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Chapter 15
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The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 16
The three brothers were very surprised the next morning when they were not tossed out of bed, instead, their lights flicked on and they were told to get up and have breakfast. In the kitchen three mugs awaited them, filled with steaming coffee.“Mom isn’t up yet,” Luke said confused.“No, she’s having a sleep-in with your father. I made it for you. I can’t wander far into the garden, but at least I can try and help around here.” Bradley said from the pantry.James stared at Bradley. The boy had gone through some clear changes. Bradley did not look miserable or dark anymore, he looked happier and brighter, even the color of his skin had changed from pale to a deep tan, certainly a tribute to his Vietnamese heritage.“Close your mouth James, it’s going to be a fly trap.” Bradley teased him.“I think he just finds it strange to see you like this. All we had the last couple of months were shadows and voices, and now you are walking around as if you’re alive. We can see you, we can touch y
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 17
It took the boys three weeks to complete the entire property cleanup, even though they had a lot of help from the volunteers, the number had more than tripled over the last couple of weeks. Every member of the community had wanted to enter the houses to start the cleanup inside, but the boys held them back, they argued that the time was not right for the doors to be opened just yet.The mayor herself had visited the Thomases and requested whether they’d be willing to donate some of the items in the houses to the local museum. Joe wanted to confirm her request but Cynthia had placed a hand on her husband’s arm and told the mayor that the family will discuss the matter and she will be informed. The mayor left extremely disappointed, and hardly acknowledged the three boys returning from their most recent restoration project, the massive waterfall that had been discovered between houses three and four.That August evening everyone sat down to dinner in the dining room, Cynthia had prepare
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 18
For hours the doctors worked on Brian. Cynthia had been forced to leave the room when they had to start with blood transfusions. Word had spread not only in the hospital but in the community as well of the dire situation that had befallen the oldest Thomas boy. The waiting room was starting to fill up, not with patients, but with people that had simply come to give the distraught family a comforting hand.It was just after 10 pm when Joe was ushered into the waiting room, followed closely by Officers Watson and Andrews. “You got him out?” Nadine asked Officer Watson.“I did. Bradley had let me in, made me wait in the hallway, and then he allowed me access to the living room. Then he wanted to show me the dining room, and then your father came out of his study. He’s quite the character that one.”“Bradley can only push as far as his father would allow. I do believe that if it had been up to Bradley you’d have been in the study the second you stepped into the house.” Luke commented dr
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 19
Neither of the boys would go into the garden until their brother came home. It was their way of protesting what had happened to Brian. They both felt the motherly protection from Saon as they helped their mother either in the house or in their exploration of the rest of the house.James had found another room behind his room. He and Luke had been shifting things around in his room when he had leaned against the wall and fell through a door that had opened behind him. Luke stared shocked as his brother disappeared through the wall, leaving only his feet sticking out.“James!” Luke called out worriedly.James started coughing and then he turned around to lie on his belly before scooting back.“Pull me out!” James called to Luke.Luke grabbed James’ feet and dragged him out of the hole he had just been in.“What’s going on?” Joe burst through the door angrily. “Jesus.” He muttered.James coughed and then pointed to the wall.“Trap door. It stinks in there.”“Damn. Go get yourself cleaned
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 20
Three days after James’ incident with the trapdoor Brian was allowed to go home. He no longer had the bandages on his arms, but he still had the stitches from the palm of his hands to halfway up both arms.The kids couldn’t wait to welcome their brother home, and they were received well but when Joe wanted to hug his son he was ignored.“Just stay the hell away from me.” He snarled at his father.“Brian!” Joe called out miserably. “Dad, don’t,” Nadine said softly and placed a soothing hand on her father’s shoulders.But his son’s rejection made Joe snap.“Damn this house! And these ghosts! They’re tearing my family apart, taking my sons away from me!” he yelled at the house.“Don’t make matters worse Joe,” Cynthia said bluntly as she hurried in after Brian.Joe stood alone on the porch, his family had rejected him again. He shook his head, grabbed the mini bus’ keys, and took off, leaving the family behind.Brian was furious with his father. He and his brothers
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 21
It was a Saturday morning, three days after Joe’s return. Brian had completely shut his father out or was ignoring him completely. Joe wasn’t sure which was the case. The house was quiet, including Nadine’s room. Brian’s room was locked, and his brothers’ rooms were clear of any occupants. Cynthia was outside in the garden, looking at the new blooms that had started to jump up everywhere. The magnificent blues and purples had enthralled her, and she longed to place some of the flowers in the house, but Luke had cautioned her, making sure she knew the flowers were only to be looked at, and not touched. Of all three of her sons, Luke had been the only one to remain civil to her husband, but his loyalties lay with his brothers and to the ghosts that possessed them. She understood from her conversations with Saon that there was nothing that neither the living nor the caring dead could do for her sons at this stage. She knew of Brian’s plans to take over house four her children had told
