— PRESTON CASTLE —
“Perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Ione, California lies a 46,000 square foot castle. With a quaint 77 rooms and 43 fireplaces, this was once a well established boys reform school. Today, the entire place is run-down -- walls torn down to reveal support beams, fireplaces trashed, floors destroyed and dirtied -- and has become the dwelling of many a spirit. Welcome to Preston Castle.”
LEO’s voice is low, deep and ominous, as he explains the location of this week’s episode. As the first shot of the castle emerges — tall, elongated towers covered in moss, windows boarded up, and a sign that says trespassers beware — the camera shows the first shot of the Visitation team as they approach the entrance. The viewer leans in closer to observe, their computer screen the only light in their darkened dorm room. With earbuds in, the only sound to be heard is the musical styling of SOFIA, meant to elicit goosebumps, prey on one’s fear of the paranormal, of the unknown.
“A retired reform school, the sight of a tragic ending for some, and for others, endless torture. From daily abuse to murder to discrimination, Preston Castle has seen all things gruesome and it has clearly lingered all these years. Horrific disease took the lives of most of the boys who attended the reform school, commonly caused by Yellow Fever and Tuberculosis. This castle is no stranger to death. -- even murder. A young man, twenty-years-old, was shot and killed by a guard for attempting to escape a third time. He is buried in an unmarked grave along with countless others.”
The voice has changed now, not as domineering but still spooky. OWEN details the horrifying history of Preston Castle while also striving to honor those who lost their lives. He doesn’t shy away from the gruesome details, but still places a disclaimer before he analyzes the facts. Cinematography has been left up to JUDE, who strategically filmed locations to match up with the words spoken during the scene, hoping to reel in the viewer and leave them wanting more.
"It is known that Anna Corbin, a housekeeper and cook at Preston Castle in the 1940s, was bludgeoned to death in the very kitchen where she prepared meals. Her body was found the morning of February 23rd, 1950 wrapped up in a piece of carpet in a nearby storage room. A young man who was attending the reform school at the time was charged twice for her murder, but was never convicted. It is said that Anna haunts the castle to this day.”
The transition is quick, the screen fills from color to black and white. A blonde is seen from back, chopping something atop the counter. A young man enters, quick and silent. He strikes her head. Once, twice, three times and she falls to the floor. The only color in the frame is the red of blood. MARCO holds the camera, panning up from her feet slowly until the gruesome scene is centered in the frame. He’d take credit for the camera work, but really, it was all JESSE’s idea. At least that’s what he says. Who can keep track with the two of them? All we know, is the episode is the grisliest one yet.
— THE ARRIVAL —
DATE: December 28th, 2017 TIME: 5:47 PM PST
Eleven hours. That’s how long they spent packed inside their cars, two 2013 mini-vans rented by Lilian just for this occasion. It wasn’t the best mode of transportation , but a budget is a budget and if they wanted to eat while they were in California, driving was the only way they were going to get there. After three days, ten stops, countless energy drinks, four playlists by SOFIA, and more than a few arguments, they finally arrived at the castle.
Upon approach, they’re greeted by the groundskeeper. A tall, slender man who goes by nothing other than Rusty. His lips are coated in tobacco, black and rotten along the edges, and his hands are rough and calloused, but a smile still spreads across his face. As if he hasn’t seen another living soul in nearly a decade. He doesn’t match the picturesque drive up to the wrought iron gate nor does he fit in with the landscape behind him. If one were to listen close enough, sounds of young boys playing along the front field can be heard. Whispers about escape between supposed delinquents, cries of anguish bellowed from punished children. There’s pain here, tragedy and death, and AMNA is the first to feel it.
“Something bad happened here,” pipes TAMSIN, clutching a hand to her chest, but it’s clear she took notice to her fellow investigator’s change in disposition.
“Well, you’re right on that note, little lady,” says Rusty right before he spits out another glop of tobacco and tips his hat in her direction. “A lady was killed right down there,” he turns and points to the castle, “in the basement.” He leans in on that calamitous note, as if he’s going to wink at the most inappropriate time.
“Have you ever seen this woman?” asks LEO, whipping out his notebook and pencil. “Ever interacted with her? Heard her? Has she talked to you?”
“Leo, let’s give the man a chance to answer just one question,” LILIAN interjects, stepping forward from the group and extending a cautious hand toward the groundskeeper. “Any sightings or experiences you’ve had, we’d love to hear them — even record them, if you don’t mind being on camera.” She turns and looks over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes onto JUDE, a silent look to begin setting up the interview equipment.
“There was woman,” TAMSIN echoed as if it was new information, feigning strong emotions, “she was murdered; I can feel her.”
“Yeah, we all read the wikipedia link Owen sent out before we left,” chimed in JESSE, patience wearing thin.
“I never seen her, no, but there’s a little boy who loves to play fetch on the third floor,” said Rusty, turning on his heel and waving everyone forward. “Ya’ll should talk to Marian, though. She’s seen some things, sounds like nightmares.” At the notion of this, LEO’s ears perk up and he begins writing furiously in his notebook.
“Is she here?” he asks. “We definitely need to interview her.”
“Agreed,” says MARCO, readjusting the camera atop his shoulder. “Let’s get her in the frame where it happened.”
“There’s a graveyard, isn’t there?” COOPER asked, looking to OWEN first before looking to Rusty. Stopping dead in his tracks, the groundkeeper turns back and nods.
“Forty paces behind the shed, but I wouldn’t recommend going out there alone, heh,” he laughs and it puts CHARLIE on edge.
“Count me out,” says CHARLIE. “I’m not trying to die IN a graveyard. I want to get there in a hearse like everyone else,” he lets out a sardonic laugh, looking to the camera on MARCO’s shoulder and winking.
“Yeah, same goes for me. I’m not getting these shoes muddy,” THEA whines. “I got these downtown at Blaise, they’re vintage and cannot be replaced.”
With that, LILIAN rounds up the group, offering them words of encouragement while also setting her very familiar high standards. This may be their first episode of 2018, but the budget has never been bigger so there’s no excuse for mistakes.
“Teddy, are you listening?” she asks, and his head peeks up from his phone.
“Yes, mom, I was tweeting our arrival, but there’s no goddamn signal out here,” says TEDDY, thumbs clacking away atop his keyboard. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to live-tweet this one, Prof.”
“I think you can live without your phone for one night, man,” says SOFIA, giving him a light punch in the shoulder before brushing past him with her sound equipment in tow.
“All right, Rusty,” says LILIAN, “lead the way.”
