A Mystical Journey

by Jennifer Esposito

  “Just wonderful!” beamed Evelyn. “Many fledgling mystics can’t manage anything at all on their first try. Both of you managed something. Please continue to practice.”

  Chloe and John did their best. They repeated the words flammalbus and duplitari over and over again focusing all their energy. By the end of the day’s lesson John had managed to make a stream of warm air just strong enough to almost push one of Chloe’s key stone out of the sphere. Chloe had managed to create a double of her stone. In order to keep it solid looking the double had to remain touching the original but, it did create a larger barrier to block John from pushing Chloe’s key stone out of the sphere.

  All too soon the lesson was over. “That’s enough for today I think.” Evelyn announced. Chloe and John both groaned with disappointment. They were having fun and didn’t want to stop. “Don’t look so sad. Just because the lesson is over doesn’t mean you can’t play again later. You each have your own set now.” she said smiling brightly. Then her expression changed just a bit. “Remember you can only use echoes inside this library. These walls are protected. So, you are free to play whenever you like but, unfortunately not wherever you like.” She said sternly.

  John had been paying such close attention to Evelyn that he had not noticed Ruth enter the room. He nearly jumped out of his seat when she began to speak.

  “John, I think it would be best if your Myesfera did not leave this building.” She opened the drawer to a metal filing cabinet. “We will put your name on this drawer and you can keep these and anything else you like right here.”

  For a moment John thought about protesting. They were his now. He wanted to take them home with him. Then he remembered his lesson with Mr. Caramel at home, at his real home. He remembered all the trouble saying a dumb poem had caused. John shook his head in agreement. It wouldn’t be a big deal to leave his Myesfera here if it kept them all safe.

  Minutes earlier back in the dusty old book room Annie emerged from hiding behind the tall book cases. She skittered over to the door and put her ear against it. She strained to see if she could hear any noise coming from the other side. It was silent. Carefully she pushed open the door, just a crack. She took a peek out into the hall outside. It looked empty. Slowly she opened the door wider and tiptoed into the hall.

  Once in the hall she felt very exposed. It made her stomach feel yucky. She ran, still on tip toe, down the hall. She continued down the stairs. She set herself up at a table in the reading room at the bottom of the stairs. From there she could see most of the way up the staircase. Most importantly she could see the door to the main room. She would know right away when lessons were over.

  Annie watched the door intently for any movement. The clock on the wall was making a ticking sound that was driving her crazy. She was just bursting to tell John and Chloe what she had overheard. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the door opened. Ruth was the first to come out followed by another lady Annie didn’t know. She was very short compared to Ruth. Her rosy red cheeks and sunny smile made Annie think that she must be a very nice lady.

  The lady and Ruth took the staircase up to the next level. Perfect! Annie thought as she sped up the stairs toward the room they had just left. As she reached the door she nearly ran head first into Chloe. Chloe had a little giggle about their near miss. Annie was too out of breath to laugh.

  Chloe grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her into the room. “I was just coming to get you. John and I wanted to show you the new game we’ve been learning.” Then Chloe gave Annie a little wink. Annie knew the wink was because of their little secret. Chloe was the only one that knew Annie was spying on their mystic lesson and that she had given Annie an old set of Myesfera.

  John stood next to a large table. On the table was the camplat with the Myesfera inside. He couldn’t wait to show Annie what he could do. There was something very satisfying about showing his little sister that could do something she couldn’t. It made him feel important. He eagerly beckoned Annie toward him. Unfortunately, Annie did not respond.

  Annie had something much more important on her mind. “No, Listen!” She demanded as she caught her breath. “I found out something important!” This got both Chloe and John’s attention. They all took seats at the table while Annie recounted what she had heard.

  “China?” John repeated as Annie finished her tale. “What do you think is in China?” he wondered aloud.

  “I don’t know.” Annie answered “but, whatever it is we need it to get back Mommy and Daddy.” As she said this her eyes began to water.

  “Whatever it is John, you’re the only one that can get it.” Chloe interjected.

  This might have frightened most people, to think that everyone was counting on him, that he was the only one who could get what they needed to get his parents back. John, however, was not just anyone. He felt inspired and empowered by this. It made him feel just that much more determined to be the great and powerful person they expected him to be. Most importantly, it was his job to take care of his little sister. What Annie needed most was Mom and Dad. At least that was what he told himself. Deep down he knew that he needed his parents just as much as Annie did.

  “Well, then I have to go to China and get it.” John said simply.

  Chloe began to laugh. “Yeah right. Just go to China. That sounds really simple.” she said sarcastically.

  John was not discouraged in the least by her remarks. “Sure, it is. We just get a plane ticket and go.” he answered.

  Chloe explained to John as best she could that she had been on many airplanes before and they were never going to let some kids fly alone without an adult talking to flight attendants first. Besides they would have to buy a ticket and they didn’t have any money. Plus, China was a pretty big country on the map and they didn’t know where in China they were supposed to go.

  John had to admit Chloe was very smart. Even though she was a year younger than him she knew about a lot of things he didn’t. “Well, what do we do then?” John asked.

