Chapter Three "The Visit"

     Katie was visibly nervous to the point of shaking as the date approached for her and Jessica to go with Winona to visit the haunted house near the coast. She had never been farther than a doctor’s visit in Asheville in her life, and the thought of riding in a car for hours to a strange place was weighing heavily on her mind. Jessica was very busy in preparation for their trip going shopping for new summer outfits for them that included shorts, tops, and new shoes. She knew Katie would protest wearing shorts, but she convinced her that it would be more advantageous to wear those instead of dresses while in a swamp and around strange places.

     Amber and Isabella worked together on learning about the coast and its history, but without knowing what they were looking for, it was far too broad and nearly worthless. Winona cleaned up her shop, and she set it up for Isabella to take over while they were gone. She knew Isabella was interested in working, and she knew that she was also knowledgeable about the items in the shop.

     As the day drew closer, Winona asked Jessica and Katie once again to go over a new letter and to get Katie something to calm her nerves. The three of them sat in Winona’s gathering room and read the letter. Jessica read it to Katie while Winona showed Isabella where things were and how to operate the cash register and some other items in the store.

     “Dark shadows and orbs?” Katie huffed.

     “Look, the woman is doing the best she can describing what she sees. It’s not like she can do what you do?” Jessica took Katie’s hand. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work.”

     Katie turned her head toward Jessica. “Oh?”

     “Yes, you’re trying to talk yourself out of it, and I’m not going to let you do it. I’ll drag your ass there if I have to.”

     Katie snickered. “That would be cute. Try it.”

     “You have no idea. I’ll put you over my shoulder and carry you myself if that’s what it takes.”

     Katie snuggled up to her. “Just make me forget doing one thing to me, and I’ll be satisfied.”

     Jessica blushed. “You’re incorrigible. You know that don’t you?”

     “Yes, but you’re the one who’s usually perpetually horny.”

     Jessica sighed. “I might be, but we do have a job to do.”

     “One big distraction is all I ask.” Katie squeezed her hand and rubbed her arm with her nylon glove. “You know you can’t resist all of this.”

     Jessica looked at her. “You’re wearing one of those with the sleeve aren’t you?”

     Katie just smirked. “It’s ready for you. That’s all I’m saying.”

     “So girls, did you find anything interesting in the letter?” Winona said walking back in and sitting down. She was in one of her favorite dresses that she made. It was a beautiful rich blue with lots of beads and was very tight on her thin body. Her legs swished as she walked and sat down. She had on moccasins that seemed to highlight her small ankles that shimmered under suntan hosiery.

     Jessica adjusted herself in her seat having an immediate issue thanks to Katie. Katie knew it and just smiled to herself. “I’m concerned about the appearance of what she calls dark shadows. Could those be her imagination?” Jessica asked.

     “It could all be her imagination, but something tells me that she’s experiencing something there. I also want to show you this. She just sent this to me this morning.” Winona got out her phone and opened up a video. “Take a look at this.”

     The video was taken outside of a large very old oak tree with a branch hanging out over the swamp. It was cloudy, and they could hear a little girl mumbling in the background. Then as the video focused on the tree, what appeared to be an invisible rope appeared along with a dark mass for just a brief moment. After that, there was a loud unearthly scream or call that emanated from the swamp. Then they heard a man shouting at them, and the camera cut out.

     “Did she say what that was?” Jessica asked.

     “Yes, it’s a tree behind her house on the edge of her property. She said there are legends about it, but she said she would tell me about it when we got there.”

     Katie shifted in her seat. “I heard something. Go back and play it again, and this time, just listen. Don’t watch it…just listen to the background.”

     Winona started it again and turned up the volume. They all heard what sounded like a woman talking, but it wasn’t the one who shot the video because she was talking too. Winona put her phone down. “Good catch Katie.”

     “What was that?” Jessica looked surprised.

     “That was an EVP.” Winona said. “It stands for electronic voice phenomenon. I don’t always trust those, but since Katie heard it, I guess we should pay more attention to those.”

     “Wow.” Jessica squeezed Katie’s hand.

     “So, I need you guys to make sure you’re packed for a long weekend. It will probably be hot and humid, so dress appropriately.”

     Katie snickered. “I might actually be comfortable.”

     “Are you planning to wear your usual attire?” Winona asked.

     “Of course I am. I can’t go without it.”

     “You could…” Winona began.

     “No…no she can’t.” Jessica laughed. “She tried once…it didn’t work.”

     “Oh, okay then. Just expect stares and conversations.”

     “I do, and I don’t care.”

     “That’s my girl.” Winona smiled. “We leave promptly at 7:00 AM tomorrow. Get some rest, and make sure you have everything you need.”

     “Thank you.” Jessica helped Katie up. “I’ll see you later, Isabella.”

     Isabella waved at them and smiled. She was busy doing some inventory and looked quite happy doing it.

     Katie squeezed Jessica’s arm. “Now you owe me a long afternoon by ourselves, and I don’t want anyone to disturb us.”

     “Where should we go?”

     Katie thought a moment. “We can use the room in the attic. I’ll make sure the girls don’t bother us.”

     They got to Katie’s house, and Katie immediately made sure her new stepsisters, Sofia and Ximena, did not bother them. Kelly was out with Brent, and Mark was out with Ashely. She knew they had at least three hours to themselves if no one changed their schedules.

