Hauntings (4 page)

              “The Baron had hoped to raise horses intending to increase his family's fortune, I know this because I worked at his stables for a time when I was young. I was a strong man then and hard work was nothing new to me. He hired me on the spot, the day I applied for the job. I enjoyed the work, but when the SS came and occupied the castle things changed. The Baron and his wife were allowed to stay on the property in one of the servant's rooms on the third floor, but the rest of us were told to leave. Not that anyone wanted to stay with the Nazis in charge. “ He took a long glance at the black and white photograph of the estate and gently placed it back in the drawer.

              “The baron wasn't going to get the chance to make his stud farm a success. All the baron's staff were dismissed. The lucky ones were fired, the others were sent to the labor camps never to be seen again. The baron and baroness were allowed to stay but they had to do the work of the servants. They made the Baron the grounds-keeper, and the Baroness a maid. As for the livestock, the Nazis had all the horses killed and butchered and the meat sent to the front lines for the soldiers” The concierge appeared to visibly age with the memory of it all.

              “The war was nearing its end. The allies had invaded Europe and were forcing the Germans out of the countries they occupied. It was only a matter of time until the Allies would be in Holland. When the time was right, the Canadian army attacked the castle with overpowering force. The Nazi's managed to fight the Canadians off for a time. The Nazis had time enough to accuse the baron of spying for the allies. The commandant claimed the Baron communicated vital information to the Canadians. Who knows, perhaps through the underground, he did. They executed him by firing squad the same day, no need for a trial. Accusation then execution, the Germans are nothing if they are not efficient.”

              “ It wasn't too long before the Castle was liberated. The allied soldiers searched the castle and took whatever the Nazi's left behind that provided what thought may have been valuable intelligence to the Allies. The Canadians didn't take up residence, they took what they wanted then followed the German's retreat. After a few days, when the battle was over and the soldiers were gone I went back to the castle and offered the baroness my help. With the help of some of the other old farm hands who had worked for them we found and recovered the Baron's body. I remember two of us carried it back to the castle wrapped in canvas. The Baroness prepared her husband's body while I prepared the family crypt.”

              “Damn” Ozzie exclaimed “You old folks went through a lot.”
Was this the first Ozzie heard of war, or just the first time he heard someone share their personal account of what happened to them during the war
, Randal wondered.

              Ignoring Ozzie's comment the old man continued. “There wasn't a funeral service, no priest came to say the rights of passage from one world to the next. The baroness Theadora stood alone and observed as I laid the baron's body on the slab reserved for him. She didn't shed a tear, she didn't say a word of farewell, she only stood there watching what I was doing and waited. I folded his arms to have his hands meet on his chest as if he was praying. After a few moments she ordered me to close the crypt and that was that. After that, she ordered the place be boarded up and closed the castle.”

              “So the castle isn't haunted?” Randal asked.

              “Haunted? Perhaps, there are memories there, that is certain.” he replied and then continued his story. It was as if he had been carrying this burden within himself for many years and now that he had the chance to lay it down, he was going to lay it down completely. 

              “The baroness hired me to board it up after that, forbidding anyone to enter the castle for as long as she lived. Some people believed this was an act of extreme grief, but others, townsfolk mostly from the lower classes thought they knew otherwise. They are the ones that started the rumors that the castle is haunted. I continued to work for the baroness. I took care of the grounds of the estate while I was able. I did my best to make sure the castle wasn't vandalized. I assisted her anyway I was able. She passed away a few years back. She even remembered me in her will, that is the kind of woman the baroness was. She treated everyone with respect. She left me the money I used to start this place, Theadora's Hostel I call it in her memory.”

              “We were thinking,” Ozzie started then paused for an uneasy moment when the concierge looked him in the eye. “We were thinking of exploring the old castle, checking it out and proving one way or another whether it is haunted. Do you know who we could talk to, to get permission to go inside?”

              “The Baroness never remarried after the baron died, they were a young coupe during the war. They never had the opportunity to have any children. I often wondered if the estate would have  been cleansed somehow by the presence of children playing and growing up in the castle, playing games like hide and seek on the castle grounds. New life has such a way of sweeping away old memories, don't you think?” He gazed wistfully into space for a moment as if he was on the castle grounds and we weren't standing there in front of him obstructing his view.

              “Do you know who we can ask for permission to go to the castle?” Ozzie asked again.

              “They say a foreign corporation acquired the estate, an American I believe. As far as I know the powers that be haven't decided what if anything they are going to do with the property. They will probably tear the old castle down and develop the land with townhouses or a shopping mall or factory, or something, There was some talk of turning in into an apartment building, but for now they aren't doing anything with it.” Officially I am still  the caretaker, but all I ever do anymore is fill out the check to pay the people who really maintain the grounds. They think I'm too old for much of anything else. The corporation kept me on when they seized the place. I still have the keys though” He replied.

