Chapter 12
The shadow man and hypnotism
Raphael and Marie are playing a board game on the floor.
Raphael: How come I keep having to owe you money, when I have more properties?
Marie: Luck I guess.
The shadow man appeared. He knelt down in between them. His facial features were seeable.
Shadow Man: Hmm, I haven't seen this game in a while.
Marie and Raphael backed away.
Shadow Man: Oh, now, now, I may seem mean, but I am truly very friendly. I like little kids.
The man stretched out a hand to Raphael.
Shadow man: You can trust me. My name is Orion.
Raphael took the shadow man's hand. They shook hands.
Shadow man: I understand that your name is Raphael, correct?
Raphael nodded.
Shadow Man: You must be Marie. It's a pleasure to meet you two. Trust me, I don't harm people. I'm a babysitter. I watch little kids while their parents are away. I don't see your parents right now, so I guess I'm on the clock.
Raphael and Marie continued their board game. Teresa and Kyle rushed in. The shadow man disappeared.
Raphael: Everything alright?
Kyle: Ye-yea. Did anything happen, while we were outside? Anything out of the ordinary?
Raphael: Um…
Shadow Man: Don't tell.
Raphael: Marie is beating me at monopoly.
Marie: Haha, you just rhymed.
Raphael: Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't know it.
Marie: Well, you are the Rhythm Thief.
Raphael: Yep.
The two kids were smiling at each other.
Kyle: So, nothing paranormal happened?
Raphael: Right.
The electrician walked in.
Electrician: All finished.
Raphael: Hey Paul.
Electrician: How does that kid know my name?
Raphael: I guessed.
Electrician: Good guess. Here's the bill.
The man named Paul handed them the bill. It was $150. Paul left. After a few hours, before it was getting dark, Alfred came to pick up Marie. Raphael went upstairs and got on his pjs.
Shadow man: Hello again Raphael.
Raphael: Hi. Now, why couldn't I tell my parents.
Shadow man: They'd be a little freaked out you know. It'd cause them to worry. You don't want that do you?
Raphael: No, they are already worried enough as it is.
Shadow Man: Want to play a game later?
Raphael: Sure. What kind of game?
Shadow Man: It's a secret, you'll know when you come and play.
Raphael: Why did I say I'd play a game? I'm fifteen. Maybe being a kid is making me act like one..
Shadow Man: Now, you may not want to keep your parents waiting, run along now.
Raphael nodded and went down stairs. Raphael tripped on his feet and started rolling down the stairs. He landed on the base, his legs against the wall. He got up. He was about to turn the corner into the living room, but he heard his parents conversating.
Teresa: -says Raphael is special. Every thing he is matched most, if not all, of the questions. Mom said she'll come and see if he is, she can tell, remember?
Kyle: Don't pull him in this more than he is. Everyone is special.
Teresa: Yes, A certain type of special. Raphael is a certain type of special.
Kyle: I'm just saying, don't make this worse.
Teresa: Fine.
Raphael walked out, pretending he heard nothing.
Raphael: Hi.
Shadow Man: How about I play the game with you tomorrow?
Raphael: I just came down to tell you that I'm going to bed.
Teresa: Ok, good night.
Kyle: Goodnight.
Raphael: Goodnight.
Raphael went upstairs and went to bed.
He woke up kind of early, but he went down stairs anyway
Teresa: Good morning Raphael.
Raphael saw a strange woman next to his mother sitting on the couch.
Raphael: Good morning.
Teresa's Mother: You didn't tell me how cute the little guy was.
Teresa: Raphael, could you sit at that couch please?
He sat on the couch across from them.
Raphael: What's this about?
Teresa: Nothing too drastic, but I want you to listen to what my mom says. Do what she tells you.
Raphael: Ok.
Teresa's Mother(Tonya): That's a good kid, now, what you need to do is close your eyes, but not tightly.
Raphael closed his eyes as if he were going to fall asleep.
Tonya: Now, lay back in the couch. Good, now inhale….exhale, relieving all of your tension away. Inhale…exhale, clearing your mind of all thoughts. Inhale…exhale, listening to my voice alone. Inhale…exhale, letting all the stress go away. Keep on inhaling and exhaling at this rhythm. As I count from 10-1, you will notice first your ankles, then knees, sides, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, jaw, then your head relax. One by one as I count down.
Raphael kept breathing in and out at the same rhythm.
