Chapter Thirty-Seven-No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Chapter Thirty-Seven

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Melanie let her bare feet hang lazily in Ardely's lake. The water was freezing, and Melanie's bare legs were covered in goosebumps, as her satin frock was pulled up to her hips.

"Melanie Wilkes!" Mammy called from the house. Melanie smiled.

"Yes, Mammy?"

"Girl, you get yo' bottom in this house this s'cond! You is gonna freeze! I'm not taking care yo sickly body 'gain if you ain't gonna take care of it!"

"Oh, Mammy, leave the girl alone," Melanie heard her mother's voice from the window, and froze, eyes turning said.

"Yes'm, Miss Dresella," Mammy said, leaving the balcony with a glare at Melly.

Melly frowned. She stared humming the song 'Show Me' from My Fair Lady, when a shadow crept behind her and yanked her into the woods. Melanie screamed, but a hand pressed over her mouth. As she flailing, a pair of warm hands pressed to her face, making her stare into warm brown eyes.

Melanie stared, mouth agape. "I-India?" she asked. The tan girl didn't say a word, but Melanie wrapped her arms around her friend and started sobbing. "Oh, Indie! India!"

"Hush," cried the other girl, her voice cracking. Melanie stared. India's tears were caked to her face, leaving trails on her tan skin. "Melanie, I need your help."

"What do you-"

Melanie looked down at what India had in her hands. An old leather-bound book. The Grimmerie. Melanie backed away.

"I only did that once-"

"I know, Melly, but I-"

"That's devil craft, Indie!" Melanie hissed, tears running down her face.

"I know, I know!" screamed the girl, sobbing. "Freddy's gone! They've taken him! They'll kill him, Melly, they'll kill him and I know only you know how to work the spells!"

Melanie remembered that day, at Worthings Hallow, the old black house India had been left...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are you ready?" India whispered. Audrey looked between the two of us.
"I don't like this..." she mumbled.
"If you don't like it, get out!" I spat.
"Melly, this is devil craft!"
"I know!"I growled.
"Even if he did come back-which he won't-it wouldn't be him, Melly. You're just summoning demons-"
"Shut up!"
Audrey walked to the corner, and hid, clutching a gold-platted cross bracelet to her chest.
Indie asked me again if I was ready. I nodded.
She handed me the thick, brown, leather-bound book. The Grimmerie. Filled with spells. It was dark and powerful, and I was holding it.
She nodded at me.
"Ah-kem..ah, kure..."
"Say it all at once," India said quickly.
"Melly," Audrey warned.
"Mella-kah-cu-Kanamah, uh...Reloseh? Uh?"
"What is she doing?" Audrey screamed.
"She's saying the words all wrong! Melly-"
"Ah-Kanamah-cu-kah-Mella-"
The room shook at that moment, and we all fell the floor, the bookshelf fell over, and we ran, screaming. We came back, a few minutes later, and the house was still.
"It's devil craft..." Audrey whispered again.
I looked at India. "That's not going to bring my father back, is it?"
"No, but Melly, that's the most work I've ever seen come from the book. You have a gift-"
"I'm never touching that again," I spat, walking away. I would never touch the Grimmerie again...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Melly, please," India begged. Melly nodded, the only thing she could do.
"We need to go to the playhouse, it's closed down for the winter coming. I'll the get the boys, they've got an army for you."
"Is Charlie-"
"Yes," Melly said, looking at her knowingly. They smiled at one another.
"Save him..." she whispered.
"Go," Melanie said. India put up the hood of her long, black frock, and stalked away like a shadow.
***
"Don't lie to me, Melanie," Charlie said. The boys were on their way to the House, but Charlie had held his sister back.
"I'm not, I swear, it's her. Freddy-"
"I think I know where he is," Charlie said. "I-I have to go..." Charlie ran.
"They'll come looking for all of us!"
"That's why you have kids with guns!!"
***
Melanie met India on the stage.
"So, what's the deal?" Tommy asked. Zayn, Niall, Audrey, Christine, and Carla all around us, forming a barrier.
"Uh, Freddy's been taken and I'm using devil craft to get him back," Melly said, like a question.
"Oh, well, as long as it's that," Tommy screamed, rolling his eyes.
"It amazes me how sarcastic you can be," Melanie screamed.
"India Hampton!"
Melanie and India looked up, between the legs of Tommy and Niall, who both held swords at their sides, and guns on their belts, to see cops storming in, along with the BAU.
"You are under arrest-"
"Where's my brother!" she screamed, standing.
"India-" Melly began.
"Melly, start the spell quick!"
Melanie rifled through the book,"There are so many!"
"Go!"
"Mella-conamah-nomah-achu-matchu-mella-canamah-mellaconamah-nomah-achu-matuchu-Mellic, uh...Melli...cuh...
What is this chanting?" she screamed, throwing the book. "I don't even know what I'm reading! I don't even know what trick I ought to try!"
"Freddy!" India howled. "It was enough, right? Tell me it was enough!"
"Indie-"
"Melly!"
Melanie looked down at Spencer, whose gun was hesitantly leveled at her, as was the rest of the teams. Melanie stepped to block their shot, and Audrey moved to the back of India.
"This isn't the end!" Melanie hissed.
"India!" Charlie Wilkes broke in.
"Charlie?" India screamed, and tried to break through her bodyguards to her lover.
"No, Indie! He's fine, okay? Stay here!"
"India," Charlie held out his arms, and in them was a small form, with pale skin and dark, curly hair.
"Freddy?" India asked. Charlie nodded. She pressed her hands to her face in astonishment.
"Witch!" spat one of lower-level cops, his eyes wide at this whole scene that had taken place in less than a minute.
Melanie stared up, and she realized he was talking about her.
"I am no more a witch than India Hampton is a criminal!"
But that failed to prove her point. She did, however, strip Niall of his sword, and go step toward the police, who gasped. And by this point, India was gone.
***
"Did they find her?"
"No," Charlie said, still pacing the room. "Yet. Do you know how much trouble your little stunt has got us in?"
"Probably a lot. I'm sure I'm next on the hunting list." Melanie beamed.
"Melanie, this isn't something to laugh at!"
Melanie frowned. "I'm sorry, Charlie." She said,"Really."
"I knew what you meant to do. You tried to help her...but, Mel, just, think, okay? You knew reading from that book wouldn't do any good."
"...You got Freddy back," Melly said. "You're her hero."
Charlie pursed her lips. "I can't lose you too," he said. Melanie kissed his hand.
"You won't."

