by Rick Kueber
“Figure out how this digital recorder works in that dark room, with just a flash light, and when you get it to record, practice asking questions to an empty room. Electronic voice phenomenon is one of our greatest pieces of evidence, and it helps to be comfortable when you are asking questions and talking to someone you can’t see. Give it a shot. At least if it feels embarrassing, there won’t be anyone watching you.” I handed him the digital recorder and smiled.
“No one I can see anyway, huh?” He smiled back, taking the recorder and cautiously entering the room, flitting his light around as if he were looking for bats or giant spiders that were poised to attack upon his entry. I turned and rejoined the group in the boiler room, leaving him to face his fears and insecurities. I stood just outside the open entry, and scanned the room. Everyone was focused on Rick, who was still seated in the antiquated wheelchair, and was deep in thought and meditation.
“I sense the presence of an elderly woman, the matriarch of the family. She is very angry, and still thinks she is confined to this chair.” Rick spoke to the onlookers, then his tone and direction changed, and we knew he was no longer talking to us, but to a spirit that we were unable to see. “I understand that you have been bound to this chair for a very long time, but trust me when I tell you, that reality no longer exists for you. I am going to stand up, and I want you to stand up with me.”
I listened to Rick, but I could hear the faint voice of Jordan from behind me as he began his audio recording session. I watched as Rick carefully, and slowly, stood. The serious look of concern and almost anguish on his face eased and grew into a childlike grin as he stepped away from the imprisoning chair. A chilling breeze blew past me, and for a moment I thought I smelled the faint scent of roses. It reminded me of past visits to the florist, the way the aroma and cool air would overtake my senses when opening up the cooler door to pick out an arrangement for a future ex-girlfriend, or ex-wife.
Jordan's voice had gone silent, and I wondered if he had already run out of questions to ask the emptiness, when there was a sudden commotion. Simultaneously my heart sank and I was amused. It sounded as if he had stumbled into something in the dark and knocked it over. I whipped around, thinking he could possibly have hurt himself. What I expected to see, and what I did see, were completely different. Jordan was backing out of the room, flashlight raised, and in its dim beam of light, I could see sheets of paper drifting down to the floor.
“Are you okay? What happened?” I asked being genuinely concerned. It was then that I could see the pale whiteness of his face. “Bingo cards.” He stuttered. “They just came flying out of that box up on the shelf there...” He pointed with his flashlight to the shelf and then to the floor where nearly a hundred bingo cards lay scattered in disarray.
“I would like to introduce you to the ghost of the Bettiger Matriarch, but it seems you have already met.” I couldn't hold back my grin. “I think she was just elated that she isn’t stuck in that old wheel chair any longer. Did you feel or smell anything?”
“Yeah...” Jordan thought. “I thought I smelled flowers.” I could tell by the way he said it he was unsure, or uncomfortable admitting it, but I quickly reassured him. “Congratulations on having your first supernatural experience with the team. I see the digital recorder is still on... is it still recording.”
“Oh, yeah, I guess it is. Sorry.” He apologized, not realizing it was a good thing. “That's great. If you didn't capture any e.v.p.s, you have at least documented what happened by recording our conversation.” I patted his shoulder. “Well done Jordan, well done.”
*** On the second story of the home, Jenn and company were experiencing more typical paranormal activity. Unexplainable noises, random energy fields, cold spots that chilled one to the bone and then moved on were the order of the night. For a time, the group split again. Jenn and Katie taking half of them, and Theo and Grace worked closely with the others. In the gentleman's room, the same type of activity continued as before. Christian and Jenn were asking for responses to their questions using the various lights of the K-II meter.
“Is there anyone here with us?” Jenn asked politely after explaining how the response of yes or a positive response to a question could be given by lighting up the K-II. No activity occurred and no response was given.
“Does anybody want to talk to us?” Christian asked, half mocking Jenn. The lights glowed green, yellow, and red for a fraction of a second.
