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To Live Again Chapter 6 - Halloween Hijinx by Fair Drea “So um…what exactly is a haunted house?” Aiden asked, as she stood with Gohan, Goten and Trunks in a long line of costumed people who were loudly taking up most of the entryway of the large, plantation style house. Music from various horror movies played from speakers mounted in the four corners of the sparsely lit room and people dressed as freakish ghouls patrolled the crowd, every now and then scaring unsuspecting individuals. “It’s what it says it is, sis,” Trunks said. “The entire purpose of these things is to scare people. None of it’s real but if you allow yourself to get scared that’s what makes it fun.” “Yeah,” Goten added, then lowering his voice said, “and no blowing people up…Trunks.” “Hey! If that guy hadn’t been in my face I wouldn’t have tried it!” Laughing at her brother’s indignant response, Aiden risked a sideways glance at Gohan. She couldn’t believe how amazing he looked or how confident for that matter. The very sight of him standing in the entrance without a shirt looking so sure of himself sent a wave of longing rippling through her, one that apparently was going to stay with her the entire evening. It hadn’t let up for one minute since the evening had begun. It was her companion in the car, at the restaurant, even here where they were crammed in a room full of people. And the fact that they were standing so close didn’t really help. She could only hope that a good scare would take her mind off of how badly she wanted Gohan. She had never dealt with urges like this and quite honestly…they terrified her. Not just because they were so raw and new but also because deep down they made her feel as if she were no better then her mother. Turning away with a sigh of despair Aiden came face to face with the most gruesome mask she had ever laid eyes on. It leered at her with its razor sharp teeth and it appeared that the skin was not only hanging but dripping from the jagged cheekbones and chin in slick folds. She released a startled yelp and fell back against Gohan. “Whoa! Sorry about that cutie!” the guy said, pulling the mask up and revealing a handsome face with light brown eyes and shaggy hair of the same color. “Didn’t mean to scare ya. We’re looking for a group of four to go in.” “We’re a group of four,” Goten spoke up. “Well then, follow me guys.” The young man held his arm out to Aiden and gave her a charming smile. “Would the lady care for an escort?” Aiden opened her mouth to politely decline his offer when a strong arm wrapped around her waist, startling her almost as much as the mask had. “She’s got an escort. Thanks though,” Gohan said beside her. The guy shrugged casually and turned away from them. “No problem. Right this way guys.” Exchanging shy smiles, Gohan and Aiden fell in behind their brothers, pushing their way through the laughing, rambling crowd. As they walked, the lights dimmed and a low cackle spilled from the speakers. Towards the back of the room a man screamed, saying in a theatrical voice that they were all going to die. Some laughed, others joined in the drama and started shrieking and moaning in terror. “Man I love working here,” their guide commented as they made it through the crowd and came to a stop in front of two tall oak doors. The masked guide knocked once, the sound echoing in the room beyond and then he took a step back. With a low groaning creak of protest the doors swung open, pushed by two men dressed as hideous trolls with hair sprouting out from every possible crevice and large shackles bound to their wrist, chaining them to the heavy oak doors. “Alright guys, there you go.” The brown haired man gave a dramatic sweep of his arm, motioning for them to enter. “Have a blast and whatever you do…don’t get lost.” Pulling his mask back on, he disappeared into the crowd and the doors closed, shutting the four demi-Saiyan’s off from the group of people waiting to get in. “Well, this is great. Now we can get to the party earlier,” Trunks said, turning to study the large, dark foyer. The floor was a massive checkerboard of white and black marble, aged portraits of stuffy matrons lined the walls and before them, gracefully curving back and forth was a large staircase leading up to another set of smaller doors. The words “enter if you dare” were scrawled in “blood” above them. “We lucked out,” Goten agreed as he started for the stairs, unbuttoning the coat that was hiding his entire costume, or lack there of, from view. “We could have been waiting all night like some of those sorry saps are going to.” Staring at the cryptic greeting above the doors Aiden felt a tiny shiver of apprehension race down her spine. She was starting to think she’d rather be one of those saps waiting all night. This place gave her the creeps and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced up at one of the portraits as they passed and stifled a yelp. The eyes were following her! “You said the whole purpose of a place like this is to scare people right?” she asked Trunks, climbing the stairs behind him. “Yup.” He threw her a knowing grin over his shoulder. “Scared already, huh?” “A little.” When they came to the