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'Please' - Alexandra Kaz

Wednesday 19th January was the day when Melissa found her dream house, It was perfect..for her but not for her sister Clara, “This looks like a ruined castle that someone died in” Was the first thing Clara commented on when she entered the Gothic house, it was dusty and spooky like a living human never visited this house. The only reason Melissa bought it was because it was going for so cheap, it had to be either sold or burned down for various reasons but the sisters that bought the house for £999 didn’t have a clue.

They have both lost their jobs of alcohol and smoking and needed a place to shelter. They came from a very rich background but the two sisters wanted to live a normal life but then went into rehab. As they were driving their ‘normal’ Fiesta car they just happened to see a house for sale and stopped by and immedietly bought it.



“Look, this will be for the best” Lucia informed Janice “They will buy this house, we’ll earn money or otherwise the house will be burned down, after all, its 387 years old”



Bang, the brick hit the ground “Ok, this is bad but we’ll fix it up” Melissa tried assuring Clara but it didn’t work, she was still curious about the house, it looked old and the door was burned and jammed, “We bought the house but we cant get in it, great” stressed Clara. On the door mat it was suppose to say “HELLO” but the ‘O’ seemed to be faded from Earth and it was left with “HELL”. Melissa worried if thats what living in this house would be, hell.



Finally they unblocked the what used to be a wooden door and Melissa coughed as the dust fell into her eyes that were as blue as an ocean, sure, Clara and Melissa were similair, blue eyes and blond natural hair but now Melissa dyed hers flamingo purple and Clara’s is now a mahogany type colour but Clara worried more and Melissa, the emo style chick was the ‘chill dude’ type. Clara wondered in, frowned and sputtered, “Really? is all that worth it? We could have bought a flat for cheaper than that and pay no attention and certainly not this much work, this is a wreck, Mel, How? I mean...Why? WHAT IS THAT!?”

“What’s what?” Melissa asked, confused.

“Umm, nothing just a white shadow, probably the sunlight”

It was getting late and they were trying to fix the door.”Lets call the plumber and buy a new door, im not staying here without a door” Clara said, so they did but they had to leave the house, to buy foods and drinks.

They returned home. Something Happened. “Where’s the plumber gone?” asked Melissa and just got a one shoulder shrug of Clara.



Melissa came originally from a poorer background, lived with her dad, they lived in a huge house, he was a wealthy man but a goth and lived in that terrfic house. One day, her father; Nathan ran into their mother and got back together and thats how Clara and Melissa grew up together again.



“Where is he? I paid him! I’ll phone his company....Hello...Yes...Thats right....but....why?....NO....thats the house but why.....whatever. Melissa, they said that he could not be on his own in this house, and she told me well us to be careful in that house”

Melissa looked around carefully and the place looked so familiar. “You know, this house looks so familiar, like my old house” Were the words that stumbled out of Melissa’s dry pink mouth.





They worked hard, stayed up until midnight, not daring to go upstairs, they slept downstairs on the yellow stained couch which was kindly donated by a charity, “Look, I hated being the rich girl but i don’t want to be a tramp” Clara spit out bitterly when she saw the sofa.

“We got no other option, have we? Think about it Clara.” Melissa told her. So far the two sisters only explored the downstairs, they currently been working on the living room, repainting it bright red, added some furniture and thankfully removed the stained couch. They added bright red and black flowers for the effect on the modern, not at all scratched glass table, they had there furniture on one side of the huge living room and the stereo, plasma TV, DVD, and their pink laptop their mother bought them for their 18th Birthday.

“Lets work on the kitchen now, after all, its morning now and its thursday...Hey...You know that our 19th birthday is in a month, shall we have it here?”

“Yeah!! Good Idea Melissa! We shall rock this place and make it so perfect.”

They walked into the kitchen, there were no furniture and the once white blinds were now gone a horrible faded yellow, like somebody used them in the toilet! They decided they wanted to buy new furniture today, after all, they wanted to get the downstairs done, there was the kitchen, the living room, the toilet and a study. The study was horrible and yukky, the only good thing there was the nice calm blue wallpapers. “Should we just keep the wallpaper here? It looks ok, Just add some furniture, but i dont want this to be a study” Argued Melissa as soon as she stepped on the squeaky floor in the so called study.

