Against the Stars

Chapter 55

Ginny didn't leave her room for dinner that night. No amount of coaxing would make get even consider letting someone in. Her falling apart all around her.

Midnight rolled around and Ginny knew what she had to do n as quietly as she could, she slipped downstairs and was out the door. There was someone she need to talk to.

Celia.

They'd have to leave earlier than planned. Ginny couldn't stay around any longer without fear. She would not be married to Christan. She wouldn't. Ginny arrived at Celia's house and faced with no other choice, started throwing rocks at her window.

After a few minutes of this, Celia's window flew open and she cried out, "Who's there?"

"It's Ginny! I need to you to come downstairs."

Celia nodded slamming her window shut. She was outside in a matter of seconds, still in her night clothes. The two of them sat in patch of dry grass to talk.

"Celia, Christian proposed."

"You said no, right?" Celia asked, horrified.

Ginny shook her head. "My mother said yes for me." Celia gasped, an expression of shock and panic on her face.

"We have to leave and soon."

"Yes we do, but how soon?"

"August 31."

"But that's the day after tomorrow!" Celia cried.

Ginny nodded. "It is, so start getting ready soon. We'll leave at midnight."

"All right," Celia said, her voice wavering slightly.

"I'll see you then, goodbye Ce."

"Goodbye Ginny." and the two girls went their separate ways.

Ginny headed home, scared to death. They were leaving, actually leaving, and soon. Ginny, going off to face the world on her own. This could be the greatest thing she ever did.

Or it could be the worst.

Ginny was willing to risk it all.

When Ginny got home, she went and lay in her bed. Closing her eyes, and trying not to cry, she said, "Stephen, I wish you were here. You would have known what to do," and then flu began to sob into her pillow.

The next morning, Ginny began to prepare. She stuffed the dresses into a small sack, along with all the money and food she could. She would not sure of starvation because of stupidly. She sould reach her destination.

After she was ready, Ginny was faced with a task. She had to say goodbye without saying goodbye. No one could know she was leaving. That was her secret, so as secretive as she could, she had to say goodbye.

Ginny found Bess sitting outside her door. Bess's face lit up when she saw Ginny. "You're alive!" She cried, flinging her arms around Ginny.

Ginny forced a weak chuckle. "Yes, I am alive. Sorry I started you."

"It's all right," Bess mumbled. "I can't believe you're getting married."

"I can't either," Ginny muttered.

"I'll miss you," Bess said suddenly cried, clinging tighter as if she'd never let go. "Will you visit?"

"Every chance I get."

"I love you Ginny."

"I love you Bessie," Ginny said, forcing herself to let go. She starred at Bess, with her red hair bobbing and her green eyes shining and she almost cancelled her plans right there. But she couldn't, she couldn't. Bess dashed off and Ginny thought, one down, to many more to go.

Ginny tiptoed down the stairs, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to herself. She knew her little siblings would be dying to question her about the wedding that would never hasten.

Ginny found Edward lying in the couch in the parlor, fast asleep. Deciding to be the annoying older sister, she ran over she started tickling him.

Edward screamed and shot up like a bullet. He glanced at Ginny and rolled over, trying not to get tickled.

It failed.

"Please stop! Oh please Ginny stop!" Edward finally cried, realizing he was trapped.

"All right, all right. I'll stop. You don't have to beg for mercy."

Edward looked up at Ginny, his eyes wide as full of sadness. "I'm sorry Ginny."

"Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to stop you from having to marry Christian."

"Oh Eddy," Ginny said, pulling Edward into her arms. "There wasn't anything you could do."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you to," and with that Edward got up and left. Ginny sighed. This wasn't easy, saying goodbye never was.

Ginny had only one of her siblings. It was time to find rambunctious Nelly. Ginny found Nelly cried up in a ball her bed. She appeared to be asleep.

"Hey Nell, are you awake?" Ginny asked quietly.

Nelly sat up, her eyes wide as a worried expression on her face. When she saw Ginny, get face lit up. "Ginny!"

Ginny went over and sat by Nelly on her bed. "How are you Nelly?"

"I don't want you to leave!" Nelly cried, jumping right to the point.

"Oh Nelly, it will be all right, trust me."

"Well I'll be all right, but what about you? You have to marry Christian!"

"Trust me Nelly. I need you believe in me. Can you do that?"

Nelly paused then said, "I will."

"I love you Ellen."

Nelly growled at the use of her real name. "I love you Virginia," and with that Ginny embraced Nelly tightly, wishing she could never let go.

Eventually though Ginny left Nelly and headed her room. They're she started till midnight. At the sound, Ginny jumped into action. The clock was a war cry.

She slipped into her most comfortable dress she grabbed her bag supplies. She tiptoed siren the stairs, careful to be silent. She would not be caught. 

Ginny slipped on her shoes and stayed her cloak around her shoulders. Then, tears doing siren her face, she let that not that told everything on the table.

Then she was gone.

Ginny had planned to meet Celia at the midnight maple tree. Celia said would grab the horses so they could leave right away. Ginny hoped she did.

Ginny approached the tree and saw the outline of two strong horses, Celia sitting on top of one. Ginny quickened her pace.

Ginny gasped when she saw Celia. Her hair had been cut short and she wore boy clothes. A wide smile was present on her face.

"Celia!" Ginny gasped.

"No, I am not Celia, anymore remember? Ok Cecil and you're my sister. Not climb aboard Ginny. The final bell is about to ring, best not miss it."

Ginny climbed onto Maple and got comfortable. She grabbed at Celia with her shorn hair and right, we arer eally doing this, we are leaving.

"Are you ready?"

Ginny turned and took one lastlook at Williamsburg, the town she'd called home fit the key year. Was she ready to leave this alll behind? Was she ready to start over once again? Ginny took a deep breath and thought for  a second.

"Yes," she said. That one word changed her life. The two girls set of into the darkness, ready to start again.

They would go and live.

Until tomorrow when we begin our fight against the stars.

THE END!!!