None of us really thought we were going to find Sadie.
An ad hoc rescue team of rapidly sobering partygoers turned the place inside out.
We helped, or we pretended to help at least.
Rene Asmussen
None of us really thought we were going to find Sadie.
We were raked over the proverbial coals for that bottle of rum Mr. Carmichael had found.
Punishments were pending for the very moment the crisis would come to an end.
Not that night and not for many to come.
Mr. Carmichael stayed behind to speak to the cops and he made me stay too.
He didnt speak a word to me the entire time.
He just sat there, chain-smoking his menthol cigarettes and glaring at me with his horrible red-rimmed eyes.
His sleeves were pushed up and his tie was loosened.
His face was red and his hair was damp and ragged with sweat.
He stank of whiskey and fear.
I was terrified of him.
He looked ready to fight the next person to look at him funny.
And we were alone together.
I tried to say something to him.
I have no idea what.
The police were here.
Wait here, He growled, snubbing out his cigarette and rising to his feet.
The others were scouring the neighborhood for her.
The entire night had taken on a surreal quality from the very moment of Sadies mysterious disappearance.
I knew something that the adults would never admit.
The word was supernatural.
I guess I had romanticized the concept.
It wasnt exciting or intriguing or anything else I had expected.
My friend had vanished, impossibly, from a closet.
She wasnt hiding anywhere, she didnt run away.
She vanished, in the truest sense of the word.
I could hear Mr. Carmichael in the foyer explaining the situation to the police.
It didnt seem to be going well.
Finally, he lead them into the living room.
There were two of them.
Short too, I think I was taller than him, and I wasnt a tall kid.
He looked like he was playing dress-up in his uniform.
The other cop was a woman.
She seemed a bit older, stout and grim-looking.
Her hair was pulled back in the sort of severe bun I associated with librarians.
They surveyed the room, littered as it was with the detritus of a wild party.
There were empty beer bottles, highball glasses, and overstuffed ashtrays covering every available surface.
I could feel their judgment, even though it wasnt directed at me.
I thought that was shitty.
Just because our parents were having a party, that didnt mean it was their fault Sadie had disappeared.
From what she told us, it was a long time coming.
Considering the voices and the sounds from the closet, I mean.
Finally, one of them spoke.
Hi, Paul, Babyface said, My name is David Smith and this is my partner Doris Montenegro.
She nodded grimly and said nothing.
We just have a few questions for you.
I probably looked about as disheveled as Mr. Carmichael, if not worse.
I was dimly aware of the fact that I was covered in dust and cobwebs.
Okay, I told them.
The safety of your little friend may depend on it.
Adults were like that.
They thought we couldnt wipe our own asses without their direct supervision.
I also knew that nothing I told her would increase the odds of their finding Sadie.
Not unless the local police department had a paranormal crimes division.
I told them about Seven Minutes in Heaven.
I told them the most important fact, that we were all watching the door.
That Sadie could not have gotten out of the closet without all of us seeing her.
Of course, they didnt believe me.
I had committed the unforgivable crime of being twelve years old, and was therefore not to be trusted.
They grilled me for some endless span of time, trying to poke holes in my story.
It was always like this.
Whether you were innocent or not.
Well maybe we were drinking and maybe we were making out.
That didnt change the fact that Sadie walked into that closet and never walked out.
I guess I lost my temper.
I told the police many things that would do nothing to aid in their search for Sadie.
Mostly, I told them what it was and where they could stick it.
Mr. Carmichael tried to step in and I unloaded plenty of ammunition on him as well.
Said some stuff I regretted in the cold light of day.
I think I said that I was starting to see our parents in a different light.
I knew that Carmichael wasnt my enemy, he was just a father who was afraid for his daughter.
And I was a kid.
He was an adult, a full grown man.
I was twelve years old and I was dead sick of that kind of person running things.
David, the babyface cop, defused the situation.
I was glad to do it.
He didnt say much, or at least he didnt attempt to poke any more holes.
He didnt find anything either.
Finally, he just stepped back from the closet and shook his head.
Young as he was, he didnt realize that this story was a better fit for Stephen King.
Eventually, I was released to go to bed while the adults took full control of the situation.
Sadies disappearance made the news and it seemed that the entire country had gotten involved in the search.
Posters with her face dotted the landscape.
Every night you could see flashlight beams projecting into every dark corner of the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
The Carmichaels were well known and well liked around town and they had no shortage of volunteers.
We returned to school on Tuesday with a sort of strange and unwanted celebrity among the other students.
If any sort of education had occurred I was not aware of it.
I was stunned and numb and belligerent and furious and confused and frustrated.
Those were the longest days of my life.
The others seemed to feel much the same as I did.
In a way, it brought us all closer together.
We were all we had against the world.
Time together alone was the only peace we had.
We talked about that night nonstop but no one had any answers.
Jill blamed herself for what had happened and took it the hardest.
Jeff and I worked hard to spend time with her.
Neither of us would say so, but we were worried.
There was a bandage on her forearm that looked ominous.
By the second week, people were starting to give up hoping to find her.
No one told us so, of course.
But when we walked in suddenly while they were talking, they shut up fast.
Midway through the second week we all stopped going to school.
Our featured roles in the freak show had all become too much to bear.
I heard my name and Sadies name in whispered conversations everywhere I went.
Speculation had grown like some strange tumor.
My departure from school was therefore not entirely voluntary.
Closets were sort of a tender subject.
I could hear the phone ringing downstairs but I didnt pay it much mind.
I threw the ball again.
Surely, I reasoned, she couldnt have been the only person ever to disappear out of thin air.
That wasnt the same situation though.
No one was there when they disappeared.
In the 1870s a ship, the Mary Celeste, was found adrift and deserted in the Atlantic Ocean.
No sign of any of them had ever been found.
But they were missing a lifeboat.
Mr. and Mrs. Sodder and four of their children escaped the blaze unharmed.
The remaining five children were never found.
That must have been a kidnapping and arson.
They were never found, but no one marked their departure.
No one was there to see them vanish, like we were.
People disappeared all the time.
Sometimes it was strange and mysterious, but only because no one knew the facts.
There was no reason here.
I thumbed through dozens of books and countless stories just like those three.
Only a few were as mysterious and inexplicable as our own.
I studied them intensely for any sort of clue that might help us recover Sadie.
They were fascinating but ultimately unhelpful.
To ensure his honesty, his friends followed him closely in a horse-drawn buggy.
He was never seen again.
In the 1970s a couple was driving from New Jersey to New York City.
The husband was clearing the front and the wife was clearing the back.
When he turned to see how she was doing, he saw that she was gone.
She was never seen again.
When he looked to see who she was talking to, he found that she was gone.
He didnt see any little girl, either.
The common theme was this: The person who disappeared under mysterious circumstances was never seen again.
Kidnapped, killed, or otherwise, they were gone for good.
Just another unsolved mystery for geeks like me to obsess over.
Lost in rumination over these stories, I was startled by a tapping at my second story window.
It was after dark.
I opened the window and looked down the ground below.
Jeff and Jill were standing below in the shadow of the Oak tree in the yard.
I waved them up.
It was as easy to shimmy up the tree to my window as it was at Sadies house.
Jill entered first, and Jeff shortly thereafter.
They sat on my bed.
Both of them wore the same grave, hollow-eyed expression I saw in the mirror.
Did you find anything useful?
I answered, No.
Ive read through all of the books in the library I thought would have anything that could help us.
What about you, Jill?
Did you find anything on the World Wide Web?
In 1993 the internet was in its infancy.
They were the early adopters, mostly tech geeks, and obsessives.
It was the days of newsgroups and the very first web net web client had just appeared.
Finding information was more of a miserable slog.
I still have a headache from staring at that stupid screen.
Jeff asked, Did he say anything else?
The World Wide Web is full of pathetic perverts.
Probably all look like my dad, too.
Fat, bald, and badly in need of a bath.
I didnt hear the last part because I was laughing too hard at the Christmas tree line.
That might have been the first time I laughed since Sadie disappeared.
I guess I needed it.
When my laughter subsided a silence fell over us all.
So what are we going to do?
Jeff asked, quietly.
Jeff and Jill looked at me curiously but said nothing.
I took it as encouragement.
I thought she had an inkling of what I was driving at.
She out of any of us might have known.
Jeff wouldnt have, but he was a close enough friend that I knew he wouldnt laugh it off.
I think I was broaching a subject she herself had given much thought.
She said, Theres more to it than just that.
First of all, there was seven of us there.
Maybe its insignificant but maybe its not.
