"It's still just a light fever," I said. While my thirteen-year-old daughter, Allie, rested on top of her bed covers, I laid a cool, soaked towel on the forehead on her red face.

Allie, with her green eyes like mine, stared out the window and into a cool summer evening from our third-story apartment. "Light fever for a week and a half. Viola, why-"

"Mom."

"If I call you mom, will you take me to the doctor?"

I clicked my tongue. Kids these days thought only of themselves and made mountains out of molehills. Humans had a lot of resilience. I, the former forest witch Ellen, dealt with the pain of sickness for centuries before I stole Viola's young body a couple decades ago, but I still lived. However, I'd have lied if I said Allie's illness didn't give me pause. Her oft-occurring fevers never lasted this long. "I'll consider it."

Allie tugged on the short sleeve of a long, pink dress with white polka dots. "Aunt Dianne says I should go."

I wanted to retort that "Aunt" Dianne was a low-class member of society but decided against it. I instead stroked her hair, a shoulder bob like mine but chestnut like my husband's. If Allie inherited my golden hair, she would've resembled too much like the younger Viola for my taste.

The front door creaked open in another room. My husband, Mark, walked into Allie's bedroom, his bowtie undone and the top button of his collar shirt loosened. We duly kissed. "How's Allie?"

"Please tell 'mom' to take me to the doctor."

Mark frowned at me. "Honey…"

I shot him my sharpest look; I wore this nice blue dress with a layered skirt and sash for a reason. "You know I'm on the fair's Planning Committee. I don't have time to schedule an appointment at the drop of a hat. The doctor will just order some rest like usual and wait for it to clear."

Mark ran a hand through his wavy hair. "Sorry."

Allie pounded the mattress. "I hate this! It's summer break, but I'm stuck here! What's so important about Viola's dumb Committee?"

I wanted to shake Allie to her senses. I needed to ensure everyone viewed us as the pillars of our community, which meant extra work for me, but no matter how many times I explained it, she always came up with some contrite response. "You know it's an important job."

"But it's voluntary. Vol. Un. Ta. Ry!"

Mark scratched his head. "I think I should be able to take leave."

I shot him another sharp look. My daughter did the same to me.

"Dear, you're sure?" I asked. "Wouldn't your boss frown if you suddenly decided to take off from work? I don't want you to cause trouble."

"I…" He glanced at me, then Allie. "Yeah. I think I should."

I tapped my foot.

Allie grinned. "Hey mom, if dad can do it, so can you."

I pinched her shoulder, then she brushed my hand, but Allie had a point. If Mark, with the paid job, took leave instead of me, who held a volunteer job, that would've given me a terrible appearance. "I'll take her."

"Honey, I'm also worried about her. I'm even hearing some concern from my coworkers. I know you don't like it, but I'd feel reassured if the doctor says this is nothing serious."

"Alright."

The next day, we took Allie to our family doctor.

A heavy man in a long, white lab coat that matched his receding white hair frowned. "Poor Allie, it still hasn't cleared?"

I patted Allie's shoulder. "Could you please take a look?"

The doctor went through a checkup and asked Allie questions between small talk. I wished the world had more polite doctors like him, unlike the one I had from my time as a witch. He wrote an address on a piece of paper and handed it to my husband.

"Who's this?" asked Mark.

"Bloodwork specialist."

"Is it that serious?"

"Allie's health deserves top priority."

Allie exaggerated her nods in my direction. This child!

We visited the specialist, who returned the result a few days later to our doctor in a small, tidy office.

A doctor's solemn face never held a good omen. "You three should have a seat."

"What's wrong?" asked Mark.

"It saddens me to say this, but your daughter has cancer. I fear it may be too late."

"What!?"

I gasped.

My daughter covered her mouth.

"There's a couple options. First, you can try fighting back with the novel radiation therapy. It may be unpleasant for Allie. She may develop fatigue and skin reactions over time. And as caregivers, you two are also in for a lot of stress on time and wallet."

"That brutal?" asked Mark. "What other options do we have?"

"We make her final days as pain-free as possible."

I sighed. "I think we should opt for the palliative care."

Mark and Allie glared at me.

"What are you two expecting? It's a massive gamble for low odds of a half-decent outcome. This new radiation therapy sounds like something only the rich and desperate can pursue."

Allie tugged Mark's hand. "Please don't abandon me."

"Look," I said. "I'm not abandoning you!"

Mark hugged Allie and turned to me. "Honey, isn't it our duty as parents to help our child? Shouldn't we invest in whatever it takes?"

"I'm not saying the doctor is lying about a cure, but we have to pick the most pragmatic option." From personal experience, I knew the world cared little for the appearance of sickliness. Their caregivers came to resent the patient. Why did I have to walk into a train that barreled my direction?

My husband gripped Allie's shoulder. "And what good is holding onto our current lives and money if we lose a precious person?"

"Yeah," said Allie. "Viola, I don't think you don't even love me. You're always thinking about yourself. Actually, I bet you can't wait to get rid of me."

I gripped my head.

"Allie," said Mark. "Please don't talk to your mother like that."

At last, he said something sane.

She pouted. "Hmph. Just when I thought you'd finally take my side."

I spoke to the doctor. "I apologize that you had to watch our squabble. We need more time."

"Whatever you all decide, I pray that Allie can live peacefully."

We returned home in silence and tucked Allie to bed for the afternoon. As expected, she smiled at her father and shooed her mother. For all this illness, how did she find the strength to push me aside?

"Honey-" said Mark.

I put up my hand. "I need some air." And a break from this traitor. He vowed to love me forever but did this to me.

Outside, I walked a lap on the sidewalk around our apartment and kept my distance from the stench-filled garbage piles on the street curb. But I wanted the silence, a respite from noisy fools.

A crow cawed from a window sill.

"Shush." I half-expected it to spite me and shriek.

The crow landed a short distance in front of me and laid from his beak a little cloth bag with some bottles. "Rude as ever."

My eyes widened.

"Even living with other humans for a couple decades did nothing for your manners."

"You're…the crow demon?"

"And you're the forest witch. Glad to see my patient up and about."

"You didn't cure me."

"Kept ya alive, didn't I? Only the cat was allowed to cure ya. Wrung ya dry, he did."

Part of me wanted to ask how the black cat was doing, but the other part of me that wanted to bury my past won. "What do you want?"