“Yes, what about a little resting area? You know? Like a games console, we got that in our luggage”

“Exactly, we have got a PS3, Nintendo DSi, a laptop and a PSP and some other games, we shall use them in here, we got another wooden table so place it in here,Yeah? then buy another sofa, blue to suit the wallpaper and yes, is that it? for the Game Room?”

“I should think so, thats another room planned, now we just need the kitchen sorted, the bathroom is done except maybe a little cleaning and that pretty picture of Marilyn Monroe hung up,eh?”

“Yes, that would be perfect, lets focus on downstairs at the moment and the halls are suitable and the carpet work, too hard unless a workman comes but he might run out like the last one, Bob. Get moving we’re going shopping” and with that they left the house, they took their car, they weren’t used to this atmosphere in this city, it looked so dull but most people looked happy. They arrived at the store, bought a couch which was on sale, a nice wooden chair, black and white tile wallpaper for the kitchen.

“Hello, Do you need delivery?” the salesperson asked.

“How much for?” said Melissa

“Free,darling”

Took a moment for Melissa and Clara to think it through then finally answered yes and told them the address.

“Excuse me, Im Nancy, You live there?” A woman with widly black dyed hair questioned them.

“Yes, why?” Clara wondered.

“I know i’m a stranger to you but can i look at that house properly, i’m not a stalker, dont worry” and with that the sisters agreed.

They even gave Nancy a lift and suggested she sleeps over even if she is a stranger and its getting dark and no way anyone wants to drive or get away from the house or even be left alone in that scary house, it was on a hill, the nearest house was 10 minutes away, so you could see how scary it was for them.

“Wow” Nancy exclaimed when she entered. “This is unbelievable!, so its true!”

“Whats true?” asked Melissa.

“I dont want to say this to scare you or something but haven’t you heard the history of this..this house?”

“No, we haven’t, tell us”

“I heard, a girl, 387 years ago lived here, her name was Angelica and she still haunts this house, no one dared living here, why did you buy this place anyway?”

“Because it was on sale” Answered the now scared Clara.

“Well, I also heard a girl lived here, about 10 years ago? No! More than that, It was a daughter and her father living there, she had blond hair and blue eyes, the stories tell, and so rumours spread, when I heard this address, I thought how brave are you two to live here?”

“Who is that girl?”

“What Angelica? She was a 12 year old girl who died, her father strangeled her in that house and apparently now she doesn’t want any girl to live in this house, also, apparently, theres a message she wants to give people, she doesn’t come at daytime, only at nightime, but I dont know if all this is true! Oh yeah she only haunts the upstairs and so on, the cellar and basement especially. You’re living here now so you’ll find out!”

“What about the other girl?” Clara sputtered over her own words.

“Right, no one knows that much about her, just that she was a little rich and her parents spilt up. You been uptairs yet?”

And with the shake of Melissa’s head, she carried on. “Where are we sleeping tonight, gurls?”

“What about here? in the living room, we don’t want to go upstairs at night”

“I see where you are coming from” Laughed Nancy then she heard something break upstairs, the girls let out a scream.

“Probably nothing, just go to sleep now”

The girls locked all the doors and shut the living room doors.

Melissa thought in her sleep, about Anjelica, what Nancy said and thought about the girl that lived here with her father..Was that girl her?





Melissa couldn’t sleep, but neither could Nancy or Clara. Melissa saw it all. Someone coming quietly down the stairs then opening the living room door and Melissa closed her eyes quick enough and tried to sleep.It was all happening again. Her Childhood Memories. She was the girl that Nancy talked about, the girl that lived with her father. That was Melissa.





Finally morning came, Nancy and Clara were already up arguing and then that woke Melissa up.

“Whats going on?” asked Melissa.

“Oh, we don’t know whick one of us went upstairs and checked it out, because I heard someone coming down the stairs” Nancy was furious.

