~Ø~

The yellow cab stopped a block away from the school. He couldn't get through the piles of car halted by a red light that blocked the road towards the destination. The time was enough of a reason for the passengers to get off and go there by foot.

There was nothing but loud horns beeping which annoyed Ace, his eyes threw an irritated glare at the bright road with surrounding houses all lit up on the other side of the street. The two however walked in the shadows at the edge of a small forest. Armies of thin but humongous bushy trees swallowed by the darkness stood tall. The crackling cries of leaves called unto Ace and Watson, but the latter was the only one who responded with a fearful look. The cold breathe of spring night crashed through him like a surge of water. His low quality suit didn't help either. Only the soft blanket of silver moonlight lit the thin, sharp branches of the trees. The wind making it wave at them.

Watson couldn't pull his eyes away from it, his head fixated on that direction. Ace noticed it. He grabbed Watson's arm and pulled him to his left side, his tall body blocked the dreadful view of slender silhouettes dancing in the distance, almost like skeletons.

"S-sorry, I just saw something move there." Watson looked straight forward, the school almost within reach. His arms hugged his skateboard tightly, the warmth of it gave him comfort.

"Probably just squirrels or cats," Ace replied.

The two finally reached the back of their school. Dim lamp posts stood on the sidewalk around the wide lot which led them to the entrance of the building, crushing fallen leaves on the way there with their feet. The stairs towards the entrance was covered with a red velvet carpet, various flower petals scattered like sprinkles on the side.

"I'm so nervous." Watson bit his lower lip, his hands held each other, stopping its fidgeting. "H-how do I look? This is the only clothes I can afford." He looked at Ace with a small smile, his eyebrows raised upwards.

"I don't think I'm the right person for that question. Why are we using the main entrance again?"

"We wanted to focus on one door for a grand entrance as you can see with this red carpet. Also the principal was afraid of lower years pranking the prom so everything is locked." He walked towards the door with Ace behind him. His hands were inches away from the doorknob when a rustling of leaves stopped him, his head quickly jerked around.

"Are you okay?" Ace raised his eyebrow.

"Did you hear that?" His widened eyes shot everywhere.

"Maybe some of the other students are playing around." Ace looked around too in case he could help though his eyesight forbid him to do so.

"I don't think they can run fast like that. It almost sounded like an animal, or something."

There was nothing unusual for the two boys to notice. Everything was normal. The grass. The flowers. The trees. The flickering lamp post in front of stairs. On top of it was a black bird, its neck contorted from left to right. It croaked towards the two.

"Your mind slows down when you don't eat anything for a long period of time. And the fact that you were stressing out from that thing all day just adds to that." He opened the door and waited for Watson to enter first. "That's why you need to get there and eat."

"That's true...."

The two entered the empty halls of the school building. It was clean and spotless. Deserted. Silent. Dead silent. A light in the distance fluttered. They went through a series of maze-like hallways, narrow and long. Each following turn partially blocked by the intersection wall, a curtain of mystery that shrouded what was on the next path. Lights buzzed whenever they passed by them, flickering on and off, a feeling of uneasiness growing within the two.

"It's my first time going here at night. I didn't know all lights act like that."

He tightened his arms around his skateboard. "T-they don't," he mumbled. The two stopped for a moment then hastened their footsteps.

Their feet stopped when the lights died, all of them, longer than just flickering. Within a second they were trapped inside a pitch black void. There was nothing but gentle clicking somewhere in the distance.

"A-are you walking?" Watson asked, his voice wavered.

"I-I'm not."

The floor then sang with multiple footfalls in between seconds. They were soft and quiet. Then it got louder. Stronger. Closer.

Watson's trembling hand searched for the power button of his skateboard but the luminescence came alive at last, an echo of a heavy footsteps' remains filled the halls.

It came from behind them.

They presumed walking at a faster rate. The music soon grew louder and louder and arrived in their ears, penetrating it, thumping against their loud and quick heartbeat. The bright and colorful lights from the gymnasium door was within reach, and soon opened by the two.

Both of them could breathe at last.

They were welcomed by loud teenage shouting shrouded by the ever growing music played from two gigantic speakers right next to the stage at at the end of the gym. It was filled with flowers and strips of colorful papers. At the center were two red thrones with sparkly gold trim. A blanket of thick red curtain behind it all, concealing the room behind the stage.

