“I felt his presence in the light. He was waiting for his mother. I could hear him saying ‘mama, mama’ softly before she called out his name and disappeared. They’re both safe and away from Luther’s reach. He’s the last obstacle keeping us from finishing the renovations and moving families here,” Kellie said as she turned to leave the cellar. I don’t feel him here now.
A foul odor filled the cellar assaulting Kellie and Taylor’s senses. It burned both their noses and eyes. Gray smoke poured out of the floor blocking their way to the stairs. The whistling returned.
“Cover your face, Taylor. It’s Luther. He’s back and angry.” Kellie said.
Kellie threw up her hands, and a blinding white light appeared in front of her blocking the smoke. The air near the young women cleared.
“What was that, how do we get out?” Taylor asked her lip quivering.
“Luther is causing it trying to keep us down here. I think the white light can push it away, and we can escape.” She lifted her hands again, and the light moved toward the stairs pushing the acrid gray smoke away from them.
A deafening howl echoed through the cellar. Taylor reached for Kellie’s arm. “It’s a hellhound. It must be what Clarice heard. No wonder she ran.”
Kellie wrapped her arm around Taylor and said, “I think it is Luther. He scared Clarice and is trying to scare us.”
“It’s working,” Taylor mumbled.
The light had moved across the cellar, and as it neared the stairs, the gray smoke darkened and Luther stepped out. “You will never leave here. Your light is not strong enough to save you, and neither is your red headed witch friend.”
“He thinks I’m a witch,” mumbled Taylor. “God help us.”
Kellie took a step forward and said, “Luther Wentz my light will send you away. It will always win over evil. You are evil. You killed your wife and bricked her up in that room. You killed my friend, Clarice. You deserve to go to hell.”
Luther laughed, and Taylor cringed. “My wife was a witch, too. She hated me after Victor died and wouldn’t let me come home. It is her fault I froze to death in the woods. She deserved to die. Your friend should have stayed away from Adelaide’s house. She would have found the letters. She will never find them now.”
“What letters?” Kellie asked stepping closer to the wall of light.
“I left letters on Adelaide’s door while she slept asking her to let me come home. I watched her read them and toss them in a barrel. She laughed when she read about the evil in the woods. People would know what I did. Now, they will always blame Adelaide.”
“What did you do? I know you killed the monks. Everyone knows it now.” Kellie scrunched her eyebrows and stared at Luther’s ghost.
“It’s a secret. The woods know what I did, but it can’t speak. The monks were only the beginning.” He laughed again causing goose bumps to rise on Taylor’s skin.
“I told you someone was watching from the woods. Make him go away,” Taylor pleaded. Her voice sounded far away.
Kellie lifted her hands to try and strengthen the light when Luther leaped into it and grabbed her wrists. The light spun around them, and they disappeared. Kellie could hear Taylor’s scream as she was pulled further into the light.
Kellie felt dizzy as the white light spun her head over heels while Luther hung onto her wrists. A loud crack of thunder broke through the silence. A long, thin, black rope wrapped around him, and Luther disappeared.
Taylor screamed for Kellie and called Hunter. She was crying, screaming, and babbling that Kellie disappeared with an evil spirit. She heard wind whistling around her, and her phone fell from her hands.
Kellie continued to spin and dropped in the cellar at Taylor’s feet.
Taylor knelt down and hugged Kellie. “I thought he took you forever. Where’s Luther?”
“In hell, I think.” She gripped Taylor’s shoulders her eyes wide and wet from tears. “I was there; I saw them.”
“Where? Hell?” Taylor gasped.
“No, I think I saw heaven. My mother was there in the same gown she wore when she defeated my grandfather. Taylor, she spoke to me. She told me to stop running. When Luther was ripped away from me, I was terrified and alone. I ran toward the light.”
“You saw Alexis in heaven? What happened?” Taylor clung to Kellie’s arms to keep her from falling over.
“I was dizzy and lost. It was warm, and I felt safe, but I also felt compelled to run to the light. I didn’t believe my mother. I thought I was hallucinating.” Kellie broke down in tears.
