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8. || People missing ||

Pic: Zoë (Blake Lively)

POV Zoë

- Loud bang / music off / lights completely out -

- "THIS IS THE POLICE! PLEASE KEEP CALM AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE, WE'LL TURN ON THE MAIN LIGHTS IN AN INSTANT SO YOU CAN EXIT THE BUILDING IN A CONTROLLED MANNER" –

"What...?" Oh great, real clever, wouldn't have expected better from our finest.

---Flash-back to the regional soccer's final. ---

Two officers got a call for a disturbance in my street. They just looked at each-other and smirked, "we'll go right after the game!".

With that mentality engraved in my mind, expectations of our 'serve and protect institution' dropped pretty low.

I notice people start to move, some bump into me. "Kira" I yell out. Grabbing around me, remembering she didn't stand far away from me, I catch her arm. I pull her closer "Hey Kira, stay calm and stay in the middle of the dance floor."

Kira lets out a small grunt of annoyance, which I'm sure is directed at my command and not the chaos around us.

"Most people are rushing to the walls trying to find an exit, hoping to escape the cops. We're probably the safest just standing here." I explain my curt order.

"What do you think's happening" Kira asks.

"Don't know, we'll find out soon I guess." I reply.

We stand there for a while, pushed and shoved by people wanting to get out. I was right though, judging by the shouts, screams and the loud unsettling noises coming from around us, we're safest right here in the middle of the room.

- The main lights flash on with a loud reverberating zoom -

"Wauw, that's bright." Kira complains squinting. "Where's Tristan" She adds still squinting and looking around worried.

"Shhh... let's keep quiet and calm and avoid drawing attention to us." I whisper to Kira.

Heavy armored policemen start to push people in line. It's intimidating. Structure and order are created, and people are guided out in a controlled fashion. It took like forever, but I couldn't have been more surprised; The blue uniforms are actually capable. Employees are split from the attending crowed and it seems they are submitted to a more rough and thorough questioning. I wonder why?

"Kira, let's move. I wanna get out of here as soon as possible. We'll have more luck finding Cass and Tristan 'off course' outside." I suggest with a roll of my eyes and a nudge in the right direction.

"Oh yeah, you know Cass, she's probably caught up in the crowed and trying to find us. I wouldn't worry about her Zoë, she can take care of herself, stubborn and feisty as she is. Tristan on the other hand, he's more of a lost puppy." Kira explains apologetically.

I look at her incredulous "Really your first thought goes out to someone you just met instead of your best friend?" I continue "Besides, you got that from kissing him the better part of the night? Oh, wait let me guess, you're so connected you communicate on a more spiritual level, telepathy maybe?" sarcasm dripping through loud and clear.

"Hey, don't need to be all bitchy about it! I know people, I'm a good judge of character." Kira snaps. I just stare at her with my eyebrows raised.

"I do to" she says sulking like a five-year-old.

Nearly our turn. A policeman guides us rather brutally towards a control point. Where we'll get frisked one by one. Jesus, this seems to take longer than expected. Maybe because I decided to ignore Kira, everything takes longer in silence.