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“Kuru.” Lux’s voice a whispered shock. Lux dropped the knife, the gun also lowering as her face went slack with surprise.
Guess we were all getting a round of shock tonight.
“What you gone done, girl?” Though almost blind, Kuru walked with the confidence of a woman who knew exactly where she was going.
Lux could only stare at her, and Kuru got close enough to take Lux’s hands in hers, despite everything going on around us—the heat from the flames, Saul’s moans and shouts to free him, the muted sound of sirens—someone had called the firemen.
“He said—” Lux started, her voice choking off, “He said he would hurt you.” Her face was twisted with anguish and… it looked like regret. Said that if I didn’t do anything he asked, he would kill you. And I had to…” Lux’s voice grew desperate, clutching Kuru’s hands to her chest, “I had to. You understand.”
“Honey, of course,” Sliding her hand from Lux’s desperate embrace, Kuru cupped Lux’s cheek. Love shined through her white eyes. “I knows you did. But yous got to understand, I can take care of myself.” Her voice grew softer, and I strained to hear. “Besides, my life ain’t worth you giving up yours, chile. No siree.”
“Gran-mama, I’m so sorry.” A tear escaped Lux’s eye, and Kuru wiped it, tsking her lips.
“No, no, honey. Anything dat is done can be un-done. You hear me?”
“I’m not so sure,” Lux said.
There was a squawking from the radio on the Sheriff’s shoulder and he stepped forward. “Mama Bondo,” his southern accent strong and heavy, “we’ve gotta hurry, now.”
Kuru just nodded, but held her hand out, gesturing for him to wait. “Lux, we goin work dis out, but you have to help us, first. Are you willing?”
Lux nodded, “Yes.”
"Alright den." Kuru waved us forward. "Let’s get goin before de firemen show up."
Immediately the Sheriff stepped forward with his two deputies. Kuru and I stepped back and away from the car to give them space. The fire was growing, spreading, and I was relieved the firemen were coming. For the second time in its lifetime, the tree was once again burning.
I wasn’t so sure it would survive this time.
My whole left side was hot and dry from the heat.
As the men cut the struggling Saul from the car, Lux looked at me, pain in her eyes, whispering. “I’m sorry, Summer. But I had to do it.”
Not answering, I stared at her, feeling a mixture of pity and anger towards her.
I knew that Saul and the Magnolia made us do things we didn’t want to.
I would definitely never trust her as I had before, but I could at least try to understand.
For now, I could trust that Kuru would make sure she didn’t betray me again tonight.
Saul struggled as they cut him out, falling to the ground. It took the Sheriff two punches before Saul gave up, and we all worked quickly to get him from the car and into the truck.
As I helped handcuff him, I saw the red and twisted scars on his wrists—from his own dad. Forcing him into the society when he was just a kid.
Poetic justice, with a tinge of sadness.
Just as the fire trucks and ambulance drew closer, I jumped into my car, following slowly behind them.
As soon as we were on a main road, I forwarded a text to Rook, then followed them in silence, feeling a strange calm come over me.
We drove for a long time. Away from town, past the large homes on the bay and deeper into the swamps, where the trees grew thick and the grass tall.
We stopped at the edge of the swamp, filled with the stark bone-gray trees and a full moon overhead. The wind blew my hair as I left my car, and we walked a short path towards a small clearing in the trees.
A shiver worked its way up my spine at the sight before me.
A stone altar set in a bed of white stones, covered with moss and half-way melted candles. In the middle, sat a stag skull.
