Angel of Darkness
By
Donna Reed
“Witches of darkness,
Spirits of hell,
Come to me,
with your wicked spell.”
Chekov chanted these words, then let out a long moan. The group sat in a circle on a floor covered with straw. Sulu, Uhura, Landon
and Chekov held hands and closed their eyes. Chekov, after giving another low moan, continued his chanting.
“Witches of darkness,
Spirits of hell,
Come to me,
with your wicked spell.”
CRREEAAKKK! BAAANNNG!
Suddenly, the loft door swung wide open. A gust of cool night air filled the loft area. Straw and tiny particles from the hay bails whirled in
the space above the Enterprise officers. Landon was the first to break free from the trance. Then Uhura and Sulu followed suit. Chekov
remained still while the others jumped to their feet, startled.
“Ok, I’ve had enough guys. This is too spooky for me,” Landon said as she watched the whirlwind with frightened eyes.
“Oh, come on, Landon,” Uhura said in a low voice. “Its just a whirlwind, it can’t hurt you.”
Chekov opened his eyes and stared out into the darkness. He calmly got to his feet, then brushing the straw from his clothes said:
“There, see: it’s dying down now. It’s been windy all day like this. Besides, we’re out in the middle of nowhere. Whirlwinds happen all the
time on windy days in open plains.”
Landon wasn’t convinced so easily but decided to let it go. She cast Chekov a sly grin. “Ya, well this one gave me the creeps, that’s all.”
Sulu was helping Uhura get the straw out of her hair. “I have to admit Chekov, I was a little startled myself. I don’t mean to be a baby or
anything, but, well, I hope I can sleep tonight.”
Chekov abruptly stopped brushing off his clothes when he felt all eyes upon him. They were all staring at him as if they were expecting
an explanation. No one said a word. Feeling the heat, Chekov spread his hands out to his sides and laughed. “Don’t tell me you guys
really believe all this stuff. I was just playing around.”
For awhile they all just looked at each other. Finally, Uhura broke the silence. “Chekov, its nearly Halloween and here we are on shore
leave in a wicked old barn calling to the dead. I think we all got carried away and got just what we deserved. We shouldn’t be playing
around with what we don’t understand.” With that said she began laughing and said: “Besides, now I think I have to go to the bathroom.”
Everyone joined in laughing and helping each other to brush off their clothes. Climbing down the stairs to the first floor, they were
stopped dead in their tracks when the barn door opened with a loud creak. All eyes fastened on an elderly man standing in the
doorway. He was dressed in bib overalls, a plaid shirt, work boots and a brown leather hat. His white hair almost glowed against the
dark sky behind him. He stared accusingly at the youngsters, then his eyes softened a bit. He approached the group and held his hand
out to Chekov for a handshake. Chekov took the old mans hand in a friendly gesture. The old man smiled at him, then released Chekov’
s hand slowly.
“Hope you young people are enjoying your stay. The name is Winslow, George Winslow. I’m the caretaker of this place and the owner.
Used to live here with my wife Elsy and my daughter Mandy.”
Winslow never took his eyes off of Chekov. This was making Chekov a bit uncomfortable. He was finding it difficult to break away from
the old man’s gaze. It was almost like the old man had a controlling manner about him.
Suddenly Winslow blinked, releasing the trance between he and Chekov. Winslow then turned to the others, giving them all his best
welcoming smile.
“Well,” said Winslow. “There is food in the house over there, and I took the liberty of starting a fire in the family room fireplace. It’s a
cold night and by morning you’ll all be appreciating the extra heat in the house. Ah, Chekov, there is a fireplace in your room too. I
started that one up too. These old fireplaces can be a bit tricky. Takes a little work to get ‘em going. Well, if there isn’t anything else, I’ll
be going. It’s a long ride back to town. And well you know the old saying: ‘The old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be’. That’s my
Julie, and shes old and tired like me.”
Landon was beside herself. She felt like she just stepped out of reality into the old west.
“Mr. Winslow, are you saying you rode a horse out here?”
Winslow stuck his hands in his pockets and chuckled. “My heavens, no, child. I have a buggy attached to Julie. No, I’m afraid my riding
days are long past.”
Sulu and Uhura exchanged startled looks. Sulu said: “Mr. Winslow, isn’t it rather cold to ride that, ah, horse and buggy tonight? You
must not live very far from here. It took us an hour to get out here from town in the air car.”