     Jessica helped Katie up the steps and they settled onto the sofa. Katie slid off her wig and dress and her shoes. She was just in her one layer of nude nylon like it was a second skin. Jessica’s hands were all over her touching it and kissing her through the nylon mask. She slid off her dress and shoes too then her extra layer of tights. Katie reached down and found what she wanted that was encased in its own sleeve of nylon. 

     Jessica pulled up to the store just before seven and saw the light on inside. She left Katie in the passenger seat and went to check on Winona. She was finishing up some purchases and was sipping a cup of tea. “Good, you’re here.”

     “Yes, and Katie is outside.”

     “I presume she’s good now.”

     Jessica smiled. “I think so.”

     Winona cut her a long look. “You’re being careful…right?”

     Jessica blushed. “Careful?”

     Winona winked at her. “Don’t want your sweetie getting pregnant too soon now do we?”

     "Winona?” Jessica blushed and tried to hide her face.

     “Look girl, I’m not stupid or a prude. I’ve known you two were intimate since I first met you. It’s written all over your aura. While you can hide your package neatly, and I must thank you for that, it’s still a package after all.” Winona grabbed her suitcase handle and started to leave. “It’s the same for Kelly and Brent and Isabella and Joseph. I wasn’t born yesterday you know.”

     “Fine…” Jessica could not think of anything else to say.

     Winona put her suitcase in the back of Jessica’s car and went to the back door. “You know how to start this adventure?”

     Jessica snapped out of her zone and looked down the road. “We take I-40 for a while. That I know for sure.”

     “That’s a good start. By the time we have to eat or pee, we can get more details. It will take the better part of the day to get there.” She shut the door and sat back. “Good morning Katie. I trust you are feeling very good today.”

     Katie laughed. “I can’t fool you can I.”

     “That’s okay. Jessica still doesn’t get it.”

     Isabella went to the kitchen and saw her mother still there. Usually, she was already at work, but she was sipping a cup of coffee and waiting for her daughter. “Mom?”

     “I know. I shouldn’t be here, but we have to talk…just the two of us.”

     Isabella sat down thinking something was wrong. Her mind began to race.

     “I’m just going to cut to the point. I got a letter from my lawyer yesterday about your father’s Will.”

     Isabella shot back to reality and felt a huge lump grow in her throat as she choked back some intense emotions. She nodded. “Okay.”

     “A date has been set, but we have to go to Atlanta to her office for the reading. I have to tell you that we won’t be the only ones there.”

     Isabella thought a moment. “Dad’s family will be there too?”

     “Yes, Isabella, my lawyer said that they were summoned for this too.”

     “But…”

     “I know they were estranged from him, but the lawyer said that they were all to be there for this reading for some reason. I don’t know any more than that other than it’s in a week, and we are both going…alone.”

     “But Linda…”

     “She has to stay with Julecia now, and you know that taking Julecia to meet them is simply out of the question. That will lead to conversations that neither one of us want. Can you respect me on that?”

     Isabella nodded. “I do. I’m not going to argue with you about that. I totally agree with you. She shouldn’t be exposed to them.”

     “Good. I’m glad you see it that way.”

     Isabella got up and hugged her. She smelled her hair and buried her nose into her hair and kept hugging her. “I love you.”

     “I love you too, Isabella.”

     She pulled away and looked at her mom. She was wearing a nice flowery dress that was shorter than expected. Isabella noticed a shoulder strap that she recognized under her dress and she smiled.

     “What is it?” Her mother looked at her.

     “Nothing…except I didn’t think you’d wear one of those.” She pointed.

     Her mother blushed. “Your aunt…my sister…well, she’s hard to say ‘no’ to when she’s actually right.” She smiled. “I did forget how comfortable some things are, and it makes it easier to get dressed when most of it is one outfit.” She rubbed her side. “And I like the smooth feeling all the way up. I know you like it since you wear these all the time and all over that beautiful body of yours.”

     Isabella smiled. “Yeah, I do.”

     “I bet Joseph does too.”

     “Mom?”

     She smiled. “I see how he looks at you. He’d be a fool not to love it all.”

     Isabella blushed. “Well, mom, that was what got him to notice me the first time we met.”

     She just smiled and sipped more coffee. “I have to get going now. I’ve made arrangements for a hotel in Atlanta for next week. Try not to think about it if you can.”

     Isabella hugged her once more.

     The boredom monster hit Amber once she realized that Kelly was gone, Jessica and Katie were gone, and Isabella was working and about to be gone. Summer dance had not started, so she decided to go for a hike by herself. She loved hiking with Jessica and Isabella, but that was not going to happen for a while. She went to her dresser and got out her khaki hiking shorts that came to mid-thigh. She liked those the most. She dawned a pair of khaki/nude footed dance tights to wear over her usual first layer. She wore one with the built-in bra sized to her by Kelly. She liked it because it had wider straps that were more like a tank top. She wore a pair of forest green socks rolled down to her boots and put on a tight shirt with no sleeves. She pulled her hair into one large ponytail and put on a white baseball hat and pulled her ponytail through the back hole. She felt energized. She also packed a small backpack with snacks and water.

