Ghost Squad

“‘Tía, can’t we have at least one weekend off?’ asked Manny, another one of Lucely’s cousins. ‘She can’t help herself; cleaning is her life,’ said another cousin, Benny. ‘But she’s dead!’ Lucely said. The table screamed with laughter now, drowning out Tía Milagros’s threats. Nobody but Lucely noticed when she made good on her promise to throw her chancla by flinging it across the room and knocking over a pitcher of guava juice. ‘No ve!’ Milagros smiled smugly, as if she hadn’t been the one to make the mess.”

Sometimes, in Hispanic cultures like that of the Dominican Republic, adults will throw a chancla, or sandal, at unruly junior members of their families. It’s a brisk way of warning them to behave. Tía Milagros regards the other Luna ghosts as her assistants in the never-ending job of cleaning their ancestral home, and when the other spirits act up, she expresses her frustration with a well-aimed shoe.

“‘Lucely, if you’re eavesdropping up there, you better come down now.’ Lucely cringed and pulled back. How did he always know? She waited a minute, took a deep breath to settle her thumping pulse, and walked down the stairs casually. Her dad hitched an eyebrow, but she tried not to show any signs that she’d overheard his conversation. He liked to pretend everything was under control all the time, and Lucely liked to let him.”

Like father, like daughter: Lucely’s dad is expert at detecting the hidden, and Lucely believes she can hide her feelings from him. They’re both good at both skills since they come from a long line of Lunas, who have protected St. Augustine from hidden evil for generations. An unreadable face often goes with the ability to read others’ hidden feelings. Thus, Simon and Lucely sometimes end up outsmarting each other.

“Her dad didn’t know it, but before each tour she said a little prayer for her mother to return. For her to walk in through the door after one of those tours, removing a scarf from her curly black hair that looked just like Lucely’s, and pull her close. Lucely closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could almost smell her mother—the coconut oil she used in her hair, the fruity smell of her favorite ChapStick.”

Four years after her mom left, Lucely still misses her. There’s no resentment and no anger, just love and longing. Lucely has a heart without rancor and a great affection for everyone in her family, from her mom and dad to the ghosts of her deceased relatives. It’s this desire for family that guides Lucely and pushes her onto the journey she must take in search of the magic that can save her home, her abuela, and all her spirit family members.

“Syd cleared her throat and stood up. She threw her long black braids over her shoulders, ignoring the side-eye from some of her classmates. How she managed to be so cool and dorky at the same time would always be a mystery to Lucely. ‘It’s just confidence,’ Syd would always say, mimicking the same calm as her brass-band musician dad or drummer mom. Lucely hoped if she spent enough time with her best friend, one day some of that would rub off on her.”

Syd Faires has a nerdy side: She studies magic, the occult, and witches, shows a fearless enthusiasm for whatever interests her, and cares little for other kids’ opinion of her. Syd is comfortable with who she is, including her dorky attributes. Lucely, who struggles with feelings of shame because of her family’s poverty, admires Syd and wishes she had some of her confidence. Fortunately, Syd loves helping Lucely explore the occult mysteries that haunt St. Augustine.

“Babette’s house was just one of those places with never-ending secrets, a labyrinth of passageways and hidden rooms to explore. She imagined it would fit better in Diagon Alley than in the Florida swamp. There were doors Lucely had never even opened—doors you thought led one place but took you into a completely different part of the house. It could be frustrating when you needed the bathroom in the middle of the night.”

Babette is a witch, and her house and occult shop follow rules quite different from those of normal buildings. To enter the place is to transition into the supernatural. The quote’s mention of Diagon Alley makes reference to the Harry Potter stories and their buildings that violate the regular laws of nature.

“Her mom might not be around anymore, but her dad was always there when Lucely needed him most. And Syd could be pushy, but she was also always there when it counted most with the words Lucely needed to hear. This was why they were best friends.”

The long-ago departure of her mom still hurts Lucely, and the problems she and her father face mount up fearfully, but best friends back each other up, and Lucely knows that Syd will help in any way she can, including cheering up Lucely when she feels overwhelmed. This means a great deal to Lucely, especially when the friend descends from powerful witches.

“Don’t believe everything your teachers recite from their history books. Everyone wants to paint a powerful woman out to be wicked. How do you think witches got their name in the first place, hmm?”

Babette warns Lucely and Syd not to make assumptions about witches. Much of their bad reputation comes from people who felt threatened by their power. History is written by the winners, who generally portray the losers as evil, when in fact victories often go to the less virtuous side.

“Manny was fifteen—or at least he had been ten years ago, before the accident. He would’ve been an adult now, probably with a job and maybe even kids of his own. Instead he looked much the same as he did in all the pictures they had of him. His dark hair was cropped close to his scalp, and his fresh, barbershop-shaved part curved to the right. A small, gold hoop earring gleamed from one ear, and his deep dimples showed whenever he smiled. Now he was just a tiny bit see-through.”