Tonya: 10, feeling your ankles and feet relaxing…9, feeling your knees release all tension…8, your sides relax…8, your chest feeling lighter and airy…7, your shoulders have no tension what so ever… 6, your arms feel weightless and are unable to move…5, your fingers and hands are relaxed at your sides… 4, you feel the relaxed feeling shoot back up your arms and to your neck…3, your jaw is loose and is unable to go back up…2, your whole head feels light as a feather…1, you are practically asleep and unable to move any of your limbs. You are practically asleep.
Raphael couldn't move. He could hardly breathe.
Tonya: Good, you're following directions well. You are going to stay in this state for a few minutes. While I see something real quick.
Raphael is unaware of what is going on around him.
Tonya: He is indeed special, Teresa. He has a memory that is trying to force it's way through. Should I try to see what it is?
Teresa: Sure, but, please be careful. Even experts mess up.
Tonya nodded.
Tonya: Raphael, when I count down from 5-1, you will start getting your senses back. 5…4…3…2…1. When I snap my fingers, you will awaken, remembering what was forgotten.
She snapped her fingers. Raphael's eyes shot open and he took a deep breath in as if he'd been holding his breath for a long time.
Tonya: I think something may have gone wrong. It might have been the opposite of what I wanted to happen. He may have forgotten about his real father.
The shadow man appeared.
Tonya: That's right, I saw you in his memory as well. Orion.
Shadow man: Oh, so you know me?
Tonya: Of course I do.
Shadow Man: Good. Tell my wife Lucinda that her little nephew is going to die someday.
Tonya: You better leave her nephew alone if you know what's good for you. Raphael, what is the thing you care about most.
Raphael: W-why?
Tonya: Just do it.
Raphael: Fondue, my dog.
Tonya: Just keep thinking of him, you'll be fine.
Next thing Raphael knew, he was in bed. Marie was asleep in a chair and Fondue was asleep. Fondue had been lying on his feet, which have fallen asleep.
Chapter 13
Raphael's decision and the investigation
Raphael: Fondue!
Fondue woke up and crawled up to his old master.
Marie: Oh hey.
Raphael: H-how long have I been asleep?
Marie: A few days.
Raphael: Days?
Marie: Yes. Your mother told me to come by and bring Fondue. Appearently you've missed him.
Raphael: I have missed him.
Fondue started licking his face. Raphael hugged his dog close.
Marie: I'm sure you can have him back now. Patches seems to like him. Oh, your mom also told me that you've forgotten your past, except for me and Fondue.
Raphael: I have?
Marie: What's your real dad's name?
Raphael: I don't know.
Marie: Yep, you have.
Raphael: Oh great.
Marie: You probably don't remember being Phantom R.
Raphael: I know I'm Phantom R, I just forgot what happened to my real parents, that's all.
Marie: The shadow man, he tried to posses you. That's why you blacked out. You were stronger than he was and fought back. I don't know why these things have to happen to you. You are much stronger though, we can win.
Raphael: Marie, I'm scared. I'm scared for you, for my mother, for my father, for Fondue, for everyone I'm close to. I don't think you should be coming around here any more Marie.
Marie: Raphael.
Raphael: I don't want you to get hurt, that's the last thing I want to happen. It's for your safety. You're already deeper in this than you should. You being safe is more important than my safety to me.
Marie: Raphael, you can't do this alone. I don't want to lose you. Remember, you almost died three times.
Raphael: You were almost killed too, nearly drowning, being electrocuted, you were almost shot. I don't want that feeling that I could lose you come anywhere near me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died.
Marie: I understand.
Raphael: It won't be forever, this is as promising as my promise to see all your concerts.
Marie nodded and left. After a few minutes, Raphael went down stairs with Fondue.
Teresa: Hey sleepyhead.
Raphael: Hi.
Teresa: Did you and Marie get into a fight or something?
Raphael: No, I told her to go home, so she wouldn't get hurt. Until this shadow man thing is resolved, I won't be able to see her.
Teresa: I know how much you love her. Oh, I hired some investigators to come to the house and see what we are dealing with. Now, take this salt and put it on doorways and windows.
Raphael did as told and poured salt on the thresholds of the bedrooms and on the sill of the windows.
Shadow man: Raphael, what are you doing?
Raphael: I'm not sure, but Mama says it helps.
Shadow man: Get rid of that stuff now, that stuff is bad.
Raphael: I don't believe you.
Shadow Man: I tried to be the nice guy, but you have forced my hand.
Raphael wasn't scared, he didn't show signs of being scared. The shadow man used the fear he had to get to him, but no longer.
Raphael: You don't scare me. I'm not some little helpless kid. I'm nearly sixteen.
