Wingspan - Chapter 32, Today's Special

In today’s episode we read Chapter 32 – Today’s Special - in which Magpie once again finds herself in the town of Pocket, where she comes to a startling, and devastating realisation.

The Skylark Bell is brought to you by: Phaeton Starling Publishing and Things with Wings Productions.

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Author/Producer: Melissa Oliveri - http://www.melissaoliveri.com

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This week's Boopod Network podcast partner is Mums, Mysteries, and Murder: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mums-mysteries-murder/id1578866284

Something (Rather Than Nothing) podcast: https://allmylinks.com/volanteunion

Ken Volante's interview with The Skylark Bell creator Melissa Oliver on the Something (Rather Than Nothing) podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jbynw-1054d07

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

Things with Wings Productions presents: Episode 32 of The Skylark Bell, Wingspan. I am your host, Melissa Oliveri.

In our previous episode, Lucas comes face to face with the infamous Dealan-de, who has long been thought to be responsible for the Vanishings at Carnifex House.

In today’s episode we read Chapter 32 – Today’s Special - in which Magpie once again finds herself in the town of Pocket, where she comes to a startling, and devastating realisation.

Be sure to listen through to the end of the episode for a preview of a podcast I quite enjoy called Mums Mysteries and Murder. I also want to mention a podcast called Something, Rather than Nothing, which discusses art and its role in our lives. I was interviewed by Ken Volante for Something Rather Than Nothing last year, just check the show notes for links to that interview, Ken’s podcast, and Mums Mysteries and Murder.

Now, it’s time to settle in... grab a blanket, and a warm drink... and let’s get started.

Magpie keeps her eyes closed but loosens her grip on the trunk of the oak tree at Meadow Lane. For some reason, her arms don’t seem as outstretched as they were when she first encircled it, like the tree has grown smaller somehow. She opens her eyes and looks around. Her heart sinks when she sees the dilapidated house at Meadow Lane up ahead. She releases the tree and turns to walk quietly back down the lane, wrapped in the now familiar silence.

Magpie feels relief wash over her as she steps onto the road and hears the gravel crunch beneath her feet. The sound of an engine causes her to look up, and she sees a vintage turquoise pickup truck breeze passed her on its way toward town. “You don’t see those every day!” she says to herself, turning to follow its trajectory.

As Magpie nears town, she feels a growing sense of unease. In the time it has taken her to walk from Meadow Lane to Bunting’s General Store, she has seen four more vintage vehicles. Three pickup trucks, and a convertible car driven by a woman with oversized sunglasses and a colourful scarf in her hair.

Magpie sees a couple walking out of the store, the man dressed in pleated wool pants and a jacket, the woman wearing a green tweed skirt suit with matching hat, her hair peeking out from under it in a perfect bob. Magpie continues down the street, not oblivious to the looks she is getting from people as she walks by. Everyone she sees is dressed in vintage clothing. Finally, Magpie finds herself standing in front of The Early Bird diner, it looks the same as it did the last time she was there. She allows herself to feel a small sense of relief at the familiar sight and a smile forms on her lips. Her joy is quickly replaced with shock when she sees the sign posted in the window “Wednesday, June 13^th, 1962 – Today’s Special – Blackberry Waffles!”

Magpie starts shaking, unsure what to do next. Suddenly, she hears hushed whispers coming from the sidewalk behind her. She turns and sees a crowd gathering, everyone looking at her and whispering to one another behind their hands. She picks up bits and pieces of their hushed conversations “she’s back”, “how is it possible”, “where has she been all this time”. Suddenly, a hand grabs her arm and pulls her into the restaurant.

“I’m sorry to have taken a hold of you so abruptly, but you looked like you could use a hand,” says a petite woman, her silky brown hair curled into a perfect flip at the ends. The woman looks vaguely familiar, but Magpie can’t place her. The woma...