“Are you one of the Bettigers?” Jenn queried, but received no answer. “Mr. Bettiger, are you here with us tonight?” Christian teased Jenn with his question, but once again, the meter flashed its answer. Jenn rolled her eyes, and there were several muffled chuckles in the room.
“Does it bother you that women are in this room, and asking you questions?” Christian asked cleverly, and there was a sudden burst of K-II lights that lasted a great deal longer than usual. It was an obvious response, and it was very fitting to the times that the Bettigers had lived in.
“Okay, this is a bunch of crap.” Jenn said, half joking, half disgusted, and turned to leave the room. Just as she walked past the disturbing portrait of the Owl, she heard a voice coming from the empty corner where it was propped against the wall. Her head jerked in the direction of the mumbled words, to see if there was a ghastly apparition or some shadow person to be seen. There was not, but she and many others saw the painting of the owl pushed away from the wall and slide out into the middle of the floor. Jennifer took two quick and springy steps.
“Sor-ry!” She said in blatant sarcasm, which drew even more laughter from the half dozen on-lookers. The night wore on with more and more obvious, yet benign activity. While it may have been terrifying to some who beheld it, none of the phenomenon was intended to be harmful. The spirits of the Owl's Nest were finally becoming comfortable interacting with flesh and blood people, and not just one at a time, in a secluded setting, but out in the open, in front of several people at a time.
When the time came, and our groups traded places, Rick Hayes and I also found the majority of the activity occurring in the business, or gentlemen's room. Our group of guests circled around the K-II meter and began asking questions, to which we had no response. Rick observed from a distance, and after our frustration began to show, he made a simple suggestion.
“Let's think about this for a minute.” He said, though he had already done plenty of thinking on the matter. “If you were a child, or even an adult, would you be comfortable walking into a circle of mostly, complete strangers...who just wanted to talk to you? I know I'd be more than a little intimidated. As a spirit, I might even be more hesitant. Why don't we open this up a bit. Try putting the meter down by the windows, and we can all stand, or sit at this end of the room. I think we should still be able to see if it picks up any energy responses.”
“Yes, if we turn off all of the flashlights, it will be very obvious if the K-II lights up.” I wish I had thought of the idea, but I was glad Rick had brought it up.
As soon as the meter was in place, lights were turned out, and we were all at the opposite end of the long rectangular room, we began receiving responses from one of the Bettiger boys, and our 'yes and no' questions and answers continued for nearly twenty minutes. It felt more like a conversation, with nearly everyone in the room taking their turn asking questions and simply talking to the spirit child, as if he were just another person in the room. An uncomfortable, yet not frightening feeling coming over me, and I wanted to turn around, but I dared not.
“Rick...” Rick Hayes began. “Do you feel something?” “Yeah...” I said generically. Besides the uncomfortable presence, I could feel Rick grinning at me through the darkness. “The boy's father, Charles, is right behind you... and his hands are on your shoulders.” He explained, and I could feel the cool energy chilling my back, shoulders, and neck. There was a tingling as the hair on my head stood on end.
“He isn't angry, he is just protective of his son... and I think he is apprehensive about app
roaching him. It could be that they haven't had any contact on that side of the veil.” Rick's words were somewhat comforting, but also saddening. I could not imagine being in the same world with my son and not seeing him. My heart truly went out to Charles, and I could sense that he knew it.
“Charles… could you and your son please wait here for us to return?” Rick asked, and then with a smile, said “Thanks.” We continued to investigate for a while, but eventually, we had to end the public event. The groups were reunited in the bar area, where water, coffee, or sodas were offered to our guests. We loitered in the room for nearly half an hour while everyone swapped stories of the supernatural events they had experienced. One of the events, experienced by the fewest people and talked about the most, was the explosive, flying bingo cards. I had wished that everyone could have seen it, but it didn't seem to matter to them. Many were just in the next room, and heard the noise, saw the aftermath, and listened to the recording. It was a tale that is probably still told by many of those fortunate souls who investigated one of the most haunted social clubs in existence.
