“I’ve come to warn you.” Hanna, in a zombie-like state, moved awkwardly forward and raised her right arm, pointing her index finger at grandpa. “Remember when the young boy was tortured in your ice vault? I’m sure you heard the story from your grandfather. Well, the boy’s uncle is coming to seek revenge on you and your entire family.”
“I know nothing of that. Why would I, or my family, be punished for something I know nothing about? Honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Grandpa collapsed onto a large boulder.
“Sometimes it’s not about what we’ve done here in this lifetime, but what happened in our past lives. You are the sole living heir of the man who condoned the whipping in the vault. You cannot escape this fate, and you must prepare for it.” Hanna collapsed.
Grandpa rushed over and knelt beside her, repeating her name. After several minutes, Hanna awoke and asked what on earth was going on. Grandpa blamed her spell on heat exhaustion from her efforts spent building the bonfire. I peered down in disbelief as Hanna accepted grandpa’s version of the truth. They returned to the manor, walking arm in arm.
As I began to stir, I recalled all of it — everything — even when I soared high above my body, and observed my human self, lying listlessly on the bed. It seemed like a dream while travelling at the speed of light down a long and winding tunnel to creep on Hanna and Grandpa. It has been said that when we lay sleeping, our souls can drift from our bodies and astral travel to another place. That was the only theory I had for explaining my latest experience.
“Mother, quickly help me get Hanna to her bedroom,” commanded grandpa. “She needs some tea and a bite to eat. That’s not too much trouble, is it Mother?”
I overheard grandpa as I ran down the hallway to offer them my assistance. I ran past grandma as she did an about-face into the kitchen, reacting to grandpa’s command, and felt badly for her. Grandpa had never spoken to her in that sarcastic tone as far as I was aware. Whoever this Harold was must have freaked him out. As I paused at Hanna’s doorway, I was stunned at how ashen and grey she looked. The experience must have been draining for her — the spirit that overpowered her soul.
Hanna looked bewildered and muttered to grandpa, “I remember now. How could anyone take over my body like that? I guard against it with all of the protection prayers. How could this be?”
Grandpa wiped her brow with his hand embroidered, monogrammed hankie, initials T. O., and stated, “So, you do recall what happened?”
Hanna nodded. “We were discussing the bonfire and then I felt a cold breeze overcome me, and started speaking in a low voice, like a man’s voice. It wasn’t until you helped me back here that I remembered parts of what I said.” Hanna groaned, “I feel sick.” Hanna rubbed her stomach.
Grandpa explained, “Sometimes spirits from the Other Side have a message that needs to get through to us. That spirit’s insistence was greater than your will to ward off the spirit energy. Harold is his name and he was a childhood friend — one of the good guys, warning me about something from my ancestors’ past. I feel it’s best for you to stay out of it. But I fear the only person who can help me now is Paige. Her youth and energy is much greater than yours and mine put together. She will be seventeen next month and is of our bloodline.”
And on that admission, I sauntered into the room. “Help you with what, grandpa? What’s this about turning seventeen? I’d be happy to help.”
Before either one could respond, grandma brushed past me with a huge, silver tray full of goodies. I had never seen her move that fast.
“Thank you, Helen,” said Hanna. “I’m sorry to be such a bother. I don’t know what came over me.” Hanna sat up in the bed as grandpa fluffed her pillows to prop her up.
My grandparents exchanged glances that I could not decode. I knew instinctively not to follow up on grandpa’s suggestion — that I help him with something, in grandma’s presence. We sat in silence, and had tuna sandwiches, water with lemon and steeping earl grey tea, and cranberry scones for dessert. Although there was tension in the room, it was the first time I felt as if we were safe, and on the brink of discovering something important. And it would all be coming together very soon.
Hanna neatly folded her linen napkin as she took her last bite of scone, and in her loving, high-pitched voice, asked us to leave her room, stating she was quite capable of looking after herself. Grandpa reluctantly agreed while grandma insisted she would stay by Hanna’s side, at least until she fell asleep. Not knowing what to do, I half-heartedly announced I needed a shower and proceeded towards my bedroom. On a day like today, I preferred the comfort of a group, or at least one other person.
