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2024-10-29 19:42:56To ensure that the dare was not to be taken for granted, Zee had them seal their oath in blood. Zee pricked their right thumbs with a needle and as blood trickled out, they pressed their wounds to each other’s and Zee led her through the oath in a solemn way like an experienced priestess of some dark cult.
“With our blood, we do perform the last dare. We seal an oath to perform the dare we give each other and we agree that the dare will not be one that drives the other to take a life.”
Afterwards, they both wrote a dare to challenge each other, agreeing that the dare had to be life changing. After exchanging the papers, Inara watched as Zee’s eyes scanned the paper she had given her.
Contact the guy who took your virginity and beg him to marry you. If he agrees, fine, but if he doesn’t, move on.
Zee’s face registered deep worry, her brows coming together in a frown that clearly showed her displeasure with the dare. But then she quickly recollected herself and threw Inara a faint smile.
“Well, I never thought you had it in you to go all out. This is some real mad shit.”
Inara returned the smile, opened the paper Zee had given her and froze because the words her eyes read stabbed at her very soul.
For real, frame a guy for pregnancy and follow it through to the end.
This was bad, really bad thought Inara. When she tore her eyes away from the cursed words, she looked at Zee, her thumb still smarting from the needle’s sting. Inara didn't like the smile that played across Zee’s lips. It made her begin to wonder if perhaps her parents had been right to keep her away from the girl.
“Why?” she managed to ask, realizing that her voice was a whisper. She couldn’t hide her disappointment and began to pace about. She stopped for a second and threw her hands up. “What was I thinking?” she blamed herself.
“Like mine is any easier.” Zee snapped.
“We shouldn’t have used blood Zee. It is a sin to swear.” Inara admonished, knowing she sounded stupid because she could have backed out earlier.
“Oh please, tell me about it.” Zee said irritably. “What a self-righteous whore you are.”
“What?” Inara was shocked.
“You’re such a hypocrite.”
“And you’re such a lonely hippie hiding behind a carefree mask. You go around pretending like nothing gets to you but you actually care what people think about you, otherwise you wouldn’t be so torn about performing that dare.”
Inara almost regretted her words because she knew she had stricken a nerve as Zee’s eyes filled with tears.
“I want you gone by tomorrow.” Zee shouted.
“No. I leave tonight.” Inara shouted back and at that moment, the house keeper pushed the door open. Apparently, their shouting match had attracted her. She was a sweet faced middle aged woman and she looked concerned.
“Girls, what is going on?”
“We fell out. She’s leaving.” Zee responded carelessly and threw herself onto a couch.
“Why? It’s almost 10:00 pm.” the house keeper pointed out.
“Never mind, I’ll be fine.” Inara told her and reached for her sleep over back pack. She quickly thrust in the novel she had intended to read and the night dress she had already placed on Zee’s bed, zipped it and walked out. Remembering her money on the floor, she stepped back, picked it up and pocketed it before continuing on her way. On the driveway outside, she mounted her bike and turned the key. As her bike roared, the anger she was feeling intensified so much that she fought back tears from her eyes.
“Blood is potent.” she heard Zee say from the front porch. She didn’t know the girl had followed her and she didn’t care.
“Go to hell.” Inara replied and drove off, wishing she had never met Zee because otherwise, she didn’t think she would have been so down the rabbit hole; living in sin, cursing, gambling, beginning drinking, planning to smoke and now, taking a blood oath? To what end? she wondered. The answer was right before her; regret, loss of friendship and a brooding future.
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When Inara reached her home that night, her sister had come to open the door for her.“I heard the sound of your bike. I wasn’t expecting any rebel.” Amara commented.Inara forced a smile as she walked inside the house, doing a good job of hiding her pain or so she thought.“Trouble in paradise?” Amara asked after locking the door behind her and Inara was not expecting it but the weight of dismay and disappointment over the events at Zee’s place broke her down in that moment. She fe
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Inara called Zee’s phone but there was no response from her. She contemplated paying her a visit in order to confront her about the strange message but instead, she rode home, unable to control the constant pounding of her heart.At home, after handing over Amara’s pringles to her, she went straight inside her bedroom and locked herself inside so that she could think or more like hide from the world. Flopping herself down onto her bed, she curled herself into the comforter, wishing that she didn’t exist. To her surprise, her phone rang and it was Zee, so she picked the call and listened.“How many nightmares have you had?” Zee asked, going straight to the point and Inara was surprised. She didn’t know that Zee knew about that.“How can you know about that? Did you have any too?” She asked, her voice a hoarse whisper due to the fear that she was feeling.“Yes.” Zee a
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Dark Love 10
In the evening, when Lemuel’s SUV pulled up at Inara’s place, she watched from her bedroom window, petrified.She was already dressed and pulled herself away from the window as her father entered to see her in her room the second time since she had gotten prepared for the evening.The first time was he informing her that they would be meeting Lemuel’s family a day after the engagement. It was an information she had received with trepidation, overwhelmed by how fast things were going, based on a single lie.