door it opened automatically, creaking on rusted hinges. A long pitch-black corridor greeted them on the other side. At the end of it was an open doorway spilling forth a minimal amount of mossy green light and fog into the darkness. “This place was rated number one out of all the haunted houses in the area. Legend says it was cursed even before it was bought up and turned into one. The owners of the house claim they knew the entire time. It was the basis of the house’s appeal,” Goten rattled off as he stared straight ahead into the darkness like a crazed zombie. Rolling his eyes at his friend’s unnecessary melodrama, Trunks gave him a slight shove through the doorway and into the hall. “You’re such a drama queen.” The two disappeared into the darkness. Watching them uncertainly, Aiden stood next to Gohan wanting nothing more than to turn and go back the way she had came. There was nothing at all comforting about that green light. But instead of turning tail she reached out and took Gohan’s hand. “In case I get scared,” she explained in a whisper when she felt his surprised gaze upon her. The doors closed with an ominous thud, throwing them into complete obscurity and hiding Gohan’s pleased smile from Aiden. “I’ll keep you safe. Promise.” “Hey are you two coming or what?” Trunks yelled somewhere ahead of them. Gohan tugged gently on Aiden’s hand. “Come on,” he coaxed, leading her down the long hallway. The first room they came to was narrow and lit by dull green lights hidden above a cornice that lined the wall close to the ceiling. The room, very narrow for the most part, was painted black from ceiling to floor. The only thing not painted was a wide picture window that took up the left wall and looked into another room filled with fog where a short girl in a tattered white dress paced restlessly. The light was only slightly brighter in her room, allowing them a good view of the painted bags beneath haunted eyes set in a pale, skinny face. “Do you thinks she was actually required to be sick to get this job?” Trunks asked, causing Goten to snicker. The sound drew the girl’s attention and her pacing slowed, eventually stopping all together. Ever so slowly she turned to face them. With her head cocked curiously she approached the glass, her with dress floating around her frail form, her deep brown eyes focused on Trunks. With a cocky smirk Trunks stepped up to the glass. “Hey there sexy. What do you say you ditch this place and come party with me tonight, huh?” She replied with a shy smile, lifting her hand and placing it on the glass. Mockingly copying her movements, Trunks did the same, placing his hand across from hers. “I get it. You’re the crazy lady who was raised in the wild, right?” No reply. “Okay then,” Trunks continued, drawing another bought of amused chuckles from Goten. “Come out with us.” “Trunks, what are you doing?” Aiden asked, watching the girl warily. She had a bad feeling about this. The kind that sat like an uneasy lump in your stomach, leisurely spreading a clammy chill through your body. The younger Saiyan turned and gave his sister a smile. “Relax Aiden. I’m just playing around.” He looked back at the ghost like girl. “So what do you say pale and beautiful? You comin’?” The girl’s smile deepened as she raised her other hand. Clutched in the long, bony fingers was a blood stained cleaver. Trunks laughed at the sight. “Sure honey,” he drawled, “you can bring your knife.” A look of pure, uninhibited evil flashed across the girls face and she quickly ducked down, disappearing from view. “What the hell…” Trunks muttered, the smile vanishing from his face as he leaned forward, trying to see below the window ledge. Goten joined him, pressing his face and hands against the cool glass. “Dude, what did you do?” “I didn’t do anything Goten.” “Maybe that pale comment offended her,” Aiden suggested, also moving to the window and looking through it. “Where did she go anyway? I don’t see her anywhere in there.” Trunks shrugged, a look of uneasiness tugging at his features. “I dunno. One minute she was there and the next-.” His voice died off as the sound of raspy breathing permeated the air. “Goten, quit breathing so damn loud,” he whispered irritably. Goten gave his friend a startled look. “Me? I thought that was you!” he whispered. “Hello,” a raspy voice said behind them. All four of them whipped around coming face to face with the girl who had been just seconds ago, on the other side of the glass. Her lips drew back in a hideous sneer and she hissed, drawing her blade up high over her head. “Holy shit!” Trunks yelped as she brought the cleaver down quickly, missing him by a mere inch. “This chick is nuts!” Seeing the look of anger flare to life in Trunks’ eyes, Goten laughed and pushed him out of the room just as the girl lunged at them again, releasing an outraged shriek. “You’re supposed to let yourself get scared, remember!?” he yelped, glancing back to make sure Aiden and Gohan were following. The two were laughing as they made their narrow escape hand in hand, ducking under the upraised arm of the howling banshee psychopath. “Scared yes. But I didn’t say anything about letting some psycho take a swing at me!” Trunks argued as they came to