"The Ghost of Silver Shoals" And original Story by: Stacey L. Bolin

 

 

The Ghost of Silver Shoals

By: Stacey L. Bolin

Original Story

 

The autumn air of another Halloween night was electric with the scent of a winter snow as the high tide of the ocean made any signs of the beach sand disappear. Olivia’s love for the scent of the ocean air and the sounds of the tides as they made their way in and out twice a day was the reasoning behind her year round stay in her cottage on the small island of Silver shoals. All the tourists had made their way home over the Labor Day holiday, to begin planning their next trip to Vacationland Maine and the island. For many years her friends and family had done their best to convince her to return to the mainland and start a new life, but for Olivia, their requests went on deaf ears as she remained upon the island with a handful of other homeowners with their same love for the salty sea air year round.

For Olivia, living alone on the island, after the passing of her husband, had become her way of life. She had no interest in pursuing a relationship and she had not heard from her only daughter in sometime. She enjoyed the company of her Friend Mini Dupree, which she had met while walking on the shore looking for sea glass. The oddest thing about their friendship - that is the only place the two of them would see or speak to each other. No phone calls, no lunch dates, It was like magic, when Olivia was walking the shores, Mini, would show up every time.  Occasionally she would be graced with a visit from friends and distant relatives from the mainland, as they didn’t mind the idea of having to take a Fairy Boat across 4 miles of unpredictable ocean water – but never did she have a visit from her only daughter.

It was about three in the morning when Olivia hear the sounds of soft knocking at her front door. Never in all her years there had any one come a calling at that late of an hour. She rose up from her bed, put on her slippers and robe and headed towards the front door. The room was filled with darkness that made the sound of her slippers scuffing the floor eerie. Once again, another soft knock was heard upon her front door.

“Just a minute dear,” she responded as her fingers fumbled and were uncooperative for a spell as she struggled to turn on the lamp that was on a small table next to the door. “Sorry it’s taking me so long, I’ll be right with you.”

Just as the lamp illuminated there was another soft knock at the door. Without fear, she opened it expecting it to be the island sheriff with news from the mainland. Much to her surprise, as the door opened and she peered around it, she didn’t see anyone.

“Hello? Hello who’s out there?” she questioned into the darkness as deep icy chill entombed her. “I know I heard something,” she thought to herself as she stood shivering in the door way gazing towards the island tiny village illuminated by a full moon, hoping to get a glimpse of someone walking away, as having a car was rare for people other than the elders, the restaurant owners, and the sheriff. The rest of the residents enjoyed their two and three wheeled bicycles as their mode of transportation.

As she looked closer she noticed her friend Mini, standing in the driveway waving her over. Without a second thought, she stepped out onto her front porch and then walked down the stairs to leave the comforts of her cottage behind her. She felt as if she was being drawn in by a feeling of needed guidance. As she walked closer and closer to town with Mini, she noticed others walking around on the cobblestone main street, but there were no bikes to be seen. Their attire appeared strange to Olivia, some dressed up in their finery, while others wore jeans, shorts and even their bedclothes.

“Glad that you got here safe.” an unknown patron passing by her remarked.

“Thank you. Wait a minute…have we met?” there was no answer. “Do I know you?” she continued to question, but still no reply.

By this time, she began to think that maybe she was just dreaming and looked for a way to wake up from a possible pending nightmare. One by one, faces of people she knew, smiled at her as they walked by. Maybe she was missing her family and this was a sign that it was time to go back to the mainland. As people slowly walked by her, she saw a green glowing mist in the middle of town.  Her breathing became labored as her curiosity continually kept her moving towards it until she came upon a windowless building that had never been on the island for as long as her memory could recall.

“Come on Olivia – wake up?” were the words she could hear in her mind, but the visions would not subside.  The sound of sorrow inducing organ music inside trembled in the night air as she came upon the set of strange, yet hypnotic doors to enter the building. They stood about twelve feet tall and looked to have had been made out strong dark thick solid wood that were embellished with huge lion head door knockers and huge wrought iron scrolling hinges. The movie Robin Hood, with Kevin Costner, immediately filled her senses.  

She felt a need to find out what was behind the doors, but was afraid to touch them.

“What do you think we are doing here Olivia?” questioned Mini, who had been the neighbor who lived two cottages down from her.

