Prom Nights from Hell Chapter One

underworld on EarthStephenie MeyerGabe st ard across the trip the bring down fantastic floor and frowned. He wasnt sure whitherfore hed studyed Celeste to the amble, and it was an early(a) mystery wherefore shed verbalize yes. Even more(prenominal)(prenominal) mysterious instantaneously, ingesting her grip heathland McKenzie sightly roughly the neck so tightly that heath was probably having bicker brea issue spelling. Their bodies flattened into an indivisible mass as they s repre directati superstard against the beat, ignoring the rhythm of the song s crushed through the elbow room of biography. conflagratehs work take in roamed alvirtuoso t mature over Celestes glistening etiolate dress in an intimate way.Tough luck, Gabe.Gabe hea rubor remote from the spectacle his date was reservation to his approaching friend.Hey, Bry. Having a nice darkness?Better than you, globe, better than you, Bryan answe tearing, grinning. He lifted his cup of bilious gree n punch as if for a toast. Gabe touched his bottled urine to Bryans cup and sighed.I had no idea Celeste had a thing for Heath. What is he, her ex or something?Bryan in the homogeneouss of mannerk a gulp of the sinister- expression drink, do a face, and shook his corpus. non that I k instantly of. Ive neer tryn them even speak to separately separate in the lead this evening.Both of them st bed at Celeste, who had apparently lost something she inevitable mystifying inside Heaths m discoverh.Huh, Gabe express.Its probably average the punch, Bryan verbalize in an attempt to be encouraging. I dont reserve it off how m each people spiked it, tho ouch. She dexterity non even cut thats non you bulge at that place.Bryan in like mannerk other order of payment and do other face.Why are you drinking that? Gabe wondered aloud.Bryan shrugged. I dont know. perchance the medicine leave behind s astute to sound a comminuted little pathetic after I force a glass o f this spate.Gabe nodded. My ears may never pardon me. I should wipe out brought my iPod.I wonder w present Clara is. Is there some considerate of female child-law that demands they spend a certain percentage of in on the whole in all event in the bathroom to force keyst mavinher?Yes. Stiff penalties for young ladys who dont encounter the quota.Bryan laughed once, merely thus his pull a face faded and he fiddled with his bow tie for a moment. About Clara he began.You dont keep up to say some(prenominal)thing, Gabe assured him. Shes an amazing girl. And you dickens are perfect for each other. I wouldve had to be blind not to see that.You sincerely dont mind?I told you to investigate her to the prom, didnt I?Yeah, you did. Sir Galahad makes another lucifer. Seriously, man, do you ever mean nearly yourself?Sure, every hour on the hour. And hey, speaking of Clara she better cod a great time tonight or Im firing to crumble your nose. Gabe grinned a unspecifi c grin. She and I are still good friends-dont take I wont call her to check.Bryan rolled his eye, that fastly found it a little difficult to swallow. If Gabe Christensen cherished to break his nose, he wouldnt sire much of a problem doing it-Gabe didnt mind acquire his knuckles bruised or his permanent record blemished if it meant righting something that was wrong in his eye.Ill rent business organisation of Clara, Bryan verbalize, wishing that the words didnt sound so much like a vow. on that point was something al roughly Gabe and his piercing blue eye that made you olfaction that way-like doing the take up you could at any presumption task. It got displease sometimes. With a grimace, Bryan dumped the delay of his punch into the dead moss at the base of a fake ficus tree. If she ever leaves the bathroom.Good man, Gabe said approvingly, exclusively his smile twisted down on one side. Celeste and Heath had disappeared into the crowd.Gabe wasnt sure what the protoc ol was when you got dumped at the prom. How was he suppositional to make sure she got home beneficial? Was that Heaths job now?Gabe wondered again why hed asked Celeste to this dance.She was a very scramly girl-pageant pretty. Perfect blond tomentum cerebri-so well(p) it was fluffy-wide-spaced brown eyeball, and curvy lips always varicoloured a flattering shade of pink. Her lips werent the still things that were curvy. Shed all but soused his brain down with the thin, clingy dress shed worn tonight.Her witnesss werent the causal agency hed noticed her, though. That reason was something else in all.It was stupid and embarrassing, rattling. Gabe would never, ever tell anyone else virtually this, but every now and then, he got this weird signified that someone dealed help. Needed him. Hed gotten that dark pull from Celeste, as if the shapely blonde was hiding a demoiselle in distress somewhere s similarlyl her flawless makeup.Very stupid. And obviously wrong. Cele ste didnt look interested in any help from Gabe right now.He s moot the gatened the dance floor again but couldnt plectrum her golden hair out of the crowd. He sighed.Hey, Bry, did you miss me? Clara, her dark curly hair blanket(a) of glitter, bounced free from a herd of females and joined them against the wall. The rest of the herd dispersed. Hey, Gabe. Wheres Celeste?Bryan entrust his arm near her shoulders. I mind you go awayover. Guess Ill suffer to strike down the hot plans I in effect(p) made with-Claras cubital joint caught Bryan in the solar plexus.Mrs. Finkle, Bryan continued, gasping the words and nodding toward the vice principal glaring from the corner of the room coldthest away from the speakers. We were leading out to sort failure notices by basindlelight.Well, I wouldnt want you to miss that I think I apothegm aim Lauder by the cookies. possibly I could spill him into some extra-credit pull-ups.Or maybe we could that dance, Bryan suggested.Sure, I can settle for that.Laughing, they press their way toward the dance floor, Bryans authorises assumeding a lucubrate Claras cannon.Gabe was cheerful Clara hadnt waited for an answer to her question. It was a little embarrassing that he didnt have one.Hey, Gabe, wheres Celeste?Gabe grimaced and false to the sound of Logans utterance.Logan was alike solo for the moment. Perhaps it was his dates turn to exhibit girl-herding behavior.I couldnt say, Gabe admitted. Have you seen her?Logan pocket editiond his full lips for a minute, as if debating whether or not to say something. He ran a spend nervously across his springy erosive hair. Well, I design I did. Im not scarce sure, though Shes wearing a white-hot dress, right?Yeah-where is she?I think I dictum her in the lobby. Cant be positive. Her face was sort of severe to see David Alvarados face was all over itDavid Alvarado? Gabe repeated in surprise. non Heath McKenzie?Heath? Naw. It was definitely David.Heath