"Just dropping by between business." The crow flicked the bag with a talon. "Noticed your daughter was ill. For a while, actually."

"And I bet you wanted to cure her in exchange for some souls."

"Maybe."

"Forget it. I'm not making deals with you demons ever again."

"Oho, harsh words. I thought our customer service was flawless."

"Might want to recheck your attitude."

"Eh."

I turned and walked.

"Rotten like your mother." The crow cawed and picked up the bag.

My memory of my mother, from the time before I became a witch, grabbed me. I turned to the crow. Despite her fuzzy, vague image, I still made out her decadent dress and spotless white shoes. "What? What did you just say?"

"Nothing. Smell ya!" The crow flapped his wings.

"Wait. I said, WAIT!"

The crow fluttered low over the ground in long hops.

I growled under my breath. My heeled shoes clacked as I approached.

"Thought ya wanted nothing to do with me."

"I know you're provoking me, but I won't let that pass unchallenged. Why, exactly, are you comparing me to that horrible woman?"

"Cuz you're both happy to let your kids die. In fact, you're worse; your mother never had a chance to get her hands on a straight-up cure. So much for the bonds of flesh-and-blood."

If any other salesman picked a fight like the crow, I'd have slammed the door. However, maybe I should at least listen to this offer. I reserved the right say no and spit on him. "Fine. What do you propose?"

"Interested? I'll sell ya the perfect cure for Allie." The crow puffed his chest. "Human medicine will never match my skill."

"How 'perfect' is this cure of yours?"

"No cancer, no side effects, just like she never had it. Can't ask for a better product."

"But you want souls."

"Yep."

"That's impossible."

"Even though you have centuries of practice?"

"As a witch, I only required the snap of my fingers. But right now, I'm a human. In case you haven't noticed, humans have laws against killing. I got caught and jailed for the one murder I did commit."

"What's a whole life for your daughter in exchange for five years?"

"It was only five because I barely managed to frame my father and pass myself off as an accomplice. And I was still a child."

"Tell ya what: I'll sell it for a guarantee of three souls."

"Three?"

"Nice discount for a premium product. And if it gets too dangerous, you're allowed to void the deal."

I put a finger on my chin. In this modern age, humans had greater mobility. If I procured the souls outside my community, I'd be safe from arrest. In the worst-case scenario, I even held the right to stop.

"And I want a soul guaranteed per week over three weeks."

"What!? That's ridiculous. Why attach such an unfair condition?"

"I wanna make sure I'm getting something for the effort it takes to brew this cure. If you're grumbling, think of it this way: Allie's in poor shape. Delay too much and she's dead. Medicine can heal many ailments, but it can't revive a corpse. And you needed a lot of prodding just to have a doctor look at your ill child."

"You're exaggerating. But if the timeframe is so aggressive, why does it have to be three souls?"

"Cuz you're capable of finding three. I had a chance to review your current life as a human, and I have a good idea of who's gonna be my dinner."

"Who?"

"Why spoil the fun? Anyway, that's the contract. Take it or leave it."

"Fine, I accept."

"First soul's due by the end of this week." The crow cawed, picked up the bag, and fluttered into the sky.

I stared at my hands. Could I get away with three murders? I returned home as I cycled through the people I knew. Come to think of it, I did have an easy target: a rich lover from another city who I saw from time to time.

"You're back," said Mark.

"How is Allie?"

"She's okay, for now." He took a deep breath. "Honey, I'm sorry for arguing with you earlier about Allie's care, it's just…"

I nodded. He should be sorry! "Listen. I'm going to look around for a loan that'll help fund the radiation therapy." Behold, the greatest magic in my repertoire: lies.

His mouth turned into a smile. "Really!?"

"So, I'll be out of town tomorrow to meet someone I know who might be able to recommend a loan." The timing of my scheduled meeting couldn't be more convenient.

His smile faded. "You're meeting someone? Who?"

"He used to be a business partner for the Committee."

"But do you need to be out of town?"

"Yes."

The floor creaked as Allie trudged half-awake. "Dad? Viola?"

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I woke up and heard you two talking. If dad's working and you're out, who's taking care of me?"

"Aunt Dianne," I said. "She'll take care of you, like always."

"Fascinating," said Allie. "How does that work when she's still out of town?"

"Ah…" The one time I needed Dianne, she happened to be away. Partying with some hoodlums on her vacation, I'd bet.

"Honey, wouldn't it be better to cancel the trip and stay home? I'm sure he'll understand."

"No, dear, it's…it just wouldn't work."

Mark turned to Allie. For a second, he opened his mouth, as if to say something. He then turned to me. "I really think you should stay home."

I blinked. "What?"

"Allie needs someone by her side. Honey, we need to take better care of her health."

But I already thought about her health. I needed to kill my lover to pay for her medicine. I sighed. "Sure. I'll cancel it." I'd deal with their outrage later after I went out. Time might not heal all wounds, but it can blunt the intensity.

Mark smiled. "Thank you."

Allie nodded. "Yeah, mom. Thanks."

Mark left for work the next morning. Soon after, the low rumble of an engine arrived from the corner of the street. I grinned.

The blanket ruffled as Allie sat straight up. "What's that?"

"My business partner is here. We're going to talk outside for a bit so that we don't disturb you. Go. Back. To. Sleep."

She raised an eyebrow. "Wait."

I left the apartment with a twirl and hurried to him. A man with slicked-back black hair and dressed in a dark-green suit got out of a black Model T and kissed my hand. I covered my smile as a shiver ran up my neck.

"Ellen! How are you?"

"I'm glad to see you again, Oliver."

"I promised to see you more often. How about visiting my city today?"

"I'd love to." I ignored my apartment window behind me and got inside the car. The seat made a nice flump sound.

Out of the city and into the countryside. Oliver drove through large grassy plains and farmlands. Although we lived in a nice part of the city, the clean air reminded me of the witch's house.

"Ellen, you know I love you."

"Mhm."

"I wish I could spend more time with you."

"I can't. You know I'm married."

"But is your current life perfect?"

No, but I said nothing.

"Whatever you want, I can give it to you."

Oliver loved me from the bottom of his heart. Mark forgot how to show affection, but I knew Oliver wouldn't let me down. If I eloped with Oliver, I could have whatever I wanted and start over. Did I have to return for an angry husband and daughter?

