She remembered the last time Janie had gone to the cave where her book had been hidden years ago. One of the final days Janie had left to her before her mind wandered away completely. The Girl had been by her side hiding in the shadows. She had watched silently as Janie trailed her hand across the rock, already having forgotten why she had come.
Janie began to sing a song, one that the Girl knew was from her childhood. She listened until the end, savoring the moments being so close to Janie once more. After so many years apart, she was close enough to touch her. The last note faded and ended, and then Janie had turned and looked directly at the Girl. The shock of being found out had made her breath catch. What would happen now? What should she do?
She saw Janie’s mouth open. She heard Janie say, “Tell Thomas to come home.”
The Girl and Janie gazed at each other. The Girl could not bring herself to speak but only bowed her head deeply in acknowledgement. She felt her heart break all over again. She stayed frozen in her position until she heard Janie leave and then went to the entrance to watch Janie disappear into the dense foliage. She had heard Freddy calling from close by and knew Janie would be safe.
“Did she always know?” the Girl had asked herself. Her Janie had been clever as well as beautiful. Had her Jaana always known what lived in these woods?
Seeing the treasures nestled safely, she replaced the covering and pressed her cheek upon the downy fabric. She would sleep a while, she thought to herself. Maybe she would sleep for a long while and let the Hill take care of itself. The Ohdow would protect the land and its secrets. They would sense if someone walked here and belonged. They would come and wake her if she was needed.
She would let herself slip into dreams.
________
Epilogue: Evelyn
She had been floating in a bubble, and all had been peaceful. Fidgeting in her sleep, some part of her wished she could go back there.
Now she was swaying. She was nestled against something warm, and there was a sensation in her that knew this was Mother. She knew she was safe, and she fell back to her dream.
There was color all around her, and she knew this was called green.
There was a sound, “Zee zee zee,” and she knew this was called bird.
There was a pulse that strummed against her feet, and she knew this was called Home.
She opened her eyes and saw the green trees were real and heard the birdsong was real and knew this was to be their new home. She smiled a sleepy smile.
She heard Mother say, “Evie was dreaming, Zack.”
Father said, “I hope they were sweet.”
********
In the forest, a giant crow landed in front of a rock formation. Past the entrance that had long been sealed shut by the thickness of vegetation, something inside slept and breathed. The crow tilted back his head and emitted his throaty call.
There was a stirring, and in the black of the cave interior, a pair of eyes opened to glow green in the dark.
Cover Art Credit: Yana908
Author Photo Credit: Marcela Pulido
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About the Author
Juniper Black was raised on stories of kin who could heal people and cousins who knew things before they happened. From an early age, she was taught how to conduct herself if she saw a ghost, was told that she was the reincarnation of a former family member, and place settings were always added at dinner if she said her imaginary friends would be joining. She currently lives in a magical land called Oregon.
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