the hauntings of isla thatcher / S&C | completed

The Truth Altogether

Sam and Nate decided to push the remainder of the investigation to the side to come to Colby's aid. During the investigation, Hazel, Sam nor Nate truly understood the situation. Yes, they saw that Colby's behavior was out of this world and his eyes seemed darker than usual. Possession never really happened to Sam or Colby except for the one time, Sam sat in a dark circle in the basement of the Sallie House, conjuring a little girl spirit named Sallie for two years max. That situation made Sam wish he noticed Colby's unusual behavior sooner, not just for his sake but to save his best friend from whatever possessed his body.

When Colby's body dropped back down to his chair and his demeanor changed, they realized that this was more than what they were expecting. Hazel was hiding something that Sam and Nate couldn't bare to thank Colby enough for exposing what truly happened behind their heads. Though, Colby wasn't satisfied with how the information had leaked and couldn't stop questioning who it was that took control of his body. "Are you alright, man?" Nate asked, handing Colby a bottled water as he scooted his chair closer to Sam's.

Colby didn't remember exactly what happened but seeing that Hazel wasn't anywhere in the room, only told him that this spirit targeted her for reasons that remained unanswered. "You just started acting strange, looked over at Hazel and immediately yelled at her like she harmed you in many ways." Sam states, his eyes scanning Colby for any reaction or body behavior that seemed out of place. But he remained calm. "Where did she go?"

Sighing into his chair, Nate told Colby that Hazel left the room to be alone since the entire thing was too much to bare. That his accusations and harsh words were something Hazel never experienced, therefore she needed to excuse herself to gather herself. When Colby brought out the letter and said that Hazel was related to Isla Thatcher, Nate couldn't help but notice the look on her face- almost as if whatever she feared just came true. However, he wasn't sure why she looked the way she did. It could've been the accusation, the letter being leaked or the fact that Colby managed to get possessed... but from who?

"The spirit box did say the name Tom. If that's really Isla's lover than what if that is who possessed Colby?"

"But that doesn't make sense. Why would Tom use me to target Hazel and expose her of being related to the victim?" Colby questioned. He was right, he felt angry and revengeful but then again, no one knew who Tom really was. If he was who this investigation said he was, then Isla's entries will make sense and the hatred her mother had for him got stronger once she realized who he was. Sam pulled the diary out and flipped through the pages, trying to find additional clues that'll explain everything and end the investigation for good. They sat in brief silence until the door swung open with force and Hazel stomped through, a look of anger, hurt and disappointment pooling through her eyes.

"Hazel...I just wanted to apol-" Colby tried to get his words out but Hazel stopped him with a brief swoosh of her finger connecting to her lips. She tossed a few pieces of old, stained paper onto the table and glared holes into Colby's forehead. "That diary he's holding-" Hazel points to the book in Sam's hold while maintaining eye contact with Colby, "Has endings and evidence that was ripped out because I couldn't bare to handle what I've read." Her voice began to crack.

The papers she had in her hands were a letter and a newsletter from Isla's death, proof to her murderer's name as well as who Tom was. Hazel's face softened as she saw the look in Colby's eyes change. She knew he felt sorry. It wasn't his fault the spirit chose him as the messenger, he couldn't fight it let along know exactly what was happening in that moment. She couldn't hold a grudge against him.

He didn't choose this.

"I forgive you, Colby. I know that wasn't you back there, it wasn't your emotions you were feeling, it was someone else's and I hated how it made me feel, truly. It just didn't feel right watching you under someone else's control no matter how much I tried to convince myself that it wasn't real. Though, you said things that were true. Things I swore I'd never bring up and as much as it seems terribly wrong, I didn't want to bring it up to you guys."

Sam cocked an eyebrow as he watched his friends settle into their chairs, reading the papers and listening to Hazel's confession.

"Isla is my mother. She was killed because of her relationship with Tom." Hazel's voice was soft with a hint of sadness lingering right on the tip of her tongue.

"So we had evidence here the entire time, but you hid it from us and let us continue our merry way to finish a solved mystery?" Sam asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone. Hazel gave him a weak smile. "I truly apologize for withholding the information. I'm aware of what you guys are known for and I wanted to use equipment to speak to my mother, hopefully my father. Isla and Tom were loved by many and as the child, growing up alone and in fosters home, I wanted to know who my parents were. That's when I found the diary and spent countless nights of no sleep and page flipping only to find out that two hearts were taken."

Nate glanced down at the paper with Tom's information and realized that Hazel was telling the truth. The newsletter that listed Hazel's and Tom's deaths were in Colby's hands and Isla's last letter was in Sam's. "Tom's your father." Nate ushered out as his eyes scanned each words over and over.

Hazel was the child of a relationship that was loved by many and unsurprisingly, remembered by many. Colby swallowed the growing lump in his throat as he read the newsletter, his eyes tearing up as he read more. He couldn't believe what he read and after reading the letter in Sam's hands, it all made sense.

The investigation has been cleared once more.