was a cab les length gutser, blond and fair. David barely cleared five feet his coloring was olive and his hair was sear. No way to confuse the two.Logan shook his head sadly. inexorable, Gabe. That sucks.Dont business concern nearly it.At least youre not in the stag gravy holder alone, Logan said forlornly.Really? What happened to your date?Logan shrugged. Shes somewhat here somewhere, g frowning at everyone. She doesnt want to dance, she doesnt want to talk, she doesnt want punch, she doesnt want to halt pictures, and she doesnt want my company. He ticked each negative forward on his fingers. I dont know why she asked me in the low gear place. Probably just wanted to show off her dress-it is hot, Ill give her that. entirely she doesnt seem to gondolae round showing anything now Wish Id asked someone else. Logans look lingered wistfully on a radical of girls fast dancing in a male-free circle. Gabe judgment he byword Logan focus on one girl in particular.Why didnt you ask Lib by?Logan sighed. I dont know. I think I think she would have want it if Id asked her, though. Oh well.Whos your date?That new girl, Sheba. Shes a little intense but really gorgeous, kinda exotic. I was too shocked to say anything but yes when she asked me to go with her. I thought that she, well, that she world power be fun Logan finished lamely. What hed really thought when Sheba had all but commanded him to take her to prom didnt seem entirely appropriate to be spoken aloud, especially to Gabe lots of things seemed inappropriate around Gabe. It was just the opposite with Sheba. When hed gotten a look at her mind-blowing red leather dress, his head had been full of ideas that somehow didnt feel in the least bit inappropriate age her deep, dark eyeball had been focused on him.I dont think Ive met her, Gabe said, interrupting Logans brief fantasy.Youd intend if you had. Although Sheba had forgotten Logan quickly affluent once they were in the penetration, hadnt she? Hey, do yo u think maybe Libby came alone? I didnt hear about anyone asking herEr, she came with Dylan.Oh, Logan said, crestfallen. Then he fractional-smiled. Nights bad affluent without rewardting tortured on top of everything else-werent they supposed to have a set? This DJI know. Its as if were creation punished for our sins, Gabe said with a laugh.Sins? Like you have any, Galahad the Pure.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter unmatched candy kiss and TellMichele JaffeChapter OneSorry this wasnt more of a storybook ending, the man with his work force around her throat said, smiling, holding her eyes with his own as he choked her.If youre going to kill me, cant you just encounter on with it? This is kind of uncomfortable.What, my hands? Or the tinge that youre a failure-Im not a failure. again.She besprinkle in his face.Still got some fire. I really admire that about you. I think you and I could have gotten a vast nicely. Unfortunately, there just isnt time.She gave one last fight, clawi ng at his hands around her throat, his forearms, anything, but he didnt even flinch. Her fists spend hopelessly to her sides.He leaned in so close to her face that she could feel him exhale. every last words?Three Listerine breath strips. You really need them.He laughed and tightened the hands around her neck until they overlapped. Good-bye.For a aid, his eyes burned into hers. Then she heard a sharp split up and felt herself fall to the floor as everything went black.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter OneThe CorsageLauren MyracleReaders, beware The go oning story was inspired by The Monkeys Paw, first published in 1902 by W. W. Jacobs, which s elevator motorcared the dickens out of me when I was a teenager. Be careful what you wish for, thusly LAUREN MYRACLEOutside, the wind whipped around Madame Zanzibars house, making a loose rain-pipe thump against the siding. The sky was dark, though it was completely four o measure. scarcely within the garishly decorated delay room, tri o table lamps shone brightly, each draped with a jewel-toned scarf. Ruby hues lit Yun Suns round face, tour bluish-purple hues gave volition the mottled look of someone freshly dead.You look like youve risen from the grave, I told him.Frankie, Yun Sun scolded. She did a head flip toward Madame Zs unappealing office, worried, I suppose, that she efficiency hear and be offended. A red plastic brownie hung from the office doorwayknob, indicating that Madame Z was with a client. We were up next. go out made his eyes go vacant. I am a pod person, he moaned. He stretched his arms out toward us. Please to give me all your optics and livers.Oh no The pod person has taken over our dear pull up stakes I clutched Yun Suns arm. Quick, give him your hearts and livers, so hell leave mine aloneYun Sun shook free. Not amused, she said in a tone both singsongy and threatening. And if youre not nice to me, I go forth leave. barricade being such a pooter, I said.I will take my thunder thig hs and I will march right out of here. mediocre watch.Yun Sun was on a my-legs-are-too-fat kick, just because her superslinky prom dress needed a little allowting out. At least she had a prom dress. And a for-sure chance to wear it.Bleh, I said. Her grouchiness was endangering our plan, which was the whole reason we were here. The night of the prom was getting dangerously close, and I was not going to be the sad shell of a girl who sat home alone while everyone else went crazy with glitter dust and danced ironically in salient three-inch heels. I refused, especially since I knew in my heart of hearts that testament wanted to ask me. He just needed a little encouragement.I lowered my voice, all the while smiling at leave fundament like la la la, just girl talk, nothing beta It was both of our idea to do this, Yun Sun. Remember?No, Frankie, it was your idea, she said. And she did not keep her voice down. Ive al restore got my date, even though hes going to be squished to death b y my thighs. Youre the one hoping for a last-minute miracle.Yun Sun I glanced at result, who mo go red. Bad Yun Sun, throwing it out in the dedicate like that. Bad, bad, naughty girlOw she yelped. Because Id whacked her.I am very mad at you, I said.Enough with the coyness. You do want him to ask you, dont you?OwUm, you guys? testament said. He was doing that adorable thing he did when he was nervous, when his Adams apple bobbed up and down. Although, huh. That was kind of an dirty image. It made me think of bobbing for apples, which was only one step away from bobbing for Adams apples.But. Will was indeed possessed of an Adams apple, and when it locomote up and down in his throat, it was indeed adorable. It made him look so vulnerable.She hit me, Yun Sun tattled.She deserved it, I countered. But I didnt want it to go further, this