Page 2 of Darkest Fantasies

“They’re having some actors walk around the alley dressed as Soul Reapers. Mask and all,” he says nonchalantly.

My pulse quickens. No way. No freaking way. This has to be a dream. People walking around dressed like Soul Reapers and acting like them, too? A need to run, jump, and scream consumes my body. This is a fucking dream come true. I bite my lip to stop the wide grin that wants to make an appearance on my face. I shift from foot to foot, trying to release some of the energy my body is exuding.Calm down, Cat.I inhale deeply, trying to calm the electricity buzzing through my veins.Do not show you want this, Cat. Do not, do not, do not. Do not show the slightest hint of a reaction to his news.They might ruin this moment of happiness.

I’ve been obsessed with the Soul Reapers since I was younger. I would dream that a Soul Reaper would rescue me from the hell I lived in. As I got older, the obsession became more intense. I found a fanfic one day that flipped my world upside down, opening me up to a world in which a twelve-year-old should not have any business.

Chapter 2

Catherine

I’m so in my head that I almost don’t hear Matt telling me to open the gift. With slightly shaky hands, I grab the box, remove the bow, and open the lid. The first thing I notice is a black hat. I grab it and lift it. Oh god. I know where this is going, and I already hate it. It’s a black witch hat. I set it aside on the table with an awkward smile on my face and grab the dress that goes with the hat. It’s a black long-sleeved silk elastane paneled tulle dress. I trail my hand over the scratchy material. I’m going to look ridiculous.

“Oh, that’s beautiful, Matt.” My stepmother squeals. If she likes it so much, why doesn’t she fucking wear it? She turns to me. “Isn’t it, Catherine,” she says in a hostile tone as she looks pointedly at me.

“Yes.” My skin tightens, and a bitter tang forms in my mouth. “Yes, it’s pretty.”

He claps his hands together. “Glad you love it.” He leans forward and gives me a soft kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you later.” He turns to leave but changes his mind. His face turns serious. “Six pm sharp. Don’t be late.” He gives me the command as if it’s the law and leaves. I grab the box quickly, shoving the hat and the dress back inside, run upstairs, and close the door behindme. I rest my back against the door, chest heaving, trying to catch my breath. I’m glad Matt didn’t stay long. I would not have been able to concentrate with the way my mind is racing.

After I catch my breath and my head no longer feels like it’s spinning, I throw the stupid box on the floor and make my way towards the bed where the clothesheleft me are waiting. My heart skips a beat, the butterflies in my stomach taking flight as I examine the white button-down shirt, green plaid skirt, green knee-high socks, black fishnet stockings, and black Dr. Martens in front of me. I grab the Dr. Martens with trembling hands, tears trailing freely down my face as I pass my thumbs over the scratches adorning the material from the wear and tear. A sob escapes my throat, I never thought I was ever going to see these shoes again. The memory of the day my mom gifted them to me plays in my head like a movie.He saved them from my stepmother's rampage.This is one of the many reasons I'm in love with someone I’ve never met or even spoken to. It’s small gestures like these that have my heart tied in knots.

As much as I would love to wear this outfit tonight, I can’t. I have to wear the hideous dress that Matt got me. I release a sigh, my smile turning into a frown as I walk towards my closet to grab a hanger, but before I get the chance to put the clothes away my phone begins to ring. My heart flutters in my chest. Could it behim?My shoulder slumps when I see a message from my friends in our group chat, nothim. I’m not sure why I’m disappointed. He has only messaged me a total of ten times in the past six years.Heprefers to leave me notes.

Melissa: Guys!

Melissa: I come bearing news!

Melissa: My dad just told me that Haunted Nights is doing a new attraction with freaking Soul Reapers.

Melissa: SOUL REAPERS guys!

Me: Matt, just told me.

Melissa: Cat, you out of anyone should be over the moon with how deep your obsession with them runs.

Me: Trust me, I am.

Melissa: Bitch, don’t lie to me.

Jenny: Did you say Soul Reapers? Like masks, black capes, mysterious and sexy? SOUL REAPERS?

Jenny: Yeah, bitch. No, I'm all the way across town and I can feel the lack of enthusiasm.

Melissa: We have to. HAVE to wear the uniform with our house crest. NO, IF ANDS OR BUTS LADIES.

Jenny: OBVIOUSLY my dude!

I can't help but laugh over their excitement. I’m beyond excited to see the Soul Reapers

in all of their glory, but it hurts too much when I think about how I won’t get to join my best friends in wearing my house crests. Bonding over the franchise is how we became best friends. We met on my first day of school. They saw mereading book four and they came up to me, bombarding me with questions. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

Wait.

Something clicks in my mind, and I look over at the clothes, a smile forming on my face.He knew?How does he always know exactly what I need? I’m starting to believe that he is psychic. My phone rings in my hand with an incoming call. It’s Melissa calling but I know Jenny is also going to be on the line.

“Hi,” I greet them.

“Cut the crap, Cat. What is wrong? You’re not messaging us back and you seemed not too thrilled about the Soul Reaper.” I pull away the phone from my face to stop my eardrums from bursting from how loud she is talking.

“I’m fine and I am thrilled.”

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