The Devil's Backbone

Chapter 2: Tell Mama

        Mattie finally caught up with Violet and dismounted her horse. By that time Violet was already leading her horse to the stables. She heard John conversing with Mattie in the distance but tried to pay no mind to it. She glanced back and sighed. Sometimes there was this look in Mattie's eyes that suggested that she may have felt for John at one point. But that look was fleeting and always left as soon as it appeared. 

        "Mama... It hurts. I feel as though he doesn't even know my name... he looks right through me. I don't know what to do or where to go. I don't belong here, mama. This isn't me... It's not... I feel like I'm wasting away... as though pieces are chipping away from my soul every time I see him. I know I should be stronger... Normally I would be but... He's all I want. I could be struck blind, deaf, and dumb... but if I knew that the soft hand caressing my cheek was his I'd be the happiest woman in the world... I miss you mama... I wish you were here. I wish..." 

        Violet trailed off as she heard the idle shuffling of hooves and turned around. Mattie was standing there looking distraught and bewildered. Violet wiped away what tears had escaped her scrupulous watch and turned away from her, sniffling. 

        "Violet... He's your cousin..."

        "Second cousin..." She corrected her hastily.

        "You will spend an eternity in Hell for this." 

        "I don't care..."

        Violet pushed her way past Mattie and trudged into the house. Why would a fair and just God do something like this to her? Did He think she was strong enough to handle all of this? He was mistaken... he had to have been mistaken. Violet was falling apart and working frantically to keep herself together. 

        "Mama... I wish you could be here to make everything alright..." She whispered once she'd gotten into her room and closed the door. 

        It was pathetic and she knew it but Violet couldn't help it and even if she could she wasn't sure how to change it. She'd tried avoiding him and courting other men but the ache in her heart never subsided. She was beginning to wonder if she was going to feel this for eternity.

Shorter chapter, I know. But it's nearly 1 AM and I have school in the morning :/