Chapter 6 ANONYMITY

Someone once said that camouflage is the power of anonymity.

As I look down at myself, I realize that statement can't be any truer. I pull on the red miniskirt, but that is an exercise in futility. After a few seconds of toying with it, the reality strikes me in the face. It's not going lower than my mid-thigh.

Too much skin on show tonight, but Alicia had been adamant I wear the super girl outfit. If there is a stronger word than adamant, I'd probably use it. No one. I mean, no one would guess it's me behind the spandex clothes and exaggerated mask.

She showed me an ointment she said was meant to mask my scent. When I asked where she got it from, her reply was vague, so I let it drop. I get it. Keep your secrets close to your chest and all that jazz. However, I will definitely revisit the topic at another day.

It took a while for me to be convinced to use it, but I eventually caved, seeing as some of our pack members might be at the party. Besides, I don't want word getting back to father that his daughter, future Luna of the Crimson Blood Pack, is at a party sowing her wild oats.

Goddess forbid.

So I'd spread the ointment liberally all over my body to mask my scent, and I'm literally a stranger amongst every other person. The taxi lurches to a halt in front of a huge, brown, two-story building situated by lush greenery. I'm immediately drawn to the meticulously manicured lawn on which sits vibrant flowers and tall trees. The house exudes an aura of tranquility and charm drawing me in like moth to a flame.

Alicia, looking pretty in her super woman outfit, turns to me with a coy smile. "Its time to flaunt that outfit you've got on."

"I don't know why I agreed to wear this. I mean, I'm not twelve anymore," I say feeling self conscious.

She pays the fare and as we come down from the taxi, splays her hands in the air and stretches. "No, but you're still gonna knock 'em dead."

I roll my eyes but fall into step beside her as we make our way up the long pathway that leads to the house. As we get close, I look left and right, but I don't see the usual telltale sign of a party going on. Where are the cars? Why can't I hear the loud sound of ear-splitting music?

And where on earth are the people spilling out in a drunken stupor from the doorway, while clutching each other? Let's not forget about the lovey-dovey couples supposed to be hanging under the trees, sucking each other's faces?

At least that's what I see party goers doing on TV. So, where is everyone?

I turn to Alicia who's already almost at the door. "Are you sure we're in the right place?"

"Baaabe," She turns to me and I see a flash of cleavage as she strikes the pose. The one that makes her head tilt to the side and pushes out her chest to make them look more prominent. And then there's the hip jutting. "Have I ever failed you before?"

Right now, super woman looks more like slutty woman.

She doesn't wait for my reply, but turns round, grabs the door handle and pushes. It opens inside, and that's when I hear it. The thump-thump vibration radiating from the floor and all around. It's in the very air. Alicia looks back at me, an excited gleam in her eyes.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't a party supposed to have people in it? Where is everyone? A man suddenly appears in front of us. His stealth catches me by surprise. Judging by the tense way Alicia's holding herself, I'm betting it's taken her by surprise as well.

"If you will follow me." His gravelly voice is fraught with something ominous as he points a hand in a direction in front of us.

Alicia looks back at me and I shrug. The man is fast, but we're both fast too. I may not have a wolf but I try to keep up when the need arises, like now. We pass a sitting room and all I catch is a glimpse of plush furniture in vivid red and yellow tones, and then we're moving. . . actually, tearing past. Many doors we pass but does the man stop? No.

And then there are more beautiful-looking sitting rooms. All in bright colours, all tastefully furnished. I count about six that we wheeze past. There's got to be a law against having so many living rooms.

There's something else taking root in my mind. A growing suspicion. We've walked for probably five minutes and the man is yet to make a stop at wherever the invisible party is.

Are we being kidnapped?

It always starts off with a cheery smile from one's captors. Alright, I know he didn't smile at us, it was more of a leer, still, you've got to understand my reason for the paranoia.

He stops suddenly in front of a dark entrance and turns around to look at me. This is it. I'm so cooked. Alicia, who has been lagging behind, catches up beside me and bends at the knee. She takes three deep breaths before standing straight.

"Wait! Are we going down there?" Her long red fingernails look like they've been dipped in blood under the dim lighting as she points toward the dark entrance.

Without turning around, the man turns on a switch, bathing the entrance in light. That's when I see it. Several steps descending into the abyss below. I watch as the man watches me. I try to get a read on him but lately, I've been feeling off.

"You want to attend the party, it's down there." His gravely voice gives me chills.

I look at Alicia, who giggles nervously before nodding. "Yeah, okay, we'll go down."

I feel my eyes going big as I stare at her. If we're in trouble, she can easily turn into a wolf and hightail it out of here. I can't. I'm the one who'll be stuck here. I shake my head but she's already moving past me. I watch in rising horror as she follows the man down the flight of stairs leading goddess knows where.

I'm stuck. What do I do? Stay, or. . .?

But even as the thought of running feels me with peace, I know I can't do it. I can't leave Alicia here. That is the highest form of betrayal. If something happens to her, I'll never live it down.

Reluctantly, I follow her, even though the more steps I take downwards, the dimmer it gets. Something happens the moment I get to the middle of the stairs. There's a boom-boom noise reverberating from beneath my feet. It's coming from the wooden floor boards.

Alicia looks behind me and even in the dimness, I can see her pearly whites. She giggles and quickens her steps further down. I silently groan and follow her at a slower pace. At this level, I can't see the man but I know he's waiting below. The thump-thump increases, the further I go, and I'm wondering what it's all about.

As I get to the last stair, I see the man waiting for us in front of a door. He opens it as we catch up, and my mouth falls open. Strobe lights - green, and red, criss-cross around, lighting up everywhere and everyone.

The loud beat of music is deafening. People throng around in pairs, some glued to each other dancing, others standing and talking while holding glasses with liquid inside. Strobe lights coat their faces and bodies eerily as it bounces around. Sounds of chatter, music, and laughter echo everywhere. The best part - they're all in different costumes.

Snow White walks past me with a red apple which she's eating. Her partner is dressed as Jack the Ripper. I spot Barbie, dressed all in pink, complete with pink hair. Her partner is Superman with a cape at his back and an S on his chest.

Someone grabs my hand, removing me from the daze I've fallen under. "Now the fun begins." Alicia whisper-shouts in my ear.

Without any warning, she lets go of my hand and disappears into the crowd, leaving me all alone. I feel like a deer caught in the headlights of an incoming car. Panic races through me.

I don't know anyone here. What am I supposed to do?

Someone bumps into me and cool liquid sloshes onto my shoulder.

A hand lands on my arm and turns me around. I'm face to face with green lantern. Green-glazed eyes stare at me. He focuses his gaze on me which is difficult because clearly - he's drunk. I wait patiently for it to click. It's not like I'm going anywhere soon anyway. I know the moment it does. His eyes light up and his mouth opens in a wide smile. "Supergirl, it's nice to meet you. Come, come, let me introduce you to the DC superhero's. You'll love them."

And just like that, I allow him shepherd me away to a corner of the vast room.

He wasn't lying.

There's Batman, Aquaman, Green arrow, Wonder Woman, Cyburg. The list goes on. Superhero's I never even even knew existed. They're all here in their glory. Soon, the tension and awkwardness slips away from me. A drink is placed in my hand and I find myself swaying to the music streaming from the invisible speakers.

To think I was scared of being kidnapped. I silently laugh to myself.

One of them asks to dance with me. I readily agree. It's Thriller playing after all - my favorite song. We move to the middle of the dance floor where we keep getting squashed by other equally eager dancers strutting their stuff.

"Guess who I am," the guy I'm dancing with, says into my ear.

I rear back and take a look at him as best as I can in the dim lighting. His costume is red, with slashes of white at the collar. Nothing comes to me so I shake my head.

"It's beast boy!" He shouts, pumping his hand in the air and looking happy like he just won a lottery.

Yeah, never heard of him.

The guy must see the flat look on my face because his initial excitement fizzles out and he abruptly turns around and gets swallowed up by the crowd.

"JERK!" I shout. Of course, it gets swallowed up by the music.

That's when I feel it. A pressure at the base of my neck. Almost like a budding headache, but different, and so much more. I've had one too many drinks, but that's not it. I've felt this way before, right before something bad happened.

Unfortunately, I was clear headed them. Now, I'm all muddled up from alcohol. I look around wildly, trying to ascertain the cause of my feelings but everyone is doing what they're supposed to do - having fun.

In other words, nothing is out of place. But the feeling only intensifies. I move away from the dance floor and begin walking in the direction of where I think the toilets are. Removing myself from this crowd just might be the answer.

The problem is that I'm sloshed. Too sloshed. For a short while, I struggle against the tide of people as I try to get in the direction of the toilet. It's hard but I eventually manage to sway towards it. By the time I get there, the top of my costume is wet from people's spilt drinks.

I look down at myself and laugh. The moment I look up, the smile bleeds from my face. In front of me stands Beast boy. His eyes glow an eerie purple. His whole body holds a tension that is palpable and scary.

What makes it worse is that his attention is fixed solidly on me.