Sand Trap (Haunted Series)

by Alexie Aaron

  Mia’s request was going to be a bit difficult. He would need to gather as much information as he could about the monastery. Hopefully these nuns would be able to help point him in the right direction. Plus, he needed to find a local, familiar with a shovel, to help him excavate this sacred site off hours to see if he could find any deposits of the blessed stone. He texted Beth and asked her to see if Mr. Homer was interested in an adventure.

  “My advice to you, young man, is to stop typing in that phone and do some praying,” Sister Julie’s voice startled him.

  Burt looked up, and she smiled down at him. He scooted over and made room for her on the bench. She shook her head and held out her hand.

  “Come with me. Let’s seek a higher power.”

  Burt got to his feet. “I’m not much of a churchgoer, Sister,” he explained.

  “Pah, you don’t need to have pew time to put in some face time with the Lord.”

  “Face time?”

  “Lift up your face to the heavens and pray.”

  “Wise advice.” He followed her to a large grassy area. Centered with the river to its back was all that was left of a wall of yellow dolomite. There was a small waterproofed altar adorned by candles and fresh flowers. Burt’s eyes traveled back to the section of surviving wall. Several of the nuns had knelt near the wall with their heads down. Burt moved to the end of the expanse and knelt down. He lowered his head and discretely looked at the eroded yellow rock. He edged closer and pushed his finger in the ground before him. It was loose soil mixed with yellow rock particles.

  He sat back on his knees and he raised his head. He could just see over the low wall and across the river. Burt’s gaze was drawn to a waterfall cut high into the hillside. Its water tumbled down upon the exposed rocks before adding its flow to the river. He looked above the fall and saw that at the cliff’s edge were ears of corn. He let his eyes travel along the top and spied the back of the billboard he knew stood behind the diner. He slowly moved back to the waterfall, estimating the distance and smiled as the realization hit him. The water that they heard under the bar may just be flowing towards the fall.

  Sister Julie’s discrete cough reminded him of his surroundings. He lowered his head and prayed for three things. One, that his knees would be clear of arthritis. Two, that he would find enough blessed yellow dolomite to send to Mia and Ted. And finally he prayed that there might be an alternate route to get them under the bar, so they wouldn’t have to face the two gangs on their way in.

  ~

  Ralph stretched his back while he took in the room. He had taken Mia’s dull little place and made it bright and efficient. He moved out her pasteboard computer desk and replaced it with a stunning reproduction of a Louis XIV desk and chair. The largeness of it complimented the sofa he had purchased and adorned with large pillows. The vertical blinds were softened with swags of fabric picking up the colors of the pillows. Her Ikea dining set was replaced with a round table with edging similar to the desk. These two pieces would balance the room. He placed an arrangement of silk flowers. He hated silk flowers but knew that Mia would probably never bother to replace the fresh ones he would have liked to have sitting there.

  The white sills and thresholds were in place. Their starkness added a clean line to his design. The boxes were cut down and carted away by Tom, who was pleased with the cash Ralph insisted he take for his services. All that was left was for Sabine to check the place out for intruders before Ralph added the final measure of salt to the entrance door.

  His phone vibrated, alerting him to a text. He looked at it and found it to be from Sabine. “All is fine, pour the salt. Cookies are burning.”

  “What?” Ralph rushed to the stove, and, yes, the last batch he put in the oven was overdone. He flipped off the oven after pulling the cookie sheet out. The realization took hold that Sabine had been there, and he didn’t even see her. He looked out the door and there was no car, no Sabine, no nothing.

  “Where are you?” Ralph typed in his phone and pressed send.

  “Home. I bilocated over there. Ask Mia. Ta ta.” Sabine sent back.

  Ralph shook his head in confusion for a brief moment and pushed it away as he still had work to do. He didn’t have time to ponder bilocation. He poured the salt and sealed the house. He placed a pitcher full of the stuff on a little table adjacent to the door. This would be the one place that Mia would have to replenish.

