The Black Heart Crypt

Ginny could tell: Her big sister Hannah was, once again, ready to tell her and Sophie what they needed to do.

“There is only one sure way to protect Zachary,” Hannah decreed. “We must take him to the Hedge Pig Emporium. He must drink the milk shake.”

“Oh, Hannah,” said Ginny. “Honestly. That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think? What if Zack does not wish to give up his gift?”

“He is a boy, Virginia. He does not know what is best for him.”

“And we do?” asked Ginny, arching an eyebrow.

“Of course we do. We’re adults.”

“Wisdom and age, dear sister, are not automatically linked.”

The three cats meowed. They always did that when they heard something they agreed with.

“Could we go with Zack and order milk shakes, too?” asked Sophie, who was working open the crinkly wrapper on one of the fun-sized candy bars she had snagged from the bags Judy kept stored in the pantry.

Hannah glared at her.

“I was just curious,” Sophie mumbled. “Actually, I prefer ice cream sodas. And Milky Ways.” She popped one into her mouth.

“Might I remind you, sisters,” said Ginny, “that the milk shake will only prove effective should Zack truly desire to free himself from these uninvited visitors?”

“It worked on his father,” countered Hannah.

“Indeed it did,” said Ginny. “But only after he was ready to let his gift go.”

“Sisters,” said Sophie, licking her chocolate-smudged fingertips, “today is Halloween. Dead souls will be popping up all over the place, searching for anybody who has the gift, anyone who can do their bidding. Oh, my—they’ll be looking for Zack! They’ll be looking for us!”

“We should immediately counsel Zack to make the choice,” said Hannah. “To willingly drink the drink. We should do it before sundown!”

“But, dear sister,” said Ginny, “what if, by taking away his gift just when he needs it most, we render Zack even more vulnerable to the demons who seek to do him harm?”

“Who?” asked Sophie, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head. “Who wants to hurt Zack?”

“Many,” said Ginny. “Never forget, we three made quite a few immortal enemies when we were young and in our prime.”

“Very well,” sighed Hannah wearily. “What would you suggest, Virginia?”

“Yes,” said Sophie, unwrapping a second candy bar. “Tell us.”

“It’s very simple,” Ginny answered calmly. “Georgie will be taking Zack and his friends trick-or-treating on Main Street tonight. He will be surrounded by a crowd of living souls to shield him from the wandering dead.”

“Being in a happy crowd often saddens deceased souls,” said Hannah, “especially those who did not seize the day and enjoy life while they were living it.”

“Exactly. Now then, I will go along on the excursion to offer protection in the unlikely event it should prove necessary. Afterward, Zack and I will discuss his desires. If he truly wishes to be free of his gift, then, sisters, rest assured—I shall take him to the Hedge Pig Emporium at the first opportunity and order him their thickest, richest milk shake.”

Hannah nodded solemnly. “So let it be.”

Ginny reached out and clasped Hannah’s hand on her left, Sophie’s on her right. Sophie completed the circle by joining hands with Hannah. The three cats stretched into a tails-up, heads-down bow.

“We three agree?” said Hannah.

“We three agree,” chanted Sophie and Virginia in reply.

And the matter was closed to further discussion.