After dinner, Nathan went off to nap, and Daniel sat in the living room reading a magazine. Brody sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee to top off the meal. He turned on his laptop, studying the story about Herbert Grezley again. Although Brody had his doubts about a ghost appearing, he still thought the trip would be fun. It brought back memories of his youth, when he and a few of his buddies had gone to a cemetery on Halloween night and scared the crap out of one another with tricks each prepared for the occasion. Brody chuckled as he recalled the item Tony had brought along—smoke bombs meant to send up pale grey clouds, formed to look like ghosts. They’d almost believed him until he’d accidentally dropped one on the ground and started a grass fire.
* * * *
Stars showered the clear skies above, and the full moon lit their way. A soft, cool breeze swept the grassy fields before the lonely road to the cemetery. Only Brody carried a loaded rifle. Nathan was armed with a Thermos full of coffee, while Daniel carried a large flashlight in his jacket pocket.
As usual, Nathan lagged behind a few paces, but he moved along without stumbling. Brody stopped at the edge of the road and motioned to the others. “I doubt we’ll run into any traffic on this deserted road, but be careful anyway.” They looked both ways before stepping onto the blacktop. Without streetlights, it would be easy to see any headlights coming in either direction.
The silence was deafening, not even broken by the whisper of a creature lurking in the dark. With only the stars and moon for light, they made their way to the gate marking the entrance of the home of the dead. “Are you sure we should be doing this?” Daniel asked in a concerned tone.
“Oh, come on!” Brody shook his head. “There is nothing more here than was here in the daylight. Stop being a sissy and get the flashlight ready. We’re going to solve this mystery for once and for all. Now let’s go.”
Through the gate and onto to a winding, narrow road they went, Brody out front. Shadows fell across the standing monuments and shifted from one place to another, as though they were alive. It was dead quiet—not even the usual call of owls disturbed the night. Suddenly, a strong gust of cold air hit them like a slap in the face. All three stopped and eyed their surroundings from every angle. Nothing seemed out of place.
“Okay, it’s only the night air,” Brody concluded. “It is the end of October, after all. What do you expect, a warm summer breeze? Let’s keep going; it’s a ways to go yet to the mausoleum.”
Nathan no longer brought up the rear; he kept right up with Brody, walking briskly at his side. Daniel followed close behind, keeping a watchful eye out for any movement or strange things lurking in the dark. The taller monuments took on an appearance of moving, yet they stayed in place right where they were.
Brody paused and turned around to face Daniel. “What’s so funny?”
“Funny? Don’t ask me; you’re the one laughing.”
“Not me.” Brody did a double take on Nathan. “Did you just laugh?”
“No. I thought it was Daniel, too.”
Three pairs of eyes shifted around in every direction. Brody raised an open hand in the air. “Hold it. We’re hearing things that are not real. There’s a breeze now, and it might be making a sound like someone laughing. Let’s not let it get to us.” He waved them forward. “Come on.”
They went on, but at a much slower pace, letting caution guide them as they watched for anything out of the ordinary. Daniel bumped into Brody’s backside while gazing at a tall statue of an angel with its wings spread far apart, like a giant eagle.
Brody whirled around. “Watch it! You almost knocked me down.”
“Sorry.”
The moon shone down on the top of the mausoleum, now in sight in the distance. They came to a paved walkway veering off to the right. “It’s this way,” Brody directed. “They sure don’t take care of things too good around here. Look at the high grass around some of these monuments. You’d think they could at least keep it trimmed.”
“This cemetery has been here for more than a hundred years,” Nathan reminded him. “I guess they don’t get many visitors, so why bother?”
Daniel switched on the flashlight and aimed it at the mausoleum, but the beam didn’t light the way more than a few yards ahead of them. “The dark is so thick the light won’t even penetrate it,” he muttered.
