Tag Archives: Phantom Travelers

Master, may I have another fly, please? I’m so hungry…..

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Last week my husband and I were attending another one of our son’s football games (we won, by the way, 30 – 17… just sayin’! *happy dance*  Woohoo!!!) While sitting in the stands, my attention got distracted from a few levels down below on the bottom bleacher. I was watching my son’s game when all of a sudden this light brown, rather large moth kept fluttering around and walking back and forth as people passed it by. As focused as I was on the game, I couldn’t help but to keep looking at the bug. It was like I was oddly fascinated by it, drawn to it in a creepy way. It kind of made me feel like Renfield, but without the bug crunching appetite. *thank goodness!*

 

Notably known as “The Fly Man”, R. M. Renfield is a fictional character from the widely renowned horror Gothic novel, Dracula written by Bram Stoker in 1897. Under the care of Dr. Jack Seward and his insane asylum, mental patient Renfield falls victim to the alluring spell of the infamous Count Vlad Dracula.  “The vampire, whose abilities include control over animals such as rats, bats and spiders, comes to Renfield with an offer: if Renfield worships him, he promises to make him immortal by providing an endless supply of insects and rats, as Renfield believes that blood is the source of life.” ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renfield

Anyone familiar with this iconic story knows that Renfield likes to munch on insects, like a movie-goer with a tub of popcorn. *Eeeww… sorry, I had a brief shudder moment just thinking about it.* As grotesque as it sounds, according to Stoker’s famed novel, Renfield honestly did believe it gave him immortality.

Now we all know that this is not true, but there actually is a medical condition referred to as Renfield’s Syndrome. It’s also known as Clinical Vampirism which is the obsession with drinking what? BLOOD! (Insert theatrical sound effects here…. *bum bum BUMMM!!*) That’s right! The act of people really doing this is nothing made up.

“The earliest formal presentation of clinical vampirism to appear in the psychiatric literature, with the psychoanalytic interpretation of two cases, was contributed by Richard L. Vanden Bergh and John F. Kelley in 1964.[1] As the authors point out, brief and sporadic reports of blood-drinking behaviors associated with sexual pleasure have appeared in the psychiatric literature at least since 1892 with the work of Austrian forensic psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing. Many medical publications concerning clinical vampirism can be found in the literature of forensic psychiatry, with the unusual behavior reported as one of many aspects of extraordinary violent crimes.[2][3][4]” ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_vampirism

Wow! With that being said, upon doing research I discovered that those who have Renfield’s Syndrome include a variety of people. Some are happy to make public their “need to feed”, while others are extremely private about it. Even some serial killers have been known to have this blood-thirsty condition.

For example:

Richard Chase, a.k.a. “The Vampire of Sacramento” (California), killed six people in one month. He ate from their flesh and drank their blood. In December 1980, he committed suicide in his prison cell. He overdosed on the anti-depressant medication prescribed by his doctor that he had been saving up for quite some time.

Fritz Haarmann, a.k.a. “The Vampire of Hanover” (Germany), killed at least twenty-seven people. He committed many of his murders by biting through his victims’ throats. In April 1925, he was executed by guillotine. His last words? “I repent, but I do not fear death.”

Peter Kürten, a.k.a. “The Vampire of Dusseldorf” (Germany), killed at least nine people. It was reported that he drank the blood of several of his victims. In July 1931, he was executed by guillotine.

Roderrick Justin Ferrell, a sixteen year old who claimed he was Vesago, a five hundred year old vampire. He joined a group of teenagers that referred to themselves as “The Vampire Clan”. In 1998 Roderrick became the youngest person to be put on death row in the United States. He was found guilty of murdering a couple in Florida. Since his conviction, his penalty has been reduced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

And this last one….. not a serial killer, but still a very disturbing story!

 

James P. Riva, a.k.a. “The Schizophrenic Vampire”, a deranged individual who claimed that he was a seven hundred year old vampire. In April 1980, he stabbed his elderly grandmother in her heart and then shot her four times using bullets that he had painted gold. Prior to setting her house on fire in a poor attempt to cover up his heinous crime, he drank her blood. In 1981 James was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder and arson in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

As fascinated as I am by the whole idea of vampirism that has been romanticized by the Gothic era and Bram Stoker’s amazing novel, Dracula, I would never justify any such act as the above mentioned by the twisted individuals that harbored such a horrific darkness in their hearts. What they did was completely unfathomable.

But…. Do I love a good vampire tale? Of course I do! I mean, come on…. I recently wrote a short story titled, My Phantom Traveler based on the lore. One of my all time fave films is The Lost Boys! Still love the grandpa in that movie, he cracks me up every time I see it! Him using Windex as aftershave when he went to see the old widow Johnson…. lol…. crazy stuff!

So, do vampires really exist or is it all just folklore? For those who have Renfield’s Syndrome, it’s pretty real to them……

Hmmm….. a little something to ponder while sinking one’s fangs into their next meal…. *thinking to myself as I run my tongue across my naturally pointy teeth.* (and yes, I’ve often been told that my pearly whites resemble those of the fanged creatures.)

 

 

 

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker

~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html

~ Sheila Renee Parker on YouTube: Sheila Renee Parker

 

 

 

 

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“My Phantom Traveler”

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“Darling, Darkness, lover of mine, with my bite I’ll drink your wine. Pierce thy flesh beneath the skin and allow the flow of your sweet crimson.” ~ Sheila Renee Parker 

 

 

People call it, “Land beyond the hills.”, but not me. I call it home. Sona, Romania is where my family has lived for generations. Some as traders, some as farmers, and then there’s my father. He’s a dignitary who answers to the King. As far as my mother goes, I never got to meet her. She died during childbirth. The day I was born was the last day she took breath. My father still speaks of her often, fondly with tears in his eyes. Even though it’s been nineteen years, I know that his heart continues to beat only for her.

The evening was filled with a dusk colored sky as the sun slowly vanished behind the trees. In my carriage, I was on route to pick up my father from the castle where he was discussing politics with the King. I’ve always found the meetings to be rather boring, so every time he attended was when I’d have our driver take me out for a ride.

The air was damp from the late afternoon rain and the carriage’s wooden wheels jolted with every mud puddle they splashed. The atmosphere was soggy, and yet, there was still a certain calmness that I felt to be quite serene.

As we trailed through the woods, nearing the village, just up the distance was a figure walking ahead to the side of the road. With my parasol I knocked on the ceiling of the carriage to tell the driver to stop. My curiosity was oddly drawn to this peculiar character wearing a dirty brown, hooded robe that dragged the earth with each step that he took. It was stained with mud from the feet up. However filthy as he was, there was something undeniably alluring about this strange man.

I called out to him as the horses were coming to a stop.  “Need a ride?”

He didn’t respond and for some odd reason that bothered me.

“You, peasant!” I forcefully spoke, demanding his response.

Obviously, I had struck a nerve because he came to a halt. His pose stiffened as he raised his head, turning his face in my direction. Through the long, fallen hair in his eyes, and just past the edge of his hood, he looked at me with a savage glare in his eyes.

“What do you want?”  He growled.

“I….. I…..” I stammered to speak for he caught me off guard with his harshness.

“Ah… now you can’t speak.” He grinned heinously.

“Ma’am?” The driver interrupted. “We must be going. You’re father…”

I hushed the driver to stop and pleaded for another moment.

“Mustn’t keep your father waiting.” Toyed the hooded one.

I froze, couldn’t understand what I was doing. Normally I would have never stopped for a complete stranger, especially one so unkempt and impudent, but there was something about him that made me extremely inquisitive and I had to find out why.

“Get in!” I demanded. “We’re heading in that direction and you appear to need a ride.”

“Well, my feet are worn and I have grown tired.” He mumbled.

Without saying another word I opened the carriage door and motioned for him to come inside. He hesitated, then gathered his composure. While taking the seat across from me I warned him to keep his distance. His gaze began at my feet and his eyes eerily went all the way up my body to meet mine. He slightly shook his head as he grinned, “Can’t make any promises.”

“I’m warning you!” I urged.

