AFTERMATH

He was not prosecuted after it was all over. After all, who could prove the wicked voodoo magic he possessed at that time. Or the ability that he had to could control things like the wheel chair incident. It was plain to see that something did occur in Hemingford but no one knew just what. Many times children were present when evil things occurred. Also, many times the kids acted discreetly. He never would confess to anyone how many people he killed when his body was a puppet for He Who Walks Behind The Rows and with it, his powers. He never wrote it down, typed it or so much as whispered it. Some who heard of the events drew their own conclusions, some saw the similarities between Hemingford and Gatlin. Some where just in denial perhaps. Sixteen was the official body count that year but Micah could promise anyone that there were still more to find. Lacey never told her parents exactly what happened in the field that one night. She ran with the wolf in sheep's clothing and made it out alive. From the sounds of it, none of the other children where talking. Danny decided it was up to Lacey and Micah where their relationship would go from here. He knew it was personal, therefore, didn't get involved. Danny came to check on Lacey before he left town.

"Hey Lacey, you OK?

"Yeah Danny."

"My dad and I are leaving today and I just wanted to stop in and see how you were."

"Thanks. I never did thank you for saving me-." She started to become emotional. "Thank you," She hugged him. "I owe you everything."

"I would've pressed charges. I don't want to embarrass you, but, I heard the conversation between you and him that night. You must be worried about him." She nodded her head. "So I'm not going to tell you what to do. You and him, if there is still a you and him, can sort this out on your own. Meaning I'm not going to talk about it with other people."

"Thank you." He saw she needed a hug so he hugged her.

"Take care," he said.

"You too."

Lacey found Micah perched on the roof of the abandon house she took him to throughout the years.

"Hey...Micah," she said softly as she approached him. He sat with his head down, wanting to look her in the face but couldn't.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't deserve to be saved." He caved in and started sobbing. "I'm so sorry. You should've let me die." She sat down next to him, bit her bottom lip and slowly embraced him.

"Hey...I'm glad I found you." She let him vent his sadness to her for a few moments. She could guess that he'd been lamenting his choices a lot lately, especially were she was concerned. With her hand she moved his face up so he would look at her. She wiped his tears with her hands.

"Listen to me. You had no control of what happened back there."

"Why don't you hate me?" he asked desperately.

"You changed somehow. It wasn't you anymore but there where still traces I could see. I, unlike most people in this town believe in the supernatural, possession. I saw you in the cornfield once."

"And you didn't run for your life, you should've. What I did…" His voice trailed off. His eyes widened. He could never utter the atrocities that he committed to her.

"When the possession left you, Oh Micah I knew I couldn't loose you." He then grabbed her and held her as tightly as he could.