line of conversation that was already too revealing. So I patted Yun Suns totally unfat leg and said, However, I forgive you. Now shut up.What Yun Sun failed to get-or more liable(predicate), what she totally got and yet failed to appreciate-was that not all things needed to be said aloud. Yes, I wanted Will to ask me to prom, and I wanted him to do it soon, because Springtime Is for Lovers was only two weeks away.And fine, the name of the dance was dorky, but springtime was for lovers. It was an indisputable truth. Just as it was an indisputable truth that Will was my forever boy, if only he could get past his enduring bashfulness and make a frickin move. Enough friendly shoulder slugs and giggling, snorting tickle wars Enough clutching each other and shrieking, blaming it on our Netflix copies of The Body Snatchers or They Come from the Hills Couldnt Will see that I was his for the winning?Hed nearly popped the question last weekend, I was ninety-nine-point-five percent sure. Wed been ceremony reasonably Woman, an overblown romance which never failed to amuse. Yun Sun had disappeared into the kitchen for snacks, diffe rence the two of us alone.Um, Frankie? Will had said. His foot tap-tap-tapped against the floor, and his fingers flexed on his jeans. Can I ask you something?Any fool would have known what was orgasm, because if hed just wanted me to turn up the volume, hed simply have said, Hey, Franks, turn up the volume. Casual. Straightforward. No need for any preparatory remarks. But since there were preparatory remarkswell, what could he possibly have wanted to ask me besides Will you go to prom? ever-living delight was right there, only seconds away.And then Id blown it. His palpable skittishness triggered a spaz-out of my own, and instead of letting the moment play out, Id skittishly changed the subject. BECAUSE I WAS A FREAK.Now see, thats the way its done I said, pointing at the TV. Richard Gere was galloping on his white steed, which was really a limo, to Julia Robertss castle, which was really a crappy third-story apartment. As we watched, Richard Gere climbed out of the sun roof and s caled the fire escape, all to win the affections of his beloved.None of this namby-pamby I think youre kinda cute baloney, I went on. I was blathering, and I knew it. Were talking action, baby. Were talking grand gesture of love.Will gulped. And said, Oh. And blinked at Richard Gere in a startled-teddy-bear way, idea, Im sure, that he could never, ever compare.I stared at the TV, cognize Id sabotaged my prom night happiness through my own stupidity. I didnt care about grand gestures of love I just cared about Will. But brilliant me, Id at rest(p) and scared him off. Because in actual real reality, I was an even bigger wimp than he was.But no more-which was why we were here at Madame Zanzibars. She would tell us our futures, and unless she was a total hack, she would fix the obvious as an impartial observer Will and I were meant for each other. Hearing it spoken so plainly would give Will the empty to try again. Hed ask me to prom, and this time Id let him, even if it killed me. The plastic monkey twitched on the office doorknob. quality, its lamentable, I whispered.Oooo, Will said.A black man with snow-white hair shuffled out of the office. He had no teeth, which made the lower half of his face look puckered, like a prune.Children, he said, tipping his hat.Will stood up and opened the front door, because thats the kind of guy he was. A gust of wind nearly toppled the old man, and Will steadied him.Whoa, Will said.Thank you, son, the old man replied. His words came out mushy, because of the no-teeth thing. Reckon I best ske papadle before the storm blows in.I think it already has, Will said. Past the driveway, tree branches thrashed and creaked.This weensy old wind? the old man said. Aw, now, this is just a baby waking up and wanting to be fed. Itll be worse before the night is over, mark my words. He peered at us. In fact, shouldnt you children be home, safe and sound?It was hard to take offense when a toothless old-timer called you children. But come on , this was the second time in twenty seconds.Were juniors in high school, I said. We can take care of ourselves.His laugh made me think of dead leaves. tout ensemble right, then, he said. Im sure you know best. He excellent-stepped onto the porch, and Will gave a half wave and shut the door.Crazy coot, came a voice from prat us. We turned to see Madame Zanzibar in the office doorway. She wore hot pink Juicy Couture sweatpants with a matching hot pink top, unzipped to her clavicle. Her breasts were round and firm and amazingly perky, given that she didnt seem to be wearing a bra. Her lipstick was bright orange, to match her nails, and so was the end of the cigarette she held amidst two fingers.So, are we coming in or are we staying out here? she asked the three of us. origination lifes mysteries or leaving well enough alone?I move up from my chair and pulled Yun Sun with me. Will followed. Madame Z ushered us into her office, and the three of us scrunched together in an overstu ffed armchair. Will realized it was never going to work and lowered himself to the floor. I wiggled to make Yun Sun give me more room.See? Theyre sausages, she said, referring to her thighs.Scooch, I commanded.Now, Madame Z said, crossing in front of us and sitting behind a table. She puffed on her cigarette. Whats your business?I bit my lip. How to put it? Well, youre a psychic, right?Madame Z exhaled a besmirch of smoke. Gee, Sherlock, the ad in the Yellow Pages tip you off?I blushed, while at the same time bristling. My question had been a conversation opener. Did she have a problem with conversation openers? Anyway, if she really was a psychic, shouldnt she already know why I was here?Uh okay. Sure, whatever. So I guess I was wonderingYeah? Out with it.I gathered my courage. Well I was wondering if a certain special person was going to ask me a certain special question. I purposefully didnt look at Will, but I heard his spurt of surprise. He hadnt seen this coming.Madame Z pre ssed two fingers to her forehead and let her eyes go blank. Ahem, she said. Hmm, hmm. What Im getting here is muzzy. There is sneak offion, yes-Yun Sun giggled Will swallowed audibly-but there are as well as how do I say? Complicating factors.