Poison Rose of Avalon

Liora and Daran decided to share a single plate, a clever idea sparked by Daran's thoughtfulness. Liora's eagerness to sample everything at the fair created a delightful challenge—there was simply no way she could finish a whole serving of each dish, so they shared.

By the time they finished, Liora felt she had consumed a week's worth of meals in one day.

"I didn't know I could eat so much," she admitted with a laugh, patting her stomach.

Daran smirked, shaking his head. "Yup, there is a giant monster hiding inside your belly." And they laughed.

Liora glanced at her watch and blinked in surprise. It was already 8 PM. Time had slipped away so fast that she hadn't even noticed the evening settling in.

They wandered the fairgrounds, darting from one game to another, laughing over near-wins and consoling each other over ridiculous losses.

During one of these leisurely strolls, Liora was drawn to a small tent tucked away among the rest. A faded sign read "Fortunes Revealed," and a long line of eager faces awaited their turn beneath it.

Liora slowed to a stop, her gaze fixed on the tent, where the flickering lanterns cast playful shadows on the worn canvas.

"You wanna try?" Daran asked his voice light but knowing.

She hesitated, glancing at the long line. "Maybe... but look at that queue."

Daran nudged her gently. "We have got the whole night. If you want to try, let's wait."

Her curiosity won out, and before long, it was their turn. The pair stepped inside the dimly lit tent, and the air inside was infused with incense.

Liora handed 15 euros to the older woman sitting behind a black velvet table. Everything about her, from her long, black-painted nails to the silver rings stacked on her fingers, radiated mystery.

"Pick three cards," the woman said, her gravelly voice low and commanding.

With careful fingers, Liora selected three cards, laying them face-down on the table. The woman flipped them over one by one, her expression sharpening with each reveal.

"What is your name?" she asked, her eyes locking onto Liora's.

"Liora," she replied softly, glancing nervously at Daran. The woman motioned toward her hand.

"Show me your left palm."

Liora hesitated for a beat before offering her hand. The older woman traced the lines with practised fingers, her brow furrowing as though deciphering a puzzle.

"Child," the woman began, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "there are dark clouds around you, but..." Her eyes flicked back to the cards. "I see one ray of light piercing through the darkness, struggling to reach you."

Liora leaned closer, her pulse quickening. "What does that mean?"

The woman didn't answer right away. She released Liora's hand and gestured toward the cards again.

"There is a great change coming," she said, her gaze piercing. "And in the future... you will betray the person who loves you most. A betrayal that will shatter him."

Liora recoiled as though struck. Her mind raced. ′Betray the person who loves me most?′ The thought of Caspian crossed her mind instantly. It felt impossible—absurd even.

"You are wrong," Liora said, her voice trembling but firm. She rose to her feet, glaring at the woman.

The card reader's expression didn't waver. "The cards do not lie, child."

"This is nonsense!" Liora snapped, her voice rising. "I can't believe I wasted my 15 euros on this garbage." She turned sharply, her heart pounding as she strode out of the tent.

Daran followed close behind, his brow furrowed. "Liora, wait. It's just a fortune. You don't have to—"

"I don't want to hear it," she cut him off, her voice shaky.

She couldn't believe what the woman said. What did she even mean by saying that she would betray Caspian? She would never do that—never, ever.

Daran tried to calm her, but Liora ran away without waiting for another moment. It took a while before Daran finally caught up with Liora, the runner. He reached out and gently grasped her hand, stopping her mid-step.

"Babe, it was just for fun," he said softly, his voice laced with reassurance. "You don't have to take it seriously and spoil your mood."

Liora's breath hitched as she looked up at him. Daran's expression was a blend of concern and tenderness. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his lips formed a reassuring smile.

She realised how her reaction was ruining his evening. They were supposed to be having fun there and not freak out over some stranger's twisted words.

She exhaled deeply, forcing her chaotic thoughts to settle and her erratic heartbeat to slow. "You're right. I overreacted," she admitted with an unsure smile. "I don't know what came over me."

Sensing her unease, Daran shifted the gears, offering her an easy out. "By the way, I sent you all the pictures. Did you check them out yet?"

