A sign?

Jacob pulled the bottle of Johnson Brother whiskey from under his bed,

Thought about grabbing a glass, but drank straight from the bottle instead.

His side began to throb, but he knew the pain was just in his head.

Sallie was a complication he didn't need. And to think he thought he was free!

Even though things weren't going well with Rue. He had hope of working through.

But Sallie had tracked him down and destroyed that too.

No way, would Rue believe what he had to say. Two big strikes in a matter of days.

Last night he'd gotten no sleep, not even a peep,

Drinking while Josie was fast asleep. Trying to keep his ghosts buried deep.

For only beneath the haze of the alcohol, was Jake able not to feel at all.

But this morning when Josie had began to stir, he washed his face and faked it for her.

Pretended that nothing was wrong with a smile. Encouraged her to see Gyn, as it'd been a while

Since Josie's last saw her friend. He gave her some money for milk and muffins.

And sent his sister on her way, so Jacob could drink the day away.

He took a long sip, then one more.

He'd drink until he'd forget. Halfway through the bottle, came pounding on his door.

He got to his feet and swore. He was still sober enough to fake it for Josie's sake,

But when he pulled open the door, he came face to face,

With Sallie McClain .

Her face was red and her hands on her hips. She immediately started to give him lip.

As she forced her way inside. "So you think you can stay up here and hide?

You were supposed to meet me for lunch thirty minutes ago!

Stop pinning over that whore. You won't be seeing her anymore!

Stay away from her Jacob, I'm warning you. Test me and you won't like what I do."

Jacob laughed, "The only whore I see around here is you. Don't you dare speak that way about Rue!"

He should have seen it coming he knew, but the alcohol made his head fuzzy and him slow too.

Sallie raked her nails down his cheek.

"Never speak to me that way again!

Fall in line Jacob or else pay the price. Get yourself cleaned up, Meet me for lunch. Don't make me ask twice!"

Jacob felt the burning on his face The blood welling up from Sallie putting him in his place.

He laughed as she stormed out the door, he hadn't missed her temper, that was for sure.

He poured some whiskey over the scratches on his cheek. He was no longer the same man, so weak.

Things wouldn't be the same this time, if that's what she did think.

He soon joined her down in the dining hall. She introduced him as her fiancé to all.

She told quite a story as well, about his sisters cat attacking him,

The cat from hell.

Jacob smiled and answered when he needed too. But in his head he thought about Rue.

He put on quite the show. But little did those folks know,

Other thoughts also went through his head, ways of killing that witch seated next to him, dead.

He was already damned that much he knew, but he could take the life of an innocent child too?

He eyed her large belly. And if he had to guess, she had maybe a month or two left.

So he would bid his time and wait until after the birth, then he planned on making Sallie hurt.

He would kill her and bury her deep, out in the desert, and wouldn't lose any sleep.

He was content with his plan. It gave him strength, helped him stand.

Sallie insisting on a stroll.

Down through the main street in town, arm in arm, telling all the folks around,

They were engaged to be wed. Bella nearly gasped when it was said,

And he could see the question running through her head.

No doubt the sordid news was already spreading through the town. Jacob was a liar, a cheater, and alter bound. CG would love this indeed, probably make the front page news in BG.

In front of the town hall, a crowd had gathered near. The Mayor was soon to appear.

To give a speech on the first of the New Year. Most of the town had gathered around.

Sallie pulled Jacob up near the steps, And it was no surprise what she did next.

She kissed him on the lips for all to see. Jacob resisted the urge to push her away, to scream.

The feel of her lips on his made his skin crawl. Nothing like Ruechari's soft lips at all.

He felt both his revulsion and despair rising. He needed to get away, he saw the forge on the horizon.

He came up with an excuse for Sallie, said he needed to change and get to work immediately.

She didn't seem happy at all as she'd only just arrived in BG.

He reminded her babies were expensive and the money they'd need.

It seemed to pacify her for now at least.

He forced himself to give her a kiss goodbye, ran back to the hotel, and slipped the bottle of whiskey inside, his coat pocket.

But not for the forge did he ride. Instead, Jacob went to the waterfall, a fine place to get away from it all.

A hare watched him from the underbrush, as he tilted the bottle to his lips, "Bottoms Up!"

He knew he was a lush.

Lady Imogen neighed her disapproval at his antics, but he didn't plan to quit.

Drinking till he could no longer feel it. Not a damn thing.

He drank most of the bottle, sung a song too, for all the animals who passed through.

Thought about Rue. It was hard not to. He went for a walk, as the drink was making it harder and harder to think.

He found himself with an empty bottle of whiskey. Standing at the top of the ravine next to the falls.

He'd be a liar if he claimed he didn't have thoughts to end it all.

As he gazed down at the rocks below, if he jumped off just right,

That's where'd he go. Land on the rocks and it would be quick alright.

Just another step or two would do.

He peered over the edge. eyed down below, Imagined the feeling of stepping off, letting go.

Perhaps for a moment , on the way down, he'd feel free. No more thoughts of Sallie, Rue, Brandy, or Josie.

Or what a screw up was he.

He destroyed everything he touched. And now booze was his crutch.

Or more aptly, what he, hid behind.

Drank more than just to fall asleep at night. But it only served him right.

He deserved this pain.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest. It would probably be for the best.

One boot was already halfway over the edge. Just one more step over that ledge.

And it would all be over for forevermore.

Suddenly a shadow passed by overhead. He shielded his eyes and looked up instead.

An eagle flew by. He thought of Rue, knew he didn't really want to die.

But rather just wanted the pain to subside. Perhaps this was a sign?

He peered over the edge for a few seconds more, but suddenly he stepped back and swore.

Leaving Josie and Rue, to the mercy of Sallie,

Was something he just couldn't do.

There had to be a better way. From the cliff, Jacob turned away.