The Path That Eli Wellingsworth Took (2)
"Wellingsworth Real Estate," responded I. "And how long do you imagine it will be before you have some pertinent information on him?" Landon turned away from me and reflected on the matter for a short time before speaking. "It's hard to say really. It could be a few days, it could be a week. When I identify him, I'll basically be serving as his shadow. I'll know the places he goes during the morning, the afternoon, evening, and at night. If he is wont to have a cup of hot tea or coffee in the morning, I'll know. If he is wont to pick up streetwalkers during the night, I'll know. It won't take me long at all to be familiar with his everyday life, and I'll be sure to report back to you whenever I discover something of worth. You need to understand, though, that I receive a portion of my pay upfront, around twenty five percent." "That won't be a problem," spoke I. "I can pay you now if it will get you started as soon as you walk out that door." I gave Landon his twenty five percent upfront and he bid us farewell. "I'll probably report back to you at the end of the week," said Landon as he was escorted out of the door by an attendant. It did not take an elongated amount of time for the end of the week to present itself, it being a Thursday when I had aquired the assistance of Landon. For my own part, during the wait, Jonathan mostly made me familiar with things interrelated with the supernatural. He spoke for instance pertaining to ghosts, how that the spirit of persons could be mourning over things even past the grave, how they could be concerned with relaying messages to those whom they knew in life, things that occurred while they walked the earth, and how this energy would manifest itself in the world of the living. He also showed me some of the equipment that was used to measure paranormal activity. I was quite taken aback to know that this area of knowledge had grown so far as to require equipments of measurement. It was all a humbling experience for me. This was not the full extent to which I had aquainted myself with however. I also--along with Jonathan--made trekking to Wellingsworth Real Estate to inquire about Alexi. For reasons relating to Landon's sceptism of my story, I did not fully trust him, and so in case of squandering time away on an investigator who was not fully enveloped in the case, I decided to do a bit of private investigating on my own. Jonathan and I would--as the opportunity presented itself--ask questions to those whom worked at the agency as we saw fit, all touching on the person of Alexi Shostakovich, what his interests were, whether or not they had associated with him on a personal level, things of that sort. We had made a list of things relating to him, and were sitting in a car on loan from my uncle, when I saw in the distance one approach the parking lot of the real estate structure, and it was the head of operations, the same gentlemen who considered my story a jest when I first told him several weeks prior, a gentlemen by the name of Alistair Norrington. "And just what do we have here," spoke he whilst being in earshot of our vehicle. "If it isn't that tall telling Elie Wellingsworth. Whatever could you be up to this fine weekend? "Allistair," said I, "there is nothing amiss with inquiring about individuals what I would. There is no law against it. Would that you leave us be." "You are loitering and disturbing the peace," said Alistair. "Now, do us all here a favor and desist in the silliness, please." "Would that you had considered my story no jest," spoke I, "for you are doing this city and area a great disservice, all those who were involved, and all those who will succumb to my uncles deviltries." "Enough!" remarked Alistair, whose expression did not betray a hint of his emotion. "Begone from here! And do not come again, otherwise I shall have to consort with constabulary of the area. Now leave." I consented to his request, started the car up, and headed for my uncle Alfred's mansion. When Jonathan and I arrived, Landon was awaiting our return. He was consuming an assortment of foods that were provided by the maids and were placed on the coffee table on a serving tray in the grandness of the living room. It was around 3 p.m. "It is not a good idea to keep guests waiting, Elie. They could become impatient you know, and find some other means to occupy their time, such as and extending to taking on other cases." Jonathan situated himself on the far side of the room, a good distance away from Landon. I took a seat on an armchair and expressed the following sentiment. "To be honest, Jonathan and I were doing a bit of our own investigating. I was a little leery of whether or not you were serious about the case as I have presented it, and did not wish to further delay the hunt for my uncle." Landon looked a little blank faced for a moment and then a smile began to present itself. "You would do well to leave the private investigating to the private investigators," remarked Landon. "Did I not conjoin to investigate this Alexi? I may not can believe for a second your story, but believe me when I say, that I am a man of my word, and I will investigate him wherewith I have at my disposal, on that, you can put your confidence." I felt a good deal more comfortable having him in the role at this revelation. At the very least he was bound to discover the truth of his own volition. "Well," chimed in I, "I verily do appreciate the sentiment. Now then, are you ready to divulge what--if