November 12, 2024 Everyone is asleep, and I’m ready to practice my remote viewing and mediumship skills. I was sitting at the dining room table, preparing to conjure up a lost soul. I had the crystal ball in front of me. After a long, stressful day, I just wanted to focus on something familiar, something I could control. But a lost soul had other plans for me. As I was getting ready to begin, the lights in the kitchen began flickering. I know what this means—time for a nocturnal visitor to arrive. But tonight, something was different. No one appeared, and the flickering wasn’t random. It was rhythmic, almost like it had a pulse of its own. I stayed at the table, watching as the lights flashed in quick, deliberate bursts, then paused, only to start again. It felt like the house itself was trying to speak, to get my attention. Then, without warning, a strange, crushing pressure gripped my chest. My heart started to race, beating so hard it felt like it would burst. The pain was sudden, a searing line of fire across my left side. I clutched at my chest, my mind racing. Was this it? Was I having a heart attack? My breaths came in short, shallow gasps. The room began to darken, my vision blurring. I could feel the blood rushing in my ears, drowning out every other sound. The pressure in my chest only grew worse, like a vice tightening around my ribs, squeezing the life out of me. But that’s when I noticed it—my heartbeat wasn’t just racing. It was in perfect sync with the flickering lights in the kitchen. Flash. Thud. Flash. Thud. The pounding continued, relentless, and as I focused, I began to hear it more clearly. It wasn’t just my heart—it was a drumbeat. The rhythm was deep, raw, almost primal, like someone striking a drum with their bare hands. Each beat seemed to echo through my chest. The rhythm wasn’t just a typical drumbeat—it had a wooden, hollow resonance to it, almost like someone striking a hand drum. The sound was distinct, not something I had heard before. And then, everything shifted. I was no longer sitting at my dining room table. I was in the woods. The scent of wet leaves and damp earth filled my nostrils. The humid air stung my lungs with every forced breath. I was running—my legs felt heavy, my breaths shallow and panicked. The drumbeat was relentless, pounding in my chest and ears, driving me forward along a path deeper into the woods. I couldn’t see where I was going, only that I had to keep moving. The trees seemed to shift and dance around me. My heart continued to pound in my chest, the rhythm urging me on, faster and faster. I followed the path to a clearing. That’s where I saw them—three shadowy figures. They stood like sentinels, their eyes and chest glowing faintly. The familiar drumbeat grew louder, more frantic. “You have failed her,” they chanted in unison. Suddenly, she appeared—Candle Face, her face a twisted, melted mask illuminated by a backdrop of flames. The heat of her presence was overwhelming, and I could feel it searing into my skin. The drumbeat became deafening. “You sought perfection in your music yet ignored my demands, Jacob,” Candle Face said. “You were to bring me those who did not believe, yet you chose not to obey. Now, you will pay the price.” The shadows closed in, and everything went black. And just like that, I was back at my dining room table. The lights had stopped flickering, the drumbeat had faded, leaving only the pain in my chest. My hands were shaking, my heart still pounding as if it were trying to catch up with reality. The vision had ended, but the terror lingered. Personal Note to My Readers (November 13, 2024) Last night, something unexpected happened. During the vision, Candle Face referred to me as Jacob . At first, I was confused. Clearly, Candle Face knows who I am, so why did she call me Jacob? Was it some kind of psychological trick? For a while, I was convinced that I had become the target, that she was trying to toy with me. But as I began to reflect on the experience, trying to make sense of what I had just witnessed, pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. The drumbeat, the shadows, the overwhelming sense of dread—it all felt too familiar. The story felt familiar, like a story I had heard months ago. That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t the first time I had connected with this lost soul. On March 22, 2024, he came to me, desperate to share his story about shadows pursuing him in the woods. Back then, I only heard his words, but tonight, I lived through his eyes. I witnessed what he experienced on the day he died. For a few terrifying minutes, I became the lost soul from Candle Face Victim # 21: A Drumbeat Away from Darkness . But here’s what’s truly disturbing—I didn’t consciously use the crystal ball or any of my remote viewing techniques. The moment my heartbeat synced with the flickering lights, it was as if the crystal ball activated on its own. I was pulled into a vision, but I wasn’t in control. It felt like the lost soul was reaching out to me, forcing the connection. The rhythm of the drumbeat felt like a