The Clash, Book One

Chapter 8: The Garden of Forking Paths, Part A

Jacinda came through the door of the apartment that she shared with Sabine. She dropped her keys on the coffee table before she plopped down on the couch with a sigh. She then opened the folded paper in her hand, which appeared to be a letter written in dark green ink.

Sabine then came into the living room and cheerfully greeted, "Morning, J." She then noticed the disheartened expression on her friend's face and asked, "What is it?"

Jacinda lifted the letter, and Sabine perceived, "Is that from Lucy?" as she joined her friend on the couch.

"Yeah. I miss her so much, my heart hurts," Jacinda dejectedly responded. "Ohh," Sabine replied with understanding.

Jacinda then explained, "Ever since Victoria took her away, we've been writing letters and leaving them in the well at the community garden so she won't know."

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry," Sabine sympathetically told her friend.

Sabina's cell phone then chimed and she spoke, "That's Louie. I'm late for work. Look, I, uh I got to go." She then tried to assure her roommate, "But you, you hang in there. You are going to get her back. I promise."

Her efforts, however, were futile. Jacinda ran her fingers through her hair before she lamented, "I don't know. Maybe she's right. Maybe I am cursed."

"No, you're not," Sabine reassured. She then continued, "Come here," as she wrapped Jacinda in a hug.

A little while later, Jacinda was standing at the well in the garden. She left a letter on the round concrete when she heard a condescending voice behind her.

"How sweet! I know about the letters, and I'm afraid Lucy's not going to get that. Or anything else you leave in that well, for that matter," Victoria stated.

Jacinda turned on her heel and demanded, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Victoria explained, "I moved up my plans to build my condos. Demolition starts today," with an air of smugness.

Jacinda then began to plead, "Victoria, you can't. If not for me, then for Lucy. Look at what she's done here. This garden means the world to her."

Belfry ignored the pleas and stated, "It's already done. I have my permits right here. Now, unless you want to be buried beneath it, I suggest you vacate the area."

"I'm gonna stop you," Jacinda argued with determination.

Victoria simply addressed the construction crew: "Start digging."

Just as Jacinda marched off, Alena pulled up to the site. Her blue eyes widened as she got out of the car.

She took a breath before she walked over to her boss. She then observed, "This is the garden that we're converting into condos."

Belfry turned to the blonde and commented, "Yes, it is. We'll be able to make quite a profit," with a smile.

Alena nodded before she surveyed the area. She then carefully asked, "Isn't this garden pretty special to this community?"

"I suppose it is. But making use of this space in this way is far more practical and will be better for the community in the long run," Victoria maintained.

The blonde nervously bit her lip before she pointed out, "I know that it would be. But I believe that turning the garden into a... park, for example, could make the space more usable but still keep the character of the garden itself, as well as keeping something that the community loves."

Belfry narrowed her eyes before she asked, "And just what has brought on this idea of yours?" with clear disdain in her voice.

"Well," Alena began before she took a deep breath and continued, "Part of growing a community or neighborhood is capturing the beauty of the area, and I think it'd be a shame to lose it."