Page 7 of Summoned
I let my dress slip to the floor and, wearing only my lingerie, retrieve it. A black cord secures the pouch shut, and I pull it loose. Expecting to find a bracelet or a pair ofearrings—something predictable and glittering—I instead find a folded slip of paper.
A strange unease stirs in my chest while I unfold it.
The printed words read:
At times, I’m all you wish to see,
At times, I’m what you wish to flee.
But I’m mere shape, no true possession,
An entity formed at your discretion.
What am I?
I read it again. What the hell is this? A riddle?
Or a mistake, accidentally ending up in my hands?
I decide to throw it away. Stepping into the bathroom, I glance at the paper one last time, about to toss it into the trash.
My hand freezes in midair.
What the…?
The text is gone.
New words linger in its place.
Happy Birthday, Harvest 290.
My fingers tighten around the paper. Thisismeant for me.
My legs weaken, a chill seeping into my bones.
‘Harvest 290’?
Why does it sound so… disturbing?
I stare at the message, my heart pounding.Pull yourself together, Nicole.Someone’s just playing a trick on you.
It must be some kind of novelty paper, designed to change text when viewed from a different angle. I’m not about to waste my time figuring out how it works. It’s notlike I don’t have an entire army of enemies. Status like mine tends to breed resentment, usually from the ones who smile the brightest at you at events. Maybe someone who didn’t get an invitation to my party?
My fingers tighten around the crumpled paper, as if I could squeeze the answers out by sheer force. Who the hell thinks they can mock me by sending cryptic little riddles?
With a swift motion, I crush the note into a tight ball and toss it into the bin. Shedding the rest of my clothing, I dive into the warm spray of the shower. The water runs over my skin, washing away the tension, but the irritation remains.
Whoever stooped to such childish tactics only shows how much of a thorn in their side I must be.
A faint smirk brushes my lips, but there’s no amusement behind it. I’ve learned not to dwell on petty nonsense, and I’m not about to start now.
A lioness doesn’t bother with mice.
3
Nicole
Day 2
