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    Shadows: Visible & Invisible: Visible & Invisible Series, #5
    Shadows: Visible & Invisible: Visible & Invisible Series, #5
    Shadows: Visible & Invisible: Visible & Invisible Series, #5
    Ebook168 pages2 hoursVisible & Invisible Series

    Shadows: Visible & Invisible: Visible & Invisible Series, #5

    By Catholic Teen Books

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    About this ebook

    Shadows: Visible and Invisible is a collection of Hallowtide-themed short stories by seven Catholic Teen Books authors.

    Grace and the Grave Robber:  Grace doesn't know what it means to go "souling," but she certainly wasn't expecting it to be like this!

    Bogey in the Belfrey: A storm drives William and his friends inside the dark church for shelter. Are animals making noises in the loft or is it something more sinister?

    A Very Jurassic Hallowtide: Trapped in the mountains by a blizzard and a pack of T. rex, Darryl, Joshua and Harry's All Hallows' Eve is looking dangerous enough--even before things take an eerie turn.

    Lucy and the Forbidden Secret: A medieval girl in a nunnery struggles with conflicts when another novice breaks her vows on the day of All Souls, revealing a shocking secret.

    Helpless: Vanessa doesn't need anyone's help, and she sets out to prove it by going alone to investigate strange lights in the cemetery.

    At the End of His Tether: When you live on a spaceship like Philip does, visiting the cemetery to pray for the dead always comes with the risk of joining them.

    The Far End of the Cemetery: It's another All Hallowtide, and on this All Souls' Day, a young man finds himself at the cemetery yet again, but he's not alone. Will tonight be the night, or will the torment continue?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCatholic Teen Books
    Release dateSep 9, 2024
    ISBN9798227102805
    Shadows: Visible & Invisible: Visible & Invisible Series, #5
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    Author

    Catholic Teen Books

    Our fiction reflects our faith with Catholic themes, characters, and perspectives. The characters in our stories struggle with challenges that we all face. Some stories follow the lives of saints, of those who dared to live counter-culturally and give themselves entirely to God. Other stories bring to light the beauty and power of the unique aspects of the Catholic faith. The Catholic element is more subtle in some works, but the worldview and themes bring the message of truth. We hope that our fiction will challenge and inspire, that it will awaken within our readers some of the mystery, joy, and beauty of the Faith. We hope to stir within our readers a desire for something beyond themselves. Because God calls everyone to the fullness of faith and happiness, we invite readers of any faith or no faith at all to read our fiction.

    Read more from Catholic Teen Books

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      Book preview

      Shadows - Catholic Teen Books

      PRAISE FOR SHADOWS

      With powerful tales ranging from historical fiction to contemporary stories to sci-fi and speculative fiction, the authors gently nudge readers to appreciate the importance and efficacy of praying for souls at all times of year.

      Barb Szyszkiewicz, Senior Editor, CatholicMom.com

      I might never look at Halloween the same way again! These exciting and emotive stories, representing a variety of genres, draw the reader into settings and situations that shed new light on celebrating the triduum of Allhallowtide: Hallowe'en, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Expect this anthology for teens to cause reflection on the afterlife and to invigorate prayer for the dearly departed. It will do the same for adults! And now I must find a recipe for those delicious-sounding soul cakes.

      Cynthia T. Toney, Author,

      The Bird Face series and The Other Side of Freedom

      Spooky and satisfying! This book is a wonderful way to teach teens about the important impact our prayers have on the holy souls in Purgatory. A valuable resource!

      Catholic Mom and Daughter Channel (YouTube)

      Maybe it is because I am past the half-century mark, or maybe just finally growing up a bit, or even because I have lost a sibling to addiction, but whatever the reason, for the last five years, the concepts of Purgatory and praying for the dead have been more and more on my mind, on my heart, and part of my daily prayers. Because of that, this anthology touched me deeply. Each of the seven stories caused me to reflect, think and pray.

      (Full review on BookReviewsAndMore.ca)

      Steven R. McEvoy, BookReviewsAndMore.ca

      Even the Souls in Purgatory will agree that this book is a rare and much-needed find. Any book that inspires prayers for the faithfully departed is a winner, and this collection has seven unique stories sure to inspire any teen to practice spiritual acts of mercy.

      CatholicReads.com

      ~~~†~~~

      SHADOWS

      Visible and Invisible

      By Catholic Teen Books Authors:

      Leslea Wahl

      Carolyn Astfalk

      Corinna Turner

      Antony B. Kolenc

      Theresa Linden

      Marie C. Keiser

      T. M. Gaouette

      ––––––––

      Collection Copyright © 2024 Catholic Teen Books

      ~~†~~

      License Notes

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

      ~~†~~

      DEDICATION

      For Saint Nicholas of Tolentino,

      patron of the holy souls in purgatory and the dying. He spoke of the things of heaven, wrote his biographer St. Antonine. Sweetly he preached the divine word, and the words that came from his lips fell like flames of fire. Among his hearers could be seen the tears and heard the sighs of people detesting their sins and repenting of their past lives.

      ~~†~~

      CONTENTS

      ––––––––

      1. GRACE AND THE GRAVE ROBBER - Leslea Wahl

      2. BOGEY IN THE BELFRY - Carolyn Astfalk

      3. A VERY JURASSIC HALLOWTIDE - Corinna Turner

      4. LUCY AND THE FORBIDDEN SECRET - Antony B. Kolenc

      5. HELPLESS - Theresa Linden

      6. AT THE END OF HIS TETHER - Marie C. Keiser

      7. THE FAR END OF THE CEMETERY - T. M. Gaouette

      Prayers

      Soul Cake Recipe

      Other Books by the Catholic Teen Books Authors

      Boring Legal Bit

      ~~†~~

      For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.

      (2 Maccabees 12:44-45 RSV-CE)

      ~~†~~

      GRACE AND THE GRAVE ROBBER

      by

      Leslea Wahl

      Contemporary

      Austin knocks on his grandma’s front door. He shuffles back and forth in the outdoor walkway of the condo as he waits for her to answer. A breeze swirls crunchy dead leaves around his worn sneakers.

      Soon, the door opens to reveal Grandma’s smiling face.

      Austin! I’m so glad you’re here. She stands aside for him to enter. Did you just come from working out?

      No. Why? He follows her gaze to his athletic shorts and bare legs, suddenly understanding her question. Nearly all the boys at his middle school dressed like this even in this cold weather, despite the complaints from their parents.

      With a little grin, she shakes her head. Your mom said you’d be stopping by after school, so I made some brownies. Do you have time for a snack?

      Austin shrugs out of his sweatshirt and flings it across one of Grandma’s living room chairs. Absolutely. He follows her and the incredible smell around the corner to her kitchen and hoists himself onto one of the stools that line the kitchen island.

      He plops a thick manila envelope with the boring non-fiction book on the counter. Here. This is from Dad.

      Grandma glances at the package. Thanks for bringing it. Your mom thought I’d enjoy the book. Although I could have gotten it another day, saving you the trip.

      He shrugs. That’s okay. Changing up the routine’s always a good thing. He doesn’t bother to add that he was happy for the excuse to come by. Grandma is pretty good at giving advice.

      She opens the fridge and pulls out a jug of milk. Austin fiddles with the corner of the envelope as she pours two glasses.

      She slides one toward him. Something on your mind?

      He raises his eyebrows as he looks at her. How does she always know when he or his siblings are distracted about something?

      He takes a swig of the cold milk and then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, ignoring the napkin she offers him.

      I’m just trying to figure out my plans for the weekend, he explains.

      Oh, yes. The triduum of Allhallowtide.

      His face scrunches. Huh? He shakes his head, his mop of brown hair sliding across his forehead. No, I mean Halloween.

      She flashes that knowing smile of hers. Exactly.

      He stares at her for a moment, confused, then continues talking. I got invited to two different parties and don’t know which one to go to.

      Her eyes light up. That sounds like a good problem to have. Tell me about these parties. Maybe talking about it will help you decide.

      He flips his hair off his face. Well, the church is having something for the middle school youth group, and I kinda signed up to go to it. But today, I got invited to this scary-movie party.

      The timer dings and the conversation pauses as Grandma removes the brownies from the oven. She places them on the cooling rack and then turns back to Austin.

      Since you already ‘kinda’ signed up for the church event, wouldn’t it make sense to attend that one?

      He squirms in his seat. "Yeah, but the thing is, everyone who is anyone is going to the movie party. He picks at the envelope again. I don’t get invited to the cool parties very often. And getting scared is what Halloween’s all about, right?"

