100 Years later

"My goodness!! Cathal, can you believe how Dingle has developed since the last time we were here." Dedrei shrieked. The Delaney family just docked at Dingle harbor after a century of ostracism.

"Yes, it's good to be home, Dedrei. I can't tell you how I have missed our hometown."

"I can't wait to get home and have a good rest. Did you phone in advance so that they could clean out our home before we arrive? Nessa asked irritated.

"Of course I did. The driver will meet us here at the harbor and take us to The Grove. There's Ferris now. Come let's hurry." Dedrei replied excitedly. As soon as the driver saw them he hurried to help with their luggage. In no time they were on their way to The Grove.

Dingle is gloriously green this time of the year. It's a beautiful day with the sun shining, although it's the beginning of Fall. In the backdrop you could see the black-rock cliffs. The crashing waves foamed around the foot of the mountains. The tide was low and you could smell the sea refreshingly in the air. It was a tranquil drive over the scenic mountain roads. As they drove over the mountains you could see traces of the now ruined town walls that were built in the 1500's.

"Can you believe that they actually built a rail road in 1891? Apparently the rail transport were built for the transport of fish throughout the county. Seeing all this makes me feel I am entering a foreign country." Cathal said sadly.

There was a bustle in town. A kind of excitement. Almost an overwhelming feeling as they tried to get through the crowds of people in the town centre. The town was kind of sleepy the last time they were here. A century surely changed Dingle. It was farmers Friday. The small cluster of stalls that filled the car park in the centre of town made this evident.

"They are preparing for All Hallows' Eve." Nessa noticed with a sneer in her voice.

"Halloween." The driver said.

"What?"

"It's not called All Hallows' Eve anymore. They now call it Halloween."

"That's preposterous."

The Grove is on the left side of the road on Spa Road in town. Everybody were evidently relieved as they drove up to their home.

The Grove, also known as Ballantaggart House is a three hundred year old manor. It overlooks the countryside, small mountains and Dingle Bay. A picturesque view.

Turning to the house was a view not so picturesque. The memories of a hundred years ago formed a new opinion on the house. The trees around the house lurching in the wind, gave it a ghostly look. You could hear the wind whisper of ghosts long ago. Ivy were growing up the house walls draping around the windows, making it look like a prison. Imprisoned memories of past tales.

Pushing the old iron gate open to the property had an icy feeling to the touch. The path leading up to the house was covered in fallen leaves and made it uneven. The crunching of the leaves is the only sound you could hear while walking up to the steps. Pushing open the heavy wooden door you could smell the chemicals used to clean the house. In the hallway hung paintings of family members from centuries ago. Their eyes followed your every move. The stairway led up to the second floor where the bedrooms were. Every step you took creaked, reminding you of old ghosts living in the house. Behind the stairs was the library with its large bookshelves that covered the walls. The mystery novels in the library weren't the only mystery locked up in the walls. If walls could only speak. Beyond the stairs were an enormous kitchen with its old coal stove. To the right of the stairs was a huge dining room and beyond that the living room. The fire was burning in the fireplace to warm the cold old house. The old house had a certain mystery and history to it.

**********

"This town never seizes to amaze me." Dedrei says sarcastically.

"Why is that?"

"Well Cathal, in a matter of three weeks we have been accepted into the Dingle society without a question. We have made lots of friends that we can use for our purpose. It really is delightful, don't you think?" She said sweetly. "The people are so friendly. All our neighbors came to introduce themselves. They even brought welcoming gifts like fruit baskets, pies and cakes. They really made life easy for us."

"Your right. It was a productive three weeks. We identified the three people that we'll need for our sacrifice. There will be enough All Hallows' Eve party guests for Lorcan when he awakes. You've organized a big soiree with your charms."

"True, true. When are we going to visit the old Kilmalkedar Church so that we can plan the ceremony for the sacrifice?"

"The old church is in ruins, but Ferris assured me that the tomb has been in tact all this time. We should go tonight. All Hallows Eve is next week."

"It is fortunate that the residents decided to keep doing the harvest festival sacrifices after all these years." Dedrei laughed evilly. "They believe All Hallows' Eve is holy. This year All Hollow's Eve is going to be our holy night. When the souls of the dead return home, we are going to be ready to bring Lorcan back."

"It suits our purpose here. When the people light candles on their loved ones graves and offer portions of their crops, we won't draw attention to us when we do our sacrifices. When they light their bonfires to do their own rituals with nuts and apples, they will be none the wiser of our doings. They believe the bonfire flames, smoke and ashes have protective and cleansing powers. We'll see how those rituals protect them. Where is Nessa this afternoon?" Cathal asked lazily holding a brass goblet filled with blood.

"She is visiting with Edana." Dedrei said smiling.

"Wonderful. Our plans can't go any smoother. Sweet Edana, the mayors daughter is our virgin maiden sacrifice, attractive Sheriff Arlend O'Boyle is our warrior sacrifice and the poor trustworthy Priest Nicholas Inglis is our Priestly sacrifice."

**********

It was a dark and windy night as the four of them made it over to the old Kilmalkedar Church. There were flashes of lightning in the distance. If it wasn't for the torch Cathal was carrying, they wouldn't have been able to see. The moon was shining through the misty and cloudy sky. You could hear the ghostly wind whiz through the trees branches. An occasional screech of an owl and bats sweeping down from the trees were the only sounds except for the their footsteps. As the church grew nearer everything became quieter.

Ferris opened a secret door to the catacomb. He lit the torches on their descent. Everybody followed him in silence. It was dark, dank and narrow tunnels. Skulls and bones of the dead lay strewn on the floor. Spiders were running on the walls beside them. After a while they entered into a large chamber.

"This is perfect, Ferris. We'll take his body outside as soon as the people have lit their candles in the cemetery and lit their sacrificial bonfires." Cathal said excitedly.

"The shrines will be ready on All Hallows' Eve, Sir" Ferris said respectfully.

"I can't believe it's going to be so easy."

"I thought you perfect people were up to something." An unfamiliar voice said behind them.

"Aaaaaaah Mr Bearach Connelly. What a pleasant surprise!" Cathal exclaimed. It's so nice of you to join us."

"I will expose you for the monsters you are, Cathal. You might have the rest of the town fooled, but I knew you bloodsuckers were up to no good." Bearach shouted at them.

Before anyone could say anything, Nessa launched herself at Bearach and snapped his neck.

"You are not going to stand in my way. You are not going to keep me from bringing the love of my life back." Nessa stared at the lifeless body at her feet.

"Oh deary, what have you done?" Dedrei said nervously. "Ferris take his body back to the house and put him in the freezer, I have some tasty treats Mr Bearach can assist me with.