Manny is typical of Lucely’s ghostly relatives in that he looks the way he did when he died, is cheerfully friendly toward Lucely, and appears next to her at will. Except for their slight transparency, the ghosts look to Lucely just like living people. Lucely’s ability to see ghosts is rare; it will give her an advantage when encountering spirits who aren’t nearly as well-intentioned.

“When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by trees, a starless sky stretching out above her. […] She took a tentative step through the brush, and a willow tree appeared in the clearing ahead. Not just any tree, but her tree. She turned around, but her house wasn’t there. Instead, greenery encompassed her, twisting and blooming everywhere she looked. It was as if the forest was not just alive but breathing, trying to reach out for her. Trees and wild bushes formed a small enclosure, a grove that seemed separated from the world. But still Lucely felt in her heart that this place was connected to her home.”

Seeing ghosts is only one ability common among members of the Luna family. Lucely also can see into alternate worlds, some of them different versions of her day-to-day world. These realms offer information and magic power that the girl can access as she tries to help her firefly relatives. Lucely’s courage when suddenly swept into these realms is yet another asset that will help her when confronting the powerful evil forces that emanate from supernatural worlds.

“‘I’m not strong like you. I’m just a kid. How am I supposed to stop whatever evil is coming?’ […] ‘You don’t have to do it alone because we are with you, always.’”

Mamá Teresa assures Lucely that the people she most wants to protect are also there to help her. The Lunas are a big family that stands by its members no matter what. Lucely’s love and care for them thus is reinforced by their return of that affection and support.

“It’s painless to die, Lucely. It’s peaceful. What hurts the most is watching those you loved in life mourn you in death. It’s enough to break a heart.”

Tía Milagros reassures Lucely about death. She tells her niece that those who pass on still care about those they leave behind, and, where possible, try to help their living relatives. The Luna family ghosts possess powers that can assist Lucely in the coming battle with evil spirits.

“‘My parents are going away this weekend for a jazz concert, so I’ll be staying with Babette. You should ask your dad if you can sleep over! That way, once she’s asleep, we can just sneak out together. But if we get caught, I’m telling them you forced me against my will.’ ‘Traitor!’ ‘It’s every girl for herself in the ghost-pocalypse. Sorry, not sorry!’”

Lucely and Syd love to banter and tease. It’s part of what draws them together, and it helps them keep their courage up when their adventures become dangerous. Their rapid-fire conversations also display their smart, assertive minds. Where other high-energy kids might try to dominate their friends, Lucely and Syd’s abiding love and mutual respect make them a team of equals. They may kid each other, but they’d do anything to protect one another.

“When she was ten, Lucely had watched a scary movie that, looking back, wasn’t very scary at all. Still, she’d had nightmares for a week.”

Things that once scared Lucely no longer have a pull on her. She’s thus able to face the frightening evil spirits that confront her now, ghosts that would have ruined her sleep earlier in life. Lucely’s growth as a courageous kid is just in time for her to assume a new role as protector of the Luna family. She might scream in terror when giant mist monsters or fire-breathing ghost dragons attack, but she faces up to them rather than running away.

“The dragon roared just as Lucely and Syd attempted to sneak past the organ, startling them both backward and onto the organ’s massive keys. The pipes blared out a loud, disjointed note, catching the dragon’s attention. It turned on them and let out a violent jet of flames. ‘Duck!’ Lucely shouted, and they both dove for the floor, narrowly escaping the fire. ‘No more loud noises, got it,’ whispered Syd.”

Even during a grim encounter with a ghost dragon, the girls can’t resist a chance to banter. Humor is a trademark of their adventures, which combine, not simply mystery and terror, but also slapstick and wisecracks.

“According to Babette, there were four basic rules to ghost hunting:

1. Be prepared.
2. Don’t go alone.
3. Respect the dead.
4. Always have a cat.”

Syd’s grandmother teaches the girls that the most vital things to remember about ghosts are the hunter’s own mindset and resources. It’s much more important whom the hunter brings and how she treats those she encounters rather than what technical abilities or equipment she has. The search for spirits isn’t so much about skill as it is about attitude. A careful, respectful team has the advantage.

“‘I want you to pour every ounce of good energy, thoughts, and feelings you can muster into the circle.’ Lucely closed her eyes and thought of her father. She thought of Mamá and of Syd, of summers spent playing at the beach and of nights lying out beneath the willow tree, watching her firefly spirits for hours. She thought of curling up with her favorite book and a cup of the Dominican hot cocoa her abuela used to make. Waves of energy radiated from within her as she imagined pushing it all into the space within their held hands. ‘Open your eyes,’ Babette said. Radiant bands of golden light danced before them, intertwined like living vines.”

