The Grey Girl, The Van Tassel Murders
Encounter

“You think you understand what’s going on.” Lewis tried to calm Alex. “But you do not have the facts. The story you’ve been told about what has happened here is not the true tale.” Seeing the looks of anger and doubt surrounding him, Lewis carefully reached into his jacket. Slowly pulling a tattered, leather-bound book from his pocket, he held it up for them to see.

Alex, breathing heavily, tear stains on his face, leaned against the front door. His anger was palpable, even at a distance. “Just what the hell is that?” He pointed to the book. “More importantly, how the hell is it going to get Chloe back?”

“This?” Lewis held the aged volume out to Alex. “This is Henry Van Tassel’s diary.” Alex grabbed the book, staring at it angrily. “In it I think you will replace some answers, some questions, and perhaps a way to return sweet Chloe to you.”

Something in the way Lewis mentioned Chloe’s name caused Aaron to throw out his arm to restrain Alex. Lewis cocked his head to one side as he observed the brothers curiously. Angry words hissed between the two until Arthur intervened. Finally, Alex slumped back against the door.

Lewis’ brow furrowed. He took a step back, looking up at the house. “I believe we have a new player.”

Arthur glared at Lewis. “Who is this new player? Where is he?”

“I don’t know him. Although,” Lewis seemed to be listening intently. “He is an associate of …” He looked a little confused. “Does the name Kerlvin mean anything to any of you?”

Alex’s emotions ran the gambit from terror, anger and annoyance to relief. Aaron looked like he had just swallowed an extremely sour lemon, while Arthur cursed loudly.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Lewis frowned.

“If Kerlvin is here, that can’t be good.” Aaron shook his head. “But he did help us before. Maybe that’s why he’s here now?” He looked hopefully to his father.

It was Lewis who answered though. “This Kerlvin was just here to arrange a meeting. It seems someone else will be working with Henry and Chloe.”

Alex jumped at Lewis again, only to have Aaron intercede once more. “You mean she’s stuck with Henry? The guy who kills little girls?” Alex exploded. “And who the hell is this new … thing … she has to deal with?”

“Well,” Lewis shrugged sheepishly. “He did have his reasons.” Pointing to the book in Alex’s hand, he said, “You really should read that.”

Alex stepped back, raising his arm as if ready to throw the book in the other man’s face. His foot hit the edge of the door. Using it for leverage, he put his weight against it. The knob clicked and Alex found himself falling backward. His breath escaped his lungs painfully as he collided with the floor. Through gasps for air and tears of pain, his eyes focused on the old, gas chandelier. A tinkling of crystals confused him as the fixture shook. The huge construction of metal and glass dropped several inches. Alex screamed, trying to kick away, but his feet found no purchase. The chandelier dropped straight down at him. Throwing his arms over his face, he braced for the hit. Nothing happened. Slowly removing his arms, he carefully cracked open one eye. Arthur and Aaron were standing on either side of him, looking down, terrified. Alex looked past his family at the light above them. It stared back at him, silent and still, the only movement a few cobwebs caught in the breeze.

“Are … are you ok?” Arthur asked, helping Alex to a seated position.

“What the hell were you yelling about?” Aaron asked nervously.

All Alex could do to respond was point up to the chandelier. Finally regaining control over his panic but confusion evident in his tone, he muttered, “It was falling.” He looked around. “Hey, where’s that Lewis guy?” Alex leapt to his feet, rushing to the door. He looked both left and right, but Lewis was nowhere to be seen. Cursing loudly, he gave up on Lewis.

Brushing past Aaron, who had joined him, Alex began to run through the entire house, calling for Chloe. Arthur watched him run past, then, noticing something on the floor in his son’s wake, he picked up the diary from where Alex had dropped it. A jingling of crystals above snapped his spine straight as he jumped to the side. He eyed the light warily, yet it remained quiet and still.

Alex ran by on the balcony above the hall. Arthur silently pointed as Alex ran right past a little girl who giggled. She looked directly at Arthur, put her finger to her lips, and was gone.

It took nearly 20 minutes for Alex to admit defeat. “She just can’t hear me.” He gasped for breath as he leaned against a wall, hands on his knees. As he began to catch his breath, he looked at his father imploringly. “I can feel her. I just can’t replace her.”

The look on his son’s face broke Arthur’s heart. He was sure it was the same look he had held when he lost Alex’s mother. “We’re going to get her back, son.” He placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I promise.”

Alex slowly stood up straight.

“We are going to bring her home. Whole.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Alex did not attempt to hide his tears.

***

Chloe heard Alex calling for her. She could feel him near.

“I don’t believe your current course of action will be either safe or beneficial,” Simon exclaimed, blocking her path to the door. It took all her strength not to kick him. “If you go to him now, I am sure the others will show themselves.”

“I heard a crash and Alex yelling. I need to be sure he’s ok,” she growled.

“Do think.” He pinched the bridge of his pug nose. “They are doing all of this to lure you out.” He sighed, closing his eyes as if talking to her was exhausting. “Please use your brain.”

“I’m so going to score a goal with that grumpy soccer ball,” Chloe muttered to Henry.

“What is soccer?”

***

“I can’t leave without her.” Alex protested.

Aaron was already waiting on the porch. Arthur continued urging his youngest to regroup. “We need to replace out what’s in this thing,” He shook the diary at Alex.

“I don’t care,” Alex shouted.

***

“He needs to leave before they change tactics.” Simon inclined his body to emphasize the importance.

“Alex, go. Go now. Find a way to help me, but please leave now,” Chloe shouted through the door. She could hear the giggles of Emily getting closer. “Alex! Run!”

***

Out in the hall Alex stopped arguing. He listened to the house. Arthur heard it too. Then the temperature dropped. Aaron was screaming and waving his arms, calling them to him. Arthur’s eyes were bulging. He had only just grabbed Alex’s arm a second before he found himself being pulled to the door. The cries of the banshee filled their ears and minds.

Alex exploded out the door into Aaron and both toppled off the porch. Arthur tripped and fell next to the flailing limbs of his sons. The door slammed behind them, and the green glow of the spirit shone through the glass. As the glow died, so did the scream. Alex looked back. Now he saw the ringlets of Emily’s blonde pigtails.

She giggled and waved at him. “Come back soon. I want to play with Chloe.” Emily frowned. “She won’t come out for me.”

“Be safe,” Alex muttered. “I love you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He prayed she could hear him.