(Part Two)

The silence following Henry’s news was deafening. With faces full of horror, the ghosts turned to each other. “But, mother,” Seline cried, “if we leave the tower, we’ll never have the chance to become human again!”

“What do you mean?” Henry asked curiously.

Mr. Ferdinand sighed. “We weren’t always like this, you know—“

“But” Seline interrupted, “we were cursed by my sister. She even got the help of a _witch_ to do it!” Shuddering, Seline murmured, “I think she was jealous of me. I loved my big sister, but I think she was upset when I got betrothed before she did, and to a prince, as well. After we were cursed and turned into—this, the witch gave us a riddle. Solving the riddle means figuring out how to turn us back.

“That which was taken must be given,

Not by force, but by free will alone.

Until then, thou shall remain in these walls.

Take care to never leave this prison of stone.

Else, you will be doomed to your fate.”

“That which was taken must be given,” Henry murmured. “I wonder what that means.”

“So do we,” Seline replied, her head drooping.

The four of them wracked their brains for a while, trying to figure out the riddle’s clue; but their brainstorming was interrupted by a voice outside the tower. “Henry? Henry!”

“That’s my dad!” Henry exclaimed. “Hey maybe if he comes up here and sees you, sees that you’re real, he’ll rethink the demolition of your home.”

With that, Henry raced to the door and flung it open, shouting, “I’m up here, dad!”

Mr. Fern’s brow furrowed angrily. “What are you doing up there, boy? You cone down here this instant!”

“No, father, there’s something up here that you need to see!”

“Henry Tobias Fern!” Mr. Fern roared, “if you make me come up there, you’re going to get a whooping when we get home!” Silence followed, and Mr. Fern was left with no choice but to follow Henry up the tower. Grumbling with each step, Mr. Fern ascended.

When he finally reached the door, Mr. Fern yanked the knob so hard that the door almost came off its hinges. It flew open, and he froze in place. There, right in front of him, stood a ghost girl. The color drained from his face as he took a step back. “No,” he whispered.

“Please, don’t be frightened,” she said sweetly. “We mean you no harm. Might I invite you inside?” Though he was still trembling, Mr. Fern nodded and followed her inside.

She led him to the sitting room where Henry stood, talking to two adult ghosts. Henry turned and smiled at his father. “Hello, father. I see you’ve met Seline.” He gestured at the two ghosts beside him. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand, the former Duke and Duchess of Sallix.”

Dumbstruck, Mr. Fern’s mouth hung wide open as his gaze flitted from one face to another. Finally, his eyes rested on his son. “Come. Your mother will be wondering where we are.”

Henry’s heart sank as he replied, “Yes, Father.” Seline silently escorted them both back to the door and closed it behind them. Suddenly, Mr. Fern siezed Henry’s wrist and began to speed walk away from the tower as quickly as possible.

“Son, you are not to say a _word_ about this to anyone else.”

“But, Father, they—“

“No!” Mr. Fern practically shouted. “What you saw, son, was not real. The mind is good at playing tricks.”

“Father, they _are_ real!”

“Not another word!” When they got home, Henry was sent to his room without supper.

Henry sighed as he lay on his back, pondering the riddle’s words. “That which was taken must be given. That which was taken must be given.” After a long time, he gave up and went to sleep.

In the morning, Henry awoke to the sound of the town bell. Staggering out of bed, he got dressed as quickly as he could in his half-awake state. “_That bell only tolls if there is an emergency or if someone has died,” _he thought to himself. Once he was dressed, Henry flung open the door and raced out toward the town square.

The bell rang until the entire town was gathered. Up on the stage in the very center of the square stood the village elders. The oldest one, Kallum, was the leader. It was he who spoke, and it was in a creaky whisper that Henry strained to hear.

“We regret to inform you that one of our leaders, Elder Beckett, lost his life last night. He passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Elder Beckett continued, but Henry heard none of it. The riddle repeated itself in his mind again, but this time with the answer: “That which was taken must be given, one life for another.”