Chapter Twenty-four
I kept to myself for a while. It was well into October and Katie left with the band for a marching contest. She wouldn’t be back for a few days. I felt lonely in the seclusion of the country. I spent my time reading fashion magazines and walking grandpa’s farm. Without Katie to keep me distracted, I found myself scared, and I hated being scared. Every little bump in the house sent me running for the front door.
Two days after I slammed the door on Bill, I went back. I saw he felt terrible about the advice he gave me. I could tell he wanted to say he was sorry, but didn’t want to approach the subject unless I said something first.
“Bill, I’m so sorry I snapped at you. It’s all my fault. I haven’t told you everything.” I said.
“I assumed as much. You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to. I can develop this video to a higher quality and shut up while I do it.”
I laughed at him. Bill was such a sweet man. Here he was helping a young girl he doesn’t know who could possibly be crazy. The thought of his kindness made me cry. My father used to be this way to me, but no longer.
I told Bill everything, from the physical illness I felt about coming here, to the dreams I was having about Lee. It was a lot to tell and Bill listened to every word I said. He didn’t interrupt me or pest me with questions as I explained the break ins and attack at my party. It was nice to have someone hear what I have to say with a serious ear.
“I don’t know what to say, Regina, except I believe you.” Bill thought for a moment before going on. “I’ve certainly seen my fair share of the unexplainable.”
“Really?” I gasped.
“Yes, Regina. I’m old, but I did live before I was in this wheelchair.” He muttered.
“I’m sorry Bill, that’s not what I meant. I’m glad to finally have someone who can attest to the experiences I’ve been having. Not many people believe in ghosts.”
He chuckled and took a sip of his water. “Well, that’s certainly true. I didn’t mean to offend you when I suggested you talk to your father, I…..I don’t really…have experience with the young kids anymore. I never married nor had a child so it’s only been me, myself and I. Today’s youth would classify me as having ‘shitty social skills.’”
I couldn’t help but explode with laughter. To hear Bill use that language and cut loose was pretty cool. I felt as if I could finally be myself around him. A feeling of comfort surged through me and I sat back in the chair as if I belonged.
“By the way, I deciphered the rest of the tape.”
“You did?”
“Yes. Want to hear it?” He asked.
I shook my head and he played the tape. “Bend her soul to the Law, Darkness is coming, All shall be judged!”
“What does that mean?” I wondered out loud.
“I’m working on that. Another day and I should have an answer.”
“May I ask you something, Bill?” I asked delicately.
“Sure.”
“How did you end up in the chair?” Normally, I wouldn’t ask such a bold question, but the smell of liquor slapped me in the face with its stench. What I had mistaken for water was actually vodka in Bill’s cup. As these Texans would say, Bill was loose as a goose, but after I asked the question his face became dark.
“One of the many joys of becoming old, my darling.”
-----
October was in full swing with a Friday the thirteenth dance in the works. This weekend the school would host a dance and I was getting excited. I loved Halloween, except this year I didn’t want to be living in a real haunted house. The kids I went to school with still refused to speak to me or invite me anywhere with them, only Katie did. I was ostracized from the community. After Katie returned from competition, she had time to focus on me and was positive something was up. She fired questions at me all the time and soon became suspicious of what I was doing with the afternoons I spent with Bill. I tried to hang out with her as much as I could, but driving to Manor took forty-five minutes to get there and the same time to get back. It took a lot of my time after school and she didn’t seem to believe my excuses. I did miss our friendship, but I found something great with Bill that I hadn’t found with Katie, a father figure. Besides, I liked spending time with Bill. I found out a lot about him and his life while trying to enhance the video of my nightmares.
“Regina, I think you need to sit down this time.” Bill said on Wednesday. I drove to Manor after I helped decorate the gym for the dance this Friday. I fell into the chair beside him with exhaustion. Even though it was October, the heat was still unbearable, but I didn’t let that diminish my excitement. The kids seemed to be finally coming around to the fact that I’m not a person who attacks her boyfriend. “This time, we need to watch the last part together…..”
