Evelyn spun around, her translucent form shaking wildly."Oh!I...I didn't realize anyone was...I'm sorry, I'm just looking for someone..."
"You're Evelyn, aren't you?"Honey asked kindly, her voice soft with compassion."Cornelius Lennox's assistant?"
At the mention of Cornelius's name, Evelyn's form became even more unstable, and fresh spectral tears began flowing through her cheeks, streaking her very presence.
"I have to find them," she whispered, her voice breaking."He's going to be so angry if I don't...I can't disappoint him again."
"Hey," Maisie said softly, her water witch abilities picking up on the intense emotional distress radiating from the ghost."You're scared.What's wrong?"
Evelyn looked around frantically, as if afraid Cornelius might appear at any moment."I can't...I shouldn't...He doesn't like it when I talk to people without permission."
Uma felt a chill of recognition.She'd seen this kind of fear before—the way someone acted when they were being controlled, manipulated, abused.
"You don't have to be afraid," Uma said firmly."We're not going to hurt you, and we won't tell anyone we spoke with you."
"You don't understand," Evelyn said, her form pulsing between visible and invisible."He needs information about these three ghosts.If I don't find them, if I can't give him what he wants..."
She trailed off, but the implication was clear enough to make all three women exchange concerned glances.
"Evelyn," Honey said gently, "no one should make you feel this frightened.Whatever's happening, maybe we can help."
"No one can help," Evelyn whispered, her voice barely audible."I just have to find them and get back before he thinks I'm taking too long."
With that, she flickered away into the depths of the woods, leaving Uma, Honey, and Maisie standing in the shadows with the growing certainty that something was very, very wrong.
Chapter 13
Patching Reality
By the time everyone reconvened in the town square.The autumn decorations had been returned to their proper homes, the toilet paper streamers removed, and Cauldron Falls looked normal once again.
Sean knelt beside one of the ancient ginkgo trees with a Spectral Enforcement Unit issued spray bottle, carefully applying a sparkling mist to the crystalline residue around its base.The liquid seemed to absorb into the burn mark, causing it to glow faintly before settling back to its normal appearance.
His movements were methodical and precise, following protocols that had been developed through methodical study of dimensional security work.Each application of the sealant followed a specific pattern designed to create overlapping barriers that would prevent future breaches.
"Loophole Sealant," he read from the bottle's label, his Irish accent carrying a note of professional satisfaction."Apply liberally to spectral tears and dimensional breaches.Effective for minor to moderate rifts in the veiled barrier."
"Will that fix it?"Uma asked, watching the treatment with interest.
The process fascinated her from both a professional brewing perspective and a personal concern for Sean's obvious anxiety about the situation.She could see the tension in his shoulders beginning to ease as the sealant took effect.
"Should do," Sean replied, standing and examining his work."I'll need to treat the cemetery site as well, but this spray is designed specifically for this type of breach.According to the instructions, it creates a barrier that prevents further travel through the affected area."
Roam approached, his enhanced senses testing the air around the treated spot."Seems to be working."
"Agreed," Sean said, capping the bottle with satisfaction."Once I treat the cemetery mark the same way, both loopholes should be permanently sealed.No more unauthorized ghost travel."
The only evidence remaining was the faint mark around the base of the ginkgo tree, though now it looked more like a natural discoloration than the result of dimensional tampering.Sean examined the burn pattern with the focused intensity of someone whose career depended on understanding exactly what had gone wrong.
"It's definitely the same as the cemetery mark," Sean confirmed, straightening up."Two loophole sites, probably used in sequence."
"So, our theory is correct," Roam said grimly."Ghosts somehow traveled from the cemetery to town, caused the prank, then returned the same way."
"Which means this could happen again if we don't understand how it started," Sean added, running his hands through his hair.
Mayor Leahnora Loveridge approached, a slight squint creasing the corner of her eyes as she surveyed the treated area."Gentlemen, I think we need to seal up the cemetery and file an official report.Immediately."
Sean nodded."Agreed.I need to get back to the other site, now.Then town hall to file paperwork.Since we'll have sealed both sites, I can report this as a contained situation."
