Jack and Jill

(Image by huevocosmico - Pixabay)

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.

“Why do we both have to go fetch the water?” Jill’s face was pulled down by her frown and pout.

“Stop moaning.” Jack chanced a quick glance over his shoulder, but no one was following. “It was the only way I could think of to speak without her hearing.”

“Why?”

“Keep walking. I don’t know if she’s watching us.”

“Jack, what’s wrong? You’re acting very odd.”

By now, they’d crested the low hill on top of which stood a small well. Dropping the pail to rest against the well, Jack proceeded to lower the bucket into the depths. “We have to leave.”

“What?” She jerked to a stop, her shout making him jump.

“Shh!”

“But why?” She thrust out her lower lip. “I like it here. Granny Bessie is kind and–”

“No. No, she’s not.” The hollow echo of the lowered bucket hitting the water harmonised with his low voice as he grabbed her hand, pulling her closer.

“Why are you being horrid?”

He loved his sister but there were times he wanted to shout at her to stop acting like a baby instead of the 12-year-old she was. Two years older, Jack couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t been her protector.

“I thought Granny Bessie was kind and lovely too.” He released her hand, his gaze holding her angry one. “Until two nights ago.”

Despite the warmth of late morning, he shivered, the memory of what he’d witnessed still chilled him. Facing the well, he started to turn the handle to raise the filled bucket. The steady rhythm of his motions helped calm him. “I couldn’t sleep, it was so warm. I got up and went to look out the window.”

“Why?” Jill had moved to stand alongside him.

“I was hoping it would be cooler.”

“Did you see something?” she asked when he didn’t continue.

“I heard something. Someone talking.”

“Granny?”

“No-yes.”

Crossing her arms, she clicked her tongue. “Well, was it or wasn’t it?”

“At first I thought no because the voice was too young. Then I heard her laugh, that low, chuckling laugh when she’s really pleased with something. Then I saw her.”

By now, he’d pulled the bucket up and was holding it balanced on the rim. Tightening his grip on the handle, he continued, his voice a shaky whisper. “It was hard to make out because it was dark. The only light came from the lamp by the front door.” His breath caught. “She looked… different.”

Jack couldn’t continue. The truth was Bessie had been naked, but he couldn’t bring himself to say that to his sister. Bending down, he poured the water into the pail by his feet, hoping he wasn’t blushing, though his ears felt uncomfortably hot.

“Different? How?” Jill’s voice was softer.

“She seemed… younger. Her hair was loose. And the way she moved…” A violent shudder gripped him and he dropped the bucket. “Jill, it was unnatural.” He turned his wide eyes to his sister. “She was on her hands and feet, moving sideways–”

“Like an animal?”

“No, no… more like an insect.” Squeezing his eyes shut, he shook his head as if trying to erase the image. “She grabbed something, a small animal, I think it was a rabbit. I heard a crunch…” He gagged. “She ate it. Looked up and made a horrible hissing noise…” Crouching by the well, he hugged himself, a sheen of sweat covering his face.

“Did she see you?”

He shook his head. “I hid. I wanted to go to your room, to tell you. I couldn’t move…”

“You hid it well, that something was wrong.”

Slowly hauling himself up, he said, “I had to. I didn’t want her to suspect anything.”

Jill laid her hand on his. “You’re a good brother, Jack, always trying to keep me safe.”

He struggled to return her smile, wondering why she seemed so calm. He wondered if she thought he was lying. “Let’s go back before she comes looking for us.”

Lifting the pail, Jack led the way down the hill back to the neat cottage. He almost stumbled when he saw the tall figure of Bessie in the doorway but forced himself to return her wave.

“Jack.”

Slowing, he looked back at Jill.

“I love you. Never forget that.”

His brows drew together slightly as he started to smile. “And I love–” His words turned to a shout as she shoved him. Hard.

Jack fell back, tripped over the dropped pail and tumbled down the hill.

Pain skewered his head as he struggled to draw breath, a salty metallic taste on his tongue.

Bessie’s face slowly came into focus. “There, there, child. Rest easy.”

He wanted to pull away from her dry fingers stroking his face but couldn’t move. Then Jill was there. He opened his mouth; no words came out.

“You were right the first time, Jack.” She knelt beside him. “It wasn’t Granny Bessie you heard, it was me. And the one you saw wasn’t Granny Bessie, it was me.” Her smile widened, her eyes bright as if she was gripped by fever. “She’s made me into something wonderful. I can look after myself now, I can protect myself. I don’t ever have to be afraid again. I don’t ever have to run and hide from the bad people. And you can rest now, my dear brother. You don’t have to fight and get hurt for me anymore. You don’t have to worry about me ever again.”

His eyelids flickered, slowly sliding shut.

Her smile faded. “I’m sorry it had to come to this. But you were going to take me away. And I don’t want to leave. I’m tired of running, Jack. Tired of not having a home. I have one now. And the best granny any girl could want.”

Her voice, her face slowly began to fade as she leaned over, kissing him on his forehead. “Sleep now, dear Jack. Sleep. Worry no more…”