by Rick Kueber
“We definitely will.” Katie said. I could feel the enthusiasm in her voice, despite Theo's remarks.
*** Again, time flew by. I had held a meager, yet festive birthday party for my son (who now lived with me), with a few relatives and friends. Soon after, I found myself dragging him through the aisles at the local department store for school supplies and uniforms and the most expensive thing on the 'back to school' list: new shoes. Daniel wasn't picky about much of anything, and made my life easy that way... what he was very particular about was shoes. He wanted the top of the line Nikes, only a few different styles that he would settle for. As difficult as it was to spend as much on his shoes as I had been accustomed to spending on my wardrobe for an entire year or more, I gritted my teeth, smiled and paid the piper. There were times in my youth that I knew quite well what it was like to not have the right shoes and I knew that kids, for whatever reason, judged their peers according to that and could be extremely cruel.
School had been in session for more than a month when my birthday came and went with nothing more than a happy birthday call from my dad. I didn't need much, but I was hoping for a homemade card from my son, or some acknowledgment, but at his age, if no one reminded him, he wouldn't remember. I didn't hold it against him, and never said anything to him about it. Hilary, the team, and I tried and failed on several occasions to plan a trip to investigate the Infirmary. There were always too many conflicts, and so it was that with Halloween rapidly approaching, Hilary and I set a date, and if the rest of the team couldn't make it, at least the actual investigation would have begun. I hoped with all of my heart that everyone could be there. The location was massive, the tragedies were inconceivable, and I needed the expertise of everyone on my team.
We set the investigation for the first Saturday in November. Hilary had warned us that if we waited too long, it would become bitterly cold and wouldn't warm up until May. I spoke individually with the trio of teammates and, much to my surprise, all were willing and able to take the weekend to travel to Northern Ohio. I couldn't have been happier. I planned the trip, budgeted enough money to eat and pay for gas, made arrangements for my son to stay with his friend that weekend, and had checked over the gadgets and gear numerous times to make sure everything was in working order and there was a copious amount of extra batteries on hand. The plan was to leave early on Saturday morning and arrive in time to tour the Infirmary and surrounding property in the daylight.
I had been in working in Louisville on Friday, and as I was heading home at the end of the day I received a text from Jennifer. I simply read, “Call me, please” but my heart sank. I quickly sent the call and waited for her to answer.
“Hey Rick.” She said with no levity in her voice. “Hey Jenn, what's going on?” I was afraid she was going to bail out on the trip, but that wasn't like Jenn at all. She had never missed an investigation.
“Don't say anything to anyone...” She took a deep breath and her voice cracked. “I haven't even told Alan yet.” I could hear her beginning to cry softly.
“It's okay...you can talk to me. I've always been here for you, and you know I always will be.” I had wished we were having this conversation in person, but I was two hours away.
“Well, you know I went for my 6 month checkup last week, right?” We had discussed it when planning the trip to Ohio. “It's back...” She broke down right there on the phone and all I wanted to do was hug her, but I couldn't. “Why did it come back?”
Jenn had been a cancer survivor and her lymphoma had been in remission. She had been cancer free for years. Her oncologist still required her to have semi-annual checkups, which were always good, and gave us another reason to celebrate when she would receive her report. It was not the case this time. Jenn was utterly distraught and with good reason. The chemo was horrific and of course, it was impossible to not imagine the 'worst case scenario'.
“It's going to be okay Jenn.” I made a crappy attempt, with the best of intentions, to comfort her. “You are the toughest person I know, and that's saying a lot. You've beaten this thing before, and as much as it may suck... you're going to beat it again. I just know you will.”
“How am I going to tell my kids... how am I going to tell Alan?” She sniffled. “I really just wanted to call to tell you I can't go to Ohio right now...” Her voice trailed off as she thought about what the coming weeks and months might have in store for her. “I haven't told Katie or Theo either, so don't say anything yet, please... I have to go back and see my oncologist next week and have even more tests done. I'll probably let everyone know when I get the test results back and have a better idea of what I'm going to be up against.”
