More. Freaking. Riddles. That’s all this clusterfuck is. But I plop down in the chair. “Yeah, I have a secret. I hate this fucking game.”
“That’s not a secret,” Decider states as the two masked figures approach holding a test tube that looks like it belongs in a chemistry lab. “Drink up. Reveal the truth. Then accept the fate that follows.”
They extend the vials out to each of us. The liquid is dark, almost black, but has a hint of red. Blood? Is that really what he meant when he said it’s shared? The sick bastards drink it for rituals? “What is it?”
“Drink,” Decider retorts.
“And if we don’t drink the Kool-Aid, what happens?”
“You fail.”
Luca snatches one and downs the contents before I do the same. It tastes minty with a touch of herbs, so I tell myself it wasn’t blood even if I’m still not so sure. We sit there for a few minutes, everyone staying silent.
“Now what, Game Master?” I ask as Luca leans forward, his palms resting on my thighs as he stares at me. When I shift forward, I feel a slight surge of wooziness. “What was in it?”
“Just something to help you relax,” Decider states before he snickers, “Nothing deadly.”
“Comforting,” I reply, keeping my back against the chair.
“The real test was if you’d drink it without knowing what it contained. And now it’s time for the final trial—truth.”
“I can’t frigging wait.” I give him a thumbs-up as a comforting sensation settles in my core. “That is some good shit.Can I get another glass?” The warmth spreads throughout my limbs. “Wait. It’s not like a roofie or something, right? Will it make us forget?”
Decider responds, “No, you’ll remember every detail revealed tonight, which will be regrettable for you I’m certain.”
“Fantastic. You seem really delighted about this one, Almighty Decider,” I state, knowing I should shut my mouth. “Can you find out if my mom is my mom? I think they’re lying to me, and this is all about thetruth.”
“Ivy, stop,” Luca exhales. I can see him blinking tightly as he tries to clear his mind too.
“Reveal the truth,” Decider commands.
I think he’s talking to me but notice he’s directing his statement at Luca. That’s when the warmth slowly dissipates a bit.
Luca seethes, “I can’t.”
What is happening? My body is relaxed but my mind kicks into overdrive as I watch Luca squirm.
“I’m going to kill you,” Luca shouts at the Decider as he lunges for him. Several hooded figures scramble to restrain him as Decider remains in place. They get him back in the chair. I’m so preoccupied with him that I don’t realize a chain has been wrapped around my chest, pinning my arms at my sides and securing me to the chair.
“What the fuck?” I struggle but can’t get up.
“Let her go,” Luca yells.
Decider calmly declares, “Her chains aren’t released until the truth is.”
Luca tumbles out of his chair, falling to his knees before he crawls in front of me. “I knew this day would come and I’d lose you.”
Even though I know it’s going to hurt, I beg, “Luca, please tell me what’s going on.”
“Please forgive me, baby.” His finger traces over the scar on my wrist. “You almost died in my arms.”
“What?”
His fingers secure tightly around my wrist as his eyes lock with mine. “I did this.”
“No. I don’t understand. No, no,” I repeat over and over. Because I can’t possibly brace myself for what he’s saying, “To accept the invitation and play Mercy, we had to complete the first dare—Scar. It was me.”
“You’re lying,” I shriek. But know it’s true. I can see it written in his pained expression.