Shadow Man: Not from my perspective.
He picked Raphael up by the neck, Raphael still showed no fear. That's what the shadow man was trying to do, cause fear.
Shadow Man: I just wonder how your little friend Marie is doing. She can't stay away from you for long.
Raphael: You don't know Marie. She knows that her safety makes me safe. So I am not afraid of you. There's nothing you can do that will change that otherwise.
Shadow Man: Did you know that I used to kidnap little kids, then torture them.
Raphael: I'm still not afraid of you.
Shadow Man: The last kid I kidnapped, had a small cut on their arm, so deep that it would become a scar. He was only such a little fella, so adorable, with his red hair, and soft brown eyes. Though he was only a three-year-old boy. He probably doesn't even remember.
Raphael: What are you talking about?
Shadow Man: Now that I think about it, he looked a lot like you. Though much smaller and younger. He's lucky his dad came to rescue him, otherwise he'd be like all the others in my collection.
Raphael's sight started getting blurry.
Raphael: Put me down now!
Raphael broke away.
Raphael: I'm much stronger than you.
Raphael walked out. He walked downstairs and saw his dad handing his mom the stuff he bought.
Kyle: Wear this.
He put a cross necklace around Raphael's neck.
Kyle: It shows you truly believe in God.
Raphael smiled as there was a knock at the door. Raphael went to open the door.
Investigator: You must be Raphael. May I come in?
Raphael: Yes.
Raphael let the group in.
Shadow Man: Raphael, this is your last chance.
Raphael ignored him.
Teresa: Oh you made it.
Investigator: Where is the source of everything?
Teresa: I'm sure only Raphael knows that.
The head investigator looked at Raphael.
Raphael: Everywhere. He comes to me no matter where I am.
Investigator: He comes to you huh? Boys, set up the equipment around the house. Raphael, come with me.
Raphael nodded. They went into the living room, the investigators set up the camera toward the couch they sat at.
Investigator: How old are you?
Raphael wanted to say fifteen, but he knew he couldn't say that.
Raphael: N-nine.
Investigator: I see, how often, would you say, the man visits you?
Raphael: Usually when I'm at my most vulnerable. There really isn't any pattern.
Investigator: Where does he usually come?
Raphael: Anywhere I am.
Investigator: What does he usually do when he comes to you?
Raphael: He acts nice and talks to me, but I can see right through him, no pun intended.
Investigator: Why do you think he comes?
Raphael: To harm me. In life, he used to kidnap and torture kids.
Shadow Man: That isn't all Raphael.
Raphael: Ow!
A cut appeared on Raphael's arm, right on his birthmark. Teresa saw this and went to get a large band-aid.
Raphael: You think cutting my arm will make me afraid of you, think again?
Shadow Man: I'm just saying, that wasn't all that I did. I killed the kids I tortured. One day it will happen to you. You will be buried in the backyard with the others.
Teresa put a band-aid on Raphael's arm after cleaning it.
Investigator: What's he saying Raphael?
Raphael: He saying that he would kill the kids he tortured. Then he'd bury them in the backyard. I also want to say this, the reason I don't get scared of you, is because I've seen so many scary things, that you are just a spider on the wall.
Shadow Man: Ok then, tell her that the spirits of the kids are locked in the basement. Tell her what I told you earlier.
Raphael didn't know why he said for him to tell all that.
Raphael: He wants me to tell you that the spirits of the dead kids are in the basement of the house. Also, that, I was his last victim, but my real father saved me. I was three when it happened, so I don't remember.
The investigator lady pulled out something from her bag.
Investigator: Look at these, and tell me if you recognize any of them.
Raphael picked the one that looked most like the shadow man. The investigator lady moved the paper of pictures underneath the pad, it showed a list of names. Raphael picked the one that said Orion.
Investigator: Interesting. The picture and name you chose correspond with each other. Bill, take Raphael to the basement and set up a camera, and a tape recorder. You will be perfect to talk to all those children. Leave him alone down there. Are you honest?
Raphael: Yes.
Investigator: Ok, you will be down there for ten minutes, then we'll come get you.
Raphael nodded and the cameraman, named Bill, took a camera, a tape recorder, and Raphael's hand, and brought them all downstairs to the basement.
Cameraman(Bill): Remember, be honest. We will get you in ten minutes.
Bill set up the camera and went upstairs. Raphael took a deep breath in and out to relax his tension.
Raphael: Um, hello? Is anyone down here with me?
Ghost 1: I am.
He saw a little girl, about the age of seven, appear in front of him. More appeared.