“I don’t know Mini. I got a knock on my door and the next thing I knew I was down here with everyone else.

“I got the same knock on my door many years ago. What do you think it means?”

“Well for me, it means that I’m not dreaming.”

Mini laughed, “Yes, I guess so.”

One by one, the people who had been wandering made their way to the doors to stand quietly.

“Do we have everyone?” said a manly voice walking up through the gathered crowd of people. Silence was the reply of yes. “Then let’s begin,” and he slowly opened the dark heavy wooden doors a brilliant white light pierced through the opening space between them. The light was almost blinding, but soft and warm.

“This is what heaven feels like?” said Mini.

***

“Olivia, please wake up?” she said out loud to herself. “Please…wake up!”

Whispering and commotion filled the salty air. She felt disoriented and confused. “Mini what’s happening?”

“Don’t fight it.” She replied with a smile.

“Mom!”

“Mom!?”  Olivia struggled to place the voice, “Mom? It’s Mom!”

“I love you mom, I’m so sorry I was gone so long, please don’t leave me, I’m so sorry.”

Olivia tried to yell out, but only silenced words would expel from her mouth.

It took all of her might to muster the tone and volume to finally scream. It wasn’t until a heavenly feeling of someone’s hands jolted her body to respond to the present world. It was at this very moment that Olivia opened her eyes. .

Olivia looked around to many faces they were with her in the group, some of the people were dressed fancy, while others in jeans and shorts and some even in their bed clothes as they stood around her hospital bed. Family had come from near and far, stopping whatever they were doing and rushed to Olivia’s side when they had gotten the word from the sheriff that she was in the hospital. The sheriff was accustomed to seeing Ms. Olivia during her daily bike ride to the market for fresh seafood, and was rather worried when he realized she had not be in town that day, and on her favorite day – Halloween – clearly something was wrong, He decided to look in upon her and found her on the floor of her home suffering from a head wound from a fall in her kitchen.

“She’s awake! Get the doctor my mom’s awake!”

“Where am I?” Olivia questioned dazed and confused

“You’re in a hospital on the mainland. You suffered from a terrible blow to your skull after a fall in your kitchen.” Said Dr. Hammond, as he took out a green pen light and repeatedly checked Olivia’s eyes for a strong response that caused her to see a temporary green glow that looked misty.

“What about my friend Mini?” You didn’t leave her in the village alone did you?”

“Ma’am?” the Doctor question. “You were brought in to hospital unaccompanied.”

“Mini, my neighbor just two doors down from my cottage, she was entering the building with me before someone pulled me aside. She went in.

“In where? What building?”

“She was going into the windowless building, the one on the island with the tall dark wooden doors that looked like something from the movie Robin Hood. They had huge lion head door Knockers and wrought iron scrolled hinge work on them.”

“I think she means the community building that was connected to the Church before it burned down in the in the early 80’s. Problem with that is that even the community building was demolished and the city clerk’s office is there now. Oddly enough people claim to have seen ghosts of those who lost their lives that day and that had been buried in the cemetery that is still there to this very day.

A nurse interjected and asked the sheriff if he would kindly step out of the room so that she could provide him with some vital information.

“Excuse me for a minute folks.” Remarked the sheriff and he slipped out of the room.

“Ok ma’am, what can I help you with?”

“My name is Gayle, I was a former resident on Silver Shoals, and I lived with my mother on that island.”

“Ok, do you have information about what happened to Ms. Olivia?”

“The nurse let her gaze fall to the floor as she spoke, “My mother’s name is Mini.”

“Ok, let me get an officer out there to check on Ms. Mini and make sure she is ok, maybe there someone on the island that is causing trouble for our ladies out there this Halloween night.”

“No, you can’t do that!” said Gayle as she grabbed the sheriff by his arm before he turned away to expedite his men.

“Why not?” by this time he didn’t know what to think.

“You see sir; the person Ms. Olivia is describing is my mother. We lived in the house two door down from Ms. Olivia.”

“Yes, I am aware of this - that is why I would like to get my men over to the island and make sure she is ok.”

“You can’t do that sir!”

