Twelve Oaks

I had to move thanks to a horrible divorce. My ex decided that he was going to take everything from me in order to teach me a lesson.  I took myself and my pets and moved to these cottages in a park called 'Twelve Oaks'. This place was a quaint park that held both cottages and mobile homes. I was lucky as the parks rates were cheap enough, I could move myself and my pets in and have some money in savings. I did have to give up a lot from my old home, but change can be good.

However, change can also drive you a bit batty.  A few weeks after moving into my cottage strange things started happening.  It would start with hearing footsteps in the living room at night when I would be sleeping. By the time I would pull out my gun and go to the room the noises had stopped.  This happened on and off all week and I thought I was going crazy.  That was until I walked my dog one night.

I was walking my golden Buddy down one of the pathways and I hear rustling in the trees above me. Then Buddy drops to the ground whining like he was hurt or scared. I lean down to check on him and when I look up standing down the path in front of me is a massive seven foot shadow man. This creature was full of mass and looking in my direction. Before I could say anything, it started moving towards me. I was frozen in place and before I knew it it was standing in front of me. I lifted my head and said, "I might not be able to move, but I am not scared of you." It took a step back and then Buddy jumped up and started growling and barking. The shadow creature took to the trees and disappeared.  I turned buddy around and we took off towards my cottage and once I was inside I pulled the curtains closed and locked everything up.  That night was the first night since I was ten years old that I slept with the light on.

The next morning once the sun had started to rise I took Buddy for another walk on the same path we saw the shadow creature last night. As I was turning down the path looking up I heard a voice call out to me from a nearby cottage. I looked up and sitting there on his porch with a cup of coffee was Mr Pierce. Mr Pierce has lived in the park for over 25 years.

"Good Morning Mr Pierce, How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm doing well Ms Maggie. You're up early today, are you doing okay?"

"To be honest with you, Mr Pierce, I am really not. If I told you what I saw last night I am sure you would try to have me committed."

"Try me, dear."

I proceeded to tell him about the shadow creature and how I couldn't move for a while. I told him how when I told it just because I couldn't move I wasn't scared of him is when Buddy and I was released. That's when Mr Pierce got a serious look on his face.

"Ms Maggie it concerns me that you saw him at all. That shadow creature is a very old spirit. There were reports of him in this area from before the civil war. He usually doesn't just show himself to anyone. Promise me you will be careful, especially if you go to take Buddy really late at night."

"Of course I will be careful, Mr Pierce I promise."

After chatting with Mr Pierce for a little while I started walking Buddy around the trailers and cottages in the park! I saw some of the residents leaving for work and said my fair shares of good morning.  By the time I was almost back to my cottage the Sun fully shining and I was feeling a bit better about things. As I was walking up the path to my cottage I heard a "Hey Maggie you have a great day." I looked up to see my neighbor Kase loading up his truck going off to his construction job. When he turned around I let my Gaze linger on him for a brief moment. That man was very handsome and built from construction work and as southern as you can get. I took one last glance at him, smiled and went inside to start my work day.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was so busy at work I didn't realize how late it got until Buddy started to whine at the front door. I looked at the clock and it was already 2:30 in the afternoon.  I shut my laptop and stood up, "Sorry big guy let me get a drink and I will take you for a walk."

I took him around our normal walking path and as we got to the bend we saw the shadow person Buddy started to pull on the leash trying to get away. I pulled him back to me and kneeled down to him. He cuddled right into looking up. I looked up to and didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

"Come on, big guy lets get back to the house." I said as we turned around. I walked right into a broad chest.

"Hey Maggie!," Kase said as he steadied me.

"Oh hey Kase, You're home early today." I said, fumbling over the words, "Sorry about that I wasn't watching where I was going."

He chuckled, "Well, it might have been my fault I was whistling for Buddy when I saw you walking this way."  He leaned down to give Buddy's ears a good scratch.

"Oh I see you were trying to distract my dog so I would purposely run into you?" I laughed. " You know you could have just called my name I would have turned around."

