The Fire: Written by Gerry Leblond, 2012

The lights flicker momentarily as John and Carol sit at the kitchen table. Outside, the darkness is illuminated by sporadic strikes of lightning. Rumbles of thunder accompany the bright flashes as a fierce storm creeps closer to the couple's new home. 

John stands and begins to search for candles among the unpacked boxes that scatter throughout the home. The lights flicker once again as another flash brightens the darkness outside. An immediate explosion of thunder shakes the walls. Carol races into John's arms. "Hold me," she says, shaking nervously.

John comforts her with a soft voice, "Everything will be okay. I found a candle, just in case we lose the power." He holds the flameless candle in his right hand while he hugs his pregnant wife. Another flash, even brighter than the previous ones, lights the night sky. John speaks, trying to calm Carol's nerves, "Let's sit on the couch and wait for the storm to pass." Carol agrees, trembling in John's arms. 

John places the candle on the coffee table. The two sit and hold each other tightly. Another flash, another explosion, and darkness surrounds them. John immediately switches on the candle. Dim light filters into the room. The two snuggle together as the storm intensifies. Suddenly, a ball of light streaks into the house. It is absorbed into the television. Carol screams, "What was that?"

John replies, "I think it was ball lightning. I have heard of them, but never have seen one."

Moments later, all is quiet. The storm subsides. The television seems unharmed by the ball of light, but Carol thinks she hears a muffled voice coming from it. She asks, "Do you hear that?"

John answers, "Hear what?"

Carol says, "A voice coming from the TV."

John replies, "How can that be? The cable isn't hooked up yet. Plus the power is still out." He leans down, presses his ear against the screen, and says, "I hear nothing."

Carol replies, "That storm gave me the jitters. It must have been my imagination."

It is now after midnight. Carol places some blankets on the floor. John turns off the candle, and they quickly fall asleep. Hours pass, and Carol begins to dream. She sees a young boy standing in front of their television. His face and hands are bloody. Tears are running down his cheeks. Carol jumps up with a shout, startling John.

He asks, with concern, "What's wrong?"

Carol answers, fearfully, "I dreamt a young boy was in our living room standing in front of the TV. He was all bloody and crying."

John turns on the candle and says, "There is no one here. It was just a dream." He wraps his arms around Carol to comfort her. The two lay back down and fall asleep in each other's arms.

Morning arrives. Theywake up to the sun shining brightly through the curtainless windows. The power is now on. John says while he turns off the light switch in the living room, "Let's go out for breakfast. The cable guy won't be here until this afternoon."

Carol nods. "Do you want to try the diner on the corner of Fifth and Main?" she asks. "It looks like a quaint little place."

John replies, "Sounds good. It's only a few blocks from here. We can walk there." 

Carol answers, "Okay." 

The two dress and exit their home into the summer morning heat of the south. A bright blue sky is overhead. Hand in hand, they walk along the sidewalk that follows Main Street. As they pass by the local shops of the small town, Carol says, "I'm glad we moved from the big city. It's so peaceful and quiet here."

John replies, "Me too. Less traffic to deal with, no crowds of people pushing and shoving on the sidewalk, plus it's closer to my office."

Carol replies, "We're not living in that noisy apartment anymore either."

John is an accountant with an office on the outskirts of the city. Carol is a housewife who is four months pregnant. They have been married for three years and decided the big-city life would not be a good environment to raise a child.

They pass by a middle-aged man sitting on a wooden crate. His clothes are soiled and ripped. A shopping cart filled with all he owns is beside him. John and Carol stop. The man speaks, "Could you spare some change?"

Carol reaches into her purse and gets a ten-dollar bill. She walks over to the man and hands it to him. The man smiles, "Bless you, child." Grabbing Carol's hand, the man continues, "You have a kind heart. Tommy needs your help."

Carol says, trying to pull her hand away, "I just helped you."

The man repeats, "Tommy needs your help." He squeezes Carol's hand tighter.

Carol says as she yanks her hand free, "I helped you; now let go."

John says, pulling Carol towards him, "Let's go."

Carol and John immediately turn and walk away. The man again shouts, "Tommy needs your help." John glances back, and the man is no longer there.

Carol says, "I feel sorry for him, but that was a little unnerving."

