By Rick E. Hale
Paranormal Investigator

These are the true case files of the McHenry County Paranormal Research Group. Due to confidentiality agreements, names of clients have been changed and cases will only be specified by the counties they occurred in.

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(You can catch up reading the earlier installments in this series by visiting our Member Blog.)

The Adventure Begins:

It’s a long standing theory in paranormal research and investigation that if a spirit or spirits lay dormant in a house, renovations can awaken them and stir up activity. If such a thing is true, then this home was being more than just renovated, it was being disemboweled.

It really is sad to see such great historic homes come to almost the point of ruin. The owner told us before we entered the home that when she bought it and walked inside, she knew that this house was for her. It was almost as if it called to her.

As we stood in what I can only imagine was once the foyer and unpacked the gear, Tony handed me an EMF detector and told me that tonight was training for me and that I was not to leave his side. I agreed and grabbed the little black box from his hand.

Training, I thought. I’ve been doing this most of my life. What do I need training for? But Tony is the boss, and although he’s a really cool guy, his word in matters of the group are final.

“First we’re going to start out back by the tree with the treehouse. The owner says that they have witnessed strange lights and shadowy figures in the treehouse.”

I just nodded and followed our fearless leader out the front door.

I will admit I was nervous. Working with a new group is always daunting until you get to know the others and get used to their investigation style and theories. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and until that night, I came from primarily a scientific background and was somewhat skeptical concerning mediums and psychics. Tony and MCPRG rely heavily upon them, but I never had put much stock in them because their impressions are far too subjective. You can’t show the client a feeling.

When we arrived at the large tree, I looked straight up at the ancient tree that must have been far older than the home it graced. I was startled when Lisa, one of our former mediums, walked up behind us and announced, “This tree has a lot of history and seen much.”

Thankfully, it was dark because I rolled my eyes and thought, great another flake.

“What do you mean by the tree has seen much?” Tony asked, snapping off pictures of the tree. Lisa looked up and said, as she walked away, “I’m not sure yet.” Of course.

After Lisa left, Tony turned to me and said, “Look at this.” I took his digital camera and was shocked to see what looked like a strange wispy purple blur. I shined my flashlight into the tree and looked around for anything that could cause a reflection or a refraction of light. I would have gone up there, but I have a slight fear of heights.

I took my camera out of my back pocket and began snapping pictures. I could only take two photos before my camera turned off and wouldn’t turn back on.

“Goddammit!” I blurted out.

“Dead,” Tony said, as a wide grin passed over his face.

“Yeah, and these are brand new batteries.” Battery drain, as many of you know, is a common occurrence when you are in the presence of something supernatural. If an entity is present, it needs energy to manifest, and oftentimes battery-powered gizmos are the first to go.

My usual skepticism was begging to melt away as I considered this theory. We stayed out by the tree for a few moments as I continually attempted to turn my camera back on.

“Let’s check out that house,” Tony said as he turned and walked away with me and tow.

Not even 10 feet away from the tree and my camera suddenly came to life — batteries and all. Cool, maybe there’s something to this house after all.

(Tune in for a new “Adventures in Ghost Hunting” to be posted soon.)