Days of Darkness

Chapter 70

"I guess I should mingle," I said casually, "kind of lost track of time. Those two are pretty funny together."

"There are no rules," Traci said. "Don't stop having fun on my account. I was just making conversation." She smiled warmly, and I knew she didn't mean anything deep when she said what she did. "How about a selfie?" She asked, holding up her phone, "I'm documenting the last party."

"Sure," I replied leaning in next to Traci. We smiled, and she took the shot. Crash, followed by laughter and applause broke out behind us. A boy named Tommy had knocked over a tray filled with silverware. Traci moved like a reporter and started filming his brief shame.

"I was looking for the bathroom," I said, looking around. "Know where it is?"

"Down the hall, but the line is a mile long," Traci said. She pointed her chin toward the stairs. "The upstairs one is a lot shorter."

"Thanks," I said, grateful for the insight. My insides were getting anxious with the talk of lines, so I moved with purpose. I silently chastised myself for not seeking relief sooner.

The walk up the stairs was a human obstacle course. Groups of people had decided to use the steps as chairs as well as a place to put their drinks. Twice I almost knocked over a cup as I traversed between and over people. The house was getting more crowded by the minute.

Despite my need to find a toilet, I stopped for small conversations with people I knew well. It was small talk and mostly polite acknowledgment. I noticed that some of the people were drinking something stronger than soda. The slurred speech and flamboyant arm gestures were my first clue. The smell was the second. I just smiled and let them have their fun. I hoped that most would spend the night so there wouldn't be any grim announcements at school on Monday.

I had no idea how long the line was on the first floor, but the one on second was seven deep. Again, I wished I would have thought of my needs sooner. I would have pulled out my female card if the line wasn't all female to begin with. I groaned a little too loud.

"There's another bathroom in here," a voice I had just passed said quietly. I turned to find Mason Crawford and two of his friends leaning against what I imagined was a bedroom door. He wore a smile that I didn't trust. "It's the master," he whispered. I quickly measured my mistrust of him against the biological need that was growing.

No bull?" I asked, instantly regretting putting words to my doubts.

"Honest," Mason said, raising both his hands, one holding a beer bottle. He showed me what I thought was an innocent expression. One of his friends, Frank I thought his name was, nodded in agreement. Mason opened the door and stood to the side.

"Thanks," I said and entered the room. I was surprised when Mason then closed the door, staying outside and leaving me in peace. The room was the master. A huge four poster bed with a small sitting area in a window alcove. It was tastefully done without the balance going feminine or masculine. I opened the first of two doors and found a huge walk in closet. The next door held a magnificent bathroom. Dual sinks and a walk-in shower that could hold ten. The mirror reflected a head of hair that looked like it had been in a convertible for a few hours.

I quickly used the toilet, washed my hands, and then spent a few moments going through drawers until I found a brush. As a rule, I avoided sharing brushes, but my hair needed some work. It didn't take long to straighten things out. I put everything back just as I had found it, satisfied that I no longer looked homeless. I wondered if it bothered Caleb. He didn't show any visible signs that he was disturbed by my appearance.

I left the bathroom, and my gratitude to Mason ended as quickly as it began. He stood inside the bedroom between me and the door to the hall. The smirk on his face was anything but friendly.

"Thanks for letting me know about the bathroom," I said in a friendly tone. Mason didn't move as I approached the door. I tried to shove the fear that was growing to the side. He hadn't done anything wrong, but his stance indicated he had ideas.

"You going with the dweeb?" Mason asked. He was like a wall between the door and me. I was forced to slow or attempt to push him out of the way. At six-five and a good two-hundred-plus pounds, it would have been a futile attempt.

"I don't know any dweebs," I responded. I put my hands on my hips and gave him the look my mother gave me when she was upset. If it weren't for my hips holding my hands steady, I was sure they would be shaking.

"McGuire," Mason clarified. His massive arms folded themselves across his chest.

"Caleb and I are just friends," I said, letting some anger fill my tone. It was better than letting the fear escape.

"You turned me down and let that nerd take you to the prom?" Mason asked.

"You never asked," I replied. I thankfully held back the rest of the statement that formed in my mind.

"You had your brother tell me lies," Mason continued. "Now everyone thinks that little s**t got one over on me. I'm here now, asking."

"I'm going with Caleb. Maybe if you had asked me earlier," I said. My arms dropped to my sides and suddenly had no idea what to do with themselves. An aggressive stance was out, but I didn't know what to replace it with.

"You obviously don't know what a real man is like," Mason said. It sounded more like a threat than a statement. He leaned forward and fear made me take a step back. I gritted my teeth and decided to stand firm and not back up anymore.

"Sorry," I said weaker than I intended, "I already told Caleb yes."

"Untell him," Mason said, taking a step to close the distance between us. "It's not like he'd do anything about it."

"No!" I shouted. This time, real anger filled the word. Caleb would do something about it and probably get himself killed in the process. I know he would. I could see it when he looked at me. I tried to move around Mason now that there was more space between him and the door. I wasn't quick enough.

Mason's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist like a vice. An involuntary grunt left my lips as he yanked me against his chest and wrapped his other arm around me. I only got out the first part of a scream when his massive hand covered my mouth. I grabbed his wrist with my free hand, and he chuckled as I tried to pull his hand from my face. Black fear filled my mind as he dragged me deeper into the room. I could do nothing against his strength.

"Oh, you'll break it off with him," Mason said. "One night with me and your life will change." I tried to hit his sides and scratch at his face. It was like a brick wall and only made him laugh. My wrist felt like it was going to break and tears filled my eyes. "Silence," he ordered as his hand moved from my mouth to my hair. With a fistful of hair, he yanked my head back straining my neck. Pure terror filled me when I saw the intent in his eyes. My mental walls dropped I screamed silently for Daddy.

Calm set in as Mason's lips forcibly took mine. Dad was closer than I had thought and more perfect than I remembered. His song swirled around me, and it took zero effort to merge with mine. The pain in my wrist, and the ripping I had felt from my pulled hair, faded and love stronger than I had ever known wrapped me in a blanket of safety. Everything was going to be just fine.