"But then you wouldn't have run right into me and that was so much more fun," He said, reaching up to tuck a hair behind my ear.

"Well then, What can I do for you Kase?" I asked as we started along the path towards our cottages.

"Well, I have been thinking, would you like to go out and have a beer with me tonight?" He asked. "I would really like to get to know you some more."

I smiled, "You know what I would love to get a beer with you.  When would you like to meet up and where would you like to go." 

His smile lit up, "How about an hour from now? I was thinking Mack's pub. It's not to loud so we can talk and get to know each other. You okay with walking the 2 blocks. I will meet you at your house in a bit." 

He leaned over and scratch buddies ears and walked back to his cottage. I smiled and headed back to my cottage to get ready. He showed up exactly an hour later and said, "You ready?"

I smiled saying, "I sure am!"

Heading out the door I locked the door and we were off to Macks Pub. As we were walking we just talked about the most random stuff. By the time we got to Macks I knew he was one of five boys and is divorced and he knew I was an only child. We walked into the pub and grabbed a table closest to the pool tables. As we sat there talking he looked towards the door and groaned. He leaned over and whispered, "I am so sorry I hate drama but it looks like some walked in the door. My ex wife just came in with a new guy and she sure likes to start."

I looked over and started laughing grabbing his hand. Leaning over I said, "Thats ok because your drama just walked in with my drama."

He looked over and was like, "Thats your ex?"

I couldnt stop laughing and just nodded my head. After I calmed down a bit he was like well thats interesting. We just changed our seats to see the pool tables better and kept talking. We sat talking about everything when I heard a very snarky voice, "Well case I see you downgraded from me."

I turned in my seat to look up and see Kases ex wife standing behind us with my ex holding her hand, "I would think I would be an upgrade as you are with an inch worm."

"Maggie," My ex Andrew said, "Don't you know to be nicer to your betters."

I laughed so hard I snorted, "If you are both are my betters than there is a serious problem."

Standing up I looked at Andrew, "Remember Andrew your the one who was boring from the start. But that's okay because I feel like I took so much trash out when I came out here. I see you have a new phase so your branching out from co workers?"

Kases ex wife looked up and said, "What is she talking about Andrew?"

Kaze tried to cover a laugh with a cough, "Well Libby I think you are smart enough to realize what Maggie is saying. Now if you will excuse me we were having a great time until you appeared."

Libby grabbed Andrews hand and pulled them away. As they walked away I started to laugh hard which caused Kase to join in and before long the owner came over and sat down asking, "You all okay I saw that but I wanted to make sure your both good?"

Kase said, "Yeah Mack were good you don't have to worry about us. Looks like they left anyway."

Mack chuckled and said, "Kase my boy I still have no clue what you saw in Libby."

Looking up at Mack he said, "Neither do I. I guess we just knew each other for so long that we decided to just go with it. I will definitely not be doing that again."

Looking at Kase I asked, "How ling have you lived here?"

Tilting his head he said, "Since I was three. What about you?"

Thinking I said, "I lived in the area all my life. But when I got divorced I decided to move back to this part to get away from my ex. He always said being out here always felt like he was around hillbilly's. Which was bull crap because his grandparents live down the road and his uncle a few blocks over and he was always out here visiting them."

He nodded and asked, "May I ask why you divorced?"

Sighing I said, "He blames me, I have fertility issues and the one pregnancy I had resulted in a miscarriage. He started cheating and blamed me because a real woman should be able to carry a child."

Kase looked shocked, "Please tell me you don't believe that?"

Shaking my head I said, "No I don't. The baby passing was because of stress and other factors."

Kase took my hand and said, "How about we get out of here. I think something sweet is in order."

I nodded and he went to pay our bill. When he came back he took my hand and we left. We chatted about our likes and dislikes until we came to a small ice cream cafe. He opened the door and said, "I think  is in order."

We walked to the counter and both ordered some rocky road ice cream cones. We went outside and sat on a bench next to the local government building. We sat and chatted for a long while and soon enough the local church bell rang out. We looked at each other and then realized it was almost midnight. We started to walk home. When we got there he took the first step and kissed me. Smiling he placed his hand on my cheek and said, "I would love to do this again soon."

