Chapter 6 A Girls Night

ERINA -

"Why!" Anne grunted. "Are you bringing..." The mirror slipped some before she caught it in a better grip, as they made their way down the rocky steps and into the cabin. "This monstrosity..." Another pause as she checked her footing. "Way the fuck out here?"

"Turn it sideways." This was provided by Gretal, the "brains" of their sordid group. "It won't fit through the door like that!"

"I... fucking know... Gretal!" Anne spat in her direction

Gretal was a cute, pixie cut blonde who had an early degree in engineering and was currently taking a break from college to find her "true calling." Much to her parents' disappointment.

"Let them be Gretal and come help Rhea and me with the booze!" Marcy hollered from where she stood by their car, holding a large box.

Marcy was also on a break from college. Ever since her dad passed, she and Rhea had spent most of the last six months rock climbing and camping. Marcy was tall and beautiful like one of the Victoria's Secret models. She had long red hair that she normally kept in a long, thick braid, and she had a temper that matched it.

Rhea had wonderfully beautiful chocolate skin that shimmered prettily in the afternoon sun. She always wore fantastic wigs that she had specifically made. She was a nurse and was begrudgingly spending her precious PTO hours to help make this weekend perfect.

Erina loved all of them. While Anne was her best friend, every one of these women had somehow been there for her at one point or another. They'd grown up as friends in high school, although Marcy came during their Senior year.

Anne had most likely told them about what happened with Richard, and they had willingly jumped onto the wagon to be here and help.

"Because..." Erina answered Anne as they manhandled the heavy piece through the door before leaning it in front of the large fireplace. "Your apartment is too small for it and..." She put her hands on her sides and leaned into a nice stretch as she finished with, "I'm not about to leave it at the office or that house. Those vultures would find some way to break it, and then all I would have of mom is this cabin."

"Fine. Fuck." Anne leaned forward on her knees. She'd worn short black shorts and a white tank top. Her long black hair had been pulled up into a messy bun, and her pale white skin had started to bead with sweat. "I think it's time I added strength training to our routine, Erina. That fucking sucked!"

"Pottymouth!" Gretal strained out as she and Marcy walked in, their arms full. "You promised me that you'd cool it this weekend. I get enough of that nasty noise at home. Just one weekend, please, Anne."

"You got the easy job. I can cuss when it's warranted." She turned towards Gretal and saw that the expression she gave was skeptical. "Fine. I'll trrryy."

And she did. Up until later that night, when they were all several wine glasses in and had decided to give facials. All four of them had pale blue face masks on, their hair in curlers, and all four had on matching sleepwear.

Anne, being Anne, had been preparing for her future role as Maid of Honor and had already bought things for the Bachelorette party. The three "bridesmaids" had white satin shorts and a tank top, while the "Bride" had a special satin corset, just like the one she'd seen in her reflection of the car.

She'd just told Anne that she couldn't wear it, and Anne had gone into a long string of reasons why Erina was required to put it on, along with the tiny little tiara that came with it, and her tirade was chock-full of cusswords.

Erina had expected Gretal to say something, but all she got from her when she stared at her was, "What? I agreed she could do it when it was warranted." Her wine touched speech slurred out.

"Traitors," Erina said, half-smiling. The top freaked her out, but she wasn't crazy, and she wasn't going to ruin the night with baggage.

The girls had to help her tie up the string in the back, but once it was buttoned up front, she had to admit, she looked sexy as hell.

She was looking at herself in the mirror when Anne slid up next to her and gently shoved the little tiara onto her head.

"You look ridiculously perfect," Anne said while laughing.

They still had on their face masks and curlers when Marcy walked up and handed Erina the champagne flute she'd been drinking out of all night.

"We look ridiculous, and I love it. I have to get a picture." This was from Rhea, who had been somewhat quiet all night. Her genuine smile gave Erina every reason not to say no to her request. As much as she didn't want proof of this ridiculousness, it felt good to smile, and if she could repay them, she would.

"Oh, fine. But you can't share it or tag me in it anywhere!" Erina said to her.

Rhea gave a quiet squeal as she ran off to get her phone.

Marcy walked up with the rest of the bottle they'd opened and topped off all their glasses.

She'd just gotten done with Erina's glass when Rhea came back and told everyone to stand in a line in front of the mirror.

She wanted to get everyone in their "sleepwear" and the mirror, which she thought was beyond creepy, in a pretty yet Victorian way. With its silver edge that was covered in stunning carvings. Like a deck of cards, it had Hearts, Spades, Clubs, and Diamonds all carved into it. Along with roses and vines that all twisted up to the top of the mirror, where a large cat's head peered out.

Huh, I wonder if that's what caused my dream. She thought. She hadn't noticed the cat before, but since her nightmare, she'd been seeing cat faces everywhere. In the face mask's goo, the steam from their Hot Cocoa earlier, and even in the sink when she washed her hands.

"Okay! Ready?" Rhea said cheerily, breaking Erina out of her thoughts. They stood in a row before the mirror, their arms wrapped around each other, with Rhea on one end holding the camera in one hand.

"Ready." Then the flash blinded Erina.

"Wow, Rhea. What did you charge your phone with? Lightning?" Erina said as she rubbed her eyes. Only she felt an odd tugging, like something was pulling her forward. Then, like some horror movie, the whole room went black and something shoved her hard from behind. She just knew that she was about to fall into the mirror.

Yet, she didn't. She just kept falling. She still couldn't see anything, and she'd been screaming for so long that her voice had gone hoarse. Most of the curlers had long been ripped from her hair, and she was giving her throat a break when her eyes grew heavy and she fell unconscious.