“It's our party we can do what we want

It's our party we can say what we want

It's our party we can love who we want

We can kiss who we want

We can sing what we want”

- Miley Cyrus “We Can’t Stop”

***

I’d never been in a room that you could practically suffocate yourself with the tension in the air. However, I was now in that position as I sat in the living room with Colton, watching America’s Funniest Videos. Let me tell you something, there was nothing funny about the situation I was in because, currently, Colton was sitting next to me with a pissed off look planted on his face. It was evident that what I showed him in the backyard was still on his mind.

A frown found my face as I wondered if that was the best idea. I mean, I knew he would react this way, but I just wanted to show him how much him leaving affected me. It literally drove me on the verge of insanity because he was everything I have ever known and in a blink of an eye he was gone.

Getting up from the couch, I decided that no one was making me stay in here and I would feel much more comfortable in my room ... alone. Saying not a single word to Colton, I left the living room and went straight to my room. Once in, I closed the door and looked over at my white quilted bed. I noticed it was made up and I began to wonder if it was Colton who made it up or my mother. Either one seemed plausible to me.

I considered laying down and slipping back into my ‘isolation mode’, as Colton would call it, but the thought of what he would do if I did such a thing made me disregard that idea. I finally found myself sitting in my desk chair. I spun around a few times, out of boredom before deciding to turn on my phone, that I shut off the day before the funeral - because I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

When my phone was finally on I saw that only one person, in the collective four days it had been off, had texted me. I wasn’t shocked because I don’t have friends. Not saying I am not a social person and I don’t know people because I do know people ... just not the kind of people a typical teen would know. No, in fact, the people I know are the kind of people your parents warn you against ... the kind of people I don’t want Colton finding out that I socialize with.

With all that said, one of those every people, who goes by the name Quintin, had texted me not but an hour ago.

Quintin: 1287 Jackson Street - 11pm - Code: Snakebite

I sighed as I realized he was texting out the address of the next rave. I nibbled on my bottom lip and spun around, once more, in my desk chair as I stared at the cell phone screen.

There would be drinking, most defiantly.

Drugs would be super easy to get a hold of, without a doubt...

Before my grandmother’s death I would have jumped at the chance to go to this rave. It had the two best medications to numb everything I was going through but now ... now I was actually considering my opinions...

There were a few things that turned the idea of going to the rave sour. The list started with the fact that Colton wasn’t going to let me out of this house without asking me where I was going, that much I knew. I also was fully aware that I can’t lie to him, never had been able to... Plus, there were going to be people at this rave that I ... let’s just say I have made some enemies - well actually, that is a lie, I have only one enemy and from our last encounter I know it wouldn’t be good for me to cross paths with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

As I started to feel dizzy so I stopped spinning around in my chair.

My eyes flickered over to my alarm clock and I saw that it was five minutes to ten thirty, meaning the party would start in thirty minutes...

My mind started to play over different scenarios of what would happen if I went:

Colton could confront me about where I was going. Leading me telling him about my past. Or he would follow me, leading to him, like the first scenario, finding out about my past.

If I were able to escape and go I could get drunk and high, I would be free of all emotions, I could dance and just let loose.

Also, there was a chance that if I went and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was there than I could ... well, die... Long story, one you will find out soon enough...

On the other hand if I stayed here: I would be bored, stuck with Colton (because my mother went out with her friends to see some chick flick that just came out in the theaters), I would have lots of time to think (which is not good for me to do because it leads me to thinking and do things I shouldn’t ... like now).

After considering everything, I smiled, “Looks like I’m going to a rave...” I muttered to myself.

Getting out of my chair I raced over to my walk-in closet. The second I walked in it dawned on me that I had no idea what I would do about Colton. I couldn’t walk out the front door; he would ask me what I was up to. If it had not been for my mother and father nailing my windows shut, I would sneak out of them ... maybe it is time to take the nails out, I considered but thought about how much time that would take.

I started to think about what I was going to do as I picked out the outfit I was going to wear. It didn’t take me long to decide on my Giorgio Armani heels that I bought - Okay I know what you might be thinking ‘how can I afford these shoes?’ well, I bought them with my one thousand dollar allowance I’m given every month, since I was thirteen. However, I have to be truthful; I bought these heels before I got too far into ... how do I put this nicely? ... well I guess there is no flowering for this ... anyways, I bought the heels before I got into drinking and drugs because believe me for a whole year my allowance was going to nothing good.

Now another question that might be popping up in your head is why did I only say I was not spending my allowance wisely for a year, well that is because that is how long it took for my parent to realize I was a druggie. Pitiful I know, you’d think my parents would’ve known sooner that their only daughter and child for that matter was living for her next high and shot of Patron. However, you have to understand that my parents were never really parents to me.

Colton on the other hand was. He was there to soothe my fevers when I was little, he cared for me during the days if there was no school, and he taught me my ABC’S and 123’s. Hell, he even taught me how to use the potty.

My parents didn’t really have to lift a finger in taking care of me, so when Colton left they never really poked their nose in my life because they never had to, due to the fact that Colton was always there. It was as if they were my grandparents and not my parents. Even still one might wonder why they didn’t notice sooner ... but they didn’t and I have to admit that hurt ... that the two people who conceived me didn’t notice my ‘problem’. But, also it wasn’t like I was in the living room shooting up dope in front of them.

Yet, when they did find out about it shit hit the wall, fast. They cut off my allowance and tried everything to get me to stay inside the house (hence why the windows are nailed shut). Their plan was to make me stop everything cold turkey and with no motive. It is an understatement to say that didn't work, in fact, I believe it drove me into harder into the world I was already knee deep in.

Sighing, I reached out and grabbed a black cocktail dress I had stuffed away in the back of my closet. I started to wonder why it was in the back of my closet for it was a really pretty dress, strapless with a lace pattern all over it. It was actually breathtaking - if I could say so myself.

Walking out of the closet, took my heels and dress to my bathroom. I looked under my bathroom counter and fished out a trash bag that was made for my mini trash can that is placed by the toilet. I neatly placed my heels and dress in the bag and tied it close.

I walked out of my room and went straight into the kitchen. I smiled when I noticed that Colton was not lingering around the in kitchen. I strolled over to the kitchen can and was filled with joy when I saw that it was full.

I placed my clothing bag on the floor and pulled out the kitchen trash from the garbage can. I tied it up too and then got my clothing bag. I walked out the back door and over to the city garbage can. I opened it and tossed the kitchen trash in it, leaving my clothing bag behind the city garbage can.

Going back inside, I saw Colton entering the kitchen. “Where did you go?” He asked as he eyed the backdoor before settling his dark eyes on me.  

“I took the kitchen trash out,” I truthfully told him.

Colton eyed me for a second before nodding. He walked over to the refrigerator and after a minute of having his head stuck in it, he came out with a Coca-Cola in hand. “Want one?” He inquired as he tilted the can in my direction.

I shook my head, “Not thirsty.”

Colton closed the refrigerator door with his foot and studied me for a second. “You know, I forgive you,” He told me.

“Forgive me? I didn’t know I was looking for your forgiveness,” I stated with a smile teasing my lips.

Pressing his mouth into a thin line, Colton began to glare at me. “Alice, you were not meant to live life to the extreme in my absence-”

“Cole, did you really think I was going to go to slumber parties and debate on nail color? When you walked out I was sixteen-”

“And clearly too young for tattoos and piercing! How did you get them anyway?!”

“Fake I.D.”

The expression on Colton’s face would make even the strongest of men coward. The only reason I didn’t was because I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. “A fake I.D? Allison Sophia Snow!” Colton gripped the counter behind him and I saw his face change a thousand different shades of red.

“Chill, Colton. Every teenager has one,” I spoke with a smile still on my face.

He turned around and faced the counter. I could tell he was controlling his anger. In the process of this I couldn’t help but notice how Colton looked like he has been hitting the gym every day. Even though the white t-shirt I could practically see the muscles marbling his back.

Gulping, I looked away because something inside of me was brewing at the mere thought of touching his back and proving with my fingers that the Colton has been working out more.

“I’m going to take Sparky for a walk,” I told Colton as I grabbed the leash that was hanging up by the back doorpost.

Colton turned around and looked at me. “No, you are staying in this house.”

“I will be back in a few,” I exclaimed as I ignored Colton and walked into the living room. Whistling, I called for Sparky.

Soon my mother’s German Shepherd, Sparky, came running in the room. While the dog was only six months old, it was huge ... to me, anyways. Sparky had to be three times the size of our neighbors yakking Chihuahua and about a hundred times prettier than that dog too.

Putting on her leash, I walked over to the front door.

“Alice, I said you are not going out. It is nearing eleven and it is not safe for you to be out.” Colton stated as he walked into the room with his arms crossed over his chest.

Oh yes, he most definitely has been working out. I mean, look at his hands, they were ripped with muscles. Why didn’t I notice before?

“You’re not the boss of me,” I informed Colton. “Plus, I am going for a very small walk.” I gave Colton a smile as I told the honest truth. “Sparky will be back before you know it.”

Colton rolled his eyes, “I’m not worried about the damn dog, Alice.”

“I know,” I muttered as I opened the front door and threw Colton one more smile before dashing out. I knew the next time I walked through that door there would be hell to pay, but I didn’t care.

