The Meeting

That evening, the group gathers at the school just before seven. Together they walk to Brenda Waters's house in an older part of town.

As they approach the front door, Sarah slows and looks at the others.

“Are we really doing this? It seems so strange meeting with a teacher outside of school.”

Matthew grins. “I know. The only time I usually see a teacher after school is in detention.”

Everyone laughs, easing some of the tension, and they continue up the walkway. William knocks. A few moments later, Brenda opens the door.

“Good, you all made it. Please come in and make yourselves comfortable.”

The group steps inside and immediately begins looking around. Antique furnishings fill the house, and the décor seems far more established than they expected from someone they thought had only recently arrived in town.

Jessica looks around carefully. “You have a beautiful home. I'm scared to touch anything in case I break it.”

“Thank you,” Brenda says with a smile. “And don't worry about breaking anything. It's all insured.”

William studies the room. “Your home looks like you've been here longer than a week.”

“Actually, I have. I've been living in town for about three months. I just happened to land the teaching job at your school this week.”

Sarah looks surprised. “Guess this town isn't so small after all. I've never seen you before this week.”

“I keep to myself for the most part,” Brenda explains. “I spend a lot of time reading and doing research. Why don't you head into the study while I grab some refreshments?”

She points down the hall, and the seven friends enter the study.

They stop almost immediately.

Books cover the walls. Jessica notices that the collection is organized by subject. There are sections on physiology, psychology and sociology, but the largest collection by far is devoted to parapsychology.

She points it out to the others.

They move closer, stunned by the number of books. Brenda has arranged them into different paranormal subjects: ghost stories, legends, monsters, psychic development, near-death experiences, astral travel and almost anything else connected to the unexplained.

Brenda enters carrying a tray of drinks and snacks. She smiles when she sees everyone staring at the shelves.

“You can see where my passion lies. Why don't you all grab a seat and we can get to know each other a little?”

The students settle onto the sofas arranged around a table. They take drinks and snacks while Brenda sits with them.

“So, you're a group of ghost hunters?” she asks. “That's a rather unusual hobby for such a young group. Why don't we start with introductions? Then perhaps you can tell me what got each of you interested in parapsychology. I already know Jessica Davis and William Rogers.”

Matthew goes first. “I'm Matthew Brown.”

“Alexis Taylor.”

“Sarah Wilson.”

“Samantha Moore.”

“Jacob Jones.”

Brenda smiles. “And I'm Brenda Waters. Please, just call me Brenda. So what gets such a large group of young people interested in such a strange field?”

William glances around at his friends. “I guess most of us have had some kind of experience that was out of the ordinary.”

“Not all of us,” Matthew says. “William and I became friends a few years ago. He got into this stuff, and I joined because I figured it'd be good for a laugh.”

Brenda turns towards him. “So you're the skeptic of the group? Good. Every group needs one to keep the others honest.”

“I guess. But every time they experience something, I miss it.”

“Being skeptical is one thing,” Brenda tells him, “but you still need to keep an open mind. A skeptic who refuses to believe anything could be paranormal can be just as mistaken as someone who believes every little thing is paranormal.”

Matthew considers that. “Guess I'll need to try keeping a more open mind. I've heard things I can't explain, but I usually chalk them up to coincidence.”

“Perhaps if you become a little less skeptical, you may start experiencing some of these things for yourself.”

“I guess I could give it a try. I can't see what harm it would do.”

“Exactly. And who knows? It might open up a whole new world to you.”

William leans forward. “You said you'd teach us the meditation technique you use to help tune in to your own psychic abilities.”

“Yes, I did, and I will,” Brenda replies. “But first I want to get to know all of you a little better. Who wants to tell me about their experience first?”

An uneasy silence settles over the room.

The seven friends have discussed their experiences with one another, but sharing them with a complete stranger feels different. No one seems eager to volunteer.

Brenda looks around the room, giving them a moment.

Then her attention settles on William.

“William, why don't you go first?”

William hesitates, realizing that the conversation is about to move beyond ghost hunting equipment and unexplained sounds. If they are going to understand why each of them became interested in the paranormal, they will have to talk about the experiences that brought them together in the first place.

He looks at Brenda, then at his friends.

“All right.”

The room grows quiet as everyone waits for him to begin.