AUGUST TO JANUARY THE FULL MOONS. ZACHARIAH'S DEPARTURE. Chapter 9
An angry man. He had walked for miles. He sat upon a fallen tree. Removed his coat and tore his shirt and tended to his bloody arm. He took a clean folded shirt out of his case and packed the contents of his coat and the old shirt. He put enough money for the train by. He ate an apple. Every bite was as vicious as his thoughts.
She hoped the girls were sleeping soundly. Over dinner Ruby told her story while eating and bursting into tears. Granny knew the wolf needed a good meal. Two rare steaks and fries. It boosted her physically but further help will follow. Mulan maintained a strong presence for Red. Granny would check on Mulan in the next few days, she knew that training.
As for letting Zachariah go, she had her regrets. She knew in her heart he would not give up.
She made Cora promise not to go after him with magic. This was her problem and deal with it she would when it raised its problematic head. No one will hurt the people she cares about.
Mulan watched Red sleep. So beautiful. It took all her self control today not to totally freak out. Her training had kicked in. Just. If she had lost her... Mulan thought of her Jian just next to the bed. She needed it there. She couldn't trust that man. Sleep will not come easy. Granny was cleaning downstairs and missing Cora no doubt. This gave Mulan some peace of mind. She pulled Red closer and kissed her forehead. Softly "I love you Red".
Ruby was aware that Mulan was restless. She had cried into Mulan's chest for ages and fell into a light sleep. She felt safe now, Mulan and Granny will give her the necessary support, and as for Cora, she is something else. A smile. Her pack scout and Alpha would arrive tomorrow, Mulan had contacted them. They will meet to discuss future risks where Zachariah and his like were concerned. She was too tired to see a solution.
She felt Mulan's lips on her forehead. She melted into her. As she dozed she whispered "I love you too".
" She made me bleed. Bitch. It was only superficial. Huh, I have had worse. The pain drives me.
The bitch will pay for this. She is a witch like that harlot. I only married her out of pity. No one else would take her on. Her father was relieved. I should have beat her.
This town is a pit of vipers. I will gather my soldiers and return. Everyone infected will be slain.
As soon as this damn train arrives.
My Lord His Eminence will have his revenge. My dream was a sign. I will return on his Lords chariot. My army of hawks forming a spearhead behind. Then see the towns mutants grovel at my feet, beg for mercy and mercy shall come in the guise of death.
Ahh my train, the sooner I am out of here the sooner I -"
People gathered at the platform edge. Some gasped or screamed, while others covered their eyes. Such a shame, such a shame, yet how could they know otherwise. The guard asked them to stand back as the sheriff was on her way.
A twisted body lay on the tracks. His eyes open, his face frozen in shock his mouth open but the last word stuck in his throat. The black suitcase that stood on the platform was swiftly carried away with all identification. She couldn't let this man walk away. He was a threat to all she loved. She had watched him, she saw the look on his face. She knew from experience what it meant. Her mirror had reflected it many times. She had promised Eugenia not to use magic, and she didn't. A gentle nudge was all it took.
Ashes that were once a secret blew with the wind, the burnt remnants of an old black suitcase scattered across woods and fields. The sheriff, standing over the body swears as a speck of ash gets in her eye. Never had a suicide on the tracks before. Coffee and paperwork tonight.
Her business concluded Cora now headed back to the diner.