Ecstasy

Chapter 12
Alex yawned and smiled at the large bouncer as he waved her through. The place was packed with people all chatting, eating, playing pool or darts as well as having a good drinking session while they where at it. It was all young people no one over thirty but this was technically a young person’s bar where all the students came to relax.

“Alex!” She smiled softly as she scanned the crowd finally coming to the large group gathered in the large stall over in the corner. They where all sitting down eating and chatting, she could help but smile as little as she saw Dawson and Anthony mixed in with the regular group looking like they’re having quite a good time. After avoiding all the other students, some of which stood up, but some of which just couldn’t give a fuck she finally made it to the table much to everyone’s delight.

“Finally, where have you been?” Alex glared at Craig who backed off a little, he’d forgotten how you don’t ask Alex those sorts of questions.

“So what are you drinking?” Jake stood up and gave her a seat after Craig had helped her off with her cape. Anthony couldn’t help but stare at her in ore, she was utterly beautiful. She had a little black skirt on with a little lace up top that showed off every curve she owned. The black knee-highs and thick velvet choker around her neck just proved to everyone who she was not to be tangled with.

“Vodka and OJ to start, and can you get us something to eat please.” Jake laughed and nodded before taking everyone else’s orders and disappearing over to the bar.

“You missed an event this afternoon Alex.” Anthony watched as the Alex looked up at Alan quickly a little startled by his comment.

“Really?” She questioned lightly taking a sip out of Craig’s Bundy and coke. Alan smiled across at Anthony and nodded.

“Yep Anthony met the people up stairs.” Anthony lowered his head placing his hand in Dawson’s as Alex looked up at him a questioningly.

“Good it means they like you both, I knew you two would be different.” Alex smiled softly as the table went quite, amazed at what she’d just said.

“Here we go toasted cheese and ham sandwich for madam, with paint striper and orange. Then light ice’s all round.” Everyone began to talk again as Jake came back to the table handing out the drinks then pulling up another chair. Anthony couldn’t help but blush, as she looked him up and down before going back to the conversation with Craig and Jake. Dawson had seen the exchange of glances between Anthony and Alex, and he smiled at the prospect. He and Anthony had been sleeping with different women for the past six years while they’d been together so females were not a threat, but other men were. Alan was sitting on the other side of Anthony talking to Josh and Jason, he was sitting extremely close to Anthony but not close enough to cause Anthony to notice.

As the night progressed everyone became drunker and drunker, what with Jason, Alan and Jake dancing the night away with anyone willing to be a partner. Alex and Craig having a friendly game of pool leaving Dawson, Anthony and Josh still sitting at the table talking. Anthony’s eyes had never left Alex all night, something about had dad drawn him in and now he found her absolutely captivating. He sighed as Dawson rested his head on his shoulder, running his hand up the inside thigh of his trousers.

“Not in public Dawson.” Dawson looked deathly across at Anthony who pushed his hand away from his groin.

“Fuck you Anthony.” Dawson breathed sharply before standing up quickly from the table then grabbing his stuff and storming out of the club. Anthony rested back in the chair and closed his eyes as Craig and Josh who’d seen what had happened looked at him questioningly.

“You alright?” Anthony nodded half heartedly as Josh put a hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

“Yeah, excuse me will you.” Josh nodded as Anthony got up and made his way over to the men’s bathroom before disappearing behind the door.

Anthony felt like utter shit, he had a headache, he was still shaking from this afternoon his hand felt like it was in a vice and now Dawson had had a spastic. This was all he needed was a fucked relationship, after all he’d relied on Dawson so much without him life would be impossible. Technically it was all Anthony’s fault, he’d not wanted anyone to know about their relationship for fear of ridicule but all that had succeeded in doing was making them distant from one another. He stared at his refection in the mirrors above the urinals as he stood there aimlessly. God he even looked like a fucking poof, what with pin stripped pants, black shirt and matching calf length leather jacket.

“You alright Anthony?” His day dreaming was interrupted by a voice behind him which made him all but jump out of his skin. “Still skittish are we?” Anthony breathed a sigh of relief as Alan stood next to him at the urinals.

“Just a little.” Anthony shifted uncomfortably as Alan ced ced across to where he was holding his member having a leak. It was not often that other men looked at Anthony, another perk of not being explicit about you’re sexuality. Alan looked away and unzipped himself before also taking a leak, smiling to himself as he caught Anthony get a quick glance before fixing himself up and walking over to wash his hands.

“So you’ve known Dawson for six years, he must be a good lover?” Alan smiled as Anthony sat up on the bench staring at the empty toilet in front of him.
“I don’t know, I never had anything to compare him to.” Alan all but choked as Anthony just admitted so openly that he’d never fucked any other man apart from Dawson.

“Really, so you’ve not played the field?” Anthony rolled his eyes and shook his head before jumping down off the bench. Alan was tanked as anything and it showed he was the last person Anthony wanted to talk to about this sort of stuff.

“I’m going out for a smoke.” Anthony sighed heavily leaving Alan in the bathroom while he made his way back to the table to grab his coat and fags.

“You going out for a smoke?” Craig smiled at Anthony as he passed himself and Jake playing pool.

“Yeah.” Anthony sighed back as Craig nodded as he took a swig out of the light ice in his hand.

“Alex is out there if you want company and Josh and Dawson have gone back to the house with the key’s if you want to go home.” Anthony smiled as Craig smiled warmly back at him, before going back to his game of pool. It had been quite an experience for Anthony being exce in in to their little group so easily, when half the campus was totally against them. He and Dawson sort of belonged with them as much as he hated calling himself this but in someway they were all strange. He walked out into the cold night air and glanced across to the steps at the side of the entrance. She sat there with her eyes closed blowing smoke rings into the night air from her cigarette.

“Come and sit down Anthony.” Anthony was startled a little as she addressed him without even opening her eyes to see if it was he she was addressing. He remained still and silent for a while, as he comprehended what she’d just done. “I won’t bite.” She opened her eyes and stared at him coldly, watching as he gingerly walked over to her and sat down on the step below her. Anthony swallowed hard as she continued to stare down at him with her sparkling crystal blue eyes. It seemed as if they were on fire as she continued to look down at him, as he shakily lit his cigarette. “Are you all right now, about this afternoon, it can come as quite a shock to some people.” Her voice rang like a melody within his mind as she closed her eyes and took another drag from her cigarette.

“Yeah, still bit shaky but I’ll get over it.” Anthony looked down at him with a smile across her face so that she looked like pure evil in the light.

“Yes we all get over it don’t we.” He closed his eyes as she brushed her thumb over his cheek, her fingertips of ice making him shiver but at the same time they burnt like scars deep into his skin.

“Anthony, Alex we’re going home you coming?” Alex stood up immediately as Anthony’s eyes sprung open at the sound of Alan’s voice.
“Yes we’re coming.” Alex walked over to where Craig was standing with Alan, Jason and Jake. Anthony watched on as Alex whispered something to Craig who then proceeded to laugh before kissing Alex softly on the cheek.

“Come on Anthony.” Alan gestured for Anthony to come and walk with him as they followed the rest of them down towards where they’d got off the ferry. Anthony was apprehensive about walking with Alan, but walked with him anyway determined not to be down in the dumps just because Dawson had chucked a fit.

It seemed like an age as the little ferry made it’s way over the river to the campus drop off point. All through the journey Alex had stared at Anthony, and it was beginning to make Anthony edgy, quite frankly she was scaring him. The journey came to an end and they all stumbled off the boat a little too drunk to walk properly. It was quite as they walked through the dark campus grounds towards the group of houses that all the boarders stayed in. As they came around into the gravel court yard in front of all the houses they were confronted by bright flashing lights, with ambulances and police running every where and students crying and sobbing in groups.

“Jesus, what’s going on?” Anthonokedoked up at Alan who just shook his head and closed his eyes, obviously he was aware of what was going on.

“Fuck there’s the little fucking slut, SATAN!!!” Alan opened his eyes at the sound of a girl’s voice screaming abuse and pointing to the small group of them as they walked gingerly into the scene.

“MURDERER!” Anthony glanced across at Alex as people started to point and chant to her as she walked slowly past them all, Craig firmly gripped into her side. Her face was cold and emotionless as she walked straight up to where the police had taped off a large section of the yard in front of one of the houses. The little group followed her and stood open mouthed at the sight before them. Anthony felt his stomach churnhe she saw the red splatters all over the cold grey gravel and the twisted mangled body lying face down in the gravel, their head caved in with the impact and their blood splattered three meters away from the body.

“I’m going to be sick.” Anthony breathed as he pushed his way out of the crowd and over to a wall where he was violently sick. It was a sickening sight in anyone’s mind but even thought he didn’t know whom it was he felt suddenly sorry for them.

“You alright?” Anthony nodded half heartily as he threw up again, Alan rubbing his back as his body physically trembled with heaving.

“Oh god but he spent the afternoon with me, I was talking to him about three hours ago.” Alan and Anthony looked up as they heard a familiar voice crying hysterically to the several police officers standing around her.
“Miss Abey is there any reason you know why Steve might have done this to himself?” Anthony closed his eyes and fell back into Alan’s arms as he shuddered at hearing the name of the person lying dead on the gravel.

