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A. Jade Collins --- college, home on break Nice, a bit skeptical, and likes to be on top of things
B. Jeremy Michaels --- Jade’s old boyfriend. Chose to stay close to home, help with the family business & attend community college.
Major is business. A nice dude, likes spur of the moment stuff, but stays pretty grounded. He & Jade are still friends
C. Hunter Collins 16. thinks he 30. A good kid, good sense of humor, wants to grow up too fast. Jade’s little brother
D. Angeni Baker---Good hearted, free spirited. Best friends with Jade
E. Evan---16 quiet, serious, although totally different from Hunter, they have been best friends all their lives
PART 1
A light rain had just started to fall over the Appalachians. The afternoon was somewhat gloomy which was beginning
to fit the mood of the gang. “Crap!” exclaimed Hunter. “If the rain keeps up, it’s gonna ruin the cookout tonight!
You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you Hunter?” teased Jade, “Regan would miss her little pookie bear.”
Face instantly red, Hunter stole a glance at his buddy Evan, who had a subtle grin on his face.
“I had heard on the news earlier, that the rain would die off, but it would remain overcast. Besides we can take it inside
if it gets too bad,” said Jeremy, who was more concerned with the fact that they were supposed to be there an hour ago.
He didn’t like running late.
“Where is this place anyway Angeni?” asked Jade.
"Well, the couple from the ad who gave me the directions, were kind of vague. But I’m pretty sure they said this was the
way to go. I hope Terry and Regan managed to find the farmhouse.”
Angeni had been in charge of the weekend rental for a get-together. She had figured the best way to go, was the
classifieds. They all had agreed that they wanted something remote so they could rock out. Angeni thought this would
be perfect. So she met the elder couple, drank the standard cup of tea, left a deposit, and some id. Then Angeni got
the keys, and here they were…or weren’t.
The wooded area that they were driving through, didn’t offer up any clues as to where they were. Not one sign in 25
miles.
"I haven’t seen one turn off in miles! Said Jeremy. “What do the directions say to that?!”
“According to the directions they gave me, there was supposed to be a turn off, about 15 miles back. Maybe they
were a little off. The couple apparently hadn’t been there in 15 years themselves,” replied Angeni.
Jade went to dial the number, and paused. "My phone is dead. I don’t get it. I just charged it before bed last night.”
“Here, use mine” said Jeremy he handed her the phone from above the visor. Again she went to dial, and again, dead
air…nothing. “What’s going on?”
Just about that time, they drove by a virtually hidden dirt road. The overhanging trees and light rain made it almost
impossible to see. Jeremy hit the brakes and began to back up.
“Well, if this the side road, it doesn’t look very traveled.”
They turned left & started the trek down the old unused rocky road. Jeremy thanking himself for getting a Jeep. About
a mile down the road, they met up with a fairly big tree laying across the road.
“I’m guessing Terry and Regan haven’t been there yet” said Evan.
The road was so narrow, the choice was either back all the way up the rough terrain, or move the log and head on their
way.
“Let’s move the log”.
Jeremy, Hunter, and Evan jumped out and did their best to get it out of the way.
“This is getting frustrating” Jade growled.
The red Jeep moved effortlessly on it‘s way. It seemed that the further they went, the lower the elevation. About five
more miles, they crossed a shallow creek, trees everywhere. Once they crossed the creek the road ended a mile later
at an old overgrown neglected farmhouse.
“Damn Angeni! You must have gotten a heck of a deal!” said Jeremy sarcastically as he climbed out of the Jeep.
The old faded white farmhouse was a two story. Two of the top windows were out. The large front porch had planks
missing, and weeds growing through the gaps. An old porch swing had seen it’s better days. The area surrounding the
house, was overgrown with weeds. It was obvious, that no one had been taking care of the property.
With a bit of stress in his voice, Hunter said, "There’s no way Regan and Terry are going to find this place!"
While Angeni and Jeremy were bickering, Jade was trying to cheer up Hunter.
“Come on little bro. This is awesome! Campfires, exploring the woods sleeping in a cool farmhouse and spooky stories
& hotdogs. Who needs a chick?"
The rain had died off, and the early evening shadows started to set in. Evan had decided to make the best of it, and
explore the area. Standing in front of the Jeep, he took a good look around, and realized just how far down in elevation
they had come. It was indeed beautiful. I guess that couple were the only ones around. Evan didn’t see any other
houses, but there could have been foundations. He went on to the side of the house. An old shed stared back at him.
“Hmmm” “what do we have here?”