“Okay. Be sure to let me know what the doc says...and of course, I won't say a word to anyone. It's not my place to do that.” I didn't know what else to say, and I thought the less I say, the better, at least right now.
I hoped she wasn't able to pick up on exactly how frightened I was for her, and how unsure I was of my 'so called' encouraging words. Jenn was the reason EVP became a team... she was the second, only to me. From the beginning, she had been there. It was inconceivable that EVP could exist without her... in fact, the team had become such a family, I could not fathom EVP without all four of us. We had been through so many life changing events together, we had a bond that surpassed friendship, and at times, even some family.
*** The radio played quietly in the background but I paid it no attention. My thoughts were consumed by the news Jenn had just delivered. We had celebrated every good check-up and clean bill of health, like a new birthday, but suddenly all the years of celebrating meant nothing. The drive home seemed never-ending, and I longed for some distraction. Almost as the very thought crossed my mind, my phone rang. I fumbled to pull my phone from my pocket again as I sped down the interstate between Louisville and Evansville. I glanced at the screen before answering -Katie.
“Hey Katie!” I put on a brave face and pretended all was okay. “Are you ready for the next grand adventure?” “That's why I called...” Her tone was unmistakable. Something was wrong... 'Geez!' I thought. Something else was wrong. “Both of my men have the flu, and I can't leave them here alone. I'm going to have to cancel out on this trip.”
“It's okay.” I lied. “I'm sure we'll have to make a few visits to the Infirmary, so this trip is just an initial investigation. The next visit will probably be the better investigation anyway.”
“I just hate it though! I've been looking forward to this ever since we first got the request... and that's been months!” There was real distress in Katie's voice. It was as if she had just been told that her seven day cruise to the Mediterranean had been canceled. I heard her spluff quietly.
“Honestly Katie, it's no big deal, Jenn can't go either. We will schedule another trip as soon as possible.” As true as that statement may have been, I knew it would be months before we would be able to return due to the harsh Northern Ohio winter that was so rapidly approaching, and the holiday gatherings and events that would fill the next few weeks. Truthfully, I worried that Jenn might never get to go to the Infirmary with us. Our conversation ended with me telling Katie to take care of her men, and assuring her that we would let her know every detail as soon as we returned.
The team was now split in half and it felt odd traveling to a new and distant haunted location without the girls. Our weekend investigation had just become exponentially more difficult. Beep-beep... Beep-beep... My phone, still in my hand, abruptly rang again.
“Hey Hilary.” My voice was less than monotone. I knew this would be the call that would cancel the investigation, possibly until spring.
“Hey Rick... everything alright?” She asked with a genuinely concerned tone. “Katie and Jenn both just canceled out on the investigation this weekend... I figured you were calling to do the same.” I, most likely, sounded like a child who had just been told his puppy ran away.
“HELL-TO-THE-NO! I mean... sucks that they can't come, but you'd better get your ass u
p here tomorrow! I have everything worked out, and I can't take much more of Maddie. I seriously have not had a good night's sleep in months.” Hilary had a way of making me laugh at even the most terrifying thing.
“Well, thank God!” Even if Theo skips out, I promise I'll be there. I've been planning on this trip for what seems like an eternity!” In spite of the recent phone calls, I began to feel much better, more optimistic... Perhaps it was just a coincidence that both Katie and Jenn weren't able to make it, and not some supernatural force working against us.
“So, what time do you think you'll be here tomorrow?” Hilary asked.
“Not sure. I'll call Theo when I get off the phone and let you know.” I had already planned to call Theo, just to make sure he was still going. “You can just call me when you hit the road, or when you get close if you want. That will give me an idea of when you'll get here and give me plenty of time to do anything I need to get done.” Hilary was right. It was nearly a seven hour drive and that was not counting any stops for food or gas.
