by Jenny Bloom
“If you really hate it here, then why don't you leave? I'm sure there are plenty of universities throughout the country that would be glad to have you considering your dedication to facts.”
“We can't all just uproot and go wherever we want.”
“Is that supposed to insult me?”
Lynda shrugged. “Did it sound like an insult?”
Ruby laughed suddenly. “I don't think any of this is about Salem or me. I think you have something else going on in your head and you're just looking for someone to bite. Does it feel good to sink your fangs into the people around you when you're hurting?”
“You have no idea what's going on in my head right now. You haven't the slightest clue what kind of pressure I've been under.”
“I can take a wild guess.”
“It's more than you know, Ruby, so don't even try that backwards psychology on me.”
“That's not even the right word for it.”
Lynda chuckled menacingly. “How would you know? You didn't even go to college.”
Ruby nodded slowly. “So, now you're really trying to hurt my feelings. Maybe you should blow that steam off somewhere else.”
“I think you're right. I should leave town. I should go somewhere that doesn't get obsessed with Halloween like it's some kind of cool holiday. It's just a sorry excuse to hide behind a mask.”
“You mean like you've been doing? Clearly something has been eating away at you, but you won't talk about it. You'd rather hurt me than let me help you. You're doing just the same, Lynda, so you can swallow your own words right now.”
Lynda shook her head. “I should have known we wouldn't be compatible. We're two different people spun from two different webs.”
“That's the least hurtful thing you've said today. I think you're right.”
Ruby folded her arms across her chest. She stared daringly at Lynda, waiting for more venom to come from Lynda's lips.
Lynda was prepared to deliver more, yet her blurry vision betrayed her strength. All she felt was pain. The poison sitting on the edge of her lips in the form of potential verbal jabs were beginning to melt into her skin, effectively poisoning her instead. She swallowed it, tasting the bitter words sinking into her stomach.
“Fine,” she said. “We're both right. I don't want to see you again.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Lynda brushed past Ruby. She blinked for a moment, trying to get a good hold on her surroundings. She had walked well past her apartment and to the park around the corner, prompting her to take one of the winding paths through the park to circle back around without running into Ruby again.
She folded her arms firmly over her books, hugging them close. Tears threatened to make an appearance. Even her lower lip was betraying her control. She could feel the rain coming, the clouds of anger hanging heavy over her head. She felt the thunder rumble inside her and the lightning flashing within her veins.
She held it for as long as she possibly could, quickening her pace toward her apartment building. When she reached the door, she punched the code into the keypad and popped open the glass door, swinging it wide to allow her entry. She took the elevator to the third floor and skipped down to her door where she procured her key and popped it into the lock.
And when she was inside, she let the rain fall—she let herself break.
Chapter Nine
Ruby
It couldn't have been a brighter day but Ruby felt like the darkness was creeping in. She glanced at the sky to double-check. Sure enough, there weren't that many clouds in the sky. The wind bit her cheek as she ducked her head and wandered into the park, noticing Lynda taking a different path that wound away from her.
I can't believe that just happened, she reflected regretfully.
Wounded—that's what she felt.
Her heart was heavy with the harm Lynda had caused. She knew the venom would reach her heart eventually, but she didn't think it would be so quickly. It was like the venom was especially made for her, like Lynda had fashioned it to reach the very recesses of her heart.
I'm usually resilient to that, she considered while sinking beneath a tree. I'm usually better about protecting myself. But she got right under my skin with hardly any effort. How did she do that?
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it and closed her eyes, resting her head against the bark of the tree. She took a few deep, cleansing breaths, focusing on the energy the tree provided her. While she relaxed against the trunk, she reviewed their encounter.
She was bothered by something. She was stressed. She scrunched up her face in anxious recollection. That doesn't mean it was okay. She was clearly hurting about something, but she wouldn't let me in. Why not?
The breeze picked up again as if answering her question. She blinked open her eyes, batting away the orbs dancing across her vision. She studied the green scenery around her and inhaled the sweet scent of fall, the mixture of pumpkin and dry leaves that surrounded the area.
Magic...that's what I need. I have to pick myself back up. She frowned. Because it's not like anyone else will really help.
She recalled the nearby coffee shop that carried her favorite drink. The thought of a soothing hot cup of coffee made her smile slightly.
That would help. I could use a pick-me-up.
As she stood from beneath the tree, she fished her phone from her skirt pocket and noticed the three missed calls from her boss. There were a few frantic texts begging her to go to the carriage tour where they needed help with the amount of people buying tickets. They had to add two extra tours—and they needed Ruby to cover them.
She bit her lower lip.
I can't do a tour in this state of mind. She closed her eyes while attempting to calm herself, feeling the stressful ache of energy swirling in her gut. I'll break down. I can't handle it.
But instead of typing that, she wrote that she was on her way.
