#6 - The lurker among the trees

It’s Sally here. I’ve been sitting on something for a while, trying to make sense of it, but now I feel like I need to share.

After receiving that bloody rosary a few months ago I tried to make sense of it.

The person who sent it to me ignored my calls and messages, they just dropped the package and went on with their lives, leaving me with the messy results and sleepless nights.

I thought about having the blood examined and reached out to my contact within the police force. An old friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

To make a long story short: they have no time, no interest and since the case is closed there is no grounds to do anything with this so-called evidence.

Looks like I am the proud new owner now of that ruined and probably cursed rosary.

And I have nothing to wear it with…

My contact did however tell me that the files of Tihange are old and barely looked at anymore.

They are vastly asleep in some yellowed folder in the back of an old filing cabinet. 

Most of the evidence taken from the scene that weekend in 1975 had been destroyed a while ago, he said,  but my friend managed to find something that might interest me—an old Polaroid photo that somehow survived, safely tucked between the testimonies and reports.

Did someone at the retreat take this picture?

The photo shows the castle’s garden, which is more like a thick forest.

But if you look closely, there’s something standing among the trees.

A dark shadow. It doesn’t look like a person, or does it?.

It feels like the figure doesn’t belong there. It just feels…wrong. Is it watching?

Why this photo survived, when so much else is destroyed, I don’t know.

Maybe someone wanted it to be seen? Or maybe it’s just police negligence for ya, who knows.

One thing is for sure, it is going up on my evidence board.

Yes, I have an evidence board, it’s my version of a “Live, Laugh, Love” sign only more socially acceptable.

Gilbert would disagree and make a comment about me being single with cats.

And yes, of course, our Gilbert had something to say when he saw the photo: “Maybe it’s just the gardener, Sally. No need to get all spooked.”

Gotta love Gilbert, always debunking scary stuff and then refusing to walk past a few trees in the dark.

Halloween is just around the corner, we’ll be having our annual horror movies marathon over at his place.

Guess who needs to answer the door every time? 

That being said, children are damn scary with their runny noses and sticky hands.

I need to stock up on disinfectant hand gel.

Anyway, I'm sharing the photo with you now, but be warned—it might leave you with more questions than answers.

And have a great Halloween everyone!

Be safe, stay away from dark trees!