“Did you have your eyes closed?” gasped Melissa.

”Yeah” They both answered.

“Good, we got to get out of here”

Clara and Nancy were confused, they all stepped into the landing of the foot of the stairs and just as Melissa knew, there should have been a vase that was broken.

“Whats this?” Nancy picked up a piece of paper and read. “ ‘Hello, who ever is reading this, Im Melissa Brunole aged 11, GET OUT OF THIS PLACE NOW’ ”

“Is this a joke?” Clara asked Melissa.

“No, Nancy? You know the girl that lived with her father, rich one?”

”Yes”

“It’s me, remember?, Our parents used to be split up and I was the blonde girl, with my dad, we were rich but not millionares like Clara and her mum”

“Oh my god! So was it Angelica that went downstairs?” asked Nancy.

“Yes, Let me tell you, she only comes out at night, and dont ever mention her name, because when I was 11, I kept writing notes for the next people that are going to live there, to warn them but as soon as you say her name, she knows someone is taling about her, she hates that and first at 11pm she breaks the vase to let everyone know she will be visting you, and now thanks to Nancy she’ll come again. If someone calls her 3 nights in a row, she’ll go as far as coming into your body and trying to kill you, first night is nothing, secong night is bad and the third? DON’T EVEN ASK ME! It’s scary, really scary”

“But why did you ask us if we opened our eyes?”

“If you open your eyes, well, lets say, she knows if you have or not, if you have, at first you dont see her then BAM! all of the sudden she appears in your face, she has really really white skin and always wears a long long white dress, she never looked human, her long back hair hangs in her white pale face, her eyes are red and bloody, and she walks really slow dragging her head on her left side, trust me, I saw her. I’m scared, If you see her also, she haunts you bad and you cry blood, just in this house, at night never open yor eyes. NEVER!” and with that Melissa still in her silky nighties ran out, Nancy and Clara also in their pajamas ran out to help poor Melissa. They catch her and calm her down and notice she is crying blood.

“So it is true, NO!” Clara screams and hugges her shivering sister. Nancy just gone pale and she starts being sick. “What should we do?” Nancy asked Melissa when she calmed down.

“We got to sort this out, I don’t want that to happen to someone else so we got to kill the demon. Nancy asked her how and simply, Melissa answered, “Girls, I know we will, so why don’t we finish decorating the kitchen and the games room, Nancy, we don’t know you so well but you proved you are a great friend, move in with us, got your stuff?”

Clara agreed with what Melissa said and Nancy seemed surprised and moved in right away. They finished decorating the kitchen and the games room when it was still 9am and chilled out. Then Melissa’s bones began to rattle when she heard Nancy speak, “Its still morning, let’s go check out upstairs when it’s still light”.



Gingerly, one by one, they started to go upstairs, Melissa at the front, she knew the house well as she remembered it now. She stepped into the upstairs bathroom and looked around, surprisingly, it look cleaned. “Why is it clean? I thought it would be dusty” Wondered Nancy. The next place was the spare guest bedroom, it was empty, nothing was there, there were 4 bedrooms and an empty spare room, Melissa and her father used as the dressing room, they stepped inside, now there was nothing there, like no one lived there for years, they soon entered a room that was pink and had Barbie all over. “I’m guessing this was your room?” Clara asked Melissa and Melissa nodded. It was a great room and now it was horrible, her father’s room was discusting and smelled of foot odour. The other bedroom was the best looking out of all of them then suddenly she nearly stepped into Angelica’s bedroom, well, she knew that Angelica stayed there. Melissa shuddered. “What?” Nancy glided over to Melissa.

“That is her room”

“What An..” Nancy stopped midway, she didn’t want to say her name, too scared.

“I know what i’m going to do, you can stay here or go downstairs or even leave the house, I got to stay here until midnight, until she appears”

“We are not leaving you, we’re staying, love!” Nancy added sarcasticaly.

“Sure?” Asked Melissa, as it is going to be scary.

They both nodded their heads like a doll’s head which bobs up and down.