A few hours passed. We drove into another city, then arrived at a gated community and passed another car. Oliver waved. "That's my friend. We can all afford a car if we wanted one, but a number of us aren't frequently driving."

"I bet it's also easier to let someone drive you."

He smiled. "I also asked him to return you home for me."

I liked these houses. Everything had a nice coat of paint and well-trimmed gardens. Unlike the garbage piled on the curbside on my block, this area's waste management kept the litter almost invisible, and I enjoyed a fresher scent of grass and flowers.

The inside of his home held several paintings and antiques. A cabinet contained colorful bottles of alcohol. I drew a line with my finger on a smooth, polished table. "I don't even see dust."

"I have a maid. Every few days, I invite a chef to cook something luxurious. My friend also taxis them."

"My! I knew you're well-off, but to have all this domestic help, I envy you."

"But it's lonely to have a lot of money to myself. I work long hours and come home to a near-empty house. Except for the cook, I don't have anybody waiting for me."

He might as well be imprisoned inside his own witch's house. I held his hand. "Nobody should have to live alone."

"Thank you." Oliver led me into the dining room. We took a seat next to each other in two carved wooden chairs with soft cushion. A bottle of wine sat on the table with a couple glasses, but the dessert caught my eye. White and crumbly soft, glazed red and topped with a strawberry.

I leaned closer and sniffed the sugary scent. "This is too fresh for a bakery."

"I asked the chef to bake strawberry shortcake." He uncorked the bottle and poured red wine with a fruity aroma. "Moscato d'Asti."

We clinked glasses. After a sip, I took slow bites and let each piece melt in my mouth. However, Oliver focused his attention on me and his wine glass.

"What's wrong?"

He finished his glass. "Wouldn't it be nice if we could live together like this?"

"It would." I poked a piece of cake, then set the fork. "Can I pour you another?"

"Oh…sure…but…"

"I'm grateful for the chance to spend time with you." I poured and pecked him on the cheek.

Oliver's face became a brighter shade of wine as he grinned and took another drink.

After one more glass for him, I retrieved a knife from a drawer in the kitchen. Did I have to go through with this murder? Why shouldn't I abandon my old life for this man? These moments embodied the perfect life I imagined for myself!

The memory of my mother, who abandoned me for her apparel that had cost money once beyond my imagination, stood before me.

A moment of queasiness ruptured my stomach, but then I returned and slit Oliver's throat. He covered his neck, then fell to the floor.

Something tapped on a window nearby. I opened the window for the crow.

"Not bad," said the crow. He settled before Oliver's corpse. "The despair of betrayal in his final moments…this'll be tastier than anything you made in the witch's house. Two more to go."

I left the room with a hand over my stomach. I suspected I'd feel worse if I saw the crow's demon form as he dined.

I instructed the taxi driver to return me at a spot back in my own city that would take about thirty minutes to walk home. I returned before evening, but Mark and Allie waited in their seats at the kitchen table. They frowned. Glad to have their support.

""Viola,"" they said.

"Good evening."

"Why?" asked Mark. "Why did you leave Allie by herself?"

"I told you, I had important business with that man. Unfortunately, he couldn't help."

"You promised not to leave Allie alone!"

"We were away longer than I thought."

"You needed a whole day to talk with that man?"

Meh. I shrugged.

"This is important! How could you do this?"

I folded my arms. "Sorry. But Allie managed to take care of herself, right?"

She stuck out her tongue. "Well, duh. And I don't want you near me anyway,"

""Allie!""

She folded her arms and turned her head.

"Anyway," I said. "I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you, dear?"

"Something else you want to wiggle out of?"

"Look, I really am sorry. It's just that this was important."

"Then…for starters, tell me everything you talked about with him."

"What?"

"To spend such a long time together, was it more than just business?"

I walked out. Not in the mood to talk about offing my lover, and I doubted that my words would've cleared my husband's suspicions.

Mark followed. "No way, were you actually…do you even care about this family?"

"Look, I said I was sorry. I broke it off with him. You two are the most important people in my world. I really, really want to make it up to you and Allie. I'm sorry."

He leaned against the wall. "We should come to an agreement on certain things moving forward."

"Such as?"

"We pursue the radiation therapy."

Once my contract with the crow ended, the therapy wouldn't be of any concern. "Okay."

"One more thing: a curfew."

"What!?" I needed to find more opportunities to kill, not a limit of movement! "What about my Committee work?"

"What's a volunteer job compared to our marriage?"

I rolled my eyes. Did he not see the value in possessing the community's admiration and respect? "Do you know how awkward it'll be for us?"

"What's awkward? Just say you're taking time off to care for Allie. Like a normal mother."

The rest of this week and the next remained for me to find another sacrifice, but scratch this week. If Dianne returned at the end of this week to resume looking over Allie, I still had one more. "Fine."

The next afternoon, I wondered how far the rules bended. I hated the idea of another confrontation with the family, but I wanted to weigh my capability to scout the next kill.

"I'm heading out," I said.

"Why?" asked Allie. She put her hands on her cheeks and grinned. "Another romantic excursion?"

Ignore her, ignore her, ignore her. "Just groceries. Please don't tell your father."

"Ignoring the part where you're not supposed to leave me alone, it's almost curfew. You sure you'll return before him? I love it when he scolds you, but I'd rather he not be stressed."

"We'll be fine. Be good and be quiet."

At the store, I purchased some apples. As I carried the paper brown bag, I encountered the Committee head, a pudgy-faced woman with short, brown hair twisted into a small bun, and a yellow dress. "Good afternoon, Ruth."

"Why, Viola!" said Ruth. "Good afternoon! I apologize for asking about this on your own time, but how's the budget forecast I asked for coming along?"

I forced a smile. "Great."

"Must be tough being reliable. You've got a lot of work on your plate, haven't you?"

"I manage."

"And how's Allie? Last I heard a couple weeks ago, it was just a light fever."

"Ah…the doctor just suggested some more rest. I've been taking care of her."

"You're balancing Allie's care and Committee duties? Oh my, I had no idea. Should I relieve you from some of the workload? It's about to get busy."

"No! We'll be fine. But I might have to do some work from home."

Ruth frowned. "If you say so."

I said goodbye and hurried home. The sun had yet to set, but curfew had passed. The closer I approached, the slower I walked. For a moment, I thought about Oliver. I could've had a nice welcome home instead of an upcoming argument. I sighed and entered my apartment.

