When the deAd come cAlling

Our story begins on an autumn day in Rosewood. A cold sharp wind swept through the town as the brown coloured leaves broke off from their branches and fell peacefully to the ground below. Arden continued walking down the pavement, clutching onto her velvet bomber jacket for warmth. She raised her head slightly and noticed the sign for the Brew, stopping as she came close to the door. The front of the building was covered in decorations, lights hanging from the gutters, themed cupcakes springing out from inside the window and pumpkins spread around the ground outside. She lifted her hand and clutched onto the door handle. Giving a slight push she entered the café. It was considerably warmer than outside and the sound of faint music could be heard in the background. From across the room a teenager around the same age as Arden signalled her. The girl was a friend of her's, dark brunette, dimples and the perfect smile. Tessa Montgomery. As Arden walked to the table she noticed her other friends there too. The studious anarchist, Juliet with eyes as blue as a clear sky on a summers day and the  "I'm telling you if she lost her v-card we would all know about it" the brunette teased, picking up her cup and taking a sip of her latte. "What we talking about?" Arden asked as she joined the circle and took a seat, placing her purse down by her side. Juliet leaned in closer, almost as if it was top secret information. "Olivia Caplan". Arden raised her eyebrow, not instantly recognising the name. "Olivia as in the girl from math?" she questioned. "Yeah the one who wears all those slutty outfits" Drew snarled. "Who can't even put two and two together". "I'm with him" Tessa said. "I've met two year olds smarter than her..and two year olds and fucking idiots!". The whole group erupted in laughter at Tessa's insult, with Arden particularly taking a liking to her words. She nodded at the brunette. Tessa smiled back as a sense of confidence came from her approval. "So..Sky's party tonight" Juliet said. "What's everyone drinking?". Drew looked at Tessa, then back at the group. "I don't really know if I wanna drink..ye know" he announced, lifting his leg and crossing it over the other. Juliet raised her eyebrow, astonished by the news. "Is it so you'll remember when you and Sky get together?" Arden asked, slightly giggling to herself. Drew gave a quick glance before returning his sight to the floor. "Is it so you'll remember when he touches you for the first time and you stare into his eyes?" she asked again. Tessa and Juliet looked at one another. Arden inched her way closer to Drew's chair, moving her body away from the back of the arm couch. "Is it so you'll remember your first kiss?" she questioned. Suddenly she felt a grip on her arm, Juliet now standing beside her held onto her jacket. "That's enough...leave him alone!" she exclaimed, defending Drew. The blonde girl looked at her, then at the fragile boy who was still staring at the floor. Only this time she could see a single tear drop down from eyelid and roll down his cheek. His lips were trembling, shoulders heavy with emotion. She then brought her focus back to Juliet, standing up abruptly to come face to face with her. "I don't know why you're getting so worked up...I'm not the one who can't handle the truth". She brought her hand down and snatched her bag, pulling it up and over her arm. "Be at my place for 9...we'll get ready and pre-drink there" she pronounced with a smile, narrowing her eyes in the process. However, it wasn't a regular smile. It was a smile that the group had consistently seen, it was a smile that everyone related back to her. It was a smile that could make you feel so secure but at the same time could make you feel like you were all alone, passing through the abiss. It was a smile like the pure blue and dark red of an undetermined emotion. It was a smile.
