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Wingspan - Chapter 35, Closure
In today’s episode we read Chapter 35 – Closure - in which Magpie discovers the identity of the person who sent the letter.
The Skylark Bell is brought to you by: Phaeton Starling Publishing and Things with Wings Productions.
The Skylark Bell official website - http://www.theskylarkbell.com
The Skylark Bell on Instagram: @theskylarkbell
Author/Producer: Melissa Oliveri - http://www.melissaoliveri.com
Join Melissa's Patreon for early access to podcast episodes, music downloads, and more: http://www.patreon.com/melissaoliveri
Melissa on Twitter: @melissaoliveri
All music by Cannelle: http://www.cannellemusic.com
Cannelle on Instagram: @cannelle.music
Official Merch Shops: http://www.melissaoliveri.com/store
This week's Boopod Network podcast partner is Haunted or Hoax: https://linktr.ee/HauntedorHoax
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Things with Wings Productions presents: Episode 35 of The Skylark Bell, Wingspan. I am your host, Melissa Oliveri.
In our previous episode, Magpie received a strange letter requesting her presence at the care home in Brighthaven.
In today’s episode we read Chapter 35 – Closure - in which Magpie discovers the identity of the person who sent the letter.
Be sure to listen through to the end of the episode for a preview of a podcast I quite enjoy called haunted or hoax.
Now, it’s time to settle in… grab a blanket, and a warm drink… and let’s get started.
“Mr. Corbeau, your guest is here.” The nun’s words swirl around Magpie’s head and she begins to feel dizzy. Mr. Corbeau… Marius Corbeau? But he never even existed! Unless…
“You may come in now,” says Sister Agnes, her head peeking out from the open door.
Magpie takes a deep breath and steps into the room. It takes a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, she blinks a few times then looks around. The room is quite small with only the basic necessities; a bed, a dresser, and a small desk and chair. Magpie turns her attention to the bed, there is an old man lying in it, layers of blankets piled on top of his legs despite the warm spring day.
“I will leave you now, but please don’t hesitate if you should need anything from me,” says Sister Agnes warmly, holding onto Magpie’s hands. She looks like she is deciding whether to stay more, then gestures with her head for Magpie to follow her back out into the hallway. “I should probably warn you; he is very ill. After 98 years of living, I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left. I’m very sorry,” She gives Magpie’s hand a squeeze, then turns and walks away, the sound of her block heel shoes echoing down the hall.
Magpie turns back toward the door, her heart pounding. She walks back into the room and tentatively steps to the side of the bed. “Mr. Corbeau?” she says, leaning toward the man who appears to be sleeping with his back turned toward her. She sees some movement at the foot of the bed, and the man makes a soft sound as he slowly turns himself around.
Magpie lets out a gasp as recognition sets in. His face is carved with deep lines, and his hair is snowy white, the grey of his eyes is faded and milky, but she would recognize him anywhere. “Lucas!” she whispers, confused, horrified, and relieved and all the same time. The man strains to focus his eyes on her, and a smile slowly makes its way onto his face. He lifts his hand up to touch her face. “Lucas, how…? I don’t understand!” she says, tears streaming down her face. How can Lucas be here? How can he be 98 years old? He was only 25 when she left him at Carnifex House, she had made sure to put everything in place for him to live a happy, fulfilling life if she never returned!
“I tried so hard to find you,” he whispers.
The noise that escapes from Magpie doesn’t even sound human. Never has she felt this level of pain, not even when Lucas first disappeared. She had finally accepted that she would never see him again, at least not as an adult, and consoled herself with the fact that he would be living a long happy life at Carnifex House. But here she is standing before a yet another cruel twist of fate.
Magpie takes a deep breath to compose herself then walks over to the desk to get the chair and brings it to the side of the bed. She sits down and takes a hold of Lucas’ hand.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, tears spilling from his eyes.
“Shh, no need for that,” she says reassuringly, running a hand along his cheek.
Suddenly a thought occurs to her, “Lucas, how did you find me? Here, in this time?” she asks.