Mark greeted me the same way from when I returned from Oliver's home, and Allie wagged a finger at me from behind his back.

My husband folded his arms. "Where were you?"

I set the paper bag on the table. "Shopping. Why? Can't I run errands?"

"The whole point of the curfew was to ensure you weren't up to mischief. If you needed something, you should've asked me. Actually, putting that aside, you left Allie on her own again."

"It's not like she's on her final breath. Allie even said she'd be fine on her own."

"Hey!" said Allie. "Don't drag me into your mess!"

Mark shook his head and inspected the apples. "This isn't just about Allie's health; it's about trust!"

"Trust?" I asked.

"If I can't even rely on you to fulfill one simple request, why should I bother putting my faith in you?"

"This is how you want to build trust? By playing these little 'games' with me?"

"Maybe I shouldn't bother with this 'game' at all. Maybe I'm better off divorcing you."

Allie nodded.

My body shivered. Without Oliver as fallback, if Mark intended to divorce me, then my future would've collapsed. I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I acted without thinking. I'll take this week to take care of Allie until Dianne returns, then coordinate with her."

Mark shrugged.

The rest of the week passed without incident, or much word between my family and I. Some friction generated between my Committee colleagues and I over my lack of in-person availability, but we somehow accomplished our agenda for the week. We also started the radiation therapy for Allie; her fever went from persistent to on-and-off, although she appeared to develop fatigue sooner than expected.

However, the thought of where to find my next kill never wandered from my mind.

After the week passed, that short-haired flapper who flaunted a short, red dress and low neckline visited at evening. "Hey Vi," said Dianne.

"How's the trip?" I asked.

"Amazing. I hit the casino, won a fortune, then lost a fortune-and-a-half. More importantly, where's Allie? How's she doing?"

"She's in bed."

"Still with the fever?" She put her hands on her hips. "Please tell me you visited the doctor."

"We did. Cancer."

Dianne's mouth dropped.

"Mark and I have been taking care of her, and she's started this treatment called radiation therapy. We'd like your help. He has his work, and I have Committee duties."

Dianne shook her head. "That again." We walked to Allie's bedroom.

Allie sat up and beamed, like a weight lifted off her eyelids. "Aunt Dianne!"

She hugged Allie. "I heard the news. Cancer? At your age? That's the worst."

My daughter frowned. "You know, I wish you were my mother."

Dianne glanced at me with her own frown. "Vi…"

I gritted my teeth. "You're the most suitable for taking care of her."

"Gosh," said Dianne. "I'm torn between asking for a raise and helping out of pity. What does Mark have to say about all this?"

"He should be fine with it. Neither of us are really speaking to each other. I honestly don't think he cares."

"I'll help, but I want to hear his thoughts for myself. He'll be here shortly, right?"

After a few minutes of small talk, Mark arrived. "Hello Dianne. I hope you had a good trip."

"Thanks. I heard the terrible news about Allie. Do you mind if we took a few minutes to discuss business?"

He pinched his bowtie with such force that the veins on his hands turned visible.

Dianne chuckled. "You thought he was fine with it, huh."

"Hey," I said. "Why shouldn't we ask for help?"

Mark's face darkened. "I'll tell you. Allie's our child! You're supposed to keep an eye on her health!"

"And I've taken good care of her!" Forget the fact that I'm in a contract to earn Allie's cure for a moment. "Why can't you accept that I'm trying to balance multiple priorities?"

He threw his hands in the air. "Maybe I really should divorce you. I can't deal with this."

"You must be joking. You want to ruin our family?"

"Don't you dare pin this on me. I'm already the breadwinner. What about you?"

"I'm trying to make us look like upstanding citizens. My work is just as important. Can we just pay for the help and be done with this conversation?"

He sighed. "I'm so sorry that you have to see this, Dianne."

"I understand," she said. "I just hope Allie gets though okay."

"It's just that I preferred for my wife to spend time taking care of Allie."

I glared at Mark. But the three of us settled on an updated payment and schedule for Dianne's caretaking service.

Time slipped through my fingers as the second week passed. Every day I spent with Allie, I spent trying to come up with a way to find another sacrifice. But I found no plausible plan. Whenever Dianne looked after my daughter, my Committee work left me no time to think.

I could've picked easy targets like Dianne and Mark, but would it be worthwhile? Even if I somehow succeeded, the murder of either would upend our lives; everyone would look at the evidence and decide in their hearts that I was the culprit. How could I kill without ruining the future? I had no idea.

On the last day of the contract's second week, I cooked soup for Allie's dinner and set it next to her lamp table. As she sipped it without word or gesture, I left her alone, walked through the apartment hallway, and then stepped into the outside metal stairwell. I wanted cool air, but my skin almost froze when I noticed the crow perched on the stair rail against the sunset.

"Nice dinner," he said. "Where's mine?"

"I'm working on it."

"Real procrastinator, aren'tcha? Better work fast."

"Shoo."

The crow fluttered to the roof of a nearby building.

My husband returned. The metal stairs clanked with the same force as my heartbeats as he approached. He took one glance at me, then lowered his head.

No man should be this rude to his wife. "Welcome home, dear." I stood in front of the door to the apartment hallway.

He stopped but kept his gaze down. Did Mark expect me to step aside?

"Mark."

Still, he refused to face me. "We need to talk. Maybe here is better after all."

"Talk about what?"

"I decided to divorce."

My head burned. "What did you say?"

"This life we're living, it's not worth it. None of us are happy."

"You can't divorce! What about Allie?"

"I'll take care of her. I think she means more to me than you."

I thumped the doorframe. "You think my caretaking isn't a labor of love?"

"If it is, I just have a hard time believing it. I'm sorry."

That traitor! I might as well kill him! I stretched my arms.

He put forth a stopping hand. "Don't."

My husband thought I wanted to embrace him? Fat chance. I should kill him. No, I needed to kill him. Just one push. Should I? Part of me protested. No, I had to. I shoved him down the stairs.

He tumbled and grunted, then hit his head on the metal landing with a thud. A pool of blood gathered underneath his head.

I gasped. "Dear…?"

The sound of the crow's flapping spoke for my husband. "Thanks for dinner. Two down, one to go."

No…I didn't…I covered my mouth, then rushed into my apartment. I slammed the door shut and panted.

Allie lumbered from her room. "What's wrong?"

