Halloween. As Darcy has highlighted in previous years, it has become more significant as newcomers have boosted the population of Mellowdene. This accepted, I have learned that not all traditional elements have made there way here. As treats are given during our established annual Beastie Hunt, "Trick or Treat" was deemed redundant. The most noticeable aspect? Children enjoy dressing up as monsters and becoming involved in ghost stories. As a general consequence, the actual date has become memorable than it ever used to be.
The date is the reason for this tale. It involves my best friend Chris Snow-Warren and what might call a delicate subject - the apparent death of his mother, Edith. I say "apparent" as nobody really knew what had happened to her. Sheriff Bisto Wildwood gave the family frequent updates but these often were the same phrase - "Still nothing to report, I'm afraid."
It was shortly before we realised Cecile's brother Rowan Ivory had disappeared. Cecile was an expectant mother, pregnant with Beverley, so maybe I wasn't as attentive to Chris as I would have been. Of course, we had discussed things since that time, but that isn't really the point of this tale.
Last year Chris revealed to me something that he had kept private from everyone except his wife and his doctor. Something that had troubled him for four years. Something that happened each Halloween.
Halloween was again approaching and my best friend had decided to bring me into his confidence. Maybe it was because I'd been involved in a number of extraordinary situations but whatever the reason, he thought I might have a different approach for offering advice.
"Jack," Chris tentatively said, "I'd value your opinion on something weird that I've been facing. I know you won't judge me and I feel you might even be able to get my head around it."
"Of course, mate," I said. "What is it?"
He grimaced with air of embarrassment.
"I keep seeing the ghost of my mum."
o 0 O 0 o
"Every Halloween, it happens. I see her. She barely moves but she seems to be looking at me. I think I'm the only one that sees her. Well, Charity can't and I've not mentioned it to anybody else in the family. I wouldn't want to upset them."
It occurred to me that Chris had seemed unsettled last Halloween but he had brushed off my concern. It was different now.
"At first I thought I was seeing things. I had my eyes checked and then made an appointment with Henry Bearbury," said Chris. "He did some simple tests. Cognitive assessments, he called them. He ruled out a need for therapy. He then arranged a sort of scan."
"Henry is efficient. Was everything okay?" I prompted.
"Apparently so. He is confident there's nothing physical wrong with me and he also considers me to be incredibly stable head-wise."
"You are a laid back bunny."
Chris rewarded me with a brief smile. "Normally, maybe. But I pressed Henry to suggest a reason for these visions. It's sort of nice seeing mum but it's worrying too."
"I can imagine."
"All Henry could offer was a few words. That the Greybear Clinic had taught him that Sylvania was a magical place and it still had its secrets, including those with a supernatural element."
"Mystical stuff?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Not really an answer but it was the best Henry could offer. I wondered about Mulder Honey-Fox, but maybe it's a little trivial for him."
"I'm certain he wouldn't think so. I can arrange for us to meet up." I had a thought. "Although... what about seeing Morwenna Deerheart first? She's into mysticism."
Chris nodded slowly. "Can't do any harm. I need to do something."
o 0 O 0 o
Firstly, a bit of back story to put things into context; what we know about the time Edith Snow-Warren disappeared.
Chris's father - Bernard - was semi-retired back then. I doubt he'll ever fully retire even though his present day musical involvement with Bear Banger and the Bunny Boys takes up more of his time. He is a skilled calligrapher and finds employment with the council, the chapel and private commissions. In addition to the beautiful writing he is responsible for the fine illumination and gold-leaf work on high-end documents and certificates.
He was busy on such a commission at the time we are considering. It coincided with the arrival of his twin brother Bruce, who had finally decided to move away from Stonehaven and settle in Mellowdene. Rumours say he had at last given up on an unrequited love - but that's anecdotal and beside the point. Bernard was delighted to be reunited with his twin but had to postpone properly welcoming him to the village. Although he had wanted to show his brother around the village, pointing out key areas of Mellowdene history, he was constrained by a tight deadline - finishing a certificate for a client's significant birthday.
"I can show Brucie around," Edith had said. "He's shown an interest in Sweetwater Lake but there are other such places I'm sure he'd enjoy. You get on and finish your assignment and we'll be back at tea time."
Except they weren't. They didn't come back at all.