Chapter Thirty-Six-Her Pianoforte,Where She Belongs

Chapter Thirty-Six

Her Pianoforte, Where She Belongs

 

 

 

 

 

 

"How is she?" Reid asked Mammy, who was washing blood off her hands. Melanie had been in and out of consciousness for two weeks now, going through different phases of delusion. The only physical injury that was noticable now, was the gash in her achilles tendon. Reid knew what the girls first thought would be, once she came to her senses-would she or would she not be able to dance again? Melly's calling was song and music, but dance didn't fall far behind. Not being able to slip on her red ballet shoes, sharing the joke she and her father held, would break her heart.

"The same," Mammy said. "Ya can go in and see 'er, docta, if ya want."

Reid nodded a thank you, and slipped into the white room Melanie was being kept in. Her hair was wet, and in a long braid running from her crown to her lower back. Mammy had bathed her, and her skin was soft and pale. Her under eyes had bruising. Melanie's recent stage was numbness-again. She stared at the ceiling without seeing, not feeling the unbearable pain she should be. You could talk, and it would be as if she couldn't hear you. It was better than last week, when Melanie came into some sense, the first one she felt after the accident-pain.

Her screaming hardly ever stopped. It was gut wrenching and heartbreaking. She screamed how she wanted them to kill her, just to make the pain stop. She just wanted it gone...then in the middle of the night, after her fourth day of non-stop shrieking, her voice gave out, and she convulsed. Eventually, her muscles tired, and those stopped too. And Reid began to wonder, if she really was numb, or her body was too tired to deal with the pain, and she had to bear it without it's help.

Melanie screamed so many things that week. And Reid learned of Melanie's heartbreaking secret, that she hated herself for so much.

 

Mammy had the doctor look at it, while he was here. He identified two things. The first of which being that Melanie Rene Wilkes was a virgin. The second, it did look as if Melanie would have a terrible time trying to concieve and carry, not to mention, birth, a child. Melanie's only wish in the world, and her small, sick body might not be able to handle it. At one point, Melanie had a nightmare, screaming that she had lost the baby, and she was sorry. That's when Mammy called for the doctor. Melanie was so delirious, she thought it was possible for her to be pregnant, when never even touching a man.

"Melly," he said to her, taking her hand. Reid smiled. Melanie's eyes turned, and he gasped. She wasn't really fully gone....

But her face didn't show anything.

"M-Mammy!" Reid screamed. "She's here! She's okay! Mammy!!"

 

Weeks went by, and Melanie Wilkes got stronger, slowly. She hadn't spoke since the accident, and Charlie relayed to Spencer why.

"When she was younger, Melanie had two major fears. Losing her voice forever, and being paraplegic."

"That's quiet specific," Reid said, brushing the hair out of her face, which was planted on his lap.

Charlie shrugged. "I suspect she didn't want to not be able to dance. It would've ended her career."

"Career?"

Charlie shrugged. "Melanie was in Chicago, at an art school before I took her to the BAU. She wanted to be on Broadway."

Reid looked at Melanie. Of course that had been her dream.

"She was so scared she wouldn't make it...and I never gave her the chance. That night when we stayed in the hotel...her crying...God...it broke my heart....I never...and the other night, I thought she was going to..." he choked on his words, and looked away.

"She'll be okay, soon enough," Reid whispered.

Charlie shook his head. "She won't be the same. Every case...her skin gets thicker. I don't like it. She expects evil from everything now...I hate it."

 

One day, Melanie was sitting on the couch. It was late at night, and she couldn't sleep. She had on a long, white cotton, nightgown. It buttoned at her neck, and at the sleeves, and went down to her ankles. Her hair was in a long braid down her back. She was on the couch, across from the pianoforte. She stared without seeing, while Phillip stroked the curls popping out from her braid. He was speaking to her, but she made no sound.

"What are you looking at Melly?" he asked, smiling. She did something, and everyone rose from their seats. Reid motioned for them to sit back down, so she wouldn't be frightened.

She rose shakilly from her seat, and wobbled over to the Pianoforte, sitting down at the bench. Her fingers found a chord, and she pressed it. She smiled. Another chord, then another. And finally, a set of notes. She began to play a little song, sounding deep, but not that complex.

"You wrote that when we were teenagers," Phillip said, standing next to her. She didnt' acknolledge him, just kept playing. At the end her fingers hit a chord, and she stopped, her expression changing to something dark. Charlie froze and stared, horrified. She stared playing, and he recognized the song.

"Melly, stop," he pleaded. Phillip looked at her brother.

"What's going on?" he hissed.

"Melly, stop playing," Charlie said. He started slowly toward her.

"Masta Charlie," Mammy warned, her eyes wide and scared.

"Melly-"

"Masta Charlie."

Melanie screamed and flailed the second Charlie touched his sister's shoulders.

"NO!" she hissed. "Daddy's not home yet!! We have to wait for Daddy!!" she screamed, her voice high and fumbling for the keys on the piano. "Daddy!!" she screaming, falling into a heap on the floor. Phillip tried to touch her, but she swung at him. She rose, and ran to her father's office, and locked the door.

"It's like PTSD," Morgan said. Phillip stared after her.

"Is she ever going to be the same?" he whispered.
"This is the beginning of her recovering," Emily said, touching the boy's shoulder.

 

Three days later, Melanie emerged, eyes red and purple underneath.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She went up to Charlie, who wrapped her in a hug.

"I should've done this the first time," he whispered. She smiled gently.

"It wouldn't have made any difference."

Chapter Thrity-Six-All We Can Do

Chapter Thirty-Six
All We Can Do

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"This is bad."

"Naw, you think?"

"Will you two stop bickering! I swear I'll scream!" Audrey slapped her boyfriend as Melanie chorused her movement to slap Phillip.

"Hey!" the boys screeched, rubbing their heads.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we're just...oh, you're driving me mad," Melanie sighed, wrapping her arms around her fiance. Phillip kissed every finger on her hands and kissed the knuckles and the palm until there was nothing left to kiss. He moved onto the other hand.

"A militia just seems...much," Audrey said.

"It's sounds illegal, too," Melanie said.

"It's necessary," Charlie said. "There's another army coming for her,and soon enough. Might as well get a good fight in. We can rally a good amount of soldiers."

"Not as many as they can. Charlie, it is illegal."

"Melly...we can handle this. You and I have gotten out of tighter messes than this, have we not?" Phillip sighed, and kissed Melanie's neck. She twitched and giggled.

"I don't know, guys. I'd feel like I was lying every time I faced the team-"

"It's protecting her, Melly," Charlie said, taking her hands. "Please."

Melanie looked away, so she didn't have to see the burning passion in her brother's eyes.

"Alright. We can fight-"

"You aren't fighting. We are. No women."

