Ghostly Wells and Mysterious Tales

By Michael J Bryant

This is a collection of 6 different spine-chilling stories pertaining to strange occurrences, real haunted places and perhaps the supernatural. Do the doorways we choose in life lead us into unnatural situations and could we have avoided some endings?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781312875524

Book preview

Ghostly Wells

And

  Mysterious Tales

By

Michael J Bryant

Copyright, 2024 Lulu Author,

Michael J Bryant

          ISBN # 978-1-312-87552-4

                            All Rights reserved.

                  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of, or by any means of electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, or locations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All contents herein, ideas, fictional events, characters, story lines, and anything else pertaining to this story of Ghostly Wells and Mysterious Tales, belongs to the author Michael J Bryant, exclusively written and designed for this book alone.

                              Written By: Michael J Bryant

Copyright By: Michael J Bryant

                  Copyright Nov 5, 2014. All rights reserved.

                        US Copyright Office Washington, DC

                                        Table of Contents

The Old Abandoned Well                                    # 1

Distortion in Time # 2

Ghost Town                                                          # 3

The USS Monterey                                              # 4

Lunar Orbiter                                                      # 5

The Clock                                                         # 6

                                            Dedications

I want to thank two of my Grand-daughters, Mckenzie and Rori Renfrow for their cover picture. The cover photo is a picture Jeanne, and I took of the girls when we took them out for their birthday treats, and because it was also near Halloween 2014. They looked really spooked at the skeleton on the door behind them.

                                        Introductions

My new mysterious short stories are exciting, entertaining, a bit haunting, perhaps paranormal, scary and sometimes even heartwarming. This is a collection of 6 different spine-chilling stories pertaining to strange occurrences, real haunted places and perhaps the supernatural. Do the doorways we choose in life lead us into unnatural situations and could we have avoided some endings? Happy Reading.             

The Old Abandoned Well            # 1

Everyone knows about the rumors of the old, now abandoned farmhouse out in the woods in a secluded area where the kids visit the Saluda River for fishing and swimming. A natural spring as it was referred to by the locals had existed on the property since well before the Civil War, maybe even further back. At the close of the Civil War the property was developed by a local farmer named Jesse Rollins who built the farm to begin with. Shortly after turning the natural spring into a watering well, tragedy struck the family. 

The farmer’s little girl Maria, age 11, fell into the well and drowned. Shortly after that incident, the farmer’s wife filled with too much grief over the loss of their daughter, killed herself in the house while the farmer was tending the crops. Later that year at harvest time when Jesse Rollins didn’t show up in town with his crops, a few townspeople became concerned. Upon visiting the farm to see about their neighbor, they couldn’t find anyone. Did he give up and move on without saying a word? Did tragedy strike for a third time? He was never found, and the farm soon became abandoned and forgotten.

Tom Bryant, Danielle Weber and Darryl Davis were best friends growing up in the Deep South. Just off Main Street in downtown Piedmont ran the mighty Saluda River where most everyone fished and swam during the hot southern summer months. The summers here were very warm and humid which also caused many lightning storms and rain. The best way for residents to escape the heat was to jump in the river. With the Saluda River running right through town, there was no reason for a lot of folks to travel elsewhere for fishing and swimming.

It was early morning on June 27, 1967, when Danielle and Darryl rode their bikes over to Tom’s house to knock on the door. Danielle, being the only female of the group was the bravest of the three. She was a local tomboy type and enjoyed doing everything the boys enjoyed. Fishing, swimming, playing softball or rough housing didn’t matter to her. She was 13 years old. Darryl and Tom were 14.

Come on Darryl, just knock on the door, Danielle told him, We haven’t got all day you know.

Darryl slowly got off his bike and laid it on the lawn as he said, It’s only 6:30 in the morning, Danielle. What if everyone is still sleeping?

While Darryl slowly approached the front porch to the old southern styled Mill House, Danielle let her bike fall to the ground as she ordered, Oh step aside and let a girl do it.

  She ran up on the porch, and even though there weren’t any lights on in the house at this time of the morning, she banged on the front door. Darryl leaned on one of the overhanging porch beams while they patiently waited for someone to answer.

