Aya reached her destination. The building was as grand as a palace, plated in shimmering gold that seemed untouched by the blizzard. It was pristine and glowing, leaving Aya standing there in awe, her mouth agape at the sight.
"Isn't it strange that this shiny building has no snow on it? Even the foundation is sparkling," she whispered.
After inspecting it from top to bottom, she confirmed it was indeed spotless—not a single smudge or flake of ice. She stared at it for a long time, the eerie perfection of the place prickling at her skin.
"Well, standing out here isn't going to get me anywhere, is it?"
Aya decided to head inside. Since circling to the back wasn't an option, she opted for the main entrance.
"Welcome!"
Before she could even reach for the handle, both sides of the double doors swung open simultaneously. Two figures stood there in black suits, wearing fox and rabbit masks.
When she saw the fox mask, a jolt of shock ran through her—far sharper than the surprise of the opening doors.
Is there a hunter here? Aya wondered, her heart sinking. Is this where the people Ficky warned me about—the ones hunting me—are hiding? She hesitated to take a step forward.
"Please, allow us to take your cloak."
"And a mask for you, miss."
The one in the rabbit mask gestured for her to remove her jacket, while the one in the fox mask offered a white porcelain mask shaped like a cat.
Her instinct was to turn and run, but she couldn't retreat now that they had formally welcomed her. She suppressed her terror as best she could; if she panicked now, her fox tail would pop out and cause a scene.
"Very well."
Aya shed her jacket and handed it to the rabbit-masked attendant before sliding on the cat mask. Both attendants smiled warmly, bowed, and welcomed her once more.
"Welcome. Please, enjoy this evening's festivities."
"Welcome. Do not trouble yourself with the cold tonight."
The doors sealed shut behind her the moment she stepped inside. The outfit Ficky had provided was dark and elegant—a dress-like silhouette layered over trousers.
Beneath her lace cravat, she felt the slight constriction of leather armor, hidden away from view. The cat mask felt anonymous enough to keep her from standing out.
"There are so many people here. Most of them are just drinking champagne... I really hope no one tries to talk to me," Aya murmured, slipping into a corner near the entrance.
The guests were dressed in breathtaking luxury. Contrasting colors swirled beneath the glow of massive chandeliers. Some wore evening gowns so thin that Aya wondered how they weren't freezing—until she realized how warm the room felt.
"Is this magic too? It must be. It would be nice if I could use it like that."
Aya moved through the crowd, her eyes scanning the hundreds of guests for Ficky. It was an impossible task; everyone looked like a stranger behind their porcelain disguises.
"Good evening, Miss!"
Aya's heart nearly stopped. She thought someone had called out to her from behind. She spun around, only to realize the greeting was meant for another woman nearby.
I thought I was busted. I'm going to be a nervous wreck if I stay here too long, she thought, letting out a shallow sigh of relief.
She wandered over to the food station.
Savory and sweet delicacies were piled high, but she was looking for a drink. Her eyes darted back and forth, but she couldn't find a drop of plain water—everything was expensive and alcoholic.
"Rich people and their wasteful habits... Ugh, whatever. There's nothing interesting here anyway."
Growing frustrated, she resumed her search for the two men she knew. She spent a long time navigating the ballroom, but even after reaching the far end, she had found nothing.
She had no idea where they had gone, but ever since she stepped inside, the air had felt wrong.
The lights plunged into total darkness. A split second later, the deafening sound of breaking glass echoed through the hall. Shards of crystal rained down, striking several guests nearby. Aya scrambled back against the wall, trying to shield herself before something else happened.
"Phantom!" a voice cried out.
The lights flickered back on. The massive central chandelier had fallen, crashing into the middle of the room. Several people were pinned beneath the wreckage. Dark blood began to pool across the polished floor, seeping outward.
"Good heavens! Did the Phantom not go smoothly this time?" a woman in a black mask shouted.
"The Phantom never goes smoothly as long as the Murderer is still at large."
"The banquet is going to end early at this rate. Damn that Murderer."
What? Why are they talking about a murderer? Aya wondered, but no one was close enough to answer.
Then, a memory clicked. She recalled the conversation between Ficky and the bartender.
The bartender told Ficky to catch "it" when the lights went out. Is the murderer the one Ficky is supposed to catch?
Confused and overwhelmed, Aya watched the guests. Their eyes were fixed on the carnage. She began to inch along the wall, her hand gripping the cold surface for stability. She tried to steady her breathing, determined not to be caught off guard.
But in that moment, she saw something she would never forget.
Aya slammed her hands over her mouth, but the scream had already escaped. Terrified, she pressed herself hard against the wall, trying to hide the fox tail that had instinctively bristled and emerged.
The guests spun around. Every mask in the room was now turned toward the source of the noise—directly at her. The two attendants who had greeted her earlier were nowhere to be seen.
Oh no... what do I do? Her mind raced, then stalled in a moment of pure panic.
Far ahead, the victims beneath the chandelier lay still. The horror of the sight had broken her composure. Now, the attention of the entire room was locked onto the girl in the cat mask.
Aya.
She stood there, eyes wide with shock. Slowly, she shifted her right foot, trying to back away, but the eyes followed her every move. She couldn't tell what expressions were hidden behind those masks, but she knew one thing for certain: she was in grave danger.
It's too warm in here... I can't sense where the threat is coming from, she thought desperately.
Aya turned and bolted. But after only a few seconds of sprinting, her foot caught on something, and she went tumbling to the floor.