—
The locker room filled with testosterone as the football team barged through the door's after practice. The smell of sweat worsened as the oxygen was contaminated by the athletes. "I'll stay with you the entire night, I swear!" Noah expressed as he opened his gym locker and began taking out his clothes. Behind him were two other boys, around the same age as him. "You're gonna ditch me again..just like Grace's party" one of the boys said, picking up his gear bag and placing it onto the wooden bench. He had dark, lustrous hair. The colour of deep brown, resembling the oak of a hardwood tree. His face was rugged but at the same there was something babyish about his looks, big eyes, soft skin. Easily recognised as Sky Kahn. Noah let out a toot, before looking up and smiling at the boy. "Okay maybe I ditched you..but I did have a good reason" he confessed. The boy beside Sky laughed to himself before turning and slowly lifting his shirt over his head, revealing a chiseled chest with abs sculptured to perfection. His beach blonde hair matched the small fibres going down his stomach and through into his briefs. None other than Hunter Drake. "You went off with that girl..how's that a good reason?" he asked, continuing laughing to himself. Noah sniggered before returning to packing his bag. "Anyway so this party tonight...you gonna try get with anyone?" Hunter asked. He turned his head and was looking at Sky, while Noah brought his head up and looked at the boy as well. "I mean I don't know.." he replied, shrugging his shoulders. Noah and Hunter looked at one another. "Your kidding, right?" he asked again. "It's been like what...a year since you got with someone?" Noah spoke, backing up Hunter. "That's gotta be rough". "Well it's not okay!" Sky exclaimed. He turned his back and slammed his locker shut, his face turning red with anger. Hunter walked toward him and put a hand on his back, hoping to came him down. "It's okay we were just messing around". The boy slowly turned back round to face them, a slight smile coming across his face. "Ye know..it actually has been" he articulated, a small laugh coming up from his lungs. "Plus you've probably ran out of tissue's by now!" Noah mentioned. The group looked at one another before erupting in laughter. Noah and Hunter had a similar laugh, one that came from deep inside there chests and filled there entire body while Sky's was different. His laugh came from his eye's, the way his face changed to infectious joy while his iris's sparkled like someone shining a light on a diamond. After a while it died down and each one finished their tasks. "Okay listen I'll talk to you guys later..can't wait for tonight!" Noah said, picking up his bag and walking out of the changing rooms. The two boys gave a weak wave before returning to what they were doing. "Hey dude can I ask you a question?" Sky asked, as he placed his foot on the wooden bench and began tying his shoelace. Hunter nodded back to him, signalling for him to ask away. "Do you ever just like...I don't know how to describe it but like..go off girls for awhile?". The other boy turned and looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Nah never, always been just plane sailing I guess plus having Tessa is just amazing" Hunter replied. "Why'd you ask?". Sky's stomach knotted up at the question. He never liked explaining himself, let alone anything to do with his attraction. "Uh I don't know...I've got to go I'll see you later" he said grabbing his gym bag and racing out the set of doors. Hunter looked confused as he turned and walked down the hall. He shook it off before returning to his locker and taking out a fresh t-shirt and pulling it down and over his chest. Suddenly a crash came from behind him. It sent him spinning as he turned around in an attempt to protect himself. "Someone's extra jumpy today!" Arden announced with a smirk. Hunter fell back against his locker, his heart still pounding from the sudden fright. "Calm down loser it's like I'm gonna kill you". It took him a couple of seconds to get his breath and plus rate back to a steady pace but by that time Arden was already standing in front of him. "So..how's it going" she expressed, slowly moving her hand up and placing it against the locker just beside the boy's shoulder. He let out a grunt before looking down at the girl. "Cut the crap...what the hell do you want?" he asked. Her smile quickly faded as she cuffed her hand and turned it into a fist. "You know what I want..and I'm starting to get impatient" she voiced gritting her teeth slightly. "Of course if you want everyone to know you got your girlfriend pregnant that's fine by me!". She turned and began walking away only to be brought back as Hunter grabbed her arm. "I swear to god Arden" he said aggressively. The girl looked down at his arm before breaking free of his grip. "You don't scare me". Beginning to walk away, Arden slowly turned back as her name was called by the boy. "You know..one of these day's you're gonna get what's coming to you" the blonde boy shouted. She turned her head back toward the door and sighed, flipping her hair to one side. "And believe me, I'll be ready" she replied, walking out the door. Hunter was left on his own in the changing room, the echo's of people talking passing through the wall's as  he stood, frightened.
