We Walk in Darkness (A Brynn Leeds Haunting Novel Book 1) Read online

  We Walk In Darkness

  A Brynn Leeds Haunting

  By M.L. Bullock

  Text copyright © 2021 Monica L. Bullock

  All Rights Reserved

  We walk in darkness,

  Light refuses to shine,

  We walk in darkness,

  At morn’, noon and at even time.

  Our footsteps sound empty

  As if we were no more

  But you will surely hear us

  Tapping at your door.

  We walk in darkness

  The shadows we prefer

  We walk in darkness

  See us slide across the floor

  M.L. Bullock

  Chapter One—Brynn

  The ringing in my ears muted the conversations bouncing off the walls around me. The various voices sounded more like the noise of a thousand buzzing bees. This wasn’t the first time I’d had the privilege of visiting my father’s business, but I could never get used to the noise. Father’s factory was such a busy place. The place was always bustling with activity.

  Workers flowed in and out throughout the massive building. Father had created an empire through the horrors of war, “We are doing our part for our country. The community should be proud to serve.” He would insist whenever challenged by his few but vocal critics. They often assaulted him in the newspaper. He was a popular topic on the editorial pages, but it did not bother him. Mother however often cried quietly. I noticed over the past few months she’d withdrawn from the usual social circles. And no calling cards were left at our door. No one stopped by for tea.

  Our world consisted of Father, Mother, and me, along with a massive fortune.

  Machines hummed and metal clanked all around me. Mother held my hand as we walked towards Father’s office. My eyes followed the cold steel staircase; I saw him standing there, cigar in hand and beaming at his factory. Father always loved his cigars. He was a man’s man. Strong and determined. The lack of money in his childhood drove him to many long days and sleepless nights.

  Father would do anything to never be poor again.

  He smiled down at us as we moved closer, “There are my two beautiful ladies.”

  “Hello, Father,” I called to him as Mother squeezed my hand to hold me back from running. That would not be ladylike at all, would it? At least I no longer wore bows and drop-waist dresses like a child. At least Mother was beginning to see me as a young woman.

  Today, mother wore her burgundy dress with the fitted bosom with black and white ribbon. She was the picture of style.

  I wore green; Mother said it was the perfect color for a young lady. It was a green dress with black lapels and a black belt. I loved my new black heels. I never wore heeled shoes before. It took a bit of practice learning to walk in them.

  Visiting the factory had become our family outing on Saturdays. It was the only way we could spend any time with Father lately. We missed him, especially Mother. There was a growing chasm between my parents. Even I could see that, and it filled me with sadness. I knew my mother cared deeply for him, but she was lonely, and I was only a child in her eyes. Only fourteen. Far too young to understand their complicated relationship.

  Honestly, I wouldn’t even know what to say to her or how to advise her. I never kissed a boy, nor met one I wanted to kiss. Besides, it was 1916. I was a modern girl and in no hurry to marry. I would always stay with my parents. Why would I leave when I loved them so much?

  Every Saturday, Mother made it a point to dress her best. “A lady should always look her finest for her husband,” Mother would say. She was beautiful--a natural beauty, without need for much rouge. At night when she brushed her golden hair, it fell across her shoulders in perfect waves. There wasn’t an outfit in her closet that didn’t fit her like a glove. Today she wore her golden hair twisted in a careful bun, lovely with spiraled curls around her face. She was so lovely and Father so handsome. They were like a dream couple. I admired them both.

  As we ascended the metal steps, Father smiled approvingly at both of us. He took Mother’s hands and pulled her to him in a rare show of affection. “My lovely wife,” He said in his deep voice. He kissed her cheek and then turned his attention to me. “And look at you, Brynn. Dressed as finely as your mother.”

  His words made me proud but also a little sad. Despite all my fussing about wearing bows and patent leather shoes, I wanted him always to think of me as a child. I could see a new appreciation in his eyes, and I had mixed feelings about it. I could not have predicted this sudden turn of my emotions.

  “What have you brought us for lunch today, my dears?”

  “Fried chicken, Father. Mother cooked it herself. See, she even burned her hand,” I spilled Mother’s secret in hopes Father would appreciate her efforts more. As Father reached for Mother’s gloved hand, we heard men yelling beneath us.

  “Fire!” a worker called out from several rows from us. “Fire, sir!”

  “Stay up here.” Father said to us, “I need to go check on this. I am sure it’s not serious but if I don’t return in a few minutes, leave. Listen to me, Daisy. Do you understand?”

  Mother nodded her head, “Roger?” He kissed my mother on the cheek as he left us. He hurried down the metal stairs towards the shouts of fire.

  Before we could enter Father’s office, a bright light flashed. It was brighter than the sun or any fireworks I’d ever witnessed.

