SUMMER OF EVIL

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Hi. I read Lydia’s obituary, and I remember her saying she never wanted to be a burden on her family in any way. I wonder if that is why she didn’t want a funeral. I think because of all she did for the Malone Spring’s Children’s Charity, we should wait a few weeks and have a memorial luncheon to honor her and her good works. Good idea. Let me know if I can help.”

  Kellie ended the call and dialed Taylor and relayed the information.

  #####

  Two weeks passed, and Kellie was relaxing after the July 4th parade and picnic. She had been busy the past few days, and her mail piled up in a small basket on her table. She glanced at it, and the edge of an envelope caught her eye. She pulled out the gray envelope and her mind flew back to the first time she received a letter from Robert Roylind, Attorney at Law. It was to inform her she was in Frederick Malone’s will.

  “This can’t be good,” she mumbled until she saw it was addressed to her as president of the Malone Springs Children’s Charity. “Hmm, I’m still not sure it’s good news.” She opened the envelope and read that Mr. Roylind would like representatives of the charity to attend a reading of Lydia’s will.

  She leaned back in her chair and breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sure Lydia left the charity some money or a trust.”

  She phoned Taylor, who was the charity’s treasurer, and Clarice, the charity’s secretary. The three would attend the reading of the will on Tuesday at eleven in the morning. She called the charity’s vice-president, Deborah, who, as usual, wasn’t interested in the legal or money matters.

  “Just have Clarice send me a copy of her notes,” Deborah said.

  “Sure, bye,” Kellie ended the call.

  “She works harder at not being busy than anyone I know, but her ideas and input are invaluable,” Kellie said with a smile. Deborah was also the mayor’s sister and people in Malone Springs agreed with whatever she said.

  #####

  Kellie, Taylor, and Clarice stood in front of the elevator in Mr. Roylind’s office building. Kellie said, “I’m taking the stairs. The last time I was here, the elevator crawled to the second floor and jolted along the way. I was sure it would stop between floors.”

  Clarice had turned and was heading for the stairs. Kellie and Taylor followed her up the old marble stairs to the second floor and the opulent office of Robert Roylind, Attorney at Law. Kellie noticed he had hired a new receptionist since her last visit, and the woman didn’t recognize her.

  “Hello,” Kellie said, “I’m Kellie Conley. We represent the Malone Spring’s Children’s Charity and we’re here to see Mr. Roylind.”

  “Yes, Miss Conley, he’s expecting you. Please have a seat, and I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  A few moments later, another young woman Kellie had never seen before asked them to follow her to Mr. Roylind’s office.

  “Please have a seat. Mr. Roylind will be here soon. May I offer you some coffee or tea? The three women declined, and the young woman smiled as she left the office and closed the door.

  Clarice whispered, “The paintings in this place are fabulous, and I bet they’re real.”

  Kellie nodded, “He certainly can afford them. My grandfather paid him a small fortune over the years.”

  A moment later, the door at the far end of the office opened and Mr. Roylind entered.

  “Kellie, it’s good to see you again.” He extended his hand.

  Kellie made the introductions, and Mr. Roylind settled in his large leather chair behind his desk.

  “I asked you here today because Lydia Thernstrom mentioned the children’s charity in her will. We spoke shortly before she died, and she told me you were hoping to find a larger home for the women and children in need here in Malone Springs.”

  “Yes, we have,” replied Clarice, “but large houses are hard to find.”

  “That is what Lydia told me which is why she has left the family home and property to the children’s charity,” Mr. Roylind said.

  “She left the Thernstrom Estate to the charity? It’s nearly as big as the Malone Mansion was and just three miles outside of town. It seems ideal,” Taylor said.

  “Yes, it is, but it also includes all the property including the old Monastery of Peace building and woodlands.”

  Clarice gasped, “The monastery is haunted. Haven’t you heard? There is also something evil that lives in the woods. Not even teens go there to party.”

  Kellie closed her eyes and shook her head. Feeling the tension build in her neck and temples, she knew that the thought of more spirits would bring on a headache.

