Crowned Eagle
Niniel walked around the cabin making sure all the campers were in bed and not too many random spells were hanging around the corners. She peeked into the boys' room, but didn't enter, only looking that they were all in their beds, the tip of her wand sending out a soft light, then she walked to the gilrs' sleeping area and checked that everyone were in their bunks. Content that everyone were where they were supposed to be Niniel went to her bunk and lay down and soon fell asleep.
It wasn't many hours later that she was woken however, had some of the campers snuck out of bed after she had checked? or had she been fooled into thinking they were there somehow, she knew some pretty good tricks herself, having used them often enough when she wanted to stay up and read, but wanted her parents to think she was asleep. Or had it maybe been something else entirely?
She lit her wand and looked around her trying to see what was going on.
~Alexia had had an extremely exciting day, but it had made her super tired. She had fallen asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow. She hadn't even heard Niniel checking on them all. Alexia was dreaming of the next few weeks of camp and the beginning of school, when she sat up straight in bed with a jerk. Confused and now wide awake, Alexia looked around for the reason she had woken up. There was no one out of bed that she could see, but she didn't have a clear view of the whole room. Feeling a little cool, Alexia lay back down and pulled the cover up around her neck. Don't be ridiculous Alexia. There's no such thing as a ghost. Suddenly the room temperature plumetted and Alexia started shivering and shaking.~
*Gypsy covered her bed with her enormous colorful scarf, to make it seem more inviting, and crawled under the covers. She thought she'd have a difficult time falling asleep in a new environment, but as soon as she settled in under the blankets she fell into a deep sleep. Hours later she woke, feeling that her covers must have fallen off. It was so cold in the cabin that she sensed her breath was making those white smoke clouds it did while she was outside in the middle of winter. She sat up, shivering, and pulled her blankets around herself. She looked around. Someone was shining a light from her wand; she assumed it was Niniel since it was coming from the direction of Niniel's bed. She saw in the dim light that Alexia was sitting up, too.*
"Does everyone else feel as cold as I do right now? Does it always get this cold at night here at camp?"
~Alexia snuggled into her blankets and tried to curl into a ball trying to stay warm. Her teeth began to chatter when she saw Gypsy awake. Alexia saw the little breath puffs in the air. It shouldn't be this cold! It's the middle of summer. Alexia glanced out the window to make sure that it wasn't snowing; it wasn't.~
"Its really cold Gypsy. Not just you. It shouldn't be cold- well it wasn't this cold last night at least. Do you think it's this cold in the boys cabin? They have extra beds in there. We could go check and if it's warmer in there, we can kick them out into this cold cabin and we'll take the warm one!"
"I think this might be a bit more than just a cold evening, Alexia."
*Gypsy paused, not knowing if she should say what she was thinking. Would they think she was making up a story?*
"Niniel?" Gypsy called out to the location of the light. "Did you happen to hear anything about the history of this cabin, or anything about things that might have happened here at camp in the past?"
*Gypsy paused, again, not wanting to say anything that might upset some of the others in the cabin. But, she couldn't keep it to herself. What if her suspicion was true? So, she said it out loud, her voice was shaky and the words came out all crackly sounding.*
"Is it possible this cabin is haunted by a ghost?"
*As she spoke the words, the room became even colder and she sensed something moving near the doorway to the boys' room.*
Niniel shook her head, "No I haven't heard anything" 'at least not anything specific' she mumbled to herself.
Niniel got out of bed and shuddered with cold, even though her long night gown covered her all down to her feet. She had always loved long night gowns but even with one like the one she was wearing the cold was still going right through her chilling her to the bone. She went over to the door, mumbling a spell to light the candles at the sides of the cabin-walls so the room was lit by a soft glow, though not strong enough to wake those who were still asleep.
She looked down and suddenly she saw the footprints, bare feet.. she followed them and saw that still more were coming at the end. She sank a lump and then she hurried over to the place where the owner of the footprints would be, but when she moved her hand to feel what was there she felt nothing except for an icy cold.
She looked back at the others, then retreated as the footprints started moving around again.
"Are those foot prints, Niniel?" Gypsy asked. She got out of bed and whispered into the boys' room, "Is anyone awake in there? You might want to see this, if not."
*She walked over to the footsteps. She did the same thing that Niniel had done and retracted her cold hand, having a hard time believing this was really happening. She felt something inside that was confusing. It was fear and excitement mixed together.*
"It's definitely a ghost. I'm kind of excited, as I've never had an experience with a ghost before. Sure, I've heard all kinds of things and even studied about ghosts for an entire summer with a friend who's obsessed with anything dark or scary. But, I've never had a real experience before. Have any of you? I'm kind of a little scared, too."
~Alexia watched as Niniel and Gypsy reached out to touch something and quickly grab their hands back. She could see the faint footprints, and opted to not go anywhere near them This is unreal. Ghosts don't exist. Alexia stayed in her bed and watched the other two.~
"I've never had an experience with a ghost, nor do I want to! I can't even watch Casper without getting scared!"
