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MAGGIE'S POV

As I stare at myself in the mirror, a disconcerting feeling creeps up the back of my neck because I don't recognize the girl staring back at me.

Sure, I still look like Maggie Brumfield, the once sweet and innocent girl who had morals and proudly stood up for what she believed in. But, on the inside, everything has changed. Morals be damned. Maggie 2.0 is a selfish and ruthless bitch who honestly deserves whatever is coming for her.

Knowing what all is at stake, I've gotten better at ignoring my conscience. 

I have another date with Samuel tonight. I'm going to ask him his thoughts on the lore surrounding Brinton Forest, and if all goes well, I'll have successfully convinced him to do the ritual. Laudon will come to take his soul as a replacement for mine, and then I'll finally be done with Hell and its black-eyed demons. Good fucking riddance.

"You look gorgeous, honey. What's the occasion?" My mother stops by the bathroom door to assess me, smiling in approval.

"I have a hot date with your favorite front desk employee," I speak slowly while struggling with my liquid eyeliner. "And in case you need me to be more specific, I'm talking about Sam."

"Oh! That's such lovely news! He's a sweet boy, and so hardworking. I'm glad you two made a connection." She steps inside to give me a quick peck on the cheek. "Have fun tonight, baby girl. And I know you're grown, but try not to stay out too late. It's a lot of crazies out there."

I snort a laugh. "I already know."  

Twenty minutes later, I'm done up from head to toe.

I don't know why I feel the need to go above and beyond for Samuel when he's made it clear that he likes me for me, not me solely for my looks. Maybe it's my subconscious acting out, wanting me to look my best and play my part well. That's all that this is—a big, fraudulent show. And I'm the unlucky star.

"Ew." Gregg mutters from the sofa after I make it downstairs. I flip him the bird, knowing he's just teasing me. "Who are you going to see dressed like that? And do I know him?"

"To quote an old classic, the best of business in the line of business is to mind your business." I laugh when he gives me a puzzled look. "Wow. Your musical palette needs a serious upgrade."

"I actually prefer listening to music from this era, so I'm all good."

"Whatever, baby brother. I don't have to explain myself to you. It isn't like you ever tell me anything about the girls you're dating."

"So you have a date tonight? Damn, that's all you had to say." Gregg laughs, shaking his head. "And for the record, I don't date. I'm allergic to all things monogamy." 

"You're such a dog." I give him a playful swat on the back of the head before going to answer the front door. Standing on the other side is my insanely attractive date for the evening. "Hi."

"Hey, beautiful. Ready to go?"

"So ready."

Gregg, wanting to get the last word in, yells at us before I can walk out the door. "Have her back before midnight, and there better not be no freaky-deaky business happening on the first date!"

"This is our second date, thank you very much!" I slam the door shut and grab Samuel by the hand, dragging him back to his car. We laugh while getting inside. "I'm sorry about my brother. Please don't pay him any mind."

"It's cool. I'd act the same way if I had a sister." Samuel takes off down the road, not giving me any hints about where we're going because he claims it's a surprise. "Growing up, my parents worked a lot, and it was pretty lonely being an only child. I always longed for a brother or sister."

Oh, God. The more that I get to know this man, the more disgusted I become with myself.

I had no idea Samuel was an only child. I remember how bad it hurt when I lost my grandmother a few years back, and I can only imagine how awful it'd feel to lose a child. Fuck. If only the Carpenter's knew what I was up to right now...  

"What about you?" Samuel asks. "Do you have a big family? Any other siblings?"

I force myself to smile to keep my inner feelings of self-hatred from showing. "No, I don't have a big family. It's just me, my annoying little brother, and my parents. No pets, either."

"Ah, I gotcha there. My folks have a boxer named Roscoe. He's older now, but still hype as shit. I'll have to introduce you to him sometime."

"I'd like that."

I wonder if Roscoe would be able to sniff out the fake bitch in me.

"Are you really not going to tell me where we're going?" I ask after he makes a turn to drive us up into the hills. "Because this is giving serial killer vibes."

