Spine Chillers: Paranormal Stories

by Grant Caldwell

  Spine Chillers

  Paranormal Stories

  by

  Grant Caldwell

  Acclaim for Grant Caldwell:

  “I got goose bumps reading these stories. Great Halloween gift.”

  — PJC

  “It captivated me. I couldn’t put the book down. I read it through in one night. Of course, I had to leave a light on.”

  — Emily Johnson

  “For a new author, great job, Grant! I want to read more of your books. I will definitely support your next book. Great Job!”

  — Terry Michaels

  Spine Chillers

  Paranormal Stories

  Copyright © 2012 by Grant Caldwell

  All rights reserved.

  Ebook Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to your favorite ebook store and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Butterflies Collide

  The Gold Watch

  Pick and Treat

  Spine Chillers

  Paranormal Stories

  BUTTERFLIES COLLIDE

  Leaning against the green old-fashioned light post, I took one last drag on my Marlboro cigarette, flicked it on the multicolor pavers, and made my way to Rum Runner’s entrance.

  The cold October wind clawed at my face, hastening my pace toward the steel and glass door. As I approached the tavern, two bright-eyed coeds rapidly exited, glancing smiles my way. As they made their departure, I could feel the toasty air begin to warm my face and hands. The smell of alcohol, cologne, cigarettes, and perfume filled the establishment.

  Surveying the bar, I spotted a giant yellow surfboard tattooedin red footprints next to an orange and green “Beer” sign.Yes, exactly what I needed.

  I wrestled my way through the costume-clad crowd. I couldn’t help bobbing my head and sing ing to the mellifluous notes pouring out of the two dueling pianos.

  A group of sorority girls belted out a chorus at the top of their lungs in drunken harmony: “All you want to do is ride around Sally. . . Ride Sally, ride. . . ” I laughed as I passed the young girls and headed for the smaller, quieter bar away from all the drunkards.

  “What can I get you, tonight?” The slim man inquired while looking over my shoulder, his attention focused on a tall redheaded woman standing behind me.

  My mother,God rest her soul, had always taught me to be a gentleman. I moved out of the way, and the attractive woman put her hands on the bar and took a deep breath. “I would like a Coke, please,” she sighed.

  “Sure, sweetheart. Wait a minute? I know you, don’t I?” The blue-eyed man questioned.

  “Yes, Dillon, you do know me,” she said softly as she nervously shifted her weight from heel to heel.

  “Oh my God, Amber is that you?” The bartender beamed, “You’re alive. I thought you had died.”

  “Something like that,” Amber muttered, averting her eyes and staring out the small window behind the bar.

  Sensing their conversation was about to get interesting, I decided to take a seat at the small, unoccupied table next to the bar. I could wait to order my drink. Besides, my legs started to hurt.

  “What do you mean? What happened to you?” Dillon’s brows furrowed and his mouth tightened, focusing on her beautiful, pale face.

  “Oh, Dillon, I am so sorry.” Amber’s green eyes glistened through her tears.

  In an attempt to comfort her, Dillon reached for her hand. The chill of her hand startled him. “You’re so cold.”

  “Yes, I am.” She frowned as she pulled her hand away quickly.

  “What is going on? Amber, are you okay?” Dillon insisted.

  “Dillon, come sit next to me. There is so much I need to share with you,” Amber reassured him.

  Amber’s high heels clicked across the dark hardwood floor as she made her way over to my table. The scent of her perfume teased my senses; it smelled divine but her aura was cool. She slowly settled herself onto the chair’s leather cushion, never taking her eyes off Dillon.

  “Johnny, can you take over for me?” Dillon asked the young blonde bartender who was fiddling with one of the keg nozzles.

  “Sure, Boss man,” he cheerfully answered.

  As I watched Dillon struggle to make his way to the table, I realized that I had met this man somewhere in my past. I strained to remember, but nothing came into my mind.

  Dillon put all his weight on his right foot as he limped, slowly dragging his left one behind him.

  “Don’t forget your crutch, Boss.” Johnny handed him a walnut-colored cane and Dillon reluctantly took the medical aid.

  “Thanks, Johnny.” He grimaced, making his way to the table.

  Amber pulled out a chair, politely ignoring his handicap. “You are the boss.”

  “I am the owner,” Dillon chuckled, finally reaching the seat and collapsing onto the cushion.

  “Congratulations!” She gave him a faint smile.

  “Amber, I don’t mean to be rude, but I am having a difficult time,” Dillon flatly stated. “I haven’t seen you for six years to the date. You disappear without a trace, and then you just show up. ”

  “Calm down, Dillon. I will explain everything. I promise,” she calmly responded, tucking her long amber-red bangs behind her ears.

  Dillon’s eyes filled with tears. “I loved you with all my heart, and you vanished. You simply disappeared. Do you know what that does to a man?” His tone became angry.

