《Whispers From Weeping Hallows》 Chapter One: Maps ¡°Why are you two named Ghost and Pumpkin? Did your parents hate you or something.¡± A group of five sat comfortably in a small living room, each sipping their own drink as they chatted with one another. ¡°Well¡­¡± Ghost trailed off, ¡°From what I remember are parents telling us, it was a common tradition in the town we were born in to name your children based on when and where they were born.¡± She began to explain. Pumpkin nodded along, ¡°For example, children born during a snowstorm might be named Blizzard or Frost, and a child born near Christmas might be called Eve or Gift.¡± He elaborated, ¡°Me and Ghost were born on Halloween, I was born first when my parents were driving past a pumpkin patch. Hence the name Pumpkin.¡± Ghost gave a quick hum of agreement before continuing Pumpkin¡¯s explanation, ¡°I was born in the hospital, my mom claims she saw a ghostly hand pressed against the window when she decided on my name.¡± Ghost fluxed her voice to indicate something spooky as she spoke a small grin spreading across her face. ¡°That honestly sounds awesome, I wish my name had a fun backstory like that, my parents just liked the name Noah.¡± ¡°Same here, my mom wanted to name me Heather after my late grandmother but my dad hated the name, said it reminded him of his old high school bully. Which is why I ended up with the name Becky.¡± Becky shook her head, leaning back in her chair. ¡°Beh, could be worse, I¡¯m named after my super religious grandma Lily, and I still see her every Christmas.¡± Lily groaned, tipping her head back as she gulped down the rest of her beverage. ¡°Did your hometown have any other fun traditions like that?¡± Noah asked, leaning forward with his own drink in hand. ¡°Well, not many that we can really remember. We did move when we were pretty young. Plus our parents won¡¯t talk about it at all.¡± Ghost responded, twirling her mug of tea. Pumpkin hummed in agreement, ¡°It''s almost like they would rather just forget the place ever existed to begin with.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Pumpkin and Ghost nodded in unison, ¡°They won''t speak a word about it, haven''t for years. Last thing I ever remember them even mentioning about the place was that it was cursed. That it was best never to invite it back into our lives.¡± ¡°Oh? Cursed you say.¡± Lily snickered, eyes lighting up at the prospect. Pumpkin nodded with a fond smile, ¡°Man, I remember so many weird things about that place.¡± ¡°Like that pumpkin patch we were never allowed to go in?¡± Ghost recalled perking up and turning to face her twin. ¡°And that old man running the coffee shop, I distinctly remember paying for a lollipop with an old pair of socks.¡± ¡°Yeah! And I¡¯m telling you the mayor looked like a doll.¡± ¡°That couldn¡¯t of happened.¡± Becky interjected, disbelieve clear in her tone as she began leaning in towards her friends. ¡°It totally did,¡± Pumpkin argued back, placing his mug of hot chocolate down. ¡°Really?¡± Lily asked, nearly bouncing in her seat, ¡°Do you ever think of going back?¡± Pumpkin paused at that, he¡¯d thought about trying to find the place a few times over the years, going as far as searching for the town on google. Yet he¡¯d never been able to find the town on any map, or any news from the town for that matter. It was as if the town didn¡¯t exist to begin with. As he pondered these thoughts he looked over to Ghost, her own hesitance cluing him into her thoughts. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°We¡¯d thought about it a few times, but we¡¯ve never been able to find the town. Hell, we don¡¯t even know what state to look in.¡± Ghost spoke up after a few moments of silence, ¡°If we could find a map¡­ maybe.¡± She¡¯d never said these thoughts out loud before, even on the occasions she and her brother would talk about their shared experiences in that little old town. Pumpkin nodded along with her, ¡°I think if we could find a map we should visit, even if it is just a normal town.¡± Ghost snorted, ¡°The town is literally named Weeping Hallows, I highly doubt it¡¯d be a normal town even if it was filled with supernatural entries¡± She stressed, slight humor in her tone. ¡°Well, where would you find such a map?¡± Noah asked, reminding the twins of their guest once more. Pumpkin and Ghost paused at that, thinking. ¡°Maybe in storage? We have a box of maps that Pumpkin used to collect.