They Know Me

NOW YOU KNOW

The entire next day I was too distracted to focus on school. Rhys commented on how extraordinarily quiet I'd been, saying that it served me right for being up all night. But he was wrong. That wasn't why I'd been withdrawn.

Zil was.

Finally, the last bell of the day rang. Rhys offered me a ride home, but I declined and hastily headed for the exit. I wanted to be alone and to go to Cemetery Raven to see if Zil was still at the 'Lazare' tomb. If he was, I'd demand to know why he'd blatantly violated the deceased; if it was for ghost hunting reasons or one far more disturbing – that he actually hung out in there.

I scaled the slope to the backside of the graveyard, marched over to the mausoleum, circled around to the door ... and stalled. Standing there, I began to question whether I should go in, and what I'd find if I did. Finally, I decided against it. If I went in, then I'd be no better than Zil, desecrating a grave.

Feeling I'd given up too easily, even though it was for a sound reason, I left for home. Rhys' car was parked curbside, but instead of going to his house, I cut across both lawns to my porch steps and went inside. Dropping my backpack at the door, I climbed the stairs to my bedroom and went to lie down on my bed.

Staring blindly up at the ceiling, I thought about the recent events in my life, starting with my parents' death. I'd moved to Mannix to live with my aunt, and then strange, but intriguing, occurrences began; Cortland Bridge ... no doubt about it, it was haunted. But Zil's response, and what I'd witnessed, suggested there was more to it. Mr. Kennerly, appearing at his own wake had been scary enough, but he'd also said to me the same thing the ghost inside the bridge had, that I'd see more ghosts. Then there was the girl standing within the frame of my bedroom in the picture Rhys had taken, although nothing had happened. But Zil – he was the biggest mystery of all. Secretive, uncannily knowledgeable of the supernatural ... and he seemingly hung out inside of a crypt!

I was restless. I wanted a distraction, but I decided to stay put and reserve my energy for my planned solo ghost hunt later that night inside of Wildwood Cemetery. Even though it was only a temporary solution to how I felt, it'd give me time to think about, and then try to forget, seeing Zil walking into that tomb.

Finally, it turned dusk. I got up, took out one of my recorders from the nightstand drawer, and headed downstairs. After locking the door behind me, I turned; and inadvertently found myself looking into Cemetery Raven. But, from my porch, I couldn't see the mausoleum; it was too far back. I looked away and went down to the sidewalk, but as I started in the direction of Wildwood, I couldn't help myself – I glanced over at Cemetery Raven again.

Impulsivity took over. I crossed the street to the gate of the graveyard, and with only one destination in mind, I entered. But, the minute I laid eyes on the mausoleum, I began to question what I was about to do. It was crazy – and creepy, breaking into a tomb ... but I intended to do just that.

Guardedly, I approached the crypt. Hoping I'd find it empty, I placed my hands on the granite door and pushed against it. The door didn't budge. Knowing it had for Zil, I let up the pressure, readjusted my hands and my stance, and then leaned into it harder. That time it opened, but with almost no sound.

Before I could change my mind, I squeezed inside, between the barely opened door and the solid rock wall.

With very little moonlight shining in, and without my flashlight, vision was nearly impossible within the dark, spacious, vacant chamber. Seeing that Zil wasn't there, and anxious to leave, I turned ... but saw something white and unmoving further in. With my curiosity turned morbid, I decided to go and take a look and see if it was the original occupant.