Page 124 of The Last Session

“Sol—let me go!” Couldn’t Jonah see? Why wasn’t he helping me?

But instead, Jonah gripped my other arm, even more tightly than Sol. My entire body went cold as if dunked in ice water. Now Jonah looked straight ahead, ignoring me.

No. This wasn’t happening. Jonah wasn’t—

“It’s okay, Thea.” Sol sounded faintly irritated, like I was killing the vibe. “Just cool it.”

My voice returned. “Stop!” I tried to pull away, but they were both too strong, their fingers pressing deep into my flesh. It felt like something was unraveling, the solidity of Jonah, of who he was to me, disintegrating into dust.

“Please,” I cried, now desperately trying to wrench out of their grip. The more I struggled, the harder they clamped. Terror filled my body with energy; I felt like I could detach my arms, leave them behind.

“I wish you’d skipped this session.” Finally, Jonah was looking at me. His eyes looked dull and tired. “We could’ve had one more night.”

I gaped at him, speechless once again.

“Aww, that’s sweet.” Sol chuckled. “And I agree. She’s a partier. Who knows what shenanigans we could’ve gotten into?”

“Would you both shut the fuck up?” Moon stood by Grace, an arm around her shoulder. “This is a very important ceremony.”

“Help me!” I turned my pleas to the rest of the group. But Catherine was sobbing into her hands, and Grace was staring determinedly at the ground. “Someone, please, help!”

“Thea!” Moon’s voice was sharp. “You’ll have your time tomorrow. Could you please give Grace the attention she deserves?”

In response, I screamed. It did nothing; Sol and Jonah continued to grip me as if I were a piece of furniture they had to secure in place. I screamed again, unable to stop, the horror bubbling up my throat.

“For fuck’s sake.” Moon bent to pick up a scarf she’d originally unwound from around the incense bowl. Though I pressed my lips together, she managed to stuff it into my mouth.

“Itoldyou we should have the zip ties ready.” Sol’s voice was cold.

“I didn’t realize she’d act this way.” Moon gave me a pointed look, then turned. “Grace, you ready?”

“Yes.” Grace ran her hand over Catherine’s head, petting her. “It’s okay, Cath. I’ve been manipulating people my whole life. This is my chance to make it right.” She approached me, her wide blue eyes determined. “It’s an honor to open the portal for you, Thea. Thank you for your sacrifice.” She touched my shoulder, then turned and walked towards the hole where the rocky wall met the ground. Moon followed, holding a lantern aloft.

I yelled, the scarf muffling my words. I struggled anew, no longer feeling the bright pain from Sol and Jonah’s grip. I knew then what was going to happen. What I should’ve known all along.

Grace walked carefully to the edge, her back to us. The slurping sounds seemed to get louder, as if straining to suck her in.

“Grace, stop! No!”My yells came out as garbled moans, a weird and inconsequential soundtrack to the proceedings.

Grace looked back, somber and scared. But then her eyes trained on someone—Sol, right next to me—and a rapturous smile pulled at her lips.

“No!”

She turned back and jumped. Catherine shrieked once, the piercing crack echoing around the chamber. The crown of Grace’s head was the last to disappear: a flash of tangerine, and she was gone.

49

We all stood there for a moment, silent and still. The hole’s burbles sounded merry, like it was pleased to have been fed.

“Well.” Moon’s voice was subdued. “That’s that.”

Catherine sank to her knees, sobbing quietly.

“I know it’s hard.” Moon smiled bravely, rubbing her back.

My mind was blank, my body rigid.

Every atom in my body screamed at me:THINK!