Florence And The Spirits: Chapter Four

Katie crossed the black void of Limbo many times in the months after the séance when she first peered through the curtains at the astonished faces of the audience staring back at her. Each visit her spiritual image grew stronger and more complete. The translucence of her early manifestations gradually became more solid, as did the similarity of spirits appearance to that of her host medium.

So strong was the similarity between the two that doubt began to spread among those privileged to bear witness;

"Katie and Florence are one and the same!" was the general consensus of many. "Why do we never see them together?" asked others.

It was not long before this air of doubt and skepticism reached the appreciative ears of Florence’s many rival mediums. None more ecstatic than Mrs. Docherty, a middle-aged woman who had enjoyed many years on the séance circuits of the world, until favor for younger and more attractive female mediums were sought. The older mystics could only watch in apparent helplessness as the prestigious clients they had duped for so long dwindled along with their lavish lifestyles. Mrs. Docherty was well known, if not feared in many quarters of east London’s Spiritualist circles. She was a medium who would call upon the darker spirits of Limbo, luring them with dubious rewards to return and serve her malicious acts of revenge on her many adversaries on the mortal plane. She had employed the lost wondering souls many times and built up a following of men who’s influence carried much sway among the elite ranks of the world’s aristocracy and high society. Men who feared the consequences of suffering her devilish wrath much more than punishment any God fearing mortal could meter out and would follower her bidding unquestionably. One such man was William Boulterman;

Not only was Boulterman a man of dubious morals and scant regard for his fellow humans, he had for some years held a candle for Mrs. Docherty. On numerous past occasions he had proved the levels of which he would sink should it bring him nearer to winning the ill-gotten favors of the cunning medium he idolized. He was the first to react and unreservedly offered his services when he heard of the devious plot being hatched to bring down Florence, which would ultimately leave Docherty once again reigning supreme as the most sought after medium throughout the world.

The jewel to tempt Boulterman, should he have had reason to entertain second thoughts was one that he could, nor never would resist, the hand of Docherty in marriage and an equal share in the fortune that would undoubtedly result from their dastardly union.

With the deadly plot designed and Boulterman’s accomplices secured, the date was set to executed the deed.

Mrs. Docherty laughed with uncontrollable glee when she announced to her spineless minions that the séance planned for the following Friday, would be Florence Cooks last. She would rob the attractive young east London girl of her youthful beauty, at the same time exposing her fraud in front of the eyes of the most credible witnesses in Spiritualist circles.

On the evening of the following Wednesday Florence was visited by the sad spirit of Katie, sad because she brought with her the news of grave words from the spiritual world. Counsel had been held with the highest of divine powers to discuss forthcoming events that would occur in the days ahead.

Even with the wisdom of the divine counsel, Katie was at pains to emphersize that she could not reveal the exact nature of the events, nor could she directly intervene to prevent any dire consequences that might result. The only revelation she was able to announce was that dark spirits were involved. Dark spirits that drifted aimlessly around Limbo had been called up on. The Realm of Limbo, by definition was a place void of all reasoning. It had no rules, no reality, no established sense of good or evil, it was a vast nothingness. Should a dweller of Limbo descend to the mortal plane only evil can manifest.

"But Katie, what am I to do?" Florence pleaded tearfully.

" My dear, dear Florrie. I wish I could be of more help but I have been allowed to your world for one purpose only and cannot be involved in events outside that remit."

"I know my fate rests in good hands, of that I have no doubt," Florence replied, offering a less than convincing smile. She had transformed from adolescence to adulthood with unprecedented speed and strength of character, whatever lay ahead she would approach it and rise to whatever challenge it presented. Apprehension was an emotion she had quickly learnt to master and any forthcoming dilemma would be met with the same solid disregard of consequences. She had full and unfailing faith in her abilities and would trust them implicitly.

"The divine counsel have proved their wisdom indeed, my dear Florrie, for choosing one so brave and wise for this task. I know in my heart of hearts that you will meet this challenge and emerge as a good and true ambassador for your mortal world.

By the day of the séance arrived, Florence was more than a little on edge. Father’s persistent badger throughout the entire day did little to alleviate his daughter’s anxieties. Even Mother seemed more aware of Florence’s nervousness and constantly reminded her just how important the séance was. Not for the sake of any phenomena that may or may not manifest, more for the relentless reasons that she and her husband had nurtured throughout their daughter’s development as a sought after medium of the time.

