Midnight Air

13

Breathe in, breathe out. The warm summer breeze gently rustles the leaves on willow trees. The lake shining in the sunlight. Birds and frogs chirp as fish jump in and out of the water. Such a beautiful scene. And to make it more perfect, a white gazeebo between the trees, resting serenely on the lake shore. Georgia was a beautiful place.

It would be the perfect setting for her perfect marriage to John. She could leave all of her dreams for that man. He was perfect. Sunshine blonde hair. Sparkling, water blue eyes. His features absolutely complemented hers. Strong, and fit. Taller than her by a good foot or so. Towering over her small frame. It made her feel tiny and breakable. Like she needed to be protected, and he was the man to do it.

Though, she didn't need his protection. But he didn't need to know that, and he didn't need to know her secret. But for him? Oh, for him she would give up the world for. She would give him her life if that is what it took. And the two of them would have the most beautiful children.

He had to choose her now. She had committed herself to going to school to become a nurse, just for him. She moved closer to the state line, just to be near him in the neighboring state. She learned his schedule to a T. Nothing he did was unnoticed by her. Yes, their marriage was going to be perfect. She already knew.

"Abigael? Abigael, are you even listening to me?" Abigael was brought back to reality. Back to New York. Back to those beautiful eyes that she could get lost in for eternity.

"Huh. Oh...yes?" She spoke with uncertainty.

John let out a sigh, "I said, I wanted to ask Purity to marry me when she came up here for University, but she never came. She wrote a letter telling me that she has to stay with her mother clear on the other side of the state. Maybe I'll surprise her and prupose to her at her family estate. It's perfect! The setting is stunning. And this time of year, the flowers will be in full bloom! She'll have to say yes." John smiled with excitement in his voice and heart.

Abigael could feel her heart shatter. That was it. That was the one thing standing in the way of her and John's love story. Her country bumpkin of a cousin. "No." Abigael could feel a twinge of jealousy start to grip her heart.

"What? Why do you say no? You don't think she'll say yes?" John asked inquisitively. A look of worry starting to etch across his handsome features. Abigael hated seeing him like that. But at this moment, she needed him to be mad. Angry enough to kill. That way, they could live out their love story together.

"I didn't want to have to tell you this, John, but Purity wrote to me as well. She said she didn't choose to stay with her mother just because she needed help, but because she doesn't love you anymore." She watched as his face went from worry, to disbalief, to sadness. "She told me she hasn't loved you for a long time, she just didn't know how to tell you."

John could feel his heart start to ache with sadness, "That's not true. It can't be, in our last letters we declared our love to each other again. You only jest, I'm sure. It is cruel to toy with ones heart, Abigael."

"I assure you, I jest not, my love. Here. This is the letter she wrote me. You can read it yourself. She even reveals that her mother supports her decision, because she never liked you to begin with."

John gave her a look of defiance and grabbed the letter from Abigaels hand, then started to read. Abigael had to hide the smirk threatening her lips as she watched John start to cry from his broken heart. She watched as he fell to his knees and she ran to hold him to her chest to comfort him. She loathed Purity for being able to bring this man to his knees. "Shhh, shhh. It's ok, my love. You're ok. I'm here. I have you."

Johns grief slowly turned into a rage, undoubtedly as he remembered the words she had written on the page. John picked up the papers and shoved them in his breast pocket. Reached for the axe next to the door and ran out into the pouring rain to his horse. He was presumably on his way to see Purity right now.

Abigael smirked. She didn't even have to do much. She had figured she would have to say more, but it seemed that the letter she forged sufficed. Like she had stated before. There was nothing she didn't know. She had read Purity's letter before John even got his hands on it. John was handsome, but appearantly not too bright. With any luck, he would kill them both in that house before coming back to her. And then they could start their lives together.

"You know he's going to die out there." Abigael jumped with a start, startled by the deep, gravely voice that came from behind her.

She turned around fast. Emerging from the shadow's came a man. A man almost identical to John, just slightly taller and more elegant. "What do you mean? No he won't. He's just going to do a little pest control."

The man chuckled, his blue eyes darkening, "You think that he's going to be able to kill the woman he loves? Say he does manage to do that. Say he's too dumb to look into that letter you forged to see that it's a fake. What's to stop her from fighting back? Hmm? Ever think of that?

Even if he figures out it was all just a rouge, your manipulation tactics are impeccable. I could use you. A woman like you could really help me out with my goals. And I no longer have human time constraints to worry about anything. And I know that you could fool anyone. Hell, you even had me fooled once-upon-a-time."

Abigael watched as the man moved his finger across the table. "W-who are you? Justice? B-but I-"

"You, what? Killed me? Left me for dead by a river? You know what my favorite part leading up to that was? Being told by you, that you loved me. But then left me for dead so you could chase my brother. As far as I'm concerned, that's all water under the bridge. I am immune to death now. I'm here to offer you a deal. Work for me, and in return I will kill them for you and I will make you just like me."

"How do I know what you're telling me is the truth?"

"Let me show you." With that, he walked to Abigaels side. Bit down onto her neck, and Abigael began to slip into unconsciousness. Justice laid Abigael gently on the bed, he would make her love him yet. Now they had all eternity. "Hush, my little lamb chop. I will make the world bleed for you."