The brightness of day became shrouded by the heavy evergreen boughs above, and shadows grew darker with the thickness of the overgrowth. Midday felt more like a foggy evening in the dense canopy.
Our footsteps crunched in the loose gravel while the four of us scanned the woods on either side, searching for clues of a hidden cemetery.
“Where the hell is the fog coming from?” Nick asked. “Did the director cue the fog machine? I mean, it’s summer. And daytime.”
Surveying the conditions of the forest, I calculated the moisture in the air. “It’s just condensed water droplets. A result of the air being cooled to dew point so it can no longer hold the water vapor in suspension. Rising air, that’s cooled from expansion, is likely the cause.” I stopped when I noticed everyone staring at me. “You know, the forest floor is cool. Soil doesn’t hold heat.” My voice trailed off.
“Um, I thought you bombed bio?” Kaitlin teased.
Numeric calculations coursed through my mind, showing me the probability and statistics of things I didn’t give a crap about.
“Yeah, I guess I retained more than I realized,” I mumbled. “All of it, actually.” I squeezed my eyes shut to clear my mind of the running list of calculations and analytical information. It felt like a computer was processing through my brain, and I understood every pulse and code.
I opened my eyes again only to find everyone still staring at me.
Something about this place had tapped into my memories. My subconscious. It awakened knowledge I had stored away in tidy, secret compartments. And now all those sealed doors within my brain had opened at once. The rush was exhilarating. But at the same time, it was embarrassing.
“Come on,” I said. “Never mind my weather forecasting. I’m a bit of a closet science geek,” I lied. “So now you know.”
I started walking again, and they followed along.
Within two seconds, Kaitlin caught up. “What the hell was that?”
“What?” I peeked at her from the corner of my eyes.
“Information,” she said. “Is your mind exploding with mundane, trivial facts?”
I stopped in my tracks. Her bottom lip quivered.
“Kaitlin?” I said. “Is it happening to you, too?”
Her eyes shot to the guys to make sure they weren’t listening. “Yes. Grace, I’m scared. What is this place?”
“It’s not the place, Kaitlin,” I assured her. “It’s our brains. They’re rewiring. Remember?” I rubbed my temple absentmindedly. “The doctors told us our neural connections had been damaged. And now they need to find new pathways. So, it’s just tapping into shit that’s already in our heads, I think. Makes sense, right?”
“I guess,” she whispered. “I mean, we suffered the same impact. So, makes sense our recovery would be similar.” She held her head for a moment. “But I feel like I can’t control it. My mind is expanding, like beyond my skull.”
“Okay, that sounds more like a migraine, Kaitlin,” I said. “That’s one of our symptoms, too, so let’s not blow this out of proportion.” I watched her clench her jaw. “Do you want to get out of here?”
“No, I want to find the freakin’ cemetery,” she blasted. “I’m not leaving until we do.”
I laughed at her persistence. A true urban explorer.
Fatigue already weighed down my muscles, though, and I wasn’t sure how long we’d last. “Let’s go a little farther. Just to see if anything looks interesting.”
Braden and Nick had wandered ahead while Kaitlin and I chatted, so we ran to catch up to them.
“Hey, there’s something up ahead,” Braden called to us.
Our feet scurried along the uneven, broken pavement as we caught up.
Just off to the side of the road was a large sign. Vines grew over it, making it difficult to read. Braden stepped into the weeds and pulled at them, exposing the white sign, attached to a broad, solid stone monument. The fancy black lettering read:
Blackwood State Hospital
“I heard that place was shut down,” Nick said. “Like a ghost town.”
He was right. I remembered hearing urban legends about the hospital, too, like all the buildings were boarded up and falling apart. And some said it was haunted by former patients. I hadn’t thought it still existed, though. I thought they tore it down years ago.
“Wanna check it out?” Braden turned to me.
I swallowed hard, side-eying at Kaitlin. She nodded.
“Sure,” I said, glancing back to Braden.
I stepped near the sign, then ran my hand along the top of it. White paint chipped along the wooden edge, and the black, fading letters held their own secrets within the eerie script. As I moved closer, my foot caught in one of the creeping vines, making me stumble. I grabbed onto the edge of the worn sign. My fingers gripped the wooden plaque to steady myself, but it broke away from the stone monument that held it.
“Shit!” I gasped, fearing I’d vandalized the relic.
The sign wobbled on loosened screws that had eroded from the granite over time. The corner of the wooden plaque I’d grabbed on to had separated from the landmark, exposing etched letters carved into the stone behind it. My eyes widened with curiosity, and I pulled at the corner of the broken sign to expose what it so cautiously hid within the granite.
“What are you doing?” Kaitlin jumped forward. “Don’t make it worse.”
“I’m not,” I muttered through my intense focus. “There’s something here.”
I pulled the wooden sign farther from the granite monument, exposing more stone-carved lettering. The gothic script filled my vision as the entire board pulled away and dropped to the ground, exposing the original, hidden sign.
My hand flew to my mouth as I gasped and backed away.
“Fuck.” Nick stepped back, eyes wildly darting around.
Braden stood frozen, staring at the exposed, original marker.
