::Red::

Chapter one - 'Waltzing is for gods'

“There will be a thick fog all night. Citizens are advised to stay indoors,” the reporter said, her voice booming through the speakers. I glanced at my mom, hoping with all my heart that she wouldn’t change her mind and take me back home because of the fog, but as it turned out, I didn’t need to worry. She seemed dead-set on getting me to the party, much more determined than most mothers would have been. I dug my back deeper into my seat, averting my eyes to the windows. Outside, all I could see for miles and miles were trees covered in a light fog. It was such a beautiful, yet eerie night. The edge of the wick basket mom had made to accompany the costume dug into my exposed thighs, reminding me that tonight….well…tonight might just be ‘the’ night.

                “Take care of yourself and call me when it’s over—remember—don’t drink anything offered by strangers, and please, keep your legs closed. I don’t want to be a grand-“

“Mom, I get it,” I said, cutting her off as I felt a blush begin to work its way to my cheeks. She sighed, a small smile on her face, and kissed me on my blazing left cheek.

“Just…be careful. Don’t let the wolf getcha,” She said. ‘I love you.” She added.

“Love you too,” I replied, opening the door and stepping out of the car. My excitement and nervousness seemed to double as soon as the soles of my bright red shoes struck against the cement of the pavement that led from the wide driveway to the castle-like structure that was Adam’s house.

It was no secret that he was wealthy. His mother was the judge for the supreme court of justice while his father was a business typhoon. They both owned businesses and companies worth billions of dollars around the world. Abby, a not-so-close friend of mine had told me that Adam’s family had had the house for centuries. It was sort of their family heirloom…a mansion rich in history, and here I was, about to enter it. The thought circled around in my mind, taunting me, and even before my mom had left, I was already half way across the lawn, heading straight for the tall mahogany twin doors that led into the house itself. Surrounding the building was about four or five fountains with large statues of Swans spewing water from their beaks.

 It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially with the illuminating lights, and I couldn’t help but stare at it for a while. People dressed as marquises, duchesses, angels, monsters, fairies, fairy-tale characters, princes, princesses and much more spewed out of the cars lining the driveway, their outfits illuminated by the light. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen and even though I was yet to behold the insides of the house, I already felt as though I had had the magical moment. It was like watching a real fairytale unfold. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, opened them, and froze. My back tingled, a shiver working its way up my spine. I felt as though I was been watched…and I hated been watched. Turning slowly, I set my eyes on the dark woods not far from the house. It was thick, and just like all the others, was covered in a light fog. The feeling was stronger here…it was as though someone was hiding there…

“Phoenix!” A much-too-familiar voice called from behind me, startling me out of my reverie. I turned around and was at once engulfed in a warm bear hug. Lily was dressed as Snow white, well, if snow white wore a knee-length dress that was made to look like hers but altered to fit the modern day. Her blue eyes were framed by long fake eye-lashes that intensified the beauty of them, and on her lips was the reddest lipstick I had ever seen on anyone. It suited her pale skin perfectly and went ‘just right’ with the black short wig she had on. She also had on red shoes, and I found it strange that our outfits looked almost alike, but it was a good kind of strange.

“You look beautiful!” I said, meaning it. Trying to balance my basket on the crook of my arm, I held her at arm length, taking a good look at her.