Regina

by Mary Ann Moody

  Chapter Twenty-two

  It was a hot September night and I was alone, sleeping comfortably in my room. I laid on my side, not fully asleep. My parent’s voices whispered in the room beside me. This was an old house and the walls were thick, but mom and dad didn’t have walls to keeps their voices enclosed and private.

  My eyes snapped open once I heard them chanting. What were they doing? Maybe it was the TV downstairs? I groaned and rolled over to look at the time.

  It was midnight!

  Oh, now I’m pissed! What are my freaking parents doing!

  Before I could get up to grab my robe, I heard their voices again. I sat up quickly in my bed and stopped moving so I could listen to them. The sound of the voices didn’t belong to my parents. It sounded like there were many men and women talking. My ears definitely picked up the chant emanating from their throats. Another chill ran up my spine as I sat in horror, listening to them. Something scary was happening twenty feet away from me and only a wall separated us.

  I wanted to hear what they were saying. Their voices were low and eerily light. I felt safe behind my locked door so I got out of bed slowly and made my way to the door. I grabbed my cell phone from the nightstand and turned on the camera app. I chose to record via home video. My trembling thumb clicked the red record button. I walked to the door to get a better sound on the video.

  I felt ultra-brilliant for having the mind to record this. I stopped at the door and went low to floor. I held the phone out to the separation between the door and the floor, which was a good one inch. Plenty of room. The chanting continued for a few seconds and abruptly stopped. I continued to hold the phone out, hoping I recorded some of it. I brought the phone to me to turn it off when fingers scratched my door. It sounded like fingernails slowly scraped right on the other side of my door! I gasped and fell backwards. My phone spun out of my hand and under my desk. Shit! Of course I dropped it!

  I turned over quickly to grab it when the chanting began again. This time they were right outside my door! I knew it wasn’t my parents now. It couldn’t be!

  I had one of those moments from those old black and white movies where the camera pans in and out on the actors face as she panics in terror. Panic tightened its grip on me when the doorknob started to turn. Maybe this stuff happens in the movies, but it doesn’t in real life! The sound of the doorknob turning made me realize I had to act fast. Somehow I knew they were coming into the room. My door was locked, but if someone really wanted to get in here, the lock would not hold.

  My bathroom door was slightly open. I got on my feet and quietly sprinted into it. I flipped on the light and locked the bathroom door. I searched my bathroom for something to defend myself with. I found only a few rolls of toilet paper, towels, and my regular bathroom stuff. A tampon wouldn’t protect me so I decided to fight with my hands. I was from New York, a tough city girl. I could kick ass with enough determination and scare behind me.

  Then, everything went quiet.

  “Anna.” A soft voice called from above me. At first I didn’t think I heard it, but I looked up to face whatever it was head-on.

  The odd chandelier swayed, which was odd. Then I saw it, a square in the ceiling. It definitely led somewhere because it had little door hinges and a handle. I never saw it when grandpa and I redecorated the room. No one would notice it unless they specifically looked up. The chanting became louder and the scratching sounded as if it was almost through my bedroom door. I desperately jumped to grab the handle. The ceiling was tall, perhaps too tall for me. I kept jumping as quietly as I could to reach that damn handle.

  Finally, I gave up and climbed up on my sink. I frantically tried to reach the little handle and hoped the sink would hold my weight. The little door gave way easily with the tiniest tug of my hand. I jumped off the sink to click off the light, then returned to climb up into the opening.

  My bedroom door creaked open and I panicked. I had my hand on the opening with a good grip, but my feet that kept me steady slipped off the sink. My feet came out from under me and I waited to lose my grip, make a huge sound as I fell, be found by whatever it is outside and unnecessarily slaughtered, but someone must have been looking out for me. My hand held on tight and I didn’t fall.

  Instead, I was able to get my feet back on the sink and steady myself. I told myself not to panic because the bathroom door was locked, too. I took a quiet, deep breath and tried once again to get up into this black space that frightened me less than what chased me.

  The little door wasn’t closed fully when the bathroom door swung open. I didn’t expect whatever it was to get through the bathroom door so fast, but I didn’t panic. I pulled the little door closed as quietly as I could. I didn’t even look below to see what was going on. The sound of footsteps did not fill the room, but I knew someone was in there, looking for me. I closed my eyes tightly and hoped it wouldn’t look up.

  I covered my mouth with my hand to stop myself from being heard while I held on to the door. For a good few minutes, I stayed like this while it searched for me below.

