CASE LOG #79. FILED UNDER: “NONSTANDARD APPARITION; ONGOING.”

CALL TO ACTION: “Over the past week, strange things have been happening in my home after nightfall. The lights begin to dim and flicker, and a strong feeling of being watched follows me throughout the house. At first I thought I was paranoid. However, over the past few days, it’s been getting worse. The lights will blink every time I walk into a room. Sometimes, the presence is so strong I feel almost as if I’m suffocating. I’ve gone to the electrician and the doctor, but both say that I have nothing to worry about. I’ve never been a strong believer in the paranormal, however, I cannot keep living in this condition. Please, I beseech your aid. I’m willing to pay whatever fee you require.” -Miss Kathleen Wiltshire

BEGIN LOG TRANSCRIPT.

This is the moment I’ve planned for since the Lights first appeared to me in the Woods behind Amelia’s house. They have returned to me, and this time, I am ready.

That last part’s not true. Truthfully, I am terrified. The Lights are unlike anything I have ever come across, not in my travels nor in my dreams, nor in accounts from the Library. But they know me. That much is certain. They now Everything about me, more even than I know about myself.

Recently, I’ve come to terms with there being a lot that I don’t know about myself. That I don’t remember.

But onward and upward, the wise folks say—and onward I will go, though, as I gather my implements, Frank protests (I’ll never get used to hearing his voice). I dodge his shouts and projectiles easily, as I leave and begin the journey to the Wiltshire home. I’m leaving my recorder here (whatever controls the Lights interferes with its signal, anyway), but I will finish the log when I return. Well, Frank, are you coming, or not?

[CLICK].

I have made a horrible mistake.

Miss Wiltshire’s was a normal house, plain and happy, no ivy in sight. In my excitement, I had forgotten the fundamental rule of a paranormal detective:

It’s the normal stuff you’ve got to look out for the most.

I knocked. No answer. “No one’s here,” I said.

“It’s unlocked,” Frank pointed out.

“It’s rude to—“

Frank opened the door and went inside. As soon as I set foot on the welcome rug, I was overtaken by Light. Thousands of colors, swirling and dipping and spinning, spinning, until they all became one white so brilliant I could still see it when I blinked.

HAVE YOU BROUGHT THE CHILD TO US, said the voice. Voices?

“What?”

Something existential seemed to sigh, then puff up its chest and try again.

SURRENDER US THE CHILD AND THINGS WILL RETURN TO AS THEY WERE. THERE WILL BE NO HARM. YOU WILL REMEMBER NOTHING.

“What if I don’t want to forget? Huh?”

WHAT—WELL, THAT DOESN’T MATTER. YOU CAN’T REMEMBER, IT’S NOT IN THE SCRIPT. YOUR MIND WILL BE DESTROYED.

“It’s my mind, and I may destroy it as I please, thank you kindly.”

BUT WE NEED YOUR MIND—HEY, STOP THAT! NO TRICKS. WE WILL BEND NO LONGER TO YOUR GAMES. IF YOU WILL NOT SURRENDER THE CHILD, WE WILL TAKE HIM AS IS OUR RIGHT.

I threw my arms out as the light around me shook and I nearly lost my footing. This is when I realized Frank was not with me. My bones froze.

“Where is he? What have you done?”

HE IS HOME. WE HAVE RESTORED BALANCE.

“Restored balance my [redacted]!“

IT IS DONE. GOODBYE, GILMORE. FORGET US.

I awoke in my office, exactly as I did a year ago shortly before receiving a missive about a haunted pug. Not a pen was out of place, a light breeze blew through the open window, and Frank was gone as though he had never existed.

Only this time there was one difference.

This time when I awoke, I remembered everything.

END LOG TRANSCRIPT.