"Sexist!" Melanie spit, standing.

"I need you to stay here," Phillip said, wrapping his fiance in his arms,"we can't bare to loose any of you."

"O-okay...when do we do this?"

"We'll start tonight, alright?"

"Alright, boys. Let's find an army."

***

"Where did they go?"

"Do I look like a blonde's keeper?" Emily retorted to Penelope, who frowned.

Reid looked at the clock. "It is late. But Charlie and Phillip are both gone. I trust she's in safe hands."

Victoria blinked. "You do realize the two names you just listed, don't you doctor?"

Reid glared.
As if a scene out of a book, the door burst open.
"Clear the couch!"
Tommy and Charlie had their arms under Melly's dragging the unconscious girl to the couch and laying her there. Phillip came staggering behind. His nose was red, and blood was flowing from every mucus-membrane on his face. His eye was purple and swollen. He leaned on the wall for support.
"What happened?" Mammy asked.
Reid stared at the unconscious Melanie Wilkes. Her whole body had an odd purple tinge to it, and blood was coming out of her nose and mouth, and there were long gashes along her arms. Her face and hair had dirt in them, and the back of her ankle was cut open cleanly.
"Melly...we were...we were at this bar see? And this guy...well, he said some things-"
"He said he couldn't stand to be within ten inches of a witch lover," Charlie said, spitting. "Melanie of course sprang on the guy, who ended up saying she must be a witch too. Melanie's a spit fire, and a hell of a fighter-I should know. Girl gave me a few good black eyes growing up. But it didn't end well. Phillip and I got into it, and I told Tommy to take her home-"
"That girl was fighting till she lost so much blood she couldn't remain conscious. She took so many hits to the head-" Tommy made a disgusted face, and wiped the dirt from his cheek.
"Call a docta, Xylen! Now!"
**************************************************************************************************************
Spencer stared at Melanie cleaned up, and unconscious. She looked almost dead like that, not moving and so clean.
"There's honestly nothing wrong with her?"
"Not that I can tell," the doctor said to Charlie. "The bruising will go down slowly, and the cuts will heal. I do suspect the pain would be making her scream though. I can't understand how she's stayed asleep this whole time. Keep giving her the numbing medicine, but it won't do much good. What ever is numbing her now is doing worlds of good. She's so out of it, she can't even scream. Just let her lie there for a few days, she'll be fine."
Charlie stared pitifully as the doctor left.
"Now what?" Reid asked.
"Now," Charlie sighed,"all we can do is live." 

Chapter Thirty-Five-Temptations of the Darkest Kind

Chapter Thirty-Five
Temptations of the Darkest Kind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Melanie Wilkes sighed as Spencer was running his hands through her hair again. She glanced at the clock. Midnight. Of course. Spencer sat behind her on her bed, running his long thin fingers through her golden hair, muttering soft poetry in her ear. She had woken from a nightmare, sobbing and screaming. It was such a blessing that Reid had been sleeping next to her in his chair, there to comfort her.

"My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare."

"Sonnet...130?" Melanie asked.

Spencer chuckled softly. "Yes. Why doesn't it surprise me you have this memorized?"

Melanie smiled, blushing in the moon beams coming through the window. "That was one of my favorites."

Spencer smiled, pressing his cheek against her hair,"Mine too..." he mumbled.
"It's truth. He doesn't sugar coat anything."
"Second line might by wrong about you though..."
"Shut up," she up mumbled, leaning back onto him.
"What was your dream about?" he whispered, twirling a gold strand around his pointer finger.
"Spencer..." was all she mumbled, and brought his hand to her red lips,"you know, sometimes I think I would die without you..."
***
"This isn't right! People are dying and I can't do anything to stop it!" Melanie threw the black shawl wrapped around her shoulders on the floor, and it landed in a discarded ball of forgotten fabric.
     It was getting worse, these ignorant farmers picking up there pitch forks, blaming anyone and anything that stood for India. Another man was dead, for simply not believing the girl with the rich honest voice and straight A's was a murderer.
"Some times, we just can't Melly-"
"That's a lie and you know it, Spencer! You know it!"
"Mell..." Phillip whispered, he put his hands on her shoulders, and she turned to him, sobbing into his chest. Reid twitched inwardly. He had tried to help, but she wouldn't accept it. Her fiance had to but say her name....
"You can't save everyone, Melly..."
"But I should try! And I didn't..."
"You could never have known."
"Melanie, dear, there is something you could do..."
Melanie's big honest blue eyes looked up at her mother's beau. She blinked away the tears, but the sadness still lingered on her face.
"What?"
"We should take this somewhere more private..."
"Whatever you say in front of my sister can be said in front of me," Charlie sneered. Melanie blinked between the two.
"Charlie...it's alright." Slowly, her older brother nodded, and Melly and Mayor Barly went to Ardely's library.
"Lovely collection."
"Hardly. I've read them all dozens of times," Melanie sighed. The Mayor laughed.
Melanie sat in a reading chair and the mayor opposite her.
"Melanie, India needs to come home."
Melanie instantly stiffened. "They'll kill her. And I don't even know where she is-"
"She has a brother, doesn't she? He's been placed in an orphanage not far from here. Surely she would come if he would fall to harm..."
Melanie rose,"If you think-!"
"But, Melanie, he is in danger. That man killed last night wasn't the first. Young Freddy shares blood with a young woman who is believed to be a witch. It's only a matter of time they direct there attention toward him."
"I didn't even think...I'm bringing to Ardely. We're not using him as bait. The BAU will find Indie and bring her home. I won't-"
"Melanie, I honestly didn't want to play this card," the Mayor sighed. Melanie stared.
"...What do you mean?"
"Melanie...are you happy in the BAU?"
"...Of course."
"You feel successful in that?"
"Yes..." she mumbled, stretching out the word.
"Melanie, your mother and I have been talking, and I'm sure even your Aunt would be able to pull some strings, and I myself have connections."
"What are you talking about?"
"Melanie, I'm talking about a promotion. How would like to work in the white house?"
"What would I do in the white house?" Melanie sneered.
The Mayor shrugged. "Whatever you wanted. But couldn't you see it? You'd be a dozen times more successful than you are now. Melanie...you'd be such a star."
Melanie's eyes glazed over with the thought of it, but she snapped back soon enough.
"I'm not using Freddy and I'm not using India. I'm not going to hurt her.

Ever."


Chapter Thirty-Four-Charlie's Song

Chapter Thirty-Four

Charlie's Song

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Charlie sighed, his warm breath dancing across Melanie's hair.

"I'm surprised. You caught on quickly," he sighed.