He smiles and winks, “I was always clever, you know,” he says, clearly struggling to get the words out. “It took me a long time to figure it out.” He pauses, giving himself a moment to find the strength to continue. “I AM NOT FARFALLA,” he finally spits out. “It was you… all along. It was always you,” he says.
Magpie sits back, reeling. Remembering the impossible sketch that had appeared out of thin air the day they cleaned out Farfalla’s house, her house. The sketch on which someone, herself, had scrawled a final clue, the words “I AM NOT FARFALLA”. So, Lucas had somehow ended up on a different timeline, one that began long before any of the events at Meadow Lane, long before the timeline Magpie is living in now, and somehow, he had figured out that she was the Farfalla of their youth. Somehow, he had found a way to get a message to her, so they could be together one last time.
Magpie tells him about his Grandma Gemma, and about how she herself held his father as a baby. She tells him about her knitting and blackberry jam, and how she has an arrangement with the Tuffetos. She tells him about her daily breakfast of blackberry waffles and sweet orange tea at The Early Bird, and how she always sits in the booth at the very back. She tells him about the people of Pocket being frightened of her, thinking she placed the curse on Meadow Lane, and that she lets them think that because it means they don’t approach her to ask questions.
“I’m just biding my time until I see you again, as a young boy, and eventually, myself,” she says, a sad smile on her face.
Lucas’ eyes grow wide, and he shakes his head from side to side. He whispers something unintelligible.
“What’s that?” she asks gently, leaning closer to hear him.
“Crossing. Timelines.” He chokes out. Magpie furrows her brow, confused. “Don’t cross timelines,” he says again.
“What do you mean, Lucas? I don’t understand,” she says.
He takes a deep breath, digging deep to get his message across. “I tried to come back… 1925… Marius… Mirror Pond,” he stops to catch his breath. “Crossing timelines… sparked the silence,” he says, closing his eyes, exhausted from the effort.
Magpie takes a moment to sort out the disjointed thoughts. Finally, she thinks she understands. “Lucas, do you mean that the silence at Meadow Lane started when you came into contact with your younger self?” she asks. Lucas gives her an almost imperceptible nod. Magpie ponders a little longer. If the silence began when Lucas and his younger self encountered each other, maybe Meadow Lane was just frozen in time, immobile for decades until… “
“Lucas, the silence at Meadow Lane started spreading after I met Farfalla,” she begins. He, again, nods quietly. “Crossing timelines is what made it start, and also what will make it grow.”
He finally opens his eyes to look at her. “One last thing,” he says, truly struggling at this point. “In the forest, there was a woman. She called herself Dealan-dè.” He pauses for a long while and Magpie wonders whether he has fallen asleep. “I think she sent me here on purpose. She was angry because I thought she was you, because I was hoping she was you,” he finally says.
Magpie takes his hand, “I’m here now,” she says, leaning over to lay a tender kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, Magpie. I always loved you,” he whispers.
Magpie feels tears burning her eyes, “I love you too, Lucas,” she says. Unaware in that moment that those would be the last words she would ever speak.
Lucas lays in bed, his head turned toward her, his eyes never leaving her face, his hand never leaving her grasp, as he breathes his last breath.
Thank you so much for listening. Join me next week for Wingspan chapter 36, Crossing the Line, in which Magpie, after decades of living in Pocket under Farfalla’s identity, finally crosses paths with a familiar face.
The Skylark Bell is brought to you by Phaeton Starling Publishing and features original music by Cannelle. If you are enjoying this story, please consider leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts, they help give the podcast visibility so others can find and enjoy the story. You can also support my work by subscribing to my Patreon where you get early access to episodes as well as MP3 downloads of the music, artwork, behind the scenes videos and more! Just check the show notes for links to Patreon, my website, and social media accounts.
Before I go, I’d like to share this reel for a podcast I quite enjoy called Haunted or Hoax. Listen to this paranormal investigation podcast that travels around the United States. If you enjoy the haunted atmosphere of The Skylark Bell you’ll want to check them out.