  I refused to come down from my hiding place until I saw the first light of dawn. I heard mom call me for breakfast. My muscles ached terribly as I dropped down from my hiding space, especially my shoulders. A yawn escaped my mouth and I realized I never looked into my little space. What was up there? I assumed it was the attic. I wanted to take an actual look up there, but mom came inside my room with a fresh cup of coffee in her hand. I grabbed it happily from her.

  “Morning Regina. Did you sleep well?” For a moment, I almost saw my real mother in her eyes.

  “Not really. How about you?”

  “Fine, just fine. I wanted to tell you I’m meeting Rachel at her house and we will be gone till dinner. Dad and grandpa are somewhere. So, have a good day.”

  “Mom, wait!” I shouted. This was probably going to be the only chance I had to talk to her about last night. I took a chance and threw my words out. “Did you hear anything last night?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like, um…scratching or talking?”

  “No. Then again, I took a sleeping pill last night. I can sleep through anything when I take one of those.” Her fresh face and bright eyes were annoying.

  “Mom? Do you think this house could be haunted?” It was her turn to look a little annoyed.

  She frowned at me. “No, Regina, I don’t. I think this house is old and you mistakenly think it’s haunted. Trust me, there’s nothing haunting this place but dust and spiders. This isn’t going to be a problem, is it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You were doing so well after the birthday party. I hope you aren’t suggesting this house is haunted and resorting back to your destructive behavior.”

  I never wanted to slap my mother until now. It seemed as if they would use the attack to keep me under their control for a lot longer than I thought. “No, mom. Never mind.

  She beamed another bright smile at me and went on her way. I took my cup of coffee to the desk and opened the window. Might as well start the day. Then I noticed my cell phone on the floor. It was halfway under my desk and had a full view of last night.

  Fear kept me planted where I stood. Do I really want to know if last night was real?

  I scrambled for my cord to charge my phone. I hooked my phone into my laptop and started the downloading process. There was no use watching this video on the cell phone, it was best on the laptop. It was going to take a long process since our internet was so low. My thoughts churned around inside my head while I tried to recall the events from last night. If I was dreaming, then there shouldn’t be anything to watch, but if it really happened…..I shivered from the thought.

  While I waited for the video to download, I realized I was starving. Grandpa probably made his prize winning biscuits. The thought of them drove my stomach mad, so I closed my laptop and put the phone underneath it. With great speed, I ran downstairs, gathered my food supplies
, and headed back for the stairs. No one was around and I wore a smile of satisfaction as I walked up the stairs. Dad wasn’t in his room so I was definitely in the clear, but my smile and confidence dropped when I opened my door. He stood over my laptop, the screen was up.

  “Dad?!” I tried to hide my surprise, but I don’t think I fooled him. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I’m looking for you. How is school going?” He put his hands at his side and waited for his answer. Amazingly, he didn’t try to hide what he was doing. His face told me I interrupted him, not the other way around.

  “It’s fine.” I managed to say. I felt my stomach bubble. “Did you see the ad about the car I left on the table for you?”

  “Yes. Your mother and I think it’s a little too much for a new driver. Your grandfather graciously offered to give you his truck. He thinks you have made significant progress and deserve the truck.”

  I nodded my head in agreement. I loved grandpa’s truck, a big old Chevy from the eighties. It was big, set up high, and made me feel safe. Plus it guaranteed me a car now, not when dad felt like buying it. “That is so sweet of grandpa. Do you think I’ve made progress, dad?”

  He shook his head. “No. The car title is in your name and it has insurance. We expect you to keep it up and running. There are rules that go with this truck, but we think you can handle them in this town. Besides,” He said as he turned his back on me. “Everything you do is being watched by the people in this town. I’ll know if you misbehave.”

  “Um, ….okay. Wanna go for a drive together after I eat breakfast?” I held up my biscuits and coffee. My smile was fake, but it did the trick. He shook his head and walked out of the room like his butt was on fire. I heard the stairs groan under his weight as he walked away.

  I went to my desk and casually put my breakfast down on top of my computer. I stretched casually and untied my robe as if I was going to get dressed. My hand shot out and naturally shut the door. As quietly as I could manage, I turned the lock to keep him out. To be extra safe, I grabbed my laptop and my breakfast and headed into my bathroom. I locked the bathroom door once I put my things on the floor. I changed the mats on the floor from old, dirty ones to modern chic and fluffy. I put my coffee and food beside me on the floor as I scrolled through my files to look for the file I downloaded from last night. I saw it waiting for me in my video files. I felt my anxiety suddenly come alive. The file was there, it existed! I recorded something just after midnight this morning!