"Your father…he had a terrible accident on the stairs."

My daughter's eyes widened. She rushed to the door that led to the hallway, but I covered the door with my body. Allie grabbed one of my arms. Until she released it a couple seconds later, I thought we'd brawl. "Let me through. Please, mom."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, you can't."

"Why couldn't it be you?"

"Allie, wait!" My stomach knotted as she raced to her bedroom and slammed the door. I had always thought of myself as a superior mother, but my actions darkened Allie's life in a bleak world, a world like the one I lived in before I ever contracted a demon.

I remembered the time when I remained confined to bed with nothing but apathetic parents. I balled my hands. Never again; no matter what, I swore to do whatever it took to complete the contract and give her a brighter future.

The paramedic knocked on my door and delivered the tragic news. He folded his hands and bowed. "Ma'am, I'm so sorry about your husband."

I nodded.

"I know this is a sudden and difficult time, but I'd like to ask a few questions to gain a better understanding of the situation."

"Okay."

"Did you witness the moment of death?"

"No."

"Have there been any recent changes in his life?"

"Our daughter was diagnosed with cancer."

He winced. "I'm sorry to hear that. Did it affect your husband's life?"

"Well…the logistics of caring for her strained our marriage."

"Were there any other changes in his life? Did he have anything big planned?"

"No." I hoped Mark kept our family matters private.

"Thank you. We'll let you know if there are any other questions."

The next day, I opened the door to a man in a derby hat and suspenders. "I'm the detective assigned to investigate Mark's death. Are you Viola?"

Investigate? I gripped the doorknob. "Yes. May I help you?"

"I'm very sorry to hear about your husband's death. I questioned some of his coworkers and noted some unusual circumstances regarding his family life. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you and your daughter a few questions."

"What's going on?"

"The coroner wants to rule out the possibility of foul play for the cause of death."

I gulped. "Am I…being suspected?"

"Just routine questions for due diligence. Nothing to fear."

"Um…could we set up an appointment? To do it right now is just too much for me."

"I understand. When would be a good time?"

"Could I ask for two weeks from today, at about this time?"

"Certainly. By the way, this is unrelated, but would you happen to be familiar with someone around here named Ellen?"

My eyes widened. "No. Why?"

The detective tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "Another murder recently occurred. A scrap of paper on the victim's person suggested he planned to meet with someone by that name on this street about two weeks ago. This 'Ellen' is a person of interest in that case."

Thank goodness I hid my affairs. "I understand. No, there isn't anyone around here using the name Ellen who I'm aware of."

"Thank you." He tipped his hat. "Again, sorry to bother you during this difficult time. I wish the best for you and your family."

As I closed the door, Allie spoke. "Viola, did you…kill dad?"

I slowly turned. She leaned against a wall with part of her dress clutched in her hands. My voice took a hoarser tone than I desired. "I would never."

"Who was dad to you?"

"He was my love! How could you accuse me of such cruelty!?"

"Dad always acted like he was your puppet. Was he a broken toy to you? He became a hassle, so you decided to throw him away?"

"No! He listened to me because he loved me!"

"You have a weird definition of love."

"Isn't love supposed to be self-sacrificing?"

"And what did you ever sacrifice for him?"

I opened my mouth, but my mind blanked. There had to be something. I must be exhausted. Yes, dealing with the stress and this dramatic child must've depleted my energy.

"Aunt Dianne…" Allie covered her face. "She told me that she pitied us."

"For what?"

"That we have to put up with you."

That meddlesome woman! I covered my eyes with one hand and used the other to deliver a thump to the wall. "Aunt Dianne this, Aunt Dianne that! What makes her so special? I do just as good of a job at taking care of you, don't I? She's just paid to take care of you!"

"But when Aunt Dianne takes care of me, I think she genuinely wants to get along with me. I think she's genuinely worried about my health. More than you."

"You have no idea how hard I'm working for you."

"Hard at work ignoring me?"

"Enough. Go to your room."

She did. Why was this the one time my daughter did what I asked? "I wish Aunt Dianne was my mom. Being a mom is not whatever you think it means."

I winced as she slammed the door.

Thoughts of my mother intruded my mind. I whispered to myself. "I am a good mother. I am a good mother!"

The thoughts morphed into Mark.

"You're the one who betrayed me. You got what you deserved." Why did my throat become dry?

He vanished. Any more ghosts? Did the original Viola want a turn? No more takers? Good.

I downed a glass of water in the kitchen. I needed to calm down, reassess the situation, and take matters one step at a time. First, I only needed one more soul for the crow. Later, I'd have a chance to be prepared for any suspicion leveled against me for the murders. I still had a future.

However, my thoughts turned to Allie. Even if we never got along, I still wanted to try. But how? If Allie preferred Dianne, then even though I hated the no-good woman, I needed to ask Dianne to help me build a bridge.

On the next day of Dianne's scheduled caretaking, I waited inside my apartment until she arrived. She carried a metal pot.

Dianne set the pot on the kitchen table. "Vi…" She hugged me.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for your loss."

How long had it been since someone last hugged me from the bottom of their heart? This person, of all people? I smiled and returned the hug.

"It's not much, but I brought some soup. I thought you wouldn't be in much of a mood to cook over the next few days."

"Thank you."

"How's Allie doing?"

"It's tough on her."

"I see. Are you taking a break from your Committee duties? You're usually out and about before I get here."

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something before I left. You're on good terms with Allie, aren't you?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you please consider putting in a good word for me?"

Dianne put her hands on her hips and sighed. "What's going on now?"

"She doesn't trust me."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why?"

She stared at the ceiling. A dozen seconds passed. Was my question so hard? "I'm pretty sure she'd call me a liar."

"Dianne, you're the only one I can count on."

"Trust takes a long time to build. The first time I met Allie, I felt like she treated me with a distance."

"What if I paid you?"

Her mouth dropped. "What do you take me for?"

Good grief. Dianne should've only cared about money. How did she become so attached to someone else in a job so fleeting as caretaking? "What's your problem?"

"Have you looked at a mirror recently? You're wondering why Allie doesn't trust you, but the answer is staring you in the face. Not only would your little ploy backfire, I think she has the right idea to treat you with suspicion."

My own mouth dropped.

"If you need to be somewhere, you should get going."

"Someone like you has no right to speak like that to me. You're just a loose, undignified, rebellious woman. The trash heap of society." I pointed to the door. "Out. I don't need your services today."