  “Haunted,” Taylor whispered scrunching her eyebrows and gripping the arms of the chair.

  “Those are only rumors,” Mr. Roylind said.

  Clarice began talking. “I know the whole story. The monastery, built in the eighteen-hundreds, housed forty monks in the beginning. By nineteen-thirty, the monastery housed only twenty monks. They had a housekeeper and cook named Adelaide. She lived in a small house on the edge of the monastery grounds. She left after serving dinner, and the monks would clean the kitchen. One night she stayed behind and stabbed two monks in the kitchen. When she ran outside covered in blood, a third monk tried to help her. She stabbed him, too. He had been chopping wood. She picked up the ax and chopped off his head. People say he still roams the halls looking for his head.” Clarice was shaking when she finished speaking.

  Mr. Roylind leaned back and interlaced his long fingers. “I have heard those stories, but while it is true people believed Adelaide killed three monks, she was never arrested. There wasn’t any proof. She claimed her husband, Luther, killed them, and she became covered in blood when she tried to help the monks in the kitchen. I doubt any are haunting the monastery. After the murders, the monastery was deconsecrated, and soldiers returning from WWII and later the Korean War used it to recuperate before going home to loved ones. No one reported ghosts. Adelaide lived quietly in the small house until she disappeared in nineteen-thirty-nine.”

  “What about the reports of Adelaide roaming the graveyard with the bloody knife she carried? People say evil resides in the forest, and since she lived at the edge of it, it somehow possessed her,” Clarice added. She fidgeted in her chair and bit her lip.

  “Graveyard?” Kellie stammered. “No one mentioned a graveyard. I’m not sure the charity can afford all this property. Are we able to sell it?”

  “No, the will stipulates that the property remain intact. Since you are a charitable organization, there are tax considerations and upkeep is minimal. The house is in good repair. The monastery needs some work, but it could be a jewel for you. It could accommodate additional children and families, perhaps a medical and dental clinic, or a day care. The possibilities are limitless with all the land and two buildings,” Mr. Roylind explained.

  Taylor said, “I’ll have Hunter look into the tax situation. He’ll help us file the proper forms.” She crossed her right leg over her left and gripped the purse on her lap.

  Kellie sunk in her chair, her stress giving her a full-blown headache. Murdered monks, crazed killer, and a graveyard not to mention a possibly haunted monastery. This spells trouble, I know it.

  She nodded, “Okay, what do we have to do? We certainly need the house, and perhaps we can ignore the rest.”

  “I need the signature of the president and treasurer of your charity and then I’ll have the property transferred into the charity’s name.”

  Kellie stood, “That would be Taylor and me.”

  After she and Taylor had signed the documents, the three young women left the attorney’s office. Clarice was pale.

  “Clarice, what’s wrong,” Taylor asked.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t have a good feeling about this. What if there is a ghost?” She stammered. “It might kill us or the children.”

  “Don’t worry,” Taylor said. “If there is, Kellie will take care of it.”

  Kellie moaned and took a deep breath. As she walked down the stairs, she didn’t nee
d another ghost she needed an aspirin.

  #####

  Wills was enjoying his summer. He kept to himself and purchased the used bicycle. He loved riding into town for supplies and meeting some of the town’s residents. As far as he knew, no one ever recognized him since the police never came looking for anyone.

  Once a week he would take the car to a neighboring town for a dual reason. He wanted to be sure he kept it running, and he liked to drink a beer. “Just one beer,” he thought, “it’s enough to enjoy the flavor, but not impede the senses. People need to keep a handle on their lives.”

  His needs got the better of him one Friday night when he passed a young woman hitchhiking. He slowed and stopped. She reminded him of Taylor. He smiled.

  “Hi, need a ride?”

  “Yeah, thanks,” she said and tossed her backpack into the back seat.

  “Where are you headed? I’m only going a couple miles down the road.”

  “That’s fine,” the girl said. “I’m on my way to Chicago and you can drop me anywhere.” She pushed her long red hair out of her face.

  “What’s in Chicago? That’s a bit of a walk all alone.”