Chapter 19 Summoning
Our guests had left, as did our newest team mate Jordan, and the evening seemed to be somewhat successful. The spirits were interacting on a much larger scale, but I still didn't feel like we were any closer to 'saving the children'. I found a seat in the back corner of the bar, and contemplated what more we could do, and how many times we would have to visit this location to remedy the dangerous situation that we had been warned about. Suddenly I had a brilliant idea... if it would work. I was about to get up and gather everyone together, when I realized they were already approaching my corner table.
“Hey... have a seat everybody. I have an idea.” I said. “Great! Let's hear it.” Jenn said, excitedly.
“Okay... Katie, I'm going to need your help, if you can.” Her eyes held a look of worry as I spoke. “I need you to try to contact Ash.”
“Me! Why me?” She knew the answer but she was hoping that her tone might make me rethink my plan. “From our first encounter with her, you have seemed to have the closest connection to Ashley. If you aren't comfortable, I understand, and we will just have to try to get her to listen to one of us instead.” I reasoned.
“I'm not saying I'm at all comfortable with it... but I'll do it... I guess.” She drug her sentence out as if it were a terrible burden to speak, but then she smiled. A calm came over her, and it was like an emotional light switch had been flipped. “Everything is going to be alright, isn't it?”
“Yes it is.” Rick said calmly, and smiled back at her. “Okay, so what is your idea?” “Our e.v.p. said 'I want her'. I believe this was one of the 'thugs' from Allison's story, and I think, maybe, he was referring to Ashley, and her ability to come and go as she pleases. So, my thought was... if you,” I looked to Rick, “and Theo, could somehow round up all three of the malevolent male spirits, and Katie could 'talk' to Ash... perhaps she could lure, or entice them to crossing over. Okay, it sounds dumb, now that I've said it out loud, but it was just an idea.”
“That's a great Idea.” Theo said. “Yes it is.” Jenn agreed.
“But, do you think it might work?” I doubted myself.
“If it doesn't, we won't be any worse off than we are, but I think it might work.” Rick reassured me. “Step one of the plan is understood. Now, for step two... is anybody on a strict time schedule?” I asked, before I went any further, and was met mostly by laughter and a snide comment from Jennifer.
“Yeah... I have an important meeting at work... at 4am...ON SUNDAY.” Jenn rolled her eyes and teased. “Come on E-V-Prick... we are here, in the middle of the night. What's step two?”
“Apparently, Charles Bettiger was upstairs with us tonight, and Rick connected with his mother in the wheelchair in the old boiler room. All we need is Amelia, and we will have the whole famn damily here.” I joked.
“Huh?” Grace was puzzled by my twisted words. “It's just something I say, instead of saying 'the whole damn family'. I dunno... maybe I've been up too long.” I tried to explain my goofiness, to which the teenage girl smiled and slapped her forehead.
“Well, we would have everyone in the family, except for Allison.” Theo pointed out. “Ah... true. I was hoping, if we could bring them all together in one of the rooms, that maybe they could reconnect, and move on as a family...maybe.” I felt the disappointment growing in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it wouldn't work. Maybe it was as far-fetched as it sounded, like some fairy tale ending.
“It's possible, and definitely worth trying.” Theo remarked. “And... how would we know it wouldn't work, if we didn't try, right?” Katie added. “It's a worthwhile idea. It's important to not only try, but to believe. Doubt kills more dreams than failure. Don't doubt, believe in the plan, and believe in yourselves.” Rick's pep talk gave me the boost of positivity I needed.
“Okay. Then, let's get this thing started. I believe neutral ground is going to our best bet for step one. First, let’s all move into the dance hall. Katie, try to get Ash to manifest her spirit presence there, then let her know what we would like her to do. Rick and Theo, you two work it however you think is best to connect with the spirits of the 'business partners' of Mr. Bettiger, and somehow let them know Ash is there.” I was suddenly confident in the plan. I simply believed.
“That won't be a problem.” Theo grinned at Rick Hayes.
“No. I agree. I feel that if they think Ashley is there, and they can 'use her' to get out of this eternal prison, they will.” Rick added. Barb, Del, Grace, Jenn, and I sat at a table near the back of the dance hall. Theo and Rick disappeared out of the room, and were off to find the malicious shadow spirits. Katie, well...Katie sat, nervously, on the edge of the stage at the opposite end of the room from the rest of us.
