She told him about the secret passage, their run-in with his father and Hugh, and Lily's grandmother's recollections about the opening.
"Wow! You really did have a wild morning from the sound of it!"
My night was even wilder with Caitlyn scaring me half to death.
"It was certainly different," she said, which was an understatement. "But also seems to fit right in with what's been happening since we moved to Shadow Bay."
"Yeah, I guess there is something freaky about all this," Bryant said. "Even Hugh has been more restless lately whenever we pass by your place. And my dad sometimes acts like he's off in another world. Maybe he is and I just never noticed till now. In any case, whether it's a haunted house or something else, you deserve some answers for your own peace of mind if nothing else.
Bryant put his hand on hers and Peyton warmed, grateful he was there for her. She couldn't imagine wanting to be with any other guy.
* * *
The two-story library looked ancient and the tiny parking lot was crowded. After circling around a couple of times, Bryant took the only available slot.
He put his arm around Peyton's shoulders as they walked across the sidewalk and into the library. This made Peyton feel like they were officially a pair. She hoped that wouldn't change the more she delved into the supernatural mystery surrounding Caitlyn St. Claire.
At the front desk, Peyton told the librarian she was researching a crime that took place in town around fifty years ago.
"Hmm...That's quite a ways back," she said, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "What crime is it?"
Peyton glanced at Bryant. She couldn't bring herself to recount the gory details. "It involved the St. Claire family on Shadow Bay Lane..."
As if a light popped on in her head, the librarian nodded pensively. "Oh yes, I remember the case, though not very well, being only twelve at the time. Is this for a summer school report or something?"
Peyton bit her lip. "No, my parents and I live in the house now. I just want to know more about its history, having picked up bits and pieces here and there."
"I see." She looked at Bryant and back to Peyton. "I'm sure you can find old information from the Shadow Bay Chronicle on microfilm. That awful crime took place on September 6, 1961, in case you didn't already know."
Peyton colored with that revelation. Lily's grandmother had never mentioned the date. September 6th was the day Peyton's father died three years ago. Coincidence? Or just plain weird?
"I had no idea," Peyton said thoughtfully.
"Byron St. Claire nearly turned this town upside down when he went on his homicidal rampage. It was only through the grace of God that more people didn't end up hurt."
"What other people would he have wanted to hurt?" Peyton asked curiously. "I mean, it seems like he went after the people who made him angry--his wife and the caretaker--if I understood it correctly...And his daughter, Caitlyn, was just caught in the crossfire."
The librarian removed her glasses and gazed at Peyton. "You seem to know your fair share about the incident, young lady."
"My friend's grandmother knew the family," Peyton explained, glancing at Bryant. I also got some firsthand information from Caitlyn's ghost.
"What you probably don't know is that the caretaker had a wife and young daughter living with him at the cottage."
Peyton's eyes grew with shock. "No, that never came up."
"The wife's parents were also visiting at the time the murders occurred. So you see, Byron St. Claire could have easily directed his wrath towards them as well, had he wanted to, for even more of a blood bath."
"Wow!" Bryant said, frowning. "Guess it was pretty fortunate that he didn't go completely ballistic."
"I would say so."
"Whatever became of the caretaker's family?" Peyton asked, while picturing him lying mortally wounded in their spare bedroom that early morning. "Do you know if they're still in town?"
The librarian put her glasses back on. "Oh heavens no," she said. "They moved away shortly after the murders, ostracized by the townsfolk, as if to blame for the caretaker's indiscretions."
"Two families destroyed by a forbidden affair," Peyton said, while climbing the stairs with Bryant to the microfilm room.
"Yeah, I know," he said. "Too bad. Especially for Caitlyn."
Peyton wondered if Caitlyn would have survived had she not tried to stop her father. Or had he intended to kill all of them before he took his own life?
"She couldn't have known her father was capable of such jealous rage," remarked Peyton. "What sixteen-year-old who loves her father would ever think that?"
