NeverEnding Maddness: A Girl Lost to the World (Frost & Flame Book 3) Read online

  NeverEnding Maddness

  A GIRL LOST TO THE WORLD

  FROST & FLAME TRILOGY BOOK 3

  BY RICK KUEBER

  STELLIUM BOOKS

  Grant Park, Illinois 60940 i Neverending Maddness: A Girl Lost to the World is the third book of the Frost & Flame Trilogy of fictional books by Rick Kueber. These books are, however, based on true events.

  www.stelliumbooks.com Copyright 2015 © Rick Kueber All rights reserved

  First published 2015 Manufactured in the United States ISBN:978-0692533260

  ii

  Dedications

  For my team- Jenn, Katie, and Theo: I am blessed to have a team with more character and unique personalities than I could have dreamed up. Without you, these adventures would not have been the same.

  Thank You For my true friends, the list is too long to name you all, and my family: You have all been very encouraging and supportive and always been there when I needed you. Thank You

  For my son Daniel, who is growing into an amazing young man: You have encouraged me to follow my dreams without question, and I hope I have done the same for you. You have always been my greatest adventure. Do what makes you happy in life, be inspired to make others happy, and live your dreams.

  Love always, Dad

  iii

  Background Image Art &

  Cover Model Photography: Hilary Lee

  Book Cover Design: Annette Munnich Location Photography: Angela Makeever

  Cover Model: Miranda Lee Hoyt(Maddie)

  Additional thanks to those who shared this adventure with the EVP team and a special acknowledgment to those who are referred to in the contents of this book:

  Mike Lee

  Hilary Lee

  Tabitha Linton

  NeverEnding Maddness

  By Rick Kueber

  Edited by: Cinda Payne Inman

  Copyright© September 1, 2015 – R.J. Kueber

  All Rights Reserved. Except as provided by the copyright act, [date, etc.] no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission

  v NeverEnding Maddness is a novel based on actual and fictional events, documented history and investigations. Though the main characters in this book are based on real people, their names and specifics have been altered because there are elements of fiction throughout this literary work and is not intended to be a complete or accurate account. The team members of Evansville Vanderburgh Paranormal Investigations, and Psychic/Mediums- Theo Kostaridis are portrayed as themselves, and a short bio on each has been included-

  Jennifer Kirsch-................................................... pg. 231

  Katie Collins-....................................................... pg. 233

  Theo Kostaridis- …...............................................pg. 235

  Glossary of terms and equipment....................... pg. 236

  Photo by Grace Kirsch

  CHAPTER INDEX

  1) FORGOTTEN........................................................pg. 1

  2) A DREAM OF DEATH............................................pg. 15

  3) A DASHING YOUNG WOMAN..............................pg. 31

  4) AND SO, IT BEGINS..............................................pg. 53

  5) SOMETHING WICKED….......................................pg. 63

  6) CLIFF HANGER.....................................................pg. 75

  7) TREAD LIGHTLY.....................................................pg. 87

  8) DREAM A LITTLE DREAM.....................................pg. 101

  9) THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE....................................pg. 119

  10) WINTER.............................................................pg. 135

  11) AS WE SEE IT......................................................pg. 151

  12) HIDDEN GEMS...................................................pg. 167

  13) FROST & FLAME.................................................pg. 181

  14) FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN...................................pg. 191

  15) WITHOUT US.............…......................................pg. 203

  16) A CLEANSING BY FIRE........................................pg. 211

  Epilogue: .….............................................................pg. 227

  vii viii

  Prologue:

  My team had been together for a few years and had been on every kind of paranormal investigation imaginable. Over the past few years we had investigated three of the most incredible cases I could have ever even dreamed of. The families and the lost souls we had helped had given us a true sense of purpose to go along with our passion. We were truly blessed in that respect.

  The first phenomenal case was that of a little ghost girl named Ashley Sue Helmach. She was a poor child who had been outcast by her community in the late 1800's and eventually her only family had even turned their back on her. She had been burned as a witch child because of her differences, and that alone was tragic, but our encounters with her spirit and the tale we had uncovered were almost more tragic than we could bear. Though it was a nightmarish investigation, we struggled our way through it, and had become better people for having not given up on the desperate and confused spirit of this child. Even now, the spirit of young Ash, visits my team and I, and has even been known to visit those who have read her story.

  The second amazing case we had been involved in was an incredible mystery and surprise to all of us. A group of young brothers who had died at a very young age, and a few not so nice spirits haunted a local establishment. With the aid of another renowned psychic, we researched and investigated a local private club known as the Owls Nest. The experiences there were unbelievable and with the help of little Ashley Sue, our ghostly friend, we were able to help these child spirits, as well some of those that had lived with or been touched by their presence and even their absence.

