Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1)

by Nellie H. Steele

  Michael and Damien gulped, glancing at each other. “Well,” Michael said, “I guess we’ll take the ride then.”

  “You sure this is a good idea?” Damien whispered as they approached the car to get in.

  “Well, better this than getting arrested. Let’s hope Josie is up there and isn’t too mad to vouch for us.”

  Without a word, the man slid behind the wheel. He fired the engine and swung the car around toward the house. Within a few minutes they were approaching a large, gothic-style house. Michael and Damien peered from the windows of the car at it.

  “That’s one spooky house,” Damien mumbled.

  They pulled up to the front door, and they all exited the car. “This way,” the man said. He motioned them through the front door. They entered the foyer, both of them gaped around at the entryway. They noticed a woman coming across the foyer. “Oh, Mrs. Stanton,” the man said.

  “Yes?” the woman answered.

  “I found these two characters hanging around near the end of the driveway. Claim they know Mrs. Buckley.”

  “Oh?” The woman eyed Michael and Damien. “Well, let me get her, she’s in the sitting room. Celine? Celine!” The woman called through the doorway.

  “Umm,” Michael began, “I think there’s been a mistake, we were looking for…” He stopped mid-sentence as Josie appeared at the doorway, accompanied by the man from the motel.

  “Celine, Henry discovered these two men on the property. They say they’re friends of yours?”

  Josie was staring at them both. Damien surmised if looks could kill they’d both be dead many times over. She sighed. “Oh yes, I know them.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Mrs. Buckley, had I known, I would have picked them up from the train station, they didn’t have to walk from town.” The man turned apologetic.

  “No problem, Henry. I didn’t realize they were coming. They weren’t expected,” Josie answered, glaring at the two of them.

  “Well, I’m glad you made it, would you all like to join us in the sitting room for a nightcap?” Charlotte asked, the picture of politeness.

  “I’d like a moment to speak to them alone and then I’m sure they’ll need to be on their way. I assume they’ve got an early morning train to catch back home.”

  Michael opened his mouth to answer but Henry beat him to it. “No, won’t be another train passing through all weekend, Mrs. Buckley. They don’t run trains no more on weekends here. They won’t be able to get out of town until at least Monday.”

  Josie closed her eyes a moment, gathering her thoughts. Before she could respond, Charlotte was taking over, always the gracious hostess. “Oh, heavens, well, I’m sorry to hear that you’re stranded here! Of course, you’ll be staying with us?”

  Josie watched the situation spiraling out of her control, unable to stop it without looking suspicious to someone in the room. Gray stepped in, sensing her tension. “I’m sure they have a room at the inn, Char, perhaps it’s best they stay there.”

  “Oh, nonsense, they are friends of Celine, they’ll stay the weekend with us. Henry was just heading into town, he can pick up your luggage and bring it up on his way back.” She smiled graciously at the two of them then at Josie.

  “Well, thank you, Mrs., uh, Stanton, was it?” Michael said, matching her gracious smile. “We would be more than happy to stay and are so grateful for your hospitality.”

  “Oh, wonderful. I’ll have Mrs. Paxton prepare two rooms and Henry, if you would be so kind as to gather their bags on your way into town?”

  Michael handed him the key to their room. “Room five, thanks a lot!”

  Charlotte left to attend to having their rooms made up and Henry headed out the door to the car, leaving Michael and Damien alone with Josie and Grayson. “Well, you worked that out pretty well, didn’t you?” Josie said, crossing her arms.

  “I think it’s best if…” Gray began.

  “Gray, can you give us a minute alone, please?” Josie requested.

  “You sure?” he asked.

  “I’m sure, thanks.”

  “I’ll be upstairs,” he said, squeezing her arm and making his way across the foyer and up the grand staircase.

  “You want to explain to me what you two are doing here?” Josie said with her arms still crossed.

  “Do you want to explain to us why they’re calling you by another name here and think you’re married?” Michael countered.