  “A big city. I felt smothered at home. I had to get away alone.”

  “A runaway,” Wills thought; “I wasn’t expecting this good luck. People may be looking for her, but not locally I’m sure.”

  His arm shot out, and his fist connected with her face. She crumbled in her seat. He stopped long enough to disconnect her seatbelt and push her to the floor. She was still there when he pulled up next to the cabin. He didn’t see any lights and hoped everyone was asleep.

  As he pulled the tarp over his car, he opened the passenger side door and carried the girl into the cabin. He ran back to the car, retrieved her backpack and covered the car completely. When he walked back into the cabin, she was beginning to stir.

  Before she woke, he placed duct-tape around her wrists and feet adding a last piece over her mouth. He sat on the table in front of the couch and waited for her to wake.

  When she woke, she tried to sit but he pushed her back down. He brushed the bangs off her face and smiled at the terror in her brown eyes.

  “Don’t be afraid, Taylor. I was lonely and wanted someone to talk to me. If I remove the tape from your mouth, will you promise not to scream? You always screamed when we were kids.”

  She nodded wondering, “Who’s Taylor. He’s crazy; just try to agree with him.”

  “Really promise?” Wills leaned close, stared in her eyes, and scrunched his face.

  She nodded again.

  Before he could fully remove the tape, she panicked and tried to scream, and he pushed the tape back over her mouth.

  “You lied. Lying is bad. I thought we could be friends. I don’t want to play games with a liar.” He stood and strode into the kitchen. When he returned, he carried a large knife. “Maybe you’ll want to play with me now.”

  The girl shook her head from side to side violently.

  “Now, now, don’t be that way.” He placed the knife on the table and sat next to it.

  The girl’s eyes shot to the knife, and she stopped fighting.

  “See, I told you we could play nicely.” He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. She closed her eyes, and her face twisted. He smiled as his hands slipped around her throat, and he strangled her.

  He removed the tape from her mouth and said, “You look much prettier this way. Now what to do with you?”

  Wills walked from one end of the living room to the other mumbling, “I should have thought this out more. It isn’t my fault, what was she doing out there in the dark hitchhiking? Someone could have hurt her. I’m glad I was able to find her and keep her safe. I wish she would have wanted to play longer, but at least she’s safe now. Where will I keep her? The lake, I could put her in the lake.”

  Wills hurried back to the young woman and strapped her backpack securely to her body. He glanced at the clock, “Time’s perfect. Most people are home by midnight and those who close down the bars aren’t back until two. Even the newlyweds are done skinny dipping by now, and the fishermen aren’t out yet.” He smiled at the body lying on his couch.

  Wills took a length of rope and tied the straps of the backpack together so the young woman’s arms couldn’t slip out of them. He yanked on it and said, “Nice and snug, it’s not going anywhere. Up we go.”

  He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Turning off the light before opening the cabin door, he stepped out into the dark moonless night. He made his way down to the lake and the canoe owned by Sunshine Cabins for tenants’ use. He lowered her body into the canoe and picked up several heavy rocks from the shore and placed then in the canoe.

  He pushed the canoe out into the water and rowed until he believed he was at the middle of the lake. He rolled the girl’s body on its side and unzipped the backpack. After placing the rocks inside, he zipped it closed and pushed the body over the side.

  “She’ll sink to the bottom and stay there for at least a few months. If they find her, I’ll be long gone.” He rowed back to shore humming a tune he thought fit his mantra well.

  Chapter Five

  Taylor’s tossing and turning and mumbling woke Hunter. He touched her shoulder and called her name. She didn’t wake, and he gently shook her shoulder.

  Kellie’s phone woke her from a sound sleep. Caller ID read “Claudia.”

  “Claudia, what’s wrong?” Kellie was climbing out of bed to get dressed. Goosebumps rose on her arms.

  “Wills has killed again. The spirit is angry and seeking revenge. She blames Taylor. I’m worried about her. I am bringing her an amulet. Get to her first and protect her.” Claudia clicked off.

  Kellie turned and stopped. A spirit stood in her bedroom doorway. It was a young girl with long red hair. The girl was dripping wet. Water pooled around her on the floor.

  “What do you want?” Kellie asked.

  “He killed me and put me in the lake because of you and Taylor. I’m going to take her with me. It’s her fault I’m dead.”

  Water began to pour from Taylor and Hunter’s ceiling soaking the bed. Hunter tried to pull a sleeping Taylor from the bed, but her body weighed more than he could carry. He tugged, but she seemed to be attached to the bed. He leaned over her to block the water from pouring on her face.

  Kellie looked at the spirit in her doorway. “You are not taking her anywhere. Get out of my way.”

  The girl laughed.

  Kellie threw up her hands, and a white light hit the spirit. It disappeared, and Kellie ran downstairs calling Taylor’s phone. No answer. She ran out her front door, across the lawn, and with her spare key opened Taylor’s front door. As she ran, she was illuminated by Claudia’s headlights. She left the door open for the psychic.

  “Taylor, Hunter, it’s me; I’m coming upstairs,” she called as she ran toward their room.

  She stopped in her tracks when the sight of Hunter trying to protect Taylor from a waterfall dropping from the ceiling took her breath away.

  Hunter looked up, “Help her.”

  Kellie tried to push the water away with her white light, but the harder she pushed, the faster the water flowed.

  Claudia walked in behind Kellie and rushed to the bed. She handed the amulet to Hunter. Lay this on her body. As soon as the red stone touched Taylor’s skin, the water disappeared, Taylor woke and sat up.

  “What’s going on? Why are you here?” Confusion crossed her face.

  “Where did the water go,” Hunter asked? “The bed and ceiling are dry.”

  Taylor glanced around the room blinking several times. “Water, what water?”

  Hunter dropped on the bed and explained.

  Claudia interjected, “The young woman Wills killed is vengeful. She is unable to appear to you as she does to Kellie. She blames the redhead Wills hates. That’s you Taylor. She could attack you again while you sleep. Wear the amulet at all times, it will keep her and any spirit from harm
ing you.”

  Claudia turned and left.

  “Thank you,” Taylor called.

  She looked at Hunter and Kellie. “I had a nightmare. A young girl with red hair was screaming at me that she was dead instead of me. She was soaking wet.”

  “She’s Wills’ latest victim. She must be in water. I saw her after Claudia called me to help you. My white light forced her to leave.”

  “Why didn’t it work here?” asked Hunter.

  “I don’t know how it works. It could be that Taylor wasn’t in enough danger since you were protecting her. I don’t have a good answer.” Kellie blinked back tears and looked at the ceiling. Her eyes dropped back to Taylor. “I’m sorry; I couldn’t do more.”

  Taylor climbed out of bed and hugged her. “You ran over to save my life, and you brought Claudia into our lives and she has saved us several times. It’s okay.”

  Hunter watched the two friends. “Kellie, stay the night. I think it’ll help Taylor.” He held up his keys. “I’ll go get Rufus and lock up your house. Then I’ll come back and sleep in the guest room.”

  Taylor giggled, “He’s the best hubby.” Her smile disappeared. “Uncle Mike is not going to like that spirits were here.” She dropped back onto the bed.

  Kellie nodded. She knew Taylor was right and that her Uncle Mike would not be happy to hear about their experience in the morning.

  Hunter returned and walked into the bedroom to see Taylor and Kellie sound asleep holding hands.

  He mumbled, “Taylor told me they would hold hands when they slept as kids. I think they feel safe.” Rufus nudged his leg. “C’mon boy, you can sleep with me” Rufus walked over and dropped next to Penny. “All alone,” Hunter smiled and shook his head on the way to the guest room.

  #####

  Kellie slept soundly but had a vivid dream of a lake, darkness, and sunshine. When she woke, she explained her dream to Taylor.

  “You saw sunshine in the dark and there was water? The spirit said she’s in a lake.”

  “I know it’s a clue, but I have no idea what it means.” She reached for the phone and relayed the information to her Uncle Mike.