The Darkness of the Shadows

By D.H. REID and Ginger Reid-Parker

A telegram sends five people on a vacation they will never forget. After arriving at their destination, they decide that they will spend the night in a mysterious mansion during the raging thunderstorm. Little do they realize that a mysterious man is going to enter their lives. He tells them that a virus has overtaken the occupants of the town and things aren't as they appear. He tells them about a military base and a top-secret experiment that was conducted on the base, away from the prying eyes of the world. For the next four days, the small group will try their best to keep their friends alive. they will not only uncover the secret that surrounds the mansion, but they will uncover a plot that is so diabolical that it could see aliens destroy their world. Does the government know about the plot or are they behind it? Join the group as the clock is ticking and failure isn't an option.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329069817

Book preview

The Darkness of the Shadows

THE

DARKNESS

OF THE

SHADOWS

BY: D. H. REID

GINGER REID-PARKER

2008 copyright by D. H. Reid and Ginger Reid-Parker

All Rights Reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publishers, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons, (living or deceased) is purely coincidental.

First Printing in the United States of America

PUBLISHED BY: Lulu.com

****DEDICATION****

I would like to dedicate this, which is the first book I have ever had published to my parents, Claude and Ruth Reid.  Thank you to my wife Ginger Reid-Parker for giving me the courage and goals to attempt the

new endeavors in life and to always strive to do my best.

Many people enter our lives through the course of our life.  Some

will be with us a short time and others are a special part of our lives from

our teenage years until we pass through the veil of death.  Thank you

to my grandparents George and Florence Brandford for teaching me

correct principals in life and for giving me a mother that exemplifies

goodness and mercy.

****CONTENTS****

CHAPTER 1: …….  VACATION TIME

CHAPTER 2: …….  A HISTORY OF SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER 3: …….  AN INTERESTING EVENING

CHAPTER 4: …….  GHOSTS OF THE MANSION

CHAPTER 5: …….  GHOST STORIES

CHAPTER 6: …….  WHAT HAPPENED

CHAPTER 7: …….  AN UNUSUAL TOWN

CHAPTER 8: …….  AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

CHAPTER 9: ……. APPROACH WITH CAUTION

CHAPTER 10: …..  REVELATIONS OF IMPORTANCE

CHAPTER 11: …..  FEELING WATCHED

CHAPTER 12: …..  TRAPPED

CHAPTER 13: …..  AN UNDERGROUND FACILITY

CHAPTER 14: …..  THE MINER’S TUNNELS

CHAPTER 15: …..  POSSIBLE TELEPATHY

CHAPTER 16: …..  KNOCKED OUT

CHAPTER 17: …..  CAPTURED

CHAPTER 18: …..  THE GENERAL’S PLAN

CHAPTER 19: …..  THE MISSION BEGINS

CHAPTER 20: …..  THE HOUSE IS SEARCHED

CHAPTER 21: …..  BACK INTO THE CAVERNS

CHAPTER 22: …..  A QUESTION OF SURVIVAL

CHAPTER 23: …..  FRIENDS OR FOE

CHAPTER 24: …..  A STRANGE CONFRONTATION

CHAPTER 25: …..  A PLOT IS EXPOSED

CHAPTER 26: …..  CLUES TO THE UNKNOWN

CHAPTER 27: …..  AN ALIEN INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 28: …..  GOODBYE TO A FRIEND

Chapter 1 - Vacation Time

The streets were always dark and deserted in the suburbs of the large city, as Mr. Abernathy walked along the dark sidewalk to perform his duties. This was a familiar sight every morning and he would always have to perform his duties by using the light from the street lamps. It had been his job to deliver the mail to the occupants living in Beverly Hills, California for many years.

The best time to perform his duties was usually very early in the morning, before most of the citizens were awaking from a previous-night’s slumber. He would often see the milkman delivering his various dairy products to the front steps of the families’ homes at the same time.

After opening their gate and walking eagerly to the front door of the large estate, it had taken him a moment to deposit a telegram, and the other letters through the front door’s tiny mail slot. It was always interesting to see what people ordered each day, or how many bills they had received from creditors.

Mel and Irene Banner, who lived in a tiny town in Nebraska that was now called Hickory, had sent a new telegram to their lifetime friends, Rachel and Sidney Lawrence. The couple hadn’t seen their friends in a long time and it was known that twenty years had passed since they attended their wedding.

The last time they would see each other would be the moment they waved goodbye to the couple at the end of the wedding reception. The couple had walked through a large arch of hands, to embark on a wonderful honeymoon in the tranquil setting of Hawaii.

Irene felt that it would be a really nice idea if they could get together in the next year, to share fond memories of earlier times. They missed seeing their friends and they had so much to discuss about their lives.

After awaking early that morning from her peaceful-night’s slumber, it had only taken Rachel a few minutes to gather the mail from the mail slot. It had always taken her longer to sort through their junk mail and their bills. Seeing the telegram stuffed amidst the letters, she decided that she would read what someone had written to them first, since telegrams often have bad news.

Telegrams often contained good or bad news and she wanted to know who sent it to her. The last time they received a telegram was at their wedding and many friends had written to say congratulations on their new lives. She kept them in her book of remembrance, but this telegram caught her by surprise.

