At the UWP residence building, the common room hummed with soft chatter and laughter as Kenzie carefully mended Zack's pants, the needle glinting under the dim light. "Are you sure you should be sneaking into the dance?" she asked, her fingers deftly working the fabric. "I mean I love, love as much as the next girl, but is it really worth the risk of getting kicked off the team?"

"I just want to one dance with Deb, I will slip in and out before anyone notices," Zack replied, his voice tense with anticipation as he watched her work. Kenzie nodded along with Zack's plan and hoped for the best. Once the pants were repaired, he quickly got dressed and headed right for the dance.

He knew he wasn't supposed to go but he needed to be seen by a few people if his plan was going to work, if they could pull off their plan then Ethel would be free and Gluttony would be gone by the end of the night. As Zack strolled towards the dance, he couldn't help but smile at the thought he could be human again.

-----

Inside the venue, an array of fairy lights twinkled like stars over the dance floor as students swayed to the music. Boon had already pre-gamed, downing the last drops of the questionable contents of his flask just outside the entrance, while Leona tried not to let her disappointment show over Boon taking Deb to the dance instead of her. Rob entered the dance and made his way around back, to prop a door open for Zack around back. Zack entered the hall an hour late, his heart pounding as he skulked around, searching for Deb and trying to avoid his coach's watchful gaze.

As he scanned the crowd, someone else caught his eye - Kyle was at the Winter Formal too, Zack held his breath. He felt a shiver run down his spine, his instincts screaming for him to run and he felt the sins aura suffocating him from across the room.

Over by the punch bowl, Rob observed Ahmed feigning interest in Leona's complaints about Boon taking Deb to the dance instead of her. He approached, his nerves tangling in knots as he awkwardly asked Ahmed to dance.

"Um, hey Ahmed... would you like to dance?"

"Sure, Rob" Ahmed agreed, a curious smile on his face. "Anything to get me....." His eyes caught Leona's "I mean that sounds nice." He followed Rob out to the dance floor leaving Leona behind.

As they moved to the rhythm of the music, Rob finally mustered the courage to confess. "You look really good tonight." His cheeks reddened, but he pressed on. "I mean you always look good, obviously. I just um... I think you are great."

Ahmed stared at Rob, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Listen," Rob continued, his voice soft yet earnest. "I think you are brilliant too, like give me a run for my money smart. One day, you'll move on and get a Nobel Prize for some miracle cure for cancer."

"Thank you, Rob," Ahmed replied, touched by Rob's heartfelt words. "That's really sweet of you. You know you are full of surprises."

Rob beamed, delighted that his feelings had been acknowledged, if not reciprocated. He hadn't expected Ahmed to fall for him on the spot but step one of his two hundred-and-thirty-seven-step plan had finally been crossed off his list. As the music picked up, Rob remained in awe of his dance partner.

-----

As Zack weaved through the throngs of students on the dance floor, his eyes scanned the room for any sign of Deb, he wanted to surprise her after saying he wouldn't be able to go. The music thumped in time with his heartbeat when he noticed the coach making a B-line straight for him.

"Zack!" Coach barked from across the room, his eyes narrowed and locked onto him. Panic flooded Zack's veins as Coach began to push the partygoers out of his way, his face a mask of barely contained anger. Desperate, Zack stumbled into Kristian, who looked equally surprised at the sudden contact.

"Sorry, man," Zack mumbled, grabbing Kristian's arm and pulling him into a dance just as Coach caught up to them. "I, uh, really needed a dance partner."

"You are making the basketball team look bad!?" Coach growled, his voice low and dangerous. But now everyone was looking at him, and he realized the students assumed something different, a cold sweat broke across his has as he tried to backpedal. "No not because... I mean I would never.... some of my best friends are... You know what, you can stay at the dance, but I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning. No excuses!"

"Y-yes, sir," Zack stammered, his pulse racing. As soon as Coach turned away, he scurried off, leaving Kristian behind. Olivia, Kristian's date, approached him with drinks, her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"Everything okay?" she asked, but Kristian just shrugged, unable to provide an answer.

-----

Zack finally spotted Deb near the edge of the dance floor, her short black hair framing her delicate face, and glasses perched on her nose. He took a deep breath and approached her, his heart swelling with affection.

"Surprise, I was able to sneak my way in here after all," he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Would you like to dance?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Of course," she replied, a small smile gracing her lips as they moved into each other's arms, swaying to the slow tempo of the music.

"Deb, I need to tell you something," Zack began, his blue eyes locked onto hers, he didn't know what was going to happen tonight so he took his shot. "I'm in love with you." The words tumbled out, raw and vulnerable, but he couldn't hold them back any longer. Deb's eyes widened, but Zack continued, desperate to reassure her. "You don't have to say anything back. I just... I needed to tell you how I feel."

"Zack," Deb whispered, her voice trembling. "There's something I need to tell you too. I —" Her thoughts shift back to Ethel, could she really drag Zack into that mess, if he wasn't in it already?

"Don't," Zack interrupted, seeing her hesitation filled him with worry that she didn't feel the same. "You can tell me later. Right now, let's just enjoy this moment together."

As they danced, their fingers interlaced and their bodies pressed close, the air around them seemed to hum with electricity, as if they were the only two people on Earth.

-----

Outside the dance, the moon cast eerie shadows through the tangled tree branches as Boon stumbled through the darkness, his steps unsteady from one too many drinks. The glow of orange eyes seemed to taunt him from the shadows, leading him further into the woods.

"Come on," he muttered under his breath, stumbling over roots and branches in his pursuit. "I want to be a vessel. Show yourself!"

Instead of encountering the supernatural force he desired, Boon found himself face-to-face with Jessica, her dark curls framing her stern expression. Her brown eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the disheveled young man before her.

"Boon," she said sharply, crossing her arms. "What are you doing out here?"

"None of your business," he slurred, trying to brush past her. But Jessica was quick, grabbing him by the arm with surprising strength.

"Do you have any clue how dangerous it is to be wandering alone at night?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous. "You're drunk and under-aged. Turn around and get your ass back to the dance."

"Okay, okay!" Boon relented, feeling the pressure of her grip. "And by the way, I figured you out. I know what all of you are, and you are all wasting time because vessels have the power, I have seen it and you have seen it..... hell the whole world has seen it by now" He ranted but Jessica's jaw dropped. "And all I want is a taste of the power but oh no Zack says it is too dangerous..." And then Boon realized what he had said and who he had said it to.

Jessica's eyes widened at this revelation, and her grip loosened just enough for Boon to wiggle free and race back towards the dance. Jessica turned towards the parish and began to sprint towards it, her mind racing with the implications of this information.

-----

Back inside the dance hall, the music shifted to a slow ballad, and Ahmed reluctantly pulled away from Rob. "That was nice," he said, a soft smile on his lips. "But I should go look for Boon, I haven't seen him in a while and he was less than sober then."

Ahmed left the dance calling Boon's name as he went, he didn't notice Boon scamper past him and back into the dance, he felt almost compelled to keep walking out into the night. Rob, however, spotted Boon immediately and rushed over to him, concern etched on his face.

"Where is Ahmed going?" Rob asked Boon, glancing around for any sign of Ahmed. "Why did he just walk by you?"

"How should I know? but listen Rob I think that I-" Boon replied, his voice still slurred.

"He left out the same door you came in from, and he didn't say anything to you at all? He was looking for you, something doesn't add up." Rob cut Boon off. His mind was racing, thinking back to when Zack had told him that he felt pulled in by Gluttony, an unseen force that drew him into the sin even before the curse.

"Look, Rob, you may..... you may have...... bigger problem" Boon desperately tried to merge his thoughts into words.

"Boon you are drunk and I will help you with this big problem as soon as I get back. I have to Find Ahmed first and make sure he is safe." Rob sat Boon down by the food and left out into the night.

Ahmed stumbled through the dark quad, his breath fogging in the cold night air as he called out for Boon. The shadows seemed to press in around him, and He felt a chill snake its way through him, that had nothing to do with the temperature.

"Boon!" he yelled again, his voice wavering slightly. "Where are you?"

Kyle lurked just beyond the pool of light cast by a nearby streetlamp, his eyes narrowing as he tracked Ahmed's movements. He smiled to himself as he took in the young man's aura.

"I am afraid Boon isn't here," Boon's name died on Ahmed's lips as he caught sight of the twisted figure emerging from the shadows. Gluttony's fangs glistened in the dim light, and his eyes burned with an unholy orange glow.

"No," was all Ahmed managed to choke out before Gluttony roared and lunged at him.

As Ahmed sprinted away, his heart hammered in his chest, and his thoughts raced just as fast. How did the creature find me again? Where's Boon? Will anyone be able to help me? The questions were shoved aside when Gluttony closed the distance between them.

"Thought you could escape me?" Gluttony snarled, grabbing Ahmed's arm and spinning him around. "How about I make you eat your words — and everything else until you die?"

"Wait!" Rob's voice cut through the darkness, and Gluttony paused, fury still etched across his monstrous features. "I have the information you want."

"Really?" Gluttony sneered, tightening his grip on Ahmed. "It would have to be pretty good for me to let this one go."

"Names of exorcists," Rob panted, his breath visible in the cold air. "And where to find Ethel. If you let Ahmed go I will tell you everything."

"Interesting." Gluttony considered the offer for a moment before relenting, "You have a deal." He smiled down at the terrified boy before he cursed him to become a vessel. The mandela burrowed its way into his flesh, "But I can't let such a perfect specimen go to waste" He explained with a sinister grin. As Ahmed convulsed, Rob's heart clenched in fear and guilt.

"As for you, I can't have you warning anybody about my plans now can I?" Gluttony growled, grabbing Rob by the collar and dragging him away.

-----

Meanwhile, outside the dance, Zack watched as Deb tumbled towards the stretch limos, feeling an eerie sense of déjà vu. It reminded him of a dream he'd had recently — one that had turned into a nightmare when Gluttony appeared. But as Deb ran up to a limo and turned to blow him a kiss, Zack's hormones momentarily overpowered his fears.

The sound of tires screeching snapped him back to reality. Jessica's headlights bore down on him from one side while another car charged at him from the opposite direction. Panic surged through him, and Deb's scream echoed in his ears.

Without thinking, Zack threw up psychic barriers between himself and the cars, narrowly averting disaster. But as the dust settled, he felt a new dread wash over him. His eyes glowed pink, and his fangs extended, betraying his secret identity as a vessel to Deb.

"Zack," she whispered, staring at him in shock. "What are you?"

He didn't answer, unable to find the words as they stood with the barrier protecting him, their lives forever changed by the revelations unearthed that night.