Page 6 of Into the Fire

What Simon noticed most was the buzz of fear-based nervous energy which hummed around Sanderson. Whatever the man had experienced, however incredible, Simon didn’t doubt that Sanderson believed it wholeheartedly.

“Vic said you were coming, but he didn’t tell me details. Why don’t you start from the beginning?”

Sanderson took a deep breath and launched into his story, telling Simon about his family’s history with the Ocean Visions, the hauntings, and the strange aspects about the fire that made him believe it had a supernatural cause.

“I don’t know what to do.” Sanderson seemed to be at wit’s end. “The cops can’t help me. The witches and mediums said they can’t either. I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt or killed. On top of that, the hotel is my livelihood, so I’m in big trouble if we can’t reopen.”

Simon had cautiously opened his senses as Sanderson blurted out his story. The main details aligned with what Vic had reported, which didn’t surprise him since Vic was trained in recording witness testimony. Sanderson’s sincerity also didn’t waver. What drew Simon’s attention was an aura of darker energy that surrounded the man like a stain.

That told Simon that the entity Sanderson had encountered was real, powerful, and dangerous. He didn’t know whether it was a ghost, demon, or other supernatural creature, but he didn’t doubt it was real.

“You said you went to witches and mediums,” Simon replied when Sanderson finally paused. “May I ask who you worked with?”

Sanderson rattled off the names of several people with shops around town, whose consultations Simon believed should be labeled “for entertainment only.” None of them had any actual supernatural ability, making them performers at best and frauds at worst. Simon kept that opinion to himself, but he was not surprised that Sanderson’s earlier contacts hadn’t known how to help.

“I’ve heard of them,” Simon replied. “I work closely with a different network of sensitives and have had very good results. We’ll get to that in a bit. What are you hoping I can help with?”

“The fire showed us a couple of rooms in the basement that weren’t on the current floor plans,” Sanderson said. “There’s a family legend that says some kind of spooky thing caused the fires in the hotel’s past, but it was ‘bound.’ I don’t know what that means, but maybe whatever it is found a way to get out.

“I want to lock up whatever got out of the basement room so it can’t start more fires or hurt people,” Sanderson replied. “I can’t even think about whether to rebuild or cash in on the insurance and walk away until those two things are done.”

Despite the serious impact the fire had on Sanderson’s personal livelihood, his first concern was protecting others and stopping what might be a supernatural threat. That made Simon think well of the man. He wasn’t trying to figure out how to harness or use any paranormal force for his gain, and he hadn’t even mentioned his own safety.

“Tell me what you know or understand about the haunting,” Simon asked.

“I’ll tell you what I told your husband. I can’t promise it’s all true, but it’s the best I’ve got,” Sanderson said before launching into his tale.

Simon listened closely as Sanderson repeated the story he had shared with Vic and the legends that had passed down through the family. Simon’s sixth sense told him that the account was true as far as Sanderson knew, but that meant changes or forgotten information could have happened over time.

As Sanderson talked, Simon also felt stirring in the ether, the space between life and death where ghosts who stayed behind were often found. The ghosts who clung to Sanderson were as jittery as the man himself, frightened by whatever had gotten loose.

“It got out, and now it’s free,” a spectral voice murmured, which sent a chill down Simon’s spine.

“I believe you,” Simon told Sanderson when the man stopped talking.

“You do?” The mix of astonishment and hope in Sanderson’s eyes made his turmoil clear.

Simon nodded. “Yes. I’m going to have to do some research to learn more about whatever is causing you trouble, since it’s not a regular ghost. There are a couple of different things it could be, but that’s not something we want to guess because if it can cause fires, it’s dangerous and powerful.”

Sanderson sighed and seemed to deflate now that his nervous energy was spent. “Thank God. I didn’t think anyone would be able to help.”

“I won’t know what’s possible until I study it further,” Simon warned. “There aren’t any guests in the hotel right now, is that correct?”

“No, they’ve all been relocated while we do the repairs. I’ve moved off-site too.”

“There are workers at the location?”

Sanderson nodded. “Yes, during the day, or they will be again once the fire marshal gives us clearance to return. They were working on routine maintenance before the fire. I overheard some of them talking about tools and equipment acting up or being misplaced in the last day or so, and a few near accidents. One of the crew chiefs told me his staff believes the hotel is haunted and don’t want to work into the evening. I can’t blame them. Since the fire, I leave before dark too.”

He paused. “I don’t know what the people we bring in to clean up and rebuild will run into, but I’d expect more of the same if the ghost doesn’t like anyone messing with the hotel.”

“Can the hotel be repaired?” Simon recognized the historic value of a site like the Ocean Visions but weighed it against the danger of a potentially malicious spirit in the basement.

“It won’t be cheap,” Sanderson responded. “I’m waiting on estimates from the builders, and for the insurance people to weigh in once they can get in and look things over. I’m sure I’ll hear from the preservationists and the local history council. Over the years, Myrtle Beach has lost many of its Victorian ‘grand dame’ hotels. I would expect they’ll want to save the Ocean Visions, and I’m hoping they’ll be willing to put up the money to help make it habitable again.” He paused. “Of course, they don’t know about the ghost.” Sanderson shuddered.

Simon could agree with that, which raised the stakes above the average local haunting. “I’ll take your case and give you a discounted per diem rate since there’s a public safety angle.” He stated a number, and Sanderson nodded immediately.

“Yes. That’s fine. I’ll come up with it,” Sanderson agreed without hesitation. “I’ll do whatever I can to help. Any access or permission you need, I’ll make it happen once we’re cleared by the fire marshal to enter.”