We Faced a Goddess
Chapter Fifteen: The Masquerade

The drive there was killing me. It was killing all of us. Keres was crying because of a panic attack. Erik was completely hyper focused on driving. Meanwhile I was in the backseat shaking. We all knew what we were going into. You always hear in books and movies that the heroes are so prepared for what’s going to happen. We weren’t prepared, we were three terrified teenagers looking at a high chance of death.

I didn’t want the car ride to end. I didn’t want to fight Nemesis. I didn’t want any of us to die. I didn’t want to believe Ambrus was missing because of this. I just didn’t want the day to continue. I wanted to stop time. I already faced the deaths of two of the most prominent people in my life. I wasn’t prepared to lose anyone else.

Then I thought about Aunt Paige. How could she manage losing someone else right now? I had to make it out for here.

On the bright side, the place that the masquerade was held was beautiful. It was a large two story building. The entrance was up a set of external stairs through a balcony door on the second floor. The inside was adorned in red and gold. The dance floor was large and covered in couples dressed in an array of colors. There were snacks and drinks on the far side of the room. The sun slowly set and a glorious chandelier lit up the room. It was a gorgeous place to die…

I wasn’t much of a ballroom dancer so Keres and Erik danced for a while. I kept looking around the room for something. A sign maybe. Maybe I’d see Ambrus. Maybe I’d find someone who could help. Who could help?

Keres and Erik came back to me eventually. They looked somewhat happy. You know, as if we weren’t expecting to face off with a goddess.

“Perk up buttercup,” Erik said, “come dance with me.” I kind of shook my head.

“Come on Bon,” Keres encouraged me, “it can help get your mind off this.” I smiled and took Erik’s hand. He led me to the dance floor. I had no idea what I was actually doing. I just kept looking at Erik’s feet and following his moves. I should have been enjoying it all, but my mind was still set on saving Keres.

“It’ll be okay,” Erik reassured me. “Um, remind me, after all of this, I have something to tell you. I would tell you now but we really need to focus on what’s at hand.” I nodded.

“I’m really happy that I met you and Keres.” I said. “I mean I’ve only known you for not long and that relationship was kind of rushed, but I feel really connected to you. I feel connected to Keres too. You two have helped me a lot more that other people that I’ve known. Thank you.”

“We’re here for you. Even if we realize this relationship triangle thing isn’t for us, we’re the weird kids in school. We’ll all be friends.” Erik and I laughed.

Dancing did ease me a little bit, or maybe it was the talking. Either way, I wasn’t as stressed. Keres danced with me a bit too. It was nice to get lost in her eyes. We all went to the balcony for a while and looked at the trick or treaters run around. Erik pointed out constellations and Keres told the stories of some of them. I told them about historical stuff about the area. We were three nerds enjoying life while we could.

We all went back in soon. I went to the snack table and got drinks for everyone. Erik and Keres decided to dance some more. They looked so happy. Then it happened.

The floor began to shake and a hole opened. People backed away from it as if anticipating what came next. Some looked excited as if it was part of the entertainment. Others, like Keres, Erik, and me, were terrified as to what was about to happen.

There was an ear-splitting shriek as something flew out of the hole. It flexed its wings in the air and the hole in the floor closed. It was her. It was Nemesis.

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