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 22
Jerry Wilcox called in every favor he had around town to help Brian Thomas. An electrician, a plumber, a painter, a carpenter, all of them showed up one after the other. Jerry Wilcox only had one condition, a date with Nadine. Nadine was flattered and agreed quickly. It was then that Luke told her that House One would be open to her should she wish to leave the main house. The announcement took everyone by surprise. No one had expected Roger to give up that house and give permission for renovations. But it happened.As luck would have it the electrician made quick work of the wiring and then the painter and carpenter were let in to do their part. A week after the massive delivery Brian’s house was ready to move in. He kept the rooms the way they used to be; he simply replaced curtains and carpets and added a couple of extra lights. The instruments were polished and placed on display once more, this time with a black-light to accent the entire wall of guitars.It pleased Bradley to se
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 23
The boys were doing well at school, and very soon everything seemed to be back to normal; the only thing that reminded the family of the near tragedy behind them was the white lines in Brian’s hands and arms.The relationship between the boys and their father was mostly repaired, simply because Joe did not mention anything about the property at all. He enjoyed the walks with his wife in the gardens, and they loved to play hide and seek in the maze. Brian had recruited some of his friends to help him sort out the irrigation issue on the property and once the irrigation worked the garden bloomed. From dahlias to tulips, the light pink hibiscus grew nearly everywhere, save for the front garden.Brian had sought out every rose of every color he could find and had planted them in the front garden around the water feature and statues.Cynthia’s favorite though, was the white and yellow daisies, spotted so often with the blue and purple hydrangeas, that grew next to the paths.The lawn was w
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The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Epilogue
It is the 11th of May again. Fifteen-year-old Jeremy Thomas sat on the bench of the Thomas Memorial Park, staring up at the statue of three grinning young men.“I wish I had known you.” He whispered softly to the statue. “Maybe things would have been easier if you could explain them to me.”He huffed and shook his head, knowing he would never get an answer out of the stone. He leaned forward and ran his hands through his hair and took a couple of deep breaths.“There you are. I thought I’d find you here.” A voice called out to him.Jeremy did not even bother turning around. He knew his mother was right behind him.“Hey, Mom.” He smiled sadly at her and then turned his gaze back to the statue.“Are you speaking to your Uncles again?” Nadine grinned and sat down next to the boy.“No. I’m just sitting here. I feel drawn to this place.” He replied.“I know you are. You know, Brian renovated this place.” Nadine replied.“I know, and he did Thomas Gardens too,” Jeremy replied and rolled his
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 57
The Thomas boys were buried the next Saturday in the family Cemetery in the corner of the property behind the waterfall that they so loved and carefully restored. Almost all of Buttershire turned up, including the divers that found them and half of the police force, Jerry included.Jerry was still a little banged up, but once he heard of the boys’ deaths he insisted he needed to attend. He believed they were the ones who saved him from a certain death.Mayor McCummins stood in the pavilion, looking back at a sea of faces, all dressed in black, and swallowed hard.“We are here today to celebrate the lives of three remarkable young men, who gave their last breath to save this town. They have made a massive impact on all of our lives, whether we know it, or not. But I know these boys touched my heart and inspired me to be better than I was.They worked hard for their family, who was their whole life. I will never forget the day when these young men first sat in my office, as I asked them
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 56
James had Brian drive around seemingly without any real sense of direction. His face was still blank. Luke added a few turns or comments here and there, but not as much as James. Brian knew better than to ask who was controlling his brothers.After nearly an hour of mindless driving, James had Brian stop in front of what used to be a house. The people milling around the house were up to their calves in mud. A young girl clutched a crying baby to her chest, while two other kids were running around. A teenage boy was looking for something amongst the rubble.An older couple, that appeared to be in their mid-sixties, were being comforted by a middle-aged man when a preteen girl standing next to them. James opened the door without a word and got out of the bus. Luke followed close behind him so Brian shut the bus off and got out.“Hi, I’m James Thomas,” James said as he approached the couple.They turned to look at him and then the old man took a deep breath.“What can we do for you youn
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 55
