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GHOST WITH THE ROPE (Forces of the Underworld story 6)
FORCES OF THE UNDERWORLD (STORY 6)
GHOST WITH THE ROPE
New Brunswick. 1937:
Ethan Taylor stood on the trap door of the gallows outside of the Charlotte county gaol. Just before the executioner tightened the noose, Ethan spoke: "Why will no one believe me? I didn't kill her. I loved her. I'm innocent damn you! I'm..." Ethans words were cut off as the rope gripped his throat. He glared at the executioner. The lever was pulled. The trap door opened. Ethan fell. His neck snapped.
*****
Charlotte county gaol. Present day:
The ghost walk guide led the tourists around the granite building. He showed them the claustrophobic cells with their narrow doorways and doors of solid iron. "Keep your eyes peeled everyone. You might just see the ghost with the rope."
The tourists shuddered at the thought. They continued to explore and kept alert for any spooky signs. The tour ended and everyone left feeling both exhilarated and relieved. Some said that they could sense a presence but nobody had seen anything.
The guide, about to close the door and lock up suddenly felt something rough tighten around his neck. He grasped at his throat but his fingers found nothing. He was then lifted off his feet, dangling in mid-air and choking.
He writhed and squirmed, his feet pedalling at nothing. Then the squirming stopped. He hung there for a few seconds then dropped.
*****
Chief Dubois gave the SBI agents the brief in the incident room.
"I've heard of the ghost with the rope. A few tourists believe they have seen it. Now you think it's started to kill?" John asked.
"The coroner said he had injuries consistent with being hanged. No rope was found. The other staff said they'd left him to lock up. No one else was there. I'd say there's a good chance we have a vengeful spirit on our hands."
"So what's the plan?" asked Zack.
"You all go there in the guise of police investigators. Infiltrate the gaol, contact the ghost, establish whether he is guilty or not."
"And if he's the killer?" Jay queried.
"You've all had special training now. If you are unable to negotiate with the ghost it must be eliminated. Send it to Hell, where it belongs."
*****
The Charlotte county gaol and Courthouse were both closed to tourists since the killing. Police tape surrounded the gaol doorway where the victim was found. Dubois had called ahead to arrange for his "police officers" to be shown around.
A woman with auburn hair, pale skin and green eyes greeted them. "Hi, I'm Olivia."
John, Zack, Jay and Dina introduced themselves, showing her their counterfeit police badges. They were posing as plain clothes officers.
"How can I help?" Olivia asked.
John smiled warmly. "This might sound strange but we were hoping to stay in the gaol overnight to see if anything happens."
" Wow! You suspect the ghost, don't you?"
"Do you?" John asked.
"Of course but I never would have said that to the police who were here before."
"Not the open minded types, then?"
"Certainly not. More the downright skeptical types. You surprise me."
"We like to think outside the box. Can you help us?"
"On one condition."
John raised an eyebrow.
"I stay overnight with you."
"That's the best offer I've ever heard," said John.
Olivia blushed. "That came out wrong. We all go in...
GHOST WITH THE ROPE
New Brunswick. 1937:
Ethan Taylor stood on the trap door of the gallows outside of the Charlotte county gaol. Just before the executioner tightened the noose, Ethan spoke: "Why will no one believe me? I didn't kill her. I loved her. I'm innocent damn you! I'm..." Ethans words were cut off as the rope gripped his throat. He glared at the executioner. The lever was pulled. The trap door opened. Ethan fell. His neck snapped.
*****
Charlotte county gaol. Present day:
The ghost walk guide led the tourists around the granite building. He showed them the claustrophobic cells with their narrow doorways and doors of solid iron. "Keep your eyes peeled everyone. You might just see the ghost with the rope."
The tourists shuddered at the thought. They continued to explore and kept alert for any spooky signs. The tour ended and everyone left feeling both exhilarated and relieved. Some said that they could sense a presence but nobody had seen anything.
The guide, about to close the door and lock up suddenly felt something rough tighten around his neck. He grasped at his throat but his fingers found nothing. He was then lifted off his feet, dangling in mid-air and choking.
He writhed and squirmed, his feet pedalling at nothing. Then the squirming stopped. He hung there for a few seconds then dropped.
*****
Chief Dubois gave the SBI agents the brief in the incident room.
"I've heard of the ghost with the rope. A few tourists believe they have seen it. Now you think it's started to kill?" John asked.
"The coroner said he had injuries consistent with being hanged. No rope was found. The other staff said they'd left him to lock up. No one else was there. I'd say there's a good chance we have a vengeful spirit on our hands."
"So what's the plan?" asked Zack.
"You all go there in the guise of police investigators. Infiltrate the gaol, contact the ghost, establish whether he is guilty or not."
"And if he's the killer?" Jay queried.
"You've all had special training now. If you are unable to negotiate with the ghost it must be eliminated. Send it to Hell, where it belongs."
*****
The Charlotte county gaol and Courthouse were both closed to tourists since the killing. Police tape surrounded the gaol doorway where the victim was found. Dubois had called ahead to arrange for his "police officers" to be shown around.
A woman with auburn hair, pale skin and green eyes greeted them. "Hi, I'm Olivia."
John, Zack, Jay and Dina introduced themselves, showing her their counterfeit police badges. They were posing as plain clothes officers.
"How can I help?" Olivia asked.
John smiled warmly. "This might sound strange but we were hoping to stay in the gaol overnight to see if anything happens."
" Wow! You suspect the ghost, don't you?"
"Do you?" John asked.
"Of course but I never would have said that to the police who were here before."
"Not the open minded types, then?"
"Certainly not. More the downright skeptical types. You surprise me."
"We like to think outside the box. Can you help us?"
"On one condition."
John raised an eyebrow.
"I stay overnight with you."
"That's the best offer I've ever heard," said John.
Olivia blushed. "That came out wrong. We all go in...