Liora furrowed her brows as she reached for her clutch, only to find it empty. A sudden realisation washed over her: "I left my phone in my tent."

She must have forgotten while she was getting ready earlier. Another thought horrified her—what if Caspian had messaged her and was waiting for a reply?

"Daran, why don't you head back to your friends? I'll grab my phone and take a moment to myself." She hesitated before adding, "I'll message you once I'm ready, and we can grab some more ice cream. Deal?"

Daran studied her momentarily, contemplating whether to leave her alone, but then he smiled.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be waiting." He gave her a small wave before walking off, his steps light but purposeful.

Liora stood still for a moment, her breath visible in the cool evening air. She rubbed her arms against the chill that crept up her spine. She inhaled deeply, squared her shoulders, and headed toward her tent with one thought dominating her mind: 'I need to call Caspian. He should know I would never betray him. That Lady is absolutely wrong.' 

*******

Silvia, who had been lingering near the Trios in the drinking stall, left her alcohol-free drink behind and rushed out. Her heart raced as snippets of their earlier conversation echoed in her mind.

She slipped into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and ears, her hands shaking as she pulled out her phone. 

The first call went unanswered. So did the second. By the third, her anxiety was mounting like a tidal wave. Finally, on the fourth attempt, Hanuel's voice came through.

"What's your problem, Silvia?" he sounded exasperated.

"What are you guys planning for Liora?" Silvia demanded the answer, her voice barely above a whisper but heavy with accusation.

There was a pause on the other end. "Is that why you called?"

"Don't play games with me, Hanuel. I heard everything. What are you planning?" Her voice rose, trembling with both fear and anger. Her chest heaving as she confronted him.

A chuckle escaped him, low and casual, as if her question amused him, brushing against his temple in irritation, "We knew you'd be against it. Those dimwits can't even keep their mouths shut." 

"Damn right, I'm against it!" Silvia hissed, her fingers gripping the phone tightly. "Hanuel, better not lay a finger on her. Do you hear me? I'm the only one allowed to handle her. Only me! Not you or anyone else. Do you understand?" 

Silvia knew she was barking up the wrong tree. She knew too well that they wouldn't stay quiet after a girl from nowhere had caused their parents' businesses to hit rock bottom and sent them to the police station for bullying. Liora's mere existence was a thorn in their side, and revenge seemed not only inevitable but imminent.

Silvia herself had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to punish Liora. The girl had disrupted everything, turning her otherwise controlled world upside down. But Silvia hadn't expected these idiots to act so quickly, rallying the support of other school kids to plot their schemes.

Maybe—just maybe—Hanuel would listen to reason and leave Liora alone. But deep down, Silvia knew it was a foolish hope, barely worth holding on to.

She remembered their time at the police station, where she had overheard Hanuel, Ronnie, Andreas, and Kevin discussing Liora. It was not hard to guess who took the video, knowing the angle of the video.

Their rage had been palpable, but so had something else—a twisted, sickening fascination, drooling over her like she was a prize to be claimed. What did they even see in her? Siliva could not get a grasp of it. 

There was a long, eerie silence before the line went dead. Silvia stared at her phone, her pulse hammering in her ears.

Oh god! It didn't feel good at all.

Fear tightened its grip on her chest for the first time—not just for Liora, but for herself.

Silvia frantically dialled their number, but it was all in vain; none of them picked up. Desperate, she looked at the specific number, the number which could bring her the most beautiful gift or something more dreadful. She pressed the call button with trembling fingers, her teeth chattering as though she were standing in the dead of winter. The call went straight to voicemail.

She sighed deeply, filling her lungs with air to muster her courage. She left a shaky voice message, her entire body quivering out of fear of what was about to happen. As the last syllable left her lips, a creeping dread settled in the pit of her stomach, leaving her to wonder what darkness awaited her.

*******

Liora lingered outside her tent, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She glanced around her tent. It was all calm and quiet.

The cool breeze kissed her skin, sending her a delightful chill. She stepped inside her tent, focusing on grabbing her phone, the one that held the key to connecting with Caspain.

Soon after she crossed the threshold, the air shifted. A faint whisper behind her brushed past her ear, freezing her in place.

"Peekaboo," came a sinister voice.