Quikie-note I: This chapter's for Christine, for without her, this chapter wouldn't be up.
Quikie-note II: "One Last Breath" is a beautiful song by Creed and it just seemed to fit the topic of this chapter. I personally recommend the song as a good download.
A few weeks passed. One morning in late November, when the owls arrived at breakfast, Ana, Kate, Ron, Hermione, and Harry all received identical letters. They looked at each other, and Kate spoke up.
"I'll open mine first, and if it's a bomb, I'll be the first to die." They nodded in agreement. She opened it. Nothing happened. Her face fell as she read the contents, however.
"What's wrong?" Ana asked. "What is it?"
"You have to read it for yourselves." Kate said, hanging her head.
Ana opened her letter.
Dear Ana,
Happy Thanksgiving. I realize that this means nothing to you as you don't celebrate it. In America, Thanksgiving is day to give thanks for everything in our lives. I just want you to know that I thank God every day to have you in my life. God bless you and happy Thanksgiving.
Love always, your friend,
Ebony J. Snape
Ana looked up.
"Don't you feel like the lowest thing on the planet now?" Kate asked.
"Most definitely." Ana agreed.
Harry smiled. Deep down they all deserved it. They never let her explain about lying. He looked down the table to where Ebony was sitting. She smiled at him.
Long after she had turned away, Harry stared at her. She was different now. She'd become quiet and more reserved. Her eyes had lost the icy fire they once held. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days, if not weeks.
Later, that evening after dinner, in their dorm, Kate decided to break the silence.
"Um... Ebony." She said quietly.
Ebony's head shot up. She hadn't had someone talk to her in a month. She gently put her book down and turned towards Kate.
"Did you call me?" She asked softly.
Kate nodded. "I have a question."
"Shoot."
"On Halloween, you said you had a good reason to lie to us. I just want to know, was it a very good reason?" Ebony nodded. "If... if it's not too much trouble... would you tell me that reason?"
Ebony took a deep breath, as if preparing herself for a test or her own execution, whichever came first, and began. "In September, my parents..." She paused, collecting herself. "My parents were murdered." She blurted out quickly. "No one knows who did it, yet... My uncle was worried that they'd come after me, too, so he changed my last name..." She trailed off. Tears were starting to form in her eyes. "I... I just never told you guys because... I don't know. I'm so sorry." Ebony said, hanging her head
"Ebony. I'm the one who should be sorry. I had no idea." Kate said, putting a hand on hers. Kate looked up and realized that Ebony was crying and pulled her in for a hug. "It's all right. Calm down."
"I miss them so much..." Ebony said, sobbing on Kate's shoulder.
Kate eventually calmed Ebony down, and they both fell asleep. Around midnight, however, an alarm clock went off.
Ebony awoke to its sound and quickly shut it off. She looked around to make sure no one was watching, and she snuck out of the dorm. She traveled down the hall towards the girl bathroom. Once she was inside, she sat down and began to write a letter.
I reach out my hand into the darkness for a friend
No one is there
Only the inky blackness takes my withered limb and holds it tight
I cry, now, on the shoulder of the Night that rubs my back with wind and sends fresh kisses to caress my battered face
Paradoxical that my only hate become my only friend
The knife now in my hand but to use it I know not why nor how
I understand not you nor your ways
Nor you mine which be the reason of my demise
Irony that my only downfall become my only successor
Blood now fill my sight
As my tired, forsaken body fall soundly in the Night
The Darkness, once enemy, now comforter and new-found friend, embraces me once more
Holding me tighter than before
My eyes won't open
Breath now become short
The black of Night seemed so sweet and warm and trusting before
Only to Satan now I see has it led me
The sun doesn't shine this way
One more breath I dare to take
The Angel takes me and my body is caught in eternal sleep
Forever in the Night
No rhyme nor reason have I left for this tragic act
Just a cold, empty shell encased in blood in the darkness of the Night
Dear Uncle Severus,
Let me start by saying that I'm sorry it had to end like this. I don't want to hurt you of all people, but I can't go on living. I can't go on with the heartache that lives inside me anymore. Between Charlene killing herself, to Rex always being high on weed, to mom and dad being killed. I can't live with it all anymore. Please leave this poem as my last words. Again, I'm sorry.
Your loving niece,
Ebony
She put the letter down beside her and she removed a knife that had been hidden in her pajamas. Keeping her eyes wide open and concentrated, she ran the knife along her wrist, cutting a perfect, vertical line from palm to elbow. She repeated the action on the opposite arm.
Then, realizing that the letter would be dripped on, she moved it with her foot. It would be hard enough for her uncle to read that, he didn't need to see her blood dripped all over it as well.
Ebony sat there for a while, watching the crimson blood flow from her arm. There was nothing left to do but wait. She stood up and walked over to the window and smiled. All the stars were twinkling brightly in the heavens and a full moon shone. Growing tired, she trudged back to her original spot, laid down, and quickly fell asleep.
