NARCISSA TO THE RESCUE

by JoAnn Baca

“I can’t find it!” Eric was nearly sobbing in frustration. He had what he’d thought was a detailed map from Father’s library…surreptitiously taken without proper approval, as Father might say. But it was lacking in many ways, as he’d found out to his exasperation.

“It’s OK,” Ellie replied, just as vexed but not wanting to add to her younger brother’s aggravation. They had come a long way, and they must be close by now…right?

“No, it’s not!” Eric’s enthusiasm for their mission was as deflated as he was. He’d let his sister down.

She hugged him. “Giving up won’t help us find her. Come on.” She released him and turned to gaze up at the strange staircases and arches that surrounded them. Wind whipped their cloaks and made their eyes tear.

“Do you hear that?” she asked, straining to catch the odd sound that wafted to her. It sounded like someone chuckling.

Before he could respond, a vision appeared before them: a figure wrapped in a patchwork coat, with bones and shells decorating the sleeves and bodice that were clacking against each other in the wind.

Bravely, Ellie asked, “Are you Narcissa?” If the figure was not the woman they sought, surely the person inside that odd coat would know how to find the elusive sorceress of which the older children whispered.

“Yes, child.”

The voice attached to the coat had a lilt that spoke of another country. This person was a stranger Below, just like she was, which gave Ellie some comfort.

“Have you come to visit me?” A gnarled hand appeared, reaching out.

Ellie grasped it with one of hers, grabbing Eric’s with the other. “We got lost trying to find you.”

“Oh, now, you can’t get lost down here,” the woman said with a smile in her voice. “All roads lead to Narcissa…eventually.” With that she turned and led the children straight to the caverns where she lived…mere feet from where they had thought themselves utterly lost.

A teapot was on a scarred table, a cozy keeping its contents warm as if just waiting for visitors. Narcissa poured what turned out to be hot chocolate for them, then took a seat at the table beside them.

“You sought me to answer a question, did you not?” Her milky eyes focused intently on Ellie.

“Y-y-yes.” She glanced at Eric. “Me and my brother, we’re new here…well, not here exactly, I mean Below.” At Narcissa’s nod, she added, “We need help.”

Narcissa seemed to contemplate her comment before asking, “The Father and his people, they cannot help? Not even Vin-cent?” She pronounced the latter’s name as if it were spelled differently.

Eric shook his head. “Nobody can. But we heard about you from the others. They said…” he glanced at Ellie, “they said you’re a witch and know spells and could…”

Narcissa interrupted him with a chuckle. “A witch, am I? Ah, well, those who do not understand often use such words.” She patted his small hand with a gnarled one. “I am only an old wo-man, despite what you hear.” At the crestfallen look on Eric’s face, she added, “But I will help if I can.”

He brightened at her last words. “Our parents are missing…I mean…they aren’t around. I mean…” He stumbled, unable to adequately phrase his query, and looked to his sister for guidance.

“We don’t know where our parents are. Catherine said that the records at Child Protective Services are incomplete, which she said is real strange.”

“So if Vin-cent’s Catherine cannot find them, how can this poor blind old woman help?”

Ellie looked at Eric in despair, then replied, “We…thought…since you’re….”

“Ah, since I’m…a witch!” Narcissa’s face creased with humor.

Eric yawned – a big, jaw-cracking yawn. He rubbed his eyes. “I’m really tired.”

Ellie’s eyelids began to droop. “I am, too. We were walking for a long time…”

Soon both children were asleep, their heads lying on the battered old table. Narcissa, smiling, cleared their mugs of half-drunk hot chocolate, then lifted them, one at a time, and placed them side by side on her bed.

As she washed out her teapot and the mugs, the children began to dream…

“Mom! Dad!” Eric ran into the arms of his parents. Ellie was right behind him, hugging them all tightly.

“Where have you been?” Ellie asked, feeling that something was strange about this encounter, but too happy to examine that feeling closely.

Mom smiled. “I’m not exactly sure, but an odd old woman called us here to meet you. I’m so glad she did!” She kissed both children and took their hands.

“Daddy, I’ve missed you!” Eric gazed up at his father, so tall and handsome, and a calmness filled his heart that had been absent for too long.

They were in a park. A wide green expanse of lawn stretched out before them, and benches were scattered under massive old oak trees. Their parents led them to one of the benches, where they huddled together so they could all fit.

