A Dream for a Wish

Chapter 10

Tabitha stayed fast asleep on her bed for hours until she suddenly returned to her senses.

She opened her eyes and William was standing above her. "Hi, what happened?" she asks. "You blacked out as I told your parents about our engagement. They asked about all of the time you have been spending with me and how they loved seeing you happier, but we both know that is false. What have you been doing?" Tabitha looks down nervously, scared of the obstacle she faced. "I have been spending some of my time with an old friend who my parents do not approve of. She has been going through some tough times and I wanted to be there to comfort her." William took her hand in his and whispered into her ear, "I love you, Tabitha Tremaine and I will lie for you anytime. When do I get to meet your friend?" 

"Soon, William. Soon.

-

Eldora had found it, the perfect herb for separation. It was a rare species of juniper. Royal juniper. It sounded familiar to her, so she checked her closet for it. The bottles and vials piled high on the shelves, yellowed labels peeling and cracking. She went to her juniper shelf, and there it was. The berries, typically a blue or white color, were purple. She immediately got to work and brewed the berries until they made a purple tea. She would not drink it now, but coat the knife in it for the sacrifice. 

Eldora was also contemplating her love for Tabitha. She loved her more than anything but did not know why. Tabitha had her fair share of flaws, such as her self-centeredness and her cluelessness about what Eldora's life was really like. Eldora was isolated in her cabin day and night until the two met. Even then, she was unable to see Tabitha outside of the darkness of night. So that begs the question, why was Eldora willing to die so that Tabitha would not feel pain?

-

After William left, Tabitha sat alone in her room. It was dark out and the trees were rustling with the wind. The moon cast an eerie glow over the forest. Her subconscious led her to the window. She jumped into the forest and let out a cry. The wind softly guided her to the ground in front of Eldora's house. She did not know it would work, but she sure was glad it did. Eldora must have heard something, for she came to the front door with a wide-awake expression. "Eldora, I love you." Tabitha leaped into Eldora's arms. "I love you too, Tabs, but what are you doing here?" Eldora replied. 

"I just wanted to let you know that I don't think that we should go through with the sacrifice. I want you and only you."

"I don't think that that is a good idea Tabs. You would have to sequester yourself from the rest of society to even live with me, much less love me. You have your parents, you have a sister, and you have William. I can't ask you to throw all of that away for me."

"You aren't. I want this. I don't want you to die for me. I want to love you for the rest of my life and have you there to see it."

"I found the berry. I wouldn't die completely."

"We both know that is not true. You would be invisible to everyone but me."

"I already am! This wouldn't be a drastic change from now. I accepted my mortality long ago."

At this point, tears were streaking down Eldora's face. Tabitha embraced her and ran her fingers through her golden locks. "It's ok, Eldora. I'm here." Eldora only sobbed harder. "I- I thought that I could protect you. Protect us. But if I don't go through with it, then it won't only be painful when we are loved by others. Y- you would always be in a constant pain that would be just as piercing as it is when William is around. I need to do it for you and William." 

"Eldora, you don't owe me anything."

"Oh, but I do! You are my true love. You have sacrificed every relationship that you have with the outside world so we could be together and you plan to sacrifice even more. I feel as though I am not contributing anything except for my part in the sacrifice."

"Eldora. You are my true love. That in itself is enough. I don't want to go through with the sacrifice. I want to be with you."

Eldora sobbed into Tabitha's chest. "I don't want to die," she said in between sobs. "Shh, it's ok. As long as we are together, it is going to be ok." Tabitha tightened her hold on Eldora's lean figure. They stayed like that for a while on Eldora's bed, until Tabitha had to leave. "Good bye, Eldora. Shall we meet up tomorrow?" asked Tabitha. 

"I think that I am going to spend some time preparing for the sacrifice and I think that that is best done alone, but thank you."

"Ok, Eldora. If you have any second thoughts, do not hesitate to call it off. I'm not asking you to do this."

"Do not worry, for I have already made my decision on this matter. I will see you in a fortnight at my cottage."