“I love you,” he whispered into her golden hair. She looked up at him, and when she caught his eye, smiled. He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Under the banner proclaiming they twirled gracefully amongst the other couples. No one noticed that as they danced, they created patterns. From above, they made a heart, a flower, then a pair of interlocked rings. It seemed as though even the very hall itself knew that love was in the air.

Suddenly, the pattern changed. As a lone girl in a red dress stepped onto the dance floor, the dancers moved to get out of her way, creating the outline of a grinning skull. She sauntered over to the couple and addressed the boy.  “You make me sick.  You tell her you love her, do you?” She tossed her long raven hair and laughed. “If that’s true, then why did you kiss me like that last night? Hmm? Why did you tell me you love me? Make up your mind, dear.”

The blonde’s face was a study in shock as she stared from the other girl, to her boyfriend, and back.  “Baby? Who is this? What is she talking about?” Her boyfriend looked at her, anguish in his eyes. How could he tell her…?

The woman in red laughed and said, “Poor sweet little Ashley… Of course Zack wouldn’t have told you about me. I’m Kira. He was mine - that is until you came along. It’s not the first time he’s left one girl for another, but he always seems to come back to me. How long do you think it will be before he betrays you too? Oh wait… he already did. With me.” She laughed, a silvery sort of chuckle that held traces of the sound of tearing flesh to Ashley’s shocked ears. Kira rubbed a hand up Zack’s arm and whispered, “ You never could resist me, could you?”

Zack glared at her for a second before acknowledging the truth of her words. “ No. I never could.” Ashley stared at him through eyes drowning in her own tears before running out of the room.

Zack made a move to follow her but stopped when Kira spoke. “Be mine. Stay here, with me. Do you really want a meek, wilting lily like her? I’m strong enough for you. She isn't, and never can be. Besides, do you really think she wants to see you right now?”

He sat at a table and sighed. “No, I suppose not. I just hope she’s okay.”  Kira raised her eyebrow and looked at her best friend, who went to find Ashley.  The girl spotted her by a payphone in the cafeteria.

“What’s the matter? Going to call home and tell your mommy how Zack betrayed you? But of course, that’s all you will do. Whine and cry.” She laughed another flesh tearing laugh and shoved Ashley into the wall. “What a wuss. No wonder he loves Kira and not you.” She strode out, giggling, and reported to Zack that “she’s upset, but she’ll be fine.”

Ashley slid down the wall and curled up in a ball on the floor, tears streaming down her face. “Never good enough. Always too meek to do anything…” she moaned. Suddenly, something came over her and she snapped.

She screamed, a primal sound of rage.  She rushed back into the dance hall and charged towards Kira. Shocked, Zack leapt backwards, out of her way,  tipping a table and knocking a candle over. Instantly, the tablecloth caught fire. No one noticed, however. Everyone was intent on the struggle taking shape in the middle of the dance floor.  

Ashley attacked Kira, who retaliated by clawing at the blonde’s face. As they traded blows, someone noticed the fire that had, by this time, spread from the tablecloth to the drapes, to the walls, and was slowly inching up towards the ceiling. Suddenly, everyone was screaming and rushing towards the only door. The room was quickly being turned into a furnace. It seemed impossible that 300 people could escape before the entire room was engulfed.

Epilogue: