HUES OF A MURDER

Chapter 5: A Black Night

Scarlett stopped the car at the gates and peered into the darkness. A hatchback's red light was disappearing into the dark night. She took a deep breath and let it out through her mouth and looked at Rose, "Ready to venture into a haunted house and meet the ghosts?"

"Mm hmm!" Rose couldn't seem to form words. She looked straight ahead.

"By ghosts, I mean Ruby and her minions. Though, ghouls might be a better word," Scarlett started the car.

Rose snickered at her comment, feeling lighter. Maybe she was worried for nothing. It's been years since she had seen Ruby. Also, she wasn't alone. Scarlett was her rock whenever Ruby tried to hurt her. Rose knew that Scarlett would fight for her.

She also wanted to confront Rowan. What was his deal? If he ignored her today, it meant that he was just playing with her. Then she would end the relationship. It's simple. Why did it hurt though? She sighed.

She did have a crush on him but that doesn't mean anything if he was just gonna walk all over her. Rose was lost in thoughts when bright headlights blinded her. She flickered her eyes and squinted. The car slowed down and she saw her brother waving at them. Scarlett stopped the car and poked her head out of the window.

"Are you just coming now?" Rusty hollered at them.

"We had to get ready. That takes time," Scarlett yelled back. Rose got out of the car and went to her brother.

"Of course, one entire day wasn't enough for you. Though I don't see much difference," Rusty was amused. Scarlett pursed her lips. He ignored her and looked at Rose, "Sis, we have just left Cyan at the manor. Don't forget to pick him up. He mentioned that he has already met you guys today. He's new and need friends. I promised Skye that you would be friends with Cyan. You remember Skye, right?"

"Yeah," Rose waved at Skye who waved back at her. "Was he the guy at The Bluebells today?" she asked him.

"Yeah! So, you guys did meet. Did you guys talk?" Skye asked.

"He did take our orders," Rose hid a smile.

Skye heaved a breath and shook his head, "He's been avoiding people since, you know. We are really worried about him."

"Don't worry. We will take care of him," she told Skye with a gentle smile, remembering the blue-eyed guy they had met earlier. He didn't seem very friendly. She wondered how to befriend him.

"Well, leave the party by ten. I will be home. And don't get drunk. Better yet, don't drink," Rusty was stern, "I don't trust your friend much. Even if she insists, don't drink. K?" Rusty whispered.

Rose rolled her eyes at him. "She won't insist on anything that will cause me harm. She's a good person," Rose defended her friend.

"I am just saying. She's a wild one, your friend," Rusty muttered, looking over at Scarlett. Rose harumphed at his allegation.

"Are you coming?" Scarlett shouted.

"Yes," Rose answered. "Bye, Rusty. We will drop Cyan home. Bye Skye," Rose waved at Skye, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She got in Scarlett's car and they rushed to the manor without looking back. The guys waited until the car disappeared and went back to the town.

"Was your brother criticising me?" Scarlett asked Rose while parking next to a black hatchback.

"He wasn't. You know him. He always says some non-sense," Rose fidgeted with her dress.

"So, he did criticise me. What did he say this time?" Scarlett eyed her friend who avoided looking at her. She gasped, "Did he tell you that I might get you drunk or something? That man!" she fumed, gripping hard at the steering wheel.