We Ate the Dark by Mallory Pearson

Author:Mallory Pearson [Pearson, Mallory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

29

UNSPOILED BY THE AXE

The evening of their deception was a fervent one. Finder and the boy crouched around a washtub in the kitchen, scrubbing at a mountain of soiled clothes. The day had passed quickly, and soon Mother Mab would call them to the table.

“Tonight should be the night,” the boy said in what was surely supposed to be a whisper but came out closer to a shout. Finder frantically sloshed the laundry tub, looking over her shoulder for Mab’s or the Ossifier’s watchful eyes.

“You’d be smarter if you learned how to be quiet,” Finder hissed. Then, just to be annoying, she said, “What makes you think you have the authority to decide what we do?”

The boy scoffed. “It’s not authority, it’s sensibility. There’s no benefit to waiting. Whatever killed the animals is out there, and it’s likely coming for us next.” He looked around the room, watching for eavesdroppers, and leaned in closer. “I think we should go to the lake.”

Finder plunged her hands into the soapy water. She watched it ripple away from her wrists and thought about a girl rising from the reeds, shirt wrung out and dripping, delight on her face.

“Why?” she asked.

“I dreamt it came from the water,” he said. “You said that’s where the path in the woods goes, right? Where else would we hunt?”

Remembering was a painful thing. Behind her eyes she saw Sofia running through the curling snake of trees, the Ossifier stalking behind her.

“I need you to make it stop,” Sofia had said that last night. “I need you to take it back. Break the spell. End it all. I don’t want him to want me anymore.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Finder whispered. Sofia had come too late in the day. The sun was falling behind the trees, turning everything scarlet and haunted.

“You don’t understand.” Sofia tore her hands through her hair like she might be able to rip her thoughts out with it. “I don’t—I don’t love him, Finder. I thought I did. I thought I wanted him to want me. But now it’s all falling apart. I leave soon and I can’t bear the thought—” She stopped herself. “I chose him because I thought it was expected of me. And now I can’t leave her behind, Finder. She’ll think I don’t care and I—I love her. I do.”

“Who?” Finder asked. She’d never seen Sofia like this—open awe in her eyes, like she’d surprised herself with her own words.

“Poppy,” Sofia whispered. Her voice was reverent. “Fuck. And she probably hates me now, after all this. I messed up, Finder. I’ve hurt people.”

I warned you, Finder wanted to snap, wanted to teach Sofia something for once. But she faltered and said, “You could never hurt anyone.”

Sofia’s smile fought its way forward. “Oh, you’re sweet. I always forget how sweet you can be.”

Finder smarted. “I am not.”

But Sofia cuffed her chin, eyes all rimmed in silver. “It’s a good thing, silly. You’re kind to me even when I don’t deserve it.” She watched Finder, waiting for her to crack.

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