StarCrossed

Actions and Consequences

"I feel as if a link exists between your heart and mine. And should that link be broken either by distance or by time, my heart would cease to beat and I would die." -Crimson Peak

We walked hastily through the streets. It dawned on me that I had no idea where we were going.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked. I feared talking too loud, for that could draw unwanted attention to the two of us. In the faint streetlight, I could see bruising beginning to show on William's knuckles. I could also see the blood that had dried there. He diligently walked and weaved us through alleyways and past darkened houses.

He paused, as if realizing that he should have asked first.

"A place to sit and talk," he said, "if that is alright?"

His golden gaze as he awaited my answer caused me to quiver. Mulling it over, I nodded. He gave a curt nod and continued walking. In a matter of minutes, we were at the town line. I paled as I saw the red ribbons tied along the overgrown shrubbery. Along that line, longer back than I could remember, the ribbons had been placed to warn any who got close. Beyond that point was a world full of monsters. Dark entities lurked in the forest beyond. Demon hounds that had been said to roam the edge of town and take poor souls that ventured too close. I couldn't recall anyone being taken. Some of the elders also spoke of howling as well as other strange noises coming from the woods.

I froze as panic set in.

"No, I can't go beyond the town line," I said in a rush.

William stopped as he was about to step into the brush. His eyes were cautious but curiosity also brewed there.

"You've never left this place?" he asked softly.

"No, of course not!"

"So, you stay in this town...for fear of what?"

"I can't leave my family. We would never survive out where those demons roam free. The only place that's safe is here."

"You consider a place where men are given the go ahead to prey on young women safe?" William's confusion grew, his brows furrowed. He released my hand. "And what do you know of these demons they speak of? Have you ever seen one with your own eyes?"

"No, that would be absurd."

"Undoubtedly," he said. He was silent and I could see the wheels turning in his mind. His golden eyes glistened as if they were alight with fire. "Olivia, you have lived in this village all your life. Haven't you ever wondered what lie just beyond the forest? Did it ever occur to you that there is more out there?" A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "Just beyond here, there is a small lake. It's quiet, and at night when the moon shines down on the shimmering water...It's a sight to see." He took my hand slowly. "You don't know me all that well yet, so I understand your caution. I can assure you, if you cross the line with me, I will keep you safe. I vow to keep you safe." His words were genuine; I felt them ring with truth. He was right, I didn't know him. However, I knew his gaze pulled me closer. I knew that his touch set a fire inside me. And I knew that his rage had already saved me once. I felt that if I held onto his hand and crossed over into the forest beyond, I would never be the same. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Would that be such a bad thing?

With a deep breath, I tightened my grip on his hands and stepped gingerly past the town line.

“Olivia! It’s nearly daybreak!” Mother shouted as I shut the front door softly behind me. “I have been up all night worrying about you! I told you to come home after the dance was done.”

“Mama, please don’t shout. You'll wake-”

“Don’t shout? I have every right to! The Hunt Ball is terrifying for a girl your age to have to participate in!”

“I promise that I only danced, Mama. I did not participate in any other part of it.”

“Then why are you coming home at this time of day? It's nearly dawn.”

“I may...have met someone that delayed me.”

Mother was quiet for a moment. More than likely contemplating how all of what I said could be true. So, I continued, trying to put the pieces together for her as best as I could before she assumed any details.

“He’s a nice man, Mama. He took me from the dance. He saved me from a man that tried to make me participate fully. He lead me to a beautiful place in the woods. We just sat and talked while we looked out over the water, Mama.” I smiled, glancing at the ground. “It was like we had known each other for a long time.” I felt my face heat with a blush. I didn't dare tell her that we'd gone past the town line. That would only make the situation worse.

“That was all that happened between you and this man?” Mother asked after taking in the information. I nodded. “Well, you must be tired from your long night. Go on up to your room and try to get some rest, my dear.” She came over and kissed my forehead. After giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, I hurried upstairs. Before I closed my bedroom door, I heard her say “what am I going to do with that girl?” and sigh.

I shut my door and leaned against it. I could still feel the warmth from William’s hand holding mine. I thought back to our kiss at the ball. Shivers ran down my spine. A knock on my door brought me back to present.

“Sister, are you back?”

I opened the door to let Eveline in. She bounded over to the bed and plopped down. She asked many questions and listened to me describe the dances and the decorations. She listened as I told her about William. She was 12 going on 13, so I left out the small details. Like how his kiss made me burn from the inside out.

“Are you going to see him again?” she asked eagerly.

