Knowing
that people in a rest home love visitors, and most likely know quite a
bit about this town's past, you decide to drop in for a visit. The
problem, of course, is knowing who to talk to! You go in the recreational
room, and though several are watching TV, two are not. These two
ladies are both sitting at a table, apparently doing nothing. It
looks like a good place to start.
You
sit down with them, and it takes no time at all to get into a conversation
with them. Their names are Pearl and Mildred, and you're delighted
to find out that they have both been residents of this area for most of
their lives.
Eventually,
you get the conversation turned around to the tragedy of 1963, and the
ladies get very somber.
"We're
not supposed to talk about that" says Mildred, "It would be better if everyone
could only forget it."
"Mildred!"
scolds Pearl with a frown, "Who in the world could forget that? No
one can forget that."
Mildred turns to Pearl "Dear, I didn't say we COULD forget it, only that
it would be better if we could."
"But
no one can forget it!" Pearl's eyes get wider as she speaks. "The
deaths, the fires, the screams coming from thin air, no one could forget!"
"Pearl
hush!" Mildred says, glancing up at you, "We're not to talk
about it!"
"I'm
not talking about it." Pearl defends herself, "I'm just saying no
one can forget about it. Not even Rev. Dillon, the poor dear man."
At that
name, the ladies both shake their heads, and try to change the subject.
You ask who Rev. Dillon is, and they won't tell you. It doesn't take
long for you to realize you're not getting any more from them. But
now you have a name, and on a hunch, you go to the front desk and say you're
here to visit Rev. Dillon.
The
nurse asks if you're family, and you mumble something noncommittal.
The nurse looks at you questioningly, but she gives you a room number;
Room 126 B.
You
go to room 126, and there's only one man in the room. He's in bed
"B". A quick glance at him reveals sunken eyes, pale skin, and thin
gray hair. He's awake, and you say "hi Rev. Dillon!" when you come
in. He just stares at you.
You
start talking about the weather and you ask him if he's being treated well
in there, but he only continues to stare. Suddenly, he sits up as
if startled, and tells you that you need to pray! You begin to ask
why, but he just says "PRAY NOW!" So you begin to pray, and he prays
as well. You hear him asking God to protect the town, and to bind
satan. Then you hear him mentioning Lucy Fire's curses. He
closes the prayer with thanks for the protection and thanks for the lives
that were saved.
By now,
you're a bit overwhelmed. This gentleman must not be in his right mind.
He looks at you and tells you that the day is coming. You ask what
day, but he just says it again and again. He says it louder and louder
until finally a nurse comes in. She gives him a shot to sedate him
and then she sends you out, assuring you that Rev. Dillon does this often.
As you
leave, the Reverend calls out "We've got one of them on our side now.
She found Christ and is out helping us warn others." He pauses, looks
directly at you and says "She couldn't even keep her own daughter
away from Christ!" Then he laughs. You leave quickly, wondering
if the man is always this crazy.