Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (30 page)

Wedgewick Village’s town square was bustling with activity. Taking on a very traditional Halloween feel, it definitely looked different from the last time Cat visited. Julie grabbed Cat’s arm, determined not to lose her in the crowd. Cat was amazed at the transformation the village had undergone. The cobblestone streets had changed as well, and they were now black instead of the pristine reddish-orange color they were before. Festive Halloween flags were hung from every store front, and the window decorations were full of color and little macabre touches. Old-style lanterns with a faint, ghostly light emanating from them, illuminated each store sign.

“Wow! They really went all out for Halloween. Look Julie!” Cat exclaimed while admiring all of the decorations. Cat stopped every few seconds to take in the sights, “This is so awesome! Hey, look at that store,” Cat said, pointing to Spells Are Us. Its store window had a large black cauldron, which was bubbling furiously with a putrid, green smoke flowing from it.

Next door, within the window of Familiarity: A Store For Familiars
,
a black cat rose from its nestled position on a dark purple velvety cushion. As the feline arched its back into a stretch, its mouth gaped open in a yawn. The cat’s bright green eyes found Julie’s. A look that resembled a smile appeared on its face.

“Come on, Julie, people are saying there’s a parade starting soon,” Cat said, interrupting Julie’s staring contest with the cat.

“Why is everyone wearing witch hats?” Julie asked.

Cat looked around and realized Julie was right. Every man, woman, and child had a pointy black hat perched atop his or her head. The strange thing was they weren’t wearing costumes, just normal clothes.

“Yeah, that’s a little strange, but this place is a little out there,” Cat laughed slightly. “Hurry, Julie, let’s see if we can find a spot to watch the parade from.”

“Off the street, please! Off the street! Parade’s going to start! Please, off the street, and that means you two.” The pair turned and found a tall, thin man dressed in a black tuxedo, his face painted ghostly white with his hands on his hips, staring at them. The large frilly black-and-white bow tie completed his look. “I need for you young ladies to please move off the street. The show is about to begin. Oh, there goes the bell now.” A loud sound filled the air and people scrambled from the street until there was only Julie, Cat, and the man left standing in the middle.

“Sorry, sir, we’ll move. I think your costume is great, by the way,” Cat beamed as she saw the man puff out his chest, flashing them an evil grin.

Squeezing their way onto the sidewalk, Cat and Julie watched with the crowd in anticipation. Two figures on stilts came into view first. Lurching by, each one wore a pumpkin-head mask with eyes glowing bright orange, like candles flickering inside of them. Their mouths were carved into frightening smiles. To the crowd’s delight, they would swoop down quickly in front of random spectators, startling them. Several more stilt walkers, dressed as ghouls, had masks so lifelike they made Cat and Julie take second looks. Their hands were gnarled and greenish-brown with disgusting wartlike bumps and realistic pus-filled boils. Cat giggled as one of the ghouls reached out for her, but seeing she wasn’t afraid, it shrugged its shoulders and moved on.

Fire eaters, scantily clad men and women juggling sticks of fire, came next. They stopped periodically to eat the deadly flames without any apparent harm. The crowd
oohed
and
ahhed
at their dangerous tricks. After the beautiful fiery display, a dazzling colorful group came into view. Figures dressed as flowers danced gracefully around massive tree-looking creatures as they slowly lumbered by.

Small dainty figures resembling fairies followed. As they pranced down the street, their delicate wings illuminated in a range of colors as they fluttered in the light breeze. Their pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes made them look mysterious and ethereal.

In the distance an eerie thunderous sound erupted, heralding a crowd of men holding drums. Every man wore a dark red robe with hoods that hid their eyes. They drummed in a hypnotic rhythm. Listening to the beat, Cat felt a strange connection to the group, especially when the drumming stopped and the men began to hum. They continued eerily humming as they passed by, resuming their drum beat several seconds later. “Wow, Julie, that was awesome!”

“I know! It was like they were talking to us through their drums. Does that sound odd?”

“No, I know what you mean. I couldn’t have described it any better,” Cat replied, turning her head back to the parade as the crowd cheered.

