I Want to Haunt You Home:

by Rose Pressey

  “Well, I have the tour tonight, but I could come tomorrow night. I don’t have the tour on Mondays,” I said.

  “I appreciate it, but I hate that you have to come here on your only night off.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I want to help.”

  “In the meantime, let’s get out of here.” He opened the door and motioned for me to go first.

  I could tell he was antsy and wanted to get out of there. Once outside we said our goodbyes and agreed to meet back there tomorrow at the same time. As I headed down the sidewalk I glanced back; he was already out of sight. He must have really been in a hurry. Now I headed for the haunted tour. I had just enough time to get there before the tour-goers arrived.

  I walked by all the places that I would soon be showing to the tour-goers. At night the town came alive with the spirits of the dead. The antique shop, bookstore, a couple restaurants, and the old tavern were all on the tour. The old style street lights guided my way down the sidewalk until I reached the alleyway that led back to Devil’s Moon Cemetery.

  The gates leading into the cemetery were surrounded by tall oak trees. The branches reached down and crossed over the top of the gate like an arch over the entrance. Shadows flitted among the graves. The owl hooted from the top of a tree. This was his way of saying hello. He greeted me each time I arrived. The streetlights that lit up the sidewalks in town didn’t reach back to the graveyard. The area was submerged in darkness.

  Soon people gathered around the front of the gates. A small group had come for the tour tonight. I’d start in Devil’s Moon Cemetery and then make my way through the rest of town. The two women and one man stared at me anxiously waiting to start.

  “Welcome to Devil’s Moon Haunted Tour. Tonight, I will guide you through the haunted streets and buildings of town.” I passed out the flashlights.

  Darkness had completely taken over now. The tour-goers flicked on their flashlights. Then one of the woman screamed. She pointed over my shoulder. When I spun around I saw the woman. It was the same ghost I’d seen at the theater. Apparently, she’d followed me here. Or had she been attached to me when I arrived at the theater? Now I didn’t know if she was the one haunting the theater. How would I find out? The ghost disappeared right in front of our eyes.

  “This is the best ghost tour I’ve ever taken,” the man said.

  Did that really happen? The other woman asked.

  The woman who’d first pointed out the ghost was still speechless. Actually, she looked as if she wanted to run away.

  “Yes, that was a ghost you just saw,” I said.

  Would they still want to complete the tour tonight? They’d gotten a lot more than they’d expected.

  “Shall we continue?” I asked.

  The group nodded, but didn’t speak. I’d have to take that as a yes. I guided them into the graveyard and started to tell them the story about the woman in blue. She’d been seen around the graveyard a lot. No one knew who she was and I’d never been able to find out either. With many people buried here it was hard to know for sure if her grave was located here, but I assumed so.

  “The lady in blue has been seen in this area a lot,” I said with a wave of my hand.

  The group followed me around a grave. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a black silhouette. When I looked to my left I saw the ghost coming toward me. She rushed toward me and I landed backward on the ground with a thud. The women screamed and started running. The guy followed along behind them. They didn’t bother to ask if I was okay or if I needed help getting up.

  I was on the ground, but the ghost was nowhere in sight. The tour-goers ran out the gate and down the alleyway. If I wasn’t frightened myself I would laugh. Right now I figured I needed to get out of there too. Looks like the tour was cancelled tonight. I managed to get to my feet. The owl hooted, as if sending me a message. I wasn’t sure if it was a warning or he was just mocking me.

  The wind picked up, whistling through the branches and sending a shower of colorful leaves raining down on me. I hurried for the gate, glancing over my shoulder to see if the ghost was back there. So far she was nowhere in sight. I had no idea when she would pop up again. I had a feeling that she had followed me from the theater. Did this mean she would haunt me instead of the theater? That would make the owner happy, but wouldn’t be good for me.

  I rushed out the gate and down the alleyway toward the sidewalk. The gate banged against the fence as the wind picked up. Since I didn’t want to walk home alone right now, I decided to go into the tavern and talk with my best friend Tammy White. Maybe she could give me a ride home after her shift was over.

  Chapter 4

  I managed to pick up the flashlights that the group had dropped when they reached the sidewalk. Panic still rushed through me and I just wanted to get inside the tavern. Though I was pretty sure the ghost would come inside if she really wanted to get me. That was the scariest part. I knew that no matter where I went if the ghost wanted me she would find me. I had to do something about this. The ghost had to go. I rushed inside the tavern and spotted Tammy behind the counter. Tammy’s eyes widened when she saw me. The overhead light behind the bar highlighted the gold streaks in her auburn hair. She always looked stylish even in her work clothes of dark blue skinny jeans and a white t-shirt.

  “What happened? Aren’t you supposed to be giving the tour?”

  “They took off when they saw a ghost.”

  “Well, that is the purpose of the tour. That doesn’t explain why you look so panicked.”

  “The ghost attacked me and knocked me down.”

  “That’s terrible. Where did the ghost come from? Where did this happen?”

  “We had just started the tour in the cemetery. I think the ghost followed me from the theater. Actually, I know she did.”

  “She?” Tammy asked. “Do you know who the ghost is?”

