However, it was all worth it once the two of them, along with Ryan who was dressed up as a caveman to show off his muscles that Bailey may have stared at and Ryan may have teased him for it, made it to Darcie’s party. She, along with her two roommates, had gotten themselves a nice house off campus that had been transformed into a ‘spooky’ hang out for the evening. There were witches and headstones in the yard, ghosts and bats hanging off everything, cobwebs across the porch and in the windows. They had gone all out, even inside was decorated!

Of course, by the end of the night probably half the things inside would be broken or misplaced but hey, they knew that when they decided to invite a bunch of college kids over. Bailey would do his best not to partake in those actions but, seeing as it was Friday and Halloween, he wasn’t so sure he could hold up such a promise. Hey, it was the thought that counted!

Darcie greeted the three of them at the door, giving Amery a compliment that apparently was what Bailey should have said because once she got it Amery glared at Bailey and said, “You should take lessons from Darcie!”

Bailey held his hands out in confusion, waving them around while silently holding open his mouth in protest. Amery just pointed accusingly at the boy before disappearing into the crowd, either to find booze or someone else to praise her, whichever came first honestly. Ryan left too, running straight to the beer pong table he saw that was set up while Bailey went in search for some food and drinks.

Eventually, Bailey joined back up with Ryan at the beer pong table where he proceeded to play horribly. He eventually backed out, allowing those with actual talent and depth perception to give it a try. Of course, that depth perception was ruined for them after a while but, watching a bunch of drunkards try to throw balls into cups was always amusing in Bailey’s book.

That didn’t last long though before Amery came over insisting on a dance. Seeing as Ryan was busy because, apparently, beer pong counted as busy, Bailey was the poor soul dragged to the makeshift dance floor. It was just the living room that had the furniture moved back to make space but it served its purpose and that was all that mattered.

Seeing as Bailey was thoroughly enjoying himself dancing not only with Amery but also with whatever stranger decided to join in, of course, that meant something bad had to happen. After all, Bailey could only go so long before his magical luck came into play and ruined everything. He shouldn’t have been surprised when his phone began ringing. He didn’t even hear it over the music but had felt the vibration in his pocket.

Bailey considered not answering it depending on who it was but seeing as it was the school calling, it made Bailey a bit concerned. He excused himself, disappearing outside so he could actually hear before he answered with a worried, “Hello?”

“Bailey Schaefer?” A male voice asked from the line.

“Yeah, this is he.” The voice didn’t sound familiar so Bailey was wondering why the school was calling him at 10 o’clock at night.

“This is campus security calling. There were a few break ins at Guesman Hall.”

Bailey was normally an upbeat guy but, in that moment, he couldn’t help but think, you’re fucking kidding me.

Of course there were break ins and of course it had to be his dorm. Grumbling, Bailey got off with the officer after agreeing to come back as soon as he could. He had planned to take Ryan but, when he went inside to find the guy chugging beer away like it was air, he thought it was best not to bother him with it until morning.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Amery asked, standing outside on the porch where a few others were lingering having a smoke or making out…because the outside was obviously more private.

“Nah, stay and have fun. If it doesn’t take long I’ll come back, if not then call me so I can give you a ride back.”

Amery frowned, seemed like she was ready to argue but, in the end, agreed. Bailey hadn’t driven since Darcie’s was only about a ten-minute walk and he planned to drink so obviously he wasn’t going to drive. Now he was wishing he had though because he wanted to get everything done and over with...and it was raining. Not even thirty seconds after he left the party did it start to pour with such intensity that an umbrella wouldn’t have even helped.

Bailey wasn’t even bothered though. His mind was on the break in. Hopefully not much was stolen.

He was jogging to get back with his hands shoved into his pockets and face buried into the collar of his jacket in hopes to keep at least some parts of his body warm and dry. He brought up his shoulders to keep some warmth then turned down a smaller street in hopes to cut some time in his walk. He should have remembered to stay on the main street because a kid with bad luck going down an alley was not the best idea.

It was Halloween, people were out, the main streets were fairly busy so why would Bailey think much of anything of the three men huddled together having a smoke?

He planned to brush past them, offer up a smile if they happened to look his way then reach the main street to get back to his dorm. However, as Bailey went to pass them he felt a rough touch to his shoulder then a slight shove that had him stepping back in confusion to peer at one of the men dressed in black.

“Hey man,” the stranger said around a cough while brushing his hand beneath his nose. Behind him were two more, dressed similarly in hoodies and jeans. “Where you comin’ from, a party?”

Bailey knew he was in trouble when he found himself surrounded. Since there were three of them, one stood in front and one on either side of him. It wasn’t looking good. He could see cars passing by at the end of the alley. The main street was near and if he could just get to that he would be good. There would be camera’s, people, witnesses, at least, he hoped so.

“Yeah,” Bailey breathed out, glancing at the thugs on either side of him.

One had his hood up, blocking nearly all of his face while the other had brushed his back, showing off his dark brown eyes that looked ready to throw a fist. Bailey felt that certainly was going to happen because he wasn’t going to go down without a fight even if he knew three to one was pretty pointless.

“Listen, I’m just trying to get home so I don’t want any trouble.” Bailey wasn’t sure what made him think that would get the guys to back off but it was worth a shot.

“Hey now, neither do we.” Thug one said, holding out his hands to appear ‘friendly’ but came across far more menacing. “We’re just a little short on cash, so, why don’t you be a pal and hand over what you got, huh?”

In that moment it was best to agree, hand everything over and get the hell out of there. It wasn’t like Bailey had much on him other than maybe 20 dollars in cash along with his phone but…