A Mystical Journey

by Jennifer Esposito

  “How about if you be the look out?” Annie suggested in the sweetest sounding tone she could manage. Annie and John glared at each other both determined that they would be the one to hear what was going on down stairs. Finally, they agreed to take turns listening and being the look out. Since John was older he got to listen first. Annie sat as close to the top of the stairs as possible without being seen by anyone down below. Zindle was faithfully by her side as always. They could hear the adults in the kitchen but, couldn’t actually make out anything they were saying. It was terribly frustrating.

  John sat on the floor of his parent’s bedroom with his ear pressed against the old fireplace. He could hear Wilhelmina. She was telling his parents that everything would be OK. They were having herbal tea and chatting. They weren’t talking about anything that John wanted to know. Why weren’t they saying anything about what happened today? Then he got his answer. They were waiting for someone. Someone else was coming to help explain it all.

  Annie was getting very sleepy sitting at the top of the stairs. When was it going to be her turn to listen at the wall? Suddenly Zindle sat up. There was someone at the front door. Annie very carefully crept forward to take a peek. Her father opened the door. In walked Helga followed by two other figures. One was about the same height as Helga. Whoever it was looked like they were in the wrong place. She had on a large hat, glasses, and a feather boa wrapped around their neck. It was the end of May and the evenings could still be a bit chilly but, Annie thought it very odd that this figure was also dressed in a full-length fur coat. She reminded Annie of the way she thought a movie star might dress. The second figure was dressed even more strangely then the first. This person was so tall they had to stoop in order to pass through the door way. Annie shivered a little. They were wearing a large black cloak with a hood, which she thought, made them look like the grim reaper from Halloween.

  The new guests headed back to the kitchen to join the others. This was too much for Annie. She had to hear what was going on. Besides John would want to know about what she saw. “You stay here Zindle and keep watch.” She whispered in the ear of her faithful companion. Zindle sat up straight and tall looking alert and ready to fulfill her request. “Good boy.” whispered Annie giving him a little pat on the head. Then she ran as quickly and quietly as possible to join her brother in her parent’s room.

  John heard someone coming up the hall. He quickly hid behind the door of his parent’s room. Darn, things were just about to get good. He had heard his father go to answer the door for the others Wilhelmina had promised would be arriving. John held his breath as the door opened. In ran his little sister. He let out a sigh of relief. He loved his little sister but, sometimes she sure did make him mad. She was supposed to be in the hall watching out and now she was running in there scaring him. “Annie you’re supposed to be watching out for the grown-ups!” John said exasperated.

  Annie knew her brother would be upset but he would forgive her when he heard what she had to tell him. “I had to tell you more people came.” She said waiting for her brother’s expression to lighten. It did not. “I know. I heard the adults talking about it in the kitchen.” John said in an even more impatient tone. “Well, you couldn’t see who they were or what they looked like.” Annie retorted. “Fine, what did they look like and who was it then?” John asked giving in. Annie told her brother all about the three visitors. “…and Zindle will be the look out now so we both can listen.” She finished.

  John didn’t think Zindle would make a very good look out. After all he was just a dog, but he didn’t argue. He was too concerned with what was going on downstairs. He might be missing everything. “Ok, we can both listen, just be quiet.” he commanded as he pressed his ear back against the old fire place. Annie took a seat on the floor next to him and did the same. Annie was shocked at how clearly she could hear what they were saying in the kitchen. There was a man’s voice Annie didn’t recognize. It sounded very deep and old. He was telling everyone that though the blast from the mysticism was quite large it didn’t last long enough to be traced. “We all felt it. No one has been able to tap into that much mystical power since the separation. All those who can wield the mystic arts will have sensed it. Our saving grace is that it lasted only a few moments. Everyone will be looking for the source, but no one will have had the means to pin point this location in that short of a time.” The voiced paused and there was silence.

  Then Annie heard a familiar voice. It was Helga. “We held an emergency council tonight of the High Coterie. A plan was made to ensure the safety of your family.” Helga continued and outlined the details of the plan. To keep from drawing any attention Annie and John would finish the school year. There was barely more than a week left. The family would then pack telling friends and neighbors they were going on a vacation. They would travel, accompanied by two mystics, across the country. After making sure that no one had followed them they would end their travels at Grandma Chamber’s house.

