The Room Written by Gerry Leblond December 10, 2024.
A young family's frightening experience when a spare room becomes possessed.
On a cold mid-November night in a small New England town, Christopher was spending the night at his grandparent’s house. His father, Charles, worked nights, and his mother, Carol, needed to work a banquet that evening, and wouldn’t get home until around midnight.
Charles had built the home for his family a few years before and was in the process of adding another bedroom. The outside walls were complete. Wood and plastic covered the insulation, to keep out the cold winds. A shared wall separated the two rooms.
Carol arrived home and fixed herself a cup of coffee. She wanted to relax for a few moments before going to bed. She fell asleep quickly and slept soundly for a couple of hours. Around 3:00 A.M., loud, deep raspy breaths woke Carol suddenly. They seem to emerge from the addition. Violently the bed began to shake. Carol was frozen with fear thinking it was an earthquake. "This is impossible!" she screams. Pictures began to fall from the wall. Items on the bureau crashed to the floor. An eerie groan engulfed the room. Then there was silence. She looked around in amazement.
Again the bed began to shake, but less violently. The wall that separated the two rooms moved like breaths. In and out they pulsated. An enormous pair of hands pushed in on the wall. A profile of a hideous face appeared between them. Screams from every area in the room chilled Carol to the bone. Instantaneously all was quiet. The impressions disappeared and disbelief encased Carol's mind. After a few moments, she slowly crawled off the bed and rushed into the living room. The rest of the house was unaffected. She decided to sleep on the couch until Charles returned home with Christopher if she could sleep at all.
Charles picked up Chris later that morning on his way home from work. When they walked in Carol jumped up and raced to greet them. Her actions showed something was wrong.
“A strange noise woke me up last night, the bed began to shake, and pictures began to fall off the wall,” Carol said nervously. “Then a pair of hands and a face appeared on the wall,” she added.
Charles laughed as he spoke. “It was just a dream.” Charles walked into the bedroom to put his jacket away. “What, did an earthquake hit?” He shouted when he saw the mess.
“I thought the same thing until the face and hands appeared!” Carol snapped.
Again Charles laughed and shook his head. “You're just paranoid,” he said, paused and spoke. “I’ll be able to do some more work on the room this weekend,“
“I don’t want you to finish that room. I want you to tear it down. After last night that room scares me.” Carol said adamantly.
“Are you crazy? I’ve invested too much time and money in that room! I'm going to finish that room, and that’s final.” Charles spoke loudly.
“You’ll see when it happens to you,” Carol stated.
That evening Charles was getting ready for work. Carol spoke up. "I would rather you didn't go to work tonight. It's Friday, and I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Don't be crazy. Are you still scared of the dream you had last night?" Charles replied.
"It frightened me," Carol answered.
"Bills won't get paid if I don't work," Charles stated.
"What's more important, money or your family?" Carol said sharply.
"That's a ridiculous question. I'm going to be late if I don't leave now." Charles turned and walked out the door slamming it behind him.
With tears on her cheeks, Carol yelled to Chris who was playing in his room. "What is it mommy," four-year-old Chris asked.
"Come here please," she responded.
Chris walked into the kitchen and saw his mother's worried look. He ran into her arms. "What's wrong," Chris said.
"Nothing. It's Friday, let's stay up all night and watch cartoons," Carol smiled.
"Yippie," Chris answered running and jumping on the living room couch.
Carol sat beside him and turned on the television. As they watched cartoons, Chris slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep. Carol too overcome with exhaustion, closed her eyes.
The next day Charles began hanging paneling in the spare room. Suddenly a yell was heard. Carol rushed into the room. Charles was holding his hand. A deep gouge crossed his palm and blood was oozing out.
"What happened?" she yelled.
"I don't know. I was pounding a nail felt pain and blood started running down my arm," Charles answered.
"We need to go to the hospital," Carol stated.
"No. It's just a little scratch. I'll be fine," Charles answered.
Carol wrapped the wound in a bandage and Charles continued to work on the room. He worked feverishly for the remainder of the weekend and completed the room.
The room was supposed to be a bedroom for Chris. But Carol refused to let him sleep there. So it became a storage room, and the door was kept closed.
The following Friday Charles had a long weekend, so he was home. It was around midnight. A scream sounded from Charles' and Carol's bedroom.
