by Tobias Wade
By the time The Matriarch arrived at the graveyard gate everyone was already massed about the entrance in anticipation. She stood in her customary red hat and coat with her hands on her hips, wearing a coy smile which suggested she knew perfectly well that the news of her ‘surprise’ had already spread.
“How are we all this fine autumn night?” The Matriarch asked, taking her time to draw out each syllable. “If I didn’t know that this was a perfectly ordinary Tuesday, I would have thought you were all expecting something.”
“Does it have to be an imp?” Jason Parson shouted, breaking his poorly concealed mask of ignorance. “I think gobblers would be much more fun for stealing candy.”
And then everyone was talking at once, about where they were going and how long they’d be and whether the imps were allowed to bring anything back with them, and a hundred other questions which washed over The Matriarch like waves breaking against the implacable cliffs below.
“I don’t suppose there is any use pretending then,” she said, pouting her bottom lip. “But it does seem that one part of the surprise has been exaggerated. The imps will be going to where they’re directed in the living world, but our class will not be leaving the island. We will all be going down to Montgomery Wolf, the Spiritual Operator who lives in Teraville, where we will be monitoring our imps through scrying crystals.”
There was a collective wave of small disappointed groans, but The Matriarch waved it into silence with a flick of her wrist. “And yes, your imps will be able to bring you back a souvenir. Although I wouldn’t recommend candy because you won’t be able to eat it. If anyone has a problem with that, then they can sit in their coffins all day for all I care. Who is with me?”
This time the response sounded with unabated enthusiasm. The Matriarch waited at the gate while the students streamed out onto the grassy hillside. The moment Noah had passed her however, The Matriarch left her position and merged with the crowd by his side.
“How is our little Chainer doing?” she asked him. “I imagine you’ll be excited to send the imp to visit your family.”
Noah had already dismissed the possibility. The imp might be obeying him for the day, but it was Salice they had the contract with and he had no doubt that they would report where his family lived directly back to him. For all he knew this entire holiday could have been planned around that fact.
“I don’t want to scare them,” Noah replied. “I’d rather just have it go trick-or-treating in a friendly neighborhood.”
“Very sensible, you never know when demons will try to pull something horrible,” she said, looking about her in a conspiratorial fashion. The surrounding students were gradually spreading over the grassy hillside. “You know, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t let the little beasties anywhere near my school. We’ve got the T.D.D. to blame for that—requiring a ‘full curriculum’ to qualify for department funding. It’s a disgrace if you ask me. I’ve had more than my share of problems with them in the past, and even when they aren’t fighting each other or playing tricks on people, they’re still the ugliest little monsters I’ve ever seen.”
Noah said nothing, wondering whether Professor Humstrum really had rushed off to tell The Matriarch about his affinity. Noah glanced behind him and met Brandon’s beady eyes for an instant. He’d been whispering with Teresa, and both of them were staring at him with undisguised loathing. Noah wasn’t sure whether they could overhear him, but this wasn’t a conversation he wanted to be having regardless.
“I’m going to catch up with my friends now, hope you have a happy Halloween, Mrs. Matriarch.”
“Elanore Barrow,” The Matriarch said. “You may call me Elanore, and if you ever want to discuss anything that has been troubling you, my office is the first door on the first floor. I think you’ll find me a very attentive listener.”
Noah thanked her and hurried forward, making a show of joining Walter and Jamie as though they had been expecting him. To The Matriarch’s credit—Noah didn’t think he’d ever be able to call her Elanore—she hadn’t pushed him on visiting Mandy or sharing more than he was comfortable with. It was a welcome contrast with the constant pressure he’d grown accustomed to from Salice, and it was almost enough for him to want to tell her everything and ask for her help. On the other hand, she clearly saw the same significance in being a Chainer that Salice did, and Noah didn’t want to expose his family to a whole new avenue of risk.
