Hidden Voices (Tess Schafer-Medium)

by Deborah Hughes

  “Tess? What in the heck was that noise?” Ted’s voice nearly made me and my skin part company for I came darned close to jumping out of it! I swung around and motioned for him to stay right where he was and to be quiet.

  When I turned back toward the stairs, the huge angry spirit was gone. But I didn’t think he had gone far. Heaving a sigh at the disappointing first encounter, I turned to Ted. “Sorry, but I was trying to communicate with a spirit.”

  “By banging the floor so hard it cracked the old plaster below?” Ted shook his head. “I think part of the ceiling came down.” He frowned at that and I knew he was wondering at the supposed instability. It surely wasn’t a good sign for someone interested in buying the place.

  “That wasn’t me, Ted.”

  The poor guy’s face went white. “It wasn’t?”

  “No. It was the spirit. A big guy. Weird color.” Frowning, I wondered about that. What other color could he be if not black or white?

  Ted took a step back. “Maybe we should go?” Another step back, one foot dropping to the last step of the stairwell behind him.

  “Not yet.” I turned and headed toward him, determined to check down the other hallway. I had to stop at the juncture though for Ted stood in my way. I pointed at the other corridor. “What’s down there?”

  “All these rooms up here are bedrooms except the corner room at the end of the hall facing the street. I think it was a study or something.”

  I nodded with intent and brushed past Ted. That was the room, I felt sure, where I needed to go. Ted heaved a resigned sigh and followed close behind. No doubt he was quite ready to vacate the premises.

  I glanced back at him and smiled with reassurance. “He’s gone, Ted, and I can assure you that he’s not following us at the moment.” We stopped at the closed door at the end of the hallway and as I made to turn the knob, Ted touched my hand and jiggled the keys he was holding.

  “Locked. Let me.” He rifled through his huge assortment of keys and finally selected one which he slid into the lock. A blast of cold air rushed out at us as soon as I opened the door. Ted gasped and took a step back. I stood still and made haste to envision Ted and I encased in light. “Don’t be afraid, Ted, but there is someone in here. He means us no harm.” It wasn’t the big strange-colored guy I encountered on the stairs though. This entity seemed older, almost austere. His spirit felt agitated and disturbed. I had a pretty strong impression that he stood near the window facing the street. The sheer white curtains hanging there suddenly began to sway back and forth and Ted made a choked sound behind me. I lifted a hand to quiet him. “Please, Ted. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

  “But the curtains…”

  “Won’t attack you. Please, Ted, just trust me. Okay?” I took a step toward the window. If I kept my gaze slightly off to the side of it, I could just make out a shadow. It was hard to keep myself from looking head on but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. For some reason, our peripheral vision was better at picking up spiritual entities. Though this wasn’t always the case. Something else I’d discovered recently. The room was very spacious and empty of furniture. Two windows faced the street and another faced the right side of the building. The room had plenty of light and it was buzzing with spirit activity. I wondered why? What was the historical significance of this room? The man near the window seemed to detect my presence and it puzzled him greatly. I had a pretty strong suspicion that I wasn’t going to be able to communicate with him. His aura was weak and I had the distinct impression he was nearing the end of his physical life. Since he was already quite dead, I wondered why he would come across that way. Surely there was no illness in the spirit world? Was I picking up on his energy as it was when he was alive? Maybe I was just detecting the man’s ghost and not his spirit. Then again, he did seem to be aware of me which was something ghosts couldn’t do. They were too caught up in their own drama to notice anyone or anything not directly involved in it. The other spirits whispering in the room made it seem like I’d stumbled upon some sort of secret meeting and the thought made my heart pound with excitement.

  “They used to plot things in this room.”

  Ted didn’t budge from the doorway. He kept his back against the doorjamb so he could keep an eye on both the hallways and the bedroom. “Wouldn’t be surprised. It’s a large room and used to be the one reserved for important guests.”