  “Dillon, do you remember that night?”

  “Everyday.” He blinked back the tears, staring into her deep emerald eyes.

  “Tell me. What do you remember?” She encouraged him.

  “I remember standing on the cupola of the Carson House, breathing the cool, salty air, reaching into my pocket for my cell phone. After fumbling around, I pulled it out and dialed your number, anxious for you to arrive.” Dillon spoke and smiled, clearly recalling the memory.

  “I remember my phone ringing and being so excited when you called me. I was on highway 101, twenty miles away from Arcata. Your voice filled me with such joy and excitement. I couldn’t wait to see you. I couldn’t believe you convinced the Ingomar Club that you were related to William Carson. You always were a great BSer. ” Amber said, grinning.

  “Yes, that did take a little work, but you wanted to go to that mansion. I loved you—love you,” Dillon’s voice trailed off.

  “I never stopped loving you, Dillon, but it’s important that you continue. Please,” her voice sounded desperate.

  “Okay—okay. You told me you were about 40 minutes away. You said you had a big surprise for me, but you needed me to go to the store and get some champagne because you forgot. ” Dillon looked over in my direction, but focused on the red brick wall behind me.

  Amber smiled and gave a little laugh. “Yes, Dillon, I remember. I drove right past the last liquor store. I was so excited to see you. I remember the last thing I told you. It was—”

  “You will never forget this night,’” he whispered, pain in his voice.

  Her deep green eyes filled with tears. “It was supposed to be a great night.”

  “Well, it has been a living hell,” he whispered angrily.

  “Continue, please. It is very important. It will give you answers. ” She reached for his hand, but stopped momentarily. Under the tabl
e, she donned a pink glove and then placed her hand on top of Dillon’s hands.

  Dillon was so distraught that he didn’t notice. He seemed happy to have her pressed against him, and he clearly needed her reassurance. This was such a tragedy: intensely painful and personal.

  Come to think of it, I couldn’t believe that these two were sharing this story right in front of me. I couldn’t believe that they hadn’t asked me to leave or go somewhere else. I was engulfed in this story, but the pain in my legs was starting to increase, especially in my right knee.

  “After we talked, I shuffled down all those stairs in that giant mansion. I sprinted across the neatly manicured lawn to my black Mercedes. I flung open the door and jumped into the driver’s seat with champagne on my mind. I wanted to make it home before you got there. ” Dillon recalled the events with a large smile upon his face.

  “What happened next?” She gently prodded.

  “I remember going south onM street. I had the window rolled down; my radio was blaring. I remember thinking I was the luckiest man alive—I couldn’t wait to ask you to marry me—you were going to be so surprised.”

  “Go on,” she softly responded.

  I suddenly got a sharp pain in my wrist. It felt like something had smashed up against it, and my fingers were a little numb. It hurt so badly, but I couldn’t pull myself away from their story.

  “I had just crossed the westbound lane of Highway 101. I was approaching the store and excited about the time we would spend together. As I crossed the eastbound, everything was a blur. I vaguely remember seeing a giant Mack truck, the driver’s hand smashing against the large truck mirror and a blue cap falling into the street. After the collision, my world turned black.

  “What happened when you woke up, Dillon?” She stared intensely into his eyes.

  “I woke up in a hospital room with a mangled left foot. I looked for you—Oh God—nobody was there. I was alone. How could you abandon me?” He yelled, tears streaming down his face.

  “Dillon, I never abandoned you. A truck hit me,” she whispered.

  “What? I don’t understand,” he said. His eyes widened.

  “The driver who hit you hit me too. After ramming into you, police believe the truck driver crossed over to the opposite lane.”

  “Oh my God,” Dillon’s voice trembled. A look of guilt crossed his face.

  “Don’t feel guilty, Dillon. You didn’t know. ” She pressed down on his hands and gently smiled. “After our phone call, I passed theHarry A. Merlo State Recreation Centersign.The road began to curve, and I noticed a beautiful bridge over Big Lagoon. I couldn’t resist. When I reached the crossing, I pulled over on the narrow shoulder; I was confident nobody would be out that late.”

  “I don’t like where this is going, Amber. Please tell me this didn’t hap—”

  “Let me finish, baby. Let me finish,” Amber interrupted. I didn’t like the sound of what was going to happen. I felt like I should leave, yet I couldn’t. My legs, arms and hands were hurting. My face started tingling.

  “I rolled my windows down to inhale the crisp, salty air. I leaned the seat back thinking about how unforgettable our night was going to be. I closed my eyes and saw visions of you. ”

  As tears poured down Dillon’s face, a heavy pressure crushed my chest. My lungs burned, and the taste of blood filled my mouth. I wincedin pain, squeezing my eyes shut. My heart raced.What’s happening to me?