I smiled back and said, "So would I."

********************************************************

He turned and walked away as I let myself into my cottage. For the first time since my divorce I felt like everything was going to be okay. The following morning I realized that I had over slept and realized I probably missed all the good freelancing jobs for the day. I curled up in bed and looked at my phone. There was a message from Kase that said, 'I had a great time last night and will see you later.'

I was almost ready to go back to bed when I heard a knock at the door. Sitting up I grabbed my robe and went to answer the door. When I opened the door no one was there. I stepped out on the porch and the park was quiet. Buddy ran out next to me and I put him in his dog run while I got changed and opened the house up as it was cooler outside. I sat outside on one of my patio chairs and checked the message boards for work. As I freelance with multiple companies I saw there was still some jobs between all the sites and called buddy in so I could set up and get to work. Before I knew it my Grandfather clock was striking 3pm and I realized I worked most of the day and morning away.

I stood up and looked at Buddy as I said, "Wanna go outside boy?"

He stood up and gave an excited tail wag and I took him outside so he could play in his dog run. I sat on the patio watching him play and drank some tea and read a book. As the time pasted and I read, I discovered I was really tired. As I was curled up in my chair with a light blanket I fell asleep and I woke up to Buddy barking. I sat up and realized he had been in his run for a while as the sky was beginning to darken for the night. I stood up and walked over to the run as I said to him, "Sweet boy why did you let me sleep so long."

He ran to the door to be let in and when I walked inside I realized that things were moved on my desk. All my electronics were there but items were moved. I grabbed my bat next to the desk and walked through the house checking to make sure the windows were still in tact. As it was getting cooler out I shut the windows and locked them as I passed them. I put the news on and went into the kitchen to start dinner. Looking through the refrigerator and freezer I decided it was going to be a pizza night and put a frozen pizza and wings in the oven. I fed buddy and sat on the couch while dinner cooked.

It bothered me that things were moved in the house and I slept through it. But why would someone come by and mess with my stuff and not take it. I considered this as I heard a knock at the door. Opening the door I found Kase standing there with flowers. Buddy barked to be let out to say hi. I smiled and opened the door. Buddy took it as his cue to jump on Kase.

"Hey big guy," He said as he rubbed Biddy's belly. "Lets get inside."

Moving aside I took the flowers as case walked in, "Thank you."

"Your most welcome," He said. "Are you okay you seem a bit out of it?"

I chuckled and said, "Its been a very odd day."

Taking my hand he said, "Come on and sit. Tell me what happened."

Laying the flowers on the table I said, "I normally can get up no matter how late I stay up. After you texted me I fell asleep again. A bit later I was woken up to pounding on the front door but when I got to it no one was there. So I logged in to work and worked until three. Afterwards I took Buddy and put him in his dog run. I fell asleep again and woke up to Buddy barking. We came inside and things were moved all over the house, but nothing was taken."

"Did you check the house," He asked.

"I did," I said. "All the screens were in tact. I even made sure the windows were closed and locked as I checked the house."

"Well I was going to offer to take you for some dinner," He said. "Would you like to order a pizza? I can hang out here with you for a while."

I laughed as I got up and said, "No need to order a pizza I have pizza and boneless wings in the oven."

Going int to the kitchen I put the flowers in a vase and checked on the food. Kase joined me and was about to say something when there was a heavy knock at the door. Buddy ran to the door barking and then he dropped to the ground and started snarling. We looked at each other and he grabbed the bat leaning against the couch. He called Buddy quietly saying, "Come here boy."

Buddy backed up a few feet and I knelt next to him holding onto his collar. Kase looked back and asked are you expecting someone as we both saw a shadow at the door. I shook my head and Kase pulled open the door and no one was there. He ran outside with the bat and when he came back he said, "What the hell just happened?"

I shook my head and said, "That was so weird. Things have been weird since I saw the shadow man in the park."

"Shadow man," He asked. "When?"

"The day you saw me walking buddy," I said.