Bryant looked at her. "What makes you think she loved him? Maybe it was just the opposite, given the type of man he turned out to be."
"I saw it in Caitlyn's eyes." Peyton was surprised at her response. She supposed others saw the same glint in her eyes whenever she talked about her father.
"You mean the ghost's eyes?"
"It was in the dreams," Peyton told him candidly. "Caitlyn was scared to death of her father, and with good reason--but the love was definitely there for him, just as it was for her mother."
Bryant raised a brow. "You're really getting into this, aren't you?"
"I'm really into you, Bry." She grinned sheepishly. "The other stuff is something that sort of fell into my lap. I have to see where it goes."
"I know," he said. "And I feel the same way about you, Peyton."
"Good." She moved closer and gave him a quick kiss.
They loaded the microfilm and Peyton scanned till she came to an article on the murder-suicide. It was a brief one that covered the basic information on the crime.
The next article was more detailed. Peyton could feel Bryant hovering over her shoulder as she read about Byron and Rebecca St. Claire's seemingly idyllic life as a couple, gone horribly wrong when they intersected with the life of Trevor Newbury. The story strongly suggested that Caitlyn was an unfortunate victim of circumstances.
A third article went even further, causing Peyton to shudder. She honed in on the part that read: "After murdering his wife and the caretaker, Byron St. Claire took his seriously wounded daughter to the bay, whereupon he treaded out as far as he could and drowned her, along with himself. Both bodies were recovered later that day..."
Peyton gasped. "That's why Caitlyn appeared to me in the bay! That's where she died--"
"Yeah, I see that," Bryant said. "It's bizarre, but it makes sense when nothing else seems to about what you saw."
"She must have been reaching out to me, trying to set the record straight." Peyton thought about her last dream when Caitlyn led her through the secret door and down to the water before turning into a ghastly skeleton. "Maybe her soul somehow still feels trapped in the bay."
Peyton sighed as Bryant's hands rested tenderly on her shoulders.
"Well, the cat's out of the bag now," he said. "Maybe she'll let go and give you back your life."
"I hope so," she said, even if a small part of her had bonded with Caitlyn and would miss her.
Gazing up into Bryant's eyes, Peyton closed hers and puckered her lips, inviting a kiss. He didn't disappoint, bringing his face down and pressing his lips into hers. Peyton enjoyed his taste and got a little carried away with the kiss, forgetting for a moment that they were in the library.
It was Bryant who pulled away. "We'd better get going."
"Do we have to?" Peyton asked, only half joking. She wasn't in a big hurry to get back to her haunted house. Not when she would rather be almost anywhere else with Bryant, where they could pick up where they left off.
"We could always go somewhere and grab a bite to eat."
"Well, my stomach does seem to be growling." She laughed as it suddenly made a rumbling noise.
"How does pizza sound?"
Peyton knew exactly what he was getting at. They could drop by the Pizza Palace to stuff themselves and snoop on Lily and Kirk at the same time.
"Perfect," she told
him.
"Looks like we've got ourselves an extended date," he said.
Peyton smiled, determined not to let the specter of Caitlyn and a horrible tragedy from times past spoil the present with Bryant.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
That night Peyton video called Erica without fear of Vance trying to confiscate her cell phone again, as her mother had stepped up and given her permission, against his objection. Peyton told Erica what she and Bryant had learned about Caitlyn's death.
"That's horrible!" Erica exclaimed. "I'm trying to imagine a rotting, bloated, fifty-year-old ghost corpse putting its scaly arms around you in the bay."
"It wasn't anything like that," Peyton told her.
"I know. But it still creeps me out just thinking about it." Erica sighed. "So now that you know your ghost friend was murdered in the bay, what's next? Will it turn out that the whole family drowned? And the caretaker, too?"
"I don't really know what's next," Peyton admitted. "And Caitlyn and her father were the only ones who drowned."
