The Ghosts of RedRise House

by Caroline Clark

  “Damn it, we have to leave now,” Jesse called again.

  The cat made one final piteous meow before racing into the wall and disappearing into it.

  Above them, the sound of piano keys jarring out of tune floated down through the empty house, and Jesse’s sense of urgency kicked up even more. They had banished the spirit, but it hadn’t given in. It planned to kill them all, and he knew how.

  “We have to leave,” he said, as he gently touched Gail on the shoulder.

  She winced; they would both be bruised tomorrow, but if they got out now, they would have a tomorrow.

  “I’m okay,” Jack said. “I could see everything, feel everything, including the joy as the children left. I think we should release the rest of them.”

  Jesse tried not to wince at the stretch marks and saggy skin around his eyes and mouth. His face looked as if it was too large for his skull. “Yes, yes, we should,” Jesse said pulling Gail to her feet. “But from outside.”

  “There’s no urgency now.” Shelly shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s just get it over and finished and maybe I can try to call my sister.”

  “We have to go,” Jesse said, and tried to pull Gail.

  “Damn it, Jesse, why?”

  “Can’t you smell it?” He pleaded with her, but before she could answer, another ghost appeared in front of Shelly.

  The girl was younger, but the facial features were the same; they must have been twins.

  Shelly let out a gasp. Fresh tears streamed from her eyes. “Stacey, I’m so sorry,” she cried.

  Me too, but we have to leave, and we have to leave now. Can’t you smell the gas? The voice was in all of their heads.

  She turned and pointed.

  A flame flared on the range, and that was when the smell of gas became overwhelming.

  They all stood at once just as the gas caught fire and sent a ball of blue light across the kitchen. It missed them, but the walls were burning. The kitchen door slammed shut.

  Urgency took over, and they followed Stacey to the door. A blast of wind knocked them back. It was hard to stand on the slate floor, but they pushed their shoulders into the wind and walked into the storm.

  The wind whipped up the flames. They curled at their backs like an angry beast, snapping and reaching. Like a living monster, the fire wanted to consume them, to pull them in and to keep them here forever.

  Stacey passed through the door easily. Jesse reached for the handle as the ladies helped Jack. It wouldn’t turn -wouldn’t budge. He kicked at the door, cursing and shouting, for he knew there was no time to release it by ritual. His Holy Water was gone, and the flames were curling around toward them.

  Stacey came back through. Follow me.

  “We can’t,” Jesse said. “Can you free the door?”

  A look of horror dropped her jaw. She tried to speak, but no words would come.

  “Concentrate,” Jesse said. He knew Nick would be able to do this, but he had practiced for generations. “Just try.”

  Stacey nodded and reached out to touch the door. Her hand passed straight through it.

  The fire roared in triumph. It had skirted around the kitchen following the walls and was almost on them. Overhead it was eating into the ceiling, and smoke filtered down in big black clouds that curled toward them, herded by an army of flames.

  Stacey tried again, but her hand passed through.

  It could take ages for her to do this even under the best of circumstance. She had to control her form enough to touch the door, but stay enough of a spirit to fight the ghostly force that held it locked. With the panic and fear she must be feeling, it would be impossible to do this in time.

  “Nick, help us!” Jesse shouted, but it was ineffectual against the roar of the fire.

  He searched the room for another exit and spotted the window behind the sink. The range cooker was close to that, but the fire had fanned out so ferociously that the area around the cooker was the least affected.

  “This way!” he shouted, but no one heard. They were staring at the door and then glancing back as the fire consumed everything in its path.

  Jesse shook Gail and pulled Jack from the two girl’s’ arms. Shelly stared at him, her blank eyes filled with flames from the fire. He pointed at the window and concentrated his energy. “Stacey, help me get them to the window.”

  Stacey nodded and took Shelly’s hand. Come with me, we can get out of here.

  Jesse dragged Jack across to the window and leaned him into Gail’s arms. Shelly and Stacey were there too, and Shelly helped to hold him up.

