Scars and Blood
Blood was everywhere. On his hands, on the floor, and in his mind. He could taste it, smell it, and feel it. Who’s blood even was it? He couldn’t help but stare at the ground. Boscha. He had broken the girl's nose only a few days ago.
She stopped him in the hallway the next day, apologizing. But why should she apologize? He broke her nose. He was the bad guy in this situation. Just like Belos, just like those guards, just like the old him.
The mask he once wore so proudly, now broken. A sign that he wasn’t even a witch. His ears are artificial, just like the rest of his body. His hands tremble, Boscha is screaming and begging for mercy. The body is glitching between Boscha and Hunter. His hand is Belos’s.
The walls shift back and forth between the classroom and the castle. Hunter can’t tell where he is. Or who he is.
He feels a hand touch his shoulder, but he can’t tell who it is. With a snap of his head, the face of a dear friend is exposed. “Hunter?” Her voice is shaky and she sounds afraid.
“Luz?” Hunter replied, confused. The world didn’t look like how it had before. The castle walls that were blinking around him disappeared as if they were never there.
“You are bleeding, like a lot.” She stated, pointing at his shirt. Hunter looked down, a large blood stain on his shirt could be seen.
“Huh, I am.” His mouth felt dry. This wasn’t usually how his panic attacks slash episodes happened. Usually, when he first is pulled out, grounded, he still partially thinks that what he saw is still there. But he knows that was all fake, or at least he’s pretty sure it was. Maybe he should just take a quick look back. Nope, she’s not there.
“Here, we should get out of here. Darius and Eda are outside. Or maybe they found a way inside.” Luz spoke up, grabbing Hunter's hand. The blood was now on her fingers.
“No way. I doubt they’d be able to.” Matt said, in the same cocky voice he always used.
“I wouldn’t underestimate them.” Willow replied, softly. Her hand brushed the air before it settled back down against her side.
“Yeah Willow has a point. They can be feral sometimes. Well actually no, just Eda. Darius would definitely be outside, cause he hates dirt or whatever.” Gus laughed.
“Guys. Not the time to be laughing.” Luz frowned. “Come on, quick.” She said, hastily. The group rushed out of the classroom. Hunter looked back, he kept looking back, as if he was waiting for Boscha to suddenly appear once again. Which is crazy—and probably impossible, but Hunter doesn’t know that for sure!
“Was the whole, Gus bringing the guards back from the dead thing a figment of my imagination too, or is that wishful thinking.”
“Sadly that still happened.” Gus frowned. “But uhm, they’re not that bad! You should maybe try to get to know them.”
“Maybe you could get some sort of weird closure from it.” Luz suggested. “Or you don’t have to, it’s all up to you.”
“Okay.” Hunter replied, quickly. Also like he was snapping at them. The group was at the large front doors.
“Oh crap!” Luz smacked her head. “I forgot we had to use the stupid short cut.” She muttered the next part, “stupid muscle memory.”
“We’re close. I think.” Willow smiled, trying her best to reassure Luz. “Wait, where was it?”
“I think it’s over there.” Gus pointed to the right hallway. They all walked for a little until they saw the oddly colored brick. With a gentle tap, the brick began to shake and move outwards towards the children. Luz grabbed it, and one by one the teens crawled into the dark tunnel. Luz went last, so that she could put the brick back. It fit perfectly, thank titan. She was a little worried something would go wrong.
Hunter emerged on the other side. His thin form stood out like a sore thumb. The way he shook as he tried to stand still. His eye bags and scars were an eye sore. Still, Darius ran over and scooped him up into a bear hug. It didn’t matter that he was covered in blood, it didn’t matter that it was most definitely going to stain his shirt.
“Oh thank Titan! You had me so worried!” Darius sounded like he was on the verge of tears. “Why do you have blood on you?!” He suddenly screamed, putting the boy down. Hunter just shrugged, as he didn't have the answer. “Okay you definitely have an open wound somewhere. It’s fine, we’ll have those nurses take a look at you.”
“Okay.” Hunter gave Darius a nod. “I’m sorry for running off.”
“Oh, Hunter.” Darius said, with a tone that Hunter rarely hears. It only comes out if Hunter gets super sick or has such a bad panic attack that he gets sick. Either way he’s throwing up for that voice to come out. But he hasn’t thrown up? “You don’t have to apologize.” His face was cupped. Darius’s thumb rubbing his cheek.
“But it wasn’t right.” Hunter replied, point blank. “I disrespected not only you, but all those guards.”