The two turn and continue toward the diner, passing a small antique shop. Carol says, "There may be something in there for the house. Maybe I'll check it out tomorrow."

John replies, "Okay."

A block later, they arrive at the diner. Across the street is the local hotel. As they enter,r an elderly waitress greets them, "Welcome to Bucks. You can seat yourself. Someone will be right with you."

John points to an empty booth by the window. They sit across from each other as the same waitress arrives at the table. Placing two menus on the table, she says, "My name is Charlotte. I'll be your waitress this morning. Would you like some coffee?"

Both John and Carol answer simultaneously, "Yes, please."

Charlotte says, "Quite a storm last night."

John replies, "It was." 

Charlotte walks away, and the couple looks at the menus. A few moments later, she returns with their coffees. She sets the cups down and asks, while pulling a pad from her apron, "Are you two new to the area? Haven't seen you in here before."

John answers, "Yes, we just moved into the neighborhood. Down on First."

Charlotte drops the pad, and with a blank stare, she asks, "The house on the corner?" Charlotte bends down and picks up the pad. 

Carol answers, "Yes. Why do you ask?" 

Charlotte replies, with a stutter, "Oh, no…no reason. Are you ready to order?"

John motions for Carol to go first. Carol orders a vegetable omelet and John a stack of pancakes. Charlotte's hands are shaking as she struggles to write down the order. She says, "I'll return with your food shortly," as she quickly walks away, glancing back several times. 

Carol asks John, "Did you see the look she had? She looked scared when we said where we lived. Her hands were shaking, and she was acting strangely." 

John shakes his head and asks, "You seem distant, though. Anything wrong?"

Carol answers, "I'm fine, still a little jittery from the storm, though. Plus that man freaked me out." While the food is being prepared, Carol sits entranced in thought. What did the voice from the television and the dream mean? Were they connected somehow? The incident with the homeless man also runs through her mind.

Charlotte returns and sets the food down. She says, "Enjoy," then quickly walks away.

John says, "She is acting a little odd since we told her where we lived."

Carol replies, "Yes. I wonder why?"

They finish eating, and John notices Charlotte talking to another waitress. When Charlotte realizes John sees them, they stop talking and go in different directions. However, both of them keep glancing toward John and Carol. John also notices most of the other patrons are staring at them. He says, "They all keep looking at us. I think we should go." John speaks up, "Check, please." 

Charlotte hurries over,r places the check down on the table, and quickly walks away. John reaches for his wallet and pulls out a twenty. John and Carol get up and walk toward the door. John gives the twenty to Charlotte and says, "Keep the change."

Charlotte thanks them as John and Carol exit the diner. While they pass by the window, Carol glances in and sees everyone staring at her. She turns to John and says, "That was strange."

John replies, "I guess we won't be going in there again."

They arrive back at their house. There is a note from the cable company on the door. It states they wouldn't be able to hook up the cable because the storm damaged their satellite dish, and they will be contacted later for a future appointment. 

John speaks, "I guess no TV for a while."

Carol replies, "We have plenty to do. The TV can wait." 

When they enter the house, Carol goes into the kitchen. John stands in the living room. A strange crackling noise is coming from the television. John walks over to it. His first thought is that the ball lightning may have damaged it. John shouts, "The TV is making strange noises!"

Carol answers, "We will get a new one before the cable guy comes back. I'm going to start unpacking in the kitchen. Can you start in there?"

John looks at the unplugged power cord and answers, "Okay." He thinks maybe the ball of light energized the television somehow. Then the noise subsides. For the next several hours the two unpack. It is late afternoon, and John is in the bedroom. A muffled voice sounds; John shouts, "Did you say something?"

Carol answers, with urgency, "No, but can you come here, please!" John hurries into the kitchen. Every cabinet door is open. Carol's body is trembling. Nervously, she speaks, "I was making some coffee, and when I turned around, all the doors were open."

John begins to close the doors when a loud snap comes from the living room. The two rush in and see that the television is on, but there is no volume. The image on the screen is a young boy covered in blood. 

Carol, in shock, says, "My God, that is the same boy that was in my dream last night. What's going on?"

John answers, "I don't know." He looks down at the unplugged cord and says, "It's not even plugged in."

