Page 132 of Inception

I examined her face as the two of us made our way down the pathway towards the parking lot. Her expression was vague and unreadable, hollow even. “Is everything okay?” I repeated, feeling the chill in my bones deepen.

“I’ve never felt better.”

“Are you sure? You seem a little...off.” There was no nice way of putting it.

“I just don’t want you to be upset with me.”

“Why would I be upset?” I tried slowing her down but she squirmed out of my grip. “Tay, talk to me.”

“He’s waiting for me. I can’t be late.”

“Who’s waiting for you? Your date?” I couldn’t remember her date’s name for the life of me, and I felt horrible about it. Shows what kind of friend I’ve been lately.

“No, not him.”

“Then who?” My insides gnawed at me, begging me to turn around. Something wasn’t right. I could feel it, and her failure to respond was only making the feeling worse. “We should go back. We’re missing the party,” I reminded her, as though I actually cared about the stupid dance.

“It doesn’t matter. Ihaveto meet him.”

I flinched at her aberrant disregard of something she had raved about incessantly for the last few weeks. The dance mattered—it mattered toher, and up until a few minutes ago, it was the only thing that mattered to her.

“I’m going back inside, I don’t feel good,” I baited, hoping my announcement would sway her from going forward. “Can you come with me? I need to get some water and sit down for a bit. I’m sure your friend won’t mind if you meet him a little later.” Once I’ve had time to gather plenty of reinforcements and figure out what the hell was wrong with her.

“I have to see him. He’s waiting for me.” She marched on without even so much as a glance in my direction. This wasn’t Taylor. NotmyTaylor. It was as though some alien had invaded her body and taken over her mind.

Before I could say another word (or drag her back inside by her hair) she came to a sudden stop between two parked limousines. Maybe she’d finally came to her senses, I hoped, though her failure to turn around wasn’t very reassuring.

“Okay, so...what are we doing exactly?” I glanced around the empty parking lot and waited for her to say something that would explain her odd behavior. When she didn’t, I leaned in and waved my hand in front of her face in a bid to get her attention. “Hello? Is anyone home?”

The limousine door suddenly sprung open. Startled, I jumped back and then gasped as Dominic slithered out from the back of the glossy black car. He was wearing a tailored suit and a condescending grin that told me in no uncertain terms that he was behind this somehow. His skin seemed to glow under the frosted moon, casting an angelic reverence over him, though I knew there was nothing holy about him.

“You look exquisite, angel.” He took a step towards me but I quickly moved back. He didn’t even acknowledge Taylor’s presence even though she didn’t break eye contact with him once.

“What are you doing here?” I didn’t give him a chance to answer. “We’re leaving. Taylor, come on!” I tried tugging on her arm but she refused to budge. It was as though she were under some kind of spell. “What did you do to her?” I accused.

“I can’t help it if she desires my company.”

“Like hell she does.”

With his eyes still leveled on me, he raised his forearm to Taylor and flashed a wicked grin as she wrapped her hands around his bicep, latching onto him as though he were her life line.

“You’re not going anywhere with her.”

His smile deepened. “Oh, but I am. Of course, you’re more than welcome to join us. I’d actually prefer it if you did.”

I scoffed at his absurdity. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” That much I knew for sure.

“Suit yourself.” He ushered Taylor back to the limo and helped her inside before climbing in himself.

“Taylor! What are you doing?” I yelled over to her, frantic now. “Get out of the car. RIGHT NOW! You don’t know what you’re doing. He’s dangerous—”

“You’re wasting your breath, love.” He knew it, and somewhere deep inside, I did too. He slammed the door shut and rolled down the window. “She won’t be changing her mind about joining me. I promise you.”

It was clear Taylor was under some kind of spell and was going, with or without me. She had no idea what she was doing, no control whatsoever. I couldn’t let her leave with him knowing what he was. Knowing the kind of monster he could be. She was my best-friend and that meant everything to me.

Without giving myself any more time to think about it, I walked over to the car and pulled the door open. “Push over.”

“Gladly.” A twisted smile spread across his face letting me know this had been his plan all along. He slid over just enough so that our bodies would still be flesh up against each other.

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