the entrance of the next room. This time blue light spilled out from the open doorway and pained moaning could be heard within. “Oh relax Trunks,” Aiden said, breezing past him and fearlessly walking into the next room, “the knife wasn’t even real.” The rest of the house took them a little under and hour to get through and was worth every minute. Each room was far freakier then the one before it and props used grew more and more convincing. In one room, a museum of shrunken heads, Aiden had been seriously tempted to touch one of the tiny, leathery skulls with its coarse wiry hair to see if it was real…until the thing had come to life and tried to bite her. The experience was one they would not soon forget and the four friends could talk of nothing else as they spilled from the exit, laughing and talking excitedly. “Well guys, as awesome as that was…we’ve got a party to get to!” Trunks exclaimed. Goten pumped his fist in the air. “Hell yeah! Let’s go see if these fakes really work.” Fifteen minutes later they pulled up to Buckner’s. Finding a parking spot took forever but finally they were able to make their way through the parking lot up to the entrance, where, thanks to Trunks’ status as a member of the Briefs family, they got in without having to wait in the long line that was building up on the sidewalk. The inside of the bar was a spectacle not to be missed. Glowing cobwebs hung suspended above the dance floor and bar, clinging to the scaffolding, running from the ceiling down the wall in the corners. A screen took up the east wall, displaying the movie “Halloween” for those interested in watching. Most people though were either on the dance floor or at the bar, which had also been decorated for the holiday. Skulls and pumpkin shaped bowls lined the bar top and black and orange streamers hung in arching half circles from the ledge. Behind the bar Batman, Cat woman and Robin were serving up drinks to outrageously dressed customers. “This is amazing!” Aiden yelled over the music, smiling widely as she tried to look everywhere at once. Smiling at her enthusiasm, Gohan gently took her arm and led her through the costumed crowd to a table Goten and Trunks had managed to snag. Several guys stared at Aiden as she passed and Gohan couldn’t help but feel a little smug. She was there with him not them. “And you didn’t think we’d get in,” Goten said, shooting his brother a victorious smirk. Gohan shrugged, choosing not to make any kind of remark. He didn’t exactly agree with what his brother and Trunks were doing but that didn’t mean he was about to get them kicked out. The two were the wildest, most fun guys he knew when they were teamed up together. “So what do we want?” Trunks asked while attempting to flag down a waitress. The music died down and the crowd on the dance floor turned their attention to the stage where a man dressed as Dr. Frankfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show now stood holding a microphone. “Evening kiddies,” he announced, pulling an uncanny impression of his character. “Glad to see you could all show up for my party.” The crowd cheered wildly and the guy grinned. “Is everyone having a good time?” he asked. Another round of applause from the audience. “Well, that’s good to hear. I wish I could say the same for myself.” The crowd released a sympathetic “aww” at this. “I was quivering with antici…pation…just thinking about tonight and I completely forgot to eat. But no worries my dears. Daddy just found supper,” he finished in a low throaty voice, zeroing his gaze in on poor, unsuspecting Trunks who still had his hand raised in the air for a waitress. The crowds wild cheering escalated to ear splitting as “Dr. Frankfurter” made his way off the stage, his indecently high heels clicking over the dance floor. When he reached the table Trunks was sitting at he propped his elbow on the Formica top and gave Trunks a look that could only be called seductive. “Can I…get you something to drink?” Trunks stared at the man half in shock, half in amusement. He had a strong urge to play along and see what kind of trouble he could get himself into. “Depends. You buying?” “Mmm…I’ll buy you as many as it takes to get you to come home with me tonight handsome.” “Sorry. He’s with me,” Goten suddenly spoke up, wrapping an arm around Trunks’ shoulder and joining in the fun. The stranger’s smile only grew. “Well, I never said I had a problem with taking both of you home.” Turning back to the crowd he made a dismissing motion with his hands. “Dance you freaks of nature.” With another loud cheer the music came on, blaring from the speakers and the people resumed dancing. “People are so easily amused. Hi, I’m Joey,” the stranger said, introducing himself to the group of four. “Hope you guys didn’t mind all of that.” Trunks laughed, pushing Goten’s arm off his shoulder. “No problem man. I didn’t actually think you wanted to take me home anyway.” Joey pulled up a stool. “Oh no. My boyfriend would kill me. Well,” he looked over Trunks and Goten with a critical eye, “then again he may have been eternally grateful. Did you guys need something to drink?” “Three beers and…” Trunks looked at Aiden expectantly. Still reeling from the little show their