The college party was in full swing. The dance floor was packed with young bodies gyrating to the techno music. The lighting was dim orange and neon blue shades pierced every few seconds by strobe lights. To add to the general confusion was the free flowing beer and cheap vodka which was greedily consumed during breaks from the dance floor. If this was not enough, more than half the crowd was wearing masks and the rest had painted a part of their face Mardi Gras style.

Bennet had entered the party wearing a mask. It was too easy. The last two times he had picked up a girl had been much riskier. He made his way to the bar and in minutes was sitting next to a hot young blonde in a crescent moon mask covering much of her face. He had no trouble slipping the powder into her beer and later when she was woozy and disoriented, guiding her towards his van. He virtually threw her into the back and tied her hands to the seat frame.

Driving to his chosen spot at the edge of the woods, near the new six lane by-pass, he was becoming impatient. Somehow he reached the secluded spot. Hurriedly, he tore off his shirt and jeans. He swallowed the pink pill with a swig of beer and felt the drug kick in. Everything was sharper. He heard the girl whimper incoherently and again excitement began to rise. He clambered to the back of the van and switched on the pale yellow light. He reached to remove the girls shirt when he noticed the jagged scar on her forearm.

For a few seconds he stopped breathing. Then he yanked at the mask. It came off along with the blonde wig. With a shriek he pushed open the rear doors and stumbled out. Trembling, tears flowing, beating his head with his hands he rolled on the ground where he struck his head to a jagged stone. He came awake after ten minutes, the strongest kick of the pill was wearing off and he could sit up. He turned slowly as is to verify that the girl was still in the van. He could see her, struggling with her bonds. He ran. Blindly; scared of discovery; scared to face what he had almost done.

The truck driver had no chance to avoid the accident. The man had just run on to the middle of the road. He called it in on the radio and drove the him to the nearest hospital where Officer Renault sat him down to get all the details.

The girl once free of the rope, drove the van back to the hall where the party was winding down. She could not see anyone she knew, who could give her a lift home. She dialed the number of her permanent life-saver, her brother.

"Hello."

"Who is this?" An unfamiliar voice asked

"Liza"

"Are you related to Bennet Micheals?"

"He is my elder brother. Who is this?"

"I am Officer Renault. Your brother has been in a road accident."

PICTURE CREDIT: PIXABAY.COM