by E. M. Fitch
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“I know, Cass,” Laney said.
Cassie’s throat felt full and thick, and she knew soon she wouldn’t be able to hold back her tears. She dragged the sleeve of her shirt over her eyes, and she looked back to the sunset, to the miraculous painting that shifted and grew before her, different artwork every night, though the same canvas.
“I was selfish when I ran away before,” Laney continued, still resting against Cassie. Her body was warm in the cooling night. “And there’s been times when all I could dream about was you joining me—sisters forever in the woods. But that’s not the path you’d choose, and so I have to run once again, only this time, I’m truly thinking of both of us.
“You have to stay, Cass. You have to stay and grow old, learn, love, embrace every moment, because your moments are limited and so mean more. And I have to go, too, because if I stayed, I’d hold you back.”
Cassie felt an argument rising in her throat, but Laney raised her hand, continuing only when Cassie took a deep breath and nodded stubbornly for her to continue.
“I would hold you back. You’d never be able to look forward, and some piece of your heart would always be running, wild and free, with your best friend in the woods. That’s not fair to you, and it wouldn’t be fair to me. I chose this life when I ran to Corey; it’s mine now, and I have to decide how to live it. Staying here, I’d only ever feel that loss. And seeing you, and Liam, and my parents growing and moving on without me—I couldn’t take it.”
The girls were silent for a while. Squirrels scampered to their nests for the night; birds trilled to silence. Cicadas began their nightly hum, and the light leached from the sky minute after minute.
“Some part of my heart will always be running with you in the woods,” Cassie whispered eventually.
“And some part of mine will always be sitting here with you,” Laney said. She reached for her best friend’s fingers, tangling them with hers. Cassie squeezed once and then turned, pulling Laney into an embrace.
When they separated that last time, it was for eternity.
Ryan was waiting at the base of the trail. Cassie was never more glad to see him there, leaning against the side of his rust-colored car, concern knitting his forehead.
She walked up to him, grabbed his face, and kissed him hard. He snaked his arms around her, moving into the kiss and lifting her, briefly, to her toes.
“Did she leave?” he asked, his breath warm on Cassie’s lips. She nodded, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Sandalwood invaded her nostrils, and she breathed deeply, instantly soothed. “For how long? Where did she go?”
“For forever,” Cassie answered, and though Laney had never said, Cassie knew where they were going. “And to Ireland, to their home.”
“I can’t believe she left you,” Ryan murmured. Cassie shook her head.
“She left me a long time ago, and some decisions can’t be unmade.”
“So, what now?” Ryan asked, pulling back and looking down at the tear-streaked face of his girlfriend. She smiled up at him, sad but resolute.
“College,” Cassie answered firmly. “College first, then a job, a house, an adventure or two. Life, you know? Life comes next.”
Ryan kissed her forehead and stepped back, opening the passenger-side door for her.
“I think I can handle that,” he said. Cassie caught hold of the door, and as her boyfriend strode to his side of the car, she looked up into the forest. She didn’t imagine the whispered goodbye that echoed from beyond the trees. She put her hand over her heart, feeling it fracture. She whispered the words back before sliding into the car.
THE END
Acknowledgements
Cassie and Laney may never have seen the light of day without the support of Georgia McBride and Month9Books. I’ll be forever grateful for the journey, and for the people I’ve met along the way. Through these books I’ve come to know the most wonderful authors, editors, mentors, and friends. And I’ve met you, dear Reader. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me.
I like to thank my four children—Caitlin, Adam, Matthew, and James—for giving me a life full of excitement and love. I can’t imagine existing without my four Fitches.
Thank you to my entire family, most especially my parents, Tom and Rita, for your unwavering support. To my ‘Winds family (Alexis, and Other Erin, and Jess especially), my sincere gratitude for your friendship in my home away from home.
Thank you to the friends who make life fun and silly, and who are still there when life is not so fun and not so silly. Jodi and Ginger and Rachael, I appreciate you more than you know.
And thank you to Mav Skye, my best friend and confidant. I’m forever grateful for your existence in this mad, mad world. To use your words: stay dangerous, darling.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! Now put it down, go out into those woods, take a hike, set up camp, and listen hard. Can you hear the whispers? Beware the faery folk, for you never know when they might be watching, waiting. Take care, dear Reader, to never anger the creatures of the trees. But if you do, it might be wise to carry a bit of iron in your pockets. Good luck.
E. M. Fitch
E. M. Fitch is an author who loves scary stories, chocolate, and tall trees. Her stories seek to explore the deliciously dark secrets that can be found on moonless nights in the hidden alcoves of the forests, beyond the veil of reality, and within the darkest corners of our hearts. When not dreaming up new ways to torture characters, she is usually corralling her four children, or thinking of ways to tire them out so she can get an hour of peace at night. You can find out more about her and her work on her website (www.emfitch.com) as well as through her social media links. Go chat her up!
Psst! She loves to chat.
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