A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 38

Marcia      

Marcia brushed Maggie's brown hair out of her face, hand lingering on the dead girl's cold cheek. Her fingers traced Maggie's patched up chest. She couldn't help the tears that fell down her face.

This was supposed to be easy. They were supposed to get the cure, and come home. The twin's people weren't supposed to show up. No one was supposed to die.

The existence of the cure had been a secret. Which only meant one thing. There was a spy in the castle. Marcia had told Adrian her suspisions and he was looking into it.

All these centeries of living, all the people she had lost but Marcia could never be indifferent in the face of death, specialy if it had happened because of her.

Part of her knew Adrian was right, that it wasn't her fault, or at least not all of it, and yet, she couldn't help but feel guilty. Guilt came easier than forgiveness, and right now she wasn't strong enough to forgive.

After Gideon had kicked her out of his room, with words of course, he still couldn't move his legs, Marcia had came here to help Adrian with Maggie. Marcia couldn't blame Gideon. She knew his guilt went deeper than her own.

Adrian had gladly let Marcia take over, knowing she needed to keep herself busy, and went to talk to Ada. Marcia was grateful he was the one doing the talking. She didn't think she could face Ada right now.

Marcia knew how much Maggie had loved Ada and she had seen Ada break apart in front of her. She didn't think she could ever get that image out of her head. It wasn't the first time Marcia had let someone down, but everytime it happened, forgiveness came harder.

She pulled Maggie's shirt down, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. The door opened. Looking up, she saw Adrian, and Ada standing in the threshold.

Marcia swallowed the rest of her tears, and stood up. "I'll leave you alone with her."

"I would like you to stay." Ada said, eyes glued to Maggie's body. "If you don't mind."

Marcia exchanged a look with Adrian. He shrugged. She looked at Ada's lifeless blue eyes. "I don't mind." If this was the only thing she could do for her, then she would do It.  

"Thank you."

Adrian gave her a thumbs up, and left, closing the door behind him.

Ada walked to Maggie's bed, and sat down beside her. Marcia sat on her other side, and watched in silence as Ada brushed the pad of her fingers against Maggie's knuckles.

"Tell me about her." Ada laced her fingers through Maggie's. "there are so many things I don't know. We never had enough time..."

Marcia's heart broke for her. She looked so hallowed out, nothing like the fierce girl she's seen just a few hours ago. "what do you want to know?"

"Everything." Ada said, caressing Maggie's cheek.

"Sadly I don't know much. She was only here for about six month. I know she spent the first couple of years drifting around, and looking for the person who had raped, killed, and turned her..."

"But why would he do that?Turn her I mean?"

"She, and I'm not sure. Could have been loneliness, sadism..."