Elijah looked away before turning back and holding his hand out to her. She put her hand into his, and they wandered to a fallen oak tree to sit.
“I don’t understand, Elijah. I saw Louisa stab Amelia with your dagger.”
“No, you saw Amelia with my dagger sticking out of her chest. My dagger I kept by my side, always.”
“Of course it would be by your side, how else would she get it?” When he st
ared into her eyes, she comprehended the meaning behind his confession. “Oh.”
“I killed her. I took her life—”
“You did it out of love, Elijah. You have no idea how much pain she felt.” Sabrina shuddered. “She’d have thanked you if she could. I promise.”
He stared at her and swallowed heavily. “How I wish I could believe you. It haunts me, the look on her face as she stopped breathing.” He put his head on his knees and moaned.
Her heart twisted at his words, and she put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I got put inside her head. She loved you even after the stabbing. The last thing she thought of, the last thing she saw, was you.”
He studied her intently and nodded, wonder in his eyes. “I think I believe you.”
“You should, it’s the truth.”
“I love you more than he ever will,” Elijah stated.
She rolled her eyes at his brazenness and jumped to her feet, ready to go home. “Be free of needless guilt, Elijah. I know why you did what you did, and I approve. Were I her, I would demand the same. You remember that.”
He shook his head. “I’ll not take your life again.”
“Even if I want you to?”
“Even then.”
She sighed and knelt in front of him.
“Elijah, you did the right thing. Please don’t feel bad anymore.”
“I do feel a little better, and I’m glad you understand. If only….”
She put her finger on his lips to silence him. “Don’t, please. I have to go. I don’t want to worry Isaac.”
Anger passed over his face, and his fists tightened by his side, but he stayed seated. She knew it couldn’t be easy for him.
She looked at him one last time before walking away. She knew he followed to ensure her safety, but he kept himself hidden in the shadows.
***
Sabrina awoke at the bottom of her steps inside her house. Isaac gripped her arm tightly and glared at her. She gasped in confusion and stared at him in question.
“What are you doing?” Isaac demanded.
“I-I don’t know. I d-d-don’t even know why I’m down here,” she babbled. “Why am I down here? What happened?”
He glared and pointed at the door. She looked at it and turned to him in question.
“Look next to the door, Sabrina,” he spat.
She followed his directions and saw her shoes sitting there, coated in wet grass and mud. “Oh my God,” she muttered. A glance at her feet showed traces of grass and moisture as well. Her legs weakened and her heart raced. It brought to mind the dream she’d had where she woke up and found her feet muddy, and her bed covered in dirt.
She’d never sleepwalked before in her life. Why would she start now, of all times? Had the dream happened, or had she imagined it while sleepwalking?