Florence And The Spirits: Chapter Three

During the passing of almost a year Florence saw many things. Her life changed in ways she never thought possible. In the space of just 11 months she was thrust from the world of a carefree child into the responsibility laden world of not only a young woman, but more importantly and of far greater reaching consequence the world of an ever increasingly popular and sort after medium.

Mother and father saw to it that she maintained a punishing regime of séances, most of which were held within the dismal confines of her east London house. Great care was taken, particularly by father to ensure that only ladies and gentlemen of high ranking social status attended. Even those of royal connections graced the humble Cook household and were treated to regular displays of Florence’s developing psychic powers.

Even eminent scientists of the day, many of international acclaim were invited to bear witness to the events, only to leave afterwards in complete and utter bewilderment, unable to offer logical explanation for the phenomena they had played a part in.

Sadly, as a consequence of this relentless regime, poor Florence was forced to see less and less of her loyal friend and former companion, Mary. Mother and Father considered her to be an unnecessary distraction. By gradual cold-hearted manipulation from her surrounding family, Florence became a prisoner within her own home. Only allowed to venture beyond the threshold of her front door under strict supervision, and only then for cruelly short periods of time.

Although deprived of friendship and companionship from her earthly peers, Florence became more and more grateful to the spiritual companions who availed themselves to her with merciful frequency.

One prominent spiritual visitor was one who called herself Katie King. She visited her mortal friend almost daily, imparting not only unconditional friendship, but words and messages of astral knowledge for the young medium to convey to her sitters.

Much to Florence’s dismay it soon became obvious that not only did her parents motives give her cause for concern but as word spread of her amazing abilities, other mediums who had built up dubious reputations now found a great number of their naïve followers dwindling. Malicious rumours began to echo around the streets and within the halls of the rich and famous. Their obvious intention was to discredit Florence and regain the precarious reputations that once provided their lavish lifestyles. Even the press sort to cash in on the growing campaign to discredit Florence as nothing more than a devious young woman out to dupe the rich and influential of their fortunes.

At first the constant barrage of scathing comments and cruel lies troubled Florence greatly. However, as her alliance with the spiritual world grew in strength and regularity she began to strangely enjoy the stimulation which her jealous rivals provided.

"Have no fear, my dear Florrie." Katie often assured. "Within the passing of three years and one day the mortal world will be left in no doubt of the true existence of the after life."

Florence had no reason to doubt her astral friend or her fellow spirits. They had inspired her with the will to survive the constant persecution. In her heart of hearts she was determined that Florence Cook would aspire to the life style she desired, and the level of shameless greed she witnessed from all who she had previously held dear only made her more determined in her contrivance of revenge.

Night after night medium and spirit met and contrived to amaze their audience with unseen and unbelievable phenomena.

She conveyed messages from departed loved ones to tearful sitters, assuring them that they had transcended to a better and higher realm of existence, where happiness and wisdom were in abundance. In time Florence was able to forward gifts from the spirit world to specific individuals as proof of survival of their loved ones. Flowers that showed no sign of wilting with age were passed freely among the sitters as souvenirs of the nights events.

It was the evening of June 4th 1972 when Florence’s career suddenly took on a form that took even her by surprise. Katie had for a long time promised it would happen and on this night she partially materialised behind the curtain of Florence’s spirit cabinet.

"You must be especially good tonight Florence. The Russian Ambassador as come to see you perform," Mother said, as she tied the ribbons tightly about her daughter’s wrist.

"Oh I will, Mother. I promise you that not only will the Ambassador be impressed everyone will be truly amazed tonight."

No sooner had mother closed the curtain behind her, leaving Florence alone and concealed from the sitters gazes than Katie’s voice began to emenate.

"Be calm dear Florrie. I come towards you. I bring with me the wisdom to answer all your audiences questions and satisfy their curiosity. Allow me once again to pass from the darkness into the light, welcome me to your being, let us, as always be as one."

Florence offered her reply in silent thought, urging her spiritual visitor forward. Openly inviting her to enter her being and settle in temporary residence, to impart her astral knowledge on the incredulous witnessed on the other side of the thin curtain.

Gasping in a deep and satisfying breath, that resounded around the room, the transformation was finally complete. The medium and spirit entity were combined into one, their souls entwined as a single force of energy.

When Florence’s lips moved it Katie’s voice that was emitted in crisp and clear tones for all to hear;

"Welcome good people. I bring you peace and wisdom from the astral realm where I reside."

The room filled with excited gasps.

This is the first of many visits I shall make through dear Florrie, to address all those who gather to witness my presence and receive the profound messages that I bring.

"Who are you?" called a male voice, quite sternly from outside the curtain.

"Who I am is of little importance at this stage Sir. I am the voice of many who comes to world and speaks to you through the lips of one. I reside in a world inhabited by the souls akin to you all. To atone for the sins I committed during my earth life I have been allotted a period of three years and one day to return to this mortal plane and convince all of the existence of the after life where every mortal will ascend to be joined in peaceful union with long lost souls.

There are no divisions in my astral plane. Every man, woman and child walks freely as equals. No one man is better judged than his neighbour because he has accrued more material trinkets or wealth. No man hides in fear from his enemies, because all spirits survive in harmony with each other."

"How can we trust you," called the same man’s voice once again. "To us you are no more than voice from behind a curtain. How can we be sure that you are not simply the young medium playing us for fools?"

This time the man’s voice was accompanied by sighs of agreement from several of the other sitters.

"Aye, how can you prove you are what you say you are?" they called.

"I plead with you all to be patient," Katie began. "And in the passing of time I shall manifest in solid form and walk among you. But to do so I must first amass the energy from the medium, a process that must be gradual.

"Why can you not show yourself to us now?"

"By doing so I would drain poor Florence of vital life energy and do her great harm. Be patient good people and eventually all will be revealed.

There was a silence, broken only when the Russian Ambassador rose from his chair and spoke in broken English. I have travelled a great distance to be here tonight. Can you not offer us a brief glimpse of your reality, so we may know that you are not part of a dastardly fraud?"

"I too have travelled a great distance to get here tonight Sir. And have faced many perils along my celestial journey. Between our two worlds lies the blackness of Limbo where lost and evil spirits roam laying in wait to attach themselves to passing spirits."

"You said earlier that everyone eventually ascends to your world. Surely passage between the worlds is a simple affair." Came a reply from the back of the room.

"To ascend is easy. I am drawn by the purest of lights, and the strongest allure of innocent soles. To descend to your world I am guided by the single beacon emitted from the youthful soul of dear Florence. The Limbo is the domain of lost souls who fear to pass into the light, lest they be judged for their sins."

"How can we be sure that you are not a lost soul from this dark realm of Limbo?" asked the wife of one of the gentle present.

"If that were so, you would be witnessing an evil the like of which I pray you will never suffer. Those who dwell in Limbo do so in ignorance of their passing. Should a single lost soul enter your world you would be in great pains to rid yourselves of the most evil hauntings.

Before I leave you, I shall show myself in part, for you satisfaction. As the weeks and months pass my image will grow stronger, until, when the time is right, I shall be manifested so solidly that I shall walk among you and provide the ultimate proof of my existence."

"As Katie’s words faded, the curtains drew slightly and the spirits face gradually began to appear within a dull glow of opaque light. Lips silent, yet slightly parted as if drawing in a gentle breath, and eyes closed as if in peaceful sleep.

The image lasted for only a few seconds, long enough for each member of the astonished audience to stare in disbelief. As the dull light faded, taking with it the spiritual face, young Florence began to stir, moaning softly, her weakness obvious, as she slowly emerged from the deep state of trance that had held her helplessly captive throughout the nights proceedings.

Sensing the conclusion of events, Florence’s father began to turn up the gas lights, allowing the audience to compare opinions and astonishment, while his wife attended to their daughter who sat, slumped and exhausted, still firmly bound to her chair.

When the light from the gas lights illuminated the faces of the sitters, father was in no doubt, the evening had indeed been a great success!