Chapter 23: Silent Dare

I switch to a lighter tone, "Uh, okay, this is the last round of the game. I'm pretty sure I have more points than you because you couldn't guess anything."

"That's because you are cheating and your queries are difficult!"

I laugh, "It's not that hard. We just don't know each other very well. Yet. But fine, let's start over then." I think, "If you can guess in the last round and I don't, then you win the game. And you can dare me to do anything."

"What is a dare, exactly?"

"A dare is an order. You can tell me to do anything at all. Except for something, well dangerous, or too bad."

"Splendid!" She claims excitedly.

"But!" I add, "If I win, I can dare you, instead."

She eyes me for a second and seemed to be in deep contemplation. "I accept your challenge. That is because I will surely win this! Watch it be, Rhys Harrison!"

"Yeah, right! You ready?" She nods and I say, "One: Chips are my favourite food. Like these ones." I shake the chip bag, "Two: Even though I skip school at times, I do fairly well in all my subjects. Three: My house is on a hill."

Malinda mumbles her analysis quickly, "Firstly: you say your favourite food is chips, but maybe you say that all because you are eating it right now and you're trying to deceive me! Secondly: you do look a little foolish, but you are somehow smarter than you look. Thirdly: you try to think of something that sounds very strange so I will think it is a lie, but it can be true. Therefore, the first one must be the lie!"

I was smiling in an amazed type of way. She really tried her hardest for this one. I scoff, "You're right! Good job! Now it's my turn because there's a chance for this to end up as a draw."

Malinda danced for a little while sitting down. This is one of the rare moments when she isn't so strict about everything, I find it adorable. She sees me smiling at her and we both look away.

"Before that, what is your favourite food, Rhys Harrison?"

"Ramen by far. I eat at least once a week."

"What exactly is a ramen?"

"You don't know what it is?"

She shrugs, "Not a clue."

"Oh, it's the best thing ever! So, it came from Japan and it's basically noodles with, like, meat-based broth. There's always some pork on the side and a few vegetables as well. I'm craving for some right now because you mentioned it. Even though that's the only thing I've been eating this entire week."

She laughs, "You're so forward with thing that you are passionate about."

"Of course."

Malinda says, "It's my turn now. This will be my hardest one yet, so you better pay attention!"

I roll my eyes, "Go ahead!"

"Firstly: I turned 18 years old when the curse had begun. Secondly: I also have a sister who is older than me. Thirdly: Because of my singing, I used to have riches."

She had this overconfident look in her face the entire time. One thing I noticed while we were playing, is that she always seemed to put the lie at the third one. Not to underestimate her, but I don't think she's got too much of a strategy to throw me off. But something is telling me that she only talked about a sister because I did earlier.

"Easy. The second one is the lie."

She slumps and frowns, "You're right. I was an only child. I thought you'd assume that I put the lie on every third statement." Huh, she is smarter than I think. "Now you win."

"Actually, you won too, so we can both dare each other!"

"Really? I can still order you?!" Her eyes dazzled with hope.

"Yeah, that's how it goes. Wanna go first?"

She answers slyly, "No, you should go first."

"Okay, I dare you to tell me how you got trapped inside this cave!"

Malinda scoffs, "I have mentioned before that it's all my fault, and that is because…"

"That is because…" I sound like a kid waiting for ice cream from an ice cream truck.

"Because I did an idiotic thing."

"And?"

"What do you mean? That is the story."

I deadpan her, "Really, that's it? We both won fair and square, it's only fair that you tell me something."

"I did." Malinda smiles sarcastically, "So, now it's my turn."

I groan. I guess, I didn't have to know about the reason of that. I came inside this cave because I needed to find information about Jacob, but it just came out of my mouth. I just wasted my chance. "Fine, what do you want me to do?"

Malinda gazes at the water and plays with the pond using her feet, "I would like for you to… close your eyes for a minute."

"And?"

"That's all."

She keeps avoiding eye contact while I try to investigate her. She worked hard to win, but she asked such a simple thing. I can't really complain, though.

"Okay, then." I reply slowly then close my eyes.

It was quiet for a bit. Oh crap, my paranoia was creeping up to me again and is telling me that all of this is a prank.

Then, a splashing sound came from her direction and it came off that she stood up. I never seen her stood up and seen her fully in her purple dress, but I resisted from peaking. Instead, I tried to imagine what she would look like... and she looks like someone from a Disney princess movie or something. It was quiet for a few more seconds and my mind becomes more blank. I was just waiting for anything. For some reason, I couldn't open my mouth to ask anything because I might be disturbing her from whatever she's up to.

I could hear my own heartbeat because of the pure silence, and I was getting a little anxious for some reason. I wanted to check on Malinda, but I didn't want to break her trust. More seconds passed by and I was trying to use all my senses to understand what's happening. But she is a ghost and I wouldn't know how ghost works. I just wished I knew what she was doing.

Then, out of nowhere, my nape got a little cold and I felt my skin stand.

It took me a while, but I had this big notion of a presence near me. Or right in front of me. Could Malinda be right in front of me right now?

Thinking of that, I could feel my heartbeat raising even faster. I was imagining Malinda in front of me, with her face fixed directly towards mine as tilts closer to me. My eyes were shut close but then my pitch-black vision became brighter and brighter. What is happening?

And what am I expecting to happen?

"That girl you drew."

I suddenly hear Malinda's voice.

"W-what?" I stutter while keeping my eyes still locked.

"You told me that she is special to you. You should tell her that before it's too late."

I didn't know how to answer to that, and my mind was completely frozen. My mouth was open, but no words came out.

"You can open your eyes now."

When I did, all I saw was Malinda in her usual seat and bare foot on the water again, like nothing happened. She smiled to me, "That was a exciting game. Thank you for doing this hanging out activity with me."

"Uh, sure. Hey, what did you do when my eyes were closed? Did you do magic on me or something?" I checked my body as I asked.

"Oh, I was just enjoying some peace and quiet because my friend was so annoying." Malinda replied and laughed.

My mouth widen, "I'm not that annoying! You're the one who was talking so much during the game." I laugh, too.

Malinda looked at me then her smile fades slowly, "I appreciate you accompanying me here. You can go now. There are better things waiting for you outside"

I frown, "Right." Her sentence reminded me that I have other things to attend to. It struck me back to reality and that I couldn't stay here forever, "I'm happy that I could keep your company." I give a sad smile. I stand up and walk towards the exit. I pause.

I didn't want to say goodbye, so I don't.

"I hope you were happy, too, because I'm definitely coming back here!"

Out of urge, I randomly dashed outside a second after I said that. I take another pause when I get outside. I then remember my phone was setting a timer, and it was counting from 10 seconds. I look back to the dark void of the cave. Time really is a strange concept.

I start to go upstairs to the cliff and go through my messages. I press the conversation tab of Jessica and mine. The last text was from me, 2 days ago when I sent her a link of a song that reminded me of her. Her reply was one heart-eyed cat emoji. Because of what Malinda said earlier, I wanted to text Jess that she is special to me.

As I was done typing the words out, I shook my head and deleted it before I hit sent. Instead, I text her, explaining why I couldn't go to school the past few days. I smug to myself when I realize there's a better time for me to say those words.

Before putting my phone aside, I play some more music then step on my dirt bike.

Time for the next mission.