  “Calm down,” Amber whispered. She seemed to be talking to me although she was looking directly at Dillon. Mysteriously, all the pain throughout my body slowly subsided.

  “Amber, you don’t have to say anymore. We are together now. That is all that matters. ” Dillon looked hopeful; he desperately needed his words to be true.

  “I must finish my story,” she pressed. “As I was saying, I was fantasizing about our Halloween evening. I pictured a romantic dinner in the house, a large Halloween party and an intimate picnic in the moonlight. The moon, however, grew brighter; it shone as bright as the sun. I opened my eyes and realized two large headlights were—”

  “Please stop,” Dillon interrupted. “I cursed you for years because you abandoned me. Now, after hearing your words, my indignation appears misguided and foolish.”

  “You must hear this story in its entirety. It is the only way you will heal.” Her bright eyes pleaded with him. She continued her story, “The crunch of twisting metal filled my ears, a thousand shards of glass stung my face, and trickles of blood streamed down my cheeks. The bright glare of headlamps faded, replaced by the soft glow of red taillights.”

  “What? The bastard didn’t stop!” A vein bulged out of his forehead; his face turned crimson. “What person wouldn’t even stop.”

  “A drunk,” she said flatly. “A drunkard. Just like the ones you’re serving right now.”

  The truth of her words hit Dillon like a freight train. Cradling his head in his callused hands, I heard his soft moans of pain. I felt bad for the guy.He must have been thinking something like: “How many people have I unwittingly hurt or possibly killed?” The guilt he must feel. I couldn’t imagine hurting anyone. Speaking of hurt, I couldn’t believe all my ailments had simply vanished.

  “Look at me, Dillon,” she shouted. “Look at me. You need to face the truth. ” Her eyes flashed with anger and sadness. Dillon’s bloodshot eyes looked into hers. “This is the only way you willliveagain. Listen. And then let go.”

  He looked perplexed by her words, but he said nothing. To my amazement, I fully understood; I had a strange connection with this woman. Although she was a stranger, I knew her. Our worlds collided long ago.

  Amber resumed her story. “When the salted breeze burned my airways, I knew I had punctured my lungs. My hand searched in vain to find my cellphone. I needed to hear your voice. I needed comfort. I cried out to you. I begged God, but my cries went unanswered.

  “Unable to find the phone, I tried to leave the wreckage. I pounded against the door, but it wouldn’t yield. I tried to pull myself out of the window, but quickly discovered my legs no longer worked. Frustrated, I beat my head against the back of the chair.

  “Catching a glimpse of my sliced face made matters worse. I screamed and yelled, cursing God for not protecting me. I thrashed about like fish trapped in a net.” She sighed. Dillon and I sat motionless, mesmerized by the horrible image.

  “I screamed for you, Dillon. I screamed for you to save me, but you didn’t come. ” Tears began to fall from her porcelain cheeks. “I was so angry. I continued to swear and rock in my seat until I heard the creak.

  “My body froze in the dark chair. A chill shot down my spine as I felt the car begin to tilt backward. I screamed in horror listening to the underbelly of my Mustang slowly scrape against the bridge’s railing. The hood of my vehicle rose higher and higher.

  “I grabbed the steering wheel, and begged God for forgiveness. As I finished my prayer, I felt the coolness of my crucifix against my bosom. God was with me. I smiled and then the car flipped. I felt weightless like a feather. No, a bird. Everything slowed down; I hovered high in the sky. For a moment, I thought I saw you looking at me from the mansion.

  “Then I felt gravity. I was no longer weightless; I became a rock, falling fast toward the water. Fortunately, I had made my peace with God and my fear vanished. I simplylet go and heard the crash of the hood. All went still. ” She looked down at the wooden table.

  “I am so sorry. I should have been there. Please forgive me. Please forgive me,” Dillon begged. “Wait. How did you survive? How is your face not scarred? When—”

  She interrupted him, “I don’t need to forgive you. You did nothing wrong. Dillon, you need to forgive the truck driver; the man who changed our lives.”

  “Never. I will never forgive that son-of-bitch. I hope he burns in hell!” Dillon’s face contorted to an evil snarl.

  “I am not finished with my story. I hope you will reconsider your position when—”

  “Never,”
he retorted.

  I couldn’t believe that Amber wanted Dillon to forgive the monster who had hurt her and maimed him.Who is this woman? Is she an angel? As the thought crossed my mind, excruciating pain returned to my body. I clutched the table and grit my teeth. My eyes watered, and I fought for breath.

  “You need to listen or you will be the one going to hell.” She spoke with authority. “You, indirectly, caused all of this to happen.”

  “You don’t know what you’re saying,” Dillon responded.

  “Oh, yes, I do.” Her face was sober. No trace of tears or sadness remained. “You killed a man when you were a teenager.”

  Dillon’s face went pale. “Keep your voice down. I didn’t kill anybody.”