Against the Stars

Chapter 24

Chapter 24:

Ginny found herself walking along s forgotten dirt road. Large trees sprung up on either side. The path was dark with only a glint of moonlight to help show the way. A cold wind rose and Ginny’s teeth began to chatter. She had no cloak to fight the wind.

Ginny heard pine needed crunch under her feet. She was glad she had shoes since pine needles hurt. She continued to walk, not quite sure where she was going.

Suddenly, a wolf's howl spilt the air, causing Ginny to freeze in her tracks. There was a moment of silence then the howl came again. Ginny could tell that whoever -or whatever- had made the howl was close.

Before Ginny could think it though, she was running. The dirt road had to lead somewhere! There had to be people who would help. There had to be!

Ginny, feeling desperate, tore into the trees, pine needles cutting into her face and dress. Age couldn't stop for anything though, she had to keep running.

Up ahead, Ginny saw a clearing. Her spirits soared. A town, people, help! Ginny ran for the clearing with all her might.  When she broke through the trees, Ginny feely like running around and dancing. She didn't though; there was no time for that.

Ginny paused for a minute to test her achy legs and catch her breath. She did so just kind enough for her face to turn normal color before proceeding.

She walked into a town to find it silent. There was no bustle of activity, which was unusual even for this time of night. Ginny walked through the town, hoping there were still people there.

She saw a burst of light and heard music and laughter coming from one of the buildings. It looked like an inn to Ginny that would be a good place to stop.

She pushed open a large wooden door and followed the noise. She found a group of people dancing to a fiddle. For a second, Ginny got lost in the music.

A second to long.

"Hey miss, come join in," someone called. Before she could blink, Ginny was pulled into the circle.

Ginny wanted to join in the merriment. But she had to remember why she came here. She had to figure out where she was.

"Can someone tell me where I am?" She called. No one answered her, her voice lost in the music.

"Hey someone needs to sing!" A voice cried and Ginny found herself being pushed next to the fiddler. The fiddler tipped his cap to Ginny and started to play an old song she knew well. Faced with no choice, Ginny began to sing.

When the song was over, Ginny called, "Where am I? Does anyone know?"

"I do," came a voice from the crowd. The owner of the voice shoved his way to the front of thy crowd.

Abiel Mason.

"Come with me Ginny. I'll show you around."

Abiel leapt on stage and grabbed Ginny’s arm tightly. Ginny tried to loosen his group, but going she could not, so Abiel dragged her outside.

"What do you want with me?"

"I thought you wanted to know where you were."

"I do, but let me go!"

Abiel’s grip tightened. "No. But did the answer to your question, we're in Andover, didn't you recognize it?"

No! Ginny thought. Andover was a small farming town with wide open spaces, not this!

"Oh yes, I see you don't like it. I'll take care of that."

Quickly his arm was off her hand and around her neck. Ginny felt get eyes roll back into her head and everything go black.

Ginny slowly opened her eyes, blinking rapidly since she was not used to light. She couldn't see anything but a bright light. "Hello?" She croaked out.

"Ginny! Oh Ginny! Everyone Ginny’s awake!" A voice called, though Ginny couldn't place it.

She blinked a couple of more times before the light slowly dimmed and she could see again. She was lying on the couch in the parlor and she had no idea how she had gotten there.

Ginny looked up and saw Ben, Mother, and Lottie rush into the room. Ginny sat that they all had bags under their eyes and worn, tired, faces.

Mother ran to Ginny’s side and grabbed her hand. "Oh Ginny, are you all right?"

"I... I drink so," Ginny mumbled. In truth, there was a sharp pain in her side, legs, and neck. "What happened?"

"Do you remember Abiel Mason?" Ben asked, his blue eyes shining with relief.

Ginny closed her eyes and it all came flooding back. The square, Abiel, being attacked, losing consciousness.

"How did I get home?"

"Well after Abiel dropped you and ran, you passed out. Turns out, my father had come to see why all the noise was. He saw Abiel try to strangle you and tried to help, but couldn't get through. After you passed out, Father and I carried you home. You've been out for two days."

Two days! Ginny couldn't believe that. It has seemed like a couple of minutes.

"I think I'll be going and leave you two alone," Lottie said.

"I'm staying," Mother said.

"Mother!" Lottie said and Mother, glaring at Ben, walked out and shut the door. Leaving the two of them alone.

"Were you in the crowd the whole time?" Ginny asked, scared of the answer.

Ben shook his head. "I only saw the last bit. What happened before?"

"Abiel threw a rock at my head and shoved me to the ground. I told him to help me up, so he hit me and stepped on my ankle. That's all you missed, so not much."

"Not much? Ginny is that really what you consider not much?"

"Well anything that doesn't kill me is not much."

"You're a piece of work Ginny Miller," Ben said, shaking his head.

Ginny smiled weakly. "Most people would take that as insult, but to me, that's a complement."

Ben sighed. "Do you know why Abiel attacked you?"

"Something to do with rekindling memories he's been trying to forget."

"Faith."

"What happened to Faith?" Ginny asked, quite interested. She remembered Ben threatening Abiel by saying he would say what really happened to Faith.

“Now is not the time for that story, I promise, though, I will tell it to you.”

“Well at least tell me who she was.”

“She was Abiel’s younger sister.”

Ginny closed her eyes, trying to imagine what had happened. She quickly had to stop for everything she pictured reminded her of Avery Kaffman.

“Thinking of Avery?” Ben asked.

Ginny was surprised. “Yes.”

“Oh! That reminds me. I was supposed to tell you earlier. Zone had a daughter. You know her name is right?”

“Ava Ginny Kaffman.”

“Yes. We should go and visit them sometime.”

“I like that.”

Suddenly, Ben did something Ginny never expected. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Ginny was to surprised to say anything.

“Farewell my English lady. Get better soon, and if you’re feeling up to it, let’s meet Ava and Zona tomorrow.”

“Farewell my American gentlemen,” Ginny whispered.

“Till tomorrow when we begin our fight against the stars,” Ben said as he left.

“Against the stars,” Ginny echoed.