A FLASH OF THE MONSTER

As they neared the gala venue, Gia blended into the throng of partygoers, her heart pounding with exhilaration. The sight that greeted her was nothing short of spectacular—an opulent ballroom adorned with shimmering lights, vibrant hues, and the infectious rhythm of music that enveloped the air. Enveloped her soul. Enveloped her entire being.

But the moment they made their way to the seat, everything changed—the night flickered twice, as if sending a memo to someone. Her heart skipped several beats, while Martin clenched her hand tight with the assurance that she didn't need to worry.

The music faltered from the beat that was giving her a thrill to some unrhythmic rap shit, as if sending her out. She curled her toes in her shoes, fear creeping in her as the entire room watched her and Martin stand confused amidst the thousands of souls filling the hall.

“Do you think we should leave?” Officer Martin asked, pulling Gia as they slammed on the seats next to them.

That was another weird thing. Gia was an icon. She was recognized wherever she went, and a front seat was always reserved for her. But there, no one welcomed her. She did not even recognize anyone there. All she saw were new faces. She had to find a seat by herself. It was not like that bothered her, but what was banging her head with contradicting thoughts was the change and the unwelcoming aura.

“No. That would be too suspicious. Let us chill a bit and see what happens next.” She responded to Marting, their eyes intact and their fingers laced. She was asking for comfort, and he was giving her the assurance that she needed.

“Okay. We still have men inside here. We are saved. So, relax, okay?” Martin asked, pressing his hand tighter on hers, and she sampled all the assurance and comfort he was giving her.

She nodded with a weak smile, a part of her reminding her that danger was roaming around as long as Ejay was alive. “Okay.”

They both tried as much as they could to bear with the unbearable type of music. Restlessness kept turning Gia’s head from one corner to the other. She was a real restless chicken who had checked out almost every single face in the hall in about twenty minutes.

But her curiosity went unquenched. She did not see someone familiar with the person she was yearning to see. But still, she could not rest.

When her inutile eye search ended, she returned her gaze to Martin. “Finally, you remembered I was here. Did you find anything?” He asked.

“No. Sorry. Have your men noticed anything out of the ordinary outside?” she asked.

Paul was typing out something on his phone. “None yet. Everything seems cool. But I have told my men not to let their guard down.” He then looked back at her after shoving his phone in his pocket. “But everything is obviously odd, right?”

“It is. Something is not right. I don’t like the aura. I don’t like this at all.” Gia responded with all honesty.

“I know. Where are even the musicians who are supposed to be taking down the show? I do not see any face that resonates with that of a musician. There should be people on your level, Gia. This is so fishy.” Martin remarked.

“Talking of that, there was no list of guest artists in the invitation. I should have sensed something odd because they normally list the names of the invited guests. It was only my name on the address list.” Gia explained with renewed worry.

“Let us chill a bit. Maybe we know something about all these oddities.” Martin said.

Two hours later!

Gia had expected the gala to be a whirlwind of enchantment to carry through the night. She had anticipated watching people get lost in endless dances and get lost in the music as they savored the melodies, relishing the vibrant ambiance. However, as the night progressed, a sense of restlessness and intense boredom began to stir within her.

Amidst the sparkling chatter and eye-popping spectacle, a subtle sense of malaise gnawed at Gia's composure. The gala had let her down, but more than that, it had aroused more curiosity and restlessness, leaving her feeling oddly detached from the revelry surrounding her.

A fleeting sense of boredom crept in as she wandered through the opulent venue, Martin by her side, the elaborate decorations and shimmering lights now appearing mundane. The music now seemed like a distant echo, failing to hold her attention at all. It actually angered her to the echo. It was an insult to the gala. Who organizes a music event and makes it that boring and annoying? She has cursed the night so far.

She and Martin finally sought refuge in the quieter corners of the gala, hoping to alleviate the restlessness gripping her. As she gazed out of a window, a sudden movement caught her eye—a nerve-wracking, fleeting shadow that seemed so out of place amidst the festivities.

She fixed her gaze on the figure, whose figures had been well concealed beneath the attire and the huge hurt. Its movement was uneven, limping.

At first, she dismissed it as a trick of the light or a fleeting lapse of her senses. Yet, a prickling sensation at the back of her neck persisted—a sense of being watched that sent shivers down her spine. She could not shake that image or her worries and fears.

She looked again, and the figure just stared at her as if posing for her. Her glass of juice fell to the floor, scattering into pieces and splashing its contents on her dress as it summed up everyone in her near surroundings. “Gia? What is it?” Martin tried shaking Gia out of her shocked state.

She snapped her face to him in a flicker, beats of sweat jolting down her face. “Martin. He is here.” She murmured.

“Where?” Martin replied, shoving his hand in his pocket to fish out his phone and alert his men after confirming.

Gia pointed through the window, and Martin followed. “There. He…”

Silence!

Confusion!