“What’s wrong, something else happened. Tell me,” Taylor said.
“I saw my mom and dad. They looked exactly the same as they did before the accident. When I saw them, I didn’t want to leave. They stood next to my mother. All three of them told me to stop running. I did and just stared at them. I knew Luther had killed me, but I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be with them. Then dad took a step closer, and he used his serious voice.”
Taylor nodded, “I remember that voice.” She smiled at Kellie.
“He told me that he and my mom were fine and mom and my birth mother were friends. Alexis, mom, and dad are all family now. I begged them to let me stay. I didn’t want to leave. I pleaded with him to let me stay with my family.”
Tears ran down Taylor’s face. “I’m glad you’re back. I wouldn’t know what to do without you.”
“You’re the reason I’m here. Mom said to me that I needed to be with my sister on earth, and I knew she meant you. She told me we would need each other, and we’d raise our babies together,” Kellie said.
“Babies, she said we’ll raise babies together. That’s wonderful, but I understand why you wanted to stay. I miss them, too.” Taylor couldn’t stop her tears.
Kellie reached out and wiped the tears from Taylor’s face. “This is why I came back.”
“My tears?”
“Yes, dad used his authoritative voice again and told me to listen. I heard you crying. Dad said I should go. They were safe and happy, but you needed me. Then I felt the light push me back, and they faded into the light. The next thing I knew I was here on the floor. How long was I gone?”
“A minute or two, but the longest two minutes of my life,” Taylor said. Maybe a little longer. I called Hunter. I think he said he and Uncle Mike would come. I dropped my phone.”
“Let’s get out of this cellar,” Kellie said.
Taylor nodded, and both young women headed upstairs and outside. They sat on the bottom step in front of the monastery. The sun had broken through the clouds and the flowers growing wild in the flower beds never looked more beautiful. Kellie understood why her family wanted her to come back and live her life.
She grabbed Taylor’s hand. “I’m sorry you were scared, but I’m glad your tears pulled me back. Look how beautiful it is out here.”
Taylor smiled, and they heard a siren approaching.
“That’ll be Uncle Mike,” Kellie said. “He won’t be happy with this story.”
“Neither will Hunter,” Taylor added.
Chapter Twelve
Mike’s car, siren blaring, pulled up in front of the monastery. Hunter’s car was two minutes behind.
Mike jumped out of his car and ran up to Kellie and Taylor.
“Are you all right? Hunter said Taylor called and told him an evil spirit grabbed you, Kellie. What the hell is going on?” He crossed his arms fingers drumming on them.
Hunter had arrived before Kellie had a chance to answer.
Taylor flew into his arms, and he said, “I want an answer, too. What happened?”
Kellie feeling at peace smiled, “Luther attacked us. He grabbed me. I fought him. He’s in hell now. I saw heaven and spoke to my parents, and they said I should come back and have babies with Taylor. That’s all.”
Mike slapped his forehead. “That’s all? You sound like a lunatic.”
Hunter mumbled, “Did she say babies?”
Taylor smiled and nodded, “Bu
t no one said when so relax.”
Mike studied Kellie’s face with his eyes scrunched, “You saw Donna and Larry in heaven?”
“Alexis, too,” Kellie said. “Dad said they’re all a family now. I’m not sure if it was in heaven or the doorway, but I was in the light.”
Mike sat down. Rubbing his fingertips on his forehead, he asked, “Did you bump your head? Are you hurt?”
“No, Uncle Mike. I’m fine. I know mom, dad, and Alexis are all in heaven and someday Taylor and I will have babies to raise. How wonderful is that?” She jumped off the stair, threw her arms out, and twirled.
“The E.R. should check you out,” he suggested.
“I’m fine, relax, Uncle Mike.” She sat down next to him and hugged him. “I’m just happy.”
“I was going to call you today with good and bad news.” Mike shifted on the step and looked at Kellie.
“Bad news, what?” Her eyes wide with worry and her smile suddenly gone.