Miranda and Jason stood up from the chair at the wall behind everyone else and quickly rushed towards the two. They both wore a matching white outfit with golden linings in front.

"You guys made it!" Miranda's loud voice pierced through an even louder music. Jason on the other hand smiled from ear to ear.

"Pretty late I think!" Watson replied.

"Cool decorations. You people must've put a lot of effort in this," Ace said. His eyes wandered in everywhere, something new and dazzling to be seen whenever he would switch direction.

The gigantic gym's entirety was mostly filled with circular tables and chairs all clothed with cheap white fabric and huge blue ribbons. Balloons hanged everywhere along colorful streamers that danced with the students at the center. The loud music reverberated through their bones, controlling their movements with its rhythmical spell though most of them danced like they were having a seizure.

White spotlights from the ceiling were dim unlike the bright strobing lights that changed color every time it fluttered. Its blinking lights masked the dancing students' overly excited face and some inappropriate touching here and there. It was too dark for the faculty members to see using their old and wavering eyesight.

Ace's gaze jumped from the stage and into Jason, then to Miranda. "Wait, is Miranda your date?" He asked, the two leaned in closer to grab the last words. They looked at each other and paused for a brief moment, a sudden burst of laughter arrived afterwards. He rolled his eyes. "Well that answers that," he whispered.

Watson had a tiny laugh too. "You know, that would've been much more surprising than Cheetos here wanting to go to the prom." His thumb pointed towards Ace.

"She said it's mandatory," he said right next to Watson's ear.

Watson's brows curled up, his eyes immediately shot towards Miranda who whistled a butchered tune. She rocked back and forth on her white pointed toe sandals with her hands behind her back. Her eyes attempted to escape the situation though it eventually found its way back to Watson.

"I don't think the prom is mandatory," he said.

She finally looked straight at him. Her pouting lips turned into a grin. "Well that's not a pretty face."

"Miranda!"

The girl smiled mischievously. "I lied," she said proudly.

"Why?"

"I knew you will work overtime for your gizmo and that alone concerned me. And since I know that you Mr. Miller is very close to him since high school started, I knew you can convince this workaholic nut job to stop and have fun here." She danced awkwardly afterwards, her hands flung without any rhythm over her head. "By the way, I know all of it because he talks about you aaaaaaall th—." A muffled scream came afterwards when Watson covered her mouth with his hand.

"S-she's such a daft. We're just going to gander at something with the Principal. We'll see you guys later," he said towards Jason, his eyes briefly locked gaze with Ace before looking the other way, dragging Miranda's violent wiggling body along with him.

"Yeah, I still don't know what's happening. You seriously came because it's mandatory, huh?" Jason said.

"It was my decision to come here. She thought she could trick me but that hyperactive writer's interview with the blonde idiot gave me a good info." Ace still had his eyebrows raised until River arrived next to Jason. "Oh, it's you."

"Also customary greetings to you too!" She smiled. "Everyone looks like royalty tonight! Including you Jason!" She booped his nose gently.

Jason struggled to smile and looked at Ace who nodded in response. "D-d-do you w-want t-t-to dance River?"

"Aw, I would love to!" She held the skirt of her poofy pink dress and did a courtsy, dragging Jason towards the dance floor afterwards leaving Ace alone.

He stood by the dark wall. The lights shot him consecutively and countless shadows of people dancing filled the empty space around him. They were having fun in his eyes, and he doesn't quite grasp the idea of that. Was he too busy being in pursuit of perfection inside his room? Or was it the lack of social warmth that was cast out by his father whenever other kids his age tried to befriend him then.

Well, one stayed, and he showed him how zestful life can be no matter how tragic his past was. Jason was a free spirit, Ace could learn a thing or two from him. But he was caged within reasons he doesn't know.

He hated social gatherings for a reason. It's an area he doesn't excel in, and he doesn't like that. Either he leaves now, or miss out a chance to experience what he missed in his childhood; talking to other people besides his tutors and father and have fun. The door was just close to him, his eyes were closer, but his mind was already outside of the gym.

He shook his head lightly, stepping forward through the crowd of chattering teenagers and into the food catering which offered quick bites and refreshments.

