Melody Whitlock

The thirteen original British colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America were founded during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were commonly divided into three regions. New England consisted of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The Middle Colonies included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Southern Colonies consisted of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

The Salem Witch Trials began in the spring of 1692 when three young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women of witchcraft. Many men and women were subsequently brought to trial. Some were imprisoned, while others were executed for their alleged crimes. The trials ended in May 1693.

After the trials, several ministers from various colonies in the region met secretly at a secure location on a lake outside Boston. In 1694, the Salem Mystical Institution was officially created.

In these meetings, they were of the same mind that there were indeed supernatural beings in the forms of witches, goblins, vampires, werewolves, and other unknown creatures existing in the world. They also agreed these creatures were evil and servants of Lucifer, and his demons who superseded them and controlled them.

Agreeing these creatures needed to be dispatched bound these men together. How to dispatch these terrible beings without experiencing a repeat of the Salem Witch trials fiasco, and harming innocent folks accused of evil, was problematic for them.

After several discussions, they finally decided to seek out Slayers, men who would bravely search out, test suspects, and destroy the world's evil while the rest of society continued on with their lives.

Over the years, the secret society evolved into a full-fledged institution dedicated to investigating paranormal activity in the local area. Eventually, it expanded its reach, establishing chapters across the country.

As Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany during the 1930s and the world moved toward war, military operatives began taking a greater interest in the supernatural. Many eventually joined the institution and helped develop it into the entity it is today.

They were handpicked by their superiors to investigate strange occurrences from all over the United States and divided into branches, listing Boston as Branch One. From it, branches were numbered sequentially as they joined.

In addition to their military agents, the Slayers made deals with humans and creatures involved in the world of the supernatural, enlisting them as informants. It took many years of gaining their trust to build a rapport they needed, but once it was formed, it could last for many years.

Many times, the children of Slayers who followed in their parent's footsteps in the business, would gain trust from the informant and carry on the relationship.

The list of informants and what breed they belonged to were kept only in the mind of the Slayer or on a list secured in a private and personal vault because as with any organization, there were some not trustworthy.

A Slayer’s prime oath to an informer was never to let another Slayer or the institute know their identity.

Supernatural creatures and those involved with magic and witchcraft, working with the Slayers for diverse reasons gained various benefits. The agreements worked well for all involved unless one betrayed the other, which had occurred in the past. The relationships were always on thin ice and could fall apart quite quickly and turn deadly.

We begin our journey with four young paranormal investigators as they begin their careers with the Salem Mystical Institution and step into a world of supernatural mysteries, hidden dangers, and ancient secrets. As the Institution continues to evolve, not all Slayers agree with the path it is taking.

What begins as separate investigations may lead to a much larger mystery—one capable of exposing secrets buried deep within the Institution itself. Will these young investigators discover their beloved organization is as noble as it appears, or will the truth destroy everything they believe?

Welcome to the world of Paranormal Investigation. This is their story. Enjoy!

Paranormal Investigator Melody Whitlock arrived at the graveyard and paused before the old gate. A cool breeze stirred the loose strands of her thick auburn hair around her fair complexion as she tightened her grip on the flashlight. Her rich blue eyes swept across the weathered headstones before she unlatched the gate and stepped into the ancient burial ground.

When passing the graves, she shone the light on the wood and stone-carved markings. Some were so old that the dates and names were hard to see from the wear of time. So far, the oldest date she found was from the 1600s. The stone markers fared better through time than the wooden ones, but there were a few that survived intact.

She shuddered as she continued moving past the graves and toward the lovely, ancient church at the end of the path. She didn't want to be here alone, but an investigation into a string of missing children had led her to the ancient graveyard and church. Melody had tried reaching a few friends before coming, but no one answered their phones. With no other leads to follow, she had little choice but to investigate on her own.

She glanced at the beautiful, magnificently built church protected by the state’s historical society, which sat on the other side of the cemetery.

It was well kept, but caretakers of the grounds didn’t last long in the position because they had either ended up dead, missing, or insane. The latest caretaker had lasted for the longest, but he was as strange and eccentric as the church.