The witching three hours, more like, Jeff said dubiously.
Its a sort of loose term, I guess, Jill admitted.
Christians considered that time to be unholy because it was the time when no one was praying.
At any rate, its considered the time of night where the spirit world is closest to ours.
Okay, Jeff said, still dubious but not mocking, but how does this help us?
Jill yielded the floor to me, as it was my idea in the first place.
She was just the resident expert on witchcraft and other strangeness.
Maybe we can undo the spell or whatever.
Its a long shot, but its the only idea I have.
What do you say?
Jeff snapped his fingers and said, What about those weird sticks you brought?
The stuff we were supposed to burn if things got too hinky?
Oh, the sage!
Jill said, I forgot all about that.
Its probably still in her room.
That could help but I think its really more for dispelling evil spirits.
So what else can we do?
Do you have anything else to undo a ritual?
I felt energized like we were finally getting somewhere.
A strange situation called for strange solutions.
Jill sighed, You guys understand Im not a witch, right?
This is all speculation for me.
Jeff and I had nothing to say to this.
We were all just scared kids grasping at straws.
The Green Day tape ended and I flipped it to the B Side.
Jill sighed again, Okay, Ill see what I can figure out.
Jeff, you get the others together.
I dont know if we need everyone together again, but it couldnt hurt.
Paul, I guess you better just keep a low profile.
Youre no good to us if you get yourself double grounded.
Wait, I said, realizing something fairly important, How are we going to get back in there?
Easy, Jeff said, Through the window, just like Jill did when she brought the Ouija board.
Not so easy, Jill said, I locked the window behind me.
That shouldnt be a problem though, Ill just tell them I left something in there.
Do you think theyll let you?
Jeff asked, Mr. Carmichael seemed pretty pissed off.
Ill manage, Jill assured him, If he gives me any trouble Ill just start bawling.
We should have a go at time it down to the minute if we can.
Two weeks, Jeff mused, Fourteen days.
For the next couple of days, I was in the dark.
I would have given anything just to be able to walk down the sidewalk and clear my head.
My eyes kept wandering out the window to the Carmichaels house.
She was dressed this time, of course.
I was terrified for her safety and just so confused and frightened about the whole thing.
I couldnt sleep or eat or even just act like a functioning human being.
This plan of ours to reverse the ritual and bring her back, I knew it was laughable.
We were just kids playing at something we didnt understand in the slightest.
I also knew I had to try something.
We had to bring her back from somewhere outside of a rational, numbered world.
No one else would.
I told my mother I was turning in somewhere around ten P.M. that night.
To support the illusion I turned out the lights and laid in bed, not sleeping, but waiting.
At least that was my plan.
With my heart still thumping from the scare, I opened the window and crawled through.
I was already wearing dark clothing in anticipation of our nocturnal operation.
We climbed down the tree to the ground in complete silence.
We crossed the yards to the tree that would take us to Sadies room.
Jill, Ashley, Ashton, and Khalil were gathered underneath trying to look inconspicuous.
No one was shouting or shining a flashlight in our faces, so I suppose they were successful enough.
It was the witching hour, and all good Christians were in their beds asleep.
Nobody here but us witches.
Without a word we all climbed up the tree and into Sadies room.
It seems Jills mission went off without a hitch.
I was almost as glad as I was scared of getting caught.
Jill with her bag of ritual supplies went in first and the rest followed.
I climbed up last, taking note that Elizas window was illuminated.
I could not, however, see if she was seated at her window again.
I supposed I would know soon enough, one way or the other.
That was a smart move on Jills part.
I wouldnt have thought of that.
The others were gathered in a loose semicircle around the Ouija board, shadows playing over their grim faces.
The closet door was still closed.
I thought I was going to throw up.
In my dream I could hear Sadie weeping inside the closet, desperate and afraid.
Every step seemed to take eons.
What was left of her face was contorted in agony.
Her yellowed teeth were bared in her final cries for help that would come far too late.
The inside of the closet door was furrowed with deep scratches.
The scratches were streaked with rust-colored stains that could only have been dried blood.
Her nails were embedded in the wood, ripped free from her fingertips.
Instead of throwing bring up the closet door, I simply sat with the others.
I was too afraid to see what might have been inside.
Nothing or something, both possibilities frightened me equally.
Lets begin with the seance, Jill suggested.
She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
We all nodded our agreement, some more readily than others.
Actually, thats not true.
I knew how, it was Sadie.
We all loved her, we all wanted her back.
The small chance of success was worth all the risk.
One by one we stretched our hands toward the planchette and rested two fingertips on its surface.
With this done, we stared up at Jill in anticipation.
There was no question that she would be leading the seance.
Spirits, Jill began, still whispering but addressing the room.
Her head was thrown back and her arms were stretched up toward the ceiling, her palms out.
Sadie, will you speak to us?
Thats what Jill said to do the first time around.
The planchette moved not an inch in any direction.
The voice cried out.
We all jumped back, ready to scatter before the bedroom door could open.
Ashtons hands were already on the window frame when the voice called out again.
Where did you go?
It came from the closet!
Jeff and at least two of the others called out.
I said nothing, I was speechless.
Yes, its me!
She said, throwing bring up the closet door.
She looked exactly the same as she did that night apart from hair that appeared tousled from Jeffs hands.
She glared at Jeff and said, How the hell did you get out of the closet so fast?
I know Im not that bad at kissing, so what gives?
And why are you all dressed like ninjas?
Ashley was the first to find her voice, and said, Sadie!
What the hell happened?
We were so worried about you!
Where did you go?
Ashton followed closely behind, then Jeff, Khalil, and Jill.
Get off of me, all of you!
The others bombarded her with questions, but I guess in all the excitement we forgot to be quiet.
The door flew open, the overhead light clicked on, and there stood Mr. Carmichael.
He had a shotgun in his hand and his eyes were blazing.
What in the Sam Hell is going on in here?!
He bellowed, I damn near blew all your goddamn heads off!
What are you doing-
His jaw dropped, having noticed Sadie standing among us.
Hi, daddy, she said with a flippant little wave.
He cried, shoving the shotgun into my arms and rushing to her.
Doodlebug, where have you been?!
Ive been here, daddy.
She said, looking as perplexed as when she first stepped out of the closet.
Ive been here all night.
They all smothered a baffled Sadie in their affections while we stood by feeling like someones third wheel collection.
Yo, we should go, Khalil suggested.
We nodded and began to slip away.
His face began to redden before he even started yelling.
So maybe you guys want to tell me what the hell happened here?
Would you care to explain that?
Jeff spoke up, Mr. Carmichael, we dont know whats going on, we just-
You just what?
Mr. Carmichael cut him off, you just thought youd play a fucking joke on my family?
Do you think thats funny or something?
Its not a joke, sir, Ashley cried, tears running down her face.
She didnt respond well to getting yelled at.
There wasnt an explanation we could give that would sound sane.
We were all standing around a Ouija board and three guttering aromatherapy candles.
Sadie was alive and well and nowhere near the spirit world.
You just wanted to what?!
Mr. Carmichael bellowed, Never mind!
I dont want to hear it.
You get your devil board and get the fuck out of my home.
I dont want to see a one of you around here again, you understand me?
Now get the fuck out of here!
We didnt need an engraved invitation, that was for damn sure.
The six of us scrambled out of that house as fast as our feet could carry us.
I caught up with Jill and Jeff before sneaking back up to my room.
The others had already scattered, back to their respective homes to face the music.
So that was weird, I said.
It was like-
Like she didnt even know any time had passed, Jill said.
Jeff said, How did she not, like, die of thirst?
No idea, I said.
She didnt look any worse for wear, thats for damn sure.
Did you catch a whiff of her breath, though?
We shook our heads.
It smelled like she was living off a steady diet of dead mice and dog crap.
I thought I was going to throw up.
I laughed, but Jeff didnt.
Jeff looked more troubled than ever as if her grotesque analogy sparked a disturbing memory for him.
I gotta go, guys, He said, and dashed off for his house.
I guess I better go too, Paul, Jill said.
I guess youll be grounded for life after tonight, huh?
Yeah, I said, rubbing the back of my head.
But this is good, right?
Sadies back, safe and sound.
No more freak show.
Totally, Jill said, slapping my shoulder.
Ill see you when you break free, dude.
I said, Ill see you then.
She turned away, leaving me alone.
I stared up at the moon.
It was full that night, a bright silver coin in the sky.
If Sadie was back, safe and sound, then why didnt I feel like everything was all right?
Why didnt I feel like anything was all right?
Read Part Three HereRead The Final Chapter Here