  “I don’t know who she is, but I saw her at the theater for the first time. So I assumed that’s where she came from.”

  “What are you going to do? Did she hurt you?” Tammy asked.

  “I’m fine. Just a little shocked. I have to find out what this ghost wants and get her out of the theater and away from me. I need to call Brannon and tell him what happened.” I pulled out my cell phone. My hand was still shaking.

  Tammy placed a bottle of water on the counter. “Here, drink this since I know you won’t try anything stiffer. This is one time that calls for a drink.”

  I took a gulp from the water bottle and then dialed Brannon.

  Before he picked up the call glasses started flying around the bar area. Zinging off the walls and shattering once they hit the ground. Tammy and I ducked in order to miss the flying glass.

  “Hello? Rip, are you there?” Brannon’s voice came from the phone I’d dropped on the floor.

  The flying glasses had stopped. I fumbled and grabbed my phone.

  “All hell is breaking loose in the tavern. Can you come over here?”

  “Is there a bar fight?” Brannon asked.

  “If by bar fight you mean ghost, then yes,” I said.

  “I’m on my way,” Brannon said and then the call ended.

  Chapter 5

  Tammy and I had been shielding our heads from the glass. It had been a few seconds without any further flying glassware so I wondered if it was safe to get up from the floor.

  “Tammy, are you all right?” I asked.

  “What the heck was that?” she asked.

  We stood at the same time. I’ve never known anything violent like that to happen in here. The tavern was one of the haunted spots on my tour, but nothing like this had ever happened. Not that I was aware of at least. Tammy would have told me about something like this. I had a feeling I knew what was causing this. It had to be the ghost that had followed me from the theater. Now I understood why the owner was so upset.

  This could be serious. What if someone had been hurt by the glass? I was worried what the ghost would do next. Why was she so an
gry? Could this by a demon disguising itself as a woman? It had been known to happen in the past. Thank goodness the tavern had been empty at the time. Since it was a Monday night, not a lot of people were in town.

  “Where’s the broom? I will clean up the mess,” I said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I can do it,” Tammy said.

  “I brought the ghost so I should clean up the mess.”

  Tammy blew the hair out of her eyes. “Okay, it’s right back there in the closet. I think I’ll come with you.”

  Tammy followed along closely as I made my way back to the closet.

  “I’m not sure you want to hang close to me,” I said. “The ghost wants me. If you hang around me then you might get hurt. I’m so sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry? You didn’t cause this.”

  “I am the one messing around with the hauntings. I brought the ghost with me.”

  Tammy couldn’t argue with that. It was the truth. I was on pins and needles waiting for the next event to happen. I grabbed the broom from the closet and hurried back to the glass. Movement out the window caught my attention. Someone with dark hair had rushed by the window. They’d moved so quickly that I hadn’t gotten a good look to see who it might have been. I’d just started sweeping when Brannon rushed through the door. So it was him who’d run down the sidewalk and past the window. He hadn’t even changed out of his work clothes of black slacks and white button down shirt, although he had lost the tie. A worried expression covered his handsome face. His eyes widened when he saw the amount of broken glass. How much would all this cost to replace? There went the money I’d planned on using to buy paint for the house.

  Brannon hugged me and then stared into my eyes. “Tell me what happened.”

  “Do you mind if I sweep while I tell you?” I gestured toward the mess.

  Brannon took the broom from me. “Please let me.”

  Before I had a chance to say no Brannon was already sweeping the floor. I explained every detail while I watched him clean the floor. My hands still shook from the adrenaline of the event. Tammy handed Brannon the dust pan.

  He swept up the pieces and dumped them in the trash. “I should take you home. Tammy do you need a ride?”

  “I drove,” Tammy said.

  “Well, then I will walk you out to the car,” Brannon said.

  “I just need to finish a few more things before I leave.”

  “We’ll wait outside by the door,” I said

  I hoped by me being outside that would mean nothing else would happen inside the tavern.

  Brannon and I stepped outside into the cool fall night. Stars twinkled overhead and a few leaves danced along the sidewalk.

  “I need to find out what this ghost wants,” I said.

  “There’s nothing you can do tonight. You need rest. Brannon pulled me into an embrace.

  “What if she comes back tonight? I asked.

  “We’ll deal with that if and when it happens,” he said.

  The door opened and I jumped. Tammy stepped outside and locked the door behind her. I was a bundle of nerves. Tammy’s hand was a bit unsteady as she locked the door. She was probably still freaked out too.

  “Will you be okay?” Tammy asked.

  I nodded. “I’m fine.”

  Brannon and I walked Tammy over to her car which was nearby. Tammy was safely in her car. I worried about her driving home alone though. I suppose the ghost wanted me though and would leave her alone as long as I wasn’t with her.

  Tammy lowered her window. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

  “I won’t let a ghost get the upper-hand.” I forced a smile.

  Brannon and I waved as Tammy pulled away. I glanced around, almost sure that the ghost would pop up. Now I was being paranoid. Even if she did appear, what was the worst that could happen?

  “Let’s go home.” Brannon took my hand in his.

