Into the Light

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

   “It’s like six miles,” Marie said after walking a short while. “We’re really going to walk the whole six miles?”

   “Would you rather still be at that party?”

   “No.”

   “If we walk faster, it’ll keep us warm.”

   “Ok.”

   “Marie?”

   Marie didn’t answer. A creepy fog danced in the tall grass on either side of the road.

   “Marie.”

   “What?”

   “I was listening outside the door. I heard the stuff Jade was saying to you. About that boy touching you—”

   “I didn’t let him touch me.”

   Sang held up her hands. “That’s not my business. It’s your body. It’s your choice. I just, I was listening for that part and for when Jade said she was going to do a spell. You sounded okay with it, and then suddenly you weren’t…. What happened?”

   Marie said nothing. A pair of yellow headlights lit up the darkness and a car passed them. They walked in silence for a long time before Marie finally answered. “I thought it wasn't real."

   "What wasn't?"

   "The spell. The binding spell. I thought it was maybe some party game or some hazing thing like they do at college in order for you to get to be a part of a sorority." Marie rubbed her arms. "Earlier today when I was around Jade, I felt like I was magnetized to her. Where she went, I followed. I just thought we were hitting it off, and I felt like I agreed with everything she said, and then at Annette's when you and I were talking... it was like someone flipped on a light. Jade isn't so great. She's kind of mean and manipulative and she treats people like meat. Yet... I couldn't help myself the moment I saw her at that party, I followed."

   Sang watched Marie in the darkness.

   "And there I am going up the stairs after her and saying I'm going to drink, and I'm really going to. But then Jade pulled out a fucking knife. And that light came on again! And Jade starts cutting into her fucking arm, bleeding herself like some fucking animal and her blood is black and...and she mixed it with the wine until it was thick and then looked up at me and smiled." Marie shivered. "She smiled and offered me the cup like it was the most normal thing in the world. Even though I screamed. It was like...

   A vehicle pulled up alongside them and idled. Sang looked over to see North in his Jeep. He unlocked the doors.

   “Get in.”

   And they did.

   “There’s a blanket under the seat,” North said, pulling back onto the road.

   Sang pulled it out on top of her and Marie. It was red, plaid, and warm. “Thanks.”

   “Sang, if you ever need a ride, you just find me next time, alright?”

   Sang hesitated, listening to the quiet sound of the Jeep cruising down the empty backroads. “Luke said you had the game. I…” Sang wasn’t sure how to put it into words. I don’t like taking you away from your football game. I don’t want to act like I should be your priority. We just met.

   “The game doesn’t matter. They’ll live even if I show up a little late.” North gripped the steering wheel. “Luke said that you and Jade had some sort of run-in.”