"It's not always easy to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. Sinners can surprise you, and the same is true for the saints. Why do we define people simply as good or evil? Because no one wants to admit that compassion and cruelty can live side by side in one heart. And that anyone is capable of anything." -unknown

Foreshadowing?

MUAHAHAHA

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As quick as was humanly possible I arrived at Jack's house. I was out of breath, my hair was falling out of place and sticking to my clammy forehead, and I was sure I was pale as death.

I should have tried to arrange myself into a more presentable appearance, but I only wearily brushed at the hair on my face after rapping the solid door, knuckles smarting.

It took only moments before the door opened, and a long second for Jack's eyebrows to shoot up.

Way up.

I suppose I looked worse than I thought, but that was about the lowest thing of my priority list, because right now, I had to deal with a corpse in the front room of Gramma's house.

"Jack…you have to come quick…Licorice he's…" I didn't get to finish, because soon as I mentioned Licorice he bolted, pulling me along after him.

"What's he done this time?" he demanded, looking tense.

"Well, not much, that's for sure…it's really more of a matter what I did…" I said, having to jog to keep up with his long stride.

"Which is?" He asked, looking back at me.

"Shall we say that I'm feeling more sympathy for the broken vase rather than the broken head?" I said, trying not to make it sound like murder…which was, undoubtedly, what it was.

"He's dead?" Jack asked, stopping suddenly.

"Sort of…" I blushed, "But that's not the problem…well, actually it is…because now he's dead, he's lying on the floor, and Heaven knows he can't stay there for all eternity…"

"Then we have to do something with the body…."

"Yes, exactly…" I nodded; glad I wasn't the one to say it.

He paused for a moment and in that span of time I was petrified that he would decide that I was not worth burying a body.

"Shouldn't I get a shovel?" He thought out loud.

I let out a soft sigh of relief.

---

In the end, we brought along a wagon, shovel, and tarp along with us. I was explicit, not allowing Jack even a moment's thought that we were to bury him near the house…not where he could come back and haunt Gramma and I…well, at least Gramma.

We decided on the woods-no one would think of looking there…not like anyone would be looking though.

We steered the wagon to the back of the house near the well, and I shook off the tarp as Jack went inside to carry out the body, and none to gently either.

He plopped Licorice into the wagon with a look of badly concealed disgust.

I couldn't blame him, he had already started smell…or perhaps it was the same foul odor he had always had; a mixture of alcohol and body odor.

Gently, I tossed the tarp over his the body which, had anyone else seen him, looked asleep.

Slowly we set off, Jack pushing the wagon and myself holding the shovel.

We walked in silence, and mentally I was wrought with worry.

Shouldn't we report this? I mean, he was dead after all…but by my hand…the future ruler of the country confess to murdering her husband…the people wouldn't trust my judgment, and I would be sentenced to prison…I'd never see Jack again… but if I didn't tell…I'd still know that somewhere out in the woods the decomposing body of my husband lies…and what if someone found out?

"Jack…" I said suddenly.

"Yes?" He asked, looking over at me, hearing the unsteady note in my voice.

"Distract me, please…" I pleaded, wishing to end the horrible monologue in my mind.

Jack paused for a moment, casting around in his mind for something before rushing into what was apparently the first thing he could think of.

"You know, mum has been on my case about getting a suit for the wedding, but you know how men are…we have to get things all at the last minute…it's a sort of tradition…I've tried to explain it to her, as with dad, but she doesn't understand masculine rituals. But don't you worry, I've already got one picked out…I just haven't exactly acquired it…"

He prattled on until we reached the woods, and he trailed off.

"Shall we, then?" I suggested tentatively.

He nodded grimly, and pushed the wagon behind a large tree, and took the shovel from me.

I stood, somewhat awkwardly, watching Jack dig the pit that would, eventually, be the next home to Licorice who was, thankfully, still under the tarp in the wagon.

After an endless time, he heaved himself out of the hole that was, as a hazard guess, five feet deep.

His face was glistening from a slight sheen of sweat, and he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand before he said, "You know, I must be more in love with you than I thought to do this for you…"

I blushed as red as the teaberries formerly used to dye my hair and all those unpleasant thoughts came back with a rush.

Now I was asking Jack to sin with me…and I was sure that the authorities wouldn't be as lenient as they would with me toward him…besides, I'm sure God would disapprove of his choosing to sin just to cover up mine…I'm sure He'd have a field day once Judgment day rolled around.

"Go ahead and take the tarp off the body," Jack said, choosing to ignore my flushing.

I pulled the tarp off the body, and tried not to gag. I swallowed hard and took a big step back, starting to fold the brown tarp that was now ruined forever, with the stench of the corpse drifting to my nose when rustled.

The sight of Licorice cramped in the little wagon, looking to still and cool, and I remembered how long ago it seemed that I was still innocent and obedient living in the palace.

How was it, that two or so years ago I had been so…Burdon-less? It was strange that the most important thing to me had been getting a new bedroom…I suddenly wished with a strange and foreign burning passion that I could be that girl again…

Back then, I didn't know how lucky I was…lucky that I didn't have to be worrying about burying a body in the woods, and fearing that someone would find out about what I did.

I stood back and carefully folded the tarp, making a mental note to burn it, or at the very least, wash it thoroughly.

Jack took the cart and pushed it over to the shallow grave, and I was suddenly struck by the absurdity of all this. I couldn't stifle a bubble of laughter from escaping as Licorice's body dropped to the bottom of the pit with a dull thud.

"It's all over!" I said, grabbing his hands.

He pulled me tight against him and kissed the top of my head.

"All over…" He repeated. I smiled at the sudden realization that my nightmares would never recur as long as I had Jack's arms to hold me.

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It's depressing it took me this long to end this thing.

Yes, this is the end…I hope you've liked it…

And I'd like some feedback, even though I'm sure I don't deserve it for taking so long…

But I'd like to know what was your favourite part, and if I wrote another fic, what would you like to see improved, what you'd like more of, and what you'd like less of.

Thank you so much for sticking with me!