Seeing the name of their friends written on the front of the small envelope that contained the note, Rachel had a difficult time controlling the excitement that she now felt inside her. It had now only taken her a moment to rip the envelope open and she was eager to read what it contained. At least it wasn’t a note that would make her upset by what it said.

Now that she is able to read what it said, this would be one occasion that the young woman actually felt happy to receive a telegram in the mail. It was creating feelings of happiness, because many years had now passed, since an opportunity existed for them to see their friends. They were doing very well and they missed seeing their good friends.

After screaming for her husband Sidney to join her in that happy moment, it only took a few minutes for him to rush into the room. He could tell that it was important! She wanted to discuss different options they had, concerning the telegram they had just received.

They would discuss a brilliant idea that crossed her mind, as she read the telegram to him. They could now arrange to take a trip to Hickory, Nebraska. It would surprise everyone when they knocked on the door, so they were able to visit them in their own neck of the woods.

School would be out at the end of June for all the students and they would plan on visiting near the end of May. That would give them peace and quiet, if their friends had given birth to any children in their absence. They could spend their holiday or vacation talking about their lives, reminiscing about the memories they had shared, and they could enjoy new experiences when their kids were in class.

They would invite the original members of the wedding party to join them on the trip to the tiny, mining town. It would be great to see them again and it would allow them to see how much everyone had changed. As people start to age, they have many things that helped them grow personally.

Phoning the other members of the wedding party, Rachel was overjoyed to hear that they could arrange their schedules to accompany them. They would leave within three weeks from the date listed on the telegram and no one had to worry about rushing back, if they wanted to take their time driving. Their trip would remain a secret, because they wanted to surprise the Banners.

Everything would be assembled in the garage that everyone was going to take with them on the trip. Their list of items needed would consist of drinks, snacking foods, pillows, blankets, and some games that could keep everyone occupied. Sidney would pack it in the van the night before the trip.

As time continued to pass for the next three weeks, everyone is surprised to see what was assembled in the garage. It became obvious that everything couldn’t go with them on the trip. There wouldn’t be any room for the adults and changes had to be made.

At last, the day arrived and it didn’t take the members of the group long to arrive for their journey into the central states. It was decided that they would leave at nine that evening and they could avoid most of the rush-hour traffic that was a common sight during the daylight hours.

The interstate highway would allow them to drive at a consistent speed out of California. They wouldn’t have to worry about constant stoplights or signs every fifty feet, which would turn their journey into a nightmare of stress.

Their cameras and other provisions were packed carefully and it would be obvious that they would need them each day. They are going to see many of nature’s natural wonders and they definitely wanted to be prepared for the beautiful scenery of the west that they would encounter.

Every member of the group could feel the excitement in the air, when they arrived earlier at the Lawrence’s home for the trip. They couldn’t wait to see the Banner’s family again and everyone eagerly anticipated a vacation that would provide new memories for everyone concerned.

It would be very interesting to see what their friends accomplished from the moment they stood at the front of the church to the present. The last time they were all together, they listened to sacred vows that were uttered between Rachel and Sidney.

After parking their cars in the circular driveway, where they would be safe during the vacation across the plains and deserts, no one could wait to climb into the van for their journey. Sidney had packed everything in the back and he was now ready to watch everyone climb in and buckle up.

The weather channel had promised that it would be a beautiful evening to travel and the temperature was still a balmy seventy degrees. The weather was perfect when they left the mayhem of Beverly Hills.

The skies above them were clear and there were only a few clouds dotting the horizon in the darkness of the night. The moon’s rays were reflecting off the rippling waters of the Pacific Ocean and Palm trees were gently swaying in the breeze.

Now that they were leaving California and the white, sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean, everyone noticed that the traffic surrounding them appeared to be light. They had made the right decision to leave later at night and the drive along the interstate highways was uneventful.

Many motorists had now rushed past them, driving at excessive speeds, but they probably had their own agendas in their lives to deal with that day. The motorists that passed them were enroute to different destinations across the country, or they had business engagements to attend.

The other careless or speeding motorists were just an accident, which was looking for a place to happen in the future. The men and women on the road were driving their expensive sports cars and most of them ranged in age from sixteen to twenty-five.

No one knew if they were high on drugs, or if they were intoxicated, and that frightened everyone on the roads that night. Many of the worst tragedies on the roads would occur through the carelessness or inconsideration of only one intoxicated driver, or someone that is high on drugs, talking on their cell phone, or texting others, instead of paying attention to the road.

During the first two days of their trip east, the small group had stopped at attractions that included the Grand Canyon and the Teton Mountains in Utah. The ‘Hoover Dam’ in Nevada was breathtaking when they saw it and they had to resist the temptations that Las Vegas casinos had offered them.

The members of the group couldn’t get over the beauty and the sights of nature that was now surrounding them. They could see the splendor of many of the mountains and the large lakes reflected the sky off the top of the water. The sight of the moon was so romantic and it complimented their trip.