“It’s my fault.” Gus cut in. His voice sent a shiver down Hunter’s spine. That’s why he left. Because he was mad at Gus.
The urge to scream “damn right it’s your fault!” was overpowering, but he fought it.
“It’s not your fault.” Hunter finally said. It wasn’t what he wanted to say, he didn’t like to lie. But something deep inside him told him that this time he has to lie. “I mean…it is.”
Gus gulped. It was rather loud, which seemed to embarrass him slightly.
“But it’s not…entirely your fault.” What was he trying to say? How could he continue this? “Okay it is your fault, but I’m not super mad. I was super mad, but I’m not anymore.”
“Oh.”
“You’re like a brother to me and when you do something like this, it hurts me.” Hunter wasn’t going to lie anymore. “You really hurt me. But that’s life, getting hurt. It just feels weird when you expect not to be hurt anymore, but then you are by someone who you hold so close to you. I mean, I felt betrayed originally. Like it was a personal attack. You could’ve brought anyone back from the dead, and you picked them. Not only did you pick them, but you decided to bring like 10 back!”
“Can I explain myself just a bit?” Gus asked, rubbing his upper arm, clearly anxious.
“Yes.” Hunter nodded.
“I didn’t mean to bring them all back. I honestly didn’t know how the spell worked.” Gus explained. “But maybe it’s a good thing. I don’t want to be rude, but imagine if I just brought back Todd.”
“Hey! That’s uncalled for!” Luz yelled from a distance. “Leave Todd alone!”
“Who’s Todd?” Hunter asked.
“One of the guards. The first one, I think.” Gus shrugged. “He’s not the smartest, if you know what I mean.” He gave a look that Hunter couldn’t quite place.
“I don’t.” He replied, blankly. He felt very blank. “But okay. Sure, I’ll just pretend that I do.”
“We should get home, clean up all this blood. Where did it even come from—“ Darius’s words were cut short when he noticed a large scratch on his arm was bleeding. “Did you do that?” He asked, pointing at it. His wrist limp.
“Do what?” Hunter asked, before looking down to where Darius was pointing. “Oh.” His face dropped when he saw the large cut. “I don’t remember doing that.”
“Okay, we need to get back to the owl…house,” he glanced over at Eda, “before you get an infection.”
“Good idea.” Eda smirked, before slapping Darius’s upper back, and running off.
“Eda, so help me Titan!” Darius yelled, making a fist with his hand. “Come on.” Darius took Hunter’s hand and the two walked off towards the house.
—
Camila was watching the nurses intently. She was always fascinated by magic that could heal others. So weird that they didn’t need modern medicine, they were the modern medicine!
“Excuse me?” The voice startled Camila badly. She hasn’t jumped back that violently in a while. “Sorry didn’t mean to cause you to jump.” The guard apologized, his hands against his sides, stiff.
“It’s fine.” Camila smiled. “What did you need—wait! You’re the, the!” She couldn’t think of the right words, so she resulted to pointing at the couch, an imprint left from where he was seated previously.
“Yes. I am sorry about that.” His voice was monotone. Like he was a robot, lacking human emotion. “I was coming to alert you that I am better now.”
“I’m glad. Do you want to talk?” She asked, her voice softened greatly. “I know you’ve all been through so much.”
“I am fine.” He paused, “but thank you.” His eyes were dull. He had a scar on his mouth that almost touched his eye. She couldn’t help but shudder at the idea of what happened.
“Well if you change your mind, let me know.” She smiled, before turning away.
The door came swinging open. A group of witches—plus one human—of all different ages, walked inside. Hunter was with them. He didn’t seem worked up, which wasn’t necessarily the best sign, but also not the worst.
“I’m here to face my demons!” Hunter announced, pointing at the guards. “Alright, which one is first?”
“Are we fighting?” Adam asked. “I think you might want to reconsider. I mean look at you!” He snorted. “So scrawny!”
“And yet he survived and you didn’t.” Morgan laughed.
“Don’t move!” The nurse groaned, holding his jaw, forcefully closing it.
“Okay, good point.” Adam replied, his shoulders loosened. Todd was standing next to him.
“What happened?” Camila asked. “Was everything okay?” She couldn’t help but feel the mood shift with her second question.
“Well not exactly.” Darius grimaced. “It’s best we talk about this later.” There were a few awkward coughs from members of the group.
“What do you mean by face your demons?” John’s voice cut through the air as he entered the living room, Lilith followed behind him. “Are we your demons?”
