It was the little things we noticed first. Just tiny things, really. Nothing substantial. The exam room in the corner, down the end of the hall was always dramatically and noticeably colder than all the other rooms. The blinds in the other exam room would creep slowly down, in the afternoon sun. Of course, we attributed that to the expansion of the metal cord, which in actuality didn’t make a bit of sense at all. But when the strange things began to happen, even a weak explanation was better than none, sometimes better than the truth.
But then the Hello Kitty snow globe would end up in the most unusual place, kind of like it had been lovingly carried around and then put down momentarily because of a more worthwhile distraction. The little trinkets on the windowsill in my office were invariably nudged slightly out of place when I come in the next morning.
The patients started noticing things, saying things, weird things. For instance, the little boy. I was talking to his Mom, discussing the plan of care. We weren’t really paying attention to him while he sat in the exam chair. He bursts out laughing, more like guffawing. We both turned to look at him. He is squirming with glee in the chair. His Mom asks him what is he is doing, is he alright? He replies, as he wiggles and chortles, yes, he is fine but could she please make the little girl stop tickling him. His Mum and I looked at each other and said in unison – what little girl? He stops, points and says “That girl.” His Mum pales slightly, hums the theme song to the “Twilight Zone” television show and quickly departs with the little boy in tow.
The temperature in the one exam room, down the end of the hall, has become significantly colder this week. The door to the exam room slams shut. The hands-free faucet turns on when no one is in the room and runs until the water is scalding hot. The blinds drop down while we stand and stare at them. There appears to be no desire to replace objects, the items are just scattered throughout the clinic, out of place, with a bold disregard for being covert or secretive.
The climax of this “haunting” unfortunately happened to a member of our clinic staff when she came in alone to prepare the clinic for the start of the day. Per her normal routine, she opened all the doors to let in some light from the windows. Upon her return, back down the hall, she realized with a chill that tickled its cold fingers up and down her spine, the one exam room door was closed again, you know, the one that is always cold. She did not re-open the door. She’s smart that way.
She came back out to the reception desk, and was busy copying pages. Waiting for the copier to complete the run, she turned to the glass window which looked out towards the waiting area. In the reflection of the glass, she straightened her scrub shirt. While looking at the glass, a movement caught her attention. In the framed picture directly on the other side of the glass, she caught the reflection of the girl. She was a girl of about 10 years of age, small and frail, skin white as eggshell, dark eyes. Her blonde hair was trimmed into a strangely cosmopolitan style, but asymmetrical, as if she might be wearing a blonde wig that didn’t quite fit properly. What was most unsettling about this incident was the mischievous smirk the girl had on her face as she stared directly at our coworker through the reflection on the framed glass. The ghost girl has purposefully made her presence known.
We are waiting for the next occurrence, the next incident. We know it is coming. We don’t know when or how, but things have been ramping up in our little clinic. Just the other day, I was waving farewell to one of my little patients. He is the most adorable, cutest little boy, with big brown eyes and a wise spirit. He turned to wave his good-byes to me, and then as he walked with his parents to the exit, he quickly turned his head, looked through the open door of the exam, and stopped. He then smiled a huge smile, and waved to whatever or whoever he saw standing in the exam room. We all looked at each other, with our eyebrows raised. What on earth will happen next?
We think it may be the renovation that has just recently started in the facility. I heard that renovating a building where the ghosts reside will annoy them, and the ghostly activity will accelerate. Who knows if there is any truth to any of that, but it does make you wonder. It certainly seems to be the case in this situation.
Photo credits:
Hello Kitty Snow Globe – sanrio.com
Blinds in exam room – standardtextile.com
Water Faucet – slideplayer.com
Picture Frame – freepik.com
Waiting Room – bestdecor.com
Categories: Ghost Stories
Once again I read your post right before i go to bed and I’m all 😳😭
How funny!!!!! How are you? I haven’t seen you around lately. Hope you are doing well. I will have to hop over and see you!!!!!
Pretty good, you? 🙂
I’m good. Trying to get the family ready for a little vacation, so many needs and wants – feel like a stinking concierge!!!
Haha where are yall going?
Who knows – it keeps changing. At this point I am ready to throw my hands up in defeat.
Ooh, love a good ghost story. Do you know the history about that building, or maybe a building nearby? Keep us posted on Little Miss Mischief.
No show for a couple of days. We think she may be a former Oncology patient.
Oh my, why did I read it in my bed before I have to sleep?! Creepy…
I stopped by to congratulate you of being one of my nominees to the Versatile Blogger Award. I think your blog has the quality and most of all I like to read your posts. Feel free to visit my blog to read more about it…
Thank-you so much for thinking of me. I am honored. I shall attack this award with vim and vigor!!!!
I am happy to hear that. The award was well deserved 🙂
Oh, she’s mad about the construction, and your office is her stomping grounds, S.D.!
Ha-ha!!!
I am beginning to wonder if ghosts just follow you around or are they really everywhere and I just haven’t experienced it yet… and maybe I shouldn’t say that out loud for fear that they begin to follow me too! I always enjoy reading these stories. Have a great holiday before school starts.. and leave the ghosts behind while you enjoy yourself. Cheryl
Thank-you!!! Going to the Queen Mary for High Tea – who knows what we will bump into there!!!!
I am sure it will be something or someone interesting!
I will let you know – Yay!!! blog post material!!!!
Reblogged this on The Darkness in the Light.
How cool!!! Thank-you for reblogging this!!!!
Nothing like an excellent ghost story to start off the weekend. Thank you.
Goodness but that was a great read!
Thank-you so much. I love writing ghost stories, I am glad you enjoyed it!!!!!!
My husband doesn’t believe in anything paranormal. He has never experienced anything and therefore doesn’t believe. Maybe he could come work for you? This is creepy…just plain creepy. Do you know anything about the history of your building?
It is a children’s hospital – relatively new building but full of lively spirits. This little ghost has become quite brazen and is now turning the lights on and off, she turns the TV on and off, changes the channels and lurks in one of the exam rooms waving to kids as they leave the clinic.
You just made my hair stand up…again!
Hmm, I think I will have to write another ghost story – did you read the “Boy in the Rain”. That one is super creepy and completely true.
Here is the link:
http://sdgateswriter.com/2015/05/07/the-boy-in-the-rain/
Don’t read it before bedtime.
On my way now!
Hope you enjoy it!!!!
Loved it and shared it on my Facebook page :0)
How cool is that?!! Thank-you!!!!!
Of course!
You should come join my linky sometime 😉
Okay, I will be right over!!!!
Love, love a good ghost story! Is this based on your real office experience? Thanks for sharing!
I love ghost stories. This is actually all quite true. You should read “The Boy in the Rain” it is somewhere on my blog site. Just don’t read it before you go to bed!!!