I had just moved to town in Highlands, New Jersey. Well we had to move because our town tried to kill us. We traveled for a month and after fighting with my mom we finally moved back to my parents hometown. I was not happy we had to leave and I made sure I had all my camera equipment packed in the car and didn't argue. When we arrived in town I ended up making a bunch of friends and we would walk around town a lot. They thought it was cool that I loved photography and soon I had a bunch of pictures soon and my friends loved showing me places they thought would be great shots.
One day we were walking in the old historic district and we came upon a huge old historic home. When I first saw the building I asked my new friends about it and they go quiet and said that is the orphanage. They were so quiet and solemn when Karrie explained that the orphanage was a home for children with special needs. I smiled and asked if they accept volunteers to come in and help and Karrie grabbed my arm and said, "Never go there. People who go to help disappear and never come back."
I looked back at the building as we walked away. Lifting my camera one last time I took a series of pictures. When I got home I went to speak to my mom about what had happened, however, she was not home yet from work. I went upstairs to my room and pulled out my memory card and loaded it into the reader. Seeing all the fun pictures with my new friends made me thankful that I moved here. Then when I got to the pictures of the fence and orphanage I got scared. You could see children peeking through the windows and hiding behind the bushes. The thing is when we were going past I did not see anyone in the windows or on the lawn.
I thought maybe I was wrong and I kept going through the pictures and I saw more and more kids appearing. When I go to the last picture that I shot from behind me I almost wanted to scream. There at the fence line was a guy around my age with black eyes reaching for me. I had taken this picture randomly and i was walking away at the time but there he was. My brain started to rationalize the picture, it could be the lighting, or he has dark eyes. Or maybe what everyone said was true and that fence was keeping everything bad in.
Deciding to take a break I went downstairs to see if my mom was home yet. When i realized I had some time yet till she arrived home I decided to do some research about the orphanage. I headed across the street to the library to do some research on the building. When I walked in I asked the librarian information about the orphanage, and she decided to spill everything she knew about it.
She told me the orphanage is a home for children with special needs. I asked her about what type of special needs. She looked at me and said, "What do you mean child?"
"I am a photographer and went past the orphanage earlier today." I said. "I went through the pictures after I got home and when I went through the pictures I had more and more children appeared in the pictures when there was no one outside when I was there and taking the pictures. So I am asking again what kind of special needs."
"Sweetie the kids in the orphanage are just that Children. I know your new to town but we don't start raising trouble about innocent people."
Laughing I said, "Yeah they said that about were I came from."
She gave a smirk and said, "What type of lesson did you learn about that?"
"I come from Brooksville. Florida where the Indian curse killed many innocent people including the elderly and children. SOrry not sorry ma'am I am here because my daddy and grandparents were killed because people only realized what was happening after the fact." I said turning around. "My Mama ran from the monster chasing us until we hit the town line and could never go back."
The woman looked like she wanted to say something and then said, "Wait are you from the town that the military has blocked off last year in florida?"
"Yes Maam I am." I said, "Believe me when I say our town was interesting before this all started. But I know from my town when a house is not just a house and and orphanage is not just a orphanage."
"Do you plan on doing something about this?" She asked with a worried look on her face.
Shaking my head I said, "No Maam I will not. Like I said where I came from and after all the loss including a few of my friends I just want to know if my mama and I are safe."
"Well I am sorry I cannot provide you any information for that building except that it is a orphange and the children there are special needs so they do not need people poking around." She said then ended with a, "Good Day."
I walked out of the library and headed back home. When I arrived my mom was back with a Pizza and I said, "We need to talk."
Mom looked at me and said, "Thats your serious face."
"Mom," I said, "I think we walked from one town trying to kill us to another."
My moms head snapped up and she said, "Amanda thats not funny."
"Seriously mom don't you think I know this," I said. "You didn't see half your friends killed in front of you. Believe me when I say I wish this could be a joke."
She sat down and said, "What did you find?"
I took my laptop in front of her and told her to scroll through. When she got to the orphanage pictures she saw what spooked me and said, "What in the world."
"Exactly mom," I said. "But I went to the library and asked the librarian about the orphanage and she went cold as ice and said they were special needs. When i pushed she got real defensive and said this town does not like people snooping."
"Wow, This building used to be a nursing home so I do not know what happened to it since I left for Florida," She said.
"Mom," I said. "After everything that happened at home I am worried we have a big fight coming."
Taking my hand she said, "No worries Amanda. This time we are more aware and hopefully we can go home soon."
"Have you heard from Maddy and Shawn?" I asked.
"I spoke with Maddy this morning. They went to speak to a local Shaman earlier and they are going to try a few things to try to appease the spirits," She said. "They said Dad, Grams and Gramps are still listed as missing."
"Mom," I said. "I do not want to be a negative person but you know as well as I do that Uncle Mark came for them."
