Page 51 of Caged
Conflicted feelings twist inside my gut. “No. No… it’s horrible. Jace threatened me after class today and I’m just rattled. Is there anything we can do?” As if by instinct, I turn around expecting to see Jace, only to find him gone like he never was there at all.
“Jace threatened you again? Because of Saturday? See Gabi, even more reason to leave Sigma and those lunatic assholes alone. By the way, there’s going to be a vigil held tonight,” Ele shares. “We should go.”
“Right. Of course,” I agree, but the distance in my voice is apparent. I opt not to answer Ele’s questions about Jace’s threats, knowing if I do, it will confirm Sigma knows we were snooping, and I can’t take any more grief.
I tell Ele I’ll meet her back at our apartment and end the call. Streaks of tears linger down my cheeks. Maybe Ele and Viv are right. I should let my theory go. Monroe’s gone and doesn’t want to be found. Not by her best friend, not by anyone.
A fresh wave of hot tears rips from my eyes. How could my supposed best friend toss aside the last three years with such irreverence? This isn’t like her. I mean, fuck, she didn’t leave Kieren, and he’s a monster. I refuse to believe she would leave me without an explanation.
But the evidence debunking my theory increases by the day, and on top of that, I don’t have the strength to survive another Jace encounter. He’s gotten under my skin, and yes, we hate each other, but there’s only so much cruelty a person can take. I’m not whoring myself around, nor have I ever, not that my sex life is any of his business. I can’t take any more of his abuse. It’s mean for the sake of being mean, and I don’t deserve to be the punching bag for his anger issues.
God, what happened to him? He’s become unrecognizable.
You know what, it’s fine,I think, as I pull myself together. I just need to see what’s down in Sigma’s basement, and then I’ll let this go, once and for all.
23
MONROE
Six Months Prior to Present Day,
TheMarch Full Moon Ceremony,
Junior Year,
Sigma
“Kieren, please don’t leave me. Can’t I just stay with you like last time?” I hate how whiny and desperate I sound when it’s clear Kieren does not give a fuck.
“I have business to take care of downstairs before the Ceremony begins. I need you to wait in here with the other girls,” he explains, pushing me backward across the threshold of the doorway. I stumble slightly, embarrassed to have been scolded and treated with such little regard by my own boyfriend in front of others.
Jace and Barrett stand on either side of the door, already dressed in what seems to be the standard Sigma Ceremony outfit of black pants, no shirt, and a demon goat mask covering the top half of their faces. I still haven’t decided if their costumesare ridiculous or petrifying, but right now I’m leaning toward ridiculous.
I can’t believethisis thesacred traditionKieren ranted and raved about in years prior – the tradition he couldn’t wait to resurrect because it would propel him to a level of greatness that‘Sigma hasn’t seen in decades.’I mean, seriously? It’s just a big orgy. What’s so great about that? The secrecy? The fact that Dornell would immediately kick Sigma off campus if University administration found out?
As wrong as it is to admit, I understand the appeal, especially for the freshmen who are initiated as Sigma Little Sisters. I guess if you aren’t into group sex, sex in public or a non-judgmental and sexually liberal person in general, this would be a nightmare. Also, from what I remember from last time, this is not a heterosexual affair. This is complete and utter hedonism. I recall duos and thrupples and groups that looked like a free-for-all. Honestly, it’s freeing. Personally, I’m not into multiple partners, but I appreciate that many people are, and as long as all parties consent, it’s hot as fuck to watch.
But, that’s the thing. Is everyone here a consenting party?
Kieren told me there’s a nomination process for initiates, so obviously, you wouldn’t nominate someone who wouldn’t enjoy the Ceremony indulgences. Those who are initiated have to get a brand, for fuck’s sake. You really have to be committed from the outset. He also told me that the freshmen are willingly taken from their beds at midnight, and are told to wear nothing but lingerie to bed, so, they must know, right?
Turning around, I scan the room. Girls in different patterns and colors of lingerie similar to my own black lace bra and thong sit in groups, chatting, laughing, and sipping drinks from red plastic cups. Everyone has on the same black lace eye mask I remember from the last Ceremony. There are no black bags over any heads yet, and no one seems nervous or anxious. MaybeI’m the overthinking prude? Sigma is, after all, the most elite fraternity on campus. Perhaps some of these women will end up dating men in the house, like Kieren and me.
I slide down the wall against my back and try to relax. The pill Kieren gave me has yet to kick in fully, but I feel the beginnings of a bubbly haze creep along the edges of my mind.
Three bodies rise near the back of the room and float toward me. Blinking, I wonder if I’m seeing apparitions or actual humans.
“Can we sit with you?” one of the women asks.
“Of course,” I answer, straightening my posture as the three women lower themselves into cross-legged sitting positions.
“You’re Monroe, right?” one of the girls asks. She looks strangely familiar.
I nod, reaching for words that do not come.
“I’m not sure if you recognize us in these masks. We’re actually in your sorority.”
“Oh my God, that’s why you look familiar. I’m so sorry. I’m very out of it,” I apologize, mortified that I didn’t immediately recognize them after the multitude of hours I spent overseeing the initiation of new sorority members.