They waited for ages, then finally....the door from Anjelica’s room opened, they all had their eyes close then finally, bravely Melissa opened her’s. She saw everything she described, the other girls did the same; open their eyes, yes, same thing happened, all of the sudden Anjelica appeared in your face, they started crying, didn’t move, they were frozen, Melissa, kept a straight face, used to this and said to Anjelica.

“Im Melissa, the girl that had to go to the doctor because of you, a girl who gone mental because of you.”

Anjelica’s head, slowly turned up, i never did before, she was shocked but so was her sister and Nancy, looking at Melissa like she was going mad.

“I hear you got a message” Melissa spoke bravely.

“Yes, I do want you to leave me or I’ll kill you”

Clara had to slap herself to make sure she heard it right....Yes...the ghost actually spoke.

“Why? I grew up here”

”So did I, over 200 years ago”

Anjelica spoke in a soft scary slow voice.

“Let me be”

“I will, just get out, You deserve to be in heaven” Melissa wondered if she was actually speaking to someone who ruined her childhood.

“I ruined you because my father ruined me, killed me because of my politeness”

“What?” Clara forced herself to speak.

The ghost just looked at her.

Glared, saying nothing at all.

“I would leave if you knew manners, all I need is a word, one word, Melissa, no one spoke to me in 287 years, just say one word and I’ll leave and you could be a hero, and if you say that word, teach everyone else it.”

Melissa thought and said “Please” and as fast as Melissa said it, Anjelica dissappeared.....

Melissa woke up... It was all a dream, not everything but.....“This looks like a ruined castle that someone died in” Was the first thing Clara commented on when she entered the Gothic house. Melissa heard it before, she quickly looked up to one of the atttic windows and saw Anjelica smiling and she had written the word please on the dusty window.

Melissa, instead of saying “Ok, this is bad but we’ll fix it up” she said “Let’s head upstairs”.

That is all they needed..The word Please.
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Top 5 Ghost Tours

1. Venice, Italy

In addition to being one of the most­ romantic and beautiful cities in Europe, Venice also is envelop ed in mystery. The legends that haunt the canals of this City of Water range from sea monsters to jilted lovers to Marco Polo's wife.

Tours of Italy offers The Venice Ghost Walking Tour, a ghost tour of the city. This tour offers you a chance to hear some ghostly legends and see the city's most important landmarks and hidden byways.

The tour begins at the Rialto Bridge, after which you'll tour the city's maze of canals and campi. You'll hear stories about a prison where inmates suffered in rat-infested cells that frequently flooded with the tides. Next, the tour goes to the Street of the Assassins, where numerous murders and dirty deeds took place. The tour then explores a "campo" (Italian for an area of land or a field) that used to house many of Venice's cemeteries. The tour also takes visitors through a secret, hidden passageway, once used as an escape route from palaces.

Along the way, you'll see the Bovolo staircase built by an extravagant, wealthy Venetian who climbed the staircase on horseback to gain access to his private apartments in his palace. This elaborate staircase is a stunning piece of the many architectural wonders of Venice.

One of the most chilling sites on this tour is the area called Milione, named after the memoirs of Marco Polo. Here, you'll hear the tragic tale of Polo's wife. Polo spent 25 years traveling; for 17 years, he worked for the emperor of China, Kublai Khan. Although never officially documented, Venetians have long told the tale that Marco Polo fell in love with Kublai's daughter, Hao Dong. He soon married this beautiful girl who was noted for her enchanting voice, and she followed him during his many years of travel.

Upon return to Venice, however, Hao Dong was mistrusted due to the fact that she looked very different from most Venetians. She would voluntarily lock herself inside, finding solace in her song. Placed under close observation by the Catholic Church for marrying a non-Christian, Marco Polo was soon imprisoned by the Genoese. Lucia, one of Marco Polo's sisters, cruelly told Hao Dong that he had died. Saying nothing, Hao Dong set fire to her clothing and threw herself out of a window into the canal. To this day, legend has it that you can hear Hao Dong's mournful melody on the banks of the canal. Some also claim to see a figure holding a blue flame floating in the night sky.

