IV
'D
Today is my brother's birthday, and it is March 15th. I am writing because today makes it three years from the occasion.
My brother and I one night while our parents were out were playing some bridge. He was most likely cheating on me because it was the first time I'd ever played and he wasn't clear on the rules. I guess he was cheating then because he is always cheating me now.
We were gazing out the window when from across the field, came a person wearing a hooded cloak. They were holding a lantern that flashed different colors and were heading into the Haunted Woods.
The Haunted Woods are at the edge of our property, and are not only the most haunted in Ireland, they are the most haunted in the world.
Fordge was suddenly worried, if they entered the Woods, they would never be seen again, and, because no one outside it knows what is in there, something unimaginable could live inside.
He was very brave and told me he was going to stop them as he ran to grab his jacket. I told him the person could be a demon, but he said it was better to be safe then loose a life.
I watched fifteen minutes later, I am guessing because I didn't know time then, as he went after them, and to my horror, when the cloaked person entered the woods, not very long after Fordge went in after them.
I went to my room and cried and wondered how I should explain why he never came back to Mum and Dad. Then I heard the door open and left to go and tell our parents, when there in the hall was Fordge. It was I am guessing many hours later.
He tried to smile at me and I ran up and hugged him. I realized that in his hand was the flashing color lantern. He told me not to tell anyone about it, but I am telling you Mr. Chrestomanci. We think that the person who carries the lantern can enter and exit the forest whenever they please. Fordge told me he was going to destroy the lantern, because he never wanted to go back there. I'm not sure if he did or didn't.
After that he has lost all interest in what he used to love, like magic. He will make half-hearted attempts at it, and say it isn't interesting. But nothing is interesting to him. I am thoroughly worried about his health, and so I am writing you this letter.
I do hope you will listen to me, because he and I need help. I would like to come and live with you and be trained to use our magic at it's fullest power and work for you. My parents have agreed on letting us both go forever, if it will save him from the black hole he is getting sucked into, as they say. I do believe his magic is strong, and to show you how strong mine is, I will send this letter with some magic.
Love,
Darlah Mackeely.
The letter did arrive by magic, Chrestomanci thought as he reread it as he waited for Gabriel with Cat, Janet, and Mrs. Nostrowm. It had flown into the castle (how he didn't know because of all of the guarding spells) and smacked his across the face as he was going down to breakfast.
There was a sound at the door, and Chrestomanci waved his hand, and it open.
Gabriel came in.
"Well? What was it?" Cat asked immediately.
"He," Gabriel paused for a moment. "He has been receiving letters from the Haunted Woods for the past three years." He admitted.
"What?" Mrs. Nostrowm demanded.
"Here they are. He says he's always carrying them with him in case someone were to discover them."
He pulled out a large pile of envelopes from his pockets and handed them to Chrestomanci. They were rubberbanded in the order they were received.
"You might want to read them sir. There are eighteen in all. One came every two months, he said." Gabriel indicated to the letters.
"Thank you Gabriel." Chrestomanci said, putting them in his suit coat pocket, which didn't bulge considering there were eighteen letters in it (obviously magic).
"Now, to the rest of us, I suggest we get some sleep, and not a word of this is to be spoken to his sister, Darlah. Janet, Cat? I want you two to go into Fordge's room when he is asleep and see if a message was left there by the Haunted Woods after Gabriel left it." He instructed the two semi siblings. They nodded and left the study of Chrestomanci's room.
At what most likely was three o' clock, the two went into the room and as quietly as they could searched it.
"There's nothing here," Cat said to his sister. 'We'd better go off and look at the letters we do have with our Uncle.
They turned to leave when Janet suddenly grabbed Cat's arm.
"Wait, there is a letter." She pointed to Fordge. In his sleep, without knowing, he was holding it in his hand.