Shadows of Eternity: The Children of the Owls (Frost and Flame Book 2)

by Rick Kueber

  “Yeah, things get pretty dark for the Bettigers right about then.” Katie added quietly, with a solemn look on her face. In retrospect, she may have been thinking of her own child whose birth was still almost seven months away.

  “That's very true. In the fall of 1909 the youngest son died with the description of 'sudden trauma' listed on the death certificate. Only a few weeks later Charles' mother passed away from apparently 'natural causes' and I guess it must have been a rough winter, because by spring of 1910, Charles had lost his mother, and all four boys, two to influenza, and one to whooping cough. We don't have much else, other than the largest house on the property was bought by the Order of the Owls in 1922. The home on the corner stayed as a private residence, and still is today. Hopefully Sunday we can find out how, where and when Allison came into the Bettiger family picture.”

  “I don't want to get too far off subject here, but the night we all left Dr. Covand's house, I had a visit or a vision of Ashley Sue. We were in this beautiful Victorian house, and I was being chased.” Theo continued on in detail telling us all about how he found himself hiding under the stairs. “Ash said to me 'Save the children, or help the children, before it's too late.' and she sounded almost desperate. I’m sure it was the Owl’s Nest stairwell.” He emphasized the key words: 'before it's too late', and his description of how she crumbled and disintegrated into thin air, as if she had turned to dust or ash herself was hauntingly visual.

  “Yeah... we sorta had the same thing happen during the investigation last weekend.” Jenn began. “Uh huh, we were in the basement of the Owl's Nest and there was fire, and bones, and Ash, well Ashley... telling us the exact same thing, and then it all just sort of went away.” Katie spoke with a glazed look in her eyes and a blank expression on her face as if she were somewhere else, deep in the confines of her memories.

  We sat around the table passing the documents and photos back and forth, each of us taking our own perspective on what we were seeing and reading. The conversation had no order to it and was filled with broken bits of sentences and questions that were fragmented. All in all, our friendship circled the table filled with clues, and our friendship contained the glue we needed to put these pieces together. All that remained was to gather as many of the missing pieces as we could find and the try to fill in the holes. Once we could do that, we could use our pieced together puzzle to make a plan of how we could 'help the children', before it was too late.

  “I think what I'm going to do, is scan all of these documents into the computer, and send them all to Rick Hayes. He can look at them before or after you all visit with Allison Bettiger. That way, if he connects with any of the passed Bettiger family while he's there, maybe he can put together his own ideas of what the whole tale is.” and that is exactly what I did. I thought it seemed like a good idea, but only time would tell. We wrapped up the evening, headed our separate ways, and to our diversely separate lives.

  *** It was Saturday morning, just after 11am, when Theo's phone rang. He was on his way to work, and answered his phone while he drove down Green River road.

  “Hello?” He said, not recognizing the number on the caller I.D.

  “Hey, is this Theo?” the voice on the other end was effervescent.

  “Yes it is.” Theo said, still puzzled, but beginning to recognize the familiar sounding voice. “Well, hey Theo, it's Rick Hayes. I was wondering if you had time to talk with me next week sometime. I wanted to talk about the spirits at the Owl's Nest.”

  “Oh, hi Rick. I knew I recognized your voice.” Theo chuckled at himself. “Yes I can do that. I am off most mornings and Wednesday evening, so whatever works for you.”

  “Great! I'll be meeting Jennifer and Katie at Ms. Bettiger's home on Sunday, and I thought we could all try to work as a team to put together a history, and then we can work out what we need to do about the spirits there.” Rick suggested to Theo, who was more than willing to work with him.

  “That is a fantastic idea. It's so refreshing to find someone who's willing to work together. I don't know if you have had the same experiences that I have, but there are a few people in our field, who are so jealous and unwilling to even be at the same events, that it really disturbs me.” Theo said, thinking of the lack of unity amongst some of the others in the paranormal field.