To protect themselves from the evil spirits that have invaded a cemetery, Lucely and Syd generate positive energy by focusing on good thoughts. Her heart and mind are buoyant, loving, and happy by nature; good thoughts come easily to her. She’s the latest member of an ancient family that has protected her town for centuries; their powers serve others and never seek to harm. Lucely embodies the good will of her people; generating positive magic comes easy for her.

“Lucely thought of her father, of Mamá Teresa and the rest of her firefly ancestors, of Syd and Babette. They meant everything to her. She wouldn’t let

anything happen to her family, no matter what it cost.”

At last, Lucely knows her true purpose: to love and protect her family. She aims her newfound magic powers at the forces that threaten those high values, and, with a clear heart and mind, she dives into the battle. Lucely puts her life on the line for her people; she has assumed an adult-level responsibility for safeguarding those she loves and the citizens of her city. It’s a defining moment in her life.

“Simon reached over and squeezed her shoulder. ‘I’m glad you’re okay, kiddo. But I knew you would be. You’re always so strong, stronger than I could ever be.’ ‘That’s not true. Where do you think I get it from?’ Lucely smiled at Simon.”

Simon comes from a long line of ghost seers, but lately he’s been unable to interact with the family’s deceased spirits, and it’s up to Lucely to carry on. She, though, neither resents the burden nor disdains her father. Her loving heart and great respect for him put Lucely squarely in the ancient tradition of her family, with its commitment to kindness, appreciation of others, and willingness to help. To Lucely, her father is just as powerful as she has become, and she’ll always look up to him, even when it’s she who does the most important work.

“Las Brujas Moradas, hear us tonight.

No longer in hiding, no longer in fright.

Las Brujas Moradas, come to our call.

No longer afraid, to tumble and fall.

Las Brujas, Las Brujas, answer our plea.

Come to us now, from land and from sea.

Take this demon away, tonight,

Las Brujas Moradas.

Take this demon from sight!”

Babette invokes the spirits of her Coven sisters, calling them to rise up from hiding, re-assert proudly their place in the world—a place once violently taken from them by angry, jealous people—and help her protect the city and vanquish an evil force. It’s a declaration of pride and purpose, a stand against wickedness, and a demonstration of goodwill that disproves the old bias against women of power.

“A massive, swirling gateway formed in the sky above the lighthouse, dragging the spirit storm across its threshold as if Tía Milagros were vacuuming them all up. The ghosts wailed as they flew into the void and a final rush of fog overtook them, making a sound like a roller coaster rumbling overhead. The sky above the lighthouse roared shut, leaving nothing but silence and the light of the fireflies, blinking out.”

In the author’s vividly cinematic description of the end of the battle, the ghost army is swept away into a supernatural gap in space and time. A monumental effort of a combined force of witches and fireflies—nearly all of them female—saves St. Augustine, but it’s Lucely and Syd’s incantation of the undoing spell that makes the difference.

“Rebuilding will take years, but if we’ve learned anything from our past, it’s that those who gather around a unifying cause and help one another create a stronger and more resilient community, prepared to weather any storm that dares to try to divide them.”

This passage from a news story released to the media by Babette is part of her effort to put to rest any lingering memories among the locals of a supernatural battle above St. Augustine. Babette nonetheless can’t resist a sly salute to those who participated in the fight: Their heroic actions protected the people of the city, and those efforts reflect well on brave people whose deeds must remain unknown to those they saved.

“‘People are all too willing to believe an easy lie in place of a complicated truth.’ Babette flourished her hand as she spoke. ‘Anyone with, say, a talent for the craft of deception can bend the truth just enough to turn one’s memory of events into something more…palatable for the general public.’”

Babette uses her powers not only to banish the ghost army but to erase the memory of the supernatural attack in the minds of the citizens. She also publishes an article that attributes some problems to a faulty lighthouse that Syd noticed and fixed. These actions and tweaks have the effect of removing the entire ghostly fiasco from local awareness. It’s all part of the Purple Coven’s mandate to protect St. Augustine, especially from panic or fear of the witches who did the good deed. Babette’s comment also shows how easily people can be diverted from seeing the truth. In the wrong hands, such a power might do great damage.

“‘Thanks for believing in me, Syd. And for sticking by my side throughout all this. I couldn’t have done it without you.’ Syd smiled. ‘That’s what I’m here for. Cracking jokes and kicking ghost butt and being charming. I could go on.’”

As always, Syd makes a quip, but she means it about her dedication to Lucely. During their adventure, the girls discovered a mutual loyalty and friendship to match the age-old connection between their two houses, the Lunas and the Purple Coven. Despite the trouble and danger they’re experienced, they did so together, and the increased love and closeness they feel is their adventure’s greatest gift.