chapter three

WITH my hands in my hips,I examined the dresses I've picked for the operation be-Cal's-social-shield.

"Yo motherfucker. What do ya think I should wear?"

Throwing the dresses to the boy lying in my bed and eating popcorn like it's his property,I snatched the bucket from him.

"I don't really care what you wear,you know. It's not like we're an item or anything."

"If that's the case, then please, kindly **** off Caleb Madison. I've got more important shit to do than play nanny for you."

"Okay, okay,I beg your forgiveness good miss." He made a show of kneeling at my feet,which made me grin.

"The black one looks okay. This should do."

Snatching the dress from his hand I kicked him off the bed and out the room.

"Wait for me at the car. Be there in a flash. And no peeking,weirdo!"

I slammed the door in his face and grinned as I rushed to change into it.

;)

It took us more than a few minutes to reach the house of scarlett, and by the time we did,the party was on full swing.

Or whatever that is.

Like most of the rich kids, Scarlett has a mansion. The party is held in the garden around it.

Like all the teenagers partying, they made a makeshift bar with boxes where beers are being distributed in red cups.

We could hear the music coming from somewhere, which indicates people are dancing.

I grinned as Cal grabbed my hand as we stepped into the crowd.

He hates chaos like these,I don't know why he decided to come here today though.

"Hey big boy, stop scowling at everyone around you. You wanna keep your rep,don't ya?"

Poking at his ribs,I pulled him into the crowd.

He muttered something, but didn't resist as I dragged him to where the drinks are.

Getting a little drunk would calm his nerves.

I grabbed two glasses of beers and offered him one,winking.

"I don't drink. And you know it,Evie."

The music has increased by a huge amount, so he had to scream to be heard over it.

I grinned and screamed back.

"I'll not be here always idiot. You need to learn to handle yourself."

And then something really strange happened.

I've always thought of Cal as a timid person, who needs to be taken care of. It's always been like this, I am his saviour,and he's my best friend.

But as we stood side by side in the crowded place, I noticed for the first time that we actually did change a lot in the meantime.

He's actually a good feet taller than me,and I have to crane my neck to look at him.

And he's pretty handsome too, I thought as I looked at the lights making shadows in his face.

"Um..do I have something in my face?"

I jumped as I realized I was daydreaming and shook my head vehemently at him.

"No,no. Let's go meet the main attraction of party."

I pointed to a direction where a lots of guys have huddled together, as if they're looking at some ancient attribute and was sure that scarlet must be there

"Don't you hate her? You don't have to.."

I shushed him by grabbing his hand as I dragged him towards the crowd.

As soon Scarlett saw Cal,her face lit up like a kid in candy store. And then she looked towards me, then at him again and a scowl replaced the smile.

I've always known that Scarlett likes Cal,and as of Cal,I don't think he realizes that.

I've got no personal grudge against the chick,but for some reason she doesn't seem to like me at all.

I know she considers me to be a love rival in conquering Cal,and I honestly never tried to fix the misconception.

I like challenges, and she has always been my rival,no Matter what it is.

But of course, I'm not a easy person too. We've never been in good terms with each other.

She glared at the direction of the guys surrounding her and said something, which made them run the other way round.

"I didn't know you were bringing your little friend with you. Otherwise I would have invited her."

I rolled my eyes at the well undistinguished lie as I grabbed Cal's forearm, knowing it would piss her off.

"Oh sorry. Am I being a disturbance? I can leave at once,if you want."

Smiling sweetly at her,I thought, game on bitch.

Knowing Cal would follow me everywhere is quite a good thing sometimes.

She smiled at me, which looked so fake I had to suppress the snort forcing it's way out and look away.

"It's not a problem at all! You're welcome here anytime. "

But I'm getting the wrong impression here,honey.

"I need to use the restrooms. Catch you guys later."

I winked at Cal,and thought, I love you man but I'm not foolish enough to make a lioness mad in her den.

Throwing another meaningful glance at Scarlett,I dashed into the crowd.

Perhaps, I am too good in playing with fire.

I leaned against one of the tree trunks and sighed heavily.

There seems to be not many people here,I can be here for sometime without getting nagged for not getting any invite and attending the party.

I was thinking what should I do when I heard it.

Someone was talking.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked all around myself but didnt found anyone.

"Come deeper...find us...we lie in the darkness...let it run loose."

