“Has Ace explained to you the connection between Mediators and Crow Haven?” Thomas asked, turning his attention back to me. He was now sitting in front of me like we were all having some strange pow-wow.
I just shook my head no, as my eyes remained locked on Ace. His jaw was tight and his hands were clenched at his side.
“Mediators, as you know, have helped the deceased find their way to the afterlife. The spirits they aid are peaceful and just need help in their journey. But for Shadow Seekers, they have worked with the Crows for centuries. Providing protection to those around them. They protect the city from evil, but there is something far different with you. Lizzie, you seem to be a magnet for the spirits. Like your arrival sent an alert that you were here and didn’t have the necklace.”
“So, they are looking for me?” I asked.
“Yes and no. They are searching for the necklace. That necklace prohibits the spirits from returning to their home. They don’t want to journey to the afterlife; instead, they want to wreak havoc to avenge their untimely deaths,” Thomas said, his eyes drawing me in.
“All we have to do is get the necklace. After that, we can just get rid of all the Ghosts?” I asked. It seemed so simple, yet so unattainable.
“Why not get rid of all Ghosts?” I asked.
“It’s not that simple. The world of the afterlife is very complex. Most Ghosts simply exist because they have unfinished business or wish to remain in this realm. But for those touched by evil, they offer sinister plans. Those wreak havoc on our town and cause unexplainable damage that hurts or kills our residents. We have to stop them before they take over,” Ace added, his voice causing all of us to turn as he made his way over to us.
A smile crept over my face and I bit my lip, preventing my smile to grow any wider. Ace was taking back his claim over our session and it was brilliant.
“Lizzie, we need you to find that necklace,” Thomas stated firmly.
I was uncomfortable with the intense gaze he had locked on me. Something about Thomas didn’t feel right. I couldn’t explain it, but there was something about him that caused dread to course through my veins. I wondered if Ace felt it, too?
“We are searching for it,” Ace cut in, reaching down and offering me his hand.
Gladly accepting it, Ace helped me off the ground and led me to the basement stairs. His hand guided me as he placed it on the small of my back. It was a simple gesture, but it made me feel protected and safe-- something I never imagined I’d feel with Ace.
“Lizzie has to be home soon. We will continue our training and education session soon,” Ace yelled, as we raced up the stairs.
To my dismay, Ace drove me home instead of flying us. He was silent on the short drive, and I didn’t bother with making small talk. He seemed uneasy, and I didn’t want to bother him after he had been helpful and kind to me.
Pulling into my driveway, Ace finally broke the silence. “You did good today,” he offered.
Opening the car door, I stepped out. “Thanks,” I replied, closing the door behind me.
“Look, I know Thomas and Nora want to help, but let’s keep what we find between us. Ok?” Ace requested.
His stormy eyes were clouded with worry and that told me everything I needed to know about his relationship with his cousins. He obviously didn’t trust them, which made me not trust them.
“Ok,” I said, waving as I made my way into my house.
There was something odd about Crow Haven and the way everyone interacted. I didn’t understand any of it, but I did know one thing for sure. Ace was starting to grow on me.
Chapter Fifteen
A Revelation is Coming
A
fter dinner, I helped my mom clear the table and clean the kitchen. We sat around and talked about school and the town. It was nice.
When they settled themselves on the front porch with steaming cups of tea, I made my way up to my bedroom.
I had a few homework assignments I had put off and that needed to get completed before school tomorrow. As I sat on my bed, my Pandora App playing in the background, I lost myself in Geometry. My body was sore and aching from the training earlier.
The sun was just starting to set in the fading, evening sky and oranges and reds bounced across my bedroom wall. Rubbing my head, I needed a break from studying. Math was not my subject and I could feel a migraine coming on as the numbers bounced around my textbook. Needing a distraction, I decided to power on my laptop and do some research like my mom and Ace had suggested. Loading Google, I quickly typed in myths of Nicholasville and waited for the results to appear. To my surprise, ages of stories, articles, and social media posts appeared. Clicking on the first link, I began to scan over the information.
Local High School on Haunted Ground
West Jessamine High School isn’t just known for their athletics and test scores. No, after decades of stories about Ghost sightings in the school, local reporters decided to dig deeper into the hysteria of the small, Kentucky town.
According to county records, the school was built on a mass grave site where three witches are reported to be buried. Teachers, former students, and other staff have reported feeling cold chills or seen Ghosts walking through the halls.
Think that’s scary? Wait until you hear this. In 1849, the old football field behind the school was a mass grave site when Cholera swept through the county. The souls of those buried there are supposed to be seen at night searching for their families. The tales don’t end there. During the Civil War, Camp Nelson served as a recruiting, training, and supply depot. It provided over 10,000 African-American soldiers for the Union Army. The location even became a refugee camp for the soldiers' families. Today, spirits are said to haunt the fields, cemetery, prison and forts of Camp Nelson. Established around 1863, Camp Nelson was used as a supply depot for the Union Army. Anyone who wanted to fight in the war–escaped slaves included–went to Camp Nelson. Those people in paranormal occurrences, believe the beloved Town of Nicholasville was once filled with the mischievous and, at times, evil spirits of those wronged in death. Sometime in the early 1900’s, the spiritual encounters became just that-- encounters. No more deadly attacks by those unseen. What caused this change, we may never know.
At the end of the article, I spotted several pictures. Some of the high school and another of Camp Nelson. The photo depicted a large, two-story, white home, sitting on top of a hill, overlooking the countryside and busy roadway. Beautiful white pillars stood on the front porch, supporting an exquisite second-floor balcony. Black shutters framed the windows, adding contrast to the all-white exterior. Two red and orange brick chimneys peeked over the rooftop on both sides of the house, giving it a more comforting, family-friendly feel. The house looked nothing like somewhere you’d find officers during a war. Another image showed High Bridge, an old railroad track that hoovered high over the Kentucky River. Many people have noted seeing Ghosts walking along the old road. The landmark saw more deaths than the town cared to admit and spirits seemed to flock there.
Leaving that site, I clicked on another one that held myths and legends of the town. I read through the old newspaper articles and the speculations about how arson had been to blame for at least three business fires in what is now downtown Nicholasville around 1865. One building that had burned was the old jailhouse, the place where soldiers who had gone against the Union were detained. I remember seeing the old jail while out driving with Maylee. The building had also been occupied by troops after the war. Rows of well maintained graves lined the manicured lawn, and I could just close my eyes and imagine lost souls wandering through the rolling hills of the site.