Chapter 5 #2
My best friend’s enthusiasm is addicting and I allow her to drag me through the house. Bodies from all angles shove into me and the room, filled with coloured strobe lights from the music system quickly turns into a hazy blur. It’s safe to say the vodka has hit my system like a ton of bricks.
The moment we reach the garden, I inhale the cold air and allow it to settle on my heated skin.
Stars fill the night sky like a blanket covered in glitter but I’m only allowed to appreciate it for a moment before Chloe drags me further across the garden towards a group of people who are laughing and joking around with each other.
One guy shouts from the group with a drink in one hand and a smoking joint in the other. “Yo, Chloe! Who you got there?”
His hazy eyes behind the devil facepaint glare into my soul and unease washes over my body. I can practically feel his slimy stare trailing over my too exposed skin.
“This is my bestie, Alina! She’s a lil shy, so be nice.”
Chloe pulls me into the group and I quickly tangle my fingers together to give me something to focus on.
Each set of eyes from the group trail over me and I immediately feel the need to run away, to hide away with.
. Ethan. A girl from the group quickly offers me a drink that looks like it belongs in a chemical factory.
It’s bright green, bubbles popping and fizzing at the surface.
“Here, you look like you need a drink!” She shouts over the loud music with a glint in her eye.
I take the cup from her and bring the mysterious liquid to my lips, a sharp smell of apple and lemonade tickles my nose as I gulp down the drink, sweet and sour coats my throat as I dredge the cup.
Once I’ve finished, a burst of laughter breaks out around me and embarrassment has me darting my eyes around the group, trying to pinpoint what they’re all laughing at.
The guy from before inhales a large drag from the joint before blowing a thick cloud of smoke my way.
“Christ girl, you’re one thirsty nun.” I try to shun off the awkward feeling and plaster a fake smile on my face, all the while I’m more than ready to go home.
I don’t fit in with these people and maybe this was just a massive mistake.
“Wanna try some?” The guy in the devil facepaint offers the joint to me and I swallow the thick ball that’s lodged inside my throat, fighting with myself on what I should do.
I’m desperate to feel included by people, to have a real group of friends and the last thing I want to do is look like a pussy by declining his offer.
Chloe shoves my shoulder playfully then tips her head towards the smoking joint. “C’mon babe, try it! You’ll love it I promise.” Her eyes shine under the garden light and she quickly runs the back of her hand under her nose to wipe something away, something that I definitely didn’t see before.
Feeling pressured but also wanting to do this, I take the joint from the guy’s outstretched hand and bring it to my lips and inhale.
Thick smoke swirls around inside of me, mingling with my lungs and immediately I choke on the disgusting taste.
I cough and splutter, causing the group to break into another fit of laughter at my demise but I’m quickly pulled into a hug from the guy who offered me the joint.
“Maybe less of a deeper inhale next time, yeah? Seems like you’re not the innocent nun afterall.”
He smells expensive and fresh, and I can’t stop my mind from imaging Ethan in his place. Soft hands, unlike my brother’s run over my hips and down towards my ass, giving it a firm squeeze and I yelp at the sharp pain.
“Easy babe, just relax. It’s all good.” He murmurs into my ear and I nod, refusing to make even more of a fool of myself. He continues to travel the expanse of my ass, groping and kneading the flesh in his hand, all the while I can feel myself getting dizzier, my limbs suddenly feeling like jelly.
What’s happening to me?
Where is Ethan?
Maybe I’ve just had too much to drink.
“I.. I don’t feel too good.” I murmur against his chest but it feels like no one can hear me, like my voice is barely a whisper.
I try to pull away when a deafening crash explodes through the house.
Immediately people start screaming and crying, and it’s enough to quickly sober me up and release myself from this man’s hold.
People flood out of the back door and into the garden, all of them covered in blood. Wounds as deep as rivers cover their bodies and amongst it all stands a guy, covered head to toe in black clothing, skull makeup covering his face and a bloodied baseball bat hanging in his grasp.
I freeze on the spot. Unable to move my feet. Fear locking me in place.
“My dear, little Alina. You didn’t think you could run away from me that easily did you? That I’d just let you go? I told you I’d kill everyone who looked at you in this outfit and I meant it. Now I’m gonna claim what’s rightfully mine.”
Ethan..
My brother is here and he’s battered all these people.
Tears spring in my eyes and without even thinking I will my legs to move and sprint across the garden, somehow dodging Ethan’s advances and straight into the house where people groan and wail in pain on the floor.
Thick blood covers the open space and the whole scene resembles a massacre.
Ethan’s heavy boots seem to shake the ground with every step he takes and I sprint up the stairs, hearing him call out behind me.
“I’m coming for you, little sister. Ready or not.”