Deadly Romance

Chapter 1

          One chilly October night Devilina laid in bed watching the branches sway outside the window in the breeze. The howling of the wind and the branch tapping the glass repeatedly made the room feel eerie. She was thinking about the upcoming party, Hollow's Monster Bash, when she heard the bed beside her starting to creak with movement. She looked over and saw a mop of curly fire red hair sit up straight. Devilina tried to hold back her giggles. It was too dark to see her roommate, Jo's face.
          "Devilina," Jo said sleepily, "Stop worrying about the stupid party. You'll be fine. No one is sending you off to be a slave. Go to sleep please."
          Jo grumbled and plopped back down onto her pillow and fell back asleep. Jo was Devilina's closest friend. Sometimes Devilina swore Jo could read her thoughts, hence the waking up even though Devilina didn't make a sound.
          Devilina normally didn't care about parties of any kind, but this one was especially important. It was a party for the seniors only. If you didn't show up, or if you didn't wear something gorgeous, you were kept in a cell overnight, shipped off the next day and sold as a slave for two years.
          Devilina glanced at the closed closet door across the room. She didn't have a single thing fancy, expensive, or gorgeous. She didn't even own a dress for that matter. Sure the whole "sold as a slave" thing was just a rumor, but it was enough to keep her awake at night. She rolled over in bed, pulled the covers over her face and closed her eyes.
         
          The next day, Devilina and Jo went to the mortal stores to find a dress for the party.
          "That one," Devilina whispered pointing to a knee length spaghetti strapped royal blue dress, "It's perfect."
          The skirt was flowy and longer in the back. There was a silver belt around the waist with a silver crescent moon attached.
          "How did you see that?", Jo asked, squinting to look.
          Heading towards the dress, they saw a young woman grab it. She was holding it against herself, smiling with satisfaction. Before the woman could walk to the register, Devilina and Jo stood on either side of her.
          "That's my dress," Devilina said menacingly to the woman.
          "Excuse me?", she asked with a little attitude.
          "Give it up," Jo demanded.
          Devilina bared her wicked fangs for the woman to see. She screamed, dropped the dress, and ran from the store. Devilina picked it up, smiled, and walked confidently to the changing rooms.
          A few minutes later, Devilina stepped out of the dressing room and twirled, giggling and grinning. She looked in the mirror admiring the dress against her peach colored skin.
          "I LOVE IT!," Jo exclaimed, eyes wide, "It's perfect for you."
          "We still have to find your dress," Devilina replied, stepping back into the changing room.
          After a few minutes of searching racks, Jo settled on a forest green thigh high one strapped dress.
          They paid, left the store, and walked across the street to Helen's Jewelry. Devilina found a crescent moon necklace and earring set. Jo found a silver beaded necklace with silver dangly chain earrings.
          "Shit!," Jo exclaimed, looking at her phone, "I have to go. Kevin time."
          She hugged Devilina and left, leaving Devilina to head back to school alone.