new friend had put on, it took Aiden a while to realize that everyone was waiting on her. “Oh! I’m sorry. I….well, I’ve never drank before,” she muttered, her face twisting in a disgruntled expression. Joey patted her arm sympathetically. “Well lucky for you that I’m here now. Who better to pick out a drink for such a stunning woman then a gay man, hmm?” He raised his hand in the air, snapped loudly and yelled, “Trix, get the hell over here!” A waitress with curly brown hair pilled up on her head and a toga game over, her green eyes alight. “What’s up Joey?” she asked. “My four friends here would like a drink. Three beers and a screaming orgasm please.” “You got it.” And with that she bounced off towards the bar. “It’s much easier to get them to listen when you’re the one taking care of their paychecks,” Joey said. “You guys need anything just let me know. And you honey,” he said, once more addressing Aiden, “look amazing. The look is totally you.” He cast a quick, slightly flirtatious glance at Trunks Gohan and Goten. “I don’t think you guys need me to tell you how hot you look. Later.” He left just as the waitress showed up with their drinks, setting them down at the table and happily accepting Trunks’ generous tip. “Well,” Gohan said, taking a long pull from his beer, “I can honestly say that’s the first time that’s ever happened.” “What, you’ve never been hit on by a gay guy before?” Trunks asked incredulously as if it were an every day occurrence for him. Gohan rolled his eyes. “You make it sound like a bad thing Trunks. And no I haven’t. Why does that surprise you?” He fixed the younger Saiyan with an amused, questioning look. “Do you think I’m hot, Trunks?” “Dude, shut up!” Trunks said, laughing as he picked an m & m out of the bowl in the center of the table and flicked it at Gohan. A new song blasted from the speakers and Goten perked up. “Aiden! Dance with me,” he demanded, getting up and walking around the table to where she sat. Giving her no chance to protest, he grabbed her hand and pulled her from the seat, dragging her out onto the crowded dance floor. Moving into Goten’s vacated seat, Trunks sat beside Gohan in silence, watching the couple on the lighted floor as he drank his beer. At first it took Aiden a while to loosen up. She glanced around her uncertainly, watching the other couples and then moved closer to Goten looking fearful. Fortunately Goten was a pro at getting people to drop their inhibitions and free their inner party animal. He wrapped his arm around Aiden’s waist and leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Words of encouragement, no doubt, Trunks thought. Sure enough Aiden’s moves because more fluid and sensual and a bright smile curved her lips. She allowed Goten to spin her in a half circle and draw her close, her back pressed to his chest, his arm circling her waist. “How the hell does he do that?” Gohan muttered. Sensing the note of jealousy, Trunks suppressed a grin as he glanced in askance at the dark haired Saiyan. “Do what?” he asked innocently. Gohan made a tired gesture towards Aiden and Goten. “That. All he had to do was say something and she’s…she-,” he stammered for the right words, “it’s like she…melted.” With a pained groan he dropped his head onto the table. Trunks chuckled. “Wish you could make her melt, huh?” Lifting his head Gohan stared longingly at the lovely lavender haired woman dancing with his brother. Why the hell was he still trying to deny what he felt for Aiden? He was pretty sure he was doing a terrible job of it anyway so what was the point? With a heavy sigh he nodded. “Yeah…I do.” Trunks waited a minute before he asked his next question, one they had all wanted to know the answer to. “What about Videl?” The older Saiyan’s gaze turned desolate and he hung his head in defeat. “I really don’t know Trunks,” he murmured. For the first time since he and Goten had come up with the idea of getting Aiden and Gohan together, Trunks started to feel really sorry for the guy. “Hey Gohan, listen…it’s not a bad thing if you like Aiden.” Gohan released a bark of humorless laughter. “It is when Videl’s talking marriage.” “Well…how deep do your feelings for Aiden go?” “Honestly?” “Yeah.” Turning his attention back to the dance floor Gohan smiled as he watched Aiden laugh at something his brother said. “Her,” he answered softly. “Videl has never made me feel the way Aiden does. I didn’t know it was possible to care for someone so deeply until I met her.” He shook his head and picked up his beer, finishing it off. “But who’s to say it would work out, right? I don’t even know if Aiden feel’s the same way.” A waitress, the one from earlier, stopped to take their empty bottles and replace them with fresh ones. After tipping her Trunks turned back to his friend. “Maybe you should find out,” he suggested. “Sure Trunks,” Gohan said sarcastically, “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” As if to answer his question the throbbing beat of the base died off, replaced by the long soft notes of a slow song. Trunks smiled, jerking his head in the direction of the dance floor. “Go cut in.” Weighing his options briefly of whether he should sit there doing nothing or act on his emotions, Gohan