Page 14 of Wallflower Witch

George would be pleased. He’s always told me that someday I’ll meet someone who will pull my nose out of books. I never really believed him, but he fell in love at first sight with his wife, so maybe it really does happen.

Josh is sitting across the booth from me, while Patrick’s thigh is flush with my own. I’m struggling to concentrate on the grimoire and not on his warmth or Josh’s footsie as he shovels down an order of blueberry pancakes, breakfast burrito, hash browns, and five slices of bacon. My hips could never.

“Mrph muf maow?” Josh asks around a mouthful of eggs, sausage, and tortillas. Quoth’s beady eyes follow his every movement, ready to snatch up every little crumb that Josh dares to drop.

Patrick chuckles, twining his fingers in my hair. “We read and learn as much about the witches and Spells Hollow as we can. Maybe we’ll be able to figure out why we’re all being drawn in. And how to stop those vines from grabbing people to bury them alive.”

“I’m hoping I can learn more about this.” I play with the necklace that’s now hanging against my neck, courtesy of a piece of string Patrick found in his truck. Even though it’s touching my skin, it isn’t glowing. It hasn’t since the crypt got fixed up. I’m worried I broke it, but is it even something that can be broken? I have so many questions cropping up and not nearly enough answers.

Josh swallows his mouthful and shoots me a big smile. “Oh, I might know someone who can help us with that. A pal in the city—he’s a lawyer—studies precious stones in his spare time. He might have an idea about what that is. I’ll give him a call.”

“That would be great, thank you!” I touch his hand before I think better of it. He flips his palm over, clasping my fingers between his. “I hope he’ll know what it is. I’m not sure how magic stones rank with regular old precious stones.”

“He’s really smart and won’t quit. If anyone can figure it out, it’ll be Matty,” Josh reassures me with a wink. He digs around in his backpack before producing some cash to toss onto the table in front of us. “Let me give him a call and see if he has time for a meeting tomorrow. We can head to the city in the morning after getting some rest.”

Patrick clears his throat, and Josh flushes, looking down at the table as he rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, here I am making all the plans, like I’m back at the fire station. If either of you have other priorities, I completely understand.”

Patrick chuckles warmly. “I was just going to say that sounds like a wonderful plan. I’ll get a room at the motel tonight so I can be close in case anything happens.” This, he directs to me, following me out of the booth as we exit the diner into the brisk summer evening.

It’s dark out tonight, and I shudder as I watch a young girl walk to the middle of the overpass. She climbs onto the wall, wobbles for a moment, then swan dives off. Patrick squeezes my hand, grounding me even as my pulse sky-rockets, as my blood turns into ice inside my veins. “Have you always had this happen so much?”

I shake my head, forcing myself to turn away from the girl I can’t save. “I didn’t really know what it was before coming here, but now I realize I’ve always seen ghosts in my dreams. I’ve seen their lives, but more so, I’ve seen their deaths. But until a few days ago, I hadn’t seen them while I’m awake or heard their cries of pain. It’s awful.”

Josh rubs my back, and I startle, not noticing his approach. Now I’m sandwiched between the two men who have become my rocks, even in the short time we’ve been together.

They surround me, making me feel cherished and protected. I don’t even realize we’re moving until they’re sitting me on a bed in Josh’s room, Patrick sitting across from me on the other queen as Josh settles next to me after depositing Quoth in his cage.

“It’s like I’m a part of them in that moment, like I can see and feel the very moment of their death.” I feel them staring at me, but somehow, it doesn’t feel like the judging or condescending looks I’ve experienced before when talking about my issues. Instead, I feel warm and supported, like this amount of crazy isn’t that unbelievable.

“When we were at the house, just before finding you, Josh…” I turn to our newest companion, who smiles at me and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear before pulling me against his chest. “Patrick and I were checking out the house to see what we could learn about my heritage when I heard a scream, then a scary ghost chased us outside. While we were out there, I saw two people die in a room on the top floor of the house through a window. But it felt like I was there while it was happening, like I went back in time to join them in that one horrible moment. And when that last lady died, even as she tried to convey her message, I could feel her fear and pain and anger as she took her final breath.”

Josh’s fingers are tracing gentle circles on my back again as he holds me, giving me the courage to finish baring my soul.

“It’s… terrifying. I don’t understand why I’m seeing these things, why I become a part of that horrible moment every time. Each time I look around, I’m scared that I’ll see something even worse.”

I stop speaking, sitting in an uncomfortable silence for what feels like forever until Patrick stands, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen in the short time I’ve known him.

This is it. This is the maximum crazy they can handle. They’re going to leave me all alone now that they know the full extent of what I’ve experienced.

I close my eyes, not wanting to see the look on his face, not wanting to watch him walk out of the door away from me.

The bed dips.

My eyes fly open as Patrick sits by where my legs are curled, lifting them to settle underneath, so my shoe-covered feet rest in his lap. He carefully unties each bow, slipping the shoes off my feet and onto the floor.

Only once he’s done with that and his hands have started drawing their own patterns does he look up, giving me a soft smile.

“I don’t have any answers for you, Morrigan, though I wish I did.” He glances at Josh, then back at me. “I know none of us know each other very well yet, but I can promise you that no matter what happens, whatever you may face from now on, you won’t be alone. I will be right beside you all the way, and I’m fairly certain Josh will be as well.”

Josh pulls me tighter against him, nuzzling against my ear. “Cursed vines couldn’t drag me away,” he murmurs. “We’re with you all the way.”

“But why? If I were you I would be running for the hills. This is institutionalize level crazy, yet you’re sticking it out and believing me. No one’s ever believed me before.” The words slip out without my meaning, all those lonely nights where all the others in the orphanage would avoid me or make fun of me a reminder of what happens when people know the real me.

“Sometimes the best moments are the crazy, unexplainable ones.” Patrick brushes the hair out of my face, making sure he has my full attention before continuing. “I’ve felt a pull toward you from the moment I first set eyes on you in the middle of that field. Whether that’s love at first sight or maybe some magical byproduct that’s bringing us together I don’t know.”

He takes a deep breath. “What I do know is that I want to spend time getting to know you better. I want to stroll through the park hand in hand as you tell me about the things you love in life. I want to hold you close and comfort you whenever you’re feeling down. I want to experience every moment with you, the good and the bad, not just because I feel this pull, but because every moment I’ve spent with you until now has shown me how strong, and brave, and incredibly resilient you are, no matter what’s thrown at you.”

“That is why I believe in you.” Patrick's voice is steady, his eyes holding mine. A yawn catches me by surprise, and I blush. He grins at me.

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