The closer they came to their destination, the colder it got—so cold they all began to shiver. Nathan pulled the collar of his jacket up higher on his neck. “The predictions of snow tonight might be right on target; the temperature’s sure dropping.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time it snowed on Halloween,” Daniel replied. “By the way, what are we supposed to do when we get to the mausoleum?”
“The article said the guy who was terrorized by the ghost was right beside the building when it happened,” Brody told them. “We can’t get inside there anyway; the place is locked up tight. Can’t say if there’s a night watchman around, either. Don’t want to get arrested for trespassing.”
“I’d rather not go inside anyway, permission or not,” Daniel said, a little too loudly. It was then they heard laughter again. “That’s no wind, my friends.” Daniel hastened his gait to catch up with them. “I’m sure you both heard what I just heard. What do we do now?”
Brody patted his hunched shoulder. “Think about it. It’s Halloween, and there could be kids around having a little fun. We’ll keep going and pay no attention.”
“I hope you’re right,” Daniel replied.
“What’s the story about this Herbert somebody?” Nathan asked.
“Herbert Grezley was a rich man who came from England back in the mid-1800s,” Brody told them. “He made another small fortune here in the States, mining rare gems. He found gold and silver out here in the west, as well. Made quite a name for himself. Of course he already came from wealth; he had the best men and equipment money could buy. His old mines are abandoned as far as I know, but they weren’t the safest anyway, so maybe they’ve been filled in. Many of his men lost their lives because of Herbert’s selfishness. He didn’t care about anyone but himself and his money. He never even married—no woman wanted him, money or not. A real nasty guy, he was.”
“So how did he get here?” Nathan asked. “Someone had to bury him in his crypt.”
“I don’t know,” Brody replied. “Maybe he made arrangements before he alienated everyone around him.”
“What happened to all his money?” Daniel asked.
“The story said one of his men stole all of his holdings at the time of his death, by saying he was related. It was never proven he wasn’t, so he managed to get the estate. Back then they didn’t check into backgrounds like they do today.”
“I don’t know about you guys,” Daniel announced, “but if this Herbert character shows up, I’m not sticking around to interview him.”
“Do you really think a ghost will appear and talk to us?” Nathan asked.
“Don’t be too skeptical. We could be faced with the same thing that happened to…” Brody paused. “What’s his name? You know, the guy who went insane after coming here on Halloween last year.”
“James Peterson,” Daniel supplied.
“Yeah, that sounds right.” Brody pointed. “Look, we’re almost there. I can see the front door on the building. Pretty big place.”
They approached the mausoleum with caution. The air was much colder now than when they’d first come into the cemetery. Their short trip hadn’t lasted long enough for the temperature to drop so drastically. Brody was beginning to wonder if something supernatural was to blame, after all.
“Okay, now we’re here, what next?” Nathan had just gotten the words out of his mouth when a loud screech, like metal against metal, rang out from the building.
“What was that?” Daniel’s voice trembled, as did the beam of his flashlight.
“Don’t ask me.” Brody looked around. “Could be those kids we suspected, trying to be cute.”
&
nbsp; “Kids, my foot,” Nathan said. “It came from inside the tomb.”
The sky darkened, the stars and moon suddenly disappearing from the clear sky. Pitch darkness surrounded them like a thick blanket. “Turn the flashlight back on, Daniel,” Brody ordered. “What were you thinking?”
“It went out by itself! And it won’t come on again.” Daniel rapped the flashlight against the mausoleum’s wall, but it still didn’t light. “Great. I can’t even see my hand in front of my face.”
“Are the batteries old?” asked Nathan.
“I put new ones in there yesterday, and I haven’t used the thing except for just now.”
“Maybe those batteries were no good.” Brody reached out to him. “Here, let me have a go at it.”
Daniel handed over the dead flashlight. As he did, a wedge of light shone around the door of the crypt, which stood partially open. “Uh, guys?” He shook Brody by the shoulder. “Wasn’t that door locked before?”