Frustrated he ordered her to tell him the truth as to why she continued to deter his decision. Gayle looked up at the sheriff whipping the tears from her eyes and said my mother died thirty-five years ago to the day. I was just a little girl. She was an organist and was practicing for a funeral that was to be held at the church that night. She thought it was creepy to have a funeral on Halloween, as she worried about what spirits it could wake, but non-the-less, she was always went out of her way on any day and made sure she helped people with their loss. I can still remember a line she said to anyone who would listen to her, that one day, she’d be an angel to help guide people towards the heavenly light.

The sheriff could not believe what he was hearing. “Let me get this straight, Ms. Olivia’s friend is a ghost?

“Yes. Ms. Olivia came in here unresponsive, and my mother was helping her, but Ms. Olivia’s daughter was the only one who could bring her back to the here and now. Halloween on Silver Shoals is known for strange things happening, that why as hospital staff always dread the night of the 31^st if it means someone is being brought in from the island.

Just as Gayle had made her comment about dreading October 31^st, from a hospital standpoint, a beeping sound came from the sheriff’s watch as the digital display read 12:00AM. He took in an awkward sigh and said, “Well Gayle, no need to worry for another year, it’s now November 1^st.

"The Haunted Treeline : The Legend of Mr. Witticker"

 

Good Morning Everybody!  How are you this fine sunny wintery morning in April? I wish I knew what was up with this weather - it's like a great mystery thriller - you never know what is coming next. So in keeping with the crazy weather and the mystery of - "Who keeps stealing spring", I've come up with a story that actually was inspired by my husband while we were at a party with friends. Now remember, as you read this, it is based on true life events, so that I could embellish it and make it twistedly spooky, just like I like it, OK, and I just couldn't help myself. My husband always says to people – “Be careful what you say and do, my wife’s a writer.” Enjoy.

 

 

 

The Haunted Treeline

The Legend of Mr. Witticker

Original Story based on true life events and written by: Stacey L. Bolin

A warm Saturday afternoon early in the month of April steadily descended as the sun slowly began retreating from the sky.  For most of the day the Mercury inside a house thermometer was doing its best to grasp onto the line that said 81 degrees, while the temperatures outside were slipping into something a little cooler. It was days like this that were more than welcome after the horrendous winter that had captured the sleepy little town of Neewollah and continued to linger long after the first day of spring – winter just didn't seem to want to end.

Mindy and Evan Cooper had made most of their day, at a flea market trying to sell the needless things that in years past, they thought they had to have.  They knew that it wasn’t going to reap them the big bucks that everyone thinks their items are worth, but to them having more space in their little house and two and a half car garage, meant more to them than any amount of money.  Mindy, a stay-at-home mother of two and an aspiring novelist had worked all winter going through old boxes stored high in the attic and all the closets that appeared to be bulging at the hinges. Her new look on life and the future that lay ahead for her family, had her instill a new mind set – she could only keep what would fit in the largest sized U-Haul truck when they planned on moving in the fall of 2015 – everything else had to go.

The flea market ended by two o’clock and Mindy had done just what she set out to do – she got rid of it all and was going home with nothing. Evan was ecstatic, as in years past when they had attempted to sell their wares before, they always somehow ended up with what seemed like more than what they had brought in the first place.  It was a great feeling to be on their way before the seventy-five other vendors did their best to get off the grounds before a long line of cars begun to form. Their plans were to go home, watch some movies, take a shower and then go out for the evening. Both of their children had plans to be out of the house, that same night, to hang with friends, and so Mindy and Evan decided to accept an invitation to a "Kicking Spring into Gear" bonfire with new friends they had met a few weeks earlier.

As Mindy finished the final touches to her eye-shadow and lipstick, her mind suddenly plagued her with a question that offered her no answer, but she knew who to ask to get one.  

"Evan, do you think I should bring a coat or a light jacket?" Said Mindy, while on her hands and knees, as she spoke through the upstairs floor vent that was directly over the couch where Evan sat, while watching TV, as he waited for a pair of his dark jeans to finishing drying. She was never good at deciding on things when it came to the right thing to wear. Some days she’d wear too much and be hot, other times she’d be cold and there wouldn’t be a sweat-shirt or jacket to be found. Eventually she learned to keep things like this in her car for those, just-in-case-I-need-it moments.

"You might want to, with the crazy weather lately, you never know." He replied, never taking his eyes off the movie that he was watching. As Mindy came down the stairs about ten minutes later the sound of buzzer on the dryer immediately triggered Evan to shout out, "They're finally done! Waa Whooo! HOT JEANS FOR ME!"