Once again, thank you for listening – I’m Melissa Oliveri, writer, host and producer of The Skylark Bell Podcast.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/theskylarkbell/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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By Melissa West
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1919 ratings
In today’s episode we read Chapter 35 – Closure - in which Magpie discovers the identity of the person who sent the letter.
The Skylark Bell is brought to you by: Phaeton Starling Publishing and Things with Wings Productions.
The Skylark Bell official website - http://www.theskylarkbell.com
The Skylark Bell on Instagram: @theskylarkbell
Author/Producer: Melissa Oliveri - http://www.melissaoliveri.com
Join Melissa's Patreon for early access to podcast episodes, music downloads, and more: http://www.patreon.com/melissaoliveri
Melissa on Twitter: @melissaoliveri
All music by Cannelle: http://www.cannellemusic.com
Cannelle on Instagram: @cannelle.music
Official Merch Shops: http://www.melissaoliveri.com/store
This week's Boopod Network podcast partner is Haunted or Hoax: https://linktr.ee/HauntedorHoax
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Things with Wings Productions presents: Episode 35 of The Skylark Bell, Wingspan. I am your host, Melissa Oliveri.
In our previous episode, Magpie received a strange letter requesting her presence at the care home in Brighthaven.
In today’s episode we read Chapter 35 – Closure - in which Magpie discovers the identity of the person who sent the letter.
Be sure to listen through to the end of the episode for a preview of a podcast I quite enjoy called haunted or hoax.
Now, it’s time to settle in… grab a blanket, and a warm drink… and let’s get started.
“Mr. Corbeau, your guest is here.” The nun’s words swirl around Magpie’s head and she begins to feel dizzy. Mr. Corbeau… Marius Corbeau? But he never even existed! Unless…
“You may come in now,” says Sister Agnes, her head peeking out from the open door.
Magpie takes a deep breath and steps into the room. It takes a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, she blinks a few times then looks around. The room is quite small with only the basic necessities; a bed, a dresser, and a small desk and chair. Magpie turns her attention to the bed, there is an old man lying in it, layers of blankets piled on top of his legs despite the warm spring day.
“I will leave you now, but please don’t hesitate if you should need anything from me,” says Sister Agnes warmly, holding onto Magpie’s hands. She looks like she is deciding whether to stay more, then gestures with her head for Magpie to follow her back out into the hallway. “I should probably warn you; he is very ill. After 98 years of living, I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left. I’m very sorry,” She gives Magpie’s hand a squeeze, then turns and walks away, the sound of her block heel shoes echoing down the hall.
Magpie turns back toward the door, her heart pounding. She walks back into the room and tentatively steps to the side of the bed. “Mr. Corbeau?” she says, leaning toward the man who appears to be sleeping with his back turned toward her. She sees some movement at the foot of the bed, and the man makes a soft sound as he slowly turns himself around.
Magpie lets out a gasp as recognition sets in. His face is carved with deep lines, and his hair is snowy white, the grey of his eyes is faded and milky, but she would recognize him anywhere. “Lucas!” she whispers, confused, horrified, and relieved and all the same time. The man strains to focus his eyes on her, and a smile slowly makes its way onto his face. He lifts his hand up to touch her face. “Lucas, how…? I don’t understand!” she says, tears streaming down her face. How can Lucas be here? How can he be 98 years old? He was only 25 when she left him at Carnifex House, she had made sure to put everything in place for him to live a happy, fulfilling life if she never returned!
“I tried so hard to find you,” he whispers.
The noise that escapes from Magpie doesn’t even sound human. Never has she felt this level of pain, not even when Lucas first disappeared. She had finally accepted that she would never see him again, at least not as an adult, and consoled herself with the fact that he would be living a long happy life at Carnifex House. But here she is standing before a yet another cruel twist of fate.
Magpie takes a deep breath to compose herself then walks over to the desk to get the chair and brings it to the side of the bed. She sits down and takes a hold of Lucas’ hand.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, tears spilling from his eyes.
“Shh, no need for that,” she says reassuringly, running a hand along his cheek.
Suddenly a thought occurs to her, “Lucas, how did you find me? Here, in this time?” she asks.