“It’s alright Anthony, It’s alright.” Alan spoke softly to Anthony rocking back and forth as Anthony shook with fear.

“Yes it’s all her fault she’s a fucking murderer, she had it in for him from the moment he stepped on to the campus. MURDERER!” Alan closed his eyes as he heard May’s hysterical screaming as she pointed to where Craig and Alex sat silently with the other members of the household.

“You alright Anty?” Anthony looked up as Dawson ran up to Alan and Anthony staring down at the way Alan was holding Anthony. Dawson watched as Anthony nodded halfheartedly before Alan let him stand up and fall into his lover’s arms.

“Excuse me, but do you three live in that building there?” They all looked up at the officer who stood towering above them. They all nodded in silence as he pointed to Masters house and glanced at them all with hatred. “Well would you mind stepping inside please, we’d like to discuss something’s with you all.” Alan sighed heavily as the officer ushered them all into the lounge room of the house.

Alan smiled at Alex as the officer ushered them into the lounge room to join the rest of the members of the house. Alex stood up facing the fire smoking her cigarette while Anthony and Dawson sat down next to one another on the couch. Craig was sitting with Jake and Jason on the other sofa and Alan and Josh were sitting together on the rocking chair, while the police officerokedoked around the ground floor of the house keeping an eye on the little group.

“Now this is an extremely serious matter on which we need your full cooperation, when I point to you can you state you’re full name and age.” They all sat in silence as a large fat officer and a small skinner office came in and stood in front of the group. “Could you sit down Miss.” Everyone looked a little apprehensively as the officer spoke harshly to Alex who had her back to him facing the fire. Anthony couldn’t help but smile as she gave him the finger and continued to face the fire ignoring his request. “I asked could you sit down now.” Dawson glanced across at Craig who swallowed hard and cringed as Alex turned around slowly glaring deathly at the officers.

“Ever heard of the word please arsehole or are you just as arrogant as you are stupid.” Her voice was sharp and precise as she continued to stand glaring at the slightly confronted police officer.

“Sorry could you sit down please miss?” Alex rolled her eyes and put out her cigarette before walking over and sitting down on the spare seat next to Anthony and Dawson on the couch. Anthony couldn’t help but notice as she crossed her legs and relaxed back in the couch, her slender leg leaning lightly against Anthony’s. “Now when I point to you could you give me you’re full name and age.” Everyone rolled their eyes as the officer pointed to the threesome sig ong on the other couch.
“Craig Andrew Lains, 26”
“Jake Martin Harold, 26”
“And Jason Kevin Nevis, 21” The officer nodded and watched as the other officer wrote down what they’d said before looking at the two sitting cuddling on the rocking chair.
“You two?” The officer pointed at them and Alan sighed heavily.
“Alan Joseph Mavis, 25”
“Josh Dennis Renalds, 24” The officer nodded his face stern as he turned to face the other trio sitting on the opposite couch.

“Now you three.” He spoke coldly glaring at them as they took a deep breath ready to say their names.
“Dawson Wagne Paige, 25”
“Anthony Jarred Fox, 25” There was silence after Anthony’s soft wavering voice as the man pointed to Alex who sat there smiling at him sickly.

“Your name please Miss.” The officer gave her a special invitation to talk but she continued to smile at him sickly.

“Alexandria Xavier Fells, 24” She all but whispered her name to him as he walked up to her and stood looking down at her.

“Could you speak up please Miss.” Alex rolled her eyes and stood up facing the officer dead in the face, so close that her nose was almost touching his.

“I said Alexandria Xavier Fells, 24. Did you get that or am I going tve tve to spell it out for your little minds.” The officer backed away and walked back over to the younger officer who frantically wrote down Alex’s name while Alex sat back down again.

“Now as you know a fellow student is deceased outside. At the moment we are treating it as suspicious, so we’d like to have a few words with you about where you all where this afternoon.” There was silence as the officer looked at everyone individually trying to coax out of them where they all where.

“Miss Fells where were you this afternoon?” Alex laughed and shook her head as the police officer looked directly at her.

“Oh don’t play fucking dumb with me cunt, what’s that little slut been saying about me?” Alex snapped at the police officer that scowled at her and shook his head.

“Who would this be Miss Fells?” Alex laughed and shook her head back at him, glaring at him deathly.

“The leader of the Klu Klux Klan who else, what ever she said is a heap of shit I was out with friends drinking and I never touched the little faggot.” Alex stood and walked back over to the fireplace, closing her eyes and leaning against the surround.

