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595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa2XLKckuo
He drove us to the abandoned house. When we got out, I looked around. The house sat in the middle of the woods. If that wasn’t creepy enough, it was literally falling apart right in front of us. It looked dangerous.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG95Dc2mlT
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDdoNwpEMt
Luke had invited me to a party. He knew I hated parties, but I went anyway. And then, on the way, he told me he wanted to show me something. So here we were, standing in front of this morbid looking, broken thing.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGygOE9otu
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMrQtGbSs5
The air was cold, so I pulled my jacket tighter around me. I saw Luke glance at me, and he almost moved toward me, but I stopped him.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF1oFJAyNo
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“Why are we here?” I asked.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP0QkntbiX
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylctDyyNQp
“My friend said there was something amazing inside,” Luke said excitedly. “I don’t really know what it is, because what could be in there? It’s a shithole.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySCADnaXjO
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW4gERbI39
I frowned. “I don’t like it here.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14wXAoGUYP
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqb0xadbcr
Luke grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me into the house. It was one story and it looked like kids had been coming here and using things to break it down faster, like it was infected and needed to be dealt with.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NYARWg1M2
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX8mlkeFP5
I moved toward one of the closed doors, expecting it to be locked, or have spider webs all over it. Once I opened it, I could smell something so strong that it made my stomach twist.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3QLShxZDU
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbnn8cUUQZ
“What is that?” I gasped, stepped back.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCg6rrwKtt
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA4rjMkTdU
Luke came up behind me, his face screwed up in revulsion. “I have no idea.” He squeezed his brown eyes shut and shook his head. “It’s disgusting. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have brought you here.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThrEASZQS5
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceho9YLFle
“It’s okay,” I said.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY7sSOtSIK
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIF0lmB9eu
I heard Luke turn around and I thought he was going to leave until he shouted, "Gail, come here! I found it.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar2Xv5GJo8
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6vvxUElX
I followed his voice, and it wasn’t that far away, only in another part of the house. It looked like an old game room. But there was only one thing in it, and it was pushed in the corner, a sheet over it.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04PKk6SDmS
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSZTDdCJtp
Luke grinned and removed the grimy-looking sheet.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz5m8ADRcU
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtRQJvkSzQ
It was a large, fortune-telling wishing machine booth. The woman inside the glass had a head decoration that looked like little coins, and little stars dangled from them. She was bent over a crystal ball, her eyes looking ominously at anyone who passed her. She wanted them to succumb and make a wish.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8u3035mNA
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg6glOMrNS
“You should make a wish,” Luke urged.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDywXS7kLY8
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8ZiSu5zwf
“Why?” I asked. “It won’t come true. This thing is so old that it won’t even work anymore.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8mIG2v0tR
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHnXx4TbrJ
But, even as I said it, I was thinking of something. I know if I made the wish in front of Luke, he’d just think I was insane.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSIQSbyRCZ
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQgTBODTVd
I wish I could make them go away.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzkG42qiO4
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04QL8VFr3d
Nothing happened.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9BtDA3uDh
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8hKk7YCGT
I walked around to the back of the machine. It was plugged in. I scrunched my nose in confusion and shrugged at Luke.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDlodEIesW
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6F39VZeSy
“Got to say it out loud,” he muttered. “I wish for a Big Mac!”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOhXHv77z3
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vXrPO9sm
I rolled my eyes. “You idiot, that’s not a wish. You could easily go buy one.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXi9tDYJJ6
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTriBZFKlw2
He nodded. “I could, but it would be nice if it could just appear out of thin air.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkTgd33148
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jquOEoLZS
I walked away from him and back outside. I waited by the car until he came back. I didn’t really speak much until we got to the party. It was a Halloween party. People in costumes were everywhere, and as I got out of the car, some girls shot me glares.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKW6x5hFco
