I’d taken a break from writing to reevaluate my planned project. Maybe it’s because I’m a perfectionist Virgo, maybe it’s because I care so deeply for this work and these characters (I know they’re characters, not real people, but still), but I wanted to be certain of the work’s direction before I went any further. I have made some basic changes that filled in some plot holes the previous version had. So now I start over, with a more sound story. I’ll share some of it, starting with this post, the preface written in Stephanie “Stevie” Rigby’s point of view. It’s been edited, but will likely be edited more. I just thought I’d share this, and future chapters, because I’m a proud Mama.
Preface
In my career as a Parapsychologist, I’ve built a reputation for honesty, integrity, and a thorough, objective examination of the facts that can be backed up by sound scientific examination. There is one case, however, that continues to give my detractors ammunition to try to discredit all of my hard work. That case is the experience that led me to my chosen profession. It’s more than just a profession, it’s a vocation, an all-encompassing vocation that defines every pursuit in my life. It’s not something I take lightly, nor is it merely a tool to gain attention and/or monetary gain. When one experiences the paranormal, and all logical reasoning, as we know it, cannot explain it, it’s anything but a ploy to get attention or make a buck. When it’s genuine, one typically wants it to go away, not remain in a situation where one is hounded by terrifying encounters with beings powerful yet unknown. Granted, there have been hoaxes, and many paranormal occurrences can be explained, but for those that defy explanation, those targeted by said occurrences just want to be left in peace. It’s my job to not only separate the explainable from the genuinely paranormal, but, more than that, it’s to help those experiencing the phenomena understand what is happening and find resolution, because I know what it’s like to be that person who is terrified not only of the paranormal event, but also of the backlash, the mocking, the disregard of those who claim to have accurate knowledge of the event, despite the fact they have no first-hand knowledge.
In case you, as the reader, are unaware, the event I’m referring to, the event that led me to the path I now travel, is what I’m about to relay. I know there are others who have weighed in, who have attempted to discredit my account, for their own reasons, and I have declined to comment on their opinions. I have not disclosed my own account, in its entirety, not because I have anything to hide, but because it’s an event I didn’t fully understand. I’m still not sure how it could be possible, but one thing I have learned is sometimes just because we, in our present wisdom and understanding, haven’t caught up to a possibility, that doesn’t make it any less genuine or credible.
This account is my own experience as I documented it at the time. Because I made these notes for myself, I will not repeat them, as written, because most of what I wrote is in my own shorthand that readers might not understand as intended. Because of this, I will not waiver from the notes, the documentation I made at the time, but I will write them down in a way so others can understand. Please understand that I will not change anything, even to spare my own ego, nor will I “make things up.” I’ll simply document, like someone taking dictation for another, though I will take dictation for my seventeen-year-old self, my experience. I know what I say will contradict others who, I acknowledge, were also there, but I cannot answer for them and their motivations. I will, however, include their documented accounts, as a matter of integrity on my part. I will include, in my own account, what was shared with me by people whose perceptions and motivations I trust. I do this with their permission.
I do not assume, nor do I expect, everyone who reads this will believe me. That is why I include others witnesses’ accounts. Read for yourself. Make up your own minds.