Page 36 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Augustus

When I woke up this morning, I was excited for the day. Unlike the sourness of the past week.

However, my mood flips upside down when I hear the news of my classmate’s murder and that it was Nessa who stumbled upon the body. Just when I think it can’t get any worse, Scarlett barges into my room and throws the black envelopes that I recognize all too well.

It’s like that cursed Annabelle doll that keeps returning to your doorstep again and again, bringing nothing but a headache.

“I fucking told you, Augustus!” she yells, still dressed in her school uniform. “It wasn’t a prank. Neither of us is safe.”

“Calm down, Scarlett,” I grunt, tearing open the envelope with my name on it. “It’s too damn early to be shouting.”

“Don’t you tell me to calm down,” she screeches.

I ignore her and read the card.

Augustus,

You thought it was a prank, didn’t you?

Because you’re so untouchable.

That no one can be two steps ahead of you.

Well, here’s a news flash.

You’re nothing but a pawn.

I’m the mastermind of this game.

Either you play by my rules or you die.

Just like that girl.

Oh yeah, she refused to play too.

So, I’ll tell youagain.

Bring me a secret.

Or be ready to pay the price.

Xoxo, A.

A glance at Scarlett’s note reveals a similar message.

It no longer seems like a prank. No one would jokingly admit to murdering someone in cold blood.

Their anger is palpable in the harsh strokes of their handwriting.

In their haste to deliver the message, they didn’t print the text, unlike the previous ones.

I don’t burn them this time since they’re our only proof and lead to catching whoever is after us. I don’t believe they know our secrets as they’re arrogantly claiming. Nevertheless, I can’t deny we’re part of a deadly game.

“Gus, this is serious,” says Scarlett in a shaky tone. “Someone is after us and they know our secret.”

That would be impossible because dead people can’t talk. It leaves the two of us and we will both take it to our grave before admitting it, let alone sharing it with another soul. It’s the only way to ensure the tragedy dies with us.

As I peer at my sister, I become worried.

That weekend has haunted us for most of our childhood. I protected Scarlett as best I could. The experience hardened me and killed the last of my humanity. However, it turned Scarlett into a shell of the girl she used to be.

Now I’m glimpsing the hint of the same girl and it’s tearing me apart. I can sense the wrath bubbling under my calmness at the person responsible for it.

“Where did you find these?” I question Scarlett.

“The guard gave them to me when I returned from school,” she answers. “He said they were stuck in the window when he came for his shift.”

Crossing the distance to her, I rest my hand on her slender shoulder, and promise her, “I’ll get to the bottom of this and fix it. Okay?”

Relief pours over her face, making me feel guilty for being too distracted with Nessa and not being there for my sister.

Nodding, she murmurs, “Be careful, Gus. This person is cunning. They won't be easy to find.”

“Do the police have any suspects?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve been called in for questioning at the station tomorrow since she was our classmate. I did hear the killer wrote a message on the wall, but I couldn’t find out what. They’ve sealed the scene.”

I take in all the information. “Don’t go anywhere alone, Scarlett. And definitely not in Wolf and Kaid’s territory. Until we sort this out, don’t pick fights with them, and keep your distance. For all we know, they could be behind this.”

A frown mars her forehead, and she counters, “But why would they harm one of their own? Capri lived next door to Wolf and I saw them hang out together a couple of times at school.”

“We don’t know if they were close friends, Scarlett. People are capable of all kinds of things and betrayal always comes from those closest to you.”

She stiffens, dark shadows playing in her eyes. “You’re right.”

“Get some rest. I’ll see what I can find.”

Walking into the closet, I put on a shirt and decide to confront my house’s security guard. While taking the stairs, I text Maverick to call me as soon as he’s up. The lazy bastard’s favorite hobbies are to sleep and fuck around.

My mind drifts to how just a few nights ago he and I were talking about Capri. If she had also received the invitation note like us, it means she had a secret to hide too. As well as the fact that there are more players involved in Anonymous’s game.

If all the targets are from the school, Anonymous has to be one of us.

Besides the letters, the second clue is the message left at the crime scene. My gut says it was meant for us and not for the cops. My best bet would be going to school and checking it for myself. Perhaps I’ll find something else that could help us.

At the moment, all of us are just sitting ducks.

Anonymous might be two steps ahead of me today, but he won’t be for long now that I have set my eyes on him.

“Stuart.”