It was three days since the initial flood, three anxiety-filled days without a word of the Thomas boys. Surrounding towns opened their doors and heart to the survivors of the Buttershire flood. As the search and rescue continued day after day, the survivors became less, and the bodies became more.Bodies were found washed up along the banks of the rivers, and with every body bag brought through, Cynthia could only hope it was not one of her sons in those black bags.And then word came, the boys had been found.It was a bittersweet reunion for the Thomas family. Cynthia fell to her knees as Brian got off the helicopter, wrapped in a foil blanket. Joe rushed toward the young man who was helping his younger brothers out, and then Jerry came out on a gurney. There had been complications when he was rescued, but the medics on board stabilized him, all he needed was immediate medical attention.Joe enveloped his sons in his arms and kissed their wet heads as he held tight, all the while fai
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 54
The sun rose over an exhausted group of people on the very top of the hill overlooking Buttershire. They were wet, cold, bedraggled, and not looking forward to another day of rain. But the rain had not stopped pouring down, as if it wanted to break down the very last hope of the survivors.The doors of a white minibus opened, and a worried Cynthia got out of the bus. She closed the door to prevent the chill from getting to Jeremy, who had gotten a nasty cough overnight, and the five other lost children they had found wandering the road.“Anything?” Cynthia asked as she wrapped her arms around her husband who sat staring over the rolling river that used to be Buttershire.“Not yet. They are saying there are more survivors on the other hills around, some got up Thomas Gardens, but no one can confirm if the boys are amongst them.” Joe replied worriedly.“Oh my.” Cynthia replied and started to weep softly. “can we go down there?”“I want to try, but the army will be coming in shortly with
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 53
Outside in the minibus, Cynthia saw the commotion through the rain as people ran from the City Hall, and into the streets. Another wail filled the night air, partially drowned through the torrent of rain, but the voices outside in the streets were enough to make everyone realize what was going on.Joe jumped out of the minivan and ran against the hordes rushing out of the doors. He pushed and shoved his way through until he reached the receptionist who was hurriedly emptying her drawers of all personal effect.“Where are my boys?” he near yelled at her.She gave him a frightened look and shook her head.“I don’t know. The mayor ordered an immediate evacuation.” She yelled back over the din of voices before grabbing her bag and making a run to the exit.“Crap.” Joe cursed and then started calling for his sons.“They’re not here. They went to the basement.” A security officer told him.“Are they still there?” Joe asked him hurriedly.“I don’t know. Mayor had the door closed, Jerry broug
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 52
City Hall security saw the two brother approach the hall, and then hang around the bottom of the steps, as if waiting for someone. A uniformed police officer joined the two, acknowledging each other with a simple nod. The thunder rolled over the town along with the dark clouds that gathered above. “Mayor, I think we have a problem. The Thomas boys are here, but they are not themselves.” The head of security called up to the Mayor’s office. The Mayor sent Enrico down to the lobby to receive them. Enrico was just approaching the doors when a cloud broke above the town, torrents of water crashed down to the streets. Every one raced for cover, except the Thomas men at the bottom of the steps. Their clothes were dripping wet within seconds, but they still seemed undisturbed. The street lights flickered on, casting an ominous glow all around. Dusk started to settle in, and as it became dark, Brian joined the trio at the bottom of the stairs. A minibus parked next to the curb, but the doo
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 51
Chief Warden was in the middle of a meeting with Mayor McCummins when the five divers strolled into his office, wet and bedraggled, with serious expressions on their faces.“Good afternoon Chief. Mayor.” Graeme greeted with a polite nod.“We are in the middle of something.” Chief Warden admonished him with a dark frown.“My apologies sir, but this could not wait. The Thomas River broke its banks on the Thomas property, destroyed everything in its path, and nearly killed the boys. I think it advisable to ask for troops, members of the public service, to inspect the rest of the river, and any other water source depending on the river.” Graeme spoke quickly.The Chief of Police and the Mayor stared at Graeme as if he had gone insane, but only for a few minutes, as Graeme’s words sunk in, the Mayor paled visibly.“You said the river nearly killed the boys?” Mayor asked concerned.“Yes Ma’am. Brian Thomas nearly drowned saving his youngest brother. I managed to grab the middle boy, and my
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 50
The Thomas boys waited until nearly ten am before they decided to go back to the river and attempt the feat again. The put on their swim trunks, and went down to the river.From some ways off they could hear the voices on the river bank. Men and women were all talking and calling out to each other and then the laughing started. When the boys broke through the foliage they discovered seven people, all wearing wet suits, six diving tanks stood in batches of two near the water’s edge.Six of the seven wore flippers, the seventh just had boots on.Brian stared at them and then opened his mouth, but no sound came out.“Hello Brian.”Brian recognized him as the captain of the rescue squad from Firehouse 117.“Hi.” Brian finally managed to say.“I hope you don’t mind, Jerry let us in and brought us down here.” He said and then pointed to the people around him. “This is Hannon, Liza, Alex, Graeme, Shauna, and Blake. These were the only volunteers I could gather for you to help you boys out.”
