The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth, Part 4

The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth

I don't know why, perhaps it was nostalgia, but I decided to take a look at the building before it was torn down. I drove through town and turned left to circle the old Dobbs City High School. I parked on the street beside the building and got out of my SUV.

I grabbed my phone and took a few pictures of the building. I was facing the north side of the school, the same side where Elizabeth had left that window unlocked so many years ago. I finished taking my pictures, and I headed out, back to my apartment on 1050 Street.

The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth, Part 3

The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth

We were both questioned. We were both released. We really didn't know what had happened, and had said as much. I'm not sure what happened in the minds of our interrogators, but after we were questioned, we were dismissed. I remember being annoyed that the lunch hour was almost over. I think we went out to get lunch anyway, not caring if we made it back in time for the next class or not. If there was a problem, the teachers could take it to the office as far as we were concerned.

At another time (random memory intruding here), the police brought drug-detecting dogs to examine school lockers. They also took the dogs to the student parking lots. From the second-floor window, I watched as a dog sniffed and circled my car. It circled my vehicle again. Then it did it again. They paid special attention to my car, but as I already knew, they found nothing. Drugs and I don't have anything to do with one another.

Later, the school's campus was remodeled. The old building was abandoned, and it was to be demolished and replaced with a new structure. In the meantime, classes were to be held in portable building-type classrooms. I had already graduated when I heard that news.

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The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth, Part 2

The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth

At one point, we stopped at a car wash to rinse and clean my car, which was muddy. The car wash was located just beside the school. I don't think it's there anymore.

Someone, to this day I know not who, saw us there at the car wash. From that point, we became suspects. We were there by the school. The school was vandalized. We must have been involved. So were the thoughts of the school's faculty.

The next day, around lunch time, I was summoned to the principal's office. I didn't know it at the time, but my cousin was also called to the office. She later stated that, as she entered the office, she saw my cowboy boots sticking out from beyond another office door. She then realized that I was in the office as well.

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The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth, Part 1

The Residual Haunting of Elizabeth

Personal Journal of Izzy Kent

In high school, two guys (boys) entered the Dobbs High School building through an unlocked window on the bottom floor. The window had been left unlocked on purpose. One girl, whose name is now lost, left the window unlocked. I later heard that she had passed away. I vaguely remember that she had blonde hair. She was a bit on the chubby side, but quite beautiful. I wish I could remember more, but this happened years ago. I'm annoyed that I don't remember her name, but I think it might have been Elizabeth, like me. In fact, I'm almost positive that was her name. I'm going to research her later, for sure. The girl took her own life not long after she had unlocked that window.

Once the two students entered the school, they proceeded to vandalize the building. They destroyed what they could. They spray-painted the walls. They upturned desks and everything else they could find. If it could be damaged, they damaged it. Then, after dark, they exited the building.

On that same day, I was riding around with my cousin in my old Chevy Nova. It was a 1979 model with two doors. My parents bought it for me. That car lasted forever.

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 13

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 13 - Tiffany Williamson: Epiphany

"Whatever you think is best, Dad. But watch this first." Tiffany closed her eyes and stood straight. In a short amount of time, a blue light winked, as if coming from her chest. The light was blinding. When the flash was over, Dr. Williamson looked at his daughter. The pretty strawberry blonde with blue eyes was back.

"Amazing," said the doctor. "Get some sleep, young lady. You need to rest. Our work will always be there for us. No need to overdo it."

"Goodnight, Daddy."

"Goodnight, baby girl."

Dr. Williamson spent a few moments finishing up reading his newspaper. He marveled at how Tiffany looked like her mother. He then proceeded to bed, his mind far away. She bore a striking resemblance to her mother.  Sure, there was nothing wrong with the girl's outward appearance...but would her behavior also change? Would she turn out to be like her mother? The thought troubled him as he turned off his bedside lamp.

