Below is part 6 of the Curse of the Deadly Gym. You can read part 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 here.
It’s seven in the evening when I get to Silver’s Gym. It’s still open and evidently a fair amount of people are there, as almost the entire parking lot is filled. The gym is set in a two story factory like building, with large glass windows and doors that let people look in at the exercising people.
“Good marketing,” I mutter to myself.
I walk around the perimeter of the building, but I don’t get a sense of anything being off on the outside. It’s time to go into the gym and discover what’s really going on. I open the glass door and walk to the front desk, where a perky, athletic girl is looking intently into a computer screen. I wait a few moments and then clear my throat.
“Oh sorry, ma’am. I didn’t realize you were waiting for me. How can I help you?”
“I’m new to this area and I’m hoping I can do a trial period at your gym, so I can see if it fits my needs. I’m looking for specific programs.”
“Such as?”
“I’m looking for some yoga and aerobics course, and maybe some martial arts as well.”
“Mmmhmm. We’ve got all of that here. I’ll give you a free three day pass, which should give you enough time to try out our facilities and see if it’s the right fit.”
She points me to a computer at a desk. “Fill out your information there, and we’ll get you setup with the three day pass.”
“Thank you. I’ll just be a few moments.”
I walk over to the computer and start filling out the information. I use a fictitious name and identity for just this kind of situation. I don’t want to put my real name out there, because if someone decides to research me, they’ll quickly figure out what I do. It takes me fifteen minutes to complete the application and then get a picture taken. Afterwards the attendant hands me a plastic card.
“Use this card to get into any of the classrooms, lockers, or other areas of the gym. It’s good for three days, and then it’ll deactivate. Please return it to us, unless of course you become a member.”
“Thank you.”
I pick up the card and wander over to the women’s locker room and then hold the card over a black box that has a red light. The light turns green and I can go into the locker room. I drop my stuff off and then start wandering around the gym. Over the next two hours, I explore the weight room, the swimming pool and the classrooms. I’m doing it to get a feel for the place, but also because I’m curious.
I see a ton of weights and people using them doggedly in order to get themselves into shape. I see sports medicine, shakes, and protein bars offered, all designed to make you buff. I see lots of people trying to compulsively perfect their look. Do I look good like this? Am I thin enough? Am I in good shape? It creates a frenetic energy that pulses through the place, but what I don’t feel is any type of supernatural energy. I need to check out the aerobics room.
The aerobics room is a large room with glass windows facing into the gym. Lights hang from cables suspended on the ceiling. The room is carpeted with an awful blue carpet that’s cheap. I pull out a pinch of spectral dust and blow it into the room, but nothing stands out. I’m beginning to wonder if Ackerbee imagined what he saw. It’s true his wife has been attacked by some type of spiritual entity, but maybe it’s happening somewhere else.
People begin shuffling into the aerobics room. All of them are dressed in workout gear. All of them look tired, but its evening, after a workday. I decide to stay and participate. Perhaps doing the aerobics exercise will enlighten me about what’s happening here.