My taxi pulls up outside the big oak door. Already, I can hear the music pounding from inside and I tense, the hairs rising on my arms like they have a mind of their own. I pay the taxi driver, stepping out and slipping on my mask. It's black, with a turquoise thread around the outside. Pretty but deadly. I place my hand on the doorknob, breathe deeply, and walk in.

The music is loud and there are people dancing. I must hurry. Their masks are firmly in place and it’s hard to find him. But he’s there. His ginger hair sticks out like a sore thumb and makes me cringe. I walk over to him with ease, slowly taking his arm and pulling him away from the aperitifs. “Hello?” He asks, squinting hard to see through my mask. “It’s Cobra.” I whisper. He jumps back, wrenching his arm away.

“What are you doing here? You can’t...not here...no.” He backs away from me, shaking his head.

“Just distract.” I reply, turning swiftly away and heading towards the drinks table, leaving him gaping after me. I look down at my long, slim, nimble fingers adorned with rings. I take off the green one, looking around me quickly, then press the catch and watch as white powder trickles down. I close it, watching as the powder falls to the bottom of the jug, slowly dissolving into nothing.

Nothing.

I take a deep breath, pouring some into cups, handing them to people. Like the perfect hostess. People smile and thank me, and I soon empty the jug.

I turn back round, heading for the door, ignoring people’s cries as they fall around me. The last thing I see is his eyes, boring into mine. The door slams shut.

The party is over.