Page 38 of Beautiful Nightmare

With the help of my moms’ and magic, we restored the cabin to its original form. Moss covers the roof as vines crawl up the dark wood exterior. Beautiful windows bring the sunshine into my cozy oasis.

Dark wood molding, olive green paint, and built-in shelves and cabinets fill my heart with happiness and childhood memories. A hand-crafted stone fireplace is the highlight of the entire place, and it’s where my cauldron hangs. But then there are the shelves upon shelves of leather-bound books with hundreds of years of knowledge within them that I only wish I could consume, and I am trying.

My moms visit often, but they also give me my own space and freedom to grow and learn on my own.

The first time I stepped inside after we put the cabin back together, I raced to the stairs, which led to the lab. They were missing. It’s like the stairs were never there to begin with. My moms still protect me even in death, and the feeling of love floods me. Because they didn’t want the place where our lives changed to taunt me every day. Removing barriers and giving me an opportunity to find peace—that’sunconditional, and it’s something I’ve missed so fucking much.

In the garden, fresh flowers bloom next to my herbs and vegetables. And I make a spot to sit and reflect, to remember my soulmate, Beckham. Vampire lilies mixed in with bluebells and daisies make me smile. He would have loved my eclectic selection in his honor and memory. And at the cabin, my garden flourishes year-round.

Because it’s magic.

It’s midafternoon, and the fall sun beams through the windows.

It’s getting cooler outside, and winter is coming.

With my black cast iron cauldron overtop an open flame, waiting for my herbs to brew, a knock at the door catches me by surprise. Rising from the beanbag chair in my reading nook, where I spend hours upon hours studying all my moms’ old books and where I always have my pink candle lit surrounded by citrine crystals, I go to the door and open it. My mind is still reeling from the words I’ve just read that I didn’t even think to check who was knocking.

My eyes widen. Shock trickles through me. The book in my hand drops.

My face goes white, and a loud gasp escapes me.

Play “Labyrinth” by Taylor Swift

Closing Credits

Lucy.

My Alpha & Beta Team.

The Bat Cave.

Little Bats & Queens.

Tash.

RIP Book Box.

Alina.

Kat.

Harleigh.

Chloe.

Christa.

Rumi.

Daisie.

Nicole.

Chelsea.

Kat.

BrittJoy.