As the two stare at the image on the television, the boy raises his arms and begins to move toward them. Pressing his hands against the inside of the screen, the boy says, "Help me." Then his hands penetrate through the television screen. Carol screams.  John grabs her hand and yells, "We need to go." They run to the door and exit their home. Quickly, they get in their vehicle and race down the street to the hotel. 

With their hearts still pounding in fear, John says to the hotel clerk, "We need a room for a few nights."

The clerk replies, with a peculiar look, "Smoking or non-smoking?"

John answers, "Anything, just give us a room."

John and Carol lay on the hotel bed. Carol says, "I don't think I can go back to that house." 

John replies, "I will go to the Realtor tomorrow and see what our options are." They snuggle together and fall asleep.

Images of the boy return to Carol's subconscious as she sleeps. The boy is walking towards her with outstretched arms. "Help me, don't leave," the boy cries. Carol is unable to move; he wraps his arms around her. A calmness flows through Carol's body. She wakes and shakes John to wake him. 

John says, in a groggy voice, "What's wrong?"

Carol answers, "Nothing. I had another dream about the boy. I think something happened to him in that house, and I think Charlotte knows something about it. I also believe he is asking for my help." After a brief pause, Carol continues, "Don't go to the Realtor just yet; I'm going back to the diner to talk with Charlotte."

John replies, "I have an important client meeting tomorrow at the office, so I need to be there. Are you going to be okay?"

Carol answers, "Yes, I believe I will."

Morning arrives, and John and Carol return to their home to get some clothes. John drops Carol off at the diner and drives to his office. Carol enters and sits in the same booth as the day before. Charlotte comes over and, in a surprised voice,e says, "You're back. I am so sorry about yesterday."

Carol replies, "It's okay. I think I know why. Can we talk, please? It's important."

Charlotte nods and shouts as she sits down across from Carol, "I'm going on break!"

Carol speaks, "Strange things began to happen when we got back home yesterday. Do you know what's going on in that house?"

Charlotte sighs and answers, "Two years ago this week, Zack Taylor came home from work, found his wife and stepson were gone, but there were pools of blood everywhere. The police investigated and determined the blood was from his wife and stepson. They also determined that the amount of blood that was there, his wife and child were most likely dead. Poor Tommy, he was such a sweet boy."

Carol responds, "Oh my. That's terrible! Wait a minute. The homeless man we helped yesterday said I needed to help Tommy. Do you know who the old man is?"

Charlotte answers, "He's Tommy's grandfather. He was so distraught from losing his daughter and grandson; he gave up on life."

Carol responds, "Wow, so sad. What about Zack?"

Charlotte continues, "The authorities suspected Zack of the murders, but there are no bodies or a murder weapon. Last year, as a matter of fact, exactly one year ago this week, Zack was killed in a car accident. The case is still ongoing, but there is no new evidence. That's it, nothing else to tell."

Carol replies, "I've been seeing images of a bloody boy in the house. Last night I dreamt a boy covered in blood asked me for help as he hugged me. That boy must be Tommy."

Charlotte says, as she immediately stands, "I have to get back to work. Good luck to you and your husband." 

Carol says to Charlotte, as she walks by, "Thank you so much."

As Carol is walking down Main Street toward her home, thoughts of Tommy and his mother give her the chills. She arrives home and enters the living room. Reluctantly, she shouts, "Tommy, I know what happened to you and your mom. Don't be afraid; I won't hurt you!"

A muffled voice sounds, but Carol understands it. "Don't leave. I don't want to be alone. It's cold and dark," a child's voice says.

Carol speaks in a comforting voice, but with internal fear, "It's okay. You're not alone. I am here." Suddenly, a loud hum sounds from the television. Tommy's image appears on the screen. His hands push through it. A pulsating ball of light exits his hands and begins to move toward Carol. She backs slowly and stumbles onto the couch. The light is only inches from her face, but a calm feeling develops inside her, knowing it is Tommy asking for help. She reaches up, cups the light in her hands, and visions of the past fill her mind. She sees their living room. A young boy stands motionless, crying. Yelling erupts. 

