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"Hey, don't be so cruel," Tristan jokes back. "But sure, I'll set my alarm for an ungodly hour. See you at the crack of dawn."
I laugh, shaking my head. "Well, don't worry. I'll make sure to get you some extra strong coffee to wake you up."
"Deal," he says with a hint of amusement. "Looking forward to it."
After confirming the meeting time and place, we end the call. I glance at Derek, who's packing up his things, getting ready to leave for the day. "Tristan is on board. We'll meet him at the cafe tomorrow morning."
Derek nods, looking slightly apprehensive but also hopeful. "Alright, let's hope he can bring something new to the table."
I nod in agreement. "Fingers crossed. It's worth a shot at this point."
As Derek bids me goodnight and heads out, I find myself alone in the office. My mind starts to wander again, and I can't help but think about the dangerous game I'm playing. The truth I hold, the secrets I can't share, it's all becoming too much to bear.
With a heavy sigh, I look down at my phone resting on the table. It's as if the device is taunting me, reminding me of the messages I've exchanged and the game of Truth or Dare.
Taking a deep breath, I open the messaging app and begin typing a message.
It takes only a moment for the response to appear.
I shouldn’t be surprised; they said in the past they would only choose dare when I do. I think about what I want to ask again but then decide to go for it.
The response comes back quickly, and a chill runs down my spine as I read it.
I stare at the screen hoping for more from them, but I know I won’t get anything else. That’s not how they play. I quickly type out another message but I can already predict what the response will be.
The response is immediate and in no way, surprising.
Once again I’m left staring at my screen waiting for more that doesn’t come. With a growl of frustration I put my phone away and leave the office behind.
The sun has just disappeared below the horizon when I pull my car into the rental house. My frustration has faded slightly but it's still there bubbling below the surface. My footsteps as I walk toward my front door is loud in the silence. The shadows from the street lights are long and dark, but they don’t hide the note that’s pinned to my front door.
Taking it down I frown at it, not able to read it in the dim light of my doorstep. Opening the door, I move into the entryway and turn on my light. I can already tell something is different. Looking down at the note in my hand, a chill spreads down my spine.
My heart pounds in my chest as I stare at the note. I'm already on edge, and this only adds to the turmoil inside me.
I quickly scan the rest of the paper, hoping for some clue or context, but it's just those four words. Truth or Dare, Little Darling. There's nothing else written on either side, and the simplicity of it makes it even more unsettling.
I glance around, half-expecting to see one of them lurking in the shadows, but the house is empty and there's no sign of anyone else being there.
I walk further into the living room, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any other clues. That's when I notice it—a small vial sitting on the coffee table. It wasn't there before.
Picking up the vial, I examine it closely. It's a small, clear container with a liquid inside, and a note is attached to it.
My mind races with possibilities. Is this some sort of test or trap? Should I really dare to drink whatever mysterious substance is in this vial? My instincts scream at me to be cautious, but there's a part of me that's inexplicably drawn to the idea of accepting their twisted challenge.
With trembling hands, I debate my choices. If I refuse, will there be consequences? But if I drink it, what could happen? I can't be sure if it's a harmless test of courage or something far more dangerous.
My curiosity wins over my fear, and I make a decision. I uncork the vial, bringing it close to my nose to catch a whiff of its contents. There's a faint, sweet scent that I can't quite place. It's enticing, but it doesn't offer any answers about what this liquid might do.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and raise the vial to my lips. Before I can second-guess myself, I tilt it back, and the liquid spills into my mouth. The taste is unusual, a mix of bitter and sweet that lingers on my tongue.
A few seconds after I've swallowed it, a wave of dizziness washes over me. My vision blurs momentarily and I reach out to steady myself on the coffee table as I sit down heavily on the couch.
As the contents take their toll on me, my body starts to feel heavy and sluggish. It's as if I'm sinking into a hazy dream, where reality and illusion blend together. My eyelids grow heavier with each passing moment, and I struggle to keep them open.
I feel my body sliding sideways on the couch as I try to fight against the drowsiness, attempting to stay alert, but it proves to be too powerful. The room around me fades away and my mind is plunged into darkness.
Chapter 25
