“I can’t tell whether I’m happy to hear that or if I’m sad to know you haven’t felt the touch of someone in over a century.”
She shrugs as she plays with the hem of her dress. “I’ve since found other amusements, primarily tormenting the more insufferable…pupils.”
I burst into laughter at the image of Milly appearing in front of the cocky lacrosse players or even startling the faculty.
My smile drops suddenly, remembering the one member of the faculty who continues to weigh heavily on my mind. “What are we going to do about Priest Brown? We are approaching October 6th, Milly. I even saw him last night in the tunnels after you vanished. I’m his chosen sacrifice, I heard him say it.”
I find my hands trembling in fear of the unknown. How am I even going to face someone with this much power? The community admires everything Priest Brown does. If I choose to speak up, why would anyone believe me? This has been going on for so long… what if no one even cares? For fuck’s sake, his family has been all but running the community since the 1900s.
Milly leans forward in alarm. “Yousawhim? Whatever did he say? Are you quite alright?”
I nod. “No, no. I’m alright. He didn’t see me, thankfully. Another man happened to find me before Priest Brown. It looks like they were down there for what I think was a council meeting? They were discussing me. Actually, the man I met knew who you were.”
She bristles for a moment. “Did he give you his name?”
I inhale quickly, feeling the frustration all over again at the two interactions I’ve had with that irritating man. “He did. His name is Bones. He had a mask that covered most of his face, made entirely ofdifferent bones. One of which I believe was a human jaw along the side of his face. His eyes were completely white as well.”
She nods and relaxes. “He’s a friend of mine. Quite kind, despite what one might assume from his appearance. He’s been working quietly to prevent these rituals. Mercifully, they’ve yet to uncover him as the informant.”
I snort to myself, and she lifts a brow at me. “I wouldn’t say he’s kind based on my interactions with him. He left me hanging with endless questions and abandoned me in the woods. But, I will give him credit for sneaking me out safely,” I offer with slight annoyance.
“That is his nature. In time, you’ll come to appreciate it. We were most fortunate not to have been caught.You, in particular, were perilously close. Thank heavens they did not discover you.”
“I know,” I mumble. “I don’t know what would have happened if Priest Brown had seen me down there. I think he probably would have kept me trapped until the ritual and written me off as a runaway. It would fit the narrative easily based on how my relationship with my father has been.” I look at Milly, no longer able to hide the edge of panic on my face.
“I will not allow any harm to befall you, Shadow. His reach shall end here.” She tenses her shoulders, holding composure better than I.
“I don’t know why, but I believe you, Milly. Every second I’ve been with you feelssafe.” I stumble with my words, trying to explain the feelings that continue to overwhelm me in her presence.
I shake my head to rid the emotion. “But what are we going to do? Bones told me to run far away from here, but I’m tired of running from who I truly am. I can’t leave this cruel man to corrupt other innocent students. I feel like everything has led me to this moment. Something tells me I can’t just leave.”
Milly chews on her bottom lip as she starts to look nervously around the room. I start to wonder if she actually knows how to stop him for good. I frown to myself as I watch the wheels turn in her head.
I don’t know what I thought my future would look like. If anything, it was one of routine. I could see myself creating art, listening to music, and finding ways to fill the constant hole in my chest. I thought losing my mom created this unfillable void, but when I’m with her? I feel less hollow. Somehow, I can’t picture my future without her in it.
My voice starts to shake. “I can’t… I can’t abandon you, Milly. I don’t know how you’re here or how to help you leave the confines of this campus. But if I’m able to help you, I will do so, even if it costs me my last breath. I have nothing to lose anymore. If we can’t stop him, I want to at least helpyou.” I startle slightly at my confession and instantly blush, pulling away from her slightly.What the fuck is going on with me? That was too much. Why did I even confess that to her?
Her glowing aura flashes as she abruptly climbs over me to straddle my lap. I don’t feel the weight of her body on me, but a slight tingle of coolness grazes my skin. I shiver slightly at the sensation as I look up into her ethereal eyes. Her hands are on the sides of my face, leaving me desperate to feel them stroke my skin.
“You shall not forfeit your life for mine. The matter of why I linger on this side of the veil ismineto discern, and it must not be answered through your sacrifice.”
“I feel crazy, Milly. But I can’t explain it. There has to be something inside you that calls to me, too, right? Because I know there’s something inside me thatcravesyou.” I lift up my hand slightly to show the slight tremor as I’m around her.
“My body can’t stand the space between us; it can’t stand to be away from you.” I close my eyes and swallow hard. “I just feel like I’m meant to be here at this moment, and I don’t fully understand it. There’s just this certainty in me. Not until the beginning of this month did I realize that ghosts exist, so who am I to judge the pull to you?”
I lock eyes with her. “I can’t explain—” Milly lifts her hand gently over my mouth as it becomes tangible.
“Do not doubt yourself, my shadow.” She looks up at the ceiling asher chest rises and falls softly, as though she is taking a deep breath out of habit. “You are not alone in what you feel. So much lies hidden still.” She looks back at me, a tear sparkling down her cheek. “I should have been more forthcoming with you, Grace, more honest about the truth which binds us. Yet, fear held me still. The thought of you here, upon this campus once more, was incomprehensible. A hope I selfishly wished upon. I feared the same fate might unfold once more, and I could not endure it… not again.” I bristle at her confession, my brows pinching together at her words.
“What do you mean by again?” I whisper. I watch her expression slightly harden again, her mouth remaining shut.
I shift, straightening up slightly as I hold her eyes. “Milly, what do you mean byagain?”I say with more resolve.
She blinks away, looking out the window for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh and looking at me with so much emotion that it feels as though my heart has forgotten how to beat.
“My shadow, this is not our first meeting.”
Chapter 18
