Cyan stared at the figure before her. In the moonlight, he saw it was Rose. What shocked him was her tear-stained face, quivering lips and pleading eyes. She began whimpering. "Hey are you Ok?", he whispered. "What's wrong?", he sat next to her. She didn't respond. Her soft whimpers became sobs. He started to worry. "Rose, please say something", Cyan pleaded with her.

"Rose! Rose where are you?", a voice rang into the night. "Here", Cyan stood up and waved Scarlett over. Scarlett came running towards them. "Oh! My God! Rose are you Ok? What happened?", she turned towards Cyan. "I... I don't know. She came running towards me and hit me. She fell. I don't know why she's crying", Cyan's face was etched with worry. Scarlett stared at him before answering, "Oh! I know what happened!". She grinded her teeth at the memory and put her arm around Rose.

"Well, what happened?", Cyan prodded.

"Didn't you know?" Scarlett didn't believe him.

"No, I was in the gazebo near the pond", Cyan pointed to the distant.

"What were you doing there?", Scarlett narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Well, I am not exactly a party person. I kind of got bored. So...", Cyan ran a hand through his hair.

"Then why did you come to the party?"

"My brothers and grandma are worried about me. After my parents died... you know? So, to relieve them from their worries, I agreed to go to this party. I didn't know anyone. Rusty told me to look for Rose. But I didn't find you guys when I reached here. So, I wandered around and wound up in the gazebo", Cyan told them.

Scarlett didn't say anything. She tried to get Rose up, "Come on Rose, let's go home". Rose got up and staggered. Cyan got hold of her other hand and together they moved towards the house.

"No, I don't want to go back to that house", Rose shuddered.

"We can go around the house through the garden to the front", Cyan pointed to the path that wounded through the garden.

"OK, let's go", Scarlett agreed.

An owl hooted somewhere in the garden. The throbbing music started again followed by a loud cheer. But the three were surrounded by an ethereal silence of the garden. Cyan and Scarlett felt eerily nervous. The marble statues looked at them with melancholy in their eyes as if they concurred with Rose's misery.

They managed to reach the car without bumping on anyone else from the party. Two guys, sitting under a statue with no head, was smoking something and was oblivious to the world. Rose and Scarlett got into the front seats with Scarlett in the driving seat. Rose sat cross legged in the seat after removing her shoes. She stared out of the window into the darkness. Cyan got into the back.

"You are coming with us?", Scarlett raised her eyebrows at him.

"Yeah, Rusty said I could", Cyan felt unsure.

"OK", Scarlett started the car.

"So... I am Cyan", Cyan extended his hand over to Scarlett.

"I know who you are. I am Scarlett, Rose's best friend", Scarlett ignored his hand.

"Are you guys going to tell me what happened?", Cyan enquired again.

"Well, your buddy, Ruby pulled a cruel prank on Rose", Scarlett looked at him through the mirror.

"Please... Please don't talk about it. Please...", Rose didn't look at anyone.

Cyan squeezed her shoulder, "We won't. By the way I am not Ruby's buddy", he told Scarlett.

"That's what I heard. That you were hanging out with her and her minions", Scarlett increased the speed.

"She came and talked to me and introduced me to a few people. She told me she organized the party. That's all. I don't even like her", he looked out of the window.

"Really? Most boys in our school worship her", Scarlett's voice was filled with surprise.

"She's pretentious", Cyan murmured.

Scarlett wiggled her eyebrows at Rose. But she didn't respond. "Well, I might like you, Cyan", Scarlett winked at him through the mirror. He blushed.

They drove in silence for a few minutes. The roads were empty. On either side of the road lay dried-up pastures, where tufts of grasses and stunted trees were scattered. The Ebony Hills at a distant looked like a monster spying on them. Apart from the moon light, the only other light was from the car's headlights. There wasn't any street bulb. The purring of the engine was the only sound for miles.

"Shall I put on some music?", Scarlett asked Rose, who was staring out of the window.

"Yes, please", Cyan felt the familiar silence unbearable.

"I was asking Rose", Scarlett rolled her eyes.

"OK", Rose answered in a low voice.

Scarlett pressed the start button on car stereo. Maroon 5's Memories filled the car. The trio went back to the town in silence, except for the music, which washed over them.

They soon reached the hectic town centre. "You want to go to your home or mine?", Scarlett slowed down the car to let elderly Mrs. Bertram and her three little mongrels cross the road.