"You thought I'd find out?"

"Yes. Eventually. You know me too well."

"I thought I did...God, I must be one pain in your ass. When I yelled at you..."

"I deserved it, Melanie. You being gone...it drove me nuts. Finally Mom made me leave here to take you away from college and it just...being away from you and her..."

Melanie smiled. "You really love her."

Charlie choked out a yes.

"I'm glad. She deserves it." She kissed Charlie's fingers. "You deserve it." Melanie watched as a flock of birds flew over head, running south already. There was a chilling bite to the air, which made Melanie smile slightly.One of the last times her father had been with her was early November to late October. They were good memories.

"What is it?" Charlie asked, catching the look in her eye.

"Will you tell me how it happened?"

"What?"

"How you fell in love with her."

Charlie sighed. "I guess I knew I'd have too..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie Wilkes tossed a piece of hair behind his ear. He needed it cut. Badly. But that was the least of his worries. Sitting in his sister's reading chair as the cops searched the house, he stared angrily at the smudged, tear-stained note in his hand.

"I love you."

He couldn't look at it. He was too angry. He almost wished she had been taken, it was better than her leaving him here alone with no one that cared. Melanie...she may not know it, but he needed her just as much as she needed him.

 

But apparently, they both hadn't thought that.

 

"So, it's true?" He hadn't noticed the front door creak open, and he hadn't noticed the girl before him, panting and slumping, eyes tear-stained.

"What?" he hissed.

"She's gone, isn't she?" India Hampton was wearing a white tee shirt and sweat pants, her eyes were red rimmed and her chestnut hair was tangled back into a pony tail. She was sweating...she had run this whole way.

     Charlie didn't respond, because he couldn't admit it. India laughed darkly, turning head away to hide the choked sob that escaped her.
"Why are you here?" he asked, his 15 year old voice cracking with emotion.
"...I had to know. Melly's-"
"Don't!" Charlie screamed, and India yelped, scared of this boy for the first time. "Do not say her name..."
India nodded slightly. She turned to go slowly, knowing there was nothing she could do, but stopped and turned back, and the 12 year old smiled sadly at him. "Charlie...she won't be gone for long. If she ran...she'll be back."
Charlie slumped into his chair, head in his hands. "My father and sister in less than a year..." he sighed, no emotion creeping into his voice as it had before.
"And you may not want to hear this, but there are cops over at Ramblings, too."
Charlie rose with a sigh,"I should probably go talk to that cad beau of hers. If he knew..."
"No, Charlie," India said, putting her hand on his arm,"...Phillip's gone, too."
*****
Charlie Wilkes, now 19 years old, stood slumped on the steps of Ardely as the form of Melanie Wilkes blurred into the country side. At age 17, they had offered the Wilkes girl an early graduation.

She had taken it.

She had jumped at the chance to get away from this town, away from her family. He kept telling himself she would have to come back, because her soul was tied to Ardely, the last piece of her father. But that wasn't true. The last piece of Rene Wilkes was lodged in his daughter.
     Now, she was driving off to Yale, excited to leave and start over again. And Charlie was left with nothing. He had to stay at Ardely, and watch over what his father left him. Charlie didn't need some fancy education Melanie was getting. It didn't matter. He did study a great deal of psychology, though. It was interesting. Melanie had showed him, and he used it to try to decipher his younger sister. What it meant when she bit her crimson lips or forced a sad smile. The way she stared at the pianoforte that had been left for her. She thought he could never understand the pain he felt. He felt it times a thousand every time she was out of his sight. If something were to happen to Melanie, he would never be able to forgive himself.
"Masta Charlie, you wanna come in for some hot chocolate? It looks' mighty col' out there-"
"I'm going into town, Mammy," he said, walking off the porch, his hands in his corduroy jacket.
"Masta Charlie-"
"I don't know when I'll be back. Don't wait up for me."

      Driving through the town in his beat up, 60s blue convertible, Charlie masked the tears. The wind blew through his long hair, and whipped the tears from his face. He looked at the leather seat next to him, expecting his sister to make some sarcastic remark next to him, smiling her sad smile, even when she was happy through her crimson lips. She would yell at him to put the top up, and her long hair would be an unruly rats nest, and she would pull out the silver brush he bought to keep in the glove box, just for her. The tears were blurring his vision, and he needed to pull over asap.
     He pulled up the top, but left the side windows down, pulling into a spot on the square. He fumbled for the glove box, for Melanie's old handkerchief, just to wipe the tears. He pulled it out, and it was smudged with pink lip gloss and pale concealer and dark eyeliner that Melanie always wore. He sighed as he flipped to the clean side, wiping his eyes and throwing back his head. He wouldn't cry. Not here.
     Where was here?

He didn't bother to look. He looked at the cds on the floor, they were covered in dust because Melly's classical had always been on top.
"Charlie, that nasty old pop, what is it good for? It just talks about boobs and sex and drugs-"
"Melly!"
"Well! It does!" her voice screeched high as she fought for the slot of the cd player. "Abba liked classical...I do too."

