Jacklyn and the Twisted Beanstalk

by Callie Thomas

“True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves.”

Four years my senior, Jacob was the eldest of nine boys and behaved like the bossy older brother I never wanted.

Not just our family, but all the farmers in Cadell were scrambling to prepare for the rise of the Blood Moon. For when the last star winked out of the sky, the moon would bleed, a reminder of the lost souls in Mistbrooke Forest.

“I wasn’t fishing for a different name. I can make do with what I have,”

But I was every bit as smart and strong—if not more so—than these bearded brutes. I made a vow long ago to prove that I belonged.

I cared too much about Gill to ruin this moment for him. Of course I wanted him to be happy. He was a true friend—the only friend who understood me. But a sick feeling gnawed at my insides at the thought of my future. The one where I was all alone.

“It’s the truth. All the farmers know it. Secretly we complain and yet nobody dares to speak up. The king is going to starve us if he doesn’t work us to death first.”

Words could be sharp, if not sharper than any weapon I knew. They left invisible wounds that even time itself couldn’t heal, festering in the silence of the night until the scars ripped open again.

“You’re Gill,” I said as if he should know. He stopped me just beside my stall. “What does that mean?” “It means I don’t have to pretend with you.”

“Did he pay for those?” Gill asked. “Yes, so you can’t arrest him.” “Pity.” He turned, raising his brows in expectation.

“It’s illegal to feed them,” Gillian reprimanded. I whipped back to him, offering him my wrists. “Then arrest me already.” He groaned and scanned the emptying streets. Grabbing my hands, he lowered them between us. “You know I’m not going to do that.”

The royal decree forbids anyone from helping people in need because the king wants a percentage of everything.” “Jackie, don’t be like this,” he whispered. “They already have it out for me. You heard what Sir Samus said—they want to make an example of me.”

“Can you just be…more careful next time?” “It’s hard to ignore someone in need.”

“I’m not wording it right. What I’m trying to say is that you should find someone who knows you and appreciates all the little things that make you…you. That you love being outside and detest idle work. You won’t do kitchen chores, laundry, or mend clothes. You’d rather talk to Bertie all day than speak one word to a person in town. You have a keen attention to detail, and when you laugh uncontrollably, you snort⁠—”

“I wish you happiness. Whatever that might be,”

I waited for his look of disgust or for him to reprimand me for my recklessness. Instead, he gathered me in his arms and hugged me to his chest. “Don’t hold it in, Jackie. You have me—you always will.”

“Will you cry like that when I leave?” he asked suddenly, his thumbs swiping my tear-stained cheeks. “Will you miss me?” “Yes, with everything that I am,”

“I’m not,” he whispered. “I’ve been waiting for you to finally see me.”

“You think I would do that knowing you were walking headfirst into danger?” He groaned in frustration. “You know I have to come with you.” “Says who?” “Says me.

“You’ll be happy to know that your pumpkin was put to good use. A young lady was able to live out her dream and dance the night away, all thanks to you. Perhaps your dream is sitting on one of my tables too?”

“Oh, I don’t need the mirror. I just need to restore the balance by placing it somewhere safe.” “Where?” “I want you to throw it into the Sea of Thieves.”

“First, once you have wished, it can’t be undone. Nor can the bean be removed from the soil. Second, your wish can’t be for anything living, to manipulate free will, or to alter the flow of time. Lastly, do not be greedy. One bean equals one wish, and only a single bean can be planted each night.”

It’s tainted with sadness and a fog that will never lift until The Chosen accepts their fate. Until then, the rivers will run with tears, the smoke will never clear, and the fire will burn in their hearts as much as the one that destroyed their kingdom.”

“I’ll always worry about you. With that temper of yours, you always run directly into the wrong thing to prove a point.”

“Sometimes worry comes across as anger. He cares for you deeply and doesn’t want anything to happen to you. Your father was the same way.

Nobody is perfect. You are young and bound to make a mistake or two. It’s how you learn.” “But…it hurts so much. I just want the pain to stop.”

“Some mistakes sting more than others—the more it stings, the more valuable the lesson you learn.”

“Remember to take a breath and consider your actions before you rush headfirst into something. Whatever mischief you get into tonight, I know your heart is in the right place, but please, promise me you’ll be careful.

“Whatever happened in the past is just that—in the past. You wake up to a new day and decide if you want to be that person or if you want to change and do good.”

“You don’t know me, what I have done, or the loss I’ve experienced to have any say in how I should or should not feel. You are a speck in time, drifting by before you disappear from my life and this world.”

Never go into the forest. Only hate and sadness live there, and they can’t help you.”

“Magic should never affect free will. Never.” “Haven’t you ever made a terrible mistake and wished you could undo it? I can’t let him die because of me. I love him.”

“I’m so sorry. I thought it would bring an opportunity for you to stay, not imprison you. I’d never wish harm on you. When I think that I almost lost you forever—an apology doesn’t seem like enough to forgive my actions. After what I did, you should hate me.”

I put too much pressure on you to move when you weren’t ready. Maybe I needed to be a little patient too.”

I would have sacrificed anything for you. You’re my person, Gill.”

“I see you. I was blind not to notice you for so long. I will spend the rest of my life making up for that.”

I want you by my side, making rash decisions where I can see you. I want your fierce loyalty and kind heart for my own. To be with you as you fall asleep each night, and to kiss you before each dawn. I want forever to work side by side, building our home together.”

“A terrible wife for Randel and anyone else but me. You are my other half, and whatever problems arise, we can deal with them together.”

Forgetting doesn’t make the problem go away.”