Mom had tears in her eyes as she said, "I know baby. Uncle Mark was crazy and they did not know about the abuse that was happening in the psychiatric hospital. They would never had let him stay there if they know. Unfortunately by the time they started to figure this out Uncle Mark had died."
"I wish we could go back Mom, I hate it here." I said, "I know you grew up in this house and town but it seems off."
Sighing my Mom said, "Your not wrong Amanda I have felt it to. But until the situation back home is resolved there is no way we can go back there."
"I had a dream last night Mom about Maddy and Shawn. I believe they solve the problem because in my dream we were back home and Maddy and Shawn were getting married," I said.
My Mom burst out laughing and said, "Amanda that is to funny because they always had a thing for each other but have never went for it. Dad even told him to ask Maddy out."
Shrugging I said, "You never know Mom maybe everything that is happening down there would convince them to finally take a chance. Life if way to short."
Mom laughed and said, "Once everything in Florida is fixed and we go home you have fun telling Maddy and Shawn that. How about this why don't we walk to the Parrot and get some Pizza for dinner?"
We walked down to the Parrot and ordered Pizza, Salads, knots and mozzarella sticks. The owner was a kind man who had the news on since it was a slow night. A news article popped up on the screen saying Florida town still under quarantine day 56. Why is this town blocked off? My mom asked him to keep it on and we stood up to get a better view. The news camera was aimed at a news conference at one of blockades and I said, "Mom look its Maddy and Shawn."
Mom looked at me and said, "What in the world are they covered in. They look like they have been in a battle."
I sked the owner to turn up the TV. He did giving me a weird look, We listened as Maddy said, "Thank you for coming. We are so sorry that our city is shut down but to date over 30 residents have been killed and it looks like there may be more before this nightmare is over. We have started escorts to evacuating the residents that are willing to go. For your safety we advise not coming into our town because you could be at the same risk as our residents."
We heard a question asked, "What is causing the deaths?"
Shawn took over and said, "Monsters and ghosts."
The owner of the parrot changed the station and said, "Bullshit."
When he saw the look on my Moms face he said, "Susie Cue?"
I looked at him and said, "Sir unfortunately not bullshit. My Dad and Grandparents were killed by the ghost of my uncle who died. My mom was rescued by Shawn and Maddy as she was being tortured. If it wasn't for them I would be an orphan."
He came out from behind the counter and said, "Susie girl I am so sorry Max and his parents were killed. They were good people. Wait was it little Mark? He killed them. What happened? Oh shit what a horrible question, I am so sorry."
I sighed uncle Mark had an issue with drugs when he got older after they moved to Florida to live near us. Grandma and Grandpa had Uncle Mark put in a rehab mental home. The staff was horrible and tortured and abused him. They didn't know until they went to visit him after his probation period. When they got there they found him beaten and bruised. They had a ambulance come and he died a few days later at the hospital."
I figured why not and continued, "What they are going through is a curse on the town and now its time to pay for the curse. That's why we are here. We cannot be in town without it trying to killing us. We left everything behind. Maddy and Shawn are friends of my parents and are trying to save the town."
Martin looked worried and said, "Town curse huh?"
Mom asked Martin and said, "So that orphanage Martin is that a curse we need to worry about?"
Martin looked at us and said, "I will be honest with you Susie. One day the building was an assisted living home and the next we were told it was now a home for special needs children. But the thing was the staff who worked at the assisted living home were all let go and people questioned about who would be caring for the children and we were told that they had specialized staff."
"Martin," My Mom started, "When Amanda was walking with her friends she was taking pictures. She has a special talent for doing backwards pictures where she aims over her shoulder and does shots. She had taken a picture of just the building and did her backwards picture. These backwards pictures were less than 6 seconds apart and more and more children appeared out of no where and the last one had a older child reaching out of the fence towards her. The child in the picture looked scary."
I took out my tablet out of my purse and pulled up the pictures to show him. I handed him the tablet and said, "This is the series of the pictures I took of the building because I like older buildings. If you hit next you will see the next 6 pictures that are all taken over the shoulder."
Martin scrolled the pictures slowly and at the end of it he handed it back and asked, "Can you please start it over for me?"
I set it back up and he started going slow and made faces and after he handed me the tablet back he said, "Susie I think you stumbled onto something here."
"What do you mean Martin," I asked.
"Susie move in and Amanda come here and sit next to us," He said.
