Newsham Park Hospital

Starting a new job is enough to give anyone stabbing pains of anxiety. Will they like me? What if I don’t understand the work? What if I they realise my résumé is actually exaggerated? All valid questions one may ask when eagerly watching the clock strike down another minute. In an another minute Cassie would start her first night shift at Newsham Park Hospital

The job would be simple. Spend time in a metal security hut from 8pm to 8am. Look at the cameras, have a coffee, look at the clock, have a sandwich. Repeating until the morning arrived. Simple.

“We’re here for the ghost tour at the hospital?”

That’s right, Cassie wouldn’t be completely alone either. Although the hospital itself was no longer in use – locals had found a way to repurpose the grade listed building.

The area of Liverpool that Newsham Park Hospital resided could be called lively by local residents. It was never shy of strange goings-on but normally this was explained by the youths that frequented the area. Nevertheless, Cassie knew they would stay far from the hospital. Everyone knew the stories. Even Cassie remembered the tales her dearly departed Nan would tell.

Cassie watched as more paranormally passionate people began to gather at the gates ready for the first tour of the evening. Of course, on a summer night like this one an 8pm start is hardly terrifying. The 10pm tour might hold some scares as the sky dims. However, it would definitely be the 12am start that might have guests looking over their shoulder.

Three hours had passed insignificantly when Cassie stood up to do her 11pm walk of the ground. Screams and slapping feet could be heard across the old hospital as shadows darted around empty rooms. A reminder of the living, breathing people still on the grounds. Shaking her head, Cassie headed back towards the warmth of her metal hut.

A small tug on her jacket made her freeze.

“Excuse me,” a small voice echoed into the empty night.

“Hiya love, where’s your mummy and daddy?” Irresponsible.

“My mummy is in there, I’m just waiting for her to come out. Then we can go home.”

“What’s your mummy’s name? I can go get her if you like?”

“No, no. She said I had to wait until it was time.” How are some people parents?

“Right, it’ll be another hour and then I will take you up to the hospital, okay?”

They sat in the security hut for an hour; playing chess and eating sandwiches. Although, at times the little girl seemed fascinated by the security monitors as they flashed different scenes of the park across a small screen.

“They’ll be heading out now, come on we’ll find your mummy.” The girl nodded in agreement and followed Cassie past the gates and up to Newsham Park Hospital.

The end of this tour was just finishing with the typical questions at the end. Cassie stood listening, holding onto the girl’s hand.

“So that’s a good point. Yes, the majority of the children were completely orphaned as in they lost both mother and father. However, there were some widows of seamen who would stay and receive help from the orphanage as well.”

Cassie became so lost in the stories of Newsham Park Hospital she almost forgot why she was stood there.

“June, sorry, June!” Cassie shouted for the group leader’s attention.

“Oh hey, Cassie isn’t it? Any issues? We haven’t tripped any alarms have we?”

“No, no – nothing like that. There’s a small girl looking for her mum. Said her mum was in the hospital.”

“I’m not one to judge but –“

“I know.”

“Where is she? Back in the hut?”

“No; she’s right –“

Cassie began frantically looking around. Realising she didn’t know the girls name Cassie asked others if they had seen the small child.

A sickness flooded through her mouth; setting her heart beat to a fast, piercing pace.

She found herself stumbling back onto a bench when something caught her eye. Lifting her eyes further eased the rising panic tingling through every nerve. The small girl was in the window waving at her. Naturally, Cassie waved back until another figured emerged behind the girl.

From a sheet of white, a bony hand started to protrude, wiggling its finger back at her.