Epilogue

"Grace, Grace, Grace, wake up, wake up," Grace remembered being lost in the darkness, then hearing the sound of a voice in a British accent calling out her name. Next thing she knew, she had awoken with a start to find herself back inside the den. She was still in Patch of Heaven, safe and unharmed without knowing the real Mrs. Calloway beside her. Wasn't she supposed to be dead or was it all just a bad dream? But it almost seemed real to her. She found her body lying atop a bedding of the same fresh normal non-magical hay and three blue ribbons nailed on the walls. Morning had come at last. The sun was in its normal average golden color instead of dark orange as its rays shone through the windows. The sky was blue instead of black or red and nothing on the ground grabbed out at her. To her relief, her stomach had no open cut or enormous scar. She was home again!

However, when Mrs. Calloway moved closer to ask what was going on, Grace nearly shrieked and backed up against the walls.

"What, now what has gotten into you?" Mrs. Calloway still stood there staring with a concerned expression. Grace was still backed up, believing that this was some kind of trick. But to make sure, she asked.

"What day is it today?"

"Today is November 1st of course, what else did you think it might be?" She spoke in a soft gentle tone instead of raspy or cocky. Her hooves were not long and pointed, her back had no hunch, and the only thing she wore was the purple bonnet on her head instead of a black cape. It was the real Mrs. Calloway standing there. Grace moved away from the wall and tried to tell her about the nightmare.

"Oh Mrs. C, I was swept away to a dark world of evil pumpkins, walking zombies, hungry coyotes, giant spiders, ghostly whispers, phantom cowboys and wicked witches who wanted to kill me with a dark spell, and their leader looked just like you. I mean you were the witch." Mrs. Calloway was taken aback by that statement.

"I beg you your pardon, but what did you call me?" That was Mrs. Calloway speaking all right. Grace could only smile; glad to discover that she was no imposter or anything wicked.

"Um, it's nothing serious really. I'm just glad that I'm here and you're here. But I still can't believe that it was all just a silly nightmare."

"Well then see what happens when you listen to too many of those silly campfire tales? I'm going to have a small talk with Jack about going easy on them next time. But for now, come on out, everyone is waiting for you."

"The whole family is outside?" Grace felt another rush of happiness.

"Of course, they just woke up a while ago." Mrs. Calloway showed Grace to the doors. To her surprise, everyone was out there enjoying themselves. It turned out to be another beautiful sunny day. How it was still this way didn't matter to her anymore, as long as she was home with her real friends and family. She went to join Maggie and Mrs. Calloway happily in the morning sun to talk about her adventures, even though she was quite sure that they would never believe what she told them.

The End

Disclaimer: All characters of HOTR are the property of the Walt Disney Company. Other characters not mentioned in the film are created by me. Even though it is no longer October, I hope the readers who read this story enjoyed it, and I would like to say: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!