  Annie stood up and announced that she had a plan. “We need to find out three things. First thing is, where is it in China that Hector found the thing? Second thing is, what is the thing? The third is, how do we get there?” Annie looked from John to Chloe. They did not seem at all impressed with her plan. She folded her arms, frowned and sat back down.

  “We already knew that. The real question is how to do it.” John tried to explain to his little sister. The three children sat around the table thinking hard.

  Then the door to the room opened so unexpectedly, they all jumped at the sound of it. It was Evelyn popping her head back in to see how they were coming along with the game. She looked down at Annie. “Ahhh, you must be Annie. I’ve heard a lot about you in Ruth’s letters. My name is Evelyn. I am sorry to say my companion Hector and I were unable to attend the meeting on your first night here. It is very nice to meet you now.” She said in her warm sunny way. “I hope you have been enjoying watching the game Chloe and your brother have been playing.” Then she turned her head a bit to address all three children. “Mary will be here in about 45 minutes. You have until then to keep playing.” With that she was popped back out of the room.

  All three children breathed a sigh of relief. They still had some time to decide what to do. Then Annie got an idea. A smile crept across her face as it formed in her head. Suddenly she jumped up.

  “Did you hear what she said? She has been away with Hector. I bet she’s been in China with him. She said Ruth wrote her letters. I bet she wrote letters back. If we snuck back in here late at night after everyone’s gone to sleep we could look for them. Maybe they could tell us what we need to know?” Annie told the others.

  Chloe and John shook their heads to show they agreed. It was decided that since Chloe lived in the library she would find out what the adults did at night and what was the best way for Annie and John to sneak in. John and Annie would work on a plan for sneaking out of Grandma’s. They also agreed that all three would
continue to try to figure out ways of getting to China.

  It wasn’t long before the door was opening again. This time it was Grandma. John reluctantly put his Myesfera away in the drawer. He was disappointed he hadn’t gotten to spend more time playing the game but, what Annie had found out was much more important. The children said their goodbyes. The rest of the night was very typical and uneventful for all of them.

  Just as they had planned, John and Annie spent a lot of time keeping track of just when Grandma went to sleep each night. They took their time when they walked down the hall or up the stairs to keep track of what floor boards would make noise. A creaking stair could ruin their plan. They tried both doors and found that both doors were quite squeaky.

  Annie and John were discussing this on the way home from school one day when Larry made a suggestion. “Oil the door.” He told them. It was a very simple solution and John could not believe he hadn’t thought of it. After that they decided to recruit Larry to help them figure out a way to China. John made up a great story for Larry about how their parents were stuck in China. He told Larry their parents were international jewel thieves who had stolen the crown jewels of China. Now they were stuck there because if they tried to fly home they would be caught and put in jail. That was why no one could know they were going to see their parents in China, John explained.

  Annie thought it was a great story but, she didn’t think Larry totally believed it. The important thing was that whether Larry believed it or not he seemed to go along with it. He was always coming up with new ideas. Most of them weren’t very good. For example, he had suggested that they could pack themselves into boxes and then mail themselves to China. John and Annie shot that one down very quickly. “How would they breathe or eat?” they had asked him. Larry had admitted it was not the greatest idea.

  More time passed and the seasons changed. It was now quite cold. John and Annie were used to a warmer climate. Halloween and winter coats just didn’t seem to go together. It made it worse that this was their first holiday without their parents.

  On the other hand, Halloween was not celebrated by the mystics as you would have expected. For them it was a holiday for remembering. They used this holiday to celebrate and remember everything from the mystical world as it had been before it was hidden away. The library was decorated with bright festive colors. Here and there they had put up some of the typical orange and black Halloween decorations to keep up pretenses to the fargi. This helped to keep Annie and John from being too sad.

  A large mural had appeared in the main room taking up three of the four walls. John decided it must have been put there using mysticism because no one could paint something that big overnight. The mural was filled with mystical creatures such as unicorns, griffins, fairies, and all kinds of other things John had no name for. He found that he was particularly interested in a blue fuzzy looking creature that was painted sitting on a rock and seemed to be waving.

  On Halloween night Ruth told the children that there would be a large party. She explained that lots of mystics they had never met before would be attending. “After trick or treating you will be attending the party and I expect all of you to be on your very best behavior.” She said pointing to all three children. “Now go and get ready.”

  None of the children moved. All three sat with sad looks on their faces.

  “What is wrong with you?” Ruth asked them looking very confused.

  “I just don’t want to go trick or treating without Mommy and Daddy.” Annie answered. John nodded his head in agreement. “Well, I don’t even get to go trick or treating.” Chloe said folding her arm. Ruth smiled at Chloe. “What would you say if I told you that you could go trick or treating?”

  “Really?!” Chloe asked jumping up and down with excitement. “Yes, really. Your father has a costume for you upstairs. It should cover you enough to go trick or treating with Annie and John even before the sun goes down.” Then Ruth turned to Annie. “Do you think you can put on a brave face and show Chloe a good time?”

  Annie smiled and shook her head yes. It would be weird without Mommy and Daddy but, it would be really great to have Chloe with her. She never got to do anything with Chloe outside the library. Now they could go all over town together.