“Okay, cool. I'll call you in the morning.” I replied, lightheartedly. “Alrighty... talk to you then.” The call ended with a beep as she hung up. I was nearing Evansville and decided that I may as well make the last phone call while I was still on the road.
“Hey...” Theo said very calmly and slowly, as if I had awakened him.
“Hey Theo... just checking to see if you were still up for the trip to the Infirmary tomorrow.” I nervously awaited his answer.
“Most definitely!” His voice perked up. “I thought maybe you were calling to cancel out. I just had this bad feeling about the trip.” “Nope... I'm still going, good Lord willing. Katie and Jenn both are unable to go, but I just spoke to Hilary and everything is still a 'go' for us.” I was relieved that I would not be making this long journey into the unknown alone.
“Oh, well... cool, I guess. Hope everything's alright with the girls.” Theo said, as if he knew everything was far from 'alright'. “So what time do you want to head out in the morning?”
“The earlier, the better. What time works for you?” I tossed the question back to him.
“Ten?” He asked. “Sure, ten is fine. That should get us there while it's still daylight. I really want to check out the place before it gets dark.” I had hoped to leave earlier, but I was content with leaving at ten in the morning.
“True...” He agreed. “It is starting to get dark pretty early now. Ten should give us a few hours before the sun goes down.” The plans were set, I had taken my son to spend the weekend with his friend, and I had gone through the equipment cases twice to make sure everything was packed and my OCD was satisfied. It was time for bed, and I was ready for an early night. The drive was going to be long, and the evening and night of investigating was going to be even longer. I needed sleep, and I was anxious to get as much as I could before heading out in the morning. I made a mixed drink of Crown & Coke as a nightcap (which I never do at home and alone) and prepared for bed. Lights were out, and the fan was on high as I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over me. I fell asleep within the hour, which is relatively quick for me, but my sleep was far from peaceful, as dream visitors came to fill my sleep with disturbing visions.
I found myself wandering through a forest under the cover of darkness, not knowing how I came to be there, or where there even was. The sounds of cicadas filled the air, accompanied by the episodic hoot of a distant owl. I was moving forward with a purpose, though I had no idea of what that purpose was. I crested the top of a pine covered spoil bank and quickly spied a small fire in the distance and began to hear the muffled canter of several men. Cautiously, I approached. I stopped about thirty yards short of where this large group had made camp and soon realized they were all dressed in confederate uniforms. The fire rapidly dwindled to glowing embers and then darkened to only a few thin ribbons of smoke that could be seen in the dim light of the nearly full moon, and the men moved in swift and stuttered movements, as if everything were moving in fast forward.
There seemed to be no sense of time as a few moments passed, yet with the movement of the moon, I knew it had been hours. Two men appeared within the encampment and began to speak in hushed tones, but were as clear to me as if I were standing right next to them.
“We've seen plenty of things that were purely hell on earth, and this forest is as peaceful as I could imagine...” The first man began to speak. "...but to me, this place is as eerie as I've ever seen.”
“There is truth to what you say Adam. I've never cared for West Virginia anyways, but this place just ain't right.” Agreed the second soldier. “I've been uncomfortable since we started setting up camp. Somethin's just not right here. I can't sleep. I keep hearing whispers, and somethin's watchin' us... it's out there somewheres... can you feel it too?”
“Yes, Andrew, I can feel it. There's evil in these woods, and we ain't welcome.” Adam looked around and I felt as if he would look straight at me, but his gaze passed over me as if I did not even exist. “I'm goin' out to scout out a perimeter... make sure there ain't no yanks or injuns out there ready to ambush us.”
“Alright Adam. Just be sure to signal if I need to wake the rest of the fellas.” Andrew said, more than satisfied to stay behind and not venture out into the unknown.