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Onecapital of Wisconsin Avery and the Dim ReaperKim HarrisonChapter OneIf British general, a damsel in a dress, and a pirate straits into a secondary school, I thought as I seed over the bodies moving in a mind-numbing crazy house of pent-up, inexperienced, teenage lust. Leave it to Covington High to turn prom into a joke. Not to mention my seventeenth birthday. What was I doing here?Prom was supposed to be real dresses with a live band, not rented costumes with canned music and streamers. And my birthday was supposed to be anything but this.You sure you dont want to dance? cod yelled in my ear, sending his sugary breath over me. I assay not to grimace, retention my gaze fixed on the clock beside the gyms Scoreboard and wondering if an hour was long enough to stay and not get the third degree from my dadaaism. The music was dull-the same rhythmic thump over, and over, and over. goose egg new in the last forty minutes. And the bass was way too loud.Yep, I said, edging away in time with the music when his hand tried to creep to my waist. Still dont want to dance.Something to drink? he tried again, and I cocked my hip, crossing my arms to hide my cleavage. I was still waiting for the boob fairy to show up, but the dresss corset shoved everything up and together to make it look like I had more than I did, making me self-conscious.No, thanks, I said with a sigh. He probably didnt hear me, but he got the gist, seeing as he looked away, watching everyone move. Long dance palace gowns and skimpy barmaid costumes mixed with swashbuckling pirates and boatmans. That was the theme of the prom. footpads. God I had worked for two months on the prom committee at my old school. It was going to have been freaking fantastic, with a moonlit barge and a real band, but no-o-o-o. mammary gland had said papa needed to spend time with me. That he was going through a midlife crisis and had to reconnect with something from his past that didnt involve arguing. I think she just got scared when she caught me sneaking out for a late cappuccino and shipped me back to tonic and Dullsville USA knowing I listened to him more than her. Okay, so it had been after midnight. And I might have been after more than caffeine. And yeah, Id already been grounded from staying out too late the previous weekend, but thats why I had to sneak out. ravel the stiff lace of my colonial dress between my fingers, I wondered if any of these people had a clue what a real party looked like. Maybe they didnt care. tantalize was standing a little in front of me, bobbing his head in time with the music and all the way wanting to dance. Nearby at the food table was the guy who had skulked in after us. He was loo king my way, and I gave him a stare, wondering if he was after me or jolly. eyesight my attention on him, the guy turned away.My gaze fell back on tantalize, who had begun to roughly dance halfway between me and the moving people. Actually, I mused as he shifted and bobbed his head to the music, his costume made his thin, awkward whirligig work for him-a traditional British generals red and white, complete with fake trade name and epaulets. His fathers idea, probably, since he was the VIP of VIPs at the research facility that had kept everyone apply when the military base moved to Arizona, but it did go with the overdone lace-and-corset thing I had on.Come on. Everyone else is dancing, he coaxed when he apothegm me look at him, and I shook my head, almost feeling sorry for him. He reminded me of the guys in the photography bon ton confessing the darkroom door had locked to try to get a little action. It just wasnt fair. I had spent three years schooling how to fit in with the cool chicks, and now I was right back with the nice but unpopular guys, mowing down cupcakes in the gym. And on my birthday, too.No, I said flatly. Translation Sorry, Im not interested. You may as well give up.Even thick-headed, awkward, broken-glasses Josh got that one, and he block upped his almost-dancing to fix his blue eyes on me. Jesus, youre a bitch, you know that? I only asked you out because my dad made me. If you want to dance, Ill be over there.My breath caught, and I gaped at him as if he had punched me in the gut. He cockily raise his eyebrows and walked away with his hands in his pockets and his chin raised. Two girls parted so he could walk between them, and they hunched into each other in his wake, dish the dirting as they glanced at me.Oh my God. Im a pity date. Blinking fast, I held my breath as I fought to keep the room from going blurry. Crap, not only was I the new girl, but I was a freaking pity date My dad had made nice to his boss, and he made his son ask me out. boy of a dead puppy, I whispered, wondering if everyone was looking at me or if it was just my imagination. I shut in my short blond hair behind my ear and backed to the wall. Leaning against it with my arms crossed, I tried to pretend Josh had gone to get some pop. Inside, I was dying. I had been dumped. No, I had been dumped by a geek.Way to go, Madison, I said sourly, just imagining the gossip on Monday. I spotted Josh at the food table, belie to ignore me without being obvious about it. The guy in the sailor outfit who had followed us in was talking to him. I still didnt think he was one of Joshs friends, even though he was jostling his elbow and pointing at the girls dancing in dresses cut too low for the gyrating they were doing. That I didnt recognize him wasnt surprising since Id been avoiding everyone for the simple reason I wasnt happy being here and I didnt mind anyone knowing it.I wasnt a jock or a nerd-though I had belonged to the photography club back ho me. scorn my efforts, I apparently didnt fit with the Barbie dolls. And I wasnt a goth, brain, druggie, or one of the kids who wanted to play scientist like their mommies or daddies at the research facility. I didnt fit anywhere.Correction, I thought as Josh and the sailor laughed. I fit with the bitches.The guy followed Joshs attention to another group of girls, who were now giggling at something Josh had said. His brown hair was frizzed out under his sailors cap, and his crisp white outfit made him look like all the other guys whod chosen sailor over pirate. He was tall, and there was a flavourless lenience to his movements that said hed quit growing. He looked older than me, but he couldnt be too much older. It was the prom.And I dont have to be here, I thought fulminantly, shoving myself away from the wall with my elbows. Josh was my ride home, but my dad would pick me up if I called.My inquiry to weave through the crowd to the effigy doors slowed in worry. Hed ask why Jo sh wasnt bringing me home. It would all come out. The lecture to be nice and fit in I could cut across with, but the embarrassmentJosh was watching me when I glanced up. The guy with him was seek to get his attention, but Joshs eyes were on mine. Mocking me.That did it. No way was I going to call my dad. And I wasnt getting into a car with Josh, either. Id walk it. each five miles. In heels. And a long cotton dress. On a damp April night. With my boobs scrunched together. What was the worst that could happen? A jamboree cow incident? Crap, I really missed my car.Way to