Following the map Sidney had planned carefully in advance, the group felt overjoyed when they finally left the interstate. It hadn’t taken them as long as they thought it would. They only had to book lodging for the night twice and the rooms were very nice for tourists.

Now that they had arrived in Nebraska, they would have to follow regular two-lane highways to the small town of Hickory. The journey wouldn’t be as easy as the main interstate highways, but they would see parts of the country that they hadn’t seen before.

After stopping at the small gas station to refuel and enjoy a quiet dinner at one of the adjoining restaurants, the group took large breaths of the fresh and clean air around them. It was something they weren’t used to and it felt nice for a change. It had sure beat the smog and pollution that they endured every day in Los Angeles, including the surrounding area of Orange County.

According to the attendant that was on duty at the Chevron gas station, the highway they were on would take them directly into Hickory. It wouldn’t be long and they would be arriving at their destination. They were advised that they would have to watch for hazards that could appear in front of them.

Various animals that included Deer and moose were often seen in that area of the hills. It would create a problem, if they started walking across the highway in the darkness of the night. They would become paralyzed by the motorist’s headlights. Drivers that weren’t really expecting the animals on the highway couldn’t stop in time to avoid the collision. Individuals could be killed, badly injured, and suffering was seen in collisions with the wildlife that called the area their home.

Living in Los Angeles, the members of the group had grown accustomed to breathing in the smog on a daily basis. Climbing back into the van, they knew that their friends would be shocked to see them knocking on their front door later that day.

They traveled a long distance and the weather had co-operated with them on their journey until now. When they looked upwards at the sky, there were now dark and sinister storm clouds quickly blowing in above them. A storm would be imminent, but no one knew how severe the storms could become in that area of the country. All Sidney could do was navigate their way through the dark roads in front of them very carefully.

Unknown to the occupants inside the van, strange events were unfolding in Hickory and things wouldn’t be as they appeared. The visitors to the area would see something they weren’t prepared for, when they finally arrived at the home of their friends.  No one could ever imagine what was lying in front of them, when they would reflect on the safe and friendly environment they had in California.

Unlike the flat plains they had seen so far, everyone was surprised to see some very large mountains around them now. A ridge of mountains wasn’t expected and the group knew that they would have to travel some roads that contained many hairpin curves, plus their treacherous inclines. Deep ditches could be seen on both sides of the road and they could slide in very easily if they weren’t careful.

The flashes of lightning were seen high in the stratosphere above the small valley in the mid-west United States, and thunder could be heard rumbling in the cold, night sky. No one knew if it was very strange for storms of that type to hit the region. Jagged flashes of lightning preceded each sonic boom, as it quickly descended from the black clouds to the ground below them.

It was accompanied by heavy rain, resembling small pellets of ice, and it now fell towards the Earth in ceaseless waves. The sheets of moisture around them were caused by gusts of wind. They were covering everything in their path and it made the roads very slippery.

In standing tall beside the roadway, like thousands of silent creatures of the night, many different species of trees and shrubs are seen. They gave them the strange appearance that they are ready to pounce on anything that has dared to come in the area, where they were rooted securely in the ground.

Located behind the green foliage of the dense forests, everyone was about to discover that large, dilapidated mansions were beside them. No one knew that they had stood in silence for almost a century. They were only revealing their existence to them now, because the bright flashes of lightning erupted in the skies above them.

The clay-chimney pots had dotted the top of the homes and it was obvious that they were very old in their architecture. They resembled chimney pots that adorned the skyline in cities that were in the British Isles. Coal fires are often used to heat the homes and the smoke escaped through the chimneys.

The members of the group didn’t really know much about the area they are now driving through, but they were there to see their friends. They were in a happy mood and they were looking forward to hearing their friends explain what they were now seeing on their journey in the area.

They had seen many farms, cottages, fields that contained cows, horses, and wildlife next to the interstate, but all they could see now was the wide-open fields in silence. The mountains were hiding the valley effectively from their watchful eyes.

One thing had attracted their attention, and it was the appearance of some old and large mansions that appeared to be lying in ruin now. They could only imagine that these large, or expensive mansions, were constructed in the mid-to-late eighteen hundreds. They were built below the mountain ridges and that would give them a scenic view of the area around them.

Unfortunately, many of the once-elegant homes were now lying in ruins, due to decades of neglect. Many things had happened to the homes and their owners during the hundred plus years that had now passed after they would be built.

Beautiful hand-engraved, wooden shutters were hanging helplessly from the rusted hinges that had once held them firmly in place. They had probably created an atmosphere of splendor to the large homes, but they were now just a grim reminder of their former elegance.

Various shades of paint had adorned the shutters and walls of the buildings and they had now faded dramatically with time. It was often said that no one has power over the elements of nature and that was true in this case too. The rain, wind, and other causes had now left the paint peeling uncontrollably on the outer panels of the homes.

Chapter 2 - A History of Shattered Dreams

Adding to the deterioration of the once-beautiful homes, termites and other wood-eating creatures had feasted on the wood and other timbers they used to construct the homes. Following the many years of building colonies in the wood, large holes were now visible in the floors, ceilings, verandas, and the walls of the spacious rooms inside the mansions.

