GARLANDS WERE HUNG FROM THE CEILING and walls. These streamers had been fashioned using string adorned with reflective baubles and sparkly bits of tinsel or foil. About two dozen teenagers were bathed in honey colored light, provided by a multitude of oil lamps and candles. In one corner, two wooden doors had been set upon sawhorses to create a buffet table, which was covered with dishes and bowls full of homemade specialities. At the back of the room, an acoustic band was setting up with antique and handmade instruments. And what struck Chloe the most was that everyone was talking, laughing, and smiling. It was rare to see everyone getting along with such joviality. Town celebrations such as the ritual offerings were often bitter sweet ceremonies where participants had forced smiles. And there were even some townsfolk who argued that any demonstration of public pleasure such as smiling should be forbidden. Those with puritanical leanings argued that the Cloud Lords had been sent to this dimension to punish mankind for its transgressions of the old civilization. And unfortunately, these zealots were gaining more and more power with the council. But tonight, it seemed that among the teenagers, even old rivalries were being set aside—the jovial atmosphere was genuine.

     Of course, Chloe immediately scanned the crowd for Wayne, and she cringed when she saw him talking to Lillian. Relax, she told herself, this is supposed to be Lillian's celebration not yours. It's only normal that Wayne might want to say 'Happy Birthday'.

     Seeing Chloe's downcast expression, Sandra said, "Why don't we check out the buffet?"

     While they perused the victuals, the acoustic band started playing. Several of the musicians were part of the town band and were quite talented. Even though they weren't playing dance numbers yet, Chloe found it hard to resist bobbing her head along to the music.

     "Jack's got his eye on you," Sandra teased. "Maybe he'll ask you for a dance later tonight."

     Chloe groaned. "Why are you always trying to set me up with Jack?"

     "Because he likes you... and if you two are paired up by the council, then I won't lose my friend at the next ritual offering."

     That was something that Sandra didn't have to worry about since her beau had already proposed, and they'd been given consent to marry. But even if it would allow her to escape being offered during ascension, Chloe couldn't imagine being married to someone as boring as Jack. The very thought had her longing for Wayne who was still engaged in conversation with Lillian. As Chloe watched, they both laughed as if one of them had told a joke. She couldn't bear how Lillian projected her ample bosom outward while flirting with him. Chloe had the urge to stomp over and intervene.

     Chloe also couldn't help noticing how amazing Wayne looked tonight. He had volunteered to be part of the brigades that were rebuilding the old roads and also defended against the Central Mountain Governorship. All that work had made him physically fit. His sublime muscles rippled under his tight t-shirt. It wasn't just the way his mop of brown hair fell across his eyes, nor his contagious smile that made Chloe love him. She was fixated upon Wayne for his good heart and fantastic sense of humor. Since junior high, they'd been best friends, and he more than anyone, knew how to make her laugh. But the time for being buddies was over. She wasn't interested in getting married merely to avoid being chosen for Ascension. She genuinely cared for Wayne. While her thoughts drifted upon Wayne's perfection, Chloe suddenly noticed him winking at her. Then, gourd of punch in hand, he sidestepped Lillian and walked straight toward her!

     For some reason, Chloe felt panicked. Why? I've known him forever. What's wrong with me tonight?

     At that moment, gangly limbed Jack stepped in front of her and asked, "Will you dance with me, Chloe?"

     She did her best to peer around Jack's boney shoulder. She caught a glimpse of Wayne doing an about face toward the buffet table. He was obviously put off by Jack's sudden appearance.

     Chloe's lack of response irked Jack who pleaded, "Chloe? What do you say? Shall we dance?"

     Now was the time to put Jack in his place. How could this oaf not understand she wasn't interested? It wasn't even a freaking dance number! But as she opened her mouth, she was interrupted by the party organizer, Michael.

     "Listen up everyone!" Michael announced, "Before we set aside the tables for the dance, we're going to play a game from the past age. Everyone has to participate. Anybody who doesn't want to join will be requested to leave."

     Once he'd mentioned the 'game from the past age', the room had gone silent. Nobody was going to leave and miss out on such an opportunity.

     "I guess you want to know the rules?" Michael said as he held up an old Coca-Cola bottle.

     Although Chloe had never tasted the drink, these bottles were relics that could occasionally be found in abandoned houses. She had always been fascinated by their undulated glass form.

     Michael began his explanation. "Well, this game is called 'spin the bottle' and it's very simple. All the girls are going to sit in a circle. The bottle will be placed in the middle of the circle, and the boys will take turns spinning the bottle. When the bottle stops, it will designate the girl who must go upstairs for five minutes with the boy. Any questions?

     A slender, mousy girl named Carol raised her hand timidly and asked, "So what are we supposed to do during those five minutes?"

