Warning: This book will include graphic depictions of violence, murder, and disturbing scenes. If you're a child, avert your eyes.

[Chapter 1 - In the dead of the night]

A young man was invited to a special party. A masquerade, if you will. He should've felt excited to attend, as only few were invited. But instead, he was practically shaking with dread.

You see, this young man went by the name of Grian. He was a newly famous Scientist, who was part of the team that invented the cure to the deadly virus that swept their nation not 2 years ago.

Just last week, he had received a message from his friend since childhood, Mumbo Jumbo himself. Mumbo was an eccentric Millionaire who came from a wealthy family. It was pure chance that they became friends.

Despite living a higher life than many in their hometown, he remained humble and a little goofy just like he had when they were children.

Then there was Grian, even though he was apart of the team that basically saved the nation, he felt like he didn't deserve the popularity that followed.

He was ordinary person compared to some of the people that were to attend this gathering. 

There was one other person from his team that was coming with him. A young woman, named False. Like Mumbo, him and False became friends almost immediately, although she was way more fiery than Mumbo.

It was because of a special 'plus one' rule that had come with the invite that she was coming. To be honest, Grian wouldn't have chosen anyone else to accompany him. Besides Mumbo, she'd be the only person he knew at the party.

The young Scientist walked up the long driveway, quickly dawning a maroon mask to cover his face. False had yet to arrive, as some last minute family issues had surfaced. But hopefully, she'll be there before night.

Grian rang the doorbell and listened to it chime for a second. Almost instantly, a young man opened the door. This man had dirty blond hair and purple eyes, he wore a black dress suit and matching pants with a yellow tie. A dark blue mask covered the rest of his face.

The man flashed a friendly smile at Grian and welcomed him in. This man was the Jumbo's family's butler, Zedaph. Grian smoothed out his white clothing before walking in. Honestly, white just wasn't his color, but it was the only 'fancy' piece of clothing in his dresser.

Around 16 people were gathered around the main hall. Just as Grian predicted, he knew no one here. Deciding to get introductions out of the way, he went around and talked to everyone.

In the time span of an hour, Grian had gotten to know everyone. There was Cleo, who was a professor for the local  College and her friend Joe, who was a Poet. Then, there was Tango and Impulse, who were both engineers.

Not to mention, Stress, she was a florist and Jevin, a man with light blue hair, who was a hair stylist. There was also, a teenager with dark brown hair and an older man with emerald green eyes. Those two were named Skeppy and Bad.

There was a woman with light brown hair and green eyes, Grian recognized her as Pearl. Accompanying her was a taller man with black hair and tanned skin. His name was Taurtis.

Not too far from them was a man with dark brown hair and obsidian black eyes. He gave off a weird aura that Grian couldn't pinpoint. Leaving him be, Grian went on to other people.

A two men sat together at a table. One man had brown hair and warm brown eyes, the other man had pale white hair and and deep red eyes. Their names were Xisuma and Xander (My new headcannon name for EX).

There was still some people he hadn't talked to yet. Those people were a man not much taller then him, his golden hair catching the light and he had a green and white hat covering most of it. With him, was a teenage boy with similar golden hair and sky blue eyes.

There were so many different people here, it almost became too much for the young Scientist. Grian found himself a table in a secluded corner and just sat there for awhile.

After a minute, there was the sound of a chair being moved. Grian looked up, his eyes widening at what he saw. It was his old friend, Mumbo Jumbo himself.

"Mumbo?" He lowered his voice down as to not attract attention to the pair. "What are you doing?"

Mumbo took a minute to string together a proper sentence. "What am I doing here? Grian, you're my best friend! I've known you longer than I have any of these people."

Grian tilted his head as to not make eye contact with him. "What do you mean..? We haven't seen each others in 3 years..."

Mumbo answered him almost immediately. "'What do I mean?' Grian, even if we've been separated for a long time, I'll always be your friend. I-  I don't know what I would've done when I was young if you weren't around. You were the only person who didn't treat me like a stuck up rich kid."

A light smile formed on Grian's lips. "Thanks buddy. To be honest, I don't know what I would've done either."

Mumbo grabbed Grian hand and lead him to the dining hall. "Come on, dinner outta be finished."

The young Scientist follow his friend to the dining hall as other people filed in. The food looked delicious, with cooked potatoes still fresh, and various assortments of meats.

If the food looked like that, then Grian had to say that the food was at least 5× better than anything he could afford. Not that he was poor, it's just... he never got the opportunity to create such amazing meals. Usually it was day old pizza and cold mashed potatoes.

[Time skip cause the dinner is irrelevant]

It was getting close to the time the party would be over. Honestly, Grian a bit saddened by the fact that he'd have to leave so soon.

Sure, parties weren't his forte, but he'd gotten to meet the guests at the party, and a lot of them were amazing people. It was almost soul-crushing to have to say goodbye.

Just as everyone was getting ready to leave, the lights dimmed and flickered out, leaving them in the pitch darkness. Gasps of shock and fear filled the area. Then.. there was a crash, followed by a shrill scream.

Grian stumbled away from where the scream had originated. He tripped over furniture in an attempt to get away. What was going on? Why are the lights out? Who is screaming..?

Grian could've swore he saw someone pass by his spot on the floor. A foul smell greeted his nostrils as the figure passed. The scent of blood.

The lights didn't come on for a long time, all the while Grian hadn't moved at all. His eyes were glued forward, not daring to look around and see the horrifying truth.

A wail of pure and unbridled horror met Grian's eardrums. Grian tore his eyes away from were to he looking and focused where the sound had come from. There Taurtis was, hunched over someone. No, not just anyone...

It was Pearl...

Her throat had been slashed so deep that you could see bits of the bone. Her neck muscles glittered in the artificial light as the guests crowded around her. Her eyes, one bright and full of joy, now were empty holes of nothing.

The guests went into a panic, some screamed, other ran off to puke in a trash bin. Both Phil and Skeppy shielded Tommy and Bad from seeing her.

Meanwhile, Grian was in a state of paralysis again. Every muscle in his body had tightened, making movement a no-go.

No way...

There's no way...

Why...?

Why would someone do this!?

I don't understand.

I don't understand..

I... I..