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Chapter 45
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The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 46
The media blew the entire incident completely out of proportion. An outside newspaper claimed that one of the Thomas boys were responsible for a bomb that was hidden in a bag and dropped in the foyer when they had walked in. The towns folk read the articles, shook their heads, laughed at the ridiculousness of it all and used the newspaper as a rug for their animals to poop on.With half the precinct out with injuries Mayor McCummins was forced to get officers in from other towns. Buttershire was welcoming, but the new officers were wary. Jerry was taken off desk duty and placed back on the street with two other officers to show them around town.James went back to school the second day after the explosion. Some kids kept their distance, too scared to ask, even the kids that used to bully him kept their distance.His homeroom teacher welcomed him back to class, enquired after his health and wished his brothers a speedy recovery. After that, she simply let him be.“Hey.” Rodney finally
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 47
The Thomas family sat around in the kitchen, none the wiser of what was currently happening at the hospital. Cynthia was making coffee for Joe and Brian, who had for some reason decided he liked the taste.Brian was telling his father about the accidents at the site, and trying hard not to rub at the patch on his eye. James sat and stared into the darkness, not saying a word, and not paying much attention to what his brother was saying either.Static electricity filled the air, making the hair on the arms stand on end.“Hello family.” the soft baritone voice unsettled everyone in the room.“Roger.” Brian stood up immediately and looked around the room.The air crackled and snapped as the opaque outline of a soldier started to appear.“Nasty cut you got there boy.” Roger commented as his body began to solidify.“Hurts pretty bad too.” Brian said to him.“You should’ve paid more attention then. Lucky for you lot, your youngest has the brains in this family. He had a nice long conversati
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 48
That evening the family sat around the dinner table. Joe could see the disappointment in Brian’s face, and he knew where his oldest son had been earlier that day. He did the math and came to the conclusion that the meeting had not gone in their favor.“So, what are we going to do about the river?” Joe finally broached the topic.“I don’t know Dad. I’m scared to death of the water, and James can’t dive that deep. Luke is not going to be of much help, even though he had been cleared to come home in a few days. Jerry tried getting help from some of his buddies, but no one was interested. I was thinking of going over to Shamdon to ask for divers or salvage crews there but the ban on the families from there still stands. I can’t catch a break.” Brian replied miserably.“What about further north?” Joe suggested.“Where? Calledonia? Those folks don’t want nothing to do with Thomases. Our name is bad out there Dad, and not because of us. It’s no use going there and get into a fight.” Brian re
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 49
The crowd petered off around four pm, the father and son duo had not yet been able to get the second thing hooked up. They were slowly starting to tire, and loose hope. Cynthia stopped them after James nearly drowned when his anchor rope somehow got tangled up with the chain, which in turn, got tangled up in a crevice somewhere below them. He could not go up, or down. Joe had gotten him untangled just in time, but still the boy was rushed to shore spluttering and vomiting muddy water.Jerry insisted on taking James to the hospital, which left Joe without a diving partner. So he and Brian rolled up the chains and left them under the tree. Jerry frowned at his in-laws and then bundled the whole lot into the mini bus and drove them to the hospital.Nadine sat with Jeremy in Luke’s room while Joe and James were looked over. The baby was starting to stand up alongside things so she kept a wary eye out for him.“Your father and your brother are mad, you know that?” Jerry said to Luke furiou
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.”
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 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 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
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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.”
