The Fallen Valkyrie

The Unfurling Mystery.

Jeremy woke up to the sound of his phone ringing incessantly, piercing through the hazy fog of his dreams. After emerged partially from the depths of sleep, and disoriented, he fumbled around to find his phone on the bedside table. Blinking his eyes open to focus on the screen. Multiple missed calls from Sabrina flashed before him, indicating a sense of urgency. He grunted an annoyed sigh, and unwillingly tapped on her name and brought the phone to his ear. He stared outside of his window waiting for Sabrina to answer the phone.

The white dots of snow covered his window. He realised that he slept with the sketchbook by his side, and looked at the sketch he scrambled. He smiled feeling a little light in his head.

Sabrina answered.

"Hey, Sabrina. What's going on? I really wish you have a better reason to interrupt my sleep" Jeremy grumbled, his voice still laced with sleep.

As soon as Sabrina's voice filled his ear, it was a whirlwind of excitement and enthusiasm. "Jeremy! Guess what day it is? It's Halloween! The day we've been eagerly waiting for! I can't contain my excitement!"

Jeremy sat up on the bed and held his head in his other hand. He found himself tangled in the wire of his earphones.

Suddenly, he realised the intensity of the moment. It’s Halloween! The thought struck him.

"s**t!" Jeremy groaned, in his sleepy voice, "I totally forgot."

"It's Halloween, you silly! How can you forget the day we've all been waiting for! You promised to help me with my costume, and you forgot?" Sabrina's words came out in a rush, brimming with enthusiasm and disbelief.

A smile tugged at the corners of Jeremy's lips as Sabrina's infectious energy seeped through the phone. Halloween had always been their favorite holiday, a time of creativity and celebration, and yet he had completely forgotten amidst the turmoil of the previous day. "Oh yeah, I remember now. Sorry, I got caught up with some stuff."

Sabrina always gets excited about the tiniest things, and she also shared that energy with Jeremy.

Sabrina wasted no time and jumped straight into the reason for her early morning call. "Jeremy, I need your help with my costume."

Stretching his back Jeremy said, "look at you all hyped up and excited it was only yesterday, you were a mess whining about your break up."

"Great! You won't believe the costume I have planned. It's going to be epic," Sabrina exclaimed completely dismissing Jeremy’s comment, her voice bubbled with relentless excitement.

Feigning the curiosity in his voice Jeremy asked, "So, what do you have in your mind about the costume theme this year?"

Although Sabrina had already told him that she was going to be dressed as the fallen Valkyire. He still hoped her answer to be different. As indulged and obsessed he is with fantastical stories, he hadn’t had the slightest seriousness about Sabrina’s obsession about the folklore of their descent, which had been passed down from centuries to centuries.

Sabrina's voice dropped to a theatrical whisper. "The Fallen Valkyrie," she revealed, a hint of mischief in her tone.

Jeremy’s tone flooded with disappointment. "You know Sabrina almost half the teenage girls in this town are aiming for that costume. I thought we had this discussion before," he pointed out.

A suspicion piqued in Sabrina’s voice. "Half of the town, what do you mean?"

Jeremy’s voice suddenly climbed in excitement. "Damn! I have to tell you this, something really amazing happened with me yesterday –"

" – what? " Sabrina blurted impatiently, "you were with me all day! When did this happened?"

"You will know if you stop interrupting me. Let me finish!" he said.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever go ahead." Sabrina replied with curiosity.

"So, this happened when I left for my home after meeting you…," Jeremy carefully recollected the moments from yesterday and spoke again, "I bumped into these two girls one of them was carrying the Valkyrie wings so, I guess she is also planning the same."

Sabrina's laughter rang through the phone. "You're kidding, right? Valkyries are a popular costume choice. But you did meet some interesting characters last night, didn't you? Tell me about them."

"Well, I don’ –"

" – wait, no, don’t! we’ll talk about it when you get here," Sabrina cut him midsentence again.

Jeremy let out an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, it’s better that way," he paused when he realised that he had to get his car’s tires changed and it might take a little longer, "hey, listen it might take me a while since I have to get the tire changed." He cleared.

