Callie looked at me in surprise. She must have seen something in my face because she nodded and sat.
“I’ve thought of an idea, but I need to check the footage. I believe I’ve figured out what’s bothering the ghosts,” I called from the bathroom.
“You have?”
“I’ve had a night to think about things. Nobody wants to be forgotten, right?” I knew damn well I didn’t. That lonely, unmarked grave bothered me more than I could say.
“True.”
“Then I think I might have a solution.”
“What brought this on?” Callie demanded from the doorway.
I turned to stare at her. “Maybe, having time to consider things properly has led me to the conclusion I’ve been a raging asshole.”
“Ain’t gonna argue there, Sunny,” Callie quipped. Her spirit flared in her eyes, and I smiled. There was my woman.
“Come on, let me tuck you in, and then I can get to work.”
“Fine,” Callie said as she shucked off her clothes and stepped into the bath. I lavished attention on her and finally tucked her into bed.
“I’ll make things right, Callie, that’s a promise,” I swore.
Callie nodded, yawned, and fell asleep.
???
I’d spent the day organising things and putting a plan together. Deep in my bones, I felt I was correct. One by one, the team filed in, and Fiona and Simon came with them. Several of them sent me dark looks, but I ignored them.
“What’s this about, Sunny?” Jack asked after everyone had eaten.
“I think I know why the ghosts are so active.”
“Go ahead,” Callie replied with an uncertain smile.
“What’s the worst thing as a person to happen to you? To be forgotten—and it’s even worse when you don’t move on. Can anyone here deny that everything the ghosts are doing is for attention?”
“No,” Callie drawled slowly. Several of the others agreed with her. Fiona sat up and looked interested.
“The older spirits are concerned about keeping the children safe and entertained. They don’t want exorcisms or to lose any of them. The children want attention, like any child does,” I said. “Ignoring them is causing them pain.”
“How can we stop hurting them?” Fiona asked.
“By giving them chores,” I replied, and everyone frowned.
“What?” Simon asked.
“The spirits here are strong. There’s a ley line running under this mountain, which is what I think they’re drawing energy from. You can’t move the town or the ley line. The adults are desperate to protect the children from anyone who might harm them, including being forgotten.
“But if you ask the adults to do certain things to entertain the children, they’ll feel useful, and the children are entertained, such as those ice hockey-playing penguins. Get the adults to do that and illustrate it. Use them to reposition the static elves and the gnomes. Ask them what they’d like to do. Plan and keep things moving forward. Let the children move things in Santa’s Village and explain it again, animatronics and robotics,” I said.
“Do you think that will work?” Fiona asked, sitting up straight.
“Yes. They don’t intend to antagonise anyone. They want to be remembered and to be useful. The children have been ignored since they died. Acknowledging them will go a long way. I’d also suggest setting up a museum for them to be remembered in,” I stated.
“How can we communicate?” Simon inquired.
“Use the amended Ovilus we have. If it breaks, contact us for another one, but they can talk through that. It’s already been proved. If you allow the ghosts to help create the magic here, then I think everything will calm down for you,” I said.