Chris ran and stood outside his parent's room. “What’s happening?” he yelled.
He could hear the rumble of their bed through the closed door as it shook violently. Suddenly his parents bolted from their room. The door slammed behind them. The door of the spare room opened and slammed shut several times. Deep raspy breaths exploded in the air.
“LEAVE!!!” A voice pierced through the breaths. On the closed door, a pair of hands and the same hideous face extended into the hall where the three stood. Again a voice sounded, “LEAVE!!!” The hands and face retracted back through the door. Then all was quiet.
“Do you believe me now?” Carol asked.
“Yes, I do.” Charles fearfully answered.
Later that morning the family packed their clothes and left their home, never to return.
Night-Time Bliss: Written By Gerry Leblond: August 8, 2016
Jerry on the verge of suicide took Night Time Bliss. His life began to change for the better, but not without severe consequences.
Several months ago Jerry was on top of the world. He had a good job, a nice home, and a beautiful wife. However, it all changed when the recession hit. His company downsized, and Jerry’s position was no longer needed. Over the next few months, his savings depleted and his home entered into foreclosure. But what he treasured most was his wife, Becca. She had left him on a Tuesday morning.
That evening Jerry stood in front of the medicine cabinet depressed, angry, and alone. What he felt inside reflected on his face in the mirror. Jerry spoke as he opened the glass door, “I would give anything to have my life back to the way it was!” He looked at the several prescription bottles that rested on the shelves of the cabinet. As he picked each one up to read the label, he decided that particular medicine wouldn’t work.
When he grabbed the last bottle, a voice sounded. Jerry thought it might be his wife had returned. He placed the bottle down on the sink with the others and ran into the living room.
Instead of his wife being there, a commercial was on the television. The strange thing is that Jerry didn’t remember turning on the set. Maybe in his distraught state, he did.
Jerry curiously watched the ad. A man held a bottle in one hand and pointed to it with the other. The label read, Night Time Bliss. The man’s shrill voice echoed while he spoke, “Are you depressed, angry, and alone? Wish your life was back to normal?” It seemed very coincidental to Jerry. That was his exact thoughts only moments before, but he continued to watch anyway. “This sleep aide will give you the best night’s sleep you have ever had. It will remove anxiety, depression, or any other negative thoughts along with helping you to fall asleep fast. Take back your life now for only nineteen-ninety-nine. Call 1-666-937-7685.”
Jerry watched as the man continued, “Still not convinced? Call right now, and you will not have to pay a dime. I will even waive the shipping.” Jerry picked up the phone that rested on the end table. Desperate to rid the pain inside him, he dialed. A recorded voice on the other end spoke, “Thank you for your order.” Then the phone went dead.
Jerry thought he lost the phone connection, so he redialed the number. This time the recorded voice said, “We’re sorry. The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service.” As Jerry rubbed his forehead, he spoke, “That was strange.” He hung up the phone and walked into the bedroom. With the commercial embedded in his mind, he lay on the bed and fell quickly asleep. After hours of restlessness, he began to dream. Jerry stood on the sidewalk in front of his home. The man from the advertisement stood beside him. He spoke in the same shrill voice, “Here you are. A bottle of Night Time Bliss.”
Jerry abruptly awoke and said, “Wow, that was weird!” He sat up on the side of the bed. The early morning Wednesday sun peaked through the window. The weekly paper would be on the sidewalk, so Jerry stood and walked out to grab it. While he reached down to pick it up, the familiar shrill voice sounded, “Here is the bottle of Night Time Bliss you ordered.” Startled, Jerry stood quickly as the man from the commercial held the bottle in his hand.”
Jerry asked, “How did you know where I live? I never told you.”
The man answered, “Today’s technology. It makes my job a lot easier.” He then placed the bottle in Jerry’s hand and continued, “There are four pills in this bottle. Take one every night for the next four nights. I will collect the payment then. If you are satisfied with the results of course.” The man turned and quickly walked away.
Bewildered by what just happened, Jerry walked back into his home. He stood at the kitchen counter and read the directions on the label. Take one tablet by mouth before bed. Jerry turned the cap to open the bottle. There were four blue and white capsules inside. He closed the bottle and spoke, “Well, I’ll see tonight if they work.”