Kaitlin moved to my side as we read the authentic sign together. Over and over.
Blackwood Insane Asylum
Est. 1896
It started in my hands, traveled up my arms, then shot through my entire body. The frightful trembling turned to spastic shudders as fear coursed through me like a toxic venom.
“That’s freaky,” I choked, stepping through the vines to get away from the sign.
The words ‘insane asylum’ held a sick amount of power and judgment that turned my stomach. Poor souls from the not-so-distant past were sent there, most likely against their wills. Then the politicians probably thought a name change from asylum to hospital would improve the image of the institution. I looked back at the permanency of the stone marker and then at the broken, rotted attempt at hiding the truth—the wooden sign that now lay on the ground in its failure.
“So…,” Braden glanced in the direction of the road that led to the asylum. “Shall we?”
I noticed Kaitlin’s blanched complexion, white as a ghost. “Are you okay?” I asked. She looked like she was about to puke.
“Just lightheaded,” she said as she dropped her hands to her knees. “I’m gonna need to lie down soon.”
She was right. I felt it, too We were supposed to be resting, to recover our brains. And my body screamed to slow down, turn off the lights, and do nothing.
But there was no way we could stop now. This discovery was way too exciting. It was everything Kaitlin and I had always searched for.
I turned to Braden. He watched me with raised eyebrows.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked. “You should probably be resting or something. We’re not exactly prepared for a full-scale adventure.”
He knew me too well. Knew I’d never back away from such a discovery. Always enticed by signs that said, ‘do not enter’ or ‘stay off the grass’. I saw them more as a challenge than a demand or request.
The pulse in my temples grew stronger, and I realized my headache meds were wearing off. I had no water and basically nothing to help the situation. But stil
l, there was no way I was turning back now. We at least had to see what was up ahead.
“Let’s check it out and then decide what to do,” I said. “I can’t not know what’s up there.”
Kaitlin stumbled out of the brush, then back onto the road next to me. “My curiosity is killing me,” she said as she reached for my arm and locked her elbow with mine.
Nick walked ahead while Braden stayed closer, keeping a close eye on me. He was always nervous about following rules and doing what was right. It was cute. Most of the time. But right now, I could tell it was going to enter the smothering zone at any moment. I had to assure him we were fine.
“I think being out in the fresh air and getting some exercise is probably good for us.” Smiling, I started walking in the direction of the asylum. Kaitlin dragged at first but then kept up.
“Okay,” he said. “If you’re sure.”
Braden’s long strides moved him along the road faster than us, and he started to catch up to Nick. Braden’s tall frame shadowed Nick, making his short stature even more prominent. No wonder Nick always had to act big in his comments and actions. It was his Napoleon complex. And he never disappointed.
“Concussions are for pussies, anyway,” Nick yelled back to us. “You guys are fine.”
I shook my head, glaring at Kaitlin.
She squeezed my elbow with hers. “Yeah, but he’s hot.” And she keeled over, giggling.
“Oh my God.” I splatted my hand on my forehead.
“Have you seen those eyes?” she continued. “I can barely look at them when I talk to him.”
I chuckled, knowing she was trapped by his primal features. I supposed I couldn’t blame her. She was right about his eyes.
I turned my attention to Braden. I’d always liked him, but I’d never made a move on him. I wasn’t sure how I felt, like if it was brotherly love or if I was attracted to him. I wished I could decide, especially for his sake.
He was very patient, but it was obvious he was waiting for me. And I couldn’t find any flaws, which made my indecision even worse. He was tall and good looking. Athletic and kind. He was smart and funny. I watched him like I always did, trying to picture myself with him. But then, as usual, right when I’m about to accept it, the feelings become confused and leave me uncertain, unknowing.
Then Nick’s voice blasted me out of my inner thoughts and back to the moment. His voice sent shock waves through my body that jolted me to attention.
“There’s something up ahead,” he yelled. “A clearing. And I see a brick building all boarded up!”
Chapter 4
We raced toward the clearing to see the ominous boarded-up building. My mind swam with intrigue as I pictured an old insane asylum in full operation—patients chained to beds, padded rooms, screaming to be let out.
Clearly, I’d seen too many movies and prayed this place hadn’t ever been like that. But then, I considered the antiquated practices in mental health of the past century. It involved lobotomies, shock therapy, and solitary confinement. Misunderstood mental illness was seen as demonic possession or stubborn defiance. Now, those conditions would be called something like bi-polar or manic depression and instead of horrific torture treatments, there would be proper therapies and medications.
A chill ran through me as I thought about the poor souls who’d been trapped in there. Now boarded up forever.
“Check this out,” Nick shouted, waving for us to hurry up.
Kaitlin and I pulled our eyes from the brick building, following Nick’s gaze. He stared at a small sign hanging from a wooden post at the entrance to the grounds. Its words slowed my breathing as if the spirits were speaking directly to me.
Remember us for we, too, have lived, loved, and laughed.
The blue lettering was framed by a set of angel wings and a swirling scroll at the bottom.
It was meant to be some kind of memorial of remembrance. Instead, I read it as more of a warning. A reminder that souls were lost. Mistreated. And only now recognized as fellow humans.
