My feet carry me forward as I get lost in my thoughts. I’m long out of sight before I hear the turning over of the engine and Gabe driving in the opposite direction.

I am alone.

Chapter 16 - Waverly

I sit in one of the courtyards of Crestwood alone, without a weapon, and I feel at peace. It is the first time in a long while that I have felt so at ease. The wind blows softly through the streets and the voices of people and children pass through the alleys and lanes without a care. But the clouds that fill the sky make me think only of the storm to come. I think of that moment when Gilbert commits a final heroic act. I just can’t see how it is all supposed to happen. I want to try and stop it, but I don’t know how. And I’m beginning to think that I won’t be able to.

I see someone to my right and I smile when I notice that it’s Ethan. He looks nice after a fresh shower. He has shaved and his dark hair is combed to the side.

“You look like a real gentleman,” I say.

He grins at me. “And you, Miss Waverly, look stunning as usual.”

“How are you liking your new place?” I ask.

“It’s not bad. Has everything I need. I’ve stayed in much worse, I can tell you that.” He sits next to me on the bench and I scoot over a few inches.

“Have you gotten to know anyone yet?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’ve only talked to the supply lady. She seemed real nice. Other than that I’ve just been keeping to myself. Enjoying my freedom a bit.”

“I hear you.”

“What about you?”

“Oh, I’ve talked to a few people,” he says. “There was a couple that has been here about a year now. They seem to like it okay. The word around town is that someone was banished from here not too long ago. Maybe a couple of days.”

“Hmm.”

“Yeah. I don’t know. I didn’t ask really.”

“Keep to ourselves and stay out of trouble,” I say. “That’s the best way to be allowed to stick around.”

“I just think it’s kind of weird,” he says. “I can’t really explain it.”

“The banishing?”

“No, just being here,” he says. “I really hope we can be a part of something. I don’t want to just survive. I’ve been surviving for the past three years. Now I want to help.”

“I’m certain that time will come,” I say. “For now, just enjoy the new freedom.”

He nods at me and smiles. “You holding up okay?”

“It’s been five days since Lucas died,” I say. “I hate it. He would have liked it here.”