The Clearing keeps Moving Along

"The Clearing" is probably an overused title and I'm looking for something better. Any ideas? The only alternative I've come up with so far is "The Woowooization of Old Doc W."

Before I get on with the tale I want to mention that two nights ago a group of we ink stained wretches got together to meet - many of us were previously just faceless word warriors on the Internet - and to read aloud bits of our blitherings and blatherings. We met at a bar, The Guari Guari, owned by one of our writers, G.B., that I had not until that day known existed. (Always good to find a new bar, especially one whose owner is a crazed Red Sox fan.)The pieces read were quite good and it was interesting to hear the actual voices that were brought to the written words. At the end we agreed to repeat performances on a quarterly basis. Nice.

And one further note, remember this is a first draft. (Not that rewrites are guaranteed to improve it, but I would hope so.)

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The difference between what Doc imagined in his scotch fertilized mind and what actually occurred at the Arboles Store was notable and although both tales were dramatic in their own way, the truth was as usual, less cinematic.

The group of four had in fact assembled in their circle, linked hands and created their imaginary staircase. First though, there had been preparations and trepidations, each personality bringing their own inner thoughts to the task at hand. Sharman brought certainty, she had done this before, and several tools of the woowoo trade, candles, smudge sticks of white sage and small crystals for each participant.

Charly sensed something exciting, an adventure, an opportunity to acquire arcane knowledge. She couldn't wait to get started.

Big Brian brought fear. "How can you be sure," he said turning to Sharman "that we won't do something harmfull or bring something bad into the room?"

"That's why I am here" she replied. "They wouldn't dare." And that was enough for Brian. He had known Sharman for a long time.

Laura brought something else. She brought reluctance. "Why" she wanted to know, "Don't we just leave them alone?"

"Because you are part of the reason they are here" said Sharman. "They are attracted to your energy, your spirit. They are looking to you for release. These are not happy ghosts. These are souls trapped on an earthly plane from which they should long have been gone. They have lost their way. They want you to free them. You are the most important person here."

And with that last said, the four began their deliberations in earnest. Sharman chanted and sang songs Hopi in origin and the others felt, as they would later say, the odd sensation of something moving through them and to the staircase. Charly would describe it as a little eerie, but not bad at all. Brian found it very disturbing and seemed to feel it more intensely than the others. Laura and Sharman took it matter-of-factly.

Where the version from Old Doc's fertile imagination and reality met was at the very end. When it was clear that all the deceased human souls had departed to the light or wherever it is they truly go, Sharman did turn to the group and say, "There is more to do." And in truth there was.

We'll get to that...soon.