Curiosity got the best of Evan, and he decided to check it out further. The old shed had originally been painted to
match the house. But now, much like the house, the paint had been chipping away and fading with the sun. Evan turned
the block of wood that had been nailed on and holding the door shut. The door slowly creaked open. Cobwebs and the
smell of mildew met him.
Evan took a timid step inside. No need to worry about the floor falling through. It was dirt. There were a few dusty
wooden crates up against one wall, and old rusty tools hanging from the opposite wall. Evan reached his hand out
slowly to touch an old claw hammer hanging from the wall, and suddenly felt a “whoosh” of cold air behind him. It chilled
him to the bone. He quickly pulled his hand away, and turned around to find…nothing there. Something he couldn’t
quite put his finger on, made him want to leave the shed very quickly. He turned to do just that, and Bam! Ran right into
his best friend. Evan was shook up, and Hunter couldn’t stop laughing…
”You should have seen the look on your face! Priceless!”
Ready to choke his buddy, Evan said “let’s get outta here!
Safely back outside, Hunter said, “Dude! We haven’t even gone in the house yet, and you're already spooked!” “I felt
something cold brush behind me Hunter. I’m not joking."
Hunter gave him a pat on the back and suggested they go with the others to check out the house.” Sounds like a blast”
Evan said.
PART 2
By the time they each grabbed some supplies and flashlights from the Jeep, darkness had set in, and silhouettes of
trees were visible all around. Nature was unusually quiet. Not too many crickets chirping and the birds were scarce.
They had known and prepared in advance that there would be no electric where they were going.
Angeni walked up the creaky stairs of the covered porch, the others close behind.
“Watch where you step” said Jeremy.
When Angeni put the key in the lock, it wouldn’t turn at first. Time had taken it’s toll and rust had set in.
“Stand aside Ange, let the man work.” Hunter set his bag down, and took Angeni’s place.
He went to turn the key in the old fashion lock, and when he went to grab the knob for leverage, it fell off. Just dropped
with a thud to the porch. He hadn’t even touched it yet! He let his arm fall slowly to his side, and had a funny look on
his face. He started to turn and say that he didn’t even touch the knob when, SMACK!
The door flung open so hard, it hit the interior wall, bounced off and nearly slammed shut again!
“No way!!” Hunter cried out.
He slowly turned to look at the others, and the looks on their faces, was a collective one. Every jaw was dropped, and
in the back of Jade’s mind, she knew there had to be some logical explanation, but try as she might, she couldn’t think
of one.
“Wow! That had to have been the wind” she said.
“Or a very pissed off raccoon” Jeremy replied. “You guys wait here, while I go check it out.” Startled, the friends waited
except for Hunter, who wanted to go with Jeremy.
The faded white house had a ghostly glow against the dark of night. A nervous Evan sat quietly in the porch swing while
Jade and Angeni were talking about whether or not Terry and Regan would find there way.
“Have you tried your cell lately? Asked Angeni. “ I’m wondering If Terry gave up, or is still looking.”
“ I’m guessing They are still looking. It is a long ways, just to give up and go home. Said Jade, who was looking up
towards the forested area they had come down through. Hoping to see the headlights of the silver Explorer driving down
toward them. “I’ll grab the cell. It’s charging in the Jeep.”
“I’ll get it.” Said Evan. He was looking for any chance to get away from the house.
INSIDE
The first thing Jeremy and Hunter noticed when they walked in the entryway, was the foul smell. The house was dusty.
Inside the front door to the left was the kitchen. Past that, was the dining room. On their right, was a living room, that
extended on into a den area with a fireplace. Right in front of them, were the stairs. Everywhere they shined their
flashlights, dust was floating.
“I am still trying to figure out just how Angeni not only rented this place, but left a $300.00 deposit?!” Hunter, close
behind replied “ Like Jade was saying, let’s try to make the best of it. We knew we would be semi-roughing it.”
“Hunter, To you, roughing it, is no xbox or pizza delivery! This place is probably not gonna have a working toilet” “I can
rough it as good as the next guy.”
“Yeah, we’ll see if…” Crack! They heard a loud bang coming from the living room.
They looked at each other and headed quickly toward the living room. Jeremy wondering to himself why the others
outside didn’t hear the bang.
BACK OUTSIDE
“It doesn’t work!” Jade was getting frustrated. “Neither does Jeremy’s!”
