Brimstone

by Tamara Thorne

  “But I don’t see any ghosts.”

  “Neither do I.” Keith hesitated. “Have you ever seen one?”

  “Yes.” She told him what her grandmother said about Carrie’s and her eyes, then added, “Adeline Chance up at the Humble Station can see them, too. She’s my cousin and we all have special eyes. We see ghosts. I don’t see any here, but sometimes it’s cold like this when they’re around, you know? And when it’s this cold, it’s not nice.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “Well, you were already freaked from my eyes when I got mad at the bullies.”

  “Yeah, I guess, but I thought it was really neat.” He lowered his soft voice to a bare whisper. “It’s okay I told my grandpa, right?”

  “About the playground thing? Sure. Just don’t tell any kids or anything. When school starts, if I get to stay, I don’t want to be called a weirdo or anything.”

  “I’ll never tell, cross my heart.” He took a deep breath. “Grandpa told me you could probably see ghosts, like Adeline. He knew you were kin. But he said I couldn’t say anything unless you did.”

  Holly rubbed her goosebump-covered arms, her eyes on the dark doorway on the other side of the room. “Did you want me to see if there are any ghosts in there?”

  “Well, yeah, sort of.”

  “Okay.” She nodded at the dark doorway. “Do you know what’s in there?”

  “Just another empty room.” He paused. “You want to see if the rocking chair’s in there now?”

  “Yeah.”

  The short hall beyond the dark door led to three more doorways. Sunlight streamed in the one in the rear - it was next to the kitchen, she realized. She started to step that way, but Keith stopped her, pointing - the floor was splintered and sodden, broken through. The room straight ahead, also doorless, lay in shadows, but after a moment, she was able to see into it. “Look!” she whispered.

  The rocking chair sat in the center of the empty room.

  “Somebody must’ve moved it.”

  It felt even colder here and there was a darkness in one corner that seemed to waver. She stared at it, then at the other corners, almost sure there was something different - something darker - about this one.

  “You want to go in?”

  Holly gave the barest shake of her head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Do you see a ghost?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Where?”

  She nodded her head toward the dark corner beyond the rocking chair. “It might be my imagination.”

  He stared for a moment. “I don’t see anything.”

  As he spoke, a misty column of translucent blackness detached itself from the shadows and glided toward the rocking chair. The chair creaked as it was cloaked in darkness.

  And began rocking.

  “Holy crap!” Keith whispered, grabbing Holly’s hand, tugging it. “Do you see that? It’s moving!” His breath frosted.

  “I see it.” Holly squeezed Keith’s hand as the chair rocked harder and harder, all in the space of a few seconds. “We’d better go.”

  The chair suddenly flipped into the air and hurled toward them. “RUN!” The chair cracked and broke against the door frame as Holly yelled, and the column of darkness glided toward them.

  They ran straight to the front door. It wouldn’t open, wouldn’t even budge. The dark wavering mass hovered nearby, emanating cold and anger. “Stay away from it!” Holly ordered as they checked the front windows - too much sharp pointed glass in both.

  “The kitchen!” Keith yelled. “There’s no glass in those windows!”

  The darkness rushed at them as they ran, and then it was suddenly in front of them, blocking the entrance to the kitchen. “NO!” Holly screamed, grabbing Keith’s arm as he ran smack into it. Too late to stop him, she entered it too, pushing him forward.

  Time stopped. It felt as if she were a fly stuck in a blob of freezing cold goo. There was no air, no sound, and they moved like they were in Jell-O. She squeezed Keith’s hand; he squeezed back, and that was all she needed to fight on. She pushed him with her other hand and heard herself yell, “Run!” It sounded as if she were in a long muffled tunnel.

  And suddenly, they pressed through the darkness into the bright, hot kitchen. She pushed Keith at the window and he scrambled through. As she tumbled out behind him she looked up. The darkness hovered in the shadowed doorway, cold and hateful.

  “We win!” Holly screeched as she hit the dirt. “We win!”