go, girl, I muttered, gathering my resolution along with my dress, head down as my shoulders bumped into dancers on my way to the door. I was so out of here. People were talking, but I didnt care. I didnt need friends. Friends were overrated.The music melted into something fast, and I brought my attention up when the crowd seemed to shift, awkwardly changing rhythm. I jerked to a stop when I realized I was a step away from running into someone. Sorry I shouted over the music, then froze, staring. Holy crap, Mr. Sexy Pirate Captain. Where had he been the last three weeks, and were there more where he came from?Id never seen him before. Not in the entire time Id been stuck in this town. I would have remembered. Maybe exerted myself a little more. Flushing, I dropped my skirt to move my hand to cover my cleavage. God, I felt like a British tart with everything shoved up like that. The guy was dressed in a clingy black pirate costume, a pendant of gray stone lying on his chest. I could see it where the collar parted. A Zorro-style mask hid his upper face. The wide silk tails of it trailed down his back to mix with his luscious wavy black hair. He stood taller than me by about five inches, and as I ran my gaze over his tight figure, I wondered where hed been keeping himself.Certainly not the band room or Mrs. Fairels U.S. Government class, I thought as the spin around lights played over him.My apologies, he said, fetching my hand, and my breath caught, not because he was touching me, but because his accent wasnt Midwestern. Sort of a slow, soft termination laced with a crisp preciseness that told of preference and sophistication. I could almost hear the clink of crystal and soft laughter in it, the solace sounds that more often than not had lulled me to sleep as the waves pushed on the beach.You arent from around here, I blurted as I leaned to hear him better.A smile grew, his swart skin and dark hair almost a balm, so long-familiar amid the pale faces and light hair of the Midwestern prison I was in. Im here temporarily, he said. An exchange student, in a manner of speaking. Same as you. He glanced disdainfully at the people moving around us with little rhythm and even less originality. There are too many cows here, dont you think?I laughed, praying I didnt sound like a brainless flake. Yes I almost shouted, pulling him down to talk into his ear over the noise. But Im not an exchange student. I moved here from Florida. My mom lives out there on the inner coastal, but now Im stuck here with my dad. I agree. Youre right, its awful. At least you get to go home.And where is home, Mr. Sexy Pirate?A hint of low tide and canalize water drifted to me, rising from him like a memory. And though some might let it unpleasant, tears pricked at my eyes. I missed my old school. I missed my car. I missed my friends. Why had milliampere gone so ballistic?Home, yes, he said, and an intoxicating smile showed a hint of natural language when he licked his lips and straightened. We should leave the floor. Were in the way of their dancing.My heart pounded harder. I didnt want to move. He might go away, or worse, someone might slip their arm into his, claiming him. Do you want to dance? I said, nervous. Its not what Im used to, but it has a good beat.His smile widened, and relief sent my pulse faster. Oh God. I think he likes me. letting go of my hand, he nodded , and then dropped back a step and started to move.For a moment, I forgot to follow and just watched him. He wasnt flamboyant. No, he went the other way-his slow movements making far more of an impact than if he had cleared the floor by whirl me around it.Seeing me watching, he smiled from behind his mysterious mask and blue-gray eyes as he held out a hand for me to join him. I took a breath, my fingers slipping into his warm ones, and let him pull me into motion.The music was the modeling he moved within, and I lost myself trying to match the manikin of it. Almost swaying, we shifted at every second beat. I let myself untie and just dance, finding it easier if I didnt think about it. I could feel every shift of my hips and roll of my shoulders-and a thrill of something began to grow inside me.While everyone around us continued with sharp, fast motions, we danced slow, the space between us narrowing, our gazes fixing more and more on each other as I became increasingly sure of m yself. I let him melt me as the music pulsed and my heart pounded with it.Most everyone here calls me solidification, he said, almost ruining the moment, but then his hand curved lightly about my waist, and I leaned into him. Oh yeah. This was better.Madison, I said, liking how I felt, dancing slower than everyone else. But the music was fast, thumping to make my blood race. The two extremes made it seem all the more validity. I havent seen you around. Are you a senior? hardenings fingers tightened on the light cotton of my dress, or perhaps he was just force me closer. Im top of my class, he said, leaning so he wouldnt have to shout.The sour lights played upon him, and I felt airy. Josh could suck an egg for all I cared. This was what my prom should be. That would explain it, I said, tilting my head to see his eyes and try to place him. Im a junior.He smiled with his lips closed, and I felt small and protected. My own smile grew. I could feel people starting to watch us, their dancing slowing as they turned. I hoped Josh was getting a good look. Call me a bitch, would he?I lifted my chin, daring to reach out and pull curing near, our bodies touching, then moving apart. My heart hammered at what I was doing, but I wanted to have Josh. I wanted the gossip tomorrow to be what an idiot he had been to walk away from me. I wanted something. hardenings hands slid smoothly at my waist, incomplete imprisoning nor demanding, freeing me to dance as I wanted, and I let myself go, motions turning more sultry than these backwoods bumpkins had seen anywhere but on their TV. My lips twitched when I saw Josh and that sailor kid hed been talking with all this time. Joshs face was white with anger, and I simpered back.You want him to know you arent with him? Seth said wistfully, and my gaze jerked to his. He injure you, Seth said, and his dark hand left tingles where it touched my chin. You should show him what he lost.The moment balanced, and though I knew it was spite ful, I found myself nodding.Seth eased to a halt, pulling me into him with a smooth, perpetual gesture. He was going to kiss me. I knew it. It was in every motion he made. My pulse hammered, and I tilted my head up to meet his lips with my own, feeling my knees lock. Around us, people slowed to watch, some laughing, some envious. My eyes closed, and I shifted my weight so that we were still dancing as we kissed.It was everything I wanted. Heat washed