“You’re definitely one of my demons.” Lilith grumbled, her arms crossed.
“Well, yeah.” Hunter admitted. “I mean, what did you think I thought about you after all this.”
“That we were cool!” Morgan yelled, throwing his hand up in the air.
“Oh help me Titan!” The nurse screamed. “That’s it! I need a break and some apple blood. Strong. The real shit.”
“Oh I’ve got some in the kitchen.” Eda deadpanned, and pointed to the kitchen. The nurse headed for the room, the other nurse trailed behind.
“Camila, you wouldn’t mind taking a look at Hunter’s arm for me.” He said it like a statement rather than a question. Still Camila nodded, and gestured for Hunter to come to her.
The boy ran over and sat down in front of her, crisscrossed. “Okay, give me your arm, baby.” Hunter followed her command. “Oh—” the word just slipped out.
“Is it really that bad?” Hunter asked. He received a collective, “yes” from everyone in that room. “Okay, dang.” He sighed, looking at it. It did look gross and the grosser a wound is, the worse it is.
“Luz, can you bring me some bandaids from my first aid kit?” Camila asked. The girl nodded and walked towards the white box. She opened it up, and pulled out a box of bandaids, opened it up, and handed one to her mom. “I need the big, big one.”
“Oh, sheesh, alright.” Luz frowned, grabbing it out. It took a while, so many stupid bandaids.
“Grab me the tape too while you’re in there.” She added. Luz grabbed the roll of white medical tape and handed it to her mom. “Gracias, cariño.” Camila opens the bandaid up and places it on Hunter’s arm. She then rips a good amount of the medical tape off and wraps it around his arm.
“Do you think that big of a wound will scar?” Hunter asks, he can’t help but frown at the thought.
“It probably won’t. Hopefully.” Camila says, reassuringly. But it doesn’t cure the ache building up in Hunter’s body.
“Wassup.” Morgan waves as soon as Hunter turns. He’s jumpscared immediately upon seeing the void that his eyes should be filling.
“Ah! What the heck?!” Hunter can’t help but scream as he falls over.
“What? Is there something on me? Is it a spider!?” He moves his head around frantically, as if he would be able to see whatever this potential threat is.
“More like you’re missing something most people have.” William coughs. “Like your eyes.”
“Oh! Ha, yeah. I forgot about that.”
“How?” Hunter can’t stop himself from asking. “Sorry that was rude. And this will also be rude but I’m going to go.” He scrambles to get up and walk to Darius. But the man is pretty much consumed by John.
“Okay, can I resume my interview?” Gus finally asks, he sounds like he’s about to pop. Probably been wanting to ask that for a while, but couldn’t given everything else that was happening.
“Sure.” Adam smiles, grabbing Todd’s hand. Luz, Gus, Matt, and the two guards head back up to Luz’s room.
“I think you should talk to this guy, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of him already.” Eda grins, grabbing Hunter’s shoulders, guiding him up the stairs and into her room.
The scene is domestic. Guards reading, Raine fell asleep, the book laying on their chest as they snored away. Their glasses are tilted.
“Hey Caleb!” Eda calls out, quietly. “Come here, I want you to talk to Hunter.” She pushes Hunter towards Caleb. “Go out to the tower.”
“How?” Hunter and Caleb asked in unison.
“Hooty.” Eda replied, and just like that, Hooty came flying in through the window and scooped the two up. He brought them to the top of the tower, before vanishing.
“What a strange creature.” Caleb laughed, as he scanned the tower. There was a table, and a lot of cobwebs. Very dirty and dusty. “So,”
“So…” Hunter bounced back, awkwardly.
“You know who I am right?” Caleb asked, his smile was hard to read. Hunter couldn’t tell if he was threatening or welcoming.
“I do.” Hunter replied, blankly.
“And I know who you are.”
“You do?” Hunter asked, raising an eyebrow. “What, have you been stalking me from the dead.”
“Basically.” Caleb said, nonchalantly. “We don’t have a lot to do. Purgatory is very boring.”
“You were stuck in purgatory?” Hunter is now very curious.
“I think.” Caleb paused, taking a deep breath, before he continued. “A weird limbo. Stuck in the bottom of a pit, unable to leave the area. It wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t the best. We all wanted to move on.”
“Why couldn’t you? Like was something stopping you, or someone?” Hunter wondered if Belos had a spell on them or something. Though he wasn’t sure if something like that even existed.
