Artifice of Love

Chapter 9

Maxine's face softened. "Be careful Jeffrey, or there will be consequences. I'm only forgiving you because of your generous donations to the town."

Jeffrey forced a smile. "I'll make sure to be careful next time."

She directed her gaze at Celine. "Where is your brother? It's time for the initiation."

"I'll be doing it by myself." Celine knew that Elliot did not want to be involved and that he would only complicate things further. She spotted Ashton in the crowd, watching her. She didn't want to let him down. Not after he had promised her his support.

Maxine nodded. "Very well. The girls will take you to the initiation spot."

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Celine followed the blond-haired girl and the girl with the braces to the black van. They were unnaturally quiet and she felt an unease settle into her. She donned a neutral expression and pulled herself inside, shutting the door behind her.

The girl with the braces revved the engine and they were soon on the road. Celine looked out the window, trying to stop Jeffrey's words from pervading her mind.

It was the second time he had warned her about the town but she was sure that he was speaking complete nonsense. The people here were kind, albeit a little bit mysterious. Their strange nature didn't automatically prove that they were dangerous.

The car sped across the empty road until they arrived in front of a small white building. The structure looked new with its polished stone walls and manicured lawn. Newly planted trees lines the sides, too short to offer shade.

"What is this place?" asked Celine as she got out of the vehicle. She looked at its metal doors and small windows.

"It's the town clinic," said the blond-haired girl. "This is where you'll complete the initiation."

Celine wondered what kind of task she had to complete. She wasn't a doctor or a nurse. What did dealing with sick people have to do with her becoming an official member of the town?

She followed the girls into the hospital and into a guarded room. The room was dark with thick curtains and a low cramped ceiling. The lights cast a dull yellow glow that did little to brighten the small space.

Celine looked back at the two burly men that stood in front of the door. Why were they standing there? Was there a V.I.P. patient inside?

The two girls whispered together before glancing at her. She shifted from foot to foot, suspicion creeping up on her like the grip of a cold hand. She cursed Jeffrey for making her paranoid.

The two teenagers left the room and a few minutes later, the blond-haired girl returned, handing her a tray of food. "Give this to the patient," she said. "And make sure she finishes everything."

Celine accepted the tray. "This is the initiation?"

The girl smiled. "Yes. We want to test your ability to volunteer in the hospital. This will be one of your duties as a member of the town."

She left before Celine could ask any more questions.

Celine looked behind her at the white curtain that served as a partition. She drew back the curtain and looked down at the patient.

Stacey Callingher lay on the white speckless sheets, her body as stiff as a rock.

Celine gripped the edge of the bed to steady herself. She couldn't contain her shock.

Stacey's eyes suddenly flicked open and they grew wide, her brown irses bright with shock and pain. It was as if she had known that someone was watching her.