The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
Epilogue or Dreams and...
and thus this arc comes to end.
I leave you with some answers
some questions
and a little bit of hope!
The following podcast is a work of fiction. All characters are the creation of Peter Williams. Any resemblance to someone living or dead is purely coincidental. Thank you, alex has gone home, but her story is far from done, as she has received an invite to the cottage to see an old friend. Sam has once again returned to the Café Solfeggio. She will help Caitlin, she will help Harmony watch over them and Caitlin's grandchildren in particular. Lastly, it seems Silas had finally come under suspicion. But none of these things are part of today's story.
Speaker 1:Today we return to the tower Arista, jonah and oh. Before we do, let me remind you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence, child endangerment and naughty salty language. Sadly, today I don't believe there's any of that Naughty salty language. Sadly, today I don't believe there's any of that. Now, hold on to those tentacles a little bit longer as we conclude this arc with Chapter 22, epilogue or Dream's End.
Speaker 1:Before we end this story, we first need to go back Back a year before the events of Arista begin. We find ourselves on a lush seminary ground, students milling about, laughing, preparing for their classes. A lone figure moves among them, wearing a forest green hoodie covering her face and features. She enters the hall, climbing the stone steps and makes her way to an open desk area. She enters the hall climbing the stone steps and makes her way to an open desk area. Surprised not to see Secretary Fritz toiling over some paperwork, she decides to approach the office door.
Speaker 1:Bishop Brock, meanwhile, sits behind his desk sipping coffee while flipping through a large file. He hears a knock at his door. Come in. He calls out and slowly the door opens and Joan Hollander slips in. Joan, the bishop says, standing up, what do I owe the pleasure, hello bishop, do you have a few minutes? He can see her face is lined with concern and motions for her to sit in one of the red leather chairs. Bishop Bill, please? She looks at him nervously, smiles while wringing her hands and restarts the conversation. Bill, the dreams are back.
Speaker 1:She almost said the last part as a whisper. You mean like when Jonah was turning 14? Yes, the bishop or Father William Brock had been involved with the Hollander family since before they took him maggy. He knew of their unusual life, I guess you could call it, and he himself had been a member of the Sacred Dawn since he was about 17. But that's another story, maybe for another day. What are they about? Do they have to do with Jonah again? She was already shaking her head. No, no, maggie. Maggie, yes, and it's hard to make out, but it's okay. Please tell me.
Speaker 1:Bishop Brock says, trying to calm Joan down. I see her holding Joan's hand and then feathers scattered in every direction, as if she begins to cry. I can't say the rest, bill. I love that woman as if she was my own child. Tom did too. Yes, yes, I know. He leaned back thoughtfully in his chair before opening a desk drawer and pulling out an envelope with Joan's name on it. This was delivered to me a few days back. It seems someone knew you were coming to see me.
Speaker 1:She opens the letter and it reads Joan, give this to Maggie. It holds a promise, was all the notes said, and pouring out of the envelope, on a gold chain, was a beautiful black heart-shaped pendant. A promise, she asked. Looking at the beautiful stone, it reminded her of Jonah's left arm, obsidian colored, but it felt alive in her hands. It's what the note says. The bishop replied. I don't know to what end or who, but it seems that someone is working behind the scenes putting things in place. In place for what and when? Should I give this to her. Joan asked pleadingly. I don't know, I guess it's up to you. Joan began to get up feeling a little better about things. She was wondering who could be working behind the scenes and what were they trying to accomplish. By the way, joan the bishop, said as she began to exit his office yes, bill, do you know what the name of that pendant is? No, how could I? Joan replied it's called the Heart of Hope.
Speaker 1:Jonah slept fitfully as Arista did her best to watch over him. She could see the shadow that kept its distance but constantly watched him. It's okay, arista said. I won't hurt you. If you had meant any harm to him, you would have already tried, but the shadow would not approach. Was it afraid, ashamed? When Arista left the room, she could sense it move near him, hovering over him, but as soon as she approached it would once again back away.
Speaker 1:It had already been three weeks since Arista had returned here to help Jonah. She had done as asked and delivered a message to Alex. Such a sweet girl, such potential. Mikal, meanwhile, had been using the hidden Solomon Gate to bring medical aid and, of course, a few friends. They had thought about taking Jonah to the cafe, but decided that life there would be difficult enough just to get Harmony back on her feet.
Speaker 1:In the early morning, arista would sit and read to the shadow, hoping to connect, hoping to reconstitute the person so damaged by the world and others. That darkness was the first form it remembered and thus wrapped itself in. Finally, one morning, bishop Brock arrived and it was the first time the shadow had reacted to anyone other than herself. He paused, looked at the shadow but said nothing. He smiled to himself A promise fulfilled, I see. And he wondered what direction it would take her and how long before she regained her true form.
Speaker 1:Arista, before I leave today, can we sit and have a cup of coffee? Yes, that would be nice, she replied. The bishop approached Jonah and put his hand on his forehead. He's running a fever. Yes, his body's trying to figure out how to maintain the demon energy exposed when he lost his arm. Yes, that body's trying to figure out how to maintain the demon energy exposed when he lost his arm. Yes, that would make sense, bishop. Yes, arista, he once told me that Mr Alistair trained him to fight as if he lost his arm, so I believe he'll be okay.
Speaker 1:They left the room and sat down at a table set for thirteen. Arista brought out a tray with coffee, biscotti and yes, cookies. Upon seeing them, the bishop laughed. I hope I haven't spoiled you, miss Arista. She smiled no, but I do enjoy these. Taking a sip, he began to tell her of Joan, the visit and the heart of hope. Arista, of all people, needed to know.
Speaker 1:As they talked, jonah finally woke up from his fitful dream. He scanned the room and saw no one Looking over the bandaged stump. He frowned I see, I lived after all. He lay back down, exhaustion still clinging to him. He wanted to sleep, to dream, to dream of a girl surrounded by black feathers that had picked him up, the girl that assured him I've got you, as she flew him here home, because it always began with dreams Dreams of friends, dreams of family, dreams of loved ones lost but not forgotten, and dreams of black feathers. And. And thus this arc Arista comes to an end with hints of the coming story, hints of possibilities and hopes hanging in the balance. We hope you enjoyed this podcast and we ask that you look for the next one, if all goes well, probably next September with Warren Stevens, finale.