Adam loaded his rifle, slid his boots on and quietly sneaked away into the night. I stood frozen in my place, unable to move as he slowly passed by me scanning every inch of the surroundings for unwelcomed visitors. When he had disappeared over the bank to the other side and was completely out of sight, my attention was once again drawn back to the camp. The moonlight had grown brighter as a fog rolled in, but this was no ordinary fog bank. There was no billowing, wispy, white mist, instead, the fog was as black as pitch and obscured the ground and all it covered from sight. Soon the camp was engulfed in the ebony clouds and the shrill screams began. Adam rushed past me toward the camp so swiftly I could feel the wind of his movement, but stopped short, about half way between where I stood and where the encampment was. He was petrified with terror as he watched the soldiers run shrieking in pain from their tents.
The black mists rolled and curled up the legs of the men as they attempted to run, and failed. The sounds of their deaths mortified me and I could not imagine anything that could cause so much torment and pain... not even the memory of my dream of burning to death as little Ashley did. The mist crawled up each man until it had covered them completely like a growing, living thing, as toxic and deadly as sulfuric acid. As the cries of despair diminished and eventually ended altogether, the dark mist began to become concentrated in the center of the camp and took form. I saw it there in the moonlight, a hulking figure, not completely human, not completely demonic. It turned toward me and I saw the light blue glow of its eyes as they focused on young Adam. The beast raised its arms causing the campfire to reignite and suddenly, it let out the most heinous laughter, and as it did, the flames which had grown incredibly tall instantaneously froze solid and then exploded with a roar. Adam fell directly on his back as this hellish creature spread its hidden wings and shot into the sky. Adam had lost control of his bodily functions for a brief moment, but then scrambled to his feet and flew past me moaning with fright. His speed only increased with every step until I could no longer see him.
Time sped up again until the dawn began to break through the trees and I could see the bodies of the men strewn about the camp, their flesh desiccated, seemingly drained of life and fluid. I stared longer than I wanted to at the mummified remains that lay still in their uniforms. Many of the men were still barefoot, having been awakened from a deep sleep by what may as well have been the devil himself. The early morning mists began to thicken until it could barely see the forest that surrounded me.
BEEP- BEEP- BEEP! I awoke to my alarm and wiped the cold sweat from my brow. The day I had been waiting for had come, and I was glad to not be going to West Virginia on this particular day. After the vivid dream I had awakened from, I had no
trouble literally jumping out of bed and straight into the shower. A half a pot of coffee later, I was shaved, dressed, packed up and awaiting Theo's arrival.
I loaded my things into Theo's silver-blue Subaru, climbed inside and began a road trip that would be just as long as our trips to the Helmach Farm in West Virginia. We made our stops for gas, breakfast, and eventually lunch along the way. Throughout the trip we held conversations on numerous topics, but we frequently came back to our anticipations of what amazing experiences the Infirmary may hold for us. When we had exited the interstates and found ourselves on winding twolane highways and country backroads, the feeling in the air took a chilling turn. Perhaps it was our own excitement that we could not contain, but as we drew near to Mike and Hilary's home, and closer to the Infirmary, there was a growing energy in the air.
“Can you feel it?” I asked Theo.
“Oh yeah... you can too, huh?” He answered back, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.
“Look!” I called out and pointed to the clear blue sky. “Pull over!” “What?!?” Theo yelled back as he skidded the car off to the shoulder of the road. I leapt from the car quickly followed by my teammate and friend. Across the road from where we stood was a flowing waterway and a barren, leafless tree line. I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the glaring sun and we watched as a bald eagle soared and circled overhead until it dove toward the water, snatching up its dinner and then landing high in an empty treetop. I pulled out my phone to snap a photo.
“Check it out.” Theo said pointing down the road a hundred feet or so. A green road side sign marked the name of the water and the irony was uncanny.
“Mad River...” I smiled as the words left my lips. “Seems fitting, eh?” “Very... and seeing the eagle is a very good sign. The spirit symbol of the bald eagle tells us to be on point, be courageous and push our limits. Reach higher, look at things from a higher point of view and be prepared to fly.” Theo paused