"You don't need my services ever. I-" Dianne glanced in the direction of Allie's room, then rubbed her temples. "Fine. Since you just lost your husband, I'll even waive the cancellation fee today."

Good riddance. The metal pot made a loud clang as Dianne threw it a quick knock. She shoved open the door and stomped out.

Allie scampered into the kitchen. "Viola!? What just happened? Where's Aunt Dianne?"

"She's busy today." I glanced at the pot. "But she wanted to give us her condolences. I hope you like soup."

"I'm pretty sure I heard raised voices. What was that about?"

"Nothing much."

Allie rolled her eyes.

Give me a break; I suffered nothing but misery over these last several days. "We had a little argument about money."

"Uh-huh. Are you really the one who's taking care of me today?"

"Yeah."

Her shoulders slumped. "Oh."

"Allie, what's wrong?"

"I just…nothing."

I smiled. "You don't just slump your shoulders for no reason. What was that about?"

"I really wanted to see Aunt Dianne."

I approached her, but she matched me a step back. "Allie…"

She returned to her bedroom and closed the door. My heart ached.

Families and friends had their chance to pay their last respects to Mark three days later in the city's funeral home. I fretted much of the morning over whether or not Dianne would stress me with an appearance, but thank goodness she possessed enough wisdom to stay out of my sight.

Our room had soft, red carpeting, and dim lighting that cast an orange glow on the wall. Allie and I stood "together" between the coffin and a small desk with a large vase of fragrant roses. She kept enough distance that holding her hand would've been awkward; I told myself that she must've been fatigued from the radiation therapy. The guests offered their condolences: "sorry for your loss" for us and "hoping you get better" for Allie.

I had no relatives from my side of the family, although my husband's family appeared. They hugged Allie but kept their conversations with me curt as usual.

Ruth and her husband appeared and paid their respects. They said the same as the other guests, then mingled with some Committee colleagues. A smile spread across their faces.

Huh? "Allie, I'm going to talk with someone for a bit."

She shrugged. "I'm going to talk with my uncle."

I tapped Ruth's and her husband's shoulders, then smiled. As they turned, their smiles fell. Mine vanished with theirs. The colleagues excused themselves. "Am I interrupting?" I asked.

Ruth forced a new smile and nodded to her husband. "Why don't you go ahead and catch up with them?"

"Sure," he said.

"Ah…" I reached for his shoulder, but Ruth blocked my arm.

"Viola," said Ruth. "I know you're going through a lot. We don't want you to stress or worry, so I took the liberty of relieving you of your Committee duties.

What!? My eyes widened.

"You can work through your grief and take care of Allie without worrying about letting the team down."

"I think I'd feel better if I didn't deviate from routine. Actually, I needed to speak with your husband about the Committee's-"

Ruth cut my path with a step and kept her smile. "The Committee deemed relieving you for the time being to be in everyone's best interests."

"Did they really? Why wasn't I consulted? I feel fine. Really."

"Really? That's interesting." Even Ruth lost her smile again. A little unease crept in my stomach as she did. She muttered in my ear, "Yesterday, I happened to meet up with Dianne."

Heavier unease anchored in my stomach, and my shoulders stiffened. I glanced around, but nobody paid us any particular attention.

"Apparently, Dianne happened to stop by your apartment and brought some soup as a gesture of goodwill. From the sound of your reaction, you were in a foul mood. Perhaps, foul enough to kill."

"That's…"

"Ah, but we understand. After all, you're working through grief. On top of that, I'm sure you're also stressed over Allie's health; cancer takes a lot more than some 'rest' for recovery."

My throat constricted. Ruth bid me well and rejoined her husband. I wanted to confront them, but I feared the potential directions of that conversation. A shouting match in a funeral home? I'd never hear the end of that gossip. And what's with the indefinite banishment? I meant for my volunteer work meant to put our family, myself in particular, in a better light before the community. Instead, the community now thought of me as rotten?

I returned to the coffin and glared at my husband's body. Allie smiled as she chatted with her brawny uncle, and neither of them spared a glance in my direction. Did Dianne betray me to Ruth because that snake of a woman refused to put in a good word about me to my own daughter?

But I planned to have the last laugh. I couldn't wait to feed Dianne to the crow. If she cared so much for Allie, Dianne should be happy to die for her. I relaxed. Sweet, sweet karma.

Hold on. If I killed Dianne, wouldn't it be obvious that I murdered her? If anyone took the next step, why not tint my husband's death as a murder? I'd even be connected to Oliver!

I shook my head; I once escaped the consequences of a murder with my ingenuity long ago. Somehow, again…!

The afternoon on the last day of the crow's contract filled me with a sense of optimism. When Dianne knocked on the door, I even greeted her with a smile. "Thank you for coming. Please, come inside."

Dianne folded her arms. "I'm just here to pick up Allie for the walk."

"Wait, please. There's been some distance between us lately. I get it; I'm partly responsible."

She smirked. "Partly?"

I shrugged. Let Dianne have her fun. "I'm sorry. It's been rough for me lately. Anyway, since I'm staying home and taking care of Allie from now on, I don't have as many opportunities to talk with others. I know she wanted to take a walk with you through the park, and as I thought about it, I figured you and I should take a briefer walk on our own."

"Trying to mend relationships?" Dianne glanced in the direction of Allie's bedroom. "What about Allie?"

"I'd rather just have you and me."

"You don't want to include her? I think it'll be better with the three of us."

"The other day was a personal argument between you and me. I don't want to drag in someone else. And Allie hates my guts. My presence would just spoil today for her."

"If you feel that strongly, maybe we could reschedule the walk for the two of us? Today is a little tight for me."

"I'd rather we do it today. Please consider it a favor for me."

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Would you mind waiting for Allie and I to finish?"

"Sure. Would you please meet me at the graveyard once you drop Allie back here?"

"Are you sure that's okay? I don't know how long Allie and I will be, and I don't know if you should be leaving her alone."

"She'll be fine for a few minutes, and I wanted to visit my husband's grave, so I don't mind waiting. Besides, this is important."

Allie shouted from inside her bedroom. "I'm almost ready!" She then coughed.

I waved goodbye. "I'll take my leave, See you soon, Dianne."

Dianne patted my shoulder. "I'm sorry to make you wait. I'll hurry over once we're done."