"You’re funny." Mindy said with a smile. "What are we going to do for dinner? We don't really need to be there until 7 o'clock."

"You read my mind," Evan replied with a chuckle to his voice, "I was just thinking the very same thing. What do you think about Subway?"

"Sounds great, babe, I could go for a great tasting sub right about now."

“Then Subway it is. Let’s grab what we need and get-ta going.”

They got themselves together and filled a small Coleman cooler with a six pack of Bud Light packed in plenty of ice, and then headed out the door. It was strange for the both of them to be off alone for an evening out together.  For years it seemed that everywhere they went it was always with their children or their plans would end up being cancelled because they couldn't find a babysitter, but now that both their boys were teenagers and both had a license and their own vehicles – Mindy and Evan had the freedom like they once had when they first married.

As they sat in the Subway eating their sandwiches the sounds of a baseball game being broad casted from a local AM radio station filled the quiet moments when their mouths were filled with food. It was obvious to the employees of the establishment that they enjoyed each other’s company as they talked about the notion that this summer was going to be quite the test, as both of their kids would be out west. Their oldest son had scored an employment opportunity while the youngest was going to be spending time with relatives and this would be his last free summer before graduating high school. Mindy and Evan would get their first crack at being Empty-Nester's. It wasn’t something they feared, but it would shake up the daily routines that they  had followed for the past twenty years. They laughed and joked with one another and clearly lost all track of time until Mindy looked up at the clock on the wall.

"Its 7:16, I think we’re going to be late Evan."

"Oh well, it happens. I'm ready to go if you are?"

"Yep, I'm done. I was having so much fun talking about our summer that I forgot we were supposed to be somewhere." she said in a compassionate voice.

"Me too. With the time change, I'm all messed up when the sun is still in the sky after six at night."

They cleaned their table and pushed in their chairs and headed out to their truck. The air outside was just right, not to hot, not to cold. It couldn't get any more perfect than it was at that very moment.  The entire drive they rode with the windows down and the sunroof open. Mindy loved to let her hand surf the wind just over the backup mirrors. It was something she had loved to do ever since she was a small child.

"You know Evan, this is excellent driving weather. Wanna keep going?" she said jokingly.

"I wish." He said with a big smile, "But we have a party to get to. We'll have plenty of time to do big drives this summer."

"I can't wait." Then she took a deep breathe in, sighed and said, “I love this kind of evening air it's so relaxing, but I'm also glad we are getting out of the house to do something together and I really hope this party is as much fun as the last one.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Evan questioned rather puzzled she’d say such a thing.

“It’s a full moon and if anything is going to go wrong, it would be on a night of a full moon.” She said in her mysterious reader voice and then started to laugh in her best witches cackle.

“You’re a nut” Evan chuckled again.  He clearly loved those witty ways about her, he couldn’t explain them, but he loved them just the same.

“Evan, do you think they know the story about Mr. Witticker?” a chill raced up her back. Just saying the name still haunted her and the memories of what she was told when she was a young child.

Evan shook his head in disbelief that Mindy would go as far as bringing up such a horrific story that still has never been proven. “For their sake, I hope not,” he said rather tensely, “Let’s just have a good time and not make this a ghost story telling bonfire. Can you promise me that much?”

“I guess so, but they live so close to where it all happened…”

(To be continued…April 17, 2015)

 

"NIGHT WHISPERS" Chapter One

Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. It is not endorsed or affiliated in any way with any institution, facility, or family. The story is based on places, people, and facts,

but is written entirely from my imagination.

Any use of this story in part or in whole must be approved by sending a written request to the author.

 

Chapter One

 

 

FIVE DAYS EARLIER - Jillian lay silently between the softness of the bed sheets on their queen size sleep number bed, as Nick sat in an upright position, with his legs crossed, waiting for the eleven o'clock news to share their predictions for the upcoming five day forecast. Being in the world of home construction, Nick's business and income weighted heavily on what the weather was doing. Jillian always knew that most of the time the weather for their home town of Eagle Ridge, in the summer, would be hot and humid with a chance of a grumpy husband at the end the day. Not something to look forward too. She hated the mind games that with-out-fail, would accompany his grumpy attitude.