  The biscuits and coffee turned in my stomach as I hit play.

  The screen lit up and I could hear my breathing on the recording. I turned the volume up a little as the camera went closer to the door. It was so hard to hear anything past my frenzied breaths. I didn’t think I was breathing that hard last night.

  Then, I heard the chanting. My heart raced when I recognized the voices. Chills ran down my spine as if someone poured ice water all over me. The audio was a little distorted and I could not hear the voices clearly.

  Wal eh tot luos reh dnib

  I couldn’t understand the voices and the camera dropped when the voices got louder. I heard myself get up and go into the bathroom. Last night it seemed as if everything happened so fast when in reality it was almost ten minutes later when the camera showed the bedroom door open. I held my breath. I never expected the camera to last this long.

  A black mist filled the room from the doorway. Was that a face?! I tried to go back and see the picture more clearly, but my computer did not have the technology to help me. The file finished playing the eerie movie I created last night. I determined I would have to buy a new computer or update the one I have to view the video in sharper definition.

  Days went by and I insisted on sleeping at Katie’s. We formed a routine of me staying with her on the weekdays and she would come to my house on the weekends. This went on for a few weeks. Katie knew something was up and constantly questioned me. I knew I could confide in her, and I don’t know why I didn’t.

  I analyzed the video I recorded over and over again, but I couldn’t hear the words or see the face in the mist. I thought about asking Katie to look at it, but decided against anyone I know looking at this. That led me to a Dr. William Greer. He was a computer genius who retired from Dell Computers and did private work in his retirement. He lived in Manor, which was perfect because I didn’t want anyone local. I called and made an appointment to see him about enhancing my video.

  I manage to make an excuse to Katie so I could drive to Manor. Dr. Greer lived on the east side. It was small like Lee, but he lived in a nicer house and in a cookie cutter neighborhood. I didn’t see a wedding ring or hear a child so I assumed he was single. His hair was gray and greasy, like he hadn’t showered in months.

  His voice was surprising low and manly when he spoke. “What can I do for you?”

  My voice held steady as I explained. “I need this file to be enhanced. There is a voice and face on it. I need to know what they are saying and who it is.”

  Dr. Greer paused in his black leather chair. His legs rocked in a comforting motion but stopped once I spoke.

  “Is it an illegal video? Did you tape someone?” He asked up front. Those blue eyes stared at me over the large glasses that were currently residing at the end of his large nose. I was a bit taken by his honest question.

  A smile of relief escaped my lips as I responded. “No, sir.”

  “Then tell me why you came to me.”

  “I don’t want anyone I know to see it, okay? Look, do want the work or not?” I was getting pretty upset. It was a fair question, but I wasn’t going to fully explain myself. This guy was on a need to know basis.

  “No, I don’t want the ‘work’, as you call it.” He spun back around in his chair, away from me and began typing on a tiny laptop I didn’t see before. I put the USB Storage device back into my bag and gave a sigh of exasperation.

  “Why is it so important for you to know why I came here?” I asked him. I couldn’t leave this place without finding out what was on this device. No one else could help me. I had to swallow my city pride, I guess.

  “Because something is important enough that you came to me instead of buying a program and doing it yourself. A smart girl like you should have no problem with that.” His response came from over his shoulder. The chair faced away from me.

  I sat down hard on the ottoman beside me. The living room was big and full of computer junk, but I felt oddly comforted here. My thoughts arranged themselves in order and with long held tears in my eyes, I said, “My parents forced me to come to Lee and now they won’t let me leave. Something is haunting my house and my life has completely broken apart. Oh and I can’t forget my dreams! I’ve dreamt of the town long before I came here. So, now I’m feeling totally crazy and the only thing that will prove I’m not is on this USB stick.

  “A couple of weeks ago, something came into my room. I heard this chanting and scratching. Then something came into my room. I hid in a part of the attic while it unlocked my bedroom and bathroom door, searching for me. The only proof I may have is this.” I said, holding up the black USB stick. Tears flowed down my cheeks easily now. This was the first time I ever said it out loud. “My camera caught whatever it was in my room that night, but I can’t enhance it. I need you to help me by clearing it up and making the video fully viewable. I need to hear the chant, too.”