With my back turned, I smirked.

I went to the graveyard and sat on my husband's thick tombstone in the cool weather with a large knife hidden on me. The crow flapped and landed in front of me, then laid a cloth bag with two vials, shaped like something I might've found in a perfume store.

"Heya," said the crow. "Last day, last sacrifice."

"Might one of those be the cure?"

The crow tapped the bottle with a clear liquid.

I pointed to the bottle with a bubbling green liquid. "And the other one?"

"For business."

Fair enough. The crow must've had other customers besides me, and it's not like I had any right to pry into his other dealings.

"Got a soul for me?"

"In due time. Unlike the last two, I'm looking forward to feeding you this one."

Time passed, so I took a walk around the graveyard as the crow watched from a short tombstone. By sunset, I tapped the bottom of my knife's handle against my husband's tombstone. Where was Dianne? No way could a walk with Allie take that long. Did Dianne forget? Blow me off? How befitting of such a useless woman. My taps intensified. Why, of all times, did something have to go wrong? No, she would arrive. Dianne wouldn't deny us this conversation.

Night arrived with a bright moon.

The crow trembled with what I suspected to be amusement. "I'm long-lived. Actually, so are you. These are just seconds to us."

I hurled the knife to the ground.

"This soul supposed to arrive late?"

"No! I mean, I expected a minor delay. But not to this extent."

"No soul, no cure."

"I know that! But she'll definitely arrive!"

"Humans can be fickle."

"I know she wants to be here!"

"With someone ill-mannered like you?"

"You really like picking on me." I picked up the knife and threw it at the crow. It missed as the crow fluttered to the top of a taller tombstone.

"True. By the way, I've been keeping an eye on your life drama. If everything went as planned, you'd be feeding me Dianne's soul."

"Stalker."

"Didja know? Dianne finished her walk with Allie. They're long-gone from the park."

"Are you serious?"

"Watched them on my way here."

I kicked my husband's tombstone. Dianne did blow me off! Why now!?

The crow trembled again. Yeah, definitely amusement. "Perhaps 'finished' wasn't the best word. 'Terminated' might be better."

"Huh?"

"You and your daughter should consider yourselves lucky. Allie managed to enjoy good health until now. At least, 'good' as she could be with her condition."

I shivered. "What happened to her?" If Allie died, then what of all my efforts!?

"Relax, will ya? Dianne took her to the hospital, so she's by your daughter's side. Unfortunately, without my cure, your daughter will pass shortly. Tomorrow morning, at best."

"She can still be cured, right?"

"With my medicine, perfectly. I wonder how you'll pay for it."

"Ah…"

"Gonna run into the hospital and stab Dianne with that knife? Should be a fun sight."

"Of course not. I'd be instantly caught, and Allie would disown me."

"Dianne might not leave her side tonight. Gonna find some random victim on the street and jump'em?"

"Too many things could go wrong. I told you when I made the contract, discreet murder is much harder nowadays."

"I don't mind ya narrowing down my menu, but I still wanna eat."

I gripped the back of my neck. "Could you wait a day or two and just give me the medicine?"

"Eh."

"I promise to pay you back. With interest, if that's what it takes. This was a completely unforeseen accident; I deserve a break!"

"Nah."

"You're too cruel! It's impossible for me to kill someone and get away with it on short notice!"

"Not cruel at all. I'm ready to fulfill my end of the bargain, so isn't this result because of your incompetence?"

"Ridiculous."

"Call it whatever you want. But if you can't guarantee a soul for me, I have no obligation to hand over the medicine under a reneged contract."

I dropped my head into my hands as bitter pangs welled inside me. But I relaxed as a thought occurred to me. "This was beyond my control. I did all I could to save Allie." That made me better than my mother. I never abandoned Allie to the very end. I won.

"Cute thoughts. If ignorance is bliss, blissful are the idiots."

"What am I possibly missing?"

"Tell ya what: there's a nifty loophole in the contract that works in your favor."

"A loophole that benefits me?"

"The moment you delivered the second soul was the moment you confirmed your ability to complete the contract."

"I don't understand."

"You can always guarantee your own soul."

I slid a hand over my chest. "My soul? Are you talking about suicide?"

The crow fluttered to the cloth bag on the ground and pecked the vial with the bubbly, green liquid. "This here is poison. I brewed this in a manner to delay your death by approximately an hour, but drinking it is confirmation that you'll die. Our contract just requires a 'guarantee' that I get three souls; you have wiggle room on the timing of delivery."

"Me? Die? Wait…did you know it would come to this? Is that why you made the contract so difficult?"

"Just some lighthearted payback for acting so uppity with me while you were the bedridden forest witch."

"You…"

"Allie's fate remains in your hands."

I stared at the poison bottle and the cure bottle. What if I grabbed the cure and fled? But maybe the crow had a countermeasure to prevent theft; maybe the cure's functioning magically depended on a completed contract. How tragic would it be to go through all the hassle I suffered, only to ruin it by my own hands?

Did I not have another potential victim? I racked my head, but nothing came to mind. I fought centuries to enjoy a hard-earned, normal human life that I now had to discard?

The memory of my mother smirked at me.

That did it. I clenched my hands. Once upon a time, I laughed at the people who died for stupid causes. But if this contract expired, I'd hate myself for the rest of my life.

"What'll ya do?"

"I'll drink it." I grasped the poison bottle and uncorked it. This scent! I held the bottle afar. This cursed bottle sneered with the same scent of freshly-baked bread and mother's perfume from the suicide potion that could've killed me during my time as the forest witch. "You really hate me."

"Just nostalgia."

My hands trembled as I put the bottle to my lips. Even though I said I'd hate myself if I forfeited the chance to surpass my mother, to kill myself was just…ugh. I closed my eyes and drank. Sugary, strawberry flavor? I cursed the crow.

"You have one hour to live. Meetcha at the hospital." The crow flew out.

The temperature on my skin dropped as I pocketed the cure bottle. Something nauseous rose through my throat; I vomited blood. My vision blurred, and my sense of balance unsteadied. Tombstone, fence, building, I leaned on them all for support as I made my way to the hospital. The few people I encountered on my way avoided me, and I ignored the one person who asked about my well-being. Somehow, I made it to the hospital's front desk and asked for Allie's whereabouts.

The blurry staffer eyed me, I thought, as I wobbled. "She's in Ward D, but are you sure you're feeling well?"