~Alexia grabbed her wand and held it up.~ "Lumos" ~The light shone from her wand and she aimed it around the room trying to see anything that may explain the weirdness of the situation. She saw nothing. She looked at the other campers to see if they were still asleep. Everyone should be awake for this! ~
The footsteps moved one going towards the window.
Niniel followed them with her eyes, looking out the window when they neared it, seing an odd kind of fog, or was it maybe smoke? She cautiously neared it smelling it, it smelled like... like thunder.. but not burned..
She tried to see the ground outside the window, but it was not there. She crawled out the window and disappeared in the fog.
"Alexia!" Gypsy let out a gasp. "Niniel went out the window. I'm looking down out there and I can't even see the ground. It's all just a big fog outside!"
*Gypsy's eyes were wide open. This was much more activity than she expected for her first evening at camp. In fact, it was more than she imagined for the entire length of the camp. Did the cabin leader really just disappear into the fog? She wished the others in the cabin would wake up. She decided she'd try to gently wake them. She put her hand under her bed, feeling around for just the item she needed. She pulled it out and let it drop to the floor with a very loud musical crash.*
"That was just my tamborine, Alexia. Sorry if it scared you. I wonder if anyone will wake up after that loud noise? I sure hope so. It's just you and me and the ghost, if not!"
~Alexia gave a gasp of horror as Niniel went out the window. She jumped out of bed and ran next to Gypsy to see if she could see her. Nothing though- just fog. Alexia watched as Gypsy walked back to her bed and then jumped as she heard a crash! Seeing it was just the tambourine, she calmed down. Not the ghost- just Gypsy. ~
"I hope some more people wake up soon. I'm not a Ghost- Buster!"
~Alexia walked over to the light switch and flicked on the lights hoping to wake everyone up.~
*Atrain heard the loud crash and shot bolt upright. He didnt notice the cold much, he was a warm-blooded type guy. He seen a few lights shining around from the girls room. He got out of bed and slipped on a shirt, he already had his pj pants on. He grabbed his wand and a few sweatshirts. He noticed that none of the other boys had heard the crash, they were all asleep, and he decided that they might as well wake up for themselves. He walked towards the door and hissed into the girls room*
"Girls.." he paused as the light shone into his eyes, "Girls, are you awake? What's going on?"
*He lit his wand and walked into the girls' room.*
"Come in here, if you aren't afraid of ghosts! Niniel just disappeared into a mist outside the window after we saw some..." Gypsy jumped. There they were again. The footsteps were pacing around the room.
"Do you see the footsteps?! Have you ever had experience with ghosts before? Alexia and I are the only ones awake in here and we're kind of freaked out."
*Gypsy walked over to the doorway and took the hand of the boy she'd never met before. She gently pulled him into the room, immediately feeling less stressed now that there were three people awake.*
~Alexia looked over to the boys cabin as one of them walked out. She recognized him as Atrain, though she had never really spoken to him. She jumped as the footsteps started moving again and ran over to Gypsy and Atrain.~
"Well seeing as nothing is being thrown across the room, and the lights aren't flickering, the ghost probably doesn't wish anyone of us harm. Maybe he or she - it - needs help. Should we try to communicate with it? Does anyone have a Ouija (sp?) board handy?"
~As the footsteps walked closer to them and drew to a halt, Alexia put her hand up in front of her and just in front of the ghost. She could feel the temperature of the air cool down drastically as she saw the outline of the being put its hand up to hers.~
*Atrain handed a sweatshirt to Alexia and Gypsy.*
"Take them, its cold out t--" he jumped at the sight of a figure and just noticed why the cabins were so bloody cold. It was a ghost.
*Atrain shone his wand to where the figure stood. He looked at the ghost, so far it didnt seem to want to cause them any harm, but to be sure, his wand was at the ready.*
"I wonder if it can speak..." Atrain wondered aloud. "Hello there, my name is Atrain. We dont mean you any harm if you do not provide us with any. What's your name? Are you a boy or girl?"
*Atrain stared at the faint figure as he walked up to it. He was standing only a few inches away from it. He didnt feel like this being would harm him, in fact, it felt comforting. After his grandfather died before him, Atrain was always comforted by contact with the spirit world.*
"We would like to communicate with you."
Gypsy put on the sweatshirt, thankful that it seemed like someone knew what to do. Atrain must have a lot of experience or knowledge about these things, she thought.*
"Thanks for the sweatshirt."
*She watched as Atrain shone his wand at the figure. Atrain spoke to it and walked right up to it and asked it questions. Gypsy gasped. Atrain is surely the bravest person she has ever seen.*
*The ghost didn't seem to reply at first, so Gypsy spoke--more out of being nervous than actually having anything to say.*
"Do they usually speak back?”