     Charlie laughed a little, remembering how Melanie tried to be everything her father loved. He wondered if she remembered when they would argue. Over stupid things like sports teams and music. Charlie never had the heart to tell her. She was lucky all she remembered was the good times. All Charlie ever remembered was the times he had been yelled at. Mainly being told to look after his younger sister. He never resented Melanie for that, and maybe he should've...but he couldn't. No one could hate Melanie. No one with a soul and a heart. She was just too pure and too kind.
     He looked at the finger prints on the chrome on the inside. They wouldn't be there for long. He took his sleeve and wiped along the armrest, getting ride of the reminder she was gone. He looked outside. The play house. He could be...he could be getting ready to pick her up. She'd come out of the house with her stupid giggling friends and he'd have to give them all rides home like usual.
     Just as he thought this, the actors burst out of the house, eager to do whatever they had planned for their Saturday. He scanned the crowd for the girl with the gold hair and red lips with the golden trinkets around her neck-the cross and the rusted skeleton key. But she never came. He threw his head back hard against the head rest and groaned.
"Hey."
Charlie jumped a foot. He didn't think it was Melly once he heard the voice. This voice seemed more honest and rich than his sisters. He turned to find himself face to face with his sister's friend-India Hampton.
"...Hey," he said, looking straight forward.
"She wasn't here today," India said sadly.
"I know."
"She left this morning."
"I know."
India swallowed. "I really am sorry. I already miss her."
"Thanks for the support. We done?" he grumbled.
"Bye India!" Audrey yelled cautiously across the lot, getting into her soon-to-be boyfriend's car.
"Bye!" India yelled, then turned her dark honest eyes on Charlie. He jumped back when he looked at them.
"I-India?"
"I know it hurts, okay? I know how much she means too you. I've got a little brother...he's the only thing I've got. Our parents are both dead. I've been on my own since I can remember. But I've got him. If I didn't..." she closed her eyes and swallowed. "Well, I guess...bye...Charlie..."
"Hey, where are you going?" he called as India turned away.
"I'm walking home," she said, not turning back.
"Hey, wait," he called getting out of the car.
India looked like she couldn't believe this. "What?"
"You need a ride home?"
"I can walk-"
"I'd rather drive you."
"Oh...Okay..." she said. She tripped on her way to the car, but he didn't notice. She was screaming on the inside.
Charlie Wilkes...just invited me...into...his...car...Oh, gosh...
The drive was short, and neither said anything most of the ride. India inhaled when she came home. As she stepped out, a little dark haired boy came bounding down the steps.
"Indie!"
"Hey, Freddy!" she cried, picking him up and twirling him. Charlie watched her smile and the way her skirt twirled so prettily around her knees.
"Hey, India," he called. "Why...why don't you come over to Ardely sometime?"
India stared blankly, sitting down her brother. "Melly's not there."
"I meant," he stumbled, cheeks flushing,"I meant to talk to me."
"Oh," she said, eyes wide and scared, cheeks, too flushing.
"Lunch today?"
She smiled. "I'll...I'll be there."
"Bring tiger over there two. How old are you, kid?"
"I'm 7!" he said, puffing out his chest.
"Hmm...I got a four year old brother, but he wouldn't be much fun. I have a 13 year old sister, but she's too old. You like horses?"
He nodded.
"I have a whole stable full. You want me to teach you how to ride?"
"Yes, sir! Can I, Indie? Can I?"
"Yes...yes...of course..." Indie's smile was wide, stretching the span of her face. Her eyes were of escasty. She was floating on air.
"I guess I'll see you later."
"Yes...yes you will..." she mumbled. Charlie drove off, and India jumped in the air.
Charlie smiled as he watched her dancing with her brother in his rear-view mirror.
***
Charlie Wilkes, now 20 years old, stood smiling wide as Xylen let in India. She hadn't noticed him in the corner yet as the old butler removed her black shawl, revealing the wool grey button up frock she was wearing. She smiled and thanked him, and then she saw Charlie. She smiled, and tripped over her own feet to get to him. He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her tight to him.
"Where's your mother?" she asked.
"Gone..." he mumbled, running his tan fingers down the nape of her neck. She shivered.
"Hello, Miss Hampton."
"Hello, Mammy!" India exclaimed.
"Why don' you go wait in the dinnin' room, chile, while you waitin' fo lunch?"
India sighed and nodded, knowing the old nursemaid was going to have a talk with her beau.
"When are you gonna tell Miss Dresella?"
"When the time is right," Charlie growled.
"She won't approve o' this-"
"I don't care, Mammy!" he growled, stopping off toward where India retreated. He pulled his chair close to hers, and she placed her hands on his lap and her head on his shoulder.
"She's right you know..." India said. "Your mother wants you to marry into money. Charlie, I don't have a cent-"
"India..." he mumbled, and pressed his lips tight to hers. He heard the kitchen door open and close, and he knew Cal had seen and was giving them privacy. Just like his father would've. Ugh.
India breathed in, and found her hands were on his lapels, pulling him tight. She laughed.
He tipped her chin to look up at him. "You're so beautiful..." he mumbled. She blushed.
"I'll tell her soon enough, and I don't care what she says. I'm your beau and I don't care."
India frowned.
Charlie immediately looked concerned,"What is it?"
"I don't like calling you my beau...I just...I feel like your more than that."
Charlie chuckled,"Well, we don't need to give them all the gory details...I love you so much..." he pulled her to him again, running his hands down her back and to her hips.
"Stop," she mumbled, pushing him away.
"...I'm sorry..." he said, truthfully meaning it.
"It's alright..." she said.
"Why don't you want to?" he whispered. She smiled coyly.
"Innocence and purity can prove to be a powerful thing."
A knock sounded at the kitchen door. "I don't mean to be rude, sir," Cal said through the door,"but the food is getting cold."
India laughed. Cal took that as way to entry. He smiled at the girl that made his best friend's son smile. "Sorry, Cal," she said.
"Quite alright, miss," he said.
Charlie mouthed a thank you toward him. The chef just nodded and went back to his work.
***
Charlie hadn't heard from his mother since she returned two days ago. India had taken him out last night(without his mother knowing) for his 21st birthday. And his first (legal) drink. It was gratifying not having to bribe the bartender.
     Now, Dresella Wilkes had requested to see her son for the first time since...well, a long time ago. He soberly climbed the stairs and knocked on his mother's door.

Dresella Wilkes sat at her vanity with a silken lavender robe on. She was brushing the end of her long gold hair and batting her brown eyes at herself in the mirror.
"Ah, Charlie, come and sit at your mother's feet."
Charlie, now a young man did find this a bit undermining, but did so. His mother was the only person who had slightly favored him growing up. He respected her.
"Charlie, dear, I've been hearing things and I just had to come to you so you could tell me they were false," she laughed.
Charlie paled and swallowed. "And what was that mother?"
"Just the lies! Oh, that you've been running around with some little tramp without a cent to her name. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
Charlie didn't say anything as his mother laughed. She stopped and glared down at him slowly.
"Charles, darling, I said,"Ridiculous?" That was your cue to agree." Charlie stayed quiet again. "Well?"
Again, silence.
"Charles, deny it now!"
Charlie looked away,"...I can't."
Dresella sat down her hair brush gently and gritted through her teeth,"And what would be her name?"
Charlie knew what would happen if he said, not only would his mother separate them, but see it so the rest of India's life was terrible. He couldn't let that happen...he just...couldn't. He would never do that to her.
"I...I can't."
Dresella's eyes burned. "You can't what?"
"I can't tell you."
"Oh yes you can! Charles Wilkes, what is it?"
Charlie stared at the floor.
"Charles Wilkes, I swear if you don't tell me, what I'll do to you-" Dresella couldn't hold it in and brought her hand across Charlie's face, her wedding band scrapping a gash into his cheek.
"I can't tell you Mother. I'm sorry."
"You go away this instant! I-I can't even stand to look at you! I'll come up with the worst punishment you could imagine, Charles. Then we'll see what you can't tell!"

Dresella Wilkes tore apart India and Charlie by sending him to the BAU, but she never discovered the identity of his lover. Dresella, still enraged by her daughter and the fact that she left, tore her away from college, forcing both to join the BAU.

