Against the Stars

Chapter 15

It was a long time before the party died down. Ginny just lay in her bed, trying to ignore it. She realized now retiring early was mistake. She should have thought this decision through more.

She still had trouble processing today’s events.  Lottie… Lottie was married? Ginny had no idea why her mind was acting so slowly, and she was kind of mad at it. Curse you mind! She thought.

Ginny glanced over at Nelly and Bess. She could barely see their sleeping figures in dim candlelight. She heard Nelly’s snoring, loudly. The sounds seemed to tear through the roof. How had see never noticed t hat before? IT seemed kind of hard to miss.

The sheets on Ginny’s bed felt soft to the touch but where anything but warm. Ginny shivered and desperately wished for a fireplace.

Suddenly, Ginny heard a loud noise. It sounded like a klunk. She looked around, trying to find the source of the sound.

It happened again. Ginny glanced around frantically. Then she saw her window and realized someone was throwing stones at her window. Only one person could be doing that, Ben.

Ginny quickly grabbed a plain blue dress from her closet. She didn’t even bother doing her hair. She quickly – and quietly- slipped down the stairs.

Her shoes weren’t all the way on when she was outside. Her scarlet cloak hung loosely around her shoulder, not even close to being sequence. Her lantern sat on the steps next to her, almost empty.

After Ginny was set, she ran to the meeting point. A small maple tree on the outside of the general store. The icy wind tore through Ginny’s cloak that did almost nothing to protect her.

Ginny took a deep breath, hoping to get fresh air. Instead, she got a strong whiff of horse manure. Suddenly, she was more careful where she stood.

The sky was pitch black, no trace of light detectable. Ginny’s small lantern casted a glow that allowed her to see where she was stepping but nothing more. Ginny heard a rustle and she quickly raised he lantern. She scanned the area hoping to be able o see someone… or something.

“Who’s there!?” Ginny called trying to keep the waver out of her voice.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and she jumped a mile, dropping her lantern in the process. For a second, Ginny froze. Then that second ended and she heard a laugh, a full out hysterical laugh. Ginny grabbed her lantern and shoved it into the face of… Ben.

“Benjamin Eby, what were you thinking!?” Ginny cried her cheeks rosy.

“I was thinking you looked like a good target to scare that’s all.”

Ginny couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh Ben. Anyways, why did you call me?”

“I just thought you want to relax after your sister’s wedding.  You seemed tense. Plus I haven’t been able to prank you for…”

Ben didn’t get the chance to finish. Ginny slapped him on the shoulder. There was another good use of fans, slapping people.

“Come on milady,” Ben said, holding out his arm. That broke Ginny, she couldn’t stop laughing! But she did take his arm.

They walked through the streets chatting meaninglessly. The wind pulled at their hair and clothes, but Ginny barely noticed. She, like Stephen, got caught up in her own world sometimes.  Now, being one of those times.

“Ginny what’s that?” Ben asked as he saw something in the road.

“I don’t know, let’s go look.”