message, a cry for help. I can’t help but think that this experience is a warning—both for me and for all of us trying to piece together these fragments of the past. I’ve always relied on my remote viewing techniques with some degree of control, but tonight shattered that sense of safety. If anyone reading this has experienced something similar, if you’ve felt your abilities start to activate without your intent, I need your help. The lost souls are counting on us to understand what they’re trying to communicate, but I fear I’m opening doors that I won’t be able to close. There’s something hidden in that drumbeat—something urgent that I need to decode. But I can’t do it alone. Please reach out if you have any ideas. The lost souls, perhaps even my sanity, and safety depend on what we discover together. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

October 24, 2024 I again used the crystal ball just after midnight to conjure a lost soul. My attempt with Candle Face Victim # 42  had succeeded, so why not try again? I took the crystal ball from my home office and placed it on the dining room table, just as I had before. Settling into the silence, I took a deep breath, reaching inward for my mediumship and remote viewing skills I’ve been honing. I recalled the session with Victim # 42—the clear but desperate cries as Candle Face scalped her. Would this attempt bring the same clarity, or was I about to open myself up to Candle Face’s gaze again? The crystal’s surface slowly clouded, pulling me into a scene. I recognized the location immediately: Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, overlooking Town Lake. My perspective felt detached, hovering in third person as I watched a scene unfold below. Four figures stood on the bridge. A young man, likely in his late twenties, struggled at the edge of the bridge, pleading with his attackers. His voice, thick with fear, cracked as he begged for his life. “Please, don’t do it. I’ll do anything—please!” The desperation in his words rang in my ears as if I were truly there, witnessing his final moments. I studied the attackers, absorbing each detail to capture them for my journal . The first was a tall man, around six feet, muscular but lean. His hooded jacket obscured part of his face, but his strong jawline and piercing eyes stood out. His grip on the victim’s shoulder was firm, as if he held no doubt about what was to come. Beside him stood a woman, likely in her mid-twenties, perhaps 5’5”, her frame abnormally thin. Her hair was pulled back. A fitted black leather jacket hugged her form, and she watched the victim’s pleas with a disturbing calmness. The third attacker was another man, around 5’10”, and heavier-set. His dark jeans and worn flannel shirt looked rough, adding to his unkempt appearance. Unlike the others, his eyes darted around, as if searching for someone or something. Together, they moved as one, forcing the man over the bridge’s edge, his cries silenced in a final, haunting scream. I could almost feel his terror, the shock, the horrifying finality as his body plummeted, the water below breaking his fall with a distant splash. The three attackers didn’t linger. They fled up Congress Avenue, their footsteps slapping against the pavement, before turning east onto 1st Street, vanishing around the corner and melting into the night. I blinked back into the dining room as the scene faded from the crystal ball. This attempt had indeed brought the clarity I sought, but so did the question: had Candle Face been watching, too? Was she guiding me to these visions, feeding me her own chosen memories for her purposes? About ten minutes later, as I sat in my home office, typing up the vision for my Candle Face Chronicles  journal, I heard a noise coming from the living room. I knew what it was. I sat there, staring at the screen, waiting for a lost soul to arrive. Thirty seconds passed, and then, slowly, a figure emerged and walked into my office. Dripping wet, the young man I had just seen in the vision walked toward me, his eyes wide and disoriented. Water pooled beneath him, his trembling figure standing still. His stare locked onto mine, and he spoke with a fearful and urgent voice. “Look into the crystal ball again,” he said frantically, his voice breaking. He paused as if struggling to get out more words but could only repeat, “Look into the crystal ball.” Hesitantly, I returned to the crystal ball on the dining table, the room silent except for the faint dripping of water from the spirit behind me. I reached out, my fingers brushing against the cold surface, and focused, peering deeply into the depths of the crystal. At first, nothing but emptiness filled the crystal ball. Then, slowly, a figure took shape—a gaunt face, with charred, hollowed eyes staring back at me. Candle Face. She appeared as if deep inside the crystal’s core, her burned, twisted features pressed against the glass, as though waiting to be unleashed. Her eye sockets glowed faintly, her mouth curving into an evil smile, and though she didn’t speak, the silent hatred was unmistakable. Suddenly, the