  “No, I do not. Nor do I want you here at all, let alone for the entire weekend. So, here’s what will happen. Tomorrow morning you two will make an excuse, I don’t care what, and go back down to the inn and stay there and leave on the first train out Monday morning.”

  “Josie,” Damien said, “we’re really sorry, we were just worried about you. I mean, you disappeared this morning then sent some cryptic text, you’ve been having a lot of trouble with those nightmares and stuff and then meeting that weird guy and then finding out you were adopted. We’re worried, so we came after you. We just want to be sure you’re okay and help.”

  “I don’t need your help, I’m fine. And how did you follow me, anyway?”

  The two exchanged a glance. “Well,” Damien began swallowing hard.

  “Just dumb luck,” Michael said.

  “Dumb luck? That makes zero sense, how did you find me?”

  Damien hesitated. “Damien,” she intoned with emphasis.

  “I tracked your cell phone,” he croaked out just above a whisper.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I… I… I tracked your cell phone. I had that app still and then I wrote another app to track it with more precision. It works pretty well, I’m thinking about putting it on the app store. I built notifications in it and everything to inform you if there’s unusual movement and…” he babbled.

  “DAMIEN!” she shouted.

  “Sorry, yeah, so anyway, it told me you left this morning, chimed when you got to the train station and we followed you there and we asked a girl and she said you bought a ticket to Bucksville and so we got on the next train and now we’re here. Like I said, we just want to help. I realize the news you got from your mom was a shock and I want to be there for you, Jos. We’ve never had secrets before, I just want to help.” The distress was obvious on Damien’s face, not only from the overall situation but also from upsetting Josie.

  Josie felt sorry for him. He was a genuine and nice person; he was honest in his effort to help her. She might not have been able to pinpoint Michael’s motives, but she recognized that there was nothing sinister about Damien’s. Softening, she said, “I realize you’re trying to help and I’m sorry there are secrets between us, but I can’t explain it, not right now. I wish I could. I know it’s hard for you, but I can’t. You have to trust me, trust that I know what I’m doing and that soon everything will be back to normal.”

  Damien nodded at her, still upset but willing to not push things further right now. “I’m sorry I upset you, Jos.”

  “You didn’t upset me, D.” She moved to him and gave him a hug. “But you need to leave while I sort this out.”

  “Why? What is the big secret?” Michael chimed in.

  “You know, I’m not mad at him, but I am mad at you. You don’t get to ask questions,” Josie said, pointing at him.

  Josie was about to continue but Charlotte returned to the foyer. “Mrs. Paxton has your rooms ready. I’m sure you two are tired after your long day. Have you eaten? I can have something sent up for you if you’d like?”

  “Oh, no, thank you, we had dinner at the café,” Michael answered.

  “Oh, I hope you enjoyed it. Our little town does have good food. Wells, let me show you up to your rooms. Oh, unless I interrupted your conversation?” She turned to Josie for an answer.

  “We’re finished, thanks, Char. I’m going to bed, too, see you in the morning.”

  “Good night, Celine,” she said as Josie headed up the steps. “Follow me,” she said, turning to the two men. As they walked up the steps
and down the hall she continued, “I had Mrs. Paxton put you in the same wing as Celine and Gray, not too near so you’ll all still have your privacy. I put the two of your rooms together. Henry should be back within the hour with your luggage; I hope he won’t be disturbing you by bringing it up. If you plan to retire for the evening, I can leave a note for him to put it in the foyer for you.”

  “No, he won’t be disturbing us, thanks!” Michael said.

  “Oh, wonderful. Mrs. Paxton sets breakfast out on the sideboard by seven; please help yourselves. Well, here we are, I hope you are both comfortable. If you need anything, please let Celine or me or Mrs. Paxton know. Celine and Gray are just down the hall through those double doors.”

  “Thanks,” they both said in unison.

  “You are very welcome and sleep well.” They entered their respective rooms. Damien looked around the room. It was large with refined furnishings including a large four-poster bed, a few dressers, and a sitting area near a large window that overlooked the cliffs and ocean. A door on the nearside of the bed led to a bathroom which he assumed he shared with Michael given its placement and the door on the opposite end leading to another space.

