Page 42 of Firefly

Smiling, Rebecca held out her hand and together, they descended the stairs. Sarah waited as her mother moved slowly, catching her breath at each floor.

When they reached the kitchen, Sarah ran to the pantry, found an empty jar and a bit of cheesecloth and string, and brought them back, handing them to Rebecca. As they left the kitchen, Rebecca glanced toward the door leading to the servant’s hall. It wasn’t quite dark, but she longed to see him.

Just another hour, she reminded herself. When Simon rose, he would find them in their favorite spot.

They settled beneath the oak tree beside the orchard and listened to the buzz of creatures preparing for the evening.

As the streaks of orange streamed between branches and the forest beyond their manicured cage came alive, Rebecca inhaled deeply. Twilight was her favorite time of day—when the scalding rays of sunlight banked and the world melted into the moon’s cool embrace. Long shadows stretched the most benign objects into something magical, and imagination was all that was needed to transport them to a land far different from the one she occupied.

Buzzing started, and Sarah hopped to her feet. “Mama,” she whispered.

Rebecca smiled, nodding as she slowly stood. “They’re waking.”

Sarah grabbed her jar and cloth and dashed into the orchard, swiping the jar at the tiny glowing insects in her path.

Rebecca laughed, leaning against the tree at her back.

Sarah's cheeks were flushed and pink as she darted between trees, swinging her arms wildly, but try as she might, her jar was dark.

Rebecca glanced over her shoulder toward the house. Simon should be up, but he had not come to find them. Frowning, she turned back to Sarah, who huffed in frustration as she missed another bug.

Pushing off the tree, Rebecca moved toward her and held out a hand. “May I?”

Sarah considered for a moment, then handed over the jar.

Rebecca squatted down and nudged Sarah’s shoulder. “What if we cheat a little?”

A wide grin broke over Sarah’s face, and she nodded.

“But this time, I want to see how long we can make them last. What do you say?”

In answer, Sarah cupped her hands together, and Rebecca held the jar upside down over them. At Rebecca’s nod, Sarah opened her cupped hands, and a dozen tiny insects flew into the jar. Rebecca slid the cloth over the bottom before flipping it.

“Did you imagine them living a long time?”

“I imagined they would live forever. Just as I pray you will, every night.”

Something sharp pierced Rebecca’s heart. She had been wrong to tell Sarah what would happen to her; that impending end plagued the girl’s thoughts. She could have spared her this bit, at least.

“Come on, sweet girl. Let’s take our new nightlight inside. They will chase away the darkness while you sleep.”

“I’m not afraid of the dark,” Sarah said, sticking her chin out.

“You’re very brave. Perhaps they are for me then.” She winked, swallowing the fear that rose at the thought of how brave Sarah was becoming and what it might mean for her future.

“You’re not afraid of anything, Mama.”

Rebecca pasted a smile across her face. If only that were true.

Chapter 32

Simon

Simon halted at the foot of the stairs. He tugged at the leash restraining him, but no matter how he pulled, his feet would not turn him in their direction. Gritting his teeth, he tried thinking of some other reason for going upstairs.

The window latches needed to be secured. Alice required his assistance.

Nothing worked. He was rooted to the spot.

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