If someone had told Annabelle that she would be standing in the foyer of one of the most well known haunted mansions on the East Coast wearing a nineteenth century ball gown, she would have told them to put down whatever alcohol they had been drinking and switch to water. But here she was surrounded by other people wearing the same type of clothes she had only read about in those regency romances she loved. For one night only Annabelle would be the princess she had longed to be when she and her sisters would play dress up when they were little girls. Whereas her two older sisters pretended to dance with their invisible Prince Charmings, Annabelle wished for the queen or princess of some faraway make believe land to whisk her away.
Now as an adult, finding that right woman to spend her life with was too much work. Annabelle was the last sibling in her family to still be single with no partner or children by her side. Perhaps tonight that would all change where she would finally get that happily ever after she had always wanted but never thought would happen.
A loud boom of thunder jolted Annabelle into walking further down the hall where the main ballroom was located. It seemed so appropriate that there was a storm raging outside while this gathering took place inside. The humor was not lost on Annabelle of having a costume party the night before Halloween, on Mischief Night, and in a mansion over two hundred years old that was well known for having a reputation of being a place of unspeakable evil. Annabelle heard the local legends surrounding this estate so well. She was taught them in school and read about it in magazines and other publications. Annabelle had no clue who was holding the party or why she was sent an invitation that was mailed to her a month ago.
She looked down at the ivory square sheet she held in her hands. The script on the very expensive looking paper was the color of blood. The invite was much like the ones you would send to guests to attend a wedding. As she read the information for what seemed like the hundredth time, she thought back to the envelope it came in. There had been no return address. The information about the evening was very lacking. All it said was the place, date and time. There was no number to call to R.S.V.P. Also inside was a postcard of a vintage costume shop where it was recommended to rent out a party costume for the night. The theme was a London, England Victorian ball. Masks were also suggested but not required and some would be supplied upon entrance.
She argued with herself on the drive over here on whether or not she was making the right decision. She was just too curious to turn around and spend another night alone in her apartment watching old television reruns. She quickly parked her car among the many that were lining the street and as she made her way up the long driveway, a masked man dressed in Victorian garb was standing at the door allowing the guests to come in after they showed him their invitations. Annabelle followed and checked her coat and bag. The coat check girl was also dressed in a vintage ball gown and barely said a word to Annabelle when she handed over her things. It looked like everyone was wearing masks and for a moment Annabelle almost went to get her own to wear. She didn't want to be like everyone else here because she felt she hid behind a mask as it was. She already kept too many secrets from her family and friends. Perhaps the reason she decided to come to this strange affair was to pretend to be someone else for a few hours, a Cinderella of sorts where she would allow herself the fantasy of belonging during a time she had always felt comfortable reading about more so than the present she was stuck living in.
Shaking her head to clear her mind from her depressing musings, Annabelle continued to walk towards the ballroom where she heard the music of violins and the hum of loud voices. The sounds of the storm no longer frightened her as she was swept away into the crowd. People were talking and drinking what looked to be wine or champagne from waiters who were walking around with trays that had glasses placed on top of them. Everyone was in their beautiful party clothes and Annabelle was again surprised that so many wore masks. Perhaps she should go back and...
Someone pushed Annabelle and she stumbled. Swallowing a curse she looked over her shoulder to see who was rudely responsible. It was impossible to see because she was surrounded by too many bodies. Feeling a bit flushed, she began to fan herself with her invitation. A bead of sweat dripped down into her cleavage. The ball gown she had chosen was showing off a great deal of skin, but Annabelle loved the gown the moment she saw it. It was an off the shoulder dark purple satin dress that flared out perfectly when she spun in circles. It called to her. She just had to have it along with the matching color tiara and white arm length gloves that came with it.
Annabelle grabbed a glass of bubbling pink champagne from a passing waiter and took a sip. The bubbles tickled her nose and she laughed. She finished that glass and took another. The drink was sweet and delicious. Annabelle wasn't much of a drinker but tonight was for enjoying herself. She stood on her tippy toes in her black ballerina flats to watch the dancers twirling on the dance floor, when she was knocked into again. She turned around to give that person a piece of her mind when a woman in a black mask with very full red lips was staring back at her. Annabelle wondered what those lips would feel like against her own and quickly shook her head over that funny thought. The woman continued to smile and her dark brown eyes seemed to twinkle under the lights.
"Did you knock into me?" Annabelle asked. She again couldn't take her eyes away from the woman's mouth. Other people would stare at a face or another body part, but since the woman's face was practically covered by her mask, the only naked part Annabelle could see was her mouth. And it didn't help that the woman was standing very close to Annabelle where her chest rubbed against hers.
"I apologize. The room is filled and everyone seems to be bumping into one another."
Annabelle felt woozy and wasn't sure if it was from the heat of the bodies, the sweet drink she had or the voice of the black masked woman. The way this mysterious woman spoke made Annabelle feel like an electric shock went up and down her arms and over parts that hadn't tingled in such a long time.
"Um, that's okay." Annabelle took a deep sip and was surprised that she had almost finished the glass. A trickle of liquid escaped from her mouth and fell down her chin. As she wiped it away, the woman licked her lips. Annabelle couldn't help but blush.
"I'm Annabelle." She held out her hand. The woman looked down and one side of her mouth went up. "I am Trinity. It's a pleasure to meet you." Trinity slowly rubbed her thumb across Annabelle's knuckles.
Annabelle wasn't sure what was going on but the way she was feeling was not usual. "I think I better not drink anymore. It makes my head spin. I guess that's what happens when you don't drink the hard stuff."
Trinity let out a small laugh, which sounded even better than her voice. Annabelle closed her eyes for a moment to savor the sound. She suddenly felt the need to sit down and almost fell back. She was stopped from making a fool of herself because Trinity still held onto her hand.
"Excuse me." Annabelle opened her eyes and let out a small burp, which she covered with her free hand. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
