Jack’s Haunting
Chapter 23
In my haunting dream I found myself wandering through the fog filled woods.
The wind blew past me and rattled the bare branched trees.
I kept on walking all the same, though I didn’t know where I was wandering to.
And then, I heard something.
“Jack…” Called an echoing voice from within the gray mist. “Jack…” It called again.
I knew that voice…“Annie?”
I sped up as I walked faster to find where her voice was coming from.
I jogged until I found myself in a familiar place. The circle of trees which each held one of the holiday doors.
I saw the door to Christmas Town, and the Easter door, and the Independence door, and the Valentines door, and all the others too.
But they did not grab my full attention, because I saw something far more intruding.
I saw, lain on the ground, the body of Anastasia Rose.
I was shocked. But I dared not go near her.
But then, she turned over and faced her back on me. She was still alive.
“Annie!” I ran to her.
I couched down to pick her up off the floor.
But when I tried, my hands just went through her.
And then, she faded, and disappeared.
“Annie?” I whispered. “Annie!” I stood up and cried.
“Jack.” Spoke a soft calm voice from behind me.
Turned round slowly, hoping it wasn’t going to be another trick.
And then, I saw her.
Anastasia stood before me; she possessed no injuries, no stains of blood on her clothes, no cuts, no bruises, no knotted hair.
She stood there, and she looked just like she look before. But there was only one difference, she was slightly transparent, like a ghost, and she was glowing white.
“Annie, is it really you?” I asked. Hopeful I felt.
But Annie shook her head.
“I am merely her spirit.” She spoke quietly.
I was intrigued and fascinated. I came up to her.
“Annie, what are you doing here?” I asked. “Why have you come before me?”
“I have come before you it inform you.” She began. “The death of my earth body and departure of my spirit had brought such grief to the town and the children. And the leader of these children as fallen into despair and lost all her hope. She can no longer proceed to carryout the task she was given.” Anastasia explained.
“But the leader of the town might.” She said.
I though about her words.
“I’m the leader of the town; Do you need me to help Emma?” I questioned.
“The children need you more than you know. Emma can not alone do the task of getting them safely home. She now needs you. Her friends need you. The children need you. They will not abandon hope, so please, Jack, do not abandon your hope.”
“I promise, I’ll help Emma find you all and get you all home safely. There’s bound to be away to got to other worlds…” Then, my answer came when I look at my surroundings.
“The holiday doors!” I cried. “They lead to other worlds! Of course! Then that’s where I shall start looking.” I jumped to my conclusion.
“But the journey you and the children will face is not without danger.” Anastasia began to explain. “Alas, now I must warn you of the danger you will soon face. The dark spirit that dwelled within my body is still alive, and is still out there.”
I began be deeply intrigued.
Anastasia continued.
“The dark spirit is now dwelling in one of the holiday worlds, waiting for you, and of course the children. Which world, do not know. But I do now know that the dark spirit possesses power far greater than any child’s supernatural ability. You must watch your step, for this spirit is not after you, Jack. It as after the children. To stop the prophesy from coming true.”
“What prophesy?” I urgently asked. “Why is this ‘spirit’ after the children?”
“I do not know the exact words of the prophesy, all I know is that the children are the only ones who can banish it from these seven worlds and back to where it came from.”
I tried to hold Anastasia’s hand. But it just slipped through my fingers.
I looked in to her eyes.
“I know you’re only Annie’s spirit. But will I ever see the real Anastasia again? Please. I must know.”
Annie lifted up her hand and placed it against mine. This time, it didn’t pass straight though me.
“All ten children of light are needed to banish the spirit for good, and all ten children of light must all return home together. Any fewer is useless. As long as mine and Nadallia’s spirits are departed, then the children of light cannot return home.”
I looked down. I guessed that meant no.
“But do not despair, Jack. There is hope for us yet.”
I looked back up as I heard her words.
“There is a way to re-awaken our bodies, and return out departed spirits back to them.”
“How?” I asked. “What is the way? I promise I will fulfil it.”
“You must find the dark spirit.” Anastasia explained. “Only it holds the answers.”
I did not fully understand.
“I have told you all I know.” She said. “I must now go.”
“No.” I said. “I wont lose you again.”
“Then you’ll have to find me again…”
Suddenly!
A strong wind blew us both apart.
“Ah! What’s happening?” I called as I flew back, soaring through the gray mist.
I could no longer see Anastasia’s ghost, but I could still hear her say…
…“Find me…”
I closed my eyes. I could not see for the wind was too cold and too strong.
I then suddenly landed gently on the soft ground.
There was no more light.
I opened my eyes…and revealed where I was.
I was in bed. In my room. I was awake.
I quickly sat up and looked at all around me.
Everything was as it should be.
What a dream.
I hoped with all my heart that I wouldn’t be the last time I saw Anastasia.
I thought about everything she said.
That Emma the her friends need me. That the spirit is still alive somewhere out there. And that there could be away to bring Annie back to life.
I stood up from the bed where I laid and wandered around my room.
I came to the window and gazed out.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! The snow from yesterday had settled!
Snow! Wonderful pure white, powder Snow. Just like Christmas Town…
“Of course!” I cried.
“Jack?” Moaned a voice from the other end of the room.
I accidentally woke up Sally.
“Uhh…”She yawned. “I something wrong, Jack?”
“No, Sally. In fact, I’ve just though of the most wonderful idea!”
“Oh, and what might that be?”
“Christmas Town. And it’s already the third of December.”
“Oh no, Jack. Don’t you go thinking about taking Sandy Claws’s place again.”
“Oh, Sally. That’s not what my wonderful idea is about. My wonderful idea is to search for the children in Christmas Town!”
Sally sat right up and smiled happily.
“Jack, that is wonderful idea!” She said. “You should go and tell Emma right away!”
So, I got myself dressed and raced over to the Doctor’s house with the good news…
