Always Darkest (11 page)

There was awkward silence for several minutes.
 
Eventually they began to make small talk.
 
They talked about the differences between their two worlds.
 
Tori discovered that Mason was actually quite well read and had read several of her favorite books.
 
They danced together around the elephant in carriage.
 
Tori smiled and laughed, but she felt like she was dying inside.
 
Why did the most wonderful man she had ever met have to be the one she couldn’t have?
 
She tried to imagine herself just staying.
 
But then she thought about her family and how she couldn’t possibly cause them the grief that they would experience always wondering what happened to her, probably assuming she was dead.
 
She had to go home.

The time passed quickly and soon they were passing by Willa’s cottage, going further east.
 
There was a loud knocking from inside the carriage.
 

“Hey, hey,” Willa shouted.
 
“Mason stop at my place I am starving back here.”

Mason laughed and dutifully turned the carriage around and went to his granny’s home.
 
He stopped and hopped out and then he reached up to assist Tori to the ground.
 
Instead of taking her hand as he did the before, he grasped her around the waist and lifted her to the ground.
 
His hands felt so strong against her waist.
 
When her feet touched the ground he didn’t let go. Instead he held her there for a moment looking into her eyes.
 
They were so close if she moved a mere inch towards him they would be kissing.
 
Then he just let go and walked around to tether the horses.

Justin and Thomas had assisted Willa out and Tori felt like they were all looking at her.

“I just thought
we
all aught to have a meal before we go on to Earl’s place.
 
I’m too old to go too long without eating and I wouldn’t want to send you two away hungry either.”
 
Willa said already walking towards her door.
 

Inside Willa’s cozy kitchen, she began bustling around to prepare a meal.

“Anything I can do to help?” Tori asked.

“Sure honey, you go down to the cellar and get me a jar of green beans, a jar of tomatoes and a jar of pears.”
 
Willa pointed the way to the cellar, a small door to the side of the kitchen.
 
“Take the lamp.”
 
She pointed to a lamp on a small table by the cellar door.

Tori lit the lamp and walked down the creaky stairs into the darkness of the cellar.
 
Shelving lined the walls with rows upon rows of canned fruit and vegetables.
 
She found the tomatoes first, and was looking for the green beans when Justin came down.
 

“She sent me for potatoes.”
 
Justin said as he began loading some potatoes in a basket.

“Hey, Tori are you scared of going back?”

“Not really.
 
Why?
 
Are you?”

“No.
 
I was just thinking.
 
What if it sends us somewhere else instead of back to Earth?”

“I hadn’t really though of that, but I am now.
 
Thanks a lot.”

“Sorry.”

“I was just teasing.
 
Thomas seems pretty certain that only this world and Earth are connected.
 
I think we will be okay.”

“You’re probably right.”

Thomas came down the steps a few minute later.
 
“She sent me for onions.”

Tori found the green beans and the peaches.
 
Since she was the one with the lamp she stood waiting for the men. When everyone had their requested items Tori led the way back up the stairs.
 
When she got to the top she could tell that Willa was saying something in a raised voice but she couldn’t quite make it out.
 
She cracked open the door and held Mason say.
 
“Granny, I appreciate what you did for me and I know you worry, but I can’t do that.
 
You know I can’t.”

Tori opened the door and walked the rest of the way into the kitchen. Willa was already stirring something on the stove and Mason was setting out dishes on the table.
 
She deposited her wares on the counter next to the stove and so did the men.
 
“Anything else I can do Willa?”

“No you just sit down this will be ready soon.”

Soon Willa had prepared a quick stew and everyone ate heartily.
 
The talk was light and everyone was in a good mood.
 
Tori helped to do the dishes and soon they were back in the carriage heading to meet Earl the Wizard.”

Willa was sitting up front with Mason this time so Tori
was
in back with Justin and Thomas.
 
Thomas was getting so excited he was fidgeting.
 
“I can’t believe I am going to be back on Earth soon.
 
I hope to God my
Pearl
is still alive.”

“I hope so too.”
 
Tori said smiling at him.

Justin, who was sitting beside the old man, put his hand on his shoulder.
 
“I’ll help you find her.
 
You know, you can stay with me for a while if you need to, well, as long as I have a place.”

“Thank you son,” Thomas said.
 
Tori thought that Thomas and Justin had grown rather fond of each other in the short time that they had known each other.
 
She knew a lot could happen in a short time.

Justin and Thomas discussed what there plan of action would be once they got to Earth.
 
Justin explained the internet and how that could help.
 
Tori thought she could see the hope in the old man’s eyes and wondered what it would be like to still be so in love with someone after so many years.

All too soon, the carriage stopped in front of a small cottage in the woods.
 
It was only slightly larger than Willa’s cottage and lacked the feminine touches that Willa had incorporated all around the outside of her cottage.
 
It was obvious that a man lived here.

Everyone got out and Willa led the way to the door.
 
She knocked and there was no reply.
 
She knocked again and still there was nothing.

“Earl,
it’s
Willa.
 
