Chapter 5 Escaping to the frat party

The dimly lit room echoed with the rhythmic clang of metal against iron.

Cassie's eyes darted to the door, her resolve unwavering. Her job was to keep anyone from coming to their room out, while Katherine got down to the dirty work. Katherine, sweat-soaked and determined, worked tirelessly. Each cut, each twist of the iron bar only pushed her to removing the iron bars.

"Almost done..." Katherine grunted, muscles straining. The last shard of metal yielded, and she hurled the saw aside. Her breaths came in ragged bursts, but her spirit blazed. She wiped her brow with the tattered sleeve of her shirt, smearing grime across her skin. Standing back, she admired her work.

Finally, she leaped down from the makeshift stool, landing with a thud. "All done," she declared, her voice echoing through the damp chamber. Cassie approached, eyes wide with anticipation. Together, they surveyed the gap-the opening that would lead them out of the foster home and straight to the frat party.

Their laughter echoed through the room as the high fived each other. Gathering the saw and discarded iron, Kathy sidestepped Cassie and smiled over her shoulders, "I'll go and get ready, it's almost time...one hour to go" With that she left and with a snicker on her face she said, "Plus an hour more for you lovely"

***

Humming sweetly to herself, Cassie pulled the twin towel from the rack and wrapped her dripping hair in and the other one around her body right after admiring herself.

She slipped on the ring and raised her hand to the overhead light and smiled as it glistened from the light, she smiled but it was quickly wiped of as she caught movement from the corners of her eyes.

Turning around to face the mirror, something was truly wrong with her reflection. It wasn't her! the person in front of her was clad in a pitch dark dress which has black borders, with the sides bare revealing satin white skin, wings as dark as night, carrying a mantle of night. Slowly taking her in, Cassie gasped, the person looked just like her but more prettier, lips painted in black with a dark mist in her wake. The look in her eyes held alot if emotions. One minute she was there , the next Cassie was staring at her pale blood drained face in the mirror.

Terror racked her body as she rushed into her bedroom and sat on her bed cradling her face in her palms.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST SEE?" She whispered silently to herself. Why did she look so damn familiar?

"Isn't she the same person?....." She trailed off as she heard a knock on her door. Composing herself quickly, she stood up and checked the peephole before opening.

***

Amidst the moon's silvery glow, Kathy and Cassie clung to the window ledge, their breaths shallow. Below them, the courtyard lay still, but they dared not underestimate Mother Rosita-the formidable mother superior who ruled their lives within the foster home. Always cranky!

Kathy's fingers trembled as she peered back into the room. The dim light revealed the crucifix on the wall, casting shadows that seemed to whisper warnings. Cassie's eyes met hers, determination etched into her features. They had to time this perfectly.

"Wait," Kathy mouthed, her heart pounding. She strained her ears, listening for the telltale creak of Mother Rosita's footsteps. The woman's presence was as pervasive as the incense that lingered in the chapel.

And then, there it was-the faint rustle of fabric. Mother Rosita approached, her rosary beads clicking rhythmically. Kathy's pulse raced. She had to make a split-second decision.

With a silent nod, Kathy let go, her body dropping through the window. Cassie followed, agile and fearless. The grass cushioned their landing, but the risk remained-their escape hinged on evading the vigilant gaze of their mother superior.

As they sprinted toward the frat house, Kathy glanced back. Mother Rosita stood at the window, her eyes narrowing. Had she seen them? Kathy couldn't be sure. But the thrill of rebellion surged within her, but she couldn't care less. She had a mission to complete tonight and it couldn't be prolonged. She glanced and a thrilled Cassie and sighed as her hand tightened around Kathy's. They were in this together. The frat party awaited-a clandestine celebration of defiance, sisterhood and mostly brotherhoods, and though they'll be alot of drinking and indecent acts. Cassie couldn't care less, she had to leave even though it's for a night. Change won't create any problems right?

As Cassie and Kathy stepped in, the loud blaring music and alcohol stench hit her nose unexpectedly and she felt her stomach lurch. Kathy whispered to her and smiled as she left her at the mercy of anyone.

Cassie slipped away from the crowd, seeking refuge in a dimly lit corner of the frat house. The music still pulsed through the walls, but here, it was muffled-a distant heartbeat. She leaned against the peeling wallpaper, her red Solo cup forgotten in her hand.

The room blurred around her. Neon lights cast flickering shadows, and the air smelled of sweat and spilled beer. Cassie wondered how she'd ended up here-dragged to a frat party by Kathy, her wild roommate.

"Things must go as planned tonight," Kathy had mouthed over her shoulder with a smirk that she couldn't mistake that made Cassie's stomach churn. What plan? What game was Kathy playing? Or did I mistake what she said? Cassie thought to herself as she slipped her mamito. After all, she was her best friend and wouldn't want to hurt her.

She watched the crowd-the strangers dancing, laughing, losing themselves in the rhythm. Cassie wasn't like them. She preferred quiet nights, books, and introspection. But Kathy had insisted, and Cassie had followed, hoping for a taste of adventure. And now look what she had gotten herself into. Unconsciously, she faced palmed herself.

Not until the music dies down and a glass dropped and chattered on the marble floor grabbing everyone's attention to the entrance.