3#03

3

The sensation was akin to receiving unwanted change at the grocery store—a compulsory gift you're obliged to accept, only to discard once outside.

As I settled into the front passenger seat, William glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. "Move to the back. Lilah gets motion sickness."

I paused, reluctant. "But it's not ideal for me either."

"Enough," he said sternly, his patience wearing thin. "Don't force me to remove you from the vehicle."

I complied without further protest. By the time I relocated to the rear, Lilah had already claimed the front seat.

She noticed the cartoon decal on the dashboard and chuckled.

"I placed that there during my last visit! Why haven't you removed it?"

William caught my eye in the rearview mirror, but I looked away.

"It slipped my mind," he mumbled.

Forgot? Or couldn't bring himself to?

I recalled the first time I saw that sticker—during a prenatal appointment, the one time he came with me. He typically disliked such "feminine" items, yet when I attempted to peel it off, he stopped me.

"My buddy's child put it there," he explained. "The kid will check next time. If it's gone, our friendship will end."

Except it wasn't a child, but an adult.

Lilah turned and gave me a triumphant look, pleased with my silence.

The journey was lengthy, and Lilah filled the quiet with critiques of my appearance.

"Honey, you look so... bundled up today. Isn't that uncomfortable? It's like you've gained a ton of weight in that outfit."

I retorted, unable to resist. "I'm carrying William's baby, so naturally I need to dress warmly. What about you? Isn't a crop top inappropriate for winter? Aren't you concerned about your reproductive health?"

Her expression soured. The smugness vanished. She turned back around and remained quiet.

I didn't realize our destination until we arrived at an amusement park.

We explored the park until reaching the Ferris wheel. Lilah turned to me, feigning concern.

"Emberly, given your pregnancy, roller coasters are off-limits. Let's take the Ferris wheel together instead!"

My eyes traveled up the towering structure, its metal frame disappearing into the clouds. My ears rang, and perspiration immediately formed on my brow.

I couldn't ride it due to acrophobia, so I declined immediately.

Lilah's reaction? A well-practiced look of disappointment. "Oh, sweetie, are you still upset with me?"

Instinctively, I reached for William's hand. He flinched, surprised by my clammy palm.

"I... I really can't," I whispered. "I'm terrified of heights."

William hesitated briefly before suggesting, "What if Lilah and I go up? You can wait here."

Lilah cocked her head, pretending to be thoughtful. "Isn't fear meant to be conquered? William, you wouldn't want to spoil the day, would you?"

Her words seemed to sway him. He nodded, determined.

Before I could object, I found myself ushered into the Ferris wheel compartment with them.

The ride lurched into motion, and the feeling of suspension ignited my nerves.

I clutched the seat so tightly my fingers hurt, my rapid breathing the only sound in the confined space.

Opposite me, Lilah sat comfortably beside William, a mischievous grin playing on her face.

Abruptly, she extended her hand. "You know," she began, "they say focusing on something else helps with fear. Here, take a look at this."

She opened her palm. A glint of blue-green caught my attention.

My hand flew to my neck. Bare. It was my emerald necklace!

It had been my mother's most treasured possession!

The year I was born, she'd visited a gem market and chosen the most unassuming stone on pure instinct. No one expected it to hold any value, but when cut, it revealed the finest emerald.

That pendant had safeguarded Mom twice. Before her passing, she'd pressed it into my hand.

"Emmy," she'd murmured, "this will protect you when I'm no longer here."

Now, I stared at it, my fear momentarily forgotten, replaced by sheer desperation.

"That belongs to me! Return it!" I gasped.

Lilah's smile turned cruel as she dangled the pendant out of the compartment's small window.

"Scared of heights? Strange, you don't seem so frightened now."

Her words became indistinct. My focus narrowed to that emerald necklace swinging over the vast emptiness below.