 

She tried her best to pacify herself, not to disturb Nick, by sliding and alternating each leg back and forth letting the cool softness of the sheets caress her skin to calm her senses and take her somewhere peaceful - she was trying to over compensate for the rash and ramped thoughts that were pressing, twisting and spinning in the back of her mind about the events of her day. She felt plagued with guilt. She wished she could take it all back; start the whole day over again. The more she thought about what she had done, the more she realized that she had to be the one to tell her family especially before it appeared in their local Capital newspaper.  She had ample opportunity at the dinner table that evening to open up and be honest, but she feared what she would reveal could break her family’s heart, yet even more so it was the harsh reality that it would be more than heartbreaking and only one word would describe it - devastating. What made the whole situation worse - this would be the first time in her life that she didn't know what to say or how to explain her actions. The only thing she was sure of, there was nothing she could do to change things.

 

“I know at some point I will have to confess and tell them what I’ve done.” She thought silently to herself,  "Maybe If I talk to Nick first he'd understand and would support me when I tell the kids,"  Nick and Jillian had always had an agreement and an understanding that began when they exchange their personally written vows, twenty-seven years ago in front of family and friends. They had both promised to love and cherish one another and included all the typical lines of a traditional wedding, however they also added, for all to witness, that they would always discuss their problems, positive or negative, with each other and never make any big decisions on their own - especially if it would have a serious impact on the family and their finances. Her eyes began to well up, thinking back on their wedding day. She knew it was only a matter of time before he would begin to suspect that something was up as it was odd for a women who normally gave the impression that a strong dose of Ritalin should be on her list of medications, even before bed time, now has found an impressive ability to remain speechless for more than five minute - this was a major red flag that clearly indicated - trouble loomed.

 

Their bedroom was illuminated with only the blue haze given off from the television and the occasional street light piercing the room as the sheer curtains that draped over their windows, danced and rolled by the cool breeze that filtered through the opened window. Outside in the far distant part of town you could hear the sounds of the midnight express freight train whistle announcing its arrival and making its way through the town – Jillian did her best to hear it, but the volume on the television was louder than normal for this Monday evening.

She took several deep breaths and finally mustered up the nerve to confess to Nick what she had done.

“Nick?

“Yeah?” He muttered, more focused on what was on the television.

“Nick…Can we talk? I really need to tell you something.” She waited impatiently for an answer.

“Yeah, ah, can’t it wait for just a second?” his eyes still fixated on the news reporter talking about the a new rain water tax that was being considered in several states on the east coast.  

“NICK!”

He immediately turned around and sharply responded, “Why do you always wait until I’m watching the news or the weather to do all you’re talking? Why can’t you pick a conversation during a tampon commercial or some shit like that? You timing sucks!”

“Never mind,”

“Oh what now you’re going to be mad at me…I’m just kidding. You need to stop taking me so seriously,” he laughed as he wore a slight sneer of agitation.

The tone in his voice made her feel instantly hurt and unwanted. She tried to tell herself that he was moody from a hot day at work, but suddenly a dialog began forming in her thoughts. She wanted to respond with something to make him feel the same hurt, something like telling him she was tired of feeling like being a person that was only there when he wanted her. That he was always working and when he wasn’t he’d eat, take a shower and then sit and watch endless reruns of the same 80’s sitcoms, night after night that made it feel as if she was being pushed aside and not very high on his list of life priorities. She realized that she didn’t always pick the best times to have some long drawn out conversation, but with so little time spent together, she had learned that to get a moment, you have to grab the opportunity when you see it.

She did her best to respond, but her emotions and the growing aching lump in her throat rendered her speechless, as Nick continued to stay focused on the weather girl doing her best to give the details of a pending weekend storm while trying to look her best in a much to tight clinging red dress while eight months pregnant. Jillian shook her head and decided that best thing she could do was to roll over, snuggle up to her pillows and called it a night.

Fifteen minutes had passed when Nick realized that Jillian had not even bothered to say good-night. Nick rustled around trying to find the remote for the television so that he could turn it off, but could fight it nowhere.

“Maybe it fell off the bed on the other side,” he muttered, “Jilly Bean?” he gently touched her shoulder, “Jilly? Hon, do you have the remote?”

His touch had woken her from a twilight sleep, but she instead she mumbled and stirred briefly playing her best possum. “You find it yourself” she thought.

