Bryan and the Hallows: All Hallows' Eve

By Fannie Wengerd

When Bryan Aarons is attacked by ghosts, he meets his Guardian. His Guardian tells him that he needs to help Melanie Lewis rescue her little sister, Mary, who has been kidnapped by a Hallow that looks like a Hulk. Bryan thinks it is impossible, but he builds on the teaching of his late mother and sets out on his mission.

Bryan and Melanie follow the signs through a seemingly solid wall and into a town that they didn't know existed, where they face giant reptiles and a very large vicious dog. They search out the entrance to the corridor that leads them down to the very gates of evil. There they rescue Mary from the evil keeper of the gates.

Faith helps Bryan, Melanie, and Mary get back to safety through the corridor despite tapestries that are traps, witches, large reptiles, walking and talking vegetables, and a normally solid wall.

Can skeptical Melanie rescue Bryan and Mary when they fall through a portal back into the corridor, through faith and the help of two converted hallows?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098085117

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was a perfect Halloween night—chilly, dark, and spooky. Just the tiniest fingernail of a moon shone through the naked arms of the trees. It was easy to imagine a goblin popping out from behind a tree or a ghost popping up from behind a gravestone in the cemetery.

All this perfection went unnoticed by the tall, gangly, dark-haired youth who was walking quietly through the dark night. He was thinking of what his late mother had often said about Halloween. She had called it All Hallows Eve, the evening when witches, wizards, ghosts, goblins, and such things of the underworld walked the earth uninhibited, while everyone else was so busy pretending to be what they weren’t that no one could tell which was which.

Fourteen-year-old Bryan Aarons wasn’t sure he actually believed in ghosts and things like that. He was quite straightforward and didn’t want to believe in things that go bump in the night, but his mother always sounded so sure of herself that he couldn’t decide.

His dad, who was a psychiatrist, would either laugh or argue whenever she said something about it. Sometimes he’d say it was in her Irish heritage to believe in such claptrap.

Why would we never see them if they existed? he would argue.

You do see them. You just don’t realize it because they only come out on All Hallows’ Eve, she would argue right back. And they look just like people in costumes. You really wouldn’t know how to tell that it’s them.

Deep in thought, Bryan didn’t even pay attention when he passed the old church that usually inspired his admiration. It was an old red-brick beauty complete with white trim, steeple, cupola, bells, and a cross on top, surrounded by well-kept lawns with stately old oak trees.

He walked by without a glance and continued on, starting past Emory Park with its darker evergreen trees and beautiful fountains, which were currently turned off due to the seasonably cold weather in Unique, Wisconsin. Also unnoticed by the youth was something much more sinister that was keeping track of his progress and chuckling oh so softly to itself.

Bryan was jerked out of his preoccupation by loud, aggressive voices. He shivered and rubbed his arms, trying to ward off a bone-deep chill.

When had it become this cold? he wondered.

Looking around, he realized that he was beside the Rest Haven Cemetery already. He rubbed his arms again and shook his head at himself.

I must have been in lost in thought.

Thinking about his mother did that to him.

Something seemed to be moving just outside his peripheral vision.

Was that a ghost?

He turned his head and looked into the cemetery but didn’t see any ghosts. He chuckled at his silliness.

Maybe I shouldn’t think of Mom’s Hallows when the reality of them is so believable, he murmured to himself.

Hearing the loud voices again, he looked across the street. Off to his left by Emory Park, he saw three girls walking toward him on the opposite side of the street. Two of the girls he knew from school, and they were having a very loud disagreement.

Melanie Lewis was the somewhat standoffish new girl, and the other was Janice Day, the ninth grade’s notorious mean girl. An angelic little girl, appropriately dressed as an angel, was walking behind them, swinging her candy basket and humming a tune. She didn’t seem to have a care in the world and appeared to be oblivious to the older girls yelling at each other.

Bryan grinned a bit. It sounded like Melanie had finally had enough of Janice’s bad attitude.

I have no idea why she would have chosen her for a friend, anyway, he thought as he shivered again.

He wondered again why he felt so cold all of a sudden.

Maybe I’ve been thinking of ghosts too much.

He chuckled at himself, but his laughter was cut short as he saw movement in the shadows of the trees behind the three girls. He looked more closely and saw a huge guy following them. Moving from shadow to shadow, the man was closing in fast on the little girl.

Bryan started to yell a warning but stopped as a feeling of utter dread swept over him. It was accompanied by a stiff breeze that swept all thoughts out of his mind.

Hearing a slight noise off to his right, he turned and was astounded to see a white floating object by one of the gravestones.

Bryan stood, mouth agape. Ghosts, he whispered numbly.