Anyone seeing them understood that they once adorned the countryside in splendor, but they are just a reminder of past lives now. The members in the van could only speculate that miners had spared no expense when it came to constructing their homes, because the mines were visible through the trees.

The miners probably had lucrative claims in the depths of the mountains.  It would be easy for them to seek their fortunes under the ground of the rich-mineral reserves. The efforts of their labours were definitely rewarded, after everyone noticed that their homes now radiated with elegance and beauty.

It was obvious that every mansion once had well-kept gardens that were cared for with love and patience by their groundskeeper. Those days had now eroded into the archives of history and they would now be overgrown with different species of vines, weeds, and other species of wild plants.

Dark-brown rust and moss adorned many elegant water-fountains, where crystal-clear water flowed freely from the top of the statues. When they were first installed, the sparkling-marble creations would glisten in the sunlight. It would also glisten and shine from the sun’s rays above them.

From the day the homes would become deserted by men and women that had once lived like royalty, many spores from various plants and shrubs had blown uncontrollably around them. Many plants and weeds had grown tall from the seeds planted years earlier through the wind

Long, green, creeping vines now decorated the walls of the mansions and they had slowly crept in silence up the walls, from the ground to the troughs. Once they were in bloom, after the warmth of summer arrived, they rendered the mansions almost invisible to a casual observer. With no one to prune the vines or remove them, they now covered most of the walls and windows.

Many of the glass windowpanes were now missing that had sparkled in the sunlight. They were now reduced to nothing more than jagged, broken glass, protruding from the edges of their broken wooden panes. The windows were protected from the weather in some areas, but they were exposed in others.

The occupants of the van didn’t know that former gold prospectors had occupied the homes before the end of the previous century. The miners had known and understood that wealth was something that could come or go on a moment’s notice. During the heyday of their prosperity, everyone would be determined to enjoy their new wealth in elegance and splendor.

Everyone needed furniture to adorn each room of their mansions and they knew exactly where and how to obtain everything that they needed.  It wasn’t ordered through a Sears-Roebuck catalogue. The furniture was ordered from the finest suppliers of handcrafted furniture around the world.

Many of their skilled carpenters would spend countless hours engraving a work of art with accuracy and precision. After supervisors examined their labours, a master craftsman would then authorize the release of the pieces. They would then be transported to the docks, loaded onto ships, and they left the countries that designed them.

It would take many weeks for the furniture to travel across the ocean from the mainland of Europe, but they would eventually arrive at the seaports on the western coastline of the nation. The miners and their families would have to show patience and it would eventually arrive at their front door.

Horses and wagons would then transport the shipments of furniture to the large estates in Hickory. Once the men were ready to unload their cargo with care, an insurance adjuster was on hand to supervise the men’s activities. It took time, but the new furniture would be placed carefully in each room, so it remained intact, and damage was avoided at all costs.

The interior of the elegant homes would now display some of the finest workmanship that money could buy, but it was also known that money was seen as no object. Bright-red carpets running up the vast staircases brought an atmosphere of dignity and respect to the homes. Tapestries would now be mounted on the walls and satin drapes adorned the windows.

Wax candles were placed strategically around large, crystal chandeliers, so they could adorn the ceilings with grace and dignity. They would add sparkle to each room during the evening hours, creating an atmosphere of magic and enchantment. Their servants would lower the elegant centerpieces with gold chains, which were attached to the chandelier and then mounted to the walls.

In the previous century, no one worried about extravagance, banquets, or all the parties that would be thrown inside the ballroom for hundreds of guests. It was known that building a mansion would require the large rooms were often located in the rear of the mansion. It was always done that way, so the guests could enjoy the outdoor gardens, statues, and monuments. Gazebos and many of the other attractions merely added elegance to their homes.

The outdoor gardens would often feature many beautiful flowers, shrubs, and gorgeous trees. The scenery was always the reflection of the owner and nothing would be overlooked in the gardens, just in case a midnight stroll was enjoyed after an evening of fun and excitement. It was known that their small, brass orchestras could entertain the guests from the gazebos.

Very-influential guests from the four corners of the world would gather in the large ballrooms, to discuss their hot topics and enjoy the warm hospitality of their hosts. Many guests would come to the parties to sip champagne and dance to the latest crazes that were now sweeping the nation. There would be many songs introduced from Europe, fashions, and new dance steps shared.

Those that could benefit the minors in many ways were welcomed, but other men and women only attended the parties for another reason. They are there, so they would be able to fill hand-engraved china plates with the best foods available from around the world.

The exotic foods were always imported to satisfy even the most organic of their guest’s taste buds. To demonstrate that money wasn’t seen as important, various foods would be imported from many countries around the world and it was served chilled. Nothing was ignored or overlooked.

Russian caviar, lobster, crab legs, filet mignon, shrimp, escargot, and the various hor’ dearves were just a sample of what was offered on large buffet tables. Impressing their guests would mean everything, so the wine, liquors, beer, and other beverages were available on tap at the bar.

During the years that were referred to as the fun-filled days, the sound of live orchestras could often be heard playing their music through the entire valley. The music would often echo through the air from the mountains and a whole region would participate whether they wanted to or not.

