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Chapter 8
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The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 9
Slowly but surely the left portion of the property started showing its true colors. Brian could hardly believe that under all those branches was a tiny circle, set out in stone, that had concrete benches all around the perimeter. And around the circle were actual flower beds, old, overgrown, rock hard, but flower beds, and dotted in the flower beds were old concrete bird baths, the basins completely covered in moss. None of the boys knew how long it took them to clear the area that led to the first house. But all of a sudden there was the boundary wall, set out in stone. Brain came to his senses and looked around him. They had cleared everything around the boundary, all the grass was mowed, and the edges were clean, how was it possible that they did not see the house all this time that they were working? Brian turned towards Luke, who was wiping sweat off his brow with the t-shirt that hung from his belt. “Do you think we have permission to go in?” Brian asked Luke carefully. “Yea
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 10
For three days every evening at dinner, the boys were asked who was pacing the halls at night. For three days the boys denied ever getting out of bed. On the fourth day, without anyone’s knowledge, Joe decided to set up cameras in the hallways. He too was getting tired of the footsteps in the hall and the whispers in the kitchen every night when everyone was supposed to be asleep.His wife and kids had gone to town to put up flyers to ask for help with the garden. The boys had gotten permission from the elderly ghosts to bring outsiders into the garden but there had been a couple of conditions, all of which were stipulated on the fliers of course.The family got home and almost instantly the boys ran off to what they discovered was a house with a big number one painted next to the front door. The number was dainty and had all kinds of curls and swirls to it, so much so that the brothers had a very interesting argument about whether it was a flower or a number.The house itself was col
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 11
That evening was different from other evenings when everyone would normally retire to their bedroom after dinner. The boys decided instead to carry their Wii game consoles and pillows out to the sitting room and hang out. Fairly soon Nadine joined them and along came a presence.“He’s stuck like glue.” Luke teased his sister.“He’s a nice guy,” Nadine replied and plopped down on the floor next to her brothers.“He’s your cousin,” James said.“He’s a ghost.” Brian reminded her.“Oh hush it. What are you playing?” she asked them.“Tennis.” Luke grinned at her and tossed her the other controller.“You’re on!” Nadine accepted.“Oh, this is going to be good,” Brian commented drily and sat back to watch his sister get punished.Joe and Cynthia heard the laughter in the sitting room.“It’s been a while since they’ve done that,” Joe commented and glanced at his watch.“Sure is. When can we expect your uncle darling? Shouldn’t he have been here by now?”“I’m not sure. I tried calling him but h
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 12
The entire household woke up at exactly four-thirty the next morning. All the doors of all the rooms rattled ferociously as if something was trying to break the doors off the hinges. The occupants of the rooms sat in their beds, staring at the doors, wondering what exactly was happening. Joe and Cynthia worried about their kids, but a calming presence made them relax slightly.It was only when the kitchen started sounding as if it was exploding that they became worried. Joe jumped up and tried to rush out of the door, but it was firmly locked and wouldn’t budge. Hurried footsteps could be heard in the hallway outside their door and then there was a shout, an unknown voice demanding whatever was rattling the doors and windows to leave.Whatever it was ignored the command, in fact, it almost appeared that someone was trying to push through the doors and another was holding the door shut. Joe felt himself being picked up and then taken back to his bed. He turned to look at his wife, who
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 13
Cynthia sat outside on the back porch, having a coffee with her husband and just looking over what their sons had done.They watched Uncle Sam approach, he was mesmerized by the garden itself, so much so that he did not hear the three kids that hurried after him. It took one look from the parents to know that something was horridly wrong. Brian carried his sister more than he supported her, all whilst Luke hurried to the other part of the property with balled fists and a red face.Joe somehow missed the porch steps, he was next to his oldest kids in a flash.“What happened?” he asked quickly.“Bradley,” Brian said simply and allowed his father to help him carry Nadine up the steps.“Bradley?” Cynthia asked confused and followed them in.“He attacked Nadine because he wanted one of his guitars and I said we’ll get to his place when we’re done with number one,” Brian told his father and carefully lay his sister down on her bed.Brian saw the veins pop on his father’s head and neck, his
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 14
Out of all the unnerving things that could happen in a haunted house, the most unnerving thing is silence, and that was exactly what Joe came home to a few hours later. The garden was quiet, and no sounds from the whippers, no chainsaws, and there was no one on the porch. Everything was just silent.A minibus stopped close behind him and the doors opened cautiously.Joe looked around him and then he felt a presence close by.“Are these the volunteers?” it asked.“Yes.”“Good. I’ll get your boys to get them. Your wife needs to talk to you.”The presence vanished and then Joe turned to the teenagers getting out of the minibus.“My kids will be here shortly.”“Uncle Joe.” A deep baritone voice suddenly spoke directly behind him.Joe whirled around and stared at the pale teenager with shoulder-length black hair.“Who are you?” Joe asked ad felt his knees go weak.“Bradley, sir. I thought I should introduce myself.”Joe stared amazed at the boy. The audacity!“You and I will talk later. Do
The Haunting of Thomas Gardens Chapter 15
Back at the house, Joe was seeing his uncle and cousin off. Daniel had absolutely refused to stay after his encounter with Bradley in the hall, and Uncle Samuel had agreed readily when Daniel had started packing. The lone guitar had scared him, and he was ready to go back home.Joe had tried to argue, but Cynthia had silenced him gently with a hand on his arm and wished the visitors a safe journey before excusing herself to check on her biscuits in the oven.His wife’s demeanor confused Joe, but he let it rest until his uncle and cousin had left. He then went looking for her and found her in the kitchen with Bradley, they were chatting and laughing as if they were a mother and son.Joe gave Bradley one look that made him vanish.“Was that necessary?” Cynthia asked upset.“Why would you react that way to Uncle Sam and Daniel? You hardly said goodbye.” He asked her furiously.“Most probably because I couldn’t wait to see the last of them,” Cynthia responded quickly.“Why? What have they
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
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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.”
