THE MAYHEM

"A pleasant evening, students of Ridley University." The noises from the crowd was drowned by the modulated voice of the emcee. "I hope everyone is enjoying the night so far. So to start the program with, may we call on our respected dean to give us a warm opening speech. Mr. Silvenia?"

The dean climb up the stage. He smiled and roamed his eyes around. "Are you guys having fun?" We chanted 'yes' in chorus. "That's good to hear. Anyway, I won't be making my speech that long. I just want to send my gratitude to every school staff and student council members who made this event possible. And of course, to all our lovely students right now. I know the entire year has been very stressful to all of you." As if on cue, our class looked on each other's eyes.

"You all encountered a lot of hurdles, that's why we want to give you a moment to unwind and relax. Tonight, forget every paper works and exams that you need to pass, just think of this is a pourboire after a tiring year, alright students?"

"Yes, Mr. Silvenia!"

The smile on the dean's face widened. "Enjoy the night."

"Are you okay, Lauren?"

I look at Sloane and smile subtly. "Yeah, I'm just a bit uncomfortable with the stiletto I'm wearing since I'm not used to it, but I'm fine."

He sighed. "You could've wear a flat shoes though."

I scowled. "Lorelei insisted that I should wear this goddamn heels."

He chuckled and ruffle my hair that made me frown instantly.

I brush off his hands. "Stop playing with my hair, you imbecile!"

Ethan's voice interrupted us. "Stop flirting, you two," he teased us while carrying a plate containing some chips that he gave to Lei.

My stomach suddenly rumble in hunger. Damn, I almost forgot that we haven't eaten dinner yet. I heard the laughter of the person next to me.

"Do you want me to get you some foods?"

I look over the food section and saw a lot of students. "Maybe later."

He shakes his head. And to my surprise, he walked towards the table where the foods are served. I watch him shoveled a pasta on the plate and get a glass of water. I internally rolled my eyes when I saw bunch of girls ogling over him. Don't these bitches get tired in setting their caps on him? If only they know how awful his personality is.

"Why do you care anyway?" the subconscious part of my mind reprimanded me in which I choose to ignore.

"Dig in," Sloane said and put a platter full of foods on the table.

"You don't need to do this but thank you, still," I thanked him before shoving the food down.

"The plate will not run from you, calm down," Sloane said while stifling a laugh.

I close my eyes in embarrassment. I'm sure that my cheeks are as red as a freaking tomato right now. He can't blame me though, I'm famished!

I cleared my throat and continue eating. My gaze settled on the band singing an unfamiliar song on the stage. They are quite good, I must say.

"You know that song?" I gave Sloane a short glance. He's singing along with the band that's why I asked. He give me a nod. After finishing my foods, I immediately cleaned our table.

"Drinks, Ma'am?"

I was surprised when a waiter passed by us and gave us a drink. This school really loves affluence.

I smiled lightly and took the glass from him. The blue colored liquor looks piquant, but I don't drink alcohol. I'm actually afraid to experience a hang over. I'm just stirring the drink while looking around.

"You're not into liquors?"

I nod my head to Sloane.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not a hard drink. And besides, you're already in high school, it's not that bad to try something new, you know."

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. I guess he's right. "Just one shot," I uttered and gulp the drink down my throat, its pungent taste bringing a searing sensation. It's kind of bittersweet.

"Thank you, chord genius for that wonderful performance. And now, we'll give the stage for those who want to dance their partners in the middle. Come on guys, don't be shy. Pull your crushes on the stage and seize the moment."

My attention was turned to the emcee. Not so long after, a solemn love song started playing.

Wise men say, only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay? Would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you?

Elvis Presley renowned song, 'can't help falling in love' turns the ambiance of the place into a romantic one. I look around, almost everyone is gradually going on the center, apparently to dance with their respective partners. I even saw my best friend and Ethan blending with the crowd.

"Can I have a dance with the most beautiful lady inside this room?"