“You saw the face?!” I couldn’t help shouting at him with excitement. My hands clapped together and I sat at the edge of my seat, but Bill put up his hands to slow me down and sit back. His face was clear with anxiety.
“Regina. We need to watch the whole video together. This isn’t something you should see by yourself. I was alone when I watched it and it nearly scared the pants off of me.”
“Ok, Bill. Fine, let’s see it together. But, you did get a clear image of the face?”
“Yes. You’re definitely going to have a clear view of it.”
My body trembled as we sat down together. Bill looked at me and pressed play.
On the computer, that night came alive, but this time it was crystal clear. The night that kept me locked in an attic, terrified of what was below me. In the back of my mind, I knew I wasn’t crazy, but I did doubt what really happened. Bill was kind and gave me his trademark hard pat on my shoulder. It was nice that he was there with me. I felt terrified of what I was about to see.
The movie came to life and I saw myself turn on the camera. Wow, I hadn’t seen that before! This was going to show me everything! I got excited when the camera distinctly paned over to the door. I sat on the edge of my seat as the words became clear.
The creepy voices called again, “Bend her soul to the Law. Darkness is coming. All shall be judged!”
I watched the rest of the video and waited for it. I felt anxious to see the face in the video. The moment came and I held my breath. Something flashed in front of the screen! It ran in front of the camera as the smoke filled the room.
“Whoah! What that a pig?”
“It was.”
“Why would a pig be in my room?” I wondered.
“Pigs are used in satanic worship.” Bill said.
I felt a chill go through me as he said that.
Before I could ask him to please explain what this has to do with the devil, I saw the face! It was a woman with blonde hair. Though the smoke and distortion, I saw her face. It was like stone, her cruel features chiseled into her face forever. Ruby red eyes looked straight into the camera as if they could see me through the computer screen. I knew that face well. She bent over and coughed, as if it choked on something. All of a sudden, something long and slimy came out of her! She hacked the thing out of her throat and onto the floor. She leaned her head forward to push it out of her mouth. I couldn’t see her as she did this because her head wasn’t in the way of the lens. She sat back up and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Whatever it was she puked up, we’ll never know, but once again her face was caught on camera.
It was my mother’s face!
“Regina? Regina!” Bill called, but I did not answer him. I stared at my mother’s cruel face on the screen.
“No, no, no, no, no.” I repeated as I paced the floor back and forth with disbelief. My breath came so fast I couldn’t catch it. Tears wanted to break free from my eyes, but I held them back. I needed to go home and beat the answers out of my parents, but I knew I wouldn’t do that. This video finally gave me the proof I needed to leave this place forever. I had to plan it carefully otherwise they would not let me go.
&nb
sp; “Regina, answer me!” Bill screamed at me again.
“I’m fine. I have to go. Thanks for watching it with me, Bill.” I gave his old hand a tight squeeze and picked up the copy of the enhanced video. I turned away to leave.
“Regina! Wait! Who was the woman in the video? Will you be safe?”
“Bill,” I said as I turned back to him with a pleasant smile on my face. “I’ve come to love you as I once did my dad. Thank you for your friendship and help. I won’t forget it.”
He blushed and looked down at the compliment. I know he wanted to stop me from leaving and get answers out of me, but he didn’t. “Thank you Regina. Will you be back?”
“I hope so, but if I don’t, give the video to…….” I hesitated. Who did I trust? Who would watch it and do the right thing? “On the outskirts of Galveston is a town called Lady Bird. Somehow, find a man called Pirate and give it to him. And give him this….” I went to my bag and took out a brown shoe box. In it was the old letter from Rachel, and the rest of the items I took from Grandpa’s shed. I kept it with me at all times. I almost decided against it, but I included my dream diary in the box as well. I ended the journal with my personal conclusion for those who read it.
My legs trembled as I sat the box beside Bill’s keyboard.
“Keep it safe.” I told him. “And don’t tell anyone else you have it.”
I bent down and gave Bill a hug. Little tears formed on the bottom of his eyes. Before he had a chance to spill them down his sweet face, I turned and left.
I left Bill’s house to confront my mother.
Regina Page 24