Uma closed the flask carefully and placed it in Evelyn's other hand."This is yours now.When you're ready—when you feel strong enough—you can take more.But for now, this should help you remember who you really are."
Evelyn clutched the flask protectively, her newly stabilized form showing more confidence than Uma had thought possible."What happens now?"
"Now, if you're willing, you come with me," Uma said."Back to town, where you can tell your story to people who will believe you and help you.Where you can be safe from him.Where we can put together a plan to protect you.”
"But the convention—"
"Will survive without you for a few hours," Uma interrupted gently."The question is: are you ready to take the first step toward freedom?"
Evelyn looked at the flask, then at Uma's determined face, then back at the flask.The single drop had given her just enough clarity to see through some of the fog of manipulation that had clouded her thoughts for so long.
"Yes," she said quietly, but with growing conviction."Yes, I think I am ready.I'm scared, but...I'm ready to try."
Uma smiled and gestured, summoning her glistening transportation bubble around them both."Then let's go tell your story to my friends who will actually listen."
As they rose into the evening sky, leaving the Ghost Prom behind, Evelyn clutched the flask and looked back at the tent where she'd spent so much time being diminished and controlled.
"Thank you," Evelyn said quietly.
"Don't thank me yet," Uma replied."Wait until you're truly free."
Below them, the convention continued in all its splendor, completely unaware that one of its most important attendees had just taken her first steps toward reclaiming her voice.And somewhere in the celebration, a certain celebrity author would soon discover that his most valuable asset had just walked away.
Chapter 19
Portal Party Bus
While Uma was rescuing Evelyn and Sean and Roam were filing official reports at Town Hall, the quartet of party-minded spirits were implementing their own plan for the evening's entertainment.
The sacred grove thrummed with celebratory energy as the Ghost Prom reached its peak.Decorations sparkled between the ancient trees, while musicians filled the night air with melodies that made even the stars seem to dance.But for four spirits, the official festivities paled in comparison to the escapade they had planned.
"Right then, lads and lady," Finn announced as they approached the cemetery gates."Time for the grand finale!"
His enthusiasm was infectious, spreading through the group with the kind of anticipation that transforms ordinary evenings into legendary stories.The cemetery ahead looked peaceful and inviting in the moonlight, its ancient headstones casting familiar shadows across well-tended grounds.It was quiet, with no zombie in sight—Butcher was completely absent from his usual haunts.
"I still can't believe you talked me into this," Vivienne giggled, though her eyes sparkled with mischievous delight."My reputation will never recover!"
Her protest was purely theatrical, delivered with the dramatic flair that had made her legendary in the speakeasies of her era.The prospect of scandal was as thrilling as the escapade itself, adding an element of delicious impropriety to their plans.
"Your reputation will be legendary," Chet corrected with a grin."The ghost who showed an entire convention how to really party!"
They floated through the cemetery with the confidence of spirits who'd already pulled off one successful venture.The familiar grounds welcomed them back, each headstone a silent witness to their previous nocturnal escapade.The peaceful atmosphere belied the chaos they were about to unleash.
"Where's poor Butcher gotten to?"Beau asked as they passed the empty area where the zombie caretaker usually maintained his vigil.
"Probably taking the night off," Finn said dismissively."More fun for us without him fussing about."
They made their way to the great stone Devil Oak Tree, where the mark from their previous venture was still visible despite Sean's treatment with the loophole sealant.The residual energy seemed to pulse with potential, as if waiting for the right combination of circumstances to activate once more.
As they approached the loophole, Vivienne spotted other ghosts drifting between the convention and the cemetery.She beamed with inspiration.
"Darlings!"she called out to a group of Victorian-era spirits."You simply must join us for the most thrilling evening!"
Her voice carried the kind of breathless excitement that made even the most mundane activities sound irresistible.The Victorian ghosts paused in their evening stroll, intrigued by her obvious enthusiasm.
"What sort of evening?"asked a distinguished gentleman in a top hat, his curiosity overcoming his natural British reserve.
"The kind that lets you taste champagne again!"Vivienne declared dramatically, gesturing with the theatrical flair that had made her a star of the underground party scene.
