She turned immediately and a shiver ran down his spine. She was obviously older than he was, but by how much he couldn�t tell. She seemed to be in her early 30s or late 20s. Her hair was jet black, and her eyes a cool gray. She had a slender waist and her facial features appeared to be perfect. Her hair was fixed in the latest fashion and her black dress, accented by blue and purple butterflies, must have been expensive. He tried to push away the creepy feeling. She was just his height and she stared strait into his eyes, a smile spreading across her face . . . and Duo drew back a step, the forbidding feeling growing stronger despite his efforts. �It looked like you were having some problems.� He began, for once a little uncertain, �Anything I can do to help?�
�Yes, as a matter of fact, you can help me, Duo.� She laughed as the look of recognition dawned on his face. It was her, that was her voice.
He stood frozen as he stared at her, finally able to put a face to the voice he knew so well. After a long silence he narrowed his eyes at her. �No, I don�t think I can. I have a party to get to.� He turned to go but was stopped as a perfectly manicured hand fell on his shoulder and he jumped at the feeling of cold fear he felt from her touch.
She raised an eyebrow at him as he turned to face her and one corner of her mouth turned up in a mocking smile. �As do I. Only I seem to have lost my invitation. Surely such a gallant young gentleman would be so kind as to help me get in.�
He took a deep breath and spoke through his teeth, �And if I say no?�
Her eyes narrowed for a moment in anger. �I would be very angry. Do you really want to make me angry?� She smiled once again, this time it almost seemed a sneer.
Nearby there was the sound of a little girl�s laughter. Duo stared in disbelief across the street where a little girl with curly brown hair and violet eyes was smiling back at him. With a blink and a shake of his head she was gone and he clenched his fist, turning back to the woman again and speaking forcefully, �Stop it.�
She offered her arm and turned her gaze down the street. �Are you ready to go to the party or not?�
For a moment he gazed at her with a look of intense hatred, but he ground his teeth together and grudgingly put his arm through hers. 'Well this'll certainly be one hell of a party,' he thought to himself, 'Hell anyway.'