WHISPERS TRILOGY

ALL IS WELL...?

After several explanations to the management, the children were allowed to sleep in the resort. Sheila was taken to hospital, Hazel and Chris accompanying her. Teresa wanted to tag along but she had to stay and rest; especially after that ordeal. After treatment, Sheila was put in a ward; all sound asleep.

"I've never seen anything like it," Chris was telling Hazel later as they sat on either side of her bed, "She was flying Hazel. I don't know if it was her or the amulet." "It's her. She's always been special," said Hazel, kissing Sheila's hand. "She saved my life. She saved us all." Chris put a hand on her as well. Whatever she did, he wished it were him instead. That was too much for a nine year old.

"I've seen worse," she muttered. Chris and Hazel's eyes widened in surprise; she was awake! "Sheila!" Hazel embraced her affectionately, "how are you feeling dear?" "Exhausted. Is L...?" Of course that was what worried her at the moment. "Yes. He's gone. You did it Sheila." She took a deep breath to take in the information, then smiled, "I think an ice cream cone would be a perfect reward, don't you, Mr. Cruz?" The two adults chuckled at this. "I'll get you one first thing in the morning. I'll go grab a drink, want one?" "Soda please," replied Hazel.

They watched him as he left the room and closed the door, then Sheila took hold of Ms. Hazel's hand, "It called itself the Belledame." Ms. Hazel looked at her confused, "What're you–" "The thing that got out of the cabin. The lady in the white dress. It took over my sister's body, Dinah's; and using it, killed almost my entire family. My father sacrificed himself trying to kill it, trying to save me and Lily, by blowing up the whole house. It didn't die from the explosion though. Only Lily and I were left, so she came after us too... well, till someone that looked exactly like me appeared. She was dressed in a white robe and protected me, but it wasn't really me. She gave me this amulet and I got transported back in time to this era. This... time."

"What do you mean... transported back in time?"

Sheila fidgeted with her amulet then faced Ms. Hazel, "I'm from the future. As crazy as it sounds, I'm from the year 2018." Ms. Hazel stood and rubbed her head, "Sheila, that's... that's over seventy years from now." "I know Ms. Hazel." Silence reigned. The elder digested all that information slower than she thought she would. "What do you know?" asked Ms. Hazel. "I'm not sure, but I think the reason I was sent this far back in time was because I am the only one who can stop her. The Amulet of Eternal Light..." she put it in the light, sort of brandishing it in pride, "I just sorta let it take over then... boom: I took out Lumberjack Luther."

"Well sadly that cuts our holiday short though," said Hazel, changing the topic, "When we get back, we'll figure out what to do for the rest of the week. Okay? And don't worry, you are safe now."

"I don't think I'll ever be worried now. Anyway, it's good we're going back. I was already starting to miss Lily."

They chuckled together. "Don't we all? They say you'll be discharged tomorrow so I'll come for you then. Get some sleep Sheila."

"That's accurate–"

Chris walked in just then holding two cans of soda, "Here you go." He handed Hazel her soda and got to work on his own. "Well goodnight. Sleep tight Sheila, we'll fetch you tomorrow." "have fun Ms. Hazel," said Sheila winking. Hazel left the room feeling her face get hot.

†~†

The bus was packed up and ready to depart. The children were waving at the resort workers and could not resist to hug Chris goodbye. Sheila was already back and talking with her friends as usual. When all the children were in the bus, Hazel went to speak to Chris. He was in a vest, his shirt tied on his waist and his arms and face looked sweaty.

"What have you been doing?" "Out for a morning run. It helps clear my mind," he responded, "So... you're leaving." "Yes, yes we are," she replied. Silence reigned for a short moment. "We really liked it here you know. And, the kids think you were a pretty good guide."

"Really? Wow. I actually thought you hated this place right about now."

"The monster demon wasn't your fault. Besides, I kinda... liked the rush."

Chris raised an eyebrow at her, smirking, "You can be full of surprises." She chuckled, directing her gaze to the ground, then back to him. They looked at each other for an instant, then Hazel drew closer. Chris, though, laughed... more of chuckled uncomfortably, and extended his hand, "So... I guess I'll see you some other time maybe?" Hazel blinked repeatedly. Her face had become hot and her mind was whirling round and round in her skull. "Sure, ummh... yeah. Maybe," she shrugged and shook his hand nervously. "See you soon, Ms. Lindemann." "Till another time, Mr. Cruz."

As she entered the bus, she knew she was blushing, but she composed herself to address the children. "Alright everyone. I hope you're all ready for the trip home. At least the part of the trip of the camp was fun... right guys?" There was some giggling at the back. "What?" she asked. Maryanne spoke up, "Ms. Hazel, are you in love with Chris?" Hazel's eyes widened, "What? No! We're just–" "Well do you have a crush on him?" piped Teresa. The other kids had already started laughing. "I wouldn't say crush.. we're only–" "Ms. Hazel has a crush on Chris," Sheila started chanting.

The chorus piped up and muted her.

"Ms. Hazel has a crush on Chris!"

"Ms. Hazel has a crush on Chris!"

"Ms. Hazel has a crush on Chris!"

She gave up eventually and signaled the driver to leave, blushing furiously; praying they got bored of it quickly. On the outside, watching the bus maneuver out of the resort was Chris. The chorus resonated from the bus to where he was, making him smile to himself. Maybe the two of them would be seeing each other soon after all. Time would tell.

†~†

Thewoods were all silent. A large part of the clearing had soot from theexplosion, but not too much damagewas dealt. All else was normal and calm, until two fingers traced the ground onwhere the point of the explosion was. The fingers were connected to a hand, thehand to a body, and the body was of a man. "Well, well... it seems the Luminushas been rediscovered," his voice was deep, too deep for a human. He had on ablack T-shirt, a pair of black trousers, neat trimmed black hair and a trenchcoat. He sniffed the soot and smiled enigmatically. "And so it begins."