Chapter 8

Jason had come around from the opposite side of the grove. All the trees and bushes seemed to be facing the center of the grove. Jason, came up to Jeremy, and helped him up.

"Jeremy, Jeremy, are you okay?" Jason said as he pulled Jeremy up.

"Y-y-yes, J-j-Jason. Wh-wh-what happened?" Jason looked at his brother and then looked at the roots in the ground.

"It seems as if you tripped over these roots? Can you walk?" Jason asked. Jeremy shook his head yes and stood up.

"Jeremy, we have to go to the center of the grove. Your brother and our niece are there. They need our help!" Jason said as he started off in that direction. Jeremy followed two trees opened and then closed around them. They were now in the center of the grove.

Both Jeremy and Joshua stopped, none of the vines or trees or roots responded to Sheila's commands. Sheila, the tree stopped laughing and held Shellie closer to the trunk. Looking at Jason, she addressed him and said:

Who are you to think you have power that is stronger than mine! she cackled. Jeremy immediately went towards Joshua to help him get untangled. But Jason stood still in front of Sheila the tree, she was one of the Scottish legends, a Banshee who would at any moment be able to rise up and scream while carrying the child away. Without turning, Jason said to Joshua:

"Josh, take the fear from yer' hand, throw it over yer' right shoulder." Jeremy had just gotten done chopping the vines away from Joshua when Jason said again:

"The fear that is within you, Josh, grab it and throw it away from you!" Jason spoke more precisely.

Josh was still kind of dizzy but found that his right hand was released, he quickly thought of the fears he had then he balled his fist and raised it. Pulling his right arm back behind him he threw his fist forward, opening it as it came straight like throwing a baseball. Jeremy saw a heavy black fog go from Josh's hand to a waiting tree which caught it and ate it. Jeremy and Joshua stood surprised, but Jason said:

"Joshua, walk toward the tree!" Joshua walked toward the tree that was holding Shellie. When he got near, the tree held onto Shellie even tighter. Jason then said,

"Brothers, we need to say these next words together!" Jason said as Jeremy and Joshua came up beside him. There was a poem that they had all learned when very young. Although Joshua and Jeremy had no idea why their father had taught them this poem, Jason knew and one day he would tell them why but now it was just good that their father had them learn the poem when they were young.

Jason stood and started the poem:

"Oh, to the center ye shall go, to wander to and fro

Jeremy and Joshua joined in:

This screaming, crying netherworld ghost we see

Shall now be banished from this tree

Scream loud, scream high, but soon it will be nigh

For as we stand together, we three, we

banish you banshee from this tree so begone with Ye!"

The three of them said it and Sheila, screamed loudly and let go of Shellie who fell into Joshua's arms, The three of them said it and Sheila, screamed loudly and let go of Shellie who fell into Joshua's arms. It was eerily quiet. Jason said to Jeremy:
"Jeremy, help Josh get Shellie home. I will come down in a little bit." Jeremy went over to Joshua who was holding Shellie in his arms. He put his hand on his brothers' shoulder and gently guided him down the mountain.

The light of the sun was just beginning to dawn on a cool crisp morning. Jeremy and Joshua came down from the mountain. They saw a heavy fog that was beginning to lift from the main part of Seattle. As they drew closer, they saw the lights in Lottie's saloon.

"We had better go to the saloon, Pilar and the others will be waiting for us there." Said Joshua as he shifted Shellie to his other shoulder. As they entered the saloon, they saw that most of Seattle, with the exception of the children, had waited up for them. Lottie had fallen asleep at one of the tables, Pilar was up early getting breakfast ready. For her, feeding people was a way to deal with her worries and fears. She was in the kitchen when Joshua entered first. Clancy and Big Swede saw them come in. Lottie, smiled and went to the kitchen and got Pilar. J.J. who had fallen asleep nest to his mother, was awake as well. When he saw his father and sister, he was so happy that he ran over and hugged him and his sister. Shellie kind of woke up but fell back asleep.

"Mi amor, mi esposo!" Pilar said and then touching Shellie's hair, she said quietly:
"Mi querida hija!" she kissed her on her forehead and then kissed Joshua. They decided to go home to rest. Jeremy was tired and also went home with Candy who had stayed up at the saloon as well.

Shellie stirred just then in Joshua's arms

"Daddy, I love you. Thank you for helping me!" she said sleepily.

"You're welcome sweetheart!" He said and he took J.J.'s hand and Pilar walked beside him, and they went home to rest after a long night.