Annabelle Robinson walked to her front door, her short choppy black hair barely touching her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled in a brilliant shade of green. She opened the door to her house, the smell of chocolate wafting in the air.

“Mom, I’m home.” She called into the house. Her mother, a short plump lady with Annabelle’s face stepped out. A smile lit her face up.

“Hey Anna, would you like a brownie?” her mother asked. Annabelle made a face, in fake disgust, but walked into the kitchen. It was cluttered, as batter pans and silverware covered the counters. Her mom was preparing for their big party, the one for Annabelle’s seventeenth birthday.

“Mom, you don’t have to overdue it,” she said, licking batter off her finger. Her mother looked at her in shock.

“Annabelle, you’re turning seventeen, that’s a big day, not to mention, you just got accepted into the Young Artist Guild.” She scoffed lightly, her green eyes watering slightly.

“I know mom, but really, it’s not that big a deal. I mean,” she restated at her mothers shocked looked, “please don’t do anything drastic.” Annabelle sighed deeply, knowing there was no way to win against her mother.

Annabelle walked up to her room, when her cell rang. “Hi,” Annabelle said automatically.

“Hey, Anna it’s Fey,” Said the voice on the other side. Annabelle laughed at her friend.

“Hey, Fey, What do you want?” Annabelle asked.

“Jimmie is coming to your birthday party… to ask you out!” Annabelle’s breath caught in her throat. Jimmie Ferguson was the hottest guy in the school. He was tall, with light brown hair, and his eyes were the color of honey. He was sinewy, and his face angular and he was kind, so very kind.

“Anna?” Fey asked puzzled. Annabelle shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

“I’m here Fey, umm I got homework to do, so I’ll call you back.” She murmured slightly dazed. Slowly, as not to fall she climbed up the narrow stairway. When she got to her room, she collapsed in her bed. The night seemed to drag on forever, and it seemed like tomorrow morning was like a month away.


When she awoke, the party was only ten minutes away. Her mother had let her oversleep. Cursing, she jumped out of bed, and got dressed. As she walked down the steps, she froze. There in front of her was Jimmie, her breath became shallow little pants, and she rushed passed him, hoping to avoid confrontation.

Dashing into the kitchen, she grabbed a cola. Her mom walked in, wearing a big smile. “Hey Sugar, how are you this morning?”

Annabelle sighed deeply. “Mom you let me oversleep… why didn’t you wake me up sooner?” she asked.

“Sugar, I woke you up an hour ago.” She said frowning slightly. Annabelle decided it was best not to protest. She glanced at the clock. Five minutes until the party started.  Sucking in a deep breath, she walked back out.

Jimmie was no were to be seen, which relieved her a tiny bit. Looking around, she spotted Fey. She had cut all but a handful of hairs on both sides, to her ears. She had died her hey an interesting color of green, and her eyes were dark brown. She was tall, and very slender.

Fey noticed her staring, and waved her over. Annabelle walked over to her, smiling slightly. “Hey,” she said weakly.

“Hey Anna, when does the party begin?” she asked. Her breath reeked of alcohol. Annabelle grimaced; she had been drinking at another party. Fey normally went out to party, looking for guys, and gets trashed.

“Soon,” she muttered, wanting to put space between her and Fey. Annabelle turned on her heel, and exited her house.  

Annabelle left her guest inside, hoping to clear her mind. Alyson Reynolds waved at her, followed closely by her many admirers. Annabelle nodded in her direction.  Annabelle closed her eyes to the warm feel of the suns rays.  

“Hey Annabelle,” a male voice said. Annabelle jumped, turning around to see Jimmie’s crooked smile.

“Hey Jimmie,” she stuttered blushing deeply. Annabelle took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. “What can I do for you?” she asked, trying to sound calm, but was failing. If Jimmie had noticed, he didn’t show it.

“Well, I was wondering,” he started. Annabelle’s heart speed up, and she broke out in a cold sweat. “Would you like to come to Pandemonium with me.” he finished.  Annabelle stood there, too shocked to move.