That evening, Jerry dumped one of the pills into his palm, placed it in his mouth, and swallowed it. Jerry’s eyes began to close almost immediately. He rested his head on the pillow and instantly fell asleep. A dream entered his mind. He was standing in the kitchen when the phone rang. He answered, “Hello.”
A voice on the other end spoke, “Jerry, this is Fred Gagnon from Dynotech.”
Jerry replied, “Yes, can I help you?”
Fred answered, “We have decided to reinstate your position if you are interested. You can start back on Monday.”
The excitement of the good news caused Jerry to wake instantly. He sat up and said, “I wish that would happen.” He then laid back down and once again fell immediately to sleep. However, there were no more dreams, just a peaceful and restful sleep.
The next morning, Jerry felt refreshed. His depression and anxiety were absent from him. While he fixed a cup of coffee, the phone rang. It startled him at first, but then he calmly walked over and answered the phone, “Hello.”
The conversation followed the dream precisely. As Jerry hung up the phone excitement flowed through him. Then he realized that his dream had come true. Jerry couldn’t wait until evening. He spoke with enthusiasm, “This pill works. I feel great.”
That evening, Jerry took another pill. Anticipation filled him as he lay down. He wondered what dream would happen next. The moment his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep and began to dream. He stood in the kitchen. There was a knock at the front door. Jerry walked over and opened it. The bank manager stood in the doorway and Jerry Invited him in.
The man spoke, “I have some good news. I received a call from Fred Gagnon, and he explained that you would be going back to work on Monday.”
Jerry answered, “Yes sir. That is correct.”
The man replied, “Because of your excellent payment history up until your job loss, we are taking your home out of foreclosure and adding the payments you are behind to the end of the loan.”
Again, the excitement of the good news abruptly woke Jerry up. He said aloud, “I wonder if this dream will come true?” He laid his head back on the pillow and fell asleep. No other dreams entered his subconsciousness.
The next morning Jerry stood in front of the coffee maker. As he waited for the coffee to finish, a knock sounded at the door. Jerry raced to the door and quickly opened it. The bank manager stood there, and Jerry invited him in. Once again the conversation followed the events as it happened in the dream the night before.
After the bank manager exited Jerry’s home, Jerry closed the door with a fist pump, and an excited “Yes,” blurted from his mouth. He turned back, walked over to the coffee maker, and fixed a fresh cup of brew. He spoke, “This drug makes my dreams come true. I can’t wait until tonight.”
That evening Jerry slipped another pill into his mouth and laid on the bed. A dream began. This time he was outside watering the lawn. Becca drove into the driveway and exited her car. She spoke as she approached him, “I made a mistake. Can we go inside and talk?”
Jerry replied, “Yes.” He let the hose fall and motioned for her to enter the house. She walked into the living room sat on the couch and spoke, “I made a terrible mistake by leaving. I was hurt badly and didn’t know what to say. Can you forgive me and let me come back?”
Jerry replied, “Yes of course!” They both stood and embraced as the dream ended.
The next morning, Jerry eagerly got dressed. He rushed out and began to water the lawn. Sure enough, Becca drove into the driveway. Jerry let the hose fall as Becca approached. He spoke, “Before you say anything, come inside.” The two entered, walked into the living room, and sat. Jerry spoke, “This is going to sound weird. I was in the bathroom looking for some sleeping pills the other night, and the television turned on all by itself. There was a commercial about this drug called Night Time Bliss. I was so depressed, I ordered a bottle.”
Becca interrupted, “What does the drug do?”
Jerry replied, “It takes away your bad feelings and makes your dreams come true.”
Becca replied in disbelief, “Really?”
Jerry continued, “I took a pill Wednesday night and dreamt I got my job back. The next morning Fred called, and it happened. I start back to work on Monday.”
Becca asked, “You're not joking around are you?”
Jerry replied, “I’m not joking. It’s true. Then that night, I took another pill to see what would happen. I dreamt the bank manager came to the house and told me he took the house out of foreclosure and added the missed payments to the end of the loan. It happened, so we are not going to lose the house.”
Becca said, “This seems too far-fetched. Are you making this up?”
