The Tales of Thomas Blackwood: Life as a Seer

Dark Halls -PHASE 1

"When did this start happening?"

"Well, it must have been almost 1 year ago. I was 12."

"I see. And have you told anyone else about this?"

"No Father, only you."

There was silence as Father Windsor pondered what I had just told him. I am sure he had never heard the words I had just spoken to him, and he probably will never hear them again from anyone else.

"Perhaps it's best your mother knew. Would you be comfortable telling your mother?"

"Oh no! She wouldn't like it all. I don't think any mother would want to hear such things. Besides, she does not believe in the physical presence of demons or ghosts. She thinks they are only metaphorical for misfortune."

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     Those were the first words I spoke to my parish priest about my ability. Of course, at the time, I did not consider it an ability. I thought perhaps I was cursed, or even possessed. However, over the course of time, I would learn that this was simply like an added sense to the five I already had. The entities did not hinder me, and I was able to function properly throughout the day, so long as I didn't become distracted by them. 

I didn't speak to Father about my gift for a while, until two months later he approached me after mass one Sunday.

"Thomas, could I show you something? It will only be a minute."

     After I received permission from my mother, I followed Father Windsor. He led me down the dark damp chambers of our church. Secret rooms under our church had once been used to hold forbidden services when Christianity was a crime to practice. The ancient Christians themselves would hide in the underground rooms when the government came looking for them.

Father finally stopped at a heavy wooden door in a dim lit stone hallway.

"What a place Father! I haven't been here before."

"No. And that is something I wanted to tell you,"  he said with a stern face. "You should never come here unless you have my permission or the permission of Father Moore. Do you understand?"

"Yes Father. You know I would never disobey you." I could tell he was about to show me something of great importance to him. 

"I know you wouldn't." He said with a smile. "You're a good boy." He said quietly to himself, almost as if he wanted to praise me, but was too proud of a man.

I didn't feel worthy of this kind of special attention. Surely a man of his stature had better things to be doing now. Despite my humility, I was very excited. My heart beat as he unlocked the door with a large ring of brass keys.