  A fireplace made of granite bricks was located on the wall to the left of the doorway. I walked over to it and put my hand on the mantel. Immediately I was thrown into a vision. Men surrounded me. They were agitated and arguing. I couldn’t bring them into focus enough to understand their words but the tone was clear enough. Someone was gripping the mantel with me and he was in deep turmoil. For a moment I connected with him and could feel his anguish. Before I could try and make the connection more clear, I felt as if someone a little more threatening was suddenly standing next to me. I turned my head and gasped in shock. A face completely covered in blood stared at me, the whites of his eyes in stark contrast to the deep red of the blood. It was a fierce and terrifying face and I let go of the mantel and fell back. Immediately the vision went away. With my heart knocking painfully against my chest, I turned and fled for the door. It seemed my protective light had somehow weakened. Although I knew no harm would come to me, I still felt violated. The bloody faced man had come too close. Without pause, I rushed past Ted and headed back to the stairs wanting to get down to the lobby and into the bright sunlight. The dark pushed behind me, following my path. So much negativity, what did it all mean?

  Ted followed close behind. “What’s going on? Did you see something? Did you hear anything? Should I be scared? Tess! For God’s sake will you say something?”

  I couldn’t catch my breath. It felt as if I’d just run a marathon. Gasping for air, I leaned down, resting my hands on my knees. What was going on here? Frightened a little more than I was comfortable with, I closed my eyes and asked Sheila to come and help calm me. Just her presence alone would help ease the fear and eliminate the panic. I felt the brush of cobwebs across my face and almost cried out loud in relief. Thank God. For a moment I focused on her loving energy and let it calm me from within. Once I felt in control and safe, I straightened and looked at Ted who was standing next to me with a terrified look on his face.

  “I’m sorry, Ted. It’s okay. There’s nothing to fear. It just got too close. It startled me but I’m okay.” I wouldn’t tell him the face I saw was covered in blood. Ted wouldn’t handle that well. Of that, I had no doubt. Even I was freaked. It was something I have never encountered before. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that the entity was the same one I encountered on the stairs. He was big and different and now I knew why. What did the bloody face mean? Was it just symbolic that his face was covered in red? Colors had esoteric meaning and I was trying to remember what the meanings were for red. Passion for one, but that wasn’t it. Anger? Perhaps, but that didn’t feel right either. I made a mental note to check it out when I got back to my room and pushed it away for the moment. Right now I had to calm Ted and see if I could make sense of what was going on here.

  “Why did you run?” Ted wasn’t convinced by my assurances and honestly, I didn’t blame him. He glanced nervously around him. “When a medium goes running, I’m thinking it can’t be good.”

  “One of the spirits got a little close and it startled me. But there was never any danger.” Because he looked skeptical, I gave a sheepish shrug. “Okay, I admit it, even I get a little spooked.” I glanced around the room and held up my hands. “All clear for the moment.”

  Ted’s gaze wandered up toward the ceiling. “You think the room up there is haunted?”

  “Not sure. I think I was picking up on some energy imprinted there because of the high emotions involved. Some serious plotting and discussion took place in that room.”

  Ted visibly relaxed. “Was it the same spirit that was on the stairs?”

  “Yes. At least�
�I think so.” My curiosity was definitely roused. Who was he and what did he want? The really puzzling question is what was he?

  “So what else do you want to do here?” Ted glanced meaningfully at the door. He was ready to leave. I wasn’t.

  “Is there a dining room here?”

  Ted waved a hand toward the room to the lobby’s right. “Through there. Why?”

  “Well, Colonel Buck was probably in that room as well…I’d like to check it out, see if I get anything.” Ted gave a reluctant nod, agreeing with my logic but not liking it. As I headed off toward the place he indicated, Ted stuck close to my side. I didn’t much blame him. More than likely he didn’t want to be alone and he probably felt responsible for me. I couldn’t help but wish that Kade was here with me.

  We walked through the empty room to the right of the lobby reception desk and went through a set of double doors to a large spacious room filled with tables and chairs covered in dust cloths. I walked slowly, my mind open and alert as we moved deeper into the room. I could almost hear the echoes of patrons past and the clink of utensils on plates. The atmosphere was generally pleasant. I turned back and headed at a brisk, determined walk for the front lobby. Ted rushed after me.

