Dire Woods

“Disappeared?” John Joseph sputtered, his mouth gaping open. “What do you mean, they disappeared? They’ve just gone camping.”

Wizard Kilamo sighed deeply and tried to look concerned. John Joseph had seen the look many times before, it didn’t bode well.

”I know they went camping John Joseph, your father told me. In fact it’s all he talked about all week,” he stated. “They disappeared from the campsite. No letter. No ransom note. No signs of a disturbance. No parents.”

“How do you know they’ve disappeared?” said John Joseph. “They only left last night. Were you camping too?”

“No, I was not camping,” the headmaster said with more force than John Joseph felt necessary. “I have much, too much to do here to spend precious time camping.”

“Then how do you know they’re missing?” John Joseph continued. Maybe he hadn’t had enough sleep, but this just didn’t make sense.

“I know they’ve gone missing because their campsite is empty,” Wizard Kilamo stated emphatically.

“But how do you know their campsite is empty if you didn’t go camping too?” John Joseph asked.

“Because someone else reported their campsite empty,” Wizard Kilamo continued.

John Joseph wasn’t having it. This didn’t seem clear at all!

“Maybe they’re just out on a hike,” Headmaster. “We don’t go camping just to hangout at the tent you know, we go hiking, or bird watching or swimming. Heck there’s even an old boat down by the lake. They’re probably out in that right now. Leaks a little but it’s not bad.”

“John Joseph, STOP!” Wizard Kilamo ordered, “We have a witness.” He took a gulp from the water glass on the desk and continued. “Actually, there are two witnesses/”

“Well, if there are witnesses you know exactly what happened!” John Joseph interjected. “So, what happened?”

Wizard Kilamo brought his hands to his forehead and shook his head. “Not a witness to their disappearance. Oh, I know I’m just not saying this right.” He took another sip of water, breathed deeply and started again. “Your parents went camping this weekend right?”

John Joseph nodded.

“Well, although you seem unaware of it, your parents were supposed to be joined by a friend on Friday night, Mr. Longhorn.”

John Joseph nodded again. He knew Mr. Longhorn, he was the editor of the local newspaper in January, the town closest to their house. He’d come camping with them before.

Wizard Kilamo continued. “Mr. Longhorn arrived at the campsite at the schedule time, and your parents were nowhere to be found.”

“So what?” John Joseph countered. “Maybe they heard something. Maybe they went out to investigate. Maybe someone twisted an ankle when they were out hiking and they were waiting on the trail until they felt better.”

“We’re not getting anywhere this way,” Wizard Kilamo said, gulping more water. “Could I please just tell you what I know with no interruptions this time please?” he asked.

John Joseph nodded slowly. His hands were shaking and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This couldn’t be happening. It was his grandfather all over again. John Joseph’s grandfather, a highly capable wizard and retired headmaster of St. Francis Academy, had vanished from Alabaster Manor on a clear autumn night three years before. He had gone for a walk and never returned. They had searched for weeks and other than some animal tracks, no evidence of his grandfather had ever been found.

“Your parents were supposed to meet Mr. Longhorn on Friday for dinner. He had brought a tent and was planning on spending the night. When he arrived at the campsite at the arranged time your parents weren’t there. The fire was lit. The table was set, but I repeat, your parents were nowhere to be seen.”

John Joseph started to open his mouth.

Wizard Kilamo raised a finger. “But someone else was at the campsite. Someone Mr. Longhorn hadn’t seen for years, but still recognized. Your Aunt Angerona.”

John Joseph couldn’t help it. He knew he shouldn’t interrupt again, but he just couldn’t help it.

“I don’t have an aunt,” he stated.

Wizard Kilamo continued like he’d never spoken. “Angerona Alabaster, your aunt, was sitting at the fire. When questioned by Longhorn, she informed him that she had dropped in to see your parents hours earlier, knowing that they always went camping on this weekend as it was a family tradition. Your parents were already gone when she arrived. So, that’s two witnesses John Joseph.” He raised his finger again as John Joseph started to sputter.

“We have checked the boat, and all the trails within a 4 hour radius of the campsite. We’ve had searchers out all night and your parents are not nowhere to be found,” he continued.

John Joseph’s heart was threatening to burst up and through his throat, while his stomach felt like it was filling with acid.

“This can’t be happening,” John Joseph stated. “There’s got to be some explanation.”

“Of course, John Joseph, of course there has to be some explanation, and we’re looking for it. But at the moment, you need to go home. You’re in shock. In fact I’ll get you a nice sugary tea, that should help.”

“The only thing that will help is me finding my parents,” John Joseph retorted. “In fact I need to go look for them right now.”

Wizard Kilamo slammed his hand on the desk. “Enough, John Joseph, enough. Until we find out what’s happened to them there is no way that you’re wandering through the woods on your own, we don’t want you disappearing too. So what you’re going to do, and this is an order, is go home with your aunt and have that hot cup of tea I’ve been talking about.”

John Joseph leaned forward and perched on the edge of the thick, worn leather cushion.

“Wizard Kilamo, I don’t have an aunt to go home with,” he stated. “Something extremely weird in going on around here.” His head snapped up. “Maybe it’s this pretend aunt. Maybe she has something to do with their disappearance!”

Wizard Kilamo rolled his eyes. “John Joseph, you do have an aunt. Mr. Longbottom knows her. I know her. She’s older than your father, her name is Angerona and I went to school with her.”

For once John Joseph was speechless.

“As to why your parents decided not to tell you about her,” he waved his hand in the air. “Well, that’s their business, but it’s highly inconvenient under the circumstances. I realize they had a disagreement years ago, but really.”

Aunt or no aunt, John Joseph had things to do. He jumped up from the chair and headed for the door grabbing his knapsack along the way.

There was a delicate triple tap on the door and it swung slowly open.

“Can I come in, Vincent? I just can’t stand waiting out here a moment longer. I have to see my nephew and offer what small comfort I can. When there’s trouble, a boy needs family and it looks like I’m the only family John Joseph has left.”

“John Joseph,” Wizard Kilamo said, “Meet your Aunt Angerona.”

There was a thud as John Joseph’s knapsack hit the floor.