Night Whispers

The Bi-Monthly Online Newspaper of Paranormal Mix

Brought to You By The Night Watchman Chronicles

Issue No. 1

October 2007 Issue

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    To some, the lightning produced by storms is worth taking unbelievable risks to get the ultimate action photograph. Upon occasion, the news stations will carry a story of someone struck by lightning - some surviving, others being not as lucky. We've even heard stories of individuals who are struck numerous times during their lifetimes. This is strange, but not as strange as lightning creating body tattoos on unsuspecting victims. These are stories we don't ever seem to hear.
     In a book written by H. F. Kretzer in 1895, stories were shared that he'd collected from newspapers around the globe. One of the stories concerned two men who died in 1892. They were in Highland Park, Pennsylvania when they were surprised by a storm, decided to hide beneath a tree, and were struck by lightning. When the undertaker examined them, he found that one of the men had a picture of the tree they'd been standing under, complete with ferns that stood around the tree, imprinted on his chest.
   This phenomenon is popular enough to have been given the name Keranography, but in plain English it's called Lightning Photography. It seems that scientists don't take this phenomena seriously though they are fully aware that lightning strikes leave burn marks. However, it is felt that any shape created by these burn marks is sheer coincidence, similar to shapes people see in the clouds.
     Tell this to those who have witnessed these images on someone else. In 1853, a girl was struck by lightning while standing inside her home and looking out the window. After the strike, her body held a complete image of the tree that stood in her front yard.
     On another occasion, two men were knocked to the ground by a strike close to them. One of the men had his pants ripped from his body as well as his shoes shredded, but this was not what caused amazement. It was the fact that imprinted on his body were two trees and part of his watch.
     Another collection of lightning stories is in a book written in 1892 entitled Chamber's Journal. One of the stories in this book tells about a boy who was climbing a tree when it was struck by lightning. The boy was thrown from the tree and, afterward, found imprinted in his chest was the tree, complete with a robin in a nest that had made its home within the branches.
     This phenomena, like many in the unknown realm, is looked upon with skepticism. In this particular case, it may truly be a case of "you have to see it to believe it."

     England has scores of stories, from centuries ago to modern day, concerning the Black Dog. This dog has a good number of names depending on what area of England the story comes from, but no matter what the name, it seems this dog gives absolutely no credence to the words "man's best friend".
     Appearing at random, the Black Dog is said to be a harbinger of bad luck or death. It is always described as black with extremely matted fur, built much like a sled dog, though larger, with bared terrifying teeth and glowing eyes.
     Within the United States, there seems to only be two mentions of the Black Dog, but the reader will soon be privy to a third.
     The first mention comes within the language of truck drivers, however, it's been said that the truckers don't actually see a black dog. It seems that the Black Dog is the name given to a near hypnotic state of exhaustion which can overcome truck drivers going long distances causing the white lines in the center of the road to come together forming the glowing eyes of an animal - the Black Dog. The brain, geared from the time a person began to drive, recognizes these eyes as something to avoid and the driver instantly takes action. Oftentimes this is a quick jerk of the wheel which can, and has, ended in tragic accidents.
     The second sighting of this creature took place in Missouri though the date is uncertain. It was witnessed by one man, alone, in a wooded area. Its ferocious appearance caused the man to panic and throw the axe he was carrying at the dog. The axe, instead of hurting the animal, went through it while the man watched the Black Dog dematerialize before his eyes. The experience, it is said, had a severe detrimental effect on the man's sanity.
     The third experience and, undocumented until now, took place while The Night Watchman and I were driving shortly after dark along Highway 65, not far from Zearing, Iowa. It was a fleeting glance as we were traveling 55, but as this area is mostly country, we were on the lookout for animals - specifically deer.
     The Black Dog was huge - much larger and well fed than a wolf - and, in the headlights, it was easy to see the thick matted fur. It was moving away from us on the right side of the road, but paused long enough to turn its shaggy head our way. There was no fear in those glowing eyes and its teeth were bared and ears partially laid back. This was definitely the dog of nightmares and the image is still clear in our minds.

     They were lost, completely lost. It had seemed a good idea at the time, having a weekend away during the final days of October. "I am sure we should have taken the road before this one," wailed Annie as she noticed that Joe was driving into a mist that was emanating off the fields. "This road does not look like it is used much and the mist is getting thicker."
     "Well, we can't go back, there is nowhere to turn round and if you think I am going to damage this car, you have another thing coming," retorted Joe.
     A few hours earlier, Annie and Joe had set off for this badly needed weekend away. Both were bone weary after moving house they had both loved on sight in a little village in Suffolk. The name had made them laugh, and as Joe said, "Fancy telling people we now live in Winklow! One will imagine all the villagers winking at you when you meet them!"

     They had noticed the little cottage snugly hidden away down a little lane just off the main village street. It was very old, at least three hundred years, and Annie had her wish, at last, to own a cottage that had character and warmth. They felt the cottage had welcomed them right from the start and when their price had been accepted by the previous owner, they just knew they had done the right thing. But, like all moves, it was a traumatic time, and so this is how they found themselves on a strange misty road as dusk fell, looking for the Inn that they had phoned for a booking for two nights, bed and breakfast. Annie could not wait to arrive there, have a welcomed shower, relax and also book a nice leisurely evening meal.
     As Joe drove slowly through the mist, they both agreed a wrong turn had been taken miles back. Time was dragging on and, by the clock on the dashboard, they realized they were never going to find the Inn. Annie felt like weeping as she realized that they had to find somewhere to put up for the night and she was not impressed at the thought of sleeping in the car. Joe felt dreadful. He knew they both needed this break and, due to the mist and poor signposts, they had gone miles out of their way. Suddenly, they realized the mist was clearing and they peered out of the windows looking for any sign of life.
     "Joe! What is that through the mist?"

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