"What kind of fuckass party is this?"
Came Ryder's irritated voice as he walked in, his eyes glazing over the decorations strung around the Airbnb.
"Yeah, where's the booze and everything?" Natasha asked, trying to sound cool. "The invitation said there would be pizza!"
"Did it?" Miles asked, picking apart the streamers by the living room door. "Mine just said it would be a murder myster themed party."
"Is that why you're dressed as Sherlock?" Ryder joked, lamenting Miles' boring outfit. Miles gave him the finger in response.
"Does anyone know who sent the invites?" Bernadette questioned, hugging her coat closer to her chest.
The rest nodded in negative.
"Well that's kind of weird, isn't it?" Damian said, looking at Ryder.
"Well, whoever sent the invites surely knows that the lot of us wouldn't decline a party on a friday night, no matter how shady it is." Ryder laughed. The others exchanged looks.
"Come on, guys. Lighten up already! If not anything, we'll just thrash this place up and head to Savaryn's for a drink." He continued, trying to lighten the mood. Miles gave him a poker face.
"We're underage, idiot." He said. "Why would they serve us drinks?"
"Oh I don't know," Ryder's eyebrows rose comically. "...maybe because my dad knows the fucking owner."
"How does your dad know everyone?" Natasha asked.
"Asked like a true noob you are, Nat." Ryder said, making Nat embarassed. "My dad's running for mayor, remember?"
"Right." Damian coughed. "So what do we do now? Should we just head bac-"
Before he could finish his sentence, the automated voice system welcomed them. "Welcome, players."
"Jesus!" Natasha almost shrieked, huddling close to Damian. "That scared me."
Damian gave her an uncomfortable smile while Ryder chimed. "Oh this just got a lot more interesting!"
The automated voice system cackled into force again. "Tonight, your task is simple: find the clues scattered around, solve the mystery of 'whodunnit', and gather in the dining hall once you're done."
"Hey lady, anywhere we can find some booze to get us going?" Ryder asked out loud.
"I don't think it can hear you, Ry." Bernadette whispered in his ear.
"Drinks and other refreshments would be provided once you complete the first task." The voice said.
They laughed, all of them buzzing with excitement.
"Alright, let's split up. It'll be faster." Damian suggested.
"I'll go with you." Natasha said, giving him a flirtatious smile. "Something tells me we'll be a good team."
"Is that something your vagina perhaps, Nat?" Ryder mocked, laughing.
"Shut the fuck up, Ryder."
"Well, we are five people so there'll be an odd one out." Miles said and everybody looked at him with a sympathetic look. "Wha- why does it have to be me?"
"Who else would pair up with you?"
"Maybe the girls can go together and us guys can stick together." He suggested.
"Nuh-uh. My girl ain't finding dead body parts alone." Ryder rolled his eyes. "You'll survive, Montgomery."
Miles sighed heavily, realising there really was no point arguing with him. "Fine. Whatever."
