Lon Chaney Has Nothing On You

Chapter 4

It didn't take long to get to the party. Eleanor parked a little ways up the street, past all the other cars. Together, the four of them made their way up the house, Eleanor wrapped her arms around herself self-consciously.

The house seemed to vibrate with the music, the base thumping so loud Eleanor could feel it in her chest. Hunter winced a little, rubbing his ears a little. Rob and Rich rushed ahead, excitedly running their hands through their hair.

Inside, the music pulsed even louder. A haze of smoke drifted lazily through the living room, catching the light from the low-lit lamps. It was like a scene from a bad chick flick, red cups everywhere, drunk teens stumbling around each other.

"Eleanor! You made it! Hey, girl!" Natalie rushed up, swaying a little. Her cheeks were flushed, hair slightly mussed.

"I, yeah, we figured we'd stop by," she said. Rob and Rich peeled off, mingling. Hunter hovered close by, looking awkward. He must not have been invited to many parties, Eleanor figured.

"Awesome! Okay, well, drinks are in the kitchen, there's like pizza and chips too, so like, help yourself," she said, though it came out a slur. A couple people called out to her, so she stumbled away, leaving Eleanor and Hunter to their own devices.

"Great party," he said, sarcastic. Eleanor rolled her eyes.

"You could at least try to have a little fun," she suggested. "Maybe grab a drink?"

"I don't drink."

"No, of course not," she grumbled. "Okay, well, I'm going to have fun. Believe it or not, I've actually never been to one of these before." With that she walked off, determined to have a good time. Drunk classmates, Eleanor decided, where a lot nicer than sober classmates. For one, no one sneered at her, which was nice. Maybe it was a free pass from Natalie.

In the kitchen, some kids were mixing drinks, and as soon as she stepped in, someone pressed a cup into her hands. It's contents was a bright red, like fruit punch. She took a careful sip. It was sweet, though it burned on the way down.

Eleanor drained it, loving the way it scorched through her. Someone handed her another cup, and another when that one ran dry. People laughed around her, cheering as she threw them back.

Soon she found herself enveloped in someone's arms, laughing along with the crowd at the drinking game in front of them. She couldn't quite tell what game it was, her vision fuzzy around the edges.

Eventually, she was pulled away, out of the kitchen, and lead down to a dark hallway. She felt weightless, like the ground didn't really exist. Something solid hit her back, and heavy arms trapped her where she stood. Eleanor blinked trying to get her bearings. There was a boy in front of her, leering down with a hungry look in his eyes.

He ducked in closer, but she didn't want that. Eleanor squirmed away, but he wouldn't let her, grabbing her chin roughly with one hand.

"No, I, no, get off, wait," she slurred, slipping against the wall. The boy stepped in closer, holding her chin tightly.

Suddenly, he was gone, and Eleanor was left slumping against the wall. They boy groaned, splayed flat on his back, clutching his jaw. Hunter stood next to him, eyes literally flashing. Eleanor frowned, squinting. His eyes, were, like, golden or something.

"Are you okay?" Hunter asked, rushing over to her when he noticed her looking. His eyes settled back into his usual green.

"I..." It was hard to talk, hard to get her mouth to move right. Hunter gently took her arm, guiding her carefully from the wall.