- April 23, 2024
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Austin and Allie Neary lived in Flagler Beach, just down the street from the Betty Steflick Preserve. One evening, the two packed up their makeshift ghost-hunting gear and biked beneath the bridge, down the long gravel road to the preserve. As the night went on, the two encountered voices. Not just any voices, though. They were the voices of the souls trapped in the trail.
Suddenly, Austin’s body was overcome with a dark chill. Dizziness overwhelmed. He let out a sharp, agonizing scream and fell to the ground. Allie lunged to help him, but she also felt the weight of the dark beings moving around her. No one would hear her screams until the following day, when the video camera and audio recorder were found. So goes the story “The Lost Souls of Betty Steflick Preserve,” written by Flagler Beach author Becky Pourchot.
The full tale of Austin and Allie was read to attendees of the 11th-annual October Scare! Haunted Wooded Walk, just before they entered the haunted preserve this weekend. About 60 volunteers came together each of the four nights to set the scene on the walk. Proceeds from the event benefited Flagler Habitat for Humanity.
“It was a great turnout," said Deb Winter, event coordination. "It’s pretty amazing to have that many people help out."