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75laCkF6Tz
“Nice costume, Gail. Ugly is always in.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSPJhGIoUJ
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6w0MheI2s
I frowned at Lily Owens. She was standing with her friends, wearing a black robe and a pointed hat. From bitch to witch.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94GsflafnK
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sa8PXMJTr
“Simmons, you look like someone beat you with a hideous stick.” Miranda Reeves cackled.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsmsgOaiGh
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXCA0rGENt
“They took too many shots at you,” a voice said from behind me. I was going to turn around and tear their face off, but then I realized their comment was toward Miranda.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHGWguDt1R
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9nKqmqoCl
The boy stepped around me and turned to gaze at my face. His black hair was slightly curly, and his eyes were the greenest I’d ever seen. He smiled, and then returned his attention to the girls.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XLy5aiF40
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVP1f74rfF
“It’s a shame that such pretty girls have to be such bitches,” he told them. “Lily, you should realize how much it hurts to be called ugly. Trevor told me about what happened last year. And Miranda, well, I really have no idea what your issue is.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kjRS4513a
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys7eug2jTq
I cleared my throat, and the boy turned to face me, with a smirk.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKElPZpRXC6
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4gZseBsrA
“I’m sorry about them.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Saxon. Trevor Barnes is my cousin.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjBGr487IM
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2p1h0qZNP
I glanced at Trevor, who was dressed as Dracula and chugging a beer. I looked back at Saxon. “I didn’t think he’d even have a nice relative.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57zr9dRsVo
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vg2NJmKb1
He laughed. “Yeah, well, Trevor’s not exactly the nicest person. That’s why all the girls like me better.” He winked.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6xWpTzmIi
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fr2fbrzw8
I smiled and when he asked if he could get me a drink, I said I would do it. I got into the house quickly, looking for Luke the whole time. When I didn’t see him, I headed to the kitchen. Before I got there, however, someone blocked my path.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYTV7ZqhOn
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdO6fdh9Av
It was Lily. She sneered at me, gripped my wrist, and pulled me I into the bathroom. Miranda was there with two other girls I didn’t know. I jerked away from Lily and headed toward the door. One of the girls, who was much bigger than me, blocked it.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA4dKL0yny
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe0BxpM8do
“You know, I didn’t know you were a slut, too.” Lily smiled, wrapped her hands in my hair, and slammed my face into the wall.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGZhCIT5sT
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO6yJxh5UJ
It hurt, but I didn’t make a noise, because I knew with bullies it’s what they wanted. Instead I turned around, flexed my jaw, and glared at her.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ6AZbRcwv
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtCEgWR3LZ
“Leave me alone,” I said. “I didn’t do anything to you.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHnPGlsYYN
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaBhkf39VA
Lily nodded to the other girls and they gripped my arms. Then Miranda’s fist collided with my nose. Blood poured down my face, into my mouth, and onto the floor. Stupidly, I spit some into her face.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArW6c3RdY9
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSjcCZsSqN
“You’re sleeping with Saxon,” Lily snapped. “It’s bullshit that you just met him.” When she slapped me, my head actually snapped to the side.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh3XYbWtbE
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbfnPw0gSh
Someone was trying to get into the room, but Miranda placed a chair under the knob and leaned it back. I didn’t understand why there was a chair in the bathroom, at least not a first.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga1R3gqoOU
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ147MAliqCj
But as Lily pummeled me, and I took every hit, I realized they had this planned. When my knees buckled and I started to sink onto the floor, I heard someone speak.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBfhSy3CVK
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb8D2qmpdx
“Leave her. She deserves this.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79q2Xm7075
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4RsNGWf8m
I don’t know how long I was on the floor for, but when I opened my eyes, I was in darkness. There was no movement, so I assumed they left. I tried to sit up, and when I couldn’t, I just laid on the tiles, aching.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxUN2XYr73
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaWS5xXepE
Suddenly, the lights came on, blinding me. Then someone screamed and dropped down next to me. They were saying something, but I couldn’t really focus on the words. Their hands were soft, and they made me want to sleep.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvesp6rAC9k
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfX0GBa0nJ
So I closed my eyes.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrduRvuGhMH
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy65A6Jid9