“There has to be some kind of electro-magnetic field or something blocking the waves”
Said Angeni. “I’m not seeing many wires down here Ange”
Jeremy and Hunter entered the living room through an arched entryway. They shined their lights everywhere. The long
couch and love seat had dust covers on them. They could see the clawed feet sticking out from below the covers. A
couple of dark wood end tables sat by the furniture. Old pictures on the walls. There was an old wooden door opposite
of the entryway, and another arched entryway that led to what seemed to be the den.
They went into the den, expecting something to jump out. But nothing did. The den had similar furniture, and old oak
sideboard that was pretty scratched up. At the opposite end of the room, was a large stone fireplace with a silver
framed mirror above the mantelpiece. The carpet was ripped up, and the gaudy green flower print wallpaper was ripped
& the wood boards below show in places.
At that point, their eyes had started to adjust a bit more to the dark around them.
“What was that!?” yelled Hunter.
“Funny Hunter. I don’t see anything. Ha freakin‘ ha”
Hunter‘s voice was shaky.
“I didn’t see it straight on. It was out of the corner of my eye. I would say some sort of animal, but it was mid-air! I
looked straight on, and it was gone. The best I can say, is it was darker than the dark, you know? Like a shadow. And
it moved fast!”
“Well we need to move fast! The others are probably wondering what’s up."
"Look Hunter, if you're serious, let’s just keep it to ourselves. It might make Jade, Angeni, and especially Evan want to
leave.”
“Deal for now” “But I’m beginning to think Evan did see or feel something in the shed.” “Let’s grab them, and check out
the rest of the house.”
Jade called inside the door, just as Jeremy and Hunter were walking out of the living room. “The phones still aren’t
working Jeremy, and Terry and Regan must have headed home by now.”
“Well we are here, so let’s check out the rest of the house. We didn’t see anything, but didn’t go everywhere. Then we
can get the dogs grilling.”
“You're right” Said Jade. “How bout it guys?” a mumble was the reply.
PART 3
They entered the kitchen and set their supplies and coolers on the rickety old kitchen table and counters. “Man! What
died in here!” said Angeni. With some effort, Jeremy opened the half-stuck window.
“How ’bout we start with that door in the living room leads.” said Hunter.
“Let’s go” Jeremy replied.
“Hey uh, um I’m going to go ahead and get the grill going, and take some food and stuff outside, " said a nervous Evan.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “Here. Take the Jeep keys, and you can turn on the radio."
Evan thankfully took the keys, and was gone in a flash. They headed into the living room and Hunter started to grab
the knob of the old door, but thought better of it.
“You do it Jeremy.”
Jeremy smiled and opened the door. It led down a set of stairs. “The basement”
“Only in B horror movies, do the peeps go down the stairs of a dark strange house!” Angeni said.
“Who goes first?” said Hunter.
“It was your idea” said Jeremy.
Hunter, trying to look brave, led the way slowly down the stone stairs. “as they stepped down, into the moldy basement,
a slam came from above. “The door shut on it’s own” This place is freakin’ haunted!” Said Hunter.
“It is obviously on a lean” reasoned Jade who was trying to pry her arm from Angeni’s grip.
“You go ahead and think that Jade” said little brother.
Jeremy gave him a warning look. The basement was fairly big. The floor made of dirt. Canned vegetables in dirty
Mason jars lined a shelf. There was a broken armchair in one corner, and a dusty dresser with 2 missing drawers laying
on it’s side. Several wooden crates were stacked in another corner.
“I’m betting,” said Jeremy, “that this basement is older than the house."
“Why do you say that?” asked Hunter.
“Because the floor is dirt, and the stairs are stone.”
“You’re a regular genius” said Angeni sarcastically.
There wasn’t much more to see down there, so they started back up the stairs when they heard a crash behind them.
They turned back around to find one of the Mason jars busted all over the opposite wall. Hunter just couldn’t resist…
"Maybe the shelf was on a lean!”
OUTSIDE
Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing “Give Me Back My Bullets” on the Jeep’s hi-fi system. Evan had learned an appreciation of
classic rock & southern rock from his mom and dad.
“This was a bad idea. I feel it in my bones.” He was putting the coal on the portable grill, and shivering from the early
October night air. WHOOSH! His head whipped around in unison with the rush of cold air he felt wisp by him. The
temperature had suddenly dropped by 10 degrees. He was seeing what Hunter had seen inside. Only now, Evan was
able to track the sight of the dark shadow a bit longer. He watched covered in goose bumps, as it zigzagged across the
clearing, then traveled down the dirt road and out of site. It never made a sound.
“That’s it! I do not want to be ghost bait!”