The tour ends with a breathtaking view of the main bridge of the Grand Canal. The tours costs 20 euro for adults. You can also arrange for a private tour for a more intimate and personal experience. This tour is popular, so book well in advance.

2. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is a city notorious for its ghost sightings. In fac t, ghost tours are a popular w ay to take in this historic city situated in southeast Scotland. Along with being a cultural and political center in Scotland for centuries, Edinburgh is also notorious for its legacy of murder, plagues, and torture, which make it a prime location for haunting.

Mercat Tours, one of the premiere ghost tour operators in the city, offers several different walking tours to explore some of the most gruesome legends of this Scottish capitol. The most popular is the “Ghosts and Ghouls Tour,” a tour that combines dramatic storytelling with historical accuracy. On Mercat Tours, you’ll get both a good overview of the history of the city as well as entertaining ghost tales. Specializing in the Old Town area of the city, university-trained historians lead these tours, telling haunting tales and exploring the city's most chilling enclaves.

On the tour, you’ll explore the Royal Mile of Old Town and the haunted vaults beneath South Bridge. Constructed in the late 18th century, these underground vaults were abandoned by the 1830s and have remained virtually unchanged for 200 years. Because 18th century Edinburgh was so crowded, the vaults housed families in rooms the size of a small bedroom with no ventilation or windows. Lighted by fish oil lamps, the vaults were barely habitable; the stench of waste from garbage and chamber pots overwhelmed the area. The tour leads visitors through Edinburgh’s haunted underground vaults where, according to legend, the memories of all who have lived in the area are absorbed in the passageways. Visitors report hearing unexplainable sounds and shifts in temperature.

It seems like you can’t walk more than a few steps in Edinburgh before running into a site purported to be haunted by this city’s ghoulish past. This is perhaps due to the fact that 17th century Edinburgh was extremely overcrowded, and disease and plague ran rampant. Also, much like many other haunted cities, Edinburgh was not without its notorious murderers. Deacon Brodie, the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," lived in the city, and his residence is featured on a Mercat Tour. Legend has it that, much like his literary counterpart, Brodie was a mild-mannered citizen by day and savage killer by night.

You’ll also have the opportunity to check out cemeteries that serve as the final resting places for some of the most famous Scots, including Adam Smith, author of "The Wealth of Nations." You’ll also learn about the body snatchers who used to frequent these cemeteries to gather freshly deceased corpses to sell to surgeons-in-training.

This tour lasts approximately an hour and 30 minutes. Be sure to book well in advance because tickets frequently sell out. At the end of the tour, you also have the option to extend the tour and visit Megget’s Cellar for a complimentary drink to soothe your nerves.

3. Prague, Czech Republic

Writer Angelo Ripellino once rem­arked, “When I seek another word for mystery, th e only word I can find is Prague” [source: Banville]. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and the ancient capitol of Bohemia, is indeed a mysterious and magical city that provides an ideal setting for ghost stories. Prague’s dark, intertwining, narrow alleys and ancient bridges are said to be home to some of the most unusual ghosts and spirits in Europe.

Prague Experience Tours offers the Prague Ghost and Medieval Mysteries Walking Tour. The tour takes visitors through some of the most historically significant and paranormally active areas of this Central European capitol.

One of the most famous tourist attractions in Prague is the beautiful Charles Bridge. This bridge across the Vltava River, with origins dating from the 14th century, not only links both sides of the city but is also home to some ghostly inhabitants. The bridge is lined with statues of saints said to bless those who cross it. However, legend has it that not all of the saints rest safely in the next world. St. John of Nepomuk took the confession of Queen Johanna, wife of King Wenceslas IV. When St. John refused to tell the king what his wife had confessed, Wenceslas had the priest tortured and thrown from the bridge to die. According to legend, for the next 300 years, St. John roamed the area around the bridge until his soul was captured in his statue in the 17th century. If you touch St. John’s statue, it’s rumored that if you have a secret, no one will discover it.