"Hmm, yes," the excitement faded from Sabrina’s voice, "the snowfall last night. You better get them changed ASAP! Before you crash into someone."

Like that’s not happened already, Jeremy thought to himself. "Yes, I’ll call you as soon as I am done," he said.

And without a comment Sabrina hung up.

"So impatient," Jeremy uttered to himself.

With their conversation concluded, Jeremy ended the call and swung his legs out of bed. As he was walking away, he stopped to take a look at his sketch before going out. He reminded himself to take the sketch with him when going to Sabrina’s.

He went to the window and saw that the town was a winter wonderland, blanketed in an unspoiled layer of fresh snow. The glistening white covered everything in sight, transforming familiar front yard and the street ahead of it into picturesque frame.

As soon as Jeremy absorbed the bliss of the morning, he sprang into action. He quickly got ready for the day, bundling up in warm clothes to combat the chill outside. Making his way downstairs, he found his mother bustling around the kitchen, a contagious excitement radiating from her.

"Good morning, Jeremy!" his mother greeted him with a wide smile. "Isn't the town just magical today? I can't wait for the Halloween festivities to begin!"

Jeremy returned her smile, feeling his spirits lift at the catching enthusiasm. "Good morning, Mom. It truly is a beautiful sight." He paused, "I hope dad won’t spoil the beauty of the day barging in. Where is he?" He asked hopefully.

His mother paused for a moment from stirring the contents of a simmering pot on the stove to give Jeremy a frowned look. "Your father is out with some colleagues, taking care of the Halloween preparations. He's been working tirelessly to ensure everything goes smoothly. I expect you to make sure everything stays smooth." She said.

Jeremy nodded, knowing that his father was deeply involved in community events, after all he is the community head here. It was a side of him that Jeremy admired but found it difficult to connect with. His mind drifted to the recent argument he had with his father, the tension still lingering in the air.

His mother noticed the slight change in Jeremy's demeanor and gently touched his arm. "Is everything alright, dear? You seem a bit preoccupied."

Jeremy sighed, aware of the fact that he can’t really keep anything from his mother. "You know last night… I heard you crying, Mom. I am used to dad being dad, but he’s really getting a bit difficult to deal with lately, but I'm hoping things will settle down soon." Jeremy smiled. He didn’t want to spoil a festive day.

His mother's eyes filled with concern, but she offered him a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry for that, Jeremy. I know it’s a mess here these days. Something is bothering your dad a lot recently. I hope you both can find a way to work things out one day. Remember, family is important, especially during times like these."

Jeremy knew exactly what her mother was implying to. Taking her words to heart, Jeremy nodded gratefully. "I'll try, Mom. Thanks for understanding."

His mother's gaze shifted to his outfit, and a mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes. "By the way, have you decided on a costume for tonight? You can't attend the Halloween party without one!"

Jeremy glanced at his outfit it was a simple denim and a tee shirt beneath his jacket. He chuckled, realizing he hadn't given it much thought. "I honestly have no idea, Mom. Any suggestions?"

His mother's face lit up with excitement as she contemplated. "How about dressing up as a Viking? You have that rugged charm and strength, just like those legendary warriors. After all your ancestors were Vikings."

Jeremy could clearly sensed how her mother is teasing him. He considered her suggestion, finding it oddly fitting. "A Viking, huh? That could work. I'll keep it in mind, Mom. Thanks!"

With a nod of approval, his mother resumed her activities in the kitchen, leaving Jeremy to finish his morning preparations. Before leaving the house, he made a few calls to local garages, inquiring about new tires for his car. The snow-covered roads necessitated the change, and he wanted to fix the dent on his car's side and bonnet before his father noticed.

After securing an appointment for the tire change, Jeremy made his way to the garage. Driving slowly and carefully taking the last night’s incident in consideration. On his way, he noticed the decorative ribbons of Halloween colors hung from lamp posts, trees, and storefronts, adding a festive touch to the snowy landscape. The buildings and trees along with everything else were capped in snow.