I was stunned. Sloane Hayne Laxon is bowing in front of me, his left hand behind him and the other one was placed under his chest, similar to those princes in movies asking a princess for a dance. I averted my reddened face, and despite the unusual fast beating of my heart, I laid my hand with his.

His beam becomes brighter. His fingers filled the spaces between mine. In the gentlest way, he pulled me in the middle of the crowd. He rest his left hand on my waist and his right hand on my shoulder. We started dancing along with the mellow music.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

"Why are you avoiding my gaze, Lauren? Your hands are sweating too Come on, are you not comfortable with me? We can go back to our table if you want."

Is he being serious? I can't look at him because his gaze is too much for me too handle!

I shook my head. I really need to take a chill pill. I cleared my throat and meet his eyes. "Happy?" I asked with a sarcastic tone in order to hide the uneasiness coursing through every fiber of my body.

He grinned, and what he did next surprises me even more. He tugged the strands of hair behind my ears.

"Lauren."

That's probably the softest way someone called my name.

I swallowed a lump. "Y-Yeah?"

But before he could say something, all the lights turned off, shrouding the place into total darkness. All the people looked around in bewilderment. A loud whump broke the perturbed silence. Not so long after, we heard a loud explosion that rattled everyone. And in a span of seconds, mayhem ensued. The cacophony of shouts and panicked voices of the students filled the place as everyone dashed towards the exit.

In the midst of the catastrophe, I suddenly remember the words written on that tiny piece of paper.

"When their souls dance in liquors and ecstasy, I will creep along the darkness."

Is this what those words mean? Is that a warning?

I took a vigilant glance around. The hair on my neck began to stand on its end when I felt that someone is staring at us.

"Lauren?" Sloane's worried voice pulled me out of my trance. He pulled me towards our other classmates.

I noticed that we're the only ones who were left inside the gymnasium. My forehead creased.

Ethan and Pierce came running towards us.

"W-We can't find Summer," the latter said while panting.

I got nervous. A lot of gruesome scenarios start to mess up my mind.

"G-Guys."

We were distracted by the familiar voice coming from behind. We turned around, and all of us gasped in surprise. The person that has been missing for months is now in front of us, limping and bruised. Trickle of blood can be seen on her wounded lips.

"Claire!"

Alexandria hurtled towards her friend.

"W-What happened to you?" the former asked her, stammering. "W-We need to get you to the hospital!"

The latter shakes her head furiously. "I-I'm fine, y-you guys don't need to worry about me. I'll explain later. W-we need to run after them. We're running out of time."

All of us throw her a confuse look. She seemed to noticed our bewilderment.

"T-They took Summer. W-We need to save her before it's too late."

We were stupefied. The memories and images of our dead classmates flashes in front of me like a broken disc tape. For several minutes, we just stood there, fear-stricken and trying to absorb everything.

Aeron steps forward. "We can't waste any more minutes, then. The time is running, we need to go. Pierce, I think you should accompany the girls outside-"

"No!"

He was cut by Amber's sudden demur.

"W-We'll come with you guys. I-I want to see Summer safe and sound," she uttered.

"Amber, it's dangerous!" Evan reprimanded his friend.

She shakes her head at Evan. "I'll come with you all. We're worried for Summer's welfare as well."

The former sighed helplessly. Seeing the strong resolve on the woman's eyes, he didn't stop her anymore.

Lei walked towards me and held my arms. We exited the place through the back door. A van greeted us the moment we step outside.

"I will drive. Claire, where exactly did they take Summer?" Evan asked.

Claire wipes the tears brimming her eyes. "I will just tell you along the way."

A pang of pity hits me when I noticed the cuts and slashes on her arms, she became thinner compared before.

As soon as we seated ourselves, Evan immediately starts to maneuver the car. I look outside through the window. A black gradient was the backdrop for a full moon. Millions of stars were sprinkled behind it. The night sky could be picturesque if it wasn't for the situation we are in.

I heave out a sigh. Why do I feel like something is wrong?