The next time Charlie would come home, he would find that his lover had been ran out of town, and convicted by the towns people of a triple homicide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, goodness...Charlie...I..." Melanie couldn't do anything but stare. Watch as the man who had been her rock for some many years crumple in front of her, his face stained with tears.
"Was it this hard?" he gasped,"getting torn away from Phillip? How did you live? I don't know...what I'm going to do, Melly...Please convince Hotchner to let you work this case if I can't."
"When I snapped at you..."
"I'm sorry. I took it as a chance to redeem myself. That was the last time I saw her again, Melanie," he sobbed again and Melanie had never seen a man act so torn apart. "I don't know if I can live with out her!" he cried.
"Don't do this..." she whispered, wrapping her arms around him,"because I won't let you go. You saved me. I won't lose you too. I'll bring her home, Charlie.

I promise." 

Chapter Thirty-Three-"You Don't Understand!"

Chapter Thirty-Three

"You Don't Understand!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     "Melanie, you don't understand! She's gone and married my Mr. Kennedy!"

"Victoria, it was to save Ramblings. You must understand-"

"I hate Ramblings! It's the only thing I hate more than Charlotte!" Melanie chased after Victoria, but she knew there was nothing she could do to fix the girl's broken heart.

     Charlotte sighed, with no expression on her face. She had married Frank Kennedy, Victoria's beau, simply because she needed the money to save Ramblings. Phillip sighed from his spot by the fireplace, running his finger over the dust.

"It's my fault. I should've committed highway robbery to get that tax money for you," Phillip sighed.

"I couldn't have let you do anything like that. Besides, it's done now," Charlotte said. A teasing smile appeared on the man's lips.

"Yes, it's done now. You wouldn't let me lift a finger to help you but you'd sell yourself in marriage to a man you didn't love."

Charlotte looked away, brushing back her black hair.

"At least, Charlotte, you won't have to worry about my failures anymore."

Charlotte finally gave an expression: alarm.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'm going to Quantico with Melly. I've accepted a management position in a bank."

"You can't do that!"

"Oh?" Phillip asked.

Charlotte sighed, thinking up a lie. "Phillip, I was counting on you to help with my lumber business in Atlanta. Phillip...Phillip, I counted on you!"

"Oh, Charlotte I wouldn't do you any good. What do I know about lumber?"

"About as much as you know about banking."

Phillip shook his head. "I won't let you do me any more kindnesses, Charlotte."

"Well, over time, you could gradually buy the business and make it your own-"

Phillip shook his head. Just as he was turning away, Charlotte began to feign sobbing. Quite loudly at that. Melanie came running at the sound of the tears.

"Charlotte!What's wrong?" Melanie ran and wrapped the girl in her arms.

"Oh, Melly! Phillip's so mean and hateful!"

Melanie looked up at Phillip.

"What have you done?" she demanded. Phillip stared, shocked like a deer in the headlights.

"She asked me to go to Atlanta with her to help start a lumber business."

"I counted on him and he won't lift a finger to help me!"

"Phillip, why, how unchivalrous of you. Why, just think, if it wasn't for her Gustave might've died on Coney! And we wouldn't have him today...and I think of her plowing and picking cotton just to put food in her mouth, I could just...Oh my darling!" Melanie squeezed her almost-sister into a tight embrace, rubbing her back as Charlotte continued the false sobbing.

"Alright, Melly...I'll go to Atlanta."

Melanie smiled, and pulled Charlotte closer.

"I can't fight you both..."

**************************************************************************************************************
"Maybe once or twice more, Melly, until this calms down."
Melanie sipped her tea. "I want it straight, did it help India at all?"
"Well,"the mayor scratched his bald head,"nothing that awful has come up-"
"That awful? What's going on."
He sighed,"Melanie, of course they are going to be some that get angry and hard-headedly pick up their pitch forks."
Melanie sucked in a breath. "You mean..."
"They're hunting her."
Melanie nodded, wiping her eyes.
"I don't think you should speak again, Melly," Charlie said from his place at his father's desk.
"If it's helping Indie-"
"But what if it's not?! What if you end up like her?!"
"Then at least I've tried!" Melanie screamed.
"Inside voice, Melanie," Dresella crooned. Melanie sunk back into the love seat.
"Yes, mother."
"I agree with Charlie, Mayor. This is dangerous." Melanie looked up at Hotchner. He didn't smile at her, even when she smiled back. She sunk into her chair again.
"While we are all here," Dresella began,"we all need to have  conversation. I think we should sell Ardely."
Melanie stared. "Sell Ardely?You...you can't do that!Charlie and I own Ardely."
"I think it's for the best, Melanie."
Melanie looked at her brother, shocked.
"You can't make me leave! I won't!"
"What's here for you, Melanie? Besides pain and memories?"
"My father! You just want me to forget he exists! You want to sell Ardely? Sell it to me! I make a pretty good pay check from the government that I don't deserve."
"Melanie, we are doing this for you-"
"No, mother. You're doing this for you!"
"Melanie-"Charlie began. "This is for the best."
"Charlie, shut up!"
"Melanie, we are all worried about you. Do it. For me."
"Why should I help you?" she cried. "You walk around here...you ask me to join the BAU because you want to save people you've never even met and not once did you think to use your psychology to save me!
     All of my life I've depended on you! How do you think that feels? Wallowing around with nothing better than to cry for myself? Scrounging for scraps of pity to pick up and longing to kick up my heels." Spencer had never seen Melanie sneer like that.
"Melanie...please..."
"It's not like I could talk any sense into you! You're just mom's puppet! You'll do whatever she says! I'm not selling Ardely! I'm not-"
"THAT-IS-ENOUGH!" Melanie turned to her mother, who had risen and slowly stalked across the room.
"Mother...I-" Melanie was promptly cut off with a smack to the face. She yelped and fell.
"Because you insist, child, and I find you to often have the voice of your father, we won't sell Ardely...for now. Let me walk you out, Darling."
"Thank you, Dresella. Charlie. Melanie."
Melanie's mother left with Mayor Barly.
"Did you mean all that?" Charlie asked.
Melanie looked away when she nodded stiffly, her eyes still filled with rage.
She started rising on her own, but then Charlie grasped her waist and straightened her up. Melly gasped.
"Come outside with me. Before it gets too hot."


Melanie followed Charlie into the field where they used to play as children. Melanie laid down in the grass, letting it tickle her face. Charlie laid down opposite her, so that only their hair was touching.
"You've been wanting to ask me something," Charlie sighed, taking a gold strand between his fingers. Melanie nodded.
"I've been trying to figure out what you did after I left for college, why suddenly when I returned you hated me so much. Why you snapped out of college and made me join the BAU. I got to thinking...well, when you volunteered to watch over me at the public speaking and when we mentioned India the other night...and today when you mentioned her...."
Charlie swallowed. "Yes?"
"...You love her."