“I hope so,” I answered with a laugh.

“I want to meet him,” another voice chimed in. Mother was standing in the doorway. Somehow I had been so caught up in telling Eveline everything that I hadn’t noticed Mother open the door. My sister chuckled mischievously.

"Me, too!" she agreed.

I worked as an assistant in the flower shop. I would see couples come in and out of the store day after day, asking for beautifully put together bouquets. Others who had lost family, had a celebration, or even just to surprise someone special, would also come in and order arrangements. As the assistant of the shop, I took the orders and gave them to the shop owner. She would then put them together and bring them out within a matter of minutes for the customer. It was amazing how fast she could get exactly what the person envisioned. Another duty of mine was cleaning up the messes. I made sure the shop was pristine in appearance. It was hard work but it paid off. With my wages, I helped Mother pay for things on the house.

“Did you enjoy the Hunt Ball last night, Olivia?” Lady Grace, the flower shop’s owner, asked me.

“It was wonderful to see the town so lit up with decorations and lights. I had been wondering what project you had been working on for the past month. The flowers were beautiful.” I knew she wanted one of two things. One being a compliment on her hard work. Or two, gossip and details about how the night had gone. Considering what had happened, it was easier to distract her with the compliment.

“I am glad to hear that.” She smiled at me widely. “Did you hear about the man that the Council found? He was beaten rather badly. Lucky for him he was left alive from what I was told.”

“Where did you hear that from?”

“The head Councilman’s wife came here before I opened the store. She told me to ask around about it. Did you see anyone on your way home from the ball?”

“I apologize, I did not. Perhaps one of our customers today will know.”

The day passed and no matter who lady Grace asked, no one could say they knew who had done such a thing. I kept my lip shut tight, hardly speaking unless spoken to. If the Council was seeking answers, that meant they'd be out for blood if need be. The repercussions of what could happen to my family was enough incentive to stay quiet. After closing the shop, I went to the general goods store. I had been saving for a special treat for Eveline. In the window was a dress that I had seen her gaze longingly at more than a handful of times. The dress itself had a ruby red skirt. On the bodice, a white fabric had been put with an embroidered red rose design. Frills of red had been placed on the ends of the white puffy sleeves. Eveline had always looked brilliant in red. The man at the counter wrapped the dress in brown paper and tied a red ribbon around the parcel at my request. I held the package close as I ran home, eager to see the look on her face as she opened it.

When I walked into the house, Mother was sitting at the table. Standing around the table were the members of the Council.

“Olivia, the Council would like to speak with you.” I could hear the worry in Mother’s voice. Always filled with worry. This time was for a good reason.

“Councilmen,” I bowed to them, as was expected. “To what do I owe this honor?” I held the package tighter in my arms.

“Early this morning, a man was found beaten, laying in the street. When he came to and asked him about what had happened, he explained to us about a young couple that had attacked him. The young lady he described matches you, ma’am.” I kept silent. What did I tell them? Yes, I know because it was me and I'd gladly watch that man get beaten again for putting his filthy hands on me? I knew that William wasn't from town, which meant he was safe from any scrutiny. But if I admitted any knowledge of the incident on the night of the Hunt Ball, where the man had done no wrong in the eyes of the authority, then I'd be damned. As would my family. We would be dragged through he mud in name and in reputation. “Do you know anything about the incident, ma’am?” They all looked at me curiously. However, it was a double edged sword. They could sense lies as if lies put a bad taste in their mouth. The punishment for that was more severe.

Against my better judgement, I nodded.

“Would you care to explain the situation, ma’am?” the head Councilman asked.

“The man assaulted me,” I answered bluntly.

“And the young man that he spoke of?”

“He saved me from any harm the man might have caused me.”

“Who was this man that saved you?”

I did not answer.

“Not answering is a penalty.”

I did not answer. Mother chimed in.

“Olivia, please answer them,” she pleaded.

“What would be the point in answering them? Only so someone else gets the same penalty? He saved me. This would be my way of repaying him for that.” I looked to the Council before me. “I will not answer the question. I accept the penalty for doing so.”

“Then come with us, please,” the head Councilman said with a hint of pleasure. He was well known for giving out punishments as often as possible. He seemed to have a sick sense about him when it came to that part of his duties. I found it repulsive.

I went and kissed Mother’s cheek and handed her the package.

“Give this to Eveline for me.”

“Please don’t do this, Olivia,” she whispered, begged, "just answer them."

Silently, I smiled and turned from her, following the Council outside.