See Forest Run

See Forest Run

“Run, Forest, RUN!” Mary suddenly shouted as we were introducing ourselves.

Totally confused, I stood stock still. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me aside as the folding chair beside us seemed to crumple in front of us. She jerked me down as she rolled under a three-foot wide air vent and pulled me with her to the other side. Then crouching, she ran along side the vent to the other end of the cavernous utility room encouraging me to follow silently while she shielded the light from her flashlight to emit only enough illumination to guide us through the darkened obstacle filled space. When we reached the security door at the far end she slipped her ID card into the slot and motioned for me to do the same. Once we were on the other side she stopped and leaned against the door catching her breath.

“Hope we are safe now. But he may be able to get through to here.”

“What are we running from and don't you know you're going to get in trouble for leaving your post?”

“Can't be helped right now. Didn't you see him? He tried to attack you, Forest.”

“Who tried to attack me? What are you talking about? Have you been sitting so long down here in the dark you're having hallucinations?”

“Was that an hallucination when the chair collapsed? Didn't you see him swing the tomahawk? He was aiming for you!”

“Who? Who was swinging a tomahawk towards me and why? You're sounding like a crazy person.”

“That's exactly of what I'm afraid. No one is going to believe me! But you saw what happened to the chair, right?”

“Better explain it to me before a sergeant or lieutenant comes to investigate why we both buzzed through this door. You were assigned to stay by that door on the other end of the room because the alarm isn't functioning. That could be grounds for dismissal. You're a new watch person. The bosses may overlook that mistake one time but you'll get reprimanded and too many of those can get you fired. As a security officer I have rounds to complete. I could get in trouble, too.”

“I'm sorry, but aren't you going to thank me for saving your life?”

“You better start explaining because here comes Sergeant Atkinson.”

“Good evening Officer Stillman and Watch Person Mary, isn't it?

“Yes, Sir, Sergeant Atkinson. Mary is correct.”

“You haven't been here long but this is not the door you were assigned to guard. It is on the other end of the room inside.”

“Well, Sir. I understand and that's where I was until a few minutes ago. But, but you see. There is a problem.”

“That's right there is a problem with the alarm on that door and until it is repaired you must sit and guard it. Not let any unauthorized personnel pass through. Just check their ID cards.”

“True. Does that include apparitions that believe they have a right to be anywhere on these grounds?”

“Apparitions? What in the world are you talking about, Young Lady? Have you been sitting alone in the dark too long down here in the basement of this humongous energy plant?“

“No, Sir. I don't believe so. But I do believe I saw something very hard to explain without sounding crazy.”

“Go on. What could be so strange?”

“Well, are you familiar with the history of this land along the Rock River?'

“Maybe not as well as I should be but it is beautiful country and steeped in rich heritage.”

“That's right. These hallowed grounds used to be hunting grounds for the Great Chief Blackhawk of the Sauk tribes. That's why there is a huge statue of him not far from here along the river along with many other things in the area named after him. He fought a war trying to win back his homeland in the 1830's. It started at a place called Stillman Run, now known as Stillman Valley a few miles away from here. An Illinois militia man named Isaiah Stillman fired on his encampment. The Chief must still hold a grudge against that man because when he heard Forest say his name is Stillman he went berserk and swung his tomahawk at him destroying my folding chair in the process.”

“Hold on a minute, Miss. You make it sound like the Chief was here.”

“It must have been him as an apparition. I couldn't blink away the image and even thought he was trying to communicate with me. Imagine how hard it was for him to lose his homeland and then half of his band of people as they tried to return to it all because the U.S. government wanted the land for settlers. He still haunts this region and especially this plant which must be built on his favorite site.”

“That's crazy. Are you sure you are well? You're saying you believe in ghosts.”

“I know what I saw and Forest saw the chair destroyed in front of us.”

“Is that true, Stillman?”

“Yes, Sir. I have to agree with her there but I never saw this apparition she is talking about. She is afraid for me to go back in there.”

“”With a name like 'Atkinson' you may need to reconsider going in there, also, Sir. A Sergeant Atkinson was a leader in the war against the Chief's tribe. He has a long memory. And he carries a big, sharp tomahawk.”

“I appreciate your passion for the history of this region but we have a job to do protecting this plant. Believing some long ago dead Indian chief, even if he was mighty, is haunting these rooms is simply no excuse for not performing your duties. If you are afraid to re-enter that room I'll go in your stead until your replacement arrives. Your two-hour assignment is up anyway. You can proceed to your next position. But before this day is over we'll have a talk with the captain of the shift about your highly unusual behavior. You're excused. Come on, Stillman, you have your rounds to complete, right?”

“Yes, Sir. I'm not concerned over some ghostly figure. Let me light the way, Sergeant Atkinson.” The two enter the the dark room.

Swoosh! “AAAGH!”

“Stillman, Stillman! Where did you go? You dropped your flashlight. I can't see... I, I...oomph!”

Swoosh! “AAAGH!”