“Nothing you weren’t expecting. A confirmation about the bodies you claimed were near Sunshine Cabins. A young woman’s remains were pulled from the lake yesterday morning. Her backpack was tied to her and loaded with rocks. She might never have surfaced. If not for you, the body could have been stuck in the muck forever. The local sheriff said the middle of the lake is dark and muddy.”
“I’m glad they found her. Her spirit was so angry and sad. I hope they can find a way to charge Wills. I know the sheriff won’t take my word,” Kellie sighed.
“Legally he can’t, but he believed enough personally that once they found her he called for two cadaver dogs from the State Police. I heard an hour ago that another young woman’s remains were found buried less than a mile from the cabins,” Mike said.
“That was the woman I heard crying. Maybe now I can sleep peacefully. Wills’ victims are at rest and Luther is gone,” Kellie smiled.
“What about the evil and two spirits I saw in the woods,” Taylor stammered.
Kellie dropped her head and glanced up to glare at Taylor. “I wasn’t going to mention that.”
“Evil in the woods,” Mike yelled. “What evil?”
Hunter yelled louder, “Two more spirits? Taylor you’re going home right now and don’t come back here.”
Taylor took a step back from Hunter. “Don’t tell me what to do Hunter O’Neil or you’ll be sleeping in the guest room permanently.”
She sat next to Kellie on the monastery steps.
Mike stood and doubled his fists. “The two of you will be the death of me yet.”
“We’ll be fine, Uncle Mike. Go home. We’re going back to Lydia’s house, and there aren’t any spirits there. Okay?” Her face tightened when she looked at him.
Mike shook his head all the way to his car and turned before he got into the car. “You call me when you get home.”
“I promise,” Kellie called.
Hunter didn’t say a word; he stared at Taylor for a minute, turned, rushed to his car, and drove off.
Taylor looked at Kellie, “We were at Lydia’s yesterday. Why do you want to go back?”
“I don’t, but I do want to check out that small house Adelaide lived in before the work crew tears it down. Come on.”
Taylor blew out a breath, bit her lip, and followed Kellie.
#####
The work crew cut a rough path to Adelaide’s house through the weeds the previous week. Taylor followed Kellie from the monastery to the small cottage. Burrs stuck to her slacks. The ground was soggy from the last night’s rain, and Taylor sneezed three times as the breeze blew past her face.
“My allergies are worse out in the middle of this field,” Taylor complained. “I doubt if it will get better in a dusty, old cottage.
“You can wait outside,” Kellie said. She smiled at Taylor, “I know dust and weeds get to you. I’m sorry.”
“Next time I’ll take an allergy pill first,” Taylor laughed.
Kellie glanced over her shoulder and laughed with her friend. “We’re here; do you want to go in with me?”
“I’m not letting you do it alone.” Taylor put her hands on her hips. “We fight ghosts, how bad can it be inside a little cottage?”
Kellie pushed the door open. The musty odor of years of non-use and mold wafted out toward them.
“Sorry, I asked,” Taylor said.
“There’s a door at the back, if we open it maybe some of the smell will blow out.”
Taylor said, “I’ll get it.”
She forgot about her allergies and ran around the cottage through waist high weeds. When she pushed the back door open, the wind blew the odor out straight at Taylor. She turned too late and sneezed several times, holding her aching ribs.
“That was awful. You should have clearer air now,” she called to Kellie.
Kellie nodded and stepped inside. “Can you breathe in here without sneezing?” She asked Taylor.
Taylor walked in and took a deep breath. “I hope so. We’ll see in a few minutes. What are we looking for? Let’s look quickly.”
Luther mentioned leaving notes, and Claudia said the square on the paper she found represented a letter or letters. Let’s look for them.” Kellie suggested.
She and Taylor began moving things around and looking in old boxes and under quilts and pillows.
Taylor’s scream echoed through the house when several field mice ran out from under an old blanket and across her shoes.
“You okay,” Kellie looked up.
“There are field mice all over.” Taylor shuddered.
“Be careful, don’t let one bite you. The doc will be giving you rabies shots.” Kellie scrunched her face twisting her lip.
