章 70: Have a taste

She suddenly forgot about every strange thing he said as the desire to have a taste of that fruit overwhelmed her.

"There is no more meaning to life. Why keep living when your joy has been stolen? What's there to live for? Absolutely nothing. This will give you peace. Just one bite and all your worries will be forgotten." Zuri continued to urge her to take it, and his words sounded to Ellie as nothing but the truth. 

She no longer saw an apple. Instead, she saw an answer to her deepest prayers. A way out of the misery she found herself. 

And so in response, she moved to collect the apple. But just before her hand could touch it, Zuri withdrew it and extended a different apple which appeared on his left palm.

Ellie looked back at him in bafflement. She almost wanted to scold him for withdrawing what he offered, and possibly, make him give it back. But he spoke before she could utter a word.