“Alright Miss Fell’s can you please explain to me, why you find it necessary to reside in a boarding house with no other females?” Alex laughed and shook her head before turning around to glare at the police officer. Anthony got the feeling that Alex wasn’t well in with the police, just by the way she was being awkward all of a sudden.

“Does that have any relevance to the stiff outside, because if it doesn’t you have no right to ask me?” The young officer glanced up at the older officer who’d asked the question before glancing gingerly back at Alex who was sitting waiting for an answer.

“I’ll decide what’s relevant, now please answer the question.” The officer spoke sternly to Alex who smiled and shook her head before walking over to the cabinet in the corner and taking out a bottle of JD.

“Men make better flat mates, less bitchy don’t get PMT and are much better figures to walk in on, in the shower.” The whole group laughed a little as Alex smiled smugly at the officer in charge. “Drink anyone?” Alex held up bottbottle as she addressed the members of the household. There was a unanimous yes before she began to pour glass off JD and passing them out.

“Miss Fe thi this is not the time for you’re smart arse mouth, we’re investigating a potential murder and we don’t appreciate you’re unhelpful comments.” The officer snapped back as Alex sat back down next to Anthony, passing him the last glass of JD and watching as he shakily took a sip.

“Well of course they’re unhelpful, me telling you why I live here won’t help you. You arseholes have been to this place on more than one occasion to investigate deaths, you’re constantly harassing us for information you know doesn’t exist because as much as what you’d like to think we’re not murderers. Freaky weirdo’s maybe but not killers, so you can search this property from top to bottom and the most you’ll find is the odd used condom, maybe some weed and just a hint of the unreal but you’ll not find one skreic of evidence to connect us with the suicidal maniac now lying cold outside. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll have some words with his slut of a girlfriend, it wouldn’t surprise me if she pushed him to it.” The whole room fell deadly silent as Alex’s voice echoed like a ghost in the night.

“Fine, we just need you to identify if you know the deceased. Can you just indicate as the picture comes around whether you know the young man.” After an extended pause the main officer in charge pulled a small picture out of his coat pocket and passed it to Dawson. Anthony was absolutely shitting himself, he just couldn’t bring himself to look at even if he tried.

“Nup sorry, never seen him before in my life.” Dawson looked up at the officer who nodded and then gestured for him to pass it to Anthony. Anthony took a deep breath in before downing the rest of the JD in one go as Dawson placed the photo into his shaking hands. Anthony closed his eyes and swallowed hard, as his hands began to shake even more, something felt to wrong that he was almost scared to look at the picture.

“Could you look at the picture please Mr Fox?” The officer questioned Anthony sternly as Anthony just shook his head and kept his eyes tightly closed.

“Can’t you see he doesn’t want to he’s not feeling very well.” Anthony shivered as Alex defended him and placed a soft hand onto his shaking knee.

“Mr Fox if you do not look at the photo I will arrest you on suspicion of murder. Do you understand me?” Anthony swallowed hard and nodded gingerly before opening his eyes and glancing around the room at all the faces staring at him inquisitively. Alex smiled at him softly before took a deep breath and glanced down to the picture sitting in his hands. He felt his hands go limp as the face of the man stared back at him like death. Anthony’s stomach did little tumble turns as a sudden rush of memories came back to him.

“Steve, his names Steve I only just met him today. Excuse me.” Anthony was quick at his feet as he ran towards the kitchen, dropping the photo to the fall as he cupped his hands over his mouth. Dawson got up immediately but was stopped as the officer placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Sit down.” He breathed glaring at Dawson who looked gingerly towards where he could hear Anthony violently throwing up and sobbing as he gasped for air.

“Take you’re hands off him.” Dawson shuddered as Alex stood up next to him glaring at the officer as he quickly removed his hand. “Go to him, make sure he’s alright. They can’t stop you.” Dawson glanced gingerly back at the officer before running off to follow Anthonto tto the kitchen.

“You know you’re rights Miss Fell’s?” The officer smiled sickly at Alex who glared at him with contempt.

“Yes I do, you’ve read them to me on more than one occasion, now if you’ve got no solid evidence to prove that we had anything to do with the death of the man outside I think you better leave.” Alex voice was cold and sharp as the officer nodded and then gestured for the other officers to leave the house.

“We’ll be in touch Miss Fell’s.” Alan and Craig got up quickly and escorted the officer to the door.

“I’m sure you will.” Alex breathed before turning to face the fire again and sitting in silence as she poured herself a large brandy. Alan and Craig sighed as they locked and bolted the door, to the cries of abuse and obscenities all directed towards Alex.
“Here we go again.” Craig whispered as he swallowed hard and disappeared up the stairs to his room without another word to anyone.

TBC...............