Ecstasy

Chapter 18
Anthony laughed as Alan fell backwards onto Jake and Jason who were sitting half way up the stairs. So far the night had been running smoothly with everyone seeming fairly safe and having a good time. The music was deafening and the disco lights were taking it a little far but it was brilliant. Anthony hadn’t had this much fun since he and Dawson crashed a female Uni party a few years ago. Alan smiled and sat up moving across as a few female students walked past in extremely short skirts. They all fell silent as they leaned back to have a good look up them as the girls continued up the stairs.

“Mmmmm, sometimes it makes me wonder why I’m queer.” Alan laughed as he finished off what was left in the bottle of beer and threw it into the bin at the side of the stairs. Anthony rolled his eyes as he felt some pinch his arse, he nearly choked as he turned around to see Alex standing there smiling widely at him.

“Alex, you’re lucky I was going to turn around and slap you.” Anthony laughed as the rest of them did, as Alex rolled her eyes and took a sip out of her lemon rusky. Jake and Jason moved apart to let her sit down in the middle of them. She sighed heavily and rested her head on Jake’s shoulder taking another sip of her drink.

“I think I’m getting plastered.” She whispered to the little group who all nodded in agreement before laughing as she gave their little wicked faces the finger. “And that wasn’t a pick up line.” They all laughed as she filled in the blanks that they were all obviously thinking of anyway.

“We’re off to pick up chicks we’ll see you guys later.” Jake and Jason both stood up letting Anthony sit back down next to Alex who propped her head up against his shoulder instead.

“Yeah just remember the mobile and no splitting up.” Alex reminded them as they all nodded and took off into the crowd together. Anthony scanned the room from his position half way up the stairs where they sat and smiled as his eyes came to lie on where Dawson and Josh were making out with two girls in the far corner, near the veranda. He didn’t have to look far to find Craig who was chatting up another girl just a little to the left of Dawson and Josh. Obviously they’d chosen to stay close, but it would be interesting when things got hot with all three of them.

“So see anything you like Alex?” Alan inquired gingerly as she sighed and undid the top two button’s of her shirt to try and get herself some air in the hot stuffy atmosphere of the party.

“Yep.” Alex stated pointedly causing both Alan and Anthony to turn to her quite surprised at her taking an interest in someone. After all the stories of her not going with anyone and here she was apparently liking someone.

“Well where is he?” Anthony questioning scanning the room where she was obviously looking and smiling to herself.

“No, she and she is standing at the bottom of the stairs smiling up at you Anthony. So now I like it because I know that you being you are going to have quite a good night I dare suppose except with Alan and I as your audience.” Alex burst into laughter as Anthony swallowed hard watching as the young girl came up the stairs towards them.

“Mmm, she’s alright Anthony.” Alan smiled across at Anthony suggestively as the young girl kept coming up the stairs towards them. As she drew nearer it came to Anthony’s attention that she was just that very young, surely she couldn’t have been a Uni student. She was fair with blue eyes and a very shapely body for saying she looked so young.

“Hi, you’re the artist aren’t you?” Anthony looked down at her as she stopped a few steps down from him and his friends. Her voice was soft and it trailed off to nothing as she smiled gingerly offering her hand in friendship.

“Maybe, it depends on what artist you’re after.” Alex raised an eyebrow at Anthony as he stretched out his hand shaking hers softly, before they all moved across to let a few people past.

“The surrealist that travels around to different universities around the place.” Alan laughed and nodded in agreement, she had the right person.

“Yeah that’s me then.” Anthony quoted back as Alex passed him her drink so he could take a few swigs to keep himself cool in the heat of the moment.

“Helen! What the hell are you doing here?” They all turned around to see another young woman coming down the stairs glaring at the young woman that had addressed Anthony. “I thought I told you to stay home, mum will chuck a fit if she saw you in that!” Anthony sighed heavily obviously she wasn’t as old as everyone had thought and she must have followed her sister here.

“But I…..” The young girl was cut off as her sister took her by the arm forcefully taking her down a few steps before turning back up to face Anthony.

“I’m really sorry, she’s always following me around. I can’t think of how she knows you though.” Anthony just shrugged his shoulders and smiled at the young girl who blushed profusely under Anthony’s gaze.

“Don’t worry about it, at least she knows me.” They all laughed and nodded before watching the sister drag her younger counter part out of the party through the front door. Anthony sighed heavily taking a large sip from Alex’s drink and swallowing hard. If he’d have been any drunker she’d have seemed a likely candidate as a bed warmer and he’d done it all without knowing she wasn’t much more than 14.

“Oh well Anthony maybe next time.” Alan chirped as Anthony leaned behind Alex and swatted him one on the back of the head.