  The third and possibly most active and frightening case involved numerous spirits, with one in particular, and our endeavors to help them. This is their story...

  ix x

  Chapter 1 Forgotten

  The young girl was awakened from her dreams by the rustling of crispy brown leaves and the snapping of a brittle branch which had long been dead. Her legs were curled up and wrapped tightly within the heavy, cotton fabric of her torn dress and her face and fingers were pained. One side of her face was pocked with the marks of laying against the hard ground and crisp dry leaves of a pin oak, while the other side and her fingers stung from the night’s frosty air having nipped at them over the past several hours.

  The sudden noise had startled her from sleep and a flurry of frightening possibilities poured through her thoughts. Still not quite awake, she leaped to her feet and spun around, her eyes searching the forest for the origin of the sounds. Bewildered and terrified, she began to briskly walk away from where she imagined the sound came from. Her strides increased to a jog and then an all-out run as her fears intensified with every step. As she ran through the lifeless wilderness, the girl shot glances over her shoulders as often as she could, fearing the worst. Had the devil's child followed her? She was certain that it had, and that it only taunted her from a distance to drive her insane from fright. It knew her secret. It must have a plan to torture and torment her, just as it had been tortured.

  She knew it was her doing that caused this, though it was not her intention. In fact, when she had revealed the truth about this devil child, it was only to shi
ft the glaring eyes of her elders from her and onto another. Now, she would pay dearly for betraying what was once a friend. How she wished that she could return to that day and time to change her past, and inevitably change her present and future, but she knew, all too well, that this was not possible.

  After days of stumbling aimlessly through the forest with little to drink and only a few dead berries to eat, she began to feel not only exhausted as she ran, but weak and dizzy. Her blistered feet carried her unknowingly onto a seldom traveled road where she collapsed. The young girl's body was limp, bruised and dirty. Her dress was torn, boots scuffed, and her hair was a tangled mess, when a wagon, drawn by a single black steed, turned the corner. The driver spotted her straightaway and 'whoa'd his horse to a stop. The steam snorted out of the horse's flaring nostrils and contrasted sharply with the sheen of its ebony coat.

  The dawn was breaking th rough the foggy morning, as the driver dismounted his wagon, and rushed to where the girl laid motionless. He pulled his wide brimmed hat down tight against his head. Squinting his eyes, he peered side to side and listened closely in all directions. Swiftly he scooped up the young lady and without hesitation, placed her in the back of his wagon, covering her completely with an old, worn, wool horse blanket. Retaking his seat, he snapped the reigns and the wagon was off with a start. Though she was unconscious, some part of her knew she was no longer traveling alone, and while it gave her some comfort, she would soon realize that the nightmare of this devil's child would only be the beginning of her troubles. Her peace of mind, her trust in mankind, and her sanity were already beginning their departure, making way for an influx of veritable madness. 2

  *** Nearly three days had passed when the girl's eyes opened again. A blurry, orange glow danced about and the onset of confusion began. Her malnourished body was still weak and pained, and her eyelids lifted for only seconds at a time. They felt heavy and stiff and it took an effort to move them. She drew a deep and labored breath, tensing and relaxing her body to extremes, which caused a gravelly whimper as she exhaled. A frightening realization overtook her as she forced her eyes open again and the yellowy, orange light flickered and grew brighter...FIRE. Despite her discomfort, she jerked backwards and let out the slightest of a shriek.

  “Oh, deary! Madison! You've awakened!” a tender and aged female voice answered her shriek. A large figure moved towards her and her vision began to clear. The new surroundings were becoming recognizable as the blurred lines became crisp. She had found herself in a small room, lit only by the dusky light that filtered in through a tiny window just above the bed she had been sleeping in. Directly across from her, the opposite wall, not six or seven feet away, a fire roared in a small brick fireplace. The only other decor in the room was a sturdy, yet crudely made chair and hand-hewn table, where the large figure, a very rosy-cheeked, old woman, had been sitting.

  “Where am I?” She asked. The raspy words ached in her dry throat. “Don't you worry your pretty little head dear.” The kind voice said as she crossed the room and handed her a small tin cup of water. She took a large gulp and swallowed it with some difficulty. “Slow down little Madison. There is more water to be had, if you wish.”

  She sipped at the tiny tin cup slowly, feeling every drop saturating her tongue and soothing her throat. It seeped in, like rain into the dry, cracked earth, rejuvenating the life within her. It was odd that the grandmotherly woman called her by the name Madison twice since she had awakened. She had no recollection of this woman, who she was, or how she knew her name. At this moment, it was the least of her worries. In her mind, the worrisome thoughts flew in and out like fluttering moths to a torchlight. She yearned for her old life, but despised the thought of returning to the home and family that had ruined her life. Who was this elderly woman, and why was she caring for her? Was this woman truly as kindhearted as she seemed, or would this too be revealed to be a cruel lie? She had no idea where she was. Her last memory was of being only a few days walk from her home, her town, her old life, but now, she could be anywhere. She was lost.

  The woman took the cup from the girl's frail hands and refilled it from a small pitcher that sat on the table. Placing the tin cup on the floor near the bed, the old woman spoke softly.