As I rounded the corner into the hallway, I skipped a breath. A dark shadow moved toward my bedroom. As the hairs on the back of my neck raised, my instincts told me to be on high alert. However, I decided I was not going to be scared of my own shadow anymore, and entered the bedroom, pretending not to notice the cold spot I walked through, or the table lamp flickering on and off, or the words shouted at me, go away. I ignored it all and continued into the bathroom, slammed the door shut and undressed for the shower. It was minutes before the room filled with steam, and I allowed the hot water to run over my entire body. A soft voice spoke to me, and almost caused me to fall backwards. Thankfully, I caught myself on the grab bar. The voice suggested: take a few deep breaths, in and out, and picture sunlight from Creator entering down throughout your entire body, and breathe out the bad energy and allow it to go down into Mother Earth. I just went with it, quite honestly, because it did not seem like a bad idea. It relaxed me and then I heard: now you must cleanse your aura and to do this, envision a vacuum hose over your entire body, head to toe, taking the negative energy away. Once I had the hang of it, I was asked to do my protection prayers surrounding myself with white light from the hand of Creator.
Next, with eyes closed, in my mind’s eye, I could see a room with a long, rectangular table and a chair, with white light surrounding what I assumed was my soul. Startled, I heard a bold voice call to me — My child, you are one of the chosen ones. Tonight, I want you to say the prayer for lost souls as often and as emphatically as you can. It is important. The spirit world is at its peak and you can make a difference if you say the prayer. You’ll see. I watched as a tall man, with white hair, beard and robe walked over to the chair. He had a gracious manner and was surrounded by white light. He sat down and waved at me. I did not know what to think.
For the remainder of the afternoon, I said the prayer over and over again, taking breaks periodically to check on my grandparents and Hanna. Then I resumed my prayer until I felt certain it was enough.
Upon entering the kitchen, I observed grandma while she prepared my favourites, ham and scalloped potatoes. I was thrilled to know it must be grandpa’s preferred dinner. I paused for a minute, feeling sorry for her. Something was not right between my grandparents. When grandma asked me to make a salad in honour of grandpa’s birthday, I jumped at the chance and said, “Of course, I’d love to.”
“Paige, I don’t quite understand why your grandfather gets in such a mood on his birthday, and what he and Hanna are in cahoots about. Do you know what’s going on?” She stopped slicing the potatoes, and gazed at me.
“Nope, sorry I don’t, grandma.” Glancing up at her, she looked miffed.
I continued to clean the romaine lettuce, tomatoes and anything else, vegetable-wise I could find, to avoid her stare. As I reached for the cucumber, I suddenly lost my sight. The kitchen went dark, and I envisioned the boy in the ice vault room; he was screaming again. I sliced my thumb and watched as blood spurted out before I slumped to the floor. Grandma scurried over and cushioned my head in her arms, just before I hit the ceramic flooring. She gently laid me down, grabbing a clean towel to wrap around the cut. When I could stand, she led me to the sink, ran the cut under cold water until the bleeding slowed and then gingerly washed it with soap and
water. Talk about pain! In that moment, I saw the boy’s reflection in the kitchen window, staring at me. His dark black eyes haunted me. Grandma grabbed some Kleenexes and gently dabbed my thumb dry as the bleeding slowed, then applied an over-sized Band-Aid. I was jolted back to the present, amazed at how painful a little flesh wound could be. More importantly, I hoped I would not experience any further visions or altercations tonight. What did the boy want to say?
Grandpa strolled into the kitchen and grandma excitedly recounted what happened. In response, grandpa frowned; his eyebrows grew together as one. It looked hysterical.
I giggled and said, “Grandpa, I was distracted. It won’t happen again.”
Grandpa ignored me and asked, “Paige, why don’t you go outside and check on the bonfire? I’ll be right there, dear.”
I bolted outside, away from watchful eyes, and tried to regain some modicum of composure.
