Page 37 of The Fallen Ones

It was the first time for both of us.

“How do I look?” I asked zipping up my long red high heeled boots before sliding my masquerade style mask down over my eyes.

“You look incredible, Lil.” She passed me my red devil horns. “Don’t forget these.”

I took them from her and placed them on top of my head. I felt silly for a second before I caught a glimpse of myself in Olivia’s bedroom mirror. A realization that no one knew who I was beneath my costume gave me a sense of confidence I’d yearned for. It was freedom. Relief. It made me feel like anything was possible.

“I can do this.” I breathed slowly before turning to Olivia.

“Let me just fix our lipstick and we’re good to go.” She reached over to the red lipstick sitting on her vanity and applied it across my lips after lining them in a slightly darker shade. Taking a pink shade, she applied it to hers before smacking her lips together.

“Look at us. I’m the angel this time around, and you’re the devil of the night.” She looked at me and laughed.

“We best take a cab over there. My parents would kill me if we drank and got behind the wheel.” She pulled up the app to order a cab on her cell.

“Yeah,” I managed to reply, but that familiar feeling of no longer having my mother felt like a punch in the gut.

“Sorry.” She looked at me with sadness in her eyes.

I forced a smile onto my face, not wanting ugly memories to dampen the night.

“Don’t forget this.” I passed her the angel halo to clip into her hair.

“Heaven forbid.” She giggled, making me smile.

Heaven forbid, indeed.

Laughter surroundedus as we made our way across the parking lot. We were soon met by the sight of Satan’s Hollow. My heart raced with anticipation as I pulled at my short dress nervously. The steps leading up to the arched doorway was flanked by two guys in dark jackets and masks, who stood with their arms crossed, exuding a mix of authority and casual confidence. We soon joined the line of entrants.

I bit my lip and found myself searching for a reason to leave. While I did feel so free, I was also still me, and I was terrified about all of this.

We surged forward a little. The words ‘Welcome to Satan’s Hollow’ became clearly visible on a plaque next to the door.

I turned to see Olivia adjusting her bra and pushing her breasts into the perfect position, a wide grin on her face.

“I’m feeling nervous, again.” I admitted as I fought the continuous urge to run away.

“Tonight is about letting go. It’s about leavingyoubehind and being whoever you want to be,” she replied with her usual enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Nothing ever scared Olivia. I envied that about her and wished I could find a way to live a little more dangerously. I knew tonight was my chance to do just that. I just wished Caleb were here to hold my hand.

“Be a devil, Lil,” she finished, adjusting her white mask.

I glanced around again. There was no way to know who was who. Everyone wore a mask or costume that had a way of covering their faces.

It was our turn to enter within minutes. The guards eyed us up and down behind their masks.

“Tokens, ladies.” One held out his hand.

I’d been so anxious I’d forgotten where I’d put it until I finally fished it out of the front of my dress and anxiously handed it to Olivia instead. It was a vibrant metal coin emblazoned with the Satan’s Hollow design of a skull with horns.

Olivia grinned as she handed him both tokens.

The second guy at the door reached out and handed us each a colored bracelet.

“For the rooms,” he said gruffly before backing away.

“Enjoy the night, ladies,” the other guy said, stepping aside to let us through. “Masks remain on. Removal of them means removal of you. No exceptions.”

“Right,” I muttered, holding my head high like I did this sort of thing all the time. We stepped into the mansion, the cool night air left behind us.

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