  “Annie, your Grandmother put your costume upstairs with Chloe’s. Why don’t you both head up there and get ready?” Ruth pointed toward the door. Both girls galloped hand in hand out of the room and up the stairs.

  John smiled a little. It made him a little happier to know his sister would have a friend to trick or treat with. He was beginning to worry that outside of the library Annie was spending entirely too much time by herself, that is unless you counted Zindle. Then John noticed Ruth was giving him an odd sort of look.

  “Don’t think you’ve been forgotten. Your Grandmother arranged for your friend Larry to meet you here. The two of you can gather candy together. Your costume is right here.” Ruth handed him a paper bag. “You had better get dressed quickly. Larry will be here any minute.” Ruth patted John on the head and left the room.

  John wondered what was in his bag. He hadn’t picked out a costume. He opened his bag and was surprised to find a long robe. It was a dark blue color and sparkled in the light. It looked to John like it was made of magic. There was a larger pointed hat and a golden mask that covered the top part of his face. He put it all on and examined himself in a large mirror that was now hanging on the wall. Like the mural, it was a recent addition the room. Wow, it was a really great costume. Much better than those cheap store-bought costume most of the other kids usually wore. Although, he would have liked to pick it out himself. Usually his mom made his costumes and let him pick what he wanted to be. Still he looked good. He looked like some kind of grand wizard, like the wizard of a king in a story.

  Upstairs Annie and Chloe changed into their costumes. For Annie, there was a shimmering pink pixy costume complete with wings. For Chloe, there was a dark pink robe and pointed hat similar to John’s. Chloe, however, found two masks. One was golden and would cover half her face, again just like John’s. The other was rubber. It looked like a panda bear. It would cover Chloe’s entire face and head.

  “I guess I have to wear this one until it gets dark.” Chloe said to Annie holding up the panda mask for her to see. Dressed and ready to go both girls hurried down stairs. John was waiting for them with Grandma and Celeste. Annie noticed how much John and Chloe’s costumes looked alike.

  “As soon as John’s friend Larry gets here Celeste will take you all out trick or treating. When you’re done you will walk Larry home and then come back here for the commemoration jubilee.” Grandma explained to the children.

  As she finished, the front door to the library opened and in walked Larry with a broad smile across this face. Larry was dressed as a King, complete with a gold crown. The children all began to head out the door when Grandma stopped them. She handed them each their winter coats and insisted they wear them. All the children protested. Chloe and John were able to win their argument that the long robes of their costumes would be warm enough. Unfortunately for Annie there was no convincing anyone that the little skirt and short sleeves of her pixie costume would be enough to keep her warm.

  Annie was not happy about covering most of her beautiful pixie costume with her puffy winter coat but, she had to admit it was cold outside. Her legs were already freezing as they walked up to the door of the first house. Larry and John rushed up to the door. Annie was right behind them. All three held out their bags and yelled “Trick or treat!”

  Annie turned to show Chloe the candy she had received when she realized that Chloe was standing back with Celeste. This puzzled Annie. She didn’t understand why Chloe wouldn’t want to come get candy. Annie ran back to her friend.

  “What’s wrong?” She asked Chloe.

  Chloe dropped her head. “I never did trick or treat before.” Chloe said quietly.

  “Oh, well, I’ll show you what to do.” Annie said. She gra
bbed Chloe’s hand. They ran to the next house. “Now hold out your bag. I’ll ring the doorbell. When they open the door yell, trick or treat! Then they’ll give us candy.” Annie explained. Chloe followed Annie’s instructions and watched as candy was placed in her bag.

  John and Larry were watching all this. They were taking their time walking to the next house. They were too cool to run from house to house like Annie and Chloe.

  “That Chloe girl is kinda strange.” Larry said to John. “Yeah, she’s home schooled.” John answered hoping that would be enough to satisfy Larry’s curiosity. “That makes sense.” Larry responded nodding his head.

  The children continued trick or treating until well after dark. They all had a great time. No one was ready for the fun to be over but, it was getting late. Celeste steered them toward Larry’s house. They dropped him off and said their good-byes. Then it was time to return to Library.

  Chapter 14

  They arrived at the library with tired feet, yet still full of energy, fueled by all the candy they had sampled from the night’s take. From the outside the library looked dark and empty. John, Chloe, and Annie ran toward the front door. “We’re using the back door tonight.” Celeste called after them.

  The trio changed direction running around the side of the building toward the back. The library looked just as dark and empty from the back. In fact, without the street lights it was hard to see very much at all. Luckily, they had all gone in through the back before.

  They all rushed through the back door of the library. Inside, the library was transformed. It was filled with color and light. There were two rows of what looked like candles sparkling with flames of many different colors. This created a kaleidoscope of light across the walls and bookcases. The children stood transfixed. They had never seen anything like it before. Celeste came through the door nearly knocking them over.

  “Why are you just standing here?” She asked. “We have a party to get to!” With that she walked past the children. Celeste walked between the two rows of candles. It was then that they all realized that the candle made a path to show people which way to go.