Annabelle meekly nodded her head. “Great,” he said jogging away. Annabelle faintly heard her mother calling her. Slowly she walked back into the house. All through the party, her mind was on Sunday night, and her new date.

She was surprised at Jimmie’s gift to her. It was a short slinky black dress cut just above her breasts, and dipped low on the back. It had matching black strapy shoes. Her mother stood wide eyed in shock, and maybe horror. Annabelle quickly put it back in its box, and found a card.

Dear Annabelle,

I hope you like this gift, use it well. See you at Pandemonium.

Annabelle smiled to her self. Jimmie planned the fact that she would go to Pandemonium with him. The party finally ended at about midnight. Crashing on her bed, she fell asleep.


A girl twirled in a deep green dress, her partners face covered with a mask. They waltzed around the court, everyone’s eyes on them. Her black hair was pulled up creatively on her head. The guy murmured something in her ear, the girl smiled slightly. “Annabelle,” he murmured, “you look lovely.” Annabelle blushed in reply. He lowered his head to her neck, and kissed it gently. Annabelle squirmed slightly in his arms.

Annabelle awoke to her mothers’ voice. She sat up, and yawned deeply. Sleepily she walked to the mirror and froze. On her neck was a deep bluish spot, Annabelle waved it off as a bruise.  Hastily she threw on her out fit and raced down stairs. Her mother was sitting in the living room with an unknown man. He was a stout man, with thin beady eyes. His hair was thinning slightly and he had a scar running from his temple to his cheek.

“Um mother who is this?” Annabelle asked, squirming under his gaze.

“I’m Tony Patterson.” He said curtly. Annabelle was taken aback by his rudeness. Nodding slightly she addressed her mother.

“Mom I’m going to the mall okay?” she hated to sound like she was asking, but she didn’t want to be rude. Her mother looked at her, uncertainty in her gaze.

“Anna hon why don’t you stay here Mr. Patterson would like to ask you something.” She murmured her eyes veiled by her lashes. Annabelle nodded uncertainty gnawing at her insides.

“Miss Robinson, sit.” He said. Annabelle carefully sat down in the arm chair and waited for his response.  “Miss Robinson, do you know this girl?” he asked hold up a picture of a young woman. She looked a lot like Fey, except her hair was long and golden brown, and her skin was a deep tan.

“I-I’ve never seen her before…why?” I nervously asked. Mr. Patterson stared at her intently, as if seeing into her soul. She shifted under his gaze. “Sir I swear-”

“Mrs. Robinson, your daughter is obviously hiding something, but I’ll let it go for now.” He stood up, and bowed slightly and left. Annabelle shock a bit. What was he doing with a picture of Fey?

“Anna, honey, is there something you’d like to talk about?” Her mother asked gently. Annabelle shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Why was Fey in that picture?

Annabelle walked outside, certain she was crying. Fey was outside her door, a look of shock on her face. “Um…Anna is something wrong?” she asked concerned.

Annabelle looked at Fey, and gave her a big hug. “Fey…”she sobbed. “That cop, was looking for you!!” she cried. Fey stiffened in her arms.

“Annabelle are you sure, are you really, really sure?” Fey asked abruptly. Annabelle nodded her head. “Shit!!” Fey screamed.

Annabelle looked at her friend. “But th-the picture… didn’t look l-like you.” She blubbered. Fey’s head shot up.

“What? Annabelle are you positive?” she asked slowly. Annabelle thought about it for a while. “Did she have golden hair, and have dark skin? And was she-”

“FEY!” Annabelle shouted. “What’s going on?” She asked softly, her eyes looking at her feet. Fey placed a swift kiss on her check and ran off. “I’ll tell you, later…” Annabelle could have sworn Fey’s skin sparkled in the sun.

Annabelle walked down the street, trying to calm her nerves. So what, Fey had a secret, well, so did she. Her anxiety quickly changed to anger. So what, Fey didn’t trust her with this secret, but she always told Fey everything.

Annabelle squinted at the grass, as tears of aggravation rolled down her checks. To her surprise, it started to smolder. A gasped escaped her lips, as it gradually burned. “Did I do that…?”