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 12

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 12 - Tiffany Williamson: Epiphany

The doctor looked up from his notebook, and he was shocked at Tiffany's appearance. Gone was the strawberry blonde teen who fretted over her hairstyle and appearance. Present before him was a young woman who, if he had to guess, was probably around 25 years old. Her long hair was the same as her mother's, as was her general shape. The only difference he could see between mother and daughter was eye color. Tiffany's eyes were normally blue, like Zarqa's. Now they were black.

Williamson's adopted daughter was also dressed in clothing that he'd never seen before. He guessed that it came into existence during her transition. She wore a plain black skirt, black boots, and a loosely laced corset that, in his opinion, was a little too revealing.

Tiffany spoke, "I think, if you read the words with intent, it can change your appearance from one form to another. My appearance is still human. I'm not a fully formed ghoul. The rest of the text will reveal even more, no doubt. It will need to be tested when I figure it out. If that's okay?"

"You're lovely," said the doctor. "You remind me very much of your mother. We'll keep the scrolls here for a few days. If we need to test anything, we'll be able to use one of the new labs in 3820's basement. Tomorrow, some of us will have a staff meeting. I will make sure that you have a seat at the table."

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 11

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 11 - Tiffany Williamson: Epiphany

Tiffany Williamson sat at the desk in her room and opened the manila folder, which held the writings that were somehow connected to her mother. The scrolls were more like pages than actual scrolls. They weren't rolled up. They were somewhat stiff, and the words seemed to be painted on them.

Once, at an art show, Tiffany had purchased a picture that featured a pseudo-ancient Egyptian theme from The Book of the Dead. The artwork was painted on papyrus. The material that she now had before her looked the same.

On a yellow piece of notepaper, the girl saw the verse that her father and Priyanka Bhat had translated. She was almost afraid to read the text, and she would never say it aloud, but she finally read the words.

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 10

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 10 - Tiffany Williamson: Later in the Evening

"These," said Williamson," are highly classified scrolls that were found in the same cave in which your mother and you were found. We have translated precious little of the text recorded herein. It's prose and also poetic in nature, just like the two Eddas that you like so much from Norse mythology. I'm hoping that, by virtue of who you are, you can make some sense of it.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Tiffany.

"Take the writings somewhere where you will be comfortable. Your room, for instance. Study what is written. Let's see what happens. You can let me know tomorrow if you've discovered anything. And remember, one verse is already translated."

"Okay," said Tiffany. "Sounds simple enough, and I'm ready to get started. Thank you for telling me about my birth mother, Dad. I'm going to go upstairs now and get ready for bed."

"Goodnight," said Dr. Williamson.

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 9

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 9 - Tiffany Williamson: Later in the Evening

The doctor's SUV turned into the driveway of the home commonly known as the "Dobbs Mansion." The director and Tiffany exited the vehicle and went inside.

"Come to the living room when you get comfortable. I have something to share with you."

"Okay, Dad," said the girl. Tiffany went upstairs to her room and changed out of her school clothes. They were somewhat more formal than her preferred dress. She quickly changed into her street clothes and then joined her father in the living room.

"Have a seat, young lady," said the doctor. "As I said, I have something to show you." He produced a briefcase, which was locked. He took out a small key and opened the case.

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 8

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 8 - Tiffany Williamson

"I suppose we could have gone to Jim's," said the doctor, referring to Jim's Steakhouse, which both he and Tiffany enjoyed. "The wine is certainly good. But Pat's is always delicious."

"It's very good," said Tiffany. "I never get tired of it, and I'm friends with almost everyone who works here. I also enjoy the taste of the wine at Jim's, though it seems like I'm not easily affected by it."

"That's one of many unique things about you, my girl. In crude terms, you can outdrink anyone. I imagine it's because of your ancestry. When we get done here, we'll go home. I've already told you what I can about your ancestry. But I have something else to show you when we get home."

"Sounds like a plan," said Tiffany. Just then, Jenna appeared with their order. She set up a small table beside their booth and unloaded it. There was delicious pizza, spaghetti, and fries. "Let's eat!" said Tiffany.

