by I.D. Blind
Epilogue
In the beginning of February, Hollow was celebrating Imbolc. Candles were burning all over the West Bank. The Westerners had put together the unburned Christmas logs, making great figures of giants, which were to be burned that night. A thin layer of snow still covered the distant fields and meadows where the townspeople were passing with flaming torches, holding them over the snow and trampling its last remains. People treated each other with pancakes, goat cheese, and freshly baked bread. Elders drank mulled wine, the young had milk and herbal teas. The houses were decorated with brooms, flowers, and colorful ribbons. Candles were burning on the windowsills; crosses, woven from straw, were hanging over the doors, and jugs of milk and baskets of nuts lay at the thresholds.
Eric was sitting on the green grass together with Electra, Cassandra, Medea, and Ariadne, watching them weave figures from wheat and straw. He had stayed in Hollow till the end of winter. It was a present from Uncle Albert after he had saved a girl from the death. Eric couldn’t be happier and spent the whole winter with his friends from the West Bank.
“Did you know that Aunt Andromeda has reconsidered our punishment?” Electra said, weaving a headband from flowers. “Apart from visiting Mr. Acks every day, bringing him his favorite pastries, and cleaning up his house, we have to do something useful for the town to redeem ourselves.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“After a week, I will start assisting Dr. Robinson, the veterinarian,” Cassandra said. “I will be helping him with the animals, of course, on a free basis. And frankly, I don’t mind at all. It’s not even a punishment, but rather a pleasant pastime.” She giggled.
Eric looked at Electra, wondering what her new duty was.
“Mr. Gardiner asked me to give painting lessons to the children at his sister's Art School. I didn’t refuse, besides, Aunt had already agreed for me.”
“Mr. Frick has called me into his orchestra,” Medea said. “I said bodhrán, he said violin.” She snorted.
The girls presented everyone with floral headbands; they even gave one to usually sullen Jack, who today was cheerful and smiling. Eric received a headband made of blue forget-me-nots. When Electra put it on his head, he took her hand and kissed it. He didn’t want to leave, he knew he would miss her so much. He would miss all of them. The day when he would leave Hollow was going to be the saddest in his life. If only he could stay a bit longer. About staying there forever he didn’t even dare to dream.
The figures in the middle of the field blazed up. Beneath the waves of the merry music people were dancing around the bonfires. The sparks reflected on their colorful robes and hair adorned with ribbons. The night replaced the evening, and the fire became brighter. The dances didn’t cease until the giants burned down. Eric avoided the thought that this was his last week in Hollow and tried to have a good time with his friends while he could.