THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 17

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 17 Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, medical doctor, and licensed psychiatrist. A man who DARES to look PAST the obvious, and discover what is at the HEART, of patients conditions. The following is case-file number 17, of Doctor Rhoades highly unusual approach to treatment, of mental disorders. Case-file #17 would mark another, new level, of "bizzarre", even for me. The reason was simple. According to the case-file, this time, it was not a patient, whom I was to diagnose. This time, I was being requested to diagnose a property. A piece, of land, and a building. Now, sure, everyone knows that ALL buildings have "personalities", but, if the case-file were accurate, this place had a bit much "personality". The claim was being made that people, who "visited/trespassed" on the property, were disappearring. The property appeared to be the "prime suspect", for no other reason than the fact that it was the last place each "victim" had been known to be bound for. As for the photo's, contained, within the file, these could have been any, of over 1,000, left-over, "haunted houses", which counties just had not taken down, yet. What I found most curious, and decided to mention, as early on, as possible, was the mention that the accused property was, reportedly, a "make-out" point, for the younger generation. This did not make sense. If people were afraid that a property was TAKING lives, then WHY would people be using it as a "make-out" spot? I intended to make a POINT of inquiring, about this. After renting a car, at the airport, I was set to drive, directly, to the city council hall, for my primary meeting. That is, until something "called" to me, as if ASKING me to visit the subject location, first. Normally, since I do not receive such sensations, upon arrival, I would have suggested that it was just imagination. The problem, in this case, was that voices seemed to be calling to me, asking "Help us." This is why, on my G.P.S. device, instead of calling up the address, of city hall, first, I called up the address, of the funeral home. While the roadway, from the airport, to town, could have used some re-paving, what astonished me was when I approached the driveway, for the funeral home. I might have been prepared, for "No Trespassing" signs, but what I was NOT prepared for was to see a "Road closed: Out of order" sign, on the drive way. This confused me since, for as far as I could see, the driveway was in good condition (for its age). When I checked the "Road Closed" sign, and found that it was not even bolted down, I moved it just far enough, aside, to allow my car to pass. After that, I put the sign back in place. (As a precaution, in case someone might think this road was "public".) Driving, cautiously, up, and over, a hill, I could neither mistake the funeral home, nor its environs. While, from a distance, the funeral home did appear just as dank, and shabby, as the photo's showed, this was just as deceptive as the grounds looked, from a distance. Even I, a medical man, could see that, at sometime, in the past, the wild plants had been well-tended flower beds. To my surprise, not only was there a lake present, behind the main house, but a playground, as well. (The people, who had operated this place, had understood that children grieve, differently, than adults.) Still, despite all of the rust, and over-growth, of plants, the location had a sense of formality. A sense of order, and purpose. Still, the voices seemed to be drawing me towards the house. It was like they were begging "Come closer. Closer." Stepping onto the wrap-a-round porch, I noticed that this place had not been painted the drab grey, which it presented the public. Even my un-trained eye could detect various colors, on pieces, of wood which, for the most part, were protected from the weather. While I had no idea what the design, of the front door was, I could tell, by the massive piece, of ply wood, covering the center, of the door, that the wood was either protecting the public from broken glass. That, OR, the ply wood was protecting the age old glass. From feeling around the edges, I could tell that, whatever it was, it was of an oval shape. That, and the wood, of the frame, was of high quality lumber. What I cannot understand was what happened, when I reached out, for the door handle. As if "out of nowhere", just before my hand touched the door handle, a heard a loud "bloop-bloop", behind me, followed by "Dont move. Stay right where you are." When I asked "May I ask why?" The voice said "You are trespassing, on private property. Unless you have good cause, I am placing you under arrest." As the male voice approached, Doctor Rhoades heard what sounded like a weapon, being un-holstered. When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I ask why you have un-holstered your gun?" The voice had said "You may not. Now, lets see some identification. Nice and slow." When Doctor Rhoades removed his credentials, from his pocket, and presented them, open-faced, he thought he glanced a police officers uniform. When the voice said "It says, here, that you are a doctor?" Doctor Rhoades would say "That is correct. I am a medical doctor, and a psychiatrist." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I lower my hands, and turn around, now?" The officer would say "Why not. I dont see no weapons. Just STAY where you are, until I check in." After Doctor Rhoades would say "No problem, by me." He would listen, as the deputy called him in. When the response was "He is due, at the council hall. Before you bring him in, ask him just WHAT he THINKS he is doing, out there?" After the deputy would respond "Roger. Over and out." Then the deputy would turn, to Doctor Rhoades, asking "Well, doc? You heard the man. WHAT ARE you doing, out here?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Since I have been called in, to review this property, I was on my way, into town, when I THOUGHT I saw something?" When the deputy would ask "Something like WHAT?" Doctor Rhoades would say "If I could identify what I saw, I would not have used the term "something"." The deputy would say "Fair enough. Now, I will escort you to your correct destination." Following the deputies lead, Doctor Rhoades could, almost, sense the pleading of "Dont leave us, Please!". The doctor had projected "I will be back, soon. Just relax, until then." From the moment, when the deputy, and the doctor, entered the building, they could hear a mans voice near-shouting "There are NO ghosts! How many times do I have to tell you that." When another, female, voice would ask "Then, tell me where Leroy, and Monica, are." The male voice would shout "I TOLD you. I dont know." When the female would say "Why dont you admit it. That HOUSE got them." The male would say "Dammit, Irma, there aint no proof of that. Now, stop trying to cause trouble." It was after Irma stomped out, of the building, that a man, looking angry enough to eat metal, would see the deputy, and the doctor, then ask the deputy "Who is this fool?!" The deputy would say "Sheriff, this here is Doctor Rhoades. The man the mayor invited into town." The sheriff would bark "I know what our fool mayor did. It dont make no difference. Houses, and "ghosties" do NOT just make people vanish. People vanish when they dont want to be discovered." Doctor Rhoades would point out "Interesting, if true. The problem is evidence. How do you intend to prove your conjecture?" When the sheriff would ask "Prove my con-what?" Doctor Rhoades would ask "How do you intend to prove your point?" When the sheriff tried to look "mean" as he asked "What was that con word you just used?" Doctor Rhoades would say "The word is con-jec-ture. It means that you believe that something is true. This leaves the question of PROOF. HOW do you intend to prove you are correct?" The sheriff would say "I dont have to "prove" myself, to any out-of-towner. If I say the people are just gone, then they are, just, gone. End of story." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Is that what you are telling the families, of the missing?" The sheriff would say "Mister, for a city feller, you sure dont know much. Un-like your big city police departments, all I have is myself, and two deputies. One on the day shift, and one, for nights. Now, just HOW do you expect me to search this whole county, with just three of us, to cover everything?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "That may be one of the reasons why I am here. Now, why dont we go, have a "talk", with the people I was sent to meet with." The sheriff would add the condition "Just so as we understand each other. I dont want NO talk, of "ghosties", understand? If anyone mentions it, dont act like you believe." Doctor Rhoades would promise "I will do my professional best." This would be exactly what this community needed, as the doctor was brought before a large group, of people, all of whom were claiming that "monsters", "demons", and so forth, had taken their family members. And all by the merest coincidence, had been heading for the funeral home. While Doctor Rhoades would take to asking "witnesses" "What do you THINK you saw?" and "HOW do you KNOW that is what you saw? Could it not have been..." Even the abandoned cars, found on the property, COULD be explained, with little effort. What, it seems, that the people, of this town, did not know, of the outside world, was just how often people arrange to "disappear". While Doctor Rhoades had not handled such cases, himself, as part, of the medical profession, he was required to be well-read, on various nerouses, and what caused them. Thanks to modern technology, it was even easier, than ever, for people to vanish. IF they wanted to. Someone even sold "New Identity" kits, on the internet. These kits explained everything from buying un-trace-able cars, to changing wardrobes, to faking death. While some people were caught, after having bumbled the process, the best cons were, never, found. Two, of the bumblers, whom Doctor Rhoades had read about, were a man, and a woman. The mans stupid mistake was in the fact that, AFTER he made it look like he died, in a fiery car crash, he had been stupid enough to return to a self-storage unit, for something he had forgotten. He had ignored the "Premises under electronic surveillance" signs. The time-stamps, on thee video, PROVED that the man was alive, hours after the crash. The womans mistake was that, after she created a scenario, where it APPEARRED that she had been murdered, for some cash she was carrying. The mistake was that, even as police were investigating the "crime scene", the woman decided to return to her home, for a family, photo album, she had, previously, forgotten. This blunder was added to by the fact that two, of her neighbors were willing to swear that they had seen her, at her house, AFTER her death was reported. Both cons were, currently, in prison, on felony charges of faking their own deaths. The question was "Even if this were the case, what was the motive?" While Doctor Rhoades would, openly, admit that he was no expert, on automobiles, the doctor did ask to see both the reports, and the vehicles, which were found at the funeral home site. When Doctor Rhoades had asked the police "Were there any other tire-marks, at the scene?" The deputy would say "Doc, that place was a BUSINESS. We could pull tracks from almost every vehicle, in town. Even my own cruiser marks are out there." Still, with police permission, Doctor Rhoades would load up, on herbal, pipe tobacco, as well as his other "equipment", then head back out, to the funeral home. For some reason, it just didn't add up, that people would use such a well-known location, to plan escapes. The risk, of exposure, would be as likely as 2-to-1. What Doctor Rhoades had not thought about, until this gathering, were the local legends, about "ghosts". In fact, the very, local stories, which the sheriff had warned the doctor about. Now, Doctor Rhoades understood the warning. Several people, at the meeting, were insisting that it was the "ghosts", of the dead, which had taken loved ones. When Doctor Rhoades had asked "ON WHAT do you base that conclusion?" and the local seemed confused, the sheriff would ask "What the doc means is "HOW do you KNOW that someone took your kin?"" When the local would say "I SAW them! I watched them, moving about." While the sheriff just shook his head, and groaned, having heard this story, so many times, already, the sheriff was happy to let Doctor Rhoades take over, at this point. This is when Doctor Rhoades, calmly, took out his note pad, and pen, then asked each witness for a time, and date, when they would be available, for a PRIVATE discussion. When a panicked woman would, nearly, screech "What happens to my child, while you are doing your talking?" Doctor Rhoades would speak, calmly, as he promised the woman "The more information that I have, the sooner I may be able to locate your missing family. Now, who would like to be first." As locals began lining up, to share information, with the doctor, the sheriff would duck out, of the meeting, and return to his duties. Maybe, the mayor had been right, in calling in the psychiatrist. The doctors presense DID seem to have a calming effect, on