The Devil In Disguise

Courtyard Deviance

The sun hung high in the sky, the autumn air crisp with a cool breeze that made the leaves rustle softly around the courtyard. Gianina, Mary, Jordan, and the guys sat in their usual spot under the oak tree, a familiar place that felt like a small piece of normalcy amid the chaos that had surrounded them over the past few weeks. But today, the conversations weren't just about school or their upcoming plans. They were about a plan that had the potential to change everything.

It was the day after their talk about the Halloween Masquerade Ball, and Marcus was going over the details of the daring idea the guys had come up with. All of the guys—Marcus, Cal, and Rufus—were going to wear the same outfit as the killer: black suits, black ties, and most chillingly, the same red devil mask. It wasn't just about looking good; it was a direct challenge to the person who had already taken Destiny and Jamie from them.

"We're going to wear the exact same red devil mask," Marcus explained, pulling one out of his backpack for the others to see. It was identical to the one that had haunted their nightmares: bright red, with devilish horns and a sinister grin that sent chills down Gianina's spine every time she saw it.

She swallowed, her heart racing as she stared at the mask. The idea of wearing the same thing as the killer felt like they were tempting fate, poking at something too dangerous to provoke. But they had all agreed—they couldn't just sit back and do nothing.

Gianina's eyes shifted to Marcus, his arm still draped protectively around her shoulders. His presence had been a steady source of comfort throughout all of this, and she trusted him more than anyone. But even now, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Gianina asked, her voice quieter than she intended. She glanced around at the group. "What if this makes him angry? What if he... retaliates?"

"That's what we're counting on, GG," Marcus said, his tone calm but firm. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, pulling her closer to his side. "We want him to get angry. We want him to react."

Cal, lounging next to Jordan with his arm thrown casually around her shoulders, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If he's at the ball, seeing a bunch of guys dressed like him is going to piss him off. He won't be able to resist showing up."

Jordan shifted in her seat, glancing at the mask in Marcus's hands. "But what if he's smarter than that? What if he knows it's a trap?"

Rufus, who had been leaning back against the tree with his arms crossed, spoke up. "Even if he's smart, he's arrogant. He thinks he's untouchable. Seeing us in the same mask? He'll hate that. He'll want to confront us."

The weight of Rufus's words hung in the air, and Gianina could feel the tension tighten around the group. They all knew the risks involved in this plan, but they were running out of options. Sitting around, waiting for something else to happen, was no longer an option.

Cal reached into his own backpack and pulled out his mask, slipping it on over his face for dramatic effect. The red devil mask twisted his usually playful grin into something far more menacing. "Picture it: we walk in, all dressed the same. He won't be able to tell who's who, and we'll have the element of surprise."

Jordan gave Cal a wary look, but her lips twitched into a small smile. "You realize you look terrifying, right?"

"Terrifyingly handsome," Cal corrected with a wink, pulling the mask off and leaning in to press a kiss to Jordan's cheek. "Besides, it's Halloween. We're supposed to be scary."

Rufus rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood for Cal's antics. "The point is, if he sees us like this, he'll know we're not scared of him anymore. We're taking control."

Mary, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, glanced at the mask in Cal's hands and then over at Rufus. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow from days of grief. She hadn't been the same since Jamie's death, and no one could blame her. But even now, there was a strength in her silence that made Gianina admire her resilience.

Rufus noticed her hesitation and shifted closer, his expression softening as he addressed her. "Hey, Mary," he said gently, "why don't you come to the ball with me? Just as friends. It'll be good to have someone to stick with. That way we also have a dance partner". He says and winks at her playfully.

Mary blinked, clearly surprised by the offer. For a moment, she seemed unsure, but then she nodded, a small, grateful smile forming on her lips. "Yeah. I'd like that, Rufus. Thanks."

"No problem," Rufus replied, his usual cool demeanor softening for just a moment. "We'll stick together and keep an eye out."

Gianina watched the exchange, a sense of relief washing over her. Mary had been through so much, and seeing her agree to go to the ball with Rufus—even just as friends—felt like a small victory.

The conversation drifted into lighter territory as they discussed what the night would look like. Jordan, who had been the mastermind behind the entire event, leaned into Cal with a sigh. "You guys better not turn this into some horror show. This was supposed to be a fun night."

Cal smirked, kissing the top of her head. "Babe, you know me. I'm all about fun... and maybe a little drama."

Jordan rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her. "I swear, if you and Marcus start something crazy at the ball, I'm blaming you."

Gianina smiled at the banter, leaning more into Marcus as his arm tightened around her shoulders. Cal was watching them, not that Gianina noticed. She felt a mix of emotions swirling in her chest—excitement for the ball, fear of what might happen, and a strange sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could lure the killer out.

Marcus turned to her, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "You're going to look incredible in that dress, GG. I can't wait to see you in it."

Gianina felt her cheeks warm, the compliment catching her off guard. "Thanks," she murmured, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "You're not going to look too bad yourself in that suit and mask."

"Not bad?" Marcus teased, leaning in closer. "I'm going for devastatingly handsome."

She laughed, nudging him playfully. "Alright, alright. Devastatingly handsome it is."

As she glanced across the group, Gianina caught Cal looking at her this time, his eyes lingering just a little longer than usual before he shifted his attention back to Jordan. It was subtle, but she noticed the way his gaze softened for a second before he turned back to his usual playful smirk.

The light-heartedness of their conversation helped ease some of the tension that had built up, but the underlying seriousness of their plan remained. They were walking into the ball with the intent of drawing the killer out, daring him to reveal himself. It was bold, and it was dangerous.

Rufus stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning back with a grin. "So, we're all ready to make this a Halloween to remember?"

The group exchanged glances, a shared understanding passing between them. This wasn't just about having fun at the masquerade. It was about reclaiming their power, about taking control in a situation where they'd felt powerless for far too long.

"We're ready," Marcus said, his voice steady as he looked around at his friends. "We're in this together."

Jordan, ever the realist, sighed dramatically. "Just... let's try to get through this without any more drama, okay?"

Cal grinned, pulling Jordan closer as he kissed her temple. "No promises, babe. But I'll keep you safe, don't worry."

As they sat together, their conversation weaving between light-hearted teasing and the more serious plans for the night, Gianina couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The ball was fast approaching, and with it, the chance to confront the killer. It was risky—possibly the riskiest thing they'd ever done—but they were in it together.

Marcus kissed her cheek again, a gesture that brought her back to the present, grounding her in the moment. The warmth of his touch reassured her, and for now, that was enough.

The masquerade was their chance. And no matter what happened, they would face it as one.