An All Hallows' Eve Journey (Complete)

1. Halloween

I should've stayed. We would've been at the cove together, watching the waves crash against the rocks in sunset's golden glow. If I had been there, maybe I could've saved her... maybe she would still be here.

Those thoughts weighed on me as I stared out the airplane window, high over a sea of endless blue. If she could still hear me, would she forgive me?

Halloween was in full swing when I finally made it home. That felt appropriate in a way. Anastacia loved costumes. Three years in theatre would probably do that to anyone. I, on the other hand, merely tolerated the idea of dressing up. But tears rolled down my face when I opened the closet.

The Hamlet costume she bought for me was hanging there. She didn't relent until I promised to wear it. Better late than never. I composed myself, took a breath, and got dressed. My hand shook as I picked up the skull and the flowers. After a glance in the mirror, I left the apartment.

I felt underdressed walking through the crowds of costumed children; they were all smiles, going door to door, swinging bags of candy in tow. I had to fight to keep my composure when I saw a dad carrying a little fairy princess on his shoulders. I would've pointed them out to Anastacia if she was walking beside me just to see her smile. Instead, I looked down, focusing on the sidewalk, picking up the pace as I hurried towards the cemetery.

The Gothic steeples of Saint Mary's peeked over the brilliant red, yellow, and orange trees rustling in the crisp breeze. It had been more than a decade since I'd last darkened those doors, despite Anastacia's efforts. Whenever she asked, I said I'd make sure to be there for our wedding. I thought it was funny. She didn't. Though, the chances of me breaking that habit now are less than zero.

Dry leaves blew across the path running through the middle of the graves. The blanket of grey clouds covering the sky made the evening darker than it should have been. With each step, I rehearsed the apology that she would never hear.

I turned down the path that led to her grave and froze. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming, but there was Anastacia... standing beside her tombstone. She seemed to be talking to someone, but I couldn't see who it was because of the angel statue blocking them from my view. Before I realized what was happening, she walked away.

When the gears in my brain started turning again, I sprinted towards where her body was buried. I turned to the left. Nothing. Just another empty path between the graves. But I couldn't lose her again. Not when she was so close. I raced down path after path like a madman only to come up short.

Dejected, I pressed my back against a mausoleum, breathless and more broken-hearted than ever. Tears were threatening to blur my vision when someone spoke to me. I snapped my head to the right. A man with a long, silver beard was standing there. He was dressed in a dark blue monk's habit with the hood covering his head.

"I can help you to find her." His voice was gentle. "If you wish," he added.

I wrinkled my brow. "How do you know I'm looking for someone?"

"Everyone who comes to this place is looking for someone," he smiled warmly. "There was a young woman here not long ago, and I saw you running this way. Between that and the flowers you're holding, I made a reasonable deduction—or put two and two together, if you will."

Everything about the situation struck me as strange, but something like an internal whisper told me I could trust this man.

"Help me find her," I said. "Please."

He nodded and pointed straight ahead with a quill. "This way."