CH.11

"Remain calm! This is the police!" The bellow echoed through the hall, just as the double doors at the rear of the room exploded open with a force that caused several attendees to recoil.

Serena's heart skipped a beat.

The room morphed into a whirlpool of navy blue uniforms pouring in, stark against the sea of evening gowns and tuxedos.

Serena’s vision narrowed on one figure walking amongst them—Alex, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't decipher from this distance.

"Serena?" A hushed voice nearby questioned, but it was swallowed by the rising cacophony of confusion enveloping her.

"Is this part of some performance art?" A woman's voice quivered with nervous amusement but it quickly smothered as reality set in.

"Alex," Serena mouthed soundlessly, her grip on the trophy slackening. Fear wove its icy tendrils around her heart and her breath felt as though it was being trapped within a cage of ribs constricted with dread.

What could Alex be doing here? And why was he surrounded b