Blue Hills was a small village located in the hinterland. The houses were built on a number of small gently sloping hills. The village consists of about 35 houses, a small shop, a clinic, a church and police outpost. It was a quiet place where people lived simple lives. There were farmers, fishermen, livestock owners and tradesman, carpenters, joiners, plumber and masonry. There was no electricity or running water there. Water supplied in abundance by a large water river passing to the most of the village.
People were buying land and building houses. The village was slowly growing. A butcher had arrived as well as a pastor. Some folks had recently moved from the community and had sold their homes. The Hazels were one of these. They literally abandoned their beautiful three-bedroom home due to the presence of paranormal beings. Jumbie.
Rumour had it that the Hazels had built their house on an old burial ground. As a consequence they were tormented at night by all sorts of strange occurrence-screams, strange voices, noises, footstep walking, doors opening and closing, light flicking on and off and sightings of jumbie. They fled blue hills for calmer seas.
Now a new family, the Collins had bought the property and moved in. after experiencing much of the same, they consulted a man of spirits, a healer. He came to the house and after examining it thoroughly then gave them this explanation.
“You are living on the area that is guarded by a land master.”
“Land master.
”Yes, it’s a spirit, half man half goat. It protects its land and keeps people away. If your stay is brief you are not affected. But if you plan to stay long things go real bad for you.”
“What does it do?”
“Well, the female land master attacks males and the male attacks females. If they get to like you then you can’t leave even if you want to. You stay or die.”
All this information came as a total shock to the couple. They had lived overseas for years and all their children were now grown-ups with families of their own. The elderly couple had decided to emigrate so as to avoid the harsh winter and brutal summer heat. They bought this property very cheaply and now realised why.
“What can we do?”
“Well firstly you must decide if you want to stay or go.”
“We want to stay. This is our home.”
“Then you have to be strong. This spirit is determined and persistent. It also can get violent.”
What! Two pair of frightened eyes stared at the spiritualist.
“How you mean Mr. Corbin?”
“People have been beaten badly some even killed.”
There were now two opened mouths alongside the terrified eyes.
“Albert, maybe we should move.”
“No way!”
“We could sell this place and go somewhere else. This is not worth it.”
“It’s worth it to me. I am staying right here.”
As usual Albert was stubborn to the point of bring belligerent. They paid Mr. Corbin and he departed. The night got worse.
Stephaney had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was heading for the bedroom when she saw it. She happened to glance into the dark living room and saw a figure standing there. It was a tall figure with two burning eyes. There was not enough light to see the face or other features well but the one thing she could make out was that from head to waist it was a man and from waist downwards a four-footed animal. Letting out a scream she ran in the bedroom
Albert! Albert!
The bedroom swung open as soon as she tried to open it. She fell into the startled arms of her advancing husband. They both ended up in a heap on the floor. They got up a bit dazed. Stephaney stuttered out an explanation while Albert watched her in disbelieve.
“You want me to believe you see some four-footed spirit in the living room.”
“It’s true, I saw de thing Albert, I not lying.”
Her husband headed for the living room with Stephaney in his wake. When he arrived there he switched on the light. There was nothing there. He glared at his wife and stormed back to the bedroom.
“I am not moving so you could mek up how much spirit yo want.”
Stephaney followed him dejected that he did not believe her. They went to bed. The couple was soon asleep. CRASH! BANG!
They awoke with a start. Someone or something was in the house Albert looked at his wife to see if she would investigate but she glared at him defiantly. With a heavy sight he headed towards the source of the noise. The commotion was taking place in the living room. Albert hesitated before entering. He switched the lights on and walked in-nothing. He looked around a few ornaments, a vase and two family photos were tossed around the room. The vase and ornament were broke, the family photo, not only broken but the photo thrown to shreds, Albert’s skin ran cold as he surveyed the scene. Suddenly the lights went out. WACK! CRACK! WATCH! PLY!
Licks came out of nowhere and massaged Albert’s sensitive skin. He tried using his hands as a barrier but it did not work because hr could not anticipate where the lash would land next. Albert as big as he was began to howl in pain. Aaah! Ow! Ow, ow!
It was Albert turn to run to the bedroom. “Stephaney!”
Albert rushed into the room and into a terrified Stephaney. They made another floor mural-arms, legs and bodies everywhere. When they untangled Stephaney listened to her husband’s tale. She wanted to laugh but could not because the evidence of his encounter was with him. His hands legs and chest were crisscrossed with welt marks from his flogging.
“Gal Stephaney, I never frighten so in me life.”
He was panting heavily due to two things, his usual encounter and his fat out of shape body.
“Even my parents never give me such a cut tail.”
Stephaney rubbed the sore spots with coconut oil and soothed him.
“Don’t worry no jumbie not gon mek we run.”
She watched him carefully for his response her heart racing in anticipation of elation and victory or disappointed and torment.
“We are not running. We are moving quickly.
And that was that. Next day they repacked and returned to relatives in the city. The property is still for sale. Apparently a rumour is spreading that the house is haunted. If you are not freed of heat WHY NOT buy it?
Written By Neil Primus
