Strangerville: Shadows in the Dust | A Manicpot8to LP

 Nothing in StrangerVille ever happens by accident. And Gloria? Well, she moves like the rules don't apply to her. Maybe that's what I like about her, what's scaring me. I told her Don't worry about the fire; it probably was just an accident but I lied.

Bo sat in silence, fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. Her thoughts were restless, moving faster than she could keep up. Gloria's last text echoed in her mind; light, casual, like they hadn't struck a match in her gut.  "They say it was the pizza oven, what do you think?" "Probably," she had answered while mentally chiding herself for lying. She didn't tell her that she was also suspicious about the timing of the fire, that bad things happened to those who asked too many questions, the wrong questions. No, instead, she parroted the official report, because it was easier.

She leaned back, the chair creaking beneath her as she stared up at nothing. How many times had she run this through in her head? Replayed what she could’ve said? What she should've said? Maybe if she’d stayed, they wouldn't have tried it... Maybe... She sighed.

Bo slumped in her chair, throwing her arms over her eyes, hoping, wishing it could block out more than just light. But her thoughts turned once again to Gloria. She couldn't explain this overwhelming need to keep her safe, she wasn't sure if she even still had a heart capable of loving. Not after last time.

There's a faint noise. Maybe the soft click of a lock? Footsteps? Bo's head snaps forward as she cranes her ear to listen. I'm not expecting anyone, she reasoned. She got to her feet quickly, even though she didn't hear the noise again. She shook her head wryly. "I'm probably just being paranoid." Before she could form the next thought, almost as if on cue, her phone buzzed...

Bo glances down. Unknown number. Again. She furrows her brows, part dread, part weary expectation. These calls have been happening a lot lately. Always late; never traceable. Still, she answers.

The voice on the other end was cocky, cold and coiled tight with threat. "Tell your little friend that she best mind the business that pays her...or else." His words sent a shiver down Bo's spine. A beat passed before he added with a cruel curl of amusement, "I'm being courteous here, you're welcome."

She jerked the phone from her ear. "Who is this?! Stop calling me!" But by the time she gets the words out, the line's already dead; just a blank screen staring back at her.

Bow lowered her phone and scoffed while shaking her head in disgust. Just another coward hiding behind a voice and a screen.

The tension had faded, but it left something behind; a heaviness that settled into the quiet. As Bo sank into her couch, thumb hovering over the phone, she reread Gloria's last message. A teasing acceptance about needing a new oven; it should make her smile, but she lingers. Because it wasn't the message, but the memory beneath it; all the things still left unsaid.

Her fingers paused, hesitation thick in the air, and then with purpose they began to move. "Glo... I have to tell you something. There's a lot I haven't said..." She stared at her words, thumbs twitching. No, it's too much. too soon. Backspace. She tried again. This time something...safer. "Yeah." Simple. She hits send. After she carefully set her phone down, almost as if she was afraid it would break under the weight of her secrets.

 Well, that's it then, she thought, arms crossed in quiet contemplation. She may get upset later, but I have to believe I made the right call. If she thinks it's just a faulty oven, maybe she won't dig; maybe it'll be enough to keep her safe.... For now, anyway. 

Because I know something's coming, and I don't think any of us are ready for it.

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget you can download Bo's house from the gallery: Bo's Home Base Download

You can view the video here for further immersion: Shadows in the Dust: Episode One