DUSK by Esther Machethe (top books of all time txt) 📕

“But it’s not flattery, you’re actually cooler than anyone I know, don’t tell them I said that because they would kill me but it’s true. I know where you’d fit in, with me and the others, we’re the outcasts.” I declared before I registered what I had just told him. I really wanted to hit myself but I wasn’t done embossing myself. “On behalf of the Outcasts, I officially welcome you Alex…” I trailed off when I realized that I had no idea if his name was Alex or it was short for something. Oh snap, what name should I use?

“Just go with Alex, and no, it’s not short for Alexander or Alexis.” He explained like he just read my mind, but I decided not to question him.

“Okay, so, on behalf of the Outcasts, I, Chloe Jade, welcome you Alex, to the group if you promise to always have every member’s back and do what’s best for them before your own personal interests. Do you?” I asked mock serious.

“Yes, I do,” he sighed after realizing that I was seriously waiting for his response.

“Great, now welcome to the group, you’ll meet the others one day.” I explained like it was the most obvious thing making him chuckle at my words.

“You’re one weird girl princess.” He exclaimed like he just realized it and I rolled my eyes at him despite being in the dark where he couldn’t see me do it.

“Don’t call me that, you make it sound like I’m a fragile, naïve, girly damsel in distress, which I’m not.” I explained making him laugh at my idiotic reasoning but it was true.

“But you are a damsel in distress, like Rapunzel in Tangled or Fiona in Shrek, strong enough to save yourself from the wicked witch, and you’re hot.” He tried to explain but his voice trailed at the end, a sign that he was falling asleep.     

My last thought was before sleep took over was that I liked Alex’s definition of my kind of princess.

^^^^^

I watched her sleeping soundly by my side, I never realized how cute she looked, but the drool was definitely a deal breaker.

For the first time I actually talked to someone and got a decent response without too many questions. Come to think about it she didn’t ask me anything about my past. She was a weird cookie, fierce, loyal, has a bit of mouth on her, funny and an overall entertainment. She was the perfect distraction from my demons.

I know she might never forgive me once she finds out what I’ve done but I’m so used to her company and weird form of entertainment that I don’t want it to end. Something must clearly be wrong with me because I remember clearly how much I hated her but looking back I can’t explain why I hated her in the first place. I felt something I’ve never felt before, I felt like I was home, like for the first time I belonged with people, and it was all because of her.  

 Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.

^^^^^

There was a humming sound near my ear and it was damn annoying. The humming sound grew to voices which were murmuring but the tone was what made me snap my eyes awake.

“Look at her, tell me that you can walk up and wake her up and disrupt the only time she’ll have to rest before her torture begins.” Someone hissed in a hushed voiced

“Well, when you put it like that…” the other voice trailed off, “you have thirty more minutes before Ilana comes to wake her up herself.” Silence, finally.

“Wake up princess. The wicked witch will be here any second to wake you up.” Someone whispered in my ear like an annoying buzz. I turned my head and pulled the covers over my head. I needed more sleep.

“Wake up or I’ll bring out the needle.” The voice whispered harshly and that was the magic word that made me snap my eyes open and I sat up to find Alex smiling smugly at me.

“Took you long enough, you have exactly ten minutes before the witch barges in and drags you downstairs herself.” He explained but my thoughts were still foggy so I didn’t understand a word he was saying until when he repeated everything for the second time.

“There you two are, I was starting to think that you ran away.” The witch tried to joke but no one was stupid enough to laugh at that.

“So, we were discussing and decided that they’ll see a footage of how you perform then they’ll take you with them and carry out further tests.” She carried on like her hideous joke had never happened. I sent a grateful smile to the two potential buyers and they gave slight nods that neither Alex nor the witch noticed. They just saved me from a serious round of torture.

We went back to my room and waited for them to make a decision on who will take me as the next lab rat and Alex and I had to stay away so that they would do that “peacefully”. I hoped I would end up with the nicer one of the two.

^^^^^^

I stared out the window of what was once my best friend’s bedroom window. I felt so helpless and useless in this situation. I couldn’t help her when she needed it most. What I wouldn’t do to switch places.

“We need to talk.” A voice called out from the door and I turned to find Reece staring at me with an unreadable expression.

I sat down on her bed and patted the space next to me for him to join me.

“You really did love her, didn’t you?” he asked after a short moment of tensed silence.

“Yeah, she was and still is an amazing girl. I just miss her so much.” I spoke truthfully for the first time.

“Look, I know right now’s not the right time but I need to know something.” He spoke hesitantly, as if he was afraid I would lash out at him or something.

“Okay, what’s up?” I asked, suddenly feeling the tension that hung thick in the air.

“I know she means everything to you, and I can never compete with her because she’s got everything but I need to know if there’s any hope for me. I need to know if what I’m doing might be worth it, even if the chances are slim. I need to know that I’m not fighting a lost battle.” He blurted out in one breath and I was left staring at him in confusion.

“What are you going on about?”

“You know my feelings for you and I know about your feelings for her, but I need to know your feelings for me, do you feel anything for me?” he asked in a curious tone. I could tell from his expression that he was nervous; he looked like he wanted to know and didn’t want to know at the same time.

“You’re right I do love her and you can’t compete with her.” I paused and watched as his expression fell and I couldn’t continue torturing him any longer.

“She’s like the sister I never had.” New hope shone in his eyes before I continued. “However, there’s this guy I met, I mean, I knew him from before but I never thought of him like that until sometime this year. Don’t get me wrong; he’s a cocky little prick sometimes but he has this cool hairstyle and these piercing eyes that can do wonders. I love it when he’s jealous when he sees me with the girls and I’ve waited for so long for him to kiss me though…” I didn’t get to finish my rant when he crushed his lips onto mine. Well, I didn’t think he’d get the hint.

The kiss had a hint of everything combined; desperation, smugness, urgency but incredibly soft. Don’t get me wrong, the kiss felt good but I wouldn’t exaggerate it and add the fireworks because that was what girls felt. Not me.

“Ash, I was…okay, I wasn’t expecting that.” Em’s voice trailed off as she found us lip-locked on Chloe’s bed. “Um, can you stop now, it’s making me uncomfortable.” She piped up when a moment passed and we were still at it. We pulled away and Reece threw a slight glare at Em but she didn’t seem fazed by it.

“We’ll talk later, I need to sort out some things.” He murmured to me but Em also heard him because a sudden smug smile appeared on her face.

“Wow, I didn’t think Ash had the ability to make someone that aroused.” She commented loud enough for Reece to hear and red stained his cheeks almost immediately as he sprinted out of the room leaving a cackling Em.

“So, what did you want to tell me?” I pointed out and her smile dropped almost immediately.

“The extraction has been postponed till tomorrow. There’s too many of them and we’re not prepared enough for it.” She explained and my giddy mood suddenly vanished. She handed me a piece of paper. This was not good.

“So, how will this plan out?” I asked in a sombre mood, this was going to be harder than I thought.

“They’re planning an attack at dusk, just after the sun sets so that we can catch them off-guard.” She shrugged nonchalantly and I nodded my head. That was good. Hopefully, they bought it.

^^^^^   

“So, after everything we’ve seen, I decided that we’ll take her at 3billion.” The man, I forgot his name, stated. This was more than I expected.

“Five billion’s our final offer.” The lady countered and I just kept quiet. Let them argue it out, is what my mother always said.

“Ten billion, final offer.” A voice rang from the door and we all turned to look at the generous buyer. I would have laughed at their wide eyes if I wasn’t sporting one myself.

“Alex darling, what are you doing?” I tried to sound surprised but I don’t think I could’ve hidden the anger from my face or voice.

“I want to buy her. I have a blank check here that I can write it for you but there’s only eleven billion and I need at least one billion to get away from this shenanigans. At least that’s what my boss wants.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. I didn’t know he had another employer.

“I’m afraid neither of us can afford such an amount.” They both shook their heads at me and I would’ve been mad at Alex if I hadn’t gotten a bright idea instead.

“How about I see cash first before I can finalize the deal?” I asked smugly, knowing that he wouldn’t have it but he merely smiled at me, that sneaky little thing.

“That’s fine by me, I knew you’d say something like that so I came prepared.” He replied smugly and I knew there was nothing I could do. At least I got the money.

He motioned for someone to come and I saw Chloe walk in with a briefcase that inside I assumed was my money. Alex tossed me a contract and asked