Breathing deeply, Ellie inhaled the aroma of fresh-cut grass. It reminded her of Saturdays at the house, when Daddy had his mower out and she was allowed to walk behind it with him as he cut the lawn.

Eric had his face buried in his Mom’s sweater, catching the scent of her favorite perfume. It smelled of safety and home to him, and he nuzzled into her shoulder to breathe it in more deeply.

Daddy gazed down at his children. “It’s a blessing to see you grown so big.” He looked up into his wife’s eyes. “They are so beautiful, these children of ours.”

She had tears in her eyes as she smiled back at him. “I can rest now, knowing they are safe and loved. Whether the thread of their lives is short or long, they will live it in peace and shelter.”

Ellie asked the question she and Eric both needed an answer to. “Where are you?”

Mom looked at Daddy with a sad smile. “We went to New York to find a new life, one far from our old one.” She stroked Ellie’s face. “I know you thought it was wonderful there but…” she looked at her husband for a brief moment, then back at her daughter, “there were…troubles…there.”

Daddy picked up her explanation. “We arrived here late at night. You children were so tired, we let you sleep on a park bench. I went to find us something to eat, but…our trouble had followed us here. Your mother saw what was happening to me, and she ran to help. Neither of us…survived the encounter.”

“You were both sleeping, tucked under our coats. The ones who caused us…trouble…didn’t notice you lying there in the darkness. They removed our suitcase and us, and…we…were taken away.” The tears that had filled their mother’s eyes now spilled.

Daddy added, “Our…final thought was relief that you two were safe.” Their mother nodded, sobbing now. “We both love you so much. We’re so sorry we couldn’t stay in this world with you.”

Ellie was crying, too. “I don’t want you to leave us! I want to stay with you!”

Her mother gazed down sadly at her. “It’s not a thing to wish, my sweet. But know that you will be with us soon enough.”

Ellie frowned at the phrasing, wondering what she meant, but her brother’s next question pushed the thought from her mind.

“What about me?!” Eric cried, fearful of his mother’s words.

“You have an important job,” she replied. “You must remember us all. Remember the good times, the hugs, the little things – keep us all together in your mind, in your heart, no matter how much it might hurt. There we will live until…after many years…you join us.”

“Can you do that for us all, Eric?” Daddy’s eyes were sad, too, but there was pleading in them, as well.

Eric nodded. “But I want to be with all of you!”

“Someday. But your path back to us will be a happy one, we promise. Filled with adventures and joy…some sorrow, yes…and fulfillment. All of which you can share with us later.”

Eric took a big breath, then let it out in a rush. “OK. I can do that.”

“Good!” His mother kissed him on the forehead, and he closed his eyes, drifting off…

Ellie, strangely relieved to hear his promise, blinked several times as her vision clouded. Then she, too, drifted off…

“What…?” Ellie’s eyes opened to a strange chamber filled with odd smells and shelves of herbs. She sat up. “What happened?”

Narcissa handed her a cup of water. “You were tired from your journey here, so you took a nap, child. Do you feel better now?”

She nodded, but in a confused voice, she added, “I had the strangest dream…”

Beside her, Eric’s eyelids slid open. He blinked several times. “Mom…?” He looked at his sister. “Where’s Daddy?”

Ellie’s face was somber. “I think we both were so tired, we dreamed of them.”

“It was…a dream?” Dismay clouded his features.

Narcissa pressed a cup of water into his hands. “Dream…visitation…who can say what happens in our subconscious, child. But whatever it was…”

“It was a gift,” Ellie declared, a sad smile on her face. “It was what we came here for.” She looked up into Narcissa’s unseeing eyes. “Thank you.”

“Ah…you understand, child.” She nodded, then gazed at Eric. “He is younger, it may take him more time to…see. But he will. In time.” She smiled gently. “And now you must return to your new home.”

“We got lost coming here. I don’t think we know how to get back,” Ellie admitted. “The map wasn’t…”

“Oh, I think that map will guide you well.” Narcissa nodded decisively. “Do not worry. Trust.”

Eric and Ellie departed, carrying the purloined map. Narcissa waved to them until they were too far away to see her. Then she murmured, “Dreams are true, children. This old woman hopes they heal. Go now, with peaceful hearts.”