Page 140 of Cackle

No.

I cackle.

“I believe we’re done here,” I tell him. “Leave.”

He rushes, tripping over himself as he grabs his backpack.

“Sam,” I say.

He turns to me, a nervous glance over his shoulder.

“You never told me if you liked my hair.”

I go on cackling, though he doesn’t seem to find it too humorous. I guess that’s fair.

“Good-bye,” I tell him. “And thank you.”

With that, he’s gone.

“Well,” I say to myself, listening to the sound of his car speeding out of the driveway, “there goes my dark fate.”

And I know now. I’m finally free of doubt. I’m so glad I’m not with him in that car. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Exactly who I’m meant to be.

What I’m meant to be.

LET’S PRETEND IT NEVER HAPPENED

The night sky is smeared with stars, glowing vigorously from far, far away. I count them with the eyes on top of my head. I walk these familiar woods buoyed by the thrill of my transformation. Otherwise, I might be too afraid.

There’s a decent chance she’ll refuse to see me. Or worse. But . . . I think it’s worth the risk.

She’s a good friend to me, and I could be a good friend to her, though I don’t need her. I know that now. I understand. I don’t need anyone. I never did.

I spent so much time searching outside of myself.

It’s so funny to me now.

—

Sophie opens the door before I can knock. She’s wearing a black velvet robe. Her hair is in loose, delicate curls. Her arms are crossed over her chest and Ralph is on her shoulder. He waves at me, but then Sophie shoots him a look and he promptly restrains himself.

“Did I not tell you never to come back?” she asks.

“You did,” I say. “But I came back anyway.”

She lifts her chin. “Yes. I can see that.”

“I want to apologize,” I say. “I also want to tell you that you were wrong. It was wrong for you to try to stop me and to give me an ultimatum. I needed to see him. I needed to make the decision for myself.”

“And what decision is that, Annie?”

“I’ve evolved past him,” I say.

She uncrosses her arms and begins to inspect her manicure. Her nails are now restored to their typical state of perfection.

“Go on,” she says.