"Your welcome, and occasionally they do. Sometimes they moan or groan, but I think this ghost in particular can talk. If it can emminate such a large amount of negative energy, which is why we're all cold by the way, means it must be powerful enough to be able to talk." Atrain finished saying, still just inches from the figures face.
"Please show yourself for what you truly are. I just want to talk with you." Atrain said still expressionless and talking in the same tone. Atrain lowered his wand and the figure seamed to ease slightly. Obviously this being didn't much like the idea of a wizard present.
*Gypsy held her breath. It really did seem like the ghost might talk. She was feeling a bit more comfortable, feeling that Atrain seemed to know what to do.*
The ghost let out a low moan as Atrain took a step backward. He heard one of the girls give a silent scream. "Shh. It's ok," Atrain said, not looking backward but still at the figure.
"I know you can talk," said Atrain, "Now please, are you old? Young? Are you a boy or girl." When Atrain finished the ghost gave a small moan and its figure began to take shape. The being was white and translucent. It gave a few moans that were inaudable.
"It seems thats something is keeping it from talking, either that or it just doesnt want to talk. Or.." Atrain thought hard for a moment. "Or it could be that, for some reason, it cant talk, no matter how powerful this being is. No, that cant be. It just doesnt want to talk..."
*Gypsy stared in wonderment as Atrain talked to the ghost. She saw the figure taking shape. It was white and translucent. Atrain continued asking it to talk, but all it did was moan. Gypsy couldn't believe what she was seeing, as the image became more pronounced. It was a girl about the age of most of the campers there that summer. She seemed to be crying as she moaned.*
"Don't be sad," Gypsy said to the image. It always broke Gypsy's heart when others were unhappy for any reason.
"Do you both see her all the way, yet? It's a girl. She's crying. She seems so sad."
~Alexia graciously took the sweatshirt from Atrain, and slipped it over her head with a nod of thanks. When the ghost let out a moan, Alexia nearly screamed, but held it in. She covered her mouth with her hand as Atrain, told her to shh. As the ghost began to take a form, Alexia could see that it was a young person her age. Then Gypsy pointed out that it was female and crying.~
"I see her. Why is she crying?! Maybe she can't talk because something is covering her mouth."
*Gypsy heard Alexia's thought that the ghost might have something over her mouth, and that was possibly why she couldn't speak. She looked closer, but not too close, to see better. The image wasn't completely clear, yet, though so she couldn't see for certain.*
"I can't tell if something's covering her mouth, or not. Can you see, Atrain? You are closer."
"Nothing's covering her mouth.." Atrain said wide eyed as he took a few more steps back. "She...she doesn't have one."
Atrain turned and walked over to the girls. "She must have died, but not before someone or something covered her mouth, or sewed it up, or.." Atrain shivered at the thought.
He watched as the girl took form and knew right away that this was a girl from the wizarding world. She was wearing ghostly white robes, but they were worn out and faded. They looked like hand-me-downs; 'could this girl possibly be a squibb, or, maybe a student?' Atrain thought to himself for a moment.
"See that girls? She's from the wizarding world 100%. She's got robes on, but whether or not she's a wizard, I do not know," Atrain said while looking slightly backwards to talk to the girls.
*Gypsy froze when Atrain said the ghost girl didn't have a mouth. That was such a disturbing thought that she couldn't think of anything other than to keep touching her own mouth, assuring herself that her own was still there.*
"Well, whoever she was, she must have died around here to be wandering in the cabin, right? Maybe she was a summer camper who died years ago, or something? Right now I don't really even want to know who she was or why she's here--can't we just figure out how to get rid of her?"
*Gypsy looked pleadingly into the eyes of Atrain and Alexia, hoping that one of them would say they knew how to make the ghost disappear. She wished that Niniel would come back through the window with an answer to all of this, and that nothing terrible had happened to her. Most of all, Gypsy kept a running thought going inside her head, repeating over and over that she kept hoping the summer was filled with excitement, but somehow she forgot to specify that the excitement be fun and not terrifying.*
"I dont think she wants to harm us at all, I think she just wants to tell us something," Atrain said, looking over at the ghost who had taken a full shape and was now white and almost opaque.
"Yes, I see now. Her mouth was definitly stitched or, sewen. That means, that this should work... Diffindo!" Atrain said slashing his wand through the air towards the girls mouth.
All of the little stitches on her face split open and white lips shot out. The girl gasped for breath. She gave a little cry in relief.
*Gypsy jumped back as Atrain slashed his wand through the air, calling out, "Diffindo!" To her amazement, there was a split in the ghost's face and the ghost girl let out a little cry. Gypsy wanted to cry, her heart filled with empathy at what the girl must have gone through before she died.*
"You are amazing, Atrain!" Gypsy said, as she gave him a quick hug and stepped back again to see what the ghost was going to do now that her mouth was opened up. She watched as the ghost girl began to cry a bit, reaching her ghost hands up to her now open mouth.