“I think you can trust her,” Jamie said once Noah had explained his doubts. “She’s been teaching at the school for so long that I’m sure she’s come across loads of Chainers before. Someone like that wouldn’t think of interfering with the living.”
“I’m not so sure,” Walter said, “You were all for trusting Salice too, and one look at him will tell you he’s up to no good.”
“We still don’t know he’s not!” Jamie said. “You’d think someone who just shed their body and is on the way to find a new one would know not to judge someone on their appearances.”
“How about their personality? That whole ‘I’m better than you just because I can summon a demon that can melt your face’ attitude? Is that fair game?”
Noah was eager to drop the subject and instead asked Walter about the Spiritual Operator they were approaching. Walter pointed out Montgomery Wolf’s house, a stone tower that was so twisted it looked like someone trying to wring out a wet towel. The whole tower was completely engulfed in climbing ivy, and there was a large glass room on the top which glowed beneath the moon like a lighthouse.
“That’s where Mr. Wolf—and you have to call him that or he gets really mad—that’s where he keeps the Netherball which he uses to look into the demon world. I’m not allowed to touch that one,” Walter said. “Mostly, the place is just filled with crystal balls for spying on living people. They’re enchanted so people who can see and hear spirits like mediums light up. Once he’s found one, he can send messages to them and ask for them to relay that onto the nearby people. Some of the stronger psychics learn how to call him back, and then he’s the one who is supposed to go find the spirit.”
“That’s really good of him, helping people find their families again,” Jamie said.
“Not really,” Walter sighed. “He charges six months to find the right person, and he won’t even give me a discount for being his apprentice. I’d still have done it if it weren’t for The Matriarch’s stupid restriction per semester.”
“I might be able to buy it,” Noah said. “Professor Salice had an imp pick up my school supplies, and I never had to pay for any of them.”
“Would you really?” Walter asked. “I’ve still got two months left this semester, and I’ll pay you the rest back after Christmas.”
“You shouldn’t take his time. I thought the imp was going to deliver it,” Jamie said reproachfully.
“Well I’ve thought about it, but any message I wrote down would be on spiritual paper. I’d have to get the imp to write down the message on material paper, but I don’t think they can even write.”
“How do you know they can’t write?” Jamie said, frowning. “They’re very—”
“Not this again. Did you know that imp Brandon has it out for won’t leave me alone? I think it’s trying to haunt me.”
“Aha!” she exclaimed. “So you can tell them apart now. And don’t think I don’t recognize the necklace you’ve started wearing. That’s the rock the imp gave you,” she added triumphantly.
Walter clutched at the string around his neck self-consciously. “I didn’t want it,” he mumbled. “He just seemed so hurt and I thought it would shut him up…”
Soon the entire class was gathered outside Mr. Wolf’s tower where he stood waiting to greet them. He pulled the knees of his long striped legs past his waist as he stepped through the children, walking with a haughty disdain as though he was afraid of getting one of them on his feet.
“Are there supposed to be so many, Matriarch?” Mr. Wolf asked in a long-suffering voice. “Might
as well open the bestiary and let them all run amok inside. Scrying crystals are very fragile, you know, and if anything breaks—”
“Nothing is going to break, my dear, silly man,” The Matriarch replied. “I know how much the T.D.D. is paying you for the day, so do play nice. If it’s really too much of a burden on you, then I’m sure the students will have just as much fun spending the holiday turning into frogs and riding broomsticks at Miss Thatcher’s Witchery.”
“Miss Thatcher? She has a broomstick so far up her backside that she —”
“Mr. Wolf!” The Matriarch interrupted sternly.
“—lifts off every time she farts. There, you made me say it. Come along then children, one at a time. Yes, yes the crystal balls are very pretty, but they aren’t for touching. Or licking, Mrs. Horlow! Why on Earth—”
The inside of the tower was dazzlingly bright. Hundreds of thin silver chains suspended from perfectly smooth crystal balls of every imaginable color, as well as at least two colors that Noah had never seen before and couldn’t even imagine when he wasn’t looking directly at them. Some crystal balls were barely the size of marbles, while others must have weighed a ton and required four supporting chains securely anchored to the walls and ceiling.