At first, he was sure it was just a trick of the light, that it couldn’t really be a ghost. He rubbed his eyes frantically, but even more ghosts appeared, and they all started floating toward him, moaning eerily. They sounded like the wind blowing past a window on a cold winter night.

Mom was right, Bryan choked out in horror. There really are ghosts and things like that. Why couldn’t she be wrong about this?

Coming back to his senses, Bryan started running, but he hit something solid. Thrown off-balance, he sat down hard. Looking up, he saw that he had run into a witch. She wore the traditional black clothing, but a general aura of evil radiated around her like a robe.

As Bryan sat there gasping for a breath that seemed to elude him, he shuddered in response to the malevolence he felt emanating from her.

Running away? the witch inquired throatily. Surely you don’t want to let these poor ghosties go hungry. They feed on fear. You should be a tasty treat. Come and get him, my empty-headed buddies.

Numb with fear, Bryan tried to get to his feet. He knew he had to get away, but his energy was fading quickly. All he could feel was blind terror and a bone-deep chill that seemed to invade his soul. Cold, so very cold, everything faded away as he sank down to the ground.

Sorry for not believing you, Mom, he whispered as he succumbed to the darkness.

*****

Fourteen-year-old Melanie Lewis was just about at the end of her patience. Janice Day had asked her to go trick-or-treating, just the two of them. Though it was unusual for Melanie, she had agreed to go.

But her mother, Kathleen Lewis, the backup doctor on call at the hospital, was called in, and that left Melanie responsible for her five-year-old sister, Mary. This unexpected turn of events made the black-haired, black-eyed Janice very angry, and she kept ranting and raving about the inconvenience of having Mary along.

I mean, Janice was raging, why couldn’t the brat just stay at home by herself? Why do you always have to take care of her? She’s not your brat. She’s not your responsibility. She peppered her dialogue liberally with foul language.

She’s— Melanie began.

Why don’t you have a costume on, anyway? Janice interrupted savagely, peppering her dialogue with more foul language. You look stupid out here without a costume. And we look dumb dragging a stupid brat along.

Melanie ground her teeth together, thinking Janice’s Maleficent costume surely fit her. She was dressed in a black outfit with spiderweb stockings and gloves. Black nails, lips, and mascara made her look perfectly evil, especially with her permanent sneer in place. She was very nasty and always thought she should be number one.

Why did I even accept her invitation? I’ve never actually liked her. Melanie shook her head at her own stupidity. She knew why she had accepted the invitation. The other kids in school seemed so standoffish, and she needed someone to talk to.

She had never actually been fond of trick-or-treating; even as a young girl, she hadn’t cared for the idea of going up to strangers’ doors and asking for candy. She’d rather do without, and had for many years, but because of being new in town, she thought this might be an opportunity to get to know Janice better.

Thinking if they did something Janice liked she would lighten up a bit, she had agreed to go. Now she wished she hadn’t.

I didn’t want to bring her along, Janice continued her tirade. She’d better keep up, because I don’t care what anyone says, I’m not going back to get her. Mary, keep the f—— up!

That did it. Melanie had had all she could take.

Shut up, Janice, she snapped, her blue eyes shooting daggers. It’s not Mary’s or my fault that Mom couldn’t be home. Mary is not a brat, and she’s too young to stay at home alone. I didn’t wear a costume because I couldn’t find anything I liked, and what’s more, don’t swear in front of my little sister. Melanie ended her tirade in a shout.

At first, Janice was speechless. She had never seen Melanie lose her temper or heard her raise her voice in anger, despite all the times Janice had been mean. She just stood there with her mouth hanging open comically, though Melanie was too angry to laugh. But her surprise quickly turned to wrath, and Janice puffed up furiously.

Oh, don’t swear in front of my little sister, Janice mocked in a singsong voice. Well, aren’t you the perfect one? You always think you’re so much better than everyone. What kind of costume did you want, an angel one to match baby sister’s? Well, you should be wearing a collar. That would really fit you. You always bark when your mother commands.

Melanie was incensed. How dare Janice imply that Melanie was wrong for helping her mother?

She started to reply in anger but stopped as an acute feeling of danger swept over her. She shivered as goose bumps popped up on her arms. She turned around slowly, then screamed.

Chapter 2

Bryan became aware of the warmth first, so comforting and all-consuming. He didn’t feel any fear; instead, he felt calm, strong, and invincible.

He opened his eyes slowly and looked around. Everything was a soft, shimmering white. He was lying on a cot, covered with a very soft white blanket. It looked like a puffball cloud covering him.

Am I in heaven? Bryan wondered.