"Quite a celebration, huh?" A towering student stood next to him, sneakily grabbing a lot of food though most of it went to a bag inside his suit. Even though it was quite dark, a hint of light towards his piercing blue eyes made him easily recognizable.

"D-do I know you?" Ace asked, his left hand held an icy beverage that numbed his hand.

"Nah. But we kinda met on the bathroom last Monday after the Starbucks drink incident." His quick hands finally stopped the hoarding of food. "The name's Noah by the way." He offered a handshake, his hand covered with small bits of bread and biscuits.

Ace took the offer though some crumbs transferred to his hand. "Jace but my friends call me Ace." He dusted his hand on his pants.

"So, have you voted for the prom king and queen, Ace?

"I said only my frie—, nevermind. No I haven't."

"Well the voting is right there." Noah pointed towards a couple of students at a table next to the stage. "You better vote now cause I think they're gonna announce it after this song ends."

Ace started walking towards it but stopped. He glanced back at him stuffing his mouth with food. "Nice suit by the way, probably costs a lot of money."

Noah responded with a thumbs up, his mouth obscured by a gigantic piece of bread.

Ace arrived at the voting table when someone who looked like an angel arrived next to him. She wore a white strapless ballgown; the skirt blooming outwards from her waist and unto the ground like a flower on a spring. On her neck was a collar filled with countless rhinestones

"Well if it isn't the clueless trash loitering even in this event." Adella fixed her hair to the side and threw a disgusted look towards Ace who was busy voting.

Ace inserted his vote inside a box, finishing the voting poll.

"Everything about you screams privileged white trash," Noah said right by her, walking towards Ace.

Adella raised her eyebrow, a small whimper escaped her mouth. "Just because you live in a homeless shelter without a family doesn't mean you can blame me for having such a fabulous life. It's not my fault your life is misery." Her face dropped intentionally, imitating a sad face which mocked upon the existence of Noah before walking away.

Noah held his suit tightly, a small bulge from the stored food within became evident through his clothes. "I-I'm just gonna go for a moment," he said as he sprinted towards the gym entrance.

The girl at the table stood up. "And that's the last vote." Her eyelashes batted towards Ace. She grabbed the mic and said, "Please go back to your seats, we will announce the Prom King and Queen briefly."

Ace looked around and saw Miranda waving at him. "Hey Jace! We saved you a seat here!" Her loud voice replaced the dying music.

He had no choice but to sit at the table near the wall though Jason and River was there too. His chair was right next to a window that showed the darkness outside. The dim spotlights slowly grew brighter while the strobing colors did the opposite. It showered all students at their table with a soft, white hue as they continued talking to each other.

A sudden crash at the stage silenced everyone, their heads turned simultaneously. One of the lights apparently fell and broke while the others turned off leaving the luminescence at the stage uneven.

Ace looked at the stage too but a knocking at the window right next to him stole his attention. A black bird peeked inside the lively event, its sharp beak almost like a scythe pecked on the glass continuously. It was odd for a crow to be at the city.

Watson rushed towards their table garnering the eyes of everyone including Ace. "Hey Miranda, where do we keep the l.e.d. light we used for the school play?" he asked while biting his lower lip.

Miranda's brows curled up. "I don't know. I think it's in the council room?"

The crow sat patiently at the window, watching the teens conversing inside with its bloody red eyes. Not a few seconds later another one joined in. There were now two birds. Three birds. Four birds. Five birds. They sat at the window, croaking to one another about what was to come.

Miranda rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna go check," she said.

"Alone? The council room is far." Watson looked around the table. "Jason or Ace or River. Can one of you accompany her?"

Jason looked at River who felt sympathy towards Miranda. He probably saw it as a chance to act cool in front of her. So, without a second thought, he raised his hand. "I'll go with her to the east wing." River smiled at him.

Ace glanced over his shoulder. His brows furrowed seeing all the birds watching them. He was about to tell everyone when something quick passed by behind the birds leaving a trail of black smoke.

"Thanks. Oh and can you guys check the electric power in the cafeteria? Just see if there's anything wrong especially for the AB-11 button because the stage lights became a bit wonky."

Watson went back next to the stage while Miranda and Jason left the gym leaving Ace and River and some other strangers at the table.

"So, why are you mesmerized by that hole in the wall?"

