Ghost of a Shadow

by Andrea Engel

  “These individuals sign up for the great honor of protecting Mystashan at all costs. They do this by giving their assent. Are you prepared to do the same?”

  Euphoric from the day’s events and ultimate victory, Sadie couldn’t answer fast enough.

  “Yes!” She leaned over and hugged Thelo’s neck.

  “Then it is done.”

  Sadie heard a click inside her mind. She noticed an immediate change but didn’t know what it meant.

  Thelo gave her a solemn nod before continuing. “That’s what we call the Shiffderrence. You’ll get used to it soon. Now, young lady”—he winked—“go find someone to dance with. I am sure they will be lining up.”

  Sadie’s shoulders slumped a little. “I thought you and I were going to dance?”

  “I will in a little while.” He took a seat on the grass. “I am going to rest here for a bit.”

  He’s worried. I can feel it.

  “Okay, I’ll be back for that dance. Don’t think you’re going to get out of it.”

  This time he gave her a full smile. She felt a little better and had more confidence that he’d be okay if she left.

  Sadie walked slowly through the crowd. She took her time, absorbing the sights and sounds around her. The lights, the music, the Silars in the trees…this is what Mystashan is all about. I’m relieved it’s getting back to normal. Almost normal. Everyone looks happy, as if nothing’s wrong in the whole world.

  A small Habnaw ran right into her without looking.

  “Hey, slow down there, kid. Why are you in such a rush?”

  “Sorry, Sadie. I’m just happy to be here tonight. Is that a good reason?”

  “Yes, it is. Do you have time to tell me your name?”

  “Hanley.”

  “Nice to meet you, Hanley.” Whoa. Could it be? I thought he died. Sadie realized it was the child Finn had hurled against a pillar in the Atrium.

  I’m right here. He didn’t kill me. I’m tough. The young boy looked up at Sadie with resolve.

  “Don’t you know it’s impolite to listen in?” Sadie teased. “Have you had a regrowing lately? Want me to make a wish?” She laughed to herself. Like I’m doing him the favor.

  Hanley gasped, his paws flying to his mouth. “Yes! Yes, please. I’ve never experienced a regrowing before.” He danced around her with excitement. He couldn’t stop his jiggling.

  “You’re going to have to stand still. Otherwise I won’t be able to do it.”

  He looked as though he were trying to calm himself but lost out. Hanley wiggled nonstop in front of Sadie. “I’m trying as hard as I can.”

  “Are you ready?”

  Hanley nodded, his eyes glowing with anticipation.

  “Okay, here goes.”

  As she made her wish, her little friend giggled with the lifting of his dandelion hair.

  “Ooh.” He clapped as each seed pod flew off into the night. He watched until they disappeared. Once they were out of sight, Hanley hopped from side to side as each new strand grew back. “Hahahaha. That tickles.”

  Sadie bent her head forward and wore a smile of her own.

  “What did you wish for?” he asked with his joyful grin.

  “Something I wish for every day.” Sadie’s smile slowly faded. “To see my Gramma again.”

  Sweet Sadie.

  Sadie felt the breeze on her neck and heard Gramma humming the song from the music box.

  “Gramma? Gramma, are you here? Where are you?”

  “Who are you talking to?” asked Hanley.

  “You don’t hear the humming? The song?”

  The boy shook his head and stilled himself for a moment, leaning forward as if straining to hear whatever it was he couldn’t. “I just hear the sound of fun! C’mon, Sadie.”

  “You run along. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Okay,” he squeaked. “I’ll see you later. Thanks again.”

  “Thank you too, Hanley.”

  They hugged, and then Hanley scuttled off.

  Gramma’s humming returned. This time it came from the distance. Sadie looked to a path on her right, where a swirling patch of fog formed. She froze. Is my wish coming true already? It’s not exactly what I meant, but any Gramma is better than no Gramma.

  The patch was in motion, slipping behind a hut. Sadie had to move fast to keep up with it. It flew in and over the homes of the village. For a moment, she lost sight of it, but then it reappeared above the hut in front of her and shot back down and around. Where is she taking me?

