Chapter 21. The light shimmered around Simon, blinding white light.

T he light shimmered around Simon, blinding white light.

As he thrust the sword into Lucy Goode and she uttered a choking gasp of pain, the light grew even brighter.

A small round dark spot formed in the center of the light. The spot grew, spreading its darkness.

It took Simon a while to realize that the spot was blood, blood staining the front of the girl’s dress.

Darker, darker. The spot expanded until it blocked out the light.

And as the darkness grew and the shimmering light faded, Simon’s vision was restored. He could see clearly once again.

Still holding the long ebony handle of the sword, staring at the blood as it stained the dress, Simon could see. Could see that he hadn’t stabbed Lucy Goode.

He had thrust the sword deep into his own daughter’s chest.

“Simon! Simon!” Angelica’s shrill cries repeated in his ears, shutting out all other sounds, shutting out his own horrified thoughts. “Simon! Simon! Simon!”

Then Hannah fell forward and slumped into her father’s arms, as his sword clanged heavily to the floor.

Warm blood poured over Simon’s evening shirt. Hannah’s blood.

She uttered a soft moan. Her lips continued to move after all sound had died.

All sound except Angelica’s shrill chant: “Simon! Simon! Simon!”

Hannah died in Simon’s arms, her head lying heavily against his shoulder, her soft blond hair brushing his cheek, falling over his shoulder.

Hannah dead. Julia dead.

Angelica shrieked, her eyes shut tight, pulling frantically at her long black hair.

Robert held his brothers, turning them away from the hideous scene before them.

Mrs. MacKenzie sobbed against the wall, burying her face in her apron.

“I—I thought it was Lucy Goode,” Simon sputtered.

“Lucy Goode resigned this afternoon,” Mrs. MacKenzie replied through her sobs. “She could not bear Miss Hannah’s accusations. She packed her bag and departed.”

With a quiet shudder Simon held his lifeless daughter. As he struggled to keep her on her feet, they appeared to be dancing, a strange, sad, awkward last dance.

Hannah is gone, he realized. Julia is gone. The wonderful part of my life is over.

“Simon! Simon! Simon!” Angelica chanted.

“I tried to hide from it, Angelica,” Simon sobbed. “I tried to pretend it no longer existed. But the curse that follows the Fear family has found us all today.”

“Simon! Simon! Simon!” Angelica shrieked behind him. “Simon! Simon! Simon!”

Simon Fear knew that her cries would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20