  Another voice neither Annie nor John recognized began to speak. It was a woman’s voice. She sounded quite young and her words sounded almost as if she was singing them. She revealed that James’ family had been a mystical family. Through the ages they had married with fargi. Fargi, she explained, are normal, non-mystical people. In the ancient language of the oldest mystical people it means to be the opposite of magi. “Fewer and fewer members of the Chamber’s family were able to use mystical echoes. Your grandmother was the last one and she could only manage to call the use of the slightest echo. Your mother is not able to use mystical echoes, but she knows all about the mystical arts from her mother.” They heard woman tell their father. “We have already contacted her. Mystics are with her as we speak preparing her home for your arrival. You will be safe there.” she finished.

  Annie stopped listening. She had heard the worst of it. They were going to have to leave. She didn’t want to leave. She had made so many new friends in school this year. She was really looking forward to second grade. The second-grade teachers were supposed to be much nicer than the ones in first grade. What would it be like at Grandma Chambers’ house? Grandma always came to visit them. They hadn’t been to her house since Annie was old enough to remember. It probably had a funny old lady smell. Annie just knew she would hate it. Why did she have to go in that closet and say those dumb old words? Why did Mr. Caramel teach John that poem?

  John had continued to listen but the adults didn’t say much else that was interesting. John was a little excited. He thought this all sounded like a grand adventure. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal. He would miss his friends, but he usually didn’t see a whole lot of them over the summer anyway. Plus, if two mystics were traveling with them maybe he could get them to teach him how to…what did they call it?…use mystic echoes.

  The children suddenly heard someone approaching the staircase. Startled, they both jumped up. Zindle came running into the room. “Great look out.” said John sarcastically. Zindle whined at Annie. “Well, you were a little late.” said Annie to Zindle. John grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her into his room which was the closest. Unfortunately, they didn’t move fast enough. Thelma was already half way up the stairs. “I see you two. No use trying to pretend you’ve been in bed now.” she said in an annoyed tone but, her smile let them know they weren’t in trouble. “Come down stairs. We have some guests that want to meet you and explain some things to both of you.” John and Annie practically ran toward the stairs. They could hardly wait to meet the people down stairs and find out what they would tell them. Annie thought her mother looked much more relaxed as she took her hand to go down stairs.

  John ran down the stairs ahead of his mother and sister. He started to head for the kitchen and nearly ran right into his father. “How many times do I have to tell you to slow down in the house?” scolded James. “Everyone’s waiting in the living room.” He said as he took hold of John’s shoulders and turned him around in the other direction. Annie, holding Thelma’s hand, jo
ined John and James at the bottom of the stairs. The family entered the living room together. They all sat together on the large flower-patterned sofa. Wilhelmina sat in the overstuffed chair. Helga was also there and standing next to her were the two people who had arrived with Wilhelmina. John and Annie were disappointed to find the other two individuals who had been there earlier had already gone. Annie was particularly disappointed. She had thought both figures looked very interesting when she saw them enter with Helga. Annie noticed Zindle creep into the room slowly to take a spot on the floor at her feet.

  Helga began. “This has been an eventful evening for all of us. We thought it would be best if we all sat down together and talked about it.” Helga let out a long sigh. She did not look like she wanted to talk about anything just then. Wilhelmina stood up and Helga took her chair looking much relieved. “Annie, John… to start with I’d like to introduce you to some friends of ours.” Wilhelmina gestured toward the two strangers. “This is Sam.” she said. The round man they had seen earlier in the kitchen stepped forward with a broad smile and gave a little wave. “And this is Ruth.” The stiff looking women also smiled and gave a little nod as Wilhelmina said her name.