  Adeline Chance had put on a summery floral dress and a little lipstick before leaving Ike in charge of the gas station. Now, she pulled her white-over-aqua Rambler into a parking spot in front of the Brimstone Grand and got out. She stared at the lobby doors, fear in her heart. It wasn’t Dee that she feared - it was walking into the place where she’d nearly lost her life - and where Carrie had died.

  She straightened her dress, brushed off imaginary crumbs. She had nearly worn white gloves and pumps for the visit, but finally decided her nicest shirtwaist and a touch of makeup was enough. She patted her hair and started for the lobby doors, willing her hands not to shake.

  It was much cooler in the lobby - the building’s cement walls were thick and the ceiling fans whirred away the summer heat.

  “May I help you?” someone called from behind a desk hidden by postcard racks.

  “Yes, please.” Addie walked toward the voice, marveling at how much had changed and how much hadn’t. She’d not been in the building since it was converted into a hotel. The colors were brighter, so much happier, and the cold hospital sterility was long gone, hidden behind fresh paint, souvenirs, and the historical photos and art decorating the walls. But the structure hadn’t changed. The old elevator still waited dead ahead in its alcove.

  The lobby desk came into view on the right. It was a tall new desk, bearing little similarity to the nurses’ station of long ago. But as she spied the copper-clad door on the left, Adeline felt chills run down her spine. That hadn’t changed one iota.

  “Adeline!” Meredith Granger’s smile was wide enough to make flowers bloom.

  “I don’t ever recall you visiting us before!”

  “I haven’t been here since it was the Clementine Hospital.” She approached, her eyes taking in every detail.

  “Why not?”

  Addie tried to cover her nervousness. “Never any need to, I guess, not after Carrie died. I was caught up in being a wife and mother. And business partner to Ike, of course.”

  “You didn’t have your children at the Clementine?”

  I’d sooner have squatted in a field. “No, they were all born at home with the help of a midwife named Daisy. A lovely lady, God rest her soul.” She smiled wistfully. “Back then, I thought Daisy had to be a hundred years old, but I’m older now than she was by at least two decades. Perceptions do change, don’t they?”

  “They do.” Meredith gestured around the lobby. “When I was a girl, this place was an empty shell. We were all afraid of it and we told ghost stories to terrify ourselves. I never guessed I’d be working here one day.” She shook her head. “If anyone had said so, I would have called them crazy.”

  “I’m so glad you invited Holly along on your camping trip!” Addie suddenly felt as nervous as a cat. “She is going, isn’t she?”

  “I believe so.” Meredith gave her a curious look. “May I help you with something?”

  “Yes. I need to speak with Delilah.” Adeline barely kept the tremble out of her voice.

  “Is she expecting you?”

  “No. This is a surprise visit.”

  “I’ll tell her you’re here. Meredith turned to the switchboard and spoke in low tones before swiveling in her chair. “I’m sorry, but her housekeeper says she’s busy today.”

  Addie had expected to be turned down. “Tell her it concerns her granddaughter.”

  Meredith nodded and this time, the conversation was longer. But when she stood and returned to the desk, she looked puz
zled. “I was told to tell you that Miss Delilah can’t see you.”

  “Today?”

  “Ever.”

  “Rubbish.” Adeline paused then spoke sweetly. “Meredith, do you suppose you could pick out one of those T-shirts for me? A large. My son-in-law would love it.”

  “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

  The moment Meredith left the desk, Adeline made for the stairs; Meredith might catch her if she waited for the elevator.

  At the fourth landing, she paused to catch her breath then climbed the final steps to Delilah’s floor and rang the bell.

  A middle-aged Hispanic woman in a pink maid’s uniform opened the door and warily looked her up and down.

  “I’m here to see Delilah.”

  “I’m sorry, but Miss Delilah said no.”

  “I’m her cousin.”

  “It doesn’t matter, she won’t see you. I’m very sorry.” With a look of understanding, the maid closed the door. The lock snicked.

  Adeline turned away from the door but instead of retreating, walked the twenty feet to another door at the end of the short corridor. It bore a small sign that read, Staff Entrance.

  Addie tried the knob, found it locked. Just as well. I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t. Delilah would probably call the constable.

  She left.

  “Adeline!” Meredith crooked her finger as Addie tried to pass through the lobby unnoticed.