“Ash? Are you here? It's me Katie. You remember me?” Her words were filled with mixed emotions, partly uncomfortable and embarrassed, unsure how to call the spirit to her, and partly afraid that she might actually call the spirit to her. Her thoughts digressed to a past time and place not that distant, when she had several encounters with the burning girl. Then as if her courage accompanied a memory from the past, she became a stern mother figure.
“Ashley Sue Helmach! Get in here now... I need to talk to you.” Katie had a brief moment of timorous thoughts, but quickly regained her courage and composure.
From the rear of the room, we watched and listened to Katie as she reached out to the most powerful and frightening spirit we had ever encountered. I was proud and impressed at her determination. Katie became increasingly quiet, and still. Pale green exit signs dimly lit the vast space, and we struggled to see her from the far end of the room. Second by harrowing second, a light began to grow in front of her. Ashley began to manifest her presence, and soon, the small frame of a child, shrouded in a pale blue luminescence stood between where we sat, and where Katie was. The five of us at the table could feel our excitement, and the intense energy in the air, building. For Grace and the Heerdinks, this was their first glimpse of Ashley Sue, and though they had all heard our stories, over and over, and over again, nothing compared to that initial realization that these tales were not simply exaggerated fabrications. This girl existed.
We listened intently, but from that distance, all we could make out were the low murmurings of Katie, and occasionally, the sounds of Theo and Rick scouring the rest of the building. At length, Katie went silent, and bowed her head.
“I want to go up there and see her...face to face.” Grace whispered curiously. Jenn and I exchanged looks of dismay. “Naaaa... You really don't” I said in quiet persuasion. “But, I really...” She started to argue, and then stopped short.
Ash half-turned and was staring in our direction, as if she had felt the desire of the young girl at our table. Glancing at Grace, I could see her eyes were fixed on Ashley, and her mouth fell open wide. The eyes of the ghost child began to blaze with a yellowyorange fire. Without warning, the once childlike entity rushe
d towards Grace bursting into an inferno of flames and then disappearing just as she reached the table. Everyone, including myself, cringed, and ducked, closing our eyes tight for a brief second. We quickly opened them again to find that Ash was still, or once again, standing in front of Katie. Her stare was still on us, as she raised her hand to her mouth and let out a very childish giggle.
“Be careful what you wish for Gracie.” Jennifer said to her young teenaged daughter.
“Right...mental note, made. Lesson learned.” Grace said, her voice suddenly shaky and frail sounding. The doors at both ends of the dance hall swung open nearly simultaneously. Rick Hayes and Theo entered, one at each end, and even in the extremely dim light, everyone noticed the movement shadows that followed closely behind them, and then rushed past them to surround young Ashley. 'Poor young Ash', I thought. Possibly, this was a mistake. Maybe there were flaws in my plan that I not only didn't understand, but couldn't understand.
Everyone watched intently. The shadows appeared to grow around her, encircling her, dimming her light. What had I done? I was just about to jump up and try to distract the shadowy figures, when something quite amazing happened. Overhead, the smallest pinpoint of light appeared, and shone down like the smallest of spotlights on the assemblage of spirits. As the pinpoint of light grew, so did my desire to move closer to it. I no longer felt the need to help Ashley (which, looking back, was a ridiculous thought), but the light called and beckoned me to come. Larger and brighter it became, until the spirits were barely visible. Katie's stare was fixed on the light, but she resisted the desire to join the spirits, and bathe in its brilliant beauty and warmth. In a flash, the circle of entities became engulfed in a raging fury of flames that were immediately extinguished, as was the heavenly light. Ash was gone, and so were the shadow men. Although we should have had our doubts and concerns and we were slightly confused and uncertain of the facts, not a single one of us felt that anything bad had happened. It felt quite the opposite, actually. There was a sudden equanimity that washed over us, and all doubts were taken from us.