  Wilhelmina began to pace back and forth across the room. “Now, where to start?” She put her hand to her head in thought. “Well, today Mr. Caramel finished his special poetry lesson with John. This special poetry can be used to influence what people think they see. In the wrong hands, it could be very dangerous.” Wilhelmina looked up at Thelma and James but seemed to avoid looking directly at Annie and John. “After John’s lesson Mr. Caramel noticed someone unusual outside the house. It made him concerned that someone might be trying to find out the secrets of his special poetry. They might even try to get the secrets from John.” Wilhelmina stopped pacing. “We’ve checked and everything seems to be alright for the moment but, since John now knows all about the special poetry we need to take some extra safety precautions. We will have people watching the house at all times until school is out. When school has finished you, all will be going on a cross country vacation. Sam and Ruth will go with you. You’ll end your vacation at your Grandma Chambers’ house where you’ll stay until we think it’s safe for you to return home.” Wilhelmina finished, looking very tired by the long speech. “What do you think?” Helga asked looking at John and Annie. “Sounds all right” said John. Annie just nodded. She knew Wilhelmina was lying. John knew it too. They had heard everything the adults said in the kitchen. Wilhelmina was a terrible liar. She couldn’t even look them in the eye when she said all that stuff. Plus, Annie knew what happened in the closet. Both children knew the real reason they needed to be kept safe, but they both had learned it would be better to just agree. Adults never wanted to tell kids what’s really going on. “Good then,” smiled Helga. “It’s way, way past time for bed.” announced Thelma. John and Annie stood up. Wilhelmina reached down and hugged them both. Helga got up and hugged the children as well. John and Annie thought this was a little odd. They had gotten to know Helga very well, but she had never hugged them before. Then both Sam and Ruth presented themselves in front of the children with hands extended. Annie and John shook their out stretched hands. Thelma hugged and kissed both her children. Finally, James put a hand on John’s shoulder and took Annie’s hand. He led his children out of the room and up the stairs to bed.

  Chapter 6

  The week passed by very quickly. To everyone’s relief the days and nights were completely uneventful. The last day of school arrived and the whole household was buzzing. There were mountains of suitcases in every room. They would only take what would fit in the back of the van to start with. The rest of the luggage would be sent ahead to Grandma’s when it was safe.

  “Mommy my tummy hurts.” complained Annie at breakfast. “I’m sorry sweetie. Eat your cereal, it will help it to feel better. We’re all nervous about leaving today, but I think it’s going to be a good trip.” Thelma tried to reassure her daughter with a little hug. Annie finished her breakfast, but it did not make her tummy feel any better. John sat across from her at the table pushing his cereal around his bowl. He was not happy about having to leave all his friends. When he first heard about the trip he was excited. He thought the trip was just for the summer. Now, he knew they might be staying with Grandma for a lot longer than that. He watched the clock with dread as the time neared to leave for his last day of school. Finally, the time came. Annie and John grabbed their things. Sam was waiting by the door to walk them to school as he had been doing all week.

  The last day of school, like the rest of the week, passed by far too quickly for anyone’s liking. It wasn’t long before John and Annie were walking up the front walk to their house for what they feared would be the very last time. They loved this house. They loved this town. It had their school and their friends. It was the only place they had ever lived. It was scary to think they might not come back. They drug their feet taking every step as slowly as possible. Finally, they entered the house. Mom and Dad already had the van packed and ready to go.

  “Give the house a quick look over and make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.” called James. Annie and John did as they were told but took their time, going as slowly as they possibly could through the house. Finally, the moment arrived. It was time to leave.

  They all gathered in the front hall. “Everyone ready?” asked Ruth. Everyone nodded. It seemed no one wanted to speak just then. “From here on out it would be best if John and Annie called Sam and I Uncle Sam and Aunt Ruth. It will be a better cover if we all appear to be family on vacation.” explained Ruth. Again, everyone nodded. Ruth led the way out the door to the van. She and Sam took the front seats. John and Annie climbed in the very back. Zindle jumped up on the seat between them. Zindle loved car rides and he seemed to be the only one excited about the trip. Thelma and James took the two captains’ chairs in the middle. The van doors closed. As they pulled out of the driveway tears streamed down Annie’s face.

  The van was silent until they reached the highway. It was James who broke the silence. “Ok everybody, I know we’re all going to miss home, but we’re going to have a great vacation!” he said trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible. John ignored his father and kept staring out the window watching the world go by. He knew this was going to be a disaster. Since he started his lessons with Mr. Caramel he never got to play sports any more. Now he knew it would be worse. They probably won’t let him go anywhere. How was he going to be able to make new friends? What does it matter anyway? New friends could never be as great as his old friends anyway. And he had thought it was going to be really cool to learn the poetry with Mr. Caramel. He wished he had never met that stiff, stuffy old man.