crystal ball grew unbearably hot, steam creeping along its surface. I gasped, instinctively jerking my hand away. In an instant, Candle Face’s image vanished. Turning back, I saw that the man’s figure had disappeared, leaving only faint puddles where he had stood moments before. I was alone in the room again, left with the undeniable sense that Candle Face wasn’t only watching me but was also using these visions to tighten her grip. The young man’s plea still plays in my mind: “Look into the crystal ball.” Personal Note to My Readers I only wanted to reach a lost soul, hoping to offer comfort or closure. Instead, I found myself witnessing a brutal memory, played out before me in disturbing clarity: a young man forced over the edge of a bridge, pleading for mercy. And just when I thought the encounter had ended, he appeared in my home, dripping wet. But it wasn’t just the tragic visitation. What truly rattled me was his desperate request—"Look into the crystal ball again.” When I did, I saw Candle Face, her twisted face pressed against the glass, watching, mocking, waiting. This leaves me wondering: what was the purpose of this vision? Why did the spirit urge me to look into the crystal ball, knowing it would reveal Candle Face herself? He seemed terrified, as though delivering his warning to me was as urgent as his last moments on that bridge. Was he simply seeking help, or was he warning me about the crystal ball? Did he know what Candle Face wanted to show me? These questions raise more possibilities—was he compelled by Candle Face herself to lead me to her image, to draw me closer to her? The crystal ball seems more than just a medium for spirit communication. It feels like a portal that Candle Face might be using to manipulate the lost souls and me. Should I stop using the crystal ball altogether, as I mentioned before? The image of Candle Face pressed against it, as if inside, waiting to pounce on me, tells me she is somehow tied to it. But is that reason enough to destroy it? If I do, will I lose my connection to the lost souls, or will I be closing off Candle Face’s entry into my world? Perhaps this vision, and Candle Face’s message within it, was meant to be a warning—a reminder that while I’m helping the lost souls, I may also be feeding her power. She may be taunting me, showing me she has a hold on me through the crystal ball, like a spider weaving me into her web strand by strand. Destroying the crystal ball might cut that hold, but it might also silence the voices of the lost souls who still seek me out. It’s a dilemma—if I keep it, I risk Candle Face getting me eventually. If I destroy it, I risk losing a vital tool for helping the spirits desperately seeking my aid. Or, maybe the crystal ball has nothing to do with any of this. After all, I was communicating with the lost souls before using it. For now, I’ll leave the crystal ball untouched but observe it closely. This experience has shown me that Candle Face isn’t content to stay on the sidelines. She’s reminding me that she’s watching, that each vision could be a trap as much as a revelation. And if she truly is using the crystal ball as a conduit, I may need to prepare for a future without it—to seek new ways of reaching and helping the lost souls, ways that Candle Face cannot control. In the meantime, I’ll continue to write down every encounter, every vision, every warning. And I’ll remain vigilant, watching Candle Face as closely as she watches me. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

October 17, 2024 I find myself wrestling with the same painful question: how can I help the lost souls if I can’t identify them? This conflict feels especially sharp after a previous encounter, when the family and friends of another lost soul   reached out, asking me to stop mentioning their loved one in my podcast. I ended the podcast out of respect for their wishes, yet the dilemma remains. And now, when a spirit like Victim # 42 reaches out, full of hope and sadness, it’s as though she believes I’m her only chance left. How can I honor both their requests—the living who need closure, and the dead who need a voice? In her testimony a few nights ago, the spirit revealed that October 10 was the anniversary of her death and that her birthday had been a few days earlier. Dates like these are invaluable clues—critical markers that can link to missing persons reports or trace back through timelines, offering information into identities that might otherwise remain hidden. Knowing this, I began searching for any missing persons who disappeared in Central Texas on October 10 and whose birthday was shortly before she went missing. It was a long shot, but the urgency in her voice and the importance of those dates left me no choice. Google led me to a listing on TheDoeNetwork  that was very similar—a woman who disappeared on October 10, 1992, with a birthday of October 7, 1967. The report even noted that she was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and had a scar “in the scalp area on her forehead,” an uncanny match to the spirit’s description. It