“I’m not a cradle snatcher Alan, anyway that’s just dirty.” Anthony shivered and passed Alex back her drink becoming aware of her smiling at him softly. She blushed a little as he looked at her questioningly watching as she lowered her head and averted her gaze away from him. There was an extended pause and a sudden tension that all three of them suddenly felt between them. Alex sighed with relief as she saw Dawson, Craig and Josh all coming up the stairs all with females in hand. Anthony raised an eyebrow as Dawson past him smiling a very familiar ‘I’m getting laid’ smile. Craig blushed a little as he chosen partner kissed him softly on the neck as they passed Alex whom smiled and sighed a little. Alan glared at Josh as he too walked up after the other two with his own female. The little threesome stared in ore as all six of them disappeared into one of the rooms at the top of the landing. There was a stunned silence between the three of them as they returned to sitting down looking at the party below them.

“I didn’t know Josh was bi?” Anthony questioned blankly glancing across at Alan who turned and smiled at Anthony widely, shaking his head in repute.

“You know that’s funny, neither did I.” There was a silpauspause before all three of them all broke down in hysterics to what they’d just witnessed. If they were all planning on getting some tonight they were certainly doing it in style with all three of them in the same room.

“Hey at least they’re not breaking the rules.” Alex commented as they moved again for another few people going past them up to the toilet andiousious rooms in the three-story fraternity house.

“I need a piss and a smoke.” Anthony sighed as he looked across at Alan and Alex who both nodded understandingly.

“We’ll take a piss then go outside for a smoke, I need some fresh air anyway.” They all stood up and began to make their way upstairs in the house searching for the toilet. Alan opened a door and rolled his eyes as he quickly shut it again, not wishing to see a white arse going for it on the bed. “Next.” Alex laughed as they walked down another few doors and Alan opened it and smiled.

“ fre free and it has an ensuit.” Anthony sighed and followed Alan and Alex into the room watching as Alex made a dash from the toilet first. Alan smiled and fell back on the bed bouncing up and down before gesturing for Anthony to come over and sit down next to him. Anthony smiled and followed the gesture to fall down next to Alan, rolling up on his side to look down at Alan’s face.

“What are we Alan?” Anthony inquired as Alan ran his hand down Anthony’s cheek kissing him softly on the lips as he finished his sentence.

“I don’t know, I guess we’re kind of more than just friends now but it depends if we want to call ourselves a couple yet.” Anthony nodded understandingly as he felt Alan’s hand run up the inseam of his trousers stopping just below his groin.

“Do more than friends have sex?” Alan smiled seductively at Anthony’s question as Ant mov moved his leg to sit over Alan’s.

“Have you got a condom because then we can find out.” Anthony laughed as Alan pulled him for an extremely passionate kiss, their hands wandering over each other as Alan deepened the kiss taking his hands down to Anthony’s belt.

“These people must be loaded the toilet papers made of silk……………….” Both Anthony and Alan sat up straight as Alex came out of the toilet just as things were getting hot. She paused and raised an eyebrow at them before gesturing towards the toilet. “Would you like me to go back in for another half hour?” She questioned smiling at them little guilty at interrupting their moment together. Alan and Anthony laughed and shook their heads, it was silly to subject Alex to that if she didn’t want to see it.

“No, my turn.” Anthony crowed as he ran past Alex and into the toilet, his bladder already starting to give way after all the beer he’d consumed over the night. He smiled as he flipped up the lid and began to pee looking around at the flashy marble bathroom. Who ever got this house as they’re accommodation during Uni was doing well. He sighed and flushed the toilet after he’d finished and walked over to the basin to wash his hands looking at his reflection in the mirror. All he could think of was how he’d caught Alex staring at him and how she’d reacted when he’d silently questioned it. It was totally out of her character to go getting all warm and fuzzy, she’d usually been so cold and emotionless but over the past few months she’d become soft and so damn desirable. Finally he finished and walked out of the bathroom shaking off his wet hands as he felt his heart beat a little faster at the sight before him. Alex was lying on the bed with her legs hanging over the end and her hands above her head. From where he was standing he could see straight up her blouse and what he saw made him crumble at the knees. It had been the same sight he’d seen in the afternoon while she’d been walking around without her blouse but not it seemed to much better. Alan sat up and raised an eyebrow at Anthony suggestively gesturing with his eyes to Alex who had her eyes closed and looked totally stuffed.

“My turn.” Alan chorused as he got up off the bed, causing Alex to open her eyes a little and sit up on her elbows smiling softly at Anthony was still staring at her in ore. Anthony moved forward a little and broke his stare as Alan nudged him a little, well aware of what Anthony was staring at.

“Bathroom’s like a palace.” Anthony commented as he walked over to the bed, sitting down next to her as she went back to lying down stretched out on the bed.

“Yeah I know, it’s a fraternity house what do you expect. Only the females get these places. I was offered a place here but the mayors house has a charm to it I like.” Alex smiled up at Anthony who looked at her a little gone out.

“So your telling me they gave you the chance to have this place and you chose a spooky death trap instead?” Anthony warmed a little as he realized just how bad and strong he must have sounded after his comment. Alex looked away a little saddened by Anthony’s comment. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that.” Anthony tried to back out of his comment as Alex stared at the ceiling and sighed heavily.

“I have fears to you know Anthony. If you put me in a room with a group of men I can be everyone’s friend in minutes without them sticking anything anywhere. However put me in a room full of women and I turn into a recluse, and I huddle in the corner in fear. So just imagine what would happen if I’d have stayed here? Now explain that to me, because I assure you I don’t understand it myself.” Alex glanced across at Anthony who sighed heavily and smiled softly at her. He didn’t have a clue why she was like that and as it goes neither did she but that’s what made her special.

“Maybe you don’t like having females look at you, I get like that myself somet, ex, except with males.” Anthony offered as much explanation as he possibly could he knew what it was like to not want to be looked at by a group of people but he couldn’t imagine how hard it must be to be constant in fear of your counterparts.

“Thanks, you’re a great help Anthony.” Alex breathed as she kissed him softly on the cheek before sitting up and watching Alan walk out of the toilet smiling happily. “Let’s go get a smoke then.” Alex stood up and followed Alan out of the room. Anthony just sat there, smiling to himself about Alex. She’d just seemed to take to him all of a sudden and he didn’t know why although he wasn’t going to complain.

“You coming buddy?” Alan poked his head back around the corner as he realized that Anthony had not followed them out of the room. Anthony looked up at him and brought himself back from his distant gaze.

“Yeah sorry, just day dreaming.” Anthony replied before jumping up and kissing Alan softly on the lips as he past him to catch up with Alex on the stairs. Alan shrugged his shoulders and followed Anthony down towards Alex who was grabbing her coat at the bottom of the stairs.

“Where are you three going?” All three of them looked around to see Jason and Jake looking at them questioningly, with their own little women on their arms. They both looked totally tanked but that was what the whole night was in aide of doing, taking their minds of what they might have to face on their return to the house.

“Out for a smoke, if you see the other three just tell them where we are.” Alex spoke softly to them so that they caught everything that she said before watching them nod and disappear into the crowd. Anthony smiled as they all strolled out of the house and onto the grass embankment at the front of the driveway. It was quite cool in the night air as the wind blew up from the river and all three of them snuggled down in their jackets.

“Smoke?” Anthony inquired as he took a cigarette from his packet offering it to Alex and Alan who took on graciously, before waiting patiently for Anthony to finish with the lighter. Once they’d all lit their cigarette’s they began to walk slowly down towards a tree that sat on the edge of the river. There was silence as they walked in the dark taking long drags from their cigarettes and then letting out long plume’s of smoke. Anthony snuggled into Alan’s side as Alex walked in silence staring out at the river and it’s calm water. He couldn’t help but notice that every so often Alex would look over at him just a quick glance but it was enough to get him thinking of what she was up to.

“We’ll sit here for a while I think.” Alan sighed as he sat down against the tree, looking out at the river as both Alex and Anthony sat down. Alex sat down a little further around the tree, Anthony suspected that was because she was giving Alan and elf elf as much privacy as would be possible on a night like this. Anthony still felt awkward though as Alan kissed him softly on the cheek nuzzling into his side as he ran his hand up and down the inseam of Anthony’s trousers.

“We should hstaystayed in the room.” Anthony whispered as he ran his fingers up the back of Alan’s shirt, as they brought each other closer to one another both of them putting out their cigarette’s and flicking the buts into the water. Alan smiled softly and shrugged his shoulders, he didn’t really care where they were all he wanted was Anthony naked and willing.

“So let’s make the most of being outside and in a fairly secluded spot then instead.” Alan raised an eyebrow at Anthony questioningly who smiled wickedly. He was determined to get have sex tht eht even if it meant him going against everything he stood up for. It had been years since Anthony had been single an able to do this without guilt, but deep down inside of him he had a new guilt a guilt that was being sourced by Alex. He knew he would never be with her because she just wasn’t going to give herself up but it was a feeling inside of him that made feelfeel for her. Anthony took a deep breath and smiled back at Alan before bringing his lips down to meet his in a passionate kiss. Alan smiled as he deepened the kiss pulling himself on top of Anthony as Anthony lay back on the grass. Anthony groaned a little as Alan slipped his hand down the front of his trousers to gently massage Anthony’s throbbing member. It was a totally new experience for Anthony, he’d never slept with anyone but Dawson before so it was like learning all over again. “You have know idea how much I wanted you from the very moment you walked through that door.” Anthony smiled as Alan whispered to him softly watching ashonyhony undid Alan’s fly, slipping his own hand inside it.

