The Masks We Hide Behind

Epilogue: "PHANTOMS"

Evie kneeled. She didn’t care that it was raining, or that the dirt would be wet and ruin her clothing. No. She was here to mourn. 

She glanced at the tombstones, two of them, side by side.

The first read: Here lies Henry Green. He’d died nearly twelve years ago. He’d been wounded on the train, and Evie hadn’t been able to save him. When the lights had gone out, Jacob had fired. A perfect shot, just below Henry’s heart. Jacob had taken Henry from her. Right when she’d needed Henry most.

She risked a glance at her carriage. It was parked several feet away, and she could see her daughter, Helena, sleeping soundly. Hers and Henry’s daughter. She hadn’t even been able to tell Henry she was expecting. She didn’t find out until a month after his death.

Evie returned her gaze to the second tombstone. It read: Here lies Jacob Frye. He had died the same day as Henry. Henry had fired at nearly the exact same time as Jacob. Henry had taken Jacob from her. She missed her brother dearly.

Drying her eyes with her sleeve, she got to her feet, heading for her carriage. She paused when she got to the gates of the cemetery. She was leaving, but someone else was entering. They both stood. Evie didn’t bother faking a smile. She greeted the man, “Maxwell Roth.”

“Miss Frye,” He answered, his voice breaking, “I have no intention of bothering you. I’m simply here to see...well...to see him.”

“It’s the anniversary of their deaths,” Evie sighed, “I’ve just finished. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Thank you, Evie.” He walked further in, falling to his knees in front of Jacob’s tombstone, and immediately breaking into tears, sobbing audibly.

Twelve years was a long time to think. Enough time for initial opinions to change. Evie bit her lip then instead of exiting through the gate, walked to Roth’s side.

She kneeled beside him, and as she put her arms around him, he cried into her shoulder. She cried too, and then she spoke, “I’m sorry. For everything that happened that night.”

He struggled to compose himself, to no avail, “Don’t bother. I...I don’t blame you for what happened. I did for a long time, but I don’t anymore.” 

“I’ll let you have a moment alone,” Evie said, pulling out of the embrace, “Helena and Aleck are waiting for me.” 

He dried his eyes, “Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Frye.”

“Have you seen anyone since Jacob?”

He closed his eyes, inhaling sharply and shaking his head, “I can’t bring myself to do it. His face haunts my dreams. I’ve never loved any man like I loved Jacob.”
 
Evie got in her carriage, Helena still sleeping soundly, and rode home.