finally slid from the bar stool and made his way as confidently as possible over to Aiden and Goten. His brother was the first to see him. With a knowing grin he stepped aside. “She’s all yours man,” he said, walking off the dance floor. And then it was just Gohan and Aiden, smiling shyly at each other, wondering who was going to make the next move. “Hi,” Aiden said, deciding she had waited long enough. “Hey,” Gohan said back. “You want to dance?” Blushing charmingly she nodded. “I would like that.” Now to try and be as smooth as my brother, he thought as he carefully circled her tiny waist with his arm. Her fingertips brushed the back of his neck and he felt a shiver travel quickly down his spine. He suddenly forgot about being smooth, forgot about all of the reasons why he shouldn’t be there and just stared down into the liquid blue depths of Aiden’s eyes. Deep emotions stirred within him, emotions Videl nor any other woman had ever provoked in him before. He pulled her close, resting his cheek on her head as she laid her head on his chest. “Aiden,” he whispered, rousing the fine hairs at her temple. Trapped within his strong embrace Aiden sighed, letting herself be swept away by the romance of the moment. “Gohan, I’m scared,” she admitted in a hushed voice, feeling like some actress in an old cheesy romance movie. His hand moved up and down her back. Leaving a blazing trail of heat in its wake. “Why are you scared?” he asked. “Because this is so new to me. I’ve never felt things like this….like I’m feeling now and the only person I feel them around…is you. Why is that?” She pulled back and looked up at him, her brows drawn over her beautiful eyes in an adorable confused frown. “I wish I understood what it meant.” “I think I do,” Gohan said, smiling down at her. Her passionate confession and naivety had given him an enormous boost of confidence and had assured him that Aiden returned his feelings…even if she didn’t understand them. She could be his if he were just to ask it. But he wanted to be completely positive first. Slowly, knowing one sudden move might scare her, he lifted his hand, brushing his knuckles over her delicate jawbone and cupping her face in the palm of his hand. Using his thumb below the tip of her chin, he very gently tipped her head back. Then, watching her closely, seeing the passion cloud her eyes, he bent down and softly pressed his lips to hers. Aiden stiffened almost immediately at the intimate contact, remembering the last time a man had tried to kiss her. Stop it! Don’t think about that, her mind screamed. But as his lips brushed oh so softly over hers she didn’t need her mind to tell her what to do. His kiss alone erased the horrible memories, and with a sigh of complete surrender she did exactly what he wanted her to do. She melted. Her entire body hummed with pleasure. Fireworks exploded in her head, creating vivid burst of color. So this is what it felt like to be really, truly kissed. When his tongue ran along the seam of her lips she willingly opened, wanting to taste him, wanting more of what only he could offer her. After what seemed like several long blissful hours, they broke apart breathing heavily. “What did you feel?” Gohan asked once his heart rate had returned to normal. “Too many things to describe,” she responded breathlessly, a dreamy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Her expression suddenly turned serious, her blue eyes staring intently into Gohan’s onyx ones. “I really like you Gohan,” she admitted, now understanding what her emotions had been trying to tell her all along. The final threads of doubt gave with a final snap and he hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head. “I really like you too Aiden,” he said and though it slightly complicated matters, he couldn’t help feeling extremely content. Aiden was in his arms, something he had only dreamed of before, and there was no rush to figure out what he was supposed to do. He had until the end of next month to think things through, to form a relationship with Aiden and figure out what he was going to do about whatever was going on between him and Videl. Back at the table Goten and Trunks clicked their beer bottles together in a toast. “Those two made that almost too easy,” Goten commented, taking a long pull from his beer. Trunks nodded in agreement. “You have to put into consideration that they wanted to be together though. They just needed a little encouragement.” A new song came on, this one loud and upbeat and Goten elbowed Trunks. “Let's join them and find us some ladies.” “I’m with you man,” Trunks said, jumping from his bar stool and following Goten onto the floor. Later that night, after several consumed beverages and a wild night of fun and dancing the four showed up at the Briefs house well after two, laughing and covered in silly string. “I can’t believe you did a table dance for those girls Trunks!” Aiden cried as she climbed out of the jeep behind Gohan. “Really? Cuz I was having a hard time believing that none of them asked for my number,” Trunks retorted, faking a disgruntled look. Beside him Goten smirked, shoving his hands in his coat pockets and dragging in a bunch of silly string in the process. “And