“It’s all very simple really—not the business, that’s more complicated than any of you could manage—but what you’ll be doing today,” Mr. Wolf said. “Two people per ball, it doesn’t really matter which, they’ve all been configured for you already. All you must do is look into your reflection and tell it where you’d like to see. Once the scene has resolved itself, look around until you find your imp—you do not need to touch the crystal to do this, Mr. Parson—simply walk around to view the scene from another angle. Do look where you’re going though—it’s as crowded as a mass grave in here.”
Noah found a pale creamy crystal a little smaller than a globe, and Walter spoke the name and neighborhood of an unfamiliar city. Tall dark buildings huddled together deep within the glass as though it was a snow globe.
“Your imp will automatically travel through the nether to the chosen location,” Mr. Wolf continued, prowling incessantly through the room. “Look for him now. He’ll be easy to recognize because he lights up.”
Walter raised his hand which prompted Mr. Wolf to strut over to them. They explained that they would rather find a medium, which Mr. Wolf was happy to oblige as soon as he realized he would be paid in full.
“You won’t tell The Matriarch, will you?” Mr. Wolf asked, bending low. “I won’t be giving any refunds for the simple scrying she’s already ordered.”
“Not a word,” Walter agreed. “There is a medium who is close by then?”
Mr. Wolf reached inside his mouth as though he was fishing for something. Noah winced as the man plucked one of his own teeth out, which was actually an aquamarine stone shaped like a tooth. He grinned to reveal the gaping hole which remained.
“Can never be too safe with these,” Mr. Wolf said. “Go on then, grab hold. Six months it is, that’s the deal, take it or leave it. No discounts, no bartering, and definitely no backsies.”
“I’ll be giving two months, he’s got the rest,” Walter said. “Thanks again, Noah. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
They both paid the transaction, and Noah was surprised to realize he didn’t even mind holding the tooth when it was his turn. This whole place was so macabre that nothing that used to bother him had any real horror left. The groggy, dizzying feeling was more pronounced this time, and he was sure he could distinctly feel his hair and fingernails growing. His shins suddenly became extremely sore and tender. He was sure Walter had been taller than him a moment ago, but now they were the same size.
Mr. Wolf meanwhile grabbed the crystal between his hands and began dancing a complex pattern with his fingers. The image spun smoothly in response, the viewpoint soaring upward before swooping between the tall dark buildings like a bird. The view whirled straight through walls, catching one man on a toilet and others sitting in their living rooms or eating dinner at the table. The only indication that they were noticed was that people tended to shiver briefly as the viewpoint passed through them.
“Margret Vintilo?” Mr. Wolf mused, his brow furrowed with concentration. “No, she stopped doing business after that gobbler got her fluffy little dog. Pedflam Grasowitch? Now I’m sure nothing would have stopped old Pedflam.”
The viewpoint in the crystal shifted sharply to the right, breaking free of the apartment buildings and speeding down the street.
“Although he did have that run in with the police when he started selling amulets,” Mr. Wolf continued thoughtfully. “’Course, it was the boy’s own fault when he thought it would stop a bullet, but that’s what you get when you think you’re too good for disclaimers. Are you in there, Pedflam? Come out come out, or I’m coming in.”
The scene in the crystal paused briefly before a crumbling stone cottage. It looked like it had been built a hundred years ago and had only been maintained by dry wind and the occasional tornado. A moment later and they were through the door within a living room that was stacked from floor to ceiling with old magazines, newspapers, and casually discarded books.
A fat middle-aged man with thick glasses, greasy hair, and an uneven beard sat in an armchair which was the only furniture in the room. He grunted in surprise and swiftly shut his bathrobe, or at least closed the part that wasn’t being obstructed by his low-hanging stomach.