—
As the four liars approached the house the music became even louder, almost like the sound of thunder on a cold summer's night. It was the night of the party and the entire grade had gathered at the The Kahn's for the halloween celebrations. The dress code was sexy but spooky and the group were beyond excited. Drew was sported in a greek god costume accompanied with lace gold boots to match. Tessa came dressed in her sexist pirate costume and a foam sword in hand. After many a change Juliet finally decided on a witch costume, a black dress drooping down to her thighs with a hat to match the costume. But it was Arden's outfit that was the scene stealer. She was dressed in the classic 1970's leather pants with a black crop top to match, an obvious tribute to Sandy from Grease. "Tonight..just try to have fun" Arden expressed with a sigh. Tessa took a deep breath in as she slightly touched Drew's hand. Something was up. It was icy cold. She didn't know whether it was because of the autumn weather or because of a particular emotion he was feeling. She decided to brush it off as she took her hand away. Before they finished the path to the house Arden stepped out in front and turned around, facing the rest of the group. "Listen I'm really sorry about today Drew.." she uttered. "It was out of line and I'm sorry". "And I'm sorry if I seem a little weird lately it's just things are rough at home and I don't know what it is...it's just I get this feeling like.." she continued but was stopped by the touch of Juliet's palm on her arm. "We understand" the girl articulated. "Were here for you..remember that". There was a moment of silence among the group as Arden began smiling to the girl. "Now let's forget about everything and get fucking smashed!" Tessa exclaimed, breaking the silence. Each of them laughed as they linked arms and continued the short journey to the house's door. However they noticed something strange. The traditional suburban house was coated to the last with spooky decor, the music was at full volume but they couldn't see any people inside. The group looked at one another as they approached the porch. Suddenly the door creaked open mysteriously, almost like a ghost had just pushed it. They all stared into the house. No one was there. "Okay this is just weird" Tessa articulated, taking a step back from the steps up to the porch. Drew's face went from his usual colour to a plain white, like someone had just drained all his blood from his body. "Yeah guys let's just get outta here!". Suddenly from behind the door an entity popped out. The group jumped back as the person leaped forward. "GOT YEAH!" it shouted. Each person breathed heavy as the person's face was exposed as Sky. "Oh my god Sky, what the actual fuck!" Arden screamed, flipping her hair to one side in order to try regain her breath. The boy leaned back through the frame and peered his head to the side. "Guys they totally fell for it!", accompanying it with a laugh. "Okay what the hell was that for!" Juliet shouted up him. "Just come inside and I'll explain" he expressed, moving his body to the side guiding an entrance into the house for the group. They looked at one another before Arden led them up the steps of the porch and into the house. Drew was the last to enter and as he passed the other boy he gave a smile to him. "Just the record" he said. "I wasn't scared". Sky gave a smile back to him as he continued looking at him. Drew's face had returned to it's colour but as he talked to the boy a light pink flowed into his cheeks, like a wild flower blossoming in the spring time. The conversation broke as Drew stepped in and Sky closed the door shut. Inside the atmosphere was almost like someone had passed away and they had returned to the house for the wake. The music was playing yet no one was here, apart from the group sitting around on the couches. Arden frowned before turning to face Sky. "Your party's are renowned for being unreal!" she exclaimed. "What the fuck do you call this?". Sky smiled before walking to one of the couches. "Slight change of plan" he said as he began to explain. "Piper Moore threw a party and everyone decided to go to hers". "But who cares we have like 8 people..we can still have fun, right?" he asked, moving to the edge of his seat and grabbing a can of beer. He began pointing toward the different people around him, introducing them at the same time. The liars recognised a few like Noah, Hunter and Jenny but the other's were a mystery to them. On one of couches a girl looked up from her red solo cup to look at the four standing at the entrance to the living room. She gave a look to only person, one single person. Arden. Almost like they had met before. Tessa brought her eyes to the sofa and saw her boyfriend smiling back at her. Her face lit up with excitement as she passed the group and walked into the circle, taking a seat beside Hunter. The pair kissed before he put his hand around the girls shoulder. "Someone looks amazing..as usual" the blonde boy complimented. She smiled, her dimples pushing through her complexion. Tessa's smile was extraordinary, the warm glow of happiness she let off. An impulse of true emotion and the most sincere smile that ever graced the earth. "If this is gonna be it..then we're going" Arden expressed, turning her body and commanding her group. But something happened. Something that should've happened a long time ago. Drew and Juliet looked at one another and walked toward the other group taking a seat among them. They didn't listen. For the first time they didn't care, they didn't care if she felt uncomfortable, for once, they made their own decision. Arden quickly turned back and noticed them all sitting down. It was like Lear in William's epic play, she had lost her power, even if for a split second, she still lost it just like the King. For a moment she deliberated on whether or not too stay but ultimately made up her mind. "Whatever, have fun!" she said sarcastically as she walked out of the door, slamming it shut behind her. The group looked at one another before laughing together. "That felt good" Drew confessed, giving a weak smile to the circle. "It did..didn't it?" Juliet said. "Okay so who's up for some good old fashioned Truth or Dare?" Sky asked, dividing the alcohol on the coffee table and passing some to each person. From outside Arden stepped off the porch, taking a deep breath as her shoes pushed into the short grass below her. She looked up to the sky before returning her line of sight to the path home. "God it's gonna be a long night" she said, moving her foot as she began walking. She didn't know where she was going, she didn't know if she was going home or if she was going to catch the next bus out of Rosewood. All she knew was that she walking. Walking.