Jerry replied, “No. Please believe me. It’s true.” Becca shook her head, and Jerry continued, “Last night I took another pill. I dreamt you came to apologize for leaving and ask if you could come back to me. Here you are. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Jerry got up and rushed into the bedroom. He retrieved the bottle, returned and handed it to Becca.
She took the bottle and spoke, “Yes I did come back to apologize, but this is just too unbelievable. It must be just a coincidence.”
Jerry replied, “You take one tonight, and you will see.”
Becca said, “I don’t know. Let me go get my things, and we can talk about it.” She stood, went out to her car, and grabbed her bag. When she returned, she placed it on the unmade bed as a voice inside her head said, “Go ahead, just try it.” She looked around the room, but no one was there. She shrugged her shoulders and began to lay her clothes back into the dresser.
Later that evening as they lay in bed, Jerry asked, “So, are you going to take the pill?”
Becca replied, “OK, I’ll take it.” She swallowed the last pill, and they both fell asleep. Her dream began with her driving to the coffee shop to get them breakfast. A loud pop sounded, and her car began to vibrate. She immediately pulled into the parking lot of Clark’s Auto Service. She called Jerry and explained that she had blown a tire and would be home later. After Clark fixed the tire, she continued toward the coffee shop as the dream ended.
The next morning while they sat at the table, Becca spoke, “I think I’ll go down to the coffee shop to get us breakfast.”
Jerry answered as he nodded, “Okay. But, what about your dream?”
Becca answered, “We’ll see if it comes true.”
Just as it happened in her dream, the tire blew in front of Clark’s. While the technician fixed the tire, Becca called Jerry and said, “You were right. The pill works. I blew a tire in my dream, and it just happened. I am at Clark’s Auto Service getting it fixed. Just as it was in my dream.”
Jerry grinned and replied, “I told you the pills work.” As Jerry hung up the phone, a knock sounded on the door. He walked over and opened it. The man from the commercial was standing there.
He asked, “Did you take all the pills?”
Jerry answered, “Yes.”
The man then asked, “Before I collect payment, are you satisfied with the results?”
Jerry replied, “The pills did what you said they would do. They took away all my bad feelings, and my life has returned to normal. Yes, I am satisfied.”
The man smiled as his face changed into a devilish form. He reached out his hand and touched Jerry’s chest as he spoke in a deep voice, “You said you would give anything. Your soul is your payment.”
Jerry screamed as the demon ripped Jerry's soul from him. His shriveled body fell lifeless to the floor. The man laughed loudly, “Another soul is mine.” He vanished as Becca walked through the door. She screamed and rushed over to Jerry’s body.
Immediately she called for help. Becca knelt over Jerry with her hands cupped to her face and wept. Smoke began to rise from him, and the smell of rotting flesh filled the room. A deep evil voice sounded as the sirens drew closer, “You’re next.”
Nightmare: Written by Gerry Leblond: November 25, 2015.
A young boy's nightmare becomes a reality. Based on a nightmare from the author's childhood.
Four-year-old Jerry was full of excitement but sat quietly in the back seat of his parents' 1962 Impala. It was his cousin’s birthday and it would be the first time he would be sleeping away from home. He looked out the window at the trees that whizzed by. Although they had only traveled an hour, it seemed like forever to him. Unlike most children his age, he sat patiently not stating the typical ‘Are we there yet,’ response.
After what seemed like an eternity, the car slowed and pulled into the driveway of a two-story house. Jerry exited the car with a jump because his short legs didn’t touch the ground. He looked at the house. The faded green siding had ivy attached and the chimney was covered with green moss.
Jerry had never been to this house before and the eerie look caused his excitement to turn to almost dread to enter. He stopped at the base of the steps that led to the covered porch. “What’s wrong?” Lisa, Jerry’s mother asked.
“This house is spooky,” Jerry answered.
Bill, Jerry’s father said, “Don’t be silly, let’s go.”
Reluctantly Jerry climbed up the steps and Bill knocked on the door. The door opened and outraced Jerry’s cousin Bobby. “Come on, let’s go play in my room,” he said and grabbed Jerry by the arm.
Bobby’s room was down a long hallway. Once in the room, Jerry felt at ease. Toys were scattered everywhere and he focused on a pile of toy plastic soldiers. “Let’s play war,” he said.