“No, nothing like that. You’re funny.” He laughed, it was soft. “We just couldn’t.”
“Maybe, maybe after this you can?” Hunter said, quietly. “Like, when you die again, you’ll finally be able to get where you need to go?”
“Hm, maybe.” Caleb stared off into the distance, lost in thought about the idea of that.
“Are you scared?” Hunter asked, his voice not above a whisper.
“No, I don’t feel fear anymore.” Caleb’s reply was almost instantaneous. “Whatever happens next, I’m ready for it.”
“What do you think will happen?” Hunter gulped. “When you move on, where do you think you’ll go?”
“I don’t know.” Caleb still wasn’t looking at Hunter. His eyes fixed on the beautiful sunrise. “I hope I can see my beautiful fiancé again.” The corner of his lips curled slightly.
“You have a fiancé?” Hunter’s mouth was agape. It’s not that Caleb was ugly or anything, he was just shocked.
“She was pregnant when I died.” Caleb frowned, before turning back to Hunter. “I believe she gave birth. I wish I could’ve been there. Oh how I miss her.” The wind picked up, his ponytail gently swayed back and forth.
“I’m sorry.” Hunter said, his words sincere.
“It’s quite alright. Don’t fret.” Caleb faked a smile. His heart ached as he stared at Hunter. They were almost identical.
“How come you don’t know if she gave birth for sure?” Hunter asked, nervously rubbing the ground. “You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.”
“Belos was hunting her down after he killed me.” Caleb replied, solemnly. “I tried to find her when I came back, but I couldn’t.” Caleb looked back to the rising sun. He looked like he was longing for her.
“What made you stop looking?” Hunter couldn’t help but ask.
“I thought maybe Belos had found her, so I went to find him. When I did, I saw him murder Todd.” A chill ran down Caleb’s spine as he recalled that memory. “I’ll never forget it.”
Hunter tapped the floor, trying to decide how he should word his next question. “Why do you call your brother Belos, instead of Philip?”
Caleb didn’t reply immediately like he usually did. He just sat there, staring at the sun. Hunter could see tears beginning to form in his eyes. “I think my brother died when we were little.” He began, his voice unsteady. “Maybe it was when the first witch trial had happened. I didn’t have enough time to cover his eyes.” He laughed a pathetic laugh. “From that point on, he wasn’t my little brother, but rather a skin stealing monster.”
The two sat in silence for a minute, Caleb quietly cried. “I think it was still your little brother.” The sobs suddenly gained sound. “I think it’s always been Philip. Even if we try to pretend it wasn’t. But pretending that he wasn’t…it excuses his actions.”
“I tried so hard!” Caleb choked, his cheeks were red. “I did everything I could to keep him safe, to protect him from the dangers of the world! How could he turn out like this? How could he do this to me…” His voice went quiet as he grabbed his eyes and sobbed.
“I don’t think it’s your fault. I think he was born sick.” Hunter quietly responded. “I think no matter what you did, he’d end up like this.” The words were empty, it didn’t fill anything that was void in Caleb’s body.
“Do you know how badly it hurts to see your own brother kill you then go on to clone you and kill those clones.” Caleb shot up. “And…and! He didn’t just kill those clones, oh no, no. No! He went on to degrade, beat, and dismember them!” He felt so angry. Like he was about to murder someone. “I just stood there, in the shadows, and watched.”
“What more could you have done?” Caleb didn’t reply, instead he shouted for Hooty to come and get them. The demon came flying in and picked up the boys, the two slid down his neck–body?–in order to get inside the house.
“Caleb!” Gus smiled, waving his notebook up and down, running over to the man. “Can I interview you? I’m interviewing every one of you guys to see who's best. You’re next on my list.” He leaned towards Caleb.
“I’m sorry, but I’m leaving.” Caleb replied, coldly.
“Leaving?” Eda remarked. “Leaving to where? What, do you have some secret friends we don’t know about?”
“None of your concern. Thank you for your hospitality, but I cannot stay any longer.” Caleb says as warmly as he can.
“Okay, wait.” Eda laughs, though it’s just a way to mask her concern. “You can’t leave. You have nowhere to go.”
“Try to stop me.” The room goes silent. “I dare you.” Caleb walks out of the bedroom, leaving behind a trail of disbelief.
“What the hell happened?” Paul asked, amused. “I’ve never seen him like this. I’m impressed.” He flashed a devious smile at Hunter.
