Just got back to Tucson after a job in a small SE Arizona town known for frequent ghost activity (take your pick, right). A friend and I were called down to investigate a strange 'haunting' a local rancher's barn. Well, we never made contact with any ghosts. But on the third night something threw my partner out of his chair and slammed him against the wall. Next morning, he had a set of burns on his arm - real strange. The burns were shaped like hands, but with four fingers. I've never seen anything like this before so I thought I'd shoot it out to the community. Any of you seen this kind of thing before?

New developments - Jeff (the friend with the burns), has come down with a serious fever. Says he's been sick since we got back to town - 3 days ago now. Thinking about taking him to urgent care. Suggestions?

That would be the prudent thing to do.

Yah. That's what I told the stubborn bastard too. 'Course he wants to wait until tomorrow. Can't force this guy to do anything, it seems.

I understand your predicament.

Oh really?

Yes.
Unfortunately I see it a lot.
While waiting for an ailment to get better all by itself, it just gets worse.
And then the patient is screwed.
And I don't mean the good kind of screwed.

Drag his ass to medical attention if he won't go himself.

There's no points for stupidity.

Thanks for the welcome Eilonwy and thanks for the information.

Unfortunately, things have gotten worse since I posted last night. Jeff hardly slept a wink last night - at least I wouldn't call it sleep. It was almost like he was in a trance - tossing and turning, sweating bullets, and mumbling gibberish. The snapped out of the delirium a few times when he couldn't catch his breath.

Long story short, I dragged the old sonofabitch to the Urgent Care on 6th. Dude's temperature was 105 degrees! Doc said it was good that we came in when we did. They hooked him up to an IV for fluids, stripped the old boy down to his choneys and soaked him in cool water to help bring his temp down. Gave him some ibuprofen, blah, blah, blah.

He's still there. I came home to get some rest. I'll head back over there after a little nap.

Weird thing is tho - when they stripped him down for the soak, I'll be damned if the burn marks weren't disappeared. Gone.

I have a few questions about his urgentcare visit. Did his fever go down or did he react positively to treatment. Did it get worse? Can the doctor diagnose Jeffs condition?

I am starting to suspect that superficial burns may be the least of your friends worries.

Well, the doctors discharged Jeff about an hour ago and we're back at his place. He's sleeping and I'm posting. The fever persists. The doc said to continue with the ibuprofen and monitor his temperature. If there is no change by Monday, we're supposed to head back. In the meantime, they're analyzing some blood samples - trying to figure out if it's a viral infection or bacterial. They have no idea.

I can't but help think it might have something to do with our last job and those damn burns. I mean, it's got to. Right? I mean he didn't have any other lacerations or signs of infection. He wasn't sick before we visited that confounded barn.

Jacob - there really hasn't been any change in Jeff's condition. He's sleeping now, so at least that is something. But he was still delirious on the drive home. - still mumbling some serious gibberish.

Jeff's a tough fella. I just don't get this. I wonder what would have happened if it had been me thrown across the barn.

Thanks for your concern folks. I appreciate any advice you might have.
And I'm real glad I decided to get on this website. It's hard to find folks with the kind of background that y'all have.

Eilonwy Solstice wrote: I have no experience with this, but “supernatural” occurrences often leave their mark and then vanish—there are many cases of vampire bites doing the same.

This wasn't my experience.

I wonder why the discrephancy?

I think I know someone who can help you and your friend. PM me if you'd like details.

Dr. Boggs - The situation has not improved much. Jeff is sleeping and I'm trying to stay awake to keep an eye on him. It almost seems like he's having a nightmare that won't end.

Here's some background for you: We were investigating a supposed 'haunting' on an old farm where a ranching family had lived for generations. South-eastern Arizona - can't be more specific than than for privacy issues.

The focus of our investigation was an old barn where the rancher's daughter had apparently felt something very disturbing on a number of occasions. we did some research and found that the barn was apparently also the location of an old Apache Indian burial site. She thought it was a ghost. It happened enough times that her father called me up. It sounded intriguing and since Jeff is my tech guy, he came with. I am uncertain that it was a ghost, now that I've had time to process our data - nothing on the infrared. No abnormal EMF spikes. Nothing.

Anyhow, we were about ready to pack up our investigation - hadn't found anything out of the ordinary - and then BOOM, Jeff was thrown across the barn.

I will send along more info as I go through the remaining video and Jeff's notes - gotta find them first. He's not the most organized dude I know.

***
Jacob - I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you very much. I have sent you a PM.

Jacob - I appreciate the help. Dr. Phillips has generously agreed to take a look at Jeff. I hope he can help us figure this thing out.

I feel like burning that damned old barn to the ground!

I would suggest you pressure the physician into doing an ultrasound and/or take a few x-rays.

Just in case, a catscan wouldn't hurt.

I am hoping Dr. Phillips will be able to help figure this out. I contacted him on a recommendation from Jacob Hencrest.

Honestly, I don't know how long we can wait for the good doctor. About an hour ago, I went in to check on him and he was wide awake, though not at all lucid. When I approached him he uttered a string of expletives that even this roughneck biker (me) took offense to. Not at all like the Jeff that I know. When I tried to calm him, he got quite violent with me - pushing me away and punching at me.

Then, suddenly, he passed out again.

As for me, a glass of Wild Turkey to calm my nerves. I am very concerned, to say the least.

These strange burns, do they look like this?

Or did they more resemble this?

Perhaps like this?

Or this?

Cyber, please edit your post to contain a warning for graphic content... None of those were things I particularly wanted to see right after having eaten an overly greasy pizza. Not that I have a weak stomach, mind...unless it comes to being able to see someone's insides when I shouldn't.

No offense, but we are discussing burns and their appearance. If looking at burns troubles you, you shouldn't be following the links.

Nor were any of those pictures particularily bad, as such things go. There are worse if you're interested...

I'm absolutely exhausted by this. I am worried about my good friend. Doc Phillips won't be here until.... when? Dammit.

Cybermancer - the burns were not as scarring as any of the reference pictures you provided. In fact, there is no sign of them every having been etched onto Jeff's arm. They're gone!

***Graphic Material***
It really looked more like: http://www.squarebirds.org/images/arm_burn_10_24_03.jpg

Although, to me the burns looked like a four fingered hand print. I don't think I can stay awake any longer. I've got to get some sleep.

Interesting.

That looks like a serious enough burn to have left a scar of some sort that should still be visible.

Now, when you say four fingered, is like a human with four fingers and a thumb or something with four digits total? And was there indication of an opposing thumb (meaning that the burn mark goes off in another direction than the other digits)?

Hey Eddie, I just talked to Dr. Phillips tonight. He says he's on his way to the location you agreed upon.

You and Jeff just hang in there, alright?