THE PUZZLE

COSTUME PARTY NIGHT

(Weeks later)

Ashley laid on Peach's bed.

"You've made it an habit of lying on my bed". Peach stated.

" It's more comfy. Mine is as hard as a rock". Ashley commented pointing at her bed.

" What will you wear for the costume party?". Ashley asked.

" Don't have any in mind. Still debating on it".

Ashley's eyes sparkled with excitement as she sat up, her mind already racing with ideas. "Don't worry, I've got you covered! We can brainstorm something together. What kind of theme are you in the mood for? Historical, fantasy, or something more modern? ".

Peach shrugged, grateful for Ashley's help and Ashley continued, " I was thinking of going as a Victorian-era vampire. What do you think? " She battled her eyelashes, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

Peach couldn't help but laugh at Ashley's antics.

"You'd make a great vampire, but I'm not sure what I'd go as".

Ashley's face lit up with inspiration. "I've got it! We can go as a pair of characters from that new fantasy novel that just came out. You can be the brave warrior princess, and I'll be the dark sorceress".

Peach's eyes widened as Ashley began to describe the costumes and accessories and giggled together, Peach felt grateful for their friendship and the excitement that Ashley always brought into her life.

Just then, Ashley's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. "Hey, what's this?" Ashley asked, showing the phone to Peach. Peach's eyes scanned the message, and her expression turned serious. "It's from the school's anonymous tip line. It says 'Be careful, something big is coming to Jazielly Academy'"

" Someone is trying to scare us in preparation for the costume party". Ashley said giggling.

" Are you sure? ". Peach asked.

" Yeah, we've seen that a lot of times in movies. Don't take it too far Peach, we would be okay". Ashley assured Peach. She knew Peach wasn't the scared type, but she felt like giving an encouragement.

"We should make an entrance scene. The one that will keep the school's gaze on us". Ashley suggested.

" Would that be cool? ".

Ashley chuckled and gave Peach's hair a pat.

" Extremely cool. It will make us the hero of the night". Ashley said.

★

As the sun set on Jazielly Academy, the students gathered in the grand hall for the highly anticipated costume party. The room was transformed into a magical realm, with twinkling lights, fog machines and a DJ spinning enchanting tunes.

Ashley and Peach made a stunning entrance with Ashley dressed as the dark sorceress, "Malicia", and Peach as the brave warrior princess, "Elyria". Their costumes were elaborate and intricate, with Ashley's black gown and Peach's shimmering armor drawing admiring glances from the other students.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and the lights flicker. A loud, ominous voice boomed from the shadows, "Welcome, students of Jazielly Academy, to the night of fantasy"

The students cheered and clapped. As the applause died down, the ominous voice spoke again. "Tonight, the boundaries between reality and fantasy will be blur. The ordinary will become extraordinary, and the impossible will become possible. But be warned, students, not a fantasies are sweet, and not all dreams are pleasant".

The lights flickered once more, and the room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The students looked around in wonder, their eyes adjusting to the new lighting. Suddenly, the walls of the academy's great Hall began to transform. Bookshelves turned into towering trees, and the stone floor became a soft, green meadow.

"Woooow". The students gasped.

In the center of the room, a magnificent stage appeared, adorned with glittering curtains and a backdrop of stars. The students gasped in amazement as a procession of fantastical creatures emerged from the shadows. There were faeries with delicate wings, tall, stately unicorns, and even a magnificent dragon with scales that shimmered like diamonds. The students cheered and clapped again, their excitement and wonder palpable. They knew that this was going to be a night to remember, a night that would stay in their forever. And as they watched, the creatures began to take places on the stage, ready to begin the night festivities.

"You are really on the lookout for vampires". Ashley said to Cohen as he came their way.

" Hey Ashley, love your costume". Cohen commented.

Cohen is dressed as a Victorian-era vampire hunter, complete with a long, black coat and a crimson lining, a crisp white shirt, and a black top hat adorned with a silver pin in the shape of a cross.

He wears a pair of black gloves and carries a sturdy wooden stake at his side, giving him a dashing and adventurous air.

Ashley still beaming with excitement from Cohen's compliment, smiled warmly at him. "Thanks, Cohen. You look pretty dashing yourself. I love the vampire hunter costume".

Peach, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up, her voice filled with amusement. "I think Cohen's costume is a perfect match for your dark sorceress get up, Ashley. You two make a great pair".

Cohen chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think Peach might be on to something there, Ashley. We could be the dynamic duo of the night".

As they joked and laughed together, the music began to swell, and the fantastical creatures on stage launched into a dazzling display of magic and wonder. The students watched, entranced, as the creatures danced and performed, their costumes shimmering and shining under the bright lights.

But as the night wore on, Ashley began to feel a strange, tingling sensation in the air. It was as if the boundaries between reality and fantasy were indeed blurring, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something mysterious and unexpected was lurking just beneath the surface of the night's festivities.

★

Ruby Thompson, a junior student came out of the party, She was dressed as a vampire. Her outfit gave 'Elena from Vampire diaries' vibe.

"Zuri". Someone called

She knew who it was. Only him called her Swahili name.

"Ben". She said.

He walked closer to her. She held up her hands warning him not to come closer.

"Why did you run out of the party?" He asked, hands over her shoulder.

She couldn't hold it anymore, her fangs began to ache, and her eyes turned a piercing yellow. Ben didn't notice her eyes and thought she was acting up. He took a step closer, his hands still reaching out for her.

"Zuri, what's going on?". He asked teasingly.

Ruby's fangs protruded further, and she could feel her body beginning to tremble with hunger. She tried to push Ben away but he refused to budge.

"Ben, please,". She begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't understand. I need... I need to feed".

Ben thought she was joking. She's definitely playing prank on him.

"These aren't real fangs. it's from the costume". Ben said giggling.

As she stood there, frozen in confusion, Ben took another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I know you are trying to act as a vampire. I'll give you a ten for it". Ben said clapping.

" I need blood". Ruby said her voice shaking

"What do you need blood for?". He asked teasingly.

" I tried quenching this thirst with animals blood, but it didn't work".

" I don't understand what you are saying Zuri". Ben stood in awe. " This is getting serious".

"Ben, I'm sorry". Ruby said romancing his neck before placing her fangs on it. Her fangs sunk deep into his flesh.

"Zuri, what are you?". Ben asked in pain.

As she drank from his blood, the thirst for more was lingering in her. She drank a lot of his blood till he fell dead.

"What have i done!". Ruby said shaking. She screamed so loudly. She wiped the blood off her mouth, washed up herself, leaving no trace and went back to the party.