Page 25 of Chasing Lynda

7.

Cards On The Table

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Lynda

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MY EYES TAKE A MOMENT to adjust to the darkness. I can’t see anything around me and as a result all my other senses become hyper aware.

I can feel Zane’s chest behind me. He isn’t quite touching me but his body heat makes goosebumps break out on the skin of my naked arms.

I also can smell him. Something citrusy and bright.

I take a step forward, wobbling a little bit since I don’t know where I’m going. Strong, yet gentle hands land on my hips steadying me and normally being touched by a stranger in the dark would freak me out. But not with Zane. Having him close feels just the opposite of a threat.

“Welcome!” A feminine voice makes me crawl out of my own skin with a start.

“Fuck!” I exhale, putting a hand on my chest where my heart is racing at the sudden sound.

That’s when I notice a flicker of light in front of me. I don’t necessarily want to approach it, but what’s the alternative? The people from the church will still be outside and I’d rather not find out if they’re here on some kind of fucked up, chaperoned outing or they’re looking for me.

“Welcome!” The voice repeats and as I take a couple of steps in its direction, the light increases.

There’s an ageless woman sitting at a round table with a crystal ball in front of her and a deck of cards. “The Wonderful Micca will predict your future. Take a seat at the table, young lady.”

If her words hadn’t clarified that she’s a fortune teller, her looks would’ve definitely done that.

The way the Wonderful Micca is dressed is exactly what movies told me to expect from someone who tells fortunes for a living.

The top of her head is covered by a purple, silk head scarf; long, wavy red hair spills out of it. The woman is wearing a white blouse but what attracts my attention is the golden jewelry that adorns most of her exposed skin. Giant gold hoops in her ears, a myriad of gold bangles on both her arms. Her fingers are covered by gold rings with brightly colored stones.

Micca begins shuffling the deck of cards, with slender hands ending in long, red lacquered nails. “Sit down!” she commands and I take another step back, coming into contact with Zane’s solid chest.

“I—No, thank you?” I feel panic starting to mount in the pit of my stomach. It isn’t just the prospect of the people I tried to avoid by coming in here.

Fortune tellers and divination have always intrigued me. However the leaders at church, from Harold, to my dad, to Aaron have always made it clear that stuff like that is evil.

The Church of the Higher Self believes in forging your own future and determining your own path by following the enlightenment rules based on the six pillars of enlightenment.

So anyone that claims that your future is predetermined goes against the church’s fundamental principles.

Of course that free will only exists for men, because as a woman your path isn’t only chosen for you but imposed and enforced ruthlessly.

Down to your parents, the people who should care about you above anyone else, literally selling you to a sociopathic rapist.

The thought of what the church’s teachings meant in my life is the force that propels me to take the seat opposite Micca.

Fuck ‘em.

What’s the harm in having my fortune told? It isn’t like anyone can really predict the future. Right?

Zane occupies the chair next to me and his presence feels reassuring, so I smile when Micca invites me to cut the deck.

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