The Crystal Visions: A Families Journey into the Paranormal Volume 2 (5 page)

          The workshop door screeched open as a wedge of sunlight shone into the cavernous building
followed by a loud bang. Storm ran ahead to greet Sunny and Spencer with a woof and a wag. “Sunny?!” Shaley called out. The girls ran into the shop and peered into the engine compartment where Sunny and Spencer were working. Shaley explained about the mysterious object at a speed and pitch only Storm could understand Sunny thought as she wiped her greasy hands on a shop rag. “What are you on about?” Sunny said frowning as she looked down at the very animated girls. “Can you help us get our treasure out of the river?” Shaley repeated. “Please Sunny. We’re dying to know what it is.” Pippi added.

          Sunny leaned back on her heals. “Well I’m kinda busy here working on this truck for your uncle.” Sunny stated the obvious.
Spencer copied Sunny’s hand cleaning ritual as he smiled proudly. “Please Sunny! Please please please.” The girls persisted. Sunny placed the rag into her back pocket. “What do you think Spencer? Should we take a break and see if we can help these damsels in distress?” Sunny asked her new assistant. “Ya Ya!!” Spencer seemed excited to find out what the object was as well. “Ok then it’s settled. Just let me get a few things.” Sunny picked up a thick jute rope along with a long handled pry bar she could use if necessary to dislodge the object.

          They all strolled out of the shop door and Sunny tossed
her gear into the back of the Gator. Spencer rode shotgun while the girls hopped into the back as well. At the dock all four tried to yank on the rope but it wouldn’t budge. Sunny attached the existing rope to the trailer hitch on the back of the ATV. She inched the Gator forward slightly but it didn’t make any progress. “I don’t know what it is Shaley but it seems to be stuck on something. Either it’s super heavy or buried into the thick mud on the bottom of the river. If it’s been there a while it might not want to come up at all. The mud acts like a suction cup.” Sunny said scratching her head before replacing her baseball cap. She tried one more time from a slightly different angle but still no luck.

         
Sunny stood beside the girls with her hands in her back pockets. Spencer mirrored her pose. “I don’t know what to tell you kiddo. It doesn’t seem to want to come to the surface.” Sunny said. Everyone turned when they heard a rustling noise behind them. “What’s going on here?” Markie asked with more than a bit of curiosity. Shaley again told the story at the speed of light. Markie went briefly to confer with Sunny. “What’s the plan?” Markie asked her friend. “I was just about to hop in the water and see if I can release it from the muck.” Sunny said pointing to the long pry bar she’d brought in the back of the Gator.

         
Markie chuckled as she knew there was a pretty good chance Sunny would get stuck in the mud herself. “Well it’s a good thing I’m here. Someone might have to rescue you.” Markie said trying not to laugh. Sunny gave her friend an unamused look as she removed her boots and socks. She rolled up her pant legs to above her calves in spite of the water being much higher than that. She removed her wallet and miscellaneous objects from her pants pockets and slipped into the river. Markie placed Sunny’s belongings into her own pocket for safe keeping then went to the ATV to retrieve the rope and bar. “Here let’s put a more substantial rope on it to start.” Markie suggested. Sunny nodded as she took one end of the rope and after tying it off she returned for the rather heavy pry bar she’d brought. Shaley handed her the goggles she’s been using as her contribution to the project.

          Sunny’s long black hair hung almost to her waist and was held together in a tight braid.
Her sleeveless plaid shirt exposed her biceps as she strained to wedge the metal bar under the object. “Me Help?” Spencer asked Markie. “Let’s wait and see if she can get it first.” Markie responded. Sunny dove under to see if she could find a better edge that she could lift. It took several minutes before Sunny made her way back to the dock. She pulled herself up onto the weathered planks her wet clothes clinging to her like a second skin. “Let’s try the Gator again. Whatever it is its damn heavy!” Sunny proclaimed. “Ok girls stand way back in case it suddenly comes loose or the rope snaps.” Markie said pointing up the bank a ways.

         
Shaley and Pippi reluctantly retreated under a massive Hickory Nut tree to watch the show. Spencer as usual shadowed Sunny and joined them at the ATV. Sunny squeezed Spencer’s shoulder. “I need you to do me a big favor buddy. Lots of things could go wrong here so I want you to go up on the hill and take care of our girls.” Sunny said pointing to Shaley and Pippi. Spencer followed her gesture toward the young teenagers. He looked a little disappointed when he looked back at Sunny and she felt badly.