Skynyrd’s tune was just ending as he ran toward the house.
Having an absolute certainty, that the door at the top would be forever locked, Angeni said:
“I knew it I knew it! We shouldn’t have come down here. Something is very wrong with this house. I just feel it!”
A slight sweat had broken on Jeremy’s forehead, but he tried to act calm as he reached for the doorknob…. It opened
easily.
“Evan! I’m going to kill him!” said Hunter. He figured it had to be his friend who had slammed the door as a joke.
“If Evan slammed the door,” said Angeni, “I will do your homework for a month!”
“I’ll pass” said Hunter.
As they entered back into the living room, something dark came across the floor and knocked Hunter to the ground.
“AAAHHH! Cried Hunter. “Get it off me!”
“Hunter!!” yelled Jade and Jeremy in unison. Hunter had dropped his flashlight in the fall.
“I’m sorry Hunter! It’s just me!” Evan got off his friend and helped him up.
“What has gotten into you Evan?” You’ve been freaking out since we got here!” Evan was helping Hunter dust off;
Angeni, Jade, and Jeremy didn’t know whether to laugh or run.
“Whether you believe me or not, I don’t care right now. I just want to leave!”
Evan wasn’t joking and Hunter knew at that moment that Evan didn’t slam the basement door. THUMP! THUMP!
THUMP! The floor above the living room vibrated. The group of friends shined their lights at the ceiling, and watched in
amazement, as a black apparition came down through the ceiling. They started to back out of the room, not wanting to
turn their backs on what they saw. The apparition hovered in the air, and when they finally made it out of the room, they
heard a loud thumping coming from right next to them on the stairway. Not wanting to, they looked up the dark stairwell.
When the light shined on the black bassonette being pushed down by unseen hands, the final decision was made.
"Let’s get the hell out of here!" Jeremy’s voice was cracking, and any composure he had was all but gone.
With pale faces they tried two at a time to get out the door. Finally stumbling out to the moonless night and straight to
the Jeep, they stopped in their tracks. When Evan had run inside, he had left the radio on.
“Evan. Right now, I want to leave here very badly. If the battery is dead, so are you!”
Evan got weak-kneed. Not so much in fear of Jeremy, as the fact that they were possibly stuck miles from nowhere,
Stuck in a nightmare.
Jeremy grumbled something kin to “cross your fingers” as he and the others got in the Jeep. Everyone held their breath
as Jeremy tried 3 times, but the Jeep didn’t start.
“You just have to have the hi-fi don’t ya Jere?!”
Red faced Jeremy said only one word. “Out” They all hopped out, and he had Hunter get in the driver’s seat to hold in
the clutch.
"This will be tricky on this terrain, but with us all pushing we should get it clutch started."
A blast of cold air came at them from behind.
“When I say let go, let go of the clutch!”
“Push!”
They all did their best to get the Jeep rolling over rough terrain quick enough to start it, as several more ghostly
shadows swarmed around them.
“Now!"
Hunter popped the clutch and the Jeep came to life. Virtually knocking each other down, they scrambled to get in the
Jeep. They left there never knowing what was upstairs. Angeni looked back and saw a blue glowing light in the upper
window.
As they drew closer to the end of the road, Jeremy slammed on the brakes.
The log was back. Exactly where it was, when they first arrived.
“This, is nuts I tell you!”
The guys jumped out and moved that log twice as fast as they had the first time. Back in the Jeep, Jeremy drove as fast
as he could without wiping out. In fact, he drove so fast out of there, that not one of them, saw the tail end of the silver
Explorer sticking up over the shallow cliff next to them.
Tracey H.
PROOF Paranormal Staff Writer
* Note the Appalachian Mountains, lie within the Cumberland Gap.
* A bit of info here on the Cumberland Gap…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Gap
* an idea of the area that the gang had their encounter…
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=cumberland+gap+&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&imgsz=all&fr=sbcfp-imp&b=1
*Cumberland Gap National Park…
http://www.nps.gov/cuga/
From thespiritseekers.org an article by Alan L. Lowe
on “shadow people”…
http://www.thespiritseekers.org/ShadowPeople.htm
& a bit more on the anomalies of shadow people from wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_people
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary
Poltergeist
Main Entry: pol·ter·geist
Pronunciation: 'pOl-t&r-"gIst
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from poltern to knock + Geist spirit
: a noisy usually mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises (as rappings)
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=poltergeist&x=7&y=12
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist
A very intriguing article by Alan G. Hefner found at mystica.org
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/p/poltergeist.html