Category: The Man Who Wasn’t There

Maribelle and Brian find some sort of building at one end of the burial ground. Though it’s agonizing, Brian follows the lines of the invisible structure so that they know how large it is. It’s the single worst thing he’s ever done. Even getting gored by Mr. D. wasn’t as bad as this. He tells…

Brian and his mother go to Chase’s house to get the dimensions of the burial site, and encounter some sort of invisible building. It’s nearly ten feet long, though not as tall as Brian is. “Mark that wall,” she said. “Let’s map this thing.” “Can’t you just reveal it?” “Bad idea. Our actions send ripples…

Following his mother through a secret trapdoor, Brian finds himself in a cold storage area of the house that he’s never seen before. He and his mother collect ingredients needed for the spell. “Where do you want these things?” He indicated the larger crate. “It will need to go back downstairs. For now, let’s leave…

After an uneasy dream about the witches, Brian has a very nasty confrontation with Mr. D, in the guise of Dr. Meru. The following morning, he isn’t sure he trusts the mystical man. “We determined that the only way to burn the witches was with magical fire. Then we walked into the living room, you…

Brian has a disturbing dream about the witches. Waking with a start, he decides to go get a drink in the kitchen, only to find Dr. Meru there. “It needs to be done as soon as possible. But not at night. They’ll be stronger in the dark.” Meru nodded again, listening intently. “Maybe I’m buying…

Chase’s mother is very ill and needs a pace maker. To help with the strength of the Circle, Dr. Meru, his wife and son all arrive. “From what we can tell, his ancestors were given the task of warding and protecting the land. They built their home there and maintained the wards,” Heath said. “But…

After reading some original documents, Brian discovers that the wording has been altered. Instead of quick lime and bitter herbs, the witches were buried with bitumen. They realize that this could have caused a massive explosion, possibly brought on when Cliff tried to ward his property. Brian and Jordan go to the hospital to be…

Their investigation reveals a lot, including a recipe for acid rain, which was used by the witches. The Peddler intervened when the children were attacked, though not before. “Mr. D.,” Brian surmised. “Yes,” his father said. “You think he’s back?” Jordan asked. “The question isn’t if he’s back,” Heath replied. “It’s if he ever left.”…

Heath takes Jordan and Brian to the historical society building and it looks as if it was the target of the freak tornado. Doing a little subversive magic, Heath opens the door to let them in. Brian worries that they might have been seen. “What if someone saw us?” Brian asked. “No one saw us,”…

Unfortunately, the freak storm did have one casualty. Chase’s father, Cliff, was killed when something in the backyard exploded. Chase has gone to the hospital with his parents. His little sisters have been taken to Brian’s house. “Is Mommy coming back?” Lucy asked. “Of course she is, honey.” “And Chase?” Katie added. “Yes.” “But not…