felt like she’d finally been waiting for someone to make the connection. But can I be certain? Even if this spirit is the woman I found in that report, how can I pursue this without betraying her family’s need for peace? The spirits want to be known, but I want to protect the families they left behind. I think of what it would be like to show up on this woman’s family’s doorstep and say, “Your loved one came to me one night, asking for help.” And then, how would I even begin to explain that she’s missing half of her skull? I’d be seen as a cruel stranger dredging up old wounds, and the family might look at me with horror, questioning my sanity. But the pain in that spirit’s eyes was unmistakable. She trusts me to help her. So, how do I honor that trust without betraying her family’s need for closure? I can’t just ignore her. I can’t turn my back on the lost souls who come to me, now that my abilities are growing. But every time I think I’m making progress, every time I feel like I’m getting somewhere, I’m dragged back into the same helplessness. How can I help her if I’m stuck here, balancing between helping the dead and protecting the living? I question if I’m really prepared for this work. Yes, my skills are improving; I’ve reached a point I once only dreamed of. But for what? To be bound by the same restrictions I had before, forever torn between protecting the families and my duty to the lost souls. I see now that I can identify them if I try hard enough. Yet, where does that leave me? Just as desperate as before, only now I know who they are, and I know that I can’t do anything with that knowledge. I don’t know what to do, but I do know one thing: if that spirit truly is who I think she might be, I won’t give up. I can’t promise that I won’t struggle or stumble along the way, but I won’t stop trying to find a way to help her and all the others who wait in line to speak to me. I may be caught between two worlds, but if there’s even the slightest chance I can free her without causing more harm, I’ll find it. But tonight, as I sit here, I feel more alone than ever. Personal Note to My Readers As I write this, I find myself struggling with a difficult decision. I believe I may have a name for this lost soul. But as you may have noticed, I haven’t shared her name. I keep circling back to the question: should I? Should I include her name, bringing her closer to the peace she seeks, or should I protect the families she left behind? I’d like to ask you: what do you think? Is helping the lost souls more important than respecting the wishes of the living? Or are the living, with their fragile balance between healing and memory, more deserving of protection? When a lost soul comes to me, I’m faced with their suffering, longing to be known, and desperation to reach someone who can listen and understand. They’re no longer part of our world, yet their connection to it remains powerful through me. The living, however, carry the grief, often silently. To honor both sides of this mission—to give peace to the dead without harming the living—feels like an impossible line to walk. If I share a name, it could reopen wounds, but if I don’t, I’m leaving a lost soul adrift, missing a piece of their story. It’s a question that I wrestle with daily, and I’m not sure I’ll ever fully answer. I appreciate any thoughts or guidance you can share on this subject. I’m grateful to have each of you beside me in this mission. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

Actual photo of the crystal ball October 14, 2024 It’s been gnawing at me for days now—this upsetting feeling that the crystal ball in the back of my home office isn’t just a tool for me. Could Candle Face be using it to spy on me, to watch my every move and decide which lost soul she’ll send next? It sounds absurd at first, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Too many times, a lost soul has appeared just as I’ve been making a critical decision, as though Candle Face knew exactly what I was thinking and sent them at just the right moment. For example, back in December 2023, a paranormal investigative team reached out to me, saying they would like to help me with Candle Face. I was excited—finally, a team that showed bravery instead of the cowardice I had grown used to. We spoke for about an hour over a video chat, where I detailed Candle Face’s lore and shared some of the visions I’ve been having. But as the conversation progressed, I realized they weren’t exactly serious investigators. They were more of a comedy team, poking fun at the very things they claimed to want to help with. A few days later, after thinking it over, I turned down their help. The lost souls want answers, not a late-night comedy show. What’s interesting is what happened next. Just a few hours after that video chat ended, the eighth lost soul visited me—a woman who had been a paranormal investigator herself. She warned me not to pursue any kind of mockery in my investigations, especially with the paranormal team I had just spoken to. She told me Candle Face doesn’t like being mocked. Could