PROBLEM - Anthony Lockwood

CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE

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lxxxiii

i might be a bad actress, but at least i'm not blind af

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LUCY SAT DOWN on one of the steps leading to the chapel, looking into the gravel.

Kipps sat beside her, surveying the auburn haired girl. "I... I don't know what exactly happened. But I know it was you. Your talent."

She smiled at him before looking down again, "We all did our bit."

Kipps looked gaunt. "Except for me." When she turned to look at him, he stared back at her, misery etched into his face. "You don't know what it's like when your talent starts to fade. You sense them. You know they're there, but... you can't do anything about it. All that's left is terror. It'll happen to you one day, everything that makes you special... gone."

There was a small silence, as Lucy serveyed him with mild shock. "I didn't know."

He furrowed his brows, "I thought George would've told you."

Lucy shook her head. "No, he didn't."

Kipps looked away from her. "I... I'm ashamed to admit it. But I've been looking into witchcraft, and they say it could preserve your talent if you have witch blood. And my grandmother was an air witch."

Lucy smiled to herself, "I think I know someone who could help you."

"You won't tell anyone else, will you?" he asked, eyes wide.

She shook her head reassuringly, "I won't. I promise, Quill."

He smiled, looking at her with eyes filled with admiration. "Thank you."

Lucy stared into his eyes for a moment, studying him. 

And then she leaned forward and kissed him.

"Is that Lucy snogging Kipps?!"

Alice looked up to where George's gaze was to see Lucy and Kipps sitting on the steps to the chapel, kissing. She grinned, "Finally. Gods, I was wondering when they'd get their acts together."

"Wait, wait, wait," George turned to her, and then looked from the couple back to her again, "You mean to tell me that... that... wa-was something you knew about?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "You boys are so blind."

"Wait, so he's watermelon?" George realised, "Oh! Ew that's fucking disgusting. Lucy and Kipps? I don't even want to think about it."

Alice elbowed him in the arm, "Oi, don't be mean," she chastised, "And no, he's strawberry."

George's brows furrowed. "Whose watermelon then?"

"Anthony is," Alice said in an obvious tone, "Duh."

"You can see him now!" Inspector Barnes announced.

Alice jumped up, running over to the ambulance as it's doors opened to reveal Anthony Lockwood, tired but otherwise okay. He was covered in blood and had a sling for his left arm. She gasped as she saw him, tears springing to her eyes.

"Just reckless enough," he quipped.

Alice chuckled lightly, blinking the tears out of her eyes as Anthony held her waist with his good hand, pulling her closer to him. Alice cupped his face in her hands and kissed him as gently as she could.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear as they pulled away.

She'd never said it back when he'd bled out on the catafalque.