The Girl Behind The Garden

Chapter 32: Arsonist

Eden's p.o.v

   It had been about two weeks sense Sam's proposal, and honestly it was one of the best nights of my life; I knew that for certain. Things had been going good, but to me, that was almost as scary as things being bad. I was sat outside the bunker on the steps going down. It was already late morning, meaning the light was shining brightly down on me. I toyed with the ring on my finger, watching it as it reflected the light the sun gave.

   Oliver had been staying with us for the past two days. Willow thought that he should start getting accustomed to it. She was so sure that everything was going to work out quickly sense Sam and I had gotten engaged. I made sure she and Oliver were okay with the thought of him moving in with us once this was all over, to which Willow scoffed.

"Okay with it?" She questioned, "I could finally get some time to myself. I can't tell you the last time I sat down and watched Man. Vs. Wild."

   I sighed contently, looking up as the door opened. Sam walked out, a cup of tea in his hand. I took it between the two sleeves of my sweater so that it wouldn't burn my hands. I smiled up at him, watching as he sat next to me.

"Green tea, a spoonful of Splenda, and some honey," He named, "From a local farm of course."

"Thanks," I responded, taking a sip and then looking around, "You know, it's sort of cold for summer, don't you think?"

"It's probably a cold wind from the ocean current," He reasoned, "Plus, it's only ten."

"I hope so," I said, taking another sip.

"What do you mean?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"You know how it is," I replied, turning to him, "Usually when the weather's off or there's cold it means something's about to happen. Something supernatural."

"I don't know," He admitted, "It's been kind of calm lately."

"Yeah," I conceded, then adding, "But that kind of freaks me out too."

"Don't worry," He eased, "Our lives aren't that normal, something will happen soon enough."

"How messed up are our lives when we're worried because nothing bad is happening?" I questioned offhandedly.

   He quieted down, making me wish I had said nothing instead. It's not that I didn't love my life, because I did. But it was true. We didn't have the American dream, and I didn't think we ever truly would. But I was okay with that, I just hoped Sam was too.

"Eden," Sam said almost as a warning, "Something actually did happen."

"Oh God," I muttered, "Who died?"

"No, no," He quickly assured, "Nothing like that."

"What happened then?" I asked.

"It's Mom," He answered, "She's working with the British Men of Letters."

   I stopped mid-sip, quickly swallowing the tea and putting the cup down on the stairs. I turned to him slowly, watching for what he felt on the situation. I guess my silence signaled that I needed more of an explanation, as he continued.

"She came by the morning after we got engaged," He explained, "She said she didn't want to ruin the mood of that night, so she waited."

"That was like two weeks ago," I interrupted, "Why didn't you tell me?"