she have been watching the video chat through the crystal ball? Or was it Candle Face, using the crystal ball to monitor everything and then sending the lost soul to deliver the warning? I’ve been wondering whether I should continue using the crystal ball at all. If it’s become a link for Candle Face to infiltrate my space, do I really want to keep it around? Maybe I should move it to a different room—out of sight, out of mind. But what if that’s not enough? What if Candle Face can still use it, no matter where I put it? Another thought crosses my mind: Should I destroy it? Smashing it could sever that connection once and for all, or would it leave me even more vulnerable? There’s a chance destroying the ball could anger her or, worse, leave me exposed without the one tool that’s helped me reach out to the lost souls in the first place. What if the ball is also a protective layer between me and whatever else is out there? Perhaps I could try something else. Could it be possible to cleanse the crystal ball somehow, purging Candle Face’s influence over it? Maybe a ritual or even seeking advice from a spiritual leader could help. I don’t know what the answer is yet, but I need to make a decision soon. Each time I sit down in my office, I can’t help but feel watched. The question is—watched by whom? Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

Image credit: https://www.victoriasblackswaninn.com September 21, 2024 Today should be a fun and productive day. I’m heading to San Antonio for the 7th Annual Paranormal Fest 2024  at Victoria’s Black Swan Inn . I’m excited to meet serious paranormal investigators, psychics, and mediums interested in helping me with the lost souls. I’ll also look for people with remote viewing capabilities who could lend their skills to the investigation. Until now, my interactions with the paranormal community have been exclusively online. Today, I’ll get the chance to connect with the Texas-based paranormal community in person. I’ve been practicing the remote viewing techniques I learned from Stacey Tallitsch’s class , but I think learning from multiple people is better. Each teacher brings their own perspective and expertise to the table, offering different methods and insights that could broaden my understanding. It’s like Investigations 101—pulling from various sources gives you a fuller picture. Besides, remote viewing requires discipline and a range of skills, and learning different approaches might help me strengthen areas where I’m weak. Next weekend, I’ll attend a Mediumship Bootcamp at the Triple Six Social  in San Marcos, Texas. Many people from the Get Haunted Network  have said I have some medium abilities, but I’ve never felt confident in them. Hopefully, this bootcamp will either help me harness those skills or at least make me more comfortable with what I’m capable of. Meeting mediums willing to help me with the lost souls is also a priority. In the next few weeks, I plan to branch out and begin conversations with religious leaders to diversify my contacts. Understanding their perspectives could be key to figuring out how to help the lost souls and gain a deeper understanding of Candle Face. There’s a lot for me to do, before Candle Face comes for me. Key To Understanding o ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

July 8, 2024 SPOILER ALERT: This journal entry contains insights about characters and themes in The Empty Lot Next Door . If you’re trying to avoid spoilers, it’s advisable not to read further until you’ve finished the book. Reading this journal entry may reveal important plot details that you’d rather discover on your own. Welcome to a two-part series that explores the legend of Candle Face, an evil entity that has haunted my childhood. In this series, I’ll explore the question of Candle Face’s existence—whether she’s a creation of my mind or a genuine supernatural presence. In this series’ first journal entry , I investigated the notion that Candle Face may be nothing more than a manifestation of my past trauma lurking in my human psyche. However, in this second journal entry, I’ll scrutinize the alternative perspective that suggests Candle Face is a genuine ghostly presence, separate from the realm of human psychology. As you read through these two contrasting accounts, you’re invited to weigh the evidence, confront the stories, and ultimately decide for yourself whether Candle Face is a supernatural entity or a manifestation of my past trauma. As Ray (my childhood name) and the narrator in my memoir The Empty Lot Next Door , I recount my experiences with Candle Face. I find myself constantly grappling with the question of her reality. Over the years, I’ve faced skepticism and disbelief, with many suggesting that Candle Face was merely a figment of my childhood imagination, a byproduct of fear, stress, or loneliness. However, the more I reflect on those encounters, the more convinced I become that Candle Face wasn’t just a creation of my mind but an actual entity whose existence and interactions with me and those around me cannot be dismissed as