The Mistress of Black Grove Manor (66 page)

              Marta and Stephen were left alone as Stephen held onto Marta.  He rocked her gently and kissed the top of her head.  “It’s all okay now… I promise.”  He looked at her and their eyes met.  This time, Marta knew he was telling the truth.  Something inside of her told her that this time it was for real.  This time, she was free from the monster’s grasp. 

              As the two of them sat there, Linda peeked into the bedroom.  She saw the carpet was stained red, but she didn’t know what that meant, all she did know was that her mother was okay.  She ran to her mother now and jumped into her arms.  “Mommy!”  Marta started to cry as she held her daughter.  She was glad she was safe.  She kissed her daughter’s head and they cried together.

              Stephen wrapped his arms around both of them and held them tight.  “It’s all okay now…”  He whispered to them.

Chapter 8

              A few months later the three of them found themselves in court.  Cole was being put on trial for domestic abuse and assault on multiple charges.  Stephen was representing his new girlfriend, Marta. 

              Stephen was a shark in the courtroom and soon enough he made away with Cole’s case.  Cole didn’t really have a case to begin with.  The cameras planted in Marta’s bedroom was all the evidence the jury needed to convict Cole.  They saw him as a monster and for once he got what he deserved. 

              Stephen ended up putting him away for a very long time.  He would never bother Marta or Linda again. 

              Marta watched as the officers took him away in handcuffs.  A mess of emotions hit her in that moment as she realized that she was finally free.  She was finally free to live her life, to be happy, to live a life without constant fear. 

              As this happened she broke down into tears and hugged her daughter tight.  She didn’t think this moment would ever happen.  She assumed that if she ever left her husband she would have been left with nothing.  Instead, the judge had given her full custody of their daughter, ownership of the house, and various other things.  Her life finally seemed to be back on track, all because of her skilled lawyer. 

              Once Cole was out of the room Stephen walked up to his client.  Marta hugged him tightly and cried into his chest in the middle of the courtroom.  Linda hugged his leg and smiled up at him when he messed up her hair.  He stood there with the two girls for a moment before pulling Marta away from him. 

              Marta frowned thinking that he didn’t want her.  Had she upset him?  Was she too damaged for him to be with her?  She frowned before he reached forward and wiped all her tears away.  He smiled at her before saying, “I have one more surprise.” 

              Marta looked confused as she looked at her boyfriend.  A surprise?  She didn’t know what to expect as Stephen looked in his suitcase and pulled out an envelope.  He handed it to her and smiled.  “Open it.”

              Marta nodded and opened up the envelope.  To her surprise, she pulled out her marriage license.  “I took the liberty of making your marriage to that nutcase null and void.  That document no longer means anything.”  Marta’s eyes grew in surprise as she looked up at her boyfriend.  Quickly she took the document and started to rip it to shreds.  She took out all her anguish, frustration, and heartbreak on that piece of paper. 

              Stephen smiled at her before kissing the top of her head.  “And now that you are back on the market…”  There was a grin on his face as he reached into his pocket.  As he did he got down on one knee and presented Marta with a little black box.  He opened it to reveal her old high school, the one he had given her on their first real date.  Linda looked between the two adults wondering what was going on. 

              “Will you marry me, Marta?”  Stephen looked up at her and looked hopeful.  Marta couldn’t find the voice to respond, but she managed to nod her head.  He hugged her tightly before Linda pulled on her mother’s skirt.  Marta looked down at her daughter. 

              “What is it, sweetheart? 

              “Is Stephen my new daddy?”  Marta cried and nodded her head. 

              “Yes.”  It was an answer for both of them.

***The End***

Summoned

By: Elaine Young

   It’s gorgeous, it really is.

Rome in 200 BC. It’s amazing what it looks like, as opposed to what the modern age looks like. Both equally beautiful in their own right. The modern world is rougher, that’s true, but there is still beauty- though be it a rough beauty. This… this is rough as well. But there is a gentle beauty to it.

When you look at it, we’re not much different now than we were back then. It’s sad, but there is still blood, death, hierarchy.

But there is still beauty. He reminded himself. That was what would keep him going. Beauty. In a life that would last too long- that had already lasted too long.

Becky blew out a deep breath running her fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face. She pushed herself to run faster.
Faster.

Her legs ached and she was out of breath but she didn’t stop. She ignored the cramp in her gut.

“Becky!”

Becky skidded to a stop and turned to the voice. Why were they talking to her? They knew better than to bother her when she was running.

Ashley waved her friend down. “There you are! Aren’t you coming out to dinner with us?”

Dinner?
Right. She’d agreed to go try out that new restaurant with her and her friend.
Wait.
“Us?”

“Yea.” Ashley beamed, her green eyes glowing in the dusk. She was a foot taller than Becky, with long brown hair. Actually, she’d been the reason Becky decided to grow her blonde hair out. “There’s a small group of us going out.”

“Oh.” Becky tried to hide her disappointment but knew she’d done a dreadful job. She forced a smile over her lips. “Alright, well just let me get cleaned up.” Becky and Ashley headed over to where Becky kept her backpack, she slung it over her shoulder and they headed back to their dorm.