Taylor bent over and tucked her slacks into her socks. Kellie wore dress slacks without socks and wished she could do the same.
“How are we going to find letters in this mess?” Taylor mused.
“Adelaide was like any other woman. She tossed out what she didn’t want from Luther, but if it was anything important she would have saved it in a safe place. We need to look for a box, jar, or another container that might hold letters or notes.”
Another twenty minutes passed and Taylor looked up and said, “There are a few boxes under this old hutch, but I can’t get to them.” She sneezed again.
Kellie helped her move a few pieces of heavy, handcrafted wooden furniture, and broken pottery and plates. When they pulled the boxes out, Taylor began to sneeze harder. She ran outside to get away from the dust and catch her breath.
Kellie dragged one box to the back door. “There are two tree stumps we can sit on and look through this box out here before you sneeze yourself unconscious.”
“Deal,” said Taylor. She helped Kellie drag the box to the tree stumps and plopped down. “My back hurts.”
“Mine, too.” Kellie added, “I wish they had made lighter weight furniture. No wonder it’s still in good condition.”
Kellie carefully lifted the dust covered lid off the box and placed it on the ground downwind from where they sat. It was full of hand painted china plates.
She stood and said, “I’ll get another box, but I’ll check the contents before I drag it out here.” She turned and disappeared into the cottage.
Several minutes later she returned carrying one box. “This is the only one with papers and I left the top inside. There isn’t any dust on the papers.”
Taylor smiled at her. “Thanks.”
Kellie reached in the box, grabbed a handful of papers and handed them to Taylor. She grabbed another handful and sat on the tree stump to look through them.
Taylor thumbed through several of the pieces of paper and looked at Kellie, “Prices were cheap back then. Most of these are receipts or recipes.”
“These, too. Wait there is another small box at the bottom of this one.” Kellie reached in and pulled out a small floral box.
“This looks as if it might hold something special.” She lifted the lid.
She looked at Taylor and smiled
, “There are letters in here.”
“Who wrote the letters?”
“There are several from a woman named Lucille. It sounds as if she was Adelaide’s sister. Here’s one from Luther. It must be an old one. It’s a love letter. She saved it; maybe she did love him at least until Victor died.” She handed the papers to Taylor and brought out another letter.
She lifted her eyebrows and hummed quietly. When she looked up at Taylor, she said, “I think this is more like what we’re looking for.”
She handed the letter to Taylor.
Taylor bit her lip as she read the letter. “Luther wanted to come home not because he loved her, but he wrote that he was afraid of the evil in the woods. Look for more letters. Maybe he mentions the evil or why he just didn’t kick in the door. He seemed to be the type that would take what he wanted.”
Kellie read another and Taylor could hear her quick intake of breath. She handed the paper to Taylor.
Taylor’s hand shook as she reached for the letter.
“Oh my, he did kill the monks. He wants to hide in the house away from the evil. He claims the evil made him kill the monks to avenge their anger. He calls it a blood sacrifice.” She looked up at Kellie. “If any of this is true, the evil could still be in the woods. I saw something. Those two boys. We know Luther killed Adelaide and Clarice and who knows how many more unsuspecting people. He’s gone, but if the evil is still there, we can’t bring kids here.” She threw her hands over her mouth.
“No, we can’t and we won’t. Let’s read a bit more and then I’m going into the woods. Whatever is there isn’t any worse than Luther.” Kellie began sifting through the papers. “There’s only one more note.”
She shook her head as she handed it to Taylor.
Taylor read the note, “Do you think this is the truth of what happened?”
“Only one way to find out. I’m going.” Kellie stood and ran back to Taylor’s car for her hiking shoes and a pair of jeans.
Taylor ran behind her trying to breathe and ask questions, “It says here that if he can’t come home, he’ll be the next to die. Slow down. Do you think he was telling the truth, and the evil killed him?” By the time she caught up to Kellie, she had changed into jeans and was pulling on her shoes behind Taylor’s car.
SUMMER OF EVIL Page 11