A long jet black hearse with ornate silver accents slowly made its way down the cobblestone street, driven by a skeleton dressed in a black top hat and tails. A couple sat in the seat attached to the roof. The woman had long white hair adorned with a crown of blood red roses, matching her dress. Her face was angelic. Her dark eyes and eyebrows looked strange against her white hair and the paleness of her skin. She smiled, and her angelic demeanor was ruined by two perfect fangs protruding from her mouth. Her partner wore a black tuxedo accompanied with a brilliant white shirt. The only splash of color on his outfit was the blood red rose attached to his lapel. A top hat and a black cane with a silver bird for the handle finished his look. His face was monstrous with huge red scars and disgusting black lumps. His yellow teeth, revealed when he smiled gruesomely at the crowd, matched his eerie yellow eyes. The sign on the hearse door read:

All Hail!

The King And Queen Of All Hallows Eve!

Please Stop By Later For A Bite!

A few people laughed as they read the sign, others just looked on in awe at the realistic monster couple. The hideous looking man suddenly stared directly at Cat. “I want you,” he mouthed, accompanied by a chilling smile, making her shiver.

“What a gruesome couple,” Julie stated rather loudly, making Cat jump.

“That’s an understatement,” Cat replied, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, trying to ease the goose bumps. To Cat’s relief, the hearse passed by and the chill she had felt began to dissipate.

“Too bad the others couldn’t have come with us. They would have really enjoyed this!” Julie remarked.

Cat bit her lip as she remembered the lie she had told them.
Yeah, some friend I am
, she thought.

“Well, that was interesting,” Julie said, interrupting Cat’s thoughts. “What’s next?”

“Come on Julie, follow me.” Cat grabbed Julie’s hand, pushing her way through the thickening crowd. Every step forward seemed like two steps back as the crowd seemed to carry them back toward the town square. Seeing a small opening, Cat lunged for it, pulling Julie through before it closed. Relieved, Cat saw The Purple door a few feet away, and trying to not step on anyone’s toes, continued to push her way through the sea of people. Standing in front of the store they saw huge cobwebs covering the front window, and rather large realistic-looking spiders making their way up and down them. 

“Are those spiders real?” Julie asked.

“I don’t know. They look it, don’t they,” Cat answered as she pushed open the door. The melodic door chime announced their arrival.

“Cat, I’m so glad you were able to join us this fine evening!” piped Gretchen. The lovely store owner was beautifully dressed as a fairy godmother. Her long silver hair shimmered as if it was dusted with crystal iris glitter. She moved quickly through the crowd and enveloped Cat in a big hug. “Amaya mentioned you might be coming. And I see you brought your friend Julie. What a wonderful surprise,” she gushed turning to her. Gretchen smiled at the shocked look on their faces. “So ladies, help yourselves to a cup of pear cider and a pumpkin cookie or one of those ghost popcorn balls. I’ll be with you in a minute,” Gretchen said, pushing them gently toward a table filled with delicious treats.

“How did she know my name?” Julie whispered, watching Gretchen welcome more people into the store.

“You’d be amazed what she knows. First time I met her, I thought she was actually reading my mind. It kind of gave me the wiggins, I’m not gonna lie,” Cat replied, grabbing a pumpkin cookie. “Julie, you’ve got to try these! Mmmm, so good!” she continued, placing a cookie into Julie’s open palm.

Giving Cat a nudge with her elbow, “There’s a little person heading our way, waving at us. No, don’t look, but she’s dressed like the good witch from that movie,” Julie whispered and took a bite of the cookie.

“Hello Catherine, and Julie, welcome,” Annie said as another shocked look came across Julie’s face.

“Hi Annie, I just love your costume. You make such a good good witch,” Cat commented as Annie blushed.

“Thank you, I thought it might be a little over the top, but Gretchen said it was fine.”

“Hey, where’s Aylah?” Cat asked.

“She had to run an errand for Gretchen. She should be flying in soon though.” Annie put her hand over her mouth, realizing what she just said. “Uh, I’m going to go help Gretchen. You girls enjoy yourselves. Now, let’s see if I can make it through this mess without getting trampled,” she laughed, vanishing into the crowd.

“Okay, so this is getting really weird, Cat. Two people have known my name without me telling them. Creepy much?” Julie asked.

Before Cat could reply, she felt a hand grab her shoulder. Turning, she looked into the smiling eyes of Aylah. She was dressed as a harem girl. Her beautiful long brown hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, held in place by a jeweled clip. Aylah gave her a hearty hug.

