Dark Dreams (COMPLETED)

The Love Jar

At five o'clock Mom left to go to work.

"Don't forget to lock the door before you fall asleep," she told me before she left. "Try to go to bed early. Tomorrow we'll set off at nine o'clock."

Perfect, she didn't suspect anything.

I stood, observing my reflection in the mirror for a long time.

Where would I ever find a Halloween costume? I could hardly pass off my pajamas as an Uncle Scrooge disguise. And then, to get someone to accept me, I had to make a good impression. I needed a costume that would amaze everyone.

Yes... but where would I find the money to buy it?

I went to the kitchen to drink a glass of milk, hoping that, with a full stomach, I would devise a plan to get at least forty dollars in my hand more quickly.

I opened the fridge and took out the milk bottle. My gaze fell on the glass jar that sat above the fridge.

The Love Jar.

What if... no.

What was I thinking of? Stealing the money for Dad's flowers to go to a stupid party!

I sat on the little table, facing the fridge. I drank slowly from the bottle, staring at the jar.

On second thought, if Dad were alive, he'd spend all his money on my education.

No!

I took another sip.

Flowers were certainly not as important as my education. With everything I would earn as a lawyer, those savings would seem like small change.

I was truly a horrible person. I couldn't steal my money from my dad.

What if... I got up, took the jar and placed it on the table.

"Let's do this," I said to the jar, laughing at myself. "If you have around forty dollars inside you, I'll take it as a sign telling me I have to go to the party."

I unscrewed the metal lid gently and took the banknotes in my hands. I counted them quickly.

It wasn't possible!

There were forty dollars; Not one more or less!

I couldn't ignore this strange coincidence. I took the money and ran into my room to get ready. I had never done anything like that, ever. But I had no choice. My mother would have said that even if there is only one choice, it's up to us to decide whether or not to make it.

What if she was right?

I told myself that it didn't matter: having the password to an Elite Party was something that would never happen to me again in my life.

I put on the only coat I had. It was long and dark, perfect for covering my Halloween costume. I braided my hair and coated my heart-shaped lips with chocolate and pear-flavored lip gloss. The daisies sat on the desk, a little wilted. I took the scissors and cut one of the ten large daisies that my father had bought me a year before he died. I never dreamed of taking the life of Dad's only living memory, but that night, I needed him close to me. I put it in my bag, letting it dangle from one side. Skates on my feet, I went to the nearest costume store.

It was a mild and pleasant day. I enjoyed the journey, comforted by the thought that my life might change forever after that evening. Dark Oaks was two hours from my house on skates, which meant that I'd arrive at least an hour late considering the time I need to choose a costume.

My calculations were interrupted by exuberant crowds and hawkers. During founding day, Goldmist was in a state of continuous celebration. In the evening, bright decorations would light up the streets that now, during the day, were filled with people of all ages trying to buy various items; eat fine delicacies cooked by the city's most famous master pâtissiers, such as chocolate strawberries, chestnut cakes and custard cannelloni; or taste local specialties like pies made with Mouh beef, the most valuable kind in the state.