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 7

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 7 - Tiffany Williamson

Robert Williamson and his daughter arrived at Pat's Pizzeria. A light rain was falling, and the sky seemed to threaten the continuation of a thunderstorm that started the previous night. Fortunately, the pair made it into the restaurant before anything more than the light rain could begin.

Doctor Williamson and Tiffany were shown to the booth where they usually sat. Pat's Pizzeria featured a fairly large dining area. The room was almost totally wrapped by tinted windows, and there were large family-sized tables in the center of the room. The booths were situated next to the walls. The decor was a somewhat garish burgundy color, but fairly new and quite serviceable. Father and daughter could look out the south window and gaze directly at the Dobbs Institute, which was right across the street.

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 6

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 6 - Franklin Kent

"I'll be damned," said Franklin. "Hiding in plain sight. It's her."

"What's wrong, bruh?" asked Carl. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Remember when I told you about my brother Mikey's disappearance? I always suspected that my stepmother and my sister had something to do with it."

"Sure," said Carl, as he looked at the attractive woman on the TV. "So who's the hot girl?"

"That's my half-sister. That bitch and her mother did something to my brother and they got away with it. I haven't seen her in years, and now I know right where she is."

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 5

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 5 - Franklin Kent

Carl Hayes and Franklin Kent were enjoying some hot pizza and beer in Carl's living room. It was Sunday night, and the two longtime friends had a tradition where they would meet up at one another's house every Sunday evening, before the work week started, and eat fast food. Sometimes pizza, and sometimes burgers. Fried chicken on occasion, or Chinese, but usually pizza. They always knocked back a 12-pack of beer, too, whatever was on sale - and they watched Sci-Fi or action movies until it was time for one of them to go home so they could both rest up for the remainder of the night. Neither of them had much taste for horror movies - too many jump scares, but both loved science fiction. Both men had jobs, so they were careful not to overdo it when it came to their festivities. It was just something to do before the long work week kicked off.

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 4

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 4 - Aaron McKinsley

At 7:00 a.m., Aaron cranked his truck and headed deeper into Dobbs City. He made his way to Building 3820. When he arrived, he had to wait another hour for someone to come and unlock the building. He entered and began to carry out his duties.

The elevators weren't working yet. Aaron sighed and began to climb the stairs. When he got to the fourth floor, the stairs ended. Not good, because he needed to examine the infrastructure that was on the top floor. The elevator would have taken him up to the top. For now, all he could see was a service ladder. He hoped that he wouldn't have to carry very many tools up that narrow ladder. He climbed to the top.

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 3

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 3 - Aaron McKinsley

"Nice to meet you. Working already?" asked Aaron, gesturing toward her computer.

"Not at all, just reading the news," said Margaret. "And getting ready to head out soon for work. I'm a home health nurse. I hate driving in the rain."

"Me too," said Aaron. "And I'll be on my way soon, too. I'm inspecting a new air conditioning system at a large building here in town. This breakfast is surprisingly good."

"It is. Will you be in town long? I'm afraid that I don't know anything about the AC. Except for how to turn one on, that is."

"I don't think it'll take longer than a day. Where are you headed?"

"I'm off to see a client over in Brookston County."

"I'm actually based out of that county. In fact, it's where I was born and raised."

"What a coincidence," said Margaret. "So was I, though my family moved and I don't remember much about it." She began to clean up her table and placed a milk carton on her tray. "Well, I guess I'd better go pack up. It was nice meeting you, Aaron."

"Same," said Aaron. "Be careful out there in that stormy weather." Margaret nodded, "You too."

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 2

Chapter 4 - 3820

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 2 - Aaron McKinsley

"Thank you," said Aaron, "Sounds good." He nodded at the woman again and then departed the lobby. He went to the truck to get his overnight bag and a set of work clothes for the next day. He slung the uniform over his arm and pulled his wheeled luggage cart along with him.

