The Halloween Wisp

Chuckling, Rade watched as Wisp skipped past him, then jumped, landing on an orange rectangle.
“Pabulum,” Wisp called as their feet hit.
“Are you going to learn the other twelve vocations?” Rade asked, bemused.
Ahead: A rainbow walkway, constructed from dense clay tiles, stretched before them through a tranquil, green autumn field. A rainbow that had more colors than those made by nature. The path to symbolized the unity of their culture. Thirteen colors to represent thirteen vocations. 
Running back to his side, Wisp looked up at him, their amber eyes bright in the slowly setting sun. “Come on, Pappa, I don’t want to miss the hundred house!”
“It’s a Haunted House,” Rade said, amused. “We have plenty of time. It’s not even dark yet.”
“What was ‘haunted’ again?”
“It’s what the Earthians called scary houses. Sometimes houses with ghosts. Haunted houses made for the Halloween holiday had more than ghosts.”
“I want to find a ghost,” Wisp said, their brown messy hair bouncing along with their excitement. The excitement that came from being five and having an entire world to explore. “A real one, not pretend.”
“What will you do if it’s a mean ghost?”
“I’ll tell you and you’ll scare it away.”
Rade smiled. “That’s right. If you decide this haunted house is too scary, make sure you let me know. We can leave at any time.”
“You could scare away the mean people in the haunted house.”
“They’re here for everyone, not only us, and being scary is part of the show. The event notice said they’d have a nicer version for younger kids.”
“I don’t want them to be nicer,” Wisp said, stretching their thin tawny legs into longer strides while trying to hold their petite frame taller. “I want to see their scariest so I can show them how tough I am.”
With a warm smile Rade said, “if you want to be brave, you can. Make sure you’re not so brave you give yourself nightmares.”
“I’ll be careful. I always am.” 
Rade reached out and rustled their hair, setting the waves to new messy directions. “I know you are. My little Wisp.”
They grinned up at him. “My big pappa.” 
Wisp’s fingers wrapped around three of his and pulled Rade along the path. He let them drag him around others on the same route, and once into the grass past a wheelchair traveling at its slowest speed. The people’s clothes, like the tiles, were a rainbow of color.
The vocation made clothes, given freely to the people of The Great City of Pangu, were colorful. Unlike the other great cities, who kept their fabrics undyed. Still, the vocation made clothes were easy to differentiate from kustom made. Color couldn’t mask the unshaped cuts designed to fit all bodies. There were different sizes, and the choice between generic skirt verse generic pant, but no style beyond that.
Most wore slacks, and in the autumn air, loose long-sleeved shirts. In Pangu, artisans created kustom clothes with varied cuts and, most often, multiple colors. Wisp had wanted to wear their favorite kustom outfit and insisted Rade wear one of his.
Dressed in yellow with black stripes, Wisp reminded him of the Earthian bumble bees Anunitum kept in specialized green houses. Rade had matched them with a light yellow button-up shirt, Wisp’s favorite color, and tan slacks. He’d never bought either of them kustom shoes. The pair of them traveled often, and cork soles could only last so long. At least, in Pangu, the FiberCraft Vocation made shoes were dyed. He’d found a yellow pair for Wisp. His were brown.
The skyline disappeared behind a massive structure as they drew closer. A wide circular building, three stories tall, in the city’s center. Its walls, made of rammed clay, were random variations of light tans, several shades of orange and brown. Nearly one hundred windows ran in neat rows around the structure. The two story entrance doors were wide open, a welcome for all of Talitha Harbor’s citizens.
Rade made Wisp slow down before leading them into the warmly lit community building, the City of Pangu’s Fortress. The usual crowd milled about, some visiting, others going about important business. Even with the foot traffic, it felt spacious and airy. 
They went through another wide-open door and back outside. The path continued across a lush courtyard. Ahead, the slightly smaller circular two story building had its double doors open as well. A large, but simply crafted, painted wood sign marked the way.
“Show me the words,” Wisp said.
Rade slowly sounded out the letters, pointing as he did, “H-A-U-N-T-E-D H-O-U-S-E.” Wisp copied, moving their fingers below the letters, mimicking him. Then they tugged his hand again.
“Careful, we don’t want to fall down the stairs or knock someone over.”
“I’ll be careful,” Wisp said with gusto as they continued to pull.
At the top of the stairs, their eyes grew wide. Rade smiled as Wisp took in the person before them. A ghostly figure created by loose white robes. Chalky white powder of some sort covered their face and hair. Their dark red lips were stark in their paleness, and almost distracted from friendly brown eyes.
“I found a ghost!” Wisp exclaimed loudly.
The red lips smiled. “Hello little one. May I ask your name?”
“I’m Wisp! they/them, this is my pappa, Rade, he/him. How are you called?”
“I’m Nell, she/her.”
“Is that your real name or a pretend one?” Wisp asked.
In a spooky voice Nell said, “oh, it’s real.” Then winked.
Wisp giggled, then motioned for Nell to come closer. Whispering loud enough that Rade heard, they said, “I won’t tell.”
“Thank you,” Nell whispered back.
“I don’t want the little kid haunted house,” Wisp declared.
“Oh?” the ghost said.
“I’m fine with them trying the full experience,” said Rade as the ghost looked at him.
“Well then, brave little Wisp, you may go in. If you decide it’s too scary, tell the ghosts and monsters Nell said to behave and they will.”
“Okay!” 
Rade smiled, amused, as Wisp pulled him through a door.

*************

“Look at how excited they are,” Lucia said, smiling. An old Earthian style inspired her blue and green kustom clothes, giving them a costume-like feel.
“It’s adorable,” her partner, Philomi, dressed in a matching outfit, said. “We’ll have a little one like that soon.”
“They are adorable,” Nell said. “I’ll let you follow in a few minutes. Would you also like the full experience?” 
“What do you think, Philomi?” 
“I’ll be fine Lucia, we still have three more months before this little one is due.” Philomi put a hand on xyr extended belly. “If a small child can handle it, I don’t think they have anything that will put me into early labor.” 
Lucia leaned down and kissed Philomi’s temple. “How scary is it?”
“Unless you frighten easily, probably not very. There are some jump scares, it’s mostly disturbing images copied from documentation of Earth’s attraction. 
“Did the blond look familiar to you?” Philomi asked unexpectedly. 
“The child’s father?” Lucia asked.
“Yes, something about his face. It seemed familiar.”
Lucia tried to remember what he’d looked like. The exuberant Wisp had been too much of a distraction. “Maybe his hair is an usual hair color, and it seemed natural. Possibly the news forums. I’m sure I’d remember if we’d met in person.”
“Probably,” Philomi said, dragging the word out.
As they waited, Philomi poked around xyr belly. After a few moments, xe grabbed Lucia’s hand so she could feel a kick. Soon after, Nell ushered them through the door.
Beyond the door was darkness. Lucia kept one hand Philomi’s shoulder, reaching out with the other, she felt thick curtains. The curtained hall turned and revealed a dark red light. Lucia barely had time to register a table before a figure sat up, making her jump, as an eerie moaning sound filled the space. 
Philomi chuckled next to her. “Maybe Nell should’ve asked how easily you scared,” xe said in a low voice.
“I wasn’t ready,” Lucis said, taking in the ghoulish figure as they walked by. Something was wrong with their face, skin seemed to hang off of them. She shuttered. “What would cause that?” 
“How am I supposed to know? Maybe Earth’s toxic environment?” 
“Why would you put the results of a disaster caused by your negligence in a house for one of your celebrations?” 
“Earthians did a lot of weird shit.” Philomi said matter-of-factly. 
Lucia didn’t jump at the next scene, though it involved a dark furry creature with a long nose holding a large tree cutter. The pale person in the next scene, with long teeth poised at someone’s neck, didn’t get her either.
They walked through a long hall and followed a painted arrow stating simply, “Witches.” Around another corner.
“I’ve always wanted a child,” an elaborately dressed witch with bright red curly hair cackled. The other two, also in long dresses, laughed along.
Lucia quirked a smile. A child, their hair disheveled, popped out from behind the black object. Lucia squeaked. “That’s horrible.”
“Don’t worry,” the kid said. “They’re not really cooking me.” 
“You don’t need to say that to the adults,” the witch with dark hair said in a low voice. 
Laughing, Philomi dragged her past the scene. They made a left and saw the pair who’d entered before them.
“We might have to slow down,” Philomi said in a low voice. 
Wisp and their father disappeared into the darkness. Seconds later, they heard a squeal.
Smiling, Lucia said, “maybe I’ll stop jumping if I know when something scary is coming.” 
“At least it sounds like they’re having fun. I hope there’s another haunted house when ours is old enough. It would be a lot of fun to take them.”
“As long as they actually had fun, I agree.” 
They slowed, but still saw blond curls leaving the next scene. They paused at a scene with grey wood painted stone crosses and a hand reaching out of a fake dead ground. The vegetation was brown and wilted. As she looked around, Lucia realized a hand was sticking out of the ground. It was also fake, no one acting in this one.
Philomi moved out from under her arm and crouch down, looking at a cross. “These are grave markers.”
“Did they bury people alive?” Lucia asked, frowning at the hand. It looked green and not at all healthy.
“I don’t think so. Well, not on purpose, I hope.” 
They moved on and heard the child talking as they walked to the next scene. Lucia peaked around the corner as Philomi hung back. A dark curtained wall displayed a row of framed faces, all of them actors. Wisp walked up to each frame and asked questions.
“How did you get stuck there?” and, “What’s your favorite flower?”
Lucia held back a laugh, and slipped back into the hall, meeting Philomi’s amused eyes. Wisp was so earnest in their questions. Both of them had relatives with children, but none were as animated. Wisp continued until they heard Rade tell them it was time to see the next room.
“Wisp is more entertaining than the haunted house,” Lucia whispered.
After waiting a couple of minutes, they walked into the room. The pictures became stoic. Then six sets of eyes turned towards them. One slowly opened their mouth and made a moaning sound.
Lucia smiled and watched the show. It was a little creepy, but probably would have been spookier if they hadn’t caught up to Wisp. The scene had reinforced Lucia’s desire to become a parent. To watch how your own child interacted with and processed the world. They would have a little Philomi and, once te was a couple of sols old, Lucia would ask for a donor.
Despite the couple’s attempt to move through the exhibits slower, they still came upon the pair a few scenes later. There had been no sounds to alert them and they walked around a corner and right into a scene with a giant cobweb and spider. Wisp had been reaching towards the arachnid and twirled around when they walked in.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Philomi said. “We thought we’d stayed far enough back.” 
“It’s okay,” Wisp said.
Lucia wasn’t sure if Rade agreed, given the flash of annoyance on his face, but he said nothing.
“Are you enjoying the haunted house?” She asked.
“Yes, and I haven’t been scared, not once.” 
Rade quirked a smile, but said nothing. 
“They didn’t really have spiders this big,” Wisp said. “It’s pretend.” 
Trying not to look amused, Lucia nodded. Wisp invited them along and, since Rade didn’t object, she agreed. In seconds, Wisp was skipping away from the spider and down the path.
“They’re very cute,” Philomi said in a low voice. 
“Thank you,” Rade said. “I wasn’t sure how Wisp would do. So far, they’ve taken it all in stride.” 
“They seem very curious,” Lucia said. Smiling, she added, “We’re due to have one of our own in three months. I hope ter’re as interested in ter world.”
The group went through more rooms, Lucia smiling and catching her partner’s eyes at Wisp’s antics. Regardless of the image, they seemed fully engrossed, asking all three of them questions. If anything frightened them, they didn’t show it. 
As they walked past another arrow, one labeled ‘Mad Scientist,’ Lucia suddenly realized who Rade looked like. The ousted Councillor Michiel Blackwood. It had been two sols since a vote of no confidence removed Blackwood from the position. An event that shocked the three great cities. It had taken place in Anunitum, not Pangu. A separate Council of Thirteen sat here.
A Councillor being voted out by the other twelve hadn’t happened for more than one hundred sols. It had been the big topic in the news forums. One one story had competed. A story of a missing child. That little one, only three sols, had also been from Anunitum. Te had been a child of another Councillor. Rumors had spread, but Blackwood had been visiting pubs that night. His infamy also meant he had a lot of alibis. Later, they declared the child dead, an assumed victim of the ancient forests surrounding the city.
It took all of Lucia’s self-control not to pull her identity pad out of her pocket and look up images of Michiel Blackwood. The group walked through two more scenes and the thought wouldn’t leave. It shouldn’t matter. Councillor Blackwood had done nothing that required a Call to Council. It had been a vote of no confidence, nothing more. 
Lucia tried to remember if the articles had mentioned a child. Maybe. It had been a little while ago. She slowed, forcing her partner to slow with an arm around xyr shoulders. “He looks like Councillor Blackwood,” she whispered. “That’s why he seemed familiar.” 
“Oh, shit, you’re right,” Philomi whispered back.
They continued. Lucia found it harder to focus on Wisp. Were they walking through a Haunted House with a former member of the Council of Thirteen? That alone would be something. A well-respected position, and one held by so few in a city near half a million. She was pretty sure she’d never came across one before. Michiel Blackwood was the only ousted councillor alive, and from a different city. Coming across him would be one in a million. 
“Excuse me,” Philomi said in a quiet voice. “I hope this isn’t too personal, but are you Michiel Blackwood?”
Lucia thought she saw something flicker across Rade’s face for a brief second, but then he looked confused. “The ousted Councillor?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’ve probably heard this before, but you look a lot like him.” 
“I paid little attention to his appearance,” he said, “but I suppose I look a little like him. We have similar hair.” 
“I think he had blue eyes as well,” Lucia said, since Rade didn’t seem to take offense. “Which are unusual. Though I don’t think they’re as unusual as Wisp’s eyes. They really are striking.”
Rade smiled, “yes they are.” He looked towards the child, who was in the middle of an animated conversation with a person dressed in a long white coat. Softly he said, “the only other person I’ve ever seen with amber eyes was Wisp’s mother.” 
“They must be beautiful, Wisp’s mother.” Lucia said.
“She was,” Rade said, and even softer, “unfortunately we lost her last autumn, from an unfortunate accident. It was sudden a quite hard. But Wisp has been doing a little better. Today they seem like their old self. Rosa would be happy if she could be here.”
“I’m so sorry,” Lucia said, her heart breaking a little for the young child. The three people she called parent were still alive, as well as Philomi’s two. 
“I hope you’ve been able to take the time you need to grieve,” Philomi said. “Wisp is so self-assured. You’ve obviously supported them well.” 
“Thank you,” Rade said. “I do my best.”

*************

Wisp skipped happily out of the haunted house and onto the path leading around the circular building. The friendly couple who’d walked through with them were still there. They asked each how they liked it and what their favorite part was. They also asked how scary they thought it was and giggled when Philomi said Lucia had jumped a few times at the beginning. 
“I didn’t jump at all,” Wisp told them proudly. Some of it had been dark and strange, but pappa had spent a lot of time teaching them about real and fake. They always tried not to be scared of fake stuff. “It was my first one, and I still wasn’t scared.” 
“You’re very brave,” Lucia said.
Wisp beamed. “Can we get pastries now?” 
“Yes,” pappa said. He turned to the other two and said, “it was a pleasure talking to you. I hope we didn’t interrupt your experience too much.”
“Oh, not at all,” Lucia said. “If anything, it was much better.” She looked at Wisp and said, “it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“You too,” Wisp said, though they were ready to leave and go get pastries. But there had been lessons about patience and they were trying to be on their best behavior. Pappa had said it was important when they were in the city, made them promise before they left the house.
Later, after picking out three pastries, they sat at a table in the corner of a small café. It was pappa’s favorite spot, so he could sit and watch the door. Wisp took a big bite of a pastry filled with sweet citrus. It was their favorite. 
Between bites, Rade said, “We’ll have to go on another trip soon. It’ll be Anunitum this time. You can see your grandma, Rosa.” 
“Can we? I can’t even remember the last time I saw her, in person.” 
“It was a couple of sols ago, you were too young to remember.” 
“I can’t wait,” Wisp said, grinning. Then, remembering something asked, “what were you whispering about, with the other two?”
“You noticed?”
“I did,” they said, proudly. “I’m practicing my awareness so I can go to work with you.” 
Rade smiled, but it faded as he said in a low voice, “they thought I was someone I wasn’t. Someone many people don’t like.”
Wisp frowned. “Why would they think you were someone else?”
“Because I look a little like him.” 
“Oh,” Wisp said, thinking about it as they ate another bite. They were pretty sure no one else looked like them, not with their special amber eyes. “Did you tell them who you really were?” 
“Of course. I’m only Rade, only your pappa. I don’t need to be anyone else.”
“Did you tell them how you saved me?” Wisp asked excitedly.
“No,” Rade said, “we can’t tell anyone about that, remember?”
“Right,” Wisp said, then looked around, seeing if anyone had heard. They didn’t think so. 
It was their favorite story. They asked Rade to tell it to them a lot. How Rade had found them, wondering in the forest, crying. Their parents had lost them, or left them, and he brought them home. Now he was their pappa and better than their other parents, who they couldn’t even remember.

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A little peek at the world of Talitha Harbor and A little teaser for my future novel, "Broken Mist."
Keep up with the writing progress here: Talitha Harbor Discord