Winslow chuckled and shook his head. “Trouble with you young people is you lack patience. Always in a hurry, you are. Back in my day
people woke up with the sun and started their journeys early so they cold be back by sundown. But then life was much simpler. None of
this sleeping late stuff then jumping in an air car to go to town. We worked our own land and ate what we grew. There was no need to
spend so much time in town.”
“Ah, Mr. Winslow?” Chekov asked as the old man started for the door. “May I ask please, how do you know my name and how did you
know which bedroom I had chosen?”
This raised eyebrows all around the room. Everyone was so busy being taken in by the old man, they hadn’t even noticed these flaws
in the conversation.
Winslow blinked in surprise, then recovered quickly. “Young man, I did mention that I own this place, did I not?”
Chekov felt a blush creeping into his cheeks. Feeling a little sheepish he simply replied: “Yes, sir, but…..”
“Well, then, you made the reservation yourself, and I’m the one you talked to over the com line a week ago. You said your name was
Chekov and that you wanted to reserve the place for yourself and three friends. I believe you called this your ‘shore leave’.”
“Yes, sir, that is correct.” Chekov couldn’t win for loosing at the moment, so he just dropped it for now.
Winslow led them out of the barn and into the two-story house. First, they went to the kitchen. While Winslow took out some mugs from
a nearby cabinet, the other used the facilities to freshen up. When they were all seated around the big kitchen table, Winslow handed
each of them a steaming hot mug full of hot chocolate.
Chekov looked around the kitchen, taking in all the comforts of country living. “Reminds me of my grandparents farm. Even this kitchen
resembles theirs.”
Winslow smiled warmly at Chekov. “I knew you were a farm boy. I knew the second I set eyes on you in the barn. You just had that
comfortable look about ya’.”
“Well, not exactly a…’farm boy’, Mr. Winslow. My parents and I lived outside of town but not on a farm. Although my grandparents did
have a farm a few miles from us and I spent a lot of time with them.” Chekov took a drink from his mug and he felt the warmth of the
liquid spread throughout his body.
Feeling at ease finally, Chekov decided it was his turn to ask the questions. “Mr. Winslow, you said earlier that you and your daughter
lived here at on time. Does she live with you and your wife now?”
Winslow seemed as though he’d been expecting this question and sat down beside Chekov. Everyone’s ears perked up. They all
leaned in a little closer around the big table so as not to miss a single word.
“You see son, it happened like this.” Again, Winslow appeared to only be speaking to Chekov, for his eyes never left the young man.
Chekov glanced around the kitchen again, noticing that there was no teakettle on the stove or anywhere else. Nor was there any can of
chocolate or silverware lying around. Blinking back to the moment, he listened to Winslow’s story intensely.
Later that evening after having a good hot meal, they gathered in the family room. A blazing fire roared and crackled. Winslow brought
out a guitar from the hallway closet. Chekov eyed it wildly. Winslow handed it to him like a father would his son…proudly.
The others gasped with surprise. They all tried to talk at once. Sulu came over to inspect the instrument. “Gee, Chekov, do you know
how to play this thing?”
Landon came over to stand behind Chekov. “Mr. Winslow, I think you have him pegged wrong. He can’t play this thing.” Then her smile
faded as she looked down at Chekov.
“Can you?”
Chekov just shrugged and said. “Well, my grandfather taught me a few bars every time I would visit him. Next thing I knew I was playing
right along.” Chekov smiled shyly at her as if admitting to a deep dark secret.
Landon's eyes grew wide. “Oh,” was all she could get out.
Winslow retreated to a big overstuffed chair across from Chekov in front of the fireplace. The others seated themselves on a wide sofa
facing the crackling fire.
“So,” Sulu asked his eyes big with excitement, “How come you never told us you could play?”
Chekov shifted in his seat, trying to find a comfy position to hold the guitar. “Well, I don’t know.” Looking up to meet Winslow’s smiling
eyes, he said: “It was just one of those things my grandfather and I did together. I never thought it was a big deal and well…it just wasn’t
a big deal, that’s all.”
Uhura jumped in to rescue poor Chekov from anymore pounding questions. “Come on, honey, show us what you can do. Maybe we
can have a sing-a-long. What kind of music did your grandfather teach you?”
Chekov gave a sigh of relief and a silent vow that he would thank Uhura later for helping him out. “He liked a lot of different types of
music but his favorite was gospel.” Chekov began strumming the strings, tending to the tuning and trying to decide which song to play.
Winslow closed his eyes and leaned back further in his chair. Very calmly and slowly he announced: “My Mandy’s favorite song is
‘Precious Memories’.”
Chekov's fingers froze on the strings of the guitar. He looked at Winslow with warmth in his heart and said: “That was my grandparents
favorite song too.”
“Play it for me son, please?”
Chekov did as he was asked. Something about the old man was playing the strings in his soul. Chekov felt the least he could do after
the death of Winslow’s wife and mysterious disappearance of his daughter was to bring a little happiness his way. After all, it was just a
song.
Chekov looked over at Uhura. “Feel free to join in at any time. You have a beautiful voice, Uhura.”
Winslow didn’t look surprised at all to hear this. “Yes, my dear: please do.”
Uhura smiled at him broadly. She did indeed love to sing. “Thank you, kind sir; don’t mind if I do.”
Then the music started for real. Chekov's fingers glided over the strings like a pro. After the introductory course was played, Chekov
stared singing the first line. He was surprised at himself that he was not nervous at all. In fact, he felt very comfortable. Everyone’s
mouths fell open while Chekov went on to the next few lines. All except Winslow’s, that is. Chekov’s voice was like velvet: soft and
smooth, yet with great power behind it.
“‘Precious Memories, unseen angles, sent from somewhere to my soul.
How they linger, ever near me, and the sacred past unfolds...’.”
Uhura was so impressed she had to keep her mouth shut. She just wanted to hear that beautiful voice coming from the young man
singing. She realized just how secretive Chekov had been with his past. He just wasn’t one for talking about his home life.
The evening went better then expected. At one point, Winslow had tears in his eyes. Sulu couldn’t stop smiling and saying “Wow”.
Landon was speechless. She and Chekov dated off and on for a while. All of a sudden, she was feeling that she didn’t know him at all.
All this time she was sure she knew him better then anyone else. She felt pride and respect for him right now. Oh, she had respect for
him before, but she had to admit to herself that lately she hadn’t exactly been taking him too seriously. She felt a twinge of shame and a
shiver creep up her spine. From now on, she decided she would pay more attention to his feelings and ideas.
When the singing was over, Chekov smiled shyly at his audience. They all stood up and clapped loudly. Winslow wiped the tears from
his face with his hanky.
Chekov stood and walked over to the old man. Gently, he handed Winslow the guitar, then bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Mr.
Winslow. It was an honor to play your fine guitar. It brought back many wonderful memories for me.”
Winslow took his guitar and held on to it tightly. And with a lump in his throat he replied: “As it did for me my son, as it did for me.”
Chekov’s heart ached for the older gentleman. He could feel the man’s sadness and see it in his lonely eyes. Chekov fought back
stinging tears in his own eyes and hoped he would never have to feel the emptiness of such loss. “Sir, would you please tell me about
your daughter again? I would really like to know more about her and how she disappeared.”
A sparkle of delight glittered in the old man’s eyes. He sat down again and rested his guitar up against the side of the chair. Chekov
kneeled down in front of the fireplace and sat back on his heels. All eyes were on the old gentleman. This time though, they also
listened with their hearts.
Winslow took a deep shaky breath, then let it out slowly. He began his story. “I have a confession to make children. You see, I’m not
what I appear to be. My time has long since passed on this world. I guess you can say I’m among the living dead.”
He looked over at Chekov, stale gray eyes meeting deep brown ones. “But then I don’t suppose this news shocks you, young man. You
knew it all along, didn’t you?”
Chekov returned his gaze with a soft understanding smile. “No sir, I’m not shocked at all: only relieved. For awhile there I thought I may
be going crazy.”
Sulu and the rest came over to join Chekov on the rug. Sulu looked as if he had seen a ghost. Uhura and Landon had paled a notch
with confused and frightened expressions on their faces.
Sulu waved his hand in front of Chekov’s eyes to get his attention. “Chekov, would you kindly share with the rest of us what is
happening here?”