I gasped as I looked in the direction the voice was coming from.

"Who...who are you?" My voice trembled as I stepped back.

"We're...nightmaresssssss."

I gulped,staring into the darkness as I stepped further away.

"You can't run. ..you can't hide."

"We're coming...for you."

It whispered,and I felt it deep into my bones.

What is happening? What am I hearing?why?

There was so many questions in my mind,I clutched my head as I stepped back.

I broke into a full sprint, I ran as fast as my legs would take me,I ran past the myriad of people,pushing them away as hardly as I could.

I didn't wait for them to scream at me.

Hell,I didn't even stop even when my feet started to bleed.

Am I going crazy?what in the hell is happening to me lately? First the dreams..then the restroom incident..and now voices.

There's no other explanation but I'm getting crazy or imagining things.

But it feels so real.

I wasn't really paying attention to where I was headed and to be honest, I was surprised when I gazed upon the willow tree.

Tentatively,I reached my hand out and touched it's bark.

Then,like a restrained dam of waterworks,I fell to the ground like I have no energy left.

"How long can you resist,little one? I'll break you little by little,slowly. I'll take my time tormenting you till you forget everything."

Then I felt a excruciating pain all over my body, it was almost I've been burnt alive.

"Feel the darkness. Feel the pain. Embrace it like it's a part of your body, child."

Stop it...stop it! Please stop!

I screamed as high as I could at the voice and the next thing I remember is heat..the smell of burning wood and stared horrified at the willow tree,now enveloped in a blue flame.

Then I lost consciousness.

;^)

When I reopened my eyes, I experienced an excruciating pain going through my whole body and had to close it again.

This feels too familiar.

With my eyes still closed,I tried to feel around myself and felt something soft against my fingers..

Bed. I'm in someone's bed...

This time I opened my eyes slowly and gazed at the black curtains of my room,still pulled tightly.

For a moment my mind was completely blank, and I wondered what the hell was happening before it all came rushing back to me...

The voices..the scream inside my head..everything.

A violent shiver ran down my spine as I gulped audibly.

What the **** is happening with me?

Am I going crazy? And how did I come here...I remember clearly, I passed out by the willow tree.

"Mistress finally woke up."

Hearing upon mom's voice, I jumped about a feet in the air.

Calm down,Evie. This doesn't suits you.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at mom's somewhat amused somewhat annoyed face and gave her a goofy smile.

"When did you come home?"

I whispered,as she sat by my side. Keeping my head on her shoulders,I smiled as she tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

"You were out cold all night. Didn't even notice me coming in."

And after that I received a flick in my forehead as she scolded me.

"And how can you be so reckless as to keep the door open all night? What if something happens to you?"

Now you have lost me..I thought as I looked at her.

Door open? I don't even remember coming home!

Cal must have brought me home yesterday. I don't know how he found me though.

"Go grab a shower. Breakfast is almost ready,don't you dare forget that you still have school."

I nodded my head at her as she closed the door in her way out.

I better thank Cal before I go shower.

Picking up my phone from the bedside table, I texted him in Facebook.

ME:Hey Cal.Thanks for carrying me home yesterday. I need to talk to you today.

CAL:What? What are you talking about, Evie? We didn't go out yesterday at all:/

Says what?

Frowning, I typed back at him.

ME:Stop messing around, Cal. We went to Scarlett's house yesterday..You were right there with me.

CAL:Girl..I'm really worried about you now. You didn't even leave your house yesterday. How can we go to Scarlett? I don't even like parties, remember?

As the second passed I started feeling more and more uncomfortable.

How is this possible? I remember it clear as light that I went out with him yesterday..

Tossing the phone on my bed, I went into shower feeling downright nauseated...

;^9

Standing in front of the bedside mirror, I frowned as I looked at the tiny scratches around my neck..

What the hell is this?

Wincing as I touched the bluish cuts,I thought, I'm pretty sure I didn't do this to myself.

I was wondering how in the hell did I get the scratches when I noticed something by the bed.

Holy shit,I thought as I stared at the dress I wore yesterday,now tattered into tiny pieces by the bed

A gasp left my lips as I stared at the dress..and suddenly,I noticed there was something poking out from the side.

what gives,I thought as I picked up the piece of paper. There was only one sentence written in it.

There are more than meets the eye.