In The Woods

“It’s there,” said Alice, pointing a dirty finger towards a patch of soft, moldering earth.

“Are you sure?” I hated to question her, but memories could be unreliable and facts blurred, especially in cases like this.

“Do you think I could forget?” Alice hissed, her eyes bruised and wide and wounded. “Don’t you believe me?”

I did believe her but, I had been mistaken before and that had been…well, utterly embarrassing.  My reputation was already somewhat dubious.  It was important I got this one right.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry,” I implored.  “Please let’s continue.”

Alice limped ahead over bulging tree roots and damp earth. One of her sneakers was missing.

She stopped by a rotting log under a stand of pines.  Liberating itself from the gloomy forest canopy, a sunbeam illuminated the mound of mossy decay before her.

“If you could show me exactly…” I started.

“I’m not coming any closer!” Alice’s voice was shrill with panic.  She shrunk back like an animal, cornered and scared.

My stomach lurched.  I knew that’s what she must have looked like when it happened; a helpless, frightened creature, shrieking with horror.

Alice stood trembling in the small woodland glen. Blood ran down into her pale blonde eyebrows from a gash on her forehead. Her dress was filthy.  Her skin was ashy, colorless, almost transparent.

I stepped closer to the pile of decomposing leaves and knelt down to inspect the earth.  She was right.  The ground here had been disturbed.

When I looked up, she was gone; a damp wisp of vapor unfurled in her void, drifting upwards through diffused afternoon light.

Sighing, I stood up and brushed the dirt from my knees. I didn’t blame her.  I wouldn’t want to be here either.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out my cellphone and dialed the Norfolk County Police Department. A friendly female voice greeted me, stating that I was on a recorded line.

I cleared my throat. “Hello. This is Psychic Medium Maureen Brennan.  I need to speak with Detective Richards regarding the missing person’s file for Alice Sanderson.”