In addition to St. John of Nepomuck’s wandering spirit, 10 lords who were executed during the Middle Ages also haunt the Charles Bridge. The lords’ heads were placed on spikes on the bridge, and they're now said to sing ballads of sadness to scare away anyone brave enough to cross the bridge at midnight.

After crossing the bridge from Old Town, the tour comes to the Little Quarter. A Swede who lost his head during the 30 Years War can be seen on his horse carrying his head in a burlap sack. Next, the tour explores Josefov, the former Jewish ghetto of the city. Rabbi Loew and the Golem of Prague dominate the legends of this area. In the 16th century, Loew created the Golem, a figure molded out of clay from the Vltava River, to help save the Jews from accusations of murdering Christian children. Loew brought the Golem to life by reciting Hebrew incantations and released it onto the community. The Golem grew larger and larger, and the Emperor begged Loew to destroy him. After protecting the Jews from murderous attacks, Loew put the Golem in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue, where its body is said to rest to this day. Loew ordered that no one should ever enter the attic; even the Nazis were unable to penetrate this area of the Old-New Synagogue.

The Old Jewish Cemetery, which contains over 100,000 bodies, is said to be teeming with ghosts. The oldest existing Jewish graveyard in Europe, the cemetery was used from 1439-1787. Although the Nazis attempted to destroy all Jewish cemeteries, Hitler ordered that this one be preserved because he intended to construct a Jewish museum in Prague after he had exterminated all of the Jews in Europe.

One of the more popular walking tours in Prague, the ghost tour attracts many visitors, particularly in the high tourist season. The tour costs 200czk (about $12.50). Organizers of the tour state that many tourists are afraid to walk the streets alone after learning of the ghoulish, mysterious history of this ancient city.

4. Gettysburg, Penn.

During the American Civil War, the quiet town of Gettys burg, Penn., witnessed unparalleled death and destruction. Approximately 51,000 people -- enough to fill a football stadium -- were wounded or killed in this three-day campaign [source: Nesbitt]. Some died immediately by canon fire; others suffered for weeks, enduring primitive surgeries and the mental anguish of knowing that they were doomed to leave their loved ones behind. It's no surprise that an area so saturated in human suffering continues to be haunted by the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In addition to the sheer amount of suffering that occurred during that short three-day period, experts claim the area around Gettysburg remains haunted because of the large amount of quartz-bearing granite in the area. Some people believe that quartz absorbed the energy of the dying and suffering and occasionally releases this energy, resulting in supernatural experiences [source: Nesbitt]

The Ghosts of Gettysburg Tours of the battlefields and town of Gettysburg, Penn., may be one of the only tours based on a popular six-volume book series, "The Ghosts of Gettysburg." Mark Nesbitt, a licensed Battlefield Guide and National Park Service Ranger, penned the series after researching thousands of stories relating to haunting in Gettysburg. In 2007 and 2008, this tour was voted the "Best in America" by Haunted America Tours.

On the tour, visitors have experienced everything from touches, smells and sounds to spotting orbs or unusual figures lurking in the distance. Nesbitt reports that one group saw a large, blue column of light descend from the sky and engulf a monument on East Cemetery Hill. Additionally, two tour groups watched -- for a full 45 minutes -- hazy figures donned in Civil War regalia move around a Civil War era home.

Another phenomena that tourists frequently experience is the infamous phantom battalion -- Nesbitt reports six documented sightings. The battalion appears to people, marches around in formation, then vanishes. The woman in white, who may be the spirit of a nun who came to minister to the wounded, now lurks in the Spangler’s Spring area. In the area around Gettysburg College, tourists claim to see individual soldiers, sometimes escorting ladies, walking in a blue haze, as well as hearing ghostly noises in dorms and fraternity houses. In an administrative building of the college, a former Civil War hospital, people report visions of gory hospital scenes featuring wounded soldiers suffering from disease and amputation.

