darcie
The drinks were flowing, the music was blasting, and we were so immersed in the party that we didn’t notice that a storm had rolled in over Summervale.
Lightning flashed and streaked through the sky, as seen through the club’s doors and windows, and illuminated the entire marina and bay, turning night into day momentarily.
“Whoa? Did you see that, Darce?” said Stace, standing beside me on the side of the dancefloor as we watched Tristan and Bobby dance.
“Hmm?” I couldn’t hear anything but the music.
“The lightning. A storm is coming,” she said closer to my ear. I turned my attention from the dancefloor to look out of the open doors of the club. I had seen the flashes of lightning but had not paid any mind to them. It was only a storm. We were safe inside the club.
But during the next flash, the silhouette of a person standing soaking wet on the balcony startled me. It kind of looked like…
No! It couldn’t be. It was my mind playing tricks. My brother couldn’t be back here in Summervale. Could he? Dammit. I was supposed to help with the investigation by reading his journal and letter to me, but I hadn’t made it past the first page. It had left me reeling, my stomach juices curdling. It had me lying awake at night, jumping at any unfamiliar noise in the dark, and looking over my shoulder.
I turned back to the dancefloor to see Tristan dancing with his aunt, Bobby dancing with his mom, and Stacey dragging Ashton onto the floor. I laughed at the latter and scanned the room in search of Dane. But I couldn’t see him.
I grabbed another canape off a passing waiter’s tray and stuffed it into my mouth. I had already had several prawn toasts, fried shrimp, and something that looked like a mini sausage roll, but it was filled with something I couldn’t put my finger on. I picked up my glass of champagne, my third, as the music was suddenly cut, and someone tapped a mic.
“Hello, is this thing on?” said Sheriff Richards’s deep voice. Dancing and conversation ceased as everyone turned to face the corner of the dancefloor where a small stage, sound equipment, instruments and a projector screen had been set up.
Bobby and Tristan stood on the edge of the floor near the stage, looking happy and in love. Tristan wrapped his arms around Bobby and kept kissing his head and neck. They were so cute; it was sickening.
Was that a tear in my eye? No. It wasn’t. Nope. Not at all.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight to my son’s engagement celebration.” Bobby’s mom ran over to him and stood beside him. She took the microphone from her husband. “It wasn’t long ago that we thought our little boy would never find love. He certainly hasn’t had the best record with it.” She laughed. Everyone else laughed, too.
It was the truth. First, there was Dylan, who passed away, whom my father killed, and then Adrian, who kidnapped Bobby.
“Thankfully, it has worked this time, and Tristan is the real deal. Touch wood…” she joked, giving Tristan a death stare. Everyone laughed. Bobby hid his face, and Tristan laughed and held up his hands in protest.
“In all seriousness, we are so happy to welcome Tristan into our family. We love him like a son. Thank you for showing Bobby real love, Tristan.”
Dammit, I was really crying now. I wiped away tears as everyone cheered and applauded until Dane came racing out of the kitchen, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. My stomach fell.
“Dane?!” he ran over and took the microphone off Maria before whispering in Sheriff Richard’s ear. He also turned pale as the blood left his face.
Just as Dane was about to speak, the power went off, and the club was plunged into darkness.
And then someone let out a blood-curdling scream.