Grandpa wasn’t more than two minutes behind me when he asked, “Paige, what really happened in there?” He gently placed his hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”
The manner in which he questioned me warmed my heart. “Grandpa, I’ve had visions of a young boy being tortured in the ice vault in the basement. How twisted is that?”
“Not very, Paige.”
“What? What do you mean, grandpa?” I nervously twisted my hair.
“I’ve been given a warning today, that an ancestor of ours did, in fact, torture a young boy in the basement. I do not know why or who he was; we are going to pay the price for that sin, or so I’ve been told. Hanna channelled an old school chum of mine and conveyed the message.” Grandpa took my hand and led me to the boulder he had once tripped on. “I don’t know what’s really going on, Paige. But I do know this. You must be careful, and we must stick together until midnight.”
I believed that would be difficult, since grandma would question why her husband was staying up so late, contrary to his usual schedule. I decided it was not my problem and trusted grandpa to figure things out for himself. He is the adult after all.
I decided to stoke the bonfire with a big stick I had seen Hanna using as the fire was dying. I grabbed a few more logs and stacked them strategically on top. I had never done this before yet I seemed to have the knack for it. Grandpa smiled and took my seat on the boulder. However, he could not hide his apprehension, his eyes darting back and forth, as if on guard. I tried to lighten up the conversation by asking more about mom as a little girl.
“Your mom was the perfect daughter to your grandmother and me.” Grandpa beamed as he spoke about her. “When she was young, she loved to dress up in your grandma’s clothes, and put her jewellery on. She loved grandma’s high heels as it made her taller. Oh, how she loved to dance and would play loud music...as she grew older. That was a bit annoying, although we understood; it was part of the maturing process. Your mom was always there to help out in the kitchen or around the house, until she turned sixteen. Then boys became important to her and she was harder to find. Lori was always at a friend’s house for sleepovers on the weekends, or through the week to study, and at parties. That’s about the time we grew distant from one another, and looking back on it, I should have made more attempts to reach out to our daughter. Honestly though, I wish I had spoken to her about our gift. I knew she had it...nevertheless...I looked the other way and hoped she would let it go and forget about it. I feel in my heart, that’s where the rift really began. I can make a difference with you though, Paige. You can ask me anything you want about it. Go ahead, while we have time.”
“What are you so afraid of, grandpa?” The question stung as I spoke it aloud.
“I’m getting old and tired and I’m afraid one of these days, I won’t be able to help transition a poor lost soul trapped here on earth. You know, the kind people call ghosts. Or I won’t be able to fight against the evil ones, and help to rid them from this good earth. In my younger days, it was a responsibility I would never have entertained. And it is strange living the way I do, in comparison to most other people who are unaware of such things.”
Happy to hear grandpa transitions lost souls, I said, “Well, I’m here to help you, grandpa. I have learned a thing or two from Peggy, Carole and from Grey Owl.”
“Grey Owl, eh, that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. How is he helping you? He’s dead.”
“What? I’ve seen him, like you and I, standing here together.”
“Hold up. Is it Grey Owl that Carole knows, named in honour of Grey Owl, who died more than fifty years ago?” Grandpa paused. “Ah...I see. Aren’t you the lucky one? Whichever one it is...really doesn’t matter.”
I budged him aside on the boulder and sat next to him. “I guess Peggy and Carole knew this was all too much for me to grasp,” I responded shrugging my shoulders. “I followed Grey Owl’s suggestions to go to the brook and connect to the healing rock.”
“What healing rock?”
“It’s red, black, and white, situated next to the brook. When I touch it, sometimes, it feels like jolts of electricity running through my body. Other times, I just sense peacefulness and healing of my soul, I assume.”
“Hmmm...you must be in tune with someone higher up than me. Usually shamans or prophets receive healing from their spirit guides or from Him.”
“Him, who?”
“You know who I mean, Paige.”
The conversation promptly ended when Allan Brewer emerged from the forest. He looked raw, with his ripped, black, long sleeved t-shirt, his eyes blazing deep blue and a full grown beard. He startled me.
