Fear of the Night: Of Haunted Spirits

Fear of the Night

OF HAUNTED SPIRITS

MIKE SCYGIEL

iUniverse LLC

Bloomington

Fear of the Night

OF HAUNTED SPIRITS

Copyright © 2013 MIKE SCYGIEL.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse LLC

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-1380-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-1382-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-1381-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013920802

iUniverse rev. date: 11/07/2013

Contents

Dedicated

Preface

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

About the Author

Dedicated

This book is dedicated, to my family who always believe in me, and to my mom Betty who always told me That I was going to make it in life and who helped me to edit this book.

M.S.

Preface

Welcome to Dunes, Michigan

Fear of the Night

In Dunes, Michigan, where the young and the old, as well as the dead lives, Halloween was a day of festivities before the snowy winter begins. Two mysterious men came to Dunes just eight days before Halloween and bought a mansion across the street of Greg Snow home. Greg had a weird feeling about these two men and became suspicious on why they came here.

Little did Greg and his four pals knew that on Halloween night, they and their town will never forget what happen on that night.

1

A ll was still as two strangers pulled into a town call Dunes, Michigan. It was two in the morning and no one in sight. The strangers were happy that they were not seen. They came to Dunes for a purpose and since it was in the wee hours of Friday, they had eight days to make plans to do the unthinkable. They drove around the town and started to mark each place with an x on the Plat that they had on the town. It told them where certain people lived and what to do on Halloween Night to the places mark with and x.

Then they drove some more until they came upon a street called Willows Drive. They turned right on the drive and drove a mile to the house that they just bought. It was the Willows’ Mansion and on what they heard, it became the Kalaski Mansion. They put the car in the garage and shut the garage door and looked at the place. It was brick red and had a Victorian feel to it. The guys bought the house from a Mrs. Kalaski who was living at the Dunes Living Assistance Home. The guys were tired and were glad that Mrs. Kalaski kept her word on keeping the furniture in the house. So they went up this grand staircase to the bedrooms that they picked out and with clothes on, they fell asleep.

The morning came and it was another beautiful fall day, in Dunes Michigan. The trees were lush with their beautiful fall leaves and the squirrels were gathering nuts for the upcoming winter. The town was getting excited that soon they will have their Fall Festival and those caramel apples were to die for. It was those apples that made the festival and only two women in town knew the Willows family secret and promised Mrs. Willows that her secret was safe with them. Today the weather is not so cold or not so hot; it was perfect for the season.

Dunes have a population of six hundred and eight people and every year this town took pride in decorating for their Halloween Festival where their front lawns were decorated with symbols of Halloween. The town’s people where giddy that this was going to be the best festival ever. As they prepared for the festival, not one townspeople knew that; on that night of that festival, their town would change forever. All because of the two men, who came to Dunes to settle a grudge that was growing with anger with passing day? Greg, Barney, Gary, and Jimmy were the best of friends since the age of two. Greg had them over for the weekend so that they can take their scooters and have some fun. Mrs. Snow told the boys to be careful and follow the rules that the scooter field had posted. These four boys were Greg age 18, 5 ft 8 and 175 pounds with blue eyes and blond hair and is the captain of the football team and volunteered at the Dunes Living Assistance Home. Jimmy age 17 is 5 ft 7 and weighs in at 155 pounds has brown hair and eyes and is the editor for the Dunes School Newspaper called the Dunes Wolverines and wants to be a pastor. Gary is age 18 and stood at 5 foot 6and weighed in at 200 pounds and is the captain of the wrestling team, and Barney age 17, stood at 5 feet 7 had brown eyes with sandy brown hair and volunteered for the homeless shelter. All four boys were seniors at the Dunes High School and been friends since the age of two.

Greg who lived on the other side of town lived next door to a living assistant home and across the Kalaski’s Mansion. Whenever a holiday came, the people of Dunes could always count on Greg to decorate the home for the elderly who loves holidays as the next person, a week before Halloween on that Saturday morning, the weather was just perfect outside. After Greg ate his breakfast he gets clean up and dressed opened the front door of his house and then walks outside to a picture perfect weather outside. Greg liked to be outdoors and he loved the fall weather. Most of all he loved to help people to decorate their homes for he had a dream to become an architect and decorator for homes. Smelling the nice beautiful fall weather he knew that today was going to be a good day. He loved seeing the leaves changing their colors on the trees and seeing people having their Halloween decorations outside their homes. As he approached the Dunes Living Assistance Home, there Greg saw the elderly people waiting for him to help put decorations on their home. Greg smiled and waved as he looked both ways to cross the street and noticed two guys shaking hands to a realtor who just bought the Kalaski Mansion. Perplex on what he saw stunned him. For usually the town knew who was coming into Dunes to live and would give them a welcoming party. Not this time. So we went on his merry way to Dunes Assistant Living Assistance Home where the people gave him a thunderous clap for he was always nice to them and like to help them out.

Greg and the elderly people worked hard in decorating their home for Halloween. The women who lived here were great bakers. For the festival they will make Halloween cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies anything that would associate with Halloween. However, they were known for their caramel apples. As Greg was putting a big black spider on top of the chimney he noticed the two men and asked Hal who was one of the janitors if he knew anything about the two who bought the Kalaski Mansion. Hal said to Greg that he was not aware of someone buying the mansion. Greg thought that was odd. Hal mentioned them buying the mansion. Greg never asked that question, he just wanted to know about those two men. Then Greg and Hall put up a big black spider that was hugging the home’s chimney and went down the ladder to put more decorations up.

When the two were down putting the decorations up on the house for the Halloween Festival, Greg was treated with a caramel apple as a thank-you for putting up the decor. Greg thanked the ladies and Hal and the others who helped him put the spooky artifacts that represented The Day of the Dead. As Greg said goodbye, he crossed the street and noticed one of the guys was staring at him and it gave Greg the shivers as though he saw a ghost. In his mind he knew it just his imagination because the last decoration he put up was a scary ghost.

Greg went to the mailbox to see if the mail arrived and looked at the two men who were pointing toward the attic. He thought it was odd that there was no furniture truck parked in front of the house. He watched them for awhile trying to be not being noticed. The more Greg watched the men the more he wonder when they moved in and why the Welcome Committee was not there to greet them. Greg watched the men as they walked around the red brick two story house and watched as they walked into the cemetery which was behind the Kalaski Mansion. While Greg was staring he noticed that both men turned around and looked at Greg. Greg ran into his home as fast as his feet would go. Once inside, Greg panted and knew something was not right about the new neighbors. He figured he would talk to his dad tonight about them to see if his father knew that the Kalaski Mansion was sold. Greg walked up the stairs to his bedroom that had a window facing the mansion. He knew that he would have to talk to his friends for an invite, and try to figure out why the mystery of those two men who just bought the Kalaski Mansion.

Greg lay on his bed and wanted to know why he felt so odd about those two who lived across the street from him. Thinking to himself, he tried to figure out why there was no furniture truck and no one came over to see and welcome them to Dunes. But for Greg, he was always told from his dad to mind your own business and never involved yourself with other people that you don’t know. Greg looked at the time and noticed that his dad was about to come home. So when Greg got out of his bed and walks towards his bedroom door when he heard the front door opening up.

Greg knew it was his dad who just came home from work and went down the stairs to meet him. Hi dad, greeted Greg. "Hi yourself, replied his dad. Greg’s dad wanted to know how the decorating went over at the Dunes Living Assistance Home and Greg said it went great. He told his father about the layout with Hal helping him put up the spider on the chimney and saved the caramel apple so the two can snack on it tonight while watching a football game. Mr. Snow told his son that he better get upstairs and take a shower and if Greg would heat up the dinner that his mom made for them. Greg told his dad not a problem and began to go in the kitchen to see what today’s supper would be. He took out a container and inside was homemade macaroni and cheese with the instructions taped on the lid on how to preheat it and to accompany the meal, to get the pears that were canned down from the basement and look in the breadbox for the crusty rolls. Greg then began to prepare dinner and was so glad that his father married a good cook.

