"Here we are," James said, facing the willow tree.

"Yeah," I said in an inaudible voice. Stay calm, I thought to myself. Be brave.

But all my bravery was tumbling down like a house of cards.

"Are you sure about this?" James asked.

I took a deep breath.

"Yes!" I said with the biggest grin I could manage. I had to show him that he didn't have to worry about me.

He blinked. "Err, ok."

Oops, I'd overdone it.

"Come on," I said. I walked forward to stand underneath the willow's branches.

Suddenly James hugged me. "You are so courageous, Ali."

I smiled and hugged him back. "Thank you," I whispered, "and thank you as well for staying with me and helping me through this."

The hug lingered for a couple of seconds, and then he pulled back.

"Good luck," he said with a serious face.

I started shaking a little. "If I black out again, please leave me here-"

"And look after you." he finished for me.

I smiled at him. Ok, time to begin.

"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we'd met at midnight
In the hanging tree."

A familiar finch flew up to a nearby branch. I shivered and continued the song.

"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we'd met at midnight
In the hanging tree."

"Are you, are you," a familiar voice sang. Finch.

"Coming to the tree?" I sang back.

"Where I told you to run
So we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we'd met at midnight
In in the hanging tree"

Darkness. I was falling into darkness. Air whooshed past me. I tried screaming, but nobody heard. I was all alone in this world.

Father had found out about Finch. What was I to do now? I was locked in my bedroom, awaiting punishment.

Yet everything was covered by unending darkness.

Finch, I wanted Finch. He could make me smile at any time.

Yet he was now in trouble because of me. Please God, let him be fine.

Suddenly, I heard a door slam open. Through the darkness I saw a sinister shape move towards me.

"Pearl, you will now pay for your crime," said Father.

Next came pain.

Author's note
Hey everyone! So this is a longer chapter than the previous one, as promised. The next chapter will be in James' POV and then afterwards it will be Ali's. Anyway, as always, thanks for reading!