“Sure. You see, Sulu, I realize now that you are all so frightened because your hearts were not in this from the beginning. You were all
skeptical about coming here in the first place. So your minds weren’t open to anything out of the ordinary. Therefore you could not see
beyond the rims of reality.”
Uhura nodded as sudden understanding hit her. “I think I get the picture, Chekov. And you’re right, we only agreed to come here
because it was your turn to pick the shore leave location. You seemed more excited then the rest of us and was hoping this would turn
out to be a true Halloween adventure.”
Landon moved to sit closer to Chekov. “This is all just a bit weird for me. We’re scientists, Chekov: we’re not suppose to believe in this
stuff. There has to be a logical explanation for all this. And anyway, I think I’m just as opened minded as anyone else. How do you know
he is really dead and that he’s a ghost now? I mean he’s right there in front of us, we can all see him. This is a prank isn’t it? You’re all
playing a Halloween joke and it’s on me, right?” She looked around the room wildly, her eyes darting from this person than that one.
Winslow moved to the edge of his seat. “Calm down, my dear; no one is playing a joke on anyone here. This whole mess started with a
joke a long time ago. Pranks aren’t a bit funny. Especially when they hurt someone. And I don’t think Chekov would do anything to hurt
anyone either. This really isn’t a joke. I just want my daughter back. My wife passed on naturally from an illness that had no cure in my
day. But my Mandy…I fear she is on the dark side…unwillingly. I know she is out there somewhere, I can hear her calling to me but I can’
t see where she is. And I don’t know how to find her.
Landon began to cry softly. Tears of shame for her sudden outburst and cruel words were replaced with deep sorrow. An unconditional
urge to help the old gentleman overwhelmed her. “Mr. Winslow, how did you die? I mean, did you get sick? Or were you killed in an
accident…or what?”
“Oh, I’m afraid it was nothing quit so exciting as all that, my dear. Just old age, that’s all. I believe I willed myself to live so long, hoping to
find Mandy. And hoping that someone out there would believe my story and want to help me. I was angry when I knew it was my time to
go. So, when I did pass on, I refused to cross over. Happiness is on the other side and I can’t be happy knowing my Mandy is so
miserable. So, here I am: a tired, old, dead man, hanging onto…what?”
“Your hopes.” Chekov whispered, eyes full of expression gleaming in the firelight. “Your hopes and your dreams. What every man lives
for and hopes he finds before the end of his life.”
The room became very quiet. Winslow walked over to Chekov and helped the younger man to stand up. Then he embraced Chekov: a
light, fatherly hug. “Oh, my dear boy, you truly do have the gift. I knew when I heard your voice and felt your free spirit, you would be
the one.”
Chekov trembled under the older mans embrace. Then, releasing the embrace he took a cautious step back. “Mr. Winslow, I think I
understand what you’re asking, but I’m not sure I’m the one who can bring your daughter back.”
Winslow waved his hands and shook his head. “Now, hold on son. If you’ll let me finish my story, I think you’ll find that you can help. Sit
down, please. I’ll take it a bit slower this time and try not to frighten anyone. Please, just hear me out and then, if you’re still sure you
can’t help, I’ll go away and not bother any of you again.”
Sulu got an attack of the giggles. He wasn’t sure if he was more scared, nervous, or just plain excited. “Wow, this is better than any first
contact I’ve ever encountered before.”
“What ‘first contact’, Sulu?” Chekov was furious. “A first contact involves a alien being from other worlds. Mr. Winslow is as human as
the rest of us. And I think I’m confusing myself here.” He shook his head to clear the cobwebs and ran frustrated fingers through his
hair. “Look, guys, I’m sorry. If we can help Mr. Winslow and all turns out well then I’d just be happy telling our story when we get back.
But I don’t think an unhappy ghost warrants a first contact situation. Besides, who would believe us anyway?”
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, he’s got a point there, kids.”
The expression on Winslow’s face caused an all out laugh attack. The room was full of life again. They all collapsed to the floor in joyful
agony.
They all fell silent when the grandfather clock struck eleven o’clock. Winslow stood up, turned to face Chekov, then said: “We don’t
have much time. We must make our plans now if we are to retrieve Mandy by the stroke of twelve.”
Landon took Chekov’s arm firmly, “Why the stroke of twelve? What does that mean?”
“It’s the bewitching hour.” Chekov glanced at Winslow for confirmation.