"Thanks. Personally I didn't think that was going to work, but I guess it did," Atrain said with a quick smile.
"Hello. My name is Atrain Volecuz, what's your name?" Atrain said to the ghost who was still touching her lips and mouth. The ghost girl was still sobbing and was obviously registering what Atrain said because when he spoke she looked up, but then continued to play with her mouth.
*Gypsy thought of how innocent the girl looked. She wondered how her mouth was closed shut and how she died, but almost didn't want to know.*
"Hello," Gypsy said, following Atrain's lead. "My name is Gypsy Ardor," the ghost, still touching her mouth, looked at Gypsy. "What's your name?" Gypsy asked.
The ghost started to pace around the room, not looking at anyone, just walking around silently, never taking her hands from her mouth.
Atrain walked over to her. "How old are you?" Atrain asked. The girl let out a slow moan as if she was talking.
Then her voice became crystal clear. "13," said the ghost girl, in a high, deathly tone. "How old are you?"
"13," Atrain said with a little smirk of victory. He had finally gotten her to talk. "Excellent," Atrain said under his breath. "Whats your name?"
Gypsy was happy to hear the girl speak, but it sent chills up her spine. The girl said she was thirteen, then Atrain asked her name, again.
"My name is Trillian," she said as she looked at Atrain. Then she paced around some more and stopped right in front of Gypsy. "What's your name," Trillian asked.
*Gypsy gulped. She had been feeling less nervous until the ghost spoke to her.*
"Umm...my name is Gypsy Ardor," Gypsy said, not taking her eyes from those of the ghost standing right in front of her. Then Trillian moved so quickly, and stood in front of Alexia.
"What's your name?" she asked Alexia.
Atrain watched as all of this happened. He stood in spot and was watching the ghost move about.
"Dont be afraid of her," Atrain said, "she's not here to harm us."
Atrain gave a reasuring smile at Alexia who currently had the ghost in front of her and then to Gypsy.
The ghost gave a little spin around to look at Atrain, and it looked as if she smiled. Somehow Atrain felt happy for her, the ghost seemed like it was on top of the world with her mouth back. Atrain couldnt resist smiling back just before the ghost girl spun around again and looked at Alexia.
Gypsy felt a calm come over her, as Atrain said Trillian wasn't there to harm them. Atrain was smiling and everything seemed like it would be okay. Gypsy wondered if Alexia was afraid as the ghost was looking directly at her. The ghost seemed to be happy--she was even smiling.
~Alexia watched everything unfold, from the girls age, to her name. She was amazed they'd been able to take the seal from her lips so she could speak. When the ghost whirled around in front of her and stared right at Alexia, she went frozen stiff. Alexia felt all cold and a shiver ran up her spine. Her eyes grew large and she felt like now her lips had been sewn shut.~
"My name? . . . um . . . I'm Alexia. Pleased to meet you Trillian."
~Alexia sputtered at her words and attempted a very wobbly curtsey. Standing straight again, Alexia took a small step backwards until she was standing closer to Gypsy and Atrain. She could feel the warmth from their bodies and felt a little better and more reassured.~
*Gypsy leaned over and gave Alexia a big hug.*
"I think we'll be okay. I wish the others would wake up to see this, too. They probably won't believe us in the morning. Do you think Niniel is okay? I'm thinking she knew what was going on and she went to get some of the other leaders to come and help, maybe?" Gypsy said to Alexia and Atrain.
"Not sure. We're going to have to wait until she comes back to find out. As for now," Atrain said turning from girls to the ghost.
"How did you die? If you dont mind my asking. I think we'd all like to learn a little more about our history, and I think we're all just a bit curious about you too," Atrain said this while waving his arm backwards and motioning at Alexia and Gypsy.
Atrain stood, waiting, smiling, hoping that maybe, just maybe this ghost would share her past with them.
*Gypsy gasped when Atrain asked Trillian about how she died. If it was some horrible death, and how could it not be with her mouth sewn shut, Gypsy wasn't sure she wanted to hear about it.*
Trillian started to speak, though, so Gypsy held her breath and hoped for the best. "It's all rather silly, really. I've had many years to think about it and I'm not upset with him anymore. He didn't mean it, he tried so hard to find me. Really, I feel sorry for him more than anything else.
I was a real chatter box when I was alive. My parents used to say that I started talking the moment I was born and I never stopped. I used to talk in my sleep, too. Well, as you can imagine, all that talking was quite annoying to everyone.
The year I died, there wsa this boy who wasn't very kind. He used to make fun of me and how much I talked. All my friends said he had a crush on me and that's why he used to pretend to be mad all the time. He really was mad, though. One nigth he and I got into trouble for arguing in the mess [food] tent and were sent to our cabins alone. He came here and told me he was going to shut me up for getting him into trouble. So, he turned me into a rag doll. I just laughed the whole time, no matter how funny it felt to be a doll. I teased him over and over, saying that nothing could ever shut me up. That's when he did it--he used a spell to sew my mouth shut."