              “Could you let us in, would you let us explore the place for a night, maybe two? Just to see if it really is haunted the way folks say it is.”

              “We wouldn't harm anything.” Bridget offered, “We would just explore, take some photographs, maybe make a recording or two, and see what we experience. We could even write a report for you, letting you know what happened to us while we were there, if you like.”

              “That won't be necessary.”  He replied softly, “If the three of you are going to Castle
Reuversweerd, I
will be going with you.”

              “Wonderful” Randal replied half heartedly. “What do we need to get before we go? Are the utilities turned on? Is there water or electricity?” he asked.

              “You're the veteran here and you're worried about a little water and electricity? Aren't you supposed to always be prepared?” Ozzie snarked.

              “That is the boy scouts, not the army, Ozzie”

              “Play nice boys.” Bridget advised “We have to get what we think we will need and make our way to the castle, we can do it on our own and meet up there or we can all go together.”
              “I will meet you the three of you there, but now I am going to take care of a few hygiene issues if you don't mind.” Randal took a step or two away from the little group then stopped and turned back.

              “Before I head off to the showers, what is your name? I'd like to know what to call you, it would be wrong for me to just think of you as the hostel clerk, now that we will be compatriots in this adventure.“

              “You can call me Heinrich, that is much friendlier than hey you.” It looked for a moment as if Heinrich made the attempt to smile, but that the effort hurt his face.

              “Thank you Heinrich.” Randal said then turned away and left the little group and headed for the showers. He was glad to get away from them. He didn't start his walking tour to join up in some bizarre little ghost hunt. Randal only wanted to see if what worked for his grandfather would work for him. He wanted to see if he really could walk off the effects of the war and find a little peace of mind,
a little inner peace that is all I want.

While Randal lathered up his hair with dandruff shampoo he let his thoughts wander.
With any luck, they will be gone, by the time I finish my shower and am dressed and ready to go.

              He rinsed the soap out of his hair and off his muscular body grabbed a towel and dried off. He looked into his duffel bag, reached in selecting by chance a reasonably clean pair of jeans and a clean tee shirt. Randal wished he had washed out a pair of socks last night, it would be nice to have a pair of clean dry socks for the day.
Never hurts to do what one can to prevent foot rot, at least that's what they say in the jungle.
He thought, then smiled and decided to go sans socks today. 
Who says, the “rah rah” spirit is dead?
He thought while sliding his feet into his boots and lacing them up. Randal threw the towel in the hamper checked the contents of his duffel bag, then left the shower. He walked past the registration desk and waved farewell to the concierge.

              “See you later.”

              “At the castle.” Heinrich replied grim faced. Randal felt, rather than saw a maniacal grin under under the old man's stony facade.

To The Castle

              Glad to be leaving Theadora's Hostel and be out in the bright autumn sunlight once again, fed and refreshed, he hoisted his bag to his back and began walking to places as yet unknown. Randal was feeling good this morning.
Good to be alive and out in the open, where a man can see what's coming, no dark places for anyone to lay in wait hiding  biding their time just waiting to pounce when least expected.
Randal had no idea where the river Weerd was, much less Castle Reuversweerd, but no matter.
If I find myself at the door of the castle well, then, its meant to be, if night falls and I'm is nowhere near the castle then it simply wasn't meant to happen. Ozzie and Bridget could have a night of it hunting ghosts without me.
Just giving himself the option of not finding the castle, of not showing up lifted his spirits no end. Randal felt the tension seep from his shoulders and a little fresh energy flow in his step as he walked away from the hostel and further out of town.

              Soon he was enjoying his hike along a quiet country road, thoughts of a haunted castle, thoughts of war, thoughts of death faded into the darker regions of his subconscious mind while he enjoyed the scenery, alone with thoughts inspired by the peaceful setting.
It is so peaceful in the country, life moves at a slower pace, a man can just be who he is without pretense, maybe a man can forget his past and simply live his life in the country safely away from all the noise and violence of city life.
He wondered.

              Hours later Randal found himself resting in the shade of an old weeping willow near the bank of a tranquil river. Leaning against the tree trunk, partially hidden beneath the gracefully sweeping branches of the old tree. He laid his duffel bag on the ground beside him, his back comfortably relaxed against the trunk of the tree his legs stretched out in front of him like a child's. Hungry, he searched the contents of his duffel bag for something to eat. Randal was certain he had left a package of jerky in there for just such a circumstance as this, if not jerky there had to be at least a granola bar hiding in there somewhere.
Why didn't I think to take an extra roll or two at breakfast?
He wondered as hunger began to gnaw at the pit of his stomach. In a side pocket the of the bag he found what he was searching for, a strip of beef jerky.