  “Where are you going?”

  Determined not to falter, I marched steadily up the stairs and headed straight for the large room at the end of the hall. That was where I needed to be. Something was there. I just knew it!

  Ted grabbed my arm before I could cross over the threshold. “What, are you crazy? You aren’t seriously going in there again?”

  “Ted, all the psychic energy worth exploring is in there. A lot took place here. Whatever happened to cause the strange markings on Buck’s monument is somehow attached to that room. I need to figure out what. Especially as I only have today to do it.” I gently removed his hand from my arm. “Seriously, it’s fine. I know what to expect now so I won’t be startled. You have nothing to fear, Ted. If something menacing was about, it would have chased us down the hallway.” Truly, I didn’t believe menacing spirits would chase us but Ted did so I thought I’d just go with it. Once again Ted took a position near the doorjamb. He waved a hand for me to go ahead in though his expression was still registering wariness. “Be my guest then.”

  I smiled at him to ease his fears and show him how calm I was then stepped into the room. Butterflies fluttered with nervous anticipation in my stomach. I stood still and once again envisioned a strong white light around me. I said a quick prayer, asked Sheila to stay with me and walked again to the fireplace. This time, however, I did not touch the mantel. Instinctively I turned toward the spot where the red-faced man had stood (it felt better to say “red” rather than use the word “blood”). An air of anticipation crowded the space around me making it difficult to breath. My heart sped up and my pulse jumped wildly in my veins. Calm, Tess, you must stay calm. Fear invited all sorts of problems. It lowered my protective strength and left me more vulnerable to the darker forces lurking in the spiritual realm. For some reason the Psalm 23:4 came to mind and I was glad that it did for it calmed me instantly. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil”. God’s powerful might would protect me. I truly believed that and relaxed even more. “Bring it on, red man.” I whispered the words under my breath, but Ted heard some of it.

  “What’s that? Bring what on? Don’t go inviting anything, Tess!” Ted’s voice nearly ended in a squeak.

  I gave a silent sigh and wished I could be in here alone. This was why I didn’t like to have people with me when I was trying to communicate with the other side. At least, people who weren’t of like mind. I turned to Ted and lifted a quieting finger to my lips. “Shh, Ted, please. I need to concentrate.”

  Ted nodded, his face going a little pink. “Sorry.”

  I returned my attention to the fireplace. It had been here since the building’s inception. Somehow I just knew that. It was made of granite and rock. The mantel was wood; it was very old, smooth and worn around the edges. Wood was a great absorber of energy. If trees could talk… I often thought that as I walked through the woods. Those tall silent sentinels had witnessed much. But, it wasn’t the mantel I was interested in. My attention was now drawn down toward the grate. One of the oldest organizations in the world was the Freemasons. A collection of educated men, it stood to reason that a Freemason helped to construct this fireplace. Why this popped into my head, I don’t know, but it felt a worthy clue. My eyes moved slowly about its construction. The outer hearth particularly. I looked down where I was standing. Bricks of the same width and length made up the hearth. Dropping to my hands and knees, I looked closely at the bricks where the red man had been standing. One of the bricks was slightly off from the others. It wasn’t anything you would notice unless you were looking for it. My heart thumped loudly in my ears as I pushed on the brick. There was just the slightest give.

  Ted forgot his apprehension and came to join me, crouching down to better see what I was doing. “What are you looking at?”

  Just at the corner of the brick was an etched symbol of some sort. It looked like an arrow. Excited beyond measure because I knew I was about to discover something spectacular, I followed the direction of the arrow to the inner hearth where the ash pit was located. The fireplace hadn’t been used in years from the looks of it. I turned to Ted. “Is this fireplace still up to code for functioning?”

  Ted shook his head. “No. It’s more for looks than anything. Because the house is on the registry for historic buildings, there’s not much we can do with it in respect to closing it up or removing it.”

