BooksBarbecue
Back The Wishing Game Save as PDF
Chapters (66)
  1. PREFACE
  2. Full Page Image
  3. ONE
  4. TWO
  5. One week ago
  6. THREE
  7. Present day
  8. FOUR
  9. FIVE
  10. SIX
  11. SEVEN
  12. EIGHT
  13. NINE
  14. TEN
  15. ELEVEN
  16. TWELVE
  17. THIRTEEN
  18. FOURTEEN
  19. FIFTEEN
  20. SIXTEEN
  21. SEVENTEEN
  22. EIGHTEEN
  23. NINETEEN
  24. TWENTY
  25. TWENTY-ONE
  26. TWENTY-TWO
  27. TWENTY-THREE
  28. TWENTY-FOUR
  29. TWENTY-FIVE
  30. TWENTY-SIX
  31. TWENTY-SEVEN
  32. TWENTY-EIGHT
  33. TWENTY-NINE
  34. THIRTY
  35. THIRTY-ONE
  36. THIRTY-TWO
  37. THIRTY-THREE
  38. THIRTY-FOUR
  39. THIRTY-FIVE
  40. THIRTY-SIX
  41. THIRTY-SEVEN
  42. THIRTY-EIGHT
  43. THIRTY-NINE
  44. FORTY
  45. FORTY-ONE
  46. FORTY-TWO
  47. FORTY-THREE
  48. FORTY-FOUR
  49. FORTY-FIVE
  50. FORTY-SIX
  51. FORTY-SEVEN
  52. FORTY-EIGHT
  53. FORTY-NINE
  54. FIFTY
  55. FIFTY-ONE
  56. FIFTY-TWO
  57. FIFTY-THREE
  58. FIFTY-FOUR
  59. FIFTY-FIVE
  60. FIFTY-SIX
  61. FIFTY-SEVEN
  62. FIFTY-EIGHT
  63. FIFTY-NINE
  64. SIXTY
  65. SIXTY-ONE
  66. SIXTY-TWO

"Something like that," she says, the words forced.

My skepticism increases despite liking the girl. There's something off about her and her brother. They know more than they're letting on, and that only makes me feel more uneasy about what's to come.

I could try to make a run for it again, but somehow I doubt I'd even make it to the exit, let alone past the bouncer. One glance at Thea and Cer, and I realize they must have guessed what I was thinking about because they both shake their heads at me.

"Tell me what was on the invite." I change the topic as I feel the air around us grow thicker. No way out, got it—for now.

"It's exactly what the name implies—a wishing game. Everyone is here to compete to have their most ardent wishes come true."

What? Is this some sort of reality show? I look around, but I don't spot any cameras. Then again, they could very well be hidden to get our natural reactions.

"And how does that work?" I ask apprehensively.

"Do you think people care about the how as long as they get their wish?" She shrugs, and it's not lost on me that she evades answering. "You, too, must have a wish, or you wouldn't be here," she further prevaricates.

"I—"

Do I? Yes, of course I do. I want revenge for what happened to Nikki. I want his killers to pay for everything they put him through.

I nod slowly.

"Vengeance," I whisper. "I'd wish for something the law will not give me."

She smiles kindly at me.

"Just vengeance? If you could have anything in the world. Anything at all, would it be just vengeance?"

I stare at her, my mouth hanging open as a thought flashes through my mind.

My most ardent wish.

Nikki.

"I see that you do." She nods, her expression almost sad. "Whatever happens next, Luce, I want you to always ask yourself if what you wish for is worth the sacrifice."

Sacrifice? What sacrifice?

More alarm bells go off in my brain, and this time, not even the alcohol I consumed can keep me from freaking out.

"What do you mean by that?"

SEVEN

Thea opens her mouth to speak, but Cer places his hand on top of hers. She inhales sharply at the contact, her body tensing. Eventually, she just shakes her head at me, her lips tipped up in an apologetic smile.

And by God, that scares me even more.

I don't get to ask her further as the music suddenly stops and the lights dim.

Thea claps her hands, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"It's starting. Oh my, it's starting," she squeals.

"Why are you so excited?" I frown. Looking back, she's been this way from the beginning—ecstatic to just be here. Does she want to compete in this so badly? Is it for a wish? What is her wish?