Tears stung at my eyes, and my throat tightened. It felt like we were treading on sacred ground, seeing something that should remain unseen.
“Come on,” Nick called. “What are you waiting for?”
My attention moved from the sign to him. I hadn’t noticed he and Braden had moved farther into the grounds while Kaitlin and I hovered at the perimeter.
“I feel sick,” Kaitlin said.
My stomach clamped on itself, sending nausea through me as well.
“Me too. Let’s not stay too long,” I said. “I just want to have a quick look around. We can always come back another time.”
She nodded, and we hurried to catch up to the guys.
As we got closer to the boarded-up brick building, the space expanded in front of us, bringing dozens of buildings into our view. The area was immense, like a small town or traditional college campus. An old paved road connected the numerous buildings, and a clock tower rose from what looked like a chapel in the center of the grounds. The face of the clock was faded and chipped, with several missing Roman numerals and no hands left. Still though, it stood proud as a sentinel over the institution and held tight to its many secrets.
“Holy crap,” Braden exclaimed. “This place is huge.”
Each building held its own unique character and architectural structure. The chapel was the most obvious with its oversized, arched doorway and tall, narrow stained-glass windows running along the side. Some other buildings resembling college dorms and maybe even a library. There was a loading dock that ran along the side of one of the simpler structures. But every building had the same red brick construction with slate roofing along all the peaks, and every single window at ground level was boarded up with secure plywood coverings.
“It’s like a prison,” Nick murmured, looking around with a trepidatious frown.
“I don’t know,” I said. “At the time, I bet this gothic architecture was considered beautiful.”
“I kinda get the prison-vibe, too,” Braden added. “I wouldn’t want to be trapped here. This place is spooky.”
We walked along the road and moved farther into the grounds. The silence around us added to the ethereal feel of the abandoned space. Wind moved through the trees, causing the leaves to rustle, bringing a breath of life to the stillness of the area.
I stopped, gazing at a large walnut tree in the center green across from the chapel. Its heavy branches were thick and reached in every direction around it. It had to be hundreds of years old, judging by the width of the trunk.
One branch in particular caught my attention. It reached out from the side of the tree horizontally, holding the weight of smaller branches and leaves at the end of it. The section that shot out from the trunk was clean, without offshoots. I stared at it until my eyes faded out of focus.
Then, an image flashed in my mind. A rope hung from the branch. Twisting from the bottom of it was a young woman. Hanging by the neck.
I gasped, then a small shriek escaped my lips.
“What the fuck is that?” Kaitlin cried, grabbing on to my arm again. She pulled at me, yanking me back. “Let’s get the hell out of here,” she yelled to the guys. “Oh my God, Grace!” She leaned over, retching from what she had also seen—the horrific sight of the dead girl hanging from the tree. “Get me out of here.”
I retreated as the woman’s swollen, purple face filled my mind with terror. Her dead eyes held mine in a final call for help.
“Let’s go,” I shouted at Braden and Nick as they hurried toward us with puzzled expressions.
“What’s up?” Braden called. “You okay?” His worried tone confused me.
And then, I realized something that made my stomach drop. He hadn’t seen her.
As he and Nick approached us, I turned toward the massive walnut tree and lifted my shaking finger, pointing toward the sinister branch.
“There,” I said, peeking toward the horrific scene through one squinted eye.
But she was gone.
The branch held no evidence of her being there. No rope. No asphyxiation. I gaped at Braden in disbelief.
“There was a…a woman,” I started. But just as the words left my mouth, I froze. There was movement just beyond where I had seen her hanging.
I stared beyond the walnut, toward the long building with the loading dock. And there, just beyond the line of vision where the woman hung, was a dark figure coming toward us.
The vision of the woman hanging by her neck had rattled me to a point I couldn’t think straight. Convincing myself it was my imagination was impossible because, unfortunately, Kaitlin’s reaction to the horrific sight made it clear she had seen it, too. But before I had a chance to process it, I’d been jolted into fight-or-flight mode from the dark figure now headed toward us. And flight was my clear option of choice.
“Braden,” I called, my voice squeaking out of me.
He was by my side instantly, keeping his eyes on the stranger, but glancing at me every few seconds. He had no idea what I had just seen, but he could tell something had shaken me.
As the stranger got closer, he slowed his pace and approached us with bright eyes and a warm smile. His graying hair and small-framed glasses paired with his brown tweed jacket gave him the appearance of a college professor or an administrator of some sort. But he appeared harmless enough.
“Hey there,” he said. “So you guys found it.”
His friendly face and relaxed stance put me at ease, but it was still unusual to have a stranger approach us in such a creepy place. I ducked behind Braden.
“Hey,” Braden replied, his eyes narrowing. “Just looking around.” He pushed me farther behind him, as if by instinct.
“Well, feel free. Looking is fine.” He paused. “I’m the groundskeeper here, for the historical preservation committee,” he added. “Sometimes, kids try to break into the buildings and whatnot, you understand.” He glanced at each one of us. “Are you all familiar with the place?”
“No, first time,” Braden said. “We actually just stumbled upon it.”
The Shuttered Ward Page 3