The winter chill nipped at his cheeks as he watched the mechanics diligently work on his car. Once the task was complete, he took a moment to admire his vehicle, restored to its former glory.

With the car ready, Jeremy eagerly drove towards Sabrina's place. The snow-covered town passed by in a blur as he navigated the familiar streets. As he approached Sabrina's house, his heart quickened with anticipation to see Sabrina’s face moulding into funny expressions when she hears the last night’s incident.

Upon arriving at Sabrina's house, Jeremy was greeted with a burst of energy as the front door flew open. Sabrina stood there, clad in a fluffy robe, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"You made it!" she exclaimed, pulling Jeremy into a tight hug. "Come on, let's get started on my costume. It's going to be amazing!"

"That’s only if you don’t kill me strangling with your arms." Jeremy teased, but he felt really eased hugging his best friend.

Sabrina slapped Jeremy’s shoulder upon the statement. They made their way into Sabrina's cozy living room, which had been transformed into a makeshift costume workshop. Tables were strewn with fabrics, trims, and glittering accessories, while mannequin displayed partially completed costume. It was a creative chaos that Jeremy had grown accustomed to whenever Halloween approached. Although the mannequins grabbed his attention.

"Where did you steal that from?" He pointed out.

"Well, I picked it up along with the costume from Trisha’s store." She winked.

By the fireplace Jeremy noticed the Halloween decorations adorning every corner. Pumpkins carved with intricate designs, spooky cobwebs, and flickering candles set the mood for the evening's festivities.

Sabrina cleared the mess she on the sofa. "Now, let’s gossip," her eyes lit up, "I want to hear everything about yesterday."

Settling down on the couch, Jeremy recounted the events of the previous night to Sabrina, starting from the encounter with the mysterious girls to the conversation with the police chief and the heated argument with his father.

To Jeremy’s surprise, she listened everything intently, without interrupting even once. He could see it in her eyes, she’s not holding her imagination back, she let it run wild, rein free.

After Jeremy rambled all the happenings of yesterday, expected a relevant response from Sabrina.

Instead of replying she hit him, and she kept hitting him. "You dimwit, you didn’t ask her name?"

"Out of all the things that’s what concerning you?"

Sabrina’s pout dissolved into a strong concern. "Your dad really makes me mad. Does that man even have a heart? I hope everything settles down soon. You don't deserve all this trouble."

Jeremy appreciated her concern, grateful to have someone who understood him. "Thanks, Sabrina. It has been quite a rollercoaster lately. But let's focus on the positive, like Halloween and your amazing costume."

Sabrina's mischievous grin returned as she playfully nudged Jeremy. "Oh, we'll get to that, but first, I want to meet this mystery girl. You should have asked for her name, Jeremy. How could you be so stupid?"

Jeremy shrugged. "I don’t know! I thought I was going to die; I mean I really considered her for Amaela, you know. The fake wings might have slipped from her hands when she tried to evade getting hit by my car," Jeremy paused when he realised, he had the sketch. "Anyway, I drew a sketch last night. Want to see?"

Fascination glinted in Sabrina’s intrigued eyes. "Yes!"

Jeremy carefully unfolded the paper he tore from the sketch book and shoved it against Sabrina’s face.

She pushed Jeremy away to get the paper out of her face and have a good look. Her jaw dropped when she saw the sketch. "Dude, this is so dope! I don’t see the reason to be scared even if she would have been the real fallen Valkyrie, Amaela. I mean look at her she’s so ethereal. "

Jeremy chuckled, realizing the silliness of his actions. "I know, Sabrina. It all happened so quickly, and I was caught up in the moment. I am hoping to see her tonight at the party, and I will for sure ask her for her name this time."

"I will make sure that you do ask her name even if you forget again," Sabrina assured.

"I know, I can always count on you."

Their conversation shifted gears as they delved into planning the evening's festivities. They excitedly shared details about the Halloween party they would be attending, speculating on the costumes their friends would wear. Laughter filled the room as they reminisced about past Halloween mishaps and hilarious memories.

