Eva knew she was special, her friend had told her so, as did her mother and father. She didn't know why her family thought this, but she knew why Jack thought so. Her had told her one day after she had made her promise not to tell.
Jack had been a part
of her life for as long as she could remember, although she only got
to see him for three days every year. He had bright red hair and
piercing blue eyes, belying an energy that showed in other, as he
always seemed to be moving even when sitting still. He made her laugh
and feel safe, even when it was dark. She was very afraid of the
darkness, sometimes, eva was very, very afraid if it was windy, and
the black clouds cast nasty shadows on the wall opposite her bed. At
such times she would cover her head and light the secret lantern that
Jack had given her years ago. It was a magic light that never needed
batteries, invisible to everyone else except her.
This comforted her,
in the way that she always felt, even though she could not see him,
when she used the torch Jack was with her. He told her that they were
inseparable, always being together. Eva liked this, pleasing Jack.
Every
year on her birthday, Jack would be with her, playing games and
laughing together, Always fancy dress they would make up stories,
according to what they were dressed as, with Eva eating the candy she
had amassed on the usual rounds, for you see, her birthday was
October 31st.
Halloween, or on the Pagan calander; Samhain. The last harvest. And
on her sixth birthday Jack had told her that the last Harvest was
always best, for it was special. Like the two of them. How it was was
never clear to Eva. When she asked Jack had always smiled and told
her that she would know one day. When she was old enough. And thus it
would remain a mystery to her until four years later.
Her tenth birthday
was nearing. Jack being with her all day, until the first of
November, solid as ever, from the moment she awoke, which was earlier
than usual as she always wanted to sped as much time with him as she
could, until, for some reason, to about dinner time. Then he would
vanish for another year. She was always sad when he had to go. He
promised her though, that even when she could not see him, he would
always be there, all she had to do was switch on her torch. But for
now...
On the morning of
her birthday Jack, lively as ever, even more so for some reason. He
was smiling brightly, his face bright as the sunshine. When she asked
him what the matter was, he replied that she would have to wait and
see, just that this birthday was a long time in coming.
They laughed and
played the whole day, all the while Eva giving him puzzled glances,
him saying nothing. Even during her usual party he seemed more quiet
than usual. Quiet, but not moody, but plesantly contented, as if he
was at peace.
It was Eva's bed
time and mummy and daddy were both there to tuck her into bed.
After-ward they sat by her bedside and brought out a little book.
They told her that now she was a big girl they had something to show
her. Eva opened the book and saw that it was full of pictures.
Photographs of two babies; twins. Mummy said that they were called
Eva and Jack. Eva started to cry, but Jack, who would normally be
gone by now appeared beside her and held her hand as daddy told her
that her big twin brother Jack had went to sleep, and was waiting for
Eva in a special place, that they would be together again someday.
Eva told her parents
that she knew about Jack, as he is always with her, and keeps her
safe at night by lighting up the dark.
When her mummy asked
how he light up the darkness, she replied that he did it with a
lantern. In fact she could show the it. She went to the cupboard
where the lantern was kept, but when she looked in there
Jack's Lantern was
gone.
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