The Darkness Within Us

8. A second Party

“I mean, exactly.” What does that even mean? “What I mean, is that this is something unknown.”

“Something unknown?” I repeated, confused.

“Rather, something unexpected?”

“Something unexpected!?” I, again, repeated, like an i***t unable to understand the meaning of each word. I still don’t know what that is supposed to mean. “That is too abstract, it could be literally anything. Why is it never something useful like good luck or money?”

“It doesn’t need to mean something negative sweetheart,” she said, reaching my hand. “It could be something good, just something that you are not expecting right now.” I nodded and she gave me a gentle squeeze. “I didn’t want to scare you, darling. To be honest, I’ve been thinking about you recently. I had a dream about you a couple of nights ago. You were running from something… from something dark… I couldn’t tell what it was. It’s hard to describe.” Dakota has the ability to have premonitions and visions through dreams, which is why her connection with the amethysts allows her to see some things about the future as if she was reading tarot. That’s how we met. It was a fortune to not be the only one strange, to have someone who could understand me and help me.

“I… had kind of the same dream.” I told Dakota about last night, of course, I skipped the part about Valentin being there. “Do you think it means something, Dakota? I mean, all this? The dreams, the amethysts… It can’t be a simple coincidence.” I was starting to feel a little anxious about that.

“Honestly darling, I’m not sure.” I dropped my shoulders and bit on my bottom lip. “But you don’t need to be alarmed, that will consume you. You know well that living with fear is no life.” Yeah… I know it well… “I can’t be 100% certain but maybe it had to do with the reason you called me here today.” The spirit that has been harassing me. “I was taken a little aback when I entered the house and felt that terribly negative energy all around the house, that spirit you told me about definitely had ill intentions.” Dakota also has the incredible ability to sense energies and the aura of people. I wouldn’t mind swapping. “Tell me, do you have your bracelet with you, Salomé?”

“As always, Dakota,” I said, taking my hand to my left ankle where the bracelet hung. Years ago, when I was still little and we were just discovering my abilities, we had to acknowledge that spirits now surrounded my life. We realized as well the potential risks of that, in an ugly way… Aside from the traumatic fact that horrible spirits would appear when I was alone whispering with their icy breath on my ears, and visiting me in my dreams, that weren’t actual dreams but me walking on “that” place full of darkness; they would also covet my body. The fact that my soul can leave my body means that I left behind an empty shell.

It is supposed that the essence of a person, their soul, leaves the body when a heart stops beating. I don’t know what happens afterward, but the body decomposes, becoming unable to sustain any life again, but the soul, well, for what it looks like, does not leave this world, exactly. Or at least some can’t. However, that’s not my case. When I go to that place, my body is left completely empty, but it’s still alive, with a heart that is still beating… perfect to allow what all spirits want: A second chance to live… I can recall scary voices claiming that they wanted my body and the horrible things they said they would do if I didn’t give up on it. Also, when I was asleep, abnormal things happened, my blanket, my hair or my feet being tugged. And I also woke up with inexplicable bruises, scratches, and even bites… That’s when my mom went with Dakota for some advice. Looks like Dakota knew these peculiar people from the church and they gave her this bracelet especially made for me, and she gave it to my mom who hooked it up on my ankle, and since then, no ravenous spirit could ever touch me again. Fortunately.

“Then you should be okay, sweetheart. As long as you wear it, you are safe from them.” Dakota said patting my hand. “Anyway, you should be ready to face whatever comes to you in the near future, because it is unavoidable. There will be sudden changes in your life.” So, there is no way for me to be prevented? Not a single hint or clue? How am I supposed to expect the unexpected if it is exactly unexpected because I don’t have the slightest idea and I am definitely not expecting it!? I really don’t want any changes in my life right now…

After chatting for a while, Dakota went back home. I offered to go with her but she said she was in the mood for a walk. Shortly after, Jesús came back from school. We just pretended to be deaf when he asked why the house was smelling funny and then dad took him to his soccer practice. I was on my own. I wanted to sleep so badly but I just couldn’t. I’m just not good at sleeping. Finally, I decided to go to a party that Emely was throwing at her house tonight because that surely must help me release these unnerving feelings, distracting me a little. I dressed up quickly and told papa where I was going to be and I walked there. The weather finally started to feel nice. I wore a pair of black jeans, my beautiful black, high-heeled boots with little flat spikes; a small black bralette crossed in the front that covered too little, but I still came out of the house wearing proudly because dad was not home, and my leather jacket. It was not too far but I still had to walk for a while, it even took me a moment to remember which one was Emely’s house.