  Damien wandered to the window and peered out, opening it. He could hear the waves crashing on the shores below. Exhaustion was setting in. The day’s events combined with the concern over his cousin, Josie, and the lack of information in general were snowballing. The worry was wearing on him.

  A knock on the door distracted his thoughts. He made his way across the room and opened it. Michael walked in as soon as he opened the door. “Okay, I thought we bought a ticket for Bucksville not Weirdsville,” he joked as he made his way into the room.

  “Yeah, really,” Damien retorted.

  “Oh, sorry,” he said, after sinking into a chair by the window, “were you going to bed? I assumed you’d be staying up.”

  “I’m tired but I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Too many things going through my mind.”

  “Yeah, exactly, like why is Josie here? Who are these people? Why are they calling her by another name? And why is she acting like it’s totally normal?”

  “Yep, all that and why is she not telling me? And why are they acting like she’s married to motel guy and why is she going along with it? Are they drugging her? Mind control perhaps? Did that doctor lady plant something in her head?”

  “No idea, this whole thing gets weirder by the second. I mean, you two have always been together from the time you were kids, right?”

  “Yep, we grew up like siblings. Went to school together, college together. Even got our master’s degrees at the same place.”

  “And she’s never been on her own even for a short duration where she could have gotten married and you didn’t know?”

  “No. I lived with her from the time I was five. I went on every family vacation, every trip she’s ever been on. She’s never been away from me long enough to meet someone and marry. It gets weirder by the second and her behavior is weird, too. I mean I get maybe not telling you but she’s never acted like this with me before.”

  “Okay, we need a plan. Because my thinking is we ALL leave on Monday together or none of us leave. In short, my plan is we don’t leave until Josie does.”

  “I agree. I’m not comfortable leaving her here no matter how much she insists she’s fine. This is too weird. And this house is creepy.”

  The two spent another forty-five minutes discussing various aspects of what was happening then turned in after Henry brought their luggage to their rooms. Their plan was to be up early and meet most of the household at breakfast.

  Chapter 20

  Josie sat at the table sipping tea, a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. Next to her, Gray was sipping coffee, reading the morning paper. Charlotte was already up as well and had joined them for her morning coffee and toast. Not long after they had all settled in, Michael and Damien appeared.

  “Oh, good morning!” Charlotte said in a cheerful voice. “Did you sleep well? Breakfast is on the sideboard.”

  “I slept great!” Michael said. “And breakfast smells delicious, thanks!” The two made their way to the buffet and helped themselves to eggs, toast, bacon and a cup of coffee.

  As they were making their way to the table, another woman entered. Petite and blonde with a shoulder-length bob, Josie recognized Avery. “Well, good morning everyone,” she said. “I see the children aren’t up terrorizing you all yet,” she laughed. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.

  “Good morning, darling. No, the children aren’t down yet. Michael, Damien, this is my daughter, Avery. Avery, this is Michael and Damien, friends of Celine’s.”

  “Hi, I’m Avery,” she said, extending her hand to Michael, then Damien.

  “Nice to meet you,” they both said. There was a lull in the conversation.

  Avery sipped her coffee then said, “So, how was your first night back in the house, Aunt Celine?”

  Michael and Damien exchanged a glance at the mention of the word “aunt” as Josie answered. “Ah, it was fine. You know, I think I’ll take a walk,” she said, springing up and leaving some of her food on her plate.

  “I’ll come with you,” Damien said, jumping from his seat.

  “No, you finish your breakfast, I’ll be back later,” Josie said, already heading toward the door.

  Damien, not sure of what to do, returned to his seat to finish his breakfast, not wanting to appear rude to the rest of the family in case they needed to extend their stay beyond the weekend.

  “That was abrupt. Was it something I said?” Avery said, laughing. She looked at Michael and Damien, “Don’t worry, if you were hoping Aunt Celine would give you a tour after breakfast, I’m sure that my kids, Max and Maddy, would be more than happy to show you around the house, the property, and most likely the town.”

