Chapter 34
Summer came and went for the British people and a new school year had begun for Grace and her classmates at the University of Art in London.
Autumn arrived as quickly as a flash. The air was now damp and chilly, the trees changed from lively green to blood reds and blazing yellows and the inhabitants abandoned their summer wear.
Halloween was coming and Grace was eager to celebrate this holiday. Her nineteenth birthday was approaching and she was also excited for it.
She had told her parents about the New York School of Visual Arts and of their desire to show her pieces the following year.
They were excited about it. "Unless I die an untimely death, my pieces will not go to New York, not ever," Grace said to them over the phone.
"Nonsense, you will not die an untimely death," her father replied.
As for Pitch, he held in his desire of asking Grace to marry him. If they did marry, they had to do it in secret, but of course, there was the issue with his master.
If the Man in the Moon did find out about their union, he would snuff Pitch's life out.
Pitch did not care for that, although at times he wished he was mortal, again.
Halloween had arrived and Grace was invited to a party at the university that evening.
She wore a new medieval dress that was the color of plums and she wore the tear-drop tiara that she kept all these years.
"Milady," Pitch's voice said and she turned to see him stepping out of the shadows.
"You always look ravishing in that," he added and held out his hand. "I wish to share the first dance of the evening," he said.
"By all means," Grace replied and she took his hand.
They danced around the living room in a rather fun matter. Grace laughed as they twirled in circles, making them dizzy.
Then, the clock chimed the hour of 8. "Oh no, I'm already late," Grace said.
"Would you like an escort to the party, Lady Grace?" Pitch asked and she nodded as she knew what that meant.
Both of them got on Erebos and he flew up into the sky. They passed over children in costume and holding their candy buckets.
"I always love flying. Of course, it will be different when I ride on a plane to New York. I was told that it usually takes 8 hours to get there," Grace said to Pitch.
"I love flying, too, especially with Erebos," he replied and the Pegasus whinnied.
Erebos landed a block from the building where the Halloween party was being held.
"I hope you have a good time," Pitch said as he held Grace down. "Would you like for us to come when you are finished?"
"No, I'll hitch a ride with one of my classmates or just walk home, it's really not that far," Grace replied and waved goodbye to them and headed up to the party.
Pitch and Erebos went into the shadows. "I can't help it Erebos," the boogeyman said to the Pegasus.
"Can't help what?" a voice asked and Pitch almost jumped. He looked up to see Jack Frost floating down in front of the two,
"I hate to say this, but it's none of your business," Pitch said to the winter spirit.
"Oh, that's not a nice thing to say," Jack replied and then, a snowflake hit Pitch's nose.
"I love Grace. I want to spend the rest of my…her life with her," Pitch spoke the truth.
"In other words, you wish to marry her?" Jack asked and Pitch nods.
"I don't know, the big boss might not allow that. Although, he did say that he allowed you to have this one relationship, but he also said not to get any funny ideas," Jack informed.
"I don't care what the punishment is. If there is one minute of a union between me and Grace, that will be enough for me," Pitch said.
Jack began to think, just as a couple walked passed him. Both the man and the woman were drunk and they were wobbling around like fools.
Then, something slipped off the woman's finger and the woman didn't seem to notice. The object shined in the moon light, it was a diamond ring.
"Now that was just pure luck I believe," Jack said and picked up the ring and handed it to Pitch.
"Jack, this is perfect," Pitch replied and he created a chain from black sand. He slipped the ring on the chain and wore it around his neck, but he hid it under his shirt.
"Are you sure you want to go through with it?" Jack asked.
"I am positive," Pitch said and got on Erebos and they flew up into the sky. Pitch and Erebos went on with their duty in bringing good scares on Halloween.
Meanwhile, Grace enjoyed her time at the party as there was a dance and some games. Unfortunately, alcoholic drinks were being served and most of the students were getting tipsy.
"I hate alcohol," Grace said to a classmate.
"Me too, but only when I had too much," the woman replied.
A few hours passed and it was getting close to midnight. The party wind down and most of the drunken students began to leave.
Grace decided to not risk in hitching a ride with a drunk driver and she went on foot towards home.
She was tired, but kept her eyes open for any tipsy people.
She finally made it to the street where her apartment was, but she was on the other side of it. Grace looked both ways before she set foot on the cobblestone road. She failed to notice the fast-moving car that was heading in her direction.
The driver was one of the students from the party and he was very drunk. His vision was blurry and he could not keep his head up.
Grace saw the car and decided to run, but her dress was caught by a cobblestone. She pulled hard on the fabric, but it would not tare. The car was getting closer and Grace began to panic.
Finally, after much pulling and tugging, the dress tore free. Unfortunately, too much time had passed for Grace and that moment, the driver saw her. He slammed on the brakes, but it was not enough.
The last thing that was heard was the screeching of tires and the screams coming from Grace's mouth.