Seth had a lot of fun looking at what people were wearing. He had never experienced a party like this. One of his friends had suddenly sent a group text to everyone, inviting them all to a "come as you are" party. No cheating which meant no changing what they were wearing in that moment if they wanted to attend. He had already clocked out for the day and was lying on the couch in his Tom & Jerry pajamas while watching a movie. Surprisingly he wasn't the only one in his sleeping clothes but he was the only one wearing something with cartoons.
"Here you go, sir," the bartender said.
"Thank you," Seth said.
He took the glass of sparkling water with fresh slices of lime in it and took a sip. It was refreshing and just what he needed. He wasn't planning on drinking since he had to drive home. He noticed his friend Franci from afar who was grinning across the room. He raised his glass as a way to say thanks for the invite.
"Great party!" He shouted.
Franci nodded and turned to the dance floor. His friend always did weird things like this and that was what so many people liked about him. Renting a giant place like this for a party was nothing new.
He took another sip of his sparkling water and turned his head to see someone standing in the shadows close to the door. She was dressed in a skeleton costume and had bare feet. Her hair was blonde, straight, and went to below her shoulders, and it looked like she had been caught in the rain. Her pale green eyes were looking at everyone and there was a little smile on her face.
"I shouldn't," he whispered to himself. "But I'm gonna."
He walked over to the blonde woman and she moved her eyes to him.
"Do you come straight from a costume party?" He asked.
"Something like that," she said.
"I'm Seth," he said.
"I'm Deasia," she said.
"Do you wanna step out of the shadows and join the party, Deasia? I'll totally protect you from all the drunk people," he said.
She let out a cute laugh and shook her head no.
"I won't be staying long," she said.
"Going back to the costume party?" He asked.
"I don't have much time. They've almost got me. I just wanted to see everyone before they find me," she said.
He furrowed his brows. He wasn't sure if she was trying with some weird riddle or if someone was outside searching for her.
"Before who find you?" He asked
"They look so happy," she said.
"Well, it's a party. Alcohol and dancing make a lot of people happy," he said.
"I'm happy to see they're all doing good. I came here for one last look," she said.
"Before what?" He asked.
She moved her eyes back to him and smiled again.
"One last look and maybe one last kiss," she said.
She placed a hand on his cheek and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips never parted but the kiss still felt like it was important somehow. She slowly moved back, still with that smile on her face.
"Go join them, Seth. Be happy with them," she said.
"Don't leave so soon, Deasia. The fun's just starting," he said.
She took a few steps backwards, then turned around and disappeared out through the door. He had no idea what to make of her but thought it was best to respect her decision to leave. He looked towards the bar and saw Franci had moved over there with some other friends that Seth had never met. He decided to walk over to him, hoping to maybe figure out who the mysterious Deasia was. Maybe he could even make Franci pass on his number to her.
"Hey, Seth!" Franci placed his arm around Seth's shoulders. "Everyone, this is my friend Seth. I kicked a ball into his crotch when we were 11, and he retaliated by throwing it back in my face, and we've been friends ever since."
Seth laughed and nodded. It was a true story. Two angry 11 year olds became friends that day. Franci removed his arm and sighed.
"I've been feeling guilty all night. I accidently sent the text about this party to Deasia too," Franci said.
"I don't think she minded that," Seth chuckled.
"Oh my god!" One of the women said. "Franci, look."
Seth watched as a woman with short, dark brown hair handed her phone to Franci. He looked at it and put his hand over his mouth for a second.
"What is it?" Seth asked.
"They found Deasia," Franci said.
"Oh yeah, I met her," Seth said.
Franci looked at Seth, and Seth somehow knew he shouldn't say that she had been there minutes before.
"What's going on?" Seth asked.
"No one has seen her since Halloween," Franci said.
"The party I couldn't make?" Seth asked.
"Yeah," Franci sighed. "She left and has been missing ever since. She was dressed as a..."
"Skeleton," Seth said.
"How do you know?" Franci asked.
Seth had no idea how to explain that. Instead he pointed at the phone in Franci's hand in an attempt to make his friend concentrate on whatever he had been reading on it.
"They found her," Franci looked around. "She was buried under the myrtle trees in the park. I always fucking knew someone was behind it."
"She was murdered?" Seth asked.
"It says she had a bag over her head. Someone fucking strangled her," Franci said.
Seth spun around and ran outside. He looked around but there was no trace of Deasia. He knew she wouldn't be there but he had to be absolutely sure. She got an invitation for the party and decided to see her friends one last time before her body was discovered and she could finally rest in peace.
"One last look and maybe one last kiss."
He finally understood why that kiss had felt so important. It was the last thing she would ever do on this earth, even if it was only her ghost doing it.
"Goodbye, Deasia," he whispered.