Official searches were made but proved fruitless. Theories were offered - some highly unlikely and instantly rejected, such as Edith and Brucie going away together - but nothing concrete was unearthed. Sweetwater Lake was searched by the penguins, seals and otters but no sign was found of the two rabbits.
As I've said, Chris didn't publicise his odd visions of his ghostly mother. He didn't want to upset his father who had initially reacted badly to his wife's and his brother's disappearance. This had led to Bernard putting much of his belongings into storage, moving out of his marital home and moving into the small cottage behind Chris's home on Marigold Avenue.
Extending his unusual revelations to Mulder and Morwenna was a breakthrough.
o 0 O 0 o
Whilst I made arrangements to meet up with Mulder Honey-Fox, Chris went alone to Morwenna's house. I hadn't had many dealings with Morwenna and I knew I had little to contribute to the discussion. I should say that this was before I discovered her talent with proto crystals but after my Chunglewood adventure.
Everyone was aware Morwenna Deerheart had an interest in the mystical and supernatural side of life. Most looked upon her kindly and put that aside. They would visit her craft shop for decor and unusual items to prompt social discussion, but they didn't pursue the "weirdy stuff".
When Chris returned, he related what had occurred.
o 0 O 0 o
"A ghost?" said Morwenna after Chris had explained the issue. "I suppose if you are liable to see one, Halloween would be the most likely time. But you say this happens every year?"
"Does she say anything?"
"No. I think she sees me but her movement is minimal."
"Does this happen at a particular time or when you're in a particular place?"
"Well, apart from being at Halloween, not really. Not the same hour or anything like that. It's usually when I'm alone with no distractions. In different places. I wonder if it's all in my head. We were close."
"I see," said Morwenna. "That might explain the connection. However, I'm unclear how you would like me to help. Do you want to make better contact? Or do you want to banish the vision?"
"I don't know," said Chris. "I'd just like to understand for now."
"That's fine. I'd like to read up on your options, maybe gather some special items. Ways to communicate and so on. I might be able to make her visible to me as I have talents in that area. That would disprove your worry that it's all in your mind." She hesitated. "I could bring my Summoner but I doubt that would be of use. Perhaps we could meet again when I'm better prepared. One needs to understand the needs of ghosts."
o 0 O 0 o
As he hadn't learned much from Morwenna we went to see Mulder Honey-Fox. Mulder became more interested when he learned of the date of the disappearances.
"That was an incredibly unstable time," he said. "When Packbat and Gatorpossum crashed through into Sylvania, wild energies affected a lot in this area."
Chris stared at him and then glanced at me. I mouthed, "I'll explain later."
Mulder hadn't seen this exchange and carried on talking. "If your mother and uncle visited Sweetwater Lake or were in that area of the mountains, their disappearance might be related."
"Do you mean portals?" I asked.
"Not necessarily. The barrier between realms would have been temporarily weakened. If you're seeing your mother it might mean she is in Limbo."
"Is that where ghosts live?"
"I don't think we truly understand the concept of ghosts as yet," Mulder said. "There are theories, of course. When a Sylvanian's life here ends, some believe they enter Limbo and they are escorted to the greater world and transformed into animals. Whilst in Limbo, they may be perceived as ghosts. They wouldn't stay there long, though."
"But I've seen my mum for four Halloweens now."
"Halloween is long established as a day when some aspects of wild energies reach out. It could explain your connection. However, four annual appearances is a long time for seeing a ghost."
"What do you mean?" said Chris.
"I don't want to raise your hopes but it might mean your mother is still alive but frozen in Limbo. No-one would collect her because they wouldn't be aware of her."
"When you say 'collect her' who are you talking about?" I asked.
"Most likely? The Sylvanian Order. You would need to summon them in to ask for their help. The trouble is, we have no way of reaching them."
Later on, Chris remarked on Morwenna and how she had used the term 'Summoner'. Was this related to Mulder's theory of summoning the Sylvanian Order? It was something we could pursue.
o 0 O 0 o
It was two days before last Halloween when Chris told me Morwenna had been in touch. He asked me to accompany him and together we walked down to number 18 Dandelion Lane. Morwenna seemed a little surprised to see me.
"Oh! Mr Butterglove! I was only expecting... No matter. Welcome."