"I am hungry", Rose declared.

Scarlett looked over at her. She had stopped crying but her eyes were puffed up and make up was messed up.

"Where do you want to go?", Scarlett looked at the shops and other hangouts.

"Let's go to the Ebony Hills Chills. I am in the mood for their coconut – pineapple ice cream. Do you have cash?", Rose looked at her.

"I have dad's card. But we should eat something solid first. You ate only a piece of an apple pie for lunch. Let's go to Black Truffles first. What do you think Cyan?", Scarlett turned back to find him snoozing. She parked the car near the curb far from the restaurant. The restaurant seemed crowded. Friday nights were the busiest nights in the town when the families went out for dining and shopping. And Saturday mornings were the laziest days of the week.

"Oi!", Scarlett tapped Cyan's hand.

"What?", he woke up with a jerk.

"We have reached Maplewood. Shall we drop you here? Rose and I are going to dine at the Black Truffles", Scarlett looked over at Rose.

"Can I go with you guys? I am starving", Cyan glanced at the girls.

"Um, sure, it's OK with you, right?", Scarlett looked at Rose for her approval.

"He can come with us", Rose looked at Cyan. He was horrified to see her red eyes and tear-stained face. Scarlett seemed to think the same as she chimed, "Let me clean up your face a little bit. There is a make up bag in the seat back organizer. Can you get it, Cyan?"

Cyan handed the bag over to her and watched with an amusing smile when Scarlett corrected Rose's make up. "There. Isn't she perfect now?", Scarlett beamed at Rose. "She is", Cyan smiled at Rose. Rose gave her friends a shy smile.

The three got out of the car and went inside the restaurant. The restaurant was bustling with activity. The girls looked around hesitantly when a waiter came and ushered them to a small booth at the back. The waiter gave them the menus and water and left them to decide.

Cyan looked around and was impressed. The restaurant was black and gold themed. The black velvet sofas and plush chairs around polished ebony tables were scattered around them. The yellow walls with gold accents looked sparkling under the golden chandeliers. The restaurant was posh. "This is the classiest restaurant we have. This is where we come to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries", Scarlett looked proud.

"It's impressive. I hope the food is good too", Cyan looked at the menu. It was black and gold themed like the restaurant. Golden curvy letters in a black background. "Whoa! These are costly", he was surprised.

"No worries. Have daddy's credit card", Scarlett patted her purse and winked at him. "In case we can't pay, Mr. Blackmore, the owner, is daddy's friend. I am sure, he will give us a pass."

Cyan stared at her. "What?", she asked.

"You are very confident, Scarlett".

"I am not. This is a small town. We all know each other very well. May be too well", she pointed out.

The waiter came back to take their orders. The girls ordered Raven's roasted chicken and Onyx Risotto and Cyan ordered Ebony Truffle Pasta. They ordered Obsidian Chocolate Fondue for dessert. "Can we have a wine list?", Scarlett asked the waiter.

"Wine list, huh?", a new voice joined them. Scarlett threw a sly smile at the new guy in a charcoal suit, "Mr. Blackmore. Well, we are all eighteen here, right?", Scarlett looked at her friends and shrugged.

"Hmm, does your father know that you drink wine now, Scarlett? Or should I call him and ask?", Mr. Blackmore's eyes twinkled and lips twitched.

"Oh! Mr. Blackmore, please don't", Scarlett panicked. Cyan chortled and Scarlett glared at him. He gleefully looked at her.

"Who is your friend?", Mr. Blackmore looked at Cyan.

"I am Cyan, Sir. Mrs. Gorman is my grandmother."

"Ah! I met your brothers. I am deeply sorry for your loss", Mr. Blackmore patted his back. "So, what are you kids doing here? Don't you have a party to attend?", Mr. Blackmore turned his focus on the girls.

"Oh! Mr. Blackmore, we went to the party. But Ruby Broderick, you know, Mr. Broderick's granddaughter? She played a cruel prank on Rose and she is upset. We left the party early. Anyways, it was really boring", Scarlett explained.

Mr. Blackmore scrutinized Rose's face which made her squirm. Even Scarlett's makeup skills couldn't hide her red-rimmed puffy eyes. "I am really sorry, Rose. You know what? The dessert is on the house. Why don't you have black velvet cake and lemon ice cream also?", Mr. Blackmore said to which Scarlett squealed a thank you. "Also give the kids, dark chocolate latte. And no wines", Mr. Blackmore told the waiter. He winked at them and left.