     She decided to head to Richmond Balsam. Something was drawing her there that she could not ignore. Something Isabella said to her in passing lit a spark in her curiosity that she had to see for herself. She knew there were some overlooks there, but she also knew about a very private hidden trail up there to the summit. She drove up there early the same morning that Jessica and Katie left with Winona. It was warm until she got near the top. She parked in one of the overlooks and headed across the road and disappeared into the thick woods with no one the wiser. She was in great shape and hardly got winded climbing the steep trail that was thick with tall trees and mountain laurel. She took an old forest road and curved to the top and found a place to sit and enjoy the quiet. She spent a long time there listening to the trees and birds before she finished her small lunch and went farther into the woods. She ended up on a ledge that overlooked the east. She stood right on the edge and almost slipped when she heard a stick break behind her. She looked like she was about the fall when she heard a male voice call out to her.

     “Don’t jump.”

     Amber turned around and was startled, but she was also scared and wondered what someone else was doing there. She looked at her options before deciding to see what was going on. “I wasn’t going to jump.”

     “Thank god.” His voice was thick with a Southern accent. He was covered in sweat with a scruffy face. He was thin but muscular to the point that Amber felt a twinge inside that she was shocked to feel while being scared. “I thought you were going to jump. That would be a shame for someone so pretty as you.” He smiled at her and stopped.

     “Um…I thought I was alone.”

     “You were…well…” He wiped his head. “I’m embarrassed to say, but I’m lost. I heard you up here hiking and thought I’d get some help. Can you help a tired guy out?”

She sized him up and realized that if he were dangerous, she would already be in trouble. She felt a twinge in her gut that was unfamiliar to her. “I know the way out.” She stepped down and looked at him. He stood a good foot taller than her, and he was almost all muscle, and sweat, and had a very loud aroma at the moment. “I can.” She looked into his eyes, and that is when she almost lost it. She had never felt that before, and she suddenly had a d******d of moisture hit her crotch that she was not expecting, and her upper lip began to sweat as she stared at him.

     “I’m Philip…Philip Marks. What’s your name?” His accent was still thick and comfortable.

     She was still staring at him when she popped back into reality. “I’m Amber…um…Amber Collins.”

     “I’d shake your hand, but it’s so dirty I don’t wanna miss you up.” He smiled again.

“I understand.” She smiled and almost giggled she felt so good inside. She felt another d******d along with a quick twinge that almost made her fall. That had never happened to her in her life, and she was suddenly smitten with this stranger lost in the woods. “Where are you from?”

     He got out his bottle of water and took a big gulp. He offered it to her, but she passed taking out her own bottle and showing him. He looked at her and smiled. “I’m from Georgia.”

     “And you’re lost here in North Carolina?”

     He laughed out loud to the point that it almost echoed off the trees. “Yeah…I am. I feel really stupid about it. I was camping by a lake and thought I knew where the trail was. Well, I was wrong.”

     “You are almost on the Blueridge Parkway now.”

     “Oh?”

     “Yeah, and I can take you there.” She stopped herself. “Where’s your car?”

     He laughed. “I think it’s miles from here. It’s a truck, and it was in a parking lot near Waynesville.”

     “I can take you there, but you need to get cleaned up and get some rest. You look like you’re on the verge of heat stroke.”

     He gave her a quick look up and down. “And you’re not hot in that getup?”

     She laughed. “No.” She turned. “Follow me.”

     “I don’t mind if I do.”

     She felt another twinge but ignored it and walked back down the trail to her car. She put his pack in the trunk and laid out a towel in the passenger seat for him. She turned the air up and headed to Waynesville. “So Philip, what are you doing the rest of the day?”

     He thought about that. “I don’t know. I have nowhere to go.”

     “What?”

     “It’s not what you think…maybe. I just sold my home and wanted to get away for a while, but now…I don’t know.”

     Amber continued down the road and thought. “I have an idea. How about you follow me back to Asheville? I can let you clean up and change. I’ll wash your clothes, and you can tell me why you're alone.” She felt brave asking this.

     “Okay…thank you. I could use a good shower. I haven’t had one in at least three days.”

     Amber laughed. “I can tell.”

     “Oh, sorry.” He laughed too.

     He got in his red four-wheel drive F-150 and followed her back to Asheville. She pulled up into the driveway and waved him to park next to her car. He got out, and she got his backpack and carried it into the house. “Mom?”

     “Yes, dear?”

     “I have a guest. Don’t get alarmed.”

     “What?” Her mother came around the corner and stopped staring at Philip in shock. “Amber?”

     She held up her hands. “Just a moment mom. This is Philip, and I met him on my hike this morning. He was lost, and I told him he could shower here and let us know what is going on. He…well…” She smiled and looked like a little kid all of a sudden.

     “Amber Collins…”

     “I’m sorry ma’am. I can leave if you wish.” He bowed his head in respect and stood back a step.

     She looked at him and sized him up. “No…no…you’ll clean up here. Just be aware that I have a gun.”

     “Yes ma’am.” He looked at Amber, but he didn’t bat an eye either. “That’s a good thing, ma’am.”

     She looked at him and at Amber. “Well, show him where the towels are, the soap, and the bathroom.” She waved Amber on, and Philip followed her. He stopped. “Ma’am…um…my shoes are awfully messy. I don’t wanna mess up your nice house.”

     She looked at him closely. “Put them in the mud room.” She pointed.

     He made it quick and followed Amber upstairs. She was busy getting stuff together and grabbing a robe. At this point, Leticia and Elizabetha came out to see what was going on and saw a tall stranger standing in the hallway looking at Amber moving around. She looked at them. “Philip, that’s Leticia.” She waved. “And that’s Elizabetha.” She waved. “They are my stepsisters…long story…later. Now go shower.” She pointed to the bathroom and then ran back downstairs waving her sisters along to follow her.