He shut the door and came over giving me a hug. He lifted my chin and he said, "Its okay I will protect you."

The timer on the food went off and I got it out putting it on a tray. We pulled the table next to the couch in front of us and sat down to eat. While we were eating we saw a shadow in front of the door again. It would knock and wait. After about fifteen minutes I said, "Go away we are not going to answer the door you are being annoying."

The knocking stopped and we sat eating and talking. We cleaned up from dinner and Kase said, "I will keep an eye over here tonight. Will you be okay?"

"Yes I will," I said. "After work tomorrow which thankfully is a short day, I will go get a few cameras and figure out what to do about that shadow man."

"Well if you want tomorrow is my early day as well," He said. "I will put the camera up after you get it. How about this. When you get off work come over to my house and we can get the camera. I am thinking of getting some for my house as well. Then I can take you out to dinner."

Smiling I said, "It sounds like a date."

*****************************************************************

The following morning when my 6am alarm went off I woke up and took buddy outside to his dog run. We saw Kase leave for work and he honked his horn as he left for work calling out, "I will see you later on."

Making sure Buddy's run was locked I went inside to bring my computer up and get it ready for the day. While it was loading I went into the kitchen and made a small pot of coffee. I heard Buddy barking and went outside to see what was going on and he was barking facing the side of the cottage. When I came out I looked and did not see anything. Opening his run I said, "Go to the house for breakfast."

We went inside. Feeding Buddy and making myself a quick breakfast I sat at my desk to start my day. While sitting at the desk the power started to flicker. I texted the park manager Kay knowing she got up early to work and asked, "Is your power flickering?"

She replied back, "No its not. Is yours?"

"Yes," I said. "I have to ask you a question but I feel stupid."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Is the park haunted?" I asked.

My phone rang five second later. I answered and as I worked I told her everything that had happened the last few days. When I told her what happened when Kase and I were eating dinner she was surprised. Then she told me she had heard rumors and said she would look into it as her uncle has lived in the park for over twenty years. She would try to get me an answer. Then she told me she has the electrician coming out today and will have him check the meter and connections to my cottage.

I worked through the morning completing quite a few big freelancing jobs. After requesting payments I took a few minutes and walked Buddy so I would be ready when Kase got off of work. Sitting back down I started to work on smaller jobs that had appeared on a few of the job boards and worked until I got a text from Kase letting me know he was home and showering before we headed out to get the camera and then dinner. Logging into the email company I freelanced for I worked emails for a while until I heard a light knock at the door. I called out one second and finished the last email I worked on. Closing my computer I went to the door opening it to find no one there. 

I went outside to see Kase walking my way and he called out, "Did it happen again?"

"Yes," I said. "I was working on emails while I waited for you. There was a lighter knock at the door so I thought it was you. I shut the computer down and opened the door and no no one was there."

Maggie

Kase

Andrew- ex

Libby- Kaze ex

Mr Pierce

Mack's pub
Twelve Oaks

Kay- Park Manager

Battling for me

I had just moved. After a fairly nasty divorce I decided to move closer to where I worked and I found a trailer in a historic trailer park just a few blocks and less than a half of a mile from where I work. I mean the rent was good, the area was quiet and it was the perfect place for me to start healing. You may ask why was I getting a divorce? Well, that is because my ex went from a sweet and loving man to a monster within a couple of weeks time. The night I found out that I was having a baby he came over due to the divorce and beat me to an inch of my life. My boss Callie had swung by the next morning to see if I was okay because I did not show up for my six am shift. When it slowed down, she put a be right back sign up and drove to my home to check on me since he had shut off my phone. She saved my life. She pulled up and saw my feet from the window and she called 91l. The police broke down the door and medical crew said if I had not been found I would have died. I had four broken ribs, a concussion, fractured arm, broken ankle and I had lost my baby. Losing the baby is what hurt me the most. Because so much time had passed before I was found the doctor said there is a good chance that I could never have a child in the future. My heart was broken.