  “Rest now, child. I will bring some soup and bread when I return shortly.” Her head dropped and she glanced briefly toward the tattered young woman as she opened the door and swiftly departed the room, closing the door behind her...

  ~***~ My time away from paranormal research and investigating, how ever short, was truly needed. I had taken the time to regain my own self. I was reconnecting with the person I had been, once, not such a long time ago. Time with my son, Daniel, was no longer distracted by the fears of my experiences and the theories of current supernatural happenings. We had our time together, one on one, and it was complete...and it was beautiful...and it was ours. No one, and no thing, could ever take that from us.

  It was early April and while it was still rather cool, it had warmed up more than normal on this particular Saturday. A warmer than average spring day had transformed into a dark and sultry evening. Clouds gathered and kept the stars and moon hidden from sight. I was not spending this weekend with my boy and late that night, while trolling the internet and catching up on social media, my cell phone rang. I did not recognize the out of state number, but I answered anyway.

  “Hello?” I answered the unknown caller. “Hi, is this Rick?” The woman on the other end said.

  “Yes it is. Can I help you?” I kept my professional tone until I could figure out who I was talking to.

  “It's Hilary. Remember me from the conventions?” she said lightly. “Hilary! How have you been?” I did remember her, a sweet young woman who was raising money to save a wonderfully historic landmark near her home town... in northern Ohio.

  “Been pretty good... okay, look... I know we both know hundreds of people, famous and not so famous, in the paranormal field... but I really want you and your team to help me out here if you can.” She wasn't exactly beating around the bush, but she hadn't gotten to the point yet either.

  “What can we do for you?” I expected her to ask for help with a fund-raiser, or something like that. “It's Maddie...Madison...she has gotten worse and I can't handle her anymore... I can't even bring myself to go to the 'Infirmary' alone now. There is no real rush... she's been waiting a hundred years, but if you think you could pencil us in, we could really use your team's expertise.” Her voice was troubled.

  “Send me what you have... everything... history, photos, time lines, whatever you have managed to dig up, and if you need help with that, let me know and one or two of us will come and work with you. Once we have that in hand, we can put a plan together.” Hilary had often referenced the woman haunting the Infirmary as 'Maddie', this much I already knew. I also knew this was a serious situation, just from the sound of her voice as she spoke about it.

  “Thank you so much! I won't keep you, and I'll be in touch via email, in the next few weeks, okay?” Hilary, once again, asked for confirmation that we would be willing to help.

  “Of course! Just email, or call, or whatever you need to do. We're here for you.” I meant every word I said, but part of me was honestly worried.

  When the conversation ended, I sat on the edge of my bed deep in thought, considering what another out of state investigation would mean to the team, and to my son. I made the definitive decision that no matter how dire the paranormal need, my son would come first. Knowing that, I was able to begin to focus on postulating a plan. Step one, as always, was to assemble the team and make them aware that we would be having another long distance investigation.

  *** It took a bit of planning, re-planning, and rescheduling, but before long we had a team meeting set. Like most, this meeting was at the Starbucks inside of our local Barnes & Noble Booksellers store. Our chatter rambled for quite some time about family and friends and the reappearance of the ground, after a long and white winter, but mostly abou
t Katie's new little boy, and how difficult and stressful parenting could be. Jenn and I tried to give her comforting advise, but Theo just sat back blushing and grinned.

  “I have no idea about being a parent, and I don't plan on ever having an idea about it.” He chuckled knowing his lifestyle had taken that possibility out of the equation. “But, I think you will make a wonderful mom.”

  “Well, no sense in prolonging the inevitable.” I said, and stopped the conversation cold. “We have another investigation request... in Northern Ohio.”

  All eyes turned to me, and mouths dropped open. Even though there were mostly complaints about taking a break, I knew it would be a shock to the system to jump back in to investigating 'with both feet'. It was obvious to the team that this case must be important, and someone must be in dire need, for me to suggest trekking to northern Ohio.

  “When do we go?” was the first question that was asked...by Katie, who smiled. “I haven't set it up yet, but there is apparently no rush, so we can probably do some research and planning before we have to set a date. Theo, Jenn... are you two on board?” I asked, already knowing the answers.

  “Uh.... nah... I'm just going to sit this one out.” Jenn replied calmly. “Really?” I asked, both confused and concerned.

  “DUH! Set it up! You know I'm in!” Jenn's sarcasm had, for the first time in a while, surfaced and caught me off guard. We all laughed at how I had fallen for her comment, hook, line and sinker.

  “Just let me know ahead of time so I can schedule the time off, but you know I'll be there.” Theo said, still laughing a bit between words. “It's settled then. I'll contact Hilary and let her know, and then we'll have another meeting to plan a schedule, probably in a couple of weeks.” I sat back in my chair and sipped at my French vanilla cappuccino.

  “No rest for the wicked.” Katie said jokingly.