Secrets by C.L.Chick (aka KrystalGamer1 )
Winning Entry for the October 2020 SimLit Challenge
Read Time: ~4 minutes
Laine and Ashley stood reading the sign.
Witch Trial
Tuesday 2 p.m.
Town Square
All Welcome
“Terrible.” Laine shook his head. “Might as well say ‘Hanging at 4:00.’”
Ashley nodded. “No doubt. It’s always a death sentence. But better them than us.”
He looked at her. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” Her brow furrowed. “I couldn’t go through it again. What if I lost you?”
“I know, Ash, but don’t wish for any group to be hunted or persecuted. Wishing something like that could come back on us, you know?”
“I’m not wishing it on the witches. I would never. I’m just relieved it’s not our kind they’re after anymore. That’s all.”
He put his arm around her and drew her into him. “Me too. I couldn’t bear losing you either.” He kissed her temple, then took her hand in his. They walked the moonlit path through the park toward their old Victorian.
Laine turned to her. “I’ve decided to tell Darci.”
She stopped and glared at him. “Definitely not. We’ve discussed this.”
“I know. But it’s been twenty years and we haven’t aged. She’s going to start to wonder, if she hasn’t already.”
“You can’t just make this decision unilaterally. She may be your sister, but she’s my best friend. What if she disowns me?”
“She won’t. She loves us both. You know that.”
Ashley bit her lip and rubbed her brow.
“I know you’re scared, but it’s time. You know that too.”
“What if…”
“She’s not your brother. She’s not going to become a hunter. She’s not going to turn us in to anyone. It’s Darci, Ash. Darci. You’ve known her nearly all your life.”
“I knew my brother all my life, too, and that didn’t stop him from hunting me. And didn’t stop me from having to kill him in the end,” she said in a pain filled voice.
“You know that’s not going to happen with Darci. She’s nothing like your brother.”
“Maybe not, but… do you think she’ll be able to keep it to herself? I mean, if anyone finds out our kind still exists, the hunts will begin all over again and many will be slaughtered. She could cause untold death unintentionally just by telling the wrong person.”
He put his hands on her arms and peered into her eyes. “I’ll talk to her, tell her of the risks. She’ll understand. She sees what’s happening to the witches now, the unjust persecution. She’s not going to want that to happen to us.”
She heaved a heavy breath, then nodded ever so slightly. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay,” she confirmed, but with a worried brow. “I’m scared though, Laine. So scared. I don’t want to lose her.”
“We won’t.” He drew her in and hugged her. “I know Darci. She’ll accept us. I know she will.”
#
Laine sat on the tufted leather sofa in his library with Darci, waiting for her response.
Her eyes widened and mouth dropped, then she regained composure. “But if you’re both vampires, why isn’t Ashley here? Why didn’t you tell me together?”
“She was too afraid of your reaction, too afraid you’d hate or disown us and she couldn’t bear to see it.”
The corners of her mouth turned up, yet her eyes welled.
Laine frowned. “You’re not going to disown us, are you?”
She shook her head. A tear fell. “I just can’t believe it.” Her voice cracked.
“I know it’s a shock, but…”
She put her hand on his arm. “No, it’s not that. You don’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Both of you were afraid to tell me what you are, but I’ve… I’ve been keeping something from you too.” She lowered her eyes and stared at their joined hands for a moment before she met his gaze again. “I’ve been too afraid to tell you.” She chortled. “That seems so silly now.”
“Tell me what?”
“That, I’m…” She glanced down again, then back at him. “I’m a witch, Laine.”
His eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped just as hers had. “You? You’re a… a witch?”
She nodded. “I’ve wanted to tell you for forever, but there’s so much witch hatred…” She shook her head. “I was so afraid not knowing what you’d think, afraid you’d hate or disown me.”
“Oh, sis!” He wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, and always will no matter what. Always.”
She hugged him back with tears of joy blurring her vision. “Me too.” She held him tightly.
When they disengaged, Laine’s eyes shown bright with excitement. “I can’t wait to tell Ash.”
“You think she’ll be okay with it?”
“Are you kidding? She’s going to love it! She’ll be dying to hear about everything you can do.”
A soft knock interrupted them. The door opened and Ashley stood staring blankly, her normally fair skin having gone stark white.
“What’s wrong, Ash?” Laine asked.
A paper fell from her hand.
He rushed to retrieve it.
Warrant for Arrest
The town of Lauder hereby commands the arrest of Darci Dunhoff for the offense of witchcraft, a crime punishable by death.
Trial Thursday, 2 p.m., town square. All welcome.
He raised his head as two officers appeared behind Ashley, shackles in hand.
Comments:
“Oh no. I love how you did this, brought the story around from the clue at the beginning. I wasn't expecting that. Tragically sad though.”
“Great storyline! Glad you’ve joined the SimLit community. Finally.” - Mena Buchner
“Ohhhhhh! Hey, two mortal human officers against two vamp & a witch, not bad odds for your three. I love it!” - Sally Long
“Second read thru was as awesome as the first!” - Lisabeesims
“The ending is so tragic (and unexpected), but I really enjoyed this story!” - divanthesimmer
“Just when they thought things were good and all the secrets were out in the open in the family...the thing that Ashley dreaded the most has happened. Oh my...such a sad ending... “ SoulGal7
“First they came for the witches and I did not speak out because I was not a witch. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.“ - Dolly Llama
“Love the twist at the end that the trial was Darci's all along. That was so good and terribly sad.” - Qnshr5
“Awww. That’s so sad.....”