Shadow of a Life

by Tifani Clark

CHAPTER 23

  “You know where we are?” Camille asked excitedly.

  “Yeah. There’s a cemetery on that rise. That’s where I’m buried.”

  We were all silent as Nick followed a winding road that took us to the top of the ridge. Sure enough, amongst the tall old trees was a scattering of headstones. A weathered wooden sign that looked as if it had been broken for many years leaned against a tree: Old Plantation Cemetery.

  “I never did like hanging around here much. I guess I’m an odd ghost in that way. Maybe it was because there weren’t any other ghosts around to talk to,” Sophia thought out loud. “In the years I hung around Newport News, I only saw one up here. It was an old lady and she was only here for a few days before she finished her business and was gone. I haven’t been back here since I learned how to make myself look human.”

  Nick shifted the car into park and Sophia opened the door. She didn’t turn around or look as if she were waiting for us to follow so we all stayed in the car. Nick eventually got out and stood next to his door, but didn’t go after her. We watched as she shuffled through piles of dead leaves and knee-high weeds to where she knelt in front of a small stone that had been knocked over. She picked the stone up and brushed it off, carefully placing it back on its base. She sat there for a few more minutes, with her back to us, and then got up and came back to the car. Nobody said anything until we’d driven back down the hill and reached the main road again.

  “The cemetery was just off the main road into the village when I was alive. If you keep following this road, I think it will come to my old home.” Sophia finally broke the silence.

  “That’s how I remember it.” Nick reached over and held Sophia’s hand.

  We drove about a mile further until the road suddenly forked.

  “I don’t remember the road being like this, honey,” Nick said.

  “It wasn’t, but that’s the old Mason farm over there,” Sophia pointed to the land just beyond the fork on the left. “The home isn’t the same one that was there, but it’s in the same spot and that grove of trees is the same—only the trees are a whole lot bigger.”

  The reality of our situation started to sink in. We’d gone there hoping to find something, but the pessimist in me had assumed we were on a wild goose chase. As I watched Sophia point at the farm where she’d died, I realized just how deep into the situation we were.

  “If the Mason’s farm is over there, we need to take the fork on the right, correct?” Nick asked.

  “I think so. It doesn’t look like much has been built up around here. I guess that’s a good thing. Our chances of not finding a mini-mart built over top of the old barn are better,” Sophia said.

  We continued to follow the road until Sophia suddenly yelled, “Stop!”

  Nick braked hard and we all lurched forward in our seats.

  “This is it. I recognize it all. This new road circles around to what used to be the back part of the property.”

  “And that’s where we used to dock the little rowboat when we came in from working on the Mist Seeker,” Nick said excitedly as he pointed out the window toward the wide James River.

  “Was that your home?” Camille asked in awe as she looked at the massive home built at the top of the slope.

  “I wish, but no. That is definitely new. I’m sure whoever built it wanted to have a view of the water. From our home site the water wasn’t visible. You had to walk down to the well before you had the best views. If the old well is still there, it will be back there at the edge of those trees.” Sophia pointed to a spot beyond the home.

  “Can you tell if any part of the old home or barn is still here?” Peter asked.

  “Not from here. We’d have to be higher to see.”

  “You should pull into the driveway, Nick,” I said.

  “What if someone looks out the window and sees us?”

  “I’ll pretend like we’re lost and looking for directions while Sophia disappears and sneaks around back to see if anything is there.”

  “Nice. Good plan, Jamie. I knew I brought you for a reason.” Sophia winked at me.

  Our tires crunched as we drove up the little gravel hill and parked on the circular drive in front of the house. Peter and I got out and stretched our legs before walking up to the front porch. Sophia “vanished” before we even got to the door and I hoped that she was well on her way. The view from there was spectacular and I wondered why the original landowners hadn’t built on that spot.

  “Do you want to do the talking or do you want me to?” Peter asked.

  “Go ahead. I want to see if a man can actually ask for directions.”

  “Ha. Ha. Ha,” he said as he pushed the button for the doorbell. We waited silently for a minute before we heard the tap, tap, tap of someone’s shoes on the entryway tile. A tall, thin lady with graying hair pulled up in a tight bun opened the door.

  “May I help you?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We’re trying to locate the Smith property and hoped you could help us,” Peter answered.

  “The Smiths you say? I’m afraid I don’t know any Smiths out here. They might live in that new subdivision that’s going in just off of Fillmore Street. What’s the address, dear?”

  “Uhh . . . I think I left it in the car.” Peter looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

  “You have a beautiful home, ma’am. Have you lived here long?” I jumped in.

  “Thank you. I’ve lived here my whole life. I lived with my parents in an old home at the back of our property as a child, but my husband and I built this home out here in the early 70s. We liked the view much better from here.”

  “I love old homes. Is your other home still there?” I continued.

  “Not really. The main structure burned down years ago so there’s just a pile of rubble out there. There was an old barn, too, but it collapsed in on itself a couple of years ago. I keep telling my husband we need to just tear everything out since it’s probably such a hazard out there, but we never get around to it.” She chuckled.

  I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I felt Sophia’s presence next to me and quickly ended my conversation with the woman. “Thank you for your time, ma’am. I hope you have a great day,” I said and pulled Peter down the porch with me.

  “Did you hear that?” I whispered loudly as we walked back to the car.

  “I did.” Sophia’s voice whispered back.

  Peter looked surprised and glanced around. “How did you know she was there?”

  “I told you I’m getting good at it.”

  Our car again crunched down the drive as we left. Camille rolled down her window and began snapping pictures with her phone.

  “What are you doing? If she’s looking out her window she might call the cops,” I hissed.

  “What’s so illegal about taking pictures? I need to have something to show my parents and Allison when I get back or they aren’t going to believe I really came to Virginia.” She turned and started taking pictures on the water side of the car. She had a good point. We needed to remember to take some pictures with us in them, too.

  When we were safely on the road back to Newport News Sophia reappeared. “I saw the barn. It’s still there, sort of. The lady was right when she said it collapsed, but I bet we can get inside it. Since the road doesn’t cut through there anymore we should be able to move around without anyone seeing us. This is even better than I imagined.”

  We filled Nick and Camille in on what we’d learned and a plan began to emerge.

  “We need to find a hardware store and buy flashlights, gloves, and maybe a small shovel in case we have to dig,” I said, taking command.

  Peter suggested we buy black ski masks, too, but since I didn’t know if he was being serious or just making a joke, I ignored the comment and continued on.

  “We can park the car at the public beach access we passed just before the road forked. I didn’t see any signs saying the parking lot closed at a certain time so I th
ink that should be okay. Peter, Cam, and I will walk to where the road forks and go cross-country through the back of everyone’s property until we get to the old house and barn. Nick and Sophia, one of you can trail us just until you have the barn in site, and then stop. The other one of you can go down to the new home and watch to make sure no one is alerted to our presence. We’ll wait until nine thirty or ten to go because then it will be dark enough, but not so late as to attract attention if anyone sees us while we’re parking at the beach.”

  Peter began to clap. “Well done, Ms. Peters, well done.”

  I rolled my eyes at him.

  “It sounds like a great plan to me,” Nick said.

  We began our search for a hardware store as soon as we were back in the main part of the city. We also needed to find a place to eat since Peter’s stomach was endlessly growling already.

  “Hey, there’s a hamburger place with a hardware store across the street over there. Turn right,” Peter instructed.

  While those of us with taste buds ate lunch—at four ‘o-clock in the afternoon—Sophia and Nick crossed the street to the hardware store.

  “Do you think we’ll actually find anything tonight?” Camille asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should have asked the lady who lives there now if she ever found a treasure map when she was playing in the barn as a child,” I joked.

  “She would have called the mental hospital.” Peter twirled his finger next to his head as if to say I was crazy.

  My phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the screen. “It’s my dad. Whatever you do, stay quiet, Peter.”

