I would try again tomorrow.
I woke to grandma pulling out Christmas decorations. My morning walk to campus had been put on hold for a few hours.
Finally, by about three, my feet carried me down the familiar small gravel road to the ancient football field. I stopped short, hearing voices. The new owners rented out the renovated buildings for family reunions, weddings and did elaborate Halloween and Christmas events. Skiers used it as a way point between actual towns and the ski hill just up the road, but typically it still looked mostly empty. Especially this back side.
“Can I help you with something?” A man in a heavy work coat asked at the top of the pitch.
I shoved my hands in my pockets. Crap. Yeah, I’m just gonna go chat up a ghost, that’s cool right? Yeah, that didn’t sound insane.
“Hi, I was just taking a walk.” I looked over at the old buildings, “I’m sorry. I know it is probably private property. I’m just home from college and was walking around before I headed back in the morning.”
The man walked a little closer, focusing on I face. “Who’s your folks?”
I hated that. Never a simple question. “I’m Savanah Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Mills granddaughter.”
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognize you.” The expression on his face softened. “Yeah you were in school with our Brian. He’s on his mission. Doing really well. Got Costa Rica.”
I smiled nodding, “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, we’re really blessed.” Emotion flitted across his face. “I’ll tell him you said hi in my next letter.”
“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.” Not that he would appreciate it. I remembered Brian. He didn’t actually torment me, but some of his friends did. In his defense, he stayed out of it, and a couple times did call them off. Either way, I doubted he would be super interested in catching up.
“Go ahead on your walk, but don’t go inside anything over there. Those are mostly boarded up, or chained, but sometimes they get propped open and they’re dangerous. Especially the dormitory. It has straight holes from one floor to the other.” He pointed to the building I was headed to. “So, if you promise to stay on the ground, I’m good with you walking around. If anyone asks, just tell them I said you were ok.” His smile lit his whole face.
I answered his expression. “Thank you so much. Don’t worry, I’m not going inside.” I shivered slightly.
He laughed, “Yeah, lots of folks think they’re creepy.” He looked around the campus, “We just couldn’t see it decay anymore. It’s just too cool of a place.”
My eyes followed his. The buildings they had re done looked as good as the building at my colleges’ campus. The ones that were still on the list to be redone, stood tall with patience. The energy of the entire campus pulsed in the air. “Yeah, it’s something else.”
“Well, see ya around. Have a nice walk” He turned to go.
I headed off to the dormitory.
My hands rested at my sides, but to be cautious, I leaned against the ancient stoop again. Taking a deep breath, I imagined my feet relaxing, visualizing my feet sending roots into the ground, anchoring me. It was easier this time. My mind sent the invisible roots deep into the soil, twisting and turning.
Fascinating.
I breathed deeply and opened my eyes.
Standing before me was the girl. Smiling, closer this time. Maybe five feet away today. “You came back. I didn’t know if you would. I don’t like it when you pass out.”
I laughed, “well that makes two of us.” I looked down at my feet, “I’m trying something new, so hopefully we can talk a bit.”
“That I would really like. I don’t get many outsiders to talk to.”
I looked behind me.
“Yes, there are several of us here.” She needlessly shrugged, “Not sure why. Some of us passed away here of course, but a few had left The Normal College many years before they died. They’re not sure why they are here of all places.”
“What’s your name?”
The girl took a step to her left, “It’s been so long since someone asked me that, I’m not sure I even remember.”
“So not many talk to you?”
The girl smiled, “Not many can see me. Very few can hear me, and if they can they usually run away. In the fall, there are a many people here, sometimes one or two hear me, but they scream. I just want to talk. It gets very tedious here.”
I smiled, “I can imagine.” Leaning further onto the stoop, I made note to keep my ‘roots’ running through my feet still. “Can you remember your name?”
Her brow crinkled in thought. “I honestly can’t right now. That’s so strange. How could I forget something as important as that?”
“Did you go to college here?”
Her face lit up, “Oh yes. I couldn’t wait to teach. Children were a delight. I was almost done too. I had completed my first year and was finishing my last year when this happened.” Her face frowned.
“Can you tell me? If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s ok.”
“I don’t actually. But thank you.”
Not what I expected. I decided to go a different direction. “You said there were others here.”
“Yes. Like I said, several. Some are a bit shyer than me.”
“Can you tell me what happened to them?”
The girl frowned. “How would I know? I wasn’t there. It wasn’t my fault.” Irritation radiated off. “Why would I know what happened to them?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I was trying to make conversation.”
“Well then ask about how my classes are going, or where I want to teach, don’t ask me pointless questions that I don’t know the answers too.”
I felt this
