'I am a ghost in a land of phantoms,
and forgotten nightmares.'

Ilsa J. Bick

⚖︎⚖︎⚖︎

-The Silent-

Reverend Dunleavy stood at the front of the chapel at the podium and looked out over the, nothingness.

Not a single parishioner in the building. Did they forget?

No.

Today was his third Sunday to stand at the pulpit to an empty room. He sighed and opened a Bible and began to read the scripture aloud.

His voice boomed, echoing all the way to the back of the empty parish chapel and rose in passion, gaining momentum and ended with a fiery prayer for guidance.

When he had read his sermon, he closed his Bible, placed it in the podium shelf and headed for the Pennybacker Manor.

He had an uneasy feeling as he walked along the silent lane which led through town. As usual, shuttered windows greeted his eyes and for a town of this size, the quiet was startling.

He let himself through the gate and went and knocked on the door.

The click of shoe heels could be heard as someone approached and the door creaked open.

"Reverend Dunleavy!" Constance greeted him with surprise.

"Constance," he addressed her solemnly, removing his hat. "May I have a word?"

"Oh. Of course. Please come in."

She pulled the door open and stood aside to allow him entrance and he came right in and went straight to the kitchen where he took his usual seat at their table.

Constance straightened her hair beneath her bonnet and sat down as well. "Reverend, are you well?" She inquired.

"Yes, I am in perfect health, but I must say I am rather confused."

Her brows rose and a delicate hand clutched her throat. "Dear me Reverend! What is it?"

"Well, as you know I have come to Pennybacker, I thought, in good will of serving this community but it has been three Sundays and I have yet to see a single soul attend my homilies. I have made myself available, visited homes, shown my sincerity and instead of a congregant I have encounted complete and utter apathy!"

"Dear Reverend!" A voice interrupted him from the door. "What a nice surprise I do say!"

Iris entered the kitchen bustling with energy and Byron stood up to greet her. He held his hand toward her and she kissed his ring. He drew his hand back sharply with the unexpected gesture.

"Thank you Miss. Pennybacker," he stuttered, instantly feeling an underlying air of false interest.

"What brings you out today?"

Byron gave her a look of disbeief.

"It is Sunday Aunt Iris and the Reverend was simply inquiring as to why we weren't in church today." Constance blurted.

Byron was taken aback by her outburst and quickly corrected her insinuating response.

"What I am getting at, is the absence of everyone. Three Sundays now."

"Oh I see. Well," she motioned for him to join her in sitting. "As a man of the cloth you must know that old habits are hard to break, Reverend Dunleavy."

"Old habits?"

"Yes, well we are a township that has not ever had it's own Minister and most everyone here travels to participate in services elsewhere. We have, become accustomed to that, as it were. Surely you understand it will take time, Reverend."

Byron sat there in estranged silence.

Constance fidiged with the lacy tablecloth.

Iris simply stared at him as if daring him to say anything contrary.

Finally Iris arose. "Constance would you prepare the good Reverend a hearty lunch?"

"Yes, Aunt Iris I would love to." Constance left them and began darting around the kitchen gathering things for cooking.

Byron could feel her relief. He determined in his heart to get her alone and have a talk with her. For the last three weeks he'd been busy writing in his journal and he had begun to see a pattern of strange incidents.

Constance had to know more than she was saying.

Her discomfort with certain questions gave him all the proof he needed but he had many other things to ask her about. She prepared him a meal in silence, and to Byron it seemed like nervousness.

Perhaps she was a little afraid of her Aunt Iris. He was going to find out.

Iris Pennybacker chattered on about all manner of little things completely changing the subject and Byron noticed how it seemed she liked to control the conversation. She had done that the last time he was here. If he weren't so dumbfounded he might have tried to interject but something told him now was not the time. When he felt like he had gleaned more information from her niece he would come back.

Constance served Reverend Dunleavy a lovely lunch which he picked at sparingly while Iris droned on about the most inate subjects.

"Reverend? How would you feel about having some chickens? I have a setting hen right now due to hatch chicklings any day now. It would do well for you to have some pullets. We have proven layers."

He nodded slowly. "I suppose that is a good idea Miss. Pennybacker. Would your brothers be able to supply wood for a hutch?"

"Yes! Of course. I'll have Cecil bring a load over within a week."

Byron gave her a smile. "Thank you then. I look forward to it."

Iris smiled back. "Well then, Reverend, enjoy your lunch. I have a basket of mending to tend to. Constance please make sure the Reverend has a basket of bread, cheese and eggs to carry home."

"Yes Aunt Iris."

Iris left the kitchen and the conversation, and Byron was sure he saw her give Constance a look of--, warning, or caution?

When she had been gone a minute Byron stood, wiping his mouth on a kerchief. He cleared his throat and turned to find her standing there with the pro offered basket of goods. Byron hesitated for a short second and then he turned his head to her.

"Thank you Constance."

"You're welcome Reverend."

"I was wondering, since your Aunt offered me some chickens, would you mind walking me home. I'd like your opinion on the perfect spot for a chicken yard."

Byron watched as a myriad of emotions played across her elegant face. He felt his heart skip a beat to see the struggle she couldn't hide and found himself wanting to reach out in comfort to her. He tried to shake it off but the feeling that she needed his help was so strong, even though his intuition was screaming not to get involved, he held his arm out to her, and she took it.

His conscience told him he was making a huge mistake but he had to find out just what was going on here in Pennybacker Settlement.