He smiles and winks, “I was always clever, you know,” he says, clearly struggling to get the words out. “It took me a long time to figure it out.” He pauses, giving himself a moment to find the strength to continue. “I AM NOT FARFALLA,” he finally spits out. “It was you… all along. It was always you,” he says.
Magpie sits back, reeling. Remembering the impossible sketch that had appeared out of thin air the day they cleaned out Farfalla’s house, her house. The sketch on which someone, herself, had scrawled a final clue, the words “I AM NOT FARFALLA”. So, Lucas had somehow ended up on a different timeline, one that began long before any of the events at Meadow Lane, long before the timeline Magpie is living in now, and somehow, he had figured out that she was the Farfalla of their youth. Somehow, he had found a way to get a message to her, so they could be together one last time.
Magpie tells him about his Grandma Gemma, and about how she herself held his father as a baby. She tells him about her knitting and blackberry jam, and how she has an arrangement with the Tuffetos. She tells him about her daily breakfast of blackberry waffles and sweet orange tea at The Early Bird, and how she always sits in the booth at the very back. She tells him about the people of Pocket being frightened of her, thinking she placed the curse on Meadow Lane, and that she lets them think that because it means they don’t approach her to ask questions.
“I’m just biding my time until I see you again, as a young boy, and eventually, myself,” she says, a sad smile on her face.
Lucas’ eyes grow wide, and he shakes his head from side to side. He whispers something unintelligible.
“What’s that?” she asks gently, leaning closer to hear him.
“Crossing. Timelines.” He chokes out. Magpie furrows her brow, confused. “Don’t cross timelines,” he says again.
“What do you mean, Lucas? I don’t understand,” she says.
He takes a deep breath, digging deep to get his message across. “I tried to come back… 1925… Marius… Mirror Pond,” he stops to catch his breath. “Crossing timelines… sparked the silence,” he says, closing his eyes, exhausted from the effort.
Magpie takes a moment to sort out the disjointed thoughts. Finally, she thinks she understands. “Lucas, do you mean that the silence at Meadow Lane started when you came into contact with your younger self?” she asks. Lucas gives her an almost imperceptible nod. Magpie ponders a little longer. If the silence began when Lucas and his younger self encountered each other, maybe Meadow Lane was just frozen in time, immobile for decades until… “
“Lucas, the silence at Meadow Lane started spreading after I met Farfalla,” she begins. He, again, nods quietly. “Crossing timelines is what made it start, and also what will make it grow.”
He finally opens his eyes to look at her. “One last thing,” he says, truly struggling at this point. “In the forest, there was a woman. She called herself Dealan-dè.” He pauses for a long while and Magpie wonders whether he has fallen asleep. “I think she sent me here on purpose. She was angry because I thought she was you, because I was hoping she was you,” he finally says.
Magpie takes his hand, “I’m here now,” she says, leaning over to lay a tender kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, Magpie. I always loved you,” he whispers.
Magpie feels tears burning her eyes, “I love you too, Lucas,” she says. Unaware in that moment that those would be the last words she would ever speak.
Lucas lays in bed, his head turned toward her, his eyes never leaving her face, his hand never leaving her grasp, as he breathes his last breath.
Thank you so much for listening. Join me next week for Wingspan chapter 36, Crossing the Line, in which Magpie, after decades of living in Pocket under Farfalla’s identity, finally crosses paths with a familiar face.
The Skylark Bell is brought to you by Phaeton Starling Publishing and features original music by Cannelle. If you are enjoying this story, please consider leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts, they help give the podcast visibility so others can find and enjoy the story. You can also support my work by subscribing to my Patreon where you get early access to episodes as well as MP3 downloads of the music, artwork, behind the scenes videos and more! Just check the show notes for links to Patreon, my website, and social media accounts.
Before I go, I’d like to share this reel for a podcast I quite enjoy called Haunted or Hoax. Listen to this paranormal investigation podcast that travels around the United States. If you enjoy the haunted atmosphere of The Skylark Bell you’ll want to check them out.
Once again, thank you for listening – I’m Melissa Oliveri, writer, host and producer of The Skylark Bell Podcast.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/theskylarkbell/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy