When people die in Juju, they have choices,
To turn to dust, to be reborn or to haunt the Valley of Voices.
In the Valley of Voices, one must never go by car.
The mechanics stop working after you venture in too far.
All Hallows Month brought people to the valley from all around.
They came to see the yellow leaves and to walk on the orange ground.
They came to visit old relatives, old loved ones and old friends.
They came with candles, they came with presents and some with apologies to make amends.
Children came in scary costumes to give the ghosts a fright.
And each child secretly hoped that they may catch the Wish Grantor in their sight.
On this particularly day and year, Bethany Grub was visiting the valley for the first time.
Her Nanna had past the year before, and so she was bringing schnattle berry juice with a hint of lime.
Bethany Grub was a rather untidy girl dressed up as a rather shabby witch.
Her hair was undone. Her shoes were untied. One could see her shoulder starting to un-stitch.
Bethany Grub had never seen a ghost before.
She wasn’t sure if Nanna would be air blowing by, or a see through person who could walk through the door.
Timothy Pinklebutt teased Bethany that ghosts were white with big teeth and googly eyes
That would watch you wherever you walked and most particularly whenever you were telling lies.
Bethany thought that Timothy must be the expert on such matters since he fibbed a lot.
But then again, could Timothy be fibbing about this, yet, she thought not.
So, Bethany was very careful to be on her very best behavior.
Nanna used to smack her wrists when she was caught stealing cookies, with a story that would waiver.
Mr. Grub was looking clean and dignified in his brown suit.
He brought his deceased mother a nice bowl of fruit.
Like his daughter, though, he had never visited the valley before.
And he wasn’t sure what to expect, so he was nervous and unsure.
Yet, he held his head high as he got off his horse.
And he held his head higher still as he steered his daughter on their course.
The air got colder and thick with mist.
There was a constant whispering, but no one could understand that or this.
The large duck, dressed in overalls holding a fish,
Called out from where he stood, “Granita, I brought you this.”
Then he just tossed the fish randomly on the ground,
Decided he had had enough and turned himself around.
The valley had no houses or homes.
It was just trees and shurbs, a small creek, the orange ground and a few animals that roamed.
“Where do we go, Daddy?” Bethany Grub asked of her dad.
“I’m really not sure, sweetheart. Let’s not wait here, but walk further in, instead.”
Then, Mr. Grub’s hat went rolling off of his head,
And the pieces of fruit started flying around the undead.
“Woooooooooooooooooooooo,”
Heard the two.
“Mother!” Mr. Grub said with a voice that was strong.
“Hahahahahaha” the laughter echoed along.
“Hi Nanna!” Bethany chimed in with glee.
“I brought you schnattle berry juice with lime, made especially by me!”
The juice started to just disappear.
With a whisper of “Thank you”, and then there was nothing there.
“Hello….” Mr. Grub called, but he knew that was the end.
“We love you.” Bethany Grub called out anyway, to the passing by wind.
Valerie Carsey, LLC 