"Damn. Not serial killer vibes." Samuel laughs. "You're cracking jokes while I'm trying to be all romantic and shit. I'm so hurt right now."

"Aww! You're even cuter when you pout." I reach over to pinch his cheek, giving him a genuine smile this time around. It scares me to see how well we get along. If only the circumstances were different, I know for a fact that he'd make an excellent boyfriend.

"The spot is just up this hill," Samuel adds a few minutes later. "I hope you like it."

We eventually arrive at a familiar location that I remember my mother had once told me a story about. The spot is a large vacant hill that overlooks our town. The old folks apparently used to call it 'baby-making hill,' and it's where my mother and father had their first kiss. I had no idea this place still existed, let alone that kids my age still came up here.

"How do you know about this place?" I ask Samuel after getting out of the car. I follow him around to the trunk and after seeing what's inside, my heart flutters rapidly. "We're having a picnic? Oh my God, this is seriously the cutest thing ever! I love it already."

"Do you really?" he asks sheepishly, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I may or may not have gotten help from my mom regarding second date ideas. She told me about this spot and... I-I know you and I are still getting to know one another, but I thought you'd like it. Then again, I didn't want to assume that this was something you'd enjoy because—"

I cut him off by giving him a quick kiss on the lips, and although I can't see it, I can most definitely feel the sparks that are flying all over the place.

"I love it, Sam. Truly. This is perfect."

"Oh. T-Thanks."

I help him set everything up on the ground, occasionally giggling like a flustered teen that's out on their first date because he really outdid himself. We have the big comfy blanket, the food, the drinks, the scenery... It's the perfect second date and I don't deserve any of this. None of it at all. But, selfishly, I'm going to enjoy myself and pretend for a little while that the universe isn't against us.

"If you don't text me this recipe before the night is over, there will be no third date." I finish eating my third melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie that his mother made, reflexively scooting closer to him on the blanket. "I'm kidding but not really." 

"She won't even tell me the recipe and I'm her son." Samuel laughs, passing me a bottle of water. "But, for you, I'll see what I can do."

"Much appreciated." I wink at him.

We do things a bit backward by eating the dessert first and the sandwiches second, mostly thanks to me being impatient about wanting to try the cookies. Samuel is easy to be around and even easier to talk to, now that we've got our nerves somewhat under control. The longer that we're out here, the harder I pray that I find another replacement to take my spot in Hell.

As tough as I'm trying to be, I just don't think I'll be able to sacrifice Samuel when the time comes.

"Can I tell you something silly?" I ask after we switch topics and begin talking about how boring our town is. "You have to promise not to laugh."

"I promise." He smiles instead.

"You've heard of the rumors surrounding Brinton Forest, right?"

"Yeah. How you can supposedly summon the devil if you complete some crazy ass ritual?"

I nod. "Well, about that..."

"No way! Don't tell me you went out there and tried that shit?"

I nod again. "It was for a dare, and it obviously didn't work because I'm still here. But... I was just curious about how much you believed in the hype, and if you'd ever try it."

"Absolutely the fuck not," Samuel immediately replies. "I'm not saying I do or don't believe, but I am saying you'll never catch my black ass out there calling for Satan."

"Not even if money was involved? What if someone bet you $1,000?"

"My soul is priceless," he speaks softly, suddenly looking serious. "No amount of money would make me want to gamble with something so precious."

Laudon was right.

I've made things harder for myself by not only befriending Samuel, but dating him. I'm in too deep. This is a mess that I can no longer clean up. Time is winding down and the days are ticking by; Laudon has yet to receive a replacement soul. Hell is unforgiving and I'd rather not be the cause behind my town self-destructing, which is the unfortunate side effect of that stupid half-completed ritual. 

Samuel was meant to be the answer to my prayers. He was meant to be the sacrifice, the one who'd keep my friends and family alive if only I turned him over to Laudon. But my feelings have changed, and now... now I'm not so sure what to do.

Laudon was right, and I should have fucking listened.

. . .