Editor's Note: This story contains violent scenes and depictions of death that is relevant to the plot (which is rather good). If these topics are upsetting to you, please read no further.
* * * * *
The room was dark and cold. She didn't know how long she had been there. Her mouth was numb from the gag. Her wrists ached from being bound together for so long. Tears she had cried long ago had dried and made her cheeks feel stiff. Sleep was impossible.
Claudia would do anything to change things. She had only made a wrong turn down the winding the corridors and had gotten lost. If she only hadn't seen what she did, she would be safe now in her bed at home. Her eyes scrunched up as she felt hot tears come again. Now all she could do was wait.
* * * * *
Claudia and Renee made their way through the huge party. They had been invited from a friend of a friend. It was being held in a three-story house in one of the most exclusive country clubs in the city. Claudia, dressed in a short, elegant dress, scanned the guests. Some she knew, some she didn't. But one guest in particular caught her eye. He was tall, deep blue eyes, and short curly blond hair. Pulling herself up, she walked by him. She gave him a small smile as he caught her eye.
"I don't think I know you," he said.
"I don't think so either," Claudia said.
"What would you're name be?" he asked.
"Claudia," she said.
"Claudia, I'm Justin, it's been a pleasure to meet you," he said as he took her hand and kissed her fingers.
"Justin, I need you downstairs," another guest with fire engine red hair said, coming up to Justin.
"Joseph, can't you see I'm busy?" Justin asked.
"This can't wait. And I'll think you'll like it," Joseph said. Claudia didn't know if she was imagining it, but she thought she heard something almost sinister in Joseph's voice.
She let out a disappointed sigh as Justin said goodbye and left to follow Joseph.
* * * * *
It had been an hour and Justin hadn't returned to the party. Claudia hadn't found any other guest that was as intriguing as him. Maybe I'll go find him, she thought, hoping he had not left.
"Renee, I'm going to the ladies' room," Claudia said.
"Well, if I don't see you again tonight, meet me out at the car, ok?" Renee said.
Claudia went in the same direction Justin had left in earlier. She came upon a door that said, "Do Not Enter." Things like that had never stopped her. Claudia was known for her ability to get in anywhere she wanted. She could pick her way into the professor's locked file cabinet containing the final exams or sweet talk her way into the VIP room of the a posh club.
The door was not locked which made her job ten times easier. She opened the door and followed a dark staircase into a basement. What am I doing, her voice screamed inside her head. She knew she was crazy for following someone she didn't know into a dimly lit basement.
A door down the hall was cracked about ten feet ahead of her. She crept up to it quietly as she heard whispering coming from within. If they were the residents of the house, she didn't want to get caught now.
"Do it quick," a male voice said.
"Shut up. I don't like to be rushed," another voice said.
"It's your turn to get rid of the bodies," the first voice said in annoyance. Claudia felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach. Cautiously, she tried to peer into the partially opened doorway. She saw two male figures. One was bent over cradling something or someone is his arms. The other was leaning against the wall, blowing out smoke from a cigarette he was holding.
Claudia froze. Though she couldn't see his face, she recognized that curly hair from early that night. It was Justin. She squinted looking at the other. The fire engine red hair gave him away. The other was Joseph.
Claudia first thought was to get the hell out of there. Whatever they were talking about, she knew it wasn't good. She started to back away from the door. She cursed out loud as she bumped into something in the hallway.
"What was that?" she heard one say.
"I don't know. I'll go check it out," the other said. Joseph came out of the room and stared at Claudia.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Nothing, I'm lost," Claudia said. Justin came out after Joseph. Claudia couldn't believe her eyes. Blood was smeared along his face, down his chin. His eyes were an unearthly ice blue.
"What did you see?" Justin hissed.
"Nothing. I swear to God," Claudia cried. She looked for an escape but Justin and Joseph blocked both ways out of the corridor.
"Bullshit you didn't see anything," Justin said grabbing her. Claudia let out a small scream when she saw two long pointed fangs curling over Justin's bottom lip.
"Just kill her and get it over with," Joseph said. "Three bodies are as easy to get rid of as two."
"I'm supposed to meet my friend back upstairs. She'll know if I'm missing," Claudia whimpered.
"Fine, we'll take care of your friend too," Joseph said. "Hey, Justin. Lance hasn't fed yet, has he?"
"No, I don't think he has. Let's go," Justin said, dragging Claudia down the corridor with him. She struggled against his grip but he was too strong for her. They got to the doorway Claudia had sneaked into.
"Now, you get your friend to come upstairs with us," Joseph growled.
"And what if I don't. What if I scream bloody murder in the middle of the party?" Claudia spat.
"We might not kill you now, but we will sooner or later. Get your friend to come upstairs with us and we might spare the both of you," Justin said.
Claudia had no choice. She tried to act as if nothing was wrong as she walked back out into the party. A smile spread across Renee's face when she saw Claudia's companions.
"Hey Renee. Look what I bumped into," Claudia said, trying to mask the fear in her voice.
