Chapter 16

The sky got darker and darker as she climbed the hill. Horse wagons and cars were climbing the hill as well, some where on the side parked out of the way of the busy street.

People she knew from school didn't seem to know it was her. Thankfully, the mask was perfect. Only Tucker noticed it was her.

"It's almost time." she said to herself adjusting her mask and standing in a now crowded place. People talking all at once made it so loud. Everything she disliked: Loud noises, annoying laughs, and the smell and heat from people cramped together.

Sam looked up as soon as she heard the sound of a bell going off. The castle gates began to open slowly. People were grabbing at it, then stepped back the moment they realized there clothes were getting slightly dirty.

A booming sound was heard from above. "Welcome one and all to the 107th Clockwork ball! Please enter and find your seats."

Seats? Sam blinked and looked up at the ghoul, before it disappeared. "Weird...what is the king planning?" she whispered to herself under her breath.

Before Sam could continue thinking, she was practically pushed into the castle. Maybe going in as a guest wasn't such a smart idea..

She opened her eyes as soon as she was finished getting pushed. "Wow.." she commented looking around the grand ballroom. Dark onyx chandlers hung from the high ceilings. Spiral staircase, reaching into what seemed the sky. And dark pictures of the king and ancestors, that looked nothing like him.

"They went all out this year!" Someone commented as they took there seats.

Sam did the same, and sat in a random chair facing the silver and gold thrown.

"Welcome everyone!"

Sams eyes widened slightly as she looked up at the ceiling. Vlad was floating in his ghost form, along with a white haired boy. She watched as Danny tilted his head down. What was wrong with his eyes? They were red again! Crap...

"I am proud to announce my long lost son Daniel Masters--" That doesn't sound right. "--Will be joining me on the right hand side."

Everyone cheered and clapped for him, and all his glory. Sam just sat there staring.

"Now..." Vlad slowly floated down to his seat, and looked at the guards. "Get my son a seat!"

"Yes sir!" They replied jumping slightly, and running down the red carpeted floor.

"Daniel...who would you like to dance with?" Vlad asked looking around the room, touching Danny on the shoulder. "There are plenty of girls out there...but I suspect you just want to dance with one girl, right?"

Danny didn't answer and just looked away and sat down in his chair. "No." he replied sharply. "I don't feel anything for her anymore. So, just drop the subject about her."

"Oh really?" Vlad asked raising a brow and pointing out to Sam, who looked startled as he pointed directly at her. Did she stick out that much? "If you didn't care for her...why is she here then?"

"What?" Danny asked looking down at the group of people talking about. Drinking fresh wine and punch. "I told her not to come...why is she here?!" Danny thought standing up.

"Yoohoo! Danny!" A preppy high-pitched voice called up to him. "Would you dance with me?"

Danny looked down at Paulina. Her dress a low cut strapless light pink dress. Her mask covered only her eyes giving her a beautiful framed face. "If I dance with her...Sam will get mad and leave." he thought quickly walking down the stairs, before glancing back at Vlad. "I'd love to, Paulina."

"You know my name?" she asked flustered bowing, holding some of her dress in her right hand. "It's an honor!" she looked up at him smiling as she took his hand.

Sam stared at Danny as he began dancing with Paulina. He didn't like her, yet he was dancing with her? Weird...but maybe this was a perfect time to go find the ghost portal.

Getting up out of her seat, she made her way threw the crowded ball room. "Excuse me...where the bathroom?" she asked a guard who was standing completely still.

"Down the stair way." he said pointing to a dark pathway.

She, of course already knew where it was. But, by doing this: She wouldn't make such a scene. "Thank you." she said making her way to the stairs.

"Where is she going?" Vlad asked watching Sam go down the stairs.

"Sir..that's the way to the bathroom."

Vlad's eyes flashed a dark red. "I know...but why didn't a guard go with her?!" he said clearly upset.

"I-I don't know sir!" said the guard straitening up.

"Don't just stand there you idiot. Send a guard down there right now!" he ordered sitting back down, holding his head like he had a headache.


Yay, I finished this chapter! I...actually don't have writers block anymore?! Awesome!!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please, review kindly.

-Karen Kano