Behind the boy is a man stabbing a woman repeatedly. The boy runs to the woman and yells, "Daddy, stop hurting mommy." The man grabs the boy and begins stabbing him also. The vision fades into the man digging a hole in the dirt surrounded by concrete walls. The vision then transforms into a door closing, concealing the grave. The next vision is the man placing a large cabinet in front of the door. The image vanishes, and a warmth travels throughout Carol's body. "We won't leave," she says aloud, "I understand now." 

The light lifts from her hands and vanishes. The television screen goes dark, and the hum subsides. Carol gets up and goes into the basement. In the far corner is the same cabinet as in the vision. She is unable to move it because bolts are holding it against the wall. Carol quickly calls John. He answers, but before he can speak, Carol excitedly says, "I'm at home. You need to come here as quickly as you can. I'll explain when you get here."

John replies, "What's going on?"

Carol says, "Just come home, please."

John returns home. Carol meets him at the door with a big hug and says, "I have got to tell you what happened today."

John asks, "What?"

Carol replies, "I talked with Charlotte. Come to find out the visions I am having are from a boy named Tommy. He and his mother were killed in this house two years ago this week. The bodies were never found, but Zack Taylor, Tommy's stepfather, was suspected of the murders. Strangely, Zack died in a car accident exactly a year ago."

John answers in amazement, "Really!"

Carol continues with excitement, "The homeless man is Tommy's grandfather and somehow knew Tommy needs my help. It shocked me at first, but now I realize Tommy wants us to find his and his mother's remains."

John, speechless, listens intently to Carol as she continues, "I had another vision today. Zack did kill them. He buried the bodies behind a door that is hidden by a large cabinet. Just like the one in our basement."

John says, "This is a little hard to comprehend."

Carol says, "I know now Tommy is asking for our help. Don't be startled." Carol turns toward the television and says, "Tommy, it's okay;y come to us."

The television screen reveals the same image as before. The light emerges from Tommy's hands. It slowly approaches John. Carol says, "Cup your hands and let it settle in them." John cups his hands; adrenaline flows through him as the light rests in his palms. John sees the same visions,s and a sense of compassion fills him. John says aloud, "We won't leave. We will help you." 

The light rises from John's palms and is absorbed back into Tommy's hands. The television screen goes dark, and the hum subsides.

Carol says, "We need to contact the authorities."

John calls the local police department. When an officer answers, John says, "My name is John Fredrick. We live on the corner of First and Main. We have information about the murders of the Taylor family two years ago. Could you send someone over?"

Fifteen minutes later, two officers arrive. One of the officers says, "I am Detective Jones, and this is Detective Jiles. What is this information you have?" 

John says, "Come in, please." 

The four sit in the living room. Carol begins to explain, "I've been having visions of a young boy covered in blood.  The vision I had today is that I saw a man stabbing a woman, then the same man stabbing a young boy in this living room." 

Jiles says, "You're kidding, right?"

John says, "No, come into the basement. We will show you."

The two detectives follow John and Carol. In the far corner is a large cabinet. John says, "This is the cabinet that's in the visions. There should be a door behind it. If not, then we are as crazy as you think we are."

John unbolts the cabinet from the wall. The three men slide it away, revealing a door. Jones opens the door and shines his flashlight into the darkness. In the middle of the floor is a mound of dirt. A shovel is sticking out of the dirt pile. Jones looks at John and says, "If you're right, there should be bones buried here."

Jones hands Jiles the flashlight and begins to dig. Almost immediately, a blood-stained knife is found. A few scoops later,r bloody cloth is uncovered. Jones brushes the remaining dirt away,y revealing a child's skeleton wrapped in bloody clothes. Jones says, "If this is the Taylors, then this case is solved." Jiles calls into headquarters, "I need the coroner and a forensics team at First and Main, stat."

John and Carol stand back as a dozen men and women investigate the area. Suddenly, glowing silhouettes rise from the bones of Tommy and his mother. Tommy's spirit floats over to John and Carol. A smile forms on Tommy's face, then he floats up and joins his mother's glowing form. John and Carol embrace. 

The doorbell rings. Carol says, "I'll go see who it is." She walks up the stairs and goes to the door. Tommy's grandfather is standing there. Carol opens the door. The man says, "Thank you for helping Tommy." Carol stands in the doorway, watching the man walk away. Her heart fills with delight.