I walked around the house and to the back door. I tied Sparky's leash to a pipe that was sticking a foot out the ground by the backdoor. “Now be a good girl and don’t bark until I am gone,” I told her as I hoped she wouldn’t get me caught.

Picking up the plastic trash bag that held my dress and shoes, I walked away knowing I would have to stop at a gas station and get changed. But that didn’t bother me because I was just happy I was going to a place that was going to give me the escape I needed...

***

“Code word,” A man asked through a peeping hole that was on the iron door. Even though he had not opened the door, I could hear the thud of music and the smell of smoke as it permeated out of the hole.

Smiling I spoke in a low tone, “Snakebite.”

His eyes stayed on me for a second before I watched him move away from the peephole. Soon, after a few clicking noises were to be heard, the door creaked open. “Welcome, the party is just down the stairs,” The man told me as he pointed to a downward staircase to his left.

I nodded and followed his direction.

The thud got louder and the smell stronger. With every step, I couldn’t help but realize that I missed this. It had been a total of a few months since I had been to one of these ‘get togethers’. A mixture of why I didn’t come was my grandmother dying and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Yet, now I was ready to dive back in this world. I was tired of fighting my urges and needs. Staring at something in my room can only get me so far.

Within a split second, I thought of how Colton would react if I start dabbling back into this world. He would for sure skin me alive because he would notice my ‘problem’ much, much sooner than my parents. I give him a week or less before he notices and pops a cap.

Even still, that thought didn’t stop me. I needed to be free ... I needed to be numb.

I stepped into the main room of the rave and smiled from ear to ear. The music was loud enough now to vibrate the floors. People were dancing and grinding on one another like cheap strippers. Girls, ravers like to call “Servants”, were walking around in skimpy outfits with trays of liquor.

I proceeded to a Servant and grabbed a drink from her tray. I mumbled a thank you before walking away and chugging down my drink.

“Allison,” A voice spoke from behind me.

I twisted around and was faced with Quintin. I raised an eyebrow as I saw that he had shaved his head, no longer did he have semi-long black hair that swooped over in front of his blue eyes. Instead, he was bald and sported a new tattoo on the side of his neck. I noticed the tattoo and gave a frown. “When did you get that?” I asked as I pointed to the two leaf clover tattoo.

“It is not important,” He dismissed. “What is important is what the hell you are doing here.”

I rolled my eyes, “I am here to party.”

“How did you get in here? - I mean, how did you know about this party?”

“You sent me a text,” I said as I wondered if he had lost his mind.

Quintin started to look as if he had seen a ghost. “I didn’t send you a text, Allison.”

It was as if a shock wave had hit me as his words sunk in. “If you didn’t send the text ... who did?”

Quintin grabbed my arm, “We need to get you out of here. It must have been Duke.”

The name he spoke sent ice through my veins. Here I was trying to avoid saying his name, but Quintin ... well, Quintin could roll his name right off his tongue without even blinking. “He is here?” I questioned even though I knew He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named must be here, this was his kind of entertainment after all.

“Of course Duke is here, he is the one hosting this party,” Quintin informed me.

In that millisecond I knew that this was a trap. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named set up this party, knowing I’d come. “Where are we going?” I asked Quintin as he stated to lead me to the back of the building.

“Getting you out of here. If he sees you ... well, I don’t think it would end pretty.”

I allowed Quintin to lead me out of the building.

I can only imagine what is running through your mind right now. You're probably reading this and wondering why in the world I was running and who this guy to whom I’m currently trying to get away from.

Well, the answer is simple, yet complicated... He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is a drug lord and lets just say the last time I saw him, I was racing out of his mansion with a couple grand of his money and a few bags of weed.

There is more to the story, but why spoil it?

“You need to run,” Quintin said as we made it outside. “Get in your car and drive far away from here.”

“Ummm, I took the bus here,” I admitted.

Quintin rolled his eyes. “The bus? Damn, Allison. How stupid are you?!” Digging in his denim pocket, Quintin pulled out a set of keys. “Here, take my car. It is the black Honda Accord,” he told me as he pointed to his car. “Take it and go. Go before he comes.”

“I can’t take your car,” I proclaimed.

“Yes you can and you will. Allison, you know Duke better than anyone. This was a test, a test to see how easy he can get you. He will step it up after this. Now, leave, Allison.” Quintin shoved the keys in my direction. “Go!” He hissed.

My legs moved before my mind could even process what was going on. I ran to Quintin’s car and got in.

It was then that I knew I had to go home, pack my stuff and leave ... I needed to get out of this town for a while and lay low...

Only one thing was going to prevent me from doing that ... Colton.