The Interactive Cemetery

Chapter 1 The shadow people had come to her again last night. Calling out and knocking, trying to warn her. In her mind, she could see them, hear them. It was late, she refused to answer their call. The boundaries had been set. Many tried to storm the barriers to get to her…but the door held fast. Grabbing her helmet Crystal moved quickly to her motorcycle, like a woman on a mission, which she was. Sleep had eluded her until late last night. Too many visitors, who often forgot the hour, and would stay till dawn if she let them. Shaking out her long dark hair, mentally checking off items from the list of her days activities. Hoping the adrenaline from the ride would clear her head. Mourners did not expect or need a motorcycle riding woman in shorts and a tank top bidding their loved one goodbye. Better the mystery of the veiled woman in black, dressed in the classic Hollywood style of long ago. Sweeping her hair up once more, she twisted it and shoved it into her helmet. Straddling her motorcycle, she was ready now for the ride to Millennium. Hitting the accelerator, knowing the need to hurry she headed for the highway. The motorcycle was her savior in heavy traffic. She could ease in and out or slip right down the middle between cars. Freedom on two wheels, her escape from both the mundane and insane things that often tried to push her from this world into the next. What some people called a quirk, was a unique facet of her nature. Crystal Rose Stevens chose to occasionally assist the owners of Hollywood’s Millennium Cemetery. Knowing the owners most of her life, she felt oddly comfortable at what they called a “Haven of peace” or the final stop for so many. Her father died in a tragic accident when she was just sixteen years old. The Manetti's had helped her through the grieving process. In return, she found her alter ego, becoming the mysterious lady in black. Her character was reminiscent of the famed torch singers of yesteryear that her parents had loved so much. It had been eight years since her father passed and now Crystal was twenty four years old. She had blossomed and become the rose of her middle name. Her personality had many pedal soft layers. She was tall, with an enviable hourglass figure. In using subterfuge, she found her own haven. Her alter ego was an escape from the unknown. A strange release that benefited others. Stepping back in time she sought to amplify a voice from the past. Singing quieted the spirit and provided refuge to the lost. Through music, others knew peace. Crystal’s appearances were for people suffering loss. The angel dressed in black, touching their hearts, brightening a world suddenly gone dark. Customers saw her as a beautiful accessory in a cold lonely place. Momentarily they were transported in time, back to old Hollywood once more. One ray of sunshine that helped them escape the loss, and depression brought on by the funeral. Transformation was essential, and her time was growing short. The funeral would begin in just a few hours. To complete the illusion, she needed to change her clothes. Once again becoming the voice of the past. The quirky long-legged swan, now a sparkling diamond. Some men would be put off by her height of five foot nine inches. Hesitation would become regrets. The local gossip magazines implied that the long-legged jewel, could choose any man to escort her. Business partner and longtime friend Dusty Rivers was her favorite choice. Discovered by modeling agencies, when a swimsuit clad Crystal was photographed by a lake. Encouraged by family and friends, she accepted their job offers. Looking toward her future, she started her youthful career at age twelve. Her height and beauty were an advantage instead of a hindrance. The jobs eventually enabled her to travel and pay for her college degree. Learning from the mistakes of others in the industry, she avoided the pitfalls that sometimes came with fame. She invested wisely, generating dividends and saved much of her sizeable income for a rainy day. Crystal could have continued modeling, but she wanted to create items for tech savvy users. Besides in the modeling world she was considered old by some at twenty four. Slowing down as she drove through the cemetery, she noticed a large man to her left on the hill near one of the mausoleums. She had seen him several times. He was wearing overalls and a miner’s hat, probably visiting someone’s final resting place up there, she supposed. Giggling, Crystal thought he would have made a great Frankenstein for their Halloween event. It only took a moment, before she chastised herself for the thought as she pulled up to the building. After all, the man couldn’t help his height or large size. Leaving her helmet on the motorcycle, she headed toward her office. Having made up time on the road. She now had a few minutes to breathe. Silently, she slipped through the door of the funeral home. Thankful that she was early enough to walk unobserved to her office dressing room located in back. Stretching, she examined the contents of her closet. Choosing a sleek, form fitting, long black dress with gloves and matching shoes. A shiver ran up her back as she felt a cool breeze move through the room. Gift or curse as some called it, she knew when spirits were around. Having inherited her grandmother’s gift as a psychic medium. Due to her abilities, she chose to avoid large crowds, especially places connected with strong emotion, and the spirits they attracted. Millennium was the exception. Many people thought her aversion was due to shyness, or over sensitivity. Those people were the ones who really didn’t know her. Mediumistic, was a gift she had possessed all her life. When the energy around her felt right, she was far from shy and attracted others like a moth to a flame. There were some spirits with more energy than others, they could manifest, so she could hear and see them, when not in a meditative state. Over the years she had learned ways to keep most of them from bothering her, except at certain times. The shadow people would periodically overcome the blockades she set and follow her. She didn't like peeping Toms so in her mind she told them to “get out”, or she would use other methods to force them out. The temperature of the room warmed up and Crystal resumed her temporary disguise. Simply put her job was that of a professional mourner, a seat filler or a beautiful decoration. Her services were offered as part of a package. The funeral home or cemetery created the bereavement packages. Crystal received a portion of their sales. She tried to refuse the money, but they insisted. Fortunately, due to her success in business and modeling, the added income was not needed. She chose to donate the money to several pet charities. She didn’t want to profit, from the grief of other people. The Manetti family had been there when her grief might have broken her spirit. Now she was there for them. The visits were her way of paying them back. She had met the Manetti’s when they lived in Texas. They ran the local funeral home. She passed no judgement on their occupation. It was a necessity in all cities and towns...large or small. They had the opportunity to join family members in a partnership, which ran the Millennium Cemetery. It was an easy decision for them, enchanted by the bright lights of Hollywood. They sold the local business and moved to California. Her family had visited them a few times while on vacation in southern California. When she wasn't attending funerals, she was working with her friend Dusty. Crystal had helped engineer a holographic program for outdoor events. They became co-owners of a company, they named Hollow World. Knowing their company concept would be in demand by the Hollywood movie industry, they based it in southern California.