ZOE
I left Emma asleep on the couch whilst I made dinner for the three of us. Jules soon appeared, still pyjama clad, looking bleary eyed and pale.
“Sorry about earlier. I didn’t know he was just going to show up like that.”
“No, don’t worry about it.” Jules said dropping down into one of the chairs. “Sorry for being snappy. You know how I get.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“So how did your meeting with the resident ghosts go?”
“Not so great. The boy pointed downstairs at Emma and said ‘darkness’.”
“But, Zoe, if she becomes one of the Light, you’ll never be able to see her again.”
“But I’d know she was in a good place.”
“You really think that? You’re a Dark!”
“Who’s struggling coming to grips with that. They promised me a year to try and right my wrongs so that I could join the Light.”
“Yeah, but isn’t your expiration date coming up soon?”
“Yeah, I know. But I’ll keep trying.”
Jules sighed. “What about your ‘wings’? You haven’t flown much since you went through the Change.”
“I need practice. My landings are still all over the place.”
“Then may be you’ll practice more? Tonight?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good. So… what’s up with Emma?”
“Oh, she got sent home. She finally opened up to one of her teachers.”
“So… not good?”
“No, it seems she’s been blaming herself for her mother’s suicide.”
Jules snorted, “Well, that’s just dumb.”
“Yeah, but don’t say that to her. I don’t want her getting more upset.”
Jules sniffed loudly, “I think her body is preparing itself for the change.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, her body is a battleground of emotions. She hasn’t been able to keep either one of them in check. She’s been letting herself get pulled in all directions and, you know… the body weakens itself for the change, then it gets stronger.”
“I don’t see how her emotions are weakening her.”
“Of course you don’t. You’ll see it soon enough though.”
“How can you see it?”
“I can’t really see it but I can feel it. Those emotions are tearing her to shreds and, soon, the demon in her will break loose. After that, it’s down to her whether she goes Dark or Light.”
“So what do I do?”
“I think you need to tell her everything.” Jules said sympathetically.
“I can’t do that. How do I do that?”
“I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
EMMA
After dinner I found Zoe pacing outside the study door; she was in such a trance that she didn’t hear my approach.
“What the hell are you doing?”
She jumped. “Sorry, just thinking.”
“You’ve been awfully quiet. What’s going on?”
YOU ARE READING
The Quixwood Diaries
FantasySP: Sometimes being bad is good for the soul LP: Zoe and Emma Quixwood haven't seen or spoken to each other in years. The two estranged, half sisters have been forced to live with one another in a small rundown building in the centre of Edinburgh...
