Lia was having second thoughts.She began retreating slowly until her body slammed into someone. She turned only to see Cassie blocking her only view of escape. She placed a hand on her shoulder and rubbed it gently as if seeing through her thoughts . Their eyes met as they communicated telepathically, though no words was said but Cassie's assuring look comforted and strengthened her.

She inhaled deeply and finally took a bold step forward. The initiator was already done with her mother whom was standing behind her urging Lia with her eyes to be bold.

"Do you wish to be protected? " The initiator asked as soon as she stepped into a marked circle with a triangle in the middle enclosing the both of them.

Protected from what? She sassed mentally

"Make a choice or forever hold your peace." The initiator continued and it took every will in Lia not to laugh right now.

oh, they were saying wedding vows now .

As if the initiator noticed what was going on, she frowned while Lia assumed a straight face devoid of emotions.

"Yes, I wish to be protected " She declared unamused staring straight at the imitator's eyes and discovered her features.

She had a few wrinkles on her face that was hardly recognizable at first, it had to take one a good second glance to notice that. Her shimmering ash hair had Lia question if she had dyed her grey hairs cause it was now apparent the woman was past middle age but how she was still able to stand strongly on her foot puzzled Lia. The woman even had more stamina than her.

" Child of light " She called drawing Lia's attention

"Yes? " She answered confused on who she was referring to . But when she saw the woman's yellow teeth probably from tobacco consumption moving again, she understood at once she was being summoned.

"Do you wish to be protected from the darkness, from those who don't sleep at night until the light is extinguished " She asked again collecting some sort of slimy mud she had taken out of a broken coconut shell which was smeared on her ring finger.

Lia replied positively again . She eyed the substance cautiously feeling the urge to take out her pepper spray. Was it too late to flee out of here?

She flinched when she felt something cold being rubbed on her forehead in the shape of some strange character. The sudden contact jerked her out of her daydreams, the slime was cool to the touch like some sort of menthol. She suddenly wondered how this crappy looking slime would taste like if she took some into her mouth?

Focus! She scolded herself mentally . Taste that sh*t ? What are you? an animal?.

Suddenly, the hand rubbing the character on her forehead stiffened alerting Lia immediately.

"What's wrong? " Lia looked up at her initiator's eyes and regretted it immediately.

The woman's gaze bore Into her's with blazing intensity as if she could see into the depth of her soul.

Suddenly, her lips moved "Why is there corruption in you?" She whispered to Lia, an involuntary shudder running down her spine.

She frowned trying to make sense of her comment but before she could ask her question, an earsplitting roar came from the crowd almost destroying her eardrums.

Has she being accepted? Judging from the excited shout from the crowd, it seems like. Then why did she make such a statement? Eventhough Lia have no clue of this town's crazy customs but she was clever enough to notice that this ceremony was done to ward off evil possessing a person.

Then why did the priest or so called initiator perform the rite? She could have just rejected her and tell everyone she has an evil inside. Unless this ceremony was fake and she was just mumbling bullsh*t .

Yes, that must be it.

The momentarily distracted Lia turned to give the initiator a piece of her mind but to her horror discovered she was no where to be found but to her delight the party restarted in full swing. It was obviously full blazing party mode.

Jugs of booze were brought in from wherever they've being hiding it all night , party music blasted from the speakers while strung round twinkling lights hung at strategic points gave off a colourful ambience.

Lia gulped.They definitely knew how to organize a party.

She looked around nervously searching for her mom . Lia knew there was no way her mom would let them stay especially when the booze is involved moreover they've completed their initiation, there was no more reason to stay.

When Lia couldn't find Jenny , she figured out she must have gone in search of Trevor who must have snuck out after his initiation. Of them three, Trevor was the most impulsive and reckless so it was no wonder her mom must have left her behind to go look for him probably with Rex's hand secured safely in hers.

Well since her mom wasn't here yet, she could have a little fun before she arrives. So Lia joined the crowd who was jumping , screaming and dancing to the party beat .

"Hey " Someone said to her from behind interrupting her when she was just getting started with this party.

"Hi" She replied curtly hoping the stranger would take that hind and buzz off.

"Happy acceptance " The girl congratulated obviously pretending to be oblivious to her cold reception.

Fine, Lia sighed. She would be nice this once since this one was not the like the egoistic barbie from earlier.

"Thanks " Lia flashed a smile warmer than her previous response

"To your acceptance " She said toasting to a drink and offered another to Lia which she turned down politely.

"No, thanks . My mom would skin me alive "

The girl rolled her eyes, sipping her drink leisurely "Hello ? don't be such a buzzkill, you could always apologize to momma later. What's the worst that can happen anyway? " She snarked.

Exhilarated with the urge to prove she wasn't a party pooper, She snatched the drink from the girl and downed it in one gulp causing the crowd to cheer at her performance.

The girl whistled at her action. "Wow, that was intense "

Blushing from the alcoholic effect, she stared down at the girl. The girl wasn't exactly good-looking , if anything she looked too boyish. She was toned and muscular, her blonde hair kept in a pixie cut and her eyes luminously large and dark. She was wearing a dark jean with an oversized polo shirt totally different from the people dressed in their animal print designs. Unfortunately her boyish figure belied her femininity.

Her voice was incredulously deep but pleasant to the ears, not to talk of her boobs. Judging from her attitude, Lia knew at once she's a tomboy.

As if in cahoots, people started raising toasts to her, offering her drinks upon drinks until she couldn't afford to drink anymore. Her mom was totally going to kill her. Where was she by the way?

Feeling tipsy, Lia knew at once the alcohol had started to work its magic. She walked out of the dancing ground and plopped down on a nearby seat.

"Hey " The tomboy called approaching her again.

What now?

"What's z this time? " She slurred , her articulation currently sloppy.

"Wanna have fun? " She inquired , a strange glint in her eyes.

"Wat Fun? " Lia asked curiously

The tomboy inched closer, a huge bunny smile on her face "Ever heard of the haunted house of Little Town, we could have a lot of fun and adventure in there "

Hearing that name sent shivers down her spine but thanks to the alcohol she couldn't make sense of anything. The only she understood was 'fun' and 'adventure '

"So what do you say?" She pushed for an answer

" Fun " Lia babbled

"Then, I'm taking that as a yes " The tomboy concluded helping Lia to her foot.

A huge malevolent smirk fell on the tomboy's face which Lia didn't fail to capture but she tried to tell herself it was the alcohol scattering her thoughts and not the growing feeling of fear or concern she felt toward her.

So like a lamb to the slaughter, she followed sheepishly not knowing the outcome of tonight was going to change history forever.