Trillian sniffed a bit, tears welled up in her eyes. Gypsy felt so sorry for her, but now wondered how she died. She wasn't a ghost doll with a sewn mouth. She was a ghost girl. When witches die with curses on them, are some of the curses lifted (like the doll one)? There was so much to wonder about. Gypsy hoped that Trillian would continue her story.
Atrain just stared, then spoke, "Thats horrible!" He felt mixed feelings. "So what happened next?" Atrain asked trying to press forward.
Trillian continued.
Then, when I tried to curse him for it, I couldent. My lips were sealed until you, Atrain, Gypsy and Alexia, helped me. I went to bed, waiting for my Cabin Leader to return. No one came back, and I then knew why. I had fell into a deep sleep and the cabin had set on fire, to this day I dont know how. I couldnt scream for help as I burned. I tried to get out, but pieces of ceiling had fell down infront of all of the doors. The boy escaped, and he lived on, no one ever knowing that it was his fault that I died because I couldnt scream. But he didnt mean for this to happen, so for that I forgive him. He probably would have reversed it the next day.
I died inside of that fire. In this cabin. That was 50 years ago and that's why I've come to check up on the campers this year to make sure that no boys are cursing girls to death.
The girls eyes were filled with tears a few spilling but she was strong on her words none the less.
~Alexia's eyes filled with tears as Trillian told her sad story. She was amazed that someone could be so cruel as to sew someone elses lips shut though. It was atrocious! Looking closer now, Alexia could see soot and ashes in the ghost's hair, and burn marks up her robes.~
"I'm so sorry for what happened to you Trillian. I wish we could've helped you back then! So far all of the boys that I have met here, wouldn't harm anyone let alone curse them to death! I'm sure that what happened to you was a complete accident and that the leaders of the camp have ensured that it has and will never happen again. What was the name of the boy that did this to you?"
"I cant quite remember," Trillian said. "It was Robert..something." The girl thought hard, trying her very best to think up the last name.
"Robert Volecuz. That was the name wasnt it?" Atrain said, looking blank eyed. "My Grandfather's brother. It has to be, it fits the age perfectly. My Great Uncle is 63, his name is Robert."
"That was it!" The girl said, just a little distastefully. "You arent like him are you?"
"No, I'm not like him exactally. Smart wise I might be, but I surely am not mean to any girls and most boys," Atrain gave a little grin, and then continued. "Robert was always a good person to most people. He had a mean side though. Sorted into Ravenclaw, really smart man, but easily could have been in Slytherin," Atrain explained.
"Thats him," said the girl with a little giggle. "He was funny, but when we were alone together, or when he was with his friends around me, he always picked on me, and made me feel bad about my liking of talking."
"Yeah, he talked about you to me once. Said he never meant to do it at all," Atrain said, trying hard to remember what Robert had said to him. "He tried to get you out but couldnt open the door because it was blocked off by something. Then he said he tried to climb through a window but they were shattered and too high up to get to," Atrain said, now remembering the story completely. "Then he said he was, actually believe it or not, torn horribly once you died. He said that he cried for weeks, he couldnt believe what he'd done, how he tried to save you but couldnt. He got inside later. He was the one you found, and carried your body away Trillian. He said he loved you."
Gypsy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Atrain's uncle was the one Trillian was talking about. What a small wizarding world it was.
"Atrain," Gypsy said. "It all makes sense that Trillian showed up right now. You were able to free her mouth, after your uncle had sewn it shut so many years ago. And"
"Can you give your uncle a message from me?" Trillian interrupted Gypsy. "Because I've had a lot of years to think about what happened and I don't blame him at all. I know he was just messing around and that he never knew an accident would happen like that. It really was an accident that I died. It wasn't his fault and I hope he doesn't still feel guilty about it."
"Oh, Atrain!" Gypsy said. "Can you get a message to your uncle, somehow? It would be so perfect to bring an ending to something that happened so long ago."
~Alexia was shocked to hear that it had been Atrain's great-uncle who had been with Trillian that night. Even more shocking was that he loved her! Alexia listened as Atrain told more of his uncle, and then when Trillian asked if there was someway Atrain could get a message to him she smiled.~
"I have some parchment and quills here! Just a second."
~Alexia ran to her bed, and looked under it for where she had put her writing stuff. She hadn't had the chance to write home yet, but this seemed to be more important. She brought the quill and parchment over to Trillian.~
"Umm . . . Do you want me to write it down for you?"
"Yes please Alexia," Atrain said with a smile.
"And I know Trillian. I will tell him your message for you," Atrain said with a slight smile. "Im sure he's going to be glad to hear of you, and hear from you."
"Im sure he will be," Trillian said with a little giggle.
