by Cia Leah
“Thanks, Steve. Right now I feel like I’ve stepped right into a Halloween nightmare. I should have waited until after Halloween to move in here.”
“I’m going to take a look around and I’ll take that ghost on the table in and get it dusted for prints. I do know there has been a special running on those at the stores around here.”
“Can you look down in the basement first and can I go with you? I don’t want to stay up here alone right now.”
“Sure, but let me go first.”
Amber followed Steve into the basement. The old, wooden stairs creaked eerily and grated on her already frazzled nerves. By the time they were half way down the steps, she smelled something burning. She jumped down the last step and walked over to where Steve stood. Sitting there in the middle of the floor was a pumpkin with a candle burning inside and the pumpkin had been painted black. “What else is going to happen?” She asked, as Steve bent down and blew out the candle.
“Don’t touch it, and I’ll take it in too.”
“All right,” she said as he shown his flashlight all around brightening areas where the basement light couldn’t reach.
“There’s where they got in,” he said, moving to pull shut and lock the basement window on the back of the house.
“I forgot about the windows down here,” she said as he went around closing and locking the other three.
“I don’t know why they’re opened. I know your father closed up everything after the funeral. I don’t want to scare you, but it looks like someone has been in the house between that time and the time you arrived.”
“Who and why?” Amber asked, moving towards an old highboy closet hidden behind the stairs. “Can you bring your flashlight back here, Steve? I want to see what’s in here.”
“Sure,” he said, moving to shine the light while she opened it up. “You know if you didn’t know this was behind here, you’d never find it.”
“I have to find the key. Grandma never let me see inside or never opened it up while I was down here with her when she was washing clothes. I just remembered it since I was playing hide and seek with her one day when I was little and I hid back here.”
Steve stepped closer with the light and reached on top. “Here it is,” he said. “Most people put keys under something or on top of something, thinking no one would ever think to look there, but it is the first place someone would.
Amber took the key and inserted it in the small metal hole and turned it. The lock clicked and the door eased open. She opened it all the way and looked inside as Steve shown the light for her. On the middle shelf was a wrapped package that looked old and aged with time as if it had never been touched since the day it had been placed there. She bent down on one knee and tore the paper from the outside to expose a frilly black-laced veil attached to something. “I think we’ve found what Matilda wants,” Amber said, lifting the veil out. It was attached to some kind of odd-looking hat.
Steve whistled softly. “Was your Grandmother into witchcraft?”
Amber got to her feet and looked at him in shock. “What?”
“Was your Grandmother involved in witchcraft?”
“Of course not!” she said, as something fell to the floor. Amber bent over and picked it up. It was a diary, but not her Grandmother’s.”
“You’re in big trouble with that in your hands. I’m calling into the station and we’re taking a ride out to Matilda’s. We need to get some answers and fast.”
Amber didn’t argue with him and they went upstairs. Steve made his call and they went out and got in the cruiser. As they were driving away, Amber saw Phoebe standing in the yard under a tree. She waved but figured hadn’t seen her since she didn’t wave back. She must have been coming over to see how she was. She clutched the diary and veil in her hands, feeling that she was about to learn things she had never even thought of.
***
Matilda was still up when Amber knocked on her door with Steve standing at her side. Amber held the veil and diary in her hands and when Matilda opened the door her eyes grew wide and she crossed herself.
“You’ve found it! Come inside quickly! Has anyone followed you?”
“I don’t think so. We came in Steve’s cruiser.”
“Come, don’t stand in the doorway. Hurry,” Matilda cried, opening the door for them to enter.
Amber and Steve stepped inside Matilda’s old house. It wasn’t much, but it had a warm, cozy feeling. She heard the door shut behind her and the lock click into place. “Why did you lock it?”
Matilda smiled knowingly. “Your fear shouldn’t be of me, but of another. Give me the veil and the diary.”
Amber looked at Steve and when he nodded, she handed them over. “Matilda, you scared me to death today with all those pranks you were playing on me.”
Matilda moved to a rocker beside the fireplace and waved them to sit down on the sofa facing the fireplace. “I did nothing to scare you. I was just trying to keep you alive.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that your very life was in danger, just like your Grandmother’s. I had tried to tell her to give me these, but she wouldn’t do it. That was years ago. During that time, the word got out about the Halloween veil and those who wanted it moved in closer. They surrounded her. She was a very courageous woman, but the strain was too much for her heart and it finally did her in.”
“I don’t understand,” Amber said.
“When you were little, do you remember you and your Grandmother going to visit a place called Salem?”
“Yes,” I vaguely remember going there, but lots of times, Grandma went out by herself and I stayed at the hotel. She liked to shop in antique shops and things and I wasn’t interested in that. I found it boring.”
“Well, your Grandmother bought this at an auction in Salem at a house that had a history of witchcraft. The witches name was Phoebe and she was rumored to be a powerful sorceress. It is rumored that whoever is in possession of this diary, which holds all of ’s spells, will be the most powerful sorceress on earth at this time. It is coveted by many and your life is worthless if you have it in your possession.”