  “Yes?”

  “Did you want that T-shirt?”

  “I changed my mind. Sorry to put you to the trouble.”

  “No trouble.” Meredith gave her the eye. “I hope you didn’t do something that’ll get me in trouble.”

  Addie smiled and shook her head. “No, hon, I didn’t.”

  “Good.”

  “But not for lack of trying.” She leaned against the tall desk and looked into Meredith’s eyes. “I really do need to talk with Delilah. I’ve respected her wish to keep distance between us until now, but …”

  Meredith nodded. “You’re worried about Holly?”

  “I am.”

  “Is she in some sort of danger?”

  “I believe she may be.” Addie searched for the right words. “As for an explanation, well, I’m not sure ...”

  “Does it have anything to do with-” Meredith glanced around and lowered her voice to a whisper, “Arthur Meeks?”

  “That name is familiar.”

  “He’s the bellhop here. He has a room on Holly’s floor.”

  “Arthur Meeks. Arthur Meeks.” An image of an awkward kid with a round head, close-set eyes, a hawk nose, and receding chin came to her. “I believe one of my daughters went to school with him. Strange fellow, carried around a collection of lizard tails in a pencil box and showed it to girls to try to get them to play doctor with him?” Addie made a face. “Quite the ladies’ man, hmm?”

  Meredith laughed. “That sounds about right.”

  Addie turned serious. “Is he bothering Holly?”

  “She hasn’t said so,” Meredith confided. “Holly doesn’t like him and I’ve cautioned her about him. It’s just that there were bruises on her arms.”

  “Yes, the bruises,” Addie said. “She showed me.”

  “I think Arthur may have done it, but she won’t tell me, just says she woke up with them. Is he why you’re glad she’s coming with us?”

  “No, and while I can’t say it makes me happy to know he’s here, I know he’s not responsible for the bruises.” Adeline hesitated. “The danger to her has to do with … the nightmares this building seems to cause her.”

  “Nightmares?”

  “Holly is a girl who’s very … sensitive to atmosphere.”

  “Atmosphere? I don’t understand.”

  “This building has a lot of history and much of it is rather dark. I guess you could say that these old walls hold a lot of emotions. Memories are embedded in them. Holly is sensitive to such things.”

  “You mean ghosts?”

  Addie spoke carefully. “You could say that, I suppose.”

  Meredith’s brows knitted. “Holly seems to be such a ghost story fan. It’s hard to believe she’d be frightened.”

  “She loves ghost stories,” Adeline explained. “What I’m talking about is a little different. I believe she senses the past; events, and especially, people who weren’t, shall we say, so savory. The other night, she picked up on one such memory in a nightmare - the memory of a person - a ghost if you will - and that, I’m almost certain, is what caused the bruises. In the dream, she was grabbed by this ghost and because it was so real to her, the marks appeared.”

  “They sure did look real.”

  Forgive me Holly. “The mind is more powerful than we know, and because Holly believed so strongly that someone was grabbing her, the marks appeared. That’s what I think happened.”

  Meredith looked thoughtful. “That’s wild - but it makes some sort of sense.” The desk phone rang. “Excuse me.” She picked it up. “Yes?” After listening a moment, she said, “Oh, yes, Mrs. Chance is leaving now.” She winked at Adeline, said, “You’re welcome,” and hung up.

  “Is Delilah worried I’m staging a sit-in?” Addie asked.

  “Nothing so exciting.” Meredith smiled. “In about five minutes, the garage will open. Max will be driving Miss Delilah down to town. I think she wanted to be sure she wouldn’t run into you.” Meredith came out from behind the desk and Adeline trailed her to the lobby door. “Where are you parked?”

  Addie pointed. “There, just behind that green VW Bus.”

  “Hmm. That’s not visible from the garage. Maybe you should go back to your car and wait for the Rolls to pull out. But I never said that.”

  “You never did. I thank you, Meredith.”

  Addie hurried to the Rambler and waited until the Rolls pulled away. After another minute, she followed at a stately pace.