“Catherine, I’m so happy to see you! And Julie, it’s wonderful that you could join us as well,” she laughed, noticing Julie’s expression as she moved forward to hug her too. “I’m Aylah, and yes, we know who you are. I’m sure Cat has told you of our special little village. And what a glorious night to visit. Everybody’s celebrating on this wonderful holiday. Samhain is one of my favorites.”

“Your village is truly fascinating,” Julie said, still a little awed.

“Now I know you’re here because you have questions you need answering, right?” Aylah asked and then Cat nodded. “Well, then I shall go relieve Gretchen so she may speak with you. Why don’t you two make yourselves at home? And don’t forget to say goodbye before you leave.” With a little wave, Aylah made her way into the crowd, which parted as if she was gently pushing them aside.

“Alright, I’m a pretty open-minded person, but now that’s three people who have known me. What is this place? How do they know my name?”

“They just do. I told you this place would be different.” Cat saw Gretchen pointing to the back of the store. “Sorry, Julie, but I need to leave you for a few minutes. Have a look around. This store’s really neat. I’ll be right back, promise.”

“You better be,” Julie replied, and then watched as Cat followed Gretchen through a door.

Violet candles illuminated the room they entered. Cat noticed as Gretchen closed the door the noise from the crowded store had completely diminished. There was only silence. “Have a seat, Cat,” said Gretchen, gesturing to a chair across the table. A deep purple cloth covered the table and a huge crystal sat in the middle of it. Gretchen sighed and placed her hands on the table.

“Before we begin, I’ll need to place a protection spell. This is Samhain after all. Anything can happen.” Gretchen reached for Cat’s hands. After Cat placed her hands in Gretchen’s, she murmured a few words which Cat couldn’t understand. “Now, open your hands, Cat.” Gretchen held up a smooth round blue stone and a rough jagged black stone, placing them in Cat’s left and right hands, respectively, and then closed them into fists. “I ask that you hold onto to them tightly. No matter what happens, do not let them go until I take them from you, okay? It’s very important you heed these words.”

“Okay, but what could happen?”

“Don’t worry about that. I just like to take precautions.”

“
Ask her, ask her, oh please ask her,
” Spirit said in Gretchen’s ear.

Gretchen turned around looking behind her, acting as if arguing with someone. “Okay, okay, I’ll ask her. I told you I would! You’re such a pain sometimes, Spirit,” she muttered, and then focused her attention back to Cat. “Spirit would like to speak with you directly, if that’s fine with you of course?” Cat began to think it over. “Does he have your consent? You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Quiet, Spirit, I’m not trying to talk her out of it,” Gretchen said teasingly.

“I’d like to speak to, um, Spirit. It’s okay, really Gretchen,” Cat answered, not knowing what to expect.

“Well, here goes nothing,” Gretchen said as she closed her eyes and placed her hands on the large crystal. The crystal beamed with a brilliant light as Gretchen gasped, taking in a deep breath. The light from the crystal dimmed, and Gretchen’s body became limp, her head hung low, mimicking a marionette. Suddenly, Gretchen’s head and body sat straight up in her chair, her eyes wide, staring directly at Cat.

“
I will behave
,” A strange voice said through Gretchen, who was now looking to the side. Gretchen turned her head to look at Cat again, “
Oh Catherine, it’s so nice to finally get a chance to chat. Do you mind if I call you Cat?
” Cat nodded while biting her lip, trying not to giggle at the semi-masculine voice erupting from Gretchen’s mouth.

Did Spirit just take over Gretchen’s body? This is getting really bizarre!
Cat thought.

“
It’s great to finally see you clearly. In my spirit form, it’s like I have this ghastly haze over my eyes and everything looks fuzzy. And might I say you’re quite the looker, and that hair is to die for!
” he said, as Cat blushed from the compliments. “
Oh, and your complexion, peaches and cream for sure
.” Spirit commented, and then Gretchen’s head cocked to the side again. “
What? Hush, Gretchen! I’m just making small talk, give me a break. It’s boring just talking to you all the time. This is my show, and I’ll run it, thank you. Just butt out. Yeah, you heard me, butt out!
” Spirit argued, looking behind him. “
So, Cat, where were we, before we were rudely interrupted? Questions, right? Well, fire away
.”