  This was probably much more than he asked for, but I didn’t care. This was the first time I felt better since I left New York. Finally, I said most of the thoughts that roll around in my brain constantly. I signed in happiness.

  Dr. Greer, on the other hand, was pretty shocked. His eyes were wide open and his head was tilted back with disbelief. His mouth was open as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. So, he sat in his chair for a few minutes. We sat in silence while he digested what I just said. “All right. I’ll look at it. I must admit, I’m curious to your story. Leave the stick with me an
d I will let you know what happens.”

  “Really?” I asked with surprise.

  “Yes, really.”

  “How much will I need to pay?” I asked taking out my wallet, but Dr. Greer put up his hand, indicating it was not necessary.

  “No, please. Let’s see if I can analyze the footage for you. Then we’ll work something out. You seem very upset by this, so let’s see what you have first.” We shook hands in agreement.

  On the way to the front door, I noticed Dr. Greer rolled his chair forward. He was in a wheelchair! How could I have missed that? I felt so dumb for not realizing he didn’t get out of his chair after I came into the house.

  “How long do you think it will take, Dr. Greer?”

  “It shouldn’t be too long. You’re lucky I don’t have a current project so it’ll give me something to do tonight. You can come by in two days, if you’d like.”

  I paused in Dr. Greer’s entryway and looked at him again. His sweet face was full of kindness. He reminded me so much of grandpa. I saw Dr. Greer as a lonely elderly man who probably looked forward to my company.

  “Thanks, Dr. Greer. I’ll probably do that.”

  I went crazy waiting for the time to pass the next day at school. Katie asked me all day what was wrong, but I didn’t tell her.

  “Hey! Did you hear me?” Katie’s voice called to me.

  “Sorry Katie, I was thinking about the test I took earlier today in history.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m sure you did great. I was asking if you heard anything about Kyle’s party this weekend. He said if we can find the party, then we deserve all the beer we can drink!”

  “Rumor was Kyle couldn’t score the beer.” I said as I saw Steven in the hallway. He avoided my eyes and walked right past me.

  “No, but Kyle has an older brother, Tyler. As long as Tyler is paid for his gas and time, he’ll do it.”

  “Sure. Let’s go this weekend. Nat and Becky going?” I asked with wonder.

  “I’m trying to get Nat to go, but she doesn’t know if her parents will let her. You coming to my place tonight?”

  “No, my mom said I have to sleep home tonight. They want to talk to me.” I lied. I didn’t want to tell Katie I was waiting to see if Dr. Greer would call me with the results of my video.

  “Okay. Want me to come over?”

  “No, but I appreciate you for trying to save me from them.” I said with a chuckle. I hated lying to Katie, but there were some things I wanted to keep to myself.

  I waited for Dr. Greer to call me that night, but he didn’t. I spent the night trying to focus on something else. I stayed up with grandpa. We watched old MASH re-runs and got too comfy on the couch. I think we fell asleep. The next thing I remember, I woke up to feel him shaking me.

  “Regina. We fell asleep. Get up and get to bed.”

  “Okay, grandpa.” I said, but had no intention of going upstairs. I closed my eyes again after he went into his room. Instinct helped me up to grab the remote. I turned the TV off and lay back on the couch. I tossed and turned for a little while until I realized it was too hot in here. I made myself get up to turn on the air.

  The thermostat was located in the kitchen/dining room, just to the right of the door way. The house was quiet and locked up tight. I walked groggily to the thermostat and turned it down. Once I heard the air conditioner kick on, I went back to the couch, but this time I stopped and woke up immediately.

  The front door was wide open!

  The door was to the left of the couch, so there was no way I missed the open door on my way to turn on the air conditioner. I walked to the door, trying to act normal as I went to it. As I came upon it, it closed by itself. My body jumped with a large jolt of fear. I was so scared, my feet refused to move one inch.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  It came from the front door! I shook with fear and felt paralyzed. I couldn’t run or scream. What if I stay still and don’t say anything?

  A few seconds later, knock, knock, knock. It was harder this time, more forceful.

  Out of sheer stupidity, I whispered a response to it. “Come in.”

  At first, nothing happened. Then the door knob turned. I jumped and that seemed to mobilize my feet. I turned and wondered which way to go. Grandpa’s room? Possibly the kitchen and out the back door? Should I just hide or scream?

  Before I could execute my brilliant plan of screaming, the door opened quickly and I turned around to see who was there.

