Night Owl

Chapter 32 - The Sequacious Spell

Chapter Thirty-two

The Sequacious Spell

The darkness surrounded us as we made our way back to the Hally house.

We exited Magic Hollow through Coco Bridge which was seen only by the magical world. More often than not, the bridge was swarming with wizards coming and going, but at the moment it was a grim, desolate area.

The fog crept over the road as we neared the covered wooden bridge. The strong flowing creek roared below. Owls were heard screeching as they perched on branches of nearby trees. I glanced up and saw the huge white Snowy Owl. I smiled. We had come a long way since I saw him the night my parents were murdered.

The full harvest moon glowed orange as it shined down. I moved closer to Alec, the boards underneath our feet creaked. Eerie shadows formed odd shapes within the walls of the bridges as the light of the moon beamed through the cracks. Strange, but whatever impression the night seemed to carry, to me it was peaceful.

The mood of the night reminded me of a tale. "Have I ever told you the story my mother used to tell me sometimes before I went to sleep?" I asked.

"No, I don't believe you have."

"Funny, it's about a bridge like this very one. It was my favorite tale. She told wonderful bedtime stories."

Alec seemed to notice the bridge had captivated my interest. "You've been over this bridge for several months. What reminded you of this tale tonight?"

"I don't really know, maybe because no one but you and I are crossing it. It seems so deserted tonight, yet I feel...protected." I envisioned sitting with my mother, listening to the fable she told to me as a child.

"Please tell me," he said softly, propping against the wall of the bridge. "I'd love to hear the story, if you don't mind?"

"I don't mind. I think we have time." I propped my finger against my chin. "Let's see, where do I start?

***

When I was a little girl, my mother told me fables many nights before I went to bed. One particular legend she told was about these mysterious, grumpy old creatures that reminded the few, who had witnessed them, of trolls. Now, these troll like creatures lived underneath a very special bridge that guarded the crossing for those who lived in a magical, secret world.

Day after day, and night after night, these trolls protected those who crossed the bridge and protected the magical land beyond. And never did these creatures ask for anything in return. They agreed that as long as no one ever tried to go below the bridge, looking for them or what they did under the bridge, they would protect the town forever.

As the legend goes, one night, a little girl was walking home from the magical town, and with her she had her favorite doll. It was dusk as she started to cross the bridge. Reaching half way through the covered crossing, an older boy known for his awful behaviors, jumped from the shadows, grabbed the girl's doll, and threw it over the side.

The boy laughed despicably. "My father always says in order to get to your enemies, find their weakness. Seems I found yours. It's your silly doll."

Right away the rumbling growls were heard from underneath the bridge, for they thought someone would try and seek the doll, therefore, seeking them.

The boy, hearing the grumbling, feared for his life and ran, leaving the young girl behind, crying. She sat with her face in her hands in the middle of the bridge, crying for the loss of her doll. And not knowing a great deal about the length of time, she sat for what seemed like hours.