Page 9 of Deadmen's Captive

My thoughts drifted back to the man on the dance floor, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. His words echoed in my head, "She's mine." It was an absurd notion, this stranger claiming me as his own. And yet...the thought was oddly appealing. With a smile, I clinked my glass against hers and took a deep gulp of the cold drink.

As the girls chatted, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. His low voice, his strong arms around me, and the smell of his cologne were burned into my memory. I thought about the way my skin had seemed to burn where he touched me, and I found myself imagining what might have happened if he hadn’t been the perfect gentleman and his hands had wandered. I felt myself growing warm at the thought, and took a long sip of my drink, smiling to myself as my thoughts grew more indecent.

“Paige, you alright?'' Amy's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was eying me with a look of concern.

''Yeah," I replied, blushing as if she could read my mind. "I'm okay, thanks."

“Paige had an encounter with a Reaper tonight,” said Kate. The other girls looked at her, then looked at me.

“You're kidding!” declared Amy.

Kate shook her head. “One followed her back to the dorm from the art department. Skull mask and everything.”

“Creepy!” declared Amy, while Vanessa shook her head, looking serious.

“What did you do to get mixed up with them?” she asked. “Were you asking questions?”

“No! I’d never heard of them before Kate told me about them,” I insisted.

“You must have done something,” pressed Vanessa. “Reapers don’t bother with other students for any good reason. You should stay away from them.”

"That's not entirely true, Ven," said Amy. "This time of year they follow loads of girls around. Right up to Halloween." She turned back to me. "I wouldn't worry, Paige. But Ven's right, I'd stay away from them if you can."

“I intend to,” I said, downing the rest of my drink. “But what’s with all the cloak and dagger stuff? Are they really that bad? I thought they were just a bunch of rich trust fund boys with nothing better to do.”

Vanessa looked over at Kate, then back at me and shook her head. "They're not just trust fund boys, Paige," she stated gravely. "They're much worse than that."

I frowned, her words sending unease creeping up my spine. I pushed it away, forcing a small laugh.

"Come on Vanessa, they can't be that bad. They're students here like us."

"No," she snapped, her face serious. "You don't get it, Paige. These aren't just any students. They're dangerous...and powerful. This isn't some fraternity or social club. These guys are the sons of powerful men who control the country, men who think they can play God with other people's lives."

Amy nodded. “I heard that people who cross them end up dead. There’s always students going missing from Blackvellyn, but it’s always hushed up.”

“Why doesn’t anyone go to the police?” I asked.

Kate shrugged. “With what evidence? Besides, the police are in their daddies’ pockets.They never even get arrested.”

I thought back to how the night watchman at the dorm had reacted when I’d mentioned the skull mask, and I found myself believing her.

There was a pause as my friends looked at each other, their expressions sombre. As the laughter and chatter around us continued, I felt as if we were in some sort of eerie bubble. The reality of what they were telling me was sinking in and it made me shiver. Suddenly, the fun party atmosphere felt threatening, like there were predators lurking in the shadows, their eyes on unsuspecting prey.

"But how do you know all this?" I asked.

Vanessa shrugged a little. "We hear things," she said cryptically. "Just... be careful Paige. Girls go missing here in Blackvellyn. I have a friend on the paper and she’s told me six disappeared last year and one has already gone missing this year. She was looking into it, but got threatening letters telling her to back off. She’s terrified for her life now, and is trying to transfer out.”

“So I should just live in fear?" I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

"You should be smart," advised Vanessa. “It’s all part of living in Blackvellyn. They say the Reapers rule the university. Have connections to every corner of it, from faculty to security. You just need to learn to navigate it. Keep your head down and don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong.”

“And avoid Reapers if you can,” Amy chimed in with a shudder. “They’re ok on their own, but if the club sets its sights on you they’re like a pack of rabid wolves.”

I was quiet for a moment, letting the information sink in. The fun, carefree atmosphere of the party suddenly felt like a dangerous illusion masked by intoxication and loud music. A chill ran down my spine as I thought about my encounter with the masked man. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very small and very vulnerable.

“I think I need some fresh air,” I blurted out, pushing away from the bar. The girls exchanged worried glances, but I ignored them and their protests, I pushed through the crowd towards the exit and burst out into the cool night air.

The stars above seemed unnaturally bright compared to the gloom inside the bar. Taking deep breaths, I tried to steady myself as my head swam. I’d definitely had way too much to drink. I winced as a police car raced past, and then another, screeching to a stop a couple of blocks down. Uniformed officers got out of the car, three of them heading down one of the side alleys where a few dark figures were standing. A few moments later, an ambulance joined them, the blue lights flashing, lighting up the old buildings as if we were still inside the club.

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