Page 14 of Mercy & Malice

When he shoves her aside, I can’t help but react, shifting forward but catch myself when his fury homes in on me. The rage I see keeps me frozen in place until he saunters out of the room.

Mom resumes cooking as I step closer to her and whisper, “We can go somewhere else. Anywhere far away from here.”

She mutters, “He’ll still find us. There’s nothing that will stop him.”

I want to scream and yell at her. Beg her to just try for herself. But I know she won’t and it’ll just bring my dad out here for the next episode. She fears his reaction to us leaving more than staying with him. I don’t understand.

Sitting back at the table, I try to finish the milk I poured for my cookies. If I don’t, I get in trouble for being wasteful because he works so hard to provide for us.

My phone vibrates with a message. It takes me a few seconds to comprehend what I’m reading.

Deceive if you dare.

accept the invitation for the most coveted spot of all.

An insider’s perspective and advance knowledge

of every dare, allowing for decisions that will

affect the outcome of everything.

play the game alongside the others or

watch from afar, the choice is yours.

the only rule is that you keep this a secret

whether you accept the honor or not.

You have thirteen minutes to decide if you’re

playing Mercy as the ultimate deceiver.

I didn’t get an invitation, but the Keepers want me to be the Deceiver. I don’t know exactly the scope of what that entails, but it sounds like having inside knowledge would be a good thing and up my chances of winning. And winning earns power. Money too. But more importantly, the means to get away from my father. Because the Keepers are above all and get away with murder, literally. And I’d have all the right people in my corner to protect my mom and myself.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to respond, because the message has faded away. It’s not a text or on anything through my socials. And no new apps are on my phone as I search around.

Then another message appears: If yes, post any picture with only the caption of “yes.” If you’re too scared, Mercy will escape you.

My pulse is racing as I stare at the message until it disappears too. I already know what I’m going to do. Anything is better than where I’m sitting now. I want Mom to act and she won’t. I can and will. I’ll do whatever I have to so we can free ourselves from the demon who lives under the roof with us.

As soon as I click post on the photo, my anxiety intensifies instead of subsiding. Taking a few deep breaths, I dump my milk in the sink and clean up the table before I whisper to Mom, “It’s going to be okay.”

There’s no way she believes it. And I’m not sure if I do. But I have to at least hope and give it my best attempt. Because a deadly game of dares feels more viable than surviving in this household for another year, or worse—leaving my mom behind with a monster.

7

BROOKE

“What are you doing out here?”

Cain’s question breaks through my daze, and I realize I haven’t moved for who knows how long since Micah left me here.

“Shit, Brooke. You’re shivering.” Cain removes his jacket, wrapping it over my shoulders. “Just ignore Julian. He’s a dick.”

“Micah’s back. He was just here,” I say through chattering teeth, the cold sinking into my bones.

Cain remains motionless for a few seconds before he tugs his jacket tighter around me. “Let’s go back inside. Or we can bail and get some food. Or I can take you home.”