—
It was around midnight and the small party was in full swing. The smell in the air was a mix between vodka and beer, not the most enticing concoction. Chattering could be heard among the teenagers, different people talking to one another. Most of them were drunk while some weren't. However something weird happened. Sky had stopped drinking after only one can. He was known for his drunken antics but tonight something changed. "Okay Sky it's your turn!" Noah said with a grin, placing his hand on the bottle and spinning it. Everyone began laughing as it continued to spin but a sense of nervousness came across him. But before he could overthink it someone from across the group looked at him with a smile. A smile that did something to his heart. The smile calmed the boy down. Suddenly the bottle stopped and conveniently right in front of the person who was smiling at him. Drew. No one questioned anything, everyone was too busy talking or drinking. Sky smiled back before standing up and walking toward the other boy. "Guess it's our turn" he articulated, a slight excitement coming through. He placed his hand down before he felt the boy respond, placing his palm on Sky's. Drew stood up as the teenager led the way across the room and in front of the closet door. Behind him a weak cheer could be heard coming from Juliet. "Go get him you fucking legend!". Sky opened the door, allowing Drew space to go through before closing the door behind the pair. The closest was small, coats were hanging from racks on either side while boxes filled up the empty spaces. The teenagers stood in front of each-other as someone shouted from outside, telling them they had started the timer. Drew brought his head up and looked into Sky eyes and something surprised him. After all this time, all the years he'd spent on this earth he had never seen eyes so beautiful before. It warmed him inside, like someone had just offered him a blanket fresh out of the dryer. "This is fun" Sky expressed, smiling. The other boy couldn't help match it as he nodded along. "You not drinking tonight?" he asked, raising his eyebrow ever so slightly. Sky swallowed before looking back at Drew. "I guess not" he replied. "That's weird, you're like known for being drunk!". Drew laughed to himself, placing a hand on the teenagers chest. He noticed his heart was beating fast. A sudden shock came to him, removing his hand as an extent. "I guess it's just..tonight..I didn't have a reason to drink" Sky answered moving his hand down by Drew's side and cuffing it within the boy's, taking his hand gently. A rush of emotions flooded Drew's head as his heart began beating faster and faster. It reassured him. It made all the bad thoughts go away. The touch made his world, for once, finally feel safe. It didn't take all his pain away, but it definitely shared it. In that moment Sky felt all his thoughts about everyone else disappear and in that moment all that mattered was the two of them. Drew looked up from the ground and looked back into his eyes. It was as if it was fate. They began leaning in, closer and closer. They had waited for this moment and finally they were going to get their reward for waiting. A kiss so anticipated. A kiss so wanted. Suddenly the door swung open and in jumped Noah. "TIMES UP!!" he shouted as he brought the flashlight on his phone up and pointed it at the couple. The fireworks abruptly ended as the pairs lips parted. They didn't kiss. It was like wanting something so badly, coming so close too it but just not quiet getting there. Drew and Sky looked at one another, knowing that maybe tonight wasn't their night but one night. One summer's night on the eve of a murder. That the stars would align and they would finally get that kiss. And then everything would fall into place. Everything would begin but end at the same time. Everything would be extraordinary, exactly what they deserved.
