7

Maria stared out of the taxi window, she looked at the text again, stop looking for answers, or one of you is in for a big suprise. What did that mean? Maria started to worry, what if it meant... death? The taxi parked outside her house, Maria paid the driver, opened the door and stepped outside.

After 'Lucie' had said that she had her mother's phone, Maria ran home to find her. She was in the kitchen preparing dinner, she said she was fine, nothing strange had happened to her, she had been at the lawyer's office all day.

Two hours later, Maria started to worry. Catherine was looking a little suspicious, all of this started when she came back, she was wearing a red coat at the warehouse, and her text, she signed it xoxo, Cat, 'Lucie' signed her texts xoxo, Lucie, maybe it wasn't Lucie after all, but it still could be, it could just be a coincidence, right?

Maria checked her email, one new email, it was from school,

Start of term ball! The theme is masquerade! All students should wear a mask and dress code is formal. You may not remove your mask at any time, it will remain a mystery who you are. This Friday, 8pm-10pm!

'There's no way I'm going to that', Maria mumbled, 'Too much has happened this week'. She heard a 'beep' noise come from her iPhone, one new message, the screen read,

You are going to the ball Maria, I need you girls out of my way that night, I have some business to take care of. And if you don't go, you may never see someone you love again,

xoxo, Lucie.

What does that mean? You may never see someone you love again?

Thursday after school, Maria was in Pegasus, looking at the dress section. She found a darling Versace floor-length ballgown, it was cream-coloured, with one strap, it had feather details from the top to her hips. At her hips, coming from the side and ending at the bottom of the dress, was netted material, in the same creame-colour.

She found a pair of white Prada open-toe platforms to match the white mask she found. It was a lace mask, with white feathers coming from the left side. She paid for her items, the total was $5,000.

The next morning, the day of the ball, Maria was getting ready for school, when her phone beeped,

You'll see me at the ball, I'll be in the Black Swan costume, DON'T try to find out who I am, or you know what will happen. Plus, 'it will remain a mystery who you are', remember? That's what the email sent to all STUDENTS said. I just gave you a big clue to who I am, be grateful,

xoxo, Lucie.