the populace. That is, until three nights later. This was when, after a couple had gone missing, for twenty-four hours, that the police invited Doctor Rhoades to join in the search, of the funeral homes grounds. For reasons, un-clear, even to Doctor Rhoades, the families, of the missing, insisted that the funeral homes ground be searched, IMMEDIATELY. Doctor Rhoades noticed how calm the sheriff seemed to be, as the group went to investigate the property. A property search yielded no automobile nor any personal belongings. The day-time deputy did locate some fresh tire tracks. The sheriff would suggest "Either they went, willingly, or, maybe, the girl was taken, and the boy followed." Since neither the sheriff, nor the doctor, could find either drag marks, or evidence, of a struggle, neither would say, conclusively, that ANY event had occurred, at this location. Sure, it was NEAR the funeral home, but what did that "prove"? Still, even as the police gathered evidence, Doctor Rhoades would sense the spirits, of the funeral home, calling out, to him. When Doctor Rhoades stepped away, from the police, and engaged his "third eye", the doctor had a hard time, dealing with what he saw. While locals, whom the doctor had spoken with, so far, had stated that the funeral director, was well-respected, and dedicated to the care, of the deceased, what Doctor Rhoades vision showed him was an entirely different man. When the vision showed the doctor a vision, of the funeral director, not as a compassionate man, but as a man, who enjoyed inflicting PAIN, Doctor Rhoades would question "Am I witnessing the truth?" In the first, of several, visions, which came to the doctor, he watched as a young woman was stripped down, to her underwear, then bound, to a bed frame, before the funeral director would take a leather whip, and swat her flesh. All while calling her un-holy, for some reason, regarding a funeral. The next image, Doctor Rhoades guess that he could understand. After all, the man, being lashed, this time, had asked a girl away from a long, boring, funeral, and the two had some erotic fun, while the funeral went on. Now, the man was lashed, to the bed frame, stripped to his shorts, and the funeral director was procliaming "Defiler of the dead. Since you have no respect, for the dead, around you, I will show you the meaning of respect. While other visions showed Doctor Rhoades vandals, and trespassers, as well as others, who had crossed the land, it sees that the funeral director was the most passionate, about the sanctity of the dead. It was not until the day-time deputy roused the doctor, asking "We are finished, here. If you want, you can ride back to town, with me." On the ride back to town, when Doctor Rhoades would ask the deputy "What would you, or any one else, know, about the director, of the funeral home, himself?" The deputy would say "Best place I can think, to check, would be the local library. Just be careful of Miss Prudy. That woman can "smell out" a persons true intentions, in seconds." Doctor Rhoades would promise to be both respectful, and discreet. As a result, of this promise, Miss Prudy would take as much as an hour, to figure out what the doctor was searching for. When Miss Prudy would inform Doctor Rhoades "The funeral director was a man of principals. He was dedicated to the sanctity, of the burial experience." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What would he do, if a person did NOT show the deceased proper respect?" Miss Prudy would say "Depending on how "bad" he felt the dis-respect was, his reaction might be a subtle as a whispered warning." "What about if the man felt that a person was either openly profane, or if the person did something, which was of terrible "taste", at a funeral?" Miss Prudy would look about, then whisper, to the doctor "You never, heard this, from me." When Doctor Rhoades would say "I understand." Miss Prudy would whisper "It is not in the official records, but word has it that the funeral director took action, himself, against those, who violated the sacred ground, of the cemetary." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "In what way?" Miss Prudy would say "If you, really, want to know, go, check out that place, yourself. Check the basement. Check it GOOD. Now, if you will excuse me, I see I have other customers awaiting my assistance." Doctor Rhoades was left to read through countless reports, all of which described the funeral director, as one of the best men in the state. The funeral home was listed as "The most respectful place", to hold a funeral, within five counties. What Doctor Rhoades found odd, as in strange, was how little vandalism, occurred, in the nearby cemetary, even on Halloween. While small parties were, often, broken up, by police, the only damage done was for the vandals to pick up their mess. And, WHAT did Miss Prudy mean when she said "Check out that basement. Check it, GOOD!" What was that all about? When Doctor Rhoades would, next, visit the Hall of Records, asking for any information, on the funeral home, the clerk would say "Sorry, sir, but that place was built before official blue-prints even existed. All I can show you are drawings, which were done." When Doctor Rhoades would say "That will be fine", the clerk would lead the doctor to some very dusty, old, volumes. To the doctor surprise, the clerk would ask "Please be careful, with these documents. The Hall of Records has been asking for digitizing, for YEARS. All we hear is that "When the county can afford it." Doctor Rhoades would say "I understand. I will be very careful, with the documents." (What Doctor Rhoades had not mentioned, to the clerk, was that he had no intention of handling the documents, by hand. He had snuck in a digital camera.) What the psychiatrist had not considered was the fact that, with many, old, buildings, blue-prints were little more than sketches. Doctor Rhoades was just thankful that he had read up, on digital photography, and would be able to highlight, and enhance, the photo's. Another problem, and one which the psychiatrist could NOT solve, with technology, was the fact that, when some, older buildings had been built, not everything had been listed in the plans. After Doctor Rhoades had photographed all that he could, his next stop would be his temporary quarters, and a call, to a collegue. In case the phones were tapped, Doctor Rhoades used words, which only certain people understood. Doctor Rhoades felt that, IF the phones were tapped, he did not want any persons knowing what he had in mind. It was not that the psychiatrist wanted the notoriety, of being the discoverer, it was that he did not want persons, currently unknown, to sabotage the property, before the doctor could complete his research work. Two days later, when the equipment, its operator, and his overland vehicle arrived, the worker had whispered, to Doctor Rhoades "Just in case." Two hours later, it would seem that this precaution was "paying dividends", when the truck pulled up to the drive, for the funeral home. On his past visits, Doctor Rhoades had seen, and moved, a simple, construction, barrier, marked "Road Closed". On this visit, and to Doctor Rhoades astonishment, the construction barrier was gone. Now, the construction vehicle faced a wall, built of masonry block. This is when the worker asked Doctor Rhoades "Permission to travel overland?" When Doctor Rhoades would wave a hand, while saying "Proceed", the overland vehicle would, as carefully as possible, drive over the wooded area. The driver would do his best to leave as little evidence, of passage, as possible. Once at the funeral home, while Doctor Rhoades could, psychically, "hear" the souls, crying out for help, the doctor noticed that his driver felt the presence as well. By the time the police arrived, at nightfall, and shot up the visitors machines, while mentioning "Doctor, I thought we made it clear, to you. We do NOT want you off, by yourself." Doctor Rhoades thought it was hilarious, the way a deputy brought forth the doctors laptop computer, then put five bullets through the "core", of the device. Both the scanner operator, and Doctor Rhoades, would spend three hours, at the police station, while the city council tried to decide what to do, next. The mayor had been observed, slapping the heads, of two people, a man and a woman, who suggested "Just get rid of the bodies." The mayor had asked "Do you want both the state police, AND federal authorities, coming down here?" When another man asked, the mayor would say "Simple. With their machinery destroyed, they have NO evidence. Even if they publish a report, the lack of evidence will make it no more than another, ghost, story." In order to depart town, alive, Doctor Rhoades, and the scanner operator, would sign the most generic document, which they had, ever, seen. A document, which promised non-disclosure, under penalty of law. What the document FAILED to define was WHAT it was that neither man was supposed to mention. It was not until the men were back, in the scanner operators lab, that the man asked Doctor Rhoades "Doc, WHAT are you smiling about? Our equipment is all destroyed." Doctor Rhoades had responded with "Our mechanical equipment might be destroyed, but not our information." Sure enough, while Doctor Rhoades was a "miracle worker", with the mind, he was clue-less (as most of us are), about on-line storage, of documents. It had been a patient, who had clued the doctor in, about on-line, document, storage. The patient had even assigned the doctor a code-name. This way, only the doctor could access his files. Now, inside the scanner operators lab, Docotr Rhoades would go on-line, open the files, and show the scanner operator what no one, else, had seen. From what the men could see, it seems that the funeral home had been built on top of an old, mine, shaft. The magnetometer showed that the shafts were built of rebar, and concrete. Just enough to stabilize the shaft, and tunnels. When the scanner produced a crystal clear image, of most of the underground, there were spaces, where the signal was distorted, by some form of energy. Still, the place looked positively beautiful. While the scanner had noted the presence, of the garage, a distance from the home, Doctor Rhoades hopes were dashed when all the scanner showed was funeral home vehicles, and some classic vehicles, which local records showed that the funeral director owned. Doctor Rhoades idea, that the missing cars were being stored, underground, evaporated, when the scan turned up no trace of the automobiles. When Doctor Rhoades began to wonder, aloud, if the cars had been dumped into the lake, the scanner operator would say "Too many cars. Too small a lake." When the scanner operator would suggest "Too bad they wont let us test the cars, in that garage." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "WHY?", the scanner operator would say "Consider this. If someone had access, to the funeral home, what would prevent this person (or persons), from driving a victims car away, to be dumped, then hitch a ride, back to the funeral home, with the driver?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "Plausible, but how to PROVE." The "answer" would come, hours later, and after bboth men had, un-knowingly, fallen asleep, in the scanners office. In the "vision world", as Doctor Rhoades referred to the "dream world", a man came, to the doctor, asking "Can you help us?" When Docotr Rhoades would ask "How may I be of assistnace, to you?" the mans spirit would say "I need you to find my body. That, and my mistresses." When Doctor Rhoades would, calmly, ask Tell me more?" The spirit would inform Doctor Rhoades "It was not until AFTER we were married, that I found out just how "possessive" my wife was. Anytime I even SPOKE to another woman, my wife insisted that I was starting a new affair. After my wife "caught" me, five times, she refused to let me sleep in my own bed. This is when I DID begin an affair. She was an out-of-town woman, who said her husband was just as paranoid. The last thing I remember was driving her out, to the funeral home, looking at the lake, and doing man-woman things. After that, everything went black." When Doctor Rhoades had asked "Do you remember WHERE you parked?" The mans spirit would say "Tire marks were gone, years ago. Its been decades, since our deaths." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Do you know where you are buried?" It was at this moment, when the scanner operator would whisper "Doc, who is that guy you are talking to?" The spirit would fade, after whispering "I dont know if I can tell you, but I CAN show you." While Doctor Rhoades, and the scanner operator, would use totally seperate roads, to re-enter town, and enter the property, at seperate times, no one had any idea what the doctor was doing. The problem, that the doctor, and the scanner, had, with Marks (the ghosts) directions was that Mark lead the two to one of the very spots, where energy distorted the image, from the scanner. Mark would, then point to another distortion, saying "Emily." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How do we prove this?" The scanner operator would suggest without 3-D, all was can do is dig." This would be when Mark would ask "Why dig? There is an old shaft, inside thhe funeral home." Doctor Rhoades would be the first to say "Son, I understand your grief. The problem is that the house is locked up." The WAY Mark said "Come with me", gave Doctor Rhoades a chill feeling. After Mark walked the doctors, to the front door, of the funeral home, thewn said "Wait here", there was nothing the men could do, but wait. Moments later, the men heard the door un-locking, then it opened, and Marks spirit waived a hand, saying "Come on in." The one thing no one had mentioned, to the living, was that the shaft, inside the house, had stairs. The men would not have to climb ladders. After Mark found, and pointed out, his remains, he took a short walk, then said "Emily is over here." It was not until the scanner operator would find other remains, and haddle up, to Doctor Rhoades, that the doctor would whisper "Relax. They have been dead, for a very long time. They wont hurt you." Mark would add "You have my WORD, as a ghost, that none will harm you." When the scanner operator would ask "Who are all of these people?" Doctor Rhoades would say "A very good question. Care to supply some information, Mark?" Even as Mark began pointing out skeletons, whisps, of smoke, would drift up, from bodies, swirling in the air, for a moment, then solidifying into human bodies. Just as Doctor Rhoades had suspected, once the funeral home was closed, the property became a meeting place, for people, to have affairs. Doctor Rhoades had little doubt that, if he checked UNDERGROUND magazines, he would find this place listed. Still, this left the question of "What happened to the cars, these people had driven? Where could a person hide up to five DOZEN cars?" The idea, that the cars were just "dumped" made no sense, now, since so many cars, going missing, or turning up, abandoned, would have been enough to alert atleast the state police. When Doctor Rhoades took a look, at the inside, of the front door, he understood the REAL reason why the window was boarded up. It was the etched glass. It portrayed the likeness, of a man and woman, enjoying some sex. Between this, and the supposed adulterers, buried beneath the home, Doctor Rhoades would be surprised that there were not MORE reports, coming in. Still, even if the missing adulterers were buried, beneath this house, this left not only the question of WHO had murdered, then buried, the people, but what had become of the victims automobiles. In Doctor Rhoades mind, it would have been so much easier if the adulterers/missing persons, had, simply, changed identities, and used clothes, and cars, purchased with cash. In this scenario, the cars could have been dumped, either in a river, rock quarry, or even a forest. A case, of runaway lovers, would be the easiest to explain. The problem was that this case involved murder. That meant that there was a motive, to be un-covered. Murderers, like other criminals, had motives. When Doctor Rhoades had a hacker friend check on the savings, and checking, accounts, of the missing, there was no leads, here. None, of the missing, were worth huge sums. Most just had regular bill-paying money. When the scanner operator suggested that sex might be the motive, Doctor Rhoades would say "If the killings were by spouses, THAT would make sense. Problem is, these people were nowhere near their homes. Even revenge killing did not make sense. This, since most arrangements had been made only a single day before arrival. That was no time to plan anything. When Doctor Rhoades reviewed the funeral homes records, again, he found that, while the man lead a proper life, the funeral director never "judged" anyone. He simply accepted fee's, and carried out family wishes. When the scanner operator asked about those, who came AFTER the funeral director, Doctor Rhoades would say "There was no, next, funeral, director. Once the man died, the business was closed." This is when the scanner operator would ask "I wonder WHO installed the glass, in the front door, and WHY? I mean, I just dont see a funeral home as a whore-house." Doctor Rhoades realized that the man had a point. A point the doctor had missed, until that time. Sure, the funeral home might have closed, but WHAT had come, AFTER the funeral home? Several hours, of investigation, later, and Doctor Rhoades had discovered that the funeral home HAD been purchased. This, by an out-of-state, investment, group. It was this group, which had the etched glass installed, in the front door, and promoted the place as a "hide-away". According to the records, the place had been profitable, atleast until patrons began disappearing. This, Doctor Rhoades, noticed had begun when the management company had hired a reclusive Christian to watch over the place. Management had hoped that a person, with Christian values, would keep the place, in proper order, while honoring guests privacy. Doctor Rhoades did not like the direction his mind was thinking, at this point. The doctor was opposed to "invading" anyones religious values. The question was: How FAR would a Christian-values person go, to prevent "sin"? To test his theory, Doctor Rhoades brought in two, of Heidi's fellow actors, and instructed them, on what to do. If the doctor was correct, the murderer would attempt to strike. Instead of renting as car, as, originally, planned, the scanner operator suggested buying an old junker. It would, ofcourse, be made comfortable, for the actors. As per instructions, the actors parked the car in the correct place, then, acting like an adulterous couple, they would pretend to carry on, just loud enough to attract attention. This, the "couple" would do, while the sheriff, and his deputies, along with Doctor Rhoades, would observe. It seems that the spirits had been correct, even about the timing. The sheriff, and party, watched as the suspect moved about the car, pouring what the sheriff would say looked like a mixture, used to keep demons underground. Once the car was encircled, the suspecct brought out an enormous weapon, and began attacking the car. Now, the sheriff had the evidence, which he needed, for arrest. The actual arrest was not so simple. In fact, the deputy had to shoot the suspect, with five darts, before the suspect went down. When the actors inquired, even the sheriff had a hard time accepting WHO the suspect was. It was the reclusive, hard-core, Christian. The suspect had to be held, in maximum security, since hospital staff could, barely, contain them. In fact, throughout the processing, the woman just kept saying "It is against the will of GOD. Adultery is satantic evil. The un-holy MUST be punished! They must be! Satan MUST be kept under control!" While Doctor Rhoades would smile as he thought "If Satan did everything he was accused of, he must be on triple-time pay, and with a fantastic benefits plan." After the local lab identified the substance the woman had used, to trap the spirits, then created a counter-agent, Doctor Rhoades, the scanner operator, and the sheriff, would, ALL, be on -hand, when Doctor Rhoades would spread the mixture around the funeral home. As the mixture blended into the ground, theh sheriff, and the scanner operator, stood, motionless, and dis-believing, as whisps of smoke began to appear, to the living. When the whisps took on human form, Doctor Rhoades would find himself receiving dozens of whispered "Thank You's" from the spirits. Spirits, which would, then, glide away, like angels. When the sheriff would ask "Did we, REALLY, see that?" Doctor Rhoades would ask "What doo you THINK you saw?" The way the sheriff would say "Nothing. Nothing at all." Doctor Rhoades knew the truth. As for the bodies, and the home, the decision was made. Since all that was left was bones, and the house was of historic significance, both would remain as is. A monument to the best of man-kind, and a resting place, for the deceased. May they rest in eternal peace.

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 16

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 16 (VAMPIRE ?) Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, medical doctor, and licensed psychiatrist. A man who DARES to look PAST the obvious, and discover what is at the HEART, of patients conditions. The following is case-file number 16, of Doctor Rhoades highly unusual approach to treatment, of mental disorders. Case-file #16 would mark a new level, of "bizzarre", even for me. The reason was simple. The patient was a middle-aged man, whose wife had divorced him, after he lost his job, and taken their children away. This, the woman did, under a divorce decree, which prohibited the man from visiting his own children, until he "replaced lost income, with stable, new, income." Even to me, an established psychiatrist, the question was "WHO had "stable" income, nowadays?" Nowadays, the man lived in a modest apartment, and earned a modest income, as a janitor. It would seem, however, that not all was as "straight-forward" as it seemed. In fact, according to the file, the mans life was FAR from normal. The file stated that, while the man was, allegedly, sleeping, in his bed, witnesses claimed to have SEEN the man, wearing a vampires costume, and sucking the blood, of his victims. When police had attempted to question the man, on repeated occassions, it is reported that police appeared to have to pound on the mans door, to awaken him. The man has gone for treatment, and the question has arisen of "Could he be sleep-walking, and committing the crimes, without conscious knowledge, of doing so?" Even to ME, this seemed a bit far-fetched. Add in the fact that all sightings were after dark, and that the witnesses were less-than-sober, and this leaves me to wonder if identification is accurate. According to the file, however, even the patient is un-certain of his actions. This resulted from a police search, of the mans apartment, which lead to the discovery of trace amounts, of the victims blood. Police were just not certain HOW the crimes could have occurred. Worse yet, WHY would a killer leave a trail of blood, for police to follow. A trail, which lead right to the killers door? The patient has signed himself into a mental ward, until these questions are resolved. Questions, which include "During sleep, AM I turning into a vampire, and killing people." That and "If so, why NOW? Why did I, never, try to kill my own family?" The consulting physician would ask "Doctor Rhoades, since you work with this type, of problem, so often, would you consult on this case? While I DOUBT that this man is a vampire, he IS, emotionally, distressed. The question is WHY would anyone want to frame him, for these crimes?" Doctor Rhoades would contact the attending doctor, saying "I will be glad to consult. I will be there, soon." During my travel, to meet the patient, I re-examined the file, hoping to find some clue, to begin my search with. Problem is that the only, real, "clue", that I have found, is that the man is living in a per month, residential, motel. Even as just a doctor, of medicine, I am aware of such properties. This, because I have, at times, treated patients, for diseases, contracted from spores, which previous tenants have left behind. On atleast two occassions, that I can think of, when I was part of a "clean-up" team, my team members, and myself, confirmed that, for a single sized room, with only one, double, bed, our team lifted D.N.A. evidence, from as many as fifty people. This, despite the managers insistence that no more than two people ever entered the room, during any given rental. This is why I doubt the "evidence", of the D.N.A. samples. Especially in a motel/hotel, or restaurant setting. To pass the time, before arrival, I did some checking, on just how hygenic the hotel was. It was no surprise, to me, that the "housekeeping reports" were all but duplicates, of one another. All which seemed to change, about each form, was the date. This leads me to wonder just WHOSE D.N.A. was found, and how OLD each sample was. Upon arrival, at the hospital, I would not be surprised when I received a less-than-warm welcome. After all, my practice tended to gain the types, of "results" which hospitals declined to publish. When I asked a staff-member "Why is there a guard, posted outside the patients room?" The staff-member would say "A security precaution, just in case the man does transform." To Doctor Rhoades, this seemed a bit of "overkill", since the psych ward was "locked-off", with key-cards, already. A practice, which was common in modern hospitals. In order to prevent patients escape, if a patient tried to FORCE the wing doors, an iron set, of bars, would slide across the opening. After that, a NON-lethal gas would be pumped, into the wing. Once patients succumbed to the gas, hospital staff, wearing breathers, would enter the wing, restrain the errant patient, return the other patients to their rooms, then let the wing air out. In this way, modern medicine had shown that it was, in fact, much more humane, than colonial, or other, medicine. Doctor Rhoades could never help but smile over the changes, from early medicine. While patient treatment was less than humane, in the past, people dealt, with mental illness, as best they could. Doctor Rhoades, while on his way, to visit the wing, thought back on the Schmendrick Hospital. A place, which would live, in infamy, as an example of what does NOT work, in psychiatry. At the Schmendrick Hospital, it was thought that tought discipline