Chapter Thirty-Two-Thank Goodness

Chapter Thirty-Two

Thank Goodness

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Alright, alright. Settle down! I propose a toast. To Melanie Wilkes, one hell of a girl. And to my amazingly hot girlfriend."

"Way to ruin the moment,dude."

"What? Audrey's hot." 

     Audrey put her face in her hands as she blushed. Melanie laughed next to her, throwing her head back.

"To Audrey!" she said.

"To Mellbells," Tommy replied,"and to my babe." He winked at Audrey. She shoved him. Melanie drank back the water that was in her hands, and Tommy cracked open his beer.

"You realize I'm FBI, right?" Melanie told him.

"You realize I don't care?" Melanie frowned.

"Fine. Take a week liver. See if I care. Go die."

"Melanie!" Audrey cried.

"I warned him! You can't say I didn't! And when you die, I will be the one over your grave saying,"I told you so.""

"You're terrible," Tommy said, but he was smiling. Melanie smiled to, and stretched out on her sleeping bag. She was wearing a red nighty, and Mammy was angry at the fact she was wearing that, and in front of boys who were spending the night. Phillip was there, and he assured Mammy no one would touch her, to which Melly blushed.

     Phillip brushed a few stray hairs from Melly's face and tucked them back into the messy, curly ponytail they belonged in. Melanie sighed without opening her eyes, savoring the touch. His hand touched the skin on her knee, just below where the hem of the dress was. Melanie opened her eyes and quickly pulled the hand away and she and her fiance locked eyes. Melanie's where sad, saying one thing: No.  Phillip frowned. He'd tried and failed over the last few days to seduce Melanie in any way possible. She caught on every time and rejected him.

"We have to do karaoke tonight," Audrey mused,"for Melly."

"Whatever," Melanie said, happy to yank her attention away from the awkward situation. "I'm just glad I passed."

"All A's," Niall whistled.

"I've never had all A's..." Zayn mused. Carla and Christine stared.

"Never?" asked the dark-headed Christine, like she couldn't believe it. Melanie laughed at her naivity.

 "Never, babe," Zayn replied. Niall grimaced.

Phillip interupted by plugging a few notes into the grand piano in the corner of the ballroom. Melanie frowned at the tune.

"Alexandre Desplat was my favorite," Melly sighed,"Daddy said it was crazy to like a composer that was still alive. It gave them a big head and he said it wouldn't make the music immortal. Because you have to respect the dead."

     Lightning streaked the sky as Melanie stared sadly out the huge windows. Phillip slipped away from the piano and next to Melly. She shivered.

"Are you cold?" he mumbled. The other's had gone into their own conversations, and for that Melanie was thankful.

"A little," she said, but she held a hand to stop him from unbuttoning his pajama top. "I'll survive," she said with a smile. He smiled back.

     There was a knock at the huge gold french doors before it swung open. Melanie scooted slightly away from Phil at that moment.

"Lights out, Miss Melly," Mammy frowned before closing the door and turning out the lights.

     A flash went off not far from Melanie's hair, and she yelped. Tommy smiled in the faint orange light before finding two or three candles, lighting the room and he clicked the lighter shut.

"Do I want to know why you have a lighter?!" Melanie growled.

"Probably not, babe," he said, smirking.

"Fine! Ruin your lungs too!"

"Melly!" Audrey cried. Melanie crawled into her sleeping bag, and sigh. Christine was already asleep, and Carla held a book close to her face. Niall was watching Christine. Zayn was talking to Niall, but he wasn't listening. Tommy had somehow managed against Audrey's protests and they were in one sleeping bag with his tongue down her throat.

"Ew," Melanie said. Phillip laughed, his deep voice ringing in her ear. His pink lips touched her bare shoulder and ran up to her neck. Melanie shivered and sighed. Phillip pinched shut the candle next to them, and their corner of the room went black. Melanie groaned, pushing him away.

"Don't..." she mumbled.

"Why?" he said, and she heard him slip into her sleeping bag before she felt him.

"Get out," Melanie pleaded softly, but his lips found hers again. His tongue ran along her red lips and burst into her mouth. His hands found her waist and were pulling her to him.

"J-just-ugh-stop!" Melanie shoved him away as hard as she could, which moved him back enough.

"Get out," she demanded. He stared at her, but obeyed. She rolled over away from him, but she didn't go to sleep. She shed a few tears and watched the sun creep over Ardely slowly. She listened to her fiance's breathing. No, she didn't sleep. When she slept, it was worse than any reality. Nightmares sticking to your eyelids and not being able to run...her constant curse. Her constant hell.

**************************************************************************************************************

"Good evening, Melanie."

"Mayor Barly," Melanie said, taking the older mans jacket.

"What's for dinner?"

"I haven't the slightest. I haven't spoken to Cal since this morning. He's been rather fatigued lately, getting older I suppose."

"I am not old!" Cal said, passing the pair in the dinning room.

"I said older, Cal. Everyone gets older."

"I am only in my 40s. Almost 50s. Not old."

"I know that, Cal," Melanie said smiling, straightening the chef's lapels.

"Thank you, Miss Melly," he said.

"And thank you, Cal."

"Supper won't be ready for a while, Miss Melly. Perhaps you should take our guest into the great room?"

"Of course," Melanie said,"Mayor Barly?" she said, her tone darkening at the name.

"My, my, Melly, this chair is just so comfortable!" he said sitting in the wooden chair opposite the one her mother sits in.

"Of course. I used to read in it often."

"Oh, do you want to swit-"

"No! No...I-I prefer this one, sir."

"It's your father's chair," he said plainly. Melanie looked at the carpet as if it might run away.

"Yes. Charlie normal sits here...but he's dining in his room tonight..."

The Mayor nodded.

"Well-Ah, Dr. Reid. How is our young genius tonight?"

Reid stopped on his way up the stairs looking like a deer in the headlights.

"Uh, fine, sir. You?"

"Oh, just fine! Why don't you join us for dinner, tonight?"

"I'd love to, sir."

"Great! C'mon, Melly. Let's see if supper's ready."

"Miss Melly!" Mammy yelled from upstairs. "The Vicomte is coming up the drive!"

"Alright, Mammy! I'll greet him!"

***

"Always delious, Dresella. You have quite a chef. Where ever did you find him?"