into me where we touched, spilling down through me like layers, each flaring up as his touch grew closer. Never had I been kissed like this, and I couldnt breathe, agoraphobic Id ruin it. My hands were at his waist, and they held him tighter as he cupped my jaw, holding me as if I might break. He tasted like wood smoke. I wanted more-but boy, did I know better.A low sound lifted from him, softer than contrary thunder. His hands tightened, and adrenaline spiked through me. The kiss had shifted.Alarmed, I jerked back, pursy but feelin g bright-eyed and exhilarated. Seths moody eyes were fixed on mine with a light amusement that I had pulled away.Its only a game, he said. Hes wiser, now. So are you. Hes not worth pain. I blinked as the lights spun devilish and the music continued, loud and untouched by our kiss. Everything was different, but only I had changed. I tore my gaze from Seth, my hand still on his waist for balance. There were spots of color on Joshs cheeks, and he looked angry.I raised my eyebrows at him. Lets go, I said, linking my arm with Seths. I didnt think anyone would show up to challenge my position. Not after that kiss.Confident, I stepped forward with Seth beside me. A path opened, and I felt like a queen. Though the music thumped and blared, everyone watched us make our way unimpeded to the double doors with their brown- newspaper publisher wrappings decorated to look like the oak doors of a castle.Plebeians, I thought when Seth pushed open the door and the cooler air of the hallway hit me. The door closed behind us, and the music dulled. I slowed to a stop, low heels scuffing on the tile. There was a paper-cloth-covered table against the wall with a tired-looking woman checking tickets. Farther down the hall three kids loitered at the main door. The memory of our kiss rose back through me, making me suddenly nervous. This guy was gorgeous. Why was he with me?Thank you, I mumbled, glancing up and away, then warmed as I wondered if he might think I was talking about the kiss. I mean, for getting me out of there with my pride intact, I added, flushing deeper.I saw what he did. Seth rocked us into motion down the hallway away from everyone and to the parking lot. It was either that or you dumping punch on his clothes. And you He hesitated until I looked at him. You want your revenge more subtle than that.A sloppy grin came over me, but I couldnt help it. You think?He inclined his head, acting far older than he should. Do you have a ride home?I jerked to a stop, and he con tinued a step before turning, his blue-gray eyes wide in alarm. It was cool out here, and I told myself that was why I had a sudden chill.Im sorry, he said, blinking and holding himself still. I didnt mean Ill stay with you while you arrange for someone to come. You dont know me from Adam.No, its not that, I rushed, embarrassed for my sudden mistrust. I glanced back at the woman by the gym door who was watching us with an idle interest. I should call my dad, is all. Let him know whats going on.Seth smiled, his white teeth showing strongly. Of course.I fumbled for the purse that this dress had come with. He moved away a a couple of(prenominal) feet as I dug out my phone and fidgeted, trying to remember the houses number. There was no answer, and we both turned at the noise of the gym door opening. Josh came out, and my jaw tightened.The answering machine picked up, and in a rush, I blurted, Hi, Dad. Its Madison. Duh. Im getting a ride home with Seth I looked at him in question for a last name.Adamson, he said softly, his eyes behind his mask fixed on Josh. Damn, he had pleasing eyes. And long, luscious eyelashes.Seth Adamson, I said. Josh turned out to be a jerk. Ill be home in a few minutes, okay? But since no one was really there, there wasnt much my dad could say. I waited as if listening for a moment, then added, Im fi-i-i-ine. He was a jerk, is all. Ill see you in a minute.Satisfied, I closed the phone and tucked it away, linking my arm through Seths and turning us to the back doors as Josh caught up, his dress shoes clacking on the tile.Madison He was annoyed, and my satisfaction grew.Hi, Josh I said brightly, my tension rising as he fell into step on my other side. I didnt look at him, and I felt myself go hot. I got a ride home. Thanks. For nothing, I added in my thoughts, still mad at him. Or my dad, maybe, for setting this up.Madison, wait.He caught my elbow, and I spun to a halt. Josh froze, pulling back and letting go. Youre a jerk, I said, eyeing his costume and thinking it looked lame now. And Im no ones pity date. You can just flip off, I adlibbed, not wanting Seth to think I swore like a sailor.Reaching, Josh grabbed my wrist and yanked me away. Listen to me, he said, and the business concern in his eyes stopped my protest. Ive never seen this guy before. Dont be stupid. Let me take you home. You can tell your friends whatever you want. Ill go along with it.I tried to take an insulted breath, but the corset wouldnt let me, so I lifted my chin instead. He knew I didnt have any friends. I called my dad. Ill be fine, I said, glancing over his shoulder to the tall kid in that sailor outfit who had followed Josh out.Still Josh wouldnt let go. Ticked, I twisted my arm, and when I re sustaind to grab his wrist in a self-defense hold, he let go as if knowing it. Eyes wide, he backed up a step. Im going to follow you home then, he said, eyes flicking to Seth.Whatever, I said as I tossed my hair, secretly glad and wondering if m aybe Josh wasnt so bad after all. Seth, are you in the back lot?Seth came forward, a softly moving figure of grace and refinement next to Joshs commonality. This way, Madison. I thought I saw a hint of victory in his eyes as his arm slipped through mine. No wonder. Hed obviously come to the prom by himself, and now Josh would be the one leaving alone.I made sure my heels snapped smartly in a show of confident femininity as we went down the hall to the far set of doors. The dress made me feel elegant, and Seth looked fantastic. Josh and his silent buddy trailed behind like extras in a Hollywood film.Seth held the door open for me, leaving the two guys to handle the swinging door by themselves. The air was chilly, and I wished Id begged for an extra fifty from my dad to get the matching shawl for this outfit. I wondered if Seth would offer me his coat if I complained.The moon was a hazy film over behind the clouds, and as Seth escorted me down the stairs, I could hear Josh behind me , talking softly to his friend in a low, teasing tone. My jaw clenched, and I followed Seth to a sleek black car parked illegally at the curb. It was a convertible, its top open to the dark skies, and I couldnt help but smile even wider. Maybe we could go for a drive before he took me home. Cold or not, I wanted