Page 60 of Mayhem

I quickly post a picture on social media- wanting to show off that life is better here, hoping Evan sees it- before turning my phone off and tossing it on my bed. This costume doesn’t leave room for storage, and I don’t want to bring a bag. I grab my I.D. and stuff it down my bra.

It’s fully dark now, and the party started a while ago. I link my arms with Evie, and we walk to her car. She turns on some music, and we sing a long while driving to the warehouse. It’s out on the outskirts of town, far away from everything.

It’s packed when we get to the warehouse. Evie and I walk over to the line. Guy's eyes focused on both of us as we walked by. In typical male fashion, they whistle and make provocative comments as, but we ignore them and make our way down the line. My mind goes back to the last party. Odin said we never have to wait in line, but the wait will help me prepare myself to see them again. Seeing them with Valerie still hurts, but I refuse to let it ruin my evening.

Evie points to Naomi and Grace in line, so we rush over to them. We haven’t spent much time with them lately. They have been off in their little world once they finally decided to stop fighting their feelings for each other and start dating. Naomi dressed up as a sexy Peter Pan and Grace as Tinkerbell.

We all start talking, catching up while the line steadily moves. When we finally enter the warehouse, my jaw drops. It doesn’t look like the same place it did the last time I was here. The place looks like a Spirit Halloween has thrown up in here. There is even fog along the ground. It’s so spooky in here. I know they go all out for their parties, but how do three teenage guys afford all this?

Like last time, music blaring through the speakers. Girls and guys are dry-humping each other on the dance floor. People doing all sorts of drugs in every corner of the room. People lined up at the bar, but I don’t see the same bartender as last time. Thank God, that guy creeped me out last time.

I look around, knowing the Kings have to be here somewhere. It’s like I can feel them watching me from wherever they are. I excuse myself from the girls and start walking around the open room. Most of the kids from school are here, but there are so many I don’t recognize either. Everyone here seems to be thoroughly high out of their minds.

I’ve seen a few club members scattered around with swarms of people around them. At first, I thought that they were talking until I got closer to a group and saw the little baggies exchanged between hands. I guess that makes sense as to why everyone is so intoxicated tonight. I recognize a couple of the dealers from when I had the misfortune of visiting the clubhouse earlier this month. One young guy I don’t remember seeing gives me a flirtatious wink and smile that makes my skin crawl.

I ignore him and push my way through the crowd. The further I go, the more rambunctious and wilder the crowd is. A few people bump into me. They all look the same, eyes glassy and empty. It's like they are no longer in control of their bodies. They don’t apologize or even say anything. They just keep moving like they don’t see anyone.

I finally make it through the crowd and back to my friends, who are still on the dance floor. I didn’t see the Kings on my little excursion. A little part of me was hoping to see Dante among the crowd. I mentioned to him yesterday that I would be here tonight. Then again, he could be here. There are enough guys who seem to be wearing masks.

Evie waves me over, and I join her, Naomi, and Grace on the dance floor. Grace hands me a red solo cup that I greedily ingest. I need some liquid courage to get through this night. The burn down my throat warms my body, and I can already feel a little looser.

I grab Evie’s hand, and we make our way to the middle of the dancefloor and start moving our bodies to the beat of the music. I don’t know what song they are playing, but I dance with everything I have. We all dance together, Noami and Grace close together. Eventually, they break away from the two of us, looking for some alone time together. I can’t help but smile as I watch them giggle and run off together. I look at Evie, and she is wearing the biggest smile. I can see how happy she is that her friends are finally together.

I yell loudly over the music that I am grabbing another drink. Evie nods and asks for another one before going back to dancing. I push through the crowd and walk over to the bar. I wait on the side for the bartender to notice me when someone taps on my shoulder. I turn around and come face to face with Batman. I tilt my head, confused about who this is, until he removes the mask. Dante. I jump into his arms and hug him. He holds me close and chuckles into my hair.

He doesn’t want to let me go but eventually puts me back on my feet. He puts his mask back on before anyone can see him. He signals for the bartender and orders a drink for us. I ask for a third, and the bartender nods his head.

I never expected Dante to come tonight. When I brought it up last night, he seemed hesitant about attending the party with me. He told me that he and the Kings don’t get along but didn’t elaborate on why. I tried to ask, but he changed the subject quickly. He asked what I was dressing up as, and I told him. Seeing him in a matching costume makes me feel butterflies. I can’t believe he went out this morning and bought a costume.

The smile doesn’t leave my face while I stand next to him. The bartender comes over with our drinks, and Dante pays for them. We walk back to the dancefloor where I last left Evie. He stands before me, pushing through the crowd so no one bumps into me.

Evie is in the same place I left her, but now she has some company. A guy dressed like a pirate is dancing against her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and her eyes locked on him. I bump into Dante and nod my head in a different direction. He nods, and we walk off to the side of the room. We stand beside a wall under a balcony and watch the party happen around us.

The quiet between us is comfortable.

“I can’t stay long,” Dante yells over the music. “I just wanted to see you again. I can’t stay away from you, pup. I needed to see you again and be next to you.” He steps closer to me and looks down at me. I can only see his lips, lips I want to kiss.

As if Dante can read my mind, he leans down and gently kisses my lips. Sparks start shooting through my body. I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss. He takes the lead and kisses me like it’s the last time we will ever kiss. His lips are soft but powerful against mine. His tongue caressed mine. A moan escapes my lips, and he growls in response. He pulls me as close to his body as he can. I wish I could feel his skin against mine, but his costume covers almost every inch of him.

He pulls away and stares longingly into my eyes. “I promise to continue this another day, but I need to leave now.” He kisses my lips one last time before walking away.

I watch as he disappears into the crowd, and he is gone.

I lean against the wall, catching my breath and steadying my wobbly legs. Who knew a kiss could make a girl that weak in the knees? I smile just thinking about it.

“Hey, pretty girl.” A strange voice calls out to me. I look over and see the club member who winked at me earlier. “What’s a girl like you doing all by yourself? It looks like you could use some company.”

I try to step away, but he grabs my arm tightly and pulls me into him. I try to push away from his chest, but he wraps his arms around my body and holds me still. He smells of weed and cheap alcohol. He leans over, running his nose up my neck and inhaling my scent. I wanted to scream, but no one would hear me over the music. I look around, hoping to find someone I know who can help me.

God, this is the one time I wish the Kings were around.

Midas

I knew the second she walked into the warehouse. It’s like I could feel her close to me. I have been sitting upstairs since the party started -not wanting to be here- watching and waiting to see if she would come tonight. Odin and Zeus have been sitting with me all night. Neither have been interested in our usual proclivities. They haven’t been drinking or smoking weed, unlike me. I feel almost shitfaced.

I needed the alcohol to deal with Valerie tonight. After I told her to get lost yesterday, she didn’t get the hint and has been following us around. I want her gone, but she keeps coming back, like herpes. She threw a massive fit when she saw I wasn’t wearing the stupid costume she wanted. I don't dress up, choosing to stay in my usual attire: jeans, a dark shirt, a leather jacket, and boots.

After a couple of hours of listening to Valerie whine and bitch about her costume being “ruined” because of me, I had to get someone to come escort- pick up and drag her- down to the main level. I couldn’t stand listening to her annoying voice anymore, and I was pretty sure Odin was two seconds away from stabbing her. Not that I would blame him.

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