Free Darkness by Joann I. Martin Sowles

this.
     
    Oliver leveled his gaze with mine and gently placed his hands on my upper arms. “Do it for me, please.”
     
    Damn him and his powers of persuasion over me! I finally agreed to do it, but there was no way I was going to be happy about it.
     
    He got us both situated on the chaise together. Facing each other. She still had that bizarre smile on her face. It wasn’t the evil smile I had seen multiple times. This one was like she was hurting, mentally. We were sitting cross legged, knees almost touching. I still had my arms crossed over my chest as I took in all there was to see of her. She was the same petite little package I’d first seen on the side of the highway not too long ago, but now she was balled up and visibly full of anger. She’d never liked me–it didn’t take a genius to solve that mystery. She just wasn’t even willing to give me a chance. She was staring past me and I glanced back to see at what. Isaac was sitting on the loveseat facing her. His eyes locked with hers. Hayden was sitting on the floor by his feet and she seemed rather tense. They both looked like they were ready to watch a movie. Was this really that interesting? I just wanted to get it over with. Scratch that. I didn’t want to do it at all.
     
    I returned my attention to Julz. Her chaotic hair was loose and unruly. She was in plain jeans and a fitted v-neck purple tee. Her feet were bare, revealing polished black toenails. There was a small diamond ring on a thin gold chain around her neck and an onyx and mother of pearl ring on the ring finger of her left hand. The ring alternated between black and cream stones in triangle shapes all the way around her finger. She caught me examining it and shoved her hand under her thigh.
     
    I was eyeing her very curiously when I heard Oliver say, “You ready?” from beside us.
     
    Like I was ever going to be ready for this. I just nodded slightly. He leaned in and whispered into my ear so quietly I could barely hear him. He said something about the memories and pay attention to their clearness. “Anything fuzzy is fake.” That part I heard without a doubt. He gave me a reassuring nod as he took a step back.
     
    Her eyes met mine as I turned my attention back to her. She held her hands up. Palms towards me. I glanced at Oliver and he nodded again, encouraging me to continue. So I did. I took a deep breath and on my exhale I placed my palms against Julz’s. I was surprised at how cold her hands were. She clamped her frigid fingers down firmly and I did the same to her, maybe a little harder than necessary. She closed her eyes and began breathing very steadily.
     
    I was suddenly enveloped in her memories. They came thick and fast. I felt like I was falling at first, and then things steadied and I began catching moments flashing by in glimpses. I could smell things: peanut butter cookies and a salty smell…the ocean! I caught a glimpse of a wave crashing down. I was her, I could feel what she’d felt, see what she’d seen. I saw a glimpse of Oscar, young and clean. Gorgeous from head to toe. His dark wavy hair, fair skin and those breathtaking sapphire blue eyes that melted my heart…Wait! Her heart! Melted Julz’s heart every time he looked at her . Then the memory jumped to one of Isaac. He was upset and looking right into her eyes like he was waiting for a response or an answer or something. It was dark around me, cars were passing by on the street and there were lights coming from behind me. Isaac dropped his stare, turned and walked away. I felt sad as I watched him go. No, she felt sad. I felt her. Then the memories started to flick by at an unsteady pace. Some fast and some slower. Oscar was smiling at me now and I was so in love with him. No! Julz was in love with him! Not me!
     
    I tried to separate myself from the memories. I tried to stop feeling what she felt. I couldn’t, so I gave in to the emotions. I was crying now and Oscar was singing to me. His voice was