The two girls had met each other a year and a half ago. When they started going to college together they had been assigned the same dorm and quickly they realized that it was a blessing. They’d quickly become best friends, and the fact that they had the same basic body shape didn’t hurt either.

Becky showered quickly, careful not to get her hair wet. When she turned the shower off and stepped out, wrapping a towel around herself she wasn’t surprised to see Ashley in the bathroom, applying makeup.

“I set out an outfit for you.”

Becky raised an eyebrow in disapproval. She was more than capable of picking out outfits for herself, but Ashley was passionate about fashion. She wanted to make that her side career; so Becky played Barbie and let Ashley pick out her clothes.

The girls changed quickly, Becky applied a little makeup when Ash was out of the way, and the two girls each slipped into their favorite heels. Becky looked herself over in the mirror.

A black high waited skirt, with a wide belt to accent the smallest part of her waist; along with a green silk blouse. She had her 5 inch black wedges on, and her blonde hair hung straight. A soft grin spread over her lips as she turned away from the mirror and grabbed her purse. Knowing Ash she would be overdressed, but at least she would be the best dressed person there.

“I’ve got some friends coming to pick us up.” She said as they walked down the hallway, the sock
click-clack
of their heels echoing around them.

Becky nodded.

She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. She didn’t like going out in large groups very much, much less when she only knew one other person there.

There were three others besides her and Ash. So all in all not too bad, but it was hard to find them a seat for all of them.

“Excuse me,” The waitress said to a man. He looked up at her. “Would it be alright if they took one of the tables?” She motioned towards the two tables that made up his seating area.

“Of course.” He smiled. He looked at them, his eyes resting on Becky. A soft smile spread across his lips. He motioned to the free table.

Becky could feel his eyes on her. Her heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head to the ground, looking up between her lashes at him.

He had short blonde hair, and piercing blue-green eyes. Becky’s heart skipped a beat. She tried not to stare at him, but she couldn’t help it.

“Thank you.” Ash’s voice snapped her back to reality. Becky watched as Ashley stepped forward and held her hand out to him. “I’m Ashley.”

“Darian.” He shook her hand with a tight smile.

“Do you go to school here?” She looked him up and down as the waitress moved the table over, creating enough space for all of us at one seating area.

Yes.
He did. I’d seen him around from time to time. Normally on Thursday nights.

“Every now and then. When I’m in the right place at the right time,” he said it as if there was a joke that only he got. He looked past her. His eyes locking on Becky again.

“You’re in the Vampires course, aren’t you?”

Becky’s cheeks flushed. She’d been in a vampire craze when she started it. She knew it was childish but she couldn’t help wanting to take it, plus it was an easy credit.

“Uh, yea. I wanted to try out one of the mythology classes,” she said. The school also offered Greek, Celtic, and werewolf mythology, pretty much as an easy extra credit for anyone who needed one and didn’t want to do too much work.

It wasn’t hard to notice a couple people in the group thought it was silly. Becky’s cheeks darkened.

“I personally really enjoyed the lecture they did… what, three weeks ago? About the different cultures and their take on vampires.”

“Yea.” Becky felt a wave of relief, thankful that he wasn’t going to make fun of her. She’d never noticed him in the class. How had she missed that?

Darian motioned to the spot beside him. Silently inviting her to sit there. “I’d love to hear your take on the most recent reading material. What do you think about the professor not assigning Dracula?”

Becky slipped past her friend and sat down beside him, totally aware that she had gotten in the way of her friend’s flirting.
I need to find a way to get Ash in this conversation.
She thought.

“I thought it was a really interesting move on his behalf. I mean, everyone would have expected it; but assuming you went to high school, and did your homework, you’ve probably already read it,” she noted.

A wide grin spread over Darian's face.

“I don’t believe I have the pleasure of knowing your name.”

Becky’s heart skipped a beat as he spoke. There was something about the way he said it that made him sound old fashioned.

“Becky.” She held her hand out to him.

His eyes sparkled as he took her hand in his. It took all she had not to pull away from him his hands were so cold.

He raised the back of her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss against her. The action sent a chill down her spine. It took effort not to pull away from him before he let go of her hand.

“Actually,” Becky cleared her throat. “Ash and I were just talking about the most recent assignment.”

“What?” Ash perked up. I gave her a wide grin. “Oh, yea.” She realized what Becky was saying. “Beck likes to bounce ideas off me when she does her homework. I don’t really listen though.” She turned her attention to Becky, giving her a wide grin and a small nod.

Becky’s brow furrowed. She stared at her best friend.
I thought you wanted him.
She said silently, not that Ashley could hear her. But she turned her attention away from Becky and Darian. The waitress came back, handing them each a Manu and everyone a glass of water.

Becky took hers, smiling a quick thank you to the girl before looking down at the menu.

The place was new, and known for its strange burgers. IT was a collage cafe, just a few blocks away from the college and with good prices so everyone could afford to come here- plus it was open almost 24 hours a day.

“Have you been here before?” Becky asked, anyone who would answer really.

“No. This is my first time. How about you?”

Becky looked up to see everyone deep in conversation, except Darian who was watching her closely.

One girl shot a look over her, her nose wrinkled and she looked away quickly.

Becky felt her heart skip a beat.
What was that about?
She wondered. Then turned to Darian.