“I dunno.” Hunter said, scratching the back of his head. “Well I do know. I think he’s upset about Belos.”
“What do you mean?” Eda asked. “Why were you talking about that creep?”
“I mean, it’s not that unexpected…” Raine mumbled. Eda whipped her head around and gave them a death glare. “Never mind.”
“That’s what I thought, Rainestorm.” Eda smirked, before turning her focus back on Hunter. “What happened? What exactly did you say?” She questioned the blond.
There was a beat of silence. “I told him to not blame himself for how Belos turned out. That Belos was born sick, and he will always be sick.” Hunter admitted.
“Oh. That’s not that bad.” Raine said, shocked.
“That’s not all.” Hunter mumbled. “I mean that’s mostly what I said, but that’s not why he’s upset. He not only blames himself for what Belos had done, but also for not stopping him.”
“I’m sorry?” Paul gasped. “What the hell is his deal?” Paul pushed himself up and went running out the bedroom. The crowd all stood there stunned. This was very uncharted territory.
Caleb ran as fast as his legs could go. He didn’t care that Camila and Willow were screaming for him. He couldn’t even hear them anymore. As hard as he could, with the force of a bull, he slammed the door open, Hooty shrieked, as his neck was basically snapped.
The sun was still rising. He watched the sun instead of his surroundings. The grass swayed gently as the flowers began to bloom.
—
When I was younger, me and my brother would play hide and go seek in the woods. The trees made funny faces, or at least they were funny to me. My little brother would disagree. Oftentimes he’d come out of hiding wailing about how there was a monster in the woods. How it was going to eat him. At the time I didn’t believe him, but now I think I do.
My brother is different. I think the monster got him, but I can’t be so sure of it. I will still care for him, it’s my duty as the eldest. But I cannot stop the fear I feel when I see him staring blankly out the window. “What are you looking at, brother?” I asked one day.
His head whipped around, his eyes were hollow. “The witches.” I was confused about what he was referring to, so I went up to the window to get a look for myself. What I see will never leave me. It was Mrs. Graves, hanging.
I couldn’t stop myself from gasping. What had happened? This had to be some kind of weird joke. But people do not joke much in this town. “Mrs. Graves?” I whispered to her, as if she’d be able to answer.
“They say she’s a witch, brother.” My little brother giggled, like he was in on this joke. “That’s why she was hung. You do understand, do you not?”
“A witch?” I asked, turning towards him. “What do you mean, witch?” I questioned, kneeling down so that I could be eye level with him.
“A sinner. Someone who goes against God. She can do magic. Dark magic.” This was absolutely absurd. Mrs. Graves was a God loving woman. Always at church, wasn’t certain if she even had a home.
“Why do they say these things?” I asked, my voice much higher than normal. “Who says these things? Surely you do not believe such crude words? Tell me you doust spread them?”
“All the townsfolk. Mrs. Graves received a trial, and the judge's found she was guilty on account of witchcraft.” How had I missed this? Maybe they did not tell me because I was a close friend of hers. But still, I should’ve heard the town crier hollering about this, should I not? “You’re lucky they chose to not light her on fire.”
“What? Why would they decree something like this? How could they? How dare they!” I suddenly felt a rush of anger. Anger that I did not know was possible until now.
“It is what God wants. Evil shall be purged. You know this, Caleb.” My little brother stared into my soul with his light beady eyes. “Right dear brother? I wouldn’t want to tell them that you–”
“Oh no need to tell them anything. I will do all the talking!” I shouted like Richard would most nights after he’s had one to many drinks. How does he still have a wife, only God knows.
I stormed out of the house, I was steaming. It wouldn’t be the first time I punched somebody. The town was crowded around her lifeless body. Murmurs flowed through the air. “Caleb?” I heard a familiar voice call out to me.
It was Margaret. She was a nice young woman, or at least that’s what I thought. She worked down at the brothel, the only place that would hire a woman. Around here they only take men for any form of decent work. As she lacks a husband, she needed some way to support her.
I met her one day when I was down at the market. We both reached for an apple being sold by Mrs. Barker. “Sorry!” I apologized, pulling my hand away from the apple with haste.
“It’s quite alright.” Her laugh was soft, and her face was thin. Her bones sticking out, threatening to rip the skin. “I have nothing much, very out of my price range.”
“Oh! Why don’t I buy it for you? To make up for what happened before.” I smiled, as friendly as I could. She backed away, slowly, with a frightened look on her face, like she’d seen a ghost.
