Ghosts of Belle Castle

“It’s creepy,” says The Flaming Liberal, speaking of the correctional services college where, primarily new corrections officers, probation officers and parole officers do their training, not to mention the tactical crisis specialists etcetera, and where the basement of this historic primary school building has been outfitted with an authentic jail cell environment. Indeed the old place emits a lot of weird noises; all of which I attribute to after-market heating and air conditioning measures.

Such explanations are not embraced by the security guard who insists he heard voices talking to him through the intercoms at primary exterior doors during his rounds or the voice in the fitness room which told a night shift manager to “Get out of here!” all while the building should have been empty of other life.

Another manager claims that a 200 lb dummy used for some kind of training had moved positions between his visits to the gymnasium; had got itself up off the floor and seated itself in a chair.

Stories abound of guards who have left, swearing never to return to the building, including one guard who locked himself in the guard office all night and refused to do his patrols before resigning at the end of his shift.

Other folks have offered to share their stories and I have declined. While never having had much use for ghost stories, nor suspecting them legitimate, I am a writer after all; with an imagination, and being occasionally alone in the building and walking my rounds, I don’t necessarily want to be thinking about certain ideas.

I walked into one conversation between night shift occasionals and immediately departed again, hearing one say, Which ghost? The other said, The little boy. The first: Oh good. He’s the nice one.

The nice one! Who the hell is the other one!

It’s okay. I don’t want to know.

But wait. I am having a change of heart. I am a writer (at least in my own mind) and an explorer; a seeker. Why would I not take this opportunity to delve into something new, as I have made it my policy to, for years now?

There was an incident of sorts during the Thanksgiving weekend when all staff and residential students had departed for the entire weekend. The place was officially closed. On my first outdoor patrol I saw that the light was on in (residence) room 108. On my next indoor patrol I stopped at room 108 and discovered the door unlocked, which is a no-no, and quite strange that the Friday evening guard had not remedied this already, as there is a mandatory security room-check on Friday nights. Otherwise we do not normally touch the residence rooms.

I checked out the room; one of the few which was not currently rented. It was thus clean and pristine inside. I shut off the light and locked the door and carried on.

The next night when no one should have been in the college except for the weekend day shift guard, I did my first patrol – indoors, and suddenly found myself testing the door to room 108 which I don’t recall was my intention. The door was unlocked again and the light was on again. Very strange. The next time I crossed paths with the intervening guard, he claimed he hadn’t touched room 108.

So…

Weird.

And not terribly frightful as far as poltergeists go, I admit. Still I was creeped out.

Captain Vino

Yo kids

FWG

hey

Captain Vino

Word

FWG

Hey Jo!

Friendly Exorcist

Hi

Captain Vino

There we go

FWG

What are you doing the Friday after next, late at night?

Friendly Exorcist

let me check....

Captain Vino

Ghostbustin'!

Friendly Exorcist

apparently yes

what time?

Captain Vino

Bustin' makes me feel good!

Friendly Exorcist

oh god make him stop

Captain Vino

Boo

Friendly Exorcist

so what time do you want me there?

FWG

I don't know. I'd prefer it was just you and me in the building. Is 2AM too late?

Friendly Exorcist

can it be a bit earlier?

FWG

I'd like to say 1AM which should be safe. Everyone should be out by then but we might have to be a bit flexible.

Friendly Exorcist

Just tell them I'm the call girl

Captain Vino

I'll be your pimp

FWG

good grief

you should come too Captain. I will need someone to hide behind if things go sideways

Captain Vino

Did you just call me fat, motherfucker!?

FWG

No Captain, I didn't.

Captain Vino

Alright

Friendly Exorcist

So just a thought. If some of the others have seen things then they might want to share their stories with me. why not just tell them that you know someone that is willing to come take a look and see how they react?

FWG

I could mention you and see what they say.

Friendly Exorcist

Ya just mention me and see their reaction

FWG

tell me what to say about you

Captain Vino

Fun loving party girl

FWG

LOL

Captain Vino

Likes long walks on the beach

Friendly Exorcist

I do clearings and paranormal investigations all the time....and I'm willing to check the place out

FWG

can I call you Buffy the Ghost Slayer?

Friendly Exorcist

sure

FWG

Sorry. Okay, I will talk to them.

Friendly Exorcist

great. Let me know what they say

Captain Vino

Have you mentioned what you've encountered, to the other staff?

FWG

Only to one other guard - to ask if he unlocked the door. Which he says he did not

Okay, Jo. I will

Friendly Exorcist

K great

Friendly Exorcist

Looking forward to seeing you again and checking the place out

FWG

I think the visit would have to be unofficial. I think it would not be an income opportunity

Friendly Exorcist

understood.......I'm not going to get arrested am I??

FWG

No. You're my guest. It is just a school after all.

Captain Vino

I've been in there a few times. They like me there.

FWG

there you go

Friendly Exorcist

ok good

Captain Vino

Not that I intend to go at o' dark thirty

FWG

you disappoint me

Captain Vino

I disappoint a lot of people

FWG

I'll get back to you as I get feedback. The night MGRs rotate. It will be a while before I get to hear from all of them

thx for setting up this conference Captain

Captain Vino

Any time!

FWG

I'll mention you when the book comes out

Friendly Exorcist

lol

Captain Vino

The story of how two of your friends got killed at your workplace?

Friendly Exorcist

sounds good......I'm still trying to convince the Captain to join us

FWG

He really should

Friendly Exorcist

I agree

FWG

Two people screaming are better than one

(I expect Jo to keep her composure. She's a pro)

Friendly Exorcist

Lets hope

FWG

lol

Friendly Exorcist

Are you working right now?

FWG

No I'm at home not-writing

Captain Vino

Better strap on a pair of depends

FWG

I'll just have a good pee before she arrives

Captain Vino

Good call

Friendly Exorcist

Take care all!

Captain Vino

Ditto!

FWG

g'nite !!