  “Yes, I have seen it. We always talk about us all as being a family...sure would be nice if everyone felt that way.” Rick agreed with Theo wholeheartedly. “Okay. How about I call you the first of the week, and we will figure out if we need to meet up, or if we can do this over the phone. Talk to you soon.”

  “Sounds good. Bye.” Theo said and as he returned his phone to his pocket, he thought back to when he first met Rick. His thoughts wandered through the mists of time to many years ago when Barnes & Noble Booksellers had a special guest author, Rick Hayes, in to do a seminar about being a psychic-medium and sign his book about the supernatural. Theo, having grown up with the gift, and having a long history of psychics in his family, decided he should attend. During the seminar, and one of the readings, Rick turned directly to Theo and said, 'What do you see?' as if it were common knowledge that Theo was also a psychic. For Theo, it was a wonderfully gratifying validation of his gifts. He found himself left with a fond memory and a smile as he strolled into work.

  Chapter 14 WORLDS APART

  The weekdays were filled as usual, and my evenings mostly consisted of going over the researched histories and all of the audio, video and photos we had taken at the Owl's Nest. The weekend was coming quickly and that meant my son was coming to stay with me. To me, those were the greatest moments and memories of my life. The days we spent at the swimming pool were priceless, and our 'movie nights' on our hide-a-bed couch, with popcorn and candies we had picked out, were some of the most enjoyable hours we spent together. It wasn't so much the movie itself, as it was the company we kept, and being able to be our goofy selves unlike at the theater. We could 'boo' and throw popcorn at the screen, laugh out loud, make fun of the movie, or talk through the parts that didn't hold our interest. Plain and simple, it was father and son time, and that was golden to me.

  Our weekend was filled with ten year old boy fun. Daniel and I spent the mornings playing spies, and saving the world. The afternoons were warm, and we spent hours playing our own version of volleyball in the pool. We had lunches at McDonalds, and dinner was delivered, just in time for movie nights. For the weekends that we were blessed with the magic of father and son time, my son and I lived in our own world, away from the harshness of reality.

  *** While Daniel and I spent hours and days in our land of make believe, somewhere a couple of hundred miles away, in some alternate-reality universe, Jennifer and Katie were nearing the home of Allison Bettiger from the south, and a bit farther out was Rick Hayes, approaching from the north.

  Slowly driving up Wright lane, the car was silent save for the sound of tires, slowly grinding against the paved road, while the girls searched house numbers looking for Ms. Bettiger's address. Suddenly Katie pointed, and nearly popped Jenn in the nose.

  “There it is!” she said excitedly. “Whew!” Jenn sighed. “Adrenaline is pumping now!” “Uh huh, funny how I can meet a ghost I've never met and I'm just fine, but when it's a living person, I get all jittery and nervous.” Katie divulged her inner fears to Jenn.

  “Well, just breathe chica. She's ninety-something and she invited us... just think of her as somebody's grandma.” Jenn comforted her team mate. “It'll be fine, I promise.”

  Katie's face went pale and she blankly looked at Jenn. “Unless she's dead... or dies while we're here.” She had imagined the worst possible scenario and was not helping herself calm down one bit.

  “Okay... shut up!” Jenn laughed. “Let's go kid.” The two casually walked up to the small front porch of the white sided, single story home and, finding no doorbell, tapped lightly at the storm door. A few moments passed and just as Jenn was about to knock for the second time, the door opened a
nd a woman with short wispy gray hair, and tiny dark eyes said to them, “Hello, can I help you?”

  “Are you Ms. Bettiger?” Katie spoke up. “Yes, I am.” The woman seemed almost puzzled, which began to worry the two girls who had just driven three hours to speak to someone who didn't seem to remember they were coming.

  “Hello, my name is Katie Collins.” “And I'm Jennifer Kirsch... we spoke on the phone. Do you remember?” the two said in turn. “Oh yes, I remember... I had a feeling that's who you were, but one can never be too careful these days. Come in, come in.” Her voice lightened, and rose in tone as she invited the two in, motioning with her hand.

