Penny Black

Chapter 9

“Tea’s ready,” called Mum.

Penny had no appetite for tea tonight. She was preparing for the journey; the one that Ella had said she must make. She needed time and space for the ribbon and paperweight to work their magic again.

“Tea,” came the demand from downstairs.

Okay, she would ask to eat in her room with Bentley for company and feed him the lot. He would not object. Mum was off out to her supermarket night shift anyway. Things were working out quite well. 

“Mum,” Penny was cautious in her choice of words as she entered the kitchen and judged Mum’s mood. “Can I eat in my room, please?”

Mum sighed, “Okay, just for tonight. I have to go now anyway.” She was throwing her coat over her shoulders and scrambling for her keys as she pushed her way past the untidiness in the hallway, toward the front door. The house was never tidy anymore. Mum was hardly ever there. 

“I’ll lock the front door. Don’t open it for anyone and keep Bentley close. I’ll be back at ten.”

Perfect! 

“Will do,” called Penny as she flew up the stairs, jumping the third step from the bottom as she went. Bentley was quickly in pursuit as Mum locked the door behind her with a roll of her eyes.

Bentley’s big brown eyes glistened with excitement at every tasty morsel Penny sent his way. She tried a chip but she could hardly swallow. Nerves and excitement had got the better of her. She felt a sense of resolve though. She was alone, with Bentley for company and protection and Mum well and truly out of the way. She was free to do what was needed without being found out. She changed into her pyjamas. She didn’t how long her meeting with Ella would take but she'd best look ready for bed if Mum was home shortly after.

Ella had told Penny to do exactly the same as she had done before. Although she had not planned it, apparently Penny had unlocked the way last time, with the ribbon and paper weight. It was as if she was the connection that sparked the energy. She sat at the foot of her bed once more, in her polka dot pyjamas, right where Daddy used to sit. This made her feel safer somehow. She took the paper weight in one hand, the ribbon in the other.

The paperweight began to tremor in her hand and once again the beam of light shot straight from its heart. Penny froze and gasped but this time she held her nerve. She didn’t drop the paperweight but instead held onto it tighter than before. She was soon within the sphere of light again and a sense of complete and utter calm came over her. The ribbon’s message read, ‘Follow Me’.

As she fell through the stars, she remembered Ella’s words, ‘I’ll be waiting’ and with that she fell back and let the light take her where it may.

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“Penny,” came the hurried whisper. The voice was unmistakable. 

“Ella!” cried Penny in excitement, as she turned to the voice behind her. “Where are you? I can’t see see you.” Penny felt an injection of panic in her veins that prickled from top to toe. 

“Over here. Step forward into the doorway ahead of you.”

“What doorway…” and as she spoke, a black chasm opened up before her as Penny squinted into the darkness. The same earthy smell was all around her, the smell that had accompanied her fall to earth on her first arrival here in this empty space. As she stepped toward the doorway she felt an emptiness so deep, she was sure her heart had evaporated and it left her dizzy and sick. 

“Come on!” Ella implored.

As Penny stepped toward the doorway she saw something moving urgently within, like the flutter of a frightened bird. A bird as black as night with only the glint of its beak to give it away.