"Yes." I had no idea how to make it to Allie's room without help, and I didn't want the staff's pestering. "Actually, Allie should have a guardian with her: Dianne. Would you mind bringing her here for a second, please?"

"Certainly."

I took a seat as the taste of iron rose through my throat again. Absolutely not now! I forced myself to swallow.

"Vi!"

I made out Dianne's hazy figure.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't meet you at the graveyard, but Allie got sick. Actually, how did you even know to come here?"

"You didn't meet me and you weren't at my home with Allie, so I got worried."

"You've got good instincts. Are you okay?"

"No need to worry. Could you please take me to Allie?"

"Actually…well, I don't know how to put this. Allie doesn't want to see you right now."

Figures. "I'm her mother. I need to know if she's okay. This should be my right."

"I understand, but the staff will just throw you out if you two start an argument. The patient always wins those in a hospital."

"Can't you just take me there? I promise not to stir trouble."

Dianne bit her lip. "I don't want to discomfort Allie."

"Dianne, please!"

"Alright, but on the condition that I be present."

What would've happened if I trotted out the bottle, claimed it to be a miracle cure, and asked Allie to drink it with Dianne present?

"Vi?"

"I'm sorry, but I want to speak with Allie alone."

"I just said I don't want to discomfort Allie. I think your time with her will be smoother if I'm present."

"But I want to speak with her intimately. Mother and daughter. This is important to me."

Dianne hesitated.

Useless woman to the very end. What did I have to say to convince her? Did I need to cast aside my pride? "Dianne, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. I've been terribly rude. I'll even get on my knees if you want. Please…"

Dianne held my hand. "That badly…alright." She guided me and even caught me when I stumbled.

I waited for her snide remark.

"Are you okay?"

Maybe Dianne deserved more credit. "Yes."

"We're here."

"Thank you. You're a good friend." I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob as Dianne left. The next room might be my last.

A small, white room with a wooden floor awaited me. Except for a desk with red roses and an open window where the crow watched from the window sill as moonlight poured, the room offered nothing else of note. I counted six beds, all empty except for Allie. Where were the other patients? I wrinkled my nose; a couple metal buckets with what smelled like vomit greeted me. I forced myself to wait for the feeling of nausea to pass.

My daughter sat up, but I couldn't read her blurry face.

"Allie…"

"The grim reaper appeared! Do you know why they call this place Ward D? Because it's where the nurses keep the patients expected to die. Don't want to demoralize the general wards."

Grim reaper? What about an angel? I took the cure bottle from my pocket. "I brought medicine."

"Medicine."

I sat the bottle next to the roses and glanced at the crow. "Drink this, and it'll cure you."

"Since when did you ever care about me?"

"I always cared about you."

"I'll bet." She grabbed the bottle.

I gasped as she hurled it aside. It bounced off the bucket rim and rolled on the floor, but the bottle never shattered. "Allie!"

"I missed."

I staggered next to the bucket and gagged on its vomit smell.

"Have you ever wished for a spell to switch places? Every parent but you would jump at the chance to save their child."

"I would, for you." I held my breath as I grabbed the bottle, then used Allie's bed for support as I staggered to the other side, then sat the bottle on her desk again. "That's what mothers do."

"No, you're just a selfish woman."

"What are you talking about?"

"Everyone keeps talking about how you're the one who killed dad."

"This again? You don't seriously believe it?"

"You always try to avoid taking care of me. When you do, it's like you're carrying out an obligation to care for a doll you hate. Maybe you gave up on our family."

"Of course not!"

"But you ran off with that man the other day. Maybe you killed dad, and now you want to poison me and blame it on my illness to set yourself free."

"That's not true!" I opened my arms and leaned over her, but Allie pushed me. I yelped as my elbows stung when I landed on the floor with a hard thud.

"If something's too good to be true, then it's a lie. There's no way that bottle will cure me. I might die soon, but the least I can do is deny you the satisfaction of killing me."

My head spun as something nauseous rose through my throat, this time like a stack of needles. I closed my eyes, rolled to my side and vomited blood again. The crow spread his wings out and cawed. That crow! That damn crow knew something like this would happen! This wasn't funny, that jerk!

"You're really disgusting. Please let me die in peace."

I teared up. Did the meaning of my life and death reduce to nothing more than demon food? Even my mother would've laughed with the crow. I spent centuries alone as I waited for someone who loved me. Viola's late father, my late husband, my daughter…their love always slipped through my fingers. What did I miss? Why did everything always end miserably? I had all the chances for the life I dreamed, yet this became the ending…

No. I opened my eyes and pushed myself up. What's done was done; I had no time to spend on regrets. I still had a few minutes to accomplish something meaningful before I perished. I needed to convince my daughter to drink the cure or die trying. "Allie."

She ignored me.

"Didn't you say something too good to be true must be a lie? I might've exaggerated when I said it's a cure, but it'll go a long way towards making you feel better. Do you know how I obtained it?"

"I don't care."

If I had to renounce my dream of being loved and accept the world's hatred, so be it. "The man who sold it to me was a greedy doctor whose skill I trusted. To pay him, he came up with a life insurance scheme and asked me to kill several people. That included your father…and myself, to keep the deal a secret."

Allie clutched the bed cover as she turned her attention to me. "My dad, you really…how could you!?"

I sighed and lowered my head.

"Even if what you said was true, I can't drink this and not feel guilty."

"I made a grave mistake; I shouldn't have put you through the pain of losing your father and make you inherit the fruit of my sins." The floor spun and my legs wobbled. I fell, winced, and grunted as a dull pain slammed into my head and back. My body refused to move. I couldn't even feel the floor's texture. "I'm sorry for causing you so much suffering. I can't bring your father back, but you deserve better than dying with me."

"I won't forgive you." Allie reached for the bottle and opened the cap. "Viola."

Please…

"But I don't think you're trying to kill me anymore, and I know dad and Aunt Dianne want me to live. If this can help me, then thank you." She lifted her head and tilted the bottle to her mouth.

She drank it! I mouthed a "yay" as my body numbed. I surpassed my mother! I'd bet even the original Viola could never match my feat. This victory should also char my soul's taste for that depraved crow.

Before I closed my eyes, I witnessed an image of Mark and I as we held Allie's hands and smiled. That dream died in a lonesome grave, but the future held hope.

"Allie, I love you."