     Michael cocked an eyebrow and smiled wickedly, then said, "You're almost seventeen and you still haven't figured that out yet?"

     Carol blushed beet red, and everyone laughed. Like every custom of the past age, it sounded deliciously decadent. There were some hesitant faces and even a few giggles of excitement as the girls formed a circle, sitting cross-legged upon the floor.

     Michael swaggered into the center of the circle, placed the bottle on the ground and said, "Now, since I initiated this game, I think it's only fair that I get to take the first spin." With a flick of his wrist he set the bottle spinning and stepped out of the circle.

     The room fell silent with anticipation, and the glass bottle knocked upon the wooden floor as it lost speed. Finally, it rolled over slowly and awkwardly to point directly at Carol. The room exploded with laughter, and her face turned scarlet from embarrassment.

     "I don't want to go," she protested.

      "Go on," said Lillian, who was sitting next to her. "You have to. Those are the rules."

     Reluctantly, Carol got up and walked side by side with Michael to the staircase that led to the second floor of the library. Once they'd climbed the stairs out of sight, Chloe heard another girl say, "Why'd it have to be Carol? Why'd she get to be the lucky one?"

     Michael was popular with the girls because he gave off a rebellious alpha male vibe. He wasn't the tallest, the smartest, nor the most handsome, but he had the confidence of ten guys. While Michael and Carol were out of sight, the participants fell into gossip and chatter. By the time the couple returned down the stairs, the group were so absorbed in conversation that they hardly noticed until Carol took her place in the circle. She had a dreamy look in her eyes. Michael nonchalantly sauntered over to the group of boys and said, "Okay Norman, why don't you go next?"

     The game continued with couples pairing up and disappearing every few minutes. Most of them returned with sheepish grins and wistful eyes. Some of the boys who'd been upstairs couldn't resist trying to keep eye contact with their partner once they'd returned. All the while, Chloe had her mind set on Wayne. Eventually, it would be his turn. What if the bottle didn't spin to her? The chances were fifteen to one against it. I can't let that happen, she told herself. In the back of her mind, she played with the idea of using her power, just this once. If she could just nudge the bottle, nobody would notice. Just enough to make it roll toward her. No! That could lead to suspicion and discovery. She'd kept her secret for so long that it would be foolish to risk exposing herself now, even if having a few minutes alone with Wayne was the thing she desired most.

     "Okay Wayne," Michael said, "It looks like it's your turn to show them how it's done."

     Chloe shivered with excitement as he stepped into the circle. Why? There's no way it's going to be me, she told herself.

     Wayne spun the bottle with so much force that it jumped playfully upon the floorboards. As it coasted to a stop, every girl held their breath. Chloe had always known that Wayne was a favorite with all the girls, perhaps even more so than Michael. She could barely stand to look as the bottle started to wobble upon its wavy ridges. It turned slowly and then rolled over right at Chloe.

     Chloe gasped when she guessed that the bottle was going to point directly at her! Then, cruelly, the bottle somehow retained just enough energy for one final spasm, and finally pointed at Lillian instead. The room exploded with cheers and laughter once everyone realized that Lillian had just been awarded an unexpected birthday gift.

     It isn't fair! Lillian! Chloe's inner sense of justice screamed at fate, and subconsciously, she projected her will at the bottle. Miraculously, the bottle swung back around as if an invisible had had reached out and redirected it right at Chloe.

     Everyone stared in disbelief. They had all just witnessed an impossible, yet undeniable display of Chloe's secret power. The coke bottle pointed at her as if it were a finger of accusation.

     Finally, someone whispered what everyone was thinking: "Witch!"

     This was immediately followed by more whispers and twittering. Once the word had been uttered, she heard the others whispering it freely. Chloe felt like she should jump to her feet and run but was paralyzed with fear from the looks on her peers' faces. Where before they had been jovial, now they stared at her as if she were a monster. Clearly, they figured she needed to be apprehended, but for the moment nobody dared try. Chloe only cared about Wayne. It was clear that he was perplexed, but at least his eyes didn't show the same fear and loathing evident on the others' faces.

     As the group began to gain courage to confront Chloe, there was a sudden loud banging against the boarded up windows.

     "Open up! Sheriff here... we know you're in there!" The shouts were accompanied by more banging against the other boarded up windows.

     Those who had been ready to pounce upon Chloe were the first to spring to their feet and flee toward the basement. The tension had already risen to such a point that the others followed in a panicked stampede. Nobody wanted to get caught at the illicit gathering and risk a brutal caning. Chloe was forgotten in favor of self-preservation.

     Like the others, Chloe feared punishment. She lingered reluctantly for a moment, before following after the group. As she reached the door to the stairs, Wayne appeared. He had been waiting for her.

     "You'll get caught for sure if you follow them," he said, grabbing her arm. "Follow me. There's another way."

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