two
1286 Words
Abigail barely slept Friday night. Every time she closed her eyes, Brian's smile found its way into her thoughts.
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't come."
She buried her face in her pillow and groaned.
"What is wrong with me?"
She'd spent an entire year avoiding him, yet one invitation had reduced her to acting like a nervous teenager.
Morning sunlight streamed through her curtains, it was finally Saturday, the day of the party.
She stared at the ceiling for a long moment before finally dragging herself out of bed.
"...I'm probably not even going."
That was what she'd been telling herself since Brian handed her the invitation.
She walked over to the tiny wardrobe tucked into the corner of her apartment and pulled open the creaking door.
She had a few faded T-shirts, two pairs of jeans and three hoodies. There was nothing she could possibly wear to a birthday party at a millionaire's mansion.
She sighed.
"I knew it."
Her fingers paused on a garment hanging at the back and she slowly pulled it free.
It was a simple navy-blue dress she'd bought nearly two years ago after saving for months. She'd convinced herself she'd wear it for a special occasion and she had regretted buying it.
That occasion had never come until now.
She held it against herself and looked in the mirror.
"It'll have to do."
A shy smile tugged at her lips, jt wasn't designer or glamorous, butmt it was the nicest thing she owned.
She carefully laid it on the bed before opening a shoebox tucked beneath it.
Inside sat a pair of cream-colored heels she'd received as a graduation gift. They still looked brand new.
"I guess today is finally your day too."
By late afternoon, Abigail was dressed.
She'd borrowed a lipstick from Mrs. Doyle's daughter, her downstairs neighbour and spent almost fifteen minutes trying to apply it evenly. The result wasn't perfect, but it was good enough.
She looked at her reflection and the woman staring back almost didn't look like her.
Her dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders, the dress hugging her figure just enough to make her feel confident, and for once...
She didn't look like the exhausted girl constantly rushing between college and work.
"You look nice," she whispered to herself.
Then she laughed.
"I'm complimenting myself now."
Grabbing her small purse, she locked the apartment behind her.
"If it gets too awkward," she muttered while walking toward the bus stop, "I'll stay for ten minutes... congratulate him... then leave."
The journey was much longer than she'd expected.
One bus became two and two became three. by the time she reached the final stop, the sun had already begun to set.
She frowned at the address again.
"There has to be a mistake..."
There were no more buses heading toward the estate. With no other choice, she hailed a taxi.
Watching the fare climb higher and higher made her stomach twist.
She'd probably spend the next month making up for tonight.
When the taxi finally stopped, Abigail stared through the window.
"...Wow."
The mansion rose against the darkening sky like something from a movie.
She'd never imagined Brian lived somewhere like this.
For a brief moment, she considered asking the driver to turn around. People like him belonged in places like this, people like her didn't. But then she remembered his smile.
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't come."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out.
Her heels clicked softly against the stone pathway as she approached the front door.
She adjusted her purse strap for what felt like the hundredth time.
"You're already here," she whispered.
"No point running now."
She pressed the doorbell and almost immediately...the door opened.
Brian stood there wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
He smiled and it everything felt worth it.
"I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."
"I almost did," Abigail admitted with an embarrassed laugh.
His eyes drifted over her.
"You look beautiful."
Heat rushed into her cheeks.
"Th-thank you."
He stepped aside.
"Come in."
She walked past him, unable to stop smiling.
The smile vanished almost instantly when she was greeted with silence. There was no music or laughter or voices. She stopped walking.
The entrance hall was enormous...and completely empty.
No decorations, food or guests, not even a single chair.
Confusion crept across her face.
"...Where is everyone?"
Behind her... she heard the front door lock
Abigail slowly turned and saw that Brian was still smiling.
Only now...Something about that smile felt wrong.
"I thought..." she began carefully.
"You said there was a party."
"There was."
His voice remained calm.
"It brought you here."
A chill ran down her spine and her instincts screamed for her to run.
She forced a nervous laugh.
"This isn't funny."
"I know."
He took one step toward her.
"So stop pretending."
Every muscle in Abigail's body tensed.
"I think..."
She swallowed, hee hands slowly starting to tremble.
"I should leave."
She started to walk toward the door but brian moved and she didn't even see him cross the room.
One moment he was standing several feet away and the next... he was standing between her and the exit.
Abigail's blood turned cold.
"How..."
He tilted his head.
"You really don't know, do you?"
Her breathing quickened.
"What are you?"
His smile widened.
"I was wondering when you'd ask."
His eyes changed and the warm brown eyes she'd admired for a year faded into a brilliant red that seemed to glow beneath the lights.
His pupils narrowed into thin slits and Abigail stumbled backward.
"No...This...this isn't possible." She breathed out in a shaky voice..
"Oh, it's very possible."
He took another slow step.
"And you've made this much easier than I expected."
She backed away until her legs struck the staircase and there was nowhere else to go.
"You lied to me."
"I did."
"You invited me here...just to trap me?"
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
"I'm afraid so."
Abigail didn't wait another second, she turned and sprinted toward the nearest hallway.
Behind her came a low chuckle.
"You really think you can outrun me?"
She ignored him her eyes scanning around for a window, she just needed a window.
Her heart pounded as she raced through the mansion but every door she opened revealed another empty room. it was as if no one had ever lived there.
She reached the back entrance and found it locked.
"No..."
She fumbled with the handle but it wouldn't move.
A shadow fell over her and her heart dropped.
"You've always been smarter than the others."
Brian's voice came from directly behind her and she spun around. he stood only a few feet away now..
Impossible, ahe hadn't heard him or even seen him move.
Fear swallowed every coherent thought.
"What do you want from me?"
He studied her for a long moment.
"You."
Before she could react...he lunged at her.
Abigail screamed and ducked just as his hand slammed into the wall where her head had been.
The plaster cracked and her eyes widened, no normal person could do that.
She shoved him with all her strength and ran. abigail made it three steps when something struck the back of her neck.
Pain exploded through her body and she collapsed onto the polished floor.
Her vision blurred and through the haze, she saw Brian kneel beside her.
His red eyes looked almost... apologetic.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"I really hoped this wouldn't be necessary."
The room spun and darkness closed in from every side.
The last thing Abigail saw...was Brian lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Then everything went black.
- Writer
