As our reality solidified, I couldn’t help but wonder if my days were as numbered as Marissa’s had been. Her imminent marriage to Tony was bad, but it hadn’t been enough to keep her safe. Would the same happen to me? The closer we got to graduation, the more I couldn’t shake the foreboding sense that I was on the same path.
“Let’s form a pact,” Sofia said.
Her hand gripped mine and Emiliana’s, and I felt rather than saw the half-moons that her nails would leave.
“For Marissa.” My voice cracked. “So her life, her death, is remembered.”
Sofia nodded in agreement. “Here and now, going forward, we are sisters.”
Emiliana made a small incision in her palm with her knife, and we circled around her. As blood welled, she passed the blade to Sofia, who did the same, then me. We pressed our palms together in a blood oath that would link us for the remainder of our lives.
As the blood smeared together, the promise became unbreakable, sworn in blood.
“If we need each other, we come no matter what and do what’s necessary to keep each other safe. No questions asked,” Emiliana vowed, and Sofia and I agreed.
Inside, I felt the simple ritual change me. I was no longer alone. “Then we need to take our training seriously.” I zeroed in on Emiliana. “Bring in your guy. Let’s get this done. And then we’ll make the fucker who killed Marissa pay.”
The End