          
She did want him to make sure the girls stayed away but she also didn’t want him to get hurt either. She’d come to love him and enjoy his company very much. “I really need to make sure they’re safe. You’re a young man now and I’m trusting you to take care of them.” She explained. Spencer nodded and stomped up the hill beside the dock. When he moved up the hill she felt relief. If the rope snapped it could fly right at the ATV and its substantial weight could cause some serious injuries.

         
Markie and Sunny were finally ready so they took one last look at the kids and Spencer was holding his arms out at his sides to make sure the girls couldn’t get one step closer. Sunny gave him the thumbs up and gunned the engine. The gas powered engine strained momentarily as the tires tried to find purchase. The rope became taught and eventually the slightest bit of movement could be observed. Markie watched behind as Sunny concentrated on their forward progress. The jute rope creaked as the tension increased. When the object finally broke free of the mud the Gator jumped forward.

          Sunny immediately took her foot off the accelerator.
Markie clapped her hand on Sunny’s shoulder and smiled broadly. They jumped out of the ATV to go take a closer look at their prize. “What the hell is it?” Markie said as the kids joined them at the end of the dock. “I don’t know but its bigger than I thought. It seems to be attached to a much bigger piece of metal. No wonder it was so hard to move.” She chuckled to herself. “This is going to be a much bigger project than any of us expected.”

          While the
adults continued their work Shaley and Pippi went to the house passing Sona and Jenna on the way. Sona had completed her tasks for the day, Jenna arrived and the two of them made their way down to the waters’ edge. They set up a couple lawn chairs and watched the bois work. Sunny had brought down the lift she used for heavy equipment on her car engines and the like. They had dragged the monstrous object as close to the dock as possible but they needed something stronger to actually lift it out of the water and clear the dock itself. “It’s kind of nice watching our butches work.” Sona looked sidelong at Jenna. Jenna for her part had been admiring Sunny’s physique and agile movements. She could clearly see her sinuous muscles straining under her olive skin and she couldn’t help but wish those strong hands and arms were snugly wrapped around her waist.

          Jenna hadn’t responded and only looked at her friend with a smirk on her face when Sona tapped her forearm. Sona knew the look as she had been having her own nocturnal fantasies.
The bois had taken the winch off Sunny’s truck and attached it to the Gator to pull the heavy metal in. Now they were taking turns pumping the jack to lift and eventually reveal the massive object.

          The process had taken so long the girls’ interest had waned but as the object broke the surface their curiosity was piqued
and they hovered over the edge once more. They wanted to be the first to lay eyes on their coveted sunken treasure. Pippi and Shaley ‘s eyes beamed with anticipation and promise. Their imaginations had wandered from the fantastic to the extraterrestrial. Their brows furrowed together when they realized they were looking at an old whistle. Markie had retrieved her camera and had snapped off several shots during the entire process. “It looks like the whistle of an old train.” Markie said.

           Sunny looked up and down the river thinking. “More likely it’s a whistle from an old steam ship. I remember hearing about those ships being used to transport
passengers and goods up and down this river back in the 1800’s. I think one even burned and sunk at the dock here in Burks Falls.” Sunny told her friend. “Do you think we found a piece of it?” Markie thought out loud. Thinking about it Markie did recall hearing something about the steam boats but this find made her want to know more of the details. Markie suddenly had so many questions. What was the name of the ship and its captain? Was anyone hurt and how did some of its parts end up near their dock?

           Together Markie and Sunny moved the piece
of scrap metal over to an open area on the grass and slowly lowered it to the ground. Shaley immediately went over and placed her hand on it. Markie watched as Shaley froze as if a jolt of electricity went through her body. In her head Shaley heard a loud roaring and screams. Then images flashed so rapidly she could barely make sense of them. They were memories but not her memories. Her hands flew up to the sides of her head as the intensity overwhelmed her and she felt her head might explode. Finally she screamed in agony and fear before collapsing on the ground and laid in a tight fetal position. “Shaleyyyyy!!!” Pippi screamed as she ran to her.~

          Shaley awoke on the chaise
that sat on the back porch of The Old Rectory where Sona sat to read and drink coffee in peace on quiet mornings. She opened her eyes and almost laughed at the serious but comical looks on the faces of her family and friends. She might have laughed if her head hadn’t felt like she’d gone three full rounds with Ronda Rousey. The memory of what had happened slowly started to come back to her. The images of the trauma implanted and etched permanently there of fire, an explosion, people screaming in terror and pain as they realized their lives were about to come to an abrupt end.