  The fog found its place in front of a larger dwelling and bounced lightly while it waited for Sadie to catch up. When she stood in front of the building, the patch dispersed and left behind a door in its place. “88B” was etched into the wood. Hmmm. I guess I have no choice. Sadie turned the knob and walked into the dimly lit room.

  “Hello? Is anyone home?”

  “In here, sweetie.”

  A wave of warm familiarity infused Sadie at the sound of Gramma Rose’s voice.

  “Gramma!” she called out. Sadie ran into the room, but no one was there. She searched the whole dwelling, but it was empty.

  “Gramma? Where are you?” The hut remained silent. She wouldn’t do this to me. The excitement waned. She lowered her head and let the tears flow.

  As Sadie turned to leave, she caught sight of her reflection in an antique mirror that hung on the wall. The mirror’s framework was elaborate, with a wooden column on each side. With some hesitation, she walked over and stood in front of it.

  She couldn’t believe the sight before her; she’d never seen herself in Mystashan. Her violet hair, which she’d already seen on her shoulders, was longer and more lustrous than she could imagine. Her ivory skin almost glowed and offered a soft, striking contrast to her luminous emerald eyes and fiery pupils.

  “Wow, if they could see me back home, they’d never mess with me again.”

  It was difficult to turn away. She was entranced by the radiance deep within her green eyes. The mirror shimmered. She blinked. It shimmered again. Squinting the way she had all those months ago in her bathroom at home, she braced herself. The face in the mirror began to transform. It looked like her but a little different.

  Hello, Sadie. It’s time to go back home. You’ll be late for dinner. She almost tripped over herself stepping backward when the reflection’s lips began to move and spoke with Gramma Rose’s voice.

  “No! Don’t go away. Please. Not again.”

  She stared longer at the mirror, but nothing changed. The vision didn’t return.

  After another long glance at her own reflection, she turned to leave. “I’ll be back soon, Gramma. Thanks for letting me know it’s dinnertime on earth. Love you.”

  She left the little house marked “88B” and headed back to where she’d left Thelo. “You’re still sitting here?”

  “Yes. There is much to think about, but I have done as much as I can for tonight. Is it time for our dance?”

  Sadie shook her head. “Sorry. I can’t. I have to get back. Gramma told me it was dinnertime.”

  “What do you mean? Rose told you that? That is not possible, Sadie.”

  “I know, right?” Sadie shrugged. “All I know is there was this mist, and then I was in this house. There was a mirror there, and I finally saw what I look like too. Then Gramma told me I needed to go home now. I wish I could look this way back home.” She gave a toss of her long violet hair.

  Sadie looked at Thelo; his concerned expression had returned.

  “What? What is it? You’ve got that worried look again.”

  Thelo shook his head. “It is nothing. We had better get you back then.”

  “You’re doing that thing again, Thelo.”

  “What thing would that be, Sadie?”

  “The thing where you don’t answer a straight question. But never mind that now. Would you please thank everyone on my behalf for throwing such an amazing party for me?” Sadie gave Thelo a long hug. “Thank you too, by
the way!”

  His eyes sparkled in response. Thelo clinked his glass to get everyone’s attention.

  “Fellow Mystashanians, Sadie has done us an enormous service today. Ever humble, she has asked me to thank you all for tonight’s festivities on her behalf. I would also like to thank you for putting this party together on short notice and for keeping hope alive in Mystashan.”

  There was a roar of applause from all corners of the celebration.

  Thelo offered Sadie his arm and escorted her to Saponi Straime. “I am proud of you, Sadie. You showed your true strength today, and it will keep expanding.”

  Sadie smiled. “Thanks. I’m excited to see what happens next. Just do me a favor. No more dying, okay? Once was enough.”

  He merely nodded. “Good night, Sadie.”

  “’Night, Thelo. I’ll be back soon. There’s a couple of things I need to take care of back home.”

  “We all need our rest. Banyan too. I will see you in a couple of days’ earth time. If anything happens of importance, I will inform you.”