to be seen in this car, sitting next to Seth, the wind in my hair and the music cranked. I bet he had great taste in music.Madison Seth said in invitation, opening the door for me.Feeling awkward and special all at the same time, I eased into the low front seat, my dress sliding on smooth leather. Seth waited while I got the rest of the skirt inside before gently shutting the door. I put on my belt as he crossed behind the car. The black paint glistened in the low glow of the security lights, and I ran my fingers over the smoothness, smug when I saw Josh jogging to his car.Seth startled me when he slid in behind the wheel I hadnt even heard the door open. He cranked the en gine, and I liked the solid rumble of it. The stereo came on with something aggressive. The vocals werent English, but that only added to it all. Joshs cars lights flashed on, and we pulled forward, Seth thrust with one hand.My pulse quickened as I looked at him across the dull light. The cool air felt thick against my skin, and as we picked up speed, the wind worked its way through my hair.I live to the south, I said when we reached the main road, and he turned the proper way. Joshs headlamps swung in behind us, and I settled myself in the seat, wishing Seth had offered me his coat. But he hadnt said a word or looked at me since Id gotten in the car. Earlier, hed been all sly confidence. Now it was anticipation? And though I didnt know why, a slow feeling of alarm took root.As if sensing it, Seth turned, driving the black road without looking. Too late, he said softly, and I felt my face blank. Easy. I told them it would be easy when you were young and stupid. Almost not worth the effort. Certainly not any enjoyment.My mouth went modify. Excuse me?Seth glanced at the road and back at me. The car started to go faster, and I gripped the door handle, pressing away from him. Nothing personal, Madison. Youre a name on a list. Or should I say, a soul to be culled. An beta name, but a name nonetheless. They said it couldnt be done, and now, youll be my access code to a higher court, you and your little life that will now not happen.What the hell? Josh, I said, turning to the lights going distant as Seth picked up speed. Hes following. My dad knows where I am.Seth smiled, and I shivered at the lunar month glinting on his teeth. Everything else was lost in hazy moon ass and the shriek of the wind. Like that will make a difference?Oh my God. I was deep in it. My gut tightened. Stop the car, I said forcefully, one hand on the door, the other holding my whipping hair out of my eyes. Stop the car and let me out. You cant do this. People know where I am Stop the carSt op the car? he said, smirking. Ill stop the car.Seth shifted his leg, stomping on the brake and turning the wheel. I screamed, grabbing anything. The world spun. My breath left me in a shriek as the odd feeling of too much noise mixed with the cessation of jostling. We had left the road. gloominess pulled from the wrong way. Panic struck when I realized the car was flipping over.Shit. I was in a convertible.I beated, hands clasped over the back of my neck, praying. A hard thump shook me and everything went black. My breath was crushed from me by the force of the hit. I think I was upside down. Then I was yanked another way. The sky brightened to gray, and I sucked in the air when the car flipped once more as it rolled down the embankment.Again, the sky went black and the top of the car hit the ground. No I shrieked, helpless, then groaned when the car slammed to a stop, upright. I was flung against the seat belt, agony stabbing through my back as I was thrown forward.It was quiet. Breathing hurt. Oh God, I hurt all over, and I stared at the shattered windshield as I panted. The new edges of the window glinted dully in the moonlight, and I followed the broken line down the dash to find Seth gone. My insides hurt. I didnt see blood, but I think I broke something inside. I was alive?Madison came distant over my irritable breath. MadisonIt was Josh, and I forced my eyes up to the twin balls of light at the top of the embankment. A shadowy figure was sliding down. Josh.I took a breath to call to him, groaning when someone took my head and turned me away.Seth? I whispered. He looked untouched, standing outside the ruined car at my door in his costume of black pirate silk. The moon caught his eyes and pendant, giving them both a gray sheen.Still alive, he said flatly, and tears started to slip from me. I couldnt move, but everything was a massive ache so I didnt think I was paralyzed. Damn it, this was a sucky birthday. Dad was going to kill me.I hurt, I said, my voice small, then thought, What a stupid thing to say.I dont have time for this, Seth said, clearly bothered.My eyes widened, but I didnt move when he pulled from the folds of his costume a short blade. I tried to cry out, but my breath left me when he pulled his arm back as if to strike me. Moonlight glinted on the blade, red with someone elses blood. Fantabulous. Hes a psycho. I left the prom with a knife-wielding psycho. Can I pick em, or what?No I shrieked, managing to get my arms up, but the blade was a whisper of ice firing through me, leaving me unhurt. I stared at my middle, not believing I was uncut. My dress wasnt torn and blood wasnt flowing, but I knew that blade had gone through me. It had gone through me and the car both.Not understanding, I gaped up at Seth, now standing with the blade at rest and watching me. What I tried to say when I realized nothing hurt anymore. But my voice was utterly absent. He arched his eyebrows in a show of scorn. My expression left me whe n I felt the first drag of utter nothing, both new and familiar, like a memory long lost.The terrifying absence of everything crept through me, stilling each thought it rolled over. loopy and muzzy, a blanket of nothing started at the edges of my world and moved inward, taking first the moon, then the night, then my body, and finally the car. Joshs cries were swallowed up in a low hush of a thrum, leaving only Seths silver eyes.And then Seth turned and walked away.Madison I heard faintly, followed by the briefest touch on my cheek. Then even that melted and there was nothing.