When I got there, I walked to the backyard where everyone was gathered with music. My friends greeted me as I removed the leather jacket. I was sweating from my long walk. I plopped on one of the chairs of the pool and chatted with Mariana as we watched the others in the pool. Honestly, I forgot completely that Emely had a pool. Even Mariana joined after a while. I should have brought my swimsuit. My gaze traveled to the other side of the backyard, above the pool. I saw… Valentin!? This is an outrageous coincidence. Valentin was sitting on a chair with a coke in his hand, and our eyes suddenly met... I stared right at him thinking how funny it was to meet him again by mere coincidence because it must be. He waved his hand, smiling. I feel like a fool for some strange reason. I waved back at him, shyly, and then looked to the other side quickly. I just stood up to throw away my vase and went back to my spot. I don’t know why I felt so conflicted out of nowhere, maybe I was still processing that conversation with Dakota. However, before I could sit again, Sebastian yelled at me from the pool.

“Oye Sally (hey Sally), why don’t you join us!” He said, slipping back his wet hair.

“I don’t know about that,” I said, crouching by the border of the pool.

“C’me on, don’t be bored, Sal,” Mariana yelled, nearing the border.

“Come on Sally, Come on inn!” Sebastian insisted.

“Hmm”. I started to consider it. It looks like they are having fun.

“Sal, Sal, Sal.” Both of them, Emely and the others, started chanting.

“Okay, Okay. Shh!” I won’t fight it. It looks like they’re having fun. However, my upper body is already almost naked. I’m glad I’m wearing nice underwear.

“Wooo!” The guys started to chant and whistle as I unzipped my pants and stripped them off. Then I threw myself into the cold water. We started to chat and play some games in the water, then we started to race. Now my match is with Sebastian. He is thin and tall and sure is fast, so I must be faster to save my pride. I can be a little competitive, to be honest. We were in our lines, we started to swim and as I predicted, Sebastian was winning. I dipped my head inside the water and moved as fast as I could. And I won.

“Damn, how do you do it, you haven’t lost one,” He said as I came out of the water gasping for air. I chuckled and shrugged innocently. I don’t know it either. I hate doing any cardio, but I enjoy swimming.

“Mind if I join you guys?” A deep voice asked from behind me, startling me.

“Valentin!?” He was crouching at the border of the pool with his elbows resting on his knees.

“Hi, Salomé.” He smiled at me and I lost myself for a second, staring at his lightened face.

“Sure bro, let’s go!” Sebastian called excitedly. Valentin removed his shoes and then his clothes. I realized I was staring way too much, so I quickly looked away. His body was… All he was gorgeous, damn! I could have sworn that Valentin was rather skinny, but it seems that I was completely wrong. I guess appearances deceive. Valentin joined the races, and well…he won all.

“Hey, Salomé.” He said, approaching me. “What about you and me?” Come again?

“A race?” I blinked.

“Yes.” He looked like a boy excited.

“Sure…” I accepted the challenge. Valentin and I started to race but it was no use, he was way too fast for me, so, I lost. “You’re- You’re fast,” I said out of breath, holding myself to the border.

“You’re also good.” I was surely just tired of swimming in all the previous races…

“I guess.” Well, he raced more recently than me. I have been resting all the time he was racing…

“You know, it’s a surprise to find you again like this.” He said, slipping his brown and wet hair back.

“Yeah… It is.” It is, in fact…

“Do you want to go for—”

“Valentin.”

A soft voice interrupted. A few feet from the pool there was a beautiful girl standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She wore white pants that showed her calves and fitted perfectly to her thin and long barbie legs, a slim purple blouse, and a thin grey jacket. She was tall and she also had a nice body. Her hair was shiny blonde with a pixie haircut that suited her pretty and dedic fit perfectly. I wasn’t sure if I felt envy or attraction, she was all a beauty.

“I’ll be right back.” Valentin used his hands to get out of the pool and walked to the girl. They were talking. Valentin then put on his clothes quickly and followed her. Is he leaving? I just leaned on the border, seeing Valentin and the girl disappearing from the panorama.