Bobby the Butcher's Arc

Chapter 3 of 3

Bobby set the journal on the counter beside the knife. He needed to confront Jessica, but showing up at her house with Desmond watching would get him nowhere. She'd deflect like she always did, or worse, Desmond would turn him away at the door. The bell chimed. Jessica walked in alone, wearing a bright jacket he'd never seen before. She hung it on the hook by the door without asking, like she still worked here. In her hand was a small wooden box carved with hearts. She set it on the counter next to the journal. "Pine needle tea," she said. "I made it myself. No spells, I promise." A wooden hair clip held her hair back, carved with the same pattern as the box. Bobby picked up the journal and opened it to a random page. He turned it so she could see the dates, the pressed leaves, the notes about the knife going dark. "Your friend kept records," he said. "Every time you cast a spell to help Desmond. Every time you tried to drain this shop's luck." Jessica's face went pale. She reached for the box of tea, then pulled her hand back. "Bobby, I can explain—" "No." Bobby closed the journal. "I wanted to save you from witchcraft. But you're still using it against us. Against me." Jessica took a step back, her hand going to the hair clip. "That's not—I didn't know it would hurt the knife. Desmond said it was just balancing things out." Bobby shook his head. "The knife knew what you were doing. It's been protecting us from you." Jessica grabbed her jacket off the hook and left without another word. Bobby watched her go, the box of tea still sitting on his counter. He couldn't free someone who wouldn't admit what they'd done.