Tens of thousands of visitors take the Ghosts of Gettysburg tour each year. Tours cost between $8 and $8.50 per person. Costumed guides carrying candle lanterns offer four different tour routes as well as a bus tour to sites too far afield. Additionally, in conjunction with the Gettysburg and Northern Railroad, the ghost train tour takes visitors through a haunted engine house to listen to recordings of EVP (electronic voice phenomena -- recorded voice of the dead) obtained during paranormal investigations of the engine house.

5. Charleston, S.C.

Fe w American cities are as beautifully preser ved and historically vibrant as Charleston, S.C. In fact, not much of the city’s architecture and ambience has changed since its founding in 1670 and its heyday in the 18th century as one of cultural and social capitols of the American South. But the Holy City, as it's called due to the large number of church steeples that dot the skyline, has a menacing and mysterious side.

Not only was Charleston home to some of the most wealthy socialites and politicos in the American South, but nearby Sullivan’s Island was the port of entry for nearly forty percent of U.S. slaves. Nearly half of all African Americans can trace ancestors who arrived through Sullivan’s Island [source: Lee]. Additionally, pirates were executed in Charleston.

Bull Dog Tours, the only walking tour company in Charleston granted exclusive rights to go anywhere other than the sidewalks at night, guides tourists through some of the cities haunted sites, including the Old City Jail, Dungeon, and the oldest graveyard in Charleston.

The Unitarian Church graveyard is one of the oldest cemeteries in the city. Senior tour guide Stephen Beard recollects that while leading a group of 20 people, he counted heads before departing the graveyard. A woman asked Beard if the group was going to wait for the other woman in the graveyard. Knowing that he had counted correctly, Beard looked back in the graveyard and saw a woman in a white dress -- only he could see straight through her body to the trees behind. The group watched her for moment, then ran.

The Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon on East Bay Street was the final destination for many of the pirates that stalked the seas in the 18th century. Before he was executed for his crimes, Black Beard the pirate was jailed within the walls of the building. Many pirate hangings took place here. Additionally, the north side of the Old Exchange Building served as a slave market.

Visitors to the site report poltergeist activity -- angry ghosts acting out by making loud noises or throwing things to scare those trespassing their territory. Additionally, ghost tourists and guides have claimed they've been choked by ghosts. Visitors on the ghost tour have blacked out, felt extreme temperature shifts and have reported they were touched by an unseen hand. Guides say a recent tour guest was scratched by a ghost. The marks on his back were red, raised and clearly new, with no damage to his shirt.

The Old City Jail served as the County Jail for Charleston from 1802 until 1939. The area that now houses the jail was set aside in 1680 for public use and included a hospital, asylum poor house, and “workhouse” for runaway slaves. Workhouse is a bit of a misnomer since slaves were essentially worked to death to pay for their crime. Torture and execution took place at the site -- people were burned at the stake, branded, and killed by drawing and quartering. The jail was frequently overcrowded, housing inmates at sometimes three times capacity. It’s estimated that 10,000 people died at this site.

One of the more infamous inmates of the jail included Lavinia Fisher, the first female serial killer in America. A few pirates waited their execution at the jail. During the Civil War, the jail housed the survivors of the 54th Mass, one of the only official African American regiments in the U.S. army and the subjects of the film "Glory."
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Ghost Hunting Equipments & Guide

Ghost hunting can be an expensive or inexpensive endeavor. It all depends how much you want to spend. Investigators have shown significant results with equipment which is very affordable, so don't let pricing discourage you. Truth be told, you can document and detect ghosts and spirits with a variety of items. Of course the more you have the better, but everyone needs to start somewhere.

EMF Detectors

: You can use a compass to detect major magnetic fields, but it is a very difficult process. To detect them correctly and quickly you absolutely need an EMF detector. They come in several varieties. The more expensive the more features and sensitivity. Although you can skimp with $$ on some items, you really can't skimp with an EMF detector. Invest in a good one.

Air Ion Detectors

: If your getting really serious about ghost hunting, EMF detection may not be enough for you. Air Ions are another bi-product of paranormal activity. It is standard to use an Air Ion detector in conjunction with an EMF meter to create a double detection effect. After all, no matter how good your equipment is you will get spikes now and then. Having two different systems makes proof an easier thing to obtain.

