TAMING THE SHADOWS

al glow upon the night, veiling my surroundin

ness, my phone's shrill ring pierces

my reading table. Staring at the screen as one of my bestfriend's name po

or not, a black parrot flew to my window, sending shivers d

he other end, causing me to push my phone far a

," I said, sitting down on my reading chair and sta

u forgot that I said we are going to be having a gir

l be there in fifteen minutes

me is to dress hot because... I am seeing a lot of hotties going in already

k I will be able to dress up... You kn

aby girl, you've gotta come here and let off some steam. C'monnnn, we just finished prom

before you say Jack Robinson," I s

s hot. You get what I am saying," she sa

bye,"

than, won't be here, so this night is for some extra shit," she

other fun while I get to stay at home and watch my two half-sisters. Recalling vividly the day I ref

ossible. When I ask her, she tells me not to dwell on it, saying it's something s

be one of my sisters, so I pretended not to hear, trying to know how th

door before I knock it down," Jane said, pushing t

with a cheerful voice, s

r," she said disrespectfully. "Looks like you want

few minutes," I said almost in a plea, trying to c

Stunned by the unexpected question, I started stuttering. "

door open, causing me to stagger and fall on my

hing up your sleeve,"

ldron of rage threatening to burst ou

m, Jane," I said,

uld you do if I refuse?" she said, walkin

her, unable to tell my own expression, a

ing up a tight short green skirt from my bed with a

m on and making poses to be sure that they fitted me well. My beauty radiated through the mi

be able to walk. What about... yes, I have a green canvas. That will do the wor

up a brush and my makeup kit. Shooting myself a second look, I changed my min

d through the door. Holding the door knob, I thought of what my sisters would think of me, and the feeling of guilt

or of my room. Stepping into the dimly lit parlor, I s

ng, I approached the door. Remembering the rumors surround

ching inside my heart. No response. I felt para

ief washed over me when Jul

ed, completely forg

liet said, starin

around, trying to avoid any quest

urn around, wishing that she was my

eze that blew past me, causing the hairs on my body to stand on edge. I sucked on my teeth, instantly regretting

to blame those that said the house was haunted becaus

coupled with rattling sounds made by what I knew not an

off the fear that filled my heart. Running towards the cemetery, I came to a halt becaus

nds jolting me out of my thoughts. Looking forward, I saw my best fr

ending like everything was alright. Getting to where they waited

, bitch," Olivia sa

id, raising my hands up to the air, letting the cold

our laughter pierced throug

and black boots, surrounded by mist, creating an enigmatic atmosphere as Am

she was able to stop the car, ca

ht?" Bailey asked,

I managed to ask n

n, girlie, I almost lost my fucking life. When are you going to move out of this tr

e too harsh on her," Amelia said,

ere all hallucinating," Oli

ination. It's impossible," Amelia responds, look

tell how sorry she fee

, or you guys go without me

lia says, pinching my cheek

the air and prompting all of us to join her. But deep down

mly lit bar reeking of cigarettes and drinks. "What's this p

ts cover," I hear her sh

s of the music, and the eclectic mix of patrons chatting and laughing. A surge of confidence suddenly erupts inside me; this was an adult world, and I am now a part of it

w adventure, a rite of passage that I have been waiting for," I say in my head, trying to find the hotties Amelia told me were present. Yet, with eac

prehension began to dissolve. The warmth of their laughter and the vibrant

e is waiting for you over there," Amelia says, winking

t the unexpected... A figu