An Unchained Medley of Love Lost

My name is Cy and I have certain gifts, which have made me world renown as a paranormal investigator, because I bring resolution to the hauntings that people experience (I do not say this in a bragging way, it is just the truth). I have traveled globally with my work and when I am back home in the States, I live and work in an RV so I have everything I need at a moment’s notice.

Since my skills are in high demand, I do not have much downtime. However, when I am able to enjoy time off, I usually retreat to the North and South Carolina coasts. While on vacation, I will investigate hauntings that interest me personally. As I have come to understand, among other things, the Carolinas are known for their ghost stories. One particular legend I investigated still disturbs me. As you might imagine, since I am excellent at what I do, that does not happen much (again, no bragging, just stating facts). On this particular jaunt, I found myself in North Myrtle Beach where I researched Avalee Davis.

Avalee was nineteen years old in 1956 when she died. She was driving to Wilmington to see her fiancé, Billy Thurman, who was in the Navy. He was going to be on leave for two weeks and they were planning to elope and go to Charleston for their honeymoon before he had to report back to his base. She never made it to her destination. But no one really knew the reason. The authorities found her car with her purse inside on the side of the road the day after her disappearance. But they never recovered her remains. The only thing I could gather from the locals was that Avalee would appear on the side of US 17 between Cherry Grove and Calabash on stormy Saturday nights during the summer. Many men and women over the years have attempted to offer her a ride, but she never says anything, nor does she get in the car. I know the reason for this, of course.

On that particular July evening, I pulled out of the parking deck of my ocean front condo, made my way to Highway 17 and drove north. The weather, to my delight, was terrible. Strobe lightning, booming thunder, pounding rain. As I drove past the exit to Cherry Grove, the rain started to abate slightly, but the lightning and thunder continued their applause through the heavens.

About a mile beyond the Cherry Grove exit, wildlife crept in on both sides, giving the road a tunneled, encroached feel. Finally, I saw her. She had a soft, ethereal, almost other worldly glow as she stood on the side of the road. I pulled over, got out, and opened the passenger door.

A couple of rules to be aware of when attempting to communicate with ghosts. First, spirits, men or women, want the doors opened for them if humans are present. Yes, they can walk through walls and they could just as easily appear in the car beside me. But that is simply not their way. Do not question it, just accept it as fact. Maybe chivalry is not dead, pun intended. Not everyone is able to communicate with ghosts. I just happen to have the ability to converse with them. No, I am not a psychic. I just have sensitivities to the paranormal which is why people seek out my services.

Once she was settled, I walked around and climbed in the driver’s side and we sat there with the engine idling. I have learned that in order to effectively have a conversation with a spirit, I should not talk unless spoken to first. Several minutes passed.

“Thank you for picking me up tonight. What is your name?” Avalee stared straight ahead as she talked.

“My name is Cy and you are quite welcome. What is yours?” Yes, I knew her name, but I wanted to engage her in conversation.

“Avalee.”

Another rule. If you can see them in their human form and communicate with them, then they know what they are, and they typically know how they died.

“So, what happened to you?”

Finally, she turned her head and looked at me as she spoke. Despite the glow, her features were clear and she had beautiful, sad eyes. “I hit something on the road the night I died, and whatever it was flattened my tire. After a few moments of sitting on the side of the road right here, two men pulled up and offered to help me.”

Uh oh. I could see where this was going. “What happened?”

“They dragged me into the woods where there was a tent already set up and they had their way with me and beat me until they were done. Mercifully, they killed me after.”

A fourth rule, for those keeping count. Always ask why they are here. Slowly, I asked, “So, Avalee, why are you still here?”

As odd as it sounds, apparitions have feelings. As she spoke, a tear streaked down her cheek. “I just want to see Billy.”

I asked her for his address, which she gave. We drove in silence to our destination.

“We are here,” I said as we pulled up to an empty lot. It was evident a house had once stood there. Finding Billy and bringing resolution for Avalee would take some time, but I was committed to helping her find her peace. “Would you like to take a look around?”

“Yes.”

I got out, walked around to open her car door (remember rule number one). When I opened it, she was gone.