WARNING: Violence. There will be a semi-intense attack scene in this chapter, you have been warned.
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petalmellow - I'm so thankful you've been following this story since the beginning and I am glad to post another chapter for you to read! Thank you for taking an interest and continuing to be here, :)
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Beautiful Nightmares
Chapter Thirteen
"Abbey is glad you found proper words." She had her arm linked with his and he grinned that goofy, aloof grin of his. He seemed extremely happy with her on his arm.
He shook his head and connected their gaze. "Me too Abbey, I didn't realize that you weren't into the cheesy lines… and just wanted me to simply ask you out. A lot of ghouls like those lines!"
She smirked and squeezed his arm. "That is first mistake. Abbey isn't like other ghouls."
Heath could not agree more. Soon they were greeted by the rest of their friends and prominent couples. Cleo and Deuce were shining as usual. He didn't wear anything different from his ordinary casual attire but Cleo de Nile was shimmering all over. Draculaura dragged Clawd over to the remainder of the group. Lagoona and Gillington were all prepared to dance the night away.
Invisibilly was the one who escorted Catty – Dakota – to tonight's festivities. They weren't an 'official couple' or anything but it was nice to have someone to go with. "Are you ready to go superstar?" He asked her, invisible beside her.
Her skin crawled, what were the odds he'd call her that? "Superstar?" She cringed her nose up.
"Oh, do you not like it?" He hummed in thought. "Alright I can change it."
She chuckled. "It's whatever. But thanks for being so considerate. I'd kiss your cheek but I can't see you."
"And now I'm blushing." He returned the laugh.
Draculaura waved them over. "Whom are you talking to?" She looked around and didn't see anyone Dakota's arm was linked with.
"Invisibilly did the favor of escorting me to this event." He didn't say anything and it made them wonder if she was truthful.
"The pleasure is mine, m'lady." He spoke finally, startling them.
The doors soon opened and a line up began. "This is so exciting!" Draculaura screeched with anticipation. "We haven't had a school dance in awhile."
Cleo agreed. "It's been too long. I spent a millennium trying to decide what outfit to choose." She did a spin around in line to showcase it. "Then I pulled out this old thing. It's classic."
Catty waited in line patiently. They were one of the first few students. She could hear music already pulsating and it made her move directly with the beat. Invisibilly watched her carefully as her movements were limited to a foot tapping and hip wiggle, but they were so precise. There was something about this ghoul that was different… more to her than what met the naked eye.
It took her a moment to realize that she had been shaking up her escort. "Oh my apologies."
"Nah, it's cool." He reassured her that she wasn't being a nuisance. "You're on point with your moves though. I can't wait to see you on the dance floor."
She blushed. "Oh hush you."
"Music is in your soul." He told her softly.
The way he said it made her heart ache for a microphone… learning dance choreography was an excellent cardio work out too. "It really is." She replied. Soon they got through the door and headed straight for the gymnasium where the bass of the music was pumping proudly. This was going to be a fantastic night!
Only once she got into the gym the music was going but no one was dancing. What was this? "I'll be right back. I know how to liven up this party." She felt him let go of her arm and she shrugged. She figured he'd find her later on.
Invisibilly headed straight for the refreshment table where he pulled out a flask and dumped it directly into the punch. For some reason the chaperons weren't around but he didn't mind. He wondered who it was this time.
"WELL NOW!" Mr. Hackington opened the gymnasium doors. "Let the good times begin! But don't make 'em too good, I don't wanna deal with angry 'rents 'cause of poor decisions." The students stared at him wide-eyed as he went off to a corner of the gymnasium. He had a stack of reports he planned on grading during this event. It suited the students no problem… when Hack chaperoned the dance was a lot more relaxed. The irony that he was super strict during school hours but not so much during a dance was comical.
Catty had nearly wet herself when he burst in suddenly but she giggled it off. He seemed like an interesting member of the faculty.
Suddenly her eyes shifted to the DJ booth where a striking male with fire colored hair and bright blue skin looked a tad frazzled. She headed over in her stilettos and rather tight-fitting, crimson halter dress. It stopped just above her knees and boy… it flattered her every curve. Showing her bare shoulders and back off… it was no wonder Invisibilly called her a superstar – in this dress she definitely looked the part. "Hello, what's got'cha down?" She asked him, not wanting to waste any time.
Holt sighed dramatically. "I had a playlist for this dance that was on fiiree, but… I guess I didn't save it and now I'm just so bummed!"
Catty shifted her gaze to his set up. "Can I see that for a sec?"
He nodded and stood up for her to take his seat. "Thank you." She typed a little bit, made a few clicks and within five minutes she had a playlist that was hopefully 'fire' to him. She knew where the up-and-coming tracks could be leaked from. That was the only decent thing Persian ever taught her. It was to 'study her competition' but she never bothered. "Give this a go." And of course she added a few classic party tunes in there.
He hit the shuffle button and the beat dropped. He grabbed his headphones right away and began almost instantly jamming. "WHHOAA! You're right! This is great!" Catty grinned, he certainly was excitable.
She grabbed a spare set of headphones and plugged them in. She shook her bosom to the beat. The vibration of the bass was absolutely invigorating. She even scratched the record a few times. Holt's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"She can scratch too?!" He pulled out his iCoffin and took a picture of them together with the following hash-tags:
#NEWGHOULISCOOL, #BEATSNBABES, #SHOWSTOPPER and #LIFESAVER
When she looked out there were a lot of students on the floor dancing. She already achieved her goal for the evening… to see everyone having a great time. She walked away from the DJ Booth dancing towards the other side of the gym where she spotted the naturally shy ghoul she was familiar with. "Hiya Twyla," She beamed at the other.
