//------------------------------// // Little Songbird // Story: The Devil Inside // by Chelis //------------------------------// With the windows covered, Sunset stood in front of her sliding closet mirror, only in her black underwear. When she usually did that, she was lost in thought, or to decompress before something big. This time it was the Annual Officer's Ball. Next to her was an elegant red dress that rarity made for her for the purpose of the event. Too bad it's getting ruined after tonight. She began to get ready. Her first action was to pick up the slim bullet resistant vest. It was red in color to match the dress in case it was visible. Then she took the small holster and wrapped it around her inner thigh. Normally, her father would not let her carry, but he had no choice. The slit on her dress made it easier to reach in and pull it out, but also to show off her legs. “Shall we go over it one more time?” GLADIS asked as Sunset sat down on her chair, and started to apply makeup. “Why not?” “Alright,” said the tablet as it flashed photos, emails, and data across its screen. “Police intelligence received a tip that masquerade will be crashing the party. His goal will most likely be to kill yourself, or your parents, whoever he can get to first. He has done it before back in Scifilly.” “Can't wait to meet him" Sunset said as she started to put a clear rubber film on her lips. “How do I look?” “Trashy.” “Shut up!” *** "I always like it when we take the limo, it feels nice to be treated like a celebrity for once!" Hazel smirked as she took a sip from her scotch. "Well, you need to be actually famous, not an over glorified fry cook," Thunder laughed. Hazel grabbed an ice cube from the ice bucket and threw it at Thunder playfully. "You know that's assaulting a police officer," Thunder said as he moved to sit next to his wife. "How did you know I like to be in handcuffs." "Wow!" Sunset hollered "Shut up! We're trying to get laid here!" Her parents shouted her down. *** They arrived with a thunderous applause when they entered the hall. Thunder breeze took his time, handshaking everyone in the room on his way to the elevated table where he and his family were sitting. Solar was there sitting at the table as well, with random hookup girl number three hundred and forty-five. She began to look around, trying to find her target. "Looking for a boy to dance with?" Solar leaned next to her. "Maybe." "How about that kid, he looks smart" Solar pointed. "I know him, he is a weirdo." "Exactly, you two can be weird together!" he smirked. "Shut up!" "How about that boy?" he pointed to another. "Oh, yeah, dance with the over aggressive jock who likes to grope everything, and I mean everything! Pass." "You're going to be a virgin forever at this rate." "Well, maybe you can help?" Sunset joked. Solar became uncomfortable, and checked to see if Thunder Breeze was within hearing distance. "Wait until you're eighteen… Or you can take a chance with that one over there!" "Who, that boy? The one who tried to kiss me last year?" "Maybe he changed?" "Yea, that girl who is making out with him now sure thinks so. You're really bad at this!" It was then when Sunset saw Masquerade. It wasn't hard since he was the only one wearing his signature white suit and masquerade mask. He was slowly shifting through the crowd, headed to the table from across the room. "You know, i'll head down to the dance floor and see what happens", Sunset said as she got up. She walked down the platform that lifted the tables. When she found a good spot in the crowd watching the dancing, she readied herself. "What is your plan to keep him from attacking?" GLADIS asked. "You'll see," Sunset whispered into her earpiece. Masquerade was approaching but had not seen Sunset. Her glimpses of him when she turned her head showed that he was aiming right for the table, where her father and mother were. He was ten feet from her or so when she decided to step forward, in front of a larger man, and sprang the trap. She looked on at the dance floor longingly, giving the look of "I wish I had someone to dance floor with". It wasn't hard, the lonely eyes, one hand caressing other sides lower arm. She didn't dare turn around and waited for the inevitable tap on her back, which came without fail. "Hey, would you like to dance, doll?" Masquerade asked. Sunset seemed timid, but her heart was beating like a rabbit, she was fighting to urge to blast him back to the stone age. "Sure," she shyly said, extending her hand out as an invitation to lead her to the floor. The big band was playing an upbeat dance tune when Masquerade stopped. He placed his hand on her hips, and they clasped their hands together and began to move. It was awkward at first, both dancers staring at each other, unsure of what to do. Sunset could help but be lost in his baby blue eyes. "I know who you are," Masquerade said "You do?" she asked, ready for what he was about to possibly do. "You play in that band, I saw you at the fair last year," "Oh, The Rainbooms? Yea, I can't tell you how much hell I had to go through to get in that band." "I could imagine, little songbird." Sunset giggled. "You know how this works right? you have to buy me dinner and have a good second date to give me pet names." "I can't help myself, sorry doll," he smiled. They continued to dance, talk, and flirt. Sunset could help how handsome and charming he was. He said he was from Scifilly, and he was in this country to help with their business since he had perfect English, with that small twang of the old country. By the end of the dance, they were all smiles. If he was younger and not out to kill those she loved, she would of at least hoped he would invite her to a date, but…. He began to caress her cheek and leaned down for the kiss. She didn't move and allowed their lips to meet. It was short and sweet. "I feel I should come clean," Masquerade said. "What do you mean?" Sunset asked. His smile and demeanor turned from a warm smile to a sinister one. "My name is Masquerade, I am the member of "the family". I hope you enjoyed that kiss because let's say it's a bit, toxic. Sorry, little songbird, but time to die." Sunset took a second to process this and laugh. And she had a big reveal of her own as well, her smug grin present as she pulled the clear rubber coating that she applied while in makeup. "Rubber lips. You've done it so many times before. You're nothing but predictable!" she laughed. In a fit of rage, he drew his pistol and fired three shots at her, all she can do is raise her palm to try to stop the bullet, but the force of the three shots and her heels made her fall on the ground. A mass panic broke out as Masquerade bolted in the chaos, to make his escape. "Well that sucked, he was such a great kisser too," Sunset said as she got up in the chaos, the three lead bullets that were aimed at her all collected in a tight, floating opal ball.