Death Has A Name

Chapter 12

It was early evening when Mel got home from speaking with Mr Riddle. Exhausted all she wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep but she was curious as to what lay in the trunk. Mr Riddle had given her a pendulum, some herbs and a consecrated knife. It was this that she used to pry open the lock.

The contents were haphazard at best. Bits of yellowed parchment, along with a small brown leather bound book, a silver ornate picture frame that housed a younger version of Gramps and a young woman with light hair. The one item that did catch her eye was a silver chain. Slightly dulled by age hung a small silver round ball. Unlocking the clasp Melanie placed it around her neck, she was startled to feel warmth emanating from the ball as it nestled against her skin.

Ignoring the bits of paper she opened the book, she recognised her Grandmother’s handwriting immediately and realised this was her true book of shadows. She flipped through noting that many of the pages held incantations and spells that she had never heard of before. Occasionally there would be a date and further writing.

One in particular caught her eye.

19th May 1981

Beth has spoken with me about her nightmares. Each morning she appears more withdrawn and the dark circles underneath her eyes are becoming more apparent. I’ve cast a spell and cleansed her room but nothing seems to be working. We’ve spoken at length about the voice that is haunting her dreams but I fear that she will give in despite my warnings. I am at my wits end, even Barnaby cannot seem to get through to her. The only light she has left is Harper. Will he be enough? I pray to the goddess he is.

Melanie scrutinised the woman in the picture frame, was she Beth? What happened to her? As her mind asked these questions the silver ball began to thrum.

“It’s connected – it has to be.” She murmured to herself, again the ball vibrated.

Here was the answer she had been waiting for.