     Her mother met her at the bottom of the stairs with her arms crossed. “Explain.”

     Amber did, and her mother calmed down some seeing how her daughter was obviously smitten with this young man already. She had her sit down along with Leticia and Elizabetha and had her answer some questions before she was satisfied. They heard the shower stop and footsteps above them. “I guess you should meet him and show him where to change.”

     “Where would that be?” Amber asked.

     “Have him change in Jacob’s room. He won’t notice…he’s a guy.”

     Amber laughed and went upstairs and saw Philip standing outside in the hallway in the robe with wet hair. He was cleaned up and had brushed out his beard some. “I couldn’t shave and leave all that hair in your sink.”

     “Thank you.” Amber smiled. “You can change in here.” She showed him Jacob’s room. “This is my brother’s room, and he’s out of town right now.”

     He smiled at her and turned once more glancing down at her legs, and he turned red as the robe suddenly began to poke out. He ducked into the room and shut the door. “Sorry…” He said from behind the door.

     She blushed and felt another rush right to her groin which was now uncomfortable with an ache that needed to be attended to. She made a quick brush with her hand across her shorts, but that was not going to do it. “You can meet us downstairs.” She quickly ran off, and now her pantyhose were rubbing her in her special place every time she moved. She tried to change how fast she was walking, but it did not matter. It was almost on fire now and super sensitive.

     She sat down and drank a long sip of her tea and looked at her family staring at her. “What?”

     “You think he’s cute don’t you?” Her mother cut right to the chase.

     “Mom!” She turned red.

     “He’s not a puppy that requires rescue. He’s a grown man for God’s sake.”

     “Mom!” Amber buried her face in her hands.

     “Look, I’m not naïve. I know that look. I can smell it on you.” She smiled.

     “What?”

     Her mother leaned down closer to her ear. “You are giving off some very strong pheromones right now. You are also giving off some massive vibes. I bet if either Katie or Isabella were here, they would be telling you the same thing.”

     Amber just took it. She knew her mother was right.

     “He’s cute.” Leticia finally said.

     “Even she noticed.” Her mother pointed to Leticia and smiled.

     “What do you think?”

     Her mother smiled. “So far he’s been polite. We’ll see.”

     He came down the steps in a clean pair of hiking shorts and a fresh shirt along with clean socks and some different shoes. His hair was brushed out, and his facial hair looked less messy and unkempt. “Sorry, ma’am about my beard. I didn’t want to clog up your sink with my whiskers.”

     “I appreciate that, or rather, my husband will appreciate that.” She looked around. “So, come sit down and tell us about yourself. How did you get lost in the forest?”

     He nodded his head and sat in a chair that Amber pointed to. She gave him a tall glass of tea and sat down next to him. Leticia and Elizabetha stared at him with bright eyes.

     “I don’t like to talk about myself much. I was told that was rude by my momma. My dad always said a man who toots his own horn is a showoff.” He smiled and took a long sip of tea.

     Mrs. Collins thought a moment. “Well, I don’t think this would be the same thing…Philip. We don’t know anything about you except what Amber said about rescuing you in the woods.”

     He smiled. “Oh, I rescued her, ma’am. I thought she was going to jump off a big rock, so I told her not to cause that wouldn’t be right. She’s far too pretty to be doing something like that.”

     Mrs. Collins looked at Amber. “Care to explain yourself?”

     Amber blushed. “I was looking over the rock and slipped.”

     “Now that I can believe.” Her mother laughed.

     “But I was lost ma’am, and your beautiful daughter showed me how to get back to the main road, but then I was awfully far from my truck. She offered to drive me there, and now I’m here.” He smiled at Amber.

     “You’ve called my daughter pretty and beautiful now in less than a minute. Is there more going on here than I know?”

     “Ma’am?”

     “He’s just being a polite gentleman mom.” Amber snipped.

     Her mother cut her a look and looked at the two of them closely. “I still want to know more about you. Where are you from?”

     “I was born in Georgia north of Dahlonega. I grew up on a farm there with my mom and dad and four siblings. I have two brothers and two sisters, but I don’t talk to them.”

     “Oh?”

     Philip thought a moment. “My momma died a few years ago from cancer. She was awfully sick.”

     “I’m sorry to hear that.” Mrs. Collins sat on a stool to listen.

     “Then last year, my dad passed away. He was never the same after momma died, and I think he died of a broken heart. I was doing all the chores on the farm for him and keeping it up and running while my siblings moved out and left. They rarely if ever came around to visit them even when they were sick. Then after daddy died, I got the farm and kept it going. My brothers tried to fight me for the farm saying it was theirs, but my daddy made it clear in his will that it was all mine because I was the only one who worked it.”

     “Do you still have it?” Amber asked.

     “No, I sold it just a few months ago, and I decided to use some of the money to go on an adventure. I started hiking the Appalachian Trail, and I got here into North Carolina and somehow got all turned about in my direction. I was tired and lonely. I parked my truck in Waynesville and went up another trail to see some of the flowers when I got turned around. I camped up there for three days before I saw your daughter. I sure am glad she was too.” He smiled.

     Mrs. Collins looked at him. “If this is rude, you don’t have to answer, but when you sold your farm…did it sell for a lot?”

     “Mom!” Amber blushed really badly.