  The girls could see her fingers were bent and disfigured from years of debilitating arthritis, and her skin was thin... frail and wrinkled, like a crumpled piece of white parchment. The old woman hobbled through the front room as Jenn and Katie entered the home. Though it was a warm summer day, she pulled at her quilted housecoat, wrapping tight around her, as if warding off a chill.

  “Come in and have a seat.” Her lighthearted voice crackled with the wear of her years. “Can I get you something to drink? I have water, tea, milk, or I could put on another pot of coffee, if you'd like.”

  The two girls looked at each other, not wanting to put the woman out, but not wanting to be rude either. “Tea would be nice.” Jenn said.

  “I would like some water, if it's not too much trouble.” Katie said, and then thought about the poor woman's hands. “Let me help you.”

  “Thank you dearie, but it's no trouble at all.” The kindly old woman waddled back towards the kitchen, and Katie promptly followed, being 'shewed' by Jenn, who mouthed 'go on, it's okay.'

  Jenn absorbed her surroundings, and noticed that there was a bible on the coffee table, and a print of the last supper on the wall. There were also, stacks of DVDs sitting on top of a small entertainment center, which held a player and a small, box style TV, not too old, but not one of the newer flat screen types that had become so popular. The old woman reentered the room carrying a cup of tea, followed by Katie, carrying two glasses, not plastic cups, but real glass glasses... something that was a rarity these days, outside of a restaurant.

  Jennifer was still standing when they came in with the drinks, but when the old woman took a seat in a comfortable looking chair, the girls followed suit and had a seat on her pale, flower printed couch. The simple, wooden coffee table in front of them had the appearance of something one might find in the Sears and Roebuck's catalog, circa 1967, but was as crisp and clean as if it had just been unpackaged. Her entire house, what the girls had seen of it, appeared much the same, simple, but well taken care of and neat as a pin.

  “So you two are wanting to find out about my family history in Indiana, is that right?” Allison Bettiger said with a smile on her care worn face.

  “Yes, and actually, we have another friend who will be joining us, hopefully soon. His name is Rick, and I'm sure you will like him. I don't think I have ever seen him without a smile on his face.” Jenn said, hoping not to upset her with the news of an unforeseen guest.

  “Oh, that's right.” said Katie, looking at the pink dial of her wrist watch. “He should be here any time.”

  “That will be just fine, I have nothing but time today.” Allison smiled and relaxed a bit in her chair. “I don't want to get off subject here, and I don't want you to think I'm kooky, but do you believe in ghosts Ms. Bettiger?” Jenn interjected, and caught Katie off guard.

  “Please, call me Allison, or Ally.” she said, smiling again. “If you mean spirits here among us, then, yes, yes I do. Why, sometimes I even get a visit from my mother at night when I am just about to fall asleep. How can someone believe in heaven and not believe in spirits?”

  “That's a very good point Ally.” Jenn smiled back at her, and though it felt odd to call such an elderly woman 'Ally', it seemed to make her happy, and that gave Jenn and Katie a warm feeling deep in their hearts.

  “The reason Jenn brought that subject up, is because we have experienced some spirits in the building that used to be your home in Evansville, Indiana, and we think they may be some of your relatives... at least some of them.” Katie added to the topic.

  “Really? That's fascinating.” Allison began. “You know I have often...”

  'Knock, Knock, Knock' came a rapping at the screen door.

  “Would you like me to answer it?” Katie asked, being the one sitting closest to the door.

  “Yes, thank you.” Allison sighed, not wanting to get up again so soon after getting comfortable. Katie opened the door to find Rick Hayes, patiently waiting with his permanent smile adorned. They said their greetings, and she invited him in. He said his hello to Jenn, and then his eyes met Allison's. She jumped up, and Rick rushed across the room. The two hugged, as if they had been reunited after years of separation.

  “You look wonderful!” He exclaimed. “How is Ms. Ally feeling today?” Rick's smile had almost out grown his face, and his eyes had begun to water.