imaginary. Firstly, let’s consider the consistency and detail in my encounters with Candle Face. As a child, one’s imagination can run wild, but the details and consistencies of Candle Face’s appearances, actions, and impacts were far beyond the capacity of a young mind’s creations. From Candle Face’s evil presence in the empty lot next to my house to how she entered my home, there was a level of detail in her appearance that was startlingly vivid. She wasn’t just a shadow or a fleeting image; she had a form, a method, and a discernible pattern in her actions. My experiences with Candle Face weren’t isolated incidents but events that occurred over a prolonged period. If she were merely a product of my imagination, it would be challenging to maintain such a consistent and evolving story over time. The way she interacted with the environment, leaving physical marks, and how she was perceived under different circumstances added to the realism of her existence. For example, her ability to leave cuts on my skin or to manipulate physical objects in my bedroom is hard to attribute merely to imagination. Another compelling argument for Candle Face’s reality is the shared experiences with others, particularly my brother Ricky. If Candle Face were merely a figment of my imagination, it would be implausible for Ricky to have also interacted with her. His reactions and the fear he exhibited were genuine and independent of my experiences. This shared perception lends credence to the argument that Candle Face was an external reality, not just a personal hallucination. Also, these encounters’ emotional and psychological impact was profound and lasting, extending well into my adulthood. The fear and anxiety induced by Candle Face weren’t fleeting but had long-term effects on my mental health and perception of safety. This depth of impact indicates an encounter with an actual entity rather than an imagined one. The specific knowledge that Candle Face seemed to possess further supports her reality. She knew about personal details and future events that I couldn’t have known or predicted, suggesting a level of awareness beyond a mere mental construct. Her revelations about future events and knowledge about personal aspects of my life, which were later confirmed, indicate that she wasn’t just a product of my subconscious. Additionally, the physical evidence, such as the injuries I sustained and the disturbances in the physical environment, are hard to explain away as imaginary. The scratches on my skin, the disruption in my room, and the changes in the physical space around me during her visits point to an external force rather than mere hallucinations or dreams. Also, Candle Face’s presence and actions seemed to follow a purpose or intent, which is atypical for imaginary figures that are usually more chaotic or nonsensical. Her actions seemed deliberate, often with a clear goal, whether to scare, warn, or communicate something specific. This sense of purpose is more aligned with an actual entity rather than an imagined one. Lastly, the nature of her appearances and the conditions under which they occurred also suggest a reality beyond imagination. Candle Face often appeared under specific circumstances and in particular locations, following patterns consistent with a real presence rather than random or fanciful imaginings. Her appearances were often tied to specific emotional states or events, suggesting a response to actual stimuli rather than arbitrary creations of the mind. While it’s understandable why some might view Candle Face as a product of my overactive imagination, the evidence and experiences I’ve recounted strongly suggest otherwise. The consistency, detail, shared experiences, physical evidence, and lasting impact all point to Candle Face being an actual supernatural entity. Her presence in my life wasn’t just a shadow cast by fear or loneliness but a tangible, albeit mysterious, force that left a permanent mark on my childhood and shaped my understanding of the world around me. For the opposing view, please visit: https://www.candleface.com/post/distinguishing-reality-from-imagination-the-candle-face-debate-part-1 Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

July 5, 2024 SPOILER ALERT: This journal entry contains insights about characters and themes in The Empty Lot Next Door . If you’re trying to avoid spoilers, it’s advisable not to read further until you’ve finished the book. Reading this journal entry may reveal important plot details that you’d rather discover on your own. Welcome to a two-part series that explores the legend of Candle Face, an evil entity that has haunted my childhood. In this series, I’ll examine the possibility of Candle Face’s existence—or lack thereof. In this series’ first journal entry (this one), I’ll investigate the notion that Candle Face may be nothing more than a manifestation of my past trauma lurking in my human psyche. However, in the second journal entry , I’ll scrutinize the alternative perspective that suggests Candle Face is a genuine ghostly presence, separate from the realm of my human