In this life

Chapter 41

Daniel and I arrived at mum and dad's house as Liam was just leaving.
He gave me a look of disgust and totally blanked Daniel.
"Dick!" I spoke under my breath as I stepped inside.
"Hi love" Mum greeted me "hello Daniel, how are you?"
"Fine thank you Sylvia" he kissed her cheek "yourself?"
"All the better since Liam popped by to say he's paid for Robert and I to stay at a hotel tonight, so we will be out of your way"
"Oh really?" I was surprised "why would he do that?" I knew it wasn't in his nature to be thoughtful and it made me suspicious.
"Maybe he knows how rowdy it will get and thought we'd appreciate a night away" mum shrugged with a smile "he's booked us a nice table at La Pasha too" she beamed at us and went to inform my dad of her news.
"Please tell me you think that's weird too?" I whispered to Daniel. He gave me an uncertain look and we headed to the kitchen to start setting up decorations for tonight.

By midnight the house was full of people, Johnny and Harry had invited some of their friends too and the atmosphere was good. Liam was nowhere to be seen.
We were all in our fancy dress costumes. Daniel and Adam were dressed as vampires and we laughed at how ironic it was that they'd had to buy clothes to make themselves look the part. I was dressed as a dishevelled cheerleader with bite marks and fake blood down my neck. We'd made green, highly alcoholic, punch and themed nibbles.
Ronnie had made a pumpkin pie and Harry had calved six pumpkins with spooky scenes, they looked amazing. I'd lit them with battery powered fake candles. I'd also put black jars around the house with 'Trick' and 'Treat' written on the sides and filled them with various sweets. The 'Trick' jar filled with jelly worms and gooey bugs.
Johnny was in charge of the music and had made a really good playlist, again, with a Halloween theme. Everyone was enjoying themselves and the party was a success.
On my way back from the toilet I'd overheard Harry talking to Johnny in the hallway;
"Where's Liam?" Harry asked him.
"He's not coming" Johnny answered, "he's got the ache about something so probably best he's not here"
I frowned to myself wondering why Liam would make such an effort to get mum and dad to go out if he wasn't even coming?!

Ronnie and Harry were like horny teenagers in the living room. They kept whispering to each other and giggling. Seeing them together made me smile again.
I'd spent most of the time with Daniel and Adam, having a lot of fun and doing shots in the kitchen.
I looked out of the window as something caught my eye. There was someone standing halfway into the bushes in the back garden. I tried to focus and when I did I recognised who it was.
"What's Liam doing there?" I mumbled to no-one in particular. I noticed he was in his normal clothes, with his hoody pulled up over his head. He was trying not to be seen and didn't know I'd spotted him.
"He looks like a man who's up to no good" Adam spoke quietly. I looked to Daniel, worried.
"You don't think he's here to try to... hurt you..?" I asked my own suspicions.
"No" Daniel offered a reassuring smile, "he's not stupid, there's too many people about and he can't fight me" he held my hand.
"But that's just it though isn't it" I started to worry more "there's too many people about... You can't fight him...!" I looked back to where Liam was standing. This time he was looking at us. He had a strange smile on his face. Not unlike that of how I'd imagine a psychopath might smile just before the kill.
"Daniel" I whispered and held his hand tighter, keeping my eyes fixed on Liam.
"Oh my god! Your makeup is amazing!" I heard Grace's voice and looked round. She was talking to Adam who had ignored her. She pulled a face and walked off.
Adam was standing motionless, staring at Liam. Veins had started to appear on his face and his eyes were almost black. He was obviously annoyed that Liam was a threat to Daniel and I.
"Adam, please... Don't" I pleaded.
He looked at me and then at Daniel.
"I should go" he nodded to himself, "before I do something I'll regret"
"You don't have to leave..." I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Yes" he gave me a tight lipped smile "I do"

Adam was the first person to leave. An hour or so later others started leaving too.
Ronnie came over to me, "Are you and Daniel staying here tonight?" she asked shyly.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well... If it's too weird then say, but... could I borrow the keys to your flat?" I knew that she wanted to go there with Harry. She still lived with her parents and Claire was likely to be at Harry's, she hadn't moved out yet.
"Where's your key?"
"I left it at home"
I sighed "ok, but keep out of my room!" I reluctantly gave them to her.
She kissed me on the cheek gratefully and ran off to find Harry. I was glad those two had kicked it off together, they actually suited each other well and I hoped it would last.