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Chapter 34
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The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 35
The City Gardens was an unsettling place. Brian felt the chills run up and down his spine as he stepped through the gate. He halted in his tracks as he caught the dark shadows dart out of the corner of his eye and to an abandoned building that seemed to have been ravaged by a fire.Brian did not like the look of things. He heeded Bradley and Roger’s warnings and silently called to his family. When he turned to look back he noticed the Mayor and her escorts were still standing at the curb beyond the gate.“Aren’t you coming in with me?” he asked carefully.“Will you not be able to manage the walk yourself?” the Mayor replied frankly, as if it was his fault that she was shaking in her high heel designer shoes.“You have to show me what you want from this place. I can’t run without direction.” Brian said to her.“Why don’t you just walk around and come back and tell me what you think? You are the landscape artist?” came the indignant reply.“What do you want me to do with it? Restore it,
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 36
Later that evening Brian sat in his study, looking at the pictures covering the walls of the room. Since he had graduated he had done four private gardens, the first was the guest house they had stayed in when the family had first arrived in Buttershire. The Thomas name was growing in the town again, not just for the landscaper, but the absolute delight of the Thomas gardens themselves.The towns’ people had gotten used to the ghosts following the family members around, popping up whenever and where ever in town.There was a knock on the front door.“Come in!” Brian called out.“Where are you?” Joe called out to his son.“Study Dad.”“Heard you had some complications at the survey this afternoon?” Joe asked and sat down on one of the other rolling chairs, normally occupied by James when he does his planning.Brian nodded.“Some nasty things are roaming around there Dad. It’s way worse than it was here. I was hoping I can get Luke’s opinion before I make up my mind about that place. I
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 37
Imagine the Mayor’s surprise early the next morning when she walked up the City hall’s steps only to be met by the three Thomas brothers in the reception area.“Have you reconsidered?” She said by way of greeting.“No, we need to get into the archives.” Brian said simply.“What for?” she asked confused.“I need to know what was the connection between the Wilcox and Thomas families fifty years ago; and what they did in the City Gardens.” Luke told her quickly.“Can’t you ask your ghost friends?” Mayor McCummins responded.“It’s not something you ask ghosts Mayor, especially if they were keen on keeping scandals out of the public eye.” James said.The Mayor shrugged and said“I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Mayor James Thomas had sealed those records in a vault that no one could open for fifty years.” She said and started walking away.“Aren’t you curious Mayor? About those records?” Brian suddenly called out to her.The Mayor’s interest was sparked, and she turned to look at the boys.“Wh
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 38
The plan worked like a well-oiled machine. At sunset that evening, three Thomases, one Wilcox and one McCummins stepped through the gate at the City Garden. Ambulances and police officers were on standby, Jeremy watched anxiously behind the fence as his grandfather retraced his steps to the old building. McCummins had left her bodyguards at the fence too, knowing they wouldn’t be able to help her if anything happens at all. She was shaking in her boots, the shadows in the empty building scared her, she felt sick to her stomach, and the feeling got worse with every step they took closer to the building.They walked in pairs, Luke and Joey Wilcox was in front, James and Mayor McCummins was next and Brian brought up the rear. Brian felt their protectors squeeze closer with every step they took.And then they were inside the building. The shadows darted from one dark corner to the other, making bricks and rubble roll towards them.“We’re here. What do you need from us?” Luke suddenly call
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 39
The rest of the week past by quickly enough, quietly enough, save for the new voices in the garden anytime from eleven pm to three am. Not that the main house heard the racket. It was most unfortunately Brian and Nadine that was affected.The lack of sleep and the over bearing pressure to restore City Gardens seemed to be taking its toll on Brian. He grew paler by the day, and the bags under his eyes sagged even more, until finally he had enough. Early Saturday morning he commandeered his two younger brothers to help him move to House three, and when Luke asked, he simply said Bradley and the girls seemed to be constantly partying.The boys were still moving Brian’s things when the Mayor’s fancy car pulled up into the driveway. Joe went out to greet the Mayor, but was instead met with Enrico.“How are you I. Thomas?” Enrico greeted him with a smile.“Very well thank you and yourself?” Joe replied, somewhat confused.Joe knew Enrico was one of Mayor McCummins goons, he had seen the man
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 40
It took roughly two hours for Brian to explain what happened with the Mayor the last couple of days. Joe listened with his arms crossed, trying to understand how he had missed the events. He knew his sons had been busy with the Mayor, he didn’t know what was going on, and he kicked himself for not asking.He decided to give Brian a hand in the move, knowing Brian needed all the help he could get. It would allow him to ask Brian about his plans for the company gifted to him.The move was complete that evening and Joe decided he would go sit in Brian’s house for a while. Naturally the entire family followed, and so they took the walk up the paths to the house.Nadine carried Jeremy in her arms, and took deep breaths of the fragrances around them.“Who would’ve thought this move would lead to this?” she heard her mother ask happily.Joe chuckled.“I don’t think any of us could’ve predicted this. But, I’m glad things are working out. It had been a rough start, but it’s going well.”The th
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 41
The boys might be calm but Joe wasn’t. He was in a battle with Bradley about the route to the hospital. They could see the carnage from a distance and Bradley kept insisting he drives another way, but Joe was adamant.“Let him drive Dad! Please! For Jerry!” Nadine pleaded with her father.“Damnit!” Joe gave in and took his hands off the steering wheel.The car suddenly had a mind of its own; it made a sharp turn to the right just before the first buildings in town, accelerated, and drove through the back delivery areas. Joe expected more bumps from the holes and rocks in the path they were taking, but there wasn’t any. He was slightly concerned when a wall started looming up in front of them but the car made a hard left and drifted into an alley way that connected with the main street. The carnage was behind them, all they had to do was make their way through the cars blocking the road.But it was not an issue either, because once again, the car took a back street on the left and then
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 42
A week later Jerry was discharged from the hospital. The doctors were astounded by his miraculous recovery and praised the nurses for their efforts, but the nurses simply shook their heads. They did not tell the doctors about their experiences whilst Jerry was in that room, or about the lingering scent of cigarette smoke that hung in the room at night. They were just glad to see the last of Jerry and his wife.The final stages of planning had begun, as promised Mayor McCummins had personally signed the Thomas Brothers Landscapers and Developers business documents, allowing the boys to finally get started.Brian had sent an open invitation to the building contractors in town and people looking for employment to meet with him in the City Gardens. He was terribly disappointed when only one crew showed up, Roe Construction.“No one else came?” Roe asked as he approached Brian with an extended hand.Brian shook Roe’s hand and then looked towards to road where the crew hung around.“Is your
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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.”
