Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #20 November 2015 | Page 68

“My God, listen to me,” I said aloud, laughing
at myself as I got dressed from my bath. I couldn’t
believe I was actually turning to the church. It was
beyond ironic, and I didn’t know whether I wanted to
laugh or cry.
The short walk to t he abbey took me to the
same place I had been the night before. Yet, in the
daylight, it was much less frightening. I brought my
cane since my foot was giving me trouble, and took
my time getting there.
Random monks looked at me in curiosity.
Some scowled and some waved with a smile. I was an
oddity: the missing lord of the estate. I might as well
have been a ghost to them too.
“Oh, hello, Devon,” said Abbot Hugh with a
jovial, gentle voice. I had known him since I was a
young boy, and he was a kind, calming face to see. I
immediately requested that we speak in private, and
he took me to his room. It was a small living space,
but warm and cosy with flower pots on the window
sill.
“Oh, yes, I’ve sometimes heard her in the
night. I’m so sorry you experienced her terror on the
first night of your return.”
“No matter,” I replied, “but… is there nothing
that can be done?”
“Well,” sighed the abbot, “we’ve tried our
usual methods, and sadly, she does not respond. The
poor girl…”
I looked in his blue-grey eyes and wondered
what he was hiding. “Did you know her, Abbot?”
Again, Abbot Hugh sighed, then said, “Yes,
you see… I believe the ghost was my niece. I think
you knew her quite well, if I recall.”
My stomach dropped and my eyes widened
with fear. “Your niece?” I asked, trying my best to
remain calm. “Are you referring to Mary?”

Abbot Hugh nodded and said, “Yes,
unfortunately, my poor niece died a few months after
you left for the war. She had… an accident.”
I could feel my throat and stomach tighten as I
muttered, “What… sort of accident?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, Devon,
but... Mary died of complications from a miscarriage.
She made me promise not to tell you, for you had been
through quite enough with almost getting permanently
disowned by your domineering aunt. It’s the truth
though, and I would have contacted you about her
death, but, well, the stories I heard about you in
Italy… I just didn’t think you’d want to be disturbed
by the news.”
I nearly leapt from my seat and lunged at him.
“How could you keep this from me, Abbot?!” I blurted
out. “She was my truest love! Was the child mine? It
was, wasn’t it? Oh, dear God, why didn’t she tell me?
I would have married her, despite my aunt! I swear,
Abbot, I would have!”
Abbot Hugh simply looked at me while I
ranted, sadly nodding in return. He had nothing to say
except that he was sorry. After I yelled and raved, I
finally cried, and the gracious, elderly abbot before me
held me in his tender arms.
“It is alright, my poor boy,” he said as he
patted my back.
“How is it alright?” I asked him. “My dear
Mary is in torment, and I have to help her. We MUST
help her. If you believe in heaven and hell, Abbot, you
must help me send her to heaven. Despite succumbing
to my need for her, she was a good, loving soul, and
she deserves to be at peace. It isn’t her fault that she
died in such pain. The fault is all mine.”
“No, Devon,” said Abbot Hugh. “Don’t blame
yourself for the flame of love. It is perfectly natural. I
saw how you two loved each other. I know you would
have married her… if only we could go back in time
and convince my niece.”

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