"You know, he never married. I think that he always thought that you should have been the one," Atrain said smiling at Trillian.
"Please tell him," Trillian said, "that I don't blame him for anything."
She started to pace around the room, as she thought of what she wanted the letter to say. "Tell him that my family life was horrible and that in many ways I am much happier now. Well, now that you've removed the stitches, that is, but don't tell him that." Trillian giggled.
*Gypsy smiled.* She thought that it was wonderful to hear the ghost girl giggle, to hear that she was happy with the way her life turned out. She continued listening to Trillian recite what she'd like written.
"I promise I'll tell him for you," Atrain said with a smile. It was great to hear the girl giggle and not moan.
"So how is it? I mean being stuck as a child for so many years? Have you visited any other campers around here?" Atrain asked, he was now very interested in the ghost girls story. He wanted to know everything about her.
She waved her long brown hair and thought about her answer for a while. Atrain was all the while anxious to hear what she was going to say. He knew he had to grow up some day, so he just wanted to know what it would be like to stay in child form for as long as, well, forever.
~Alexia wrote down everything that Trillian dictated to her. She wrote down how she was happy, her family life hadn't been great, and that she doesn't blame him. Unsure of what to sign it, Alexia scrawled a really quick and messy 'Love Trillian' , and hoped that the girl hadn't noticed. Alexia listened to her talk to Atrain, and then when he asked whether she enjoyed being a child forever.~
Gypsy watched as Alexia continued writing the letter, and listened as Atrain asked Trillian more questions and they all heard the ghost girl's answers.
"So how is it? I mean being stuck as a child for so many years? Have you visited any other campers around here?" Atrain asked.
"I never thought about that before, " Trillian said. "My thoughts have always been about what happened to me, how much I wished that Robert went on to live a happy life without thinking that he caused my death, and how much better off I was dead than to go back to live the horrible life I was living at home." She paced around the room, obviously thinking about the question. "Am I happy being stuck as a child?" she wondered.
"Not really," Trillian said. "I wish I had grown up and lived out being a woman and not just being a girl. It's kind of annoying when you dont know what would have happened if you had grown up fully."
Atrain nodded. "I can see that. I wouldnt really want to be stuck as a child for forever either. It just wouldnt be, well, fun."
~Alexia listened as Trillian gave her explanation as to what it was like to stay young forever. She nodded her head in agreement.~
"If I were to be young forever, I think I'd hate it. Never growing up, meeting the man of your dreams, having children and growing old with all of them. What a tragedy. Well the letter is all finished. Atrain you'll deliver it when camp is all done?"
~Alexia put down her quill, and carefully folded up the parchment. She slipped it into an envelope and carefully put Robert on the front of it. She handed the envelope to Atrain and looked back at Trillian.~
*A tear fell from Gypsy's eyes. She felt so sorry for Trillian to be trapped in the body of a young girl forever.*
"As much as it would have been nice to grow up, though. I do enjoy many things about staying young, too. So, don't be feeling sorry for me, or anything. Really, it's okay. It's even better now that you've removed the stitches, Atrain! Thanks so much for writing the letter for me, Alexia. I hope Robert finds some comfort in knowing that I don't blame him."
"Im sure he will," Atrain said with a smile. Just then a letter flew threw the window, it had been shot off of an owl's leg by the looks of things.
Atrain opened the letter for it had the words Atrain Volecuz skrawled along the front of it.
Atrain read down it quickly. "Robert," Atrain said and continued to read. "Well, Robert isnt doing to good. It says he's been sent to sleep at home from a muggle doctor. Supposed to stay in bed for 6 weeks. Hope he's ok," Atrain finished a little silently.
Gypsy watched as Atrain opened a letter that came flying into the cabin from an open window. He said something about Robert, but he said it quietly and she wasn't sure she heard him right.
"What did you say? Robert isn't well?" Gypsy asked.
Trillian was instantly at the side of Atrain, trying to read the letter over his shoulder. "Can someone *please* send that letter to Robert from me? I can't wait another moment for him to hear that I'm okay and that I don't blame him. Please," she pleaded, "send it as quickly as you can!"
~Alexia shook her head. Just as they were sorting out Trillian and her life problems, an owl from Robert comes in saying he's sick now. This isn't good. Alexia went and stood over Atrain's other shoulder trying to read the letter.~
"Why would your uncle be sent to 6 weeks of bed rest by a muggle doctor? Why isn't he seeing a normal healer?"
"Because he lost most if not all of his magical powers to depression after this incident happened with Trillian," Atrain explained. "Normal healers wouldn't be able to do much more about this. He has a muggle disease, I'm just sure of it. It's called..um, what was it now?" Atrain thought for a few moments then remembered. "Ahh yes, its called cancer."
"It's not bad though. He says they caught it at an early stage this disease of his. Im pretty sure they either did surgery or something. That's why he's at home resting," Atrain thought it over. What he had said made perfect sense.
