THE Hale-Bopp comet had been of closest proximity to Earth on March 22, 1997, and consisted of a variety of elements: ice, rock, carbonatious crondites, methane, as well as organic chemicals such as ethanol, carbon and silicates. However, Hale-Bopp’s run passed Earth apparently had been of greater substance than that perceived by hundreds of millions of Earth folk. Indeed, at its closest point to Earth while passing our way, our planet was engulfed by the contents of the comet’s three, potent tails — one of which consisted of ions, the second of dust and the third of a thin tail of sodium atoms.

Due to the relatively close passing by this comet and its tails (not due to come back our way for about another 2,370 years), an extremely small quantity of Earth’s populace comprised of psychically orientated people had their varying abilities (some even greatly) enhanced and for some non-psychic-majority folk to witness.

Very few psychics could actually manipulate universal temporal reality and thus foresee future events — both of a good nature or bad, the latter being perhaps an approaching natural disaster — while some psychically talented people could sense the presence of spirits, be they residual or sentient, or see in their mind’s eye the exact location of a missing person — dead or alive.

As such occurred, it was recalled by some folk that about three centuries prior to the near passing of Hale-Bopp, one prominent and credible German psychic stated that her “spirit guide” — a proclamation that had gotten her hung by the neck — communicated “a knowledge” to her that on this precise date such a significant comet would pass, more specifically the zenith of its proximity to Earth, during which its three tails’ variety of unique non-Earthly elements would engulf the planet, thus settling onto Earth’s surface, though for no more than 60 seconds. This would enhance the psychic abilities held by an extremely small number of people who’d just by chance come into direct contact with the tails’ elements during that brief 60-second period.

When asked by her fellow villagers why only these few psychics will be affected by the comet’s three tails’ elements, the renowned psychic replied that her “spirit guide” revealed to her that those few psychics had endured severe mental illness and then died an untimely, unnatural death in their previous life as a result of the mental illness. Unfortunately, they’d once again be afflicted with severe mental illness during their current incarnation.

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“CLOSE your eyes, breathe slowly and relax. Now, tell me what you see. Please try to concentrate, focus, while loosening all of your muscles. It’s the key to be able to see.”

Michael Kolinski found that this request of him by the police psychologist, Insp. Terry Ross, created an intense tingling sensation in, or near, the center of his brain, followed by a rapid surge of images: global bodies of water, large and small; cities, large and small; coastlines, mountainsides, forests, rivers, towns, neighborhoods, various streets and people.

Gradually, the images subsided in number and speed but intensified exponentially in content. The sharp increase in image intensity soon narrowed down into a crystal-clear image in his mind’s eye of a relatively small body of water. “I see a lake; actually, it looks like Lake Tahoe.”

“That’s in this state, only two dozen miles away,” said Insp. Ross. “Now, try to remain focused and relaxed.”

“I see the side of a hill covered with fir trees.”

The image then advanced more specifically into some trees, then just a half dozen trees surrounded by some brush. (Due to expected, brief bouts of lightheadedness, Michael momentarily ceased to inform Insp. Ross of the visions.)

The image then focused on a pair of lower legs, laying still, those of a small or very young person, wearing light-red corduroy pants and worn, dark-green sneakers.

“I think I can see it — exactly what you’re looking for!” Michael exclaimed. “It looks like a pair of small legs, I think, like the legs of a child, wearing light-red pants pulled down to the knees.”

“Now, it’s crucial that you see a face. You’ve seen a detailed photograph of the girl’s facial features. Please go forward and see her face. Focus your entire mind upon seeing her face.”

The fact was, the inspector had at his convenient disposal a man with an incredible talent — one who could actually visualize the locations of human beings, dead or alive, amongst extremely vast landscapes throughout the country and sometimes even continents. Without doubt, he was a gifted man for whom numerous police and investigative agencies would give anything or any amount of money.

“I’m getting quite close; I’m almost there.”

As the image in his mind’s eye became more “malleable” (Michael’s term), he was considerably enabled to move in even much closer to see the child’s identity, most notably specific, identifying facial features.

“Now I can see her head and her face, quite clear!”

This time, however, besides the usual visuals-only revelations that he’d typically experience, Michael inexplicably could also feel the essence, or status, of the victim’s life-force — or in this case a disturbing complete absence of it. He was left baffled by the unmistakable sensation, indeed knowledge, that the missing victim was in fact deceased.

“It’s her. I can see her face. It’s the girl you’re looking for; it’s definitely her. But I should also note that I really don’t feel good about this one, inspector. I feel that …”

“Thank you very much, Michael. Okay, men — your attention!” the inspector abruptly radioed his team. “At present, we still treat this as a rescue and not as a recovery. She’ll certainly be in need of immediate medical attention.”

He looked back to Michael, who decided to not finish what he’d just began to add to his victim-identification before being interrupted, to lastly request of him.

“If you’ll just confirm her location again, for my servicemen. But we’ll still need you to come along, just in case.”

“Of course.”

In detail, Michael explained to the servicemen exactly where the girl lay then sat down with his own thoughts, within his own atypically expansive mind.

It took a minute before he began recollecting his first ESP visions. He’d close his eyes while relating to his family and friends the various images and their great velocity through his mind. In fact, the images passed at such high speed that he’d “miss” most of them and mentally, fully “capture” but relatively very few. Even then, he couldn’t be sure if they were indeed legit visions of reality or were naught but the hallucinations of a very young, schizophrenic man, who at that point in his life had yet to be officially diagnosed and receive medication. After a few years of experiencing his ESP visions, the images became more vivid, and he noticed the gradually passing at a slower rate, one at which very many could be captured and validated (or, as in a few cases, debunked).

Driving home that evening, Michael realized that he felt more about that day’s accomplishment than just some satisfaction; he also felt rather guilty. Sure, he likely contributed much towards solving a formidable mystery and thus helping law enforcers a great deal. However, the vivid image of her laying on that hillside sadly indicates that a very young girl was quite likely murdered.

What can I do about that? he futilely tried consoling his conscience.

He then stopped his car, shut off the engine and stepped out for some fresh air, which was likely plentiful with all of the trees around. He looked up into the dark, starry night sky, before turning his eyes to his left.

Wow. That must be Hale-Bopp’s tail.

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The thirty-two year old Michael initially traveled to and resided (for almost thirty-nine months) within the devoutly Buddhist, albeit illegally Chinese-occupied, nation of Tibet in an attempt to learn how to suppress his ESP ability, for he found it extremely burdensome. More importantly, however, he intensely desired escape from his tormenting schizophrenia, the symptoms of which failed to subside regardless of the psychotropic medication cocktail he consumed twice daily. Even so, he eventually did attain peace of mind amongst the friendly Aborigines of southern Australia, joining them in their culturally convergent manner of living and celebrating. But seventeen months later, he died from the bite of a particularly insidious, poisonous snake.