  Annie put on her best fake smile for her father but, said nothing. She was already missing home and her friends. She looked down at Zindle who was sleeping with his head in her lap. Zindle was her very best friend. At least she would always have him with her. She had to admit it was going to be kind of cool to travel across the country. Money was always too tight for the family to go on big vacations. Annie was getting a little excited to think about seeing lots of new things. “Can we get a hotel with pool?” asked Annie before she even thought about it. She had not intended to say that out loud but, she really did want to go swimming.

  The adults all smiled at each other. It was obvious they were taking her question as a good sign that she would not spend the whole trip being miserable and homesick. “Well, actually the hotel we have picked out for tonight does have a pool.” answered Sam. “We have a lot of fun activities planned for the trip. We have to make sure it looks like we really are just on a family vacation.” said Ruth giving Annie a wink in the rear-view mirror. Annie was a little surprised. Maybe Ruth wasn’t as stuffy as Mr. Caramel after all.

  Things went pretty well for the first few weeks. They stayed in nice hotels. Most had pools which Annie loved. John seemed to be coming around too. They did make some boring stops at places that were suppos
ed to be educational but, it wasn’t too bad. They spent one day at a great zoo. Another day they stopped at a really cool water park. Annie had found she really liked Ruth. Ruth had a very formal appearance but, she loosened up very nicely once you got to know her. Annie watched Ruth very carefully hoping to catch her doing something mystical, but so far, she had no luck. Sam was great. He seemed to always be happy. He laughed a lot and told the best jokes.

  All the adults took turns coming up with songs to sing. Annie like ‘little bunny Fu Fu” a song Ruth taught her. John didn’t like it. This provided Annie with hours of fun annoying her big brother by singing it loudly in his ear. None of the adults felt too bad for John though. Thelma and James had made the mistake of letting him watch a video of an old Lamb Chop show. While thinking of songs for everyone to sing John had remembered The Song That Never Ends. He sang it loudly, annoying everyone in the van.

  It was the beginning of July. Everyone was tired of traveling but still having a great time on vacation. They were having a picnic at beautiful national park. It was there that Annie first noticed something odd. Something wasn’t right about the weather. There was this one funny little cloud. Somehow it just didn’t match everything else. Annie couldn’t explain it. She got a funny feeling whenever she looked at it. She pointed out the cloud to John. John couldn’t understand why his little sister was making such a big deal about this one stupid cloud. There were a lot of clouds. They all looked the same to him. John was having a good time on the trip but it was times like this he really missed his friends. At home, he would tell his friends how weird his sister was being. They would sympathize with him about how dumb little sisters can be and then they would all have a big laugh about it.

  Annie was put off that her big brother was not more interested in the strange little cloud. She had a long talk with Zindle about it. “I don’t know Zindle. John won’t pay any attention to it. What do you think I should do?” Zindle licked Annie’s hand, got up, and sat next to Ruth. Zindle was right. She needed to tell Ruth or Sam about it. After all it was their job the keep her family safe. She was sure they would think the cloud was strange too. Still, what if they didn’t? She almost forgot no one else knew what happened in that closet. None of the adults knew that she, Annie, was special too. Special like John. If Ruth and Sam had not noticed the cloud maybe all she needed to do was to get them to look at it. Annie walked up to Ruth. “Ruth…I mean Aunt Ruth do you see that cloud right there?” She asked. Ruth looked up at the sky shielding her eyes from the sun. “Yes. What about it?” replied Ruth. “Don’t you think it looks like one of those creepy flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz?” asked Annie holding her breath for Ruth’s reply. Ruth looked at the cloud for a moment. “I guess so.” she said squinting and turning her head from side. “When I’m finished packing up from lunch we can all go over to check out the waterfalls.” Ruth suggested. Annie walked away and Ruth went back to cleaning up their picnic lunch. Annie was disappointed. Ruth did not seem at all interested in the cloud. Well, if Ruth didn’t think it was strange it must be OK Annie told herself, but that strange feeling would not go away. Annie spent all day trying not to think about it.