Several years ago:

Micah watched as Oliver sat down in the bedroom, the vile just before him. She knew he could sense her presence but chose to ignore it. She watched as he lifted the vile, swallowing the poison, the effects swift and harsh.

Micah waited several minutes before entering the bedroom and picking up the empty vile, which had rolled underneath the table. Oliver was out cold. She checked his pulse. It was faint but there. She dropped the vile into her apron pocket and went about shifting Oliver's body so that it was leaning against the table.

Micah heard footsteps approaching the room and quickly hurried towards the bathroom, slipping inside and closing the door all but a cracked, peering through.

Jane appeared in the doorway and gasped, her face going white at the sight of Oliver's unconscious body in the room. Jane stood stock still as her hand stretched out, touching Oliver's face before breaking down, sobbing.

After several minutes, Jane wiped away her tears and exited the room. Micah quickly hurried back over to Oliver, who was slowly returning to his senses, moaning loudly. Micah quickly closed the bedroom door and went to assist Oliver.

"Damn," he rumbled. "That shit you gave me was potent."

"We had to make sure that Jane or whomever found you was convinced of your death." Micah helped Oliver to his feet as they walked over to the wall, where Micah pushed a button, the panel sliding open.

Several of Oliver's bags were already packed, hidden just inside the walls. He intended to disappear thus time and he wasn't sure when he'd return. If ever.

"Thank you, Micah. You've been a valuable ally in this madness."

"I owed it to you. Especially after what happened to your..grandmother."

Oliver nodded as he stepped inside the walls, reaching into his pocket for some cash and the will to Esper Hall. He handed them to Micah, who smiled and accepted the papers.

"I've been having more visions," Oliver admitted to Micah. "Of a beautiful young girl named Penelope Jane."

"Do you think she'll be Jane's daughter?"

"I can't say for certain," Oliver replied. "The visions aren't always clear on details."

"It could be years because thus young woman arrives here," Micah told Oliver. He nodded again. He was prepared to wait. But for now, he was leaving Esper Hall. He'd return when Penelope was old enough.

"Thanks again. I don't know if we'll ever see one another again."

"I understand. Good journey, Oliver."

"Good journey, Micah."

Epilogue

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