     “I just want to see if he’s financially stable.”

     “Oh, I am ma’am. I put the money into several banks.”

     “Several?” She asked.

     “Yes because I couldn’t just put it into one because it was too much. I bought a truck with some of it, and I bought a tent and my hiking equipment. My daddy got the farm about forty years ago for about $60,000, and I sold it for $7 million.”

     At that, Amber almost fell over. Her jaw went slack and she stared at him. Her mother’s reaction was about the same.

     “I want to buy another farm, but I don’t know where. I kinda like it here.”

     “You’ll love it here.” Amber was quick to say.

     Philip looked at her. “Well, y’all are more friendly than my family.”

     “As it should be.” Mrs. Collins said. She looked at him and smiled. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

     “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve put you out a lot already.”

     “I insist. Amber can show you around, and I’m sure Leticia and Elizabetha won’t mind tagging along while I prepare some dinner. I’ll message your father that we have an extra guest.”

     “You sure?”

     “Yes, now rest or look around.”

     “I’ll show him around.” Amber got up and stood next to Philip. He got up too and followed her around the house. She gave him the dime tour from the living room to her bedroom. Then they went to the porch and sat down again. She sent Leticia and Elizabetha to do their chores so she had him by herself. “What do you think?”

     “It’s a pretty house. I like it.” He looked down at her face and then at her legs.

     She watched him and knew she was getting him in her web. She rubbed her leg and looked at him. “Would you mind giving me a little leg message?

     He blushed. “I don’t know. What if your mother sees?”

     “I’ll warn you before she gets out here.” She slid her legs up on his lap and guided his hands to her calf muscles.

     His eyes grew wide staring at her legs. “I never felt a girl's legs before. They are soft and strong at the same time.”

     “That’s because I’m a dancer, and I wear these all the time.”

     “I like ‘em. They feel really good.”

     “Didn’t your mom wear them?”

     “Yes, but I didn’t feel my momma’s legs…that woulda been weird.” He smiled.

     “Yeah, I guess that would have been.” She sat back, and if she could have purred like a cat, she would have.

     Atlanta was hot as usual, and Isabella was uncomfortable walking from the car to the office building downtown. They were on Peachtree Street a block from the Fox Theater. Once she was inside, she was glad she had on her second skin as the air conditioner blew onto her. She and her mother went to the elevator and climbed up to the eighteenth floor before getting out. They were directed to a waiting room where they saw some familiar faces. Isabella drew a deep breath as her heart began to race. They sat down away from them and kept their eyes down.

     A door opened and a secretary stepped out. “Please come in and have a seat.”

     Seven people went in and sat down around a round table with more lawyers sitting across from them. Then a couple of police officers came in and stood by the door.

     “Is that necessary?” Isabella recognized her father's older brother, Harry. He had a voice similar to her father, and that bothered her.

     “Yes.” One lawyer said. “It is when we deem it necessary.”

     Harry sat down and waited.

     Her mother’s lawyer picked up a stack of papers and began to read them. “Before we start, the late Mr. Dean insisted that a letter be read in its entirety.” She pulled up her glasses. “Dear family, if you are reading this, then I am dead. I didn’t intend for things to end the way they did, but I knew my life was in danger after I happened to find two emails accidentally sent to me. I’ll explain. I had decided to leave what I had been doing for a number of years because it was endangering my family, especially my dear daughter, Isabella. I could not bear having her either get hurt or worse, killed. I was working for the FBI as a secret agent. I’m sure right now my older brother, Harry, is probably trying to look for the exit because he knows where this is going. My brother, Harold Thomas Dean, got me to join a group of human traffickers and smugglers while we were in college. What he didn’t realize was that I was already in the FBI as a training officer. I knew he was involved in illegal activities, but I didn’t know how bad it was until last year. That is when I discovered the plans and schematics of the extent of human trafficking, especially of young children. When I glanced over the documents, I saw my daughter’s name mentioned along with a date. It was then that I vowed to stop that from happening at all costs.

     To my lawyers, I gave instructions on where to find the evidence of these crimes along with many hundreds of others. I also instructed them to bring the police and FBI agents so that they could arrest my brother for my murder and the attempted murder of both my wife and my daughter. If I am dead, then my plan to escape with my daughter and wife did not work out as planned. If I am dead, then Harry gave the order for me to be killed. Harry was a member of the Church of Satan in Atlanta and was a high member seeking human sacrifices, and if he could sacrifice a virgin family member, he would make certain advancements. I was not going to let that happen.”

     The lawyer put the letter down. Harry was trying to get up when the men on either side of him grabbed him and put him in handcuffs. He let out a snarl that seemed unearthly. “I’ll kill all of you.”

     “No, you won’t. Actually, you are headed to the airport then to Miami, and finally to GITMO.”

     “You can’t do that. I’m an American citizen.”

     “No, you are not…anymore.” The FBI agent said. “Your citizenship has been revoked under the new human trafficking laws, and you broke international laws against child endangerment. You have been sentenced to death by hanging, and you will be hung by the neck until dead in one week.”

     “What?” He screamed.

     They dragged him out of there, and Isabella stared at the door listening to him scream as he was taken away. Then a helicopter started on the roof, and it was gone within a few minutes heading south. She looked out the window with her mind wandering very quickly around and around about that night. She looked at her mother. “He loved you, mom. He wanted to save all of us.”