              Randal slipped it out of it's package, held it in his hand and admired the texture and aroma of the dried beef.  Leaning back against the Weeping Willow tree he inspected the jerky for anything that might prohibit his eating it. He dusted it off, just a bit, for etiquettes sake, and then placed it in my mouth and tearing  off a bite of the tangy dried meat. It did not melt in his mouth in fact the dried meat fought being eaten springing back against his teeth protesting every bite, but at that moment it was the most delicious piece of meat he could have wanted. Randal watched the river slowly flow along its course, enjoying his meal when suddenly he heard a familiar voice call his name.

              “Randal, Randal!, What are you doing over there? We're all at the house, come on, get the lead out.” He turned and looking in the direction of the sound and there stood Ozzie at the ridge of a little hill. Getting up from the ground he grabbed his duffel bag by the canvas grips and climbed the little hill to meet Ozzie and Bridget at the ridge. Behind them stood a monstrosity of a house. The mansion darkened the sky with its presence as if it protested the existence of daylight, of everything warm and good. 
How did I get here?
Randal wondered, He admitted to himself that coming here was a possibility, but only a possibility he had no intention of following this little group of fools on their errand. He was going to slip away and go in another direction on my own journey.
Why am I here?

              “
Come on Randal, the old man is about to open the place up. You don't want to miss it, do you? He says he arranged a surprise for us inside!”

              “Yes, do come on, Randal. Don't be a spoil sport.” Bridget pleaded. Her eyes twinkling with anticipation. Looking past Bridget and Ozzie Randal watched the old man standing slightly bent over at the great doors wooden to the mansion. He looked to be fumbling with the keys.
Perhaps after all, this old house doesn't want to have its peace violated, perhaps it is fighting back against this intrusion.

             
“Let's go Randal, you're holding up the show.” Ozzie said, “by the way do you have another piece of jerky?”

              “Nope last one.” Randal replied popping the last bite of beef jerky in his mouth.  Ozzie and Bridget hurried to the door, Randal followed behind. Randal caught up with them just as old Heinrich managed to unlock the ancient doors.

              “There must the baron rest till past the hour of
vesper-tide
, And then to Holy-Rood must ride…” Heinrich muttered in a sort of sing song rhythm under his breath, softly, but just loud enough to be heard.

              “What was that?” Ozzie blurted out without wasting time on forethought.

              “Nothing, nothing at all.” came Heinrich's quick reply               “This is the main entrance, It is really rather grand, don't you think?” He said holding the doors open to expose a grand staircase climbing up to a mezzanine providing access to halls running to the left and to the right and in the center an arched doorway opening to a ballroom or great hall. To the right from the mezzanine spurred a second staircase climbing up to another landing. 

              “A modest little abode.” Ozzie remarked glancing about the grand foyer.

              “This certainly must have been an impressive entrance in its day,” Randal replied, but the dank musty smell was near overpowering. “but it smells like something died in here.”

              “I wouldn't be the least surprised.” Said Bridget, “All sort of animals could have made their home in here over the years.”

              “It has been neglected, that is true, but I don't know if I would say it has ever really been vacant.” Heinrich commented, “After the Baroness Theadora died the corporation has been seeing to it that the mansion has been maintained after a fashion while they decide what to do with it. Personally I think they should just leave it alone, they don't want visitors here.”  Bridget gave a tilt of the head in Heinrich's direction and winked to Ozzie, as if to say “W
e've got a live one here”.
Ozzie grinned childishly in reply, but thankfully didn't say a word.

              “The baron must have enjoyed entertaining to have such a ballroom.” Randal said to change the subject.

              “Oh, not the baron, he was not what one would call a people person. The Baroness Theadora though, she was one for celebrations and parties. I believe it was for her that he bought this house. The Ballroom was a bit of a consolation prize for the baroness for agreeing to leave the gaiety of the city and moving out here to the country. I'm sure he told her how she could host extravagant parties for her friends from the city. Who knows she may have held one or two before the SS came to commandeer their home.” Whenever Heinrich spoke of the baroness, a thin veil of wistfulness would come over his expression.
Lonely old fart.
Randal thought.

              “Heinrich, you said they stored paperwork here, do they have the electricity turned on?” Bridget asked, “If not, I want to know what we are going to do for light during the night.”