  It was a woman. Her hair was brown and long, maybe to her shoulder blades. I’m not sure because it was all knotted up. Her eyes were silver and glowed against the darkness of the night. A small white dress covered her frail body, it wasn’t as bright as her eyes but it glowed none the less. Her skin was grossly pale and bloody. Slashes were all over her face and visible skin. She was a mess, the cuts were made with such fierceness, the skin was jagged and some of the flesh was cut off. Blood covered the bottom half of her dress, it followed horizontally across her waist. One thing that I noticed was the dimple on her right cheek. This was the same woman who scared me on the steps months ago.

  She floated towards me with her arms outstretched. I saw the silver liquid of Death in her eyes as she neared me. I tried to back away, but I stumbled over the armchair ottoman. My head hit the floor hard. My feet came out from under me and over my head. I landed with a hard slam on the wooden floor. Mom and dad’s light flicked on above, I could see it along the top of the stairs.

  “Mom! Dad!” I tried to scream, but my voice came out hoarse. The fall knocked the wind out of me and I couldn’t breathe. Tears fell from my red face. I looked up and around to see if she was still coming for me.

  She was right in front of my face when I turned around. I felt her cold breath on my skin as she came closer. I took a deep look into her eyes and found pain, lots of pain. Her hand closed on the top of my arm as I tried to back away. Her suffering flowed from her hand and into my arm as if I was being electrocuted with it.

  She pulled her face close to mind and whispered, “Run.”

  I took a deep breath and screamed my lungs out. Grandpa threw open his doors with a shotgun in his hands. Mom and dad’s footsteps stomped the stairs as they rushed down.

  “What wrong?” Dad shouted, looking at me and grandpa, but grandpa shrugged at him in response.

  It was gone. There was nothing in the room anymore. I put my hands out in front of me, trying to make sense of what was just there. My parents raised their eyebrows at each other as I did this.

  “Someone was here. She opened the front door!” I shouted. Everyone turned to see the front door was still open. Grandpa’s eyes became wide with anger. His fury stirred as he realized someone broke into the house.

  “Someone tried to break into my house, again?” He shouted with rage.

  “No grandpa. I.., well, I don’t know, ……. Maybe she was trying to rob the house. I was so confused.” I stammered. I saw my parents look at each other with a little knowing glance. They weren’t going to believe me, no matter what I say. It pissed me of, and helped me find my voice. “Grandpa, you got up and went to bed. I got up and turned off the TV. It was hot in here so I walked over to turn the air conditioner on and when I came back, she knocked on the door and came in!”

  It sounded ridiculous to them, I know it did, but the door was wide open! We stood there, looking at each other as if wondering what to believe. The atmosphere was cold and confusing.

  “Maybe we should really look into the psychiatrist?” Dad said to mom.

  “Are you kidding me!” I shrilled. Anger rose in my chest and heat was in my face. Grandpa came up behind me and spoke in a hard voice to my father.

  “I locked that door myself before I put on the TV.” Grandpa said. “If Regina said someone was in here, I believe her. I’m gonna call the sheriff.”

  My parents narrowed their eyes at me as grandpa went to call the police. They thought I was lying, but I didn’t care wha
t they thought, at least grandpa believed me.

  Sheriff Cameron Goodwin arrived with his deputy, Joey Tallerto. Mom said she went to high school with the deputy. They exchanged a few kind words and mom pulled him aside for a chat. I knew she was going to tell him I was lying.

  The sheriff was a nice man in his late forties. His plump figure sat comfortably in grandpa’s living chair as he asked me to describe what happened. I went through it again and this time I added some movements to show how the girl came inside.

  “What did she look like?” He asked while taking out his pad and pen.

  “Well, I think she was hurt. She had dirty brown hair that was all knotted up and she was bleeding.”

  “Bleeding?” Sheriff Goodwin asked in concern.

  “Bleeding?” Grandpa echoed. “You didn’t mention that.”

  Grandpa rushed to the front door and opened it again, this time stopping to turn on the outside lights. Floodlights lit up the front yard as the men stepped outside. They looked all over the ground and walls for any traces of blood but found nothing. Mom and I turned on the flashlight apps on our phones and looked around, as well.

  “Well, it’s hard to see anything in the dark,” The sheriff began but was interrupted by my mother’s gasp.

  “What is it?” I asked as I ran to her.

  Mom shined her flashlight on the ground about three feet from the front porch.

  In the ground, written in the dirt were the words FEAR THE FIRST YEAR. It was written in blood.