     She was crying knowing the truth that she was wrong about him. She took a tissue and wiped her eyes and just sat there whimpering.

     “Now for the will.” The lawyer said. She opened it and looked at Isabella. “I, Kevin Allan Dean, being of sound mind and body do bequeath the entirety of my estate to my one and only daughter, Isabella Maria Dean.”

     “Huh?” Isabella looked shocked. “What does that mean?”

     “It means that you are a millionaire now. Your father left you an estate in the amount of some $7,600,000.”

     "Now wait a minute..." Isabella's other aunts and uncles tried to chime in, but the police officers cut them off.

     Isabella felt faint and had to put her head down on the table. Her mother held her and cried harder.

     The Atlanta air hit them once again as they left the office. Isabella had a bank statement and a briefcase full of legal documents that included all of the bank accounts. She was in another place in her head. They got in the car and headed to the hotel where they both took a nap to recover from the day.

     When Jessica opened the door, it was like the air wrapped around her like a wet blanket and hugged her. She almost immediately began to sweat. Katie got out and smiled. Winona got out and looked around a bit not seeming to be affected by the heat and humidity one bit. They had gotten to Columbia, NC, and were tired. An old bed and breakfast sat in front of them.

     “I’ll go check us in.” Winona left the couple there on the porch with their luggage and stepped inside.

     “Man, it’s hot as crap.” Jessica wiped her face.

     “I like it.” Katie stood at the edge of the sunshine. “I can feel the power of the sun here.”

     After a moment, Winona stepped out. “Follow me.” She led them into the B&B and up to the second floor. She stopped at two doors across from each other. “I told your mother that Katie would sleep with me, but…” She snickered. “That is your room…you two.”

     Jessica smiled. “Thank you.” She put her luggage in there along with Katie’s small bag.

     “Rest a moment, then meet me downstairs. We’ll have to scope out a place for eating…which will be tough on your diet. Also, I want to drive out to the house tonight just to see where it is.”

     “Okay.” Jessica shut the door and looked at Katie. “Want to fool around?”

     Katie turned. “I’d love to, but I’m still stressed about that ride.”

     “I can fix that.”

     “Just hug me, and we’ll see.”

     Jessica hugged her and began to adjust Katie’s nylon outfit.

     “What’s wrong?”

     “It needs to be pulled up. You have wrinkles in your elbows and knees.”

     “I probably have wrinkles in my chest too. You definitely need to take off my dress and check.”

     Jessica stopped. “Are you joking or being serious? Sometimes your humor is…well…too thick.”

     Katie reached out and grabbed Jessica and found what she wanted. “That’s thick. I’m just joking.”

     Jessica laughed. “You’re impossible.”

     “I know. Now kiss me and put your hand up my dress and distract me for a moment.”

     “If you insist.”

     “I do.”

     They went back out after finding a restaurant where they could eat at. Winona put an address into her phone and frowned. “This seems to be an approximation of where Stephanie lives.” She shrugged and headed west and made a quick turn down an old flat dirt road that went straight into a forest of tall pines. The pines soon gave way to a forest of old-growth trees covered in beards of Spanish moss giving the whole place an eerie feeling. They were winding along with a black river to their left that was smooth and did not seem to move. They drove a couple of miles before they came to a fence and a fork. There were farms around them and no signs.

     “What does your phone say to do?” Jessica asked.

     “The stupid directions ended here.” Winona looked around. “Well, the river goes this way, so let’s follow that instead of going into the fields.”

     Jessica nodded. “That makes sense. Didn’t she say she lives along the river?”

     “That’s what I’m hoping.” Winona hit the gas, and a cloud of dust rose up behind them.

     They went around a couple of more bends when they saw a doublewide house on a small lot next to the river that had a massive tree behind it hanging out over the river. “This has to be it,” Winona said. “There’s a truck and a swing over there.” She pointed.

     Katie sat up. “This is it. I can sense a lot here even inside the car.”

     “Like what?” Winona asked.

     “I don’t know exactly, but it’s a lot of energy right here.”

     “Well, I just wanted to find it tonight. We don’t have to go up to the house yet, but now we know where it is.” She turned the car around and headed back to Columbia. “I think we should also go to Roanoke Island while we’re here.”

     “Why?” Jessica asked.

     “Because we should. Why drive all this way and not go?”

     “Good point.”

     They got back to the B&B at sunset. Jessica led Katie back up to their room and began to get ready for bed. Katie took off her dress, and Jessica got out a nightgown for her. “Here.”

     “I don’t want it. I just want to lie down next to you in this.” She popped the fabric on her arm.

     “I like that plan.” Jessica took off her tights and slid on her nightgown over her other outfit and was very excited looking at Katie encased in nylon from head to toe. She helped her into the bed and let Katie curl up next to her.

     “I like this. I could get used to this.”

     “You going to sleep?”

     “Eventually…just spoon me and put that in me while you do it. I want to fall asleep like that.”

     The next morning they were back at the house early. Jessica drove and got out first letting everyone else out to get a feel for the land. The house was on the river side of the road with the large oak tree casting a shadow over the house and most of the yard. It was massive and ominous. Branches from the tree stretched out in all directions farther than any tree Jessica and Winona had ever seen. One branch that stretched out over the river caught their attention by its shape and the scar in it that wrapped around the branch.

