Beneath The Rain (18+)

Chapter 1 : Dearly Departed

The investigator

         "Come on Serena you can't seriously be thinking I would do that?" Ashley said laughing.

"I am just saying these parties that you go to could be a risk. You've been to four in just this week" I stare waiting for her ongoing excuse.

"Oh come on Serena it is just a party I will be safe I don't know why you don't just come with me." she said huffing crossing her arms.

"If I go this one time will you take a break from all of this." I say pointing out her outfit.

"Yes, pleaseeee" she wined.

"Fine, let me get dressed." With that I marched into my room and put on a pair of shorts and a tank top I may be going but, that doesn't mean I have to dress up fancy.

          We take a taxi because, I, for one will be drinking to deal with this. We arrive to this storage building with stream lights all over the roof. "This is the party?" I ask unimpressed.

   "Oh hush now it's inside" she giggled. I laugh as I grab her hand.

  "Let's go then" I drag her to the door laughing, thinking someone pranked her and sent a false location as she laughed and opened the door a wave of laughing, clattering, and music hit. I stopped, looking at her I yell over the sound

    "IT'S A FUCKING RAVE!" She just smiled as I followed her in like a lost puppy. She might be a party girl but, in my 23 years of life I've have only been to three 'parties' they were more like get togethers for friends and family. This rave will be fun, I thought to myself.

        Hours later we're dancing, having fun "HEY GIRLY WANT TO TAKE A BREAK." She yells over the sounds of the sounds of  overwhelming laughter and music.

"YES, I AM DYINGGG" I yell. Following her over to the bar.

"What can I get for you ladies?" The bartender asked with a warm yet, practiced smile.

"I will have a vodka soda" Ashley says.

"I'll have the same." I nod.

"Coming right up." She turns away.

"Isn't this exhausting after awhile?" I ask looking towards Ashley. Stuff like this has always been her passion, in my eyes these 'parties', they're a beautiful experience but, not all the time.

"I mean, to me it's exhilarating, I guess I love the thrill." She smiles nudging me.

"Here are those drinks ladies they were paid by those two gentlemen over there." She points to the men in the corner of the bar.

"Oh why thank you." Ashley says grabbing her drink and tipping it up to the guys before taking a drink.

"Want to go talk to them?" she asks tilting her head.

"I think I'm gonna take a break but, I'll watch you from here" I say taking a sip of my drink feeling the satisfaction of the burn in the back of my throat.

"Okay but, don't leave." She says with a stern look.

"Like I would ever do that." I state. She kisses me on the cheek as she walks over to the two men with a little sway in her walk.

       As I sit here looking down at my empty drink I look over to Ashley. She is still talking to the two men it's been awhile but, no need to rush her.

"HI!" This very obvious drunken girl yells in my ear. I jump.

"OH my god, you scared the daylights out of me." I giggle.

"I am soooooo sorry, I may have drank to much." she smiles.

"You're fine. You having fun?" I nod weakly smiling towards the woman.

"YASSSS!" She hollers leaning on me.

"Okay let's get you a water. BARTENDER, I need a water over here please." I pass the water to her as she grabs it I look over to Ashley but, she's not there.

I walk over to the two men which look at me with hidden eyes.

"Hey pretty lady what can we do for you?" One of them asks smirking.

"The bright blonde with green eyes. That was wearing a short, tattered, red skin tight dress did you see where she went?" I ask looking around.

"I think she went to the bathroom." The other man says.

"Okay thank you." I say rushing to find the bathrooms, as I find them I rush to the front of the line asking as many of the women if they've seen her I was getting no after no. I pound on the door.

"ASHLEY YOU IN THERE!" As I go to knock again a short brunette walks out.

   "I'm not this Ashley girl." She says aggravated. "Sorry." I say rushing off to search every inch of the warehouse. Pushing through tons of people, I felt like I was suffocating, the air trying to escape with nowhere to go.

I head back to the bar thinking she came back while I was gone but, nothing. The men are gone too. I sit at the bar grabbing my phone. I call. No answer. I call again. No answer. I sent what felt like one-hundred texts. No answer. I search outside, all around asking person after person being met with a simple No every single time. I was one of the last people to leave after searching the passed out people that are laid out in the front to see if any of them were her.

        A day later... not a word. I went to the police to report her missing. I sat there explaining every single thing. What we said. What we did. What we wore. Every single detail I could provide I did. I even gave them all the pictures I took that night. I told them every interaction we both had. The two men ended up being the point of interest but, since I didn't get a detailed look I described them the best I could. Sadly and one of the worst parts was telling her family, she wasn't to close with her mom and her dad was never home even though it seemed like they had a good relationship. As I sat down with them the questions came flooding in.

   "Where was the party?"
"What time was it?"
"What was she wearing?"

I answered the best I could, before starting to cry. They tried to comfort me but, I couldn't help it. I couldn't stop, I understand she was my best friend but, this was their daughter and they're trying to comfort me.

              Was this my fault for not going over with her? How I was distracted by the drunk girl? I should have never left her side. The thoughts rushing through me, as if being held down under water. I proceeded to cry in their arms for what felt like hours.

      Days later... there was still no sign. It was all over the news. Her family and I put posters all around town. It was like she fell off the face of the earth with only one glance away from her. She was gone.

AUTHORS NOTE:
Hiya first official story I'm writing any opinions or thoughts are appreciated!!! Another chapter coming soon!!!!