The Final Hunt

Chapter Four - Maggie

I hated being away from him, but I was glad of the space; it would be good for him to spend some time with Paul; they don't see each other anywhere near as much as I'm sure they used to, and sometimes I'd feel that was my fault. Kyle would never let me take any heat for it, but I know there's a part of him that longs for that relationship with his friend again; maybe not the alcohol and the mindless s*x with strangers (I hope) but the closeness with his best friend.

I'd planned to go and see a couple of people for information today anyway, at least now I didn't need to come up with a reason to go out without him.

Goddess don't I sound terrible and needy? We could be apart; it was just uncomfortable, physically, to be away from him. It was like a part of my soul dimmed and ached for him, making it difficult to focus and sometimes even difficult to breathe.

Difficult, but not impossible.

I would tell him, I just didn’t want to get his hopes up and nothing come of it; he wanted so much to figure everything out and fix it, and I know it kills him to know that he can't.

I rushed out of the shower after he left and threw some leggings and pumps on, grabbing my favourite black t-shirt and jumper to keep me warm. It was rare that I wear my hair down so I threw it up into a messy bun, still wet and heavy, on top of my head and grabbed my phone and headphones to start walking.

I hadn't long left when he'd text; I shook my head and smiled, sending him four kisses back and putting my phone away. As I headed into town I realised he'd probably be back before me and wonder where I was, so I grabbed my phone and text him again: 'Just gone for a little walk, needed some air. See you when I get back, love you xxx' he wouldn't even read it until later I wouldn't have thought so I carried on walking, purposefully heading into town to seek out a beautiful girl called Annie, who appeared to be best friends with one of Ashton's victims, Taliah. Her light snuffed out at the darling age of 17, only a year younger than me, his youngest victim.

Annie, from her profile, was only just 18 and wanted to go to college to study art. She was tall, blonde and slender but wore a lot of make-up on her naturally stunning face. She wrote a lot about missing her friend and was broken and angry when Ashton wrote to Taliah's family, venting on social media about the disrespect and vulgarity of him.

Just off the High Street in a small apartment block with a nice big garden area, I go up the flight of outside steps to the side of the building and use the brass knocker on 4a to gain attention of the occupants.

This is something I've never done; actively sought someone out and knocked at their house regardless of who may be in the other side.

Luckily for me, a beautifully made up Annie answers the door in bright pink sweats and a matching crop top, her hair pin straight to her shoulders. She looked at me, confused; I could see the longstanding pain in her eyes and smiled gently before introducing myself.

"Uh, hi, my name is Maggie." I said nervously, she cooked her brow and held the door tight.

"How can I help you Maggie?" She sounded sweet but stern, ready to protect herself.

I couldn't feel anything from her, no pull or light in my soul; although beautiful and kind, this girl was no Seer. My heart sank a little in my chest as I realised it wasn’t going 5o be as easy as I'd hoped.

"I'm really sorry to bother you I was just, erm... this is kind of strange so I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk to you about Taliah?" Her eyes watered slightly and she stiffened, narrowing her eyes directly towards me, shooting her gaze either side of and behind me before grabbing me wrist and pulling me inside.

The door slammed behind me and I could feel her fear, I wasn't afraid though. The Goddess's voice flowed through me as She whispered not to be afraid of this child, of Her child.

"How do you know Taliah?" She demanded, her fists clenched, stood between me and the door.

I lifted my hands, palms facing her, "I don't know her Annie; I don't want to upset you I swear." I stood still, facing her, palms still raised. "My name is Maggie; I just want to ask you some questions." She looked at me with realisation crossing her face.

"Wait, you're Maggie?" It was then my turn to be confused, "The Maggie who helped take him down?!" She stalked past me and grabbed a newspaper clipping of Ashton, pointing straight at the smug face he pulled arriving at the court the day of his trial last year.

"Yes, I am that Maggie." I say sheepishly; "I can't say I did much to be honest, it was my..."

"No, you did this. You are the reason he is gone. Thank you." She relaxed herself and ushered me into the bright living room. The sunshine yellow walls brightened the small room and the large mirror on the far wall made the room look twice its size; a huge bay window with storage seat built in was adorned with fluffy pillows to soften the harsh wood of the seat and make it more inviting. The room was stunning; there was a wall dedicated to Polaroid photographs of Annie, her parents, a small black and white schnauzer and their lives together. On the wall there seemed to be a timeline; the parents, then Annie with them; the addition of a beautiful girl around 5 who then grew up in the photographs with Annie. It was Taliah.

"She's beautiful." I said, years glistening in the corners of my eyes and I looked at Annie, she was wiping away her own newly formed tears.

"You know, he's been locked up for months; and still it doesn't feel real. Like she's really gone." Annie sniffed, "She always knew just what I was thinking." I stiffened at the term and ours eyes met and I saw a glimmer of something, need? Understanding?

"In what way?" It was tentative but demanding at the same time, I had to know; her eyes narrowed as she stared at me, it went on for what seemed like forever and I nodded at her gently.

"You... you're a?" She looked at me again, a small smile in her eyes as the realisation hit; she lurched for me and hugged me so tight I could hardly breathe. Her hand grasped mine and I was flooded with love, light and friendship; a lifetime of happiness and plans for a future together. My soul lit up like it was on fire and the sun shone through the closed blinds as they flung open.

"Annie, what's going on?" She was shaking in my arms, crying now. That's when it hit me. "You were her mate." It wasn't a question, she pulled away and looked into my eyes, through them to my soul and I suddenly felt the need to be with him, to kiss him and have him hold me tight; she simply nodded and wiped her tears again, leaning her head against my shoulder and accepting comfort.