  He was feeling guilty about being happy that the museum had problems that kept Mia away from her house. Bernard was having a time of it. Ralph planned a spa getaway for the two of them as soon as the security manager returned to work. He would make it up to Bernard.

  ~

  Bernard put down the phone. He looked over at Mia who saw the concern on his face.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Father Santos’s assistant just called to tell me he had to leave immediately and wouldn’t be able to talk with Clara,” Bernard said in distress.

  “I’ll go,” Mia offered.

  Bernard looked fondly at her. “You don’t know the area. We don’t know her home situation…”

  “You would send the father there, why not me?”

  Bernard didn’t know how to respond without hurting Mia and undermining how far she had come socially. He fought to find the right words but failed.

  “I’ll go with her,” Ted insisted.

  Mia pointed out, “I’ll be careful. Ted’s got my back. I may not have the backing of the church, but I’ve seen a few things and dealt with a few more.”

  He considered his options. He could have the nervous cleaner come here, but with the lady in glass still causing problems, that wasn’t an option. The police still hadn’t questioned her. For the sake of the museum, he needed Clara to be calm and clear when they did. He looked over at Ted who had taken his ball cap out of his back pocket and was forming the brim. This wasn’t an idle young man but a smart professional. Mia would be in good hands.

  “Okay, but take a cab. She lives near Lincoln Park. Mary will give you her address.”

  Mia got up, walked over and grabbed Bernard’s hand. “While I’m gone, you rest. I don’t want to have to explain to Ralph how I wore you out and got you sick.”

  “Ralph,” Bernard said a bit too frantic. “I forgot to call him back.”

  Mia hugged him. “See, time to start thinking of home and less of the museum.” She let him go and accepted the cab fare with an odd look on her face. “This is too much.”

  “Bring back a deep dish pizza for supper. You know how I like it.”

  “Come on, Ted, time’s a wasting,” she called over to her PEEPs partner.

  Ted put on his cap, adjusted the brim and nodded to Bernard. He walked over and put his arm out, and Mia giggled as she took it. The two of them walked out the door laughing. Bernard smiled to himself. Ralph wanted Whitney for Mia. Others thought that Burt Hicks was the perfect match. He, however, had another horse in the race. The horse had no idea, but give him time.

  ~

  Mia looked out the window, taking in the lake as the cab took Lake Shore Drive north. She marveled at the beauty of the lake abutting a very thriving city. She preferred the calmness of her peninsula home on the much smaller lake, but part of her wanted to be brave and take in the excitement of this city from time to time. She felt this would make life so much fuller and more fun. Ted pointed out landmarks as they drove. The virtual tour he took on his laptop had not prepared him for the energy that this city exuded.

  The cab took a jag away from the lake, and they drove by the Chicago History Museum before heading north again. Mia was glad that she took the taxi as the traffic at this time of day in the Windy City, with the rush hour starting, took a pro to get safely through.

  The driver turned left, and they headed into a mixed neighborhood of commerce and apartment buildings. He pulled over at the address he had been given. Ted paid him, and the two left the cab and surveyed their surroundings. The three-story brick building
lacked charm, but its functionality and closeness to the heart of Old Town must have come with a steep rent.

  Ted and Mia climbed the steps. The entrance doors were locked and monitored by a camera and a weathered intercom entry system. Ted ran his hand down the list and looked for the Geffens’ name. Finding it, he pushed the corresponding button.

  “Hello?” a man’s voice came over the speaker.

  “Mia Cooper and Theodore Martin to see Clara,” Mia announced.

  The door buzzed, and Ted pushed it open, holding it for Mia. Inside they found a neat lobby lined with postboxes. Since they were only going up one floor, they took the stairs. When they reached the landing they stopped, puzzled about which way to go. A door opened to their right.

  “Miss Cooper, Mr. Martin,” a man called over to them to get their attention. He was tall and dressed in a bus driver’s uniform. He waved them over.

