Everyone Has A Secret - The Final Ending: Everyone Has A Secret - 3 Book Series, #3

By TIFFANY ROYSTER

"We pulled into the police station and he shut his car off. Looking back at me, he sighed, "I truly am sorry about this. I want to believe you're innocent, Sophie." Then he got out of the car and came to my door to let me out. He led me by my arm to the front door and we walked in. There were police officers everywhere. Sitting at their desks either talking on the phone, typing on their computers, or speaking to regular citizens."

Sophie and Elenore are now back together and happier than ever. Or so they thought. The girls have a darkness in them. With a promise made to the very demon who controls them both, Aka Manah, they must find three souls for him in order to keep their lives. Otherwise theirs will be lost forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TIFFANY ROYSTER
• Release date: Jan 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201786908

TIFFANY ROYSTER

Tiffany Royster was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Writing has always been her passion ever since she was a little girl. “Everyone Has A Secret” is her first self-published book in 2019, which is part of a series. Tiffany resides in Loves Park with her family. You can find her author Facebook page by searching Tiffany Royster – Self Published Author.

Book preview

Everyone

Has A Secret

The Final Ending

This book is dedicated to everyone who loved this series

and made it to the end.

CHAPTER ONE

Sophie, I have missed you. Those words played over and over in my head, like a record on repeat. Was I really hearing this? Was she here? I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut as hard as I could. Clenching my fists, gritting my teeth, I let myself drown in all the sounds of nature. Feeling as though I was floating in mid-air, not wanting to come back down.

Sophie? I heard her speak. Eyes still closed, I questioned myself if I was in a dream. One that I never wanted to wake up from. This cannot be real. She cannot really be here. As much as I wanted it, as much as I hoped for it. I was utterly terrified to open my eyes. Believing that once I do, Elenore wouldn’t be here anymore. The thought of losing her again was something that my fragile heart and mind couldn’t take.

Then I felt arms around me, warm and loving. I sank into the arms and let myself become fully engulfed. Tears started to fall and then came crashing down like a rainstorm. My breath was labored, as though an unseen force was in complete control. The arms rubbed my back slowly, bringing peace to me every second. Finally, it all felt like it was going to be okay again.

Pulling away from the arms, I opened my eyes, Elenore? Is it really you? I had tears in my eyes. Head pounding and throat sore.

She placed my face in her hands and gave me the most adoring look, It’s really me, Sophie.

Elenore! I yelled in happiness and threw my hands around her, nearly knocking her over. I can’t believe you’re here!

She laughed, Of course, I’m here silly.

You don’t know how long I have waited for this. I was still crying.

Sophie, I would never leave you. Elenore replied softly.

But you did! And it hurt!

I know, baby. I know. I will never leave your side again.

Where, I paused, nearly forgetting about Josette, where did Jos go?

She’s with Aka Manah now. Elenore paused. You finally did it.

‘What’s he going to do with her?"

Well, she looked down at her feet, that is all up to him now.

How are you feeling? Do you feel any different?

Elenore examined her new body. Looking at her fingertips. Every strand of hair. Each inch of her hips and waist. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. She twirled around and watched as though the wind picked her hair up, making it dance. Suddenly she stopped and looked at me, I love it.

I hugged her tightly, never wanting to let her go. Though she was standing in front of me, literally here and back, I felt like it wasn’t real. Elenore giggled and broke free from my hold. She kissed me on my forehead, voice strained, Leaving you behind was the hardest thing I have ever done.

I love you, Elenore. I always have. Forcing a smile on my face.

That love is why I am here with you today. We have a lot of catching up to do. And you must show me around this place. You are living good!

Hand in hand, I showed her around the property. Some of the decorations from the Halloween party were still up. She found the skeleton in the boat rather humorous. Touching the fake hands hanging high up in the trees, she stopped for a moment. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and smiled.

Elenore turned around, Sophie?

I touched the same fake hand she was holding, What’s up?

There is something you need to know, she was hesitating, about my return.

Where was she going with this? I was so thrilled to have her back that I hadn’t even thought about the consequences. Aka Manah never did anything without wanting something in return. He made deals and always held his part of the bargain, if you held yours. That was how this all worked.

Let’s go inside and talk about it. Whatever we must do we will. I refuse to lose you again, Elenore.

We made our way inside, Elenore taking a spot at the kitchen table while I grabbed her a glass of water. Handing it to her, I attempted to mutter what had been running through my mind, What does he want?

Elenore held the glass tightly in both hands and never took her eyes off me, He wants another soul, Sophie. Not just one. He wants three.

Three? I was confused at the number. Why three?

I don’t know. But if he doesn’t get what he wants, you know what he is capable of.

Where the hell am I going to get three souls?

You were able to bring me back. We can do anything.