They found my ex-husband twenty miles away in Tampa on a date while I was fighting for my life in the hospital. He was going to try making the accident look like a home invasion and making sure no one found me before I did die. He had admitted he was angry that I got to work a job where I had fun and made money. My boss Callie just so happened to be a lifelong family friend who owns a coffee shop right next to the towns court house and sheriff office. She allowed her workers sell their art in the windows and display cases of the shop.  The shop got a percentage of the sale and we got to have fun at work and make a few extra dollars. He actually had hidden a large amount of my paintings in the garage with the plan of selling them after I had died as dead artists make more.

I woke up in the hospital alone except for an off duty officer sitting in the room next to me. When he saw me wake up his smile brightened and he said, "Hey, Beth you finally came back to us. Let me go get the nurse and call Callie. She will be so happy that you're awake." He walked out of the room and a nurse came running in.

"Beth you gave us all a scare. You have a lot of people who will be glad your awake." The nurse came in and  She saw my hand flutter to my stomach, "Beth listen to me. You need to stay calm and not think about anything until after you speak with the Doctor okay."

I nodded knowing what awful news I was to be given. Closing my eyes I rested waiting for Callie and the Doctor to come in. After they came in Callie curled up next to me and the doctor explained everything. He said my chances of ever having a baby were slim to none because of the damage I had. Callie held onto me and said, "Have hope Beth you never know what can happen."

I asked her, "Did they find him?"

"You bet your ass they did," She said. "The sheriffs' office took particular pleasure to arresting him for what he did to you. Me and Bob went to your house and had everything repaired and cleaned. My sweet bestie I am so sorry everything happened to you."

I laid my head on her shoulder, "Callie I want him to suffer after what he did to me. He cost me my baby and he needs to feel the hurt he caused."

"Don't worry Beth I assure you he is being treated as he deserves in the jailhouse," A voice said from the doorway.

I looked up to see a friend and sheriff named Marcus in the doorway. He smiled and said, "You are so lucky you woke up I was suspecting she was gonna add some of her energy coffee to your IV soon."

Callie laughed and said, "Do not think I didn't think about it. But Callie we will get you through this. You do not only have me even though I know I am a big deal. But seriously you have the whole towns support."

Leaning on her I just closed my eyes and I knew the tears were rolling down but there was nothing I could do. Callie hung onto me and Marcus came to the other side of my bed and held my hand. I was lucky a lot of the customers became family that week and would be a aunt uncle or cousin when they would stop bye to wish me well and leave me little gifts. 

One day Mrs Susanna a elderly member of the town council came in as she told the nurse, "Put me down as her great aunt and leave us alone."

I sat up a little in bed and she came over and gave me the biggest hug, "Oh my sweet girl I was out west visiting my sister or I would have been here camping next to you until you woke up. Now I am not gonna give you the bull shit line of things happen for a reason and be positive. I know you been fed that crap all week since you opened those brown eyes of yours. I wish I could take away your pain and give you your baby back but I can't but what I can do is is be an ear and tell people to fuck off when they are bothering you."

Laughing I said, "Mrs Sue I cannot thank you enough for your bluntness. I am so happy to see you."

"Well girl I have something for you. From the looks of those baskets I see people have been trying to get you fat," She said as she grabbed a candy bar out of a basket. Then handed me a large gift bag. "While I was visiting my sister and heard the news I started making this for you. I know how you say the colors of fall make you feel better."

I opened up the bag to a beautiful knitted blanket. It was a pattern of orange brown greens and reds. The colors of the fall. I looked up and said, "Oh its beautiful Thank You."

She spoke softly and said, "I know I can't bring back your baby but when your sad you wrap up in this and hold on tight and know you have all of us. I also organized meals for you. Currently that big freezer you have in your laundry room was reorganized and half full of premade meals. Everything has cooking instructions and there is a lot of single serve meals in there as well. By the time we can spring you, you will be able to go home and relax. Callie and I will get your perishable then and anything else you need." 

"Mrs Sue thank you so much," I said. "Now that your here lets have it woman lets have some horrible hospital coffee and you give me all the good gossip including whats been said about me."