  Mia grabbed Ted’s hand. Surprised, he held it as they walked over. Mia kept staring beyond the man into the hallway. Ted squeezed her hand with concern. She looked up at him and said, “Later.”

  “My Clara, she is very frightened. We were told a priest would come, but now it is you,” Frank said, not masking the disappointment in his voice.

  “I understand a priest was promised, but I assure you, I can help her, Mr. Geffen,” Mia said calmly.

  “Frank, call me Frank,” he said and stepped back for them to enter the apartment.

  The first thing Mia noticed was how the place sparkled. The light danced off the polished surfaces of glass, wood, and Formica. The second thing was that there was an elderly Lithuanian woman standing in the corner glaring at her. Ted didn’t see her, he wasn’t meant to. Mia acknowledged her with a nod of the head, gripping Ted’s hand again. He purposely breathed slowly and loudly to indicate that she should do the same. She followed his advice and soon felt calmer. She let go of his hand.

  “Please sit,” Frank patted the back of a worn but cared for sofa.

  Mia sat down, reluctant to have the entity at her back. Ted sat next to her, putting a protective arm around the back of the sofa and his hand near her shoulder.

  Clara walked into the room as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Her face was puffy from hours of crying. Her nose had the redness that too many swipes with hankies caused. She sniffed and shook. Mia wanted to reach out to her, hold her, and tell her everything was going to be alright. But now wasn’t the time.

  Frank pulled up a wingchair, and Clara sat down in it. He offered her a quilt, but she said she was fine.

  “I am going to make some coffee. Would you like some?”

  “No, Frank, perhaps our guests?”

  Mia and Ted declined. He walked into the kitchen.

  Mia looked at the woman and started, “I don’t know how much Dr. Wesley has told you about me. I have certain gifts that I have been born with. I see things others don’t. I have worked to develop my talents to help people and spirits.” She watched Clara’s face for outrage or dismissal and found none. She continued, “I know you are in mourning for your friend Mr. Tan. I’m sorry. I assure you he has passed on.”

  Clara picked up her head and looked Mia in the eyes and challenged, “You know this how?”

  “I talked to him. He was hanging around, seeing if he could be of any help. I pointed out that it was time for his reward, and we would all be fine.” She stopped and looked sternly at the woman in front of her and said, “Don’t make a liar out of me, Clara.” Mia leaned forward. “I also saw the eyes in the glass. They were attached to a young woman dressed in a bathing costume.”

  “Evil woman!”

  “Could be, I’m not sure.” Mia took a deep breath. “I know you are going to hear it, or have already, but this spirit burst a glass window in the lab. Also the glass doors to the Egyptian display in the Main Store.”

  “She’s coming to kill me too.” Clara raised her eyebrows and her lower lip began shaking.

  “No, she’s not,” Mia said flatly.

  “How do you know this?” Clara asked.

  “I don’t think she can get out of the museum, and if she did, she’s not from around here. This is a big city. Plus, she has no idea who you are. She is simply an angry soul trapped in glass.”

  “I don’t understand. You said she breaks glass. You break glass and out you come. I know glass. I’ve been cleaning it since I came to this country with my momma.”

  “I heard you were an expert on glass. We, Mr. Martin and I, would like you to consult with us regarding different types of glass.”

  “You have to explain.”

  “First, let me tell you what happened to me, and then I want to hear what happened to you. Your words, your feelings. Okay?”

  Clara nodded.

  Mia sat back and told her everything since the moment she walked into the lab where Dr. Tan had died.

  Clara interrupted, “He knew I loved glass. He was so smart and kind.”

  “Yes, he was.”

  “Go on, tell me more.”

  Mia told her everything she thought the woman needed to know. She added that she and Ted were called in to help Bernard with this paranormal emergency.

  “You, Mr. Martin, what is it that you do?”

  “I find ways for them to talk to us. Ways for us to hear them. We can’t help them if we don’t know what they need. I use gadgets. Some I have to invent.”

  “Smart fellow.” Clara nodded. “But not all ghosts want to leave, some want to stay,” she said astutely.

  “Yes, some want to stay to watch out for their loved ones. Others want to hurt their enemies. Some are just lost,” Mia listed.

  “You don’t seem too surprised that Mia here can see ghosts,” Ted observed.

  “In my village when I was small, there was a girl who saw spirits. She had eyes like Miss Cooper.”

  “Tell us what happened to you at the museum,” Ted asked gently.

  Clara acquiesced, and as she told her story she seemed to gain confidence. She was mad at herself for breaking down. She wanted to be brave like her momma and fight this thing. Her momma fought for their freedom. She brought her family to the United States and worked hard and became a citizen. She kept her brothers and her away from bad influences.

  Frank came out of the kitchen and walked over to his wife. He knelt down at her feet. “You are like your momma. You took care of little Frankie when he had the pox. And Amy with the croup, you breathed life into her when she could not breathe for herself until the ambulance came. You kept them away from the gangs, made sure they earned their education. You keep a home your momma would be proud of.”

  Mia felt her eyes tear up and her nose tickle, a sure sign she was going to cry. She pulled herself together. “Do you still want to fight this thing?”

  Clara looked over at her. “Yes.”

  “Then tell Ted and me about glass.”

  “Glass? Why?”

  “We have no idea why the spirit can move from glass window to glass objects to mirrors to doors, but can’t escape. She can break things, she has so much power. I think if we could get a better understanding of the glass in the museum, maybe we could figure out a solution,” Ted explained.

  “Some glass is warm…” Clara started. She continued to school the young couple about her livelihood. As she talked she grew stronger, and the woman in the corner stopped wringing her hands.

  Ted pulled out a notebook and jotted down a few things as Clara described the difference between the standard plating and the glass that was under pressure from being airtight.

  “Plexiglas you can clean, but it doesn’t hold up to cleaner. It clouds. It moves, bends, but isn’t alive like glass is,” Clara pointed out.

  Ted nodded and asked, “There is glass that has wire in it…”

  “No, pressed between two sheets. Like sandwich,” Clara corrected.

  Mia took a moment to get up and stretch her legs. She turned around and was face to face with the old crone. Aside from a sharp int
ake of air, she didn’t let the others know what was going on. She closed her eyes briefly and pushed questions with her mind. “What do you want? Why are you here?” Mia opened her eyes and watched the apparition.

  The old woman backed up and nodded at Clara. Her hands formed fists and released several times.

  “Are you mad at Clara?” she asked silently.

  The woman shook her head no.

  “Do you want Clara to become strong?”

  The woman nodded her head.

  “She is becoming strong. Look at her. Look at her spine. She is as strong as you are.”

  The woman moved past Mia and over to stand behind Clara. Mia turned around and sat back on the couch. Ted was asking some technical questions about cleaners and Clara was giving him her best recommendations.

  Mia waited for them to finish before speaking. “Clara, what I’ve told you about myself is, well, private. I would appreciate you not telling the police about me.”

  “I promise. I think I tell the police I saw smoke in the fulgurite, and it made me ill. I go to bathroom. When I get back, Dr. Tan was dead.”

  Mia nodded. “The simplest answer is always the best one.”

  “What do you think happened to this woman in the glass?” Clara asked. “How she get trapped in there?”

  “This is just a theory we are working on, but we believe lightning killed her and made the fulgurite at the same time,” Ted explained. We have people researching, trying to find out who she was. We know it’s a woman from what you and Mia have told us. We know by her clothing an approximate time. We know where the fulgurite was formed. Now we just need to connect the dots.”

  Mia moved forward to the edge of the sofa. “When we know who she is and what her motives are, then we can determine how we deal with her. Do we help her cross over or…”

  “Trap her where she can’t kill another person,” Clara finished. “I would like to help you do this.”

  “It will be dangerous. I can’t ask you to do this,” Mia said seriously.