“I lied in the shower that day, you did make me uncomfortable because you were the first man I’d ever looked at that way before.” Alan smiled at Anthony’s comment before nodding understandingly then kissed Anthony softly on the lips, slipping his tongue in one again to gently caress Anthony’s mouth. They continued to play about with one another, stroking and teasing each other in the dark and silence. Anthony watched as Alan sat up a little smiling wickedly as he undid his belt and slid his boxers and trousers down exposing his stiff cock. Anthony swallowed hard well aware of what Alan wanted as he moved up a little on Anthony’s body, straddling his legs. Alan closed his eyes as Anthony sat up and kissed the end of Alan’s penis before sliding it into his mouth then gently sucking on the end of it. It was so strange doing it to someone whom wasn’t Dawson and Anthony couldn’t help but wonder what it was like the other way around, someone who wasn’t Dawson doing it to him. Anthony sucked harder as Alan pushed fod a d a little groaning in ecstasy as Anthonlledlled his balls softly in his fingers. It was all over in a matter of fifteen minutes as Alan finally gave in to Anthony’s persistence and came. Anthony smiled and swallowed before kissing Alan softly on the lips as the lay next to one another on the grass, both of them a little exhausted. It was totally quite as they ced oed one another staring up at the stars. Anthony was over the moon, he’d just broken a littlerierrier that had prevented him from making out with other men and it felt wonderful. It was just another hurdle he’d made it over although the other one was still to come, literally. Anthony sat up in an instant as he realized that it was just a little too quiet around the place for saying there was a party on.

“Hey Alex, you alrightnthonthony inquired as he and Alan fixed themselves up, only just remembering about Alex. “Alex?” Anthony asked again after there was no reply. Alan glanced up at Anthony a little apprehensively as they both got up quickly and walked around the tree, several times only to find that Alex was no where in sight.

“Oh shit.” Alan breathed as they began to look all around the area where they had been sitting finding no sign of her what so ever.

“I’ll call Dawson and Craig.” Anthony whispered as he grabbed his mobile out of his leather jacket frantically dialing Dawson’s number, one of which he knew off by heart. Alan huddled into Anthony’s side getting a little apprehensive about loosing Alex. After all she was their protection tonight and without her they were all literally sitting ducks. “She can’t have gone far.” Anthony whispered again as he paced a little waiting for Dawson to pick up. “Come on pick up.” Alan could tell Anthony was getting just as frustrated and worried as he was about Alex going missing as he swore at the phone. “Stupid pricks no answering.” Anthony breathed as he hung up and then quickly searched his address book on the phone to find Craig’s number. At least Craig would be smart enough to actually answer his phone on a night like this.

“Come on let’s start to walk up towards where there are a few more people, I’m feeling a little unsafe here.” Anthony nodded as he dialed Craig’s number and both he and Alan walked swiftly back up to the driveway in front of the house where a large group of people were gathered together.

“Fucking hell pick up!” Anthony screamed in frustration as Craig’s phone cut out after ringing for so long. Alan looked up at Anthony extremely worried about where everyone was. “We’ll go up stairs and see if they’re in the room still, if not we’ll try everyone’s number including Alex’s.” Alan nodded understandingly as he followed Anthony as he all but ran through the party crowd and up the stairs. They had to dodge all the couples on the stairs as they jumped over entangled bodies all making porn.

“Cross you’re fingers.” Alan whispered as he opened the door to the bedroom, where Dawson, Craig and Josh had disappeared into about two hours ago. Anthony breathed a sigh of relief as he saw a very familiar naked body lying on the bed next to various other bodies.

“Jesus Christ all of you get up.” Anthony growled as all three of them sat up quite astonished but seeing Anthony and Alan’s extremely concerned faces. “Why the fuck didn’t you answer the phones?” Anthony breathed as he chucked the three females some bed sheets to cover themselves as they huddled into their partners.

“What they didn’t ring.” Craig snapped back at Anthony’s sharpness confused about what all the fuss was about. Alan looked gingerly across at Anthony who shook his head a few times still pacing the room now extremely scared about what was going on.

“We’ve lost Alex, she just disappeared. One moment she was sitting next to us and then the next she was gone. We didn’t even hear her go. Then we called Dawson first and then Craig and your telling me both of them didn’t ring?” Craig got up quickly grabbing his boxers and pulling them on before taking his mobile out of coat pocket that was hanging on the bathroom door.

“Nup no recorded unanswered calls.” Craig breathed as they all glanced across to where Dawson was doing the same. They all fell silent as Dawson turned to them and shook his head, he to had no unanswered calls.

“Can you excuse us ladies?” Josh breathed sensing the fact that people outside the group didn’t need to hear what was going on. All three men escorted their partners out the door of the room, passing them all their clothes and belongings before shutting and locking the door.

“Where’s Jason and Jake?” Alan inquired now aware that they were three short of their total group.

“Next door.” Dawson breathed as they all made their way over to the adjoining door to the next room, watching as Dawson gingerly opened it to reveal both Jason and Jake having a nice little threesome with one female. Anthony raised an eyebrow at Alan questioningly who smiled at seeing both Jason and Jake’s arse in the air doing this poor young girl.

“Alright enough, stop and get your arses up we’ve got a crises.” Josh called as he clapped his hands getting all three attentions on to him and off what they were doing. The girl looked as scared as could be as Jason and Jake pulled a cover up around them extremely alarmed at seeing all their friends staring at them and smiling.

