Oct. 11, 2024

12 Shocking Stories of Halloween Terror!

12 Shocking Stories of Halloween Terror!
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Kick back and experience the best of Halloween horrors from Weekly Spooky in 2021 and 2022! Over five hours of scary stories to keep you on the edge of your seat!

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twitter.com/WeeklySpooky
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Music by Ray Mattis http://raymattispresents.bandcamp.com

Executive Producers
Rob Fields
Mark Shields
Bobbletopia.com

Produced by Daniel Wilder

This episode is sponsored by 
HenFlix.com

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

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📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

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Well, hello, my spookies. It's your host and narrator Enrique

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Kuto here, and it's Friday in October. So I think

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it's time for some scary stories and why not head

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back to twenty and twenty one in twenty twenty two

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to hear some of our best Halloween stories right here

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at Weekly Spooky. So, whether you're a brand new listener

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or you've been listening the entire six years we've been on,

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now's the time to refresh your memory with something scary.

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We have twelve stories all about Halloween night and the

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mischief that comes with the territory. So get yourself comfortable.

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We have enough stories to get you nearly through an

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entire work day, so get comfortable or get to work

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in because we have nothing but scares to come, So

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why not start it all off with a little pumpkin

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spice and nothing Nice. It definitely hits the spot when

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it's in your cup. Enjoy Pumpkin Spice and Nothing Nice.

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By Charles Campbell, seven o'clock am, October thirty first, Amber

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Hannah sighed in frustration as she impatiently waited in line

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at Frankie's Donuts, a line that was threatening to spill

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outside the front door. By her count, she was in

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spot eight and so far every single person is ordered

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a pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin spice donuts or both.

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Amber was so over the fall season she just wanted

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her caramel cap pucchino and glazed doughnut before heading into

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the office. Everything was pumpkin spice, from candles to fucking clorox.

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No shit, she saw pumpkin spice clorox in the grocery

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store the day before. She dreaded the three block walk

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to her office because as soon as she arrives, Amber

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knows the place will smell of pumpkin spice. Whoever thought

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of putting pumpkin spice in fucking everything ought to be

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bound and flogged. Needless to say, Amber was no fan

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and would be happy when November first rolled around. It

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meant half priced candy and folks would start easing up

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just a bit on all this pumpkin spice shit. Fuck Halloween,

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fuck pumpkin spice. It was almost her turn in line

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when a small hand tugged on her finger. Trick or treat.

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The little boy said, ugh, get away, Amber said, and

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stepped forward to place her order, she felt a finger

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poke her on the butt and spun around Trick or treat.

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The little boy repeated, look, you little turd, where is

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your mother? Amber asked angrily, what's your problem? Frankie asked Susie.

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The cashier stepped aside for her boss. Oh, nothing much.

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I'm so sick of all this Halloween shit, the pumpkin

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spice bullshit. This coffee shop used to be great because

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it wasn't a fucking Starbucks or Duncan. But I'll be

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damned if you fuckers didn't go ahead and sell out.

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I hate all this pumpkin spice bullshit and snot nos

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brats trying to touch my ass. That is my fucking problem.

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Amber's face was beat red and she just couldn't stop

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the spew of venom. Once it started. The little boy

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with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair started to cry,

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you're a meanie. The pumpkin man is gonna get you.

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The kid cried out, pumpkin man, give me a fucking break.

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Amber said, get out of my store and don't come back.

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Since you hate us so much, go to Starbucks or Duncan.

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But you're not welcome here anymore. Frankie shouted, fine, Amber

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said and turned to leave. There was a tap on

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her shoulder. It was the boy's father. Miss the way

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you talked to my son was crass and unacceptable. You

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owe him an apology. The tall man with a dark

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complexion said he wasn't angry, but he was serious. Uh yeah,

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that ain't gonna fucking happen. You're lucky I don't call

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the police. The little perv tried to grab my ass.

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Amber said she was over it and ready to go. Okay,

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so you're going to forego the apology, asked the man. Duh.

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Amber answered and began walking toward the door. The man

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tapped on her shoulder once more. She turned to let

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him have it for the final time. He held out

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his palm and quickly blew orange dust into her face.

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Amber coughed and gagged. She breathed it in and swallowed

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a good bit of it. Her eyes burned, and she

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was fiercely rubbing them. What felt like agonizing minutes was

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only a few seconds when she felt the cool water

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wash over her face. Frankie was pouring a bottle of

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cold dasani over her eyes. It was helping. Did someone

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call the cops, Amber asked. Nobody said a word. Where

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where'd they go? Amber looked around. The little boy and

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tall man were gone. She thought about calling the police,

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but what was the point. She'd go to work and

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tomorrow this Halloween horseshit would be over until next year.

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Ten minutes later, Amber was tapping away on her front

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teeth with her index finger as she was trying to

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decide what she wanted from the vending machine. She rolled

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her eyes when she noticed what was in B seven

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pumpkin pie pop tarts. This season couldn't come to an

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end fast enough. She chose some generic peanut butter crackers

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and had just enough change in her pocket for a

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doctor pepper to wash it all down. She needed something

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in her stomach to deal with all the Halloween freaks

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in the office today. Shelley was a witch, John was

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a half asked Frankenstein monster, Chuck was a bargain basement mummy,

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and Tina, well, she didn't know what the fuck Tina

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was supposed to be. She had drawn on whiskers, so

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maybe some kind of a dying cat