A Dare in the Dark

“You didn’t have to come with me,” Olive mumbled, looking straight ahead, her soggy tennis shoes squishing loudly with every step.

“You’re right, I didn’t. I should’ve let that jerk Willow Vaughn beat you up. Then I wouldn’t be staying out all night in a haunted forest hoping I don’t get eaten by some mythical creature. I can’t decide who makes me madder right now, you or Willow, but I could punch you both.” Marissa’s voice was pure acid. She looked down at Olive’s muddy pants and shoes. Her jaw tightened.

“I couldn’t not take the dare, I was covered in mud and I think everyone was expecting me to run off crying,” Olive answered. Her normally straight shoulders sagged under the weight of the evening’s events.

“Yeah, yeah, but after tonight we’re done. I don’t care if you’re a Stevens, you’re more trouble than you’re worth.”

Olive felt this comment like a blow to the jaw. Her shoulders sagged even more but she didn’t respond. They continued walking in silence. The night air was close, warm and thick, like a thunderstorm was riding on its coat tails. On either side of the dirt path they trudged along the dense foliage hemmed them in tighter and tighter. The breeze sent leaves rustling to life like an audience to this fool’s venture. Marissa looked up at the trees arching overhead and fought the urge to climb one and hide there for the rest of her life. The frustration beating every nerve of her body trumped the anxiety she would have otherwise been battling and she clung to it like a lifeline.

“You don’t think the Scarlet Vulture actually exists, do you?” Olive asked, trying to keep her tone even.

“Are you dumb as well as crazy?” Marissa snapped. She didn’t believe the stories but walking through the woods at midnight might set her mind playing tricks on her sanity. If she peeled pack the many layers of irritation and self-concern Marissa did feel bad for Olive. None of this was her fault, technically, high school was rough. It was a real battlefield but Marissa felt worse for herself. She had two years until graduation and the delicate balance of her social life was under fire. Olive was the social millstone tied around Marissa’s neck, and after tonight, Marissa felt like she might be plunged into the Atlantic Ocean of social ruin. There was still, the smallest chance this could work out, if only they win this bet. Olive was one year younger than her cousin Marissa and since Olive moved to Ice Creek six months ago was excelling in getting beaten up, shoved into a locker, or looking stupid. Marissa flew to the rescue each time, because Olive was family and she was getting superhero fatigue. “Tonight is the last time, Olive. After this, you’re on your own. You can’t be my shadow anymore.”

“But what if I win the bet? She countered, but Marissa’s harsh words sank in. “Oh, I didn’t know you felt that way…” Olive faltered looking at her cousin for the first time since they left the fiasco of Willow’s barn party. Marissa squirmed slightly, feeling a pang of guilt. She knew she was being cruel.

“I’m sorry,” Olive whispered, running a thumb quickly under her eye.

A high-pitched whistling sound made both girls jump. A shadow sprang from the bushes a few feet ahead of them and began to laugh maniacally.

“Bobby Jaxon!” Marissa ran at the shadowy figure now howling with laughter. She slapped his shoulder.

“You should’ve seen your faces,” Bobby said between laughter and gasps, “priceless! Especially Olive. I’m not afraid of the Scarlet Vulture.” He mimicked in a baby-like falsetto. Olive pulled his shirt forcing him to stand.

“I’m not afraid of things that don’t exist,’ she said with a huff. Bobby looked from Marissa to Olive then back to Marissa.

“She doesn’t know the stories does, she?” Marissa was biting her bottom lip.

“Boy, are you in for a treat, my dear Olive.” Falling into step with the girls Bobby made a show of cracking his knuckles like he was preparing for a prize fight.

“Don’t Bobby, it’s just old stories,” Marissa said.

“No, no, Mar, she has to know what this dare is about and what’s at stake.”

Olive swallowed visibly.