anything--that you have uncovered?" "Most certainly," spoke Landon with alacrity as he reached for another scrumptious snack from the tray on the coffee table. "I shall share what I have uncovered up and unto this point. Please be advised--however--that this is only a preliminary inquisition. I have not made an extensive investigation into this Alexi, it being only two and a half days since I have had the time to look into him. But this is what I have uncovered at this point and time." Landon opened up a briefcase that he had situated to the side of him and began leafing through documents. "On Thursday, at around 4 p.m., I identified Alexi Shostakovich. He was emaciated in frame and pallid in color. Does this sound familiar?" "That is indeed him," spoke I. "I performed a computer database search using a laptop and was able to get modern day pictures of him. I watched from an inconspicuous area using my trusty binoculars, and waited for him to leave the agency. He did, at around 6:30. Although--" Here Landon halted and seemed to be considering something. "--It is nothing. It was at this time that I followed him. It did not take long for us to reach the destination, it was a community center. "There were several cars parked outside of the structure. A few individuals stood without as if they were awaiting the arrival of someone. As Alexi approached, they talked with him for a moment, and all of them went inside. I sat in my car without, and waited for him to return, which took an ungodly amount of time for some, close to two and a half hours, though I'd like to think I am an expert in my craft, so I did manage. During that time, none entered or exited the facility. At around 10:30, persons began filing out of the structure. They were all talking amongst themselves and whatnot, huddled in little groups. I caught sight of Alexi and his group of individuals. Everyone soon dispersed and went to their vehicles. I commenced to following Alexi, to see if there was any other places he would be heading to, but he soon went straight for his home, and I headed for mine. "There was nothing of significance to report that happened on Friday. He went to work, then went straight home. He never leaved the place at all. I have to do a bit more investigative work however, and I'm sure it would be beneficial to plant some surveillance equipment in that community center if he is to meet there with his troupe again. So that's my report. What do you think?" I stood up from my seat and began pacing back and forth, reflecting on what he'd shared. "It seems to me that the importance of this gathering of individuals," spoke I with a hand to my chin, "cannot be understated. What exactly goes on during these meetings? Is my uncle spreading his malice to any and all who would give him an ear?" "Perhaps," remarked Jonathan, "perhaps it would be a good idea if you and I went to investigate the community center ourselves, Elie, with a focus on determining if there is any paranormal activity involved in their gatherings. Landon said that it was a community center but with the resources available to Bernard Wellingsworth I would imagine that he could have purchased the area outright." "As if," spoke Landon, "we need the assistance of charlatans in making sense of this case. Elie, must you continually be led astray by this crackpot?" "One day, sir Vurgens, one day you may chance upon the truth of the supernatural, and on that day may you realise the folly of your ways." Landon snorted. I jumped into the exchange to prevent any further hostilities. "Gentlemen, it's of necessity for us to be in this thing together. My uncle's evil alone rivals that of the darkest hearts, notwithstanding the revelation that there are more persons attracted to his activities, and we'll need all the cooperation we can muster if we are going to bring an end to his madness." "As I said before I took on the case," remarked Landon defiantly, "my being here is not contingent on me working alongside this man. I will do my part, but that does not mean that I have to agree with whatever it is you two do at night. You may allow him to string you along for however much longer, but do not think that I'll be along for the ride. I have better avenues to explore then placing faith and trust in a psychic friends network." Jonathan looked as if he wanted to assault Landon but I gave him a look of soothing that I believe helped to calm his anger. Landon began packing up his things whilst speaking. "I don't work on Sundays, so I'll report back to you probably next Thursday. That should give me enough time to discover more information, to perhaps plant some surveillance equipment in the community center. I'll contact you in due time." Landon picked up his briefcase and was escorted to the double doors by a maid. On Monday morning, I appeared before Jonathan in his room and told him that I would like for him to visit my uncle Bernard's manor, to see if he could not put his abilities and profession to some good use. He wholeheartedly agreed to the sentiment, and we set forth not less than thirty minutes later to my uncle's manor. I knew in my heart of hearts that Landon's comments had upset him, and so I felt that allowing him to exercise his profession would show that I had all the belief in the world for what he possessed that could undo the influence of my uncle Bernard. I did not know if the gate would be opened. I had hope that it would however, though I was sure access into the manor itself would be barred. We arrived in the residential district of my uncle in about a twenty five minute drive and--as I foresaw--the gates were indeed open. Nothing--however--could have prepared me for what lie in wait... I have written in my first account of the sheer and utter repulsiveness that the visage of the mansion evokes in the spectator. I spoke of the queer change in semblance of the clouds in the relative vicinity of the structure, which--to my complete and utter astonishment--was still a part of the area as we were within relative distance of the house, as if the entire expanse of land was cursed. I spoke of the carven pale horses that were spaced evenly near the front of the property, the broad and spacious lawn which looked in many places to have been imprinted with the likeness of images from some spell book of sorts, and the brown and withered fountain that seemed to be made out of nothing but thorns and was placed in the center of the yard. I pulled into the snakelike driveway and at occasion caught glances of Jonathan, whose mouth was indeed open halfway in reaction to what he saw and perhaps the impression he acquired from the very air. "This is indeed an evil place," remarked Jonathan. "I can--I can sense the evil energy emanating from it. I dare say that I'm hesitant to step the soles of my feet inside of the property." "You may not have to be disquieted over that," spoke I, and here a shudder ran through my spine in remembrance of the things that I myself had seen in this place. "I don't think the doors would be unlocked in any case." We halted just at the front of the double doors and egressed out of the vehicle. Jonathan stood beholding the vile creation that stood before him with an air of disgust mingled with perplexity, from what I could tell. His face contorted to such aforementioned proportions, and it seemed to me that he was gauging the evil of the place up within himself. He began moving away from the car toward the imprinted markings in the grass and I followed behind. He crouched, fingering the grass, and then spoke. "These look to be figures from some ancient and arcane book of spells." He placed a hand to his chin. "The grass is freshly cut." "My uncle must have an affinity for whatever these things mean," spoke I. "Indeed," remarked Jonathan as he stood. "I'm getting a great many vibes just from the yard. Many, many dead roam these walls. I will see if I can get into contact with one of them." Jonathan closed his eyes and began concentrating. He then began speaking. "Is there anyone there? Anyone who wishes to tell their story? My name is Jonathan Caulier. I can help you." I gave Jonathan his space as he communed with the spirits. He seemed to me to be intensely focused, moving his head ever so slightly as if he was picking up on signals. He then opened his eyes. "There's a little girl right near you, Elie. She's wearing a bright blue blouse." I stood awestruck at this revelation. There was no incertitude pertaining to the matter at hand, this was the identical little girl whom manifested herself unto me in a dream back in my home in New York, and the one I had beheld when I was ensnared inside of the library of this house of terror. "What does she want from me?" spoke I. "What can I do to free the fetters that bind her? How can I stop my uncle?" Jonathan simply shaked his head. "She's saying that you will have to face many hardships in the undoing of your uncle. You must stand firm she says, even in the midst of adversity. She's--she's walking away from you. She's heading toward the door of the manor. I--guess that's all she had to share. She's gone now." I looked at Jonathan simply flabbergasted. "Perhaps," said Jonathan as he mused, "perhaps this is something that you have to discover of your own self. I don't think she was in any mourning over her death, like some other spirits are. I think she has been sent to guide you to the truth. And that is a truth that you will have to discover of your own self. I'm almost sure of it." Instantaneously after Jonathan spoke these words there was a clicking noise made behind us. The both of us turned around and the double doors of the my uncle Bernard's manor opened before us. I sideglanced toward Jonathan who seemed equally perplexed. "She did not just open the door for us, did she?" spoke I. "It would seem so. Perhaps there is something inside that she wishes for us to see." Here my memory was flooded with all of the maximized terror that I had apprised myself with inside of this place, in one instant. A very real fright began to reintroduce itself unto me and panic reverberated throughout my bones. I assayed expressing this sentiment to Jonathan however it came out in garbled sentences. "Don't be affrighted. Spirits can't harm you. They can only give the impression of harm, but they can't inflict anything that would cause you to die. Come. Let us see what she wants to show us." Jonathan walked toward the double doors with a look of steel and determination. I followed behind, in dread of whatever could be lying in wait. Jonathan may have been right in his proclamation that spirits couldn't inflict physical harm on the living, a summation that I myself had come to in my previous visit to this house, but I was all too mindful of the mental harm that I had been afflicted with in not only this place, but back in my own abode. As I have said previously however, his resolve was ironshod. He had no doubt been familiarized with many exceptional kinds of things relating to the supernatural.
Copyright © 2007 Michael Harris |