I was still deeply engrossed by the images when the flashlight bulb sputtered out, leaving me in near darkness except for the light streaming through the tiny hole in the wall. Maybe the placement of that minuscule opening was just happenstance, but something niggled. I had a feeling that as random as everything in this room appeared to be, there was a method to Rose’s madness. Like Kroll Cemetery, the sanctuary was a carefully designed puzzle.
I tapped the flashlight back on and fanned the beam once more over the numbers. If the chaotic scribbling had order or reason, I couldn’t discern it. I gathered up all the cards and carefully placed them in my backpack. Then I moved the light around the room, searching for other clues. As the shadows dissolved, I saw a deeper form in the darkest corner.
My hand jerked violently and the flashlight crashed to the floor. The beam arced over the numbers and then went completely dead. I huddled in the dark, clutching my backpack and trying to convince myself that I was alone in the room. No one living or dead had followed me inside.
Just your imagination, I tried to convince myself as I crawled on all fours across the floor, feeling for the flashlight.
The rough planks creaked beneath my weight. The keys tinkled overhead as if stirred by an unseen hand.
Don’t look back.
A breeze brushed through my hair like the glacial fingers of a ghost. My jeans caught on a loose board and for a terrifying moment, I was certain something tugged at my leg. I jerked the fabric free, and then continued my search, flattening my hands over the dusty floor until I bumped up against the rubber housing. Grabbing the flashlight, I spun around while simultaneously flicking the switch.
Nothing happened.
As I frantically slapped the flashlight against my palm, the air suddenly grew cold and dank and a familiar scent drifted in. Not the dust and lavender that accompanied the blind ghost or the smell of ancient decay that heralded the withered in-between. This was an old-fashioned scent. Medicinal and not entirely unpleasant. It reminded me of the witch hazel Papa used to splash on after he shaved.
The scent grew stronger as the entity moved toward me, coming so close I could smell something fetid beneath the witch hazel. I didn’t dare move or even breathe. For the longest time, I cowered motionless as the presence crouched beside me. This was not a ghost that needed my help to move on. This was something more powerful. Something with a nefarious purpose. A malcontent that had used a familiar scent to disguise its foulness.
Despite Rose’s best effort, evil had found a way into her sanctuary.
Thirty-Eight
I hunkered in the dark until the scent faded and I knew without a doubt that I was alone. I had no idea where Micah had gone off to, and at the moment, I didn’t really care. My primary motivation was to get out of that house.
But as terrified and rattled as I was, I somehow had the presence of mind to lock the sanctuary door before I fled. The walls of numbers and any other clues contained within that room would need to be carefully examined and photographed at a later date, but not now, not alone, not with that thing lurking in the shadows.
I turned and dashed down the hallway, heedless of the creaking floorboards and grasping cobwebs. I didn’t stop to look behind me until I was at the edge of the yard and only halted then because I had to chart a course through the maze. The last thing I wanted was to stumble around aimlessly through those endless channels.
Once I got my bearings, it was easy enough to retrace my steps to the cemetery, and from there, I made my way back to the original entrance. As I emerged from the woods, I spotted Dr. Shaw pacing in front of my car. He grasped my arms as I rushed up to him, searching my harried appearance, taking in the twigs and dead leaves still clinging to my hair and clothing. “My dear, are you all right? Where on earth were you? I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“We should get out of here,” I said on a breath.
He frowned. “Why? What’s happened? The way you looked just now...it was as if the devil himself were at your heels.”
“I’m not so sure you’re that far off the mark. That’s why we need to get out of these woods and head back to town. We’re not safe here.”
His eyes clouded with concern. “Of course. Whatever you say. But we’ll have to take your vehicle.”
I glanced around anxiously. “Where’s yours?”
“I sent my colleague for some equipment.” He scoured my face once again. “I wish you would tell me what happened.”
“I will, but let’s get away from here first.”