Our middle-aged front gate guard looks up and stands up straight. “Yes, Mr. Grayson. Did you need anything?”

“Show me the security footage from this morning.”

“Is this about the envelopes?” he asks cautiously. “Because I already checked and whoever it was knew exactly where the cameras were and avoided them. All I saw was their gloved hand.”

“What about the other two times?”

“Since it was night and they stuck to the shadows, nothing was visible.”

“Then tell me this, Stuart.” I inch closer and speak with a cold smile. “If you knew we had a weak spot in the feed, why didn’t you try to fix it? That’s your only job, isn’t it?”

His face turns pale, mouth opening and closing as he tries to come up with an excuse.

There is none.

“I d-didn’t… You’re right,” he stammers. “I’m sorry. I’ll get it fixed today.”

“Don’t bother. You’re fired.”

“No! Please, Mr. Grayson.”

I ignore his useless begging and go back inside the house. My phone's ringtone alerts me to a call and I pick up once I see Maverick’s name flash across the screen.

“Is it true about Capri?” is the first thing he asks in a groggy voice.

“Yeah,” I confirm. “Are you still in touch with the guy at the station?”

“Yep. What do you want to find?”

“Everything related to Capri’s murder investigation. Get a copy of the crime scene photos too.”

“I’ll get on it.” A beat passes. “What’s going on, Augustus? Why are you interested in her death? Don’t tell me you were fucking her?”

Judging by his incredulous tone, he has no idea, which means he’s not receiving any shady notes. “I’ll tell you everything when we meet.”

“Is Scarlett involved too?” His voice switches to concern. He’s close to us both being our childhood friend.

“Yeah.”

“Fuck,” he curses vehemently. “I’ll get you the info.”

Then he hangs up.

Scarlett isn’t in my room when I go upstairs. I need to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t make any rash decisions that will escalate the situation. It’ll be hard as it is for her with constant worrying about what happened to us.

If our mother got wind of it, it’ll open a can of worms that’ll obliterate our carefully constructed world.

Putting the envelopes in a safe spot, I run into the shower. While I wait for information from Maverick, there’s someone else I need to visit.

My little prey.

She’s been at the back of my mind. I crave to be with her, around her, all the time. If Scarlett hadn’t shown up in my room, I would be with Nessa at this second. I hate not knowing if she’s okay after seeing one of her students dead.

Nessa has a pure heart that cares deeply for others.

Why else would she take care of a monster like me when I got hurt?

Within minutes, I’m on my bike and on the way to her house. When I reach it, the SUV is missing in her driveway.

Has she not returned from school? Pulling out my phone, I check the location of the tracker. Imagine my surprise when the address is in the suburbs where Mr. Melrose lives.

Burning jealousy flares at the idea that she ran to him after a traumatic experience. Then again, I haven't given her a reason to choose me. After the stunt I pulled yesterday, I’m the last person on this earth she’ll come to for comfort.

She isn’t the type of girl one wins over with expensive cars and clothes. However, I gave her both because I didn’t like the thought of her struggling.

She’s mine.

If I want to give her gifts, I’m not asking for permission. It also means if she’s hurting, I will take care of her. Not another man. Especially the one I told her to stay away from.

Opening our chat, I send her a text.

@thedeviluworship: Where are you?

I cannot reveal I’m tracking her whereabouts. Not yet.

The dots appear instantly.

@nessatheatheist: Somewhere you can’t catch me.

For the first time today, I smile. If she’s still sassing me, she must be okay. But I won’t be satisfied unless she’s in my arms. We still have the matter of discussing last night and the souvenir I left.

Has she watched it?

Did it make her wet?

How pissed is she?

Had the day not taken a turn for the worse, I would be plotting deviant ways to corrupt my prey. Introduce her to a world of kink.

Instead, I’m chasing a ghost.

Anonymous is going to pay for throwing a wrench in my plans. For daring to come after my sister. For putting Nessa through the ordeal of walking into a sight that is undoubtedly going to haunt her for the rest of her life.

The need to drive to Ace’s house and bring her back here threatens to choke me. I settle for replying to her.

@thedeviluworship: Come home, Nessa.

@thedeviluworship: Or I will find you.

I almost ask her if she’s okay but squash the urge. Pocketing my phone, I drive to Maverick’s place. The sooner I get some answers, the sooner I can be with Nessa.

Let her believe she’s safe with Ace.

Soon, I’ll shatter all her fallacies.