Chapter 21

Anko set her baskets down in front of the Temple of Mary in the Ocean of Trees. Things had changed here since the monk had come. While formerly, people had told her, the Forest had been full of hungry spirits, ghosts and those who prey upon the living as well as the dead, a dangerous and frightening place, the man had somehow dispelled the evil and set the spirits free, leaving the clearing with the re-erected Jizo statues a bright and happy place. Everyone wanted to use it for holiday gatherings, mochi-makings, parties and other community events. People sometimes wondered why the monk didn't live in the church building, but he didn't. No one knew exactly where he lived. Local people were still wary and considered the forest off-limits for casual strolling. Offerings were left here at Mary's feet for the monk. He emerged from the woods to retrieve them and returned to his hidden shelter. Anko wondered where it was.

"Anko-san?" Benjamin's voice called.