          The horror of it floated around her psyche like a dark cloud and she squeezed her eyes tight as if that would somehow
erase what she’d seen. “Don’t move sweetie.” Sona was saying as Shaley tried to lift herself up onto her elbows. She slumped back down looking around at everyone. Storm had come to sit beside her and even his forehead held wrinkles of concern. When their eyes met he jumped up with his front paws planted squarely on her chest licking her face enthusiastically. “Hey! Get off her.” Markie said trying to pull Storm off by his collar. “No its ok.” Shaley croaked her throat dry and her voice gravelly.

          Markie examined Shaley’s head visually and
then with her hands. “Did you bump your head? How many fingers am I holding up? Do you have a headache? Do you know who I am?” Markie rattled off in quick succession. “A crazy person?” Shaley grumbled. “Who is the President of the United States?” Sona asked leaning in to hear her. “Hillary Clinton.” Shaley responded. Markie bit her lip trying not to laugh out loud. Shaley definitely still had her sense of humor. “We should take her to the hospital.” Sona was saying. “No Auntie. Please could I just have a cold drink?” Shaley asked. Sona went to get her a drink while Markie sat down beside her looking more closely at her eyes. “I’m ok Aunt Markie honest. I don’t need to go to the hospital.” Shaley whispered. “I’m just a little embarrassed I’ve caused such a fuss.”

          Sona came out of the house with a tumbler of ice water. “I think she’s ok Sona. Let’s just keep an eye on her for a while.” Markie told her partner. Sona looked skeptical but truste
d Markie’s judgment implicitly. “I’ll go make everyone a snack then shall I?” Sona asked. “That would be perfect.” Markie said as she stood and placed her arm around Sona’s shoulder. Shaley sat up slightly to pat Storm. When the adults had moved away Pippi came closer. She frowned slightly. “Are you ok?” Pippi whispered to her friend. Shaley nodded. “I’ll tell you later.” Shaley responded. They sat there for a short time until everyone had been reassured. “Pip could you run upstairs to my room and get my journal. I want to write down everything I saw so I don’t forget.” Shaley asked. “Sure” Pippi said running into the house grateful for something to do.

       Sona had drinks and sandwiches set out on the patio table when Pippi returned. Spencer wolfed down three sandwiches and a large glass of iced tea then left with Sunny to return all her tools and equipment to the workshop.
Pippi and Shaley finally sat alone at the table together nibbling on their snack. “What happened, Shay?” Pippi said quietly so the adults inside couldn’t overhear through the open kitchen window. Shaley finished taking a sip of her drink and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “It was really scary Pip. It was like I was on a ship and it was on fire! I saw people running all about trying to save themselves. I could smell smoke…” Shaley stopped. She wondered if she should tell her friend everything.

          Pippi looked at her friend closely with a hint of concern in her bright young eyes. “I felt like my lungs were filled with smoke and my nostrils… I could smell burning flesh. People died on t
hat ship Pip. It was awful.” Shaley said looking down at her hands. Pippi looked at her but didn’t reply. “Do you mind if we play video games or something in the house? I feel like I want to stay close to home.” Shaley asked. “Sure let’s go!” Pippi tried to sound cheerful.

          
Pippi knew there were things about her friend that she didn’t always understand but she knew she loved and cared about her and that’s all that mattered. “Spencer brought some of his games over for us to play. Let’s go see what he brought.” Shaley suggested. The girls ran through the house and into the living room. During their snack Shaley had written down as many of the details of her experience as she could remember. When they entered the living room to play video games she slipped her journal under the couch cushions for safe keeping. ~

          Shaley snuggled into her bed pulling the covers up under her chin snugly. She looked over at her friend in the rollaway bed she’d made up for her. Shaley knew that what she’d experienced since her accident and coma were unique and frankly more than a little weird. She knew she was fortunate to have family and friends that accepted who she was. They were priceless to her and she’d grown to cherish each one. Since the experience with the ships whistle she’d felt physically and emotionally drained. Those images although seen through the veil of time and space still felt much more real than the images on a TV screen or theatre. She could feel heat, could smell the fire but thankfully the terror of the people hadn’t touched her. Still she felt exhausted and she settled into a fitful sleep. ~

          Markie surfed the TV stations for something worth watching. Sona handed her a bowl of freshly made popcorn while at the same time snatching the remote out of Markie’s hand. “Hey!” Markie feigned anger. She smiled at Sona and with her free hand pulled Sona onto her lap. Sona wriggled free and began her fruitless search through the channels. Eventually she frowned and lifted the seat cushion to investigate. “What’s the matter?” Markie asked. “Something is…” Sona started to say as she retrieved a pink notebook with kitties on it. Sona sat back down continuing her perusal. She absently lay the book down on the sofa beside her and reached for the bowl of popcorn. Markie took the notebook, opened it and read the last few pages. “Don’t do that Markie.” Sona said softly.

