3

To ensure that the dare was not to be taken for granted, Zee had them seal their oath in blood. Zee pricked their right thumbs with a needle and as blood trickled out, they pressed their wounds to each other’s and Zee led her through the oath in a solemn way like an experienced priestess of some dark cult.

“With our blood, we do perform the last dare. We seal an oath to perform the dare we give each other and we agree that the dare will not be one that drives the other to take a life.”

Afterwards, they both wrote a dare to challenge each other, agreeing that the dare had to be life changing. After exchanging the papers, Inara watched as Zee’s eyes scanned the paper she had given her.

Contact the guy who took your virginity and beg him to marry you. If he agrees, fine, but if he doesn’t, move on.

Zee’s face registered deep worry, her brows coming together in a frown that clearly showed her displeasure with the dare. But then she quickly recollected herself and threw Inara a faint smile.

“Well, I never thought you had it in you to go all out. This is some real mad shit.”

Inara returned the smile, opened the paper Zee had given her and froze because the words her eyes read stabbed at her very soul.

For real, frame a guy for pregnancy and follow it through to the end.

This was bad, really bad thought Inara. When she tore her eyes away from the cursed words, she looked at Zee, her thumb still smarting from the needle’s sting. Inara didn't like the smile that played across Zee’s lips. It made her begin to wonder if perhaps her parents had been right to keep her away from the girl.

“Why?” she managed to ask, realizing that her voice was a whisper. She couldn’t hide her disappointment and began to pace about. She stopped for a second and threw her hands up. “What was I thinking?” she blamed herself.

“Like mine is any easier.” Zee snapped.

“We shouldn’t have used blood Zee. It is a sin to swear.” Inara admonished, knowing she sounded stupid because she could have backed out earlier.

“Oh please, tell me about it.” Zee said irritably. “What a self-righteous whore you are.”

“What?” Inara was shocked.

“You’re such a hypocrite.”

“And you’re such a lonely hippie hiding behind a carefree mask. You go around pretending like nothing gets to you but you actually care what people think about you, otherwise you wouldn’t be so torn about performing that dare.”

Inara almost regretted her words because she knew she had stricken a nerve as Zee’s eyes filled with tears.

“I want you gone by tomorrow.” Zee shouted.

“No. I leave tonight.” Inara shouted back and at that moment, the house keeper pushed the door open. Apparently, their shouting match had attracted her. She was a sweet faced middle aged woman and she looked concerned.

“Girls, what is going on?”

“We fell out. She’s leaving.” Zee responded carelessly and threw herself onto a couch.

“Why? It’s almost 10:00 pm.” the house keeper pointed out.

“Never mind, I’ll be fine.” Inara told her and reached for her sleep over back pack. She quickly thrust in the novel she had intended to read and the night dress she had already placed on Zee’s bed, zipped it and walked out. Remembering her money on the floor, she stepped back, picked it up and pocketed it before continuing on her way. On the driveway outside, she mounted her bike and turned the key. As her bike roared, the anger she was feeling intensified so much that she fought back tears from her eyes.

“Blood is potent.” she heard Zee say from the front porch. She didn’t know the girl had followed her and she didn’t care.

“Go to hell.” Inara replied and drove off, wishing she had never met Zee because otherwise, she didn’t think she would have been so down the rabbit hole; living in sin, cursing, gambling, beginning drinking, planning to smoke and now, taking a blood oath? To what end? she wondered. The answer was right before her; regret, loss of friendship and a brooding future.