She pumped her legs in the direction of the docks. She could make it in less than five minutes if she hurried but then she might be out of breath. She might not be able to talk. Still, she fervently pumped her legs and huffed through a quick cycle of breathing. She arrived at the docks and Mr. Cloher waved with relief, beckoning her over to the crowd forming.
“We're just tanked today,” he said through a professional grin. “Can you take this next tour? Ernest had to take the one before and he's never even done this one before.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Cloher.”
“It's a small group but the numbers are adding up fast. When you get back, there will be two more for you.”
She sighed but kept her friendly grin, trying to keep her energy up. “Do you happen to have any coffee in the office?”
“No time, Ruby. I'm sorry, dear, but you'll have to get going. The driver is waiting for you.”
The crowd of people waiting for tours clamored around the docks, chattering intermittently as the carriages pulled up one after the other. Ruby climbed up into a carriage and blinked at the four people sitting across from her.
She greeted them with her best professional smile and started chattering away.
“Greetings, ghosts and ghouls! We're about to take off on a magical trip through the history of Salem. First, we'll see the famous courthouse where the town held their Salem Witch Trials...”
The carriage rattled as it took off, the horses drawing the carriage huffing as if reflecting Ruby's attitude. She could feel the tension in the air, the business of the afternoon settling upon her shoulders.
And as she continued talking, she wondered about Lynda.
She wondered how it would all work out—if it would work out at all.
***
“What a mess,” Ruby remarked as she hopped down from the carriage. “Please, tell me that was the last of them.”
Ernest huffed as he waddled up to the side of the carriage where Ruby was leaning. He collapsed next to her, looking even more stressed than usual. “
Wow, I didn't think that would be like that.”
“We get really busy the closer we draw to Halloween.”
“Yeah, but...we had so many tours booked. How did Mr. Cloher think that was a good idea?”
Ruby shrugged. “That's tour business.”
“You look ill. Are you coming down with something?”
She blinked at him. “I'm fine.”
“No, you're not. I know that look. You're going to have to dish it out.”
“Can we at least grab coffee? I feel like my brain is swimming in a million spooky facts with literally nowhere to go.”
“Of course! We have some made in the office. I meant to have some before the rush, but--”
“Yeah, same.”
He sighed and held out his elbow for her to take. “Shall we?”
Ruby took his arm without question. She strolled with him to the tour office and wandered inside, immediately sinking into a cushioned seat near the coffee table. As he gathered their coffee, she dipped down in the chair and hugged her knees to her chest.
Within seconds, he held out a paper cup with steaming hot coffee to her. The smell reached her nostrils and she sat up, taking the cup and immediately pressing the edge to her lips. She closed her eyes as she sipped slowly, enjoying the sweet warmth trickling down her throat.
She sighed, “Thank you.”
“Of course, dear. Now, tell me what's going on.”
The question prompted tears to rise to Ruby's eyes. She sniffled and held the back of her hand to her mouth, trying to keep the waterworks from spilling over.
“Hey,” he whispered while leaning forward. He placed a gentle hand on her knee. “Is it your parents? I know this time of year is hard for you.”
“No, it's not that.”
“Then, what is it? Did you lose one of your tours?”
“No, it's...Lynda.”
He frowned and exhaled loudly, leaning back in his seat. He took a sip of coffee and then nodded, waving for her to continue.
“I don't think I was able to process it all until now,” she went on. “I just didn't have time when Mr. Cloher called me. I didn't have any...I couldn't...”
She choked down a sob and hiccupped, hiding her sobs with more sips of coffee. She closed her eyes to focus on the warmth in her cup instead of the chill in her gut. After a few more sips, she sighed and relaxed into the chair.
She rolled her eyes. “I don't know what happened, but Lynda was really biting my head off today.”
“What did she say?”
“She was just saying how she hates how seriously this town takes Halloween.”
He laughed. “Then, why did she move here?”
“That's what I said. She's been here for a few years. Why would it bother her after a few years?”
“It must be something else.”
“And that's also what I said, but she was really adamant on blaming the town and me for her woes, so that's that.”
He shook his head. “No, that's not that, Miss Vamp. It's not fair to you to be so rude, especially if it was random.”
“And that's the thing—it was so wickedly random that I had no idea what to really say to her. I tried to help her but she shoved me off.”
“Like physically shoved you?”
“No, metaphorically. But thanks for trying to square up for me.”
He flexed his right arm. “Any time you need these guns, let me know.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Ernest, save it for your boyfriend.”
“Hey, friends need protection, too.”
“I guess so.”
“No, it's true. If anyone ever hurt you, I'd be there in a heartbeat.”
She smiled warmly. “Thanks, buddy.”
“And I'm sure you would do the same for me.”
“Well, I fight like a girl, so...”
“So, that means you fight really well, right?”
She chuckled. “That's right, buddy.”
“Do you want to tell me what else happened?”
“See, I'm not sure. Before we ran into each other—which was quite literal—she was responding just fine to my text messages. I was asking what she wanted to do next. But then again, she didn't seem very receptive to any of my ideas.”
“That sounds rough.”
She shrugged. “It was aggravating, but I stuck through it because I like her. I want to spend time with her.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“Yeah, she even told me that. So, I'm confused. I don't know what I did to make her act like that.”
“First of all, you didn't do a damn thing to make her act any type of way. And second, it's not your fault she doesn't like Halloween. Some people aren't cut out for those things and that's fine. I mean, that doesn't mean she's allowed to be rude about it, but we're human. We make mistakes.”
“You have a point.”
“Do you think she would talk to you if you let her cool down for a bit?”
Ruby scrunched up her face and pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling the confusion and guilt tickling her senses. “I don't know, Ernest.”
“If you really like her—and if she really likes you like she says she does—you two probably just need some space.”
“I guess.”
“Did you tell her about Ireland?”
She looked guilty and hid her features with her coffee cup.
Ernest raised his eyebrows. “Oh, so that's definitely a no.”
“I was going to but...”
“But what?”
“We were having such a good time having sex.”
“Distractions.”
She laughed. “She was just so sexy. I couldn't help myself.”
“That's no excuse, Ruby. You have to be as candid with her as you want her to be with you.”
She arched her brows. “Ugh, I hate it when you're right.”
“And maybe she can feel that you're holding something back. Have you two even mentioned the possibility of going your separate ways.”
“We did briefly touch on that the other night, yes.”
“So, maybe she's thinking about that.”
Ruby eyed him suspiciously. “You're suddenly very sympathetic to her side of the situation.”
“I'm not trying to take a side. I'm trying to offer you some perspective. Maybe she has some things going on with school. I mean, she's a student, right? What's she doing after school?”
“Well, it seems like she doesn't really know yet.”
He nodded. “So, that's another layer of stress. All of that can culminate to this point where it seems like an explosion is out of nowhere when really, it's just been building for a while. It probably has nothing to do with you.”
“It still feels like you're taking her side.”
“I can always go back to my muscles.”
She giggled. “Please, don't.”
“All right then, so there's some perspective for you. How do you feel now?”
She shrugged. “I feel like crap.”
“I would, too.”
“Have you ever dated anyone who you knew you might be separated from in the future?”
“Sure—there was Clinton from six years ago. He left to go to California to chase his acting dreams, remember?”
She nodded as memory clouded her vision. “Oh, that's ri-i-i-ight.”
“And he succeeded, too. I wanted nothing but the best for him.”
“But didn't it hurt?”
“Of course, it hurt, Ruby. That's part of dating—we get hurt.”
She sighed with defeat. “But what do I do now? If I go for this Ireland job, I'll surely leave the states. And if we're already at odds...well, I don't see the point in getting back together and resolving our differences.”
“Don't say that. Don't give up yet. You have no idea what the future might hold for you—for you and her.”
“I wish the universe would make its plans apparent.”
“You and your magic should a
lready know that's not how that works.”
She groaned. “I know.”
“So, do you need a refill?”
She held up her cup as a response and let Ernest pour her another cup. When she was settled with her new cup, she took a few sips. Her heart had finally stopped pounding and her head felt clearer like she could tackle the rest of the evening.
She sighed. “All right, I'll give her space.”
“And while you're giving her space, focus on your goals. Don't stop on her behalf. But don't give up on her behalf either.”
“Dating humans is weird.”
“Do you want me to summon the aliens?”
Ruby laughed. “Don't even start with that nonsense.”
“Oh, come on! I saw a ship just the other night. Even Micky spotted it.”
“I could really do without your conspiracy theories, Ernest.”
“Oh, fine. I'll save it for Micky. He always listens to my stories unlike you.”
She giggled. “And that's why you're dating Micky and not me.”
“I couldn't date you if I tried.”
“No, we're both too gay for that.”
He guffawed and she joined him, feeling a sense of relief temporarily wash over her. Even when it felt like the world was at odds, she still had her best friend. She still had her tours and her job. She still had magic.
She suddenly frowned as she gazed into the muddy coffee inside her paper cup.
But what would that all look like without Lynda?
Chapter Ten
Lynda
Monday arrived as fast as any other school day. Lynda found herself sitting impatiently in one of the desks located in the back of the classroom. She sat near Ray as she typically did, but she didn't find much comfort in sitting near someone familiar.
Not when the topic of the day was death.
The professor droned on at the front of the classroom as he went over different literary devices used in classic novels. She huffed internally as she rolled her eyes to the ceiling, wondering about everything else except death.
I hope I get a good grade on that stupid witch project, she reflected. I put a lot of work into it and it was torture—even for someone like me who loves school.
