Jennifer had endured many endless nights alone crying and distressed, so wishing to renounce the narcissism with Samantha she appealed to Julia. Luckily, she was open to the conversation and welcomed her with an amiable smile.
"Hey stranger."
"I hoped we could talk." Jennifer proclaimed.
"That's why you came isn't it?"
The morning was pleasant, so Julia chose to share the time outdoors. (A suggestion Jennifer happily accepted).
"What's this about?" Julia inquired.
"I'm returning to San Francisco."
"A bit soon, isn't it...?" she questioned. "I thought you were staying through the summer; what changed?"
Jennifer hesitated.
"I have my reasons." she admitted while observing Julia's wrist.
"I knew something was different."
Jennifer snapped to attention.
"How could you?"
She centered.
"If you were any more obvious it'd be embarrassing."
Jennifer relaxed.
"How can I help?" Julia urged.
Talking about Samantha felt awkward almost always, but she'd soon reveal a grim truth that seized Julia's awareness.
"I had noble ambitions..." she admitted. "Except, I allowed my passions to dictate my actions never realizing how profound the rage and resentment were."
"I'm not following."
"It's difficult to explain..." Jennifer continued. "Other than that, someone is coming to Cottonwood Falls."
Julia moaned.
"Someone?"
Jennifer tensed.
"More so, I'm afraid..." she added. "Seeing that she has sinful motives."
"You're sure?"
"Yes..." she elaborated. "She's looking for a forgotten ancestry, but has no memory of it except for the Saint Ann's mosque."
"In San Francisco?" Julia quizzed.
"You've heard of it?"
She was immediately consumed by an intense sense of recollection.
"What's her name?" Julia questioned while squinting into the distance.
"Samantha -- Samantha Collins."
She grew pale.
"Are you alright?" Jennifer interrogated.
"Ah, yes, everything's fine..." Julia rebutted while escaping to the doorway. "I have something to tend to, so we'll talk later."
The possibility always existed in some way, but the reality seemed impossible, so Julia didn't know how to feel. Nevertheless, what she'd feared most was happening, thus Julia retreated to a solemn chamber within the basement: the altar room.
Julia had often considered the probability of Samantha's return, but grasping a lone tarot she exposed the upright devil card. At that moment everything became clear: Jennifer knew the truth and Samantha was alive.
YOU ARE READING
The Dark Society
Mystery / ThrillerA powerful family of occultists unexpectedly disappear and for the next twenty years they live within society like normal people. However, as the eldest daughter reaches her 18th birthday the curse of a forgotten bloodline returns, along with the me...