Mr. Snow came downstairs and smelled the aroma of dinner that Greg was heating. Good thing mom had everything organized or we would starve, joked his dad. His son laughed and the two went on to set the table and brought the food in to eat. As they sat down and prayers were said, Greg then spoke to his dad. Dad, do you know anything about the Kalaski Mansion being sold? Mr. Snow was grabbing a roll and told his son that he was not aware of the old place being sold. Me either, until I went over to the home to put up the decorations. When I crossed the street, I looked and saw two men shaking hands to a realtor then when I asked Hal, I thought it was weird that even he didn’t know that the mansion was sold. I just found it to be strange that there was no moving van or the Dunes Welcoming Committee to come over to greet them. Don’t you think that’s odd, he asked? Then Greg’s dad said Greg don’t get yourself worked up about something you don’t know. Saturday is not over as of yet and I’m sure that the Welcoming Committee will come. I think your all nerved up from putting up scary decoration’s and imagine that you thought there was something odd about our neighbors. Maybe they came during the night with the moving van and we weren’t aware of it. Then Greg’s dad changed the subject and asked Greg if he any thoughts about decorating their home? I have some thoughts and still laying out the groundwork. I say by Monday, they will be put up. Well whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be good, said dad. Well dad, today is Saturday and it’s your time to do the dishes, said Greg. Then later; while we are watching the game, the caramel apple will be our dessert. When is mom coming home, he asked? If everything goes well, I think she will be home on Monday. It’s just sad that your aunt Margie had complication when she gave birth to the twins. Can hardly wait to see Orin and Owen, said Greg. I’m going upstairs to work on some homework and be downstairs to watch the game."

As Greg was working on his history paper, he took a break and saw that his dad was raking up the leaves and was ready to put them in the mulch machine. Greg went out of his room and down the stairs he went to be outside before his father destroyed the leaves. Dad, wait! Don’t mulch the leaves. I need them for my graveyard scene. Son, the front yard had leaves all over the place and I want to keep up with the leaves so I don’t have to rake after winter. Dad, after Halloween, I will help you with the raking. I need these leaves to make what I have to be realistic. Then the guys saw one of the new neighbors walking out the door and taking a few steps to look at the steeple where the attic was at. I guess we better be neighborly and go over and introduce ourselves, said Greg’s dad. Okay, but where’s the Welcoming Committee, questioned Greg. The two crossed the street where the new neighbor was looking up to the attic window. Not to startle him, Greg, purposely walked over some crunchy leaves. This is when the neighbor looked back and saw Greg and his dad. Hi neighbor said Mr. Snow. My name is Walter Snow and I live across the street from you as he pointed to the two story bi-level home sitting across Kalaski home and this is my son Greg. Hi, said the neighbor It’s nice to meet you Greg and Walter, said he. It will be nice to see people living in this Mansion. It’s been a long time since this place was occupied, said Greg’s dad. That’s what I heard, said the neighbor. He told Walter and Greg that it was nice to meet them and that they would talk soon, because he and his friend just moved in and were still unpacking. Walter understood about the moving in and as a neighbor wanted to welcome them into their new neighborhood. The man thanked them for the introductions and then walked back into the house. Greg thought that was strange for they were being neighborly and the man was rude toward the end. Greg’s dad just shrugged his shoulders and told his son that their neighbor had a lot going on. He then told his son lets go home for he knows that Greg has homework to do. As they headed home, Greg l had this sick feeling that something wasn’t right about this whole situation of these two men who just moved into the Kalaski Mansion. He felt that something was going on for what did they have to unpack when no moving truck was in the driveway. As the two crossed the street to go back home, Greg told his dad that he never mentioned his name. Forget it, Greg. We will learn of his name soon enough. Let’s get inside and watch the game and have that delicious apple that we saved for our favorite pastime occasion. Father and son walked into their home to watch the game and to share the apple, yet Greg had this eerie feeling that something was not right about those men who moved across the street.

