Ghosts of Winters Past

by Parker, Christy Graham

  Lord? she prayed. Seattle is where I’m supposed to be, isn’t it?

  “It’s not me I’m worried about,” Cara said. “You’ll get to the West Coast and forget all about Texas. Of course, on the other hand, maybe you’ll finally find someone special.”

  Lexy crushed a discarded piece of popcorn with the toe of her tennis shoe. “I don’t need or want someone special. Thank you very much.”

  Cara slid out of the way as a family of five passed by, kids running up the steps to get to the castle. “Just admit it. Sometimes it’d be nice to have a man around.”

  “Sure,” Lexy said. “Just like the Delameres. Fat lot of good a man did the poor queen when that Severon guy killed her.”

  Cara’s expression grew wistful. “At least they had each other in the end. Think about it—a king and queen standing strong, knowing the end is near, but caring enough about their land and people to fight anyway. It’s so romantic.”

  Lexy snorted. “I find nothing even slightly romantic about being slaughtered by a man named Severon.”

  “What am I going to do with you? It’s all about giving yourself to a higher cause, fighting the good fight. Maybe romantic’s the wrong word, but it’s noble.”

  Lexy glared at her friend. “I’ve seen too often what happens when women try to stand against an evil force coming at them. Get out of Dodge. There’s nobility in that. It’s called life.”

  Cara paled. “I’m sorry.”

  The apology hit Lexy in the pit of her stomach. Her work at the battered women’s shelter made her sensitive, but Cara wanted it to be a fun day. “No. I’m sorry. The move’s made me antsy. I should loosen up.” Lexy waved toward the castle. “Tell me about this roller coaster of yours. And not the history lesson part.”

  “The Labyrinth is the most sophisticated roller coaster created to date.” Cara spoke with passion and pride whenever she talked of her work. What would it feel like to have that sort of passion about your work? “Even the queue’s one of a kind.”

  “The castle?” Lexy asked.

  Cara nodded. “The castle’s the queue.”

  “You should print that on tee shirts,” Lexy said. “Maybe you could make money off the hideous thing after all.”

  “Forget it. I’m not offering you a job in marketing.”

  “Like I’d work for you.” Lexy walked toward the castle steps. “Let’s ride.”

  ****

  A double beep rang out when they were steps away from the castle’s entrance.

  Cara rolled her eyes and reached for the walkie-talkie at her waist. “Give me a minute, will you? The joys of park ownership...”

  While Cara stepped to the side, Lexy looked up at the castle. In the afternoon light, the plaster appeared rose-colored. Odd color choice for an abandoned castle, she thought. Weren’t all castles gray? Of course, even gray stone wouldn’t make the castle look any better. Outrageous to think she remembered it from somewhere.

  And then something even more outrageous happened. The castle winked at her.

  Of course, it wasn’t a real wink. It was just sunlight bouncing off a tower window. Or something.

  Great. I’ll never forget the ugly thing now.

  She stared at the castle and waited.

  It winked again.

  What’s taking Cara so long? Can’t someone else run the park for a few hours?

  But Cara stood alone, hand covering her mouth. Her shoulders shook.

  “Cara?” Lexy walked back over to her.

  “It’s Dad,” she whispered. “They think it was a heart attack. I have to go.”

  Cara’s dad, Cornelius North, was a fit and trim, formidable sixty-three-year-old. It didn’t seem possible he’d have a heart attack.

  Lexy put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. Memories of her own parents’ death five years ago rushed back, but she tucked them away. “Come on. I’ll drive.”

  “You can’t. You leave for Seattle in the morning. You have to stay here.”

  “I can’t let you go by yourself.” Lexy knew Cara was right. Cara’s parents were three hours away at a political fundraiser. Lexy couldn’t drive to the hospital. She didn’t have time.

  Cara took a deep breath. “I won’t be by myself. Mom’s called a car.” They’re not even sure he had a heart attack. It was probably bad shrimp.” She took out her phone, checked the display, and stuck it back in her pocket. “You stay here and explore. Then call me on the way to Seattle and tell me what you think.”

  “I hate the thought of staying here while you go to the hospital.”

  “I know you’d come with me if you could, but you can’t.” Cara brushed away a lone tear. “I’m sorry…and on your last day.” More tears appeared at the corner of her eyes.

  “Don’t think about me.” Lexy pulled Cara into a hug. “Let’s pray before you go.”

  A few minutes later, Lexy stood by herself at the entrance of the castle. She didn’t feel like riding a roller coaster anymore. Didn’t feel like being at a theme park. Instead, she wanted to curl up on her couch and bury herself under a fluffy blanket.

  But Cara would want to know what she thought of the park. And Lexy’s couch and blanket were on a moving van headed West.

  She took a deep breath and walked into the castle.

  ****

  At one point, the entrance hall had been opulent, and Lexy wondered if Cara had dust imported for the sole purpose of degrading the castle further. Woven tapestries of crimson and emerald adorned the walls, but even the linen’s tattered edges failed to disguise their richness. Above her, a ceiling that might have been gilded whispered of grand days gone by. All in all, Cara’s team had done an outstanding job of portraying a ruined showpiece.

  She walked along the back of the room where windows overlooked a weedy rose garden. She wondered if it took more work to keep a garden up or ensured it stayed perfectly unkempt?

  A smiling employee stood in front of a closed door at the back corner. She wore a muted green dress covered by an ivory apron. “I just let a group go down,” she said and opened the door. “If you head down the stairs, you should catch up. Be on the lookout for the missing infant princess. We think she was taken out that way.”

