Things became more at ease between the two friends after that night. Jessie agreed to meet Tobias the following morning, leaving Edward happily in his garden. There was still an ounce of guilt in her heart for him, but she surpassed in and walked to the gates to greet Tobias.
"Don't you want to come in?" He looked down, shuffling his feet.
"Well, I've already seen your home."
"Yes, but I just wanted to know if you were thirsty, or…" She then nodded. "Alright, I get it." And with that she started walking down the street in the direction she assumed Tobias wished her to go to.
"Hey, wait a minute."
"Wait for what? I assume you wanted to go somewhere."
"Well, yes, but you seem distressed."
"Distressed? I'm not distressed. Merely more knowledgeable."
"In what way?" She turned sharply.
"You don't like Edward."
"Don't like him? Jessie, it isn't a matter of liking him, it's-"
"Yes?"
"It's a matter of…disbelief."
"You've had time to become used to it, Tobias. It took me less than a few minutes to get over the shock."
"I still wonder how you can live in such danger."
"Edward would never hurt me."
"Yes, but, Jessie, you can never be certain."
"I've lived there since I was fourteen, Tobias. He hasn't hurt me yet and won't still."
"All things come to an end, Jessie."
"You're far too pessimistic for my tastes today."
"Jessie," he began, holding her by the shoulders and stopping her short. "Look, I like you, and I just don't want you to be hurt. At all." She smiled.
"I like you too, Tobias. We've become great friends, maybe even more, so why would I risk that with someone dangerous?" He sighed.
"Fine," he resolved. "If you say so. I'm not going to give up, though."
"It sounds like you just did."
"No, I didn't."
"You did." He gave a resigned exhale.
"I can see I'm never going to win an argument here with you."
"No. And I must say, I've missed a heartily argument." It was true. Edward never liked to argue. Jessie didn't either, but sometimes there was only one way to relieve yourself of pent up energy.
Tobias did not seem to have much planned, and so Jessie grew weary quickly. She assumed that Tobias had decided to take advantage of her disposition, and took pleasure in allowing her to hold his hand. Even as they walked, Jessie knew this, but decided not to confront him about it. The day was over much quicker than either had anticipated, and so found that they arrived back at the gates of the mansion before they expected. They turned to each other, looking at each other for a moment.
"Well," Tobias said, "I should get going now."
"Are you sure you don't want a drink or anything?"
"No, I think I'll survive." Jessie's look became more fierce for a second. Tobias seemed to her to cower slightly. Or, at least, she hoped.
"I already told you, he-"
"Is nothing to be afraid of, I know. And I'm not afraid of him." She pushed his shoulder slightly.
"Don't lie. You're petrified of him."
"No, not at all."
"What if I told you that he was coming along at this moment?"
"What would it matter to me?"
"Because he is dangerous," she said mockingly. "A hazard to your health. A combination of all your childhood fears. Everything that is different in the world."
"You're being silly, now."
"Am I? It is exactly what you thought when you first saw those hands. For all you know it is what I saw when first I saw him as well."
"You seem to be attempting mind reading."
"And is it working?"
"Very slightly." He sighed, and turned to leave.
"Wait, Tobias?"
"Yes?"
"When last we were united, you did not happen to kiss me in the way that you first wished." He smiled.
"You so quickly assume I want to kiss you now."
"Don't you?" There was a pause, in which time Tobias moved forward towards Jessie's lips. When they did meet, Jessie took in the kiss. It was a kiss, there was no escaping that. But that was the final. It was nothing more than a kiss. As it took place, Jessie contemplated on what to do next. It seemed as if forever had taken place, and not a thing was left to fill the time, and so she pulled away. Tobias held an almost disappointed look on his face, which made Jessie smiled.
"Until tomorrow, Tobias."