If you wake up Tom’s parents at this time of the morning, you are going to be in trouble, girl, Darryl warned.

  It’s Saturday morning goof ball, she assured him, Besides that, Tom’s parents happen to like me, and they are very sweet people.

It had stormed most of the night before with heavy rains, wind, lots of lightning and even hail raining down at times. The morning air seemed rather pleasant though with the temperature being 68 degrees. There was a cool breeze slightly blowing and the sky remained overcast with a thin layer of fog hanging about.

When the front doorknob started jiggling and turning, Darryl giggled as he then warned, If that is Tom’s dad, I am going to laugh at you.

Shut up, Darryl, she spouted off.

While the squeaky door slowly opened, Tom finally poked his head out as he greeted, Morning.

Anyone else awake yet? Darryl wanted to know.

Nope, he replied as he came outside and closed the door behind him explaining, Pop didn’t have to work at the mill today, so everyone is still sleeping.

Tom walked over to the side of the house where he got onto his bicycle when Darryl asked, I thought you said your sister Rita was going to tag along with us today?

What? Tom asked while he joined his two friends waiting in the driveway, Are you crazy?

No way is that girl going to get out of bed this early in the morning, he assured his friends while they rolled out of the driveway on their bikes.

Darn it, Darryl commented, not sounding really happy, I thought for sure she was going to the river with us today.

The dawn’s darkness was fading away fast. It was about seven a.m. now and the kids had better light to see where they were going. They rode up the road a way until they came to Hwy. 86 which would take them to town. There wasn’t much traffic on an early Saturday morning in Piedmont, South Carolina but there were a few passing motorists. The kids did their best to ride on the shoulder of the highway as much as possible on their way to town.

  Many businesses were just opening up on Main Street by the time the kids reached the small downtown area. They rode their bikes up on the sidewalks, peering into the many store fronts and restaurants that were just getting their lights turned on and coming to life. There was still a misty fog lingering about as a few early morning risers began filtering out onto Main Street waiting for some of the stores and restaurants to open their doors.

Morning children, the kids heard someone speaking when they focused in on the pastor standing outside of the thrift store.

They all stopped for a few moments as they greeted him saying, Morning Pastor Chris.

What brings you all out at such an early hour? he wanted to know.

Danielle, who isn’t the least bit shy, quickly spoke up saying, You have to get started early in the morning Pastor, in order to catch those big fish in the Saluda River. 

Oh yes, young lady, he agreed with a smile, But do your parents know where you are?

Well, sort of, sir, Darryl replied shyly.

Sort of? he questioned.

Our parents know we love to fish on Saturday mornings, and we did leave them notes on the kitchen tables for when they do wake up, Tom admitted.

Well okay then but I do expect to see you children in church in the morning, the pastor smiled.

While the kids took off continuing up the sidewalk on their bikes with Danielle in the lead, followed by Tom and then Darryl, Darryl looked back at Pastor Chris who was still watching them and said, See you in the morning, Reverend.

Pastor Chris waved goodbye at the children as he shouted, Be safe and happy fishing. 

The kids followed Main Street which circled back around to Highway 86 near the firehouse and the Saluda River Bridge. Crossing the street, they rode up over the bridge crossing the Saluda River and then turned right down River Road. River Road follows the Saluda River for several miles and has many areas and banks along the river for fishing, camping or even boating. About two miles down the road the kids came to a stop on the narrow side.

This looks like the trail right here, Danielle announced as she pointed off into the woods.

Fantastic, let’s go, Darrel excitedly replied.

You sure have a good eye for spotting these little trails through the woods, Danielle, Tom had to admit.

And what did you expect? she giggled, I’m a girl.

What does that have to do with anything? he wanted to know.

Before he could even get an answer, the other two were off and running. While Darryl and Danielle took off in a hurry up the trail and through the woods, Tom shouted, It’s a little foggier down here you two. Don’t run into any trees and watch where you’re going.

While his two friends disappeared into the thick wooded area, Tom took off after them. They raced down a very thin red clay path which at times widened. The Saluda River also wound around like a snake and sometimes the bikers were beside it and at other times the river was hidden by the trees and the brush. They