"You think Caitlyn hopes the case can be reopened by the cops?"
"I doubt it, since no one's suggesting Byron St. Claire wasn't behind the killings." Peyton propped an elbow on her pillow. "I think maybe this whole thing is some sort of closure for Caitlyn." Or so she hoped.
"Just make sure she doesn't take you with her, wherever she drifts off to," Erica said seriously. "I don't even want to think about losing my best friend to the other side."
Peyton chuckled. "Being a bit overly melodramatic, aren't you?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who moved away to Shadow Bay, Minnesota and is being stalked by ghosts and stuff."
"You're right, Erica. Like I asked for this."
"Sorry, I didn't mean that."
"I know you didn't," Peyton told her, understanding how this whole thing must be freaking her out.
"I only want you to watch yourself," Erica said. "There's no telling what dark forces of nature you're dealing with."
Peyton could hardly argue the point. Trying to get a handle on paranormal events was out of her element. All she could do at this point was hope that Caitlyn was satisfied and that nothing else unworldly lurked around the corner.
Peyton managed to take her mind off the macabre as Erica talked about her new boyfriend, Tyler. In turn, Peyton gushed about her latest date with Bryant and how it had turned into a double date with Lily and Kirk.
* * *
Labor Day was Peyton's first official holiday in Shadow Bay and she wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad. Yes, she did miss being in San Diego and having fun with her friends, especially Erica. But she also liked the idea of spending as much time with Bryant as possible, and having Lily around, if only for one more day.
Peyton hadn't seen Caitlyn's ghost in person or in dreams for some time and hoped her spirit had been put to rest now that some things were out in the open. At least, technically speaking. The authorities already knew the real story behind the family tragedy and had no say in false rumors that may have spread over the years.
Maybe Caitlyn is satisfied that Bry and I know she drowned in the bay and didn't die in the house with her mother.
For now Peyton just wanted to concentrate on the living and her relationship with Bryant.
She slipped into a tank top and denim shorts, leaving her hair down and loose, believing Bryant preferred it that way. Grabbing her iPhone, Peyton looked forward to the family's first picnic.
* * *
Caitlyn watched as Peyton left the room that they shared across time, though the gap had shrunk of late. She followed Peyton unseen, eager to share in the spirit of the holiday, before darkness set in.
Caitlyn recalled Labor Day celebrations when her family was still happy and the future seemed so bright and full of promise. Then it had all come crashing down that fateful day so long ago. And ended any dreams she had of having a family some day.
Now Caitlyn would settle for breaking the grip of terror she had known for nearly fifty years, trapping her in a world from which there seemed no escape.
The time was near for history to repeat itself.
But with Peyton's help, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Caitlyn hoped her father would never be able to hurt anyone again, even if she loved him as much in death as in life. She loved her mother, too, and believed she had suffered enough for becoming involved with the caretaker.
As such, Caitlyn had carved out a plan to break free of her father's hold. She wanted to experience peace in death and didn't want to see Peyton or her family hurt.
But Caitlyn's father stood in the way. His will was strong and his domination of the household unchallenged even after all these years. If he had his way, everything would stay as it was for all time.
I must fight him, though he frightens me. Otherwise daddy will continue to do as he pleases, no matter who stands in his way.
The lives of everyone in that house and the caretaker's cottage were in grave danger should she fail.
Caitlyn saw her mother and father. They were standing beside Melody and Vance McIntyre, who were busying themselves in the kitchen in preparation for their picnic. Then, with a nod of her father's head, Caitlyn watched as they entered the bodies of the McIntyres with the ease of floating through the air.
Caitlyn quavered at the thought of what as to come, while hoping that strength in numbers would be enough to prevent misfortune from once again striking those powerless to resist.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The countertops and table were loaded with seemingly enough food for the entire neighborhood. Peyton would have been happy just knowing there was plenty for Bryant and Luke, along with Lily and her grandmother, who had agreed to come to the house for the first time in many years.
