Tried for Failure

Chapter 1

I'm out with friends tonight, something I rarely do because of all my responsibilities at home. I am having an alright time I guess, but my buddies really want to fuck around with this new fortuneteller that popped up on the strip the other night. It isn't really my thing, but I want to have a good time out with them since we don't see each other often.

"Jared what is with that face of yours." My head lulls over to Cindy with a blank look on my face. She mocks me with a laugh before returning her attention to our stroll downtown. 

"Yeah man, don't look so excited." Michael adds sarcastically. I let out a sigh because even though I know this is the routine, it honestly annoys me a bit. 

"Alright, alright enough about my face. We all know I have a resting face of an unenthused cow okay, drop it." I don't mean to let my irritation leak into the words, but by Cindy and Michael's rigid posture I can tell it did not go over well. I get enough practice reading people's emotions at home to know I fucked up the light hearted mood.

We walk in silence for the next few minutes until Cindy's face lights up at the sight of the flashy "Fortuneteller" sign.

"Guys! We finally made it. C'mon I need to know if I will find true love or die alone with 20 cats." Michael and I chuckle at Cindy's joke and follow her up the sidewalk until we reach the entrance.

"Cindy this place looks jank as fuck, not gonna lie." Michael mutters and I have to agree with him. The place looks like something my little sister Lilly would set up to play "spooky fortuneteller" which she hasn't ever actually played, but the idea is there.

"Oh shut up Michael that is so rude. Let's go inside--and you both better behave or I swear." She mimics cutting her throat and rolls her head back as if she died. She stays like that for a split second before lifting her head back up, giving us the eye, and heading inside. I give Michael a knowing look and we follow her into the shop.

Cindy marches over to the chair excitedly where she plops down with the hefty $20 dollar fee. Michael and I just kind of loiter around the shop awkwardly waiting for her to finish up the fortune when we hear Cindy scream and glass shatter. 

Immediately I rush over to her with Michael on my tail, ready to do whatever was necessary to save Cindy. I get to the back and see Cindy looking horrified as the fortuneteller cries holding her chest, basically screaming bloody murder at this point with her eyes glazed over. Michael grabs his phone to call 911 when she stops abruptly and looks at me.

"You are an awful, filthy human. As foul as they come, something will happen tonight and everyone will see you for the evil that you are." I feel each word hit me as the raspy voice of the fortuneteller scratches my ear drums. 

"This place is a fucking joke Cindy come on let's get the hell out of here." I grab her by the wrist and tug her out of the shop back down the sidewalk, my heart racing with anger from the stupid woman's insults. 

"Ow, ow, Jared quit that hurts!" I let go and turn to see Cindy and Michael looking at me alarmed. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry Cindy I just wanted to get you away from that crazy lady." I explain briefly before continuing, "Like, what the hell was that?" I exclaim, pacing around the area we stopped.

"Uh I'm not sure really." Cindy murmurs quietly, gently rubbing her wrist. Michael looks around uncomfortably with a worried look on his face before speaking.

"I am not sure what happened back there either, but maybe we should reschedule our hang out because that was kind of messed up." Knowing I will have to go back to take care of my family soon anyways I agree with Michael and we all head our separate ways with a plan to hang out another day.