“Neal, come hang out over here,” they called.
Neal bounced over, offering their hand as they danced. “Neal. I live next door!”
“Oh really?" And this is your first time here?”
They shrugged. “I’m new to the neighborhood. Plus, I got an invitation!” They dug into their suit jacket, removing the folded invitation. When they offered it to me, I took it, unfolding and quickly scanning, as if I hadn’t seen it before.
“Interesting. What do you think it means?” I handed it back to them.
“It means I gotta find this guy. Gatsby!” They motioned to the house.
I grinned widely. Finally, my grand entrance.
“Why, I’m Gatsby.”
I blew Neal’s intoxicated mind. They stopped dancing and their wide eyes grew wider. Up close, I could see the familal similarties between them and their cousin. Neal and Daisy shared the same dark caramel eyes.
“No fucking way.”
I chuckled as they turned to find Tuth.
“Tuth, it’s him! Tuth, I found Ga—” They screamed, and Tuth quickly covered their friend’s mouth.
“Why don’t we find someplace to sit down? Get you some water, hm?” I suggested.
“Yeah, sure. I need to sit down.” Neal looked like they were going to faint. Quickly, the three of us went back inside. I took them to my private elevator, then directed them to my private lounge.
Neal plopped down on a couch and closed their eyes. I went to my mini fridge and pulled out water. They downed a bottle quickly, then sipped the second. Sitting up, they shook their head.
“Man, if I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have been acting a fool down there. I’m sorry. I?—”
“It’s alright.” I raised my hand up to stop them. “You were invited to a party, and you were enjoying yourself. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Thanks, man, I actually was a little surprised to get the invite. I was asking around and no one else got one.”
I licked my lips, my nerves beginning to spike. I glanced at Tuth, who nodded for me to go on.
“Yes, well, I… I… uh…” I started to sweat, tugging at my bow tie and swallowing.
“Gatsby knows Daisy,” Tuth blurted.
“Daisy, as in... my cousin?” Neal blinked.
“Uh, yes.” I exhaled. “Yes, I...” My mind had gone completely blank.
“He needs help. He wants you to set them up.” Tuth looked my way. “Neal hasn’t read the book.”
“What book?” Neal scratched their head.
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter. None of this is right.” I strode over to Neal and offered my hand for them to stand. I put my hand on their back and led them toward the door. “Thank you for your time, but this entire endeavor was absurd and pointless. Please, go enjoy the party. Forget you ever saw me.”
“Wait, I know you.” Neal paused and turned to stare at me. They squinted their eyes and examined my features. “You’re...” They stepped back as their face paled. “How did you... weren’t you on death row?”
“What?” Tuth asked.
I sighed. “I was. Neal, please, hear me out.” I reached for them, but they yanked back, shaking their head.
“Tuth, this guy is a fucking cannibal. He ate someone. He’s supposed to be in jail right now. I remember seeing him in the news.” They turned their eyes back to me. “How did you get out? Are you on the run? What do you want with Daisy?”