"Just call me Jackson, Mrs Deerheart. I'm with Chris because we acquired some more information from Mulder Honey-Fox."
"I see. And please call me Morwenna. Regarding Mulder Honey-Fox, I would certain be interested in hearing his opinion."
We outlined the theory about Limbo and Morwenna listened without comment until we finished.
"Limbo," she said. "That sounds similar to what I've experienced. When I've contacted ghosts."
Chris was, unsurprisingly, still unsettled at the idea of his mother being a ghost. Morwenna seemed to sense his uncertainty and attempted to explain.
"I know 'ghosts' is an emotive word. That's why I rarely mention the ability. I cannot confirm or deny Mulder's theory about Sylvanians being reincarnated into animals but there is a brief period when the essence of those that have passed are detectable. Limbo is as good a word as any. When they leave their physical bodies (*see Editor's Notes) I have a means of contacting them. It's only for a brief period and sometimes we can communicate - if they are willing."
Chris looked somewhat disconcerted. I stepped in whilst he recovered his composure.
"Mulder questioned whether Chris's mum was a ghost given that she's appeared on four separate Halloweens."
"Oh, that's right; he said. I'll grant you that it's extremely rare that an essence would last that long."
"Do you think it's possible my mum is alive in this Limbo?" Chris said.
"I've never encountered anything like that," Morwenna said, frowning as she tried to recall such an incident.
"What about this Summoner you mentioned? Is that some way of contacting people in Limbo?"
She pulled a face as if embarrassed. "Not as far as I know..The fact is I've never used it. I don't need such an artifact to contact ghosts. I sit in the Dark Room."
I perked up. "You do photography?"
Chris signalled me. "Jack. Not relevant," he said under his breath. "Summoner."
Morwenna smiled. "No, Jackson. The Dark Room is just a windowless room where I can meditate in the dark. And as for the Summoner, it's a special lantern that my late husband gave to me. We shared an interest in mysticism and it is supposed to summon the Ancients. Once used it reportedly takes three years to recharge, so it was suggested I only use it when in great need. That's why I've never had occasion to use it."
"The Ancients?" said Chris. "Might that be the same as the Sylvanian Order?"
"Possibly. They reportedly wear pale green robes hiding their appearance."
"That sounds like them from what I've heard," I commented. Chris appeared relieved.
"Then, Morwenna, might you be prepared to use the Summoner to call them and ask them to retrieve my mum. And my uncle if he's there too?"
"I could, but we'd need to tell the Ancients where to look."
Chris's shoulders slumped. "I don't know where in Limbo that would be."
Morwenna shook her head. "You do. You see her every Halloween. We can prepare for Halloween and use the Summoner in my Dark Room. The space is limited but we can manage."
And that's what we did.
o 0 O 0 o
(To be continued)
*EDITOR'S NOTES
I debated whether or not to add this information. I eventually concluded that I should, for completeness, as I understand it differs from the human experience. It's not about ghosts, spirits or anything that Morwenna or Mulder mentioned in that respect. It relates to physical bodies (to use Morwenna's terminology) and what happens at the end of their life.
After a short period, the body shrinks and transforms into a tiny stone. Different communities handle this in different ways. Some return the stone to the land, some cast it into the sea or another body of water, the idea being they become part of Sylvania. I've heard some are made into pendants or ornaments so that they remain with the family. In Mellowdene we have a Chamber of Remembrance. It is a place where the bereaved can have their relative's stone placed in a small named box, dated and stored there. A physical reminder that a particular Sylvanian existed. The Chamber has a Stonekeeper who retrieves the relevant boxes on the anniversary of the date of passing. Relatives may choose to visit on that day and may subsequently visit Cherry Blossom Park to share memories.
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| Chamber of Remembrance |
The Chamber of Remembrance is situated in a grove bounded by Marigold Avenue, Toadflax Avenue, Ragwort Lane and part of Mellowdene High Street. Access is via a narrow lane leading from Toadflax Avenue. The role of Stonekeeper is currently occupied by Angus McWalkie.
Darcy Fielding
References:
- For more information about Stonehaven, see "Veri Peri" from August 2022.
- For more information about Bernard Snow-Warren's first employment in Mellowdene, see "Timbertop Farm" from March 2019.