yet how many numbers did you get?” he asked his lavender haired friend. “Five…not including Joey’s.” They all shared a laugh at that, thinking about how much fun their new friend had turned out to be. Together Goten and Trunks could make parties happen faster then most…but with Joey it turned into something else all together. All of them had to admit that they had never had so much fun before. As they approached the front door Gohan slowed his steps, hanging back to watch Goten say his goodbyes to Trunks and Aiden. Leaning over, he gave Aiden a hug and at the same time quickly shook hands with Trunks. “I’ll see you guys later. And if you’re going to call wait until one because there’s no way in hell I’m going to wake up before then.” Waving, he took off into the dark, star studded sky and called out to his brother, “I’ll see ya at home Gohan!” “Yeah, I’m gonna head in,” Trunks said, quickly backing up towards the door. “I’m so tired. You guys have a great night.” He slipped inside, slamming the door behind him and once again leaving Aiden and Gohan alone. Around them the wind stirred, ruffling the leaves of the trees. Crickets chirped their lullaby and an owl hooted softly in the distance. The moon shone brightly on the couple below, bathing them in a blue glow as they stared at one another, small smiles curving their lips. Gohan approached the one step to the Briefs front porch where Aiden stood, covered in pink and green silly string. A twisted, multi colored strand hung over her sparkling eyes. “You’ve got some…” he murmured, letting the sentence die as he reached up and pulled aside the strand. “Aiden…would you go on a date with me sometime…without the two match makers?” Aiden laughed softly. “You noticed that too huh?” “Yeah. Hard not to. But their intentions were good.” He leaned closer, wrapping an arm low around her waist. She swayed towards him, her eyelids drooping slightly. “So what do you say? Will you?” She nodded. “Yes Gohan. I would love to go on a date with you sometime. But-” “But?”*b Laying her hand on his chest, she slowly slid it up over his shoulder and into the short hairs at the nape of his neck. “But…you have to kiss me again.”*b “Oh, I fully intended on doing that,” he murmured with an indulgent grin. *b Having one step between them put them level with one another so instead of having to raise up on her tip toes all Aiden had to do was let herself fall forward into Gohan’s waiting embrace. Under the star filled sky they kissed slowly, refusing to be rushed, arms entwined, bodies pressed together. And when it was over Gohan reluctantly released her, whispered a goodnight and took off for home. Aiden watched him go, her heart still racing. Only after he had become a small dark spot in the inky blue sky did she turn away and go inside, intent on seeing him again very soon in her dreams. *~*~*~* When Aiden awoke the next morning she felt better then she ever had before in her life. She grabbed a pillow from the massive stack behind her and hugged it to her chest. Oh I can’t believe all of that actually happened, she thought, remembering the previous night. And to me! I never saw that one coming! With an uncharacteristic squeal she vaulted out of bed and quickly dressed. The smile never left her face as she walked down stairs and into the kitchen where her family was gathered around the table. “Good morning everyone,” she sang. No one replied. They only watched her with somber faces, waiting for the moment when she would realize something wasn’t right. “Hey, what’s up….is everyone okay?” she asked, turning to look at them as she reached into the cupboard for a bowl. Her hand stilled in mid air and finally she felt the tension. “What’s going on?” Bulma cast a look at her husband and son and then, with a shuddering sigh she raised woeful eyes to her stepdaughter. “Aiden…I…I’m sorry to tell you this…but...” She shook her head unable to go on. Moving aside, Bulma pushed the paper she had been reading to the corner of the table where Aiden could easily see it and pointed to an article. Aiden moved forward uncertainly, dropping her gaze to the article and reading. Mistress of Local Drug Lord Found Dead In Alley Thursday night at approximately 11:34 p.m. an unidentified body was found in the alley behind Vincino’s restaurant. There were no signs of struggle and no outward wounds to indicate whether the woman had been murdered. Several eyewitnesses identified the woman as the mistress of a local drug lord that the police have been searching for. Tony Bendral, wanted for attempted robbery as well as murder and possession of illegal substances, was released on probation in January and now currently has a warrant out for his arrest. Any information leading to his whereabouts would be helpful and much appreciated. As for the woman, one who may have proven to be the key in finding Tony Bendral, autopsies show that she died of a cocaine overdose. The body was identified as that of Bernadette Andrews. No family has been found or notified as of yet but friends say she did have a daughter who has been missing for several weeks. Police have filed a missing persons report but are hoping that the daughter is in good hands. [ Previous | Next Chapter ] |