  “I didn’t see anything,” Keith Hala told Holly. They sat on the top bars of the jungle gym at the old playground. Ever since they’d fled the haunted house, all he wanted was to be in the sun, and was relieved that Holly felt the same way. “I mean, I saw the rocking chair - that was amazing! - but I didn’t see that black thing you’re talking about. I sure did feel that cold, though.”

  Keith shook his head, remembering how the rocking chair had flown through the air and crashed in the doorway. He could barely believe it. “That cold - it was so cold. And I felt like I was drowning when we were trying to run into the kitchen. Cripes, if you hadn’t pushed me, I think I would have drowned.” He smiled at Holly, but what he really wanted to do was hug her. “You saved my life.” At least he got that out without sounding like a total dork.

  Holly looked at her lap. “Thanks. I didn’t save your life. I doubt it can kill people.” She looked him in the eye. “I think it wanted to, though.”

  A chill ran down his spine. “Holly, have you ever seen anything like that before?”

  “No, not like that. Before I came here I liked the ghosts I saw.” She smiled. “They minded their own business. And they didn’t see me.”

  “But that black thing, it saw us, right?”

  She nodded solemnly. “Just like the woman in the elevator saw me. And she was almost as cold as the black cloud.”

  “Is it the same ghost, do you think?”

  “I think if it was, she’d have looked like she did in the elevator to me.” Holly paused. “And when she was in my dream and pinched my arms, she still looked the same. Not like a black cloud.”

  “That’s scary. Can I tell my grandfather?”

  “You mean tell him what happened in the house?”

  “Yeah. He won’t be too mad. He’ll understand.” Keith nodded toward the hotel - from the jungle gym, you could see the top floors. “Is it scary in there at night?”

  “Not exactly. I only had that nightmare once and the little ghost kitty woke me up. Adeline told me she’s my familiar and protects me.”

  “My grandpa would call
it your spirit animal.” He grinned. “I think it’s pretty much the same thing.”

  “I believe it.” Holly swung her feet. “It’s a little scary downstairs, though. I’m not riding the elevator. Or going in the backroom again.”

  Keith realized Holly sounded more worried than brave now and he felt bad about that. He put on a big grin. “Hey, Holly, I double dare you to go back in that haunted house tonight. At midnight!”

  She looked aghast for a fraction of a second, then grinned back. “You first!”

  They both laughed and Keith was pretty sure he might be in love.

  34

  An Overdue Talk

  While Max parked the Phantom, Delilah entered Gower’s Drugs. As soon as the refrigerated air hit, she paused to let it fan over her. Outside, it was one hundred and three, but inside the drugstore, it was pure heaven.

  She took a handbasket and strolled the beauty row, buying Pond’s Cold Cream, several bars of Dove, bobby pins, and emery boards. Then she moved down the notions aisle, choosing a spool of jade green thread to sew a loose button back on a favorite jacket. In the office supply row, she picked up a small packet of envelopes, then paused in front of boxes of pastel stationery sets. One featured a little calico cat at the top of the stationery and a paw print border. Thinking of Holly, Delilah picked it up, started to put it back, then placed it firmly in her basket and continued down the aisle, looking for more things her granddaughter might appreciate.

  Remembering her penchant for reading, it was logical to assume the girl might like to write as well, so Delilah added a pack of multi-colored Bic pens and a couple of spiral-bound notebooks to her basket. At the end of the long aisle were bookshelves full of magazines and paperbacks. She’d forgotten to bring her reading glasses but easily picked out a Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a Roget’s Thesaurus, and several novels. Holly had mentioned liking something called Dark Shadows, so she selected a slender olive novel with that title, a black novel with a huge red orb on the front called The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury because Holly said the author was a favorite, and finally, a novel called Rosemary’s Baby. Delilah couldn’t read the print on the back of the book, but thought it might be nice to expose the girl to something that encouraged domesticity. It wasn’t that she wanted Holly to grow up having the desire to settle down, it was just that her interests in science fiction and horror were so decidedly boyish that a little family-oriented reading might be good for her. At the last moment, she snagged a thick novel by Anya Seton called My Theodosia. It was obviously historical, and that, reflected Delilah, ought to broaden Holly’s horizons as well.