It rattles when I shake it. I frown, pushing it open.
No…
My legs buckle beneath me. I collapse to the steps, my lungs squeezing the air from my body.
It can’t be…
I pluck the chain from inside, dangling it from my fingers. The heart that matches the one inside my pocket.
The letter M carved into the silver for Mona so I was always close to her heart.
The dainty red jewel.
It’s Clara’s necklace.
The one she was wearing the night she left.
How did this get here? Who would do this?
Pain grips my heart as tears blur my vision. I need to understand what happened to her. I need to find the heart thief.
Seven
Mona
Going back inside the house, all eyes turn their focus on me. My legs feel unsteady. My head is fuzzy. Eli pushes through the small gathering of people, his brows tugging together. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you okay? Where did you go?” I don’t take the offer of his outstretched hand despite wobbling slightly on my feet.
“I’m fine.”
“Good. Because…” He turns to face everyone, raising his hands to gain their attention. “I appreciate we’re all here to celebrate Mona’s eighteenth birthday, such a special age. And she is such a special woman. I want to take this moment in front of all she holds dear to tell her…” Turning, he drops to his knee.
No, no, no. This is not happening.
“I love you.”
No…stop.
He reaches in his pocket, pulling out a box.
Blackness edges in from the corners of my eyes. I’m going to pass out. My stomach stirs. “Mona Walters, will you make me the happiest man on this island and in this world and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Heat rushes up my gullet. My mouth opens as my stomach heaves. I can’t control it or stop it as all the candy vomits out all over him.
A shockwave of gasps fills the room.
My eyes blink back glassy tears. “I’m so sorry,” I choke out, holding my hand to my mouth, dashing past him and into the bathroom to escape.
I spit the acid residue into the toilet and swill my mouth with water before splashing my face.
A few moments later, my father taps at the door. “Mona, are you okay? Are you ill?”
“Yes,” I groan, dropping my head in the sink. Lies, lies, lies. This island is a sickness.
“I’ll tell everyone to leave. You should wash up and rest before the cleansing.”
“I think I’ll have to miss it. I’m sick.” Lies, lies, lies.
I splash my face with water again and brush my teeth to clear the sickness breath. God, how mortifying the whole thing was. Eli knew I’m not ready for marriage. Eighteen may be standard for girls of our island to wed, sometimes even younger, but to me, it was a sign of the end. Giving up my youth, my freedom. What’s expected after marriage is children, and I don’t even know if I want kids.
I can’t do this. I open the door and gasp, stepping back when my father crowds around me, forcing me to retreat inside. Gripping my face, he pushes his fingers into my mouth, forcing it open and smelling my breath. He holds up a candy wrapper. “You dropped this in your hurry to flee!”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
“It’s not mine.”
“Liar!” he roars. Plugging the sink, he fills it with water.
“I warned you the outside world is poison. Even their candy disguised as sweet turns to acid in your stomach.”
He dunks my head and water rushes into my open mouth, racing down my throat into my lungs as I inhale by mistake. My head is pulled free. Water cascades down my face and body. My hair mats to my head.
“Where did you get them?”
“They’re not mine,” I wheeze out, then inhale a big breath before he dunks me under again. My lungs burn, screaming for air. He lifts me back out.
“WHERE?”
“They were on the steps in a matchbox.” Lies.
Releasing me, he pushes the hair from my eyes. “Why do you test me so?”
I want to scream, “Because you’re a fake voice of God!” But I don’t. Instead, I give him the answer he craves. “I’m sorry.”
“Get yourself together. We have the cleansing to attend.”
“Please, can I not rest, father?”
“Your greed is a sin, and that made you sick. Get yourself together.”
I bow my head, the sickness returning to stir my stomach.
“And, Mona…” I look up, “you will be accepting Eli’s proposal.”
“If I refuse?”
“You won’t.”
Does he not realize he’s killing me?
“I don’t want to be part of this.” I swallow down the unease swilling the contents of my stomach.
“She’s un-pure, Mona. God knows how many times she snuck off the island and mixed with the unclean.” Mary tsks.
She really is a perfect match for Eli.
“I’m looking forward to your wedding celebrations,” she inserts, like this is just another day.