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 attempt to uncover the truth behind Candle Face's existence—or lack thereof. In this series’ first journal entry, I’ll investigate the notion that Candle Face may be nothing more than a manifestation of my past trauma lurking in the shadows of my human psyche. However, in the second journal entry (this one), 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 unsettling 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 harrowing 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 instance, 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.
Furthermore, 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
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This is such a scam. Candle Face isn't real. Youbetter check your're facts.