Chapter 20. Barking up the wrong tree
Jay wasn't above admitting that he was a little scared. Okay that was an understatement. He was a lot scared. One minute he had been making his way to the dining room and the next minute Mr. Taylor had came to speak to him asking him and a female student, whose name he wasn't exactly sure of, to follow him. He hadn't thought much of it at the start until the teacher had led them outside and towards the forest.
He had asked Mr. Taylor why they were going into the woods, when Mr. Graham had made it very clear that it was off limits, but the gym teacher had insured him that it was okay. So warily he had followed, assuming that he could trust a teacher.
He realised now, as he sat tied to a chair, that he had obviously been wrong. They had walked through the forest following a dirt path until they came to a small clearing. There was a small cabin which Mr. Taylor explained belonged to Mrs. Chipshaw. Mr. Graham had greeted them there and had given them both something to drink. It had been a weird green colour and had been almost sickly sweet but Mr. Graham had asked that they finish it all so that they didn't insult Mrs. Chipshaw's hospitality. Despite the fact that Mrs. Chipshaw was nowhere to be seen the two students finished the drinks.
All Jay's questions had been evaded and he was starting to feel a bit anxious. Mr. Graham had always been a bit of a weirdo but Jay was definitely seeing what Dean had earlier. Mr. Taylor was acting strangely. It almost didn't even seem like the same person. He had been really starting to regret coming out there when all hell broke loose; leaving them in the particular situation they were in now.
The girl next to him, who he had learnt was fifteen year old Nicki Walker, was visibly scared, trembling as she struggled with the robes holding her to the chair.
Jay had made his own attempts at breaking free to no avail. The ropes were tied securely and there was no way that they were breaking free.
Both Mr. Taylor and Mr. Graham had gone inside the cabin five minutes ago, leaving Jay and Nicki to wonder what was about to happen.
He turned to look at Nicki when he heard a sob come from beside him. She was starting to panic the more she tried unsuccessfully to get free from the ropes, "Hey it's gonna be alright," he tried to sooth, hoping he wasn't lying.
Nicki gave a humourless laugh, "Sure it is," she answered knowing that he didn't really believe it, "What's happening?" she asked in a quiet voice a moment later.
"I have no idea," Jay replied with a sigh.
"Oh no," Nicki whimpered as the door to the cabin opened and Taylor and Graham walked out holding a small wooden box each.
"What are you doing?" Jay asked the approaching teachers warily.
His question was ignored. Mr. Taylor walked up to the two bound students and placed the boxes about a foot in front of them.
"Please let us go." Both teachers ignored Nicki's pleas.
Mr. Taylor stood back and to the side and looked at Mr. Graham who opened the small leather bound book that he had in his hands. Mr. Graham nodded to Mr. Taylor and the Gym teacher walked forward again and lifted the lids of both boxes.
Jay and Nicki looked on as something that looked an awful lot like mist started coming out of the boxes and both had mirrored images of shock and fear on their faces as the mist materialised into transparent humans in front of them. A ghostly figure of a teenage boy now hovered in front of Jay and a young female now hovered in front Nicki.
"Oh my God, Oh my God," Nicki cried in fear over and over again.
"This can not be good." Jay could just hear Mr. Graham start reading from the book in his hands but he was too in awe and shock at what he was seeing to really hear what the old man was saying.
He renewed his struggle with the robes when he saw the spirit in front of him finally move. He didn't have the chance to do much of anything before the spirit rushed towards him and the last thing he felt was a rush of cold air run through him before he collapsed against his ropes unconscious.
xxx
Dean was so frustrated. He was frustrated with the whole damn camp. He was frustrated with his EMF meter. He was frustrated with his father for letting Sam come on this stupid trip. He was frustrated with Sam who wanting to come on this stupid trip and he was frustrated with Sam for not giving him the benefit of doubt and being so ignorant about the whole situation. Did the kid really think that he wanted to have to deal with spirit possessed teachers and students, definitely not, especially not when they were sort of trapped here.
He was also starting to worry. Jay had not shown himself all the way through breakfast. He had also noticed the absence of a certain pair of possessed male teachers. All of which didn't bode well for his friend. He could tell that Stacey was beyond worry as well.
He needed to get some more information about this place in order to find out what exactly was going on and fix the problem. Since he didn't have his geeky research boy helping him out he was going to have to rely on himself and Stacey. He needed a chance to have a snoop around that office see if there was any information there on the history of the place.
All he had learnt from Sam was that it was an old orphanage that had been restored. Other than that he had no idea why it had been restored or if there had been any deaths on the property. Well it was obvious to Dean by now that there had been deaths somewhere on the property so now he needed to find out where the freaky bastards bodies were buried and hopefully salt and burn the bones.
He was also hoping that there would be a working phone in the office he could use. He wanted to call either his Dad or Pastor Jim and let them know the situation. Considering the environment they were in and limited resources he had he really thought that he should get some back up.
