Mark of the Witch (Boston Witches) (20 page)

*

They emerged from the theater an hour and a half later. “It’s still early. Do you want to go down by the pier and walk for a bit?” William asked, grabbing her hand.

Jilly smiled. “Sure, that sounds nice.”

They walked down the street toward the pier hand in hand. When they got there, they walked through the shops before heading out to the water.

“It’s nice out tonight; not too cold yet,” William said as they stopped at the railing. “Jilly, I want to make my intentions clear. I want to marry you, but I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”

She leaned in and kissed him, pulling him close to her. “I’d like to say yes right now, but I barely know you, and that’s crazy,” she said with a small laugh. “I’m enjoying spending time with you when we’re not running for our lives or being murdered. I want to try this for a while, and get to know each other.”

“I think I can work with that,” he said. He pulled her close and brought her lips to his, twining his hand in her hair. Finally he pulled away, and they continued walking.

*

Jilly woke up in the middle of the night, feeling restless. She walked downstairs to grab a snack, finding Caroline in the kitchen.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” she asked as she poured water into the electric kettle and turned it on.

“No. Jack and I fought most of the night. He can’t understand why I won’t just forgive him and come home. I think I’ve decided to leave him for good. I just can’t trust him; I don’t believe him when he says nothing happened. I’m going to file for divorce tomorrow. Can I stay here for a while longer until I can figure out what my next step is?” Caroline said through her tears.

Jilly went over to her sister and folded her into her arms. “You don’t even have to ask. This will always be your home. We’ll figure everything out, don’t worry. Do you want some hot chocolate?”

Caroline nodded and Jilly went to the cupboard, grabbed the mugs and the hot chocolate mix, and brought them to the table along with the electric kettle. As they sat drinking their hot chocolate, Caroline asked her how the date went.

“It was amazing. We went to the movies and then walked to the pier. He told me he wants to marry me.”

Caroline’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a little soon, don’t you think?”

“Well, I didn’t say yes,” Jilly shot back. “I know I will say yes eventually; he’s my match; I know we’re meant to be together. And to be honest, I was really close to saying yes tonight. But I barely know him, and besides, what’s six months when you have forever?”

THE END

Jilly

Jilly’s eyes flew open. Her heart was racing and she was covered in a layer of cold sweat. She sat up in bed, trying to calm herself down. She’d had the most realistic dream; she was in what looked like London, and something was chasing her. The feeling of utter terror had almost consumed her as she ran. She wasn’t alone; she ran with two other people; a man and a woman. They all ran as fast as they could, but suddenly the woman tripped and fell to the ground. Jilly and the man turned to look behind them at the sound, and saw three shadowy things streaking toward the fallen woman. The man screamed and ran back to the woman, who was presumably his wife. He reached his hand down to help her up, but it was too late. The shadows were upon them; they were engulfed in darkness, and there was only a black mist where they had once stood. Jilly let out a scream, and the shadows turned to face her, their eyes glowing red in the black night.

William

William quietly slipped out of his apartment before the sun rose. He walked down a few side streets before he reached the forest. He walked quickly through the trees in the brisk morning air. He pulled up the collar of his coat to keep out the cold and sped up. It took him twenty minutes to reach his destination and he slowed down as he walked through the gates of the old cemetery. He spent some time walking among the old tombstones and stopped in front of Liza’s. Leaning down and tracing the letters of her name, he sighed.

“I loved you with all of me, Liza. I never meant for you to be hurt all those years ago. Rest in peace, my sweet.” He walked on after that.

Passing many familiar names, including his parents, he stopped in front of their headstones. “I don’t blame you anymore. I know you did the best you could with us. You had three other children to worry about. I wish you whatever peace you may find,” he whispered softly, wiping a tear from his eye.

He continued walking toward the back of the cemetery, regret washing over him like rain.

He finally made it to where the tombs and mausoleums were and slowed down. He was conflicted. He wanted to go, but he didn’t at the same time.

He stopped in front of an ancient tomb overrun with vines.

“I knew you’d come, William.”