psyche. As you read through these two contrasting accounts, you’re invited to weigh the evidence, confront the stories, and ultimately decide for yourself whether Candle Face is a supernatural entity or a manifestation of my past trauma. Candle Face has been a constant, lurking presence from my earliest memories, embodied by my deepest fears and anxieties. Yet, as I’ve grown and reflected upon those formative years, a dawning realization has emerged: Candle Face wasn’t an external entity but a creation of my own imagination, a manifestation of the inner turmoil and emotional upheaval I experienced as a child. My childhood was marked by a series of challenging circumstances, including familial tensions, social isolation, and a constant sense of being different from my peers. In this context, Candle Face emerged as a tangible symbol of the fears and anxieties I couldn’t articulate or understand at the time. She was a projection of the turmoil within me, a way for my young mind to cope with and externalize the emotional chaos that I was unable to process. The details and consistent story of Candle Face’s appearances, which might be seen as evidence of her reality, can also be interpreted as the workings of a highly imaginative and sensitive child’s mind. Children, especially those facing emotional stress, often create detailed and consistent imaginary worlds, as my brother Ricky had done with the stories he shared with the neighborhood kids at his treehouse. These provide a safe space to explore and process complex emotions and experiences. The vividness of Candle Face’s presence, her actions, and the terror she evoked reflected the depth of my internal struggles. The physical manifestations attributed to Candle Face—the scratches and disturbances in my room—can be understood through the lens of psychosomatic responses. The human mind can produce physical symptoms as a response to psychological stress. In times of intense fear or anxiety, it’s not uncommon for the body to react in ways that mimic physical harm inflicted by an external source. My shared experiences with Ricky, often cited as proof of Candle Face, can be explained through the phenomenon of shared delusions or folie à deux. This psychological condition occurs when one person’s delusional beliefs are transmitted to another, particularly in close relationships. Our bond, combined with the power of suggestion and the heightened emotional state we were in, could easily have led to shared hallucinations of Candle Face. As for the emotional and psychological impact of these encounters, it’s undeniable. However, the depth of this impact doesn’t necessarily corroborate the reality of Candle Face. Instead, it highlights the profound effect that our mental creations can have on us, especially when they’re born out of deep-seated fears and unresolved trauma. The specific knowledge and foresight attributed to Candle Face could result from my subconscious mind processing observations and information that my conscious mind hadn’t fully acknowledged. Children are often more perceptive than they’re given credit for, and it’s possible that I picked up on cues and details about my environment and future events without fully realizing it. The purpose and intent observed in Candle Face’s actions could reflect my need for structure and understanding in a chaotic and unpredictable world. By attributing these qualities to an imaginary figure, I was, in a way, trying to make sense of the senseless, to find meaning in the randomness of life. The nature of Candle Face’s appearances, tied to specific emotional states or events, further supports the theory that she is a product of my imagination. It’s often the case that our fears and anxieties manifest more strongly during stress or change. Candle Face’s appearances coincided with such periods in my life, suggesting a correlation between my emotional state and the intensity of her presence. In retrospect, it becomes increasingly clear that Candle Face was a complex psychological response to the challenges and fears I faced as a child. She was a construct of my mind, a way to cope with and make sense of the world around me. As I’ve grown and processed these experiences, Candle Face has receded (until recently), indicating that the need for this imaginary figure has diminished as my understanding and coping mechanisms have evolved. While Candle Face was a very real and terrifying presence in my childhood, the evidence suggests that she wasn’t an external entity but a manifestation of my inner world. Her existence was a testament to the power of the human mind to create and believe in realities as a way of coping with the complexities of life and the depths of our own emotions. As I’ve come to terms with my past and the challenges I faced, I’ve also come to understand that Candle Face was a part of me, a creation of my imagination, born out of necessity, and a symbol of the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. For the opposing view, please visit:   https://www.candleface.com/post/distinguishing-reality-from-imagination-the-candle-face-debate-part-2 Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

