The Masquerade (8 page)

The thought of Ben often stirred something within me. It was a mixture of curiosity and allure. I knew fear should have been lying beneath
the surface as well, but when Ben came to my mind I was far from fear. I wanted to see him again. Was it the danger or something else? I wanted to set those emotions on fire and discover where they would lead me and for that reason I hoped
to never find him. I don't like feeling that way for anyone. Once you fall, you become vulnerable, and open to the heartbreak that will eventually prevail.

For that reason, I never told my friends who saved me that
night. Ben was the secret that I would keep with me for the rest of my life. After all...who would believe that a rock star saved me?

"Okay well, we will just have to find something else to occupy our time that night." Shiloh said, her voice pulling me from my
thoughts.

"Tomorrow is Devil's Night." Hayley winked.

I groaned remembering my work schedule. "I work until nine tomorrow." On the night before Halloween, or Devil's Night, our town
usually had a celebration in the square. The roads were blocked off so the party could flood into the streets. There was always a live band in the middle of the square. Everyone, including townies and people from other parts of the
state, stayed out and partied until midnight. Covington really lived up to its high expectations in October.

"We won't party too hard without you." Adam promised.

Shiloh rolled her eyes at Adam's remark. We were the
troublemakers, not partiers. "Come meet us in the square after your shift."

"Definitely," I told her smiling. It bothered me that we were missing The Masquerade, but Devil's Night would be a fun
substitution. Covington to the rescue, again.

I looked around the restaurant for a final inspection. Shiloh and I always did a marvelous clean up job. "I think we can lock up, Shi."

"Let's blow this joint." Adam moved towards the
door, but stopped short and looked over his shoulder to Hayley. "I don't mean that literally."

Her eyes tightened. "Do you want a ride home?"

One of his eyebrows rose, "Interesting choice of words."

She rolled her eyes. "You're such an ass Adam." Hayley crossed her arms over her chest. "Tell me you're sorry or I'm not taking you home."

Adam shook his head like a five year old with his bottom lip stuck out. "No!" He ran to the door, pulled it open, and called over his shoulder. "Thugs don't apologize!"

I bit down on my lip to suppress my laughter when the door
slammed shut. Hayley turned to Shiloh. "Honestly, what do you see in him?"

Shiloh grabbed her wallet. "He's my dork."

"That, he is." I smiled.

"Yeah, among other things" Hayley muttered, sliding off the counter.

We left the diner together after Shiloh locked the doors. Adam was perched on top of Hayley's black BMW parked by the curb in the square.
Hayley threatened she would cut off his genitals if he scratched her car. Shiloh intervened quickly by saying she needed those to keep the relationship going. I just wanted to vomit.

"Gross, please no more!" I laughed, my hands at my
ears, while I shook my head.

Hayley pulled open the car door, slid in the driver's side, and turned the car on. Immediately, a song I recognized by Memphis May Fire, burst through the loud speakers. She rolled the windows down and jumped out of
the car. I grinned and began to sway along to the band's cover of the pop song, "Grenade."

Adam leapt off the car, singing along to the words, and began to throw his head back and forth. The girls danced around the car
screaming along to the words. I knew my cue. I jumped onto the sidewalk where my body was illuminated by the street lamp behind me.

"
I'd catch a grenade for ya.
" I sang over
Matty Mullins voice, a grin on my face.

"
Throw my head on a blade for ya
," Adam tried to sing, pointing at Shiloh, who was on the opposite end of the car.

"
I'd jump in front of a train for ya,
" she
added, blushing.

"
You know I'd do anything for ya,
" Hayley finished.

"
Oh, I would go through all this pain. Take a bullet straight through my brain. Yes, I would die for you baby. But you won't do the
same.
" I sang along, extending the notes.

Hayley cheered. A young couple walking out of a restaurant across the street from us, stared, their eyes narrowed. It was too much noise
for ten o'clock at night, but by the time anyone made a noise complaint we'd be long gone.

I waved to them and they turned their up noses in another direction. I jumped up on the park bench, and sang to my friends as if they were an audience of a thousand. I swayed, my hands on my hips, to the beat of
the music. "
Black, black, black and blue, beat me till I'm numb. Tell the devil I said hey when you get back to where you're from.
"

Shiloh finished the verse in my pause. I jumped off the
bench, my legs bent to the side for a brief moment while in the air, before I landed and ran to the side of the car to dance with Hayley. We all sang along to the song, trying to imitate Matty's screams after the end of each verse.
Adam found his way to the other side of the car and caught me in a twirl. He took my hands and spun me around again. I laughed and danced with him for the chorus.

