We exited our AutoCar Deluxe outside Joshua's parents' mansion, and I realised that Eric had been wise spending the extra money on a luxurious car, seeing the number of expensive vehicles parked outside the premises. I saw a group of girls, dressed in short dresses and laden in heavy makeup, entering the party before us. They were all giggling and seemed to be excited. After all, they had been invited to the exclusive 18 years birthday celebration of Joshua Harkins, whose dad was one of the richest men in Sydney. It didn't impress me much.
Excessive wealth only led to corruption, and while I was confident that I could become abundantly wealthy, should I put my mind to it, I didn't really see how it would make me a happier person. I had a good life in my modest apartment, living with Mum and John. Adding 500 square metres of living area and three servants to our lifestyle wouldn't do anything to improve our circumstances, quite the opposite. Owning a mansion, we would isolate ourselves in different parts of the house and rarely speak to each other.
We walked past the security guard and realised that Joshua's parents hadn't spared any expense on getting the party as lavish as possible. There were hundreds of guests, and plenty of waiting staff had been hired to look after our needs.
Joshua spotted us and walked up to me. He spoke confidently, "Welcome to my house, Sabina. You look smashing tonight. How do you like the party?"
"It looks great. Both Eric and I, are thrilled to be here." I replied with faked enthusiasm.
I noticed that Joshua's face twisted for a brief moment, he clearly didn't like that I mentioned Eric. Shortly afterwards, his confident manner returned, and ignoring Eric's existence, he spoke to me again, "Would you like a glass of Dom Perignon?" Eric wore a posh smile, imagining that name-dropping champagne that was selling for several hundred dollars a bottle, would impress me.
After a short pause, I replied, "No, I would prefer a cuppa tea, Earl Grey if possible. But I am sure Eric would be thrilled to taste Dom Perignon."
Hearing that I preferred a cup of tea, over a very dear French champagne, surprised Joshua, and he seemed a bit lost for words.
Eventually, Joshua replied, "Are you really asking for a cup of tea, on an 18-year coming-of-age party, Sabina?"
I ignored his sarcastic question and responded with, "Yes, I am not interested in drinking alcohol. Thanks for offering, though."
Josh looked dumbfounded, but eventually, he gave in. He called a waiter and spoke, "A glass of Dom Perignon for me, a cup of Earl Grey for the breathtaking lady, and a bottle of Daft beer for Eric. I reckon the beer matches his socioeconomic status."
I gave Joshua a short stare for his comment about Eric, but he ignored it. Instead, he spoke again, "I must leave you, for now, as I need to attend the other guests. Please attend my speech a bit later."
"Sure thing." I replied casually.
When Josh had left, I turned to Eric and spoke. "What a dick that guy is, mocking us like that!"
Eric shrugged his shoulders. "Well, on the bright side, I do prefer beer." Eric looked at me with a puzzled expression. "But, Sabina, you do drink alcohol. We celebrated your birthday last month, and I saw you drinking?"
"I know, but I am not here to lecture people on the danger of drugs and psychoactive substances. Sometimes a white lie can be useful." I replied
After we received our beverages, we set out to find Lindsey and her friends. As we found Lindsey, I walked up to her, and gently grabbed her hand. I looked her in the eyes, and spoke, "Hi Lindsey, Eric is here, and he is very excited to see you."
At first, Lindsey gave me a surprised look. But when she saw Eric, she burst out into full excitement, hugged him and said, "Hi, Eric! I am so excited to see you tonight, we are going to have such a great night."
Eric's face turned red from a mixture of happiness and shyness, and he was astonished at what he heard. But Eric found himself quickly, and soon they were involved in an exciting conversation. They seemed to have very good chemistry. I excused myself and walked off from the group. While I was excited over helping my half-brother, I was also ashamed about using my powers to influence Lindsey's mind. I was certain that they would make a great and loving couple, but was it really my place to decide what would happen in other people's lives?
I was interrupted from my philosophical thoughts when Joshua approached me, noticeably drunk. "Sabina, I need to talk to you," he said.
"I am all ears," I replied.
Joshua leaned in towards me, and whispered into my ear, "I need to talk to you in private. It's important."