  Through the door Lexy discovered a dark hallway. Not even a dirty window had been added to offer light. Instead, electric torches illuminated a wooden staircase. Somewhere in the background, water continuously dripped with a soft ping. Dust tickled her nose, and she sneezed.

  She hurried down the stairs and tried to ignore the rustling noises surrounding her. Guests didn’t rustle.

  A young man dressed in a period costume waited at the foot of the stairs.

  He bowed. “Come, my lady. It is time.”

  ****

  Two wooden doors and three dark hallways later, the roller coaster still wasn’t in sight, and Lexy questioned Cara’s one-of-a-kind queue.

  “I had no idea this place was so big,” she told her guide. When he didn’t comment, she tried again. “Is the ride much farther?”

  Still nothing. Odd that he wouldn’t talk. Park employees were supposed to be friendly.

  “Just a minute, my lady.” The young man ran his hands over a wall and a hidden door creaked open. “This way, please. We are nearly there.”

  What was Cara thinking? It had to be the most boring queue she had ever seen. The hidden door was cool, but nowhere near unique.

  “My lady?” the guide finally asked.

  She walked through the doorway. Dirt walls replaced stone, and real torches lit the circular room.

  Well that’s just a fire waiting to happen. Cara didn’t even have the sense to put them out of reach.

  A door on the opposite side of the room opened, and an older man entered.

  “Did you find her, Joseph?” he asked, not even looking her way.

  The guide waved toward her. “Yes, sir. She is here.”

  The older man wore an amazing costume. Even from across the room, she could see its detail. Tan l
eggings peeked from beneath a dove gray, woolen tunic. Red and green linen bands encircled his neck and wrists. A leather pouch swung from his waist.

  He gaped at her.

  “Merciful heavens,” he finally said. “Where are her clothes?”

  The young man shrugged. “It is the time, sir. They all dress in this manner.”

  “Merciful heavens,” he repeated.

  “Excuse me,” Lexy said. “Are you talking about my clothes? Because I didn’t know the roller coaster had a dress code.”

  The older man closed his mouth and motioned toward a wooden chair. “A thousand apologies, my lady. Please. Sit down.”

  Four chairs were placed in a half circle. It made no sense to have four chairs. With large groups of guests expected, most people would be forced to stand. But the positive thing about not catching up with the other group was she could sit down. Lexy sank into the nearest chair.

  “I shall leave you now,” the younger man said and walked out.

  The older man sat down beside her and smiled. “I am Ebbe Bixby, my lady, and your assistance is needed here in Dresdonia.”

  Ah, the missing princess. “Sure, no problem,” she said. The sooner they got through the pre-show, the sooner she could go home. “What do you need?”

  Ebbe’s eyes sparkled. “You are too kind. May I be so forward as to ask your name?”

  “Lexy,” she said. Sparkling eyes or not, the show was a drag so far.

  “I fear I am not yet able to explain your role. For now, you must come with me to a nearby inhabitance where we will wait for the remainder of our party.” He stood and beckoned her to follow.

  About time. The roller coaster.

  They left through the same door Ebbe had entered. But instead of joining a line of park guests, they stepped outside.

  She followed him a few steps and stopped. It was dusk. A glance at her watch didn’t help. Two-thirty. How was that possible?

  She hurried to catch up. They must be inside a large building designed to mimic the outside. A breeze tousled her hair and rustled the leaves on nearby trees. Or was it air conditioning?

  But there were too many trees and they were too tall to be growing inside. She peered into the space between a cluster of oaks. Where was the roller coater?

  “Is the ride nearby?” she asked and felt foolish afterward. Of course the roller coaster was nearby. She saw it when she entered the castle.

  “The house is not much farther,” he said without looking at her. “There we will find you more suitable clothing, and Reynard will arrive soon with the horses.” He came to a stop. “You do ride, do you not?”

  “Of course I ride. This is Texas.” As nice as the guy seemed, he acted offended by her outfit. Truth be told, compared to what other park guests wore, she looked like a nun. “Wait a minute, you expect me to change clothes?”

  He didn’t say anything. She glanced back, but couldn’t see the castle. Something about the man bothered her, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what. Not his manner—he was kindness itself. Not his actions either. He’d done nothing inappropriate outside his comments about her outfit. What was it?

  Finally, she spotted a crude two-story house in the distance. She glanced at her watch again. Two thirty-seven. The roller coaster should be visible somewhere. Her heart pounded. Where was it? More importantly, where was she?

  Lord, I don’t know where I am. I don’t know what to do.

  She tried to decide if it’d be smarter to turn around or to seek assistance from someone at the house.

  Ebbe looked back and waved.

  A nametag! That’s what it was! He didn’t have a nametag. Did the younger guy have one? She couldn’t remember.

  It’s always the nice ones you have to look out for. And Ebbe had played her from the minute she met him. She knew better, blast it!

  She bent over, rested her hands on her thighs and forced herself to breathe.

  ‘Daughter.’

  She straightened. Lord?

  ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways.’

  Closing her eyes, she meditated on the words coming from the stillness of her heart. Everything was fine. She couldn’t describe how she knew, but she knew. Her place was with Ebbe.

  Peace replaced panic. Her breathing returned to normal.

  She squared her shoulders and walked to Ebbe. He knocked on the door.

  While they waited, she tapped his arm. “I’m not going to be riding a roller coaster, am I?”

  Astraea Press

  Pure. Fiction.

  www.astraeapress.com