  “Thanks. We may take them up on that,” Michael said. “I bet they’re great tour guides.”

  “Oh, the best. They’ll show you every dark corner and cobweb this place has,” Avery said as two children came through the door. “Speak of the devils. Here they are now. Max, Maddy, come over here, meet some of Aunt Celine’s friends. This is Michael, and this is Damien.” Both children shook their hands, and they all exchanged pleasantries. “I was just telling them you’d be willing to give them a tour. Aunt Celine had a few things she needed to take care of this morning and she can’t show them around.”

  “Oh, yeah, we’ll show you all around,” Max said.

  “Yeah, ALL around,” Maddy added. “I hope you aren’t afraid of ghosts.”

  “We are,” Michael said, “but we’ll have you to protect us, right?”

  “Yeah!” both children said in unison, giggling.

  “Okay, well first, let’s get you both something to eat and then you can commence on your grand tour of the estate,” Avery said.

  The four of them finished their breakfast and Max said, “Okay, are you ready? I need to grab some flashlights and we’ll meet in the foyer. Maddy, why don’t you take them there?”

  “Be sure you give them the full tour now, don’t skip anything,” Gray said.

  “I expect they’ll have you traipsing all over the house and into every forgotten corner. I apologize ahead of time if they wear you both out!” Charlotte said, smiling.

  “I think we can keep up. It’s an interesting house, I can’t wait to explore every corner!” Michael said.

  The two followed Maddy into the foyer. They waited a few moments before Max appeared with an armful of flashlights, passing one out to each of them. “Ready?”

  “We’re ready, Max,” Maddy said.

  “Okay, you probably already saw this part when you came. The best part of this room was the portrait of Mina Buckley. It used to be there on that wall.” He motioned to a blank wall. “But it went missing a while ago, no one knows where it is and everyone is really upset about it.”

  “Upset about a missing painting?” Damien asked.


  “Yeah, no one can find it and everyone is in danger until we can.”

  “What? Because there is an art thief on the loose, you mean?” Michael asked.

  “No, because the legend says that painting was hung there over two hundred years ago to protect this house and everyone in it and as long as it hung there, everyone in this house was safe. Mina Buckley was always watching over everyone in the house for as long as the painting hung in this foyer. But now it’s gone, so Mina isn’t here to watch us anymore. Now we’re all in danger.”

  “I see. Sooooo, Mina Buckley was a friendly spirit who took care of the people living in this house?” Michael asked.

  “Yeah, that’s right. And someone took her away and now we’re all doomed,” Max said, matter-of-factly.

  “Doomed? That’s a little dramatic, isn’t it?” Damien asked.

  Max shrugged his shoulders. “That’s what all the grown-ups said when the painting disappeared. They said ‘We’re doomed’ and then Uncle Gray said he had to find Aunt Celine, she was the only one who could help.”

  “Your Aunt Celine was the only one who could help with what?” Michael asked.

  “She’s not really my aunt. She’s not even really my mom’s aunt. Uncle Gray is my grandma Charlotte’s cousin not her brother, but my mom still calls them Uncle Gray and Aunt Celine.”

  “I see, what is it that only Aunt Celine can help with?” Michael pressed.

  Max shrugged again, “No idea. Hey, you wanna see something cool though?”

  “Sure,” Michael said.

  “Come here.” He waved them into the sitting room. “Wait, first,” he said as he closed the door behind them, “you have to BOTH swear to secrecy on your lives to never tell anyone about this.”

  Michael and Damien exchanged a glance then shrugged. “Okay, sure, we swear,” Michael said.

  “Do you swear?” Maddy asked Damien.

  “Yes, scouts honor!” he said, holding up three fingers.

  “Okay. Behind this chair here,” Max said, pulling aside a chair placed against the wall, “it is a secret panel that leads to a secret passage that goes to another part of the house!” He pressed on the wooden wall panel and it popped open. “See!!!”