Ace looked at her, fear growing in his eyes. "Do you see this?" He glanced back at the window.

River tilted her head. "Yes, I see the outside through a limited opening."

Ace widened his eyes. The crows were no more. He looked at the stage, the lights were working fine as well. Something was definitely not right in his mind.

"Okay everyone! Your choices for the prom king and queen are now here! And we will start with the prom queen!" The boy from the voting table clapped, initiating the storm of applause and shouting from the student body.

"Hey, you're Ace right?" Amelia arrived looking like fairy enveloped in a cloud of blue puffy dress. "Watson told me he needs you backstage for reasons that I forgot."

"Why would he send you?" He asked, his eyebrow raised.

"I was helping Adella up the stage, duh! Anyway, he said that you're probably the right person since you're tall. Just hold the rope when they announce the queen, okay?" She said with a cheshire smile leaving the table with mischievous glee.

"I better go. You're gonna be fine here?" He asked River who nodded in response, her attention now imprisoned by the window.

Ace arrived backstage and saw a white rope hanging from above. The room was empty and dry. The loud noise from the gym was muffled by the gigantic curtain and wall. At the end was a door which was locked as told by Watson.

"And the prom queen is!" The host paused for a long time just to drive everyone nuts though most of them didn't care besides the contenders who held hands. Except Adella.

After a full dreaded minute, the boy opened his mouth. "Quinn Adella!" The crowd started to fill the quiet void inside with their cheer. Adella smiled from ear to ear. She went at the center and stood behind the mic while the host placed the shining silver crown on her head.

"Oh my god! I didn't expect to win!" She lowered her head and wiped her nonexistent tears. "I just want to thank everyone who voted for me! This is definitely my favorite achievement all throughout high school! You guys gave me such a memorable night and I couldn't ask for mo—." She stopped as soon as she felt something cold and wet drop on her shoulders, running down her arms. It was red.

She looked up only to see a bucket on a rope turning upside down releasing its bloody insides all over her, showering her with crimson red liquid that reeked of death. Each of her hair strands sticked to each other, the gooeyness of the liquid stayed on each locks. The ethereal white of her gown soon bathed with the red juice of unknown corpses.

Her stomach churned. Her hands covered her eyes though she could still see through the prison of her fingers. Everyone started becoming blurry and hazy, the bright light shooting her eyes that rendered her blind momentarily.

There was silence until one laugh initiated by a small girl amidst the crowd started a stampede of laughter that crushed her reputation within seconds. Adella screamed and tried to run away but the blood all over the stage made her slip, falling unto the floor where she crawled her way behind the stage. She whimpered and howled, and stopped when saw someone holding a rope similar to that of the one on the bucket.

Ace's eyes widened, his lips shook with disgust at the blood soaked girl wearing a silver crown.

"Y-you did this! You did this! I'm gonna kill you!" She ran to him with crazy eyes that excreted a waterfall of humiliation and despair.

"What the fuck are you saying!? Are you seriously blaming me because I'm holding a rope?" Ace's brows furrowed.

Adella fell on the ground and took the crown on her head. "T-this is the worst night! T-t-this was supposed to be m-my night!" She screamed repeatedly when the two noticed a smoke coming from her hand.

"W-what's happening!? W-w-what's happening to me?" Her voice cracked multiple times. She grabbed her right arm, the crown melted in her hand.

Ace slowly walked away from her. "W-what the fuck did you just do!?" He screamed. For once he felt what the people at the radio spoke of. "J-just calm down! Try to breathe!"

"I don't know what's happening to me!" Her hand soon set ablaze as does her voice. A vivid and gigantic fire danced on her palm while she shrieked like a banshee. "M-my hand is on fire! Help me!"

The two screamed continuously though their loud screech was masked by the butchered music from the stage and the principal's voice. Adella kept blowing wind from her mouth hoping it would kill the fire but it was useless. Even Ace who tried to move it, couldn't!

The door then burst open, halting the panicking of the two. It was dark outside but the moon's soft glow showed a silhouette growing bigger and bigger.

A tall person underneath a black hood of mystery entered the backstage bringing the cold along with him. A black bird sat on his shoulder. His eyes wandered around the empty room, ultimately staying on one direction; Ace and Adella.

~Ø~