Get you skinny butt out here I need to talk to you.”

Finally the door was opened by a tall skinny man.
 
He looked quite a few years older than Willa and he had long white hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail and he was rather clean shaven.
 
He wore brown pants, a long white linen shirt, and brown leather sandals.
 
He looked more like an old hippy than a wizard to Tori.
 

“Willa!” he said immediately hugging her and lifting her off her feet.”

She laughed.
 
“Put me down you old fool.”

He put her down and she made a show of smoothing out her skirts.
 
“What brings you to my neck of the woods?”

“How is your toe?”

Earl wiggled his toe, “good as new, but I know you didn’t come out here to check on a burnt toe.”

“You’d be right.
 
Believe it or not I actually need your help.”

He rubbed his chin.
 
“Is that so?”

“Yes, but don’t get all big headed about it.
 
Do you have a place where we can sit down and talk?”

“Of course I do, it being such a nice day, let’s go sit under that tree.”

Earl led them over to a large oak tree.
 
Everyone sat on the ground.
 
Willa began by introducing everyone and then explained what had happened.
 

Earl shook his head.
 
“So all you need me to do is cast a circle?”

“That’s it. Do you think you can manage it?
 
And next time you need my services, which seems to be quite frequently, I’ll treat you for free.”
 
Willa said as she rubbed her arms.
 
The suns were going down and Tori
was
cold too.
 
Earl didn’t say anything at first he just clapped his hands and made a couple gestures Tori didn’t recognize and immediately she felt the air around her warm up.

“Wow,” Tori said.
 
“Did you do that?”

“I did indeed.” Then Earl cocked an eyebrow at Willa, “I can manage it.”

Thomas spoke up.
 
“I believe it will only work after the suns set.
 
You see, the things only come over during the night, so it would make sense that the barrier is thinner then.”

“It makes sense to me.”
 
The wizard said.
 
“And since we have a little time I have a million questions about your world.”
 
He looked at Justin.
 
“Are there wizards in your world?”

“Only in fiction,” Justin answered.
 
“There are magicians, but they just work with illusion.”

“Hmm, I wonder if magic works at all in your world.
 
Maybe there are just no wizards, but if electricity works there but not here.
 
Maybe electricity is like the magic of your world.
 
Maybe you can have one but not both.”
 
He shook his head as if trying to clear it of the thought.
 
“Did you feel anything when you came over?”

“No, not a thing, I was knocked out.”

“Me too,” Tori interjected.

“Interesting,” the wizard said.
 
“I can’t wait to do it.
 
I hope I get a glimpse of your world! That would be so exciting!”

Earl continued to question Tori, Justin and Thomas about Earth until the suns dropped all the way below the horizon.
 
Tori retreated into her thoughts and let Thomas and Justin answer most of the wizard’s questions.
 
The moon above was only slightly less full than it had been, slowly fading as if it was saying goodbye.
 
Tori was
happy to be going home, but she was sad to be leaving.
 
She hated to think what her sister must be going through right now.
 
If the situation was reversed, she would be frantic.
 

She was drawn to Mason like she had never been drawn to anyone before.
 
She looked over at him, with his ready smile, his deep eyes and his hard body.
 
He and Willa were deep in conversation.
 
They were speaking quietly so Tori couldn’t tell what they were saying.

Thomas stood up and spoke ripping Tori away from her thoughts.
 
“It is full dark now and if everyone is ready.
 
Let’s do it.”

“Don’t be so hasty.”
 
Willa said as she stood. I need to say goodbye to Tori.
 
“Sweetie you come
take
a walk with me.”
 
Tori followed as Willa led her around the side of Earl’s house.
 
“Are you sure you want to go?”

“I have to go.”

“That’s not what I asked.
 
Look at me and tell me you want to go.”

“I miss my sister and she must be worried about me.
 
I have to go.”

“Uh huh, that’s what I thought.”

 
“Thank you so much for helping me.”

“Oh honey, it was nothing, I think you may have helped me more than you know.
 
Come here.”
 
Willa wrapped Tori in a warm motherly hug.
 
“I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too.”

Mason came around the side of the house while the two women were still embracing.
 
Willa released her and Tori saw the wetness that had built up in Willa’s eyes.
 
“I’m going to go and give you two a chance to say goodbye.”
 
Willa walked as fast as she could around the side of the house.

Chapter Fifteen

The darkness didn’t hide the intense expression on Mason’s face.
 
When Willa left he backed Tori up against the side of the cottage and placed a hand on either side of her pinning her between him and the wall.
 
He was close to Tori. So close she could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

“Don’t go.”

“Mason, I have to.”
 
Maybe he could come with her.
 
The thought had crossed her mind. If he left with her at least no one would think he was dead. She had pushed the thought away because he was the only family his granny had here and he owned the tavern.
 
It seemed selfish to ask him to come with her.
  
If only it wasn’t a one way trip?
 
They could have a long distance relationship.
 
The thought made her chuckle on the inside even though her heart was breaking.