Journey of a Girl

A Proper Education: Chapter Twenty-Five

In the blink of an eye, work detail was finished.

Credence greeted her final morning under Sally's roof with unyielding gloom. When she entered the tavern's main room, Sally had already set the counter with two bowls and cups and was waiting with a sad smile.

"Last breakfast," Sally mumbled, struggling to sound confident and cheerful.

Her voice cracked on the last word and tears rushed to both their eyes. They hugged each other for a long while before turning to eat in solemn quiet. Every bite brought them closer to departing, and as much as Credence attempted to dally in her eating, she knew there was no escape from the inevitability of leaving.

It felt like a death sentence.

"I'll walk you to the school," Sally said, her voice unable to reach above a whisper.

"Thank you."

Credence looked at her half-empty bowl, unable to take another bite, her stomach tumbling in nauseous waves. The words fell from her mouth before she could stop them:

"I don't want to leave."

Sally looked up from her breakfast.

"I don't want you to leave, either."

And that was that.

A simple acknowledgment they both needed to hear.

They loved each other like sisters, but they knew their future could not continue by each other's side.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Sally said abruptly and slapped her palm against her forehead. She rushed into the kitchen and returned with a tall vial in her hand.

"Little confession," Sally began with a guilty voice. "Before you got here the school sent this."

She held the vial towards Credence, who instantly recognized it as the Headmaster's medicine. Credence winced, but Sally didn't notice.

"I was supposed to give it to you every day, once in the morning and once at night. They told me I could give you extra as a treat if you did something particularly pleasing. I'll let you in on a little secret though: I tasted some of the stuff and I didn't find anything treat-like in it. It's terribly bitter, bordering on disgusting. I tucked it away and forgot about it." She grinned sheepishly. "I was told it would keep you healthy and alert, but I'd say you've done just fine without it, eh? Something to consider, maybe, that the school doesn't always know what's best." Sally winked. "Though I imagine you don't need to hear that."

Wonderful, scatter-brained Sally, Credence thought with a full heart. You've been more than a blessing, you've been a savior.

"If you still want it...here's the full bottle for you," Sally added.

Credence took the vial and inspected it. Inside swirled that horrible sap, that tainted concoction that came at the expense of someone else's life.

"You're right," Credence said. "I've done just fine without it."

She smashed the vial on the ground, feeling the ultimate satisfaction in watching the shards of glass separate to release the foul liquid inside, and before Sally could remark on the act, Credence grabbed a broom and began to sweep the remnants into a pile.

"If you'll allow me," Credence said, "I'd like to finish this final chore."

***

They walked the long path back to the school without speaking. As they passed the entry gates of the towns, Credence cast a mournful glance at the futility of escape.