Before anyone could answer, the door swung open wider, and the light grew so bright it blinded them. “What is this?” Nathan shouted, holding his hand over his eyes to shade them. Sinister laughter followed the light out the door. “Okay, let’s get out of here!”
“Now wait a minute!” Brody called out. “There could be someone in there, and not necessarily a ghost. Just stand still and don’t talk.”
They froze and lost their chance to escape. The light circled them and enclosed them. Freezing air whooshed around them like a blizzard in the depth of winter. Then everything went black.
* * * *
Rose dropped a piece of candy in the last trick-or-treater’s bag and hurried inside to answer the phone. “Hello?”
“Hi, Rose, it’s Debra. Have you heard from the guys?”
“Not since earlier today. I guess they went ahead with their trip to the cemetery. Silly fools.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” Debra’s words were tight with anxiety. “My neighbor knows the wife of the guy who was traumatized there last year. She says there could be something to the story, and it’s not safe. I hope our men aren’t taking any chances.”
“What all did your neighbor tell you?”
“She said this James person has never been the same. He’s still in therapy and the doctor doesn’t know if he’ll ever be right. He described a large, transparent man-shape and a bright light all around him. I don’t like the sound of it. I hate to ask, but can you call Brody on his cell phone? Nathan must not have his with him, I tried and he’s not answering.”
“Sure thing. Hold on; I’ll use my cell and see if I can reach him.”
Rose set the phone down and rushed to the hall table where she’d left her cell. She punched in Brody’s number. She frowned as it rang to its limit, and then listened to his voicemail message. “Brody, call me right back,” she said, and hung up. Hopefully the urgency in her tone would worry him a little, so he’d put their foolish ghost games on hold long enough to check in.
She waited another moment before going back to the phone in the living room. “Debra, I can’t get him. He either has his phone turned off, or bad weather is messing with his signal. Try not to worry; Brody is good about taking precautions. If anything looks to be trouble, I’m sure he’ll get them out of there.”
Debra sighed. “I hope you’re right, but I still have a bad feeling about this.”
“Oh, come on, you shouldn’t freak out because you heard about a man who obviously had a breakdown for whatever reason and thought he saw a ghost. We hear this kind of stuff all the time.”
“Maybe you’re right. So, did you get a lot of trick-or-treaters?”
“The usual crowd, and one tall kid I’ve never seen before. He almost looked like an adult, but he wore a mask so I couldn’t tell. Kind of scared me a little.”
“And you talk about me.” Debra laughed. “Some overgrown kid comes to your door, and right away you think he’s Jason, huh?”
“Hey, it’s Halloween. I’ve gotta go, but if I hear from the guys I’ll call you.”
“Yes, be sure to let me know.” Debra let out another sigh, long and troubled. “Otherwise, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Good night.” Rose hung up and sat on the sofa, thinking about her husband and what could be happening. She didn’t want to admit to Debra how worried she also was. But it wasn’t the first time Brody had given her cause for concern, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.
It was getting late, and she had to check on Cindy and the other dogs. Afterward she would try Brody’s cell again. Her nerves couldn’t withstand much more of him off on these crazy trips. Why couldn’t he just go on his yearly excursions without making it some odd adventure out of it? The hunting trip was enough, so why a trip to an old cemetery? Ghosts, huh! Still, as she opened the back door to let the dogs out, she looked up to the sky and said a little prayer.
* * * *
The dank smell of stale air surrounded the men. They found themselves in a long tunnel, lit by oil lamps hung on poles every twenty feet or so. The ceiling was just high enough for them to walk without crouching. It appeared to be an old mineshaft.
“What happened?” Nathan rubbed his eyes and blinked several times.
“I don’t know. Looks like we’re underground.” Brody glanced around. “There must be an opening under the building and we just stumbled into it. Don’t ask me how, because I haven’t got a clue.” He paused. “Where’s Daniel?”
“What do you mean? He was with us when everything went black.” Nathan began to shake from the chill. “This doesn’t make any sense. We were standing outside the building, how did we end up here?”
