The Masked Murder

chapter one

Elena Mikaelson flipped the rough pages of her dog-eared paperback book and scooted her feet behind her so she formed a curled up ball on the purple sofa.

She had no idea where she was but she heard the thumping vibrations of classical music and concluded that she was not that far away.

She's isolated herself from the fancy finger food and dazzling champagne to be in a more peaceful environment, though she knew it wouldn't last for long. It was Elena's first time at the annual 'Masquerade Ball', and she hoped it would be her last. After just moving to this intimidating town where diamonds were as resourceful as salt, she immensely felt like she didn't fit in. While every guest was wearing expensive, high-end couture gowns, Elena was dressed in a bright blue dress from forever 21 which her mom had opted for, not knowing just how fancy the attire would be.

"Is this...this bathroom. The bathroom?" a voice slurred, startling Elena.

She looked up from her novel to see a girl stumble in wearing a gorgeous black gown with sequins on the bodice and lace on the hem. She had long jet-black hair that came down past her shoulders and stained ruby red lips which indicated she'd had more than one or two glasses of champagne.

"Um, no," Elena told her, cautiously. "Are you okay?"

The girl just laughed, and plopped down on the edge of the purple sofa. She then shifted her position so she was hanging upside down on the edge of the couch.

"I'm Ivy!" the girl exclaimed, giggling.

Elena slowly moved to the opposite end of the sofa, already predicting the outcome of this.

"That's not a very good idea." She informed.

"Relax! Have some-" Ivy's worlds were cut off as the hurled all over the floor.

Elena winced, and scrunched her noise at the horrid smell.

"Ugh." Ivy groaned. She got up from the sofa, her raven colored hair sticking out in all different directions.

"Excuse me." Elena mumbled, quickly passing Ivy, leaving her to deal with her "issues".

Elena rounded the corner, the narrow hallway dark and vacant. She tried to focus her attention away from the fact that she felt like someone was behind her.

Think happy thoughts, she coaxed.

As she passed through the endless darkness, the thumping of her rhythmic footsteps came to a halt. She could almost swear that she heard faint mumbling through the thin walls amongst the corridor. She blocked out the harmonious beats of the party and pressed her ear against the wall.

"Tonight." a voice said.

Elena couldn't indicate whether it was a male or a female.

"She won't know what's coming." a second voice remarked.

The voice was deep and gruffly, and almost impossibly low. It made Elena shudder, and a chill swept over her. She backed away from the voices, her fingernails digging into her book. She had a terrible feeling about tonight, and as she spotted a bright light almost glowing amongst the darkness indicating she'd found the ball, she knew the end of the night would be unforgettable.

I am so sorrythat it took so long to start chapter one. thing is, I started this story last year, and I started writing it on paper. so you can imagine how long it took to recover it.

thanks!

amara©