  The window was a good size, Georgian, the type with small panes of glass interspersed with wood. The wood looked rotten, but he doubted he could break it without doing serious damage to his hands. There was nothing to help, but then he spotted a chair. It was just at the edge of the flames, burning slightly, but if he could get it, then it would work.

  “No!” Gail screamed, as he started to race at the chair.

  The flames moved like a living beast, licking around to cover the chair and to wash over him. Jesse stumbled back, patting at the flames that licked at his shirt. He knew he would be burned, but not badly - at least not yet.

  The flames pulled back as if taunting him, and he readied himself to burst forward and grab the chair.

  Shelly coughed, and he could feel the smoke in his own lungs. If the flames didn’t kill them, the smoke soon would.

  Once more he shot forward, but the flames soared through the air like a red-hot tiger of death, and he was engulfed within their fiery heat. The sensation of burning consumed him, but he tried to make that final stretch. Just as his fingers touched the chair, he was blasted back and sent tumbling across the room.

  Stunned for long moments, he came to with Gail smacking his head to put out the flames that burned in his hair.

  The pain was more than he could imagine, like acid had been poured over his face, and yet he knew the damage was minor. It didn’t matter, they were all coughing now, and soon it would be too late. They would die here. He didn’t know what else to do.

  77

  Jesse hauled himself to his feet and ran for the chair. It was surrounded by flames, but he had to try. After the first step he was yanked back. Gail had hold of his arm, and he was too weak to pull himself free.

  Her eyes looked up at him, pleaded with him, as a single tear traced a route down her cheek. What could he do? Stifling a cough, he searched the room. There was nothing to use. Nothing that could break the window, but he had to try. Ripping off his T-shirt, he ignored Gail’s gasps. The pain in his shoulder and back were intense, and he knew he was burned, but that didn’t matter. Gail was coughing. Jack and Shelly were coughing.

  Maybe if he climbed onto the counter, he could kick out most of the glass and push the rest out with his arm wrapped in the shirt. He had no doubt it would lacerate his skin, but that was better than dying of smoke inhalation, or God forbid, in the terrible flames.

  The wind gusted in the house, and the flames were licking at their backs. Hungry, greedy and all-consuming, they would be on them soon.

  Before he could jump onto the counter, a flaming chair appeared out of the fire. It slid across the floor surrounded by smoke, and came to a stop just before him. Stacey, a huge smile on her face, stood just behind it. She had calmed herself enough to push the chair, but it was too late to leave via the kitchen door... flames now blocked that route.

  Shelly tried to go to her sister, but Jack stumbled as she left him, and Gail rushed to her side. Together, they held him upright. Their hands covered their mouths to slow down the smoke, but the room was filling up fast.

  Jesse wrapped his T-shirt around his hands and grabbed hold of the chair. It was hot, but not enough to burn, and he swung it at the window. The first time it bounced back, and he had to bite back a groan. How much longer did they have?

  Again, he raised the chair, but this time he slammed it, feet first, into the glass. Four separate panes
shattered and the ensuing rush of air fed the fire at their backs.

  Again, Jesse swung the chair at the window. This time at an angle, and one of the wooden cross struts broke. Stopping for a fit of coughing, he could feel the smoke in his lungs. Could feel his brain wanting to shut down. Telling him to sleep. He could feel the bruises and burns on his body. How much more could he take?

  Holding his breath, he fought off the cough and smashed the window again. The gap was almost big enough. So, he bashed the chair in a circular motion within the window, clearing the glass.

  “You first,” Gail shouted.

  “No, you and Shelly go first. I can help Jack out and you can catch him.”

  They nodded and leaned Jack against the counter. Then Gail helped Shelly climb up, and she maneuvered backward through the gap. The fire roared with rage and the spirits of the children and remaining adults surged forward.

  “We will help you,” Jesse called

  The children stepped back and surrounded the two adults. They were a terrifying bunch, and he hoped that this would keep them busy for just a little longer.