Stay awake, a voice told me.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJdh1c6l5v
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LVdA14Xb9
But I was so tired. Before I knew what was happening, I was floating. That felt nice. When it stopped, I wondered why. Then I knew. I had died. They had beaten me to death.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNwYbbKl4g
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa6P6XDmTl
“You’ll be okay,” someone whispered.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZgXE4PRB1
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyGy4CEOA5
Off in the distance I heard, “Oh my God. Gail, what happened?”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ105lXpSPnY
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsUiFOamWi
Luke.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqAsTkusCn
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKVJTTYXMP
I groaned and sat up, bringing my hands up to my face. “Who are you?” I asked to the stranger. I didn’t want to open my eyes.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VH0oxAZWu
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1pYT9OJAV
“It’s Saxon. Gail, you’re going to be alright. Can you tell me what happened?”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloNvWisWY3
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBbs1xaR7u
I opened my eyes and was grateful to see his green ones. I was slowly getting strength back. So much so that I was able to sit up. I was in a bedroom, probably somewhere upstairs, away from people.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmtt3j2CUn
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZvYdsOX9V
“Lily, Miranda and two other girls I didn’t know did this,” I said.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfluhIeSCo
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OZ5FxmtK7
Saxon narrowed his eyes, stood up, and ran his hands through his hair. “Why would they do that?”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWRD3RDzTe
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJvJWhVwFG
“Lily thought you and I were sleeping together, and she didn’t believe me when I said I just met you.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFs8vSzuDj
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLJZd1k5Mz
“That’s ridiculous. Even so, they didn’t need to do that.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvViRD7wWLX
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJccNbfqOvc
“It’s okay,” I said, realization dawning on me. “I’ll fix everything.” I stood up, and without a word to him, left the room.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjh92LnCeV
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv9yy5tYVi
I knew what I had to do.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBzduuJR8g
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ep6xcMig
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9271DQSV5
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYaB7WN6yB
Sirens wailed. Three or four parked on the lawn. Doors slammed and several of the occupants of the cars rushed over. All of the officers had their guns drawn. Two, a female and male, entered the house. There were no lights on, so they used their flashlights.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1sixITjpZ
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPwRjrxwIM
They didn’t have to look far, because sitting on the couch was a girl. She had a knife in her hand, and it was covered in blood. But the worst part? The absolute worst part was that the blood was not hers.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3TuHSFsuw
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoMETlk9pQ
“What happened here? Miss, can you hear me?” The male officer asked, crouching down. He placed his hand on the coffee table to his left to balance him and keep the flashlight on the girl’s face, which was blank.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaSMqWuuz9
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8Obn1pgdH
“Bradshaw,” the female muttered behind him.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwjSESbKB9
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBF3FdbGFf
He turned his head after shifting his hand, and saw that a sticky substance had come off of the coffee table.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXctVg51J7
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSDdmDv1uM
More blood.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm7cKmsb98
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuuFOBEIA9
Officer Bradshaw turned his flashlight toward the window. He hadn’t noticed it before, hadn’t felt the breeze, but the glass was shattered.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c1B6GLICv
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYmxlp9vck
“Where are the bodies?” he asked.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYsPx3MgIo
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn02UxeJazg
The girl twitched, turned her head, and smiled.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerpS480lEn
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgsEuQGPwD
“I made them go away,” she said. “It was so simple.”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYcUetOhr7
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c6YsEl1FO
“Caplan, come here!”595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GkF1SpEWm
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5urKbDYkh
The female officer approached them, and she knelt down on the girls other side. She reached with a glove-covered hand and dug through the girl’s pocket for identification. She found something else instead.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOxkbRA7MV
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330W5OVStM
There was a small, rectangular card with one single phrase on it.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRcn05nyNH
595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfEJK6HJMI
Your wish has been granted.595Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFyrHpnzyE
