The Halloween Box

Whilst I had been involved in the Brothermeet, Cecile had been meeting with her Cake Club friends in the living room. I gathered that, whilst there had been a little bit of Club business to sort out, it was primarily a social get together.

Cecile told me all about it and I report this below.

o 0 O 0 o

"Okay," said Willow Thistlethorn, a happy expression on her elfin face, "Now we have all the cakey stuff out of the way, what's everybody doing for Halloween?"

"I take it you mean our children," said Flo VanDyke, sitting back from the table,

"Our children, us - either way," said Willow. "It's an excuse to have fun for any of us. I'm making ghostie muffins."

"What are those?" asked Beatrix Spotter, "and are they anything my triplets will enjoy?"

Willow nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes. Muffins with just the slightest touch of coffee essence, but they're ghostie because I'll top them with a white fondant cut-out of a ghost."

"I might omit the coffee as my three already bounce about quite enough, thank you," laughed Beatrix. "With regard to Halloween, Gail and Alfie haven't really become involved as yet. They dressed up for the Beastie Hunt, though."

"Don't talk to me about the Beastie Hunt," said Emma Furbanks. "My Myrna used it as an excuse to start wearing her chicken costume again. A few months ago Ken put on a short play in his drama group called "Chick-a-bun" and Myrna had one of the title roles. Her friend Andi Catamaran had the other, dressing up as a fluffy bunny. Since then, they have worn the costumes continually. I had to draw a line to stop Myrna wearing it to school. The Beastie Hunt has stirred it all up again. I don't doubt she'll want to wear it for Halloween."

Cecile laughed. "I saw them when they called here. Cute as anything."

"You didn't mind that it was a 'wild beastie rabbit' you were treating to candies?", smirked Flo.

"Jackson might say that description applies to me," said Cecile, straight-faced.

"Cecile!" said Willow and Mona Hazelnut in unison. The others sniggered. 

"Anyway, maybe I envied the soft fur of the costume," said Cecile, winking.

"Actually," said Emma, after the laughter abated, "speaking of the drama group, I hope Brendan wasn't too disappointed about the Halloween doodah."

"Halloween doodah?" repeated Cecile. "Brendan didn't mention anything. What am I missing?"

"His ghost story? The Halloween Box? The one they were aiming to use as a framework for a drama improvisation at Halloween?"

"He's said nothing. Tell me more."

"Presumably you remember the ghost story reading Fliss Robinson did in the chapel meeting room two years ago?"

"She does write good stories," said Willow.

"Agreed. Well, she offered to run a writing workshop for the drama group. Give the budding actors an insight into how the creative mind works. Invaluable. But it was to be at Halloween. Before any discussions could begin on rescheduling, Brendan withdrew his ghost story, saying that Mrs Robinson's offer was more use to the group."

"Aw, the little darling," said Beatrix.

"Yes," said Emma, but I wondered if he might have been overwhelmed, feeling inferior to a professional author. Jumping before he thought he'd be pushed."

"I see," said Cecile. "That doesn't sound like Brendan - but I'll have a word with him."

The conversation then resumed the survey into Halloween intentions.

With thoughts of Mona Hazelnut bobbing for apples, I'll bring this report to an end. 

o 0 O 0 o

In Brendan's last school report we were pleasantly surprised at the results. He's always been good at his sums, and his imagination always ensured that his compositional efforts were highly rated. His other subjects - including spelling - were more mediocre. His quick little mind wanted to get down his thoughts so he didn't concern himself checking his spelling. Now, there were improvements across the board.

We learned that he'd borrowed an old pocket dictionary that belonged to his Uncle Merlin. His teacher - Eve Wildwood - had commented that Brendan spent more time in the school library - a quarter hour each lunchtime. He was actually consolidating what he'd learned in class. He was even taking notice when Beverley corrected his grammar.

Rewarding news, but we were curious as to why he'd become so diligent. We had asked him and he said that if he wanted to become an author like Fliss Robinson he needed to improve his writing. It seemed he wanted an additional outlet for his imagination; he still had fun with his role-playing games but thought that writing stories might be fun too. It wasn't a great leap since he usually directed the plot-lines of those games he enjoyed with Lucky Snow-Warren and Orton. Whilst we couldn't predict whether or not he would persevere down this literary road, if his academic skills were improving we had no complaints. 

Now it seemed that one of his stories had come to the attention of the drama club he attended. This was news to us and Emma's revelation that Brendan had pulled his story really made us curious. Had he really been so selfless?

Cecile and I asked him about it after lunch. Beverley was watching with interest.

"Mrs Robinson's workshop would be better for the group," he said but Cecile noted how he said this.

"Perhaps, but  that isn't the full reason, is it, Brendan?"

He pulled his face. "Well. no..."

"Out with it."

"They wanted to change my story, mum. My story. I wrote it how I wanted it to be. I spent a lot of time on it."

"Maybe it didn't quite match what the drama group wanted," I suggested.

"Then they shouldn't have chosen it. It's not a play. They can act it out as I wrote it but nobody should change it."

"How did they want to change it, dear?" said Cecile.

"They said they wanted an ending that was... resul... revuls..."

"Resolved?" said Beverley, helpfully.

"Yes. That. Thanks, Bev." He turned back to us. "I wanted my story to leave the reader with questions. Not have it all wrapped up. You know, dad. Lucky's dad said you used to tell stories at school."

Those were the days I let my imagination rip. Not to the same extent as Brendan, but my silly little tales did seem quite popular with my school mates, in particular Clary Snow-Warren who sat next to me in class.

Cecile answered before I had a chance to open my mouth. "So, when Fliss Robinson offered to do the workshop, it gave you a good excuse to withdraw."

"It wasn't intended as a play anyway. It's a story to be read out. Like Mrs Robinson's."

"What about afterwards? Won't you have the same problem?"

"The workshops last three weeks. When they're done it won't be Halloween and they might not want it. It also gives me time to think about any changes that I could make rather than them."

Beverley was nodding. "So you don't compromise your artistic integrity."

"Wha? Oh, yeah. That sounds good, sis."

I glanced at Cecile and saw she was suppressing a smile like me. The children didn't see, thankfully. We were pleased Beverley was supporting her brother. Particularly when she made a suggestion.

"It seems a bit of a waste of a Halloween story if you don't tell it at Halloween. How about reading it to us? How long is it?"

"Not too long. Are you sure?" he said, looking at each of us in turn. 

Seeing no objections, he continued, "Right, I'll go and get it."

With that, he ran out of the room.

Cecile called after him, "Don't think you're getting out of washing up!" but there was no response. She looked at me. "He won't avoid it tomorrow." 

o 0 O 0 o

A while later when we had settled to hear Brendan's Halloween story, Orton had joined the family audience. 

He gave us a little smile as Brendan glanced at his notebook and began to read. I suspected there might be a little deviation from the written word due to improvised "improvements" but it was sure to be entertaining either way.

"Many years ago," he said dramatically, "in the village of Purple Crumb there lived a mad professor. People were scared of him because he did weird experiments. They saw him carrying tools from his shed and because he used to talk to himself the villagers avoided him. That was sad."

I saw Orton nodding slowly as Brendan continued.

"There was a rumour he used his drill on people's brains. There was another rumour that he did naughty things with his saw..."

There was a hint of a frown forming on Cecile's face but it disappeared within seconds.

    

"...but they were wrong. The professor was an inventor."

Brendan beamed at us. He had expected a reaction and was satisfied at the result. He carried on with his story.

"He made inventions that nobody else would have thought of. One of these was a box that had a round window. It could glow different colours. The odd noises that people thought were squeals and groans came from the box but it was just electric sounds."

Brendan went on to say how some villagers wanted to see what was going on in the shed but they were too scared. "Once," he said, "a couple of braver ones sneaked up to the shed and peeked through the window. At that moment the box shone brightly and there was a shriek that sent the villagers running."

"There was talk of getting some of the King's soldiers to come, but a lot of villagers argued no. Purple Crumb was a small village and they were worried that if they involved the King it would lead to big taxes."

I didn't know if Brendan had been researching politics and economics in the school library or reading fairy tales. No matter. We listened as my boy carried on with his story. It was five minutes or so before he reached an important plot point.

"It was Halloween. Professor Poot had gone to bed. The two villagers - the ones who had been brave before they ran away - had returned.  Noggy and Huggle went into the shed."

"Idiots," commented Beverley. We were about to shush her when we saw Brendan acknowledging his sister.

"They were. Even more so when they fiddled with the box. For the box was a 'dead box'. Professor Poot was trying to make a device to talk to dead people."

"Dear me," said Cecile.

"Yes! 'Dear me' exactly. Because it was Halloween. Professor Poot hadn't figured out that the date was an important el-ee-ment..." - he stressed the word - "...needed for his invention."

"What happened?" asked Beverley. 

"Noggy turned a knob. Huggle wiggled a loose wire. The box lit up and it shone all the colours of the rainbow. Over and over again..." 

"...There wasn't any noise this time. Maybe because it was Halloween. After a while, Noggy switched off the box. Huggle said that it was pretty with all the colours but otherwise useless. Noggy agreed and they decided to go."

Beverley was about to comment again but Brendan held up his paw.

"After Noggy and Huggle had gone, there were two quiet pops and two pale blobs appeared in the air, swirling until they formed shapes. "

"'That was interesting,' said one blob. 'A bit, yes,' said the other, 'although it was rude to say we were useless. I think we should have a look around.'"

Brendan grinned. "In case you didn't realise - Purple Crumb had invited two ghosts!"

o 0 O 0 o

The story went on to describe numerous visitations throughout the village, most of which were amusing. The ghosts seemed fond of practical jokes. It lasted all night until Halloween was over.

Brendan brought the story to a conclusion when the two ghosts started to fade. 

"That was fun," said one. "I wouldn't mind doing it again," said the other. And with two quiet pops they were gone.

"That's where I left it," said Brendan, "but now I'm thinking that Mr Furbanks was right. It needs a better ending."

Orton made his first comment. "I liked it. Am I right thinking Uncle Newton was the inspiration for Professor Poot? The hand drill was a nice touch."

Of course! A few months ago Newton had been installing Merlin's microwave and he had played a joke on Brendan, brandishing the drill like some sort of space pistol.

"Maybe you're right, Ort," my boy answered before switching his attention to me. "Do you think Uncle Newt would be upset, dad?"

"About being the inspiration for a mad professor? I shouldn't think so."

"Woh!" said Brendan. "I've just had an idea how to change the ending. How about this..."

We waited whilst the Brendan imagination machine whirred into action.

"Professor Poot is long gone now, but some of his work remains. It is understood that some models of microwave ovens incolopolorate his designs. The evidence?"

Brendan scanned his audience for any reaction before revealing all.

"It is said that every Halloween, one of these microwaves will shine like a rainbow and there will be two quiet pops. 'Happy Halloween,' a blob will say. 'I hope so,' the other will reply. 'Let us go a-haunting!'"

Beverley laughed. "Two quiet pops!"

Brendan (and shortly afterwards, Orton) began making popping noises.

After a minute of this, Cecile thought some distraction was needed.

"Right. Now I think we can stop all this popping if we show appreciation for these blobs. How about some ice cream after tea?"

"I would certainly appreciate a blob of ice cream," said Beverley.

No surprise there.

o 0 O 0 o 

  

The Brothermeet (Part Two)

Leaving Merlin's living room, rather than aiming for my brother's outer door, Newton began to follow me to my side of the house. Curiously, I looked at my twin.