  “Today is a good day. I feel much better than I have in quite some time.” She paused awkwardly as a tear broke free, and found its way to her chin. “You have seen my father, haven't you?”

  Rick nodded. Allison covered her mouth with her crippled hands and began to cry tears of joy, and they both laughed almost silently, yet uncontrollably.

  “Strange as this may seem, I am the happiest right now, than I have been in such a long time...thank you for coming, from the bottom of my heart.” said the teary eyed woman to the now teary eyed Rick Hayes.

  “The pleasure is all mine. My friend Rick Kueber is the one who had me meet you here, but he is at home spending the weekend with his son.” Rick choked the words out through his smile and the tears that left a salty taste in the back of his throat, and were beginning to cause his nose to run. Katie handed him a box of Kleenex tissues from the coffee table. Rick took one before replacing the box. Allison soon took her seat again, and Rick took a seat in the only open chair left in the room.

  Jenn and Katie then opened the file folder that had been placed on the table and began to divulge all of the information to her. As the stories went back and forth between the girls and Allison, with the occasional question from Rick, a presence grew in the room. The clouds caused the sunshine to hide, and the front room to dim, but everyone present sensed an uplifting feeling in the air, though Rick was the only one who realized what it actually was.

  “Ms. Ally, I don't mean to upset you, but there is something I have to say.” Rick started out, and rubbed his hand across his mouth. “There is someone here with us today. Right there in this room, her name is Amelia, and he wants to tell you she is so sorry, and he misses you more that you know.”

  Allison began to weep openly. “Oh mamma! I miss you too.” There was no question, and no hesitation. She knew without a doubt that her mother was with them.

  “I just tell people what I am asked to tell, so if this doesn't make any sense, don't 'shoot the messenger' please... I'm supposed to tell you something about 'big red'. Does that mean anything to you?” Rick was puzzled, and could only think of the fizzy red soda pop of the same name.

  Allison sat back, deep in thought and memory, and with her hands on her pale, spider-veined cheeks, said “That was my father's nickname ... from his mother, but that was long before I was even born… but oh, I used to hear the stories all of the time from my mother. All of my brothers died before I was born, but the youngest of them, little John, had fiery red hair like our father, and grandmother nicknamed him, 'Little Red', so, it was Big Red, and Little Red...and they were going to take on the world together. I think he must have had a special connection with little John. You have no idea how long it has been since I have even thought about those nick names, let alone how long since anyone spoke of them...probably not since I was a young woman in her twenties. That's when my mother and I parted ways, but now I'm getting ahead of the story. Let me just tell you my family story from the time my father moved to In
diana.”

  And so, she began. The pens scratched at their notepads and the digital recorders ran on and on, while she recanted her tales, the history of her family, and the tragedies that plagued them. The storytelling was very well done, concise and complete, with hardly a moment of thought put into recollection. Well into her nineties, Allison Bettiger's mind was as sharp as a tack. The memories flowed from her lips like warm, bitter-sweet honey, and at times, so did the tears. Allison's heart ached over the memories of the lost family, even though most of them she had never met... and though a vast amount of the tales took place before she drew her first breath in this world, she had a passion for the story as if it were her own, and the feelings she shared felt more like they were from personal emotion and experience than just some hand-medown memory.

  Allison's tale was so emotion filled and flawless that it brought the three strangers to tears, and gave them an unusual feeling of belonging to the story, which Katie conveyed to Allison.

  “That was such an incredible story, and brilliantly told.” Katie paused to clear her throat. “You made me feel like the story belonged to me, or like I was somehow a part of it. I am just overwhelmed. Thank you.”

  Rick Hayes glanced at Allison and then the other two women and smiled his smile of agreeing and knowing, while Jenn chimed in with a perplexed tone. “I agree with you Katie. I feel like I'm almost part of this family... not that it's a bad thing at all, but it is kind of an unusual feeling that I just can't explain.”

  “Now what is there to 'not understand'? You are here with me, to hear my stories, the first to hear them since I was your age.” Allison said, nodding towards Katie. “And you said you would tell my story, right?”