I spun around and stepped away from Adam to finish the song.
"
But darling I'd still catch a grenade for ya
" I sang louder, hitting the higher notes that I'd practiced in my room.

I flipped my head to the side and prepared to sing the rest of the chorus, when something caught my eye. I turned so I could get a better
look at the figure I saw. Across the street someone stood, their hands shoved in the pockets of their jeans. He was kept hidden by the shadows, but I could see the outline of his body, the darker color of his hair, and the confidence
of his posture. In the distance, I could feel his eyes on me. My smile slowly fell, my head tilted to the side in curiosity as I stared back.

"Ella," I heard Shiloh sing following the end of
the song. I looked over my shoulder to her. "What are you doing?"

"Oh," I said, my attention moving back to the man across the street. But when I looked back, the sidewalk was empty. I frowned, my eyes searching the empty street for the man, but he was gone. "Nothing,
I thought I saw something." I muttered and turned back to my friends. They all stared at me in concern. I smiled in response, ignoring my stomach that began to tighten.

Adam pretended to gasp, "Slender man?"

I laughed and played along. "I knew he looked familiar!"

He mocked a scream in response before Hayley snapped at him and told him to shut it. I looked back over my shoulder, hoping to see the
stranger again, but the sidewalk was empty. For a slight second I hoped it was Ben. He had a habit of disappearing into thin air. But I knew better. Ben was a memory and that was what he would remain.

It was just after nine when the commotion started. Customers
quickly paid and fled the restaurant to participate in the festivities outside. Every time the door swung open, the shrill of girls' screams and adults' laughter, fused by alcohol, filtered into the room. It was like New Orleans
during Mardi Gras. I found myself continuously sneaking looks out the window to discover the source of the noise. The town went crazy every year on Devil's Night, but this year seemed different. The excitement was vibrant, the noise
was louder, and the chill in the air was prominent.

I had just untied the black apron around my waist when Ava came over to me, holding a tray stacked with dirty plates. "Pretty crazy tonight, isn't it?"

I nodded. The pounding of drums hummed into the bar. My attention immediately cast to the front windows, but I only found the sight of hundreds of people standing in front of the stage that was built on the side of the square, furthest to the restaurant. The fast strumming of electric guitars
sliced into the drums. I couldn't place the familiarity of the beat, but I didn't have to. The door to the restaurant swung open, Hayley and Shiloh practically flung themselves through.

"Ella!" Hayley shrieked when she saw me. I grabbed
my keys off the counter and rushed towards her. She opened her mouth, but the words refused to follow. Her chest heaved as though they had been running while her wide eyes sparked with excitement. My hands found her shoulders in an
attempt to calm her.

"What's wrong, Hail?"

Shiloh spoke first. "The Masquerade is playing in the square!" My hands fell from Hayley's shoulders as I turned to face Shiloh,
my face frozen in shock. "Can you hear them? They're here! They're actually here, in Covington." Shiloh was no longer with us. In her place, a squealing fan girl, with the inability to form coherent sentences.

I looked at Hayley. She nodded to confirm Shiloh's statement. "They're seriously right outside. They just started their first song." Her eyes flickered to the keys in my hand. "And it looks like your shift just ended." A grin broke into my expression. I could only nod
in response.

I called over my shoulder, reminded Ava my shift had ended, pulled my jacket off the coat rack, and darted outside. I shoved my arms through the sleeves as the chill in the air pinched my cheeks. The loud,
pulsating music burst into my eardrums as I walked through the glass door. My heart palpated in my chest as the excitement and thrill rushed through my veins. Together, we pushed and shoved through the crowd to find our way to the
stage. I recognized the song playing, along with the deep, raspy voice that carried over the audience.

Ben.

The massive crowd swarming the square screamed and cheered for the band. I looked up, my eyes able to make out figures on stage, and
nothing more. I needed to get close enough to see
him
. He wouldn't see me in the packed crowd, but that didn't concern me. As long as I saw him, I would be reminded that the past was real.

Unlike their usual concerts, people weren't glued together.
There was space between each body, not much, but enough. Not one person attempted to mosh so there was no difficulty in making our way to the front. We were just a couple feet from the stage when we stopped. Shiloh stood next to
Adam, their hands already intertwined. I stood between Adam and Hayley. There were teenagers who stood in front of us, with their arms up, hands thrashing to the beat. Adam, Hayley, and Shiloh did the same, but I could only sway, unable to
make much movement, my mind elsewhere.