Twyla wore her beanie low but brought it up to smile at Catty. "Dakota… I don't know what you did but you really brought this thing to life. I don't think I've ever seen it get this good."
She smiled. "Thanks! I got a few tricks up my sleeves I guess you could say."
Twyla motioned for her friend to turn around and show her the dress. "By the way, you look freaky-fab tonight."
Catty grinned with her pearly-whites. "Thank you! Now, why are you a wallflower? You should be out there dancing!"
Twyla giggled. "Oh Dakota, I always hide in the shadows. It's kinda my thing. Now you, you belong in the spotlight ghoul."
Catty stood there shocked. "Come again?"
"You belong in the spotlight, over there on the dance floor." She motioned obviously and Catty rubbed the back of her neck nervously.
"Right… well, I'll be back to check on you!"
She smiled. "Don't, it's okay. Go have fun, kid." She waved to the other and watched as she headed to the dance floor.
"Ooh, you must show me those moves sometime!" Cleo commented as she watched the new ghoul roll her hips to the precise rhythm of every song like an absolute professional. She twirled and bounced on beat.
She felt someone rub her butt though she turned around and saw no one. Perhaps she imagined it. 'Hmm…' It wasn't until she stopped that she realized how thirsty she was. She headed straight for the refreshment table with the spiked punch… unbeknownst to her it was altered.
"Boo." Invisibilly appeared beside her as he poured himself some punch in a cup.
"Oh hey you," she greeted as she took a long sip of the punch. "how are you enjoying yourself?"
He nodded. "Very well, you look so natural out there on the floor. Are you sure you haven't done this before?"
She shook her head. "Sure I'm home-schooled but that doesn't mean that I haven't been out dancing before."
It could be true he supposed, but there was something missing, a very important puzzle piece. "True."
She waved to Heath and Abbey on the floor sharing an intimate dance together. Catty felt absolutely ecstatic with all she was able to accomplish tonight. "Don't stand here too long," she told Billy as she emptied her cup and tossed it out. "there's much fun to be had. Go get you some!"
He watched as she made her way back to the ghouls. There was something going on… and he wanted to find out exactly what it was.
The dance had been an absolute success and everyone headed home. Catty slung her purse over her shoulder and began to walk. She wanted to get away from the high school before calling William. She felt that she might blow her cover tonight if she wasn't too careful.
She blinked trying to wish away the slight double-vision she was experiencing. She felt intoxicated… though there wasn't any alcohol she was aware of.
Catty was suddenly pulled towards the bushes. She hit the ground with a thud and found herself straddled, with her mouth covered. Why did this feel familiar?
"I've been lookin' for ya, Catty..." Even in her state she still recognized him. She could easily spot him in a crowd. "You think you can go out in that dress and not get it tonight, do ya?"
She struggled under his weight. His hand slipped with all her struggling and she bit down on it hard.
He cursed in pain. "Why you gotta fight? Just lay down and take it like a good kitty." He growled at her, biting her neck and kissing it aggressively.
"S-stop, Persian…" She trembled with fear as she felt his claws drag down her inner thigh. "don't touch me there… please..."
He ignored her gentle pleas and found the zipper to her skin-tight dress. Persian began to purr, it made her feel instantly nauseous. She knew exactly what he was going to do… just like the times before.
Catty freed a hand long enough to gouge at his face, temporarily trying to get him off her long enough to make an escape. Unfortunately, he predicted her next movement and grabbed a fist full of her hair to yank her back down in place.
Whenever she tried to scream, he stopped her one way or another. Persian always got what he wanted and sadly… she knew her place. Her hopes fell when the light that shone through a bedroom window turned off for the night.
'It'll be over soon enough… just like last time…' It was the last thing she thought before being back-handed in the mouth.
"How many times do I have to tell you… don't cry, you're ruining my moment."
She shook in fear underneath him. "R-right… s-sorry…" at this point, Catty wasn't sure she'd see the light of day again. All she could do was pray...
It was late when she finally made it back to the residence. She had William come pick her up long after Persian left, as per his instructions, and she avoided Will's questions as to why she didn't look too well. She told him that she got into a scuffle with someone in defense of a friend, but it was nothing serious. It seemed to suffice him for now… though she knew William would come back at her with some more inquiries soon.
Catty couldn't deal with those thoughts right now. She walked into the quaint home after William unlocked the front door and headed for the stairs. "Wait a minute."
'William no… please, I can't do this now...' She sighed and turned her head slightly. Luckily there weren't many lights on so he couldn't see how bad she imagined she looked. "What?"
He stood for a moment. "Hot cocoa?"
"No Will, I'm exhausted, okay? We'll talk tomorrow." She continued up the stairs and opened the bedroom door. She kicked her heels off in the en-suite bathroom and she unzipped the back of her dress, sliding out of it. Reaching her arm in the stand-up shower she turned the water on and stepped in shortly after.
The water cascaded down her body. It wasn't until she looked down at the white tiles and saw red sliding down the drain… that it all hit her. She choked out a sob and stood there crying with her hands over her face.
Catty leaned up against the wall of the shower and slowly slid down to the floor. The shower was the perfect place to cry when she felt so disgusting.