“Then why do you want it and why did you leave that black cat pin, and what about the burning black ghost, and the burning black pumpkin? Even my grandmother has a mannequin with a dress like yours and shoes to match, and in a box are the same identical things that someone was trying to scare me with. They were all pins and my Grandmother left me a note to guard this with my life.”
Matilda smiled sadly. “Then your Grandmother knew her time had come. She was trying to leave you a message, but one that wouldn’t be too obvious to others if they ever did see it. She was trying to tell you to come to me.”
“Then why didn’t she just write that in the note?” She asked, as Steve spoke up.
“Because your Grandmother was scared and didn’t know who to trust, Amber.”
“Exactly!” Matilda spoke up and neither do you. It wasn’t me who left that black cat for you to find, or any of the other stuff. I haven’t left this house since I came back here after this morning.”
“Then who?” Amber asked. “I’ve only talked to one other person since I arrive and that was Phoebe.” She said, as both Matilda and Steve looked at her.
“Good Lord, we don’t have much time!”
Matilda got up and went to the fireplace. She pulled down an old leather pouch from the mantle and opened it. She mumbled a litany of words, opened the pouch and sprinkled some of the ingredients inside it on the veil and the diary, then laid them on the burning logs in the fire. “Be gone!”
Amber jumped as the fire burst into huge flames, and then settled again to a low blaze. When the moaning began, accompanied by the loud cries of a cat, Amber jumped to her feet. “What is that?" She cried, thankful when Steve rushed to put his arms around her.
“That is Phoebe and she won’t be bothering you anymore.”
Amber shook her head. “You mean that I met today?
She wasn’t a witch. She was beautiful!” She said, her head swimming with all the events of the day and night, as she looked at Matilda for answers.
“According to legend, has appeared many times over the years in search of the veil. As long as it was in existence, she was never really gone. Now, she will never be able to return. Be thankful that you brought this here to me and you are now free from the worry that your Grandmother went through.”
Amber walked over to Matilda and took her hand. “Thank you. All this sure is hard to understand, but thank you for what you did. I just wish my Grandmother wouldn’t have been so afraid to give you the veil and the diary.”
“I do too. Now go and don’t worry. You are safe. Phoebe will never return.”
Amber walked out with Steve to the cruiser. “Steve, you’ve lived here all your life. Do you know a that lives here?”
Steve opened the door and helped her inside. He placed his hand on the top of the car and leaned down to look at her. “That’s one of the things about the events of today that you told me that really bothered me. There’s never been a woman named Phoebe in town.”
Amber shivered, as Steve closed the car door and walked around to the driver’s side and slipped behind the wheel. “I’ll never wear another witches’ costume again.”
The End
HALLOWEEN HILL
By Cia Leah
Kim West stood back and looked at the ancient house. This was the third year she and her husband had held a Halloween party here. They’d purchased the place mostly for the land and had built a new home on the other side of the hill. Not wanting to tear down the old place, they had turned it into a Halloween haven so to speak, and now it was well known as Halloween Hill. Over the years they had finally finished each room and this year was going to be the best Halloween their friends had ever had.
The house had two stories and a basement that was perfect for Dracula’s coffin. For the past two years, they had had the basement closed off until Brent had repaired the steps and cellar walls that were made out of stone. Brent had built a Dracula’s coffin and had decorated the basement with webbing, plastic spiders, and wall sconces that held black candles. He’d also added sound effects throughout the rooms.
The night before had been children’s night and tonight was strictly for the adults with a catered buffet in the dinning room, and a dance afterwards. She just had a few minor things to set up, and she was done, and could run home to change into her costume. Just as she started to go inside, the drone of an engine made her turn and look at the road that rose up the hill from the town below. It was a special delivery truck, one of those ones that delivered important mail to people throughout the day or night. She waited until it stopped in front of her and the driver jumped out.
“Mrs. Kim West?”
“Yes.”
“Envelope for you.”
“Thanks,” Kim said. “Do I need to sign for it?” She asked, taking the manila envelope.
“No, it says no signature necessary. Happy Halloween!”
“You too,” Kim replied, watching as he got in the truck and drove off back down the hill. She looked at the envelope and opened it up. Inside was a sheet of typing paper that had his and her coffins on it with her name and Brent’s printed in red on the lids and it read, Happy Halloween Kim West, and may it be one you will never forget. Remember there are witches, ghosts, and goblins, grim reapers and Dracula’s roaming the night. Such bloodthirsty fellows indeed for wrongs inflicted upon them.
“What on earth does this mean?” Kim said, as Brent’s voice called to her from the steps leading to the wrap around porch of the house. She walked up to stand beside him. “Look what I got by special delivery.” She handed him the paper.
“I received one this morning at home. I forgot all about it.”
“What did it say?”
“Basically the same as yours, only that coffins were meant for the dead and I had built my own.”
Kim felt a chill slither up her spine and felt the hair stand up on the nape of her neck. “That’s an awful thing to say! Who would do that?”
Brent laughed. “Honey, it’s Halloween. It’s probably one of our friends playing a joke on us. Don’t take it seriously.”
