Katy stood frozen at the counter, the small card with Jamie's address and party details feeling impossibly heavy in her hand. The scent of him, faint but undeniably alluring, seemed to linger in the quiet library air. A party. At his house. The mere idea sent a jolt of nervous energy through her.
The ding of the front door broke her daze. Mrs. Grimes bustled in, a familiar, comforting sight. Mrs. Grimes always came in on Fridays to use the computers.
"Hi, Mrs. Grimes," Katy said, forcing a smile onto her face as she tucked the card into her pocket. "How are you today?"
Mrs. Grimes beamed. "Doing well, my dear, doing well!" she chirped, making her way towards the computer stations.
The rest of the day crawled by, a blur of mundane library tasks. There were the usual computer problems, baffling fee disputes, and the lights even started flickering sporadically from the lingering effects of the mild wind. But beneath it all, the thoughts of the party buzzed, an insistent hum in the back of her mind. What would his brother be like? Was he just as mysterious as Jamie? And what on earth would she even wear?
As the clock on the wall crept towards 7 PM, signaling almost closing time, Katy knew she had to make up her mind fast.
The walk home felt longer than usual. She pulled the address card from her pocket, scrutinizing the street name. It was in a remote area, tucked away from the main part of Haven wood. A shiver traced its way down her spine. If they were serial killers, no one would even hear her scream. The thought was irrational, a product of too many true-crime podcasts, but it clung to her. She sighed, pushing the dark thought away as she walked into her house.
The lights were off, confirming her father was out with his buddies, as he usually was on Fridays. Katy went straight upstairs to her room, collapsing onto her bed. Should I go? The debate raged in her head. It was stupid. Dangerous, even. But the pull of Jamie, the intrigue he represented, was too strong to ignore.
Finally, a decision solidified. She would go. And if worse came to worse, she would run like the wind out of there. A big gulp, her hands shaking slightly, she walked towards her closet.
"Ugh, all my clothes are old woman comfort," she thought, rifling through hangers. Then, at the very back, almost forgotten, her fingers brushed against a smooth, slinky fabric. It was a short silver dress with the sides cut out, a daring purchase she'd bought on a whim and stashed away for a 'rainy day' like this. And the black pumps to match were still in their box on the floor.
"Yes!" she whispered, a surge of adrenaline mixing with nervous excitement. She pulled out the dress, feeling its cool weight. She styled her hair in a simple updo, then applied eyeliner, mascara, and a touch of eyeshadow. She looked in the mirror, running her hands down the curve of the dress, admiring the unexpected transformation. "Wow," she thought, a genuine grin spreading across her face. "I look so hot."
Katy stared at her reflection, a stranger in silver and black pumps. The low neckline and daring cutouts were a far cry from her usual comfortable librarian attire, but tonight wasn't about comfort. It was about facing the unknown, about Jamie, about the unsettling pull he exerted. She looked at the time: 8:30 PM. Her stomach fluttered with a mix of nerves and defiant excitement. She let out a deep breath, grabbed her small purse, and headed out the door.
The night was cool and quiet, the stars a distant sprinkle against the dark sky. As Katy followed the directions Jamie had given her, the houses thinned out, the streetlights became sparse, and the familiar sounds of town faded into the rustle of leaves. When she finally arrived at the address, a knot tightened in her stomach. The house was larger than she expected, tucked away from the road, partially obscured by towering trees. More alarmingly, the driveway was empty. No cars, no signs of a "small party."
"Did I even have the right house?" she mumbled to herself, a fresh wave of doubt washing over her. She continued walking up the path, deciding it couldn't hurt to knock and see who answered. As she drew closer, the silence was profound, the kind that made the hairs on her arms stand on end. It was super quiet, not the typical hum of a party. She froze just before knocking, trying to find the courage. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drum against the sudden stillness.
Finally, she lifted her hand and rapped lightly on the heavy wooden door. It swung open almost immediately.
A man stood in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered. His dark hair, intense golden eyes, and the intriguing tattoos peeking from under his shirt were instantly familiar. Too familiar. It was Jamie.
"Hi, Jamie," Katy said, her voice a little breathless, a hesitant smile gracing her lips. "I decided to come."
The man in the doorway returned her gaze, his own golden eyes holding a sharper, more knowing glint than Jamie's. A slow, almost predatory smile spread across his face. "You must be Katy. I'm actually Jamie's twin brother, Jayden."
Katy's mouth opened slightly, her mind reeling. "WHAT? HE HAS A TWIN?" The words were silent, screaming in her head. They looked exactly the same, twin reflections of raw, untamed masculinity. Even the tattoos on their arms mirrored each other, swirling symbols with the same mysterious vibe. And those eyes – the same beautiful, golden hue that had captivated her just yesterday.
Jayden stepped to the side, a gesture inviting her in. "Come on in," he said, his voice a low rumble that echoed Jamie's.
Katy hesitated, her internal alarm bells ringing louder than ever. Two of them. And no party. The silence behind Jayden was almost deafening. But something, perhaps a foolish courage or the undeniable pull of curiosity, made her take that step. She walked past the threshold, into the unknown.
This was no party. The vast living space she found herself in was starkly modern, all clean lines and muted tones, utterly devoid of the usual clutter and noise that hinted at a gathering. There were no pulsating lights, no thumping music, no murmur of voices. Just her, and now, Jayden. A chilling realization washed over her: it was just the three of them.
Before she could process the unsettling quiet, Jamie appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, walking into the living room from a hallway deeper in the house. A broad, genuine smile lit his face, making her stomach flutter despite the situation.
"Katy, you made it!" he said, his voice warm and welcoming, seemingly oblivious to her burgeoning anxiety.
"Umm, yeah," Katy managed, forcing a smile back. "I decided to come. After having a long week, a party was needed," she offered, clinging to the flimsy excuse she'd rehearsed in her head.
Jayden, who had been observing her with a quiet intensity, finally spoke. "Well, why don't you make yourself at home in the living room here while we go and get us a drink?" He gestured towards a plush, grey sofa. With that, he turned, and Jamie, after offering Katy one last reassuring smile, followed his twin, disappearing into the kitchen.
Katy was left standing alone in the silent, imposing living room. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound. Her gaze swept around the spacious, kept room, confirming there was truly no sign of a party. Just the sleek furniture, a large, unlit fireplace, and a chilling sense of isolation.