Winslow nodded his head and went back to his chair. “That’s right, so please allow me to tell you what happened.”
They all took their places on the floor again. This time, taking the situation a bit more seriously then before. Winslow continued his tale
of events of that frightful evening.
“Mandy and her friends decided to dress up as witches that Halloween. It was October 31st, around eleven thirty at night. I saw the oil
lamp on in the barn loft and knew the girls were pretending to talk with the dead. Mandy had told me earlier what they had planned. She
said it was all in fun and didn’t mean anything. I went along with it because I didn’t want to spoil what little fun she had in her life.
Anyway, it was about eleven fifty eight when I saw a series of flashing lights though the kitchen window. Then the wind outside picked
up. I saw the loft door swing open all of a sudden. Then I saw what looked like shadows lingering outside the loft door. I froze for a
moment, not believing my own eyes. Then it dawned on me that the girls must have knocked down the oil lamp and the place was on
fire. I ran out of here fearing the worst and praying I would make it there on time to save the girls. I figured the shadows I saw was black
smoke from the fire: that the wind picking up must have caused the small fire to blaze out of control and the flashes of light would be
from the oil. An oil fire like that often produces a rainbow effect. These are the things I was putting together in my head while I was
running to the barn. When I got there I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t smell any smoke at all. I ran up stairs to the loft and what I saw
wasn’t a fire, but three teenage girls on the floor crying and completely scared out of their wits. I quickly gathered them up and realized
that my Mandy wasn’t among them. Well, at first I just thought that one of them went home early. But then when I saw that Mandy wasn’t
one of them…and they were all so scared and crying…I knew then something terrible had happened.”
Winslow paused for a moment to collect himself, then continued on.
“I got the girls back to the house and gave them each something hot to drink to calm their nerves and mine, too. Then I asked the girls
what happened. Hanna: she was Mandy’s best friend. She said they were sitting in a circle holding hands, and that Mandy was
pretending to be chanting. She said Mandy repeated a verse three times, then all hell broke loose. Hanna said three witches flew in
and took Mandy with them. Well, I didn’t want to believe her: after all, it sounded so far fetched. I got the girls calmed down, telling them
that Mandy probably staged the whole thing as a prank. I took the girl’s home and explained that the girls got a little carried away with
trick or treat. Their parents were very understanding and even agreed to help me look for Mandy. A lot of good it did though. Days
went by and after awhile folks started saying Mandy just ran away from home. They said she was mentally disturbed over her mother’s
death. Oh, Mandy: my poor Mandy.”
Winslow was weeping. Huge sobs shook his frail body.
The Enterprise officers moved to comfort him, laying gentle caring hands on his shoulders. Uhura held his hand and spoke softly to him.
Chekov went to the kitchen for a glass of water. He grabbed a clean glass from the counter top. He glanced out the kitchen window. His
heart skipped a beat as panic set in. “Oh, no.” He leaned over the sink and stared into the drain, thinking. Remembering the earlier
events of being in the barn loft with his friends, the answer came to him. He knew then what he must do. He also thought about how
close he had come to repeating that horrible event which took Mandy from her father.
He sat the empty glass in the sink, then ran back to the family room to tell the others. Winslow was drying his eyes. Chekov came
skidding to a stop in the doorway. Everyone looked up, startled. Trying to catch his breath, he looked over at the grandfather clock in
the far corner of the room. It read eleven twenty two. “Oh, my God: we don’t have much time left. Mr. Winslow, did any of Mandy’s
friends happen to tell you the words in the verse your daughter used to call the witches?”
Winslow rose slowly to his feet, then walked over to Chekov. “Why yes, I think so. When I was taking Hanna home, she kept repeating
some words. I knew she was in shock and all, so I just listened, didn’t want to startle her. I guess those were the words from the chant. I
haven’t talked to Hanna since that night. Her parents thought it would be best that way.
Chekov was getting more impatient every minute. “Mr. Winslow, it’s very important that you remember the words, all of them. I may be
able to help you get your daughter back: at least I hope it works.”
“You have a hunch, son?” asked Winslow, becoming very excited.
“Yes, sir: a hunch. If I’m right we’ll have to perform the ritual again in order to bring back the witches.”
“Bring them back?” everyone asked in unison.
“Chekov, do you really think that will work? Uhura was at his side in no time flat.
