Chapter 3-Halloween Dance
My mom was furious when she came to pick me up from school, she kept going on and on about how clumsy I was and how I needed to get it together. “Kids as old as you are shouldn’t be doing careless things like dropping a knife in their lap. What were you thinking?” she scolded.
“Lillith,” my dad interjected, “let’s talk about this later, okay? Give her some time to recover.”
“Fine,” she said still seething with anger.
If they knew the truth about the creature, what would they do? They’d never be able to protect me from something like that. Nor would I want to drag them into my mess, whatever that was. I stared out the car window the whole ride home, taking in the lovely faded orange and brown leaves with hints of gold floating as gently as feathers to the ground. I imagined raking up a huge pile, jumping in, and repeating those steps over and over, blocking out everyone and everything as long as I could.
For the next few weeks while my leg healed I remained like that. Quiet, contemplative, and reserved. I responded to texts and completed all of the take-home work that Zilla brought me, but for the most part I was just thinking, always thinking. Nobody bothered me, not even the ghost, and my parents didn’t prod me to give them more details or explanations. For that I was thankful.
The day finally came when I was given the all clear to return to school. I had passed all my parents at home physical therapy techniques with flying colors and could walk normally again. I roamed the halls, keeping to myself and trying to be as discreet as possible. The less amount of attention I could attract, the better. I always felt like I was being watched and I knew part of it was because Luke couldn’t take his eyes off of me, the girl who got away, and part of it was probably that weird creature. I hoped that if I kept a low profile, they would both leave me alone.
This morning when I got dressed I felt a chill sweep across my room and decided to wear jeans and a scarf instead of my usual beachwear. Winter was on its way. Not close enough to start snowing or wear a parka, but just enough to reach out and caress us with its fingertips. I checked the calendar and gasped. It was late October, approximately one week away from Halloween. I hadn’t been asked to the school’s Halloween dance, nor had I even shopped for a costume to go solo in.
I pondered on it for most of the day. Do I make my own costume, find one, or just skip the whole thing altogether? I stopped at the water fountain between classes and leaned in to sip the cold flowing stream. I overheard two people talking in hushed whispers behind me, so I pretended to drink more and listened closely over the sound of rushing water and footfalls. One voice I didn’t recognize, but the other made my skin crawl. “Well, I heard that she turned emo after Luke broke up with her and started slicing herself open for fun. Isn’t that creepy?” Joanne asked giggling.
“Very,” the other girl said enthusiastically. I knew when I looked behind me what I would find there, a skanky blonde and a wannabe eagerly awaiting her approval. I was tired of letting people talk down to me. I didn’t deserve it, and I wouldn’t stand for it anymore.
“You know what I heard?” I said turning around, wiping my mouth on my sleeve and glaring at them with such intensity I saw Joanne’s eye twitch. Looks like I just blew my low profile cover. “I heard that she has a list of people she plans to cut open next in a black book on her nightstand. You want to know who’s in it?” I took a step forward, motioning her closer with my index finger. “Come closer and I’ll tell you.” Both girls instantly took a step backward, their eyes showing the fear I could have only hoped to elicit from them.
“No thanks,” the unknown girl said as she turned to go, “I have to get to class before I’m late.”
“What about you, Joanne?” I asked licking my lips, my eyes darting around like someone who just escaped from a mental institution. She broke eye contact and instead of responding, fled down the hall never once looking back.
I was probably going to pay dearly for it later, but as of right now, all I could do was cackle so high and loud that almost everyone bustling through the hall’s stopped to stare at me. For a brief moment I let myself go, not caring what people might think of me. I just hoped I’d never have to see her face again.
The rest of the week flew by. I felt rejuvenated. Back to the old me who believed in miracles and true love. All that sappy stuff you think about when you’re a kid with nothing better to do. Joanne stayed out of dodge after that, but I heard some rumors spread about what happened. I didn’t let it bother me though. I decided to go to the dance; partly because I wanted to see the look on Joanne’s face and partly because my friend’s would be disappointed if I didn’t.