Sensing movement, Bryan turned his head and did a double take. There in front of an old fireplace sat a man clothed in shimmering white. He had white hair that just lightly brushed the collar of what appeared to be a robe. Bryan thought he looked somewhat like Gandalf the White in The Lord of the Rings, except his hair wasn’t long enough. He was stirring something in a pot that was hanging over a crackling fire.

Seeming to sense Bryan’s gaze, he turned and greeted Bryan with a warm smile that reached all the way up to some very blue eyes.

Welcome back to the land of the living, Bryan. I was beginning to wonder if you planned to sleep forever, the man spoke in a deep voice.

Startled that the man knew his name, Bryan sat up quickly, then groaned and held his head as a dizzy spell swept over him. He took several deep breaths and shook his head, trying to clear it.

When Bryan swayed, the man came over to his side and steadied him as he held a cup of sweet-smelling liquid to Bryan’s lips.

Here, take a drink, he instructed, tipping the cup.

Bryan swallowed automatically. The liquid was warm and comforting. He felt stronger immediately. He didn’t know what was in the cup, but it sure tasted good and had good aftereffects.

Don’t you know it’s not a good idea to move that fast after a fainting spell? the man reproved him.

As his dizziness faded, Bryan’s mind started whirling in a different direction. Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here? What happened? What are you doing? What was that? Bryan rattled off rapid-fire questions, giving the man no time to answer.

When he paused to catch his breath, the man replied, Gabriel, your Guardian. In a Haven. To heal. You were attacked by ghosts. Making myself useful. A healing drink. There, I believe that answers all your questions. Any more?

Bryan sat for a moment with his mouth agape, then chuckled. I guess I deserved that. But could you please tell me what happened?

Yes, have patience.

Sorry, patience has taken a back seat right now.

Gabriel sternly rebuked, You need to learn patience and use it, even in the most adverse times. If you lose patience, you don’t think things through, and running off half-cocked can be very dangerous. Learn patience. Do you understand?

Chastised, Bryan hung his head. Yes, sir, he said in a low voice.

Suddenly something Gabriel had said seemed to click in his brain. A Guardian, Gabriel had said. Like in a Guardian Angel? If he really was a Guardian, he should have some answers.

Bryan lifted his head again. I don’t usually get so impatient, but I need some explanations. Like, I thought I saw ghosts at the cemetery. It can’t be true. I mean ghosts are just a myth. ‘A figment of the imagination,’ Dad calls them.

"Actually, Bryan, it can be true, and it is. They are real, and the worst part is that they get stronger on the emotions that are the hardest to control."

Bryan’s eyes widened. What do you mean?

The witch told you the ghosts feed on fear. They also feed on anger. Many people get angry when they get scared. Anger often makes people do evil, and evil helps the ghosts get more substance. Substance gives them strength, then they can give the Hallows more help.

Hallows? I thought Hallows weren’t real, Bryan gasped in amazement. Dad said they were just bedtime stories Mom had learned from her Irish heritage.

Gabriel sighed. Sadly, the Hallows are all too real. They are also very evil and getting worse every Hallows’ Eve.

Bryan shuddered at the memory of the ghosts at the cemetery but thought of another argument. But how can ghosts come out of the cemetery? Those people are dead, and dead people don’t move.

Only the body dies, Bryan, Gabriel said gently. The soul has to leave the body so it can die. When God breathed life into man, he gave man a soul. That soul is a spirit. When the body dies, the spirit lives on and the body turns back to dust. Good spirits go to heaven, and restless or evil spirits are either a nuisance or they join the Hallows.

What are the Hallows really? How do they get into our world? Why can we see them now when we couldn’t before?

What did your mother tell you about the Hallows, Bryan? Can you remember?

Bryan thought for a moment before speaking slowly. The Hallows were actually created by an evil one named Lucifer. He gathered evil together, and the more evil he got together, the more powerful the evil of the Underworld became. Then there’s Lucretia, the witch who helped him with her bad curse.

That’s very good, Bryan, Gabriel said approvingly. You have a good memory, and your mother was right. You see, in the beginning, the Hallows were just mere wisps of cloud that could almost be blown away, but by feeding off fear, anger, and the evil of bad people, they became stronger. They have also gained more body. By supplementing their strength with live humans, they’re gaining even faster and planning to take over the world.

How do they get humans to join them? Bryan shuddered.

A chill raced up and down his spine as he thought of the ghosts again. He couldn’t imagine hanging out with those things by choice.

"Some people are just evil enough not to be bothered by them. Others really don’t have much of a choice. They are caught in a moment of wrongdoing and are just bad enough to get converted then forced into