He decided to let it go for now, for there’s nothing then watching a game with dad and eating the best caramel apple in the world. His dad turned the game on and surprise Greg with the cut up apple and made nachos and cheese with a Coke. Three hours later, their team Tators won and Greg told his dad that he would put away the dishes and do a little bit more writing on his government paper which was due in three weeks. His father told him that would be alright and just to make sure to work on it for an hour then go to bed. As Greg headed for his bedroom his dad told him to text his mom to say hi and that he will see him in the morning for breakfast. After Greg text his mom, he decided to call his friend Mike to see how things are in Portman. Mike and his brothers moved there when their mom was asked to be President of a Corporation called Tipple Inc., where they made decorated frozen ice cubes. Greg noticed it was 11 o’clock at night and Mike was probably sleeping.

Greg worked on his paper for an hour and then called it a night for it was a busy day. While sleeping, he was restless. His mind was on the new neighbors and wonders why there was no moving van or worse, the Welcoming Committee from Dunes never came over. Then he became more restless wondering why the neighbor didn’t tell them his name. Greg got out of bed and walked to his bedroom and looked outside to see if could see the stars. The sky was pretty hazy so there would be no stars out tonight. Just as he was going to go back to bed he notices a reddish glow coming from the attic of the Kalaski Mansion and wondered what it was. He did remember seeing the neighbor looking at the attic when they came over and thought it was odd that there was this reddish glow. Greg figured that maybe they were turning on lights the lights and the curtains on the attic window were red. As he looked out the window his eyes drifted to the cemetery and there he saw a ghostly couple walking up and down the fence where they saw him and motioned him to come over. Greg thought his mind was playing tricks on him and just went to bed.

The next morning, Greg woke up got out of bed and looked out his window and stared at the Mansion. He was wondering why he was still fixated on it especially when the guy they met said that he and his friend were busy unpacking their things and Greg never saw a moving van. He just shook his head wondering and decided he better concentrate on something else then he remember the ghostly couple. He heard talk that a couple could be seen during this time of Halloween. He never believed it until he saw it. He took a quick shower and got dressed and greeted his father in the kitchen. His dad was making blueberry pancakes with bacon and told his son to set the table and pour the drinks. Greg got out a tall glass to put his milk in and pour his father a cup of coffee with two sugars. As they were eating, Greg spoke up. Dad last night I couldn’t get to sleep. Why was that, he asked? I guess maybe it was working on the paper or thinking about the new neighbors. Then I went to the window to see if I could see the stars and it was so cloudy that there weren’t out. Just before I went to bed I noticed a reddish light in the attic of the Kalaski Mansion and then it was though my eyes told me to look down and I thought I saw a couple that looked like ghosts motioning me to come down to be with them. Oh I heard about the couple as well, said his dad, It’s just a legend and your mind was playing tricks on you for you were working hard with all those scary decorations at the Home. Greg knew his father was right. Yet, he had this strange feeling that something was not right. His father went into his den to do some paper work as Greg did the dishes. Then he called Jimmy and asked him what was he doing today and if he wanted to come over to look at some of the neighbors decorations. Jimmy told Greg he be there in five minutes and wanted his dad to look at his back left tire to see if it had a leak. Great," said Greg. Then he knocked on the den door for it was closed and his dad opened it opened it up and asked Greg what was it that he wanted. He told his Dad that Jimmy was coming over so they can look at the neighbor’s decorations and that Jimmy wanted him to check on a tire. His dad said that was fine and if that was all that Greg wanted, he had to get back to his work.