"We need to talk in private, Jack," he said in a low voice. "Shall we go to your front room?"

"No. Cecile's in there with some of her Cake Club friends. We can't use the dining room as Beverley’s in there. She wanted the table to paint her watercolours. Is the kitchen okay? And whatever do you want to discuss outside the Brothermeet?"

"I'll say when we get to the kitchen."

I shrugged and we walked through the house. Once in the kitchen, he didn't speak immediately. Maybe he was considering his words but in the end he shook his head, pulled back a chair and came to the point.

"How much does Merlin know? He seemed comfortable rattling off terms like portals and speed-tunnels..."

"I told him most of it. No, don't look at me like that. With all the drama with Orton's parents, he and Eliza deserved to know. But they know to keep it to themselves"

A sigh. "Okay, you're probably right. But who else knows?"

"Cecile, of course. Chris - don't frown. He's like a brother and Tara has been living in his house alongside Nigel. My absence back then (* see Routes of Sylvania) needed explaining and it seemed safer to give him the facts rather than pick up bits elsewhere. Oh, and obviously I've told Darcy."

"Darcy Fielding? A newspaper mouse? What were you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that you provided the technology for him - and me - to write a blog for humans. That alone shows he can keep a secret from Mellowdene's villagers."

Newton seemed mollified. "You know about that."

"Of course I do. You don't have to worry about anyone I've told. Besides, others already know some aspects."

"Who?"

"Mulder Honey-Fox has quite a file on wild energies. Also, what about the team Xenophon Treefellow assembled to help penetrate Tall Tree Forest? Rolf, Delvin, Bruin, Feargal will know some aspects. Ricardo will, of course. Even Cecil Walnut and his Skyrider were involved when we were disabling portals."

"That many?"

"They are responsible crittizens. Xenophon will have directed them accordingly. "

"So you don't think I have anything to worry about."

"No. But as far as Merlin's concerned, you know he will continue to research all he can find about the Woodzeez. Who knows what he may unearth? Which reminds me - you mentioned Honeysuckle Hollow. When I was in Chunglewood that was something Roy Kingsberry mentioned in passing. What is it?"

Again I detected some reticence. I know his job at the Sylvanian Research Group tends to require him to keep secrets. Clearly my discoveries had put him in an awkward position.

"Ah. Very well. Briefly - there was a valley in the Woodzeez realm that was covered in a deep growth of honeysuckle. At night it apparently had a faint blue glow and came to be considered a spiritual place. It was the original Honeysuckle Hollow and numerous villages were named after it."

"Blue glow? Are we talking about wild energies here?"

"I think it likely. Woodzeez critters seeking enlightenment would enter Honeysuckle Hollow and some would disappear, others assuming they had found that enlightenment. In reality, they appeared in Sylvania and chose to stay for their own reasons. Back on the Woodzeez world, the exodus of critters wasn't universally accepted. As I understand it, Honeysuckle Hollow was eventually fenced off but that didn’t stop the pilgrims. At some point, someone decided to take drastic action and went into Honeysuckle Hollow to try and destroy the portal. An unknown Woodzeez critter came through and attacked the unusual stone that appeared to keep the route open and stable. Once a large chunk had been removed, it was taken away. Hidden or destroyed, we never discovered."

I had a crazy thought. "And you said this was before Mellowdene was founded."

"I did." 

"The unusual stone - could it have been part of the Dreamstone?"

"As in Dreamstones and Beastie Hunts? Now we are getting into the realms of fantasy."

"And yet Xenophon Treefellow wears a pendant bearing a sliver that he confirmed was part of the Dreamstone. It helped activate the proto crystals in Tall Tree Forest. And Mellowdene has its own special piece. "

"What are you talking about?" 

"You mean you don't know? The founders of Mellowdene found a chunk of Dreamstone when they were diverting the waters from Sweetwater Lake. It exists. Darcy has seen it. Cecile has seen it."