¡± Ghost guessed jerking for head toward Pumpkin. Pumpkin flushed momentary, ¡°It¡¯d be in there,¡± he muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll go see if I can find it real fast.¡± He flashed a smile before departing. Lily turned to Ghost, ¡°What else do you remember about the town, was it really haunted?¡± Ghost stifled a laugh before answering her friend, ¡°Maybe, maybe not. It was most certainly odd though. For example this one time¡­¡± Ghost began recalling her experiences in the little town of Weeping Hallows for her friends, entertaining them with the tales of her childhood. Becky, Noah, and Lily listened in intently, soaking up each word she spoke. The friends found themselves absorbed in the stories of a time not well remembered. So absorbed were they in such tales they failed to notice Pumpkin¡¯s return to the room, arms carrying a box full of maps. ¡°Here they are!¡± He announced cheerfully dumping the box into the circle of friends. The group quickly recovered from their momentary shock. Looking down at the book they cheered, knocking it over, littering the floor with its contents. Pumpkin plopped down within the circle, reaching for the nearby maps. As he pulled them closer he gave each a once over checking them briefly for the little town. Ghost reached out and tipped the box the rest of the way over dumping the rest of its contents out before tossing the now empty box behind her. The group quickly got to work, looking through each map, flipping them open, and observing each individually before placing them aside to view another. The group went through half of all the maps in front of them before Ghost got a hit. ¡°I found one!¡± She exclaimed, clenching the map tightly as excitement threatened to overtake her. ¡°Let me see!¡± Lily demanded, abandoning her own map in favor of getting a look at Ghost¡¯s. Ghost swept her leg out knocking the shrinking pile of maps out of the way. As soon as she cleared a place on the floor she placed the map onto the floor, laying it out for all to see. ¡°Here it is!¡± She hurriedly pointed to a little town marked on the corner of the map. The rest of the group crowded around, each trying to get a good look at the map. So crowded where they that Pumpkin nearly elbowed Noah in the face as he dropped down to get a look. ¡°Where is that?¡± Pumpkin inquired as he peered down to the place Ghost pointed. Ghost didn¡¯t have an answer for him, prompting the rest of the group to look around the map for a way to identify exactly where the village was located. ¡°There!¡± Becky shouted into Lily¡¯s and Noah¡¯s ears. She pointed to the bolded word Missouri on the side of the map. ¡°Missouri? That''s like 12 hours away!¡± Noah pointed out. Pumpkin ignored him, ¡°Are there more maps to the town?¡± Ghost flipped the map, revealing a closer view of the village, complete with all the roads needed to get there. ¡°I¡¯d say yes.¡± She breathed out, mouth slightly agape. She sat back slightly eyes wide and unbelieving, they¡¯d actually found a map to their hometown. After all this time they were going to find out what really happened all those years ago. The room fell silent for a few tense moments. ¡°Who wants to go on a road trip?¡± Pumpkin broke the silence with a soft voice. The room erupted into chaos. Each person shouted over each other as they attempted to get their opinion heard. Slowly as each individually realized they¡¯d get nowhere shouting at one another the room settled down once more, mellowing out. Taking a deep breath as order returned to the room Ghost began, ¡°We have fall break starting tomorrow, we can take the weekend through Tuesday to visit and come back Tuesday afternoon.¡± She suggested, looking toward her twin for approval. He nodded with her, ¡°We should back our thing tonight and leave after breakfast tomorrow.¡± Noah sighed, deflating slightly, ¡°I can¡¯t go then, I already promised I¡¯d visit my parents during break, I¡¯m driving back tomorrow.¡± Lily nodded along with Noah, visibly slouching as she spoke up, ¡°Same here, my flight leaves at 12 tomorrow.¡± Ghost and Pumpkin nodded to them, understanding why they wouldn¡¯t be able to make it. Shifting their attention to the last person in their little group they looked over to Becky expectantly. Her face sported a wide grin and her eyes seemed to sparkle. She spoke two words, ¡°I¡¯m in.