Dear Daisy

Daisy

Daisy

December 22, 1792

"Thank you, Nick," I shove the letters he hands me into the depths of my coat.

"You take care now," he smiles softly, "wouldn't want to catch another cold."

I return a small smile and turn back into the house, quickly shutting the door. The bottom of my boots tracked some fresh snow in. I should clean that up soon so it doesn't dirty the floors. I slip out of my coat and go to pick up the mop as I check to see who the letters are from.

Kevin. My heart flutters as I read his name. I am soon to be married. A smile larger than the one I returned to Nick creeps onto my face. Not feeling like cleaning up anymore, I fall back onto the couch hugging the letters. The snow will eventually melt into water and be absorbed by the wood. In a few years, the wood would then rot and give way to the slightest of steps. But, I will not be here that long to see that. I will be in a new house in a new land with my Kev.

Before I open his letter, I sift through to see who the rest are from. Germaine, most likely to inform me of the latest gossip she overheard at her new neighborhood. She's not much of a newsmonger but I had asked her to keep me updated so when I move there with Kev, I would be prepared. I set the envelope containing her letter down and move onto the next.

Sister! If there was anyone else I cared for as much as Kev, it would be my sister, Cassandra. Our parents died before I really understood anything so the only person I have ever known to take care of me was Cassie. She is only four years older than me but much more mature. She's been away at the University of Ingolstadt for the past few years. Cassie hasn't come to visit me during her studies there but, I have been begging for her to come back in time for Kev and I's wedding.

I gently lift the flap of the envelope containing Cassie's letter. Taking the letter out, I read the date she signed on top before I hear a knock on the door. Setting the letters down, I slide my coat back on and walk to the window to see who is at the door. Nick, again.

I open the door, letting the bone-chilling air seep into my skin once more.

"Are you trying to catch a cold from the weather or from me?" I joke.

My words didn't seem to register in Nick's mind though. His eyes were wide and he seemed pale as the drifting snow.

"Nick, are you ok? Do you want to come in and sit?" I open the door wider despite wanting to slam it shut to shield myself from the icy wind.

He slowly steps into the house, eyes darting every which direction.

"He's not here yet, is he? I thought I saw him" Nick whispered under his breath.

"Who are you talking about?" I help his stiff body move over to a seat closer to the fire I started early in the morning.

"Your-your fiancé," Nick shuddered, "Kevin Mornlock."

"Kev? He isn't due back till some time," my eyes dart to the letters on the table, "or perhaps that's changed now. I'm not sure. Why, is anything wrong?"

Nick stared into the fire and without saying a word, hands me an envelope with Cassie's name written on it.

"What is-" I began before Nick buried his face into his palms.

"Daisy, it was an accident, I didn't mean to read the letter. It got mixed up with my pile and when I opened it and saw that Cassandra wrote about me, I read the whole thing. But it was not meant for my eyes and I should have handed it to you as soon as I realized."

Nick wept into his hands while I just sat there confused and helpless. He was like a little brother to me, having grown up next door always laughing at my mistakes while he got into more trouble. But, never before have I heard or seen him cry like this.

Not knowing how to console him, I take out the letter from the hastily ripped envelope. It was dated the 7th of December. The letter I left on the table was dated the 9th of November. I was wondering why I never received a letter from Cassie last month. It seems to have just been delayed by the snowstorms.

I go to pick up the previous letter Cassie wrote for me when Nick interrupted.

"No, you don't have time," he had wiped his tears and recomposed himself, "read this one." He pointed to the papers already in my hands.

I nod my head gently and open up the letter.

Written in smooth ink and beautiful cursive letters were my sister's message and confession. Confession? Before I can give it much further thought, Nick began coughing violently.

I shot up, "Hold on, I'll bring some warm tea and a blanket"

"No," Nick closed his eyes as if his coughing fit had drained his energy. Using the arms of the seat, he pushed himself up and started walking towards the kitchen. "I can take care of myself, you just get on with reading that letter," he let out another hacking cough.

Once he entered the kitchen, I yelled back "I'm certain you caught my cold," and walked into my room to snatch a bedspread. I searched the closet for a fresh spare. None here. I know I had them here though. As I continued searching in the dark room I began to notice how much colder it was in this part of the house. I haven't slept here recently to notice this earlier. Since I fell ill, I've been retiring on the couch near the fire. It's warmer and closer to the kitchen.

Visually sweeping the floor with my eyes, I find a part of a navy blue blanket beneath a darker velvety material. After a short moment, I recognized the other fabric as the drapes that used to hang over the windows. I look over at the now bare windows. I can't recall when those drapes fell. Perhaps the lack of drapes is why it feels extremely cold in this room.

As I reached to retrieve the navy blanket off the floor, the heap of velvet grew. Taking me by surprise, I let out a yelp and fall back.

"What's going on!" Nick sprinted out of the kitchen in a hurry. "Daisy? Where are you?" He didn't need to ask, though, because he had already followed the sound of my voice to the bedroom.

Looming above me was a dark figure layered in clothing, drapes, and bedsheets.

"Back away, Daisy," Nick instructed in a low trembling voice and I obeyed. Still on the floor, I slowly shuffled backward until I hit Nicks's boots.

The figure, now identifiable as a man spoke out hesitantly, "Daisy?"

Oh gosh. My heart falters. This isn't any man this is, "Kev!" I get back on my feet and try to move towards my fiancé. I took two steps forward before Nick shoved me aside and I heard a loud crack.

I had shut my eyes, but I could feel that someone fell at my feet. And judging by the creeping warmth through the soles of my boots, that someone was bleeding. Forcing myself to open my eyes, I stare at the crumpled body on the floor of the bedroom. Nick. Fear and confusion having numbed my senses, I step over him, towards Kev. I see that he's holding a gun. He shot Nick. Why? I don't know.

My face is frozen both from the cold air and shock of the past few seconds. I take a few more steps until I can feel the warmth of my fiancé's breath above me. With my mind empty, I hug him. After what seems like an eternity, he hugs me back and I feel warm tears running down my cheeks. I hear him talking, but I can't make out any words. As I feel his embrace loosen, a hard cylinder presses against my back.

I didn't hear anything, but I felt it. A bullet ripping through my body and into Kev's, my last breath leaving my lungs, and collapsing onto his falling body. All that was going through my mind was: why? I don't know.

But this time, I didn't care. I was with Kev, remaining my fiancé forever.