"Yes," he said, turning and leaving. "Tomorrow." Jessie watched as he left her to herself, and then opened the gates to the mansion. It seemed almost as if years had gone by since she had last stepped through the doors, and welcomed the dusky smell that hit her as she entered. Inhaling deeply, she looked about her.
"Are you there, Edward?" Her immediate attention was drawn to the garden, but there was no one there. Still she did not pay attention to the newest artwork he had made, and instead trod the stairs up to the attic.
"Are you there?" There was no longer a figure in the corner, but instead a man standing by the empty fireplace, blades twittering. Jessie moved towards him.
"Hello," he said as he hand reached out to his shoulder.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm always here."
"Yes, but I usually find you somewhere else."
"I can leave if you want."
"No, not at all, I'm not implying that, I'm just commenting." She turned to look into the fireplace. Jessie realised she never had done such a thing. She laughed lightly. Edward seemed quite shocked to see her do so.
"What's funny?"
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something." Her laughter was cut short as she finally looked at what was in the fireplace. There were different newspaper cuttings. On closer inspection, she saw one of a boy born without eyes. A young girl who had her feet mutilated in a fire. An elderly man without legs.
"Oh, Edward…" There were no more words to say. Then, quite suddenly, Edward's bladed right hand reached out and scraped down the centre of one of the pages. Then another. Then another. Quite soon he was making confetti out of the newspaper trimmings.
"Edward, what are you-?"
"I'm getting rid of them," he replied calmly. His scissors were still at work cutting up the pieces of paper, and Jessie realised why.
"Edward, no, you can't do this. There's absolutely nothing wrong with-"
"There is."
"No, there's nothing wrong with it, Edward. Please, listen to me." She grabbed at his arms, trying to stop them. He slowed down, and eventually stopped. Panting slightly, he dropped his blades to the floor, crouching down as if to regain breath. Jessie brought herself down to his level and looked into his eyes.
"Listen to me, Edward," she said sternly. "There is absolutely nothing, I repeat nothing, wrong with you."
"Jessie, what are your hands made out of?"
"Well, flesh, but-"
"And what are mine made out of?"
"Scissors," she said quietly.
"Scissors. And what are Tobias's hands made out of."
"Why must you talk about him, Ed-"
"What are they made out of?"
"Flesh."
"Say it again. What are mine made of?"
"Scissors," she repeated, her voice cracking.
"Scissors. I'm not like you, Jessie. I'm not like Tobias."
"But that doesn't mean that there's anything-"
"Jessie, there is. I'm not normal. I'm strange. I'm dangerous. I'm-"
"No," she said firmly, attempting a fierce stature of aggression over him. "You're not dangerous. You're anything but dangerous."
"I am."
"Edward," said Jessie, tears now running down her cheeks, her voice shaking with rage and sadness, "if you believe so truly that you are a monster, a dangerous creature of any sort, then cut me now. Right here, on my cheek, or my arm, or anywhere. Pierce my skin and I will let you win your argument." Edward raised his arm, but paused in mid air. The blade lay inches away from Jessie's pale cheek, and hovered in anticipation. He contemplated her features, much more solemn in her teary state. Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears, and her lips quivered. Edward dropped his arm.
"I can't."
"Then believe me. You are not dangerous." His blank face did not change as he said:
"Tobias doesn't think that."
"What do you care about Tobias?"
"I don't. But you both agreed it." She froze.
"What?"
"Outside you said that I was dangerous."
"Oh, Edward, you don't think I meant that, did you? No, I was simply being sarcastic."
"But you did say it."
"Yes, but that was only because…"
"Because?"
"Because it wasn't true."
"Then why did you say it?"
"It was sarcastic, Edward. I was merely saying what he might have thought as a joke."
"I don't see how it was funny." Jessie laughed, wiping away her tears.
"No, I suppose it wasn't. Look, if I'd have known you could hear me, I'd never have…hurt your feelings."
"They're not hurt."
"You promise?" He motioned something vaguely at his chest.
"Cross my heart."