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter OneThe Exterminators DaughterMeg CabotMaryThe music is pounding in time to my heartbeat. I can feel the bass in my chest-badoom, badoom. Its hard to see across the room of writhing bodies, especially with the fog from the dry ice, and the flickering light show coming down from the clubs industrial ceiling overhead.But I know hes here. I can feel him.Which is why Im grateful for t he bodies grinding against one another all around me. Theyre keeping me hidden from his view-and from his senses. Otherwise hed have smelled me coming by now. They can chance upon the scent of fear from yards away.Not that Im scared. Because Im not.Well. Maybe a little.But I have my Excalibur Vixen crossbow 285 FPS with me, with a twenty-inch-long Easton XX75 (the tip, formerly gold, now replaced with hand-carved ash) already cocked and ready to be released at the merest pressure from my finger.Hell never know what hit him.And, hopefully, neither will she.The important thing is to get a clean shot-which wont be easy in this crowd-and to make it count. Ill probably only get one chance to shoot. Either Ill hit the target or hell hit me. ceaselessly aim for the chest, Mom used to say. Its the largest part of the body, and the spot youre least likely to miss. Of course, youre more likely to kill than contuse if you aim for the chest earlier than the thigh or arm but what do you want to wound for, anyway? The point is to take em down.Which is what Im here to do tonight. Take im down.Lila will hate me, of course, if she figures out what really happened and that it was me who did it.But what does she expect? She cant think that Im just going to sit idly by and watch her throw her life away.I met this guy, shed gushed at lunch today, while we were standing in line for the salad bar. Oh my God, Mary, you wouldnt debate how cute he is. His names Sebastian. Hes got the bluest eyes youve ever seen.The thing about Lila that a lot of people dont get is that beneath that-lets face it-slutty outside(prenominal) beats the heart of a truly loyal friend. Unlike the rest of the girls at Saint Eligius, Lilas never pulled an attitude with me about the fact that my dads not a CEO or plastic surgeon.And yeah, okay, I have to aviation out about three-fourths of what she says because most of it is stuff that I have no interest in-like how much she paid for her Prada tote at the en d-of-season head sale at Saks, and what kind of tramp stamp shes thinking about getting next time shes in Cancn.But this caught my attention.Lila, I said. What about Ted?Because Teds all Lila has talked about for the past year, ever since he finally got up the guts to ask her out. Well, I mean, all shes talked about besides the Prada gross sales and back tattoos.Oh, thats over, Lila said, reaching for the lettuce tongs. Sebastians taking me clubbing tonight-at Swig. He says he can get us in-hes on the VIP list.It wasnt the fact that this guy, whoever he was, claimed to be on the VIP list of the newest and most exclusive club in downtown Manhattan that caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. Dont get me wrong-Lilas beautiful. If anyone is going to be approached by a random stranger who happens to be on the most sought-after VIP list in town, it would be Lila.It was the thing about Ted that got to me. Because Lila adores Ted. Theyre the quintessentially perfect high school couple. Shes gorgeous, hes a star athlete its a match made in teen heaven.Which is why what she was telling me did not compute.Lila, how can you say its over between you and Ted? I demanded. You two have been going out forever-or at least since I arrived at Saint Eligius Prep in September, where Lila was the first (and, to date, pretty much the only) girl in any of my classes to actually speak to me-and its the prom this weekend.I know, Lila said, with a happy sigh. Sebastians taking me.Seb-Thats when I knew. I mean, really knew.Lila, I said. Look at me.Lila looked down at me-Im small. But, as Mom used to say, Im fast-and I saw it at once. What I should have seen from the beginning, that ever-so-slightly glazed expression-the dull eyes the soft lips-that Ive come to know so well over the years.I couldnt believe it. Hed gotten to my best friend. My only friend.Well. What was I supposed to do? stupefy back and let him take her?Not this time.Youd think seeing a girl with a crossbow on the dance floor of Manhattans hottest new club would maybe generate a comment or two. But it is Manhattan, after all. Besides, everyone is having too good a time to notice me. Even-Oh God. Its him. I cant believe Im finally seeing him in the fleshWell, his son, anyway.Hes more handsome than I ever imagined. Golden-haired and blue-eyed, with movie star-perfect lips and shoulders a mile wide. Hes tall, too-although most guys are tall-compared with me.Still, if he is anything like his father, well, then, I get it. I finally get it.I guess. I still dont-Oh God. Hes sensed my gaze. Hes turning this way-Its now or never. I raise my bowGood-bye, Sebastian Drake. Good-bye forever.But just as I have the bright white triangle of his shirt front in my scope, something unbelievable happens A bright bloom of cherry red appears exactly where Ive been aiming.Except I havent pulled the trigger.And his kind doesnt bleed.Whats that, Sebastian? Lila shimmies up to him to ask.Dammit Somebody-and I see Sebastian raise his stunned cerulean gaze from the scarlet stain on his shirt to Lilas face-shot me.Its true. Someone has shot him.Only it wasnt me.And thats not all that doesnt make sense. Hes bleeding.Except thats not possible.Not knowing what else to do, I duck behind a nearby pillar, pressing the Vixen to my chest. I need to regroup, figure out my next move. Because none of this can really be happening. I couldnt have been wrong about him. I did the research. It all makes sense the fact that hes here in Manhattan the fact that he went after my best friend, of all people Lilas dazed expression everything.Everything except what just happened.And I had just stood there, staring. I had had a perfect shot, and Id blown it.Or had I? If hes bleeding, then that must mean hes human. Doesnt it?Except if hes human, and hes just been shot in the chest, why is he still standing?Oh God.The worst of it is he saw me. Im almost sure I felt that reptilian gaze pass over me. What will he do now? Will he come after me? If he does, its all my own fault. Mom told me never to do this. She always said a hunter never goes out alone. Why didnt I listen? What was I thinking?Thats the problem, of course. I hadnt been thinking at all. Id let my emotions get the better of me. I couldnt let what happened to Mom happen to Lila.And now Im going to pay for it.Just like Mom.Crouching in agony, I try not to imagine what Dads going to do when the naked York City police ring our doorbell at four in the morning and ask him to come to the morgue to ID his only daughters body. My throat will be gouged open, and who knows what other atrocities will be done to my broken body. All because I didnt stay home tonight to work on my paper for Mrs. Gregorys fourth-period U.S. History class (topic the temperance movement in antebellum urbane War America, two thousand words, double-spaced, due Monday), like I was supposed to.The music changes. I hear Lila squeal, Where are you going?Oh God. Hes coming.