I spent the rest of the week looking up party supply stores and checking out their inventory on-line before finally giving up on going that route. With it being so close to Halloween, everyone had taken all of the good costumes. I set my mind to making one instead and searched for images from all different kinds of ideas I had. When I finally settled on one, I was both happy and relieved. I only had two days to make it, but the pattern was relatively easy. I printed it out, along with a list of fabrics and accessories that I would need and set off on my newest adventure.
As it turned out, without a sewing machine it is very difficult to put two pieces of fabric together. I ended up hand-stitching everything from what little I had learned at school. I worked on it up until an hour or so before I was supposed to get ready and then started to drag everything out, admiring my work as I went along. For someone who had so little experience, my masterpiece was quite impressive.
I slipped on the dress, which was a sparkling blood red orange color with a laced up corset in the back. It stopped above the knees with a hem line of autumn leaves, and was adorned with as much glitter and beads as I could stand. The underside had some tulle to give it a bit of a bell shape and it was sleeveless. I coated myself in glitter dust and applied matching makeup, leaving my hair loose, but braiding two front strands to the back with more of the leaves. The only thing left to put on were my wings and they were, I think, the best part of my outfit. I spent hours hot gluing red, orange and brown leaves to both the front and back of a pair of cheap off-white wings I found on-line. I had to make them look like they were real, so I cut the straps off and made a part of the dress where I could slide them in and latch them up so they wouldn’t come off. The end result was breathtaking.
I glanced at myself in the mirror, twirling around and smiling at the finished product. I looked like a real autumn fairy with sparkling wings that hovered out behind me like two tall trees. I heard the doorbell and knew Zilla and Locke were here to pick me up. My parents weren’t home since my dad’s office was having a party too. I grabbed my burgundy wedge sandals, a matching clutch, and my disposable camera and headed out. I wrenched open the door to Locke’s Jeep and slid into the back. Zilla swiveled around to look at my costume and I got a good shot of hers, but I couldn’t figure out who she was supposed to be.
“You look amazing,” Zilla said smiling.
I blushed. “Thanks, you too. You look like Marilyn Monroe, but without the vent to blow your dress up around you.”
She laughed and smiled. “That’s because I’m not her and also because I’m not near a vent.” She pulled out a feather duster and tickled me with it. “I’m Mrs. White from Clue.”
“Didn’t she used to wear a maid’s outfit?” I asked teasing her.
“Yeah, but this is the modern day version.”
“And just who is this handsome young fellow supposed to be?” I asked gesturing to Locke. Luckily we were at a red light so he leaned towards me tipping his monocle and twirling a finger in his fake handlebar moustache. “Right,” I said giggling, “you’re supposed to be Colonel Mustard.”
“Correct,” he confirmed with an accent. “Well then, I’d like to make an accusation good sir. I think Mrs. Peacock did it in the observatory with a rope, am I righ
t?” We all laughed and continued to make jokes about Clue the rest of the ride. I started to get nervous the closer we got. I was dateless and headed to a school function where both Joanne and Luke were sure to be. I knew it was too late to back out now and besides, I wanted to show off my awesome costume.
We drove through a tall gate and headed toward one of the spookiest mansion’s I’ve ever laid eyes on. It was about three stories tall and the outside looked like a run-down shack with crusty dried-up siding covering almost every inch. The windows were dirty and the paint was faded and chipping off in places. There were overgrown weeds and vines coating every inch of the landscape and the trees looked as though they should have been trimmed years ago. We pulled around to the front entrance which was made of two tall grimy marble columns that supported a dark overhang of stone. A man dressed as a butler with fangs stepped out and took our car keys. We walked up the steps to the double-doors and handed our tickets to the doorman who was wearing a pair of bunny ears, a pink nose, and some drawn on whiskers. “How original,” I mumbled under my breath, stepping through.
Music blasted us the minute we walked in and I stood off to the side a little so I could take in the place. The first floor was completely open, except for some furniture up against the walls there was nothing but a spiral staircase in the middle, roped off, and bodies swaying to the rhythm. The place was about as shabby inside as it was on the outside. Someone had tried to sweep and dust, but there were still cobwebs hanging from the rafters and the furniture looked old and musty. Zilla grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, “Come on twinkle toes, time to rock out.” I did a little twirl as she guided us off to the left near the DJ and began dancing. I’m not very good at it, but I tried to mimic her and simultaneously scan the room.
There were so many faces in masks that it was disorienting. I’d never be able to tell who was who. I accidentally bumped into someone behind me and turned around to apologize, just about poking my eye out on a big bad wolf nose. The person laughed and scooted away. I continued to look around and finally caught sight of Joanne dancing in a group of four people. She was dressed as a go-go girl with a super short shimmery silver dress, white boots that went up to the knee and a pair of triangle earrings that started off small and went down to a big size. Hopefully she got the hint and would stay away from me now.
A guy dressed as cookie monster came up and extended his hand for a dance as the music slowed, I happily obliged. When he pulled me in closer I smelled alcohol on his breath and knew he’d probably hurl on me, but I didn’t want to be rude so I stayed put. Several more people cut in, but it was the last guy dressed as a vampire, his face caked in layer upon layer of white makeup with black hair slicked back that really caught my attention. He didn’t talk or look directly into my eyes, but there was a flutter in my stomach as he shuffled me around the dance floor. His hands were freezing and it made me shiver. Someone tapped me from behind and when I turned to look, a piece of some sort of dessert was shoved in my face. I tried to find my attacker, but all I caught was the tail end of what looked like a devil costume stalking away. That was odd. I had expected something like that from Joanne, but not anyone else.
The guy in the vampire costume laughed and I suddenly no longer found him attractive. “Very funny,” I said kicking him in the shin. He howled in pain as I searched for Zilla, who somehow managed to drift far away from me. I didn’t want to ruin their night so I was on my own. I stopped a girl in a bumblebee dress as she scooted passed and asked her where the bathroom was. She shrugged her shoulders and kept moving. I remembered seeing the roped off staircase when we came in, but I didn’t know if that was where to go. I guess there was only one way to find out.
I stepped over the rope and wound my way up to the top, I thought there would be other people up here besides me, but I was the only one. It let me out into a hallway and I had to hold onto the wall for a minute to adjust to the weak lighting. I’m glad I wasn’t severely allergic to dust because the air was stagnant, making it hard for me to breathe. I continued to let my hand trail the length of the faded wallpaper as I poked my head through several doors, finally finding the one I was looking for. I slipped in, latched the knob, flipped the switch, and checked myself out in the mirror. Tiramisu, I thought licking the espresso soaked treat off my lips. I grabbed a few paper towels and wiped myself down. Luckily I packed touch-up makeup.
I was applying eyeliner when I heard a scratching on the bathroom door. My hand instinctively jerked and the line curved up and away from my lid. Great, I was going to have to start over again. Another scratching noise and my heart started to beat erratically. This couldn’t just be a coincidence and I was fairly certain that I knew what was waiting on the other side of that door. I searched around for an escape route, but there wasn’t even a window in this place. I opened the cupboards and scrambled around to find a weapon until I remembered the mace my father insisted I take with me. “You never know what kind of crazies you’ll run into tonight,” he had said. I pulled the top off the leather case it was in and put my finger in place, gently creeping towards the door and unlocking it.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and opened it wide, pressing down hard and shooting off the spray. I didn’t hear screaming so I looked to the left and right, but there was nothing to be found. It had to be my imagination again. I went back in, shutting the door, and locking it a second time. My phone went off and I rushed over to grab it. It was Zilla. “Where are you?” she asked.