“Get off then!” he shouted. “No spooks allowed, not in here. Out, out, or I’ll—”
“You’ll what, Pedflam?” Mr. Wolf asked. “Who you gonna call?”
Pedflam was still glowering, but his face softened with recognition. “I’ll call your daughter, if she’s still alive. What is it this time, Montgomery?”
“A message for Mrs. Natasha Cortico of 324 Browsly Street. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour, a little more if you’d like to make yourself presentable.”
“Make myself present—hmph,” Pedflam said. “That’s what I’ve got a lock on the door for. What’s in it for me then?”
“A week. An hour for a week, you can’t say no to that.”
“A week?” Walter asked incredulously. “You charged us six months.”
“Shh, quiet,” Mr. Wolf hissed. “There are conversion rates to account for… it’s not easy sending time over, you know. It gets all compressed and… it doesn’t matter, just stay out of this.”
“Who is there?” Pedflam asked suspiciously. He stood up and waddled over to open the curtains, although the window was so dirty that this did little to bring in more light.
“Just the client, a poor lost soul missing his love. Ten days, that’s my best offer.”
“Get off then, I’ll take it,” Pedflam grumbled, “but only because it’s in the name of love. Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you there.” He began stomping across the room toward an adjoining bathroom which looked dirty enough as to instantly negate the effect of a shower as soon as he got out. “And don’t follow me in here!” he bellowed, snapping the door shut behind him.
“As if,” Walter said. “Is he really the best we can do? I think Natasha would laugh him straight out the door.”
“It’s hard finding a reliable medium, especially this far south,” Mr. Wolf replied indignantly. “Something about warm weather makes it harder to concentrate. Besides, you should have learned by now not to judge a soul by its shell. Mr. Grasowitch is doing very well for being over eighty years old. He’s been officially licensed by the T.D.D., and he’s been paid handsomely by the looks of it.”
The crystal view whirled out of the house and began meandering down the moonlit street.
“Do you recognize the area?” Noah asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Walter said, barely glancing at the crystal before averting his eyes to gaze around at the other students.
“Aren’t you excited to be seeing her again?” Noah pressed. “What are you going to say?”
&n
bsp; “I don’t… It doesn’t matter,” Walter said. Noah had the impression that Walter wasn’t really seeing anything, least of all the crystal which he was purposely avoiding. “I don’t think she’ll want to hear from me,” he added quietly.
“Of course she will,” Noah said reassuringly. “And it won’t be any pressure, because Pedflam will be doing all the talking.”
Walter was fidgeting so bad that he couldn’t stand still. He darted outside for a bit of fresh air while waiting for the medium to be ready, and Noah could see him out the window pacing in agitation. Noah took the chance to track down his imp and had just begun having it howl below people’s windows when Walter returned, as pale as Noah had ever seen him.
“Ready then? Pedflam should be there soon,” Mr. Wolf said, swiping the crystal ball so that the image spun. “324 Browsly Street? Could that be her?”
The crystal viewpoint zoomed in on an elegant dark skinned lady with a soft, curly afro. There wasn’t a straight line in her entire body, as was abundantly evident from her red dress which flowed along her curves as tightly and smoothly as a second skin. She sat on the front steps of a clean white house with a leather purse between her legs, her attention focused on her phone.
“Walter?” Mr. Wolf asked. “I’ve spent quite enough time on you two already, and The Matriarch would complain mightily if I didn’t make sure the imps weren’t getting into too much trouble.”
“Yeah,” Walter breathed, his eyes fixed on the woman. “It’s her alright.”
“She’s quite charming,” Mr. Wolf said rather nasally. “I’m glad that I was able to give you this opportunity. Just wait here until Pedflam catches up. I’ll check in with you again before—hey! Little fat boy! What’s going on over there?”