Hello Dear Garden of Friendship!

The Games and Events do hope you have a ghoulish Halloween!

We have a story to tell, so kick back and enjoy...

It was odd that day. Nothing was going right for me. I had a tough time at work, due to lack of communication. I almost got fired. And then as I watched the sun set, I could see this cloud cover the moon. It looked like it was going to be one of those eerie looking nights. You know, Ichabod Crane night?

I had been invited to a Halloween party at my sister's house, and she lives way across town over that rickety old bridge. I hate that bridge, it always seemed to sway when I crossed it and I'm always afraid that it's going to send me into the cold water below. Kelly had asked me to make something, but after the day I had today that was certainly out of the question. I guess I'll just stop off at Farmer Johns store and see if they have anything good I can bring. I sure hope that they have the street fixed now, the last time I went there it took me a half hour just to go a few blocks. I'm in no mood for any of that tonight. Besides the kids always like to ... stop and trick or treat. Wish they didn't the houses are not close together, especially on Cabot Lane. The lane is an offshoot of the main road before their road. Old man Cabot usually gives out money to the kids, so they all clamor to stop there. Alfred Hitchcock would have put that old nightmare of a place in one of his movies, if he saw it!

The children were putting on their costumes, when I arrived home. Mark called he was delayed at work. We decided he would meet us there, so I wouldn't have to stay too late with the children. We had a quick bite and piled in the car. A quick stop at Farmer John's and we were off with an apple pie and some candy apples. Oh no! the road was really broken up. The kids begged to trick or treat ahead of me as I drove. I relented and said just for 15 minutes. It was becoming cloudier and as the mist was settling, it was becoming foggy. As I neared Cabot Lane, it became harder to see in the distance. The kids had just turned the corner of the Lane and were just out of view. I called out to them to wait and heard this rumbling. I heard it again and....... then through the thickening fog to my amazement I saw the eeriest figure approaching. All around seemed to have changed as if time itself had taken a back track some 100 years or so. As the figure came closer I saw it was an old woman dressed in the clothes of the pilgrims. There seemed to be a kind of glow surrounding her. Even the building had changed. Instead of the solid brick built buildings there were a scattering of wooden shacks. What was happening? Where was I? Where were my children? This was taking Halloween a bit far. I mean I know I'd had a rough day and I was tired before I set off but surely... I hadn't stepped back in time somehow??? The woman smiled at me and took my hand, I wasn't afraid, I had a warm feeling as she touched me, she led me down the lane and into a tiny shack. She said to me "You have been brought here for a special reason." And she smiled again. "Don't be afraid, we are your friends." Just then a little boy and a little girl came out of the back room of the tiny hut. They ran up to me and hugged my knees like I was a long lost relative. "Please can we go trick or treating? We never went before!"

The old woman laughed and said.... "It's so nice of you to come; I have been waiting for you for some time
now." I didn't know what to say back to her. I was in a bit of a shock. The children wouldn't let go of me and the old woman was just laughing away.  Finally I choked out "Hello, I don't know where I am can you tell me?" Oh my dear, now if I did that you might not want to stay and take the children out to trick or treat. The children started yelling trick or treat.  Can we go?  Oh can we please!! So thinking any thing would be better than being in that old shack. So I told the children sure I'll take you, get your coats on and bring something to put your treats into. So we walked out the door and to my amazement there were lots of people milling around. talking and laughing with each other. There were lots of children running
about to. So we started walking towards the crowd when...  my cat came prancing forward! You could always recognize her and she had the crystal around her collar that I designed myself. It was a lovely crystal I had found.....while the kids tricked or treated here a year ago!!  We had picked up my sister's two boys to trick or treat with us and of course they insisted on stopping in this very spot! Chalandra had jumped in the car, when we were leaving the area. I told Kerry we couldn't take it
home, but she insisted. She agreed to an ad in the paper and putting signs around. She had a collar when we met her with her name etched on it.  Chalandra now moved and swayed and glowed! She transformed into a lovely cat-like human. She began explaining that these were her people and had returned for her. They can travel through time and space. They shifted space a little to make it look as if they lived here, while searching for me. Paramanola found me a few nights back and I've been telling her of your
Halloween Holiday! The children have become excited about it and wish to take the idea home with them, but wanted to experience it before they left.  I know Kerry is aware something was different, she is quite intuitive!  I had begun to relax with the enchanted way Chalandra spoke and realized no one would harm us. My own children had gathered around with our new
acquaintances. I realized I could never explain this to anyone and no one would believe us.  Off we all went trick or treating. I went all around near my sister's house and went to her door last. She loved Halloween and had Ghosts flying around with lights, pumpkins everywhere and bales of hay with corn husks adorning the drive. The children were beginning to line up to bob for apples, as we came to the door. I thought I would introduce the children as friends and let them join the party! Chalandra waited back near the edge of the property in the shadowy fog. The door opened and...
I felt a stabbing pain in my head, I felt sick and dizzy, everything around me began to spin, I felt as if I was falling, falling down a black bottomless pit. I heard voices as if in a distance. I tried to respond but could not hear my voice, I couldn't move, my eyes felt heavy, leaden. I was cold, so very cold. Fear crept through my veins like icy fingers, gripping my throat, my chest... my heart pounded in my ears like a cacophony of drums pounding, pounding, would this nightmare never end?
The voices grew closer, louder, breaking through the pounding sound of my heart.
I've got a pulse! Does anyone know her name? I do it's Cathy Holmes, she lives near me. Is she alright? I thought she was dead. Yes she's going to be fine but I need room to work. Please every one stay back! John we've got to cut her out fast! I keep losing her.  Cathy can you hear me?
Some one was calling my name, I had to respond but how? I tried to move my hand, putting every thought and all the energy I could muster into the effort. I felt it lifting.  I think she's coming 'round! Cathy don't try to move, you're going to be fine. You've been in an accident but we're going to get you out of your car very soon. Just stay very still. There will be some loud noises while we cut the door off to get you free, don't be afraid I will be right here with you, my name is John, I'm a fireman.
At the sound of this gentle voice the fear melted away, I felt calmer, reassured. I was going to be alright. I wished the pain would go away though, it hurt so bad. Once more the voices began to fade into the distance ...

Suddenly from somewhere nearby my children were calling for me, "Mommy Mommy! Wake up Mommy!" I struggled to open my eyes I felt so sleepy. The brightness of the sun coming through the window pierced the sleepy fog I was in and I looked around, I
was in my own bed in my own room, my babies were crawling on my bed with their trick or treat candy all around them. "Mommy your awake! Look at all this candy we got! Can you believe it?" asked Kerry I looked at her and realized it must have all been a dream. With relief I touched my head and I got up and looked out the window, my car had not one dent, and as I looked in the mirror I was fine too.

What a nightmare! Or was it......

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