The graveyard held a certain mystery to me; a cryptic eeriness I cherished. It was nearly midnight as I pushed open the wrought-iron gate, gazing at the towering gargoyles above, staring down at me as if I was an intruder in the Land of the Dead itself. They were the protectors of the underworld; the guardians of the deceased. I respected them as I would respect the Divine One, reciting a prayer of protection as I passed their insightful eyes. I was a stranger on their terrain.
Passing beneath them, I entered the main concourse of the cemetery. Curious tombstones and concrete angels loomed before me, marking their owners' final resting places. The amber light shining down from the full moon hanging in the October sky cast ethereal shadows on the hallowed ground, shadows that seemed larger than life in the shade of the swaying willow.
It was All Hallows Eve, the one night of the year I stumbled into Willow's Bend Cemetery, armed with black and white candles and sandalwood incense, in pursuit of establishing a connection with the spirit world. It was my one goal in life, my interest that surpassed all others. The paranormal was my calling; my true passion. Halloween was the key to making my dreams come true.
I made my way down the center aisle, bowing my head in reverence and muttering a prayer. The headstones seemed to come to life as I passed, whispering thoughtful words to one another as the autumn breeze swept through the willow's leaves. As I came to the end I raised my head, just enough to glimpse the elaborate sculpture before me. She was a beautiful angel, with the face of a goddess and wings that matched the most stunning fairy. She wore a gorgeous ivory dress, profuse and elegant. Her eyes showed the wisdom of countless years, years which she had spent watching over the sleeping child beneath her feet.
I took a deep breath, and knelt before this ageless beauty. From my pack I drew a rolled up piece of cloth and spread it out before me. I took out my candles and incense, and wasted no time in igniting them with my ruby lighter. Drawing a protective pentagram in the air, I licked my lips, ready to begin my plea. I chanted in a calm soothing voice:

"Guardians of the underworld,
Hear my plea
Give these words to Danni,
Whom you've stolen from me
My belated sister, my loving friend,
My shining star 'til the very end
I need her face,
I miss her smile
I've needed her now,
For quite a while
Just give her this message,
Show me she knows
That I will love her forever,
And this love only grows"
A tear escaped my eye, and I swallowed, unable to go on. I drew in a ragged breath and sat back to cry. And out of the shadows of the angel's kind smile, a whisper of "I love you, sister," drifted into the air.