Raphael: Hi, I'm Raphael, I'd like to help you.
Ghost 2: You're not afraid of us?
Raphael: No. I know that the shadow man has hurt all of you. I'd like to help you.
Ghost 3: Orion killed us, you are alive, you can't help us.
Raphael: Yes I can, I refuse to let shadow man get to all of you. He is dead too, he can't harm you anymore.
Ghost 4: You'll be like us in due time. You will be a spirit from his hand.
Raphael: No I won't. He won't get to me, just like he shouldn't get to you guys. You are under estimated. He thinks of you as weak little kids, when you are so much more. There's like 30 of you and one of him. You have the strength to make him not push you around like you're a sack of flour.
Ghost 5: How can we fight against someone who has killed us?
Raphael: That was you individually. I've lived in this house close to a year, and look at me. If I have the strength alone, all of you together would be stronger. If you fear him, he gets stronger, if you have courage against him, he'll get weak.
Ghost 6: You're right, he has no power over us.
Raphael: No, he does not. Since you have figured that out, you can go to the light now, your families will know that you are free. We will dig up your bones and have you buried in a proper cemetery, so your family can visit you. I promise.
One by one, the kids started disappearing.
Ghost 1: Thank you, Phantom R. We are buried near the pool just in front of the cement.
Raphael: How did you…?
Ghost 1: Bye.
The girl disappeared. They were all gone.
Raphael: Glad I could help.
Shadow man: Aw, you're such a saint.
Raphael turned around and saw the shadow man behind him.
Raphael: How'd you get down here?
Shadow Man: That cameraman is a dolt. He accidently shifted the salt and I had access in.
He grabbed Raphael's arm.
Raphael: Let go of me.
He held onto his neck and brought Raphael to eye level.
Shadow Man: Fraid of me yet, boy?
Raphael: No.
Shadow Man: Pity.
He tossed Raphael against the wall. Raphael is barely conscious when the man lifts him up by the front of his shirt. He punched him in the stomach and in the head, he was so close to being unconscious.
Raphael: N-no matter what you do, I'm not afraid of you.
He hit Raphael against the wall and grabbed his neck.
Shadow Man: You should be.
Raphael: You don't scare me…
There was a glow on Raphael's arm where the cut was.
Shadow Man: What's happening?
The cut on his arm disappeared.
Shadow Man: How is that possible?
Raphael: You know nothing about me.
The shadow man got so angry than he squeezed Raphael's neck harder, he soon lost consciousness. He fell on the ground when shadow man disappeared.
Bill: Raphael you can come up now. Ten minutes are up.
No reply.
Investigator: What's taking so long?
Teresa: Let me go down there. I need to get my baby.
Teresa was about to go down there, but Kyle stopped her.
Kyle: I'll go. You stay up here.
Teresa reluctantly nodded. Kyle and the cameraman went downstairs. Bill grabbed the tripod and the tape recorder. Kyle picked Raphael up.
Bill: The camera will tell us what happened.
They went upstairs and Kyle set Raphael on the couch. They hooked up the camera to the TV. They saw Raphael standing there after the cameraman left. Raphael looked around and asked the question, the spirits appeared, but they were all misty white looking. They were very faded as well. Raphael told all the ghosts about what they should do and they all disappeared. Then a black mist came from behind Raphael. They saw all that happened. Teresa was about to cry.
Bill: Listen to this.
Bill played the recording back and they heard all the commotion, but at the end is what really scared them.
Shadow Man(on recorder): He will die.
Investigator: We have to dig up the dead children, today. Then do an exorcism as soon as possible.
Everyone agreed to the idea. Fondue started growling in Raphael's direction.
Investigator: Bill, camera.
Bill pointed the camera in Raphael's direction. This camera was an inferred camera. They saw a really cold mass, which looked like a man, standing behind the couch brushing the hair out of Raphael's face.
Isaac: Raphael, I'm sorry all this happened to you.
Raphael: It's ok.
Isaac: Be strong for me, ok? Oh and don't listen to what my brother says.
Raphael: Ok, Papa.
The mass disappeared. Fondue stopped growling and walked to Raphael. He nudged his hand on his head. Raphael started petting Fondue and woke up.
Raphael: Hey Fondue. Raphael's head was still lying on the pillow.
Fondue: Woeuf! Wouef!
Raphael: The bodies are hidden at the edge of the cement close to the pool. All 29. The names are on rocks that they were buried with.
The investigators nodded and Kyle went into the garage to get digging tools. They went into the backyard.