  “Thank you, Thelo. For everything.” They hugged good night.

  Banyan looked like he was sleeping. Sadie whispered, “Good night, sweet Banyan. Heal quickly. I’ll see you soon.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

  The Return

  Sadie walked through the front door and closed it as quietly as possible. Her mother stood next to the kitchen counter, flipping through a cookbook.

  “Oh, hi, Sadie! Where did you come from? Thin air?

  If you only knew how right you are. She ran over and gave Mom a hug.

  “Whoa, what’s that for?”

  “Nothing. I just missed you.”

  “You’ve only been gone a couple of hours, but I’ll take it,” Mom said, her tone brighter than usual.

  “I love you, Mom.”

  She stepped back to survey her daughter. “I love you too, honey.” She brushed a few strands of Sadie’s loose hair out of her face. “Something’s different about you. For starters, your hair is down. And the bottoms are purple! When did you do that?”

  “Um, they’re purple?” Sadie pulled some of her hair around to where she could confirm what her mother said. “I guess it was during art class? I didn’t realize. But what do you think of it? I kind of like it.”

  “Yes. It’s different in a good way, but there’s still something else. I can’t put my finger on it. I’m sure it’ll come to me later.”

  They hugged again, a little longer this time. “Can I help you with anything?” Sadie asked.

  “Where is my daughter, and what have you done with her?” teased Mom.

  Sadie smiled. “Right here. Right where I’ve always been.”

  “I guess so.” Mom pointed to a recipe in the book. “Come on. Let’s get dinner started. Dad will be home soon.”

  Sadie enjoyed every bite of their dinner together that night and even got Dad to smile a few times at her jokes. Mom made Sadie’s favorite: eggplant parmigiana with angel hair pasta and salad.

  After kissing both her parents good night for the first time in ages, Sadie headed to her room.

  She briefly wondered how she would find her way back to Mystashan, but that was a challenge for another day. First she had to do what Banyan had asked. She wanted to make him the most brilliant creation.

  She flipped on the bedroom lamp. Penelope, with her shimmering fur, was fast asleep on the bed. Sadie plopped down beside her. “Where have you been, sweet one?”

  There was no reply except for unabated soft snores and purring.

  No matter. I’m excited to start working on my gift. The feeling of calm from the sap has been sublime, even though it’s been wrapped in cloth inside my pocket.

  The sap was intact within the small crystal vial, the consistency of molasses yet not sticky. She brought it over to her window seat and began to work with it. Sadie decided to use her hands, as neither instructions nor tools had been provided. Her hands shook with the excitement, energy, and responsibility of creating something special for Banyan. Even so, she picked up the sap as gently as possible. The amount was generous and filled her palm.

  As her hands worked, she concentrated on her breathing, which helped alleviate the shaking.

  The sap still felt warm all these hours later. It was pleasant to shape and mold it. She glanced at Penelope and whispered to her, but there was no movement except her quiet, steady breath.

  A montage replayed in her mind. It was the scene with Finn in the Atrium. She’d done what she had to do, what she knew was right, but it wasn’t until that moment that Sadie realized her life had seriously been in danger. Was it odd that it hadn’t occurred to her at the time?

  Hours passed as she molded and shaped the sap. She fell asleep with her project in her hand, her head leaning against the window.

  In the morning, she awoke with a paw on her arm and the soft brush of Penelope’s tail around her back.

  What do you have there, Sadie? Can I see?

  Sadie looked down at her hand, amazed to find a perfectly formed egg settled in her palm as if it belonged there. The sap had grown overnight in volume and size…It was still warm.

  She rubbed one of the sides, revealing a crystal world that had grown within it.

  “Look! A crystal somehow formed inside the sap overnight!” She held it up to let the morning light reflect off all the facets within.

  Curious. What else do you see?

  “I see Banyan’s eyes and a green mist that seems alive.”

  Penelope pawed at the egg, bringing it close to her, but stopped as Sadie asked her a question.

  “Where were you yesterday while everything erupted in the Atrium?” Sadie unconsciously pulled back the egg from Penelope’s grasp. “I looked all over for you—there, in the village later, and at the celebration.”