“I don’t know. Just take it easy. Our first mission is to find Daniel. Go slowly and watch where you’re stepping. Who knows what’s in this place.”
“Someone, and I don’t mean a ghost, had to put these lamps on the walls and light them,” Nathan said, gazing at the one to his left.
“I think you’re right, my friend. That’s why we have to be careful. I still have my rifle, and it’s loaded, so stay behind me and let’s get moving. It looks like the tunnel turns to the right up ahead. We’ll go slowly until we reach the bend.”
They moved slowly, staying close to the wall on the left as the path curved to the right. Suddenly they heard the same sinister laughter they’d heard outside, and both men halted until it stopped. Now more than ever they’d have to proceed with extreme caution.
The turn led them to more of the same, only this time the tunnel ran straight. More oil lamps hung on the walls, ending a few hundred feet ahead. Nothing but darkness lay beyond.
“What do we do when we run out of light?” Nathan asked.
Brody grunted. “We’ll figure it out when we get there.”
“Maybe those prankster kids are hiding up ahead and will jump out and yell trick-or-treat.”
“Nathan, don’t joke about this. I’m halfway out of my mind trying to figure out where we are and how we got here. And where is Daniel?”
Nathan sighed. “I’m just as scared as you are. I can’t even think straight.”
“Well, try not to think. We need to go on.” Brody patted Nathan on the shoulder, and then began to inch forward again. The path grew narrower and darker as the two men moved along the wall, watching for anything and everything.
“Do you think Daniel got away and went for help?” Nathan asked.
“It’s possible, but he was right beside us when we ended up in this smelly tunnel. If he did get away, I’m sure he’s gone off to get someone out here. At least, I hope so.”
“Yeah, me too, but what if he’s in here somewhere, hurt or unconscious or…”
“Don’t go there, Nathan. He’s okay, wherever he is.”
“I’m not so sure about that, Brody. He’s young and inexperienced. He may be an attorney now, but book learning doesn’t give you good old-fashioned know-how.”
They came to the last lamp, and stopped to assess what do to next—go for
ward, or turn back? The air had grown thick with a sweet scent they couldn’t identify.
The familiar menacing laugh sounded again. A pale grey form appeared through the blackness and drifted toward them. A low, threatening voice followed. “Welcome to my gold mine. You will be my guests for some time. Now go to sleep.”
Brody and Nathan struggled to stay on their feet, but dizziness overcame them. They fell to the floor. Hideous laughter echoed all around them as they lay helpless on the cold stone. “You are now in my dimension. I will feed on your energy as long as I choose. Such is the fate of all who steal from me.”
Ghostly images swam before Brody’s half-open eyes; first, the faces of strangers who cried out as if in pain. Then he saw images of his wife, Nathan’s wife, and his grown children. His dogs appeared, running around and around him, yelping. Surely this was hell.
Brody closed his eyes, unable to bear the torture. Nathan lay at his side, moaning.
* * * *
Daniel ran as fast as he could, heading for the cemetery gate. He stumbled in a deep pothole, jamming his ankle, but he got up and went on, limping all the way down the road. Nearly out of breath, he hurried across the graveyard, fighting his fear and wondering where his companions had gone. He had to call someone for help. The police, forest rangers, highway patrol—he had plenty to choose from, but first he had to get to the cabin and to a phone. Despite his having charged it that morning, his cell was as dead and useless as the flashlight.
As he reached the edge of the field, a huge shadow overtook him. Daniel hit the dirt facedown, his eyes going wide. He held his breath, afraid to even stir the overgrown grass that hid him. The figure hovered overhead, and then flew off.
Daniel pushed up on his knees and scanned the area around him. The shadow was gone, but he was still certain it hadn’t been a bird. Not even the largest hawks or eagles were so big. His fears quickened. Could he make it to the cabin before the specter swooped down on him and carried him away?
The Ghost of Herbert Grezley Page 3