“No, it is fine. I do not want…” Her face scrunched up. I couldn’t tell why, but I noticed that she had a thick accent, not sure where it’s from though. Maybe Irish, or possibly Scottish? “It is after hours. I not working, sir.”
“Working? Why would I think that? I didn’t know women could work around here.” I frowned, confused. “Oh,” My face dropped as it dawned on me. “No, I’m not interested in sex work.” I laughed awkwardly, throwing my hands up.
“But you smiled at me.” The woman said, she sounded almost as confused as me. The apple firm in her grasp.
“I did, yes.” I nodded. “But, not because I’m interested in you. I simply felt bad.” I explained, as best as I could. Was my smile really that creepy?
“Oh, thank you sir.” She gave me a sheepish smile. The harlot tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I pulled out a few coins and paid for the apple, I don’t think I’ve ever seen somebody happier.
“No worries.” I finally replied, putting the spare coins back in my pocket. “My name is Caleb, by the way.”
“Oh, Caleb. That is quite a nice name.” Her teeth were rotten, I could see them disintegrating in front of me. “My name is Margaret. Margaret Carson.” I watched her sway gently as we stood there. I couldn’t quite grasp the feeling of the situation. Was this romantic tension, or just tension. I hope not romantic. “You have a last name, no?” I gave her a nod. “Well, tell me. Or shall I just call you Mr. Caleb.”
“It’s Wittebane.” I smiled, but then stopped. I didn’t want to scare her again. Luckily it didn’t seem to scare her this time, as she just burst out hollering.
“You are funny, Mr. Wittebane!” Margaret continued to laugh. “Oh ho ho! I do not think I had laugh like this in while!”
“I can assure you, I am not that funny.” I giggled back, flustered. “Oh fiddlesticks!” I groaned. “I have to go finish shopping so I can whip supper up for my little brother.”
“Can I come with you?” Margaret asked. “I help!” She leaned closer, as if she was making an attempt at convincing me.
“I guess I wouldn’t mind some help.” I replied, looking away to conceal my bright red face. “Come on, quickly now!” I gestured for her to follow me.
Sadly for me, this situation did not last long. Soon, she got a boyfriend. Or at least a regular customer who also began to let her sleep over. The townsfolk didn’t care much, as that was just who Margaret was. A woman who will live and die in sin. But I don’t believe that.
If I’m being honest, I don’t know what I believe in anymore. Not after seeing Mrs. Graves dying in the name of God. I hope she went to heaven. Or at least she went to the good place, wherever that may be.
Margaret was walking over to me. Her arms linked with Edwards–the boyfriend–he didn’t seem very happy to see me. I doubt he fancies me, but since Margaret does, he has to make do.
“Hello Margaret, Edward. Do you know who is behind this? I need to go give them a piece of my mind. Or my fists, we’ll see which comes first.” I laugh, but I can tell they know I’m not joking.
“It was a unanimous, so unless you want to beat every judge in Gravesfield black and blue, I’d suggest just chatting.” Edward gave me a stern look.
“Fine, chat. Yes I shall chat.” I said through gritted teeth. “It’s just!” I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Mrs. Graves wasn’t a witch! She was a good woman. She ran the shop up north, and helped those who couldn’t afford anything.”
“It’s ‘cause her husband died, so she took over the business. Frowned upon.” Margaret frowned, which made me frown.
“Unheard of.” Edward corrected Margaret. The way he said it made me think he doesn’t believe women were capable of something like that. God, I hate him! “Impossible.” I heard him mutter.
“No! No, that’s not fair!” I was just getting frustrated by this point. “I want to do something. I need to do something.”
“You cannot.” Edward said with a smug expression on his greasy face. He scratched his unkempt beard. I swear little flakes of, God knows what, were falling out as he did this.
“You should not.” Margaret said softly, as she let go of Edward and took my right hand. “Do not, please. I would hate to see something bad happen to you.” Her thumb rubbed the creases in my palm. “Promise me, Caleb.”
I sighed, a deep sigh. “Okay. I promise, Margaret.” I said solemnly. She let me go and walked off with Edward. I watched him pull her closer as if he was trying to assert his dominance.
I was left alone. Anger and sadness consumed me. I watched them untie her neck and drag her body off towards the woods that surrounded the small town. They were likely going to bury her. I knew I shouldn’t have, but I followed them. It took a lot of shoving through the large crowd to get to them, but eventually I did.
Or I almost did, but somebody in a hood tackled me before I could continue on any further.