•••••

"Are you sure that this is the right direction, Claire?" Evan asked while driving.

Claire, who's sitting beside the former, nods her head.

"Claire, can you please make us understand what the hell is happening? Our classmates are being slaughtered one by one. And I will not be surprised if I'll find anyone of us on the news tomorrow because we're murdered! It's been months since you went missing. And now you came back out of nowhere?!" Sloane asked, his voice rising.

I saw how Claire's emotion changed on the mirror. A mixture of shock and fear  crosses her face.

"Sloane!" Evan interjected.

"What?!"

"Don't pressure Claire, will you?"

"I am not! I'm simply asking questions and you're over-reacting!"

"And your question is making her uncomfortable! If it's not obvious to you, then I'll make your miniscule brain understand. She's obviously traumatized, and asking those bullshits can possibly trigger something in her. You're being an insensitive fucker!"

Sloane was silenced. Evan, unlike his twin brother, is usually calm and composed most of the time. He rarely gets mad. That's why it's quite a surprise for us on how he raised his voice. But I know where is he coming, and what he said was true. The changes in Claire's expression can assert to it.

"They tortured me." The silence was only broken when Claire speaks out of the blue. "They made my life a living hell. There are no days that they did not h-hurt me." Her voice cracked. "My body can still remember how they cut my skin, and how they almost drowned me." She lets out a harsh laugh. "I just wish to die during those days, because I already felt helpless."

"H-How did you manage to escape?" Aeron asked after a short moment of silence.

She closes her eyes. "They forgot to tie me back last night. And I overheard their conversation, t-they are planning to kill Summer."

The atmosphere inside the car seemed to thicken, the tension is rising with every passing seconds.

"W-Who are they, Claire? Who the fuck are trying to kill us?" Ethan asked in a gritted teeth.

She sighed heavily. "I-I don't know."

My forehead creased. How come that she doesn't know who are the culprits, when she stayed with them for several months? That doesn't sound right.

"W-What?!" Ethan asked, confused. "What do you mean you don't know? Claire, you're in the same place with them and you didn't have the chance to know them? That's impossible!"

"I'm telling the truth, Ethan. They imprisoned me, and they are wearing a mask every time they enter the room where they caged me. That is the reason why I was not able to recognize them."

Seeing that she's telling the truth, Ethan just nods his head. Silence once again enveloped us.

But I just can't be at ease. Something is bothering me. A lot of questions are messing up my mind.

I look at Claire who's slumping on the chair with her eyes closed. Why they did not kill her? I mean, it's not that I want it to happen. I'm just confuse as to why the culprits chose to torture her instead of taking her life right away.

I shake my head and mentally slap my face. I should not doubt Claire. The bruises and wounds on her body can attest that what she said are all true.

I averted my gaze and look outside. The familiar canopy of trees and abandoned infrastructures greeted as us we took the road of Woodlawn Avenue. The darkness looming ahead of us and the cold breeze makes our drive a bit terrifying. And it's not helping that there's a strange and uneasy feeling slowly coursing through my body.

I feel oddly hot. I can feel the unhurried closing of my eyelids. But I'm trying to fight the urge to sleep. I know that something is not right, my guts is telling me that we're in a dire straits, I just can't point exactly what is it. I can't fall asleep.

I throw a glance to every person riding in the van, and my forehead wrinkled when I noticed that all of them are in deep sleep already, except for Evan who's still driving, but it looks like his eyelids are about to give out as well. I got nervous.

I pinched myself hardly to stop myself from dozing off. Evan stops the car out of the sudden.

"W-What happened?" I asked him despite the drowsiness I'm feeling. But I didn't receive any answer. I squinted my eyes on the light blinding my vision.

I started sweating profusely, and my heart beats abnormally. The odd and hot sensation I felt a while ago intensifies. I couldn't fight the somnolence anymore, I slowly close my eyes.

But before consciousness leaves my body, I heard an indistinct noises from outside.