The audience invited to that evenings proceedings were chosen with the usual amount of consideration for their standing in the upper echelons of high society and displays of extremely generous donations at previous séances.

Over recent times Florence had learned to dismiss her parents selfishness as a natural consequence of her abilities and had decided many weeks earlier that when she deemed the time was right she would make her inevitable strike out at independence and follow the path towards the fate the divine spirits had mapped out for her, and not perform as a well-rehearsed Vaudeville act driven by financial gain, and favor of influential audiences.

Fortunately Katie had indicated to Florence that she would appear in full form and not only communicate with the sitters, answering their usual barrage of questions, but for the first time, she would walk among them so that all present could be satisfied of her reality.

This fact alone was enough to assure the young medium that this séance would be the most spectacular to date. Leaving the world in doubt that she alone could provide undeniable proof of the existence of an afterlife, and the spirits that dwelled therein.

"My Lord’s, ladies and gentlemen, may I begin by thanking each and every one of you for attending tonight’s proceedings. My daughter, Florence, assures me that during the séance tonight we shall witness phenomena, as yet not imagined, let alone seen by mortal eyes. However, if I may beg your indulgence for a few moments longer, I feel I must issue a warning to anyone of an uncertain nervous demeanor.

Father continued his introductory remarks with an understated note of caution that regardless of natural instinct or understandable fear no one must approach either medium or spirit, such an action would cause permanent damage, if not death to either party. Concluding his speech with the assurance that everyone would remain safe if they followed the séance etiquette he had just highlighted, he beckoned Florence into the room.

She was welcomed by subdued and polite applause.

"Do take care my dear!" urged a lady of considerable age and obviously one who had visited many séance room.

Florence replied with a polite smile.

As the young medium strolled between the carefully arranged rows of wooden chairs, father had previously salvaged from various rooms throughout the house that afternoon, she stared blankly forward at the curtain that would secrete her from the eager audience during the proceedings.

Once Florence took up station behind the curtain the traditional hymns and prayers were recited, while Father dimmed the gaslights adorning the walls around the room. After the last prayer all present fell silent. Only the occasional creak of a chair leg, a nervous shuffle from one of the sitters marred the dark silence throughout the room.

All eyes were firmly fixed on the thin curtain when it began to twitch slightly, and its neatly pressed folds swayed, as if responding to a stray draft, probably from one of the windows.

A subdued gasp of astonishment circulated the darkness when a dull amber glow appeared behind the curtain, near to the floor. Gradually it increased in brightness, partly illuminating the hidden area where the silhouette of the Florence could be seen laying entranced on the sofa.

Some of the ladies among the audience grasped their husbands hands firmly in a vain effort to quell their rising fear. The men sought solace from coughing nervously and hiding their apprehension behind murmured utterances of disbelief. Some of the more seasoned members of the audience beckoned for silence with angry Shushing sounds.

Slowly the glowing orb began to elongate vertically. Its increasing brightness radiated through the flimsy fabric division between medium and audience, Until finally the shapeless iridescence appeared to take on the form of a human figure. Gradually adopting features of obvious female beauty.

The astonished gathering were completely awestruck when the curtain whisked open to reveal the translucent form of a young woman, not unlike the medium in many aspects of her appearance.

"This is trickery. A cheap and amateur fraud," Cried out, William Baulterman, from his adopted station at the back of the room.

"Silence! Sir!" rebutted an elderly gentleman of obvious standing.

With gentle and graceful steps the form began a slow advance into the room, a beautiful radiance still emanating from head to foot.

The manifestation was draped entirely in perfectly white muslin, cept for a fine lace veil that did little to conceal the features beyond.

No one spoke, for no one dare. Such was the captivation inspired by the events unfolding before their astonished gaze.

Such was the light that radiated from this mysterious visitor, it lit the area where Florence was still laying, totally oblivious of what was transpiring, thus quelling any suspicions that the figure was no more than the medium re-dressed in different apparel.

"Do not fear, good people. I do not appear to you to insight fear. My only aim is to offer proof of my existence, and assure those mortals who possess a pure heart and soul that death on this earthly plane is not the end, but merely the closing of a chapter before progressing on to the next, where many wonders await."