  We walked past the tavern door on the way to his police cruiser. From what I could see from outside on the sidewalk it appeared that all was quiet inside. That only reinforced my thoughts that the ghost was only after me. There had to be a reason for that though. The ghost had been with me until I’d visited the theater. What was the reason? Brannon opened his car door and I slid in. Soon we were headed down the road for my house. The last thing I wanted was for the ghost to follow me home. My place was already haunted and there wasn’t room for another ghost. Especially no room for an evil spirit.

  My house was almost in sight when the car radio went quiet. The lights flickered off and then the car stopped. This wasn’t the only strange thing either. The streetlights went out too. We were surrounded in darkness. The few houses around still had lights. Brannon and I exchanged a look.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Brannon turned the ignition. Nothing happened.

  “Stay here and I’ll check under the hood.” Brannon got out and opened the hood.

  A strange chill filled the car. It was an unmistakable sinister feeling. My anxiety grew by the second. As if by unseen hands the doors locked. Was there some kind of malfunction with the electronics in the car? I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Brannon closed the hood and came back to the door. He tried to open it but then realized it was locked. He looked at me as if I had locked him out.

  I motioned toward the locks. “They won’t open.”

  His brow furrowed and he tried again. Still the door wouldn’t open. He came over to my side and tried, but had the same result. Now I started to panic. I suppose he could break the window to get me out. The air around me thickened and I knew I wasn’t alone in the car. Brannon stood helplessly outside as a black shadow figure appeared in the front of the car. Brannon yelled and pulled on the door handle. Something slapped me on the face. Now the ghost was attacking me. How could I fight something I couldn’t see? The door opened and I fell out of the car and onto the ground.

  Brannon reached down to me. “Rip, are you okay?”

  I looked inside the car and realized that the shadow figure had disappeared. “Did you see that?”

  Brannon helped me to my feet. “Yes, I saw it. Are you hurt?”

  “Other than just being scared I’m fine.” I pushed the hair out of my eyes.

  “I’ve never seen anything that strong,” he said.

  Brannon had witnessed a lot of paranormal events on his investigations so for him to say that I knew this was a big deal. Without warning the street lights flickered on and then the car started. The radio played and the headlights lit up the street.

  “We should get home before the car dies again.” Brannon motioned toward the car.

  “I had no idea a ghost could do that.”

  “If they have an energy source they can do a lot of things,” he said.

  “If you don’t mind I’d prefer to walk the rest of the way home.”

  Brannon nodded. “I’ll follow you.”

  That was the thing about Brannon, he understood me and I appreciated that. He totally got why I wouldn’t want to get back in that car right now. I really didn’t want him to get in either, but I knew that he had to. The car couldn’t sit in the middle of the road. I headed down the sidewalk and Brannon cruised along slowly down the street. One thing was sure, we had to get to the bottom of this before the ghost attacked again. Brannon pulled into the driveway and I waited for him to get out of the car. I was usually able to recover from seeing a ghost quickly, but this left me rattled. Brannon and I went inside. I made tea for us. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to sleep right away and I hoped that a nice cup of chamomile tea would help calm my nerves.

  Brannon and I discussed the haunting and I told him about what had happened at the theater. We planned to go back tomorrow and have a complete investigation. In the meantime, tomorrow while I was at the library I would try to find out more information about the ghost. At least the ghost hadn’t retuned and I was able to get some sleep.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning I headed o
ut for the library. Of course the ghost was at the front of my mind and I was on high alert in case she decided to make another appearance. Maybe I was safe in the daylight? Sadly, I knew that wasn’t always the case. Especially since I had a ghost waiting for me at the library. I knew she’d be interested to hear about the new ghost I’d discovered at the theater.

  I arrived at the library early. I wanted to research everything I could find out about the theater. Thank goodness the ghost hadn’t appeared again. There had been no other strange activity since the incident with the car last night, but I didn’t want to get a false sense of security. I felt more optimistic this morning that I would be able to figure out this mystery.

  I walked through historic Devil’s Moon at a brisk pace. Normally I would take my time and enjoy my surroundings. After all it was something I loved. Brannon had to work early this morning. He’d offered to come back and give me a ride, but I insisted that wasn’t necessary. I hoped that was true. At last I thought things would be fine. Nevertheless, I still hurried through town and over to the large building that housed Bilson Library.

  The place looked like something that would be seen in a scary movie. There was even a graveyard in the front lawn. The headstones were lined in six rows right next to the path that led to the main entrance. They’d been here since before the library was even built. That was back in 1851, so that meant the graves were extremely old. The building was three floors with gables and peaks. I hurried up the steps to the large wooden double doors.

  After unlocking the doors, I headed inside. Jane Austen was waiting by the door for me. She meowed loudly. The beautiful cat had been living at the library for some time now. Sometimes she came home with me, but other times she liked to stay at the library with Annie Gibson, the ghost of the first librarian. Speaking of Annie, she popped up by the reference desk. She wore her usual ivory-colored Victorian style dress with a high collar and a bustle in the back. Her gray hair was up in a bun. A smile appeared on her round face. My cell phone dinged alerting me that I had a text message. Using phones, computers, and other electronics was the only way she had of communicating with me. I checked the message.