Excerpt:

“This is absolutely insane.” Tom said looking towards his girlfriend. She was driving her late model Subaru down a dark and deserted road in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Tom was a bit nervous since, by his account, they were in the middle of nowhere. “Chatsworth?” he had said as they rode through the town on their way to their destination, “What is in Chatsworth?”

“Ocean Spray.” Mary replied.

“What – the cranberry people?”

“Yep.”

“Oh,” he said, “I like cranberries but that still doesn’t make up for the fact that this is absolutely insane.”

“What do you want from me, Tom? Maybe you shouldn’t have come?” Mary said.

“Shouldn’t have come?” Tom said, “Are you kidding me – and let some college frat boys ogle and protect you from all the things that go bump in the night?” He put extra emphasis on the word “protect”. He was not pleased with the possible unfolding of the events of the evening.

“It’s an investigation of the old Headley Estate over in Ong’s Hat.” Mary said. “It should prove interesting. People have been having some pretty strange experiences out there. There have been full apparition sightings, disturbances in electro-magnetic fields and a lot of EVP activity.”

“Oh, well… Of course; what a wonderful way to spend Halloween.” Tom said.

“Isn’t it?” Mary said with a smile. “When I read about it at college I couldn’t turn it down; a real ghost hunt with a hand picked crew.”

“Hand picked. Wonderful.” Tom said, “What does that mean, handpicked?”

“I told you before, Tom.” Mary said.

“Yes, but repeat it again, I need the reassurance.”

“The team…”

“Team?”

“Yes, team consists of Martin Bramble…”

“The guy with that show from that public access channel?”

“Yes.”

“What’s it called?”

“What?”

“The show – what’s it called again?”

“Spirit Stalkers – Adventures in the Supernatural.”

“Mary, that is so weak. I can’t believe that we’re doing this.”

“I think you’re scared.” Mary said.

“Scared? Don’t be ridiculous.” Tom said. “All that show relies on is the power of suggestion, weird lighting and staged ghostly activities; nothing more or less. Everything – and I mean everything, else is only in the viewer’s mind.”

“Where’s the proof, ‘eh Tom?” Mary asked as she turned the Subaru onto a cobble-stoned driveway with no end in sight. Above the stonework gateway formed in wrought iron read the name “Headley”.

“Exactly. Now please tell me more about this team of yours.” Tom asked partially wanting to know and partially wanting to stave off an odd, unfamiliar feeling that was creeping into the back of his mind. Fear? Ridiculous. He was letting the evening get the best of him. That simply wouldn’t do.

“Well, Martin put out all those flyers to different universities in the area and I was lucky enough to be picked for the team.” She said.

“Yes. I know that, but who else is on the team? Is there anyone that I would be familiar of on the show?”

“Sure – if you stooped so low to watch an episode every now and again.” Mary said. She smiled at this. She knew even thought Tom didn’t admit it Spirit Stalkers – Adventures in the Supernatural was one of his guilty pleasures when it came to watching television. She had found him catching the tail end of several episodes. Although this was the case she knew that he would never admit it.

“Right.” Tom said.

“Well, let’s see, there’s Angus McDowell, the Scottish researcher, Tara White, and Doctor Henry Mimjimbo from the University of South Africa – you know, all the usual suspects.” She said.

“How about from school?”

“Oh there’s about 6 of us out here tonight, including you and me.” Mary said. There’s Tim, from the I.T. department, James and Joe from the psychology, and Mildred from history.”

“And you from the English department.” Tom said. “Doesn’t that sound weird to you?”

“What?”

“The fact that a group of paranormal investigators chose an English major to join them in their hunt for things that go bump in the night?”

“They saw something in me that made them want to take a chance.”

“They saw how incredibly hot you would look on camera is what they saw.” Tom said.

“Stop it. Stop it right now.” Mary said. “I have always had an interest in this sort of thing and investigating it in a scientific manor is something that even you should be able to get behind. I was chosen because of my knowledge in the subject matter and not because I’m just another pretty face.”

Tom began to pout. “I’m sorry, Mary. I know that you are more than a pretty face.”

“Damn straight.” She said with a grin. “Look – there it is.” Tom’s eyes drifted towards the large Tutor style Victorian home that ended at the long cobblestone driveway; which made a generous loop in front of the property. The estate was internally dark but various spotlights and other ambient lighting that was supplied by the Team of investigators who now populated the front yard lighted up the front. There was a large, well-lit tent, at least by Tom’s standards, set up that was the command center. The lights of the Subaru illuminated what seemed to be miles of cables going into and out of the tent. Mary and Tom could see the glow of several computer and television monitors. Movement was perceptible as well. People were moving to and fro doing their last minute checks to make sure that all was going according to plan and that there would be no unexpected surprises with the equipment during the night’s investigation. Mary parked the Subaru next to one of the black Spirit Stalkers vans. The name “Spirit Stalkers” was pronounced across the side.

“Hey look, it’s one of the mystery machines!” Tom said.

“You know, you become very witty when you are frightened.” Mary said shutting off the engine.

“I’m not frightened.” Said Tom.

“Let’s collect our things and see what kind of trouble we are going to get into tonight.” Mary said.

“Wonderful.” Said Tom. “Where’s the flashlight?”

“I brought an extra – just in case you asked that question.” Mary said.

“…Good…” Tom said, “Let’s get this over with.” And in a moment the pair was out and on their way.