I studied Josh. I could sense his carnal desire for me. Although he could have practically any other girl at the party, he was obsessed about the one who had rejected him, i.e. me. I feared what might happen to Josh if I followed him to a private room, and I had to defend myself against him. Then I realised, that my preconceptions against Joshua might be blurring my judgement, and he deserved a chance to talk to me in private. After all, he had invited me to his party, a favour I hadn't extended him, when I turned 18. The least I could do was to let him talk. After a period of silence, I spoke. "Okay, Joshua. Lead the way."
I followed Joshua to a room, and I got unnerved when he closed the door after we got in and blocked the doorway with his body. Did he intend to rape me? Regardless, I would have to try as hard as I could, to avoid anybody getting hurt. Joshua gave me a menacing look and spoke, "I don't understand why you keep rejecting me, Sabina. Everyone else thinks that I am a great catch! I just find you so mysteriously enchanting, I'm crazy about you."
I looked at him and replied with a calm voice, "Well, then I suggest you find someone that you like, and take her out, as I'm not interested in you like that."
"But why do you keep rejecting me?" Josh hissed.
"Well, if you have to know. I am not looking for a partner right now, and even if I were, I wouldn't find us compatible. Now please let me leave, you are making me uncomfortable."
Josh looked at me, with evil eyes, full of desire and self-hatred. I had seen the same eyes before. The eyes of Dov Dorevitch, an enemy in my former life. "No!" Josh exclaimed. "I will have you tonight, whether you want me or not. You'd better make yourself ready, Sabina!"
In my former life, as the saintly prodigy-child Sabina, I would have been filled with grief for failing to purify Joshua's soul. But, that version of me, failed in the end, being torn to shreds by the demon Rangda, for being too naïve and good-hearted.
I had learnt my lesson. I would give Joshua one more chance to repent and save himself. Otherwise, he was solely responsible for what would happen next. "Are you frecking kidding me, Joshua? You just threatened to rape me. Step aside and leave me alone or you'll regret it!"
At first, it seemed like my outburst had worked. Joshua was confused and didn't know what to say. Sadly, the darkness soon returned to his eyes, and he said with a chilling voice, "I will have you tonight Sabina. I will be the one to take your virginity, and there is nothing you can do about it."
Having said this, Joshua jumped at me, and pinned me to the bed. I realised that there was no way I could fight him with my physical body. Joshua was, after all, a very fit and strong athlete, and physically I was just your average girl. I grabbed Joshua's arm as he was trying to pull off my pants. I stared defiantly into his eyes and spoke with a commanding voice, "Joshua Harkins: By the power bestowed upon me by the True Maker, I command you, to let go of evil and repent for your sins!"
The effect was instantaneous: The darkness and the desire to dominate had left Joshua's face, and the guy who was crying on the floor next to me, would almost have been pitiful, if he wasn't so explosive and unpredictable.
Most evil people won't just let go of evil. They might refrain from doing evil deeds out of fear for being punished, but the desire to harm others will always be with them. After leaving the room, I heard an anguished roar, followed by a loud sound of shattered glass. Joshua, in shock and conflicted from the forced influx of light, had broken a mirror, and turned to self-harm, or at least I assumed so, from the terrifying noises that came from the room.
I had to alert Joshua's parents. I ran up to Joshua's dad and shouted out, "Mr Harkins! Josh has lost his mind. You must help him. He is in his bedroom." I didn't stay to check their reactions; my body was shaky from the occurrence. I had to get home, meditate, and find my balance.
On my way out of the building, Eric spotted me, and noticed that something was wrong. "Sabina, are you okay? What happened?" Eric said.
"Josh … he tried to rape me …" I sobbed.
"Oh my god, I don't know what to say. Should I call the cops?" Eric replied with a concerned frown on his face.
"No. That won't be necessary. Josh is a lot worse off than I am." I replied calmly.
"What? What did you do to the bastard?" Eric asked in amazement.
"I didn't do anything. Joshua's conscience got hold of him, realising what he was about to do. I reckon he went insane and turned to self-harm, but I don't know the specifics as I ran away," I replied.
In the distance, I could hear the ambulance approaching, as I walked away from the house. Eric walked after me and spoke. "Where are you going, Sabina?"
"I am going home," I replied.
"I am coming with you. To keep you safe," Eric replied.
"But what about Lindsey?" I asked
"If Lindsey doesn't appreciate that I have to get you home safely, then she is not the right one for me," Eric replied with conviction.
"Thank you," I said as we entered the approaching AutoCar that would take me back to my cosy two-bedroom apartment in Maroubra.