     Winona went up to the door and rang the bell. Jessica led Katie up the path over roots and rocks and around toys that were scattered around the front yard. It took a moment, but the door finally opened. “I’m Winona. And you invited us here to examine your house for ghosts.” It sounded strange saying that out loud.

     The woman straightened up and looked down at them. “I’m Stephanie. Come inside and have a seat.” She led them into the small house that was manufactured and standing on stilts of concrete bricks. The bottom of the house was lined with vinal panels that did not quite fill all the gaps. Small birds flittered about as Jessica helped Katie go inside.

     They settled into chairs or on the sofa and waited for Stephanie to sit. They heard a little girl in the kitchen babbling and wanting her attention. “I’m sorry, but Kali is demanding.”

     “That’s perfectly acceptable,” Winona said and smiled.

     Stephanie was tall and still had a belly hanging out of her shirt just enough to be seen. Her shorts were too tight on her, and she was barefoot. Her hair was a mess of whisps held in place by a large plastic clip with large teeth. She grabbed her toddler and came back into the living room. The girl stood there and stared at Winona before she spotted Katie. She looked at Katie and smiled. “Dolly…” She ran over and rubbed Katie’s arms and giggled.

     “I’m sorry about that.” Stephanie tried to get her.

     “It’s okay. Let her explore. She is just curious.”

     “Dolly talks mommy.” She jumped up and down and rubbed Katie’s arm again and then touched her face. “She’s pretty.” She giggled again.

     “You have a fan.” Jessica smiled.

     The living room had a low vaulted ceiling with flower wallpaper. On one side was a fireplace covered over with a bouquet of plastic flowers. A set of sliding glass doors led out to a large deck that overlooked the dark river and oak tree. A large kitchen overlooked the living room with a bar and a breakfast nook. A dark hallway went to the other end of the house with the bedrooms and bathrooms. It was quiet except for the air conditioner running at full blast. A ceiling fan was on as well quietly spinning on high in the center of the living room.

     Katie found Kali’s hand and held it for a moment letting the young girl touch her as much as she wanted to. Then the young girl noticed her vacant eyes behind the veil of nylon over her face hidden slightly by the bangs of her black wig. “You don’t have any eyes.”

     “No, I don’t,” Katie said very matter-of-factly.

     She looked right at Jessica. “Did you know that?”

     Jessica smiled. “Yes, I do. She was born that way.”

     As they conversed, Winona scanned the house for any activity that she might pick up. She looked in all the corners and even down the hall, but it was quiet. “So, Stephanie, tell me something about what happens here.”

     She sat down in a large recliner and sipped her sweet iced tea and looked around. “At first, Kali talked to what I thought was an imaginary friend, but one day, I saw someone on her baby camera standing next to her. She was talking to the figure like she could see it. It was definitely a woman of some kind. She had a long dress and long hair.”

     “Anything else?” Jessica asked.

     “Yes, then things started to be moved around the house. I would find her toys moved from where I put them the night before. Then glasses would be moved or broken. My husband blamed Kali or me, but I know it wasn’t me.” She thought. “Then my husband was attacked one night after we were arguing.”

     “Oh?” Winona asked.

     “Yes, he had scratches down his back and face. He tried to blame me, but I wasn’t in the house. I had left to take Kali to my mother’s house.”

     “So, your mother lives near here?”

     “Yes, ma’am. She lives in Columbia.”

     “Good to know.” Winona moved in her chair.

     Stephanie sat up. “Can I ask you something?”

     “Sure.”

     “I can’t help but notice all of you are dressed so nicely. Is that what you wear chasing ghosts?”

     “Well, it’s what we wear,” Winona said.

     “And her.” She pointed to Katie.

     “I have to protect myself from cold and the sun.” She turned toward Stephanie. “I’ve dressed in this for most of my life.”

     “Interesting. You’re not hot?”

     “No, actually I’m finally not cold. I started wearing this when I was really little. I can’t stand not wearing them.”

     “Oh…okay.” She looked at Kali. “You don’t have to bother her.”

     They talked a while longer while Winona got background information from Stephanie. Then Jessica and Katie got up to go outside and look around. Jessica noticed a small field across from the house and was drawn to it. She led Katie there who stopped and reached out her hands and listened.

     “What is it?”

     “There’s a cemetery here. It’s not big, but it’s definitely here.” She went forward on her own as if led by someone else. “There are lots of graves here that are small…like children.”

     “Do you see anything?”

     Katie turned her head. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. There’s a girl here now guiding me to this spot.” She stopped and turned around some and looked like she does when she’s tapped into her abilities. “This is definitely a place of interest.” She turned again. “And that tree has something to do with it.”

     While they looked around, they heard a loud truck approaching that flew into the yard. A young man in blue jeans and a ratty shirt got out and looked at them. “Who are you?”

     Stephanie ran out of the house. “Mark, you’re supposed to be at work.”

     “Who are they? Are you having guests over without my permission?”

      "Excuse me?” She yelled. “Since when do I have to ask?”

     He ran over to Katie and raised his hand, but she looked at him. “That would be a huge mistake.”

     He saw her face and stepped back. “Freak…” He ran to the house and pushed Stephanie inside.

     Winona came out and looked at Jessica. “Should we leave?”

     “No, we need to stay. I sense something is about to happen.” Katie stood still. “This is important for her.”

     They could hear them arguing inside, and Kali started to cry. Mark walked out with Kali pulling her arm hard. Stephanie ran out after him and hit him. “Don’t treat her like that. She’s your daughter.”