Aaron quickly found room 114, which was facing Highway 73, and prepared to enter it. Just then, he heard someone coming toward him. It was the woman who had entered the lobby behind him. She stopped at room 113. "Hello, neighbor," she said.

"Hello to you, too," said Aaron to the pretty woman. He placed his key card into the door. A green light indicated that the room was now unlocked. Aaron pushed it open. "Well," he said to the girl, "I've got a long day tomorrow, so I'll say good night. See you in the morning, maybe."

3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Page 1

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3820: Chapter Four: It Begins Again, Part 1 - Aaron McKinsley

At 9 p.m., the same day when Building 3820 was ceremonially opened for business, Aaron McKinsley turned his service van, a small box truck, off Highway 73 and into the parking lot of the Dobbs City 5-Star Hotel. Earlier in the day, while in Brookston County, he had called the hotel and made a reservation. This particular hotel was his only choice. He had scanned the internet for other options, but the only rooms available were in historical homes, houses that had been repurposed and advertised as "bed and breakfast." Aaron didn't think he'd feel comfortable with such lodgings. Plus, they were expensive, and his company probably wouldn't be pleased with the prices.

3820 - Chapter Three: Izzy - Page 24

Izzy

Izzy, 2025, Part 24

"I wish I had more information to give you, and I'll keep looking for sure. Later, the house burned. It was never purchased, for obvious reasons. But at least now, certainly so, you have realized that the place was just bad news. I mean, it's an area where bad things have always happened. Even if someone decided to blame you, it's BS, babe. There's no way that a 7-8-year-old girl could have anything to do with your brother's disappearance. And the police agree. Things like that have been going on for decades."

"That's damn near overwhelming," said Izzy as she washed a bite of pizza down with her ale. "Thanks for letting me know."

3820 - Chapter Three: Izzy - Page 23

Izzy

Izzy, 2025, Part 23

"The city sold the land, and then the property was bought by a man named Johnathan Jackson. He built the Victorian mansion on the property, the same house where you had your terrible experiences. He and his family went missing in the house. They were never heard of again."

Young Ms. Smith

Izzy Kent Investigations

In 2025, I was directed (my second assignment) to interview a girl of about 10 years of age. I did not and still don't know why I was asked to speak with her. I introduced myself, and she said (in English) her name was Milla Smith.

Oddly, Mia spoke as though she were from a different time period, perhaps the 1800s, mid-1700s. Her next words to me were unnerving: "They don't yet know that I'm gone. I'm from White River Ridge." I had a map in my briefcase, and I asked her if she could point out the location of White River Ridge. She could. "I think this is where the town is." She took a pencil from me and made marks on the site.

Two days later, after work, I attempted to access my notes while still sitting in my classroom at Dobbs Institute. My notes were gone. Vanished. I then tried to access the files that I had sent to the local hospital. They were missing. Moreover, every video and picture of the girl had disappeared.

The next day, again in my office, I was visited by a man who identified himself as an agent of "law enforcement," but that was the full extent of his identification, other than flashing a badge. He didn't give me a name, and he didn't reveal what agency of law enforcement he represented. FBI? CIA? I wasn't told, and as of yet, I don't know. He already knew my name.

"The Institute's director has been briefed about Milla Smith," he said. "He may or may not choose to tell you more. Don't keep investigating this, Izzy, Ms. Kent. You'll find more than you're ready to know."

Later, the director thanked me for my attention to the matter, but he never really told me who the girl was. He merely insinuated that White River Ridge had been an old town that had been subjected to classified experiments long ago. It was a "proving grounds" of some sort. All of the residents had vanished, but occasionally one would reappear as if out of nowhere.

Milla was gone, though her memory stayed with me. The one thing that they could not take away from me, or her, was the marks that she had made on my map showing White River Ridge. At that point, she had drawn a simplified triskelion. It was easy enough to trace, for it is not unknown. It was a rough representation of a glyph called the Yellow Sign.

The End

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