A shallow trench had been dug in the soft spring earth and the dark loamy smell of freshly turned soil was strong in the little glade. Marshall Teller set down the wheelbarrow piled high with odd socks of a hundred different hues and stretched to remove the tension in his shoulder blades.
Moving solemnly yet cautiously in a neat black suit only two or three sizes too big for him, Simon Holmes placed a bedraggled bouquet of broken-stemmed lilies atop the heap of mismatched socks, then tipped them into the burial trough.
“We are gathered here this morning,” he said, squinting up at the bright blue sky, “To remember the socks gone too soon to the Bureau of Lost, and the partners they left behind.”
Marshall produced a squeezable bottle of lighter fluid from his jacket pocket and began applying it liberally to the funeral pile.
“Today we commend these mismatched souls to the great tumble dryer in the sky,” Simon continued, “In the hope that they can find their companions in pattern and weave in the sock afterlife.”
Taking a book of matches from between the pages of his notebook-turned-hosiery-hymnal, Simon struck it against the rough bark of the Undying God’s sacred tree, and dropped it atop the multicoloured mass grave.
The two boys stood for a while, watching the flames burn.
“Mars,” said Simon, after a while. “Are you sure this was the best way to get out of your mom giving us laundry duty?”
“Yes,” said Marshall.
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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