The woods no longer held any sense of comfort since that night. With no more income, I found odd jobs around town. The most consistent was the Beddor family. They had many servants, so it was not a hardship to find a job within their estate. I usually stayed in their gardens tending to the flowers. Even without the forest they brought me some peace. I tried to stay up-to-date on the Archeron family, but it hurt to see them move on with their lives without their youngest. Even amidst the pain, I kept in contact to keep the flame of hope alive. I refuse to believe that she is dead because I knew in my soul that she was still alive.
My life turned into a monotonous existence. After months I woke up, went to work, and then dreamed of Feyre achieving all her dreams. I pictured her dancing under the starlight with a smile on her face. She always danced with a handsome stranger that looked at her as if she was starlight incarnate. The guilt I felt after Nesta told me I killed her still ate me alive. Sometimes I wish it was me that was taken. I had nobody left to mourn me. Not that Feyre did either. My heart shuddered every time I hear the parties being held in the mansion across town. I shook the depressing thoughts from my head and went to get up for work. It was midnight, but I was in charge of stoking the fires while the Beddor's slept.
As I walked into the house I knew something was off. The air was tense and thick. An overwhelming feeling of dread filled me when I ventured further into the house. The only light was coming from the family room. I walked in and saw the family that has given me a chance again being held by vile creatures made from nightmares. "What is going on?" I asked and in an instant, they turned towards me. The grins on their faces seemed to spread. However, in the midst of the room was the handsome stranger from my dream. Was he real? What is happening?
The handsome stranger swaggered forward and the peaceful look from my dream was replaced with a sneer. "We are looking for Clare Beddor, my lady. You wouldn't happen to know where she is." I quickly surveyed the room and Clare was standing closest to the door leading to the gardens. Her family spread throughout the room in various states of dress. It looks like Mrs. Beddor was taken from bed. Her nightclothes was bloody and ripped. Where were these the men who took Feyre? Would they lead me to her? Even if it meant my death I needed to find her again. She was my best friend, my sister, my family.
The wind brushed past my face from the open back door and I could feel the chill all the way down to my bone. However, that did not stop the smile from spreading on my face. As I reflect on my last eighteen years of life, I can't help but feel grateful for all the memories I do have. The good, the bad, and the ugly moments in my life have led me to where I am today. Sacrificing my life for another, just like she did for me. Just like she has done for her sisters, who seemed to have forgotten the lifetime of sacrifices she made for them. "I'm Clare Beddor. I am the one you are looking for." With those words, my life has ended. Especially, as I watched the house burst into flames and the very lives I was trying to protect ended up scattered across the world in devastating ashes.