  He spun around at the bottom of the stairs to look at us, but the light swallowed everything. It filled the space behind my father and spread through the building towards us, shaking the building around us like an earthquake. I thought the shaking would never stop. Heat burned my cheeks; I lost my mother’s grip. I sensed that I was falling, that we were both falling.

  And Father saw it all. His mouth was open in a silent scream. His look of panic was the last thing I saw before the world came crashing down around us.

  My eyes burned with tears and then they closed. I hit the ground with a thud. My mother’s body was beneath mine. She didn’t move, neither did I. I was having a tough time breathing. There were fumes and smoke that threatened to smother me to death.

  Am I dying? I could no longer see and all I could feel was pain. Terrible pain all over my body.

  Then the world finally went silent.

  Chapter Two

  Erratic and undecipherable screams surrounded me. My Mother’s hand was no longer holding mine. I was no longer on top of her. “Mother? Where are you?” I called into the darkness. It was black inside Father’s factory. Black as night. Was I dead? That could not be possible? If I were dead, I would not feel so much pain, would I?

  “Brynn!” Mother moaned not far from me. Turning toward the sound of her anguish, I crawled on my belly against the hard, concrete floor. Mother began to scream in agony, and I screamed too at the shock of it all. Stifling air swirled around me as I felt my way around. Was there a fire in here? I blinked my eyes furiously, but I could see nothing. Nothing at all. I struggled to remember the layout of the room.

  I had to get to Mother, to save her! Then just as horrifically as the screams sounded, they were even more horrific when they ended. Where did she go? An offensive, acrid smell filled my lungs. I will never forget the smell. I would learn later that this was the smell of burning flesh.

  I lie on the ground gasping for air. My cheeks, warm and moist. I cried for help repeatedly; there was no response. I tried to scream once more, but nothing would come out as I gasped for air. My lungs filled with smoke each time I took a breath. I gave into the grip of death. I was going to die here, wasn’t I?

  Father? Where are you? Help me!

  Had no one survived? Lying there for what seemed like hours, alone in the darkness, I thought I would never see the light of day. I would never see my parents again. But then I heard the faint sounds of barking—were there dogs here?

  “Get her in here, quick!”

  A man yelled near me, but I could not see him. I could see nothing at all. I could not tell how many people surrounded me. The number of voices seemed to be around six or so. At least I was not alone. At least someone would find me. The commotion subsided as I drifted off to sleep, not knowing what my future would hold.

  I would learn later that I had slept for days.

  My hands brushed up against the rough sheets that had been tucked in a little too tightly around me. This was undeniably the work of a nurse. Someone had been determined to wrap me up like a mummy and confine me to a strange bed.

  “No, do not move, Miss Leeds. My name is Hilda. Do you remember me? You would probably rather forget everything since the accident. I am the night nurse. It is time for your medicine.” She was nothing like my day nurse, Irene. Her voice was soft and reassuring but I spent most of my days in a feverish dream. I couldn’t tell what reality was and what was a dream. It was made harder because I still could not see.

  I took the bitter medication and fell asleep. I was tired of sleeping day after day. Then I woke. Hilda was gone.

  Mashed potatoes, chicken, and green beans must be on the menu today. It was only a guess of course, but I had become accustomed to playing the game of what’s that smell to make out what my meals would be. I had become quite the scent detective. My heightened awareness gave me an edge, I suppose.

  “You’ll find that you will be more sensitive in other areas,” the doctor had told me after I rec
eived my final diagnosis. And just as matter of factly, he told me about my parents’ horrible deaths. “You lost your parents and your sight, but you’ve gained some things as well. Try to keep that in perspective and you’ll do simply fine.” His bedside manner lacked compassion and empathy.

  My life had been spared, but at what cost?

  How was I supposed to look on the bright side? There was no silver lining here.

  None at all.

  “Brynn.” I heard a voice, soft and sweet like someone who was about to deliver the sad news. I was used to receiving unwelcome news. When I was lucid, the agony of all the loss numbed me. I barely spoke to anyone unless necessary.

  “Yes?” I turned my head towards where I imagined the person was standing.

  Soft, barely audible footsteps approached my bedside. Scraping metal slid across the floor towards me, then the person who belonged to that sweet voice sat gently into the chair. “My name is Mrs. Merriweather. We have spoken once before but I am sure you do not remember me. I’m the hospital administrator here and I am your case manager.”

  “Yes?” What else was I supposed to ask?

  “I have some bad news for you,” the administrator spoke sadly. She gently touched my arm. It was a soft touch, but it still surprised me. I couldn’t help but flinch.

  “What is it?” I did not have the strength nor the desire to be coddled. I was only fourteen, but I was the last person in my family—except my aunt. My father’s sister, a woman I had never met. My father never even mentioned her except for on the rare occasion.

  Mrs. Merriweather continued to hold my hand. “You have been very brave, Brynn. We all admire you for how strong you’ve been. The staff here, we are all quite impressed with your strength. Unfortunately, not everyone has the strength that you do.”

  Mrs. Merriweather moved her hand with a gentle pat. “Your aunt will not pick you up today. I am sorry for that. I have tried to reason with her, but she is determined not to involve herself in your care.”

  “Will she be able to pick me up tomorrow?” I inquired, surprised at this turn of events. My aunt had never been in my life. Why would she want to involve herself now? I suspected that the possibility of controlling my inheritance might tempt her but evidently not. Her hatred for my father was stronger than her greed. She had been the last person that anyone would call for help, but no one else was left.

  My whole family was gone. There was no one else to turn to. Aunt Carol had been my only hope of getting out of this place without being placed in some sort of foster care.

  The squeak of the chair moved under Mrs. Merriweather and the quiet that followed spoke louder than any words she might say. My aunt would not be coming today. Nor tomorrow or any day after that. She would never come.

  The tone in Mrs. Merriweather’s voice changed. The words that I feared spilled out through clenched teeth, Your aunt has made it clear to me that she is unable or unwilling to care for a child with your condition. She doesn't have the love that you need.”

  As much as I wanted to hate my aunt, I couldn't blame her for not wanting to take care of me and all the burdens that would follow. It was hard to hate a person you did not know.

  “I am working on another solution. Don’t give up hope. In the meantime, I’ve made arrangements for you to stay with us just a little while longer.” Mrs. Merriweather took my hand once more. “I am determined to help you find your way. There are so many angels surrounding you, dear.”

  Her voice dropped to a whisper as if it was a secret, “I pray for you every day.”

  Her reassurance flooded my heart with hope. Everything that had happened had flipped my heart and life upside down, “Thank you, Mrs. Merriweather. You have been so kind.”

  “One day you will all be together again. You must believe that Brynn. I understand the loss of someone you love. It was the same for me when I lost my brother. I must go now. I need to make a few phone calls on your behalf.”

  Did I believe in such a thing as heaven or a heavenly reunion? I wasn’t sure what I believed but hearing her words did fill me with hope. I wished more than anything I could see the sun again. See the world again.

  I had lost my Mother and my Father. And I lost my sight.

  I would forever walk in darkness.

  How would we be together again? The explosion had taken them and my sight. All I had left was the darkness and the kindness of strangers. Which was difficult to find, or so it seemed to me.

  How would I find the strength needed to walk through this new life alone?

  How?

  I could not cry. My eyes were wrapped and padded and even if I wanted to cry, I wasn’t able to. My tear ducts were damaged. All my sorrow was bottled up inside me.

  Would I ever be able to release my grief?

  How can one release sorrow without crying?

  Was it possible? These were my questions as I fell asleep. Questions with no answers. Eternal questions. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could also enjoy eternal sleep? What would be the point of living?

  I cannot see.

  I cannot grieve.

  I didn’t want to live.

  All I could do was dream.

  At least in my dreams, I saw my parents. I’d seen my pony, Calico but I couldn’t catch him. He ran from me. I wore a yellow dress. One of the dresses I deemed “childish” a few days ago.

  Maybe I would see Calico again at least.

  Maybe…

  I slipped under, deep into sleep.

  Chapter Three

  My reflection shimmered across the wooden floor, stretching out towards the middle of the room, dancing across it as I moved. I caught my breath knowing that I could see. I could see perfectly—as if I were once again a child. A child wearing her bows and patent leather shoes. An innocent child that would never, could never imagine the horrors of reality.

  No! I won’t think of that. Stay away from me. No bad memories.

  Light reflected against the walls. It burned bright from the chandelier that hung prominently within the majestic room. What a magical place! This room felt like the ballroom that Cinderella emerged into to find her Prince Charming! Oh, how I loved those fairy tales!

  Sunbeams shone through the window, gently caressing the intricate pattern of the worn wooden floor. I took in every detail of the space as I circled the room. The stained-glass windows and the heavy wooden doors closed me off from whatever lay just outside. Oddly enough, this felt safe. Yes, I was safe here.

  The ceiling above me began to shift and move. The intricate details painted on the ceiling, angels resting on clouds spun and moved. The clouds grew and shrank and suddenly the ceiling was no more. In fact, there was no ceiling on the night sky.

  I saw bright stars set against a blue velvet background.

  I felt small within the open space. But I had the feeling that I was not alone. Someone was here with me.

  “Hello?” I called out. My voice echoed through the room despite the missing ceiling.

  There was no reply.

  I moved into the starlight. My face warmed by the silver light as I closed my eyes and embraced it. Such a beautiful, magical sight. How I wished Mother were here to see this. Soft gentle piano notes began to flow through the space. My eyes opened as I looked around to find the source of the melancholy tune.