Grandpa stood between the two of us. “What are you doing here and who are you?” he commanded.
I grabbed grandpa’s hand and quickly explained, “Grandpa, this is Allan Brewer, the groundskeeper Dexter hired to look after the estate. You were sick when he first arrived and I forgot to tell you about him. Apparently, Dexter did too.”
Grandpa backed down.
“Hi, Mr. O’Brien, I presume? Pleased to meet you, sir.” Allan stepped forward to shake his hand, grandpa stepped back. “I’m not here to harm you. I’m here to help you both! You are in danger.” Allan stood patiently waiting for grandpa to calm down.
“Sorry, Allan. I didn’t know you were hired by Dexter. Today’s a touchy day for all of us.”
“Understandable, sir. And I came here to help you both.” Allan gazed imploringly at me for support.
I approached Allan and felt drawn to his animal magnetism, more than I had ever experienced with Adam Bradley Parkman. It surprised me, once again. I was embarrassed by my response at this most inopportune moment. As I touched his hand, blue sparks ignited. We quickly withdrew from each other as grandpa looked on in disbelief.
“Come here, Paige. Now!” he commanded.
“Grandpa, it’s all right,” I pleaded, hoping he would let it go.
Too late — he clutched my hand and led me straight away into the manor. “I don’t want to see you with that young man again. First of all, he looks too old for you, and secondly, what’s with the sparks? Has this happened before, between the two of you? Normally, that would be a bad omen. How do you feel around him? What does your gut tell you, Paige?”
Grandpa was like a dog with a bone. I had never seen him like this before and I was not sure what to say. “Yes, it’s happened before, but my gut says he’s one of the good guys, grandpa. Besides, he’s only three...maybe four years older.”
Hanna walked in on our conversation and said in a husky voice, “Paige, beware, he’s coming for you!” She then passed out on the kitchen floor.
Grandpa scrambled to poor Hannah’s rescue, and helped her into her room. I became anxious, and worried for Hanna’s safety, hoping she would stay in bed and rest for the remainder of Halloween.
As grandpa yelled for grandma to come and attend to Hanna again, I snuck out the back door and headed for the bonfire. Allan was still
there waiting for me. As I walked towards him, he approached me and put his arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and kissed me passionately on the lips. I was so shocked I became immersed in the moment. As much as I hated to admit it, I was beginning to feel caught under his spell.
Allan broke away and said, “I wish I could keep this moment going forever, but I have to get you somewhere safe. Follow me.” He pulled me deeper into the forest and, as I helplessly trailed behind, I feared my blind trust in him would lead to my demise.
We came upon three wolves guarding the path in single file. When they spied Allan, they stood as if waiting for his command. He tossed his head to the right and they fled in different directions. Allan begged me to trust in him and we continued to march through the dense brush. I had no choice but to obey and dreaded what may happen next.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
All Hallows’ Eve
The forest was ominously muted; the wind had died down. My skin crawled as animal cries erupted, from the squirrels’ noisy chatter, to owls hoot hooting and the surround sound of wolves howling. It was eerie with the backdrop of a hunter’s moon — so huge and clearly visible in the sky — its colour, a fiery burnt orange; it appeared so close, almost as if I could touch it. I broke out into goosebumps, as I continued to stare at the moon, mesmerized by the sounds of the howling. Allan led me to a clearing with probably fifty wolves. They were seated in military style fashion, in rows of five, waiting for Allan’s command, or so it seemed. I started to tremble and sweat profusely.
Allan whispered, “Let her out, Paige. Let her out.”
Slumping to the ground, I watched as my body fell limp, and my spirit wolf arose and joined Allan as he shifted into Blue-Eyes. We stood facing the pack of wolves, side by side, and I knew this was my destiny. Glancing down, I studied my body; I had a thick, creamy coloured coat of fur. Oddly enough, I revelled in the freedom to release my inner wolf. It was a powerful, strong energy. Whatever I had become, I loved it! Then Blue-Eyes began to howl; I understood him this time.
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