"Pull up the pictures starting with the house," He said. When I did he took the tablet and continued. "If you look at the house you can see faces in the windows. Look closely those faces look very elderly. We were told the residents were moved to a new private facility inland. Now the next one the first of the children appear on the porch. They are staring at the camera like they are glaring at you like Ms Connie and Ms Letty used to do when they would stand on the porch. The next picture the children on the grass sitting under the tree. Mr Jacobs, Mr Smith and Mrs Abigail and Mrs Constance would sit under that tree all the time. DO you see how they are ignoring the camera that's how they would be outside. Then the third picture has the kids in the distance walking the path. Those remind me of Mr James and Mrs Louise they were married for years and would walk the path whenever they could. The last picture is what got me though the kid reaching out to you and the kid behind him. They remind me of Mr Samuel and his brother Mr Kyle. Mr Samuel hates people and his brother is like his goon. There is something though one day Mr James and Mrs Louise family came to visit and they could not access the property. The new caretaker Mrs Jospehine came out and explained the assisted home was changed to a special needs children home and that her parents were moved. Their son was angry and said then why did the nursing home accept payment for that month. Mrs Josephine became angry and basically told them to leave and her parents moved. Later that night he got a call from his mom and she said that the payment issue was moved and that they moved to a new home by the Pine Barrens and they could afford the payments from now on and they would call soon once they were more settled. As they moved in on their own accord and just needed help with a few tasks here and there."
"So Martin what do you really think is happening?" Mom asked as the door to the resturant rang as the librarian and an older man came in.
Martin stood up as i moved to my side of the table, "Susie Cue it has been so nice catching up to you and meeting Amanda. I would be glad to come to your house for dinner tomorrow and catch up some more. I will bring dinner with me and you provide the desert."
My mom got the hint fast and said, "You sure Martin I can cook."
Laughing he said, "After everything you and Amanda have been through its the least I can do. Oh look your friends are back on the news cast."
He turned up the TV and we heard, "I am sorry we had to step away and leave for a minute. At this time we are putting out a all points bulletin if you know anyone in town and cannot reach them there are meeting points outside of town taking names of the residents who left. If your from the town please call the number on the screen and let us know where you are so we can add you to the safely evacuated list. Currently there are over 2950 unaccounted for. If you call the phone number you will also be given a list of names for the people who have elected to stay."
My mom lifted her phone and dialed the number. When someone answered she said, "This is Sue Maginan and me and my daughter Amanda are safe in New Jersey. Can you please put us on the list to call once its safe and Maddy and Shawn give the all clear to come home."
I heard her listen to the voice on the line and she said, "When we left we secured the home and we own it outright so there should be no issue with anything. I appreciate you asking though I cannot believe the banks are causing issues when people cannot go outside without the fear of being killed."
I saw her listening again and she said, "Maddy has a key to my house if someone wants to empty the pantry and freezer and give whats in it to the people who stayed that is perfectly okay. Besides the fridge and additional freezer and the pantry if you go into the garage there is 4 stacked totes with hurricane supply food. Please take all of it as well. Its the least I can do to help."
As my mom talked on the phone Martin brought over a box for our leftovers and he bought us out a box of cannolis and said, "A little treat for you both. I took care of your bill already. You both stay safe and Amanda you stay out of trouble."
Smiling I pointed to the screen where the reporter was speculating on screen, "No worries Martin I will not do anything to get into trouble especially after that."
Mom and I walked home and once we got there and were inside she said, "Amanda I think we may have walked into something that rivals what we were going through at home. Please stay away from there especially until we get more information from Martin."
"I get it mom," I said. "Keep myself alive here as well."
I headed to my room and settled into getting ready for bed. I looked out the window and could have sworn I saw someone by the tree across the street. I made sure my window was locked and closed the curtain and went to bed.
****************************************************
The following day my mom reminded me that we were having dinner guests that evening and I headed to school. As I headed down the road I heard my name called and I turned around and saw my new friend Shannon running towards me. I smiled and she said, "I have to talk to you."
I looked at her and said, "What's up."
"After we walked home from school yesterday did you go anywhere?" She asked.
"Yeah," I said. "I went to the library and asked the librarian about the home and then went to have dinner with my mom at the Parrot. Why do you ask?"
"The Librarian is my Aunt Carol and she came home in a mood," She said. "She complained to my uncle and started telling him people are asking questions. They went out for a while and when they got back she was telling my uncle they would need to keep an eye on you and your mom. Listen I could get into a lot of trouble so please do not say anything okay?"
"Shannon your secret is safe with me," I said as I thought I will say something to my mom and Martin later that night.
She smiled and said, "Now lets talk about something more fun, The Halloween dance."
Sighing I said, "Halloween dance."
"Yeah," She said. "Whats wrong you do not seem happy about the dance?"
"Shannon I have to tell you a secret," I said. I took out my phone and showed her the video feed from town. "This is where we are from."
She watched the video feed from the courthouse and said, "Amanda are you kidding me?"
"No," I said. "The town is cursed and the dead are going after the living. My grandparents and my Dad was killed by the ghost of my uncle."
Amanda- Main Mom- Sue (Maginan)
Maddy and Shawn- Ghost zone
Martin- Owner of the parrot
Residents of the old assisted home- Ms Connie and Ms Letty, Mr Jacobs, Mr Smith and Mrs Abigail and Mrs Constance, Mr James and Mrs Louise, Mr Samuel and his brother Mr Kyle
Mrs Jospehine- Childrens home caretaker
Carol- head librian
Friends- Shannon
No comments:
Post a Comment