Blood and Silver: First Bite

The Woods

Abigail and Hannah arrived at the party, and there were already a few people standing around and talking. Music was playing in the background, and some of the guys had started filling up the bonfire pit with logs to get it going. It would take a couple of hours for the sun to go down and for the party to really get started. Most people arrived fashionably late, but the beginnings of Hannah’s parties were always a good time to talk talk to everyone, and a few of the guys always liked to use the tyre swing by the lake to launch themselves into the icy water.

The driver of the limo was one of Mr Tate’s trusted employers (or as Hannah always called him, his henchman), and he was entrusted to get the bonfire going before he left for the evening.

‘Harrison, is there enough wood?’ Hannah asked, worried that her perfect evening would not be complete without an epic bonfire.

‘Of course Miss Tate. You enjoy yourself, I have everything under control and you will have the biggest and best bonfire yet!’

Harrison had been digging the bonfire pit bigger for days, and had he not had a soft spot for Hannah, he might be annoyed by her demands.

Hannah dragged Abigail to all of the little groups, playing hostess and offering food and drink to everyone they saw.

‘Where is everyone?’ Hannah asked Abigail, worriedly looking around.

‘Han, you do this every year. They will be here, everyone gets here later. It will be epic, just enjoy yourself!’ Abigail said. ‘Let’s go and get something to drink.’

They made their way inside and each got themselves a bottle of coke. Mr Tate wouldn’t give them alcohol, but Hannah had organised with some friends with older siblings that they would bring the drinks after Harrison had left.

They went back outside and found a log to sit on, near the bonfire. Harrison had made quick work of getting it a decent size in a short amount of time.

‘I’ll tend to the fire for another half hour, and then it will be up to you kids to add some more wood every now and then to keep it going.’ He looked at the young guys standing around.

‘I’m counting on you boys. And no funny business, I don’t want to be getting calls about dumbasses setting themselves alight!’. They group of teenaged boys that he was addressing nodded their heads in agreement. Harrison was a commanding figure whose mere presence demanded respect.

More people had arrived at the party, and as promised, Tessa’s older brother Jared had brought a small group of friends with him.

He greeted the girls, and leaned over to Hannah, giving her a peck on the cheek.

Abigail’s eyes widened, and Hannah had a slight flush to her cheeks.

‘Happy Birthday Princess.’ Jared said, handing Hannah a small gift bag. ‘These are my buddies Mike, Tyler, Kyle and Rob. We invited our whole dorm and they said they’d get here around 9.’

Hannah thanked him, and gleefully squealed. Abigail pulled her aside.

‘Um, what was that? A kiss and a present. And “Princess”??? What’s going on Hannah!’ She asked.

Hannah chuckled. ‘Absolutely nothing babe, you know I’d tell you if there was something.’

‘I really don’t believe you, I know you’ve had a crush on Jared since we were like ten.’ Abigail said in a joking accusatory tone.

‘Serious Abs, I wish there was something. I might’ve slipped to Tessa that I think her brother is hot. But this is as much a surprise to me as it is to you. A very nice surprise!’

Abigail smiled at her friend. Hannah’s birthday bash was off to a great start, maybe she’d find herself a nice college boy too? Jared’s friends were quite good looking, but she didn’t get the butterflies in her stomach that she hoped she’d get when finding a guy she liked.

Chapter 11

As the night went on, more and more people arrived. By 9:30, there were over 100 people hanging around. The music got louder, the bonfire got bigger, and Hannah was in her element.

Jared walked over, took Hannah by the hand and lead her towards a secluded spot in the woods. Hannah looked back at Abigail and gave her a wide eyed grin, and Abigail returned the smile with a thumbs up.

Abigail found herself alone, so walked over to the ice bucket and fished out a bottle of cider. A couple of the college guys came over and spoke to her for a bit, but left pretty soon when they realised she wasn’t interested. She took off her jacket, getting hot in front of the fire, and laid it on the log beside her. She sat sipping her drink and scrolling through her phone for a while, and when she tilted the bottle to take her last sip, she looked around and noticed that the party had died down. A few people had left, others had snuck off into the cover of the woods to hook up, the music was quieter, and the fire was dying down.

There were still a few little groups dotted around the area, but for the most part, Abigail was quite alone. She got up and walked around, looking for Hannah. She was nowhere to be seen. Thinking she might be inside, Abigail headed inside the cabin and took a look around. There were empty bottles tiny around and most of the food was gone. A few couples had taken over the sofas, and Jared’s friend was sitting on another sofa taking hits from a makeshift bong, telling stories of college life to the eager teenage girls sitting around him.

‘Have you seen Jared and Hannah?’ She asked him. Mike stared at her blankly, which she took as a no. She couldn’t believe that they were still in the woods, it must have been hours since she saw them sneaking off. Hannah was too inexperienced to go all the way, and Abigail started to worry.

She went back outside and headed towards the area she saw them heading in. ‘Hannah?’ She called out. ‘Jared, Hannah, where are you?’ She called again.

She continued walking, calling out their names as she went. She heard a noise to her left, and switched on her cellphone torch. ‘Hey!’ Shouted the topless girl in the light, crossing her arms in front of her chest. ‘A little privacy?’ She said, annoyed, while the guy next to her gave Abigail a stern ‘get lost’ look.

Abigail continued to walk for what felt like forever. She was tired and a little bit tipsy, and her concern over Hannah’s safety was making her paranoid.

She heard the crack of a twig in front of her, and shone her torch. Two eyes reflecting red blurred past her, and she suddenly felt afraid.

‘Hello?’ She cried out, her voice faltering. ‘Who’s there?’

She took a step forward and felt her leg slip under her, as the ground made an unexpected dip down a steep embankment.

‘f**k!’ She cried out. She felt instant pain in her ankle, and knew that it was twisted.

She managed to pull herself up but was almost immediately knocked down by something large, warm and furry. She felt a pain in her shoulder, and everything went black as she slipped into unconsciousness.