Cold Spot Detectors: Ghosts absorb energy around them when they are active. These energies come in many forms. The most common energy form that a ghost uses is simple heat. A ghost will absorb heat to help it manifest which is why people feel cold when a ghost passes them. This is simply the ghost using energy from the room and from our bodies.
Recent advancements in thermometer technology make checking for cold spots simple and cheap. Infrared devices, like those featured here, can digitally read temperatures from remote locations where they are pointed. For instance, if there is a spot much colder than the rest of a room and there is no draft, chances are there is ghost activity. If you aim a detector at a spot and a temp suddenly drops drastically, you know something is happening. You can also use it to verify if a ghost is interacting with a person by seeing if a person's exterior temp drops. By far, this one of the most useful and affordable tools for serious investigations.

Motion Detectors

: Motion detectors are one of the least expensive equipment you can get and are highly recommended. It is affordable because you can build these yourself out of any motionequipment on the market. They all work on the same premise: automatic house lighting, burglar alarms, etc.

It is not certain whether the movement of ghosts themselves can set off motion alarms. That is under debate. However, the actions of ghosts can, such as moving items in rooms, etc. Sprits have their own personality just like the living. Some are aggressive but some are shy and only act when they are left alone. You can't be everywhere but your detectors can.

Night Vision

: Why do we hunt ghostsat night? Its not because they are unpresent in the daytime. Generally, it is because its easier to detect them in dark and quiet conditions,and some say energies they need to materialize are maximized during thenight.

Since you will be hunting in the dark, night vision scopes are important to witness events you might not see and to maintain safety. Although on the expensive side, they are a very good investment and have multiple uses.

Compass

: It may seem like a small item, but a compass serves multiple purposes. Of course it may be used to find your way, but it may also be used to detect odd magnetic fields. If you experience an area with activity, look for magnetic fields in the area to zero in on the disturbance.

Although compasses themselves are cheap items we HIGHLY recommend you get a quality compass. Normal, cheap compasses tend to place the needle too close to the bottom of the compass or in a configuration which makes using them impossible if you are on any angle or moving (which you will be doing a lot of) To that end, you need to use a compass that is professional and will work if it is off-balance or shaken. We would also recommend getting both a digital and old fashioned needle version because digital compass detection is different from traditional magnetic detection.

Cameras

: The most important equipment is that which gives you proof. Visual proof is the ultimate proof. Fortunately many investigators believe that cheaper cameras actually may produce better results. The rationale behind this revolves around the fact that the more error correcting you add to a camera the less likely you are to produce a raw image.

Must Haves:

Colleagues: Don't ever investigate alone. Safety in numbers.

Baby powder

: We call this the drug-store motion detector. Its rare, but it can be sprinkled and used in rooms to record footprints or movement.


: Strong versions with clips that can be attached to your clothing are the best. And remember, bring several. Some may fail. You can also mute strong lights when you need less light by using thin fabric or colored cling wrap.


: Can all your batteries fail? Oh yeah! You can also use smoke in air tight rooms to record odd air movements.


Batteries: As previously mentioned, batteries tend to drain. So take as many as you can.

Chalk

: Mark evidence and also mark trees and other areas where you might have ventured to help get back. If you are exploring, never contaminate an area with a mark that can't be later removed. If you have to permanently document it, take a picture.


: Record when events happen and coordinate your efforts. Suggest you have two: one wind-up type and one battery powered.


: Make sure you have organized notes and bring a cheap book light so you can write easily.


: If you are in any remote area, make sure to have an emergency link to home. Also, make sure that someone knows where you have gone and when you will return for your safety (although you should never hunt alone).


: Ideally you would like to buy a very quick digital outdoor detector so you can find cold spots as they happen. Normal thermometer sare too slow and won't produce any results.


: If you are in a room that you know has no drafts, you can detect paranormal movement by suspending tissue paper or very thin cloth in air tight areas. You can even very the thickness in areas as a test in itself.
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