Push through the pain

You ignore the churning of your stomach and smile at him. "So how do you know Erika?"

"Social media." Daniel replies, turning and looking out among the crowd. "I imagine that's how she knows all these people as well."

You shake your head. "More than half of these people are Clarices friends."

Daniel nods slowly. "Interesting. Clarice has many friends."

"Well, I think most of them are here for the brownie points so she'll invite them to Bali or wherever she goes next." You admit. "Its kinda sad, but what's the difference if you can pay them to pretend they like you."

Daniel glances at you, a smirk on his face. "What do you do for a living?"

You hesitate. "I work at Erikas family restaurant."

Daniel nods. "That's awesome. Do you live around here?"

You shake your head. "I do not. What about you what do you do for a living?"

Daniel pauses, staring at your a long time. "I... work on the railroads."

"The railroads?"

"Yea. The railroads. You've heard the song. Iiiiii've been working on the railroad-"

"Okay stop." You look around as Daniel sings, jumping and swinging his arms. "You're gonna get fired from the railroads if they see you doing that."

Daniel laughs and stops dancing. "We do that on the tracks everyday."

"Liar." You shake your head, doubting that Daniel has ever worked on the rails. "What do you really do?"

Daniel hesitates, tilting his head as he looks at you. "What do you mean?"

"I mean what do you actually do? I know you don't-" You're cut off by a few loud pops and screams from the front yard. You and Daniel look quickly toward the wide open front door. People running inside, hands over their heads disrupt the party and Daniel lifts his shirt, revealing a gun tucked into his waistband.

"Stay behind me!" He commands, backing toward you, pulling the gun out of his pants as the popping noises get closer. People fall in the doorway.

"What's going on?" You demand, fear flooding your body and freezing you in place.

"We're under attack." Daniel tells you. "We have to find Erika."

Hide

Go with Daniel to find Erika