They walked in silence to the forest. Tim pushed his worry down, but it returned. He watched her, "Do you feel better? Bethany had…episodes—"

"Why did you let Rutger go?" she asked, but swore again to never be her mother.

"What was I supposed to do?" he asked, and Marie slowed for a moment. "I lost everything! Inky, I lost my job, Eve, hope, Bethany, and any kind of future. I can't lose you, Inky. Please, we should just run. You want to leave so bad, let us just go!"

She chewed on the idea, but the shadows came alive and whispers screamed. "I can't," she said, though fought back a sob.

"Why," he pleaded, "is it the money?" Tim looked away, "It wouldn't be so bad, if the Sheriff took care of Jacob. Diana will throw all she has at the Sheriff and his men. Maybe, Hemlock Hurst will finally be rid of the Confederates."

She shook her head, "They're still trying to relive the Civil War."

"I know the Federals done…things too," he said, "but your family, they suffered under the Van Lear. All of Hemlock Hurst has had their boots on our necks."

"Part of me knew this was coming," she thought of Hemlock Hurst, Diana, Rutger, and Bethany.

"There is still time to run."

"Tim," she stopped, drew in air choked with rotted berries, "I saw someone else, besides Jacob, in the warehouse."

"What," he blinked, "who was it?" After seeing Eve, she had died in his heart again. Fresh tears spilled.

"I couldn't see them in the dark, and if we get to Jacob in time, we could find out their name."

Tim blinked, "That is too much work for just one person."

"Yes, and that's why you can't just shoot," she walked closer to him. "I saw…Eve. I swear that I'll help you find justice."

"Not just a story," he looked away, afraid she would see his tears.

"No," she smiled at him, touched his forearm, "people like you don't deserve such misery. The story…it no longer matters."

He wiped at his eyes, but cried in silence, "No one will hurt you, Inky, I swear!"

"I won't let them hurt you."

"Such is beyond your ability," Barnett said in an odd, contemplative voice. They jumped and turned flashlights on him. "I see you two value your life very little," he added, trilby hat covered his eyes.

"That is a good way to get shot, Buddy," Tim let out a breath, and lowered the shotgun.

"The attempt would be the best way for you to commit suicide," Barnett retorted, as if it was so obvious, one would be silly to mention it. His hat tilted towards Marie, "Have you seen Alice?"

"No," she looked at Tim, who shook his head.

"If you should see her," Barnett let them see his large caliber pistol, "tell her to return home, and Timothy will escort her back. I hope there is no need for me to explain the ramification of failure, Mister Bullock." So, this was the descendent of the great Cassidy Bullock the bounty hunter.

"Why is she running around in this insanity?" she asked, before Tim could get himself into trouble.

"It isn't my place or yours to inquire," he covered the gun. "Now, do you know where Jacob went?"

"No," Marie replied through a wave of nausea. Tim glanced at her.

"You were paid well to find evidence to exonerate Diana's heir," his smile was broad and hard. "She believed that La Voison women possessed some ability, nonsense," Barnett's stumpy teeth ground together with little pops, "but there is no such thing as Hill Witches."

"I believe Jacob is innocent of murdering Jesse and Seth," she said though lush green eyes, flecked with gold, slid away.

"Whatever you think he is guilty of is irrelevant," he spoke flatly. Tim bristled, brow furrowed. Barnett turned to him, "If you're going to throw away your life, go ahead, but be quick about it. I'm busy."

"The Sheriff has Jacob," Marie said, and Barnett turned back to her, "he took him away. I don't know where," she felt another wave of nausea. Ashless Hollow lurked behind her eyes, and she felt ready to swoon.

"Marie, I'll be direct," he grinned, laced thick fingers, "you're in a very precarious position. I don't care about any local superstition, and if Jacob dies, neither will Diana. I assure you it will be slow, you'll scream, and no one will ever find you." Barnett sighed in mock disappointment, "Obviously, the Sheriff followed you to Jacob; so it would be prudent to find him, now. An extrajudicial hanging will bring down the wrath of Diana, and destroy the remnants of the Feds."

The hulking man in the nice suit turned away. Somewhere, Alice had slipped into the night in all the excitement. Up from the path a mote of light rose behind Barnett. It flickered, and Marie cursed under her breath. The ball of flame darkened. Waves of nausea passed over her to leave images of treacherous mire. Somewhere in Ashless Hollow, the bog hid, ashamed to exist, and it was unfamiliar to Marie. Rancid, decayed berries mixed with the ancient, wet rot of the swamp. Each rough breath dragged the spoiled sweetness, drowned by the grave, over the tongue. Bloated drops from the canopy above ran down her neck, as phantom mud swallowed her legs. Two places bled together. Thunder echoed through both. Tim steadied her, but she looked through him.

"I'm sorry, Inky," he cursed himself, lifted her. "I'll get you to the truck," he looked at the darkness, "we have got to get out of here."

Years of hard labor had made him stout, though his strength had faded. Tim set her in the truck, and connected her seat-belt. The engine roared to life.

Marie felt the malady subside, "I can't tell if I'm better or worse. I guess I took after my mother," she smiled, though the joke soured on the lips. A tear spilled, and she crossed her arms tight to still the shakes. "I'm scared," she said low, ashamed.