would restore rational thought. Ofcourse, in those days, health inspectors did not exist, and judges actually rode circuits, visiting each town, about once every six months, to rule on any outstanding cases. Since the Schmendrick Hospital was "off the beaten track", the judge did not even know the hospital existed until he fell from a horse, and sprained an ankle. Since the Schmendrick Hospital was the ONLY medical center, within dozens of miles, the judge had been taken there, for treatment. Just as locals had hoped, once the judge got a first-hand look, at the hospital, he cabled Washington D.C., for a review panel. His rationale: "Learned collegues, while my legal training is in regards to criminal law, I would request that a review board be sent, to observe the Schmendrick Hospital. This, I request, since I have no record, of such a hospital existing. Next, I request this review, since I am un-schooled, in dealing with the mentally disturbed. I would ask that one of our leading medical schools send out a review bboard, to make sure all is correct." When the response came, from Washington, asking "What is this Schmendrick Hospital. We can find it listed in NO national, nor religious, journals." After the judge sent the location, of the hospital, and Washington sent a review panel, to see if the hospital actually existed (or, if the judge was just stir-crazy"), history says that the review panel had to sneak out of town, once discovered. Locals wanted the hospital. A place, where adults, and children, were beaten into submission. The treatment was the same, whether for meals, bathing, etc. Anyone, who did not obey, was beaten, until they complied. Thank Heavens. That was then, and this was now. While Doctor Rhoades had been brought to the administrators office, the fact that he was made to wait caused the doctor to use his credentials, to review the case, while awaiting the administrator. By the time the administrator DID have time, to converse, with Doctor Rhoades, Doctor Rhoades, quickly, turned the discussion, to the patient, at hand. When Doctor Rhoades pointed out "The man lives in a residential hotel. Why have the police not taken this into account, when collecting evidence?" The administrator would say "Doctor, WE did take that into evidence. That is why you are here. While the patients tox-screen turned up nothing out of the ordinary, the police found several needles, as well as some left-over bags. OUR staff did a full blood work-up, on the patient, then dismissed the drug stuff, once we noticed that the patient had none of the drug in his system." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What about the "witnesses"?" The administrator would say "While the police have their statements, on file, we remain skeptical. After all, atleast three witnesses, had blood-alcohol levels, above 3.0." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Any, sober, witnesses?" The administrator would say "None, so far." Then the administrator would say "Then, there is the problem, of the hotel video." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Why is video a problem?" The administrator would say "Since the hotel is a place for people to meet "lovers", there have been times, when theives have tried too "shake guests down". When Doctor Rhoades would say "Go on." The administrator would say "The hotels owners were fearful of being sued. They installed hidden camera's, so that guests would continue to patronize the hotel. After the thieves were caught, and convicted, the owners just left the camera's in place. What I am about to show you is the footage, from the hall, outside the patients room. My staff have, ofcourse, reviewed ALL of the footage, but here are the parts, which should interest you." With that, the administrator would call up the video footage, showing the man, coming in, after work, then not going out, again, until morning. When Doctor Rhoades would suggest "Pardon my asking but dont hotels have windows. Openings, which people may crawl out of." The administrator said "Thought of that. Checked the place out, then talked to the manager. Due to the past number, of "guests", who signed on, for rooms, then "ducked out" on bills, a previous owner had an alarm system installed, on the screens. It seems that seventeen people tried to skip, on bills, before people caught on. Oh, the windows remain fully functional, for allowing air-flow. The alarms only go off if the screens are cut, or removed." Doctor Rhoades would suggest "I take it that the patients screens were, never, tampered with?" The administrator would say "Correct. The only tie-ins seem to be witness descriptions, and D.N.A. collected." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I SEE the D.N.A. samples?" The administrator would say "Certainly. Right this way". It did not take long for Doctor Rhoades to agree with the staff, on the D.N.A. samples. Some of the samples were YEARS old, and from a time, long BEFORE the man moved in. Then, there was the problem, of the vampire costume. To this, the hospital administrator had stated "Doctor Rhoades, one of our FIRST thoughts was that the man had purchased the costume, to wear, during attacks. This way, after he was finished, with the costume, he could just throw it away." When Doctor Rhoades would, calmly, ask "That makes sense. Buy the supplies, commit the crime, then just throw away the evidence." The administrator would say "One problem. The materials, the police found, at each crime scene, did not match any of the cheap, Halloween, variety." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I ask?" The administrator would say "The cloth samples, the police found, DID contain traces, of the victims blood, but then comes the problem." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What prolem is that?" The administrator would say "The fabrics ALL came from high quality, expensive, garments. Sure, they can be purchased, with a credit card, but the deposit, and the PRICE, of the apparrel, are just beyond the means of a janitor. I mean that, in order to buy the costume, the janitor would not be able to pay his rent, for a YEAR." When Doctor Rhoades would nod agreement, then ask "What about rental?" The administrator would say "NO go, that way, either. While the person may have rented the costume, thhe problem was that, with blood stains, rips, and tears..." Doctor Rhoades would suggest "Not only would the deposit NOT be returned, but the rentor would be charged for clean up." When Doctor Rhoades would suggest "Too bad we cannot secure a list, of the mans apartments previous occupants." The administrator would say "Already applied for. Rationale: D.N.A. comparison. We await county, state, and federal, permission." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Where is the patient, now, and HOW is he doing?" The administrator would say "Since he arrived, all he does is read books, writes letters, to his children, promising to see them, again, and listens to classic rock." Then, the administrator would add "Doctor Rhoades, if I coulld be 100% certain, I would diagnose this as a frame-up." Doctor Rhoades would say "A distinct possibility." After visiting with the man, and conversing as though with a friend, Doctor Rhoades had asked "Why dont I let them take the guards off of your door?" The man seemed to grow fearful, as he said "What if I change, in my sleep, again. Who will protect patients, and staff, from me?" Questions, like this, proved one thing, to Doctor Johnathan Rhoades. Any patient, who was THIS concerned, over the welfare, of others, was NO danger. It was the patients, who would mention "They deserve to die", are the ones to be watched. After reviewing court records, at city hall, Doctor Rhoades would visit the mans ex-wife. While she, and her children, were not LIVING in their former luxury, Doctor Rhoades would notice that they were, not exactly, "charity cases", either. What the ex-wife DID complain about was the fact that, now that her husband had been "demoted", now the WOMAN had to take a job, to support her children. The woman even surprised Doctor Rhoades when she said "IF only HE had FOUGHT, to KEEP his job, we would noot be living, like this." When Doctor Rhoades would mention "Isn't it true, that your husbands EMPLOYER moves their operations, to another nation. One with cheaper labor, and no health laws?" The woman would say "THAT is NO excuse. IF my husband wanted to PROVE that he was a good husband, and father, he would have FOUGHT to keep his job, here." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I ask how?" The woman would wave this off, saying "A REAL man would KNOW how to deal with such situations. A REAL man would have taken action!" It was when Doctor Rhoades would ask "So, you wanted your husband to be involved in a kill, or be killed, situation?" When all the woman would say was "A REAL man would have FOUGHT, to the DEATH!" Doctor Rhoades would rise, calmly, saying "I will see myself out. Thank you for seeing me." The ex-wife would mention, again "Doctor, remember what I said. A REAL man would...." Doctor Rhoades had walked away, leaving the woman to talk to the air. Once away from her place, Doctor Rhoades would visit a local park, where he would light his pipe, then make more notes, in his journal. While husband appears about as "normal" as anyone CAN be, I am un-certain about his ex-wife. The woman, who divorced him, over his lss of income. The woman who, then, petitions the courts, to ORDER her ex to PAY her "maintenance costs", based upon his former pay. When the judge had asked the woman "HOW am I supposed to order your husband to pay four times his salary, when his new job, pays only a fifth of his, former salary?" The woman had scolded the judge, by repeating the tired banter of "A REAL man would KNOW!". While Doctor Rhoades would ponder this, a thought came to him. What if the ex-husband was NOT the one, committing the crimes. What if it was his ex-wife? The problem the doctor had, with this was that, even though the woman WAS severely opinionated, opinions do NOT kill. Doctor Rhoades just could not SEE the woman, dressing as her husband, taking down hulking men, then planting evidence, in her husbannds place. True, during times, of duress, almost all humans display a level, of strength, which, normally, was impossible. Since Doctor Rhoades KNEW that neither the police, nor hospital staff, woulld believe that a woman was capable, of such crimes, Doctor Rhoades contacted a woman, whom he knew, gave her the directions, and agreed to meet the woman, at his temporary place. The next day, and while the guards, and hospital video, showed the man was in his room, reading a book, the vampire re-appearred, and scared the daylight out of people. This, without saying one, SINGLE, word. It was only after locals fled, behind any objects they could find, that the vampire switched on a tape-recorder, only to have her own laughter nearly drown out the recorded, insane, laughter. It was only as the figure bent over, laughing, that locals began to wonder. This, even as Doctor Rhoades would approach the "vampire", who would, laughingly, ask "How did I do, doc?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Perfect." When locals came out of hiding, asking "What is going on, here?" Doctor Rhoades would say "An expeiment. I showed you something, and observed your reaction." When another voice asked "Reaction, to what?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Suggestion. Each of you are so wrapped up in the ideea, that a vampire is loose, in your community that, when I showed you what you THOUGHT was a vampire, you freaked." When another voice would say "Okay, smarty. If that is NOT a vampiree, beside you, then WHAT is it?