That was their normal lives, before the miner’s were forced to leave their homes. Ignoring the pleas of the citizens in the valley, to end their parties at a reasonable hour, the parties would last into the early hours of the morning. There was nothing like dancing and drinking all night, because friendships in business circles opened doors over the years.

That would change however and the miners wouldn’t be happy, especially when the men and women living in the valley would be granted their wish for peace and quiet during the evening hours. As the rains soaked everything in the area, the days of huge parties and foreign dignitaries visiting the large homes were now long gone, forgotten in the archives of history.

Government officers would arrive unexpectantly one morning in the small town of Hickory. They were holding subpoenas and warrants in their hands.  They weren’t there for the noise, but they represented something far worse.

They were now adamant that they were going to build a new government facility in the area that was considered top secret. The military officers were moving in to set up a new base and it wasn’t received well, especially when families in the mountains would have to move, or be evicted from the homes.

The families living in the mansions had discovered that it was impossible to battle a corrupt government and the military in particular. After a lengthy fight proved futile, the families of the miners reluctantly sold the homes they had often dreamed of building to the government. They didn’t have a choice and it saddened many.

They could either sell the homes they owned willingly for a profit, or the government would evict them as a risk to the national security of the country.  The choice was theirs to accept or reject and the government sent in the best negotiators to deal with the problem. They wanted to explain why that would be the best location for their new base.

The government didn’t really want to experience the hassle of dealing with spectators that would watch events unfolding inside the perimeter of the base on a daily basis. Unfortunately, their military base was planned for the region and the plans couldn’t be altered or changed.

Watching the events now taking place around them, the miners and their families could only stand by the front doors in silence, and with tears in their eyes. They didn’t really want to give up their hopes and dreams, but they are powerless to stop it. They would watch in silence, as the military personnel reluctantly removed their belongings from their dream homes.

There was a silver lining in every experience though and it worked to their advantage. The military would provide the large wagons that were needed to transport their belongings out of the area. It was one of the perks they offer a family that would sell their mansion to the government.

It took a few months for everyone to leave their dream homes and many of the families were saddened to lose them. Once the immaculate homes were empty, the military didn’t waste any time erecting the large fences across the backyards of the mansions. They were now installed to keep the curious or unwelcome guests off the base.

The chain-link fences of barbed wire would also keep unwanted visitors from investigating what was happening inside the two warehouses they built on the premises. For some reason that was only known to the military brass, the warehouses were the only buildings constructed on the property that the government owned for the base.

As time began to pass in the small town of Hickory, many of the men and women in the valley believed that the government-funded experiments were conducted in secrecy from the rest of the world. There were now many odd and strange rumours floating around the town that made it hard for them to ignore what would really be taking place on the military base.

In the early nineteen hundreds, the government had built the secret-testing facility that was very close to the community where the homes were located. Due to the secret experiments conducted by the scientists, the residents were forced to leave the confines of their homes and move to different parts of the country.

Now that the government had agreed to give the owners of the mansions a substantial value for their extravagant homes, at least it made the move more acceptable. With large sums of money resting in their pockets, many of the families moved a short distance to start over and rebuild their lives.

Unlike many of the men and women that would have taken the money and moved to the larger cities throughout the nation to prosper, many of the miners and their families didn’t want to leave the area where they had settled many years earlier. Their roots were anchored firmly in Hickory and they are determined that their families would be raised away from the evils that were seen on a constant basis in the media.

It was strange that over half of the residents used the money they received from their mansions to build modest homes in a small town that was near the other end of the valley.  It had everything they needed to live happy lives and the town was named ‘Hickory’, after a prospector that would be the first man killed in the mines in 1864.

The history of the area would then resemble many of the other villages or towns that would be found throughout the nation. Friendships were formed and cherished, their children grew together, and everyone attended the same churches and schools that were built to accommodate them. 

Many families didn’t want to disrupt their lives any further, by moving out of a valley that they had now called home for many years. They preferred to remain and build their lives in an environment that would promote a lifestyle that was separate from the rest of the world.

The area of town that was once known as the home of the miners and their families became desolate from the day the miners left their homes. Everyone questioned why the government wanted the homes to remain unoccupied for some unknown reason. Only one explanation would be given and they didn’t want families living close to the fences they had erected.

Everyone would speculate and form theories surrounding the base and one reason had made sense to many people. It would cost a small fortune to keep guards posted at the lengthy fences that now separated the military base from the homes and the rest of society.

There was another reason that would be laughed at when it was suggested. Perhaps the scientists felt that they wouldn’t worry about their work being discovered, or disturbed and they now felt more relaxed inside the perimeter of the base. No one likes having others looking over their shoulder.

Even though the military base was located directly behind the mansions, it didn’t discourage many men that entered the valley for various reasons from trying to persuade the military into releasing the homes again. They saw their elegance and wanted to take advantage of the dreams of others in selfishness. They actually believed that they could take whatever they wanted. 

Many potential buyers of the homes had children, money, power, and they were seen as very influential. They felt that their high offices in local, or the main government in Washington, would give them special privileges that are never available for normal men and women living in the area.