  I crawled into the inner hearth and looked in the ash pit. The side that opened to the door for ash removal looked off. I felt around it until my fingers encountered a small catch of some sort. I gave it a gentle push and the side of the ash pit fell open. Oh my! Heart pounding furiously, I reached in the opening and pulled out a blackened metal box.

  Ted gave an exclamation of disbelief. “What the …? How did you know that was there?”

  I sat back on my haunches and examined the box. The metal hummed with energy, its vibration making my fingers tingle. “I don’t know how I find things sometimes, Ted. I just go with my gut feeling and here we are!” I crawled backwards from the fireplace and into a spot of sunlight coming through the windows. The lid would not come open and looking at the front of it, I saw a keyhole was present. “It’s locked.”

  “Let’s smash it open.”

  I looked at Ted and tried hard to keep my exasperation from showing. “What if we damage what’s inside?”

  “But don’t you want to know what’s in it? How heavy is it? Shake it.”

  I gave the box a gentle shake and what sounded like a bunch of small objects rattled in muted sound. I handed the box to Ted. “Hold this, I have an idea.”

  I crawled back to the stone with the arrow etched on it and gave it another push. It definitely had just a slight give. “This stone is different from the rest and it has a slight give. Do you have anything we might use to pry it up?”

  Ted crawled next to me and pulled a small Swiss Army knife from his pocket. “Try this.”

  I opened the switch blade and gently moved it around the crevices of the brick, carefully removing fine dust and dirt. After clearing enough out of the way to wiggle the blade down a ways, I began the tedious task of working it free. It took time and patience but finally I managed to pull the brick up from its position. Beneath it, laying in a slight indentation in the mason work beneath the brick was a small skeletal key. For a moment I just stared at it in disbelief. Although it shouldn’t surprise me anymore, I still found myself astounded by the things spirit helped me do.

  Ted gave a small whoop. “Holy sh… crap, Tess! I can’t believe this.” He motioned for me to pick up the key. “You found it, you do the honors.”

  I lifted the key out of its hiding spot and wondered how long it had been there. Let’s see…Jonathan Buck died in 1795 and why I
felt this was connected with him I wasn’t sure but since my current quest was to discover the mystery of his cursed monument, it felt right that this all fit somehow. I would just have to trust in spirit to help me figure it all out. So back to my calculations. If the key has been in its hiding spot since the time of Colonel Buck then it had to be well over 200 years old. It certainly felt old. I took the box from Ted’s hand and compared the two items. “What kind of metal would you say this is, Ted?”

  “Copper.” Ted motioned again for me to open the box and I gave a small laugh at his boyish eagerness.

  “I don’t know why I feel so nervous.” My hands were actually shaking but I think it was more from pent up excitement than anything. Although it couldn’t really compare, I thought that this must be how it feels to be an explorer making new discoveries. Drawing in a calming breath, I rested the box on my knee and fit the key into the hole. Despite its age, the key turned easily and the lid popped free. I glanced at Ted, noting the shine of excitement in his eyes and knew my own reflected the same. Giving an impatient nod, Ted prompted me to open it already. I lifted the lid.

  It was nearly full of beads of some sort. They were mostly red in color although some of them were darker with shades of brown. Most of them were multifaceted although others were perfectly round. They were no bigger than a pea. I put my fingers in the beads and felt a zing of energy charge through me. The hairs on my arm actually stood on end. Startled, I gave a small gasp and scooped some of the beads into my palm for a closer look. Ted leaned in as well. Although most of them were red to reddish brown, some of them were black and smooth, reflecting almost like silver.

  “Hematite.” Ted said, nodding with sudden understanding. “Indian beads. Have to be.”

  “Hematite.” I was vaguely familiar with the name for I’d studied the mystical properties of stones and gems at one time. I’d let it all go when I married Mike because my life was just too busy to do more than I already was doing. Besides, although Mike was somewhat tolerant of my communications with dead people, he did not like me getting into anything more.