“Twice a year, someone from Ice Creek goes missing around these woods and they’re never seen again. That’s why it’s deserted and overgrown.” He looked at Olive who was frowning terribly. “They say it’s the Scarlet Vulture, who comes to get human blood for energy.” He cackled theatrically and tickled Olive’s ribs. Olive jumped and smacked his arm.

“You’re a jerk Bobby, go home. We’re going to the corn fields next to the woods to wait out the night. We don’t need you ruining our night with your stupid stories, right, Marissa?” Marissa didn’t answer she’d stopped walking and was looking into the bushes.

“Marissa!”

“Shhh!”

“It’s just the wind,” Bobby stepped back but Marissa didn’t move.

“What is Rissa?”

“Nothing, hurry up and lower your voices. I don’t know if the Scarlet Vulture is out there but I don’t want to meet any bears.” Marissa pulled Olive’s hand and strode away with Bobby in tow.

Olive parted the stalks of corn and walked a few feet into the field. “This is good enough,” she said, trying to keep the distress from her voice. She stomped down a few corn stalks to create a small clearing for them to sit.

“What happened to you?” Bobby asked pointing to Olive’s muddy shoes and pants. For a moment, neither girl spoke.

“Willow,” Olive mumbled. “She pushed me, and I fell into a muddy puddle. I’d rather talk about what we’re going to do with the hundred bucks tomorrow when we win this bet.”

“What?” Bobby said, looking at Marissa as if the missing pieces of the story were painted across her face.

“Why are you looking at me like that. Isn’t that why you’re here?” Marissa demanded her face hardening. “To make sure we actually stay the whole night?”

“No,” he faltered, “Keith said you left so I came after you.”

“Huh, but he didn’t tell you about Olive’s fight?” Marissa stared into the dark distance for a second. “If Willow didn’t send you to spy on us, I wonder who else we can expect.”

“No, I had no idea, I swear, I was…” Bobby’s voice trailed off and his head whipped around. “What was that noise?” he whispered. The corn stalks quivered as though afraid of what prowled through its rows. A savage growling echoed through the night sounding near and far all at once. Olive got to her knees, grabbing Marissa and Bobby’s arms pulled them backward into the upright corn stalks. Slow thudding footsteps approached. The ground vibrated under them. Marissa held her breath and forced her eyes open. She forced her mind to remain calm and to find a sane explanation. A wolf would be as bad as than a mythical monster but she didn’t have the mental bandwidth to process eventualities for a supernatural opponent.

The plodding footsteps thudded to their clearing and stopped as though looking for something. They could see nothing but huge battered work boots from their hiding spot. Marissa began to feel faint, she slumped against Olive, who stretched an arm around her waist. Olive looked at Bobby in the darkness he was barely a shadow once more. She tapped him and pointed to Marissa’s limp figure. Shadow Bobby nodded to Olive and slipped his arm around Marissa’s waist to help support her. A second later the boots thumped away. Olive exhaled afraid that breathing too loudly would summon back the body attached to those boots.

“What was that?” She hissed when it seemed safe.

“No idea,” Bobby whispered back. “What’s wrong with Marissa?” he pressed a finger to her pulse.”

“She’s got a heart problem, it’s not serious but she faints sometimes, like when she’s under a lot of stress.” Olive cleared a stray curl from Marissa’s face. “She’ll be okay soon if she can keep the stress at bay.”

“Has she always been like this?”

“No, she used to be so kind. She was my favorite person when I was a kid.” There was a wistfulness in Olive’s tone. Bobby smirked.

“I meant, has she always had this heart condition?”

“Oh,” Olive stifled a giggle.

“Yes,” Marissa answered weakly turning to face Olive. “Olive, I didn’t realize…” but she was cut off by the growling sound.

“Quick” Bobby said, helping Olive lift Melissa. “I don’t know what that is but we aren’t staying to find out. There’s that old house just on the other side of the field.

“Danson Manor?” Marissa whispered. “Are you out of your mind?”

“You’re not in physical condition to fight off a wild animal. Olive, hurry, this way.” He pointed in the darkness; unsure she could even see his hand. “Let’s stay in between the corn stalks but move in a straight line if you can.”

