*Author's Note: Hi there! I know this chapter might not be as good (or as long) as the others are... I apologize in advance. I've been freaking out because tomorrow I'm taking the SATs AND I have my prom! Needless to say life's been going a bit nuts these days. Anywho, I know not much happens here, but I promise it'll get better. Summer's on its way... more time to write! Signing off
"Here, c'mon! I know a shortcut!" Columbia exclaimed, practically screaming from her fit of giggles. The doorbell already rang. Kaydence didn't expect it to be so quick. Now they were running through the corridors of the castle, trying to get to the main room on time.
Columbia dragged her new acquaintance down a hallway and through a set of doors that led to a huge, dark room. The faint party music they heard in the hall was now louder, clearer. Kaydence blinked, her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. Columbia was still tugging her wrist, urging her to keep up (which, as Kaydence was quickly learning, was difficult in pump heels). She was scuttling to a small stream of light, now ahead of them. When they reached it, Kaydence peered through the tall crack. She realized that she must have been backstage, since she saw the familiar red curtain with gold trimming and the sky blue walls and white pillars of the main room. She saw Transylvanians standing in groups and chatting. Columbia and she sneaked out, went down the side steps of the stage, and slipped inconspicuously into the crowd.
Suddenly, a guitar riff went off full-blast.
"It's starting!" someone in the crowd shouted. Everyone scrambled to form several lines in the middle of the room. Columbia took her place on top of the jukebox. Kaydence slid across the floor to a spot in the back of the organized chaos. She prayed that the endless hours spent watching the Time Warp would save her already-busted rear end.
And boy, did they.
Even if she didn't know the dance forwards and backwards, she was able to follow along nicely. All she knew was that she had to do whatever her specific row was doing. If it was a little delayed, she didn't care; she was grateful for the back spot. Kaydence forgot about Riff Raff – he seemed too obsessed with his sister/girlfriend to really inspect the crowd of Transylvanians-plus-one-Earthling.
As the music died down, Kaydence fell with everyone else. She smiled.
"Say," Brad called out to the quiet room, "do any of you know how to Madison ?"
Kaydence looked up. "Wha…?" Around her, the other conventionists were just as intrigued. She felt like she was getting the idea: just play along, and pull the aces when the time is right.
She did not just quote Brad.
Assholeassholeassholeassholeasshole! She'd like him better if he wasn't so… good. In a world with cross-dressing aliens and showing up to dinner in lingerie, had Brad worn a bit less than a bathrobe and gave in earlier, Kaydence would have probably appreciated him more.
A boom snapped her out of her pondering and broke the awkward silence. It wasn't a crash. It seemed more pleasing to the ear. Another boom followed soon after. They were soft. They were subtle. They were soothing. She sat up and looked around.
Boom. The other Transylvanians were getting up off the floor. They looked at each other and grins crawled onto their faces. Boom. They inched closer to the double doors in the front of the room.
Boom. The elevator shaft in the other room creaked as its squeaky wheels went to work.
Boom. Kaydence got up finally. She followed the others. Boom.
"…folk dancing," Brad noted. It was the first thing Kaydence could catch onto in his conversation with Janet. They were both standing in front of the elevator.
Boom. A dark, cloaked figure emerged from a higher level in the elevator, descending below. Kaydence first saw the hem of the black cape, then the silvery heel stomping in time. Boom.
Wait… a heel?! Kaydence thought to herself.
"I'm here," Brad reassured Janet loudly. Boom. "There's nothing to worry about."
The elevator stopped moving. Silence.
Janet spun around and let out a bloodcurdling scream. Even after being dulled to the sound after countless times of watching the movie, it still made Kaydence jump a bit. He gate guarding the elevator shaft rattled as it was slammed open.
"How'd you do I," the cloaked man began to sing, in a strong, confident voice. Kaydence craned her neck to see above the shoulder of the person standing in front of her. The black curly hair, stage makeup, and bright shiny red lips were practically unmistakable. "See you've met my faithful handyman…"