¡± Chapter Two: Problem Accure The sun hung low in the sky as Ghost loaded the last of the luggage into the small car. A small huff left her lips as she bent backward, stretching her back out with a small pop. The cool autumn breeze passing by with a slight whistle, ruffling her long hair as it passed, brushing softly against her skin. A small smile overtook Ghost¡¯s face, taking a little moment to stop and enjoy the cool fall weather. ¡°Almost ready to go?¡± Pumpkin called, from the front door, breaking Ghost from her trance. He step out from the patio, having just finished cleaning up the house. Ghost¡¯s attention turned to her twin, addressing him with a grin, ¡°All set here! We¡¯re just waiting on Becky now.¡± Pumpkin hopped down the few stairs leading up to the porch, approaching his twin, ¡°She should have been here by know, do you know whats holding her up?¡± Ghost shock her head, ¡°No, I¡¯ve tried calling and texting her, but she hasn¡¯t gotten back to me.¡± ¡°Hmmmm, its not like her to be late like this¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be here soon, maybe she just got stuck in morning traffic.¡± ¡°Maybe--¡± Riiiiiing! Riiiiiiiiiiiing! Ghost quickly searched her pockets as the sharp ringing of her phone cut Pumpkin off. She ruffled through her pockets, searching them before her hand grasped the smooth surface of her phone case after the second ring, enabling her to pull the phone out of her jacket pocket. Her eyes landed on the name of the caller first reading Becky¡¯s name in bold letters written across the screen of her phone. Her finger swiped the screen in an instant, answering the call. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Hey Ghost,¡± Came the voice of Becky from the other side of the phone, sounding tired and worn down. ¡°Becky? Are you alright?¡± Ghost asked as her brows furrowed, concern welling up in her as she listened into the tried tone her friend carried. ¡°Yeah¡­ no not really,¡± Becky sighed from the other end, ¡°My grandma¡¯s in the hospital, she had a heart attack late last night.¡± ¡°Oh my gods, are you ok?¡± ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m not going to be able to go on the trip with you and Pumpkin. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She sounded truly remorseful, Ghost wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if she¡¯d been crying moment before the call. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! You just focus on taking care of your grandma alright? Me and Pumpkin will be a just fine on our own.¡± Ghost hurried to reassure Becky, fake cheer and real concern in her voice. ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll see you guys next week then?¡± Ghost firmly nodded, not really considering Becky couldn¡¯t see her, ¡°Absolutely, take care alright?¡± ¡°You to, bye.¡± ¡°Bye.¡± Ghost said back just before Becky ended the call. She brought the phone down from her ear with a sigh, turning to Pumpkin, ¡°Becky¡¯s not going to be able to come, her grandma had a heart attack.¡± Pumpkin¡¯s eyes widened at the news, ¡°That¡¯s awful is she alright?¡± Ghost nodded, ¡°Seems so, but Becky¡¯s staying with her for now.¡± Pumpkin sighed, gaze drifting to the car filled with luggage, ¡°Well I suppose there¡¯s nothing more for us to do.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Might as well get the show on the road then.¡± Ghost agreed finishing Pumpkins thought. The twins tucked the conversation away in their minds as they headed to the car, climbing in with no more fuss. Pumpkin gently turned the key to the engine, causing it to come to live with a small grumble. Soft music filter in from the speakers as Ghost fiddled with the aux cord, hooking up her playlist. The music changed as Pumpkin backed out of the driveway, turning from mellow to up beat. Ghost began nodding her head to the rhythm as the duo exited the small subdivision they live in, absent mindlessly scrolling though her phone as she pulled up google maps, quickly plugging in a town near to Weeping Hallows. Because of the town¡¯s remote nature google could only take them an hour out from the town, after that they were going to have to resort to the beaten up maps that they¡¯d thrown into the back seat. While Ghost messed around with directions, Pumpkin relaxed into the drivers seat. His eyes on the road as he mindlessly obeyed the orders of google, following its directions to the interstate without a fuss. He drove the little car down the road listening to the Halloween themed playlist Ghost put on, and following the demands of a map. He breathed softly, taking in the local scenery as he left the little college town he lived in. Onto the next adventure he went, accompanied only by his twin as they raced towards a town they only barely remembered.