  “Dad? Hi,” I answered.

  “How’s Virginia?”

  “It’s beautiful. Sophia’s home is amazing and it sits right over the James River. I don’t know why they want to get a summer home in Massachusetts if they’ve got this kind of a home to live in.”

  I continued talking to him, describing the home that now sat on the old Goodwin property. I didn’t know what it was like inside so I had to use my imagination.

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time. Remember to be polite to your host and hostess.”

  “I know, Dad. I will.” I kicked Peter under the table. He was making faces at me in an attempt to get me to laugh.

  “I’ll see you in a few days.”

  We ended the call and I glared at Peter.

  “What?” he asked, feigning innocence.

  My cell phone rang again and I wondered what Dad had forgotten to tell me. I answered it, but it wasn’t my dad.

  “Jamie? The Goodwins are here.” It was Sophia.

  “Are you kidding me?” I asked fearfully.

  “No. Nick and I just saw them go into a store next to where we are. I don’t know if they’re following us or if they came here on their own. They weren’t looking our way.” Sophia spoke in a half-whisper.

  “What do we do?” I was panicking. Peter and Camille were both trying to get my attention to see what was wrong, but I waved them away and covered my other ear with my hand.

  “I think we need to split up. We’ll follow them when they come back out of the store. You guys need to call a cab and get back to the hotel. Go up to our rooms and don’t open the door for anyone.”

  “Maybe we should just walk to the hotel. It’s only a couple of blocks.”

  “I don’t want to risk you being seen.”

  “Okay. I get it. Keep in touch, please.”

  “I will. Be careful.” Sophia hung up her phone and I turned back to Peter and Camille who were looking at me expectantly.

  “Well?” Camille asked.

  “Jeremiah and Elsa are across the street.”

  “What?” Camille whimpered and Peter ducked down in the booth.

  “How did they find us? We were so careful.” Peter was angry.

  “I don’t know. Sophia said they didn’t look like they were following us. She’s wondering if they came to look for the map and we just happened to cross paths.”

  “I knew I should have stayed home. Why did I agree to this? I have seriously gone crazy. Who in their right mind would fly to an entirely different state to try to help ghosts of all people? I thought this would be a fun trip, but now I’m having second thoughts.” Camille was on the verge of tears again. I put my arm around her and she laid her head on my shoulder.

  “It’ll be fine. Nick and Sophia aren’t going to let them out of their sight.”

  For what felt like the millionth time in the last few days, we called a cab. We instructed the driver to pull around to a back entrance, away from any roads. After paying him, we jumped from the car and ran for the door. I was nervous even being in the elevator. I fumbled for my room card and finally got our door open. We locked the door and the deadbolt out of habit, not that it would have actually helped.

  “Any news?” I texted Sophia.

  My phone rang a minute later. “Hey, are you back at the hotel?” Nick rushed.

  “Yes. We just got here.”

  “Good. Stay there.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “We followed the Goodwins when they came out of the store. They hailed a cab and came to a hotel about three miles from where you are. They didn’t look around at all. We think they’re here on their own and haven’t yet realized that we’re here, too.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  “Yeah, except that we’re going to have to follow them everywhere they go. Sophia’s driving to our hotel right now. She’s going to give you all the stuff we bought and then come back here. Jamie, you guys are going to have to go to the old barn by yourselves tonight.”

  My heart thumped. “Okay. Don’t worry about us. We can do it, Nick.”

  “I know. I trust my soul saver.”

  Sophia tapped on the door soon after I ended the call.

  “Here’s all the gear we bought. I can’t stay long because I need to get the car back to Nick in case the Goodwins leave their hotel. I don’t think he can keep up with a car if he’s on foot.”

  Peter took the bags from Sophia and set them on the little table in our room.

  “Good luck tonight.” Sophia hugged each of us and then vanished.

  “And just like that, we’re on our own again,” Peter said.

  “I’m scared. Traipsing through an old barn was one thing, doing it at night was another, but doing it without Nick and Sophia as bodyguards is downright freaky, especially knowing that the Goodwins are out there somewhere.” Camille frowned.

  “Cam, if that’s how you feel you can stay behind. I think it would be a good idea to have a middleman anyway. You’re okay with that, right Peter?”

  He nodded.

  “I don’t want you to be out there if you think you might freak out. That will just make things worse. Besides, someone should stay behind to explain what happened when everyone else turns up missing.”

  “Please don’t go missing. I just don’t think I was cut out for this dangerous stuff.”

  The evening dragged as we paced the hotel room, anxious for what we were about to do. Finally, it was time to get ready to go. Peter and I searched our suitcases along with Sophia’s and Nick’s for the darkest clothing we could find. The clouds that had been gathering earlier in the afternoon covered the skies and threatened to release their rain. In my nervousness, I yanked on the shoelace of my tennis shoe so hard it tore off.

  “Dang it,” I cursed. “I’m going to the lobby to see if they sell shoelaces in the little store. I’ll be right back,” I yelled as I slammed our door behind me.

  There were a lot of people roaming around the lobby and I suddenly became self-conscious. What if Nick and Sophia lost track of the Goodwins? What if the Goodwins have other ghosts working with them and they’re following us? Any one of these people could be a ghost and I wouldn’t even know it. I closed my eyes and concentrated, trying to see if I could sense anything.

  “Is everything okay? Can I help you find anything?” I opened
my eyes to find the clerk tapping me on my shoulder.

  “Umm . . . shoelaces. I need shoelaces,” I said, embarrassed.

  “We have some right over here,” she said as she led me to a box in the back. I chose a pair and paid for them before grabbing a couple of matchbooks with the hotel’s logo out of a basket by the cash register on my way out. I figured I needed a souvenir of our little adventure.

  At nine o’clock, I called Sophia. “We’re ready to leave. Are the Goodwins still in their hotel?”

  “I hope so. They’re staying in a place where all the doors open to the outside and we haven’t seen any auras or people come out yet, but it’s hard to watch all the doors at once.”

  “Good. We’ll try to hurry and we’ll call you if we find something.”

  “I can’t wait until I have my license. This sucks,” Peter said as we waited for yet another cab to take us out to the beach.

  “I know. We’re so close, yet so far away.” Peter and I both had birthdays in the fall and had less than six months until we could get our permits. It couldn’t come soon enough.

  We gave instructions to our driver on where we wanted to go. “Are you sure you want to go there in the rain?” he asked in a thick accent.

  “We’re sure,” Peter answered.

  The driver muttered something under his breath about stupid teenagers, but obediently drove us where we asked. I can only imagine what he thought we were going to do there. By the time we pulled into the beach access parking lot, the skies had started to release their cargo and giant raindrops were landing on the windshield. The driver didn’t say anything else to us as we paid him and jumped out. Peter grabbed my hand and started walking toward a rocky outcropping.

  “He thinks we’re up to something,” I said, nodding toward the cab that slowly turned around.

  “If he thinks we’re here to do something, we might as well give him a show,” he said and pulled me in for a hug.

  “Peter.” I punched him in the chest.

  “I’m just kidding, Jamie.” He laughed at me.

  “I know. I’m just tense.”

  “Yeah, I can tell.”

  He grabbed my hand again and we continued walking in the dark. As soon as the taillights of the cab were out of sight we reversed our direction and headed back to the road on which we’d just arrived. Making sure there were no cars in sight we darted across the road. Following a barbed wire fence, we stayed close to the highway until we got to the place where it forked. At one point a car came toward us and we crouched down with our hoods covering our faces. I felt like a criminal. I was about to trespass on private property, so I guess I was.

  At the fork, we left the main road and I crawled through the fence to the field on the other side. My hair got caught in some of the barbs on the way through and Peter had to help me untangle it. I had to hold the barbs up for him since he was a lot bigger, but he managed to shimmy through with only a couple of scratches.

  The rain had turned from an occasional drip to a full downpour and the ground was getting slippery. I lost my footing as we ran through a field and started to fall. Peter caught me just before I hit the ground and held me up. Hand in hand we made it to the first set of trees and stopped to get our bearings. I put my hands on my knees, panting—partly from our dash through the field and partly from anxiety. I desperately wanted to turn on a flashlight, but that would be stupid. I didn’t know how many homes were out there, but I could see a few lights off in the distance. We didn’t want someone coming to investigate.

  We continued running through the trees, our clothes dripping wet and our feet sloshing until a clearing came in to view. “Peter, I think that’s the old well Sophia told us about,” I said.

  We could see a crumbling rock structure just past the line of trees, and beyond that the lights of the new home that had been built on the Goodwin property.

  “You’re right. It’s exactly where Sophia told us it would be. Why do they still have so many lights on over there at the house? It’s ten o’clock. I thought old people went to bed early.”

  “With our luck, they’re probably having a party tonight.”

  We watched the house for a little while to make sure no one was staring out any windows or on the back porch or upstairs balcony before we quietly stepped out from the trees and over to the well.

  “So much of Sophia and Nick’s history surrounds this place,” I said as I ran my hands along the top of it. I peered over the edge, but it was too dark to see anything. An old wooden bucket was still attached to a rope hanging from the top cover of the well. I wondered if it was the same one Sophia would send down to retrieve water every morning when she was alive.

  “Hey, Jamie, look at this. I think the path to the old house is right here.” Peter had crouched down and turned a flashlight on, aiming it at the ground with his back toward the house to help block the light.

  I followed behind him, stepping where he stepped as we did our best to follow the overgrown ruts up the sloping land in the rain. A few minutes later we found ourselves standing at the burned out shell of Sophia’s former home. An overwhelming urge to cry suddenly came over me and I had to grab onto a piece of the charred wood to keep my balance. My chest burned and every part of my body screamed, This is it.

  “Jamie? Are you okay?” Peter asked.

  “Yeah, I think so. I feel weird. I think it’s my connection to Nick and Sophia. I feel like I’m on the right path and I’m being urged on.”

  He didn’t say anything. It was a strange feeling to try to describe and I’m sure the only thing he understood was that he couldn’t understand. We walked around the structure for a minute, trying to see if anything stood out. Nothing did. The home was a complete loss and barely even looked like a home. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought it was nothing more than the remnants of a huge bonfire. With the strange feeling still urging me on, I told Peter we needed to move to the barn. From where we were we could only see the upper floor of the new home and we watched as one by one the lights went out. Good—they’ve finally gone to bed.

  The rain slowed, but we were already soaked through and both of us were shivering. Peter kept his arm around my shoulder, trying to warm me up as we crossed to the old barn. The lady of the house was right—it had collapsed in on itself, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined. Instead of a pile of rubble, a dreadfully dilapidated building loomed in front of us.

  “Nick and Sophia said there were two entrances to the barn with a walkway between them and stalls on either side,” I reminded Peter as we approached. “Nick said we should go in the back entrance if possible.”

  We circled around the building and stared at the rotting wood. The doorway no longer existed. In its place were giant pieces of wood, splintered like matchsticks.

  “This doesn’t look safe. I think you should stay out here while I go in,” Peter volunteered.

  “No way. I’m going in, too. I didn’t come all this way to just watch.”

  “You definitely aren’t as much like Camille as I thought you were.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “Not at all. I like this side of you.”

  We examined the pile again and shook a few of the bigger pieces of wood to see how sturdy they were. Nothing moved and the jumble seemed to hold up. Peter climbed onto the pile and jumped up and down a couple of times. Still nothing.

  “Okay. Let’s do this.” He reached down and pulled me up next to him.

  A cracking sound in the trees behind the barn stopped us. We both crouched down, not daring to move. I don’t think I even breathed. There it is again. It sounded as if someone were stepping on tiny twigs. My legs wobbled from crouching on the pile of wood, and I was getting lightheaded from holding my breath. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees.