Melody Jackson v. the Message from Space It happened on Lafayette Street (Season One - Book Three)

By BMB Johnson

Dark Matter.

“What?” Bernie stared, wide-eyed into the deep well. He was barefooted, and found it unusual that the bricks which lined the entrance to the mouth of Hell were so cold to the touch.

“Nothing,” the voice came again from the deep blackness. “Nevermind. I thought you were someone else. Go about your business.”

“Wait,” Bernie said. “Tell me. I can take it.” He realized then that the words weren't so much coming out of his mouth as they were emerging from his brain. He shook his head. Why was he trying to extract information that he was nearly one hundred percent positive that he didn't want to know. Especially from whatever entity lived down in this hole?

“Do you really want to know?” The voice seemed hopeful.

“No,” Bernie thought, closing his eyes as tightly as he could. However the words that actually escaped him were more positive. “Of course I do,” he said. “You know that. You've always known that.”

At first, the being from the well was silent. Then came a chuckle, dark and low-throated.

“Okay,” the voice said. “Then I'll tell you, though I must warn you that you might go mad. Are you sure?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: BMB Johnson
• Release date: Jul 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370504022

BMB Johnson

BMB Johnson lives in Portland with a family of humans, too many cats, and just enough Guinea Pigs. Likes the concept of rollerblading but not the practice. Reads comics, plays vintage computer games and new designer board games and is a gigantic slobbery fan of Doctor Who.

Book preview

Melody Jackson v. the Message from Space

It Happened on Lafayette Street

Season One – Episode Three

Copyright 2018 BMB Johnson

Published by BMB Johnson in Association with Lafayette Street Books at Smashwords.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

v.1

Table of Contents

Dedication

Melody’s Diary

About the Series

Acknowledgements

Prelude

Scene One

Scene Two

Scene Three

Scene Four

Scene Five

Scene Six

Scene Seven

Scene Eight

Scene Nine

Scene Ten

Scene Eleven

Scene Twelve

Scene Thirteen

Scene Fourteen

About BMB Johnson

Other books by BMB Johnson

Connect with BMB Johnson

Dedication

For L., for all your love and support

And of course

A. – there couldn’t be a series without you

About the Series

Dear Readers.

I present to you a brief discussion on the series: It Happened on Lafayette Street. Melody Jackson v. the Message from Space is the third in a TWELVE PART SERIES. The series is structured like a television show. Instead of chapters, breaks are treated as scenes, sequels as episodes, and story arcs as Seasons. That said, there is also a 2nd Season planned (and at least four ‘Spin-off’ series in the works.)

So, get yourself a hot beverage, climb into a comfy chair, and get your affairs in order because you are about to embark on a long, spooky journey which will go well beyond the pages of this book.

I hope you enjoy these books. Comments are always welcomed and appreciated. (Contact information located at the back of the book.)

Remember, if the Bardo comes a’knockin’, hide behind the couch, peek carefully through the curtain and always pretend you’re not at home.

BMB Johnson

November 15, 2016

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the City of Portland, as well certain locations which appear in this text: Music Millennium, The Old Laurelhurst church, and of course Lafayette Street itself, where my youthful mind spent a good deal of its processing time meandering.

The characters that populate this world are fictitious, within reason.

Not everything is presented as it is or as it was – at least as far as you know.

Melody’s Diary

The Incident with the Woman in White

06/15: The boys showed me a video this morning. They had been surveilling the so-called weather station across the street. As soon as I saw it, I knew something had to be done. I’m going to try to convince Mom and Dad (well, at least Mom) that we should contact City Hall to tear the place down in favor of a community garden or something.

06/16 am: I don’t think my parents are going to go for it. I may have to show them the evidence. I just hope their hearts can take it.

06/16 pm: Well, they survived the shock. Even the sight of the Creature didn’t do them in. I’m not sure Dad’s quite all there mentally anymore, though, but he’s coping in the best way he knows how – by turning everything into a joke. Unfortunately, Mom got a little TOO excited. She wants to use my camera and try to capture the Woman in White on film!!!

06/17 am: Seeing the woman in white and the creature in person was almost too much to take. We did get the woman’s name, however: Madeline D’amarite. Also, the ghost appears to have some fans. Two men in a white van. Off to do some research.

06/17 afternoon: You’ll never guess who we ran into at the Historical Society: The two men from the van whom we’ve taken to calling Uncle Gordon and Hairy Mike. Don’t ask. Still not sure of their level of villainy in this.

06/24 pm: Mom invited her friends over who are amateur ghost hunters. Chazz Mahoney and her girlfriend, Malika. I guess they have tons of equipment. Now we should get somewhere.

06/25 am: Horrible. I don’t know if I can continue writing today.

06/25 afternoon: The woman in white is gone, and horrifically so is Malika. Both were dragged away by the Bardo, a faceless fiend, who was all too real thank you very much. I hate to even think what could possibly happen next...

The Incident with the Hound from Hell

6/27 am: Had a nightmare about being eaten by a wolf. While this seemed pretty horrible at the time, I learned of a real fate even worse than that...! My cousin Jimmy is coming to stay. And my dumb Mother wants him to sleep in MY bed! I'd sooner take my chances with the wolf.

6/27 afternoon: Helped Dad move some of my more precious valuables up into the attic. All went fine until something up there freaked him out. Empty jars clanking together, of all things. Probably some memory about running out of snacks.

6/27 evening: Jimmy's even worse than I remember him. I really feel sorry for his parents. Not as sorry as I feel for us, but close.

6/27: later same evening: The door to the weather station was open on it's own. That fact seemed a siren call to Chazz who had appeared as if by magic. The moment she approached the door, however, it slammed shut! I don't know why everyone is so against burning that little shack to the ground.

Oh, and I think Jimmy might be possessed by a hellhound. No surprise there.

6/27 Midnightish: We are taking point in the living room. Mom is talking about digging up the field across the street at dawn.

At least Jimmy fell asleep.

6/28 am: In the field behind that infernal weather station: Mom found a rock with her shovel. We're all proud of her. Further excavation, however, was stopped by the neighborhood grouch, Mr. Rogers. He just stepped in and took over, running his metal detector over the area, and calling us 'broads'. He found a hit, which seemed to be a large 5-6 foot wide piece of metal, but says it's probably an oil drum.