  He lifted Gail onto the counter, and she climbed out. The sweet air from outside was like an oasis in a desert, almost too good to be true.

  Gail dropped to the ground, and he could just see hers and Shelly’s head and shoulders. They held up their arms, ready for Jack.

  Jesse picked him up in a fireman’s lift and put him on the counter. Before he could climb up himself, Jack made his way to the window. He crawled through, but as he did, his arm caught on a rogue bit of glass. Blood poured from the wound, and Jesse reached up to free his flesh.

  “Bind it quickly,” he said, and tossed his T-shirt out of the window.

  Now it was his time, and yet he felt a strange compulsion to stay behind. Something was undone, but he didn’t know what. He climbed onto the surface, turned around and dropped down. The ground gave beneath his feet, and it was all he could do to stay standing.

  Looking back, he could see the children standing in front of the fire. Their faces were pleading and trusting. Behind them, the fire reared up to the ceiling and sucked up all the air.

  “Get back and start releasing the children,” he shouted.

  “Jesse!” Gail screamed.

  “Go, I’m right behind you.”

  He watched as they started to run and then he eased himself away from the wall. Shaky legs didn’t want to hold him, but he knew he had to run. The house was going to explode; he could feel it. Taking a breath, he took one last look back, and there was Alice, watching him.

  Jesse stopped, but it was too late. He had to go, so he ran and ran. As he got past the garden he could hear Gail, Shelly, and Stacey all reciting the releasing prayer and as he watched, a young boy appeared before them.

  Gail was smiling at him, a look of pure wonder on her face as the boy smiled, waved, and then dissipated in a flash of light.

  I need to tell you something, Alice spoke in his mind. I can’t leave the house.

  “It’s too dangerous,” Jesse shouted.

  You have to hear this.

  Jesse was slowing, he didn’t feel it, but he could see it in the look of panic that crossed Gail’s face. She was reaching out to him, screaming, begging, but he had to go back. He didn’t know why, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Shaking his head, he mouthed the words I’m sorry before turning and racing back to the burning building.

  Gail’s screams rang in his ears as he raced back to the house. The flames were leaping out of the window now, and the roof looked ready to collapse. Logically, he knew this was the wrong thing to do, but he couldn’t stop his legs, and he ran into the smoke and flames.

  As he disappeared from view, a boom rocketed across the night, and the house became an inferno.

  As the fireball died down the house collapsed in on itself leaving four ragged children in the ashes, but no sign of Jesse.

  Gail let out a wail of grief and dropped to her knees.

  78

  Jesse could hear Gail scream, and still, he ran toward the fire. The black smoke hid the house from his view and clogged his lungs. It burned his eyes, and as he walked away from Gail and safety, the heat was becoming unbearable. What was he doing?

  I just need a moment,” Alice spoke in his head.

  “Okay,” the word came from him calmly, despite his panic, and then the air was clear. He could see and breathe, and he appeared to be within a bubble within the fire. Flames and smoke swirled and flared just inches from his face, but he was safe... for now.

  I can hold you safe for just a moment. Others are here to help me.

  Jesse nodded and then he saw them. The circle was surrounded by spirits, all dressed in white. They were people he didn’t know, but he could feel their goodness, and he knew he was in no danger.

  “Gail will be afraid, please don’t take too long,” Jesse said.

  I want to help Rosie, Alice said.

  “I understand but how?”

  I have learned a lot since I crossed. I could have gone to peace, but I felt a debt needed paying. I have aligned with those who have been here longer. She looked around the circle, and the spirits nodded their heads in approval.

  They know the ones with dark souls. They are good at whispering in their ears and pointing them to the way they want. If you point the champion to the man called Philip Jackson, then he will find the evidence you need.

  "I don't understand," Jesse said. "Are you martyring this man to free Rosie?" Though he desperately wanted to free Rosie, he didn’t know if he could put someone else in jail just because they had a bad soul.