“Aye Captain.” She wrapped Marissa’s arm around her neck and with Bobby on the other side, led the way through the stalks.

Olive wiped her brow and looked up at the dilapidated mansion. She and Bobby were gasping for air under the weight of Marissa’s limp frame. “Are you sure about this Bobby? Maybe it’s better to take our chances with the Scarlet Vulture than go inside the Scooby Doo Mansion.”

“No question. Bobby looked over his shoulder. We’re sitting ducks out there. We’re almost there. Just a couple more steps.” The trio hobbled up the splintering wooden stairs. The front door swung from two of its three hinges. Bobby pulled a flashlight from his pocket and scanning the entrance.

“You had a flashlight this whole time?” Olive hissed.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Marissa said weakly.

“Are you kidding?” Olive and Bobby said at the same time.

“Everyone dies when they go upstairs,” Bobby said.

“I thought you said this place was safe,” Olive said reproachfully.

“I said it was better than taking our chances out there.” Bobby corrected. Marissa went limp again.

“Let’s try to keep conversations calm, mild, and positive, so we can keep Marissa with us.”

Bobby nodded. They shuffled to a side room where an old, velvet sofa still stood strong. They set Marissa down and plopped next to her sending up a cloud of dust. Olive tried to position Marissa’s head in the least awkward way.

“It hasn’t been easy for you here, has it?” Bobby asked gently, looking at Olive. She shook her head.

“Nope,” she scratched at some of the drying mud on her jeans.

“I was so excited when my dad told me I was going to stay with Marissa for a bit, but it wasn’t what I expected. It was like she turned to stone when I would approach her in public. After a while, I think she got tired of seeing me humiliate myself so she’d step in but I think she holds that against me.”

“She’s never said anything like that,” Bobby said.

“She wouldn’t, she’s too good, she would just suffer in silence, or as silently as she could. You’ve got no idea how heavy a burden it is when you feel like your existence is ruining someone else’s.”

“Olive, I’m so sorry.” Something like pain flashed across his face. “Um… on Monday, do you want to sit with my friends and I at out table at lunch?” Olive brightened.

“Really? Yeah, that’d be cool.”

The sound of a door slamming shattered the calm conversation. Olive’s amber colored eyes grew wide.

“Quick,” she motioned to Marissa who groaned quietly. Lifting her between them, Bobby led the way to the hall and peered out, motioning that they would turn left. Olive, still sweating profusely, followed trying not to pant like a thirsty dog. Bobby froze and extinguished his flashlight. Olive could hear slow quiet steps. Her heart constricted. These weren’t the heavy steps from the corn field. This was all her fault. If she’d kept her mouth shut at Willow’s party, they wouldn’t be here. She wouldn’t have gotten into a fight and Marissa wouldn’t have felt obliged to defend her and come along on this ridiculous dare. Another tear rolled down her cheek but she blinked back the rest of them. She had no idea what was treading in the darkness but a cool head was the only way they would survive. She looked at Bobby, who was way less of a jerk than she first thought, and waited for a signal to move. He nodded and they stepped forward toward the kitchen. “There should be a back exit through there,” he pointed to the open door ahead.

“I’m sorry guys,” Marissa whispered as though drunk. It was a fragile wisp of words thin enough not to disturb the silence.

Shuffling sounds ahead stopped them dead. Bobby looked at Olive, he gestured to the door closest to them, they slid in. The room was chaotically sprinkled with vandalized furniture. What a shame, Olive thought, looking up at a once beautiful chandelier. They hurried behind the broken remains of a bookshelf and crouched down. Marissa’s eyes flickered open and finally stayed open. Bobby squeezed Olive’s hand and nodded at Marissa. The steps came closer. Olive realized she was holding her breath. The door to the room lay on its side propped against the opposite wall. There was nothing between them and the figure out there in the darkness except the hope that they’d avoid discovery.

