Snow and the Wishing Well (Fallen Tales series)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30
Sarah
"I want to get to know you more," Justin stated as we walked down the street together.
"You know all there is to know about me," I said with a cheeky smile.
Justin was the most interesting person I've ever met. He loved birds, was an heir to a wealthy estate, even the story of his birth mother just made me curious about him. And he wanted to know more about me.
"There has to be more. What was school like? What was growing up like? Just anything."
His enthusiasm made me laugh.
"I'm sure growing up was much like yours," I giggled.
"What, tea parties that you were forced to go to, shooting parties," he suggested.
"Given a sheltered life, not being aloud at outside in the snow because they were too worried that I would die of a cold,"
He laughed, "Oh yeah, that's happened to me. I wasn't even aloud near the lake unless I had someone with me till I was fourteen."
"You had a lake on your estate?" I asked, interested.
"Yeah," when I didn't say anything, he added, "it's the most amazing thing in the spring."
I would have said, I would love to see it if I hadn't had stopped myself. I couldn't pretend that I was a Lady and that I still had the normal life, no matter how much I wanted to.
"What about yours?" he asked, "anything special?"
I smiled at him. He talked as if I still lived there, but I hadn't been there for two years.
"Ahh, well, I guess the wishing well."
"A wishing well? Are you serious?" he asked shocked, "No wonder you love that well in the park."
I smiled feeling found. I guess that was why. It was a reminder of home.
"Why was that so special?" he asked me.
I shrugged, not really knowing. But then I remembered the story.
"I guess it was the connection with my mother. My father told me that they had tried years for a child but it just wasn't working, they had almost given up hope. When all hope was lost, Mother began to go to the wishing well every day, wishing for the same thing."
"You," he finished, looking upon me with pride.
"Yes."
"And clearly it came true," he said making me smile again.
I guess the story had also explained why I was so opened in believing that the well in the park was a wishing well. Why I believed that wishes do come true. Because I was a wish come true.
As we continued, something caught my eye. No, someone.
It was Michael. He sat on a park bench across the road from us, his eyes tearing me open. My eyes locked onto his, as my heart started to race with fear and anger. Had he been waiting for me? What a fearful thought.
I turned to Justin, about to stay something but decided not to. I knew he had seen Michael but most importantly I knew that Michael had seen us. Together.
I saw the way you two looked at each other over there.
Ignoring Justin's worrying face, I stormed over to him trying to dodge the cars as I did.
"Are you following me?" I asked as anger started to boil.
"Well how else was I supposed to organise our next meeting," he told me.
"Not shutting down the shelter for a start!"
I fought the urge to hit that fat bastard there and then.
"All those people out in the cold. How could you let that –?"
"Clearly not you," he butted in making me freeze, "You're not out in the cold."
I turned back to Justin waiting over the road for me.
"Remember our deal. You're not allowed to slee –."
"Yes, I know and I haven't – I'm not," I corrected, "What do you want, Michael?"
"Tonight, carpark," he said not really giving me an answer but giving me a suggestion.
I scoffed, "If you think I would sleep with a man like you then your –."
"How much money would you make if you didn't have me?" he asked.
I froze thinking. But that gave him his answer and he knew it.
He gave a bitter chuckle, "That's what I thought. If you want a chance at survival you will meet me at the carpark at seven."
He stood, looking me up and down like I was a prize. He gave another bitter chuckle as he walked away.
I groaned, trying to let out all the frustration before I crossed the road to Justin. His eyes flicked over my face, trying to read my thoughts.
I took his arm trying to push him along.
"What, what did he say?" he asked noticing how uneasy I felt.
"Nothing," I quickly said.
"Sarah," he stopped, "tell me what he said."
"He said nothing."
"Tell me," he pushed.
When I stayed quiet, he guessed it, "He wants you to meet him, doesn't he?"
"Look, Justin –."
"No, don't worry about it," he said turning away from me.
"Justin," I groaned, "Justin!"