The ghost of a prisoner haunts a small town with a dark history
The Bones Of Burriburn
By Paul McCann
Ron had been a priest for over 40 years and had been to just as many parishes in that time . On request by the Bishop Ron was given some time off to do as he pleased . So after giving it some thought he decided to go on an adventure holiday for a few months and packed a few things into his suitcases , loaded them into his van and off he went on a discovery trip around the country . He decided not to use a map and for the first week he drove where ever the road took him . His journey was interrupted when his van suddenly came to a sudden stop . Ron managed to steer the van to a rest on the side of the road .
He got out and opened the bonnet . He muttered a few words and tool a look at the sky wondering what he was going to do . Just by chance a tow truck passing by on the road pulled over . The driver got out and walked over towards Ron and enquired .
“ Can I help or is someone on already on the way ?”
Ron replied .
“ Glory be to God , it’s a miracle . I had no idea what on earth I was going to do and here you are . My name is Ron and the thing is … what did you say your name was
“Luke is my name Ron pleased to meet you .“
“Well the thing is Luke I seem to be having a little difficulty with my van . It just stopped all of a sudden .“
“Can I have a Luke Ron “
“By all means , take a look Luke .“
After a quick inspection Luke said ,
“Well Ron looks like the fan belt has snapped and your engine is overheated “
Ron took a deep breath and said .
“ Is that a major problem .“
“Well I think we better get it to a mechanic . Do you have one I can take it to?
” Well he’s too far from here Luke . Can you recommend one ?”
“The nearest mechanic to here is in Burriburn about a half hour from here .‘
“ Well if you could do that , I’d be most grateful Luke and I’ll pay you for your trouble “
Luke hitched up Ron’s van on the tow truck and off they went to Burriburn .
After a while the tow truck pulled up at a motor mechanics workshop where Luke explained the problem to the mechanic .
The mechanic explained it might take a week before he could get it finished . Ron was ok with that and asked Luke if he knew of a good hotel in the town . Luke took him to the Easy Rest Hotel , a small bed and breakfast opposite the river .
Luke got out of the truck and opened the passenger door and said ,
‘This is a nice place , You’ll enjoy your stay here “
Luke helped carry the luggage inside to the reception and waited for a few moment . He rang the bell in the counter and a tall thin gentleman walked out from a room and said .
“Hello Luke . How have you been ?”
“I’ve been good Joe . This is Ron he needs a room for a few days . Can you look after him ?”
“Of course , I’d be happy to help .“
‘I knew you would , Well Ron its been a pleasure . I’ll be on my way now .“ ..
Ron took out his wallet and asked Luke what he owed him for his trouble . Them after paying him he thanked him for his help . Luke shook Ron’s hand . and they both said goodbye .
It was getting late and Ron tried to forget the troubles he had with his van .
The proprietor of the Easy Rest Motel carried Ron’s luggage to his room and opened up the door allowing Ron to step inside . Ron sat down at the small desk near the Television . The manager seemed to overstay a while in the room , checking the cupboards and dusting here and there . He checked inside the fridge and run the water taps and flushed the toilet .
“Well it’s a nice place you have here.”
Said Ron .
“Why thank you . I hope you’ll enjoy your stay .“
Ron smiled and reached out his hand and said ,
“Sorry I’m very rude , I never even asked your name. “
The manager smiled and shook Ron’s hand
“Joe is my name , I’m very pleased to meet you . Breakfast is at 7am is that ok ?”
Joe turned on a bedside lamp and checked that the TV was working .
Ron seemed intrigued that Joe was handing around for a while .
Then deep in thought it dawned on him . Of course he’s waiting for a tip .
Immediately Ron put his hand into his pocket and took ten dollars from his wallet and handed it over to Joe and said “
“Here you are . Thanks for your help .“
Joe smiled and took the money and handed Ron a set of keys then said . .
“Thank you , These are the keys to your room and the front door . Let me know if there is anything you need . Welcome to Easy Rest and enjoy your stay . I’ll leave you with a word in your ear , don’t be a prisoner in your room , Make your escape and discover what awaits you out there . Good night sir .“
He turned and walked quickly to the door .
Ron called him just before he got to the door and asked .
“Tell me my good man , is there a restaurant in town you could recommend and would I need to order a taxi to get there . I think I might go out for a while and get acquainted with this quaint little place .“
Immediately Joe responded .
“Well done sir :You know what there is this very popular place called The Three Swallows . Just follow the pathway to the left out side that takes you alongside the river to old prison wall . Right opposite there is the courthouse and beside the courthouse is The Three Swallows . It’s a yellow brick building with these brown shutters on the windows and above the front door is a sign that says Established 1823 . I’ll make you a booking if you’d like for 7.30 would that be ok ?”
“Thank you Joe , that would be perfect .“
Joe smiled and opened the door . Ron thanked him as he left .
Ron stood there in silence for a few moments and started to talk to himself as he had done for most of his life . It was as if there was someone there .
Well here I am again . Into the unknown . The oblivion side of life where nobody ever goes and what awaits , Well only God knows I suppose and the thing is you see , that’s exactly why I’m here , isn’t that right . Of course its not the first time I’ve been here . Isn’t that true . I’ve been this way before , beyond the door . Them he opened up one of his suitcase and hung up some of his clothes in the wardrobe . He looked out the window just before the sunset and sat there for a few moments in silence and he said a prayer thanking God for keeping him safe .
In the still of the twilight he reflected on life and where he was and where he would go from here . He had reached a crossroads and wondered about his role as a priest . He once thought he could change the world but now he thought what it was all about . He closed the curtains as twilight was almost gone . It was time to get moving so he had a shower and got changed into some clean clothes and made his way out the door in search of the three swallows .
Following the directions he was given Ron walked along the path until he came to the prison , Sure enough there it was a yellow brick building all lit up with spotlights . He walked inside and gave his name at the reception , A waitress took him to the table , There were two other people there eating ,
Ron sat down and thought , a popular place ?
A few more people arrived as he was eating his meal . Now and then he could hear someone far away screaming but nobody seemed to worry or show any concern .
Ron asked for the bill and paid for the meal he had then went out the door .
As he started to walk home again he could hear distant screams . They seemed to come from behind the prison walls .
Ron walked back to the hotel and thought about how hard it would be to be locked up in prison and what a lonely life it must be . Many years ago Ron was a prison Chaplin and during that time he was able to help a lot of the inmates cope with prison life through music . He had set up a recording studio in the prison where prisoners could record some original music and songs , Some of the stuff they did wasn’t half bad , He even was able to get air play on the local radio station for a lot of the recordings . Ron decided he would pay a visit to some of the prisoners while he was in town .
When he got back to the hotel , Joe was sitting there at the reception desk , He smiled and said ,
“Well I hear you found the restaurant , How was your meal ?”
Ron nodded his head and stretched his arms and yawned then said . .
“Yeah , it was very nice thanks , The seafood was excellent . “
“I hope you don’t mind sir . but I rang the owner of the three swallows just to check you got there . I didn’t want you getting lost on your first night in town ”:
“Thats very kind of you , thanks . Well I think I’ll go to bed now , its been a long day . Good night Joe .“
“Good night sir .”
Ron made his way to his room and got ready for bed , He lay down and fell sleep right away but during the night he woke up after having this a vision of him climbing a ladder up the walls of Burriburn prison and when he was at the top two shackled hands came and pulled him inside . That’s when he woke opening up the in a dream frequently . His mind was troubled about the screaming in fright . He couldn’t sleep after that and It was a long night .
Morning took a long time in coming and he spent the time saying some prayers before going down for breakfast where he sat at a table beside the window . The dining room was half full . There was a young couple who sat holding hands , a small family of four who were already finished , a well dressed man reading the morning newspaper , a teenage girl in a school uniform who was reading from some textbooks and three well dressed elderly ladies pouring tea into cups from a large silver teapot . .
Joe brought a Ron a tray with a cooked breakfast and placed it in front of him and said
“Good morning sir . How are you today “
“I’m fine thanks , Could you tell me about how many prisoners there are in the prison ?”
Joe responded ,
“Well there are no more inmates here in Burriburn as all the prisoners were moved to Goldman Prison many years ago , The prison here is closed now “
“That’s strange . I thought I heard some screaming there last night .“
Everyone stopped talking and it went quiet for a few moments .
One of the elderly ladies looked over and accidently dropped her teacup and tea spilt all over the floor , Joe went to clean up the spill and Ron looked away and stared out the window .
,
Everyone but Ron had almost finished breakfast Joe was clearing up the tables . Ron gave Joe a wave and he came over .
“Is there anyone you know who has a key to the prison , I used to work in the prison system and I’d love to have a look around the old place “
Ron smiled but Joe seemed troubled and very nervous . Then he abruptly replied .
“No there is no one has a key . The prison gates are shut now . You can’t get in . So you better just put that thought out of your mind , “
With that Joe walked away ,
Ron was intrigued now and eagre to investigate the old prison . So after breakfast he asked Joe where the library in town was .
Joe said .
“There is no library , It was burnt in years ago and all the records and books were destroyed ,“
Ron responded ,
“Tell me what about the local church is there minister here I could talk to ?“
Joe became agitated and reluctant to answer , After a moment he replied .
“I’m sorry sir you’ll have to excuse me . I have a lot of work to get done , Have a good day .“.
Ron went for a walk around town and spoke to some shop keepers , Everywhere he went he had a similar response to his questions and he sensed there was a problem here in Burriburn as if it had a dark past or a history people didn’t want to talk about and if there was one thing in life that got to him it was people who disclosed the truth or kept things hidden .
Now he realised his visit to Burriburn was not an accident .
He realised he had a mission to fulfil .
That night Ron went to bed and again woke up with another vision , This time he was chained to a post and being beaten with a stick . He woke up in a sweat and sat on the edge of his bed .
Ron spent all day making phone calls to people he knew in the corrective services system . He could tell that most of the officers he spoke to were withholding information about Burriburn prison and he was getting nowhere with his enquires . That’s when he crossed the line and made contact with some of the ex-prisoners he had helped and as it turned out many of them knew about the goings on at Burriburn prison ,
Ron was horrified to hear that there was a royal commission at Burriburn prison and everything was hushed up when the bodies of prison officers and the warden were found in the basement of the prison . All of the victims were decapitated and in some of the cells prisoners were found hanging in their cells . The information was never released and the prison was closed with all the other prisoners sent all over the country . The word that went around was that the ghost of Barney Jones was responsible for the murders in the basement . Barney had been sent to prison for life for the murders of four police officers . Many people said he was not guilty and that the evidence was manufactured . Barney was treated very badly in Burriburn and was often chained up and left in the basement where he was beaten by the guards . They say his screams were heard all through the night . Ron knew he was on to something and he began to pray for guidance .
A letter was left for Ron at the hotel , It was from the motor mechanic who stated that his van was ready . When Ron went to the workshop there was no one around . So he went looking around to see if he could find anyone . He noticed there was a lot of things lying around outside the workshop , old engines , hoses , a bathtub , a large extendable ladder , bicycles and old washing machines . It looked more like a scrap yard than a mechanics workshop . He went inside the workshop and called
“Hello “
There was no answer .
He looked at the things on some of the old shelves , old photographs of the town and then he saw a book of poetry called Behind The Bars . It was an anthology of Poetry all the original work of the prisoners of Burriburn ,
Ron could hear someone coming so he quickly put the book into his pocket .
The motor mechanic approached Ron and said ,
“Sorry to keep you I was inside the house having a bite to eat . Didn’t know you were here . Hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“ That’s ok , so how much do I owe you for the van .“
Well it took me a few hours to do the job but a few days to get around to getting it started .All up it will cost . let me just have a look ..”
He went to a small desk and turned over the pages of an invoice book ,
Ron asked .
“So how long have you been in Burriburn then ?
The mechanic looked up and said
“ Oh here , well my father actually was the very first mechanic on town and he died nearly 20 years ago at 98 years of age . I guess its over a hundred we been here , Now did you want a receipt for this work I did ?‘
Ron replied ,
“No that’s ok , I don’t need a receipt .“
“Well then without a receipt it will cost you three hundred dollars .“
Ron paid the bill and drove the van back to the hotel .
After he parked the van he asked Joe about extending his stay at the hotel for a few more weeks .
Then he went to his room and opened up the anthology of poems and started to read through page after page . He felt a chill when he came to a page with a poem written by Brian Jones or as he was called Barney Jones . The poem was called
Basement Of Shame - By Brian Jones
.
Old men have visions ,
young men have dreams ,
ghosts within prisons
have echoing screams .
Locked up in a cell
no one ever hears ,
it’s a living hell
the horrors and fears
underneath the skin
are buried so deep .
No peace dwells for him .
He never gets sleep .
Its an awful place
where no one belongs .
There’s no saving grace
For all of our wrongs .
Left to rot inside ,
and there’s no way out .
Some people have died
Let me tell you about ,
The men who can’t talk
About where they are
The men who can’t walk .
They’re not going far .
The men they can’t find
The men who can’t see
The end of the line ,
with prisoners like me .
The basement of shame
With walls ten miles thick
The blood from their veins
Has stained every brick .
There’s no peace of mind
Their sentence goes on
They’re prisoners of time .
Long after I’m gone .
Ron could hear the water tap running in the bathroom and put the book down on the bedside table , He went to the sink and turned off the water . He looked at himself in the mirror and suddenly in the reflection he saw the twisted face of a man looking back at him , The water started to run again and the bathroom door closed , He had a cold feeling and the face in the mirror started to decay until there was just a skull looking back at him. The lights in the bathroom turned off and Ron stood in the darkness . Ron began to pray
“Lord you are the light of the world and came to shatter the darkness , you are the truth that came to set the prisoners free, Lord forgive Barney Jones for he has suffered long enough and set him free .
That instant the lights came back on and the reflection in the mirror was gone.
He took a deep breath and after a few moments he left the bathroom and sat down on the bed .
He knew what had to be done . In order to put all those souls at rest he would have to go down into the basement at the prison and perform a rite of peaceful passage .
Ron decided in the morning he would pay a visit to the prison .Morning came and for the first time since his arrival he had an uninterrupted sleep .
The sun shone through the window and outside he saw a woman up early walking with her dog on a lead ,
The though came to him and he started to talk aloud as if there was someone there well now Ron , you’re going to have to break into prison which is almost as hard as breaking out of prison . Now first we need to scale up those walls and a ladder is what we need .
Then he remembered the extendable ladder he saw at the motor mechanics workshop . He checked the time . It was still early . He quickly got dressed and went down to the van . He made his way to the workshop and put the extension ladder into the back of his van unnoticed .The he drove back to the hotel and went for breakfast , After breakfast he packed a few tools into a bag and made his way to the prison . He drove around the back where he could not be seen and parked the van . He took out the ladder and placed it against the prison wall . He put the bag over his shoulder and climbed up the ladder , At top he remembered the vision he had and feared a pair of shackled hands grabbing him . He hesitated for a few moments until the fear left him . Then he slowly pulled up the ladder until he was able to place it on the top of the wall where he lowered it down on the other side of the wall where he climbed down into the perimeter of the prison . With his previous knowledge working in the prison system he knew that every prison was broke up into different sections ., There was always a central part within the perimeter fence just in case someone decides to tunnel out of their cell. Then there would be a section for low security prisoners, with a workshop and library. There would be a section to the east for power and water distribution. The front section would be the reception and normally where new prisoners arrive .The basement would normally be underneath the kitchen which was a little risky because inmates sometimes would work there , however people who would work there would usually be low security and pose no risk to anyone .
Ron carried the ladder and walked across to the central section ;
He used the ladder to climb over the wall of the perimeter into the exercise yard , He checked the compass in his pocket and found the east so from there he was close to the front of the prison , He found a door with H written on it . Ron was surprised to find the door was unlocked so he opened it up and walked inside . Once inside he walked down a corridor to a cross junction that went three ways , He checked his compass again and kept walking to the east and at last he found the front section and eventually he stood outside the kitchen , When he pushed open the door he heard a scream , It seemed to come from underneath . Ron had come too far now to go back so he began to look for a trapdoor to the basement , As he walked around he heard some noises and began to feel cold , He sensed an presence near and started to pray for everyone who had come through the doors of the prison . He prayed for forgiveness and healing for anyone who was abused of hurt . He prayed for any souls who were not at rest ,
Suddenly in the middle of the kitchen a trapdoor flung open . Ron took out four candles and placed each one to a compass point and instructed and lost soul to go to the light and find peace , Then he started chanting in an ancient tongue words that only the spirit form could understand .
He heard a sound of chains and moaning rising up from the basement , Then a ghostly shape appeared from the basement . It was the twisted face Ron had seen before in the bathroom mirror ,
Ron spoke loudly and with authority .
“Are you Barney Jones ,“
The ghost screamed aloud .
Ron repeated the question ,
“Are you Barney Jones ?“
This time the ghost produced a key and screamed .
“Now you’re my prisoner . There is no escape for anyone who comes to this place for I am the keeper of Burriburn .“
“Forgive Barney Jones and you will be free . I know how they treated you
and how they framed you for a crime you never committed .”
The ghost screamed and wailed loudly .
“I have had my revenge ,“
Suddenly there were others who appeared now one by one they came out of the basement carrying their heads in their hands .
“Ron called the names of the warden and all the prison officers who were murdered and said .
“You must forgive and then you will be free .“
Then he started to chant again in an ancient tongue that only spirit forms would understand , The screaming began to go away and one by one the ghostly shapes were transformed into bones . The last one who remained was Barney Jones ..
“Forgive and be free Barney . May your soul at last find eternal rest “
The ghost screamed
“At last . I am free .
With those words he went quiet and was transformed into bones .
From his bag Ron took some holy water and blessed all of the remains that lay on the floor . The he lit some incense and started to pray .
“God of heaven and earth forgive the sins of all those who lie here and welcome them into your kingdom . Angels of heaven welcome them and take them home .”
Suddenly all around the burning candles angels came , from every point of the compass , Each angle lifted the bones that lay on the floor and breathed upon them , A bright light appeared from the roof and the angels placed the bones of the dead into the light and they were transformed into angelic like creatures who were taken up into the sky , They were in turn followed by all of the other angels .
Ron started to talk to himself again .
Well that’s another job done . Now I better get back to my adventure holiday .
Onwards and upwards that what I say .
In the end they'll all be dancin'--all them ones that didn't die.... Dance with me in the shadows amidst the lightning and the thunder, and all that nu-cu-lar debris. See the big bang from the other side, and then open that cellar door. Go down into
