34. Jack
THIRTY-FOUR
JACK
That night as Jack got ready for bed in the deceased mayor’s house, he couldn’t help thinking about Abigail and what she had said. Her explanation about how her father handled the attacks seemed forced. Jack could tell she wanted to steer clear from the subject, but she hadn’t.
Jack tossed and turned in his bed as the moon rose high in the night sky.
Minutes turned into hours; still sleep evaded him like a hand trying in vain to grasp mist. His body was exhausted, but his mind wouldn’t turn off.
There was something strange going on in the town of Burrow Den.
Something that went far beyond simple animal attacks.
It was while Jack was considering the possibility of Sloan actually killing Aareth for calling her by her first name that he heard the first yell.
It wasn’t loud, but he knew to hear it through his closed window, it had to be a yell.
Jack turned onto his stomach and pushed aside the curtains that half concealed his view outside.
It was a clear night. He had a perfect angle of the town of Burrow Den below.
The house he was staying in was one of only a few that stood two stories tall.
He didn’t have to search far for the noise. It was coming from Abigail’s house.
Jack listened intently, holding his breath as he heard more shouts.
He could tell they were yells coming from an argument and not cries of help by the tones used.
Abigail was yelling something and Elijah was shouting back.
After a few minutes, Abigail stormed out of the back of the house.
She slammed the door behind her. A few seconds later, Elijah’s tall frame appeared, leaving out the front door.
Jack watched until the tall man’s fleeting shadow was lost in the darkness.
The younger Ahab stood in her backyard, clenching her hands, practically shaking. Jack was sure he hadn’t seen anyone that angry in a very long time, even Sloan. He watched as Abigail put her hands on top of her head. She paced back and forth.
Jack realized he had no business interfering. He knew Sloan had warned him about meddling with locals; still, he couldn’t help himself. More than he knew, he already cared about Abigail. If there was anything he could do to show her kindness, he was going to do it.
Quietly, he made his way from his room, down the staircase, and out the front door. It was warm, so he didn’t bother with his jacket. He took his wand belt, just in case.
There was a small path that ran between the two houses with a white picket fence separating the properties. Jack could see Abigail on the other side. Her arms were wrapped around herself as she stared into the darkness opposite Jack.
Jack kicked himself for not already knowing what to say. He was standing ten yards away from her, but nothing resembling a smooth icebreaker was coming to mind. Right now he was just a creeper staring at the back of a young woman.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Oh, Jack.” Abigail turned around quickly, wiping her eyes on her white blouse. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Are you okay? Did you need anything?”
Jack was taken aback by her again. She was clearly upset to the point of tears; still, when she saw him, she was asking if there was anything he needed.
“I’m okay. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s silly.” Abigail cleared her throat. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“No, I was already out for a walk,” Jack lied. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Do you ever feel like—like you’re being torn in two different directions?” Abigail took a long breath and stared into Jack’s brown eyes. “Like two versions of you are fighting inside?”
“You mean there’s this person that people want or expect you to be and then there’s another voice in your head telling you there’s another way?” Jack knew exactly what she meant.
“Yes.” Abigail stood quiet for a second staring at Jack.
“My father’s a great man. I love him, but he sees the world so black and white.” Jack looked up into the clear night sky. “He always makes the right decision, no matter what the consequences. I don’t know if I can do that.”
“Your father’s a kind man, Jack. You’re lucky. I can tell how much he loves you just by the way he looks at you. My father… is a bit different.”
Jack hesitated, not wanting to push her into a conversation that made her uncomfortable. Instead, he took a few steps forward allowing his hands rest on the white picket fence that stood between them. Abigail relaxed. She also took a few steps toward him, closing the distance.
“My father has nothing but the purest intentions, but he sometimes lacks common sense,” Abigail went on to explain.
“When my mother left us, my sister and I were only kids. I can’t blame my father much, but he didn’t have the slightest idea how to care for two girls.
I’ve grown up providing for both of them, in a way. ”
“That sounds like a lot of work. I can’t imagine being thrust into a situation like that.”
“It has its up and downs. It’s just that everything has become more complicated now with the attacks on the town.”
“What do you mean?”
Abigail stopped herself. She looked deep into Jack’s eyes. She stared at him, on the verge of opening her mouth, revealing a secret. Jack could tell by her expression how badly she wanted to say something. Instead, she cleared her throat and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, it’s late. I should really be going to bed.”
“Okay, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m a good listener.”
“Thanks, Jack.” Abigail gave him a knowing look that said she had an idea what he was up to. “I’m glad you were randomly out for a stroll at two o’clock in the morning and stopped to talk to me.”