Page 5 of Serpent Darling
After a few minutes of mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, she saw an ad for an app called "SecretScape" -A place to escape your secrets. What a tagline, she thought, but curiosity got the better of her when she hit the download button.
Settling on the simple screen name ofBookwormBarbie, taking delight in the comparison of her persona, name, and interests. Once the profile stats were out of the way (opting not to disclose anything except that she was a female in her twenties), she got to the main screen and saw dozens of boxes with text.
They all contained dirty secrets.
Some were pretty tame, like 'I lost my virginity to my brother's best friend.' or 'I got caught masturbating tonight by my roommate.'
Not all of them were about sex, though. Some were about time in jail, and others about hating their parents. The app was set up so that you could like a post, comment on it, or even message the user of the post privately. Locations were always hidden, and you couldn't send photos or videos in the app—just text.
Sadie settled into her spot and continued reading through the posts, liking a few. When she came across one similar to hers, she commented on one from a user namedRebelsWearLeather.
The post read,'I can't stop thinking about her. She's my best friend and yet I search for her in every body that warms the bed beside me in her absence."
Sadie felt compelled to write back, a shiver running through her as she started tapping away at her screen.
"I feel these emotions tonight and my heart goes out to you. I am terribly lost in the fantasy of my friendship turning into something more, but he's also a rebel - one without a cause, and he probably thinks I'm too tame."
She smiled at her James Dean reference when she submitted her response, hoping the receiver would appreciate it. Then, she went to get a blanket from the closet to cover herself. She was just situating it over her legs when her phone chimed.
RebelsWearLeather wants to send you a message.
Sadie quickly swiped up to reveal a chat screen.
RebelsWearLeather:
Couldn't help yourself with that one, could you?
Sadie laughed out loud and quickly quieted so as not to wake her boyfriend. Her boyfriend. BOYFRIEND.Remember him?Get a grip on yourself.
BookwormBarbie:
Sorry, you made it too easy. James Dean is a hot topic in my life tonight. If he was a number, I'd buy a lottery ticket.
What am I even saying?Sadie groaned into the blue throw pillow beside her and held her breath until his following message came.
RebelsWearLeather:
I have to admit I'm intrigued by that. Also, let me extend my apologies to you as well. Seems we're both pining.
BookwormBarbie:
Seems that way. I know better than to ask a stranger where they live, but it's late, and I'm on the East Coast. 4:16 to be exact. Are you up past your bedtime, too?
RebelsWearLeather:
I'm on the East Coast, too. I had a rough night at work and just couldn't settle down. I write in my spare time, and sometimes, I get ideas from the users of this app. Sometimes, I use them as writing prompts.
Sadie's eyebrows rose in response to his last message.He's smart. A writer. I like those.
BookwormBarbie:
I love that idea. I just downloaded it tonight actually. You're my first comment.
RebelsWearLeather:
Wow, I'm flattered. I haven't been someone's first in a while.
Sadie chuckled and took a sip of her water.