“Well I want to see yours when we go home to change. I have a couple things to finish up, then I’ll be ready to go.”
“Good, because I want a sandwich before we come back to greet our guests. I worked up an appetite.”
“You’re always hungry!” She kissed him quickly and ran into the house. She couldn’t wait for the party to begin.
***
Kim was dressed before Brent and sat at the table with a cup of coffee looking at the paper Brent had received that morning. Brent hadn’t told her the exact message on it. His read: Happy Halloween Mr. Brent West. May it be one to die for? Handmade coffins were used in the old days and resurrected by your hands. Remember each nail you drove in the wood. Thirteen to be exact. A good number for Halloween night where all things will be set to right.
Kim set her cup down and turned to Brent as he walked in. “You didn’t tell me the whole message on this,” she reprimanded softly.
“What? You aren’t going to tell me how handsome I am dressed in my Dracula’s costume? You look like a million bucks dressed up as a lady vampire! I guess I’ll just have to bite you and make you mine for all eternity!”
Kim laughed as Brent swept towards her, pulled his black cape around them both, and bit her gently on the neck. “Stop it!” She giggled. “You’re giving me goose bumps!”
“And with my own teeth too!” Brent teased, letting her go and sitting down on the chair beside hers. “Those Dracula teeth make me gag!”
“You’re funny,” she said, then shoved the paper towards him. “You didn’t tell me all this.”
“Honey, it’s just someone’s idea of a joke. You know, I bet Ralph sent those. You know how he is about Halloween. He’s like a kid at Christmas time and plays jokes on everyone.”
“True, but I don’t like these kind of pranks and I’m going to ask him tonight if he sent them.”
“Well if he did send them, don’t be too hard on him. He thinks life is one big joke.”
Kim smiled. “If he sent these, I’m going to put one of those plastic spiders in his wine glass tonight. You know how he hates spiders. I’ll get even in my own way.”
Brent laughed. “You are so bad! Poor old Ralph will be shaking in his boots!”
“Serves him right if he sent these. So are we ready to go entertain our guests on Halloween Hill?”
“You bet! Let’s go to the best party Halloween Hill has ever seen!
***
Kim greeted the guests as they arrived. Some had brought friends and Mayor Cranston and his wife Ophelia brought two guests with them. “Welcome to Halloween Hill,” Kim said, smiling as the Mayor introduced the two.
“This is Drucella Andier and Marckus Writt. They’re on the historical society in town and thought it might be lots of fun to come to the party and see how you have fixed up the old place too.”
Kim smiled. “Brent and I really haven’t changed too much. We just turned it into a Halloween house. We don’t charge for entry and the children love coming here every year. It’s just our way of trying to give back to the community. I hope you both have a good time tonight.”
Drucella smiled. “I think it’s fabulous! This place was built in the late eighteen hundreds by Wilbur Hemps. It has always been rumored that the place was haunted and turning it into a Halloween house sure fits its history. Marckus has done an intensive search on the family history if you’re ever interested.”
Kim looked at Marckus. He was about fifty years old, had a receding hairline of mostly gray, large brown eyes, and a massive build. “I’d like to hear the history of the house and the land sometime when you have the time. Especially the part about it being haunted.”
Marckus grinned. “Old ghosts are hard to kill. It’s not only one haunting,
but three people have died in this house and it wasn’t of natural causes.”
Kim was about to ask how they had died when Ralph chose that moment to arrive surrounded by several people. “Excuse me, please. I’ll catch up to you later after I get all the guests greeted. Enjoy the party,” she said, walking over to Ralph. “You are wearing the exact same costume as Brent.”
“Ah, now Kim, don’t go getting all out of costume! I’m just another dead man!”
Kim shook her head. Ralph’s Dracula teeth made his voice sound funny and made the expression on his face so comical, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Why didn’t you come as a court gesture or something more appropriate for you?”
“Because I am Dracula. King of the dead!”
Kim shook her head as Ralph’s friends laughed. “You’re incorrigible! I want to speak with you a minute. By yourself.”
“Oh, excuse me, my friends! Go mingle, eat, drink, and be merry! The lady wishes to be alone with the Count!”
Kim grabbed Ralph’s hand and dragged him outside onto the porch and to the back of the house. “Did you send those two special delivery envelopes to Brent and me?”
Ralph slipped the Dracula teeth out. “Envelopes? What are you talking about Kim? Are you mad at me? Where is Brent? I want him to see that we’re dressed alike. I thought he might get a kick out of it.”
“No, Ralph, I’m not angry at you. So you didn’t send us any envelopes in the mail with two coffins with our names on it and a note on them?”
Ralph grinned. “No, but I wish I had thought of it. What a joke to play on someone at Halloween!”
Kim shook her head. “One of these days, Ralph, you’re going to have to take life seriously.”
“Nope. Don’t ever want to. That’s what makes you old before your time. Lighten up, Kim. Live a little and don’t let everything get to you. Now where’s Brent?”
“He’s probably showing off his coffin he made down in the basement. I saw him go down there a while ago.”
“I’ll go see him,” he said, turning, then jumped back around. “Boo!”