  Alice lowered her eyes and blushed slightly. Such a gesture from the young ghost almost broke Jesse's heart. She was good and honest and pure. He couldn’t believe that she would do such a thing.

  Alice raised her eyes and smiled. The old ones choose wisely. This man is known to your police as one who hurts children. He travels to all the lonely places, and there he commits acts so gross that we know he will never find peace. However, he's clever and has not been caught. In three weeks’ time, he has another trip planned and an innocent life he wishes to extinguish.

  We want to help Rosie, but there are others we want to protect. Other lives we want to save. Tell the champion to look at the recording from the streets on the night of Mary’s death. He will see enough for your police to get a warrant and they will find what they need.

  “Recording?” Jesse asked.

  The box near the shop that records time.

  Jesse shook his head, he did not understand.

  Alice looked at the spirits around the circle. He could see her frustration. Then she held up her hands and mimicked an old-fashioned wind-up film camera.

  “Of course, the CCTV.” Jesse wasn’t sure how Paul would do this, but he knew the solicitor would find a way. “I have to go now,” Jesse said, “but thank you for doing this. Now rest in peace.”

  Alice smiled, and the spirits started to move toward him. For a second, panic gripped onto his heart, but then he noticed they were all moving. They were shepherding him out of the fire. After a few feet, Alice faded, disappearing with a slight wave and a sweet smile. Then the further he got from the house the less of them were around him. Once they were all gone, he could see out of the smoke, and he ran straight into Gail’s arms.

  79

  Jesse held Gail’s hand as they watched the house burn down. Timbers fell, and then the walls crashed in, producing a great leap of flames into the air.

  Jack sat on the damp grass. He refused to leave, as they all did. There was something about the sight that just pulled in the eyes. At times, the flames had appeared alive. Like a ferocious beast that leaped out to get them. It was so real that many times during the night they had moved back. But now it was over. The house was just a pile of smoldering rubble. Or at least that was what they hoped.

  “Can you feel anything?” Jesse asked Gail.

  She leaned against his shoulder, and t
he warmth of her took away the aches and pain.

  “No. After we released those last few children I have felt nothing.”

  “Good.”

  Jesse thought back. Once he appeared from the flames, he found Shelly, Gail, and Jack performing an exorcism on the last remaining adult ghost. They left in darkness screaming out their torment. Their faces contorted as they tried to hang onto this plane. It was no use, their power was gone and soon, so were they.

  Sending them back had cleansed the place. The air was lighter, easier to breathe and a great sense of calm, of anticipation, descended upon them all.

  Then he had joined in while they sent the four ragged children to peace. It was such an amazing sight that he still felt the wonder of each one. How their faces changed from despair to joy and how they faded away leaving, just a flash of light before they were gone.

  They were all warmed, fortified by the sight, and they knew that they would never be the same again.

  Stacey had appeared shortly after Jesse. Now she was deep in conversation with her sister. Jesse could see that the two had a special connection and he wondered what to do about Stacey. His instincts, his training from his grandparents, told him that he should send her to peace... but his gut said let it be. Maybe he could give them a bit of time together. He would just have to explain to Shelly that if she stayed too long, then Stacey would change.

  There was one more thing he needed to do, one reason he was still waiting, despite their fatigue — Nick. The priest had been sent away sometime during the battle, and so far, he hadn’t returned. Jesse owed him his peace, and he would wait as long as was needed to see that he got it. Part of him wanted to get Jack to the hospital, though he had no idea what to tell them. Stacey and Jack had both assured him that he was in no danger. Uncomfortable, scared, but he would live, he would heal.

  Jesse glanced at him. Despite the loose skin hanging around his jaw and the stretch marks on his cheeks, he looked happy. Jesse understood that. Up until today, he had believed in ghosts to help Shelly. Now he had seen that there was something else. Though he didn’t know what, he could sense in on a primal level, it changed you. Jesse chuckled.