Through The Shadows

5

"Are you ready to see the graves?" Thalia, the tour guide, asked, a little too excitedly.

The guys exchanged uncertain looks.

"I think we are?" I managed a quiet laugh, though it was more out of nervousness than anything else. Colby glanced down at me with a smirk, his hand slipping into mine.

The walk to the graveyard took only five minutes, but each step felt heavier than the last. There was a rose garden surrounding the graves of John, Mable, and Ida Ringling. I've been here before, but I've never felt anything like this. A weight in the air that pressed on my chest, making it hard to breathe. The quiet was suffocating. It felt wrong.

"Here we are," Thalia said as we stood in front of the grave site. The stones were so old you could barely make out the names written on them. I tightened my grip on Colby's hand, my heart pounding in my ears.

"I don't get it," Sam said, breaking the silence. "How is Henry connected to the family? I don't remember that name in any of our research." He looked at the guys, clearly as confused as the rest of us.

"The Ringlings used to throw these extravagant parties..." I said, staring intently at John's grave. "Maybe Henry was one of the guests, maybe he died here, and now he's tied to the property?"

Thalia nodded. "That's a possibility, there're still a lot of mysteries about this place."

Jake shook his head, visibly uneasy. "It still doesn't explain what was watching us, her presence felt so... evil."

"What if we ask John?" Carrington suggested, looking at me and Jake. "You guys could try the esthes method again."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Colby said, pulling me closer to him.

"I can wear the headphones this time," Jake volunteered, locking eyes with me.

"Yeah, I'm okay with that," I blurted out. "I actually have some things I'd like to ask."

The group exchanged some looks. Almost unsure if this was truly a good idea. A few minutes ago we were getting attacked and now we were standing in front of buried dead people.

"Alright, let's do it." Colby agreed. "But the second you want to stop, we'll end it." His blue eyes connected with mine.

"Deal," I smiled.

We decided we weren't going to film this session. We wanted to fully connect with the spirit realm and get some answers.

Jake sat in front of John's grave as we gathered around. He put the headphones and blindfold on, shrieking at the sound of the static. "I'm ready." He said loudly.

My body began to shake, fear running through my blood. "John, are you here with us?" I said, my voice shivering.

There was a long pause as Jake tried to concentrate. "Here," he said.

"We don't mean any harm, we just have some questions." I said, taking a deep breath. "Who is Henry?" I asked, anxiously waiting for a response.

Jakes eyebrows frowned. "Stayed... too long,"

"Why is he still here?" I asked. "Why are you all here?"

There was another long pause. A cold breeze taking over.

"Can't... leave,"

"What's keeping you here?" I leaned closer to Jake, letting go of Colby's hand.

"She..."

I got closer and closer. "Who is she? The woman that attacked us?"

"HOLY FUCK—" Jake ripped the headphones off. "I'm done, I'm fucking done!" He said as he stood from the ground, walking far away from the graves.