Their efforts were in vain and many reasons were given to prohibit anyone from living inside the walls of the homes again. The local officials would tell them that their children posed a serious risk to the security of the base. There was also another reason and the people of Hickory were a close-knit family.  

They might be high-ranking government employees, but they would never be given special treatment when it came to national security. Even if they are to offer substantial bribes or kickbacks to military personnel, it would only reveal that they were corrupt and arrogant to everyone living in the area. The families that lived in the region didn’t take the evil actions of Satan’s demons very well and elevating others above someone else was frowned on. 

Many men and women that were still living in Hickory would seize on that knowledge and it wouldn’t take long before that privilege was exposed in the media outlets. It would then have disastrous results in many of the voting booths, where outside politicians craved power, high salaries, special perks, and other privileges in life. No one wants to lose their power in government.

The same excuses would be given to them that were given for years to the normal men and women asking about the homes with children. They might see adventure and mystery behind the homes and they would want to satisfy their curiosity. Small children are always very inquisitive and someone could get hurt if they crept onto the base and discovered something dangerous.

There was always a chance that the children would climb through holes in the fence and it would lead them to investigate the activity on the other side.  By signing an agreement with the town council, the leaders on the base knew that the homes would remain empty forever and the large force wouldn’t be needed to patrol the perimeter fencing.

As the years began to pass and interest in the homes disappeared quickly, it wasn’t long before the elements went to work on everything that had made them elegant in the eyes of many during their era of parties and debutants.  Windows were boarded and locks were placed on the doors. Within a few short years, the weeds, elements, and rust on metal would effectively destroy the grounds that had once surrounded the estates with dignity. 

It would appear that way until the ‘Great Depression’ then arrived during the roaring twenties. No one escaped what happened around the world. That was when many people lost their jobs or their only source of income. It led to many of the boards being torn from the windows and the large homes were now frequented by drunks, vagrants, prostitutes, or various biker gangs that saw them as a building they could use as a club headquarters.

Many of the miner’s children had grown into adulthood and they often had other things on their minds after they relocated to the other end of the town.  In a strange twist of irony, a story appeared that no one had really expected to hear. Rumours that were circulating around the town, from one end of the valley to the other, said that everything that previously took place is in vain. 

The former occupants of the mansions were reading in the newspapers that the military base would be shut down within the year and abandoned. Due to an excuse that they call government cutback, the activities on the base would now cease operations after it was constructed.

Before the cutback took effect, no one was permitted to venture within ten miles of the base over the years for any reason. They even closed the road in front of the elegant mansions for traffic. The military police would patrol the area non-stop, looking for trespassers that wanted to satisfy their curiosity. If they were found, they were arrested and fined for trespassing. 

That would end during the depression and it opened the way for others to exploit it without remorse or hesitation on their part. They may have lost the homes or jobs they had, but there were still large mansions to live in rent free until they were evicted from them again.

No one had really cared if the homeless remained in the homes anyways. They had their own problems to overcome each day and if all of the drunks, drug addicts, and prostitutes were at the base, they wouldn’t be around many children that were living in the region. Everyone was now moving forward.

It was a new dawn for civilization and many new inventions were flooding the markets of the world to stimulate the economy again. They had included the telephone, electric power, and everything was made as a disposable item that would need replacement when it wore out. It created new employment.

Henry Ford had invented a horseless carriage and trucks now transport their goods around the country. Horses and carriages were becoming a thing of the past. The only horses that remained were for racing at the local tracks or they are ridden on farms for entertainment. The services of their blacksmiths were also a thing of the past and they had to adapt to the changing times.

The loss of their simple life had saddened everyone, but it excited them at the same time. Now that many new goods and services would be offered that benefited the people, they no longer had to worry about making products or items that were built to last a lifetime. Quality was relegated to past centuries and they now had everything they ever dreamed about at their fingertips.

The world was quickly changing through modern technologies that would often change or evolve again within a few years. It was a never-ending cycle of change and anyone that refused to adapt or they couldn’t keep up with the changing lifestyles, they were left behind everyone else quickly. Many could liken it to the sands of time and it would eventually expire for everyone.  

Watching helplessly, as many of their gasoline-burning trucks would now travel along the dirt road to the base; everyone knew that something was now happening. The stench of the engine’s emissions was now filling the air with pollution and it was hovering over the valley like a yellowish haze. 

Two world wars were now fought and the children of the former owners of the mansions could only wonder why the new base was being evacuated. The citizens heard the rumours about the government cutbacks, but their parents had paid the ultimate price. They sacrificed their history of shattered dreams for a life that included just surviving from month to month.

Everyone could only watch in silence, when the trucks rolled in and out of the base for the next eleven months. No one really knew any information concerning the base, but everyone believed that the trucks were transporting equipment, machines, records of their experiments, and other items from the two warehouse-shaped buildings to a new location or base.

Many would now be under impressions that the government had probably wasted more of the taxpayer’s money and they built another base somewhere else. The scientists would need everything they have that is of importance in a bordering state. Unknown to everyone living in Hickory, they were correct and the government had spared no expense in creating a new base in Nevada.  It was called ‘Area 51’.

