will there ever come a time when I can be with you. Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
My Sweet Love, I wanted to marry you.
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
If I can’t have you then I’m going to kill you.
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
It won’t be long before no one will remember you.
That last line sent her heart racing and now she must find out who this woman was and if indeed she had been murdered by Richard Greenway. But wait, maybe it was just a coincidence that the poems started out the same as his. It was a common poem that had been around for ages. She needed to make sure she didn’t jump to any conclusions.
If she was able to find out when this woman died, it would help confirm if he indeed was responsible. Alex looked for a calendar on the desk, but nothing stood out. If only she was able to pick up items she could find something with the date on it or even better maybe something with a woman’s name on it. She looked everywhere but nothing was lying in plain sight. She would just have to find out who owned this place last and go from there. Which meant she may have to ask TJ for some help in locating the last owner since she knew the history of the area and thus revealing to her this latest vision. How could she keep this a secret if TJ knew? Rats!!!!
Alex walked out the front door and found herself not outside the little cabin any longer, but standing amongst some very tall trees in an area she’d never been before. In fact there were no roads or trails to be seen in the immediate area. Where was she now and why was she here? Alex stood for a few moments before movement off to her left caught her attention. It was a man carrying something over his shoulder that looked like a body wrapped in what appeared to be a canvas tarp. He stopped by a fallen tree and dropped the bundle next to it.
“No one will ever find you or ever care about you again.” He muttered.
Alex was relieved it wasn’t Richard, but also well aware that this man could still be on the loose. Trying to imprint his face on her mind she didn’t really see the face of a monster, but that of someone who was in a lot of pain from what she assumed was a broken heart. But this wasn’t really the solution, but then again killing never was.
Alex stared in disbelief as the man rolled the hollow tree trunk several feet away and then started to dig a shallow grave with the small folded shovel that he had slung over his shoulder. The ground was incredibly soft and he was done in less than 3
0 minutes it seemed. Then he rolled the body in and covered it with the loose dirt until it was just a slightly raised mound, which disappeared when he rolled the tree back to its original place. No one would know by looking that there was someone buried there. Alex wanted to follow him to his car, maybe she could get his license number or even follow him all the way back home. She wondered if she could hit him like she had done with Robert Monroe to let him know he had a witness to his deed. Alex ran up behind him and gave him a shove with all of her might, but this time she didn’t just swing him around she sent him flying to the ground. Thinking he’d just tripped he started to get up when Alex decided to see if he could hear her too.
“I saw what you did and I’m going to get you.” Alex leaned away from the man and was hoping to see some type of reaction. He didn’t react right away, but then slowly turned to see who might be behind him. When he saw no one he jumped to his feet and ran with Alex hot on his heels. When they finally did come to a road it was another dirt one. The man jumped in his truck but his license plate was half covered with mud and only showed the last three numbers “150”. Also, it was another white truck that was so common in this area with no special anything on it. She wondered how many white F150’s were registered in this state with those last three numbers – probably hundreds. But at least she had a friend in law enforcement, in fact one day soon she’d have two.
As she watched the truck race away she noticed a tree stump by the edge of the road. This would make a great marker to find her way back to the fallen tree. Now all she had to do was follow this road and see where it took her. But which way left or right, then she heard a familiar sound and looked to her left. There perched on tree branch was a Raven cocking its head as if to say “Are we lost?”
“Hi. Been waiting long?” Alex headed in the direction of the Raven who just sat and waited for her to approach. “So should I assume this is the direction I want to go?”
“Caw”
“I’ll take that as a Yes. I really wish you would just start sending me written instructions on what you want me to do. These little one act plays are getting tiresome to say the least.” Alex passed under her guide and hoped she didn’t wake up before she found out where she was.
“Caw”
“Thank you. At least I hope that is the correct response.” Alex smiled as she looked back at the bird.
“Caw” The Raven flew to the tree stump and waited.
“I’ve got it; I’m going the right way. See you at home.” Alex didn’t think she needed an escort.
“Caw”
“What now? Alex turned around and finally saw what the Raven had wanted her to see.
On the stump where notches carved into the wood and now there was one new notch. The fresh wood stood out like a sign that said ‘Look at me – this is number 5’. Alex turned and started to run as fast as she could, but this was a dream why couldn’t she fly or run faster at least. She needed to find the starting point so she could tell Sheriff Taylor and get him out here. As soon as she knew “where out here” was and of course wake up from this dream.
When the alarm chirped to life Alex thought it was the birds in the forest. She had made it to the main road and was trying to memorize the landmarks so she could drive back out here in the daylight.
“Darlin’ it’s time to get up.” Sam was impressed she was awake before Alex.
“Nuts.” Alex wished she’d had a few more minutes, but she was pretty sure she had it.
“Good morning to you too, sleep well?” Sam had never been greeted that way before.
“Sure, it’s just something I need to remember.” Alex headed for the bathroom to start her routine, but today after work she was going to do a little investigating with Oliver’s help and hopefully find out just who all were buried in the woods and how long they’d been there.
Chapter 34
Tuesday turned out to be another long day that found Alex extremely distracted so much so that several of her students had asked about her wellbeing. Having reassured them that she just had a lot on her mind Alex’s thoughts continued to race about what she had witnessed in her dream. If all was true this quiet little area had more dark secrets than anyone could have imagined. Was going crazy the price you paid for living in such a rural place?
Alex hoped Oliver would be able to tell if there were any other spirits in the area and if they could lead her to the other bodies. As Alex drove home this seemed so normal, so everyday. Oh look I’m going to go find more dead people. What had become of her old boring life, the one she complained about all the time? Once she met Anna and Ramon all that changed and this seemed to be her new normal. The movie “Topper” came to mind as two ghosts helped Topper with his everyday problems. This wasn’t a comedy though; it was real and not at all funny. Plus it would have been so much easier if the killer had been Richard Greenway, because he was dead. This guy could still be out there, because his truck wasn’t that old. Not as old as Alex’s but not brand new either. This would certainly have been easier if Alex was up on her trucks. She always wondered at those guys who could tell a make and model just by looking at it, as well as the year it was made. All she could tell was color and that it was an F-150 only because it was written on the side. But come to think about it there were signs of rust so not brand new and the front wasn’t as familiar as say TJ’s truck. So she wasn’t as hopeless as she thought, she may be able to pick it out if it was parked in front of her. But then what about the license number, the plate was the same as on her car so not a really old car. This was beginning to sound a little more manageable, but not as easy as she’d like.
Oliver was waiting by the garage and Alex yelled to jump in. No time to change clothes, they needed all the daylight they could use to find that dirt road. Alex described what she’d remembered to Oliver and he thought for a moment as they drove in the direction of the fallen tree. Oliver told Alex to pass it and take the next right turn heading up the mountain. He thought he had a good idea from her description where this dirt road may be.
“Well this explains a lot about where you go during the day.” Alex had often wondered but didn’t want to pry.
“When you don’t need to sleep you have a lot of daylight to do stuff and nighttime to rest. How do you know about this spot?” Oliver knew Alex hadn’t been here before but she was right on in her description of this particular road.
“Okay I need you to keep another secret. I dreamt about it last night. I guess I need to tell you about the two spirits that I have around me, besides you.” Alex smiled and wondered how Oliver was going to take it.
“You mean Anna and Ramon.” Oliver had seen the picture and heard Alex talk to it.
“Yes. I met them in New Mexico while on a short vacation. That’s a whole other story and I brought them back with me, like Sam brought you from Pennsylvania.” Alex just remembered that interesting little detail.
“So why aren’t they around like me all the time?” Oliver had never seen them.
“Because they crossed over and went to Heaven. You and other earthbound spirits haven’t done that yet.” Alex knew he wouldn’t go if he felt there wasn’t a reason to.
“I like it here with you, Sam and TJ.” Oliver smiled and looked at the road ahead.
“I know you do and we love having you. But one day when it’s our time do you think you’ll want to go with us?” Alex thought it was one way to get him to cross over.
“Gosh, I never really thought that one day you would die. I guess then I would, but not before.” Oliver also wondered who he would go with – Sam or Alex.
“No worries for the time being, we aren’t planning on going anywhere for the foreseeable future.” Alex at least hoped not.
“There on the right, is that the road?” Oliver pointed as he almost flew out of his seat.
“Oh my gosh, that’s it. Oliver you are amazing.” Alex pulled the truck over and jumped out.
Now all she had to do was mark it somehow so she could find
it on her own. It was too late to try and find the tree stump, but this was terrific. As for something to mark the spot the only thing that couldn’t blow away were large boulders and Alex was sure she couldn’t move them into a pile of noticeable size.
“Oliver, can you help me move this?” Alex found one that would work if she could stand it on one of its sides.
“I can try.” Oliver moved next to Alex and bent over to grab his side.
“I think if we can lift it up so it sits on this wider end it will be a good marker. What do you think?” Alex wanted his input.
“Sure, it’s big enough to be seen from the road.” Oliver grabbed the smaller end and before Alex could get in position he had lifted it all by himself.
“Wow, Oliver I didn’t even get to help you.” Alex realized he had been working on this skill.
“Thanks, I wasn’t sure I could do it. But I guess all my practicing has paid off.” Oliver smiled as he walked a few feet away. “It’s good.”
“Perfect, I can find it again with Sheriff Taylor and hopefully we can find those bodies.” Alex then realized what she had said out loud.
“Bodies, there are bodies?” Oliver had never thought to ask Alex what this was all about.
“Okay here’s another secret to add to the list. In my dream I saw a man bury a body and I think there are more. I think they are connected to the ghost in the old cabin.” Alex watched Oliver’s face as he listened to her words.
“Anna and Ramon told you all this in a dream?” Oliver was confused.
“Not so much as tell as showed me what happened when one of them was dead. If this is more than you want to do I completely understand. You’ve been through enough, like before when you were in the war and death isn’t an easy thing to see.” Alex was surprised at how calm she was talking about all this.
“No, if you can do it so can I. I’m not afraid as long as I know you aren’t either.” Oliver remembered again, how could any of this hurt him?
Not A Good Reason Page 20