Greg waited for Jimmy to arrive and as he waited he looked at the Kalaski Mansion and suddenly a voice appears out of nowhere. Only you and your friends can help to save our town. Greg jumped up from the front steps on where he was sitting and looked around and saw no one. Who are you and what do you want, he asked? Then he laughed it off for he’s been watching a lot of Halloween movies to get an idea on how to decorate his home for Halloween Festivities. Right on time as always, said Greg when he saw his friend Jimmy pulls into the driveway. Hey, how’s it going, he said. Oh just a minute ago I heard a voice told me to save our town and I saw a couple of ghost last night at the Willow’s Cemetery and we have new neighbors that moved into the Kalaski Mansion. Cool, said Jimmy. Let’s take that walk and you can tell me all about it, he said. Wise guy, replied Greg.

So Greg and Jimmy were walking and saw the many houses with their Halloween attire. One house in particular, Mrs. Agatha always decorated her home with silly decorations. So they hurried their pace to see what she put up this year. When they got there, she had grave yard decorations in her front yard. One said, Here lays an old goat that had one throat, and grunted once and died. They laughed at that one. Then Jimmy pointed to another. This one said. She was married twice then married again without realizing that she married a scarecrow. They laughed even harder. They wonder where Mrs. Agatha came up with these sayings. She knew how to make the neighbors laugh for she had a sense of humor.

Then Jimmy realized that next Saturday was Halloween and Greg didn’t decorate his house yet. Hey Greg? said Jimmy. How come your house isn’t decorated yet? You know that Halloween is nest Saturday. You always decorated before us. Greg said that he would decorated his house probably tomorrow for he was busy working on his government paper, and he helped the Dunes Living Assistant Home decorate all day Saturday for the neighborhood walked; which happens every year on Halloween followed with a party at the Home. Greg and Jimmy walked a few more blocks and looked to look at more decorations when Jimmy spoke up. Greg did you meet the new neighbors who moved into the Kalaski Mansion? I met one of them a guy, there was two men who shook hands with a realtor yesterday morning. Didn’t meet that one yet, he said. What about the ghosts, asked Jimmy? I saw them and it scared the crap out of me for they motioned me to come down to see them. I was so scared that I closed my drapes, said a prayer, and went to bed. Then just before you came I heard this strange voice. I must be watching too many Halloween movies and my mind is acting out on what I watched on TV. I watched this horror flicks so I can get an idea on how to decorate my front yard for Halloween."

Imagine that, said Jimmy. Looks like we are at the diner so let’s go inside and get a shake. "Let me text Barney and Gary to see if they can meet us here and then we can hang out this afternoon. Greg text his friends and they said yes. So Greg and Jimmy waited for them to come so they can all go inside the diner to get a shake. Ten minutes later here comes Barney and Gary so the four went in to order their shakes and planned on what to do for the rest of the day.

Jimmy told Barney and Gary about what happened to Greg last night and right before he came to his house. So let me get this straight, you saw some ghosts, a reddish hue in the attic of the Kalaski Mansion and now a voice, mockingly said Barney. Shut up Barney, you weren’t there to see what I saw, said Greg. Now here me out you three, said Gary a voice of reason. I’m sure Greg did see the ghosts for there’s a legend about them roaming around the cemetery during Halloween. So lucky you Greg, you’ve been chosen to help them whatever they want you to find. Before you know it, Barney and Gary and Jimmy were all laughing which Greg didn’t think it was funny. This is the last time I tell you anything, he said.