"Take that tray of ribs out to your mother, Peyton," Vance said, wiping his hands on a stained apron.
"Okay." She took some potato chips from a bowl and stuck them in her mouth. "Anything else?"
"See if she needs help setting the picnic table."
"Will do."
Peyton noted that her stepfather had begun to grow sideburns. It struck a familiar chord. Byron St. Claire had sideburns in her dreams. Was it just a coincidence? It gave her a chill, even though it was a gorgeous sunny day with summer beginning to fade.
She made a face. "What's with the sideburns?"
Vance smiled while lifting a bag of charcoal like a sack of potatoes. "It's something I've wanted to try for a few years now. Seemed like a good time to go for it."
Peyton pulled no punches. "I think I'd stick to the clean shaven look if I were you."
"Guess it's a good thing I'm married to Melody and not her daughter," he said tartly. "She seems to like my new look."
Peyton sneered. Mom never wanted dad to have any hair on his face. Why had she changed her tune? Or had she?
She hoped Vance's new look was in no way associated with some angry, evil spirit.
Crossing the lawn, Peyton met her mother halfway. She was wearing a hideous dress that looked totally retro and was a major embarrassment.
"Mom..." Peyton's mouth hung open. "Where on earth did that come from?" She pointed at the dress.
"I found it in the attic, hidden away in an old trunk," Melody explained matter-of-factly. "Fits perfectly, too, as though it were made for me. Isn't it wonderful?"
"Not really. It's awful."
Her mother frowned. "Let's not be too judgmental, dear."
Peyton couldn't help herself. "That just isn't you, Mom." Not the mother she knew who had usually been fairly conservative in her dress, rather than over the top. Even her hair was starting to grow out in a way that Peyton thought was eerily similar to Rebecca St. Claire's hairstyle.
Am I imagining this? Like with Vance and the sideburns?
"Well this is the new me," Melody responded with an edge to her tone. "So you might as well get used to it."
Peyton doubted she ever would. And that included the hair. "Whatever."
> Her mother's mouth softened. "I happen to like what I'm wearing, Peyton. Just as I assume you like your clothing, which I rarely complain about, even when maybe sometimes I should."
Playing the guilt trip and it's working. "You're right, Mom. I'm sorry."
Actually she wasn't really, but Peyton saw no reason to argue further when her mother seemed in no mood to listen. Nothing new of late.
"So what are you up to?" Melody asked.
"Just coming to see what I can do to help."
"Actually, there are a few things before our guests begin to arrive..."
Peyton was all ears while thinking about one guest in particular.
* * *
The barbecue picnic was in full swing and Peyton managed to put her differences with her mother and stepfather aside for the moment, as she spent time congregating with Bryant, Lily, and Kirk, whom Lily had invited as her date.
"This place is cool," he said, brushing a lock of black hair from his brow. "Can't say it looks very haunted to me."
Peyton glared at Lily for what she could only imagine she must have told him.
"Hey, I never said the house was haunted, really." Lily twisted her mouth to one side. "I just said it's kind of possessed, but not necessarily in a bad way."
"Is there a good way to be possessed?" Kirk looked at Peyton.
She considered Caitlyn to be a good person, but still wouldn't wish the experience on anyone else. "Not really."
"Didn't think so."
Peyton wasn't sure she wanted to announce what was going on at her house to the whole world. But she didn't blame Lily for sharing what had to be unsettling, even with her grandmother's thoughts on the issue and history with Caitlyn.
"It's no big deal," Bryant said, putting a protective arm around Peyton. "Most houses, especially the old ones, have their little demons at work behind the scenes. I hear strange noises in our cottage all the time. Kind of comes with the territory."
Kirk nodded. "Yeah, I think I know what you mean."
"Same here," Lily said.
Peyton smiled at Bryant, thanking him silently for intervening. I just wish it was just run of the mill old house haunts to worry about.
Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay: A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery Page 11