Amidst the joyous banter, Sabrina suddenly furrowed her brows in realization. "Hey, Jeremy, remember when you said a pole fell onto your car’s bonnet last night? It made me wonder... how can a mere pair of wings make a pole crumble?"

Jeremy's heart skipped a beat as the memory of the crumbling pole rushed back. He realised he didn’t notice it. Jeremy was so tangled into the events happening that this thought never crossed his mind. His skin turned pale and goosebumps slowly crawled across his body.

Sabrina phased out her eyes staring widely into distant. "It’s uncanny when you think of it. I mean the way you described those girls; I’ve never seen them. As you know Lakefall isn’t a very big town everybody knows everybody here."

Suddenly Jeremy pointed out the conversation between the police chief Rick Kinston. "Remember I talked about the conversation I overheard between my dad and the police chief?"

Sabrina nodded. "Yes, I remember that. But I don’t get it. Gateway at Blarsons’ Villa, the keepers…," Sabrina paused at a sudden realisation, "… could it be that those two girls are the same girls chief Kinston was talking about?"

Jeremy thought for a second. "Could be. It makes sense since I’ve never seen them before."

"Okay now, this is freaking me out," the impish grin reappeared on Sabrina’s face, "what if those two girls were actually the Valkyries? What if they never show up in the party?"

Jeremy stared at Sabrina in disbelief. "Then there will be one minus girl who isn’t dressing up as the fallen Valkyrie." He said plainly.

A flicker of concern crossed Sabrina's face. "Think about it, Jeremy. How can a mere pair of wings make a pole crumble? Do you think there's more to it than meets the eye?"

Jeremy tried hard to recall; he was certain that would not be possible. "I don’t think so. Maybe the wings slipped from her hand and they went up in the air. As I was distracted by the wings I may have dashed into the pole and the impact made it crumble." Jeremy dismissed.

Disappointedly, Sabrina nudged his arm. "Oh, come on, Jeremy! Where's your sense of adventure? Besides, I really hope we see her tonight and she probably would be wielding a sword or anything. I'm sure it'll be a fun encounter."

Jeremy couldn't help but smile at Sabrina's enthusiasm. She had always been the adventurous one, never shying away from the unknown. Her light-heartedness was contagious, and he found himself embracing the excitement too.

Sabrina's expression turned more serious as she voiced her concern. "On a serious note, though, Jeremy, I can't help but worry about the strained relationship between you and your father. It's been tough on you lately, hasn't it?"

Jeremy nodded, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Yeah, it has. We've been drifting apart. It’s not as if we were close before, but you know it's been hard for everybody in the family. I miss the connection I used to have with my brother. I miss him."

Sabrina placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm here for you, Jeremy. Remember, relationships can be mended, but it takes effort from both sides. Perhaps tonight, amidst the magic of Halloween, you can find a way to reconnect with your father. Maybe we can ask one of your magical girls to cast a spell." Sabrina’s playfulness can never be separated from her.

They both chuckled, the tension dissipating as they basked in the shared light-heartedness. In that moment, as they sat surrounded by Halloween decorations, a sense of camaraderie and adventure filled the room. The mysteries of the fallen Valkyrie beckoned, and Jeremy felt a newfound determination to unravel the enigma that had captured his imagination.

Then Sabrina with an enthusiasm greater than she had this morning flaunted off her self-designed Valkyrie costume. Jeremy's eyes widened in awe as he took in Sabrina's costume. The attention to detail was remarkable, from the intricate feathered wings to the delicate silver armor adorning her shoulders. It was as if she had stepped out of a mythological tale, a true embodiment of a Fallen Valkyrie.

"Wow, Sabrina, you look incredible," Jeremy breathed, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Sabrina twirled gracefully, the wings fluttering behind her. "Thanks, Jeremy. It's all thanks to your help and inspiration. I couldn't have done it without you."

As the evening drew closer, they eagerly prepared for the Halloween festivities, their hearts brimming with anticipation. Little did they know that the night would bring them face to face with the extraordinary, pushing the boundaries of their understanding and forever altering the course of their lives.