My eyes found Ben. In spite of the chill, warmth spread underneath my skin, while I felt something unwrap within me. He stood in the middle of the stage, his piercing eyes wandered over the audience, absorbing
the energy that the crowd released. A half smile touched his lips. I held my breath, feeling the excitement drill within me as I watched him.

He suddenly darted to the middle of the stage, crouched
down, the microphone to his mouth and belted, "
Oh, I will never let go again!
" The chorus led into the next verse. The crowd danced and sang along to the lyrics. The songs were from their latest album. It was the first song in the history of their music career that didn't contain one scream.

"
It haunts me, down to my bones!
" His deep voice had this shattering effect in me, the pieces struggling to come together again. His presence, his voice, his smile, all left me unhinged. "
I
know we're all alone.
"

He placed the microphone in its stand, in the middle of the stage. He stepped back and waited while Cam played his guitar solo. Ben's head turned to the side, his eyes on the crowd. When I realized I was staring for
too long his eyes moved up and met mine.

His head stilled. His dark eyes locked with mine. He remained frozen as he watched me. The intensity of his stare struck me, penetrating my soul. I swallowed and reminded myself that breathing was
necessary. He continued to stare without moving until Cam finished his solo. Ben abruptly dropped his eyes. The fire I felt under his gaze that burned within me, faded and I felt the chill of the night air seep beneath the surface
of my skin again.

I felt the pressure of Adam's gaze. I looked up at him. One of his eyebrows rose. I shrugged my shoulders as a response. He smirked and turned his attention back to the band. I looked at both girls, but they didn't
seem to notice the brief encounter of my gaze with Ben's.

Ben didn't look at me again for the rest of their performance. When he moved to the side of the stage I was closest to his eyes
purposely moved over my head. Somehow, I knew he was trying not to look at me. My stomach churned, the disappointment wavering around me. I tried not to care, to think of the other Masquerade members, but thoughts always went back to Ben.

When the show ended, the five guys moved to the front of the
stage. The crowd screamed in response to their spectacular performance. The four players bowed and backed away, leaving Ben to bask in the glory with an extra round of applause. He walked backwards, away from the edge of the stage.
His eyes slit to the side and found mine. His expression didn't change when he met my gaze, but I watched a muscle in his jaw tighten. He blinked, turned away, and ran off the stage.

Knowing the band members were somewhere behind the stage,
people tried to jump over the metal fence just to catch another glimpse of the world famous band. Large bodyguards, four times my size, pushed them back. I felt Adam's hand wrap around my forearm, pulling me away from the crowd. I
grabbed Hayley and followed Adam until we made it to the street that was packed with parked cars. We were all flush in the face from the concert and still finding a hard time to breathe normally after pushing our way out of the
audience.

"Holy"

"Fucking shit," Hayley finished for Shiloh.

I laughed, "I think that pretty much covers our evening."

Shiloh squealed. "I still can't believe they performed
here tonight."

Adam motioned to the stage behind us. "That wasn't enough proof for you?" Shiloh shook her head and leaned into him for comfort. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against his chest.
She smiled and turned her face into his chest for warmth.

Hayley's nose scrunched up, her expression twisting into disgust while she watched them. Adam opened his eyes, noticed the face she was
making, and mouthed, "
You Jelly?"

She rolled her eyes and turned to me. "Did I see Ben staring at you?"

I froze for a split second, but I managed to answer before she became suspicious. I shrugged, "I guess so. There were so many people,
it was hard to tell."

She arched one eyebrow. "I haven't forgotten about last year, Ella."

What you remember is nothing compared to what I recall on
that night,
I wanted to say, but I couldn't tell them about my encounter with Ben. It was our secret, although I began to wonder if he even remembered saving my life.

"Last year?" Adam questioned.

Shiloh pulled away from his embrace to answer. "That sexy lead singer had a bit of a staring contest with Ella at the concert in Atlanta." She smiled at me, her eyes heavy from exhaustion. "It was really cute."

"So this wasn't the first time he noticed you?" Adam said with a nod of approval. "Go get 'em girl."

Hayley held up her hand, palm facing him. "Please, just don't talk."

"Bite me," he chomped his jaws repeatedly for emphasis.

