To whom it may concern

The Paper Witch smelled like old books and drifts of paper fragments had settled on her clothes and her exposed skin, making it seem as though she had been caught in a snowfall. When she moved, these fragments fluttered about her like dust motes, catching the light and giving her a rippling halo of dancing gold.

The Paper Witch’s face was wrinkled like damp newspaper and her features ran together like ink in the rain. She grinned with teeth like old Scrabble tiles and spread her fingers wide as though they were a deck of cards. Mister Daganfort did not return the smile.

“You got my note,” she said, her voice a whisper that rustled like pages turning in a silent room. The grave digger nodded, his face expressionless. She folded in on herself, then twisted and lunged at him, expanding so that the concertina of her torso encircled him where he stood. She leered down at him, stinking of yellowed paperbacks rotting in damp basements.

Daganfort reached into the breast pocket of his mud-streaked coveralls and produced a battered tobacco tin and a box of matches. He stared into the Paper Witch’s mismatched and drooping eyes as he took a dog-eared rollie from the tin and placed it between his lips. She sneered, but when he rattled the match box at her she flinched backwards, just a little.

Daganfort grunted in satisfaction and transferred the matches to his jacket pocket, where they would be more easily accessible in a hurry. The Paper Witch made a great show of unconcern, flipping out the great crepe ringlets that lined her scalp in an imitation of hair, but all the time she watched him, and the thin, razor-sharp fingers that could slice a man like so much expensive smoked meat flexed at her side.

“I take it the Library had another clear-out,” said Daganfort.

The Paper Witch shook her head, the deadly fingers waving in unconcern at Eerie’s efforts at municipal house-keeping.

“Oh no,” she rasped. “This is far more exciting than misplacing a forlorn lover inside a sealed envelope.” She leaned forward, slower than before, and her dust-dry lips brushed his ear as she spoke. “I hear you have a brand-new Animator in town.”

Daganfort stood very still, knowing that the slightest movement could result in losing an ear to the jagged edges of the Paper Witch’s pursed lips.

“You’re too late,” he said. “She left for Paris nearly a year ago.”

The Paper Witch pouted.

“Oh Euclid, you’re not really as stupid as all that,” she murmured. “You know as well as I do that the sad little artist has brothers.”

“Ah,” said Euclid.

“All the local periodicals pass through my hands,” the Paper Witch continued. “I know just what a trial those horrid little vandals are to your Peace Garden.” She flashed the yellowed smile at him once again. “Just tell me where I can find them.”

“You don’t even know if the boys have their sister’s ability,” said Daganfort. “It doesn’t always run in families.”

“You’re right, of course,” the Paper Witch agreed. “But blood does run in families, and I can use that nearly as well as I could use the girl.”

Daganfort considered it.

“What’s in it for me?”

The Paper Witch grinned.





Trusted Associates, Inc.

Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve

Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year

The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th

Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities

Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising

Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside

A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves

Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R

Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie

Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie

Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot

Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class

Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend

Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list

Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie

Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo






Pay Attention and Side Stories

Preparations by froodle. Winston Chisel, the morning he became Mayor.

Blue by froodle: Sara Sue and Marilyn Teller in the laundry room.

Reflection by froodle: Sara Sue in Paris.

The Storm by froodle, in which Mayor Chisel has a very specific job for Eerie's resident weatherman

Pay Attention Part 1 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 2 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 3 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 4 by froodle

Echoes by froodle: the worlds where Simon and Marshall stayed are very different

Pay Attention Part 5 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 6 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 7 by froodle

Sculpture by froodle, in which Sara Sue must face off against the forces of municipal artwork

Pay Attention Part 8 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 9 by froodle

Pay Attention Part 10 by froodle

Civil Disobedience by froodle, in which Sara Sue objects most strenuously to the Mayor's behaviour

Christmas Morning by froodle; takes place in the Pay Attention-verse, after the main story

Pay Attention: Coda by froodle