Page 12 of Vexed

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lily

“So, what do you think we should be?” Hannah asked, her voice cutting through the chaos of Playtime Parlor like a sharp knife through butter. The costume shop was a madhouse, a vibrant, overwhelming cacophony of rustling fabrics, excited squeals, and frustrated sighs.

It was crammed with last-minute shoppers: parents scrambling for trick-or-treating outfits for their kids and older teens hunting for something scandalous for parties, their laughter echoing through the aisles.

The Halloween carnival was tonight, a sprawling, town-wide event promising games, food, and a terrifying haunted house. And we were still costume-less.

But if I was honest with myself, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go. The last few days have been a nightmare, a relentless barrage of negativity capped off by a disturbing encounter with Vex.

I had some pretty fucked up dreams last night. All consisting of that faceless man that keeps sneaking into my dreams and trying to fuck me. I bet Vex has something to do with that too, no doubt.

“Earth to you! Are you even listening?” Hannah stopped mid-sentence, her brow furrowed as she studied my face.

Her bright, bubbly energy seemed to falter slightly, replaced with a concern that tugged at my guilt.

She knew me too well to miss the dark circles under my eyes or the vacant look behind my forced smiles.

“Yeah, sorry,” I mumbled, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. “Whatever you want, I’m in.” I brushed past her, my fingers trailing across the various fabrics hanging on the racks.

Sequined gowns, tattered pirate shirts, and animal costumes in varying states of disrepair mocked my lack of enthusiasm.

This close to Halloween, I doubted there were many decent options left.

But knowing Hannah, she could probably whip something together that looked like we’d been planning it all year.

Even as kids, she could transform household junk into elaborate costumes for our games. Cardboard boxes became spaceships, old sheets turned into royal robes, and even stray bits of tinfoil could become shimmering armor.

Creativity has always been her superpower. It was a shame I couldn’t muster up any excitement to appreciate it right now. I just wanted this night, and the unnerving dreams that plagued it, to be over.

A throat clearing has my hair rising on the back of my neck and I swear I’m about to fucking pass out. “Fancy seeing you here, Lily.”

Vex.

I whip around and there he is, larger than ever, dressed in all black with a sly grin playing on his lips. “What the hell are you doing here?” I whisper shout as I look around to ensure no one is near.

“What? I’m not allowed to shop for Halloween?” He says, sliding his hands in his pockets.

“ You enjoy Halloween?“ I ask amused, raising an eyebrow.

He takes a step closer and leans next to my ear, “I’m the king of Halloween, darling.” He growls leaving trails of goosebumps across my skin.

“Oh, who’s this?” Hannah suddenly asks with a soft voice from behind me. I quickly step away from Vex and face her, and I don’t miss the way she gawks over him. She can see him? How the hell am I supposed to explain this? But before I can come up with something, Vex beats me to it.

“Childhood friends,” he says, flashing her a smile and showing off those sharp canines.

“Oh, so are we,” she exclaims, pointing between her and me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Hannah.” She says with a wide smile, extending her hand towards him.

“Vex. The pleasure is all mine.” He answers, softly taking her hand and shaking it.

Did they forget I’m still standing right here? The whole interaction made me so uncomfortable. Not because my best friend is gawking over Vex, but because of who—or should I say, what he is.

I don’t want her near him. If he can fuck with my mind, what the hell would he be able to do to her? She’s way too gullible and a softy for how dark he is.

Breaking the silence, I clear my throat and face him again. “So, you have a costume, do you?” He gives me a confused look as I plead with my eyes for him to just say his goodbyes and leave.

“Actually, no,” he says and I inwardly groan. Can’t he just get the message and fuck off? Leave. Now.

A smile curls at the edges of his mouth but he dismissed me. “I’m not sure what to go as. Any suggestions?” He asks, directing his attention to Hannah.

How about the invisible man, then I don’t have to fucking see you. I think to myself and it’s clear he caught that by the way he wipes his mouth trying to cover the smile on his face.

“How about…something dark and mysterious. Like a devil, or a masked serial killer. Oh, I know. The Grim Reaper .“ My eyes widen at her words and I snap my head toward him, eyeing his reaction, but he just smiles.

“The Grim Reaper, you say? That might actually be perfect, thank you, Hannah.” She smiles before the lady at the front desk calls her over and she gives a little wave before walking away.

“Okay, you can leave now. We have a lot to do and I really don’t want to see your smug face any longer than I have to.” I sneer.

“Ah yes, the carnival.” He says, his voice a little harder than it was earlier.

“How do you know…”

“I know everything, darling.” He interrupts, his cold silver eyes piercing through me. He reaches out his hand and twirl his finger around the loose strand of hair before tucking it behind my ear.

My entire body sets on fire as his hand brushes against my cheek before he leans down and whispers, “I’ll see you tonight.”

I stand frozen as I watch him leave before blowing out a breath. Goddammit. Why? Why me? That’s the question I’ve been asking my entire life. Why is it always have to be me that goes through shit like this? Just when I thought that for one night, I could try and be normal for once.

To just enjoy the night with my best friend, but no. The man without a soul just has to come and fucking haunt me in everything I do. Lucky me.

“I look like a slut.” I groan, observing myself in the mirror dressed in my costume. Hannah had this great idea—by great I mean terrible idea, that we should go as angels. Not the holy kind, obviously.

I’m wearing white knee-length socks with a tight and very short white dress. And by short I mean half of my ass is hanging out, along with silver wings and a silver halo crown on my head.

“Shut up, you look hot.” She states. She’s wearing the same as me, but she looks so much better in it than I do. She’s so confident in her body. She’s gorgeous.

She curled my hair and put it half up with some loose strands falling around my face. I’m not a fan when it comes to too much make up so I only did something light but presentable.

After checking ourselves in the mirror for the last time, Hannah shrieks and grabs my hand, pulling me out the door.

Entering a carnival was like a sensory overload. The rides were lit up, reminding me of Christmas decorations. There was the different music coming from the various rides, a mix of foxtrot and the familiar melody of the carousel.

The game booths practically called to us, with those gigantic stuffed animals you wished you could win. And the smells of the delicious fare wafting through the air, prompting my stomach to rumble with hunger.

We didn’t eat much before leaving and seeing all the tasty food around us, has my mouth watering. “Well, hello there gentlemen.” Hannah shouts as Austin and Jason make their way toward us. And, of course, they’re wearing their football jackets.

I’m actually happy, maybe Austin will give me his jacket because I’m starting to freeze my fucking tits off. This is the last time I’m leaving Hannah in charge of costumes. Next year, I’ll wear a huge fucking bunny mascot costume for all I care.

“You girls, look fucking hot.” Austin remarks, before pulling me in and crashing his lips against mine. I gladly melt into the warmth and part my lips for him to slide his tongue in my mouth, but as he does, I recoil and break the kiss.

“Have you been drinking?” I ask him with a frown. He rolls his eyes before taking a step back, pushing his hands in his pockets. I have nothing against drinking, but one thing I can’t stand is the taste of beer in my mouth, especially when I wasn’t the one drinking it.

After a few moments of Hannah and Jason flirting and Austin and I mainly being silent, the boys take off to go and greet some of the other guys on their team.

I’m not going to let this ruin my evening. Austin can do as he please. “Wow, you made it. Looking good.” Hannah suddenly says and I frown. But my heart drops as a familiar chuckle resonates through my body from behind.

I turn around and Vex is standing there, dressed in his famous black suit covered with a black robe, the hood up and a scythe in hand.

My eyes scan him from his feet until I meet his gaze.

His eyes are brighter than ever along with that infuriating smug look on his face.

My mouth goes dry and I can’t seem to get any words out.

“You nailed it. But there’s one thing that would’ve completed the look—a skeleton mask. But other than that. Amazing.” Hannah rambles next to me.

Finally, I blink and clear my throat, “I need something to drink.” Hannah nods and turns, making her way to the little shop selling drinks on the other side of the carnival. I slowly start walking after her and, of course, Vex follows.

You look good enough to eat, darling. A voice suddenly says inside my head causing me to stop in my tracks. I slowly turn and see Vex’s eyes devouring me. It feels like I’m drowning under his gaze.

“You know she’s right. A skull mask would’ve really sold it.” I say, dismissing the way he looks at me.

His eyes find mine and he gives me a small smile before saying, “I don’t need a mask for that, but I didn’t want to frighten you, darling.” Wait, so he can really turn into a skeleton like in the cartoons? That is actually terrifying.