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Correction. WHOM it is?" When the voice woulld ask "What?, WHOM? Whats the difference? Why did you make us look like fools?" Doctor Rhoades would say "I did no such thing. Your reactions were your own. I just observed your reactions. As to whom is behind this costume, I would be pleased to present Miss Heidi Brenker. Star of the stage, near my own home-town. Miss Brenkers own ambition is to become a broadway star." After Heidi removed her make-up, she would explain the process, of application, and why it takes five time LONGER to apply make-up, then to remove it. When a police officer would suggest "Doc, are you saying that someone, in this town, is DRESSING UP, like the man, and committing the crimes?" The answer, to this question, came from the Hall of Records. It was a multi-generational will. A will which, surprisingly, had clauses, such as "IF a married person is shown to be of un-sound mind, and body, then the property is transferred to their family. A family trust fund will, then, keep the property operating until other income may be located. This was when the police chief remembered something. "You know, thinking back, I remember that it was five, or was it ten, years ago, that the wife wore an expensive, vampire, outfit, to a costume party." When this "evidence" was presented, to the local judge, the judge, who woulld have sworn that the ex-wife was innocent, approved a search warrant. If nothing else, he hoped to prove that the wife was innocent. While the wife was at work, the police served her landlord, and searched the home. After the "lunch rush" was over with, twoo officcers came into the cafe, where the woman worked the early shift. When the ex-wife came to the table, asking "What can I get you boys?" An officer slipped the ex-wife a document. It was not until she opened it, then asked "What is this?" that the officer would give the womans full name, then say "You are under arrest, for...." Even at the police station, where the evidence was being catalogued, the ex-wife would insist "IF my husband were a REAL man, he would have handled this, without my assistance." When detectives told the woman "We have all the evidence that we need, to convict, at a jury trial. Unless you want to confess, or even if you dont, YOU, not your ex-husband, is going to jail. The woman would laugh as she said "You sure are behind the times. WOMEN can do what we please. We can tell men to kill themselves, by carbon monoxide, bury newborn infants, and even KILL our "sugar-daddies", when they stop financing us. NO judge will take any action, against a woman!" This is when a voice, through a loud-speaker, would say "Dont bet on that." When the woman asked the room "Just WHAT do you think WOMEN will say, if one of you "boys" tries to convict me?" This is when, to the womans horror, a light turned on, and the woman, in robes, would introduce herself, saying "I am Judge Judith Madison. Circuit Court Judge." When the woman would say "I DEMAND a male judge!" Judge Madison would say "It seems that no male judges are available." This is when reality "hit" the woman. By now, the police had searched her place, found her supplies, and were preparing the evidence. When the woman would say "I DEMAND bail!", Judge Madison would say "Not a chance." The ex-wifes trial would go "down in history". When the defense lawyer tried to say that it was impossible for the wife to turn herself into a vampire, just one hour, after departing work, Doctor Rhoades called in Heidi Brenker, asking the judge "Would the court allow Miss Brenker to apply her vampire attire, in the court room?" When the judge said "Let me guess. You want to prove that the task CAN be completed." The judge MIGHT have ruled against the suggestion. That is, until the ex-wifes attorney asked "Why are we wasting time, on this?" The judge would say "In that case, counselor, I will not only permit the demonstration, but I want it TIMED, as well. Once Heidi Brenkers equipment was brought into the court room, a deputy started his timer, while Heidi changed into a vampire. In under thirty minutes, the actress had changed herself into an un-dead. The judge ruled that, if Heidi Brenker could do it, so could the ex-wife. When the defense TRIED to plead that, in the time that the ex-husband had been in the hospital, there had been no more "vampire" attacks, the judge would say "Counselor, THAT is a very COMMON practice, among thieves, and other criminals. Shut down operations, while innocent people are being jailed, then return to "trade", after the goods are not found, and the innocent are released." Once the judge reviewed the husbands hospital records, and made her ruling, the ex-wife would have to be dragged from the court-room, kicking and screaming, that th house was hers. When the ex-husband was released, from the hospital, and asked Doctor Rhoades, the doctor would, only, say "Your wife THOUGHT she had it made. A career husband, lovely home, fine children. What she did not count upon was the "New World Order", and how this was encouraging businesses to LEAVE America, for lower wages. When her divorce plans back-fired, she decided to frame you, as a vampire." When the man asked "WHY? Even I did not know about the papers, until just now" Doctor Rhoades had said "As part of any patient review, doctors have the ethical right to review any, and all, paper-work. Add to that the fact that police found a copy, of the papers, at your exes house. A copy, which was, precisely, highlighted. We figured out her plan, with more than a little help from Miss Heidi Brenker." When the man would ask "What happens, now?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Most likely, a physc eval. Then, womens prison. She KNEW what she was doing." When the man asked "Me, and the children?" Doctor Rhoades would say "According to the document, you may bring in assistance, with the home, and children. I would suggest that you make that LONG-TERM help." When the man asked "What about when my ex-wife is released from prison?" Doctor Rhoades would say "I would not worry about that. She wont be eligible, for parole, maybe for decades to come." Final case-note: When the womans case went to Appeals court, her sentence was not only not over-turned, but it was, in fact, extended. This means that, under the "Three Strikes, and your OUT!" law, the woman would never be coming home. Not with seventeen felonies, on her record.

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 15 THE ACCUSED WITCH

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 15 Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, medical doctor, and licensed psychiatrist. A man who DARES to look PAST the obvious, and discover what is at the HEART, of patients conditions. The following is case-file number 15, of Doctor Rhoades highly unusual approach to treatment, of mental disorders. While working on the updates, of both my medical, and psychiatric, licenses, I would be contacted, regarding yet another, bizzarre, case. According to the case-file notes, it would seem that a young woman was being accused not only of "dark" witchcraft, but the same woman was, also, being accused of being "in league" with the Devil. What would interest me, in this case, was the "rationale", being utilized, in restraining the young woman. The file stated, very clearly, that the woman was being kept heavily sedated, that it was doubtful that she could, even dream. It seems that my "expertise", is being called upon, in an effort to determine just how "dangerous" this "witch" actually is. "It was when I reviewed the list of drugs, she was being pumped full of, that I decided not to wait for my license renewals to be processed prior to heading out, on this case. My own rationale, for my actions, was that fact that, with the drugs, which the young woman was being pumped full of, it would not be long before the womans higher brain functions began to shut down. If this happened, one of the two, following, scenarios would occur. In a "best case" scenario, the womans body would shut down, completely, and she would die. "Worst case" scenario would leave the woman a "vegetable", for the rest of her life. While even **I** know that it is not legal, for a doctor to administer care, until credentials are re-certified, my priority was that of, possibly, saving a persons life. This is why I ignored the law, and travelled, to see the patient. (This, and the fact that my services HAD been REQUESTED) If need be, I would, later, argue that all I had done was CONSULT. I had no intention of acting, medically, unless the situation, absolutely, dictated. Upon arrival, at the facility, I was relieved when I noticed how "hush-hush" everything, regarding this patient, was being handled. It was not, however, until I entered the "conference", with the womans doctors, that I realized how FLAWED the "diagnosis" was. From the moment, when I was told "Danica is being treated for..." I could not believe my ears. Here, a group, of 21st century medical people were resorting to colonial superstition, for answers to a case which had, not yet, even developed. Danica was being kept under heavy sedation due to the following information: 1) Danica's FULL name 2) Her parents names 3) Danica's place of birth 4) the DATE, and TIME, of Danica's birth As well as some skin dis-colorations. Add in the coincidence, of Danica's full name, and the religious, of the local population felt certain that, even if Danica were not, already, "in league", with the Devil, it would be just a matter of time. After hearing the "diagnosis", Doctor Johnathan Rhoades would have to step outside the hospital, to clear his head. Still, Doctor Rhoades knew his next step would be the medical library. This, because Doctor Rhoades, seriously, doubted that legends, and curses, would be listed, on the internet. Since his current, medical, license remained valid, Doctor Rhoades would ask for a pass, to the medical library. (A library which, fortunately, was in a building, seperate from the hospital.) Inside the library, Doctor Rhoades would set to work, on the accusations, facing Danica. This, Doctor Rhoades would do while lighting his favorite, herbal, tobacco, in his pipe. It was not long, however, before the doctor found what he was looking for. Namely, the source, of the legend, surrounding Danica's condition. It was a legend, dating back atleast 350 years. Supposedly, some woman, in the distant past, made a supposed prediction. It would seem that the prediction was most timely. The legend implied that, when the woman could not PROVE that she was NOT a witch, she was sentenced to be burned, at the stake. When she realized that even her closest friends had abandoned her (probably to protect themselves), she decided that "IF I am to be convicted, why not make my accusers PAY!" It would seem that, with this, apparently, in mind, the "witch" had cast a curse upon the village. A curse, it seems, which fell upon Danica's head. It seems that the "witch" had said something like "The day will come, when thou shalt PAY for this injustice." She had, then, supposedly, added Danica's name, birth date, and place, and promising that the Devil would "have his due". For centuries, it seems that villagers, then towns-people, and, finally, the local community, had lived in fear of when the curse would return, to haunt them. Now, these people, actually, believed that Danica was the answer to the curse. All they had to do was "control" her, and Satan would be left caged in the under-world. Danica's mind was to be destroyed, just so an ancient curse could not be fulfilled. When Doctor Rhoades would visit the doctors, again, asking when Danica could be brought out of her coma, so that Doctor Rhoades could interview the woman, and her doctors questioned the wisdom, of, possibly, letting Satan loose, from the underworld, Doctor Rhoades had asked "Do you intend to do this same thing, every time a girl is born, under similar circumstances?" When the doctors had no response, Doctor Rhoades would ask "Let ME talk to her. I want to learn what Danica's intentions are?" When a doctor, un-expectedly snapped up, asking "What do you plan to do when she un-leashes Satan upon us?" Doctor Rhoades would smile as he said "I will, probably, smile at him, and ask if he wants to sit in, on our discussion." When another doctor would say "You dont care what happens, to OUR lives. WE will have to LIVE with the fall out, from your actions." Doctor Rhoades would ask "What if I make a deal, where any "harm", which Satan MIGHT do, is left, totally, upon MY shoulders?" The doctors seemed to chorus "We want that in WRITING." Doctor Rhoades just hoped that the agreement was made in time. If he did not act fast enough, Danica would become brain-dead. With written liability signed, Doctor Rhoades would be allowed to bring Danica out of her coma. This, while a squad, of armed guards, stood, ready, nearby. Its a funny thing, about demons, monsters, and so on. They, never, keep to a schedule. No matter what Christianity says, these creatures do NOT come, when called. Like humans, the supernatural has its OWN schedule. This was proven when Danica began to revive, yet, un-like the movies, nothing began floating, moving about, no chains rattling, etc. When the girl asked "What am I doing here? Who are you?" Doctor Rhoades knew that these were GOOD questions. They proved, atleast to Doctor Rhoades, that the girl was in control of her own body. After Doctor Rhoades introduced himself, that asked Danica "Would you like to talk?" When Danica would ask "About what?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "You choose the subject." Just as Doctor Rhoades expected, as the drugs wore off, Danica left her bed, stretched, walked about the room, then asked if Doctor Rhoades wanted to walk outside the hospital. When a nurse brought a wheelchair, Doctor Rhoades would promise Danica "Only until we are outside" Danica would agree to this. Once outside, and in fresh air, Danica would ask Doctor Rhoades "WHY was I being kept, in there?" Doctor Rhoades would ask "What is the last thing you remember, clearly?" Danica would say "I remember that, as a particular date drew near, neighbors began looking at me, in a weird way." When Doctor Rhoades entered "interview mode", calming his voice, then asking "In what way were these people acting weird?" Danica would say "It was like, when they looked at me, they were acting like I was a Klingon, or a creature, from science fiction." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Did anyone say anything about WHY this was happening?" Danica would say "That was the weird part. No matter who I tried to approach, to ask what was going on, people ran away, as if I was this disgusting creature." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Did your parents say anything?" Danica would say "Not to me. Not directly, anyway." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Explain?" Danica would say "One evening, not long ago, I overheard a conversation. Something about preventing a curse from coming true." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Anything in particular? Any NAMES mentioned?" Danica would say "All I know is that I heard my father saying "Ridiculous", and "Coincidence", more than a few times. Someone else, whom I didn't recognize, kept saying "We cannot take the chance!" When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What happened, next?" Danica would say "I remember going to bed, one night. It was late. My parents were, already, in bed." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "I am curious. You are a grown adult. Why do you not have a place of your own?" Danica would say "Money. I just dont make enough money to leave home, yet. Once I have a regular job, I will have enough money, to leave home." When Doctor Rhoades would say "I apologize, for diverting your attention. May we, now, continue, with your last memories?" Danica would say "Last thing I remember was looking out of my bedroom window, at the stars. After that, the next thing I saw was you, standing over my bed, introducing yourself." Since Satan had decided NOT to show up, for the meeting, Doctor Rhoades would return Danica to her room, for some more rest. After this, Doctor Rhoades would retire, to his quarters, to file his notes. "Patient brought out of drug-induced coma. Relieved to find that even massive amounts, of drugs, have not diminished her mental faculties. As to the coincidence, of her name, and other information, I question the reliability, of the sources, of information. After all, thanks to computers, and digital photography, people are able to create anything they want to. What concerns me, most, is the "rationale", of the past, and present, in condemning people of crimes. I am concerned over the fact that, according to past "records", a woman was burned, alive, for no other reason than that she could not prove that she was NOT a "witch". Now, centuries later, a young woman had been, dangerously, sedated, since she could not PROVE that she was NOT "in league" with Satan. Just HOW was a person supposed to prove that they were not "in league", with Satan? Did people, REALLY, expect Satan to appear, place its claw on a Bible, and, under oath, state "This human is NOT "in league", with me."? Even in this "Age of Enlightenment", too many people are far too willing to fall back on primitive beliefs, rather than work from facts. The only thought I have, so far, is to "call out" those, who would accuse Danica, and question their judgement. Soon after this, while Doctor Rhoades was out, in the community, a very frightened woman would come to the doctor, asking "How LONG are you going to leave her loose, to do her evil?" When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What evil is that?" The woman would, while shaking, say "She is in league, with the Devil." When Doctor Rhoades would ask the woman "What makes you say that?" The woman would whisper "The curse." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Why do you think there is a curse?" The woman would whisper "The good reverend, at the church. He says that Satans evil is upon us. We must make our tithes, unto Heaven." Now, Doctor Rhoades KNEW where his next stop would be. Just to be on the safe side, however, the doctor asked for an appointment, with the minister. (No need to frazzle the man, with a sudden appearance). To Doctor Rhoades surprise, the minister seemed happy to meet with the doctor. What would come to annoy Doctor Rhoades, about the meeting was that, no matter how much Doctor Rhoades tried to keep the meeting professional, the minister just kept spouting scripture, and quoting ancient documents. When Doctor Rhoades would ask the minister "What is your basis for believing these documents to be accurate?" All the minister would say was "My belief in the almighty." When Doctor Rhoades had asked "But, HOW do you KNOW that the events, listed, in the documents, are accurate?" The minister would, only, say "My FAITH, in the Lord." When Doctor Rhoades would try asking "Were you there, when the documents were being recorded?" The minister would ask "How OLD do you think I am?" When Doctor Rhoades would say "Precisely." The minister would seem un-settled, as he would ask the doctor "Were YOU there?" Doctor Rhoades would smile as he would say "I will admit, here and now, that I was not born until centuries after these entries were written. I, therefore, have no proof that what is written is, actually, the truth." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What about you? Can you say the same?" The minister seemed to hesitate, for some moments, before saying "All I have is my faith, in the Lord, above. If his word is not good enough, for you, then I can be of no assistance, to you." This, Doctor Rhoades would take to mean "No, doctor. I was NOT there." Doctor Rhoades would then shake hands, with the priest, and depart the church. As he departed the church, Doctor Rhoades would have another of his "visions". This one, seemingly, split between the distant past, and the present. (n the vision, Doctor Rhoades would witness the clergy, bringing together villagers, for the human bon-fire. The vision was, without a doubt, of colonial times. This, Doctor Rhoades, knew was due to the type of clothing, the people wore. Doctor Rhoades would witness a woman, either half out of her mind, with fear (or a very good actress), who had come before the church, to denounce another woman, for witchcraft. Doctor Rhoades would observe how the villagers, and the church, would, QUIETLY, rouse the villagers, to bring the accused, before justice. Juts as this was playing out, in colonial times, the vision shifted, to the modern day, with the minister asking staff to "Call together all of those, who have sworn faith, unto the Lord." In a sort-of split-screen image, Doctor Rhoades would watch as both the ancient woman, and Danica, would be brought before judgement. The "trick", which the clergy used, to convict the suspected, was for the clergy to read from the LATIN version, of the Holy Scriptures, then make this demand, upon the accused: "Unless thy can PROVE, via repeating my words, in the English tongue, that thy are "gospel", thy souls will stand condemned, for witchcraft." The only reason why Doctor Rhoades knew the language was because ALL doctors are trained, in Latin. This has been commonplace, since medicine became an actual profession. Doctor Rhoades KNEW that he could not aid the colonial woman. She had been burned, alive, centuries ago. What Doctor Rhoades could not understand was the reason why the vision was shifting between past, and present. All he could do was watch as Danica was asked to recite the verse, only to have to ask "What language is that?" In the vision, Doctor Rhoades watched as the frightened populace, lead by the local minister, would order the guards to "Strip her down, to her basics (underwear). Let the cleansing fire, of the Lord, take her soul." Doctor Rhoades would, then, watch as the fires were lit and, as she women began to cry out, in mortal agony, the ministers would shout "Confess your sins, WITCH! Confess!" When villagers, both past, and present, would turn away, from the fires, the ministers would proclaim "Only the Un-righteous turn away, from gods justice!". Only after witnessing the bodies, being burned, until only the bones remained, did the vision end. Now, Doctor Johnathan Rhoades KNEW what fate Danica's community had prepared, for her. The question was: Could Doctor Rhoades reach Danica BEFORE the mob arrived, or would the girl face the fate, which his vision had shown the doctor. Since Doctor Rhoades had understood, since his arrival, that the doctors, at the local hospital, were just as religiously paranoid, as the church, and community, were, Doctor Rhoades had only one choice, in the matter. Doctor Rhoades had to get Danica OUT of this town, and to a place, where she would be safe. The doctor just hoped that, for their own safety, that Danica's parents would come along, as well. If Doctor Rhoades was correct, and the town could not burn Danica, the towns-people would turn on her parents, next. Before local cell-phone service, un-expectedly, cut out, Doctor Rhoades had time to call Danica's parents, and give a quick review, before the call was cut, to "No Service". In what was no less than a "race, against time", Doctor Rhoades would race to the family home, where, even as the doctor assisted Danica's father, with loading his truck, while the doctor rushed to load his car, by the time the two cars were ready to speed away, flaming torches could be seen, in the distance. (Talk about taking history far too seriously. It was obvious that these people had forgotten about their motor vehicles. Either that or the church had convinced them that foot travel was more "gospel".) Just as the doctor had HOPED the mob would do, as the two vehicles sped away from town, far above the posted limit, a lonely state police trooper would watch, and wonder, as someone fired flaming arrows, at the fleeing automobiles. In fact, the pursuit did not end until some flaming arrows hit a tree, and the trooper had to call in the fire department. Now that a crime had been committed, the trooper could get involved. Sure enough, it was not until locals saw the state troopers flashing lights that they "peeled off", and the two vehicles stopped, for the officer. The officer had to wonder if his hearing was playing tricks when, as he exited his cruiser, he thought he heard the word "Witch." being repeated, over and over, in the distance. Once Doctor Rhoades showed the officer his credentials, even the doctor could see the look, on the officers face, as the chant continued. When the officer asked "Doc?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "May we take this conversation someplace, safe? Maybe your headquarters?" To the doctors relief, the trooper agreed. Before departing the location, the trooper would call in, to base, saying "I think we have some religious zealots, out here. Tell the fire department to exercise caution." By eleven a.m., the next morning, statements had been taken, and charges, of Speeding, were dropped, since it was obvious that the doctor had been trying to GAIN police attention. The slightly-worse news was that the flaming arrows had started quite a fire. Maybe 10,000, in damage. Mostly from tree's, which had burned, when they caught fire, as burning tree's collapsed, on the other tree's. The worst news was, exactly what Doctor Rhoades had feared. Since the local community had no witch, to burn, locals had settled for burning the family home to the ground. As the state trooper told the survivors "While we believe that it was, in fact, Arson, we must do things correctly. According to the law. While awaiting the full damage/loss report, Doctor Rhoades would, finally, receive the message, which he had been waiting for. His credentials had been recertified. Doctor Rhoades could, again, legally, practice medicine. The real question, for all concerned, in Danica's case, was the question of "Where does the family go, from here?" They could NOT go home. Doctor Rhoades would make some calls, and find the family temporary lodgings. From there, it would be up to them as to how to proceed. With her parents standing behind her, Danica would ask Doctor Rhoades "Do you think there is any truth to the old stories? I mean, to the stories, of a womans name avenging itself" Doctor Rhoades would say "Who knows? About the only thing I am certain of is that each of us makes our OWN decisions. No one can curse another into doing evil. We, each, have freedom of will." When Danica would ask "So, you dont believe that the so-called "witch" cast a curse, in the past?" Doctor Rhoades would say "I do believe that the woman MAY have said SOME-ting. Was it a curse? I cannot say." When Danica would ask "How do we find out?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "Why not continue your life, in the present, and let the future take care of itself?" When Danica agreed, Doctor Rhoades would pack his car, and depart. His part, of this case, was concluded. Now, the future was up to Danica to decide. Final case note: While a further investigation would reveal that the victims, of seven, human, bon-fires, had made statements, while burning, alive, the problem remains the reliability of the recorders. In the modern day, recorders can be rigged, to play messages back, in an order, different from what was, actually, recorded. So to with historical documents. How can we know that what was recorded was actual fact (and not dogma, to support a certain view-point?) Ofcourse, the primary exceptions, to this, would include America's Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and so on. All of these being public documents. As for "private", including church, documents, I am un-certain of how much is FACT, and how much is INTERPRETATION. Were actual witches burned at the stake? Were the victims simply women who could not prove that they were not Satans servants? Un-like most clubs, including Playboy, which give members either I.D. cards, or pendants, I am un-certain of if Satan has Hades issue membership cards. HOW does one prove that they are NOT what they are accused of being?