The narrow staircase wound upward into the church's bell tower beneath the steeple. Moonlight streamed through the tower's arched openings, casting pale beams across weathered timbers thick with dust and cobwebs. Though neglected by time, the room possessed a quiet beauty.

The large bronze bell still hung from its aged wooden frame as it had for centuries, suspended above the church below. Melody paused and glanced at the stairs.

She imagined a church caretaker from long ago climbing flight after flight of stairs to ring the bell, its deep toll echoing across the countryside and summoning worshippers from miles away. What a walk that would have been.

Exhaling a nervous breath, Melody walked across the small dirt path between the graveyard and the church until she reached the front steps. Cautiously, she climbed each step-in trepidation and dread filled her.

Upon reaching the top of the wide porch, she approached the front door but stopped. Taking out her phone, she called Caven.

The call went straight to voicemail.

Melody glanced over her shoulder at the dark graveyard before lowering her voice.

Melody: "Caven, it's Melody. I'm at an old church near a cemetery."**

She hesitated, staring at the brass-handled door.

Melody: "I'm going to take a look around, but I'd appreciate some backup if you're available. I’ve pinned my location in an instant message so you can find me."

She ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket.

Turning toward the church once more, she reached out with trembling fingers and touched the brass doorknob.

One Month Earlier

Melody sat in the conference room waiting for the daily briefing to begin. As she glanced around the room, she searched for her two best friends and fellow investigators, Sabrina Duncan and Jana Milner. They were late, as usual.

A smile tugged at her lips as she thought back to when they had first met. The three young women had entered the academy together at eighteen and quickly become inseparable. They had shared a dormitory, endured the grueling training program side by side, and recently graduated into investigator positions with the Massachusetts Branch of the Salem Mystical Institution. Now, at twenty-one, they were tackling their first official cases without the guidance of seasoned investigators. They were finally stepping into the dangerous world they had spent years preparing for, yet through it all, they had remained as close as sisters. They followed their family legacies into the profession.

Melody's family had been involved with the Institution for generations, tracing their lineage back to one of its founding ministers—a Norwegian immigrant who came to America during the nation's earliest days.

Sabrina and Jana came from military families whose parents had also served as investigators. For all three women, the work was more than a career—it was a calling passed down through generations.

The conference room door opened, and Commander Thomas Winsley strode inside carrying a notepad and pen. At the same moment, Sabrina and Jana slipped through the rear entrance and hurried toward their seats.

Melody shook her head and leaned toward them. "You're late."

The two women exchanged amused grins as they settled into their chairs.

Around them sat fifteen investigators responsible for Branch One, which covered Boston, Salem, and the surrounding region—an area forever linked to the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

As Commander Winsley stepped behind the podium, the room fell silent.

“Hello, Detectives. How is everyone this evening?” Commander Winsley didn’t wait for an answer. “Okay, tonight, I have an alert from Region Four, New York that says there have been seven children reported missing within the last six days between Maryland and New York, which includes Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.”

The room erupted in gasps and whispers. The commander paused to allow the group to collect their emotions.

Once the room quieted, he continued, “Before I came in here, I got a report stating there were seven remains of children discovered just outside upstate New York, with all signs of a satanic ritual. Their eyes, tongues, three fingers on the left hand, and organs were missing. Five show indications of strangulation, and the other two had their throats slit. In addition, four women, three more children, and two men are missing from various areas between upstate New York and Rhode Island. So, keep a vigilant watch.”

The investigators sat in silence, absorbing the morbid news.

The commander continued, "The layout of the sacrificial site where the seven children were found clearly points to either a Satanic ritual or a witchcraft offering to their god, Lucifer. This isn’t the work of a typical serial killer. Based on the travel pattern, it’s clear the perpetrators are heading in our direction."

Detective Anton Silva raised his hand.

The commander nodded at him. “Yes?”

“What was the layout of the grounds?”

“One dead cat, one bat, and one goat tied to a tree and skinned. There was a firepit surrounded by stones in the shape of a Sigil of Baphomet.”

A collective sigh filled the room before a long silence.

The commander asked, “Any more questions?” He closed his notepad. “I’m not assigning this case to anyone as of yet, because obviously, we’ve not had any children reported missing in our area.” Pointing to his assistant, Tim Bodrick, he said, “Tim has fresh assignments for those of you who aren’t on active cases. Stay safe out there.” He left the room.

