Page 25 of Deadmen's Captive

Kate grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “That must have been awful, and I’m so glad you’re getting to pursue your passion and finally make your own way. I just don’t want you to trap yourself in another box because you’re afraid. You’re my friend and there’s more to you than sitting at home every night. Besides, you can’t ditch Tristan now, you’ll humiliate him. ”

I smiled at her, knowing she had a good point, but I still felt unnerved at the idea of the ball.

“I’ll think about it,” I promised her.

"Thinking means yes. You're coming." Kate grinned.

"We'll see. Either way, we still need to find you a costume."

Kate looped her arm through mine, pulling me further into the labyrinth of costumes, and I let her, glad she’d dropped the question of me coming for now. We meandered through the aisles, fabric rustling softly under our fingertips. The air was thick with the musk of mothballs and aged leather. I flicked through one rack as Kate looked through another.

“I’m surprised your secret admirer hasn’t asked you to the ball already,” Kate said slyly, peeking at me between two costumes.

"Secret admirer?" I echoed, feeling a jolt of alarm at her words. I stopped searching the racks to stare at her. "What are you talking about?"

Kate laughed. "The guy who's been sending you those black roses. You've received, like, two huge bouquets at the dorm and a single stem every day in your art room."

I stared at her. “Who told you about the ones in the art room?”

Kate shrugged. “That assistant David mentioned it when I called by yesterday to meet you for lunch. I think he was angling to find out if you have a boyfriend. He didn’t look impressed that it was a secret admirer.”

My stomach churned at the mention of the roses and a prickling sensation crawled up my spine. "Those aren't from a secret admirer, Kate. They're creepy and weird, and I think they're meant to freak me out."

“Really? Cause they are beautiful and they look expensive. It’s really romantic when you think about it.”

I fingered the edge of a black plastic vampire cape "Kate, I don't think it's sweet or romantic. It feels more like a sick joke."

"Come on, Paige," Kate scoffed, rifling through a rack of witch hats. "Who would want to scare you? You're the least offensive person at Blackvellyn."

"That's why it's so weird. These roses, the single ones in the art room... It's like someone is taunting me."

"Taunting?"

"Watching," I corrected. "There’s been a few times, when I’ve walked home from the art room, it’s felt like someone was watching me, following me.”

“That guy with the skull mask?”

I nodded. “I’ve seen him a couple of times, but I’ve seen others in that costume around campus too, and I don’t know… it might be a coincidence. I just… it made me feel unsafe. it’s why I started leaving before sunset."

"Paige, that's... yeah, creepy. But you think it's the guy buying you expensive flowers that’s the one following you? Not Tristan? Does he ever leave a note?"

“It’s not Tristan,” I said. “He sent me flowers the other day, and he sent me sunflowers. I don’t know if they’re the same person, it just feels like too much of a coincidence,” I said, pulling out a Wonderwoman costume. “How about this? This is sexy?”

Kate shook her head. “Closer, but not dark enough. Think Morticia or Elvira or some kind of dark goddess that will consume your soul.”

I shook my head, grinning. “You’re twisted, but ok.” I put the costume back on the rail. “The roses don’t come with notes, but I have had letters… oh, here… dark goddess?” I held up a slinky black number with a slit up one side and Kate’s eyes lit up.

“Could be! Let’s go try it on, then we’ll find one for you.”

I rolled my eyes and followed her over to the changing rooms. I sat on the single chair outside, leaning back and closing my eyes as she pulled the pink curtain across.

“So, tell me about these letters,” Kate called through the curtain.

I sat up and glanced over at where the shop owner was bustling about restocking. There were several empty looking racks, and I assumed many students had come through already, getting their costumes in plenty of time for the ball tonight. Kate had left it till the last minute as usual, but in fairness, she was hot and could make a bin bag look sexy.

I sighed. “They come every couple of days, slid under the door at night. I find them in the morning when I head out for breakfast.”

“Oh, that is creepy! He’s actually hand delivering them? Standing outside our bedroom doors while we’re sleeping and… urgh. You have to tell someone Paige.”

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