Once the boys stopped laughing, they told Greg that they were sorry and then they saw Stanley Rice and a friend come into the diner and sat at the booth near the jukebox. Jimmy who helped out at the homeless shelter knew Stanley but didn’t notice the other guy. Then Jimmy left the table and talked to Stanley about something then went over to where his friends were, and told them that Stanley wanted to talk to them. So the four boys went over to where Stanley was sitting and met his friend Victor. Greg, Jimmy told me that you saw a couple that look like ghosts? Yes, replied Greg. Let me tell you the legend about those ghosts, for I saw them too. The boy’s eyes got as big flying saucers when they heard Stanley say this. "As you know, I worked with Bob Willows when he founded the Dunes Quarry. I was the Vice-President of Operations and we were great friends. In fact, Greg, you live in the home of Bob Willows’ daughter, Jane.

The Willows were nice people. They did a lot of things for the Dunes Community and helped raised money for the new high school being built. Their lives were blessed, yet they wanted to have children. For years they couldn’t, until one day an adoption agency called them and asked them if they would like to meet a brother and sister who’s parents has died, Of course they said yes. They went to Chicago and took these beautiful children home. Janie was a sweetie and everyone said that she looked so much like her adopted mom Mary. Collins was a bit of a hellion, always getting into trouble and Mary just told the town that all he needed was loved and to have someone who could trust and believe in him. Once Collins got into high school, his behavior took a change for the worse. So Bob put his son in a boarding school in Switzerland with the hopes that Collins would get a good education that would calm his behavior. It did, and he came home.

Collins was on his best behavior and helped out with the Quarry and things looked like that the Willows would have that happy family that they always wanted. Then one day, Collins went back to his old ways. He started to hang around with the wrong crowds, got into trouble with the law over and over again. Then one day Janie called me and asked me if her parents were on vacation. She couldn’t check for everyone had the measles and were very sick. So I went over there to check out the place and notice the milk and newspapers outside. I thought it was strange to see it as well and I’ve been so busy for and order just came in, that I didn’t even noticed Bob not being in. I opened up the front door to make sure that they were alright for I figure if Janie and the family had the measles they must have gotten it from them.

Little did I realize on what I was going to see? In the front room I saw their bodies lying in a pool of blood with a knife each into their hearts. Then on top of their bodies was a sign written with their blood that who should ever enter into the room, evil will reign on the family who lives here. That is why people in the town say that during Halloween, they see the Willows’ ghost roaming in the grave yard with the hopes of someone finding their killer. The killer or killers were never found. The boys were intrigue with the story that Stanley just told them. Did Collins kill them, Gary asked? The police didn’t think so for he just did petty theft and small crimes and Janie didn’t think her brother would be involved with their parent’s murders. This was the first of second murders that occurred here in Dunes. To this day, there were never solved. What was the second murder," asked Greg.

Stanley then continued. The whole town felt sorry for Janie and Collins for Dunes was considered a great and safe place to be. Back in those days we didn’t lock the doors for everyone knew everyone and as rich as the Willows were there was no objections of them locking their doors as many has told them to do so. Since I was the vice-president of the company it was only natural that Collins becomes the CEO of the company. How did that work out Mr. Rice, asked Jimmy. Not good at all, he continue. We began losing money and I figure that Collins had something to do with that. Then Victor chimed in. "Boys, I was the accountant at Dunes Quarry. I noticed that bills were not being paid and had to knock on doors of many neighbors who showed me their drafts and paid their accounts in full. I talked to Stan about this and this is when we had a hunch that Collins was taking money from the company and using it as his own private account. I told Janie about this and told her if this continues we will make her CEO of Dunes Quarry and her brother would get a stipend twice a year. Janie was furious with her brother for stealing money that was not his to take at all. Then she told all of us to have a meeting with Collins and let him know that things have been changed for the betterment of the company.

I believe it was on Tuesday night when we had this meeting and we had confronted Collins about our findings and that his sister would now take over. We had to tell him that we didn’t trust him anymore with the money and how he was handling the company. That is why Janie was in charge and he would get an allowance one time every six months. This made Collins so mad that he stormed out of the room seeking revenged. Two hours later we heard that he was drinking and drove his car into Lake Michigan with his body never to be found.,"

Wow, said Barney. This was very interesting to hear. I wonder why our parents