Maisel’s Neighbourhood Watch Log: September 17th, 2023 – 11:33 AM – Pathway
We followed the butterflies down Sasheen’s street and onto a pathway that ran alongside Spotter’s Ravine. On the left side of the path was a step drop-off into the ravine, and on the right was a short wooden barrier that divided the path from an alleyway. Sasheen and I used to take this route to school every day. It was definitely not the quickest way to school, but along the way, there was this section of an old building that always seemed to have different graffiti on it. We would take turns pointing out new graffiti, then cut through Spotter’s Ravine and make it to school just as the first bell was ringing.
We both walked along the wooden barrier that divided the road from the pathway. Our arms were outstretched to keep us balanced. The wind rustled the trees around us, and a few leaves floated softly to the ground. I loved this time of year. The colours of the leaves changed, and there was this slightly sweet smell in the air that got stronger the further into the forest you went. Sasheen would probably tell you that it has to do with the leaves decomposing on the ground, or how the humidity changes as the seasons change, but I didn’t need a reason. I knew this smell came with change and that it was both familiar and new at the same time. It smelled like being home.
The wooden barrier we walked on groaned and creaked under our weight. As we went along, keeping an eye on the butterflies, I realized that this was the first time in months that we were walking down this pathway together.
So… When you see the butterflies duplicate, will you agree to reform the Neighbourhood Watch? Harrington will need its supernatural response squad back to keep these events from getting out of hand.
If we see the butterflies duplicate, then… maybe. I’m not sure that duplicating butterflies is necessarily cause to reform the club.
The handbook says we must reform the club if anything magical is spotted.
We’re talking about one bizarre event where a few butterflies happen to duplicate. This isn’t an elephant-sized spider or rift to another dimension.
I hopped off the wooden rail and took off my backpack. This is why you should never leave the house without a copy of The Neighbourhood Watch Handbook. I pulled out the book and started flipping through it.
Do we have time for this? The butterflies are getting further ahead.
One sec… Here it is: ‘Should the supernatural return to Harrington, all available members pledge that they will return to service.’ Look, we all signed.
Sasheen hopped off the wooden barrier and landed beside me.
I’m pretty sure it said something about a situation that threatened Harrington.
Nope. Not in here.
Let me see. I’m sure I remember that line.
This is my copy of the handbook. You should have your own.
Well, I didn’t bring it, cause you pulled me out here in such a hurry.
‘Every member of the Neighbourhood Watch is responsible for keeping their own journal safe and having it on them during every mission.’
Don’t quote the handbook at me, I wrote most of it. Plus, we don’t even know if this is a mission yet. I am yet to see a butterfly duplicate.
Sorry, it’s clear as day— We must reform the Watch.
Sasheen stopped walking.
This isn’t even about the butterflies, is it?
I turned to face it. I didn’t understand what she meant.
I don’t know if you remember, but the Neighbourhood Watch wasn’t just ‘fun,’ it was also dangerous. We almost died multiple times. Not to mention whatever would have happened to us if we didn’t escape that arcade last year.*
*See the Haunted Arcade Occurrence from March 14, 2022.
I think you just want a distraction from Pocket’s disappearance. I think if the Neighbourhood Watch was reformed, you could just focus on ‘keeping the Neighbourhood safe’ and not actually face the fact that your brother is gone.
I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I turned away for a moment. Just long enough to realize the butterflies were all the way at the end of the pathway.
Fine. Don’t come, but I’m not going to let these butterflies get out of hand.
I ran after the butterflies.
Maisel!
I could hear Sasheen shout behind me, but I didn’t look back.
I glanced down at the pathway to make sure there was nothing in my way, but when I looked back up, I realized I had lost the butterflies.
I didn’t have time to feel disappointed. They couldn’t have gotten far; they had probably just drifted off to one side of the path and were blocked by trees.
Maisel, wait!
I heard Sasheen call from behind me. What was I thinking, going to Sasheen first? Of course, she wouldn’t believe me. She always needs to see something with her own eyes before she’ll be convinced. If she told me that one of her golden retrievers had spoken to her in clear, perfect English and said it needed to get to the ocean by dusk, I would have helped her get that little ball of fluff to the ocean by dusk. No questions asked. But when it’s reversed, it’s all “Maisel, are you sure?” Maisel, that seems a little unlikely. “Maisel, nothing supernatural has appeared in Harrington for a whole year, and now out of the blue you see something.”
I was lost in thought and didn’t notice that the pathway turned sharply to the right ahead. I quickly came to a stop, just in time to avoid running off the side of the path.
Maisel, I—
I heard Sasheen say before she slammed into my back. I didn’t have time to react. The two of us tumbled off the side of the pathway into the ravine.
– Maisel
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