Standing in front of the lake with the rest of his team Dean looked down at his watch and saw that it was 9.30 in the morning. The sun was already out, proving to be another warm summer day Dean was more and more worried that Jay had been taken like the others.
Stacey hadn't left his side all morning. She was putting on a brave front but he knew that the whole situation was freaking her out. Dean also realised that he wasn't the only one worried about Jay. Ever since they realised he was missing earlier that morning she had seemed beside herself with worry, making Dean want to fix this even more.
The morning had been set aside for activities on the lake. All the fishing gear had been taken out of the shed and now situated on the bank. Miss Northam was explaining what she wanted them to do but Dean hadn't heard much of it.
He was also a bit unsettled because he felt Lynda's eyes on him looking him up and down, obviously appreciating the view. He tried to not let it be known that he noticed but it was quite distracting especially because he knew that it was the ghost that seemed to have the hots for him.
He felt Stacey nudge his arm and turned to look at her, "Jay's here."
Dean followed her gaze and saw that Jay was making his way over the group with a confident swagger, not too different to Dean's own, looking odd on the teen. Something else was different about his friend and it took him a moment to realise that Jay's long locks were gone; instead he sported a short messy look.
"Jay, where have you been?" Miss Northam asked also seeing his late arrival.
"Mr. Graham wanted to speak to me, sorry I'm late."
"That's okay. Okay now everyone pick a rod and I want you to try and cast out like I just showed you. Call me over if you have any trouble."
As soon as all the students went about picking fishing rod's Dean and Stacey gave each other an anxious look then both took the couple of steps in Jay's direction.
"Jay, are you okay?" Stacey asked nervously, concern etched on her face.
Jay gave her an odd look, "Of course I'm okay … little sister … why wouldn't I be?" he countered with a smirk.
"Where were you and what the hell's with the hair?" Dean demanded.
"None of you business Dean"
"It's just a simple question Jay," Stacey said quietly.
"Yeah and I don't have to answer to loser's."
Dean raised his eyebrows, "I'm a loser? Yesterday I was a good friend."
"Yeah well let's just say I've seen the light," he replied cockily and then turned to Stacey, "You should stick with Dane Baker, more my type of guy."
"What?"
"Just a little helpful advice from ya big brother, you don't wanna be with this loser," Jay told her waving a hand in Dean's direction.
Jay patted Stacey on the shoulder before heading off to pick out his own fishing rod. Dean tried to hold his temper because he knew that it wasn't really his friend talking.
"Well that can't be good. What are we gonna do Dean?"
"Okay well we know one thing. Everyone who has been possessed so far has come back with pissy attitudes, whoever these ghosts are they are definitely disturbed."
"How does that help us?"
"I guess it doesn't really." Looking at her apologetically Dean put his hand on her shoulder, "It's gonna be okay. We'll get him back."
"How?"
"Well for a start I would like to check out Mr. Graham's office see if there is anything in there that can help us find out who these spirits are, and hopefully call for some help."
"Dean, Stacey would you join the group please?" Miss Northam called out to them when she noticed that they were still standing back from everyone else. She couldn't help but see that Dean always seemed like he was on a mission.
Both teen's looked up, "Yes Ma'am," they said at the same time.
Dean followed Stacey over to the two remaining fishing rods and bent down to pick one up. One he was standing straight up he glanced over in his brother's direction and saw that Sam was looking at him like he was afraid Dean was going to do something stupid and it irritated him even more.
Walking over to the water's edge he leaned into Stacey's space, "While everyone is eating lunch I'm going to go check out the office. I'll need you to back me up."
"How are you gonna manage to get away from lunch?" she whispered back.
"Don't worry I'll improvise, I'm kind of good at that." Dean smirked and turned back to his fishing pole. He didn't need a lesson in fishing. Pastor Jim had taken both him and his brother on a number of occasions.
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John and Caleb walked up the stairs to the main building at the Fergus Fall's camp. Looking at his watch Caleb found that it was 10.30 am. If Elijah was anything to go by, Miss Geyer should have been back for half an hour now.
John had decided that it would probably be best if they didn't arrive there right on 10am. It would be best if they gave the woman some time instead of bombarding her with questions as soon as she got back from camping in the middle of the woods.
Caleb rapped on the wooden door in front of them and both hunters waited patiently for someone to answer. Unlike the day before after a few moments of waiting the door was opened to reveal Elijah Godfrey.
"You two don't waste any time do you?" He quipped as he stepped aside to let them in.
"We liked to be prompt." John smiled at the young teacher as he passed him.
"Well I suppose you want to see Monica."
"Yes thanks."
"Come with me and then I'll go and get her." Elijah showed them the way to what looked like a dining room.
"I'll be back."
"Thanks," Caleb thanked him as the other man walked out of the room.