The two split the pile, set up the little green soldiers in formation, and proceeded to make sounds as if a fierce battle was going on. “Bang, bang, bang,” Bobby yelled. Jerry knocked over one of his men.
“Pow,” Jerry yelled, “I got one of yours.” Bobby knocked over one. For hours the two played war until it was dark outside and the parents yelled that it was time for bed.
An attic room was set up with a bed and that is where Bill and Lisa slept. Jerry was supposed to sleep in Bobby’s room but was a little intimidated by the new surroundings, so he slept between his parents. From the foot of the bed, it was a short distance to the stairway that led downstairs. A chill with a musty smell hovered in the air of the room. Bill and Lisa had fallen asleep quickly. Jerry stared at the ceiling; it would be so much better when I was in my bed. That thought stuck in his mind until he fell asleep.
Around midnight Jerry began to dream. Voices he couldn’t understand whispered to him. He tossed and turned. The voices became louder and scarier, especially for a child. Suddenly the voices turned into a harmonious chant. Oh-ee-oh, oh-ee-oh, over and over, louder and louder the chant sounded. Footsteps on the stairway began to emerge.
Still asleep, Jerry’s unconscious mind could see a dozen or so little men, no, creatures as they slowly moved up the steps. They were carrying scythes and pitchforks. Jerry began to breathe erratically. His body jumped and he sat up. His parents were still sound asleep. He trembled as he peeked out over the foot of the bed. To his surprise, the little creatures were still there and halfway up the stairs. Jerry gasped and bolted back to the headboard. He frantically shook his mother to wake her before the creatures could get him. Words escaped him as he could barely breathe. Whispers replaced the chant when the creatures approached the top step.
Lisa moaned and woke up. ”What is it?” She asked, still half asleep.
Jerry whimpered and pointed toward the stairs. Loud whispers mixed with evil laughter filled the room. The creatures were now on the top step and they slowly filtered into the room.
“My God!” Lisa screeched as she leaped over to where Bill still slept soundly. “Wake up!” She cried. Fiercely she shook him with no results.
The whispers ceased, and the creatures scattered. Jerry and Lisa looked frantically around the room. They were gone. A few minutes went by, relief encased them. Suddenly, tiny footsteps sounded in every area of the room. Whispers and laughter again filled the air.
“Please get up!” Lisa screamed as she anxiously tried to wake Bill. He finally opened his eyes and said, “What is it? Can’t you see I am trying to sleep?”
“There is something in the room,” she said nervously.
“It’s your imagination, go back to sleep,” Bill said, rolled on his side, and quickly fell back asleep.
“You saw them, Mom, right,” Jerry asked.
“Yes I did,” Lisa answered.
Suddenly one of the creatures jumped on the edge of the bed. It wore ragged clothes, had small pointed ears, and jet-black hair. Decayed teeth supported an evil grin and released a foul odor with every breath. Slowly it raised its scythe over its head as if to strike. Jerry jumped back and Lisa screamed. Jerry’s eyes opened as he jumped up. His parents were still sound asleep. He thought to himself it was a dream. He shook Lisa and she woke up.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I had a bad dream,” Jerry answered. Little monsters walked up the stairs and tried to get us.”
“It’s just your imagination because you are in a strange place. Now go back to sleep,” Lisa said in a soothing voice.
Once again, Jerry lay between his parents and tried not to fall asleep, but his eyes were heavy and he dozed off. As the same dream returned, tiny footsteps could be heard on the stairs. He awoke once again and the small creatures were filtering into the room. He shook his mother frantically, “they’re back,” he screamed.
“Who is?” Lisa replied.
“The monsters,” Jerry whimpered.
“It is only a dream,” Lisa stated trying to calm her son.
Suddenly, the same creature leaped onto the foot of the bed. This time, two other smaller ones joined it. Lisa screamed and leaped over to where Bill was sound asleep. With a forceful shove, Lisa pushed Bill off the bed. He awoke as he crashed to the floor. Lisa grabbed Jerry and leaped to the floor herself.
“What to hell is going on?” Bill shouted angrily.
“Look!” Lisa shouted as she pointed toward the foot of the bed.
All the creatures had disappeared. There was no sign of them anywhere. The laughter and whispers were gone. The chill, as well as the musty smell, ceased.
“Look at what?” Bill said.