"I'm sure he's making it through fine though," Atrain said with a slight smile. "But just in case, I'll send that letter," Atrain whistled after he said this and an owl flew through the window. He tied the letter that Alexia wrote onto the owls leg and pushed it out the window.
"I hope he's okay," Gypsy said to Atrain.
"I can help him, I'm sure of it," Trillian said. "Where is he located? I want to go to him right now. I'll need some help from the three of you, though. You'll need to stand around me in a circle and chant the location of Robert as I try to leave here and be by his side. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try."
~Alexia looked a little more relieved as Atrain described his uncles illness. When Trillian said she thought she could help, Alexia got excited. That is until she was told she had to chant in a circle. She looked from Atrain to Gypsy. Is this girl mad? She wants me to chant? ~
"Trillian, if we're not sure it will work, maybe we should just leave it. We wouldn't to mess it up and something happen to you!"
Chanting? Atrain thought She actually wants me to ...chant?
"Alright. Well, if I know my geography. He would be at his home on Number 7 Green Meadow Drive," Atrain said. "Do you need to know where he sleeps and stuff? Or is it good enough that you know the location. Oh, he lives in London, England still by the way."
"It sounds good to me," said Trillian with a smile. "Now, I'm going to need you to all hold hands around me and chant, 7 Green Meadow Drive, London, England. Keep chanting until I disappear. Once im gone it means im over there with him," she said this with a large smile, almost as if she had been longing for this day.
"Ok," Atrain said in an airy tone. Atrain walked over to Trillian and held out his hand on one side. He gripped onto Trillian's, not really physical hand. "Goodbye Trillian. I hope to meet you again one day."
"You will," Trillian said with a smile and a tear. "Thank you for all of your help. I really do appreciate what all three of you have done for me."
Gypsy moved forward, a little worried about whether they'd be doing something helpful or harmful. She reached out to hold hands with Alexia and Atrain, hoping this would work.
"Okay, don't forget to keep chanting until I disappear," Trillian said. "Keep saying '7 Green Meadow Drive, London, England.' I hope your summers are as wonderful as mine is right now."
Trillian turned around in the circle, looking into the eyes of each camper. Gypsy gave her a nice smile, silently wishing her well.
"Goodbye Trillian," Atrain said with a soft smile. "I hope you can give any strength that you have to Robert. Please dont let him, well, you know," Atrain finished a little silently.
"Ready Gypsy? Alexia? Trillain?" Atrain asked as he grabbed one of the girl's hands in both of his own.
"I am ready now," Trillian said smiling.
"When ever you two are ready, we'll begin," Atrain said.
"I'm ready," Gypsy said as she smiled again at Trillian and looked over to Alexia.
~Alexia made a quick grimace, but reached her hands out to Gypsy and Atrain. Feeling slightly stupid she decided to close her eyes while she began to chant.~
"Good bye Trillian. It was nice to meet you and I'm glad we could help. . . Ready guys? . . . 7 Green Meadow Drive, London England."
~Alexia began to chant, hoping it would work quickly.~
“7 Green Medow Drive, London, England," Atrain chanted with the others.
Trillian began to dissapear after about 5 chants. It seemed to be taking a while. After their 20th chant Trillian was only half way gone.
"This is taking some time," Atrain said between chants, not really noticing the sillyness of it after that many chants.
Gypsy continued chanting with everyone else, "7 Green Meadow Drive, London England."
Trillian was about half way gone by the 20th chant and it looked like it was going to take a lot more magic than chanting and whatever Trillian was trying to do on her own. So, Gypsy decided she'd do what she swore she'd never do unless it was a matter of life and death; she used old magic. She closed her eyes, envisioned Trillian standing at the bedside of Robert, the love of understanding, forgiveness, and friendship surrounding them in a bubble. She felt the energy of the love welling up inside her body, as it always did before she released it for a magical purpose, and then she let it go. At that very moment goosebumps covered her flesh and she opened her eyes. She knew that it worked, it always worked when she found herself covered with goosebumps. Trillian had disappeared. In the past, no one ever knew when she used old magic because there really aren't any traces of it left except for lingering feelings of peace and happiness. She wondered if this time, however, someone might have noticed something since she was holding hands and they were all connected.
"What was that?" Atrain said. He felt a cold wave of darkness rush through his entire body. "Where'd she go?" Atrain asked noticing Trillian was gone.
It felt like all of his happy feelings had just rushed out of him. He felt like he had been hit in the stomach and he was trying to regain his breath. Atrain had never felt like this before. He knew he didn't like it, whatever it was.
Gypsy looked at Atrain who had called out. He didn't look lilke he was experiencing lingering feelings of peace and happiness. In fact, he looked like he was feeling quite the opposite. Gypsy dropped hands with Atrain and Alexia, realizing too late that it wasn't a good idea to do old magic while being physically connected with others. She was sure that any negative effects would quickly fade, just as the lingering feelings of peace and happiness always faded.
"She's gone, now. Trillian was able to leave," Gypsy said. She hugged Atrain, hoping that the positive lingering feelings she was experiencing would balance the feelings he was having. Gypsy then gave a hug to Alexia, in case she was feeling anything negative.
"I've learned a lot during this summer camp," Gypsy said to Alexia and Atrain. "I'm glad you woke up, Alexia, when we heard the ghost. I don't know what I would have done if I was here alone after Niniel went out through the window. What would we have done without you here, too, Atrain? You were able to keep us calm! Without you, Trillian might still be wandering around with her mouth sewn shut and us not knowing what to do. I'm going to miss summer camp. I can't believe it's almost over. Maybe we'll see each other around in the halls this term, though?"
~Alexia continued the chanting and by the 30th chant, all of a sudden she felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She opened her eyes, and Trillian was gone. She looked to Gypsy and thought that she looked really happy and light-hearted. Then Alexia looked over at Atrain, who looked anything but. As Gypsy let their hands all drop, a wave of nausea washed over her. It quickly subsided as Gypsy gave her a hug though.~
"Wow, that was incredible. I can't believe she's gone. I wonder if she made it to be with your Uncle, Atrain. I'm glad we all woke up Gypsy. I think I'd have had a heart-attack if I'd been left by myself on this one. And what would have happened if Atrain hadn't woken up!? We never would have found his Uncle. Not in a million years! I guess camp really is over now. How sad. But we'll always see each other in the halls, in classes and of course at the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall. Which classes are you guys thinking you'll take?"
"Well, if you both take my class then I'll be able to talk to you all the time!" Atrain said smiling. The feelings of the draining darkness had subsided. "Im not really sure what classes Im taking yet," Atrain said slumping against a wall.
"I really want to take a lot of classes. I've got a lot to do though," Atrain said, he really did, tons of things to do. "I wish I didn't but Im just going to be soo busy."
Gypsy was relieved that everyone was feeling okay. Alexia and Atrain were talking about the classes they might be taking and it made her feel a little overwhelmed.
"This is going to be my first year, so I'm kind of overwhelmed with all the classes and deciding which ones will be best for me. I know for certain I want to take some that are difficult and give me a bit of a challenge, but there are so many great ones offered--including yours, Atrain." *Gypsy smiled.*
"Well, I'm going to pack up my things and get ready to leave. I sure hope I do get to see you both around the halls if I don't see you in any of the classes." Gypsy spread her large scarf out on the bed and started to stack things within it. As she picked up her tamborine and the sound echoed throughout the cabin, she smiled to herself. "This tamborine will always remind me of this cabin and Trillian," she thought. Then she turned to Alexia. "I'd like you to keep this as a memory of our stay here in the cabin and our experience with Trillian," and she handed the tamborine to Alexia.
"Atrain, here's your sweatshirt back. Thanks so much for letting me borrow it and for thinking about it! You are very clever. I'm sure you are going to be a wonderful teacher in your class and someday probably even be a professor if you decide that's something you want to do."
~Alexia nodded as Atrain told her of how busy he's be being a student teacher. ~
"I haven't made up my mind completely but I know I will be taking Pirateology, Care of Magical Creatures, and HOL Quidditch. I haven't decided on anything else. Maybe I'll see you in your class! I don't suppose being through everything with Trillian is an automatic pass is it?"
~Alexia looked to Gypsy as she started to stack her belongings in her scarf. As the tamborine was picked up and Gypsy said she wanted to Alexia to have it, her jaw went slack and fell. She couldn't believe it.~
"You're tamborine? Are you sure Gypsy? That's so kind of you! I'll treasure it always. Whenever I see it and hear is shaking I'll remember the two of you and Trillian."
Gypsy smiled as Alexia took the tamborine. It made her happy to see that Alexia would cherish it.
"Well, I'm going to tie up my scarf and head out. I'll see you both in the halls and possibly some of the classes! It was nice meeting both of you!"
"Nice meeting you as well, Gypsy," Atrain said with a smile. "Wait, take the sweatshirt. Something to remember this night by," Atrain handed it to her. "Bye Alexia, nice meeting you aswell, keep the sweatshirt too," Atrain said with a smile.
He waved goodbye to them both. "Bye girls, Im sure I'll see you around," Atrain said smiling and he walked over to the boys cabin and opened the door. He swiftly turned around giving them both a smile and then walked through the door shutting it behind him.
Gypsy thanked Atrain for the sweatshirt, said goodbye to both he and Alexia, and left the cabin. She looked back, before closing the door, and smiled. "This sure was a great camp," she said as she turned and walked away.
~Alexia smiled and held onto the sweatshirt and Tambourine. She watched as Atrain, and then Gypsy walked through the doors and left. Alexia smiled to herself.~
"Well I guess its time to get home and start getting ready for classes!"
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