Marissa gave Olive a reassuring glance in the dark. Soon the quiet steps passed their room and sounded on the stairs that creaked like a busted pipe organ. Marissa stood up, almost without assistance. Olive standing up on numb legs lost her balance and sent a lamp hurtling to the floor. It shattered alerting everyone in earshot for ten miles to their presence. Her face was stricken. Marissa’s weakened expression turned to one of stony fury. “Run,” Bobby hissed as the sound of feet thundered down the stairs. Bobby, first out of the room turned on the flashlight. They sprinted down the hall single file. Olive turned as she made it past the threshold to the kitchen to see a figure in a jacket with a hood on facing the hallway blocking Marissa’s entrance to the kitchen. Marissa was caught. She heard the laughter of another assailant in the hallway. Marissa must be surrounded. Letting out a primal scream, Olive charged at the man in the doorway. Her shoulder connected with his mid back and he went sprawling forward hitting the ground, Olive landing on top of him. Marissa’s face was frozen astonishment. She looked from Marissa to the two other figures wearing bandanas over their faces. Time seemed to stand still until a voice said, “Olive, get off me.” Olive rolled off her assailant confused but his familiar voice. He rolled over and took off his hood and bandana.

“Keith?” Olive blurted out.

Bobby exited the kitchen arms folded, his face screamed unimpressed. “Did Willow send you?”

“Yeah,” Keith answered sheepishly. The two others unmasked themselves. Olive recognized them from the barn earlier.

“In those outfits?”

“Yeah,” Keith said sitting up and rubbing the back of his head.

“Welcome to the party guys, we’re here till dawn,” Bobby said stepping over Keith to give Olive a hand up. Marissa joined them and clung to Olive’s free arm.

“You know Willow, she doesn’t want to part with a dime if she doesn’t have too,” Keith said with a laugh. “She wanted us to make it a little more, exciting for you.”

“Willow is going to lose this bet.” Bobby smiled at Olive. “We can wait for the sunrise on the back porch.”

The unlikely party tumbled out onto the back porch finding various spots to wait for the coming sunrise. Marissa and Olive were seated together on the edge of the stoop.

“Olive,” Marissa started, clearing her throat. “I heard some of the stuff you said to Bobby. I haven’t made things easy for you since you arrived, have I?” She looked down at her folded hands.

“Marissa, it’s fine. I -”

“No, let me finish, it’s important.” She put a hand on Olive’s arm who was seated next to her. “You saved me tonight, twice. You could have left me in the corn fields, you know. Then without hesitation, you literally tackled a huge guy in a mask and after I’ve been so awful. I want you to know I’m really sorry for everything. Do you think maybe we can start fresh? Maybe I can try to be more like I was when we were kids? Kinder… I think you said.” Olive flushed in the shards of red gold sunrise breaking through the horizon. She looked at Marissa ashen face, it was regaining color and her eyes glittered with tears. This apology was better than winning any bet. Olive’s heart felt so light it could have floated out of her chest. Marissa smiled, spilling the waiting tears.

“I’m sorry too,” Olive started. Marissa squeezed her hand.

“Don’t apologize. I’ve been rough with you. I can’t promise I won’t be again, but I’ll try really hard not to.” Olive laughed and hugged her cousin.

“I can live with that and I promise not to rope you into anymore dares.”

“It’s a deal! I’m not built for this kind of stress.”

“Hey Keith,” Marissa called. “You guys totally freaked us out with those heavy boots and the growling animal audio in the corn field.” Marissa laughed like it had been a good joke.

“Growling audio in the corn field? What are you talking about? We got here in Jared’s car right before we found you guys inside. We never went to the fields.” Bobby, Olive, and Marissa, looked at each other, not saying a word.

“If you weren’t in the fields, then that means…” Bobby’s voice trailed off.

“Where did you park? The sun’s high enough,” Olive with an uncomfortable laugh. Grabbing Marissa’s arm she ran to the car with a smile on her face and the glint of new horizons in her eyes.