—
The cold water made the soles of her feet tingle. The lake was calm, no one was in sight as Arden sat on one of the dilapidated wooden docks. She brought her head up, the moonlight splashing down it's silver glow onto her unique facial structure. From behind her a shadow from a faraway tree glared at the girl. It was her, the girl from the party. As Arden dipped her feet in and out of the water she made her way closer and closer to the docks before finally resting at the steps just before the platform. "Arden" she said plainly. Her voice was distinctive, a cross between high and low. The girl turned her head slightly, acknowledging the other's presence. "You can sit with me, if you want?" she asked. The word's let off a weak smile from the girl as she began walking toward the docks edge. As Arden brought her head back down to the lake water she felt a strange sensation as the girl brushed past, taking a seat down beside her. The feeling was like someone had gotten an ice cube and traced it up and down her spine. Like someone had whispered something into her ear in a room filled with silence. Like someone had walked on her grave. "You're nervous" the girl proclaimed, bringing her hands by her legs and wrapping them under her thighs. "Why?". Arden stayed still, attempting to make as little body movement as possible. "I'm not scared" she replied. The other girl raised an eyebrow and returning her head back to look at Arden. "I didn't say you were scared". For a moment there was silence between the pair, soft sounds of nature could be heard all around them but yet no words spoken. "W-what are you doing h-here?" Arden asked, her teeth beginning to chatter from the cold. "You can't be here, it's n-not possible". "Oh but it is my dear" the girl repiled. "You see when you disappeared I was left, alone. No one was there for me and I ended up losing my mind. Not losing losing my mind cause it's too late for that but like I just lost it!". Arden quietly began standing up, backing away from her slowly. "Where are you going? Don't you want to hear how the story ends!" the girl screamed, standing up abruptly and turning her body to face Arden. She stopped in her tracks, her face beginning to lose it's colour as her heart pounded faster and faster. "So I made a plan, one night I got up and left" she continued. "There was lots of tree's everywhere, and I mean lot's of tree's. Like you could hear them, the animals whispering to each-other and they all asked the same question. Where's she going!? So then I ran...I ran as far as I could..so far that I didn't know if I was close to it anymore or closer than ever. It was like this feeling, this rush of energy it made me run, it made me choose. It took me over!" "SHUT UP" Arden screamed, her voice overpowering the other girl's causing her words to stop. "YOU CAN'T BE HERE...YOU CAN'T BE!". The girl's face frowned, an inner rage coming from deep inside her chest made her want to grab Arden and slice her open. "WHY CAN'T I BE? HUH??" she screamed back. "TELL ME!" "TELL ME ARDEN!" "WHY CAN'T I BE H-" "BECAUSE YOU'RE DEAD!" the blonde girl shouted, interrupting the other's screams. "You're dead Grace". Her face went blank, no expression, so smile, no nothing. "You ran away..yes but they found you. I mean they found your body, in the woods". Grace continued her blank expression as she slowly back up, becoming closer to the edge of the dock. She mumbled to herself, word's that Arden couldn't exactly work out. It was like a different language. The moment before she fell into the water Arden glanced at Grace directly into her eye's. A stare so terrifying yet mysterious. A stare like none other. Like Arden knew exactly what she was going to do. "You" she whispered before falling into the icy cold water, her body slamming against the murky liquid. Arden's heart continued to beat faster and faster as a sick smile came across her face. She turned her body without a second thought and began walking away from the lake. The moonlight was brighter than ever, allowing the perfect glow to search for Grace's body but something was wrong. There was nothing there. Not a trace. Nothing to prove that she was there. Simply, nothing.
—
Juliet's head continued to pound with a horrific headache as she brought her glass of water into the sitting room. Every teenager was passed out on either the couch or on the floor. On the couch nearest to the fireplace lay Hunter and Tessa, his arm's wrapped tightly around his girlfriend. Both were smiling, unintentionally but coincidentally. On another sofa layed Drew and Sky, they weren't holding one another but both of their face's seemed to be facing one another's. The girl's eyes were brought to the couch nearest to her as she watched Noah smile back at her. "Someone's up early" he expressed, a laugh coming from his mouth. "Couldn't sleep I guess" she said, continuing the conversation. He nodded his head as he sighed before standing up. "Guess that's the party over then". She agreed as he began tiptoeing out of the room, being careful not to wake anyone up. He gave a smile to Juliet as he walked past her but was stopped by the sound of her voice. "Are we completely over?" she asked, moving her head to the side. Noah sighed, looking at Juliet for a split second. "Let's just give it some time and then maybe in the future...we could...try again". Juliet's face lit up with joy, her true smile coming across her face. "I'd like that" she confessed as Noah continued on his way down the hallway. There was still a spark their and Juliet knew it, she knew that all that was needed was word's. Plain simple word's could mend their relationship. She felt a sensation, knowing that one day they'd be together. A sensation the girl had rarely felt in her life. A sensation so common yet rare. Hope.
—
As the sun began to rise in Rosewood on November the first a girl continued walking down a muddy pathway. She looked up to the sky as the bright colours brought a feeling of happiness upon her. But in the back of her mind their was still something. That feeling she hated. That feeling of guilt. That feeling of knowing that she was responsible for Grace's real death. That feeling of knowing that she did it, that she killed her. Her mind was brought back to the array of tranquillity in the sky as her feet came to stand still. She wasn't at her destination but in that moment she just continued to stare at the sky. It was peaceful. Everything was peaceful. Almost like the calm before the storm.
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