Page 38 of The Fallen Ones

As we entered, the music hit me like a wave, crashing through the air and wrapping around me. A chill rushed through my body.

This was really happening.

The corridor led to a grand hall. It was lit by strobe lights cutting across bodies and illuminating others. I turned to Olivia. Her eyes were only visible as the rest of her face remained shielded behind her mask.

“This is insane.” I whispered into her ear.

I felt a wave of electricity race across my naked arms, sending a tingle across my neck and down my spine. My mind flickered between being on edge and excited. I could feel the euphoria of what was to come as I looked into the distance to see bodies dancing, clinking glasses, or making out with each other without even knowing who was behind what mask. A mix of chatter and lust filled the air as the bass of the music continued to beat in sync with the rhythm of my frantic heart.

“Come on. Let’s go further inside and dance,” she shouted over the music, grabbing my hand and leading me deeper into the room.

We weaved through clusters of people, the scent of alcohol, guys cologne, and sweet smelling perfumes worn by the girls mixed together.

We found a spot on the floor to dance. Overwhelmed, my body stiffened. I wasn’t used to crowds. I was so used to being alone or being with one or two friends at most. This was way out of my comfort zone.

“I need a drink.” I clutched Olivia’s hand and gave her a look of desperation.

“Hold on.” She took my hand and pulled me into her.

“Liv, I–” my voice was lost in the noise of the room.

A hostess carrying a tray of alcoholic shots approached us. Olivia instinctively retrieved two shots without hesitation.

“Here,” she said, handing one to me.

“What is it?” I asked, looking down at the pink liquid.

“Tequila Rose.”

Olivia gestured with her hand for me to drink. I watched as she threw hers back, swallowing the contents in one go.

I copied.

She took the empty glass from my hand and laughed as she placed them back on the hostesses tray.

“Good?” she asked and pulled me back closer to her.

I nodded. It was a creamy sweet flavor. Unfamiliar to me since I rarely ever drank alcohol.

“Now let’s dance. Just let go, Lily.”

A mass of bodies surrounded us. Everyone moved with the beat of the music. I slowly began to sway my hips and throw my hands up in front of me as I let the rhythm take over. It’d been a while since I’d been to a party, and I’d never been to anything quite like this before. Knowing what was to come later was never too far from my mind, but I knew I needed to relax. I knew this was just the start and the night was only just beginning.

I’d need more drinks before I was relaxed enough to dive in any further, so when more shots came around, I downed three to Olivia’s whoop of approval, her joining my binge.

The DJ called for the crowd to ‘get loud’ as he switched between tracks and increased the bass. The vibration of the music intensified as it tore through the crowded room and up through my heeled boots. Colorful lights continued to flash overhead, casting playful shadows on the walls. The lights fromthe carved pumpkins only added to the ambience. A silhouette of a trio of guys appeared to come and go on one side of the room with each flash of the strobe lighting. Intrigued, I spun around. My gaze landed on the trio who were almost as tall as the shadows they created. They stood taking space on one side of the room not mingling with any other guests. They wore skeleton masks with the mouth cut out and dark pants. Their bodies appeared to be completely covered in black paint. I could make out the outline of their defined torsos. They oozed an air of mystery, more so than other male guests who all seemed to be fully clothed.

Who were they?

They were certainly drawing attention from the girls at the party. I noticed I wasn’t the only one staring.

“I see you checking those guys out,” Olivia teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I grinned, nodded in agreement, and kept my focus firmly fixed on the masked trio.

They seemed to know one another by the close proximity the three of them shared, besides it was no coincidence that the three of them seemed to be wearing identical costumes.

What was it about a masked man that made him seem even more intriguing?

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