From Chapter One

The starry skies twinkled knowingly above Madill, while the humidity-ridden Texas air surrounded the city and hovered over the dark, silent homes. It was the middle of night and almost nothing was happening. There was one exception; this was the night when one man began to undergo a strange experience. 

The troubles of Harvey Morgan began with an incident of the night that he thought was a dream. Unlike most nocturnal adventures, the memories of this dream did not fade away with the coming of morning. When the next night's dream became almost a replay, he considered it highly unusual. He became concerned, though not actually afraid, after several nights of this strange recurring dream. There was nothing in these dreams to signal a danger factor. His concern was the difficulty in coping with his daily routine, if the interruptions of his rest and sleep continued.

Had the dream contained a more complete image, he might have found a reason for this ongoing experience. The shadowy appearance of a lone dark figure was simply not enough to analyze. On one of these nightly appearances the shape seemed near enough to reach out and touch. Although these visits were disturbing and stressful, he decided the figure was trying to communicate with him. On one occasion, he listened for a voice with such intensity that he was unable to get back to sleep. Becoming concerned for his health and nearing the point of alarm, he sought help from a doctor. This medical man was a friend, with a practice in a neighboring town. Though he was hesitant to acknowledge these visitations, it seemed to be the most practical option to find relief from this constant stress. 

After Harvey successfully passed a thorough physical examination, the doctor quickly played down the importance of the entire happening. He based his opinion on the fact that he had known Harvey for several years. They often golfed and partied together and the medic knew his friend's mental state to be top quality.

"It is simply a case of work stress. We are living in difficult economic times. I'll prescribe a sedative to give you some sleep and rest. When you start getting the proper rest, the dreams will disappear."

Though the sedative gave him a few days rest, the dreams returned. The first hint of deepening intrigue came on a night filled with the sight and sound of an angry thunderstorm. Awakened several times by the deep and rolling thunder, his bedroom was intermittently illuminated by the glare from these angrily searching bolts of electrical energy. Along with the severity of the storm, came a visit from his apparition. In the nearest corner of his bedroom, a shape appeared to be moving through the soft, velvety darkness and drew closer to his bed. During the glaring whiteness of a sudden bolt of lightning, the shape faded from his sight. Still, this unusual thing returned with the partial darkness. Harvey was very shaken; it looked like the same diaphanous shape that visited him on prior occasions. This time however, it's outward appearance seemed more human than apparition. The outline of this figure intensified a little and it came much closer. 

The balance of the night was spent in restless tossing about on his bed. Waking to a calm, cloudless morning failed to raise his spirits. As he drank the housekeeper's morning coffee, an eerie feeling came over him. This manifestation seemed to be from an unearthly source and he was a firm non-believer in ghosts. He believed that the dead were gone and their spirits were unable to breach the gap from beyond.

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