Chapter 1

"You better come to this party"

"I will"

"Are you sure?"

"Ugh... yes I'm sure"

"If you don't come i will never talk to you again ever ever ever ever"

"Haha... i will, Now hang up"

Anita dropped the phone on the coffee table beside her bed. She sits up and stretches to embrace the new day, knowing she has a party she has to attend later that day.

She starts to think of how she would sneak out of the house that late at night without alarming her roommates.

Anita shrieked from the sound of her alarm, groaning and stretching as she prepared to start her day.

It was a Monday, and Anita was not exactly thrilled about facing the work week. But, she knew she had to get up and get going. She dragged herself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom, where she stood under the shower, letting the hot water wash away her sluggishness.

As she dressed and fixed her hair, Anita wondered what the day would hold. Would it be the same old routine, or would something new and exciting happen?

Anita stepped out of the front door, locking it behind her.

The early morning air was still cool and crisp, and she pulled her jacket close around her. She set off down the street, turning the corner and heading toward her flower shop.

The streets were still quiet at this hour, and she walked in a contented daze.

But as she reached the corner of Main Street, something caught her eye.

It was a poster advertising the masquerade ball she was going to attend later that night. Her excitement grew

The morning was slow at the flower shop, but Anita didn't mind.

She enjoyed the quiet time to herself, organizing the shelves and tending to the plants.

As she worked, her mind kept wandering to the party she was going to attend that night. She'd been looking forward to it all week.

It was a masquerade ball, and she'd spent hours trying to find the perfect costume. She was excited to see what everyone else would be wearing.

She was also excited to see the man she's been crushing on, Jack. He was a mysterious and charming figure, and she was eager to spend time with him.

After a long and productive day at the flower shop, It was closing time.

She headed home, carrying her bag full of leftover flower arrangements.

She was happy to have had a good day, and was ready to wind down with a relaxing evening.

But as she showered and changed, she found herself getting excited about the masquerade ball.

She thought about the beautiful costume she'd found, and imagined what it would be like to meet Jack there. She decided she would go, even if she was tired.

Anita had just stepped out of the refreshing shower, feeling the droplets of water cascading down her body.

As she wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, her phone rang, indicating an incoming call from her dear friend, Hannah.

With her body still damp, Anita hesitated to answer, knowing the potential danger of using electronic devices while wet.

Instead, she swiftly typed a response, her fingers dancing across the screen, "I'll be there, don't worry." The message was sent, carrying her assurance to Hannah, while Anita continued to dry off and prepare for their upcoming rendezvous.

....

Anita's heart raced with anticipation as she stepped out of the car, her friend Patrick bidding her farewell with a warm smile. Dressed in her meticulously crafted "Wife of Frankenstein" costume, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness knotting in her stomach. As she approached Hannah's house, the sound of music and laughter spilled out into the night, signaling the vibrant energy of the youthful gathering within.

With a deep breath, Anita pushed open the door, stepping into a whirlwind of exuberance. The room was alive with the vibrant energy of young souls, dancing, laughing, and reveling in the moment. The beats of the music pulsed through her veins, matching the rhythm of her racing heart.

She navigated through the crowd, catching glimpses of familiar faces and new acquaintances, all adorned in their own imaginative and elaborate costumes. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and liberation.

Anita couldn't help but smile as she immersed herself in the festivities, allowing the music to guide her movements on the dance floor. The night was young, and she was ready to embrace the magic and thrill of this unforgettable party, where youth and exuberance converged in a symphony of celebration.

She looked around, searching for John but couldn't see him anywhere. Her excitement was killed when she heard John couldn't make it to the party.

As the night wore on, the party atmosphere became infused with the intoxicating effects of alcohol, and Anita found herself swept up in the revelry. Despite the warnings from her parents to avoid getting drunk in the middle of the night, the allure of the moment proved too strong to resist.

In her tipsy state, Anita's gaze wandered across the room, taking in the merriment and laughter that filled the air. However, amidst the chaos and excitement, her eyes fell upon a figure seated quietly at the back of the party. The man exuded an aura of coldness and vigilance, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

The hair cascaded over his face, obscuring his features, but it was his eyes that caught her attention. A fiery shade of red, they glowed like molten lava, piercing through the thick curtain of black strands.

A shiver ran down Anita's spine as the man turned and locked eyes with her. The icy intensity in his gaze sent a chill through her heart, causing her to quickly avert her eyes. Something about his presence stirred a sense of unease within her.

Feeling the urgent need to relieve herself, Anita approached Hannah, her trusted friend, and whispered a request for directions to the bathroom. With Hannah's guidance, she made her way through the bustling crowd, her mind still haunted by the encounter with the enigmatic man.

As she entered the bathroom, Anita couldn't help but wonder about the stranger and the secrets that seemed to linger in his piercing gaze. Little did she know that this encounter would be the catalyst for a series of events that would test her courage and unravel a mystery she never could have anticipated.