This was true. If I can resurrect my dead friend, I can find three souls for Aka Manah to take control over. Almost forgetting about my classmates, I got an idea. Elenore could always tell when something was up with me. Even now that hasn’t changed, Okay, spit it out. She spoke.

I know where we can get them. The souls. For Aka Manah.

I knew you had a plan. Never doubted you once.

We spent the next several hours catching up. Her soul was off with the dark side, afraid of sinking farther and farther into oblivion. Everything around her was pitch black and she could hear screams. Rotting flesh seared up into her nose, bringing her to her knees. The worst imaginable hell you could muster up, she was trapped in it.

I told her all about the investigation with Kingsley. How the police believe that I had something to do with it. Which I did, but they don’t need to know that. She learned all about Josette and our friendship. I could sense some jealously coming from Elenore. Jere came up a few times in our conversation. Though, she was more interested in these girls that I had met.

Tell me about your new friends. Elenore sipped from her water.

Ariella, Samira, and Lilith are their names.

Hmm, she paused, interesting.

There’s one more thing, El. I had almost forgotten about Josette’s girlfriend, Maya. Josette has a girlfriend. Well, I mean you do.

Elenore grew excited and shifted in her seat, Ohh, I’ve never dated a girl before. She leaned in, Tell me all about her.

I gave Elenore all information I could imagine. She seemed intrigued with the fact that she would be trying something so foreign.

I bet she’s a better kisser than Silas. Elenore joked.

Silas is a joke. Same as Kingsley. Let’s forget about them.

I’ve been gone for so long. And we have a lot of catching up to do. I want to meet all these people.

Do you think they will notice something different about you?

I’ll just tell them that with the death of my mother, I have changed. Maybe had memory lapse.

A smile crept up on my face, That could actually work.

Great! I’m starving. I’ll find something to make us, and you call the girls. Game night baby! Elenore jumped out of her seat and started rummaging through all the cupboards. I found my cell phone and dialed Lilith’s number first. She sounded excited that Josette, or should I say Elenore, was finally back to her old self. Lilith said that she would gather the other girls and head right over.

Elenore? What are you doing in there? I turned around to see that she had almost every piece of food we had, sitting on the counter and table.

I’m hungry. She stated matter of factly.

Clearly. I tried holding back laughter, Could you find something and put the rest away before it rots?

There was a hard and fast knock at the door, followed by whooping and hollering. The girls had arrived and were more than ready to get the party started. I yelled from the couch for the girls to let themselves in. Lilith barged in, wine bottles in each hand. Samira had board games piled up to her chin. Ariella held a boombox bigger than her head.

Elenore poured us all a glass of wine and handed each person one. She sat with her legs crossed, admiring the beauty of those in front of her. I wondered what she was thinking at this very moment. Before I could come up with anything, she broke my thoughts, Let’s play a game!

Ohh, I like games. I brought tons. Ariella getting all worked up.

Not that kind of game. Elenore stated mysteriously.

I looked over at her, wondering what she was up to. Ariella looked completely stumped. Lilith appeared to be intrigued, What did you have in mind?

Red Door Yellow Door. Elenore spoke.

How do you play that? Samira sounded puzzled.

Here, I’ll show you. Get in a circle.

We all got off the couch and gathered around on the floor. Samira volunteered to go first. She laid down on the floor and closed her eyes.

Elenore placed her hands on Samira’s temples and gently rubbed them in a circular motion. She spoke softly, Clear your mind of all thoughts. Imagine a dark room. There’s a red door to your left and a yellow door to your right.

Samira’s body sunk into the floor, flattening out. Elenore continued to speak to her, Which door do you choose?

Red door. Samira whispered.

Go through the door. Elenore said. What do you see?

A girl. A little girl.

What is the little girl doing?

Rocking in a chair. I can’t see her.

Walk towards the girl.

I’m scared.

There’s nothing to be scared of Samira. Walk towards the girl.

She’s singing. Samira muttered.

What is she singing?

I’m not sure. Samira paused. A lullaby.

What is the words Samira?

I can’t make it out.

You have to try. Elenore was still rubbing Samira’s temples, walking her through the game.

Samira began to sob, It’s so sad. She’s sad.

Why is the little girl sad?

She lost her mommy.

Where is the girl’s mommy?

She’s crying. The little girl is crying. I can’t see her face.

Walk closer to the little girl.

It’s so dark in here. Samira was lost. I can’t seem to reach her.

Keep going. Elenore rubbed Samira’s temples more.

No! Samira screamed in between sobs. I want to get away!

What’s happening? Elenore asked.

Her face. She couldn’t stop sobbing.

What about her face, Samira?

It’s gone! She has no face!

This game was freaking me the hell out. I could feel Samira’s terror trembling through her body. What kind of screwed up game was this? Ever since I have known Elenore, we had never played this