"This is beyond belief. Mellowdenians have seen it? Where is it?" He looked almost annoyed.

"It's beneath the chapel. Ask Kelvin."

"I will. I can't believe the SRG didn't know about it."

"Could it be that our Dreamstone is the one hidden by the Woodzeez activist?"

"I've no idea. I need to process what you've told me."

"Surely it's too far from Tall Tree Forest to have created the route the Chunglewoodians took..."

"Jackson! Put your imagination on hold. I need to think. And no, I think the portal to Chunglewood is unlikely to have been affected by anything in Mellowdene. "

"Why not?"

"Because in the past there have been other brief breaches elsewhere in Sylvania. There. I've said enough. I'm going. 'Bye, brother."

With that, he started to leave.

o 0 O 0 o

I caught up with him in the hallway.

"Wait, Newton. Other breaches?"

"I'm not going into details. Suffice to say, once the original Woodzeez breach had closed, there were echoes in other parts of Sylvania. Decades apart. The one that led to Chunglewood is likely to have been the most recent and longer lasting."

"But these other breaches..."

"Leave it, Jack. By all indications the Chunglewood route was the last. It's all stable now. Furthermore, it won't help the Woodzeez there to learn of the earlier ones. And I'm going. 'Bye Jack."   

"No, wait," I said, a little concerned at his behaviour. "Have I done something to offend you? You seem a little... tetchy." 

My twin stopped, sighed and leaned against the wall heater. "No Jack. I'm sorry. It's nothing personal. It's just that I've thought through something you have said and I've realised it puts me in a bind."

"A bind? Sorry about that - but what did I say?"

"You said there was proof the Dreamstone existed and that the owls know about it. You know Aristotle Treefellow helped educate me through upper school and he said nothing. And you say Xenophon wears a small piece?"

"Well, Cecile spotted it and pointed it out. He may not have mentioned it otherwise."

"That's not really the point and it's not the main issue anyway. The real point is that I've worked for the Sylvanian Research Group for years and I have quite a responsible position. To the best of my knowledge, they consider the Dreamstone to be a fairy tale. Do you realise what that means?"

"Not really."

"It either means they're keeping secrets within the Group - ones to which I'm not privy - or that the Owl Collective haven't mentioned it to them throughout their long association." He shook his head. "Where does that leave me? What do I say to my work colleagues?"

I hadn’t seen Newton this way since we were children and he'd discovered that one of our teachers was mistaken in some random subject matter. I'd recommended that he speak to the teacher privately. I wasn't sure that similar advice was appropriate for the current situation but I had to say something.

"You need to consider what the Sylvanian Research Group would do if they discovered there was a piece of Dreamstone under the chapel. Both Cecile and Darcy say it gave them visions of the Snow Queen. Would they try and take it away for research?"

"Visions? It gets worse!"

"Calm down, Newton. I've not been to see it. I wouldn't want visions no matter how comforting that may be. But the stone is important to Mellowdene. Not just its spiritual history. Village history. It is an artefact discovered by our founders. If there's a chance it may be taken away... even if they think it could be used to help recreate the original Woodzeez path..."

"Stop, stop!" Newton exclaimed and then he looked towards the door to my living room. He moderated his tone in case it summoned Cecile and her friends. "You're probably right. I won't say anything. At least until I've considered all the consequences."

He sighed, attempting to calm down and then he smiled. "When did you become the logician, Jack? Adventurer, manipulator of wild energies and now a mind like a trap? I'm used to you being a songwriter and a boy who made up stories for the classroom."

"It surprises me too."

He squeezed my shoulder then moved towards the door, speaking over his shoulder.

"Brothermeets, eh? I'm glad you're my twin, Jack."

I watched him go down the garden path and until he left my sight.

Why is it, when one thinks one has found answers, other questions bubble to the surface? 

o 0 O 0 o