The Ghost of Whispering Willow. Amanda M. Thrasher

ghost seemingly stayed clear of the shot. The boys were starting to think that the ghost was keeping its distance, staying just out of the camera shots. However, the evidence was mounting, and Andy’s experience just motivated the boy’s even more.

      As Stewart reached the bottom of the tree, he noticed the air had chilled. Research had shown cooler temperatures were often a sign of a ghost being present. If that was the case, then a ghost or something was in his presence. Gathering cameras Two and Three, Stewart dodged to the left behind a tree to test his theory. He was right; the air was noticeably warmer, at normal temperatures behind the willow. He laid the camera bags on the ground and moved quickly toward the stream and the rocks. Stay calm, gather Camera One, and get out of here, he told himself. That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it! Stewart’s eyes darted about him as he realized three things:

      1 He was nervous beyond belief,

      2 the chilled temperature he was trying to avoid had suddenly reappeared and had seemingly engulfed him, and

      3 it was starting to get dark.

      He noticed that the leaves were blowing across the dirt and the stream was running faster than before; a breeze had definitely picked up. He also thought that the cooler temperature was following him. Suddenly, he felt scared on a level that he was unfamiliar with. Was it possible that he was being followed? Stewart tried his best to retrieve the last camera, but the rocks were very slippery and the water was flowing faster. As the water splashed against the bank, his clothes got soaked. In an odd way, the cool water that splashed him assured Stewart that his imagination wasn’t running wild – at least, not yet.

      Stewart slid his hand between the rocks and gently removed the camera. He uploaded the data, reset the record button, wrapped the camera up in the protective waterproof cover, and placed it back in the waterproof bag. As Stewart worked, he was reminded of how fortunate they were that Andy’s dad was so cool about helping them with their stuff. His dad had made a waterproof box for them and ordered the waterproof digital camera for them in the first place. Granted, they would be working it off for the rest of their lives, but it had been worth it! Andy’s dad was the only adult who knew about their mission. Being in the armed forces, he understood the need for and respected their secrecy. He’d even offered to help if need be.

      With the last camera finally in place, Stewart was ready to get out of the Willows and head for home. He had a sense of uneasiness, which had suddenly swept over him for no apparent reason. Not understanding or expecting it had made it ten times worse! Stewart wasn’t sure if he felt fearful, but it was safe to say he wasn’t comfortable. He stopped walking and looked behind him. Thankfully, he couldn’t see a single person. He suddenly felt as if eyes or something were watching him; the feeling was so strong, he could barely move, though physically he couldn’t see anything.

      All of a sudden, to his horror, something whispered, “I see you,” and then brushed past him.

      Stewart knew it was likely only seconds, but it felt like an eternity that he had been standing there on the path. “Ahhh!” he screamed, wishing he hadn’t as soon as he had. “Ahhh!” slipped out again, and even though he desperately wanted to run away, he was too scared to move. He looked all around; nothing was there.

      The voice had said, “I see you,” but that was it. It hadn’t done anything. Stewart put his hand on his chest to make sure his heart was still beating; it was. He wanted desperately to move his feet, but they were planted firmly on the ground. His goose bumps had goose bumps! He couldn’t scream or call out again, because the words wouldn’t form. The air felt thick around him, as if the oxygen itself had suddenly become so dense he couldn’t breathe. Looking at his arm again, pinching it to be sure, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the thing had spoken to him. It had to have intended to prove to Stewart that it was there – that it existed.

      For the first time, Stewart felt very afraid and started to panic. Gasping for air, he was frozen in one spot. He was alone, and he had no idea what to do. “Breathe, breathe, breathe,” he said out loud, “It didn’t hurt you! It can’t hurt you, it can’t hurt you!” he repeated over and over again, trying to convince himself it was true. He wasn’t exactly sure about the last part, but he was holding on to that part anyway. It hadn’t hurt Andy either, for that matter, during his personal experience. These are good things, Stewart told himself. Good things! “Relax. Breathe and relax,” he said taking in a deep breath.

      It was working; his breathing had slowed down and he still had his wits about him. Stewart moved his frozen feet, one foot in front of the other. His mind knew what to do, but for some reason, his body wasn’t cooperating. Walking was awkward, let alone running. If he were having a stroke, surely someone, anyone, eventually would find him and help him if need be. Providing, of course, I’m still alive! He pushed that thought right out of his head; of course he’d be alive! He wasn’t having a stroke. He said his name and address, and counted backwards from ten to make sure. He had seen that on TV somewhere and couldn’t believe he’d remembered it.

      “You’re being watched; you’re not being messed with. Think of the mission, think of the hunt. You’re in control, buddy! You’re in control!” Stewart told himself, though he didn’t feel as if he was in control. He listened to the sound of his voice and realized for the first time that his feet were finally moving and going in the right direction. Stewart was ready to get home, call the boys, and tell them what had just happened. They wouldn’t believe it! They would go over the data he’d retrieved piece by piece and see if they’d captured anything. He hoped the cameras had captured his experience. Stewart was certain at this point whatever was in the Willows was a who and not a thing.

      As soon as Stewart reached his house and opened the back door, his saw his mother waiting for him in the kitchen. He couldn’t tell if she was upset with him. He was late, after all. He had so much to do that he didn’t have time for explanations. Not now, within a few seconds he’d know for sure, 5,4,3,2, and 1 . . . bingo, here she goes.

      “I was about to start looking for you,” his mom said playfully. “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your cell.” She opened the oven door and pulled out a covered dish, poked it with a fork, and slid it back into the oven again. Stewart was caught off-guard when she asked him a second time. “Son, where have you been?” This time, he could tell that she wanted to know.

      He gave a brief description of the events in the woods – with the exception of the possible ghost. His getting wet was due to fishing, he lied, which would explain why he’d been by the stream in the first place; well, kind of.

      Fortunately, she seemed okay with all of it. “I’d rather you’d go with the boys than by yourself. It’s not safe,” she said for parental measure. She pulled the dish back out of the oven and poked it one more time; it was done. She pointed Stewart toward the sink. “Hands, son,” she said, “Wash them!”

      Stewart did and sat down at the table with her; he was hungrier than he had realized. He ate, but kept one eye on the clock.

      After dinner, there was a knock on the door. “Oh, I forgot,” Stewart said, “I called the boys; they won’t be here long. Is it okay?” He didn’t wait for an answer. The boys walked through the kitchen, saying hello and grabbing the usual cookies and soda his mom quickly put on the table. They ran up the stairs and shut Stewart’s bedroom door, and before anyone could say a word, Stewart started rambling.

      “You’re not even going to believe what happened to me in the Willows today,” he said excitedly. Turning to Andy, he said, “Get your pen ready.”

      “Start talking,” Andy said opening up the log and entering the today’s date. “I’m ready.”

      Stewart described how the cool air had followed him everywhere he went as he zigzagged down the trail, testing his own theory. He explained the eerie feeling the woods seemed to have that evening while he was there, “But then,” he said, “you’re not going to believe this.” He took a deep breath. “It spoke to me!”

      “What?” Andy and Zack yelled at the same time.

      “Shh,”