Dark Love 11
When she stepped out of the car, he shut the door and took her hand in his, leading her towards the cozy lit entrance of the restaurant.“Mr. Lemuel, Madam.” the Spanish attendant greeted them, handing a ticket to him, “Your reservation according to your expectations senor.”“Thank you Hugos.”“Anytime.”When they stepped inside the restaurant, she admired the ornate surroundings; elegant décor and sparkling chandeliers. The people inside looked affluent. A quiet, live piano music filled the room from one corner where a female musician was skillfully manipulating the keys. The guests were few and he led her to the table for two in the middle of the room. “You’re having lean tuna steak and vegetable salad without cream.” He said as they sat down. Inara wasn’t sure he was serious about what he had just said.“What?”“Just remember to recite it when the waiter gets here.” He said, studying one of the menu on the table.The waiter drew forward to attend to them.Inara stared at the secon
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One Year, Six Months Later The day was bright and sunny with a clear blue sky that was almost surreal. Heaven’s Vine had a full congregation witnessing the wedding ceremony between Nana and Feedwell. Reverend Anthony was officiating the ceremony at the altar where the love stricken couple stood, facing each other before him. In the congregation, Lemuel was seated beside Inara, her hand in his. He was wearing a navy colored suit while she was wearing a long peach colored dress. She looked radiant and a bit plump like a nursing mother. “I still can’t believe that I’m supporting those two.” He said, smiling. “They clearly broke the domestic rule.” Inara chuckled. “Because you love them.” She said. “They captured your heart.” “Just like you captured mine.” He said caressing her hand with a finger. She blushed. “Definitely, sir.” “Hmn. That’s true. They are very efficient and I will miss them.” “Why? They made it clear they weren’t leaving.” “I know but I’m sure it’s out of loyalty
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Dark Love 78
“I should be aware of something like this.” Lemuel said furiously through gritted teeth. He didn’t want Inara knowing that something like that was going on. She hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma and the last thing he wanted was for her to know about what Milo had just told him.“The police detective thought it better not to tell you so that you can concentrate on taking care of your wife.”“That is not their call to make.”
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The hospital sat on a headland overlooking the lake, enveloped in acres of emerald green trefoil that rolled and toppled into the city mist. It was a paragon of modest architecture, auburn-colored bungalows thrown unevenly around a two-story administration building, the compound veined with pebble pathways and flower beds, partly shaded by the spreading branches of shore live oak.Blade points of grey tile roof intruded upon a cerulean sky so untainted it bordered on the imaginary. At the intersection of land and sky, a single twisted city pine clawed at the sky. Beneath its swaying trunk, patches of yellow and blue lupine flowed like paint drips down a slanting green canvas.
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Milo moved the seat-belt around Vann and belted her in. She was starting to panic, her eyes rounding with fright.“Hang on.” he said as he belted himself in.“Is the Officer following us a bad man?” Vann asked nervously.“Relax.” Lemuel said, “Even If he probably is, I’m sure he has orders from your beloved daughter not to harm a hair on your precious head.”
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“What’s your name?” Lemuel asked the woman as he rose to his feet.“Vann.”“Get up. You’re coming with us.” he told her and the agent pulled her up to her feet quite roughly.“I’ll come willingly.” Vann stated. “There’s no need to be heavy handed with me.”“Desperate times.” Lemuel said and led the way t
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The City’s bustling landscape receded as Lemuel rolled off one of the main express roads that gave way to a single lane road on which he drove for a few minutes until an arrow with a sign that said pal estate directed him northward.The estate was low cost and situated on a property line marked by a large flowering tree that shadowed low wooden gates. The gates were open, meant for décor rather than security.Lemuel parked across from the third apartment, which he knew, was Suzy’s and the agent parked behind him. Alighting from their vehicles, they both squinted at the harshness of the sun’s glare.Lemuel wondered where Inara was. Was she in a shelter or burning in the heat of the sun? Was she alive or dead? God forbid! He thought. She must be
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The sun was out in its full glory, casting its shimmering rays across the horizon, scorching the earth and raising temperatures all around.In the woods, it was worse because there was no shelter but most of the wildlife didn’t mind and still carried themselves about. Birds flew, called and sang, perching atop branches of trees and surrounding hills while crickets chirped amidst varying sounds from different unseen creatures that filled the air as they wandered and basked at home in their habitat.Inara was not faring well. The forest wasn’t her element and under the heat of the sun, she was strapped to a dying tree with scan