              “The electricity is on, so is the water. There are plenty of candles in the storeroom, in case the lights go out.” Heinrich explained. “ Let me give you a tour of the house before the sun sets.” Heinrich led the three of them up the stairs to the entrance of the ballroom. Randal paused to take a look. The room was immense, the ceiling was clearly two twenty feet tall. This is the type of room one finds in a museum of natural history it is clearly large enough to display a mastodon or perhaps a brontosaurus skeleton, but the room today was empty except for the marble statues standing guard between the windows and the plaster cupids adorning the walls.

              “Are the statues of anyone we should know?” Ozzie asked.

              “I couldn't say with any certainty.” Heinrich replied. We slowly walked into the great room, the statues drew Randal's attention, there appeared to be a medieval military theme, knights at attention, knights with swords drawn, a goddess with bow in hand ready to vanquish her enemies, and at the head of the room appeared what must have been the Lord of the manor with his subjects groveling at his feet seeking his pardon or his favor.

              “Homey touch don't you think, would make a perfect playroom for the children. Randal commented.

              “Beyond this door” Heinrich continued pointing to his right “is the a kitchen, I suppose the baroness from time to time would use the ballroom to host a banquet and having a kitchen nearby would be a convenience. There is a smaller dining room on the other side of this kitchen where they would normally have their meals, and of course when the Nazi's had the house they would eat where ever they felt like eating. I had this kitchen stocked with food and beverages for our stay. We will be dining in the small family dining room.” 

              Leading them through the kitchen to the smaller dining room, Heinrich continued the tour. The dining room had no windows, but each wall held a door. They came through the door from the kitchen, opposite was a double door opening to a sitting room, to the left was an ornately carved door leading to the library, to the right a matching door opening to a lounge for more intimate entertaining and relaxation. Heinrich continued his tour as one lost in time, he described each and every room as it was before the Nazi's arrived as if he was unaware of the ruin and decay that had befallen the castle has since it was abandoned.
He may just be a bit mad,
Randal thought.

              We went to the left to into the library.
If someone asked me to describe the library where would I begin? The musty scent of decaying books wafting across the room upon a sea of dust hanging still in the stale air. Or would I tell of the walls of books surrounding us, the darkness so deep one could feel it rather than see it, darkness that seemed to be everywhere, darkness that even overpowered the sunlight coming from the paned windows in protest to the gloom of the long abandoned room. The library is dark and intimidating. It is as if the darkness thickly flowing from the ornately carved mahogany shelves like puss from a gangrenous sore. The theme of the carvings along the shelves worked to draw one's eyes to the tin tile ceiling that long ago lost its luster and gleam, but the interlocking floral pattern could still be discerned and barely beneath that pattern seemed to hide grotesque faces suffering in unnameable torment, all staring down from above at us intruders below. Something evil lay only slightly hidden from view in this room.
Randal felt the urge to leave, then and there, but something, some quality in the tone of Heinrich's voice restrained him.

              “The baron and baroness were quite the scholars specializing in the occult and esoteric arts, this library easily contains thousands of books focusing on ancient mysticism and the religious practices of little known sects past and present from around the world.” Heinrich continued. It appeared that studied his subject well over the years since the end of the war.

              “I think this may be the place where we should center our investigation. The baroness Theadora would host séances in this room from time to time, after her husband's untimely death, even though she closed the castle to outsiders she would come here almost every night to commune with the baron. She had a passageway constructed from the old guest-house to the castle so she could come and go unhindered by prying eyes.”

              Heinrich pointed to a table off to one side of the room. “If you look closely you can still see the finely hand etched letters and words on the tabletop and there is the planchette right where she left it the last time she was here.”  Theadora would spend hours with her planchette communing with her husband and then with the other spirits as the mood would strike her” Heinrich changed topic to get back to explaining the necessities for their stay.

              “ The bedrooms are upstairs I took the liberty to have the four bedrooms closest to the head of the stairs cleaned, dusted and aired out as much as possible as can be done in a day. There may still be some lingering odors, I haven't had a chance to check. There should be fresh bedding placed on the beds for our visit as well. There are adjoining bathrooms between the bedrooms. So you see we will have all the comforts of home at our disposal. Perhaps most importantly I have had the kitchen cleaned and stocked for our little stay. The water and power is turned on, but if it should become unseasonably cold we will need to start a fire in one or two of the fireplaces.”

              Bridget appeared fascinated by the planchette, she walked over to the table and sat in the single chair and reached out her fingertips extended to the little heart shaped board.

              “Are you sure you want to do that, Bridget?” Ozzie called from across the room. She pulled her gaze away from the planchette and looked to Ozzie as if she was just rudely awakened.

              “Do what?” she asked.