June 30, 2024   Last night was the worst experience of my life. Another spirit visited me, claiming he was killed by Candle Face's followers. He hinted that he was buried in the same house as two other spirits. One of them, I believe, is the well-known case of Jason Landry, a name familiar to everyone in Central Texas. After sharing his story, he left, and I rushed to my computer to document his testimony. As I finished, a bizarre, overwhelming urge gripped me—I had to get to that house in Luling, TX, two hours away. I don't know why, but I felt compelled. By 3:30 in the morning, I was driving over 100 miles per hour to get there. I called a friend, asking him to meet me, but he begged me to stop and turn around. Minutes later, the trance-like feeling lifted, and I returned home. It was the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced, and it terrifies me to think about what was drawing me there and what might have happened if I had arrived. Now I wonder what to do next. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

June 21, 2024 Yesterday marked a significant milestone for me as I launched the first episode of my podcast, Candle Face Chronicles Podcast , on June 20, 2024. This step into the world of podcasting was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Robert Stachowicz and Sara Jane Kamyszek Villani from Get Haunted . My initial attempt at podcasting was almost a disaster. I hadn’t lined up any guests until the night before the show, a planning oversight that left me scrambling. Thankfully, Rob and Sara stepped up, saving the day and ensuring the show went on. Despite my late arrival to my own show and technical glitches caused by "Gremlins" that repeatedly froze my image, they kept the conversation lively and the audience engaged while I figured out how to join my own show. After the technical difficulties, I finally managed to join the podcast using my smartphone. I might not have made the best first impression, but I was eager to dive into the heart of the matter. We discussed Candle Face, her victims known as The Lost Souls, and the haunting origins tied to The Empty Lot Next Door . The podcast isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about collaboration and investigation. Each episode is a collective effort, with the goal of helping these lost souls find peace. This mission is supported by the “ Dream Team ,” composed of volunteers from various backgrounds, including paranormal investigators, psychics, mediums, remote viewers, dream interpreters, and even those with minimal paranormal experience. Their diverse perspectives bring richness to our discussions, allowing us to approach each case from multiple angles. As the two-hour debut episode wrapped up, the audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was clear that while I have a lot of room for improvement, the podcast has the potential to be both entertaining and impactful, offering hope to those affected by Candle Face. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue this mission with the “Dream Team.” Together, we’ll work on helping the lost souls find their bodies and identify their killers. Each week, the Dream Team members and I will investigate specific cases, present evidence, share analysis, and invite viewers to contribute. The first episode of Candle Face Chronicles  may not have been perfect, but it was a learning experience and a stepping stone toward a greater purpose. I’m deeply grateful for your support and look forward to your continued engagement. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/artmills

June 20, 2024 Join me, Arthur Mills, with special guests Robert Stachowicz and Sara Jane Kamyszek Villani from Get Haunted , as we launch the Candle Face Chronicles Podcast . Together, we hope to bring peace to the lost souls by locating their remains and uncovering the identities of their killers. Key To Understanding To ensure readers grasp the full context and significance of this journal entry, it’s crucial to be familiar with Arthur Mills’ award-winning memoir The Empty Lot Next Door ,  inspired by actual ghostly events in Austin, TX. The memoir provides essential background information, and without it, the nuances and depth of this journal entry might not be fully appreciated. Therefore, reading The Empty Lot Next Door  is highly recommended for a more enriched and coherent understanding of this journal entry's content and implications. To purchase The Empty Lot Next Door , please visit Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/46lCovb eBook for Kindle: https://amzn.to/44YFww4 Purchase Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] Paperback:   https://amzn.to/4dz3m7d eBook: https://amzn.to/4bsM6ib Visit Us Online Website: https://www.candleface.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/candlefacechronicles Facebook Group (Dream Team Members Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/candleface YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandleFace666