Chapter 1

Dani couldn't help but smile as she watched the younger children walk past their house, dressed up as goblins and fairies, princesses and knights. They were so innocent, their faces filled with happiness and joy, anticipating the wonderful night that was to come, none of them knew that years before, their towns most famous and feared legend had become a reality. A frown filtered across Dani's face.

She'd only been eight years old when Max, her stupid jerk face of a brother had lit the black flame candle unknowingly bringing back to life the evil Sanderson sisters that had lived 300 years earlier. Max, he'd moved out years before with his girlfriend Alison, they were married now and were soon to have a baby. Dani smiled again, she couldn't help it, just thinking of the Halloween after that year, Max wearing jade green tights much to his horror. She let out a small chuckle. If it was a boy, they were going to name him Thackery…

Thackery… The spirit of a boy trapped inside a cat's body, he'd helped them kill the witches and save the children of Salem from death, or worse. He'd been a friend and companion, and somewhere through that's nights jumbled and confusing events, she'd fallen for him.

She hastily whipped at the stray tear trailing down her cheek. She would not cry for him, he was free now, with Emily, his sister and his family…home.

Drawing in a shaky breath Dani hitched up the corner of her gown in one hand and stepped out the front door, her parents had already left for the Halloween party in the own hall, and she knew max and Alison would be there. She'd insisted they go without her, promising she would come later, that she had something to do first.

Strolling through the crowds of smiling and laughing children their buckets already brimming with candy and chocolate, she stopped at the call of her name. Nina, a friend from school raced to her side wearing a short green dress with sparkly fairy wings. 'Let me guess, Tinker belle?" Dani laughed. Nina laughed back. "Yeah you like?" she said doing a small twirl. Dani let out a sigh, 'you look beautiful Nina". "Thanks sweetie, you don't look to bad yourself, that's a beautiful dress. Where'd you get it?'

Dani smiled, "Alison, she didn't want it anymore, she, she thought maybe I could get something out of it" She said shaking her head as if the idea was ludicrous.

Nina sighed, "Maybe she wants you to get a date, you know she's just as concerned as the rest of us that you haven't dated anyone… ever!" Dani pouted, "that's not true, do you remember that guy in grade nine, uh, him, I dated him". Nina frowned " Who, you mean Mitchell"? Dani nodded. "Honey two days can not be counted as a relationship, if you could call it a relationship at all, the only words you said to him for the entire time was, 'Im sorry, I don't want to hurt you, but I think this was a big mistake, we need to break up'".

Dani frowned and rolled her eyes "whatever, it still counts'.

Nina frowned creasing her happy fairy like face. "Well I know your not going to come trick or treating with me, so I might as well give this to you now" Nina pulled out a small green satchel on her side, fishing out a beautiful white mask. Dani gasped, it was gorgeous.

Nina smiled at Dani's entranced face as it glittered and shone softly in the fading light.

"I thought you'd like it, I found it while me and my mum were shopping in town the other day, now if you don't want it I can always take it back I just thought-"

Dani stopped her, "No, No, its beautiful, thank you so much!" Nina shrugged, "just think of it as a really early Christmas gift", she passed the mask over to Dani, who took it with slightly trembling hands. Nina smiled, "Anyway, id better go, or there not going to be any candy left", she waved happily and flounced down the street.

Dani took the fragile object placing it over her eyes and tied the satin ribbon at the back of her head. It covered only her eyes, but it was beautiful and made her feel like a completely different person. With silent thanks to her friend sand Alison who had no doubt planned this as the dress and the mask just happened to be matching items, and continued on her way.

Soon she found herself walking through the massive gates leading to the cemetery, and it didn't take long to find the graves she was looking for. After that night Max Alison and her had put a tombstone next to Emily's for Thackery, so they would always be together.

She sunk down on the ground in front of them, allowing the tears to flow freely from her eyes. Thackery, why couldn't she let him go? She'd only known him for one night.

Yet his last words to her had always lingered in her brain. 'I shall always be with you"

That one kiss on her cheek had left him with her forever.

She sat there until the sun had completely disappeared the only light was from the moon shining overhead and the street lamps on the far side on the cemetery, rocking slightly back and forth, humming to herself. No song in particular, just a tune that had appeared from no where.

Her head shot up suddenly and her heartbeat took flight, a flash of white light descended over the cemetery, so intense she shielded her eyes with her hand. Finally the light faded, dimming until a figure was left standing a while away from her, dressed entirely in white with a wooden cross hanging down his front.

'Thackery'?