Vanish OCT: Part One

Vanish, Original Character Contest
Dr. Philomel McCray



It was a dark night, but not - quite stormy.
Philomel McCray was sitting awake in her room, reading the latest installment of "David Copperfield." As the clock chimed eleven, she heard the back door open and shut. That would be Calliope, sneaking home from the local Aesthetics meeting, which she thought her mother didn't know about. Philomel sipped her tea, and waited until she heard Calliope's bedroom door close.
At eleven thirty the back door opened and shut again. That would be Linus, sneaking in from a meeting regarding unions and workers' rights, which he thought his mother didn't know about.
Ah, children. They grew up so fast.
Having finished the chapter, Philomel put it down with a sigh and turned to the pile of letters that had lain neglected all day. The slim pieces of paper had weighed on her conscience -- a series of dull correspondences, compliments, to be answered to and promptly, of course, lest she gain a reputation as a --
Well, what was this?
It was a letter from Dame Madeleine, a colleague of hers at Bedford College.
"Dear Philomel,
I understand that this autumn you were planning on touring some odder boroughs of England before you voyaged to the Continent. I believe you mentioned the town of Idle to me? I was thinking of you when I read the paper this morning, and I saw an advertisement in the paper. I was, naturally, quite shocked. I asked around, and yes, apparently the extraordinary facts reported are true. I had to let you know at once. They are asking for scholars to go and investigate - but you wouldn't possibly be so foolish as to go, would you, Philomel? Think of your students! Your children!
Yet even as I write this I have an overwhelming feeling that you are going to ignore my advice and do exactly as you please. In which case, please see me before you leave and we'll have a nice tête-a-tête over tea.  
Yours,
Madeleine"

Included was a clipping from a small local paper:
Master Idle has generously offered funding for any project or education in return for assistance. The entire population of his beloved town has disappeared, and he's in need of some learned men and women of science and profession alike to investigate this oddity. He'll provide a room in the inn, as well as food and any other service required.

Philomel sat back and contemplated this missive. At length she said, "Maddy, you really do know me too well."

Three days later, Philomel, dressed for half-mourning and for traveling, was taking leave of her children.
"Now, I don't know anymore exactly how long I shall be in Idle, but, for while I am there, you can reach me at this address." She handed Linus a card. "I will write, and I expect answers."
"Of course, Mama," Linus answered briskly.
"Linus, you will be in charge of the house, and Calliope, you'll be in charge of your brother. Chin up," she said to her daughter with a smile. "I'll write as soon as I'm there. You can take care of yourself. This will be good practice for..."
"I know," Calliope mumbled.
Unsatisfied with this response, Philomel checked her watch. "Well, if I want to arrive at St. Pancras on time..." she kissed Calliope good-bye, but just patted Linus on the cheek (he was a grown man... one had to make allowances).
She was on the walk out to the carriage, holding her valise, when she heard footsteps behind her. "Mama!"
She turned. Calliope had run down the walk, her guarded expression gone. Her grey eyes were wide with concern. "Mama, please-"
"Why, what is it?" Philomel turned around, startled by this reaction, when Calliope was normally so reserved. "Calm down, please, dear, what is the matter?"
"Mama..." Calliope looked down, as if ashamed of what she had to say, "I had a dream last night, about you going to Idle and - and I don't know, but there was smoke everywhere. All the windows were just glowing too brightly - something was very wrong. One window had a face in it... I was terrified. I was so scared that when I woke up, I couldn't go back to sleep. I wrote it down, I tried everything, but Mama, it was so real. I don't think you should go there."
"Oh..." Philomel hugged her daughter with her free arm, and kissed her hair, "Calliope, darling, it was only a dream."
"But Mama, if something goes wrong..."
"If something goes wrong, I shall take care of myself, and return home at once, and never, ever doubt you again."
"Mother..." Calliope frowned, speaking in the voice of all teenagers who feel they are not being taken seriously.
Philomel let her daughter go. "Thank you for telling me this. I will remember And now I really must go."
"I love you - be careful."
"I will be." Philomel gave her girl a last smile, and then boarded the carriage. She tapped the roof with her black fan. "To St. Pancras'!"