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48
I Dare You
Water in my mouth. Cold water, cold like the feeling clenching my
heart and freezing my mind, cold like the hand forcing my head
down, down into the filthy, porcelain bowl. Struggle was futile, the
strength in that cursed hand held me captive even as I thrashed
about. With each futile action, hope drained fromme, swirled down
into the seemingly bottomless pool of dirty water. ‘I dare you, I dare
you.’ The same words floated around me as I lay submerged in the
water, the same three words haunted my every action, my every
breath and movement. ‘I dare you.’
And then the pressure placed upon my head was suddenly
released, I flew out of the bowl and gasped for air, like a goldfish out
of water. When I turned to face my captor, body rigid with
anticipation, he had disappeared already. My legs uncurled from
beneath me and I stared at my beaten reflection in the bathroom
mirror. My hair hung in dripping clumps around my face, a fresh
bruise had bloomed beneath my right eye, a new addition to the
garden of flowering marks. This same routine, like some kind of
twisted dance, unfolded every single excruciating day.
How long do I
have to endure this for?
I thought to myself.
I can’t do this. I can’t. I can’t…
I
ran my hands through my hair and gave myself a final glance in the
mirror.
I can’t do this anymore. I won’t.
Night was falling. The stars danced through the sky as the moon’s
soft light shone down upon me, bathing me in its comforting light.
The sharp blade I held dug into my palm, slicing into my skin, scarlet
warmth staining my hand. Shadows waltzed through the hallway as
I crawled along. They circled in front of me, dipping and swirling,
drifting along as they lead me to
his
room, the room whose door
stood ajar, quietly welcoming me in. I hesitated slightly, the empty
abyss of darkness loomed over me, taunting me. ‘Go on,’ it seemed
to say, ‘I dare you.’
‘
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