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE #14

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 14 Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, medical doctor, and licensed psychiatrist. A man who DARES to look PAST the obvious, and discover what is at the HEART, of patients conditions. The following is case-file number 14, of Doctor Rhoades highly unusual approach to treatment, of mental disorders. Case-file 14 has started me thinking about my own time, in high school. A violent time, when the only thing that boys understood was resolving all conflicts, with fists. Beatings, terrorism, and so on, seem to be just as much a part, of any students high school nightmare, as lunch period. As I begin reviewing the file, on a de-certified high school, I find myself remembering my own high school experience. Boy! What a nightmare that was. Just because I wanted to live, in peace, and pursue my studies, my class-mates made my school years a living HELL. Everything, from calling me a homosexual, right to my face, to slapping my books out of my hands (While teachers ignored all such activity). I, also, remember the day, when a bully decided that, since he decided that I HAD to be homosexual, simply because he SAID so, the bully dragged me off, of school property, beat me, severely, and left me, for others to find. Naturally, the school took the bullies side, saying "Its all part, of growing up." While the school ignored three more beatings, asking "HOW can we take such control of students actions?", the bully made one, serious, mistake. One which the school could NOT dismiss. The day before graduation, the bully had caught me, ON school grounds, and, just as I was healing, from a previous beating, the bully had beat me, severely, while calling me a homosexual, while saying that I had no right, either to live, or to graduate. When I was presented, beaten, and bleeding, to the assembly, with the boys vice princial asking the graduation assembly "Is THIS, really, what we want to let loose, on the world? This type, of barbarism?" Only the bullies parents would speak in favor of brute force, saying "Homosexuals have NO RIGHT to live. We need to get RID of them." When the vice principal would ask "And just HOW do you know that this student is a homosexual?", the bullies mother would say "My son says that this whimp REFUSES to FIGHT, or KILL, for what he wants. How can such a "person" be considered an adult, if they are not willing to KILL, for what they want?" That year, the graduation ceremony would take two hours longer than usual, as the vice principal would try to explain, to parents that, being peaceful is NOT a show, of cowardice. After all, it was peace lovers, who gave America our space program, as well as the PEACE corps. After two hours, of discussion, the brute had stood, grabbed the vice principal, growled "Give me my diploma, or I break your head." The bully, soon, found himself, in hand-cuff's, and being led away, by security. That was the day when Johnathan Rhoades discovered that, while he enjoyed sports, he wanted to help people understand emotions, and problems, even more than playing sports. The vice principal had been the driving force behind Johnathan Rhoades entering medical school. The vice principal, who rationalized, and explained, things. By the agreement, of all, present, the graduation photo's would be taken AFTER all class members were healed, of all beatings. Now, I am about to re-live some of the worst memories, of my entire life. For some reason, the fact that I was, now, a grown adult, did not seem to make any difference to the child, within. That part, of me, which remembered, all too well, the beatings, and name-calling. The part, which remembered how public school dis-couraged reports, of beatings, by FORCING victims, of abuse, to face abusers. (The schools made a point of NEVER mentioning the fact that, when bullies, twice the size of victims, were brought before victims, that bullies, openly, smashed fists together, while threatening victims into silence by threatening things like "Well, RUNT!") I would have loved to say, at this point, that this was, all, in the past, except that Americans KNOW better. From a case, where a terrorized teen climbed a tower, then plummetted, to her death (after being terrorized, by class-mates), to the case of a young man, who was, also, terrorized, into committing suicide, via carbon monoxide poisoning. This terrorism, the girl had committed, via text-messaging the victim that life would be better, with-OUT him in it. Between beatings, and verbal, abuse, too many teens were being terrorized into taking their own lives. This, while bullies would say "They had no right to live, if they refuse to KILL for what they want." From the moment, when I arrived, in town, and visited the site, of the trouble, I could "hear" the cries, of victims, coming to me. Via the "third eye", I could "see" the bullies, thrusting students against lockers, beating the students, even while insulting students. I, also, "heard" the parents, of bullies, telling school staff "If those whimps are too scared to fight, to the death, then get them OUT of this school. I only want my kids in a school, where students are not afraid to draw blood." Even without entering the schools grounds, I could FEEL the agony, which students suffered in this "house of torture". It was not until my laptop reminded me of the appointment, with the local school board, that I proceeded away from this "chamber of horrors". Even before I met, with the school board, I KNEW what I was going to be asked to do, and that I would be provided no time to complete my duties. Also, I knew, from past experience, that, when the board would decide to, simply demolish the building, that this would do NOTHING, to settle the spirits. Too many people remained of the belief that, if a building were, simply, demolished, that this would end all spectral activity. How very WRONG these people were. When spirits are bound, to a location, it does not matter if the land holds a house, gas station, casino, hotel, police station. Not even hospitals are safe, if built on such sites. No, the only way to deal with such problems is to engage the spirits, and let them tell their stories. Once their story is told, then they can be "released", from this plane. I, still, remember the time when someone asked "Why cant we just use "bug-zappers", to get rid of the spirits?" Then, there was the time when someone asked "Whats the point in talking to a person who has been dead for over a century. Everyone, involved, in whatever happened, is dead. The dead cannot be prosecuted. Whats the point?" Doctor Johnathan Rhoades knew that he was walking into a similar situation, in regards to this building. This, the doctor could sense, as he entered council chambers, and prepared for the obvious discussion. Doctor Rhoades had heard it, all, before. On atleast four, seperate, cases. The city council would inform the doctor that the high school was closed, due to falling behind modern building codes. Since there was no money, for renovations, the building was condemned, to demolition. Just one problem: A council member would state "Someone is sabotaging our work, to date." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "In what way?" Another council member would say "Would you believe it. In some cases, batteries are drained, even when freshly off of chargers." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What else has been happening?" When the mayor, himself, would ask "What makes you think that MORE is going on?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Come now, you dont invite a psychiatrist to visit, just because a few batteries have died. Whats REALLY, going on?" Another member, of the council, would admit "Yes, there has been more. We just dont know how twenty, and thirty, ton construction equipment is being turned on its side." When another member, of the council, would add "Workers are claiming to hear voices, on the job site." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What KIND of voices?" The mayor would say "The "its all in your head", kind of voices. Workers claim to hear things, but nothing is, ever, caught on recorders." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Just WHEN did the council notice that the school was falling behind code guide-lines?" The mayor would say "About the time when we had planned to renovate the old building into a gambling resort." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "May I ask WHERE you are sending your high schoolers?" A council member would say "The council voted on giving voters a choice. Either parents could PAY to send their children, to other schools, or parents could PAY for the schools modernization." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How much modernization does the school need?" a council member would say "Enough to warrant a general overhaul. Last year, alone, workers replaced MORE light bulbs, in that building, than in the rest of the district, all together." When Doctor Rhoades would, again, ask "What do you need a psychiatrist for?" This is when the mayor would say "Sir, at this point, this meeting is, completely, OFF the record." When Doctor Rhoades would say "I understand." The following conversations would, never, take place. "Doctor Rhoades, when this council decided that it would be most cost-efficient to tear down the school, we began sending in workers, to survey the property, and offer bids. Bids for both demolition, and construction." Another council member would add "While there is no, definite, proof, contractors keep informing this council that work crews are run off school property. Get this, seven contractors have claimed that the students came out of nowhere, chased the workers away, with 2X4's, and, in a few cases, even beat on workers." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Did anyone give a REASON, for the attacks?" A council member would say "Atleast a few workers have told us that "students", who have threatened workers, with weapons, have claimed that the school is THEIR property." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Is there any verification, of this?" The mayor would say "Doctor, no amount, of "spookiness", is going to stop this project. All we want you to do is go to the site, and tell the "spooks" to find another place to haunt. The city NEEDS gambling, MORE than it needs "ghosts"." When Doctor Rhoades would TRY to explain that it was not that simple, and the mayor would say "Fine. We will find ano..." And this is when another, council member would state "Mayor, we have called in over a dozen others. The answers never change. How many more do we invite in?" When the mayor would growl, at the council member "Pack up your office, after this meeting. You are no-longer part of this council." When the mayor looked at the other members, of the council, saying "All agreed", in the same manner as a high school bully would force a victim into silence, by saying "If you want to live..." While Doctor Rhoades was accustomed to hearing his hosts say things like "Sir, your services will not be required, after all", not until now was the doctor told "Pack your sh*t, and get OUT of this town. We will handle this, our own selves." After Doctor Rhoades had departed the council chamber, and was headed for his car, that a council member caught up with him. When the council-woman, a woman named Mary, would catch up to, and walk with, the doctor, Mary would inform the doctor "Sir, I want to apologize for the mayors actions. He has been this way, since high school. He handles ALL situations, with the delicacy of a hammer." When Doctor Rhoades would ask Mary "What do you THINK is going on, in that building?" Mary would shudder as she said "I prefer not to think of those days." Doctor Rhoades would say "Let me guess. Shy, young, woman. Not much into men. Prefer learning, to dating. Want to know about life, beyond both the back seat of a car, and the maternity ward. No doubt labelled a lesbian." When Mary would ask "How can you know all of this?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Not all boys are bent on "fighting/killing" others. Some of us actually preferred to study. We were the ones the bullies enjoyed beating on, on a regular basis. They just could not stand that we did not see violence, as a "solution". Personally, I was declared a homosexual, more times than I can remember." When Mary would ask "What can we do?" Doctor Rhoades would say "All we CAN do is try to make contact, and ease the transition, from life, to the hereafter." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "By the way, what did the other doctors have to say, about the problem?" Mary would say "The same thing you have said. This is why the mayor just wanted to bulldoze the place. He thinks that, once the building is gone, that the spirits will evaporate, or something like that". When Doctor Rhoades would invite Mary out, for coffee, asking "Just wondering. Why has the city not tried remote controlled equipment?" Mary would say "Third team TRIED this. The machines worked, fine, untill within one hundred feet, of the building." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What happens, at that point?" Mary would say "Different things, at different times. Sometimes, lines go down. Other times, the machines just turn off. Only ONCE, and I would swear to this, even in church, did the equipment turn on the contractors, and not stop, until the machines were, fully, off of school property. I still cant believe that I saw it." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How many members, of the council, actually support the mayor?" Mary would say "If you mean "respect" him, as a "leader", then no one." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Then, why not OVERRIDE him? Remove him from office?" Mary would say "You dont understand. The man uses ONLY his FISTS, to solve all problems. This is how he got the mayors job. He said he wanted it, then he beat his competition half to death, in order to win." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "What did the police have to say, about this?" Mary would say "During their teen years, the boys, who became our head police officers, were beaten, often, by the future mayor. The brute told the boys "If any of you, ever, stand against me, I will KILL you, then have a brew." Doctor Rhoades would summarize "So, he "leads" by terrorizing the community. Now, he has to deal with someone he cant just beat to death." Mary would say "Thats about the size of it. He keeps saying that, if they were real, he could have pounded them into the ground, long ago. Question is, HOW does one beat on a ghost?" After his extensive conversations, with Mary, Doctor Rhoades would contact other members, of the community. What the doctor found was a growing pattern of intimidation, by the mayor. Those, including the council member, and Mary, who had spoken to the doctor, before the mayor could stop them, were found, beaten, severely, shortly thereafter. When Doctor Rhoades found that other locals seemed terrified, to even be SEEN, with the doctor, this is when Doctor Rhoades used his "third eye" to see beyond the surface. Sure enough, the doctor was correct. The mayor was, literally, going door-to-door, threatening the people, of the town. His "pitch" was "IF I find out that you have spoken to that doctor, I will beat you, and your family, into the ground. No one is to know what, really, happened, in that school, understand?" When Doctor Rhoades would notice that his "third eye" was being "dragged" to the school building, the doctor allowed the vision to guide him. What he discovered, in that vision, was pure pain, and suffering. The largest, and most powerful, students, were beating the other students, daily. This, while faculty "turned a blind eye", not wanting to see what was going on, about them. It was at this point when Doctor Rhoades realized what was, really, happening, inside the school building. This was not an "intelligent" haunt. This was the combined pain, and suffering, from all those years, when bullies TERRORIZED other students. While the people may have graduated, and moved on, with their lives, the pain, and suffering, remained. It was like a wound, which had never healed. It only got worse as newer batches, of bullies, and victims, were "sentenced" to this un-holy place. The agony, inflicted, by newer bullies, only added to the pain, and suffering, which was, already, present. Newer victims pain added to that, already, present. Never before had Doctor Rhoades experienced such agony. The tortured PAIN, of the victims. The laughter, of truimph, of the bullies, as they BEAT victims into submission. In the vision, there was one scene, which played, five times over, before Doctor Rhoades was made to understand. In the vision, no less than four bullies beat a student, bloody, then picked the victim up, off the floor, saying "If you tell ANY-body, about this..." It was not until the fifth round that Doctor Rhoades would wonder "Why am I seeing a repeat, of the same event?" This is when a young, female, spirit, would come to the doctor, saying "Doctor, this is NOT a re-play. The boys did this, many times. Anytime they found someone, who did not fit their standards." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How many students DID the bullies assault?" The spirit would say "Too many to count. And this vision is only about the boys. You should see what the bullies did, to the girls." When Doctor Rhoades would say "I am afraid to ask." The young, female, spirit, who would say "By the way, my name is Anna", would lead the doctor into a new vision, of horror. A vision, in which the bullies, both male AND female, would terrorize female students, by insisting that the girls were lesbians, ugly, etc. This, the bullies (of bothh sexes) did, until their victims either committed suicide, of PROVED their womanhood, to the heckling bullies. After terrifying the girls into submission, the bullies (both male AND female) would "take turns", with the victims. After the boys had their "fun", the girls would be warned "If you breath one word, about this..." When Doctor Rhoades would ask Anna "What happened, to the girls?" Anna would show the doctor visions, of girls, committing suicide, to be free of the bullies. Other girls ran away, since the bullies were the schools star ball players. (NO WAY was the school going to condemn star athletes, for such things) For those girls, who turned up pregnant, the bullies, simply, drove the girls as far from town as possible, then used baseball bats, pipes, and so on, to beat their victims to death. (The last sounds the victims would hear would be the bullies, laughing, as they beat the life out of their victims.) The bodies would, then, be dumped into the deepest hole, that the boys could dig, and the girls would, then, be listed as "Missing/Presumed Runaway". When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How many girls are buried, here?" Anna would say "Maybe a few dozen." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "If the girls are buried, here, WHY are the spirits back on school property?" Anna would say "That is where students were terrorized. That is where the intimidation began." It was about this time, when the spirit, of a boy, named Robert, would join the vision, saying "Doctor Rhoades, IF your intent is to assist us, then meet me at entrance three, of the building, at 10 a.m." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Why 10 a.m.?" Robert would say "10 a.m. is the time when I was beaten to death." At 10 a.m., the next day, Doctor Rhoades would be surprised when even the mayor, as well as th city council, turned out, for Robert's appearance. When Doctor Rhoades heard the mayor muttering "I swear, if that punk says one word..." It was when Doctor Rhoades would ask the mayor "WHAT is it that you dont want Robert to tell us?" Doctor Rhoades saw the mayor, visibly, gritting his teeth. When Robert would appear, Doctor Rhoades noticed how surprised, and shocked, the council members seemed, when the mayor shouted "Go to HELL! You worthless homosexual." When Mary would ask "Whats wrong with the ghost appearing?", it would be Robert's spirit which would say "Ladies, and gentlemen, I will explain. The reason why the mayor is so..." The mayor would shout "Shut up! or else!" Robert would smile as he asked "Or else, what? You killed me, years ago. What can you do, to my ghost?" To the surprise, of everyone, present, the mayor, actually, lunged at the ghost, which vanished, then shifted position, while the mayor fell on the ground. When Mary would ask Robert "You were saying that they killed you?" The mayor would yell "SHUT UP!" and "Dont listen to that homosexual." The police deputy, who had agreed to join the group, to prevent any trickery, pulled his side-arm, pointed it at the mayor, then said "Sit still, and shut up. **I** want to hear this, as well." When Doctor Rhoades would ask Robert "Please continue." Robert would say "I remember that the morning was damp. I had, just, stepped out side my parents house, to collect the morning paper, when four of them jumped me. For some reason, they wore masks, even though there wore those see-through jackets. They dragged me to this spot, where we, now, stand." When the mayor would scream "SHUT UP!", the deputy would pistol-whip the man, saying "One more word..." (Even Doctor Rhoades could see the deadly vengenance, in the mayors eyes.) When another council member would say "You were saying something about this spot." Robert would say "Dig four feet down. You will find my remains." This is when another council member would ask the mayor "Is THIS why, when the sewer depertment wanted to run a line through here, that you paid, out of pocket, for the 25 foot extension?" The fury, in the mayors eyes, boiled, like the sun. Still, with the deputies weapon pointed at him, the mayor was silent. When Doctor Rhoades would use his calming voice, to ask Robert "I have "seen" the others, in my visions. How many, of you, are trapped, here?" Robert would say "Atleast 200. All of the sorrow, from all those years, of abuse." When the city council members would ask "What can we do, to help these, poor, souls?" The mayor would, no-sooner, say "Let those whimps rot in HELL!" when the deputy would punch the mans "lights out". Since Doctor Rhoades could think of only two solutions, to the problem, his, first, request, went to Robert. The doctor would ask "Son, would the other spirits be willing to aid us, in finding their bodies?" The semi-transparent spirit would say "I dont see why not. Can I tell them that you promise a religious type burial?" To Doctor Rhoades surprise, the council members would say "Absolutlely", almost as one. While even Doctor Rhoades knew that bullies are, seldom, "brainy", relying in their fists, more than thought, Doctor Rhoades would be amazed at the care, which the brutes had used, in disposing of their victims bodies. Not one body was found at a depth of less than 4.5 feet down. While the remains were catalogued, with most, including Robert, being identified, by dental records, the remains were placed on display, on the high school, football field. While the police took dozens of "Missing" pictures off of the boards, in police headquarters, family members used the last pictures, of the deceased, taken by school photographers, to decorate each closed casket. The mayor would be the only bully to be arrested. Two, of the others, were, already, in prison, on various charges. The rest were dead, of various reasons. While, for Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, seeing the dead appear, first as whisps, of smoke, then as full, human, forms, was nothing new. By contrast, for the people, of this community, it was a very emotional moment. Parents, grand-parents, and siblings, said final "goodbyes", to the deceased. One, young, woman, a one-time pom-pom, came to Doctor Rhoades, asking "HOW can we, ever, repay you, for this?" Doctor Rhoades would tell the spirit, calmly, "Visit your family, give them your love, then move off, into eternity. I am sure your family will be happy, for you." About this time, the spirit, and the doctor, would hear a young man saying "Mom, I'm already dead. What does it matter what I look like." When his living mother would say "MY boy, you are going to meet the Lord. You need to look your best." The pom-pom's spirit would say "Mothers! What can we do, about them?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Sorry, not my department." As the souls waived farewells, then dissolved, back into whisps of smoke, this time, headed UP, to Heavens gates, Doctor Rhoades knew one thing, which was helpful to so many. That was the memorial wall, on which had been stapled the pictures, of the missing, and the dead. Candles fluttering, in soft radiance. With the deceased now laid to rest, the school could be re-opened. Due to the PAIN, caused by bullying, the city council would come down, HARD, on the school board, insisting that bullies be placed in schools, apart from "normal" students. Final case-note: This case feels more like a PERSONAL release, than a professional one. Even my own nightmares, of high school bullying, seem to be tapering off. I only hope that other schools will learn to seperate the most violent students from those who wish nothing more than an education. Where will my next case take me? Who can say?