Strange Dominions: a collection of paranormal short stories (short story books) Read Free

communicate with? Of course I’ve talked with them. They’re waiting for you as we speak!”
    Jamie took a calming breath before continuing.
    “Look, the only reason you’re still here is because you’re punishing yourself for what you did. The trauma of your death and the heartache you brought upon your family were just too painful for you and so you wiped them from your memory. But there’s a small part of you that still seeks forgiveness and peace.”
    Seeing her demeanour was calmer, he motioned her to follow, leading her deeper into the park.
    “Tell me how many spirits you see in the park,” he instructed.
    “There aren’t any. Just me.”
    “If you could see with my eyes you’d know how wrong you are. There are actually quite a few.”
    “Then why can’t I see them?”
    “For the same reason they don’t see you or any of the others for that matter. It’s part of the torment they believe they must endure for their earthly sins. The truth is they’re no more in purgatory than I am. What they’re experiencing is a kind of mental projection created by their own minds.”
    “But you’re real, this city’s real, what’s happening is real, isn’t it?”
    “Of course it is, but you and others like you are stuck between two worlds; this one and the next level of existence. There are several realms a spirit must visit before it can enter into heaven. Each one serves as a cleansing process for the soul. Those who have led a relatively blameless life can sometimes skip those realms that have nothing to teach them.”
    “How do you know all this?”
    “The gift you gave me eventually enabled me to speak with my spirit guide, and it’s through him that I learned these things, and also where to find you. I’ve helped many lost souls pass over into the light because of it.”     
    “Is that why you’re here now; to help me cross over?”
    “Yes. I think you’ve suffered enough Little Ears. But first you have to witness the things you’ve been running from all these years. Don’t be afraid of what you see. They’ll seem very real to you, but they’re only distant memories.”
    As they resumed their walk, Jamie announced, “We’re almost there.”
    Little Ears could feel a panic welling up inside her. “Where are you taking me?”
    “To the place of your death,” he replied.
    They walked in silence until they reached a grove. Ahead of them, a cinder track branched off into the trees.
    Jamie came to a halt. “We’re here,” he said, pointing to a small brick building at the end of the track.
    “A public toilet? I died in a toilet?” Little Ears gasped.
    Jamie nodded. “You won’t be disturbed by anyone. They were closed down a couple of years back?”
    Reluctantly, she moved toward the derelict building, then suddenly realised Jamie wasn’t following.
    “Aren’t you coming with me?”
    “I can’t,” he said, “The place is locked up. Only you can enter.”
    “But I don’t think I can do this on my own.”
    He smiled at her reassuringly. “You have to be brave, Little Ears. All you’ll see is a reflection of your passing – the unveiling of a suppressed memory, and nothing more.”
    After a few brief moments she turned her back on him and walked into the grove, passing through the dank cold walls and into the interior.
     
     
    *****
     
     
    On entering, she felt the cold penetrating damp and began to shiver. Being in spirit form meant that she would normally have been impervious to the physical effects of the natural world. Yet, there was no denying the evidence of her own eyes and senses. She was shivering uncontrollably and goose bumps had appeared on her bare arms.
    A large, rectangular skylight, let in the orange glow from the cinder trail lights outside, affording little illumination. Ahead of her lay four cubicles. Their doors were open. They were empty. As she approached she caught the unpleasant smell of stale urine. She walked tentatively toward the first