Modern technologies had enabled them to equip the base with the latest in surveillance equipment, to keep everyone away from the activities that were happening behind closed doors. Their actions would create the new wave of rumours and speculation, especially when it was reported that a ‘U.F.O.’ had crashed close to the base in Roswell. 

Abandoning one base in favour of the newer, more advanced military base was nothing new for the left-leaning governments that loved to throw money away on frivolous ventures. Most of the politicians were greedy, arrogant, and they loved to have their new toys to command and play with. They could now wallow up to the trough and grow fat at the expense of the people. 

For the occupants of Hickory though, they sacrificed their homes and way of life for others that didn’t care if they were alive or dead. Many couldn’t believe their eyes, when the base would be quickly abandoned within a one-year period of time. Why would that happen, since it was now deserted just twenty years after the military first constructed it behind the mansions.

To provide security for the former military facility, the skeletal crews of five men were left to patrol the buildings and perimeter of the base over the next few years. They would patrol the base during their shifts, to ensure that the secrets the base had once contained remained just that… secret. 

One thing that appeared to keep everyone in suspense over the years was why the base only had two long and narrow, warehouse-shaped buildings. It didn’t make sense when they were first constructed and they would only add to the suspense surrounding the base after it was evacuated.

Many of their bases throughout the world contained barracks and living quarters for the men and women that were working at the base to live. They would also contain a building where the men would meet to eat and enjoy the various beverages that were part of their lives.

Every military base that would serve the needs of soldiers would never be complete without a recreation center to enjoy sports, games, and activities of relaxation. Their military personnel could then get something to drink, relax after a long day of working, or take a break from performing their duties.

The events surrounding the closure of the base really didn’t appear normal to everyone that was living within the perimeters of the small town. Many similarities did exist though and the military police would have a small booth that was located next to the entrance of the base. 

It contained a small fridge and surveillance cameras of the buildings were installed once that technology was invented many years later. When it would be built, a large, wooden arm could be raised and lowered next to their small security booth. That would keep unwelcome guests from driving directly to the warehouses without authorization.

As the years continued to pass, the area then appeared to deteriorate very quickly and one thing is obvious. Many of the local citizens noticed that the military police no longer guarded the gate after the base was deserted. Some guards are left behind to patrol the perimeters of the fences periodically, but they rarely left the booth to perform their routine duties.

Chapter 3 - An Interesting Evening

The area was rich in history and there was one group that wasn’t familiar with the events that transpired there a hundred years earlier. They were now arriving in their van to spend a quiet two weeks with friends, but the final leg of their journey wouldn’t be as easy as they had imagined navigating.

It was now raining very heavily. As the rain continuously pelted their area with moisture from above them, an eerie atmosphere now surrounded the van and everything wasn’t quiet that put their nerves on edge.

The bright beams from their van’s headlights could be seen in the area and it was now reflecting off the torrents of driving rain in front of them. The vehicle was still driving cautiously through the mud and rain-soaked roads in front of them, but the driver wasn’t taking his eyes off the road. He was now navigating uncharted territory and their lives were in his hands.

When Sidney slowed the van, so he could follow the deserted roadway, it wasn’t known to them at the time that they were now driving past the dark, deserted homes that were still standing on the slopes of the mountains. That would lead to the van stopping abruptly on the muddy roadway. Sidney had seen a bridge and he didn’t know if it was weakened in the storm.

The danger the bridge presented had prompted Sidney to check their map. He wanted everyone to be prepared, just in case they might be forced to use an alternate route or a detour into Hickory. It could be disastrous for them, if they actually had to leave the roadway for any reason, due to construction, or other problems that could materialize when it rains.

Turning on the interior lights of the van, the driver wondered if the town would come into view on the other side of the stream. He was told by a gas-station attendant that Hickory was on the road they were following, but they would have to exercise caution, especially if the weather suddenly changed for the worst. It had certainly changed and it was now a major storm.

They were still on their way to visit friends that they hadn’t seen for many years, but nature could often disrupt the best plans others made. Earlier that month, they received the telegram saying the Banners were all right and they would love seeing them again.

They would have many things to tell them about their lives, if and when it was possible for them to visit their area in the future. From the last time they met in the old church, where everyone gathered to celebrate their wedding, they had decided to move to Hickory, Nebraska to live their lives. Now that they were surrounded by a mountain range, they felt isolated from the rest of the world, which gave them peace of mind to live their lives in seclusion.

Sidney was trying to follow a map they obtained from a local gas station, after they left the interstate, but things would often change in the mountains. He quickly realized that the storm was making their journey very treacherous and he wasn’t familiar with the dangers that could appear out of nowhere.

Everyone inside the van didn’t expect the roads to deteriorate so quickly in front of them and they were now placing their lives in God’s hands. Instead of paved, well-lit roads, they found themselves driving along dirt and muddy roads that were surrounded by the darkness of the night.

They had to make a choice. They could either continue their journey along the road in front of them, or they could stop for the night. They would then wait until the morning to arrive at their destination. A vote would then reveal the answer to their question.