"I don't think I will be
getting
anyone, tonight." I smiled.

"I can't say the same for myself," Hayley purred,
her eyes on an older, twenty something guy who moved around us to get to his car. Hayley pursed her lips when he looked over his shoulder, but he didn't look at her. His eyes were on me. He was of average height, incredibly good looking, and a pale face that could have been carved out of marble stone.
Despite his good looks, there was something dark in his expression. His sinister eyes were slightly narrowed and a chill shot down my spine when his eyes found me.

I shivered just when Hayley turned to me, a scowl on her
face. "Well, then."

"Get over yourself," Adam told her.

My eyes flickered between my friends and moved back to the stranger, but when I looked again he was gone. The car I assumed he was driving
was still parked by the curb. I frowned, my eyes scanning the street, moving over rowdy teenagers and slaphappy adults with alcoholic beverages in their hands. But the man we saw was gone.

"Where did he go?" I heard Hayley pout.

"Away from you"

"Go home." Hayley shot back at Adam.

"I actually have to go home." Shiloh said with a
faint smile on her face. I could see the lingering moments of the concert in her eyes. Adam pressed his lips against the side of her face. Her smile grew in response.

"I'll take you home, babe." He turned to me.
"Ella do you need a ride?"

I shook my head, holding my keys in front of him. "New car, remember?"

"Shit yeah," he muttered. "I miss driving you around places."

I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to shield myself from the cold. "I don't to be completely honest." I liked having a car now. Depending on people for transportation only made me feel like a Mooch. I resorted to walking most of the time until my mom surprised me with
a car before school started. Apparently she and my grandmother had been putting money aside for my car fund that I didn't know existed. I couldn't have been happier when I found it sitting in the driveway.

"Yeah, I know you like it."

I smiled. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." I blew kisses to the three of them before I turned and headed down the side street behind the diner. I usually parked in a spot in front of the square, but the
Devil's Night festivities made that a nearly impossible task. I neared the corner and hopped onto the sidewalk, twirling my keys around my index finger as I walked.

My black 2005 Jetta was the last car parked at the end of
the strip. When I neared it I had to move around the hood of the car because I pulled it too close to the curb. I skipped off the sidewalk and when I turned to unlock my driver's side door my eyes registered something in front of me. I
gasped, feeling my heart attempt to spring from my chest while I whirled to the side, my keys slipping out of my hands.

A little girl, no older than six, stood by the end of my car. Her brown hair was pulled into two pigtails with baby blue ribbons holding
her hair together. She wore a blue and white cross pattern dress with shimmering red flats that made me sure she had come from some sort of costume party.

"You scared me!" I tried to laugh.

The girl made no sign of a response to my comment. She continued to stare at me with wide Bambi eyes. I pressed my hand to my stomach as though it could ease the knots that formed. With a shake of my head, I smiled hoping to avoid freaking the little girl out and bent down to be eye
level with her.

"You know I thought you were really Dorothy for a second." I put my hands to my hips while squatting. "You must be related to her!"

She shook her head. "I'm not Dorothy."

My smile faltered. "Oh," my gaze fell to her ruby red shoes. "Well, who are you?"

"I'm dead." She said, her voice monotone.
"Are you dead too?"

A sharp chill shot up my spine and I cringed in reaction. I eyed the little girl warily. "Sweetie," I began, trying to soothe my own voice. "Where's your mommy?"

Her head turned to the side, watching me curiously. Slowly, her hand rose to her stomach and moved in circular motions over it. My frown made her blank expression twist into a smile, a smile so sinister my stomach nearly convulsed. I suddenly felt nauseous. The idea of a strange little girl causing
such a reaction within me seemed silly, but in the moment I was terrified. Of what, I couldn't explain.

I straightened, stretching my legs, with my hands shaking. The little girl took a step back, eyeing me with the same tantalizing smile
that made me want to smack it off her face. I swallowed and turned to my left hoping to see the girl's mother trotting down the street in search of her daughter. There was no one.

I turned back to the little girl only to find she had vanished. I blinked for confirmation. She was gone. I frowned and moved to the end of my car while my eyes scanned the street for the girl. Nothing. I was alone.

I ran my hands down the sides of my legs to control the
shaking. I shouldn't have been frightened. I used to babysit all the time. Kids always say strange things, yet something wasn't right about her. It wasn't her disappearing act. It was her eyes. They were black, empty and lacking the life
that should be found in any child's eyes.