     “I ain’t gonna let you have freaks in my house.”

     “It isn’t your house, Mark. It belongs to me and me alone. You don’t own it. I do.”

     “I’m the man.”

     “You’re a bully.”

     “I ain’t lettin’ my daughter see these freaks.”

     Stephanie ran back inside and came out with the great equalizer. She had a Ruger pistol in her hand aimed at Mark. “You get out of here now, and you leave Kali alone. Do I make myself clear?”

     “You ain’t gonna use that.”

     He didn’t finish his sentence when she aimed it at his head. “I will kill you to protect my daughter.”

     “Fine…” He let her go, and Kali ran to her and hugged her leg.

     “Now get out of here and don’t come back…ever.”

     He peeled out and left a cloud of sandy dust behind him. The noise of his truck slowly faded away.

     “Sorry about that. I told him to leave this morning, but obviously, he didn’t listen.” She put the gun down.

     “Wow,” Jessica said just loud enough to be heard.

     “Is it safe for us to stay?” Winona asked.

     "Yes, he’s a coward. He was scared of what was happening, but he didn’t want help. That was just a show, but he knows I’ll shoot him.”

     “Okay then,” Jessica said louder.

     “You come on inside and get a drink. I’m sorry things had to be that way, but he’s been like that for months now. It does have to do with this ghost though.” She closed the door behind them as they went and sat down.

     Winona looked around. “How about this? I don’t have my whole team here right now. I wanted to see what, if anything, was happening.” She looked at her calendar. “We can come back in October when it’s cooler, and they are all on fall break. How does that sound?”

     “When’s that?”

     “Fall break happens the same weekend as Columbus day. They get a very long weekend plus their day of no classes. That should be enough time.” She looked at Stephanie.

     “It will be pretty then.” She looked out the window. “Most of what happens starts after sundown. You can stay here if you want and see.”

     “We’ll do that.” Winona looked at Katie. “How are you, Katie?”

     “I’m good. There’s a cemetery across the road.”

     “What?” Stephanie asked.

     “Yes, it’s old and unmarked, but it’s there. I saw at least one girl there.”

     “What?” Stephanie looked at her.

     Winona smiled. “Katie might be blind, but she has another form of vision. Her lack of eyesight actually allows her to focus on other senses including extra senses.”

     Stephanie looked at her. “So, you don’t have eyes, but you can see?”

     Katie turned toward her. “Your eyes deceive you more than help you. There is more to see than physical objects in the world. There are patterns of energy all over the place that you can tap into if you allow yourself to do it. I see patterns. I see energy. I see you there in your chair as energy, and it is clouded with your fears and beliefs. Your daughter’s energy is purer for now because she is young. When I look outside at that tree, I see a rope hanging over the river that was there for years. That is important to what we’re doing here. I sense someone in the swamp looking at us. It is female, and she is very angry. She is also very evil. She doesn’t like it that you built your house here.” Katie stood up. “There used to be a house here right where your living room is now. The foundation is still here. It was made of waddle and daub.”

     “What’s that?”

     “It’s made of sticks and mud. The sticks are woven into something like a basket around larger sticks, and then mud is spread on the inside and outside of the sticks to make the walls. The roof was made of thatch or what they could find for thatch.” She looked around. “I see a woman now standing in what was the house. She’s very afraid of someone. She is warning you to leave. I think she’s the one your daughter keeps seeing. She is English. She speaks in an accent like the time of Queen Elizabeth…the Roanoke Colony…I sense the Roanoke Colony in this woman…no…the one out there.” She pointed. “This one is from later…the other one…” Katie stopped and looked out the window. “She’s across the river now.”

     They all looked and did not see anything, but then they all saw a dark shadow appear and disappear in little more than a flash. Winona gasped. Jessica held Katie’s other hand. Just as suddenly, the dark figure was on the deck facing them. Katie moved forward and stood in her way. She held up her hand and seemed to be fighting her off. The dark figure faded and flew off, and Katie began to fall over. Jessica grabbed her and put her on the sofa with a pillow under her head. She slid off her wig and waved her hand.

     “What happened?” Winona asked.

     “She’s very powerful…very powerful. She wasn’t expecting me to fight with her. I think she actually respects me.” Katie laughed a bit. “We will need some help with this.”

     “What is she?” Jessica asked.

     “A witch.”

     “What?” Jessica looked shocked. “I thought those were just in fairy tales.”

     Katie looked at her. “No my sweet one. They are real, and this one believes all of this swamp is her territory. She’s very angry too.”

     “Now what?” Jessica asked.

     “We need to go back to the B&B and begin to do some research. We need to know more about her before October.” Winona looked out the window once again. She looked back at Stephanie. “I think you should stay with your mother…as much as possible.”

     “Thank you. I will.”

     Winona led them out to the car and drove so Jessica could hold Katie. Jessica took Katie to their room and stripped off her dress and set her in bed. “You want a gown?”

     “No. I just want to curl up next to you. Can you wear an outfit tonight too?”

     Jessica smiled. “Yes, I’ll do it for you.” She went to the air conditioner and set it on high. She changed and got in the bed next to Katie who spooned into her body and guided her excited member to her crotch and slid it into her. She flexed her own hips a little bit before relaxing. “Just squeeze me.”

Jessica kissed her on the head and began to move her own hips in and out almost without control. She breathed hard before she finished much faster than she expected. Katie sighed and fell asleep.