Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #20 November 2015 | Page 69

recognize me? I’m your Devon, and I always will be.”

“Well, we can’t go back,” I firmly stated as I
rose from the chair. “Now, help me save her soul.”

In reply, she wailed and cried.

Abbot Hugh nodded and said, “You’re right.
I will come with you tonight to the study. We will
convince Mary that she is not alone, and she need not
scream in the dark any longer. If you are there, I am
sure she will finally let herself rest.”
I left the abbot’s room and headed home. I was
over-emotional and terrified. Did I really have what it
took to help my true love pass over to a heaven, one in
which I wasn’t sure I even believed in? I had no idea,
but I knew I had to at least try. My Mary deserved
nothing less.
That night, in the moonlight between the
trees, Abbot Hugh and I met at the abbey, armed with
nothing but hope and candles. We entered the church
and walked toward the study. I took a deep breath,
then hesitantly called for her. “Mary? Mary, it’s me,
Devon. Please… if you’re here, please talk to me.”
There was silence. I waited a few moments
before repeating, “Mary? Mary, are you there, my
love?”
Instantly, I heard her scream. It was
deafeningly loud, and it was right in front of me. She
had appeared like a bright light in the fog, and the
guilt and shame I felt made me want to drop to my
knees. I shut my eyes and whimpered like a baby.
“Stand your ground, Devon,” said Abbot
Hugh. “She needs to know you’ll be strong and won’t
leave her.”
Forcing myself up, I opened my eyes and
looked at her ghastly, pale aura. Despite her pain, I
could see her true face this time. She was still the
beautiful young girl I had once loved with my entire
being. Letting myself remember her as she once was,
I saw her oval chin, high forehead, dark flowing hair,
and bright green eyes.

“Mary,” I tried again, not allowing myself to
buckle to her pain, “I know you’re in turmoil, and I
know what happened to you. It’s not your fault, my
beloved. I should never have left you. I know now that
I was weak, and I should have fought harder for you.
My beloved, please… let go of this self-torment, and
let yourself rest.”
Finally, her crying stopped as she looked at
me with sad, tired eyes. She came close to me, then
touched my face with her ethereal fingers. I felt her
coldness turn to warmth as she realised who I was.
“Yes, it’s me,” I said with a sad smile. “I know
I have grown into this worn man, but… somewhere
inside me, I am still your boy, and I always will be.
I’m so sorry it took me this long to return home, but I
will never leave you again, I swear.”
My beloved ghost smiled, and then, in a matter
o f seconds, vanished into the candlelight.
“What… just happened?” I sputtered as I
turned to face Abbot Hugh.
“I think she’s been released,” he replied with
a hopeful expression. “I think she only needed those
words… from your lips, and no one else’s.”
I sighed and let out a laugh mixed with a cry. I
felt a tidal wave of release wash over me as I too felt I
could finally move on, not only from my lost love, but
from the despair of my orphaned youth, and even from
the war that nearly tore apart my soul.
“Mary,” I whispered in the stillness of the
church, “I will join you one day, and together, we will
finally be at peace.”

“Mary…” I whispered. “It’s me. Can you not

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