“I know this sounds crazy, you guys: but just hear me out first. I’m not even sure how I feel about this yet, its all happening so fast.”
Chekov turned his attention back to Winslow. “Please, Mr. Winslow, say the words slowly for me and only say them once: that’s very
important.”
Uhura took some paper and a pen from the writing desk in the hallway, then went to stand beside Winslow so as not to miss a single
word.
Winslow took a deep breath and began to recite the words. “Witches of darkness, spirits of hell, come to me, with your wicked spell.”
Chekov leaned against the doorframe looking very pale. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
“Afraid…afraid of what?” asked Landon’
“Umm, remember in the barn loft when I was chanting that verse? Well, I only got to say the verse twice. That’s when the loft door
popped open and all the wind blew in, remember?”
“Ok, we’re with you so far,” said Sulu
“Ok, well, Hanna said Mandy repeated the verse three times and then the witches appeared.”
Chekov held his hand out for the paper in Uhura’s hand. Then he held it up for everyone to see the words on it. “These are the exact
words I used today. When I said the whole verse twice the wind outside picked up and blew open the door.”
Sulu rolled his eyes. “Chekov, you said yourself at that time that it had been windy all day, and that it was just a fluke. Now you want us
to believe that we were stirring up the dead? Come on, I think your imagination is in overdrive.”
“If you’d let me finish, Mr. Know-it-all, you’ll find out that I’m capable of more then just navigating a ship and taking orders from you!”
Sulu was suddenly the center of attention. His cheeks were flushing as a result of Chekov’s outburst. “Fine Chekov, whatever. I wasn’t
telling you what to do, you know.”
Chekov lowered his guard as well. “Good, because we don’t have time for this. As I was saying, I said the verse twice, then the wind
came, then the whirlwind appeared above our heads. Think about it: the whirlwind being just above our heads wasn’t logical. Its
formation was too perfect, and most whirlwinds move around a lot. What we saw today looked more like an entity, a life-sustaining
object. We didn’t experience what Mandy did, but we would have if we hadn’t broken the circle when we did.”
Chekov was pacing back and forth running his hand through his dark hair. “Mr. Winslow, you said your daughter calls to you. If we can
summon these witches who took her, how can we be sure your daughter will be one of them?”
Winslow gestured toward the sky. “Oh, she will be. I know that’s not much to go on and I’m not sure how, but I know it to be true. Please,
you have to believe me.”
“We believe you, Mr. Winslow,” Uhura said, then she winked at Chekov and gave Winslow her best encouraging smile.
This brought a smile to Chekov's face. He could feel the tension draining away. Just like Uhura to see the bright side of a dark
situation, Chekov thought to himself.
“Ok, so we do this ritual again, the four of us, like before. The witches come and then what, Mr. Winslow? What if the witches won’t
release her to us? We certainly don’t have the powers to go up against a bunch of witches.”
Winslow’s eyebrows rose a notch. “Oh, my son, you must not loose your faith. You must all have strong faith tonight. For without it, all
will be lost.”
Chekov glanced at the clock again. “It’s eleven fifty two. We have to get to the barn loft. The ritual has to be done by the midnight hour.
So, come on: let’s go.”
Chekov led the way to the barn, then upstairs to the loft. Once there, they took their previous places. They joined hands, closed their
eyes and relaxed. Winslow took a seat on a bail of hay in the far corner. Chekov began his chanting. At the end of the second verse
the wind outside picked up. The loft door once again flew open. Flashes of blue and white light lit up the loft area. The circle remained
intact. Suddenly, the whirlwind reappeared. Winslow gasped when four black shadows came swooping in and materialized as solid
bodies. He looked rapidly from one witch to the other until… ”Mandy.”
“Father, oh father: I’ve missed you so.” Mandy didn’t move, but remained next to the three witches.
Chekov, feeling it safe to do so, opened his eyes, keeping in mind that he had to keep the circle connected. What he saw wasn’t as
awful as he expected. The three witches were clad in black, long flowing gowns, black boots and stockings. But, there were no pointy
witches hats, long noses with warts, brooms in their hands, or black rotted teeth. In fact, they each carried certain intelligence about
them. Then he saw Mandy and she saw him, and their eyes met. She was lovely. Long silky curls of light red hair, ivory skin, and bright
green eyes.
Mandy began to speak again, her eyes still trained on Chekov. “Was it you who summoned us?”
“Yes”, said Chekov. He was trying very hard not to loose his concentration.
The eldest of the witches stepped forward. Long, flowing black hair cascaded around her feet. “Then it is you to whom we will speak.”
She stepped inside the circle where the group continued to hold hands. She raised her arms above her head, closed her eyes, and
took a deep breath. She exhaled, then crossed her arms. “Oh, yes, the force is very strong. You would do us proud young man to join
us on the other side. You have great power.”
Chekov kept his expression neutral. “Yes, well, I prefer not to use my spiritual powers for anything evil.”
“Oh? The other side is not all evil. We each have to deal with evil people. You see the other side is just another dimension. A place in
which we were all born in. We were not kidnapped, and we did not kidnap Mandy. We did not know until the spell was complete that
Mandy had summoned us by mistake.”
Chekov stared at her in disbelief. “Are you saying that Mandy didn’t have to go with you?”
“No, and yes. By Mandy repeating the verse three times and concentrating on what she was doing, she called to us. Tis ritual is only
done by those who wish to live among us in our world. Therefore, we had no reason to believe otherwise and so we took her back with
us. It was when we arrived in our world that she told us what happened. By then it was to late to go back unless someone here
performed the ritual again.” She looked around the circle of young people still holding hands. “There is no further need to pull your
powers together. I will not harm any of you and it is only used to summon us. We do not require the spell to return.”
Chekov and the others released their hands, then rose to their feet: being careful not to get too close to the witches. Chekov wandered
over to Mandy. “Mandy, your father has missed you very much. In your absence, he passed away. But his spirit still lives for you. If it
weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to bring you back. You see, his soul can not rest until he knows you are happy.”
Mandy moved so close to Chekov, he could almost feel her breath on his face. She then placed her hands on each side of his face and
kissed him, gently. “I owe you my thanks for bringing me back. I knew my father had passed on. We have spoken many times, and
father knew that I could not come back unless someone summoned us properly. Before you came along, father tried to get others to
perform the ritual. But they all called him crazy and stayed away from him. Then he passed away, and well a ghost can hardly ask a
mortal for help. He can’t be seen.”
“Mandy, how is it that my friends and I can see him but no one else can?” asked Chekov.
“Pavel…. That is your name isn’t it? It’s lovely,” said Mandy.
“Yes, but how can you know that?” asked Chekov.
Mandy chuckled softly, “Well, I didn’t spend the last hundred years with witches and not learn a trick or two.”
Then she took his hand and led him to the open loft door. She sat down then motioned for him to join her.
“Pavel, you have within yourself the power to make many things possible. We all do, we just don’t know how to draw on this gift to make
it work for us. I’m not talking about witch’s powers. I’m talking about will: as in willpower. If used properly, it can be a great driving force.
If abused, it can also be very dangerous. Although I don’t see you as ever being dangerous: only kind, gentle, and thoughtful. You
cared enough to listen to my father. You could have looked the other way, but your heart told you not to. And you listened to it. I can
never repay you. I can only say thank you.”
Chekov sat very still, taken in by the moment on this magical night. Finally, he licked his lips, leaned forward and brushed her lips with
his. “No need for thanks, your safe return is thanks enough for me. Would you like to see your father? He’s right over….”
Winslow wasn’t on the bail of hay in the corner. In fact he wasn’t anywhere in the loft.
Chekov was truly puzzled for a moment, and then realization sunk in. “He’s…. he’s resting now, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” said Mandy. “Father is now at peace.”
“Wow, somehow this all seems as if I’m dreaming. What will you do now that your father is at rest? Will you stay here or go back?”
“Oh, I’ll stay here and keep the place up. I grew up here, I can’t imagine staying away forever.”
Chekov nodded and smiled, pleased with her decision. “Well, at least this story had a happing ending. We’ll be going back to our ship
now, so I guess this is good bye.”
“Why? Father said you rented the house for a week. You don’t have to leave because I am back. Please, I would like you and your
friends to be my guests. Please say you’ll stay.”
Chekov thought for a moment, staring out into the darkness, then looked down as he felt her hand slip into his. He felt a warmth inside
he’d never felt before. “After all, its not every man who gets to spend his shore leave with a lovely woman one hundred years plus his
senior.”