L. Marie Adeline- S.E.C.R.E.T

“Yes,” I said.
“Two, within the boundaries of complete safety and security and the guidance we oer
you, are you willing to take these Steps?”
I looked back down at the Steps. I wanted this. I really did. “Yes. I think so.”
“And three, Cassie Robichaud, do you accept me as your guide?”
“Yes. I do,” I said.
The room burst into more applause.
Matilda squeezed my hands in hers. “Cassie, I promise you that you’ll be safe, you’ll be
cared for, you’ll be cherished. You have total autonomy over your body and what you
want to do with it. You can decide how to proceed at all times. You will never be
coerced. That’s not to say you won’t be afraid, but that’s what we’re here for. What I’m
here for. Now I have one more thing to give you.”
She walked over to the console, above which hung the portrait of Carolina. She opened
the slender top drawer and carefully removed a small purple box. She carried it to me
like it was the most fragile thing on earth. But when she placed it in my hands, the box
felt surprisingly heavy.
“Open it. It’s for you.”
I lifted the velvet top, and under a downy bit of u lay a pale gold chain nestled in
silk. It was identical to the one everyone else in the room was wearing. But this was
only a bare chain—no charms were attached.
“It’s mine?”
Matilda lifted it out of the box and fastened it around my trembling wrist.
“For every Step you complete, Cassie, you will receive a gold charm from me
commemorating its completion. This will continue until you have received all nine
charms. The tenth charm comes after you make your choice to stay in S.E.C.R.E.T. or to
leave. Are you ready to begin your adventure?”
The bracelet made it all feel real, its very weight grounding me, making me conscious
of the magnitude of what had just occurred, and what was about to.
“I’m ready.”