      Using a spatula, Grandma cuts into the soft, chocolatey snack. Did you know All Hallows’ Eve, All Souls’ Day, and All Saints’ Day are related? They are actually important days in the Catholic Church and form what is known as a triduum.

      His mouth waters as he watches her work. Oh, like at Easter? With Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday?

      Yes, exactly. She opens the cupboard and pulls out two plates.

      Wait. Are you saying Halloween is a Catholic holiday?

      She slides a large brownie onto each plate. Indeed.

      Weird. So, you think I should go to the church event. Was there any doubt that she would have chosen that one? Maybe he should have asked someone else for advice.

      She carries the plates to the table. He grabs the glasses of milk and follows her.

      She slides into her chair. Watching movies with your friends does sound like fun, but that’s not what All Hallows’ Eve is about.

      He settles into his seat, eyeing the brownie. So, what kinds of things did you do to celebrate Halloween? You know, back in the day?

      She smiles. My brother Harry and I did go trick-or-treating. But my most memorable All Hallows’ Eve was spent with my family on one of my dad’s excursions.

      Unable to wait any longer, Austin picks up his brownie. One of his archaeological digs? As his teeth sink into the homemade delicacy, his eyes close, savoring the treat.

      It wasn’t an excavation, but he was on the job. But maybe you don’t have time to hear the story right now.

      Austin swallows his bite, anxious to hear more. Her stories about her archaeologist father always fascinate him. No, please. I’d like to hear it.

      Oh, good. Because the story of the grave robber is quite interesting.

      Austin’s eyes widen.

      ––––––––

      1958

      Gra-ace! Daddy calls, exasperation adding an extra syllable to my name.

      Coming! I holler back. Even though we’ll only be gone for the weekend, I have no idea what to pack. We’re staying at a church, going to Mass, and attending some kind of fall festival. Wanting to be prepared, I may have overpacked. I latch up my suitcase then lug it out the door to our big family car. The Chevy is large, but the trunk is already full of all of Mama’s art supplies.

      Daddy takes one look at my suitcase and lets out a huge sigh. Are you turning into your mother, having to bring everything you own?

      Mama pats his arm. Hon, I believe that when you were persuading me to come with you this weekend, you said I could bring my painting supplies along. She reaches into the trunk and taps the brown case he always takes on his archeological assignments. Maybe you could leave some of your items at home.

      Daddy pulls her close and kisses her cheek. You’re right, darling. Your passion is just as important as mine. He lets her go and points a finger at me. Thank goodness your journaling requires only a pencil and a pad of paper. Otherwise, we might need to get a larger car.

      I give him my most mischievous grin. Actually, I was thinking of taking up a musical instrument. Maybe the tuba?

      He playfully groans.

      I wrap my arms around my suitcase and hold it against my chest. Don’t worry. This can sit on the back seat between Harry and me. It can be my desk as I write in my journal.

      It better not cross the line to my half! Harry yells from the back seat. I need to save room for any treasures I find.

      My older brother has recently begun collecting things he finds. So far most of it has been junk, but he’s always hoping to discover something valuable.

      Before long, we’re heading down the road, off on another family adventure.

      I pull out my journal, careful not to push my suitcase too close to Harry. I don’t want to get on his bad side right away. A grumpy Harry always makes for a long car ride.

      I date the top of a clean page. So, where did you say we were going?

      Daddy turns his head slightly to talk over his shoulder. We’re headed across the river to Illinois.

      I write down this information. And why are we going there?

      A church there has some items they want me to identify. The priest invited you because this weekend is their big All Hallows’ Eve celebration.

      That part, I remembered—part of the reason for the larger-than-usual piece of luggage.

      I jot a few notes, then close my journal and watch out the window as the barren fields blur past, ready for another adventure.

      Turn here, Mama directs as she studies the map and Daddy’s handwritten directions.

      Daddy slows the car and turns right onto a dirt road. I sit up, awed by the towering trees that line both sides of the road. The dark trunks and bare branches intersect, creating a web above the road, dimming the midday, overcast light even further.

      Creepy, Harry murmurs.

      Mama’s eyes widen in amazement. Think how beautiful this must be in the spring and summer when you’re driving through a canopy of green.

      We continue down the long drive, and finally, the trees thin out enough that the tall dark spires of a church come into view.

      The land to the left of the church might be pretty in the summer when it’s all

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