“Dang it!” he sputtered as he got up and walked around the edge of the bed using his feet like cat whiskers to find the remote, so that he didn’t have to get on his hands and knees. Just before he was about to give up and turn on the overhead light, there it was just as he expected, it was on Jillian’s side of the bed and had slid just under the hunter green dust ruffle.

He turned the television off and then climbed back into bed, unaware that his wife was still awake and coping with the way he had made her feel. He jerked the covers up over his chest hoping in some way he would wake Jillian as a way to be spiteful because she interrupted his news and weather and also because she didn’t’ wait for him to fall asleep with her.

She maintained her perfect possum position as tears slowly rolled down her face and pooled onto her pillow. As the hours slowly ticked by, she eventually fell asleep.

IT'S JUST A DAY AWAY....

Well good morning everybody! So nice to be on here again. Let me first say - WOW!

 

I just can't get over how many people enjoyed the story...and that was just the prologue. Your emails has me thinking that you are all ready to get to reading. I hear you - Oh, and No, I can't tell you the ending yet. *wink* but thanks for asking. However, do to the size of the story, it was suggested that I post this more than just once a week.

 

You got it. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays are the scheduled days the story will post. So with that said, join me tomorrow as "Night Whispers" gets underway and takes you into one crazy summer mystery thriller - Happy reading and again, many thanks for your continued support, means so much to me.

"Night Whispers" Prologue

Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. It is not endorsed or affiliated in any way with any institution, facility, or family. The story is based on places, people, and facts,

but is written entirely from my imagination.

Any use of this story in part or in whole must be approved by sending a written request to the author.

 

 

 

 

Copyright June 2013.

 

Sound effects to go with the story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSPVkMgiTs

 

 

 

Prologue 

The long and winding dirt road gave the grand illusion of forgotten twin paths running parallel to one another tucked deeply into the thickness of the forest that even on the brightest of days was shadowed into night. The headlights of the 1986 Jeep Wrangler shone luminously on the tree line that bordered the road and drooped heavily inward causing an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like being in a tunnel, as the intense rain of an unexpected thunderstorm feel straight from the sky with great abundance. At times the rain was so intense it was causing the road to wash out in places while the windshield wipers moved back and forth swiftly to keep the water from obstructing the ability to stay focused on the road ahead.

Numerous bolts of lightning intensified as they continued hitting the ground and engulfing the Jeep with sounds like fuel trucks exploding all around them, as Camille and Devon Raves continued towards their destination. They would be the first to admit that when they read the add in the newspaper, they never envisioned anything more than a quick and simple road trip to endless summer sunny days of bliss after enjoying great breakfast’s on the front porch, of what they hoped would soon to be their newly purchased lake house.

Camille had her days all planned – her hours by day consisted of nothing more than relaxing on the beach covered from head to town in a coconut scented tanning oil, sipping on a frozen tequila sunrise while reading the newest best-selling mystery thriller, “Deemed Crazy.” Her nightly entertainment would be filled with her naked body pressed against Devon’s as they enjoyed their location of seclusion while indulging in intimate moments and passionate kissing while occasionally gazing upon the stars in a hammock suspended between two very mature oak trees.

Devon had a different outlook on what his days would consist of. He was an avid fisherman and his goal was to hook the biggest lake trout this side of the Mason Dixon line. As for sexual pleasures, to him a hammock was too much work to experience the maximum fulfillment he so desired, but a thick furry rug in front of a crackling fire place, a bottle of patron, and Camille lying by his side for him to explore her body to the peak of climax - would suit him just fine.

The sound of the storm was very hypnotic for the both of them creating an eerie silence in the vehicle.

BANG! Both of them flinched.

“Wow that was a bit to close.” Camille exclaimed as she tried to pull herself together and push her rising stress level out of her mind. “I never was one for extreme thunderstorms. All I can imagine are huge funnel clouds creating havoc on innocent citizens when they least expect it.

“You can say that again!”

“Where in the world did you get these directions?  There is no way this road is on Map Quest. Isn’t there a highway or some other way to the lake house?”

“These were the directions that the home owners gave to me. They insisted that it took about two hours off the trip.”

“Yeah…but the storm added three hours. Was it a guy or a girl who gave them to you?”

“What does it matter if it was a guy or girl who gave me the directions? But if you have to know it was a women and her name was Jillian Russell; she seemed nice and seemed confident that this was the best route. "

“I guess.”

“Come on Camille where is that sense of adventure? And you know the lady can’t predict the weather, even the weather men can predict the weather. I bet if she had known it was going to be bad going, she’d have told us another way."

"OK, Devon lets talk about something else." clearly the tone of her voice implied that it was time for a new topic.

"Sweetie, I know you’re discouraged and with it being so dark it seems like it has taken us forever. Let look on the bright side, Mrs. Russell did say there was as small town just before the lake house location. She also said it had a bar. What do you say we stop for a drink and some wings? I’m buying.” He said with a smile as he reached for her hand to comfort her.

Immediately she felt safe as he stoked her hand and then squeezed it tightly. “Anything sounds great right now. I just want out of this weather.”

“It’s going to be OK. If thing were always easy, everyone would be buying a lake house…Right?” He chuckled. “I love you.”

“I love….”

“Holy Crap! Do you see that!?”  Devon shouted out.

“See what?” questioned Camille instantly spooked by Devon’s immediate sense of panic.

“Something is in the road up ahead. Do you see it? Do you see it?”

“In this weather, babe I think it’s just a reflection of the lights on the wet trees.”

He twitched and squirmed almost like a man who had just be given a brand new 4x4 truck for free and had been instructed to take it for a spin. “Camille, I’m telling you that there is something on the road ahead…can’t you see it?”

“No! Devon I don’t like this! Stop trying to scare me!”

He suddenly slammed on the clutch and breaks and threw the jeep in neutral and peered out of the wind as he sat motionlessly fixated on a ghostly image that only he could see and appeared to be floating in mid-air.

“Devon?” she cried out, “Devon! What are you doing?”

He then turned to her with a blank stare in his eyes yet spoke not a word. It was clear that whatever he had seen and had him feeling anxious had now turned to shear fear. When he turned to look back towards the road the image was gone.

She was careful when she softly spoke his name again, “Devon? Are you alright?”

He nodded his head up and down while slowly turning back to look at Camille. His face was pale as beads of sweat dripped off his brow. His hands were clenched tightly around the steering wheel. He tried to speak but the words could not find any tone.

“Devon, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

Dazed and confused, he began to find the ability to speak, yet only in a whisper, “It was my father…I saw my father." He shook his head in disbelief and then continued to speak with a bit more tone, "I’m sure it was him, I saw the flower I made him and that my mother pinned to his lapel on the suit that she dressed him in for the funeral. I know that was my father.”

"But how can that be?" questioned Camille,  "He’s passed away ten years ago."

 

Camille reached her hand out slowly to touch his arm, trying to provide him some sense of comfort, but clearly unsure what to do or say. Whatever he had seen, it had clearly affected him in a traumatic way. As she was starting to ask him a question, their vehicle was impacted by large object followed by an overwhelming shaking.

“DRIVE DEVON DRIVE!” Camille screamed.  

He stomped on the gas pedal while grinding into first gear and quickly sped off into the darkness of the storm paying no mind to anything that may cross their path. His thought process now – If something gets in my way again, I’m running it over.”

The mud from the washed away sections of the road cascaded from the tires in massive arch before hitting the ground as Devon did his best to control the jeep, while driving at a dangerously high rate of speed, on a road that neither had ever been on before. Sounds of the standard engine that had been set to four-wheel drive pierced the rain as they did their best to get back to civilization of the small town that the seller spoke of. Yet at this point, any town would do, just as long as they were off this road of craziness once and for all.

 

"Who will solve this summer mystery?"

 

Greetings everyone and welcome to my wildest writing project yet. I can't contain my excitement as this is something that I have always wanted to do - Create a “who done it” thriller mystery story that has you gripped to the edge of your seat, that has you looking over your shoulder and that has you sleeping with the lights on to protect you from the things that go bump in the night. Like in television where you have to wait week to week as the plot thickens into a shocking conclusion that you never saw coming - I couldn't help myself and decided to do the same.

So let me ask the burning question, knowing that you are aware of the possible side effects… Will you have what it takes to solve the mystery of “Night Whispers?” Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Inspired by a great group of kids and their endless love for spooky things that go bump in the night  - the Jr. Fair Board members - You know who you are. (smile)