  They’re calling me. I have to go. See you soon, Sadie.

  “Who’s calling you?” Sadie looked to her left, but the cat was no longer in her room.

  Must have been super important, I guess, to blow me off like that.

  Sadie turned the egg over in her hands. She loved what she’d created and its inner world. She felt closer to Banyan as she held it.

  Her smile disappeared at once, and she felt very afraid.

  Banyan, please tell me you’re okay.

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE

  Le Confession

  Sadie hid her creation with the rest of her crystals, wrapping it in a pair of socks for extra safekeeping. Even with all she’d been through, there was still school in an hour and a half. She dressed and prepared for what she had to do today. She put on her S necklace, Dad’s gift. This was the first time she had felt safe to wear it to school. It satisfied her to finally be able to wear it without fear.

  Sadie sat down on the bed and slid on her shoes. She reached for her keys on the nightstand and noticed a crystal on top of Christopher’s letter. Hmm. Thelo, is this the courage crystal I gave you? How could that be? It was embedded in your body last I saw. Could this be a new one? Do we each have one now?

  She realized why it was on top of Christopher's letter. She knew she would need everything the crystal represented to read it. It must be time.

  Sadie tore open the envelope and unfolded the paper. The three words written there shocked her. Paralyzed, she let go, and it fluttered to the carpet. After all this time? What am I supposed to do with this now?

  Her shoulders tensed, and she shook her head. “No!” He can say whatever he wants. He did before. It means nothing anymore. His words stared up at her. “I'm coming home.” What was he thinking? I'm not going there. Sadie stood and glanced one last time at the note on the floor, stepping on it as she left her room.

  ❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

  The school day passed quickly, rushing toward the moment Sadie raised her hand. It was five minutes before the final bell. “Mr. MacNamara, would you mind if I spoke to the class for a few minutes? It’s very important.”

  Her classma
tes mumbled under their collective breath. Although Mr. MacNamara didn’t usually grant this type of request, he let her speak. Maybe he was having a good day or something.

  Sadie walked up to the front of the classroom and looked around at her classmates. Her eyes stopped on Kylie Allen.

  “I had a music box once,” she began. “My Gramma Rose gave it to me.”

  Bursts of laughter erupted. Kylie alone remained serious.

  Unfazed by the laughter, Sadie continued. “It was very special to me, and it played my grandmother’s favorite song.”

  The laughter grew even louder than before.

  Sadie’s eyes locked on Kylie’s. “Someone took it from me, and it hurt my heart badly.”

  “Oh, Sadie. You’re killing me,” clucked Dave. “I haven’t laughed this hard in…forever. More, please! And by the way, your hair looks ridiculous.”

  Again, laughter erupted throughout the room.

  All Sadie saw were Kylie’s brown eyes. “I realized then how much it must have hurt when someone stole your pin, Kylie.” The room went silent. Sadie reached into her pocket and pulled out the butterfly pin.

  “I knew it,” yelled Dave. “You’re in serious trouble, Sadie.”

  “Yeah, your days are numbered, Myers,” Kenny chimed in. “If I were you, I’d hide in a cave for the rest of the year. You’re such a loser.”

  Sara cautioned, “Hide your stuff, everyone. I wish you went to another school, Sadie!”

  Sadie looked down at the pin for a moment and walked over to Kylie. With calm confidence, she placed the pin on Kylie’s desk.

  “I’m so sorry, Kylie. I didn’t think about what I was doing. I was angry that everyone forgot about my birthday. Even my own parents. I didn’t realize it would hurt you when I took it, but I definitely know now.”

  Kylie looked shocked and didn’t say a word.

  Mr. MacNamara remained silent throughout the exchange.

  “May I be excused?” asked Sadie.

  It felt like Mr. MacNamara had temporarily lost the power of speech, but after a few seconds, he finally said, “Yes.”

  Sadie gathered her things and headed for the door.

  “Yeah, you’d better leave, Sadie!” yelled Dave. The rest of the class hollered after her as well.