I know I have two other stories that are being written right now, but I can't seem to get this one out of my head. I love procrasti-writing, it's so much fun! (Sarcastic sigh). Anyway, please enjoy and I promise I will get back to work on the other two!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and has no association to GAC or any of it's members. All events, thoughts, memories of the characters are completely made up. The only thing I own is my OC, Katie Ann.
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It all started with Letter.
Nick watched Zak's face closely as Aaron read it out loud to the crew:
"Dear Ghost Adventures Crew,
I've been meaning to write a letter for a while now, I can't tell you how many times I started and stopped. But I knew that my story needed to be told so I finally gathered up the courage to write. This letter is threefold; first of all, I want to tell you how great your show is. I love the history, I love hearing the EVPs, and basically everything else about it. Second; I want to say thank you for sparking my fascination with history, without this spark I wouldn't be where I am today. And lastly, I want to tell you my own paranormal experience that I had while I was going through a very dark time.
Ghost Adventures inspired me to follow my fascination with history, urban decay, the past and ghosts. The show sparked my interest in archeology. I absolutely love figuring out what happened, why it was left like it was, who lived there and if anyone still lived there as a spirit, which was why I decided to major in Archeology. I decided to get my degree from Brown University, which had an extensive anthropology and archeology program. Through this program, I was able to travel to some amazing places that were just packed full of history waiting to be discovered. My first real site that I worked on was Fort Moss, VA. We actually found the base to one of the first windmills in the United States. It was a very exciting discovery! I also learned that archeology is not all Indiana Jones, it is extremely technical and there were times where the most we could do was stake out the diameter of the site and wait for clearance from the head of the dig.
My favorite episode is Poveglia, because its in Italy, and after I saw that episode I made a vow to myself that I would one day go to Italy and visit some of the greatest archeological sites of all time. When I started the archeology program my dream was to one day go to Italy (maybe not Poveglia though...) and visit the old city ruins. I was able to fulfill that dream when I studied abroad my junior year. I stayed in Rome, but often would visit the abandoned ruins of Cittavechia. These ruins were well out of the way of tourists, and unlike big archie sites like Pompeii or the Coliseum, the groundsmen allowed visitors to walk off the paths and explore the ruins without constraint. It was amazing! I also traveled to several other ancient cities while I was in Italy; Tuscany, Venice, and Pompeii. I loved every minute of it. I graduated from the program in December 2013 with a B.A in Anthropology with a concentration in Archeology. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and now I can say that I am one step closer to becoming an archeologist!
So, I've talked about some of my experiences with urban decay, and archeology sites, which are definitely a big factor in Ghost Adventures, but what this letter really is about is ghosts/spirits, and the personal experience that I had with one while living at Brown. I was going through a difficult time. During the first semester of my sophomore year, a fellow student assaulted me in my dorm (It really scared me and kind of turned my whole world upside down but, I won't get into the messy details). After this incident, I was having a hard time sleeping at night in my room because I was afraid that the person who hurt me would come back in the night. One night, as I was lying in bed, trying to gather the courage to sleep. I was feeling very anxious, and afraid. Suddenly I felt a very warm presence. It was like someone or something was watching over me. Then I heard, as plain as day in my ear, "Do not be afraid, you are safe now." It was a female voice, and it made me feel safe. After that night I had no trouble falling asleep, and I truly felt that I was being protected. I heard the voice several more times at Saint Mary's, each time it provided me comfort with the same not only did that, but it also made me feel more confident. For the first time since the incident, I was able to walk through campus feeling safe. It was like this enormous weight was being lifted off of my shoulders. I was free of my anxieties; I could go wherever I wanted without being afraid. This was an incredible accomplishment for me—to be able to be out and about without feeling anxious—and I truly believe that this being was protecting me.
I don't know who this voice belonged to, or whether it was a spirit at all. Brown is a catholic school, which a chapel on campus that dates back to the 1950s. There are only two records of ghosts on campus; the ghost of a cow living in the top story of the freshman dorms, and the ghost in the top story of the library. Both of these ghosts have been recorded as male, so the female voice that I heard couldn't have been either of them. I like to believe that the voice I heard belonged to a benevolent spirit, a guardian angel-like being who wanted to watch over me and protect me. And after watching, and reading about Zak's experience with Anna Corbain at Preston Castle, I now know that what I felt and heard was truly trying to protect me.
I do hope that this letter doesn't come across as sad, or depressing. I wanted to write it to tell you how much your show has helped me, not to tell you my sad life story. I did go through some tough times, but I made it through to the other side and now I am a stronger person. If it hadn't been for my faith, and for my passion and do not think I would be where I am today.
I love your show, its helped be over come many obstacles and has helped me realized my passions. It has really touched me on a personal level and I just wanted to say thank you for all the things you do!
Best Regards,
Katie Ann Templeton
P.S:
If you are ever in need of a historical archeologist, please please let me know!"
Aaron pulled off his reading glasses and started at Nick and Zak.
"Well. You don't get a ton of fan mail like that everyday. She didn't even confess her love to you, Zak. Ha!" he said with a smile.
Zak smiled a little, but Nick knew something was troubling his friend. Whenever they heard about physical abuse, rape, bullying, or attacks, Zak always got very quiet, and a pained expression (much like the one on his face right now) would appear. He never talked about it through, and usually he was the first one to change the channel, or the subject. Despite Zak's macho, bad boy appearance he was very sensitive about certain topics, domestic abuse being on of them. And it sounded like this Katie Ann Templeton had been through hell and back because of this one "friend" that hurt her.
"You alright, Zak?" Nick asked, sometimes Zak would open up to them but other times he absolutely refused to talk about it.
Zak shrugged.
"What was the post script? Could you read that again?" he then asked.
"If you are ever in need of a historical archeologist, please let me know." Aaron read from the letter.
Zak nodded. "It sounds like she could use a get away from Brown for a while. Why don't we forward the letter on to HR? Who knows, they may like her."
Nick nodded, "Sure thing, Zak. I'll leave it on Cindy's desk."
"Great."
Zak stood up, "Well, uh. I have to go check something. I'll be back."
Then he left out the back door without saying anything else.
Aaron looked at Nick, "Is he acting odd?"
Nick shrugged, "Who knows? He's The Zak. It's impossible to tell what he's thinking sometimes."
"I totally hear ya, man."
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Katie Ann Templeton, also known as Kat, stared down at the reply letter in front of her in astonishment. When she had written a fan letter to Ghost Adventures she never had expected a reply, let alone a job offer.
She read over it again for the thirteenth time;
Dear Ms. Templeton,
Thank you for writing to us. We were quite impressed with your letter, and with your paranormal experiences. It has come to our attention that we need an archeologist on our staff, and after reviewing your letter we would like to consider you for the position.
If you are interested in this position, we request that you send your cover letter and resume to careers .
Thank you very much, and we hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Cindy Crepeman
GAC Human Resources
It almost seemed too good to be true.
Her fingers trembled as she updated her resume and cover letter. If she got this job, she could finally move out, start new, and feel safe for the first time in her life. She was not in the most ideal situation at the moment. Her current roommate was an abusive sporadic drunk who, when not hitting on her, took advantage of her at every opportune moment. He also happened to be her ex.
The worst part was that if she moved out, she would be homeless. San Francisco, where she lived had a lot of perks but it was also the most expensive cities to live in. Her minimum wage bookstore clerk job barely covered the basics of living.
Kat felt a sense of relief as she hit the send button, and silently prayed that this wonderful opportunity would present itself at its best.
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Please review! Thank you for reading!