SHADOW OF DECEPTION

and half asleep holding my blanket up as a weapon."What the..." I muttered, blowing a piece of hair that had fallen into my mouth.Another scream pierced the house, wakin

oom to come help. That's it.""I wanted to take a shower this morning, part of my early morning routine and guess what I saw?" She turns to Ethan. "There was a snake, sitting pretty right in my bathtub. I'm just stuck here imagining what would have happened if I didn't switch on the light." I watched her all through her little narration, noting her body language and posture.Oh, she was good. She was really good.Every little act or gesture was carefully curated to show how scared she was and garner the sympathy of people around, especially Ethan but I refused to be bullied."And you think that I planted it to scare you?""I know you did because I saw you."A laugh burst out of me involuntarily. "Oh, really?""You might deceive everyone with your little Miss Sunshine personality but I see through you." She walked up to me, studying my eyes and I studied hers. All I saw was a big, black ball of nothingness. "You want me gone but your childish tricks won't scare me. I'm a Walker, and I'm made of stronger stuff." She glares at Ethan. "Aren't you going to say anything?!""Candace, is what Trish saying true?" "Do you really believe this woman?" I scoffed, raking a hand through my hair. "How the fuck am I supposed to gain entrance into your room?"Once a thief, always a thief." She singsongs."Trish, enough!" Ethan says curtly. His eyes were imploring me to talk, but I couldn't say what he wanted me to, simply because I didn't do it. Her mission here became obvious.If she couldn't send me out of the house, then the next best thing was to turn Ethan against me, thereby forcing me out."Candace, you can trust me okay? Just tell me the truth."I stared at him,