Chapter One
Olivia
“Who’s that?” Aidenasks me, while I observe the guy with the animal skull mask covering half his face, making him look like something not human but still hot as fuck.He is shirtless, covered in tattoos and muscles.How full of yourself do you have to be to come to a party shirtless at the end of October?Not that I’m complaining.He is definitely looking good.
“I have no idea.I don’t recognize his ink,” I respond while locking my bike, pretending I don’t care when the mysterious guy is the only thing on my radar right now.My response seems to have satisfied him.He is now scrolling through his phone, and I can see the dating app he has pulled up.He is not subtle at all.
“Looking for the night’s victim?”I ask, knowing full well that is exactly what he is doing.
He gives me a toothy smile that quickly turns into a smirk before he turns his back to me and moves away into the crowded house.His eyes fall on Kayden.We both know the reason, but he would never admit it, even if his life depended on it.My friend and I are similar in that way; we would never pursue someone without an agenda.And Kayden has never been the type Aiden goes for, even though he’s been in love with him since the first party we attended.
I stay in the same spot, admiring the house in front of me for a minute.Willow Manor has been abandoned for years, but that isn't an unusual place for a Halloween party hosted by Kayden.He always had a knack for hosting parties in the creepiest places.I always had a suspicion that it wasn’t entirely his doing, but when the parties continued after Ryker was locked away, that suspicion was shattered.
When we were kids, Willow Manor used to be considered haunted.To this day, people believe it is, but even with the nasty rumors following this place, someone bought it a month ago.It surprised everyone in this town and got people talking for a whole month, until October 1st, when Kayden announced the location of the party.He’s rich, but not rich enough to afford to buy this place, even in its current state.Of course, no one ever saw anything happening here, which is why I’m pretty sure everyone was willing to come to a party in this creepy old house.But the rumors bring a sense of danger to the night, one that I gladly welcome.The other reason is that everyone is hoping the owner will be revealed; he has to be Kayden’s friend to allow the party to be hosted here in the first place.My money is on the shirtless dude.
He is leaning against the side of the door, watching as everyone passes through.Kayden stands next to him, and I try to think of who that might be under the mask.The mask allows his lips and jaw to be shown, but that isn't enough to identify him.
He wears tight black ripped jeans with chains hanging from the belt loops and a pair of combat boots sprayed with bloodstains and spikes.Even though he lacks any type of shirt, his body is painted with black streaks of body paint that blend with the ink on his arms and throat.The mask he wears is a fox-shaped skull made out of some type of leather material; the shading and coloring make it look so real, almost like he ripped it from a dead animal.He looks demonic, like someone who just crawled out of hell.If I didn’t know better, I would have thought Kayden paid him to be here to drive the whole haunted house point home.
I can see some type of ink peeking through the paint on his stomach, and even though I can’t see his back from where I am standing, I bet that it is covered as well.I've always liked a man with tattoos, but most importantly, I like the mystery behind his identity.
I check that my bike is locked again and place my helmet on top of it.We live in a small town, and I am pretty sure it will be safe for a few hours.I toss my keys in the small skull purse that barely holds a credit card and my phone but is the perfect addition to tonight's outfit.
My red-bottom heels sink into the ground as I walk across the yard toward the door.The moment I get close, theshirtless dudewalks inside, completely ignoring me.I was right; his back is also covered.
“Hey, Kayden,” I say with a smile, and he smiles back, nodding.He gestures for me to walk inside, a warm welcome in comparison to his friend, who acted like I didn’t exist.He doesn’t even know me; there’s no reason to be that rude.
I try to shake the thoughts that come to mind at the idea of being ignored; I was never a fan of that.I like attention a little too much, and I always get it, one way or another.But on the rare occasion I don’t, I tend to not handle it in the best way.I gained my popularity the first year of high school, on a night like this one, and even though I have been away for college for the last three years, that doesn’t seem to have changed.
A couple of people smile at me, and another guy offers me a drink the moment I walk inside, as if he has been waiting for me.I accept it and move on.I make sure to drink it in one go and leave the empty cup on one of the stations set up for the drinks.
My eyes fall immediately on an expensive whiskey bottle on the table next to the one where I just left my cup.I know Kayden probably set that one aside for Ryker.He is probably here; I should avoid him.The guy who gave me the drink is still trying to talk to me, but I ignore him.I am not really into younger guys, and I can tell he must still be in high school.Kayden never screened the people coming to his parties.Underage drinking is not high on the police's priorities in this town, anyway.
I search the crowded room of people drinking and dancing for Ryker; I need to make sure to stay away from him.I know he must be here.He has been Kayden’s best friend since forever, and I know for a fact that he is back in town.The existence of an expensive bottle of his preferred brand of whiskey is a piece of evidence I can’t ignore.He is here.Burning my car may have earned him a few years of vacation in a grippy-sock jail, but we all knew it wouldn't last.Many things are wrong with him, but not enough to keep him there forever.
He doesn’t seem to be down in the living room, and I would prefer to spend my time having fun instead of worrying about a pyromaniac with anger issues.It’s been three years already.I am sure he has moved on, anyway.
Aiden is talking to a hot blonde guy; I don’t think interrupting them will be much appreciated.So, I take the whiskey bottle out of spite and move up to the bedrooms.I have been here before.Having always been drawn to creepy places like this one, sneaking inside to drink while we were teens had been our favorite way to spend time with Aiden.Back when he was more focused on his friendships than on sex, and I was more focused on forgetting everything for a few hours.
I climb the staircase, and a few people smile, greeting me as I pass them.I don’t really care for their attention tonight.The bottle’s hard glass presses against my lips as I take a sip from it, not stopping to talk to anyone.Even when I am a bitch to everyone, people tend to stick around anyway.When I reach the top floor, I see the mysterious guy again.He looks at me for a second too long, then turns his back and walks away again.What the fuck is wrong with him?
I follow him, and I am not sure why; he hasn’t been the friendliest.He didn't even introduce himself, even though he was clearly sitting next to Kayden when I got closer.He chose to leave instead, in a rude way, mind you; who does that?Now he is doing it again, and I am running after him like a desperate slut.Great, Olivia.Your standards have reached the floor.Well done!