          They both tried to make sure the girls had as much freedom as possible and they’d agreed that unless they had a real reason to worry they wouldn’t snoop. “Sorry
” Markie said looking embarrassed. “I worry about her sometimes. I love the kid to bits but truth be told I don’t understand what goes on with her. All this medium stuff… it’s like she’s from a different planet sometimes.” Markie looked into Sona’s crystal clear blue eyes. Sona just nodded. Markie tossed the journal on the coffee table and pulled Sona closer kissing her on the neck. ~

          Shaley had been asleep for a couple hours when she thought she heard singing. She sighed and opened one eye a crack expecting to see Pippi sitting up unable to sleep. What she saw was Pippi sound asleep making little puffing sounds with her lips. Shaley giggled to herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before trying to settle her mind back into sleeping mode. Just as she started to drift off again she heard a voice that sounded like it was right beside her ear. “I need to tell you something.” The voice said. “What is it Fizz? Remember we talked about how important it is for me to rest.” Shaley said in a loud whisper. “I know but this is important!” Fizz persisted. “Ok what is it then?” Shaley asked sitting up to lean on one elbow. “I don’t like the people that are down by the dock… they scare me.” Fizz said wringing her hands nervously. “You’re always welcome to stay in the house and the Church so you don’t have to worry. I’ll make sure the ones by the River stay there or better yet I’ll talk to Naomi about getting them to move on. I’m not thrilled myself about them hanging around my swimming hole.” Shaley said yawning. “Do you mind if I play in the attic?” Fizz asked shyly. “No go ahead. Good night Fizz.” Shaley replied. ~

          Shaley sat cross legged on the floor in front of the coffee table doing her homework and occasionally glancing up at the television screen. She was a decent student for the most part but if the topic didn’t excite her she was easily distracted. Maybe sitting in front of the TV wasn’t such a great idea. Emma finished her assignment and went upstairs to her room. Shaley heard a noise outside so she went to the kitchen window to look outside to see if she could see what it was. Before she even made it to the window she heard the sound of a steam whistle blast three times. She knew there weren’t any trains nearby, besides they didn’t use those kinds of whistles anymore.

          Before she even made it to the window she heard it again and this time the sound was unmistakable… it was a ships whistle. Shaley looked up and down the ri
ver but couldn’t see anything. She was puzzled because the river was too dark and narrow to navigate at night. She frowned and headed back to the living room to finish her homework. When she crossed the threshold into the room she looked down at Storm and noticed a confused look on his face before he collapsed, his deep brown eyes rolling back in his head. He began to barrel roll first one way then back the other. He stopped, his head tilted at an awkward angle as his eyes again rolled to expose the whites. Shaley screamed and ran to him, trying to hold him as he began another 360 degree roll.

          Markie heard the commotion
and quickly ran into the living room. Shaley sat cradling Storm in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks… a terrified expression on her young face. Markie had seen animals having seizures before and recognized it right away. “Help Markie!” Shaley screamed. Markie knelt on the floor on the other side of Storm just steadying him until the seizure subsided. Markie looked into her Nieces’ eyes. This child who had been through so much in her young life had grown very attached to this wayward pooch. Storm lay cradled in Shaley’s arms, his brown eyes staring ahead as a river of tears flowed down Shaley’s cheeks. “Please God no!” Shaley wept. “Please… no!” ~

          Emma rushed to her sister. She could hear h
er sobbing from her room. “Shay? Are you ok?” She asked softly reaching out and gently touching Shaley’s arm as she lay prone in her bed. Shaley sat straight up in bed her eyes open and darting around the room frantically. “Shay?” Emma tried again this time giving her arm a squeeze. Shaley turned to her with a haunted expression on her face and in her eyes. “You were dreaming sweetie.” Emma said trying to soothe her baby sister. Shaley looked around her moonlit room. “Where’s Storm?” Shaley almost shouted. Storm sat up at the sound of his name. “He’s right here Shaley.” Emma reassured her. “Storm, come here!” Shaley called out to him.

          Sona didn’t like dogs on the bed but
when he was called by his beloved Shaley he would walk through fire… or jump up to cuddle with her on her nice comfy duvet. His loyalty had no boundaries. Shaley patted the bed beside her and when he inched his way up until he was almost laying his head on her pillow she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his mottled grey fur. Pippi for her part slept through the entire episode. Emma watched as Shaley settled down and went back to sleep. Emma was grateful for the weathered stray that had become such an important part of their family and had brought such comfort to Shaley. She returned to her own room hoping she would be able to get some sleep herself. ~