This is my fourth entry, prompt provided by @mariannewest
Oliver would never admit that he was waiting for an invitation, some sign that he belonged. Still, he waited for the invitation to come. The signal showing that he still played a part. That he was valued.
He knew that he could not change anything, and nothing was in his control to get him closer to the center. But the payoff was high…or so it felt. The pull toward the inner circle kept building, consuming his thoughts.
He glanced out the window. What happened yesterday shook him up, interrupting his peace of mind. He desperately needed this validation. Why wouldn’t it come? It was clear that the others were meeting. What were they talking about? Was it about him? Were they planning his demise.
There he paved the trail trail of darkness, reinforcing it further. He knew better, but the truth didn’t matter. The prize to be included was…too valuable.
Pull back the curtain and he’d realize that no one was truly on the inside. The alleged members were also on shifting sand, adjusting tot he need of the moment, tethered to the toxic pull of a fleeting promise.