“Someone shoved cake in my face so I had to find a bathroom to wash up in.”
“Are you serious?” she asked concerned. “Are you alright?”
“Besides a kick to my pride, all’s well.”
“Do you know who did it? I’ll go find them and return the favor,” she said a little too enthusiastically.
“I’m not sure exactly. I saw a girl in a devil costume, but she didn’t look familiar. Don’t worry about it though. If I see her again, it’s on.”
“Okay. Well hurry up, we’re waiting for you.”
“Okay, be there in just a second.” I put the phone down and picked up the eyeliner again, getting ready to go for round two when I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye near the toilet. I stepped closer to get a better look, but in that same minute I know I’m in trouble. A giant gnarly wing unfurls before me and the creature snarls at me in a way that makes my heart stop beating. I’m trapped in here and I can tell by the way it looks at me that it can smell the fear wafting off of me.
I take a step backward and it immediately swoops after me. I barely have time to fall to the ground before it zooms past and smacks into the door. A blazing pain erupts down my back. It somehow managed to swipe me with its razor sharp claws. A warm liquid begins to seep through my dress and along my spine. It stood up, still slightly dazed, so I decided to attack first this time. I lunged forward and kicked it as hard as I could in the face with my knee causing it to fall backwards. I snatched my bag off the counter, swung the door open, and raced down the hall. I was almost to the steps when it grabbed my ankle and knocked me to the ground. I started kicking wildly in hopes that I’d break free, but its claws just keep tearing at my flesh.
I panicked. I’m going to die. There is nobody here to save me and no amount of running is going to get me out of this mess. I won’t go quietly, I thought. I looked up and down the hall for something to use as a weapon and that’s when I spot it, my purse. It flew out of my hand when I face-planted so it’s just barely out of reach. If I could get this creature off of me for a second I might be able to sprint for it and grab the mace. It’s a long shot, but it was better than nothing.
I relax, knowing that the only way to get this thing off of me is to make the creature think that it has won. Sure enough, it releases its grip and comes closer, settling its disfigured face near mine. Our noses practically touching. I sat up slowly. “What do you want from me??
?? I asked the creature hoping to keep it distracted while I readied myself.
It cocked its head to the side, but didn’t respond. I stood up. “I said, what do you want from me?” I darted forward and reached out for the bag, but it was faster and blocked my path with its giant wings. Survival mode kicked in and I dove off to the left rolling forward and snatching the purse up at the same time. I heard the pounding footsteps of the beast as it came after me. Reaching into the bag, I pulled out the mace and just as it reached out for me, I pushed down on the nozzle and doused it with pepper spray. It let out an ear-piercing cry as it folded in on itself and began swatting at its face. I took that as my cue and bolted down the stairs, nearly tripping over the rope and running with head smacking force into Alyssa.
I didn’t recognize her at first in the Little Bo Peep outfit, but then someone dressed as a sheep came rushing over and I just knew who it was. “Are you okay?” she asked me startled. She could tell there was something wrong so she reached around to put a hand on my back, ushering me forward and I cried out in pain.
She pulled her hand away and gasped when she saw the icky blood stains left behind. I couldn’t tell them what happened, so I ran. I rushed past the front door, down to the street, and then to the nearest bus stop, hoping that the creature wouldn’t follow me. I didn’t answer my phone when it rang or beeped with texts. As soon as I got home, I rushed upstairs and started stripping down. I checked myself out in the mirror and whimpered at the three very long and semi-deep slashes running the length of my back. My ankle looked like it had gotten into a fight with a lion. I soaked a towel in peroxide and took care of my injuries the best I could, crying harder as the stinging sensation washed over me. I wrapped myself in bandages, put on the least revealing pajamas I could find, grabbed two Tylenol from the cabinet, and then threw myself in bed, burrowing deep under the covers.
If I didn’t wake up in the morning, it would be a welcome relief.
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