“Relax.” The hooded vagrant said. There was an uneasy calm that immediately overcame me as he continued to speak. “Now, tell your driver to drive.”

Quietly, I obeyed his command and knocked on the ceiling of the carriage to do so. Suddenly, it was as if this bizarre character was in charge of me and I was no longer in control. What just happened? One minute I felt strong and then the next, I felt completely powerless.

“What’s your name?” He asked while making sure to keep his eyes locked onto mine. It was making me feel uncomfortable and regretting picking him up.

“Your name?” He asked again. His eyes darkened as they bore deeper into my soul.

“Angelika.” My lips whispered cautiously. I slowly pressed my back firmly against my seat, an attempt to get far enough away from him as I possibly could. He immediately took notice of my move and snickered. His eyes continued to stare into mine as if he were trying to figure me out, read me like an unwritten script.

And then….. “Ahhh….. “ a malefic grin stretched across his face. “Like an angel.”

“Pardon me?” I quickly responded.

This nasty, foul person leaned towards me and callously continued. “Ha! Your name. It means ‘like an angel’. Ironic, don’t you think?”

“What do you mean?” I snarled, advancing his lean with the same inconsiderate attitude he was giving me.

His harsh breath filled my nostrils and I could literally feel every word that he spoke on my face. “You. Me. Together in this moment. An angel and I.” He laughed. “It amuses me.”

“I’m far from being an angel.” I protested abruptly.

“Ha! Of course you are.” He added while leaning back into his seat.

Suddenly, the moment grew quiet and still with a sense of wickedness that I couldn’t overcome.

“Should you tell your driver to stop and let me off?” He quietly mouthed while watching the trees as we passed them by.

“No.” Was all I could reply. It was as if however vile this rugged character was, I didn’t want him to leave. His presence was captivating and I wanted him near. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His hair was long and dark with a certain wave about it. The straggly whiskers on his face concealed an age that I couldn’t quite collect, but that didn’t stop my inquisitiveness about him.

“Why are you looking at me?” He asked while staring out the window.

“What? I’m not.” I was too embarrassed to be honest with my response, so I sheepishly looked down at my dress, pretending to brush off road dust that obviously wasn’t there.

“Your eyes, I can feel them on me.” He smiled, slowly turning his head in my direction.

“No.” I quickly interjected, but before I could speak any further, he was across the carriage leaning his brute body into mine. Through his robe I could feel his chest muscles press against my bosom.

“You like that, don’t you?” He smiled gloriously like a victor claiming his prize.

With all my will I wanted to deny his advance, but was well aware that I physically wouldn’t be able to. He towered over me, conquering my every rejection.

“You can’t resist me.” The words whispered from his icy lips as they lingered down my neck. His breath became cold like death and yet, I still wanted him more.

I shivered from his touch. “Please!” I begged.

“Please, what? Stop?” He looked into my eyes with an enraptured darkness that continued to lure me in.

“Or would you like for me to…..?” His kissing persisted as his hands began to explore my body. He unlaced my bodice, exposing the skin beneath my dress. I had become utterly vulnerable to him as he proclaimed my innocence. He penetrated me, taking what I could no longer take back, and I loved it, every sensual moment of it! He made me feel things I had never felt before. A defeated fear that had completely disappeared. He replaced it with a voracious need that made me desire more. My legs wrapped around his waist, inviting him even deeper into me. Without hesitation he quickly obliged, causing me to moan uncontrollably.

The driver apparently heard us because he called out. “Ma’am, is everything all right?”

“Faster!” I screamed in ecstasy.

“Keep going!” My bearded flame demanded the driver.

We could feel our carriage gathering speed which only intensified the atmosphere. Our mood became more fierce, more sensual and totally adulterated. His carnal spell had me undoubtedly under his control and we were making love like two wild beasts. It was erotic in every sense of the word.

His kisses became harder and more fervent. I could feel the sharpness of his teeth as he nibbled my neck. There was pain, slightly, but with an invitation that tingled with anticipation. I gladly exposed my neck even more, welcoming him to take me.

With his deep voice he softly spoke. “Darling, Darkness, lover of mine, with my bite I’ll drink your wine. Pierce thy flesh beneath the skin and allow the flow of your sweet crimson.”

And it was in that exact, beautiful moment that I could feel my old life end and a new one begin. Confidence, elegance and even arrogance brought on with strength, wisdom and power was immediately bestowed upon me. Was I still under his spell or were my eyes finally opened to a reality unveiled? What had this stranger done to me?

I looked deep into his eyes for answers. “Who are you?” I begged to know.

With a charming smile he replied. “To some a monster, to many a prince, but to you, my love…. “ He quietly paused. “I am Vlad.”

I gasped in disbelief. And just like that he was gone, vanished from the presence before me. His hooded robe, his smell, his very essence were all gone within an instant. I sat there in that vacant moment, clutching my disheveled dress, questioning the mere validity of my sanity. Was it all simply a dream? I quivered at the thought.

We drove a ways down the road. The streets were becoming brighter as the light from the lanterns illuminated the impending night. We were entering the village where my father was. When we arrived at the castle, the carriage came to a stop and I found myself not being able to move. I sat there with my head against the seat, asking myself, “Did I really spend the evening with a man named Vlad?” And if so, how did he vanish into thin air?

Then I thought, “Vlad the Impaler?! Prince of Darkness?!” But that was impossible because he died almost a century ago and the legend of him being a vampire was merely just that…. a legend. Right?!

The driver opening the carriage door suddenly broke my confused concentration. “Ma’am?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.” I quietly said while taking his hand as he lead me outside.

“Where’s the gentleman that we picked up?” He asked, looking throughout the carriage.

I couldn’t answer him. All I could do was shake my head while stumbling for the words.

Then, the immediate shock on the driver’s face as he looked at me. His eyes trembled with fear. “Your neck!”

“What do you mean?” I asked him while reaching for my neck with my left hand. It was wet and warm. Puzzled, I looked down at my fingertips. They were covered with blood, my blood. I could feel the bite mark where my dark lover had bitten me. I smiled because that was the confirmation that I needed for it wasn’t just a dream, it was definitely a reality. A beguiling one shared intimately with my phantom traveler.

 

 

 

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker

~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow People

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What exactly is a shadow person? Well, there are actually several different theories to this alleged paranormal entity.

One is shared by skeptics. They believe that shadow people are a type of hallucination where the subject perceives a patch of shadow in their peripheral vision to be a living, human-like figure or possibly creating shadow people with an over-active imagination. For instance, skeptics think that the shadows are created by our minds playing tricks on us, illusions conceived by real shadows of actual moving objects and such.

Then there’s the perspective of many theorists. They claim that shadow people are really time travelers from our own future stepping back in time to observe us. While other theorists suggest that shadow people are possibly interdimensional beings that are very close to our own dimension.

However, many people in fact, do believe that there is a sinister side to shadow people. Their view is that shadow people are demonic in nature because of the malevolent feeling (a negative feeling) associated when encountering them. Or that shadow people are spawned from deep negative emotions that may plague a severely depressed person.

Have I ever had any experiences with these so-called beings? The answer is yes, but unlike several others who felt a sense of malevolence, I didn’t feel anything negative at all. With each encounter that I had (and I’ve had quite a few), I felt perfectly fine. The shadow people’s manifestations were always extremely brief before vanishing. I didn’t fear them nor did they try to intimidate me. They were a little taller than me in stature (I’m 5’4″), but they weren’t massive in size. Their form wasn’t well-defined either, just an obscured image of a darkened silhouette.

Does everyone have the same kind of experience that I’ve had? Of course not because there wouldn’t be so many different theories regarding the shadow people’s existence if they did. What do I believe that they are or even “who” they are? I honestly can’t say. All I know is from my own alert and sober-minded experiences that shadow people do exist. We as individuals have our own views and perspectives on how we see things. Some people are a little more frightened by the unknown than other people are and the level of each one of our fears is something that can’t be measured. But as in any setting, I highly recommend that if a person does have an encounter with a shadow person and they do feel a sense of uneasiness, then do not provoke the situation. I firmly believe in following your intuition and trusting that inner voice. You never want to place yourself in a predicament that may cause you harm.

 

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

 

 

shadowpeople

An Event To Remember!

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Happy weekend one and all! Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. I know I sure did! This has always been my favorite time of year, the smell of the crisp autumn air as it sweetens the chilled autumn evenings. However the nights are getting longer, it gives us the opportunity to light those candles and enjoy their warm, illuminating glow.

Earlier in the week I was the guest speaker at a paranormal speaking event. Had such an amazing turnout and met some really fantastic people who were also there to share their paranormal experiences. We all engaged in topics ranging from ones that have been discussed on this blog like ghostly travelers to the different types of hauntings.

The subject of reincarnation even found its way into the discussion. A lady who attended the event shared with everyone a very interesting story. She told us all about an extremely vivid dream that she once had. But she said that her dream wasn’t just a dream. She said that it felt more like an actual memory, perhaps a memory from a past life. Upon waking, she remembered every minute detail. In her dream, the lady saw herself, yet it wasn’t her in this lifetime. She was from a different era, turn of the century…. Victorian times. In her realistic dream, she even discovered the name of the woman who she thought to be her. So the next day, it sparked something in her so much that it prompted her to research the woman. Her findings were conclusive. The Victorian era lady from her dream actually did live at the turn of the century and had the exact name that was mentioned in the dream. This woman who attended the speaking event said that prior to her dream, she had never heard of the Victorian lady before in her life. She had no explanation to why she had the mysterious dream. Her belief is that it was a fragmented memory from a previous lifetime that surfaced its way into her subconscious mind during sleep.

Other stories that were shared were quite uplifting that included deceased loved ones who still visit the living by showing signs only recognizable to those they hold dear. While some stories were sadder in nature and somewhat emotional. I, too shared several of my own paranormal experiences, like the time when I was a young girl witnessing my first shadow person, followed by more encounters throughout my life. Then, there was the time that I had a frightening experience with a Ouija Board when I was a teenager. An unforgettable memory, even though it happened many years ago, I still remember it as if it occurred only yesterday.

The speaking events that I host aren’t only for me to discuss the paranormal, they’re also a way for others to openly share their preternatural encounters. Having an open mind is key to understanding the unknown.

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter @sheilarparker.

Phantom Travelers ~ a.k.a. ~ Ghostly Hitchhikers

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There have been countless reports of these preternatural creatures throughout the centuries. Phantom travelers are supposedly the spirits of humans and/or animals that haunt certain locations like roads or well traveled areas. They’re thought to originate from the catastrophic events that happened at these locations, therefore intensifying tenacious emotional attachments that heighten the supernatural energy of these places. Such horrific events include car crashes, train wrecks and motorcycle accidents just to name a few that have proven fatal.

These spirits appear as if they are among the living, like you and me. They seem tangible without any transparency at all. Yet, they are not to be confused with doppelgangers for they are not harbingers of doom. The opaque apparitions seem deeply saddened, traumatized and severely lonely.

They are commonly seen alongside roads, railroad tracks and even cemeteries. Often, a passerby traveling will see these life-like phantoms as they suddenly appear in the car’s headlights. Looking as if they are distressed, the driver will ask the ghost if they are in need of any help or possibly wanting a ride somewhere. Several reports claim that when the living person’s kind offer was accepted, there was little interaction with their ghostly passenger. And once destination was reached, the phantom traveler exited the vehicle only to vanish into thin air, leaving the driver completely terrified and confused.

When I was growing up, an urban legend floated around town that mystified all those who listened. The details, for me, were never clear, but I somehow remember the tale of a headless woman that haunted a small bridge on a county road. It was said that anyone stopping on this old bridge around the hour of midnight, turning off their car and then repeatedly flashing the headlights, would see the vision of the headless woman carrying her head in front of the vehicle. Did I ever try this alleged paranormal experiment? Of course I did with many of my friends, but was unable to witness anything conclusive.

Perhaps the ghostly hitchhikers aren’t aware of their passing or are simply too distraught to move on, causing them to be trapped in our physical realm. Who knows….

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter @sheilarparker.