From the information they read earlier in the telegram, everyone inside the van knew that Hickory was a secluded community. The citizens had enjoyed the peaceful tranquility of their valley for over a hundred years. They knew that it was surrounded by mountains on all sides and they are now parked in front of a river and bridge.

When they had spoken with the waitress earlier that night in the café by the interstate, it was discovered that many children of the original miners had moved to the east or west coast over the years. They are tempted by the lure of money in the larger cities of Los Angeles, Boston, New York, or Miami.

It was all the information they needed, to give them the incentive to earn a decent living and enjoy everything that the modern world could offer them. Well-known universities on the east and west coasts could give them what is dreamed of, in the way of degrees and job opportunities. The education they needed to find employment in cities all over the country was now possible.

It was a strange contrast to how life had unfolded for many of the citizens, based on their lives over a hundred years earlier. Many of the men worked deep beneath the Earth’s surface to earn a living. Times had changed though and the youth didn’t see that as their future employment.

The mines that offered a decent living for the occupants of Hickory were shut down, deserted, sealed, and they were simply abandoned over the years. They remain that way until someone from a foreign state would occasionally try their hand at the trade.

They didn’t mind the dangerous conditions, or the mud that would become caked onto their faces, hands, and clothes. They only saw dollar signs, in the same way that the gold rush had citizens flooding the Yukon or California. It was the same thing and they craved wealth, power, and fame.

Many of the former miners made their fortunes from digging tunnels in the rocks and many precious ores were removed. New miners would arrive in the area and they discovered quickly that they were wasting their time. After a couple of weeks of hard labor with no material gains, they would disappear just as quickly as they had appeared in the small town.

Every once in a while, the adult children would return to the home of their parents, so they can assist their parents during their twilight-years. After the government constructed their base, the only remnants of the former mining town were the new houses in the valley, the old mansions, a cemetery, and the two warehouses that existed inside the perimeter fences of the base.

The occupants inside the van were new to the area. They had now driven thousands-of-miles from the west coast and Beverly Hills. Driving along the interstate highways, they admired many of nature’s wonders. They could see large lakes, the sun setting on white-capped mountains in the distance, and it allowed them to experience the heat-baked sand of the deserts.

They saw the lizards, snakes, and other wildlife that called the region their home, as they made their journey to Hickory. It was unfortunate that many of the animals didn’t escape instant death on the roadways. The headlights of oncoming motorists had blinded them on the hot pavement and the animals would perish during the darkness of the night.

The mountains have claimed the lives of many men and women in their vehicles, when they didn’t escape from the approaching danger that appeared suddenly and without warning. Statistics were always kept for human lives lost, but no one worried about the number of animals killed.

Now that they were stopped in the darkness and the rain continued to pelt their van from above, there was one man that was hoping that the rain would ease. He was seated in the van behind the steering wheel and the lives of his guests were his responsibility. He had driven most of the journey, but he was in a position to share those duties with the others, if he wanted to.

The tall gentleman was Sidney Lawrence and he stood over six-feet tall. He had a stocky build and a full crop of brown hair that is growing neatly on his head. Sidney loved adventure and the unknown, but he didn’t believe in taking unnecessary chances with his health or his life. He chose to see the safe path in everything, after weighing the odds of failure in his mind.

Living on the west coast, near the influential area of Beverly Hills, Sidney earned his living by working in the insurance field. Many of his clients were well-known movie and rock stars that also called Beverly Hills their home.

Like everyone else, large insurance premiums were paid to companies that benefited from their clients. The premiums were paid to protect the homes and health of the rich and famous, just in case of emergency. Those policies paid commissions to the salesmen that were responsible for getting the name of the applicant on the dotted line.

The salesmen always did very well, because the west coast is notorious for earthquakes and the tremors felt on the ‘San Andreas Fault’. It didn’t matter what someone actually did to earn their living, because everyone wanted to ensure that their belongings and homes were covered for those events.

Sitting beside him in the passenger seat was his wife Rachel. She was the short, slender woman with long, brown hair that had received the telegram in the mail. Both she and her husband Sidney are in their early forties and they had spent the past twenty years in the company of each other.

They had their ups and downs, but most of the years were happy for them. Unfortunately, Rachel couldn’t have children to love, which was due to the medical condition the doctors diagnosed inside her uterus.

She majored in the field of science and technology at the University of Los Angeles. She loved to work with their computers in her basement, so Rachel was able to invent different products that many others could benefit from. They were used in hospitals and factories to boost safety and save lives.

Considering that the twentieth anniversary of their sacred marriage vows was quickly approaching, she and her husband decided that they would drive to the small town of Hickory. They wanted to surprise their friends with a happy reunion and relive their old memories of their youth. They hadn’t seen the couple since the Banner’s stood as witnesses for their wedding.

Sitting in the back of the van, the three guests consisted of James Baldwin, Stephanie Long, and Annette Boucher. They were all good friends and they were a big part of each other’s lives over the years.

Considering that they had served in the wedding party, they were looking forward to their joyous reunion twenty-years later. When Rachel called and gave them all the news that she wanted to surprise the Banners with a visit, everyone would quickly seize their opportunity. Twentieth anniversaries only come once and they didn’t want to make excuses for not attending it.

They could still hear the words