The hunters weren't waiting long before the door to the room opened again and Elijah came walking through with a middle aged woman in tow.
"You must be Miss Geyer," John greeted, holding out his hand and giving her a charming smile.
"That would be me and please call me Monica." She shook his hand and then took Caleb's outstretched hand in greeting as well.
"I'm John and this is Caleb."
"What can I do for you fellers?"
"Well Monica, we work for Rose Creek's local paper. We're writing an article on all the kids that fell have fallen sick and we know that two years ago you were attending a camp with the school in Rose Creek," Caleb began.
"I remember that camp like it was yesterday but what does this have to do with the kids?"
"Well we have spoken to the Principal there and a few of the parents and they noted changes in their children after coming back from that camp. Did anything unusual happen there that you remember?" John asked.
"Well yeah … I mean the whole thing was unusual right from the beginning."
"How so?"
"Well the place just had a weird vibe and to be honest it was kind of a strange place to have a school camp."
"So this isn't where that camp was held?" That explained a lot of things to both Caleb and John. They had been barking up the wrong tree.
"No … um … it was at this fenced off property in this old house … in Luverne … I think."
"What happened?" Caleb asked.
"Well nothing really big at once but … over the days I started to notice that some of the kids seemed to get a little … hostile might be too strong a word but you get the picture."
"Oh and the teacher in charge, what was his name?" Monica looked heavenward trying to remember the teacher's name, "Um … Graham, that's it. For the length of time that I worked with him at Rose Creek he had always seemed strange and quick tempered with the students but when we got to the camp he was even worse. It was like we had entered a boot camp. The kids couldn't do anything right."
"Graham?" John questioned. The name felt familiar but he couldn't work out where he had heard the name.
"I'm sure that was his name."
"Is he still teaching at Rose Creek?" Caleb asked, looking strangely at John. He recognised by the look on the other hunter's face that John was trying to remember something.
Monica shook her head, "No he left not long after that. He transferred somewhere else although I'm not sure where."
"You say that this place was in Luverne?" Caleb asked making sure he had heard right.
"Yes," she clarified
"Well thank you for your time Monica. You've been a great help." John said standing up.
"No problem, glad I could help."
The two hunters bid there goodbyes and made their way back to the car.
"No wonder we couldn't find anything here. It was confusing because all I could sense was peace, we have been wasting our time here," Caleb said, obviously frustrated.
"Well at least we know where the hell we are supposed to be for sure now," John told him as he reached into the car and got out a map of Minnesota.
"How far away is Luverne?" Caleb asked coming around the car to look at the map that John was holding. Luverne was situated to the far left hand bottom corner of Minnesota.
"That should take us about five or so hours," John said.
"That's ironic."
"What?"
"We are basically going back towards Jim's place. This whole thing has almost been a wild goose chase."
"Well lets get going, it's gonna be a long drive." John made to open the door when the door to the cabin opened and both hunters watched as Monica made her way over to them.
"Guy's I'm glad I caught you before you left. I just remembered the place wasn't in Luverne."
"Where was it then?" Caleb asked.
"It was an old restored orphanage in Leota. Leota is pretty close to Luverne which probably why I got mixed up.
As soon as the words Orphanage and Leota left her mouth John and Caleb looked at each other, both realising the same thing. Monica didn't miss the fact that both men's faces had suddenly paled considerably.
"Are you guys alright?" she asked when they both seemed frozen.
John broke eye contact with Caleb first and forced a smile at Monica, "We're fine. Thanks for your help."
"No problem."
John and Caleb both got into the car and Caleb started it up. He pulled the car out and drove in silence for a moment, his thoughts racing.
"Damn it!" John cursed all of a sudden, making Caleb swerve the car in surprise.
"John I'm sure they're fine. If there is trouble there they are in for a hell of a fight with Dean there."
"I knew I shouldn't have let that kid talk me into letting him go." John continued his tirade, running his hands through his hair.
"We'll get there before anything happens." Caleb tried to sound confident.
"They have already been at that camp for a few days Caleb and it's gonna take us another five hours to get to them. You know damn well that the boys don't have the means with them to fight something like this." John's voice was rising with every word.
"Well there's nothing we can do now until we get there so quit yelling at me," Caleb yelled back.
John was silent for a moment, knowing that he was being unfair to Caleb. But John felt the need to yell at something and Caleb just happened to be in is vicinity. He was feeling guilty for not trusting his instincts more.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't sweat it," Caleb answered returning his gaze back to the road.
"Put your foot on it Caleb. The faster we get there, the faster we to the boys."
Caleb didn't need to be told twice. He pushed the accelerator to the floor. Despite the fact that his psychic abilities hadn't warned him that anything was wrong yet, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach that was growing so he intended on breaking ever speed law in the state.
TBC ...
I hope that everyone enjoyed that, let me know what you thought ... if you get the chance and i'll see you all soon :-)