An Anticipated Reckoning
1009 Words
A weird sensation settled in my chest as I drove along the well-known dirt road. Even though I had been away for years, nothing in Blackthorn Hollow felt different. The same tall trees lined the road, their leaves rustling in the evening wind. The ancient, weathered wooden signpost still indicated the direction of the center of the Fenrir Kin's territory. Everything appeared undisturbed, but it felt... alien.
Six years. It had been six long years since I had left her, my family, and this place.
I gripped the wheel more tightly. No matter how far I ran, the ghost of the past persisted in haunting me. I had been trying to bury those memories for years, but suddenly I was back, driving right into them.
I saw new homes strewn over the road as I traveled through the outskirts. Although the group had expanded, its core—its customs and its members—had not changed. There were some recognizable figures hanging around the local shop, their eyes darting curiously toward my car. I choose to disregard them. Later, there would be time for small talk. There was only one person I had to see right now.
Reginald.
That's what I told myself, anyway. However, another name was spoken by a voice in the back of my mind.
Eloise.
My chest constricted. Even though I hadn't seen her in years, I could still clearly remember her face—her fire in her spirit, her deep blue eyes, and the way her lips curled when she laughed. I had fled, fearing that fire would incinerate me. However, it was too late to act as though she didn't exist.
I cut the engine as I approached the house. There was a strange feeling. As I stepped outside, the tense and still atmosphere pricked my instincts. Then I heard it.
There was no sound. A battle.
I hurried to the door, my heart hammering in my ears. I forced it open because it wasn't locked, and the sight in front of me chilled me to the bone.
Eloise struggled against Reginald, her face twisted in fear as he stood over her, his hands in her arms.
I felt everything break inside of me.
"Reginald!" My voice was rough with anger, a snarl.
His head snapped toward me as he froze. His face turned white.
"Ten years have passed."
I hardly heard him. I stared at Eloise, who was shaking in his arms.
"Remove your hands from her." My body was burning with rage, and my fists were clenched at my sides.
Reginald bounced back fast, his hold on her easing, but his face grew serious. "You're not worried about this, Sebastian."
"There's no way it doesn't." With my shoulders squared, I took a step forward.
Breathing raggedly, Eloise paused to push away from him. For a brief moment, I noticed something in her eyes as we met—relief? Hope? Then she walked away.
"Go," she said in a scarcely discernible whisper. "My husband and I are the only ones involved."
My stomach turned over.
"Eloise—"
"Go." She raised her chin, but her hands' trembling betrayed her.
I glanced back at her after looking at Reginald. She wished for me to leave. It was something she begged for. However, I was unable to. Not now.
I had previously run. Never again.
"No." I had a steely voice.
Eloise's gaze expanded.
Reginald laughed. "You think you can play the hero and come back in here after all these years?"
"I believe I can prevent you from causing her harm."
His mouth twisted. "Very strong words for a cowardly run."
I clenched my jaw. "I couldn't stand to watch you take everything away from me, so I left."
He laughed loudly. Take? I was her choice.
Eloise winced.
I took a step forward and spoke more softly. "Did she?"
Reginald's nose wrinkled. His eyes narrowed as he turned to face Eloise. Tell him to get out.
There was silence between us.
Eloise took a deep breath.
"Eloise." His tone deepened. "Now."
She opened her mouth but said nothing.
And it was the only response I required.
I looked over at her. "Go."
She paused, looking at each of us. She then gave a nod. She walked past me and out the door without saying anything else.
Only Reginald and I remained.
He grinned. Do you believe this makes a difference? She remains my spouse. You remain nothing.
I let out a slow, deliberate exhale. "And you remain the pitiful scapegoat that you have always been."
He stopped grinning. "Be mindful of yourself."
"Or what?" I pushed him back by another step. Are you going to fight me? Take action. Give me a reason.”
His hands curled into fists, but he didn’t move.
I shook my head. "You don't deserve it."
He laughed bitterly. "That's rich, considering the stepson fled."
My vision sharpened. “Funny. I was simply thinking about how severely you’ve run Father’s Enterprise into the ground.”
His face grew serious.
“Must be hard,” I continued. “Living in his shadow. Watching everything fall apart under your watch.”
His eyes twitched. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? Everyone in Blackthorn Hollow knows. You’re drowning, Reginald. And I think it’s time someone took control before you ruin what’s left.”
He sneered. “You think that someone is you?”
I smiled. “We’ll see.”
His hands clenched. “You’re nothing but a stray. A nobody. You have no place here.
"But here I am nonetheless."
There we were, engaged in a silent conflict.
Finally, he pushed past me with a quick exhale. "This is not the end of it."
"I understand."
Behind him, the door banged.
I breathed out slowly. My heart was still pounding, and my hands were still shaking. However, I felt something I hadn't felt in years for the first time.
goal.
I had already lost so much to Reginald.
He had nothing else to take.
- Writer