"He and Rene were childhood friends. He was down on his luck and we offered him a job. Melanie refuses to let him go and we've given him opportunities, but he chooses not to leave."

"He belongs here," Melanie said to her mother.

Dresella blinked. "Thank you for that, Melanie, dear."
"Melanie," the Mayor began cautiously,"have you considered the offer I gave you at all?"
Melanie stared at the pattern on the table cloth. "Yes, I have. I just..."
"It could really help, India. You have no idea the panic the towns people are in. If you could just calm them down, and get their minds off India, then maybe, in a little while, we can bring her back. If she's innocent."
"She is," Melanie said harder.
"Then there's no problem," he said. "So?"
Melanie looked across the table at Spencer. "What do you think?"
Reid cleared his throat,"Well, if you can calm down the towns people, and we prove India is innocent, then yes, I would. If you can play the part right."
Melanie nodded fiercely. "I'll play any part I need to. I'm bringing India back."
"India?"
They turned to see Charlie Wilkes in the door way as a glass fell to the floor in shatters.
"What about India?"
"I'm going to bring her back, Charlie. With the help of the mayor."
"What's the sudden interest?" Dresella asked, sipping her wine.
"I-I just know how much it means to Melly. That's all."
"Indeed..."
**********************************************************************************************************
"Well, how do I look?"
     Spencer turned toward Melanie and smiled.
She had on a pure white dress, which resembled Disney's Cinderella's all too much with glitter all over. It was sticking to her cheeks and and neck and eyes, and Spencer wasn't sure if she was supposed to resemble a fairy princess this much. Her hair was up in curls and her lips had been stained pink. Several times. A silver tiara decorated her head and she had to keep adjusting it. Her long black eyelashes were primped and curled, and her cheeks were painted pink.
"Beautiful," he said, hugging his friend. "Do you have glass slippers too?"
"Spencer Reid you are evil!" she frowned. "I'm so nervous," she said.
"Don't be. So, Chairwoman Peacekeeper?"
"That's the title they gave me. Apparently my formal title is now Lady Melanie Wilkes the Good. I guess that will get replaced with Vicomtesse in due time, anyway."
Reid tried hard not to flinch.
"Melly."
     Melanie turned to face her fiance and brother, both in their dress jackets with bars across the chest, tight pants, and knee boots. Phillip's jacket was navy and Charlie's was red.
"You two look so charming!" she said, hugging them both.
"Thank you, Lady Wilkes."
"That sounds terrible," Melanie said, wrinkling her nose. Phillip laughed and pulled her toward him.
"For India," she mumbled.
"For India," Phillip echoed. Charlie stayed silent.
"It's all an act. I'm an actress. I can handle this," she said, stalking off. She peaked her head out the window to see town square. They were standing in city hall, and Melanie was going to give a speech out on the balcony, the two boys flanking her sides, and another city official woman with her.
"What's up, kid?" she asked Melly. "I'm Amanda Morris. Press secretary."
"Melanie Wilkes."
"Well, I know that," said the woman. "Your daddy was the richest man in town."
Melanie frowned. "That's all you remember him for?"
"He was pretty good lookin' too. Whoop, we're on, kiddo!"
     She and Melanie stalked forward smiling, waiting on the entire town gathered on the square to quite down.
"Good evening!" Amanda called. "Now, I know you've all been on edge this week what with our current events."
"You mean murder by that awful whore parading around the country side?!" some man yelled, which started a riot.
"All of us have been worried sick! She's just looking for more people she can hurt!"
"Defaming our poor mayor. Our country! With her lies!"
"Citzens, please!" Melanie cried, stepping forward. The people quited at her sight.
"As terrifying as this is, can't we put aside our panic for one day? Let's celebrate the fact that now, we are all living and fine! C'mon, a celebration! Let's have a celebration the Wilkes way!"
"Don't you all want a day that's totally Witch free?" Amanda said. "Why don't we celebrate the instating of Melanie Wilkes as Chairwoman Peacekeeper! Anything to say, Wilkes?"
"We couldn't be happier, right dear?" she asked Phillip, who didn't respond. "Couldn't be happier. Look what we've got, a fairy tale plot. Our very own, happy ending. Where we couldn't be happier - True, dear? Couldn't be happier. And we're happy to share ,our ending vicariously.With all of you. He couldn't look handsomer. I couldn't feel humbler. We couldn't be happier. Because happy is what happens,when all your dreams come true!"
Amanda laughed,"Melanie, dear, we are happy for you. As press secretary, I striven to ensure that all of us knows the story of your braverism.

The day you were first summoned to an audience with the President, though he would not tell you why initially. When you bowed before him, he decreed you'd hence be know, as Melanie the Good officially. Then with a jealous squeal, India Hampton burst from concealment, where she had been lurking surrpetitially!"

The crowd gasped and Melanie flinched at the lie. The president of the US get her into the FBI? Please. Small town people have very small minds. But people weren't concerned with Melanie. They were concerned with what was on every one's mind...India.
"I hear she has an extra eye, which always remains awake!"
"I hear that she can shed her skin!"
"I hear some rebel anarchists are giving her food and shelter!"
"I hear her soul is so unclean, pure water can melt her!"
Charlie rose from his seat in anger.
"What?!"
"Please!" the crowd cried,"Some body go and melt her!"
"Do you hear that?" Charlie growled. "Water will melt her? People are so empty headed they'll believe anything!" he stormed off.
"Charlie!" but the attention was on her again. Phillip nodded, and tromped after him.
"Oh," Melanie covered,"thanks plenty, dearest. He's gone to fetch me a refreshment. He's so thoughtful that way. That's why...I couldn't be happier...no, I couldn't be happier. Though it is, I admit, the tinniest bit, unlike I anticipated. But I couldn't be happier! Simply couldn't be happier-...well, huh, not simply. 'Cause getting your dreams, strange as it seems, is a little, well, complicated. There's a kinda, uh, sorta...cost. There's a couple of things get lost. There are bridges you crossed you didn't know you crossed until you crossed! And if that joy...that thrill...doesn't thrill like you think it will...still," Melanie snapped out of her sad faze, remembering her part. "With this perfect finale, the cheers and the ballyhoo, who wouldn't be happier? So...I couldn't be happier! Because happy is what happens when all your dreams come true...isn't it? Happy is what happens when your dreams come true!"
The crowd went wild. "We love you Melanie, if we may be so frank."
"Thank goodness!"
"For all this joy we know who we've got to thank: thank goodness! This mean the mayor, Melanie."
"And fiance!" she cut in.
"They couldn't be goodlier. She couldn't be lovelier. We couldn't be luckier!"
"I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!"
"THANK GOODNESS FOR TODAY!"