Tim stepped forward. “If I call your name, I need to see you immediately.”

Melody, Sabrina, and Jana stood as Detective Anton Silva approached. He was Brazilian and had inherited his Latin parent’s dark hair, and attractive dark brown eyes. He was quite pleasing to the eye of women everywhere he went.

“Hello, ladies.”

Sabrina and Jana attempted to hide their swooning, but their broad smiles gave them away as they gushed. “Hi,” they said.

Melody, the most reserved of the three, smiled politely. “Hello, Anton.”

Anton looked at Melody. “Where does your case take you tonight, Melody?”

“I’ll be in Lynn tonight, investigating the slaying of animals. Some of the residents report seeing a werewolf slaughtering pets in the community while others claim it was a faerie.”

“A faerie?” he smirked.

“Yes, a faerie. What’s so funny?”

“Well, these days, many of the stories written about faeries reflect them as sweet and adorable. Nothing could be further from the truth or at least in the old tales I’ve read as well as my experience with them in my homeland.”

Melody laughed. “You’re right, but in fiction, any creature can be romanticized if well written.”

He grinned. “True. Just watch yourself. This entire area seems a hotbed for attacks lately.”

“Yes, but it’s mid-September so as usual, the monsters in our midst pretty much throw September and October up as free-for-all months,” Jana piped in.

He frowned. “Good point. I guess even after six months of transferring here, I still have a lot to learn.”

Melody explained, “Traditionally, Lynn is witch territory, because of its history during the witch trials and I’m convinced the monsters have some sort of agreement on the territories, but that theory isn’t proven. It’s just mine and mine alone.”

Sabrina replied sarcastically, “Yeah, several women were imprisoned and burnt at the stake for being ‘proven’ as a witch so it’s definitely a favorite hangout for them.”

Jana nodded. “Yeah, their methods of proving someone was a witch, wasn’t the most accurate and oftentimes, completely baseless.”

Anton shook his head. “It’s sad so many people were falsely accused and killed because of superstition and baseless claims. Melody, you may be correct in your theory, but if it’s right, we sure have a lot of rogue monsters moving through other monsters’ territories.”

Melody had to admit her theory had holes. She shoved the thought away as her mind wondered to the history of the Salem Witch Trials. “To think three young girls were responsible for so many lives lost at that time is terrible. But we all know there were true witches among society.

“My question is how many of the real witches were brought to trial and punished and how many escaped while innocent people suffered?”

As the question she asked her friends settled among them, a heaviness floated in the air.

Anton cleared his throat and smiled at Melody. “I will be in Danvers tonight searching for a rogue vamp killing and eating other vamps should you need any assistance, you have my number.” He walked past, brushing his shoulder against hers.

As he strolled out of the room, Jana laughed, her eyes twinkling with delight. “Ooh, he has the hots for you, girl.”

Sabrina teased, “I’ll be in Danvers should you need assistance.”

Melody rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

After they stopped laughing, she asked, “Where will you two be?”

Sabrina closed her binder and slid it into her bag. Pulling out a hairband, she twisted her dark locks into a ponytail, flipping it over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes creased slightly at the corners. “I’ll be in Salem questioning witnesses who claim two witches covens are fighting and preparing for an all-out war.”

“I’ll be in Rowley on an alien sighting, should you need me.” Jana grinned as she tugged on a small cap, brushing her blonde locks out of the way. She batted her sky-blue eyes dramatically.

They shared another laugh. “Meet at dusk for breakfast at Spookery’s?” Sabrina asked, referring to the favorite hangout spot for the institution’s detectives.

The others nodded as they walked out of the room together.

When they entered the armory, the women stocked up on supplies for the weapons they used for fighting the various monsters they might face on a given night. Each investigator kept several normal weapons as well as specially designed ones in their personal arsenal.

Among the various guns would be a bow and arrow, a shot gun, a rifle, and a pistol with many types of unique shells and arrows as well as supplies such as holy water, garlic, and other specific spices, and strange concoctions used for combating the different monsters.

Once they collected their supplies for the night, they walked to their vehicles. “Stay safe,” they said as they hugged one another before going their separate ways.