“What?” Jake snapped as he kissed the woman gently on the cheek to calm her nerves a little at being sprung so abruptly.

“I said pull yourselves out and get dressed we’ve lost Alex.” Josh breathed again glaring at both Jake and Jason who’s faces dropped a mile at the fact that Alex had gone missing.

“Well at least give us some dignity.” Jason snapped sharply as everyone watched as he and Jake gently removed themselves from their female host. Everyone laughed and turned around listening intently as Jake and Jason got themselves sorted out. It would be quite amusing to see how both Jason and Jake coped because at the time they interrupted things were just getting interesting. “Now explain to ust tht the fucks going on?” Jason asked as he pulled on his trousers, watching as Jake showed their guest the door beforetingting dressed himself.

“Anthony and Alan lost Alex.” Craig spoke as he fell down on the bed with his head in his hands and shaking his head in repute. Anthony rolled his eyes Craig made it sound like it was their fault.

“How the fuck did you do that, weren’t we all supposed to stay in our groups?” Jake snapped sharply getting irritated and frustrated that Alex was their lifeline and the person who was going to save them all from dying a horrible death tonight.

“Yeah, she was sitting next to us under the tree. We were ha a s a smoke and a chat. Then Alan and I got a little pre occupied on each other and before we realized she’d vanished. Not a sound and not a trace of where she’d gone.” Anthony lowered his head a little as everyone groaned at hearing that Anthony and Alan hadn’t exactly being watching Alex instead getting it off with one another.

“So while you to got some arse you lost our only chance of survival. Just for a fuck you two are now going to kill us all.” Craig shouted as he lunged for Anthony who backed into Dawson away from Craig flying punch.

“Look she was next to us, I could feel her leg against mine. That how close she was I just didn’t feel her leave.” Anthony defended himself as Jake and Jason held back Craig from beating the living crap out of Anthony. Everyone was extremely scared and the only way they knew how to express their feelings was through violence and anger towards someone else.

“What the fuck are we going to do?” Alan breathed as he huddled into Anthony’s side closing his and and hoping for the best. The room fell silent as Craig got out his mobile again and began to dial Alex’s number.

“We’ll call her and see.” Craig breathed but just as he dialed in the last two digits his phone began to vibrate and ring extremely loudly. Everyone held their breaths as Craig pressed the okay button and held it to his ear. “Hello?” Anthony watched in fear as Craig spoke so softly down the phone, his voice wavering as he stared at Anthony his face washed with fear. “Yes alright.” Craig pointed to the door his face white as snow and his hand shaking violently as it held the mobile to his ear. “Everyone get out of the house now its Alex.” It was an instant reaction as Anthony dived for the door unlocking it and pushing it open allowing everyone to get out of the room and follow him running down the stairs frantically. Anthony had no idea what had come over him but something inside of him had triggered as soon as the phone had rung. He felt that scared feeling inside himself and he knew that if he didn’t run now he’d be dead in a matter of moments. Alex hadn’t left them she’d just been finding out something and now she was saving their hides. Anthony could hear them all running after him as they leapt over all the people on the stairs and pushed their way through crowd until he was out on the gravel driveway.

“Now where?” Anthony breathed breathlessly as Craig stopped next to him the phone still firmly against his ear. Everyone was silent as Craig nodded a few times and looked directly at Anthony before handing over the phone.

“She want’s to talk to you.” Craig whispered as Anthony took a deep breath and took the phone gingerly off Craig, watching as everyone stared at him in amazement. Craig was Alex’s best friend why would she all of a sudden in a time of crises want to talk to Anthony.

“Hello.” Anthony breathed shaking something shocking with the over whelming feg thg that they still weren’t safe standing there. Alex’s voice was cold and emotionless as it came filtering down the lto hto him, he could tell she was serious and this was scary shit. Anthony listened intently to her instructions before turning around to see which way she’d indicated that they go. “Alright then where?” Alan snuggled into Anthony’s side trying his best to hear what was going on. “Okay just run and don’t look back.” He whispered as he glanced back at gro group, gesturing for them all to follow him. They all nodded as they kept up with him as he began to run down towards the river. They paused momentarily as they reached the edge of the bank af thf the looking around to make sure things weren’t coming after them. “Now across the foot bridge and along the river bank until we get to the Art Gallery and then get inside.” Anthony repeated everything aloud as she said it so that they could all hear it. Craig nodded understandingly befleadleading the group along the path a little way and over a small footbridge that lead back into the campus grounds. “Where are you?” Anthony breathed heavily as he kept up with the other’s all running literally on the fear of what was going to happen. There was a silent pause as Anthony waited for Alex’s reply.

“At the gallery, top floor. When you get there leave them down stairs in the cafeteria and come up to me, don’t tell them.” Anthony noted a way that Alex’s voice had softened a little compared to when she was recalling instructions to him before. He swallowed hard as Craig slowed down a little glaring at him a little suspiciously as Anthony continued to talk down the phone, although he now wasn’t relaying and of the conversation to them.

“What’s going on?” Craig questioned as they began to take the long run up the campus grounds towards the art gallery at the far end of the university. Anthony smiled softly as he heard Alex’s voice talking to hiviouviously hearing Craig’s suspicious question.
“Lie Anthony, its non of his business. Just you and I.” Anthony kind of liked the sound of just himself and Alex together but the way she was talking to him suggested that it was a little more important than just spending time alone together. Craig looked on even more suspicious as Anthony smiled as best he could despite the fact he was getting tired from running and was now thinking of an excuse.

“Oh nothing, just seeing if she’s okay and why she did the run on me and Alan tonight.” Craig continued to look at Anthony suspiciously as Anthony lied through his high teeth to try and loose Craig’s suspiciousness.

“And is she alright and what was her excuse?” Craig questioning again as Anthony swallowed hard listening to Alex’s little nasty giggle at hearing Craig’s questions.

“Lie again Anthony, you’re good at this and you’re nearly here.” Anthony couldn’t help but smile at that comment, she sounded really evil and sexy on the phone with her little laugh. Craig was still waiting for a reply as they began up the huge set of stairs up to the front entrance into the art gallery.

“Yeah she’s fine, she said something came up and she’ll explain later but it was necessary that we get out of the house.” Anthony breathed out heavily as they came to a stop at the top of the stairs just in front of the large glass doors that lead into the gallery. Craig drew himself really close to Anthony and glared at him suspiciously.

“I suddenly don’t trust you Anthony.” Craig whispered to Anthony harshly before turning around at the sound of the guys trying the doors to the gallery only to find them locked.

“It’s locked Anthony, now what?” Jake growled his own fear getting to him a little about the fact they’d come to a dead end so to speak. Anthony took a deep breath listening to Alex’s continued laughing after now hearing that Craig didn’t trust Anthony.

“Put you’re hand out and catch these.” Anthony looked up sharply as he heard a tingling sound of key’s being thrown he smiled as he saw the familiar glint of silver falling towards him from the roof of the gallery. Everyone looked on a little stunned as Anthony laughed and caught the key’s smiling up at then empty roof.

“Thanks.” Anthony breathed as he walked over to the door and smiled at the Astro boy key ring that adorned the whole rack of keys. “Which one?” He inquired as he searched the bunch of keys in the light that illuminated the steps.

“Blue set and the alarms down the first corridor on the right and once you’re there I’ll give you the combination.” Craig watched on closely as Anthony undid the door and pushed it quickly open squinting a little as the security lights came on as he made a dash for the corridor. Craig was right behind him at all times and was suddenly like a bad smell nothing was done that he didn’t witness.

“Yeah alright I’m hear now what’s the combination?” Anthony breathed breathlessly as he threw open the door on the security box looking at the keypad in front of him.

“Hash, seven, two, six, nine, asterisks.” Anthony punched in the numbers as she said them and smiled as the green light came on and all the security lights dimmed a little to just leave them in the pale glow of the lights. Craig smiled a little and sighed as they turned around to join the rest of the group in the foyer. “Lock and bolt the door and then make you’re way over to the cafeteria and help yourselves the key’s to the store are on the bunch. I’ll be waiting.” Anthony smiled wickedly as he heard her hang up the phone and the line go dead. He sighed heavily and locked both sets of internal doors before making his way over to the cafeteria. Everyone was a little more relaxed as Anthony opened the doors to the cafeteria and let everyone inside.

“Brilliant now what?” Josh inquired as he and Dawson sat down on a bench and cuddled one another in comfort. Anthony noted the way Dawson was a pale shade obviously the quick dash out of the house had up set his nerves a little but it had done to all of them.

“Yeah what now Anthony? Where’s Alex and what the hells going on?” Jason snapped a little sharpishly as he realized they’d come to a stand still and Anthony had hung up the phone all of a sudden and Alex still was no where in sight.

“Just make yourselves comfortable and I’ll go find out.” Anthony breathed as he chucked Jason the keys before heading towards the exit of the cafeteria to go up to the roof to meet Alex as instructed.

“No fucking way, you’re not going anywhere without me.” Anthony spun around quickly as Craig pulled him forcefully to a halt as he past. The whole group went a little silent as Anthony glared at Craig in a little stand off between both of them.

“Yeah right you’re not my father, I’ll go where I want.” Anthony hissed back shrugging Craig’s hand of his shoulder and turning to leave again.

“No way, you could do anything on your own. I don’t trust you one bit for all I know this could just be a scheme to get us all together with no escape for one of your sick friends to come and kill us alt mit might not have been Alex on the phone she might be already dead and you and Alan have been lying to us all. You could have a killer working for you, so there is no way you’re going any where without me.” Anthony felt his mouth fall open at that comment Jesus if Craig was starting to imagine things he was making a good job of it inventing a story like that.

“Hey lay off him Craig, he’s probably just following Alex’s orders, he’s just as scared as we are.” Josh leapt to Anthony’s defense as Dawson stared at Anthony and shook his head in repute. That was a stupid theory he’d know Anthony all his life why would he go to these lengths to kill people he’d only known for six weeks.

“Yeah that’s stupid, let him go.” Alan breathed as he unlocked the bar determined to get himself some free food and drink.

“No I’m not going to risk it you stay right here where we can all see you.” Craig snarled angrily as he pushed Anthony back towards the cafeteria. Anthony glared at Craig deathly as he glanced around back into the cafeteria only to freeze as he caught sight of something so sickening he felt his stomach physicalhurnhurn. In the reflection he saw if all just like the day in the shower except much worse this time he couldn’t help himself as he threw himself to the floor only just leaning into the pot plant before throwing his guts up.

“Anthony!” Alan was quickly at Anthony’s side as he witnessed the dramatic change in Anthony’s facial features. In a matter of moments all of Anthony’s colour had drained from his face completely leaving him as ghostly and thin as a dead person.

“Jesus, what did I do? I only pushed him it wasn’t even hard.” Craig whispered as he too kneeled next to Anthony watching in horror as Anthony continued to be violently sick. Alan just shrugged his shoulders and held onto Anthony’s trembling body as continued to pour his insides up, trying desperately to breath in between heaving.

“It’s just like before.” Dawson whispered as he brought over a glass of water and a damp tea towel remembering vividly the night that Anthony claimed to have seen Steve’s death. The whole room went deadly silent at Dawson comment before Dawson fell quickly at Anthony side looking at him in fear. “God Anthony who is it?” Everyone watched as Anthony just continued to shake his head just staring into space, his face white as snow. It fell deadly silent for a few minutes and everyone stood perfectly still now kind of worried at what Anthony had just seen. They all nearly jumped out of their skin as the phone that Anthony had dropped began to ring, it’s shrill ringing echoing shocking in the deathly silent art gallery. Everyone stared motionlessly at the phone watching the red light on the antenna flash alternatively with the ringing. Craig swallowed hard before leaning forward and picking up the phone erlyerly pressing the talk button. They’d all never been so scared in their life as they were now, everyone had their secret fears and now who ever was on the phone knew what they were doing.

“Hello.” Craig whispered gingerly as he placed the phone to his ear, half expecting to hear some laughing and then the feeling of being blown or shot to pie


“Put Anthony on NOW!” It was Alex’s voice screaming down the phone at Craig who nodded apprehensively and without thinking put the phone to Anthony’s ear. Anthony was seeing stars and the world was spinning violently as he heard Alex’s voice on the other end of the line.

“Alex, I saw it.” Anthony managed to whisper as he regained his composure a little, his stomach now totally dry of anything worth throwing up.

“I know you did baby, I know you did just wait there and I’ll be down in a second. Get them to turn the TV on.” Anthony nodded weakly at the voice leaning back totally exhausted against Alan who held him tightly and crying into his shoulder.

“She says turn the TV on and she’ll be here in a few minutes.” Anthony’s voice filtered out to nothing as Craig looked up at Jake questioningly. Jake nodded and walked over to the TV plugging it in as everyone got a drink and sat down on the soft benches around the room, totally confused and scared about what was happening to them.

“Come on let’s get you up.” Dawson breathed as he and Alan helped a very wobbly Anthony to his feet and helped him over to a bench to lie down for a while, with a cold glass of water. Anthony could only shake his head and cry as he relived the image over and over again in his head. Why did he have to be the one to see these things and why was it all happening to them and now.

“Hey the football’s on, she didn’t say a specific channel to watch did she Anthony?” Josh smiled gingerly over to Anthony who smiled a little at the joke before shaking his head in reply. It seemed so insignificant to be watching the game while they were all fearful of their lives but it was just something to give them comfort. Dawson and Josh were huddled together in a annex on the side, Craig, Jake and Jason were sitting together at a table in the middle of the room, eating chocolate and watching the game nervously and Anthony lay motionless in Alan’s lap as Alan closed his eyes and gently stroked his hand through Anthony’s hair. They were all exhausted by the shear adrenaline pumping through their veins as fear once again gripped at them. It was such a terrible feeling to just not know what would come next but they had to live with if for a little while just until Alex came.

“I see you all made it then.” Everyone turned around quickly as a familiar voice filtered to them from the entrance to the cafeteria. They all relaxed a little as they saw Alex, smiling at them softly just counting them again to make sure they were all there.

“Alex, make it stop.” Anthony just could help himself it was like something stopped inside of him as soon as he saw Alex, and all he could do was run over to her and hug her tightly. Everyone watched on a little stunned as Alex rocked Anthony gently in her arms as he sobbed into her shoulder.

“It will, just trust me and try and relax a little there’s nothing you can do.” Anthony nodded understandingly as she walked him gingerly over to the seat where Alan was sitting. Alex smiled as Alan leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a hug as she sat Anthony back down on the beand and then sat herself down.

“Well what’s going on Alex?” Craig inquired as everyone came over to sit at the annex where Alex was sitting with Anthony firmly cuddled into her side.

“In two hours time the universities going to be classed as a crime scene and every emergency service is going to be here. The house that we have just been parting at is going to go up in flames and all 800 students that were in attendance are going to perish.” Alex’s voice filtered off to nothing as everyone came to the realization that only just to minutes ago they were all up stairs in that very house.

“How do you?” Alan inquired as he shivered at the very thought what was going to happen.

“I had a feeling something was up, things seemed to quiet for it to be the same night that for five years we’ve had to hide in fear from. Then it was confirmed when I saw it just like Anthony just ahs done. I saw it all and I knew that I was for us, what better way for the spirits to get revenge than to blow us all up into little pieces and in the process kill half of the University population just to revenge their own deaths. An eye for an eye so to speak.” Anthony sniffled a little as the images in his head once again plagued his thoughts it was terrible, all he could hear were desperate screams for help and the sound of snapping wood and splattering blood over and over again in his mind.

“Jesus, what are we going to do?” Josh whispered as he huddled into Dawson who was a pale as anything and was just staring at Anthony in total fear. He’d never been this scared in his entire life as he was now and all he wanted to do was hold Anthony as close as possible and make it all go away.

“Nothing it’s to late for them anyway but we have to relax and start to think straight. In about twenty four hours time the cops are going to get the guest list to who was invited to that party, consequently our names are going to be on it and already we’ve got a reputation working against us. Then slowly they’re going to realize that out of the 800 students being found they’re going to be eight students missing which is kind of suspicious don’t you think. Then when they find out that it’s us that are missing mysteriously we’re right royally screwed because how do we explain that we knew something bad was going to happen but that we had nothing to do with it?” Alex’s voice trailed off a little as everyone tried to grasp the enormity of the situation that was growing around them.

“Shit.” Anthony breathed softly as he stared up at Alex’s face that was blank and expressionless but her eyes told him much more. He’d never seen her so scared and the depth of the fear that was being told to him by her eyes was a sure indication that even Alex couldn’t fix this major problem. There was a deadly silence as everyone stared at one another slowly trying to calm themselves in an effort to come up with a solution to their major problem.

“Look, let’s just get something to eat and try and get some sleep, no ones going to be coming even within a mile of this place with the knowledge of what’s just been done, so we’re kind of safe.” Alex sighed she had to get them to relax a little so they could all come up with a collective plan to get themselves out of this shit.

“Yeah she’s right, whose up for some free milkshakes and hot chips.” Craig winked at Alex taking her hint that she need time to comprehend it all herself before making decisions. Everyone relaxed a little as Craig, Alan and Jason got up to make them some food.

“I’ll see if I can score some pillows and blankets from around the place.” Jake smiled at Dawson and Josh who nodded understandingly before getting up to go with him. Alex sighed maybe she’d got them into more trouble than they’d all bargained for by saving their s shs she’d condemned them all to years of trials and inquests into why and how they survived and half the campus population was killed.

“Do you want to talk now?” Anthony breathed softly into Alex’s neck so that Craig couldn’t’ see what he was saying, after all Craig didn’t trust him any more so he might as well not trust him either. Alex smiled and nodded looking around to see where everyone was in the building.

“Yeah, but not here. Come with me, we’ll go back to the roof.” Anthony nodded and smiled as she took hold of his hand helping him up from the seat and walking closely at his side towards the exit of the cafeteria.

“Where are you two going?” Anthony rolled his eyes as he glanced up at Alex who just swallowed hard and sighed heavily. She really didn’t look like she need and inquest from Craig at the moment so Anthony turned around a little to smile at Craig behind the counter.

“To hang a piss, where else would we be going?” Alex smiled a little as Anthony lied again, he was good a bullshitting and seemed to be getting a le ble better. Craig huffed a little laugh and shook his head in repute staring at Alex and Anthony on the other side of the room.

“Okay pull the other one, it’s not like she needs you to hold her hand.” Craig laughed back as Jason and Alan looked at Alex and Anthony a little questioningly. They too had noticed the fact that Anthony had Alex’s hand firmly tucked in his. It was strange because Alex just wasn’t that type of female to go getting all soppy and romantic.

“Who said I was holding her hand maybe I want her to hold mine.” Anthony raised an eyebrow at them smugly before huffing a li lau laugh and mumbling to Alex under his breath. “Among other things.” Alex tried to cover her laugh after realising what Anthony had just implied. Anthony smiled as Alex hit him on the shoulder playfully as they turned around to continue on their path. Anthony sighed heavily as he checked out Alex’s arse as they began up the stairs towards the roof of the gallery, smiling wickedly to himself. She’d changed so dramatically from when he’d first met her and now she was just waiting to be plucked by his gentle hand. Tonight was going to be extremely wonderful, and he laughed to himself wickedly.

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