"Wow!", Cyan was astonished.

"I told ya. Small town!", Scarlett handed over their menus to the waiter.

While waiting for the food, they compared Blue Cove and Maplewood. Cyan was wistful as he missed the seaside town of Blue Cove. Scarlett who had never been to a beach, was engrossed in the conversation. Even Rose was attentive, though she kept mum most of the time. When the food arrived, they fell silent. They were starving.

"Hi", a shadow, which fell over their table made them, look at the new intruder. "Rowan", Scarlett hissed. "What are you doing here?", she looked worriedly over Rose.

"I saw your car outside, Scarlett. I assumed you might be here. May I join you? I want to talk to Rose", he looked at Rose with imploring eyes, though Rose refused to look at him.

"You are not welcome to join us, Rowan. We appreciate you leaving us immediately", Scarlett's voice was stern. Cyan looked at the three and wondered what happened. But he realized it was related to something that happened to Rose at the Manor.

"Rose, please?" Rowan pleaded.

Before Scarlett opened her mouth, Rose looked at him, "What do you want, Rowan?"

"I wasn't aware of what Ruby was doing, Rose. I promise. If I knew, this wouldn't have happened", Rowan sat near Cyan opposite Rose.

"Oh, really. Are you saying you were unaware of what your beloved girlfriend was doing? The messages came from your phone! Rowan! Your phone", Scarlett was seething.

"We spend time together, the past month. She stayed at my place the whole time. And she had asked for my phone many times for checking her social media because hers didn't have charge or network. I am sorry. I didn't know she was plotting something. I am also a victim here. You believe me, don't you, Rose?", Rowan leaned towards her.

"How dare you?", Scarlett's voice rose drawing curious glances from neighbouring tables. She was shaking with anger.

"Scarlett, please", Rose implored her. Scarlett didn't say anything. "I believe you, Rowan", calmness filled Rose's face. Scarlett turned sharply to stare at her friend with an open mouth.

"You do?", Rowan's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Yes, I do. Even if you are guilty, I forgive you. And I don't want to talk about it anymore. I request you to leave us. I wish to finish my dinner in peace. Please", Rose's voice was eerily calm. Her face showed no emotions.

Rowan was taken aback. He felt unease, "Thank you, I will see you later, Rose". He nodded at Cyan and left, ignoring Scarlett.

"I can't believe his guts! Why did you say that you forgive him, Rose? It's probably another ploy by Rowan and Ruby. Do you really believe him?", Scarlett felt dejected.

"No, I don't. But I don't want to fight with him over that now. I just don't have the energy for that, Scarlett. Anyways, he is just an accomplice. The real culprit is Ruby. She is answerable, not him", Rose beckoned a waiter to remove their plates. Scarlett just stared at her.

"May I ask what this was all about?", Cyan was curious. "But, if you don't want to, I understand".

Rose shook her head. "Tell him. He is going to know it anyways, when she uploads it in social media", Rose said in a low voice to Scarlett. Scarlett could feel the pain of her friend. Her eyes softened. She sighed and took the task of describing Ruby's vile scheme to slander Rose. She told him how Rose began receiving Rowan's messages. And though initially sceptical, how she began responding to the messages which became friendlier as time passed. How Ruby read Rose's messages at the party that night, twisting the innocent messages into something foul. How she accused Rose of trying to seduce her boyfriend. How she said she would upload the messages in the social media. Rose was a silent spectator to this exchange and pretended that they weren't talking about her. "Well, now you know what happened", Scarlett looked at Cyan curiously.

Cyan remained silent staring at the black velvet cake dribbled with honey and lemon ice cream with chocolate shavings on the top. He picked at the cake with his fork, his eyebrows furrowed. After painfully slow minutes have passed, he looked at Rose, "Can I see the messages?"

The girls looked at each other in confusion. "Sure", Rose handed over her phone.

He began scrolling and reading her messages. His face was emotionless. The girls were restless. After he finished reading, he gave the phone back to Rose, "I don't see any incriminating evidence that you were trying to steal her boyfriend. They are just innocent messages. You don't have to worry.". He smiled at her.

"Really?", Rose looked unconvinced. "Yup.", he nodded.