Mrs Sue laughed and pulled out a thermos as she said, "My dear girl I would not subject you to horrible coffee while I am here. I stopped by the shop and Callie gave me this as well as some of her croissants, butter and jam. That woman can be a tough gal but she bakes like an angel. Don't you ever tell her I  said that I need to keep the Grumpy granny persona."

You have my word Mrs Sue," I said. 

For an hour Mr.s Sue and I visited and ate the food and snacks she had brought with her. She told me all the gossip around town. At the end of visiting hours she stood up and walked over to me. Taking my hand she said, "Beth you are a strong gal and you will be okay. If you need anything you call me okay."

"I will Mrs Sue don't you worry about that," I said.

She left and I shifted in the bed and closed my eyes to sleep. My life would be different now and I had to accept it but with all the amazing people in my life I will be okay.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following day Callie arrived with coffee and said, "Girl I think I can walk from the spot I park in to your hospital room with my eyes closed. Oh damn girl I love that blanket where did you get it?"

Smiling I said, "Mrs Sue came up to visit me and gossip. She made this for me while she was visiting family after she heard about what happened."

"I knew that old biddy had a soft spot," She said.

"Well don't ask her about it or she might tell you to go to hell," I said.

"Nah As much as she is cranky Mrs Sue is one of the good ones," She said. "I know not to poke the bear."

We both laughed and she said, "We miss you at the cafe. I will be honest with you I did raid your garage and took some paintings you were going to sell as they were in the sell bin and put them up at the shop. Actually your sell bin is empty now as people kept buying your stuff to help you along. I deposited the money into your bank already."

Laughing I said, "Damn. What about the paintings that he stole from me?"

Marcus walked in and said, "Well I guess I read your mind ladies. Thats why I am here.  Beth now that you are awake and Andrew admitted everything he did to you we no longer need the paintings. I was going to ask you where you want them to go to. Due to the amount of paintings Andrew has stolen from you I am going to let you know this was not a act of passion or insanity. He had over 200 paintings of yours. the state will hold it till you can pick it up but we advised your in the hospital and the state is going to allow the county pick up the paintings and bring them to a location of your choice." 

"He always told me that I must be mistaken about the amount of paintings I had," I said. "This is more than a few months during our divorce. These paintings have been going missing for the last two years."

Marcus said, "Two years?"

"Yeah where is my phone?" I said. "Look at these text messaged I have pulled up the other day after you all said that he had a bunch of my paintings."

Marcus took my phone and said, "Give me 10 min I need your phone and have to make a call."

He walked out and I looked at Callie and said, "I think I am going to have them bring the paintings to the store if you can store them. We should make money off of his greed."

She said, "That sounds good to me. I actually turned the old supply closet into awaiting to be sold section and we will stack all your paintings to the back and replace as we sell. Speaking of paintings since we know your going to be in here for at least another week or two I bought you this."

She handed me two big bags from hobby lobby one full of larger canvases and one with smaller canvases and a bunch of paints and a table top easel. "Thank you Callie this will be a great way to pass the time."

Marcus walked in and said, "Beth I had to screen shot those messages where he argues with you about paintings missing with him. He states all the paintings you gave him were gifts."

I looked up and said, "I never gave him any paintings because he used to belittle my art."

Marcus nodded and said, "Okay then I will pass that information along. So when we get those paintings for you where are they going?"

I pointed to Callie and said, "See that stunning woman there? Your taking them to her and she knows how to price them for sale."

Marcus looked at Callie and said, "I guess it will be a date then Callie."

Callies cheeks went pink and said, "Its a date."

I sighed and said, "Lord you two you both wanna go on a date with each other. Be lucky I can't smack the sense into both of you."

Marcus looked at me and said, "Beth be serious."

"I am being serious," I said. "Callie and you should go out to dinner."

Callie looked at me and I said, "Marcus. Take Callie to dinner tonight after you bring her the paintings and make sure she get a decent meal in her since she has been worried about me."

Beth- Main

Callie- Bestie

Bob- Co Worker

Marcus- Shriff

Andrew- Ex

Mrs. Sue