6
The next morning, I transferred the remaining $2 million to Ethan. He was a whirlwind of
activity, paper dolls flying everywhere.
I was running out of time. I went to work and
asked for an advance on my salary, just in
case.
Finally, everything was in place.
Late at night, I donned the elaborate wedding
dress and shoes the local women had spent a
month painstakingly creating. Mrs.
Henderson, all business now, applied my
bridal makeup.
When I was ready, she led me to the oak tree.
She snapped off a twig from a branch favored
by the crows and placed it in my hands. A
murder of crows circled overhead three times
before cawing and flying away.
In a strange sing–song voice, Mrs. Henderson
chanted, “Ashley Davis, freely gives herself to
the Shadow King. Rejoice in this union,
blessed be this night. By the power vested in
me, I bind you, with ribbon and vow.”
I tied a red ribbon around the twig. Mrs.
Henderson produced a jar of black liquid and
dabbed it on my forehead and the twig.
“The ritual is complete,” she shrieked, then
gasped for breath, her clothes soaked with
sweat. She scurried away.
As she spoke, I felt a strange connection, a
<
bond forming between me and the twig. I
clutched it tightly and sat beneath the oak
tree all night, as instructed.
*
2
The next morning, I tucked the twig into my
dress and drove to Willow Creek, the small
town bordering Oakhaven where my family
now waited. They stared at me, mouths
agape.
“Ashley, what is this?” David roared.
“This isn’t the ‘important business event‘ you
mentioned,” Jenny added, her voice shrill.
Mom just pointed, trembling. “Honey, are
you…‘
”
“Mom’s right,” I grinned. “I just got ghost-
married.”
Ignoring their shock, I turned to the
assembled townsfolk, whom I’d hired with my
parents‘ money.
“Let’s begin.‘
They started throwing paper dolls into a massive pit I’d had them dig. Someone tossed
in a lit torch. The dolls erupted in flames.
My family watched, speechless.
“Ashley, are you insane?” David finally exploded. “Give us our money back! Or we’ll
call the cops! This is crazy!”
I pointed to the inferno. “Your money? It’s
right there.”
David’s face twisted. “What are you talking
く
I giggled. “Look how many paper dolls I could
buy! Such a bargain!”
Mom fainted. David lunged at me, but I
dodged. The townsfolk restrained him as he
cursed and yelled.
“But it’s my money,” I said coldly. “I’m just
taking back what you stole.”
Jenny glared at me. “You’re so manipulative!
Who’s going to take care of you in your old
age now? You said you’d never marry after…
after what happened with Daniel.”
I touched the twig beneath my dress and
ignored her, watching the paper dolls burn.
The fire raged for a day and a night.
As the last doll turned to ash, the world
ended.