\ ---------- Pumpkin drove for hours, the sun rose and fell in the sky as he passed town after town. He and his sister stopped a few times for bathroom breaks, gas, and lunch, but that¡¯d been it. His mind wandered, only paying a little attention to the road ahead. Ghost had offered many a time to take over driving, to which Pumpkin shot down each time. She instead found herself forced into selecting a playlist, getting directions, and staring off into space. Ghost found herself in one little instance of staring into space when the quite music was suddenly cut off by the tyrant google. ¡°You have arrived at your destination.¡± Come the monotone voice. Ghost snapped out of her trance, focusing forward to the little town of circleville, located an hour away from Weeping Hallows. Pumpkin turned, pulled over into a nearby gas station. He drove up to the nearest pump, parking the car before climbing out. Ghost, now all alone in the car, raised her arms above her head touching the roof of the car as she stretched to the best of her ability. Her body bending back with a long satisfied sigh, relaxing as she took a deep breath. Blinking her eyes a few times Ghost turned, looking into the backseat. Huffing slightly she began reaching back, fingers just grazing the tips of the maps that laid on their sides in the back. Her eyes narrowed as she stretched out more wiggling her fingers, trying grasp the maps. Her fingers glazed the corners before finally she pinched the edge of one of the maps. A sharp grin over took her lips as she leaned back, pulling the maps with her. She wrapped her hand around the edge of them, getting a better grip as she brought them up to the front. Ghost folded the first map on out, taking in all its glory. Her eyes scanned the it, up and down, side to side. Her searching gaze paused only twice, once when she pinpointed her and Pumpkin¡¯s location, and again when she found the little town of Weeping Hallows marked not a hundred miles away. She focused on the two towns, looking closely for the quickest route between them. A small hum left her lips as she considered the contents of the map. Her attention only braking to the sound of the opening and closing of the driver¡¯s door. ¡°We almost there?¡± Pumpkin asked, peering over Ghost¡¯s shoulder to see the map she held. Ghost turned her attention to Pumpkin giving him as small nod as she lowered the map to her lap, ¡°Nearly, we¡¯ll need to take highway AA another twenty miles, then turn onto this little road here,¡± She pointed to a road on the map, ¡°For another fifteen miles. Then there,¡± She pointed to the last road they¡¯d need to travel, ¡°We just have to take that road ten miles then we¡¯ll be in town.¡± Pumpkin nodded, a smile slowly creeping up his face, ¡°Alright! What do you think we¡¯ll find there?¡± He exclaimed, leg bouncing with nervous energy. His hands gripped the wheel tightly as he turned out of the gas station, heading down the road. Ghost shrugged, folding the map slightly, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, do you really think what we saw there will be real?¡± She asked, voice low and filled with anxiety. Pumpkin took a long moment to consider that, ¡°I¡¯m not sure either, but if it is¡­¡± He trailed off glancing momentary to Ghost. Ghost nodded, determination written out on her face, ¡°We will find out.¡± The duo fell silent, conversation dying on their lips as they watched the open road roll pass them, minds filled with circling thoughts. The strange little place called Weeping Hallows never quite leaving their minds. Together they drove for miles, entering a forest with no end in site as they drew closer and closer to their destination. The sun dipped down, down below the horizon, setting softly behind the trees and rolling hills they drove past. The last few rays of sunshine illuminated the ground, shining softly from behind the thick trees. The sun provided just enough light to show a small worn down sign sitting to the side of the road. A sign covered in leaves and debrie, slowly rotting away. A sign that read: Welcome to Weeping Hallows.