"Let me see", Scarlett grabbed her phone and started going through the messages.

"But the poems. Whoa! They are good. I loved the one about love. That love is an amorphous dream. I didn't know you were a poet. If anything, people will recognize the poet in you", he grinned. A blush creeped Rose's face and she grinned back at him.

"I think he is right. I don't see anything inappropriate", Scarlett raised her head to look at Rose and Cyan. "What are you two smiling about?"

"I was telling Rose that her poems are good", Cyan put a piece of cake in his mouth.

"Oh! You don't know anything. She's writing a novel. Actually, she has been writing it for a long time. She's almost finished. Aren't you?", Scarlett prodded.

Rose reddened and nodded shyly. "But I still don't want Ruby to upload anything. She will probably twist the messages into something else". Fear shadowed her eyes.

"Well, slandering someone over social media is illegal. We will scare her that we will file a complaint against her and ruin her."

"OK? But when? And how?"

"Why don't we go and confront her now? Scarlett, find out where she is. As to scaring her we will figure it out on the way", Cyan called a waiter over for the bill. Scarlett messaged someone. Her phone beeped. "She's still at the manor. Let's go", Scarlett gave a credit card to the waiter and they waved goodbye at Mr. Blackmore.

Rose was silent throughout the journey. Cyan and Scarlett discussed about how to confront Ruby. When they reached the manor, the party had died down. Many have left. The couple of the guys they met on their way out was lying on the base of a statue sleeping. A couple of people left were helping Mr. Ansel and Miss Blake tidy up the dining room. Some others were slouching around. Some snickered seeing Rose. Some gossiped. Some acknowledged them. Some looked at Rose with sympathy. Rose avoided everyone. Scarlett gnashed her teeth. They asked some girl clearing the yellow living room about Ruby. "The last I saw her, she was checking her phone and went that way. I didn't see her coming out, I think.", the girl pointed to the sun room. The sun room was empty. They went to the corridor next. The corridor was ill lit. The first room on the left was a library covered in darkness. Cyan managed to switch on the light. The room revealed no one. Next, they went to the reading room opposite it.

"Maybe this was a stupid idea. We should have done something else. Like talking to Rusty", As minutes passed, Scarlett was becoming wary of confronting Ruby. Who knows how she would react? She never cared for rules. She certainly wouldn't care for laws. Her mother had married a rich realtor. Her mother always lavished her with gifts and money to compensate her absence in her only child's life. Surely, she would save her daughter from a libel case. Scarlett voiced her concerns to Cyan.

"Hmm, maybe it won't work. But we got to try. If we could get her to delete the messages, we should do it", Cyan sat down at a moth eaten chair.

"I don't think she would delete them. She would have transferred the messages to her phone or computer. Or saved it somewhere else. Even if she told us that she deleted them, how would we know for sure? I have known that girl for years. She is a crooked one."

"So, what are you saying? We should just let her get her way? That Rose shouldn't confront her. It is Rose's fight. And if you are a good friend, you will support her and fight with her. Instead, you want her to hide like a mouse.", Cyan felt frustration. He hated bullies. His brothers have always told him that if he didn't stand up to the bullies, they would continue with the bullying.

"I am not asking her to hide. I only said that we should let the adults deal with it", Scarlett shrieked.

"We are adults. You want to bring parents to this?", Cyan's eyes widened.

"Maybe we should go to the police".

"And say what? Unless she had uploaded the messages, we can't do anything. They will dismiss it as a prank".

"Well, then let her upload it".

"Do you hear yourself? If it gets uploaded, then it can't be erased from the net. It will affect Rose. And you want your best friend to suffer?"

"You said the messages were fine".

"That's just my opinion. How would we know how others might interpret it? Also, you heard Rose. What if Ruby twists the messages into something else? Wait, where is Rose?", Cyan looked around. She was nowhere to be seen. He looked out into the garden. She might not have gone there. The air was chilly and he shivered.

"Oi", Scarlett called him from the corridor. "Was that door open earlier?", she pointed to the left most door at the end of the corridor which was wide open.

"I don't think so", they looked into the dark room.

Then they heard a thud and a scream. "It's Rose!", Scarlett ran towards the door with Cyan behind her.

"Rose, is everything OK?", Cyan asked her, fumbling on the switches in the room. Bright light filled the room. And they saw Rose, sitting beside a dead Ruby on the floor, covered in blood!