“There was something in the room. You can stay up here, but we’re not,” Lisa stated and carried Jerry down to the living room. Neither of them could sleep, fearing the creatures would return. Needless to say, when they visited that particular relative, they never spent the night in the attic room.
Revisiting Souls: Written by Gerry Leblond: July 14, 2019.
A young woman is haunted yearly by the sound of a crying baby and children's laughter. She finally discovers the truth behind them.
February 1, 1975, the cold wind howled outside. Mary shivered as another winter storm approached. The snow was already piled high from a blizzard, only a few days before. It was the first winter on her own, and the house she purchased was old and drafty. The curtains would sway slightly as the wind leaked around the windows.
Around one p.m., Mary sat at the kitchen table. She raised the cup of coffee to her lips to take another sip. A loud cry from a baby sounded. With her hand shaking wildly, she set the cup down. She was confused because Mary had no children of her own. Again the cry appeared, but louder than before. Mary jumped up and ran to the kitchen window. As she opened the blinds to look out, she noticed a small bundle of cloth lying on the snow-covered ground.
“My God,” She shouted, “Someone has abandoned a baby!”
She raced to the front door and darted outside. The crying stopped. The pile of cloth was gone. With concern, Mary dashed around and looked feverishly for the child. Not a trace. No footprints in the snow or any indication there was ever anything there. Bewildered, she went back inside.
Again, the crying began. This time it sounded from the bedroom. Panic consumed her as she raced into the room. A loud whimper exploded. Moments later, all was quiet. An uneasy feeling came over her.
A loud voice echoed, “Help me, mommy!”
Fear engulfed her. The cry started again, but this time, the giggles and laughter of small children accompanied it. From the closet, the laughter rang out. Mary flung open the closet door, but It was empty. The cries and laughter stopped. She closed the door and nervously walked around the room.
The young voice once again sounded, “Help me, help me!”
Tears began to roll down Mary’s cheek.
The voice yelled, “Mommy, help me!”
Mary screamed. “Who are you? What do you want?”
“Help me, help me, help me.” The voice faded; the cries and laughter vanished. The sound of a horn blaring exploded in her ears. Then all was quiet. It was now four p.m. Mary wondered what the experience meant.
Months went by with no other incidents until the next February first. At precisely one p.m., the same cries sounded. The laughter began. The sound of children playing, and the baby crying continued until four p.m. The horn exploded then all was quiet.
Every February first at precisely one p.m. the same experience began and lasted until four p.m..
Years later, Mary investigated the truth behind the strange occurrences. A few years before Mary purchased the house, a young pregnant mother delivered a baby in the bedroom while her other two children played outside in the snow. When the children decided to slide down the snow-covered road, a plow truck was cleaning up the roadway, and as it turned the corner, it was unable to avoid hitting the two children. Both children died. At the same time, the woman gave birth in the very same bedroom where Mary slept.
Mary concluded that she could hear the cries of help from the children and the sound of the newborn. She accepted this, and every February 1, the phenomenon happened. Sorrow for the children filled her heart every time.
Restless Spirit: Written by Gerry Leblond: February 25, 2018
A couple moves into their new home and discovers they're not alone.
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 flame-less candle in his right hand while he hugs his pregnant wife. Another flash, even brighter than the previous ones light 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 surround 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 absorbs 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 fell asleep in each other's arms.
Morning arrives. They awake by the sun shining brightly through the curtain-less 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 that 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 glanced back, and the man was 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 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 does the voice from the television and 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 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 says, "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 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, and 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 says, "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 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 says, "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 and found his wife and stepson 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; that he gave up on life."
Carol responds, "Wow, so sad. What about Zack?"
Charlotte continues, "The authorities suspected Zack for the murders, but there are no bodies or murder weapons. 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. 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 warmness 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 needed my help. It shocked me at first, but now I realize Tommy wants us to find him 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 was 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 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, and adrenaline flows through John as the light rests in his palms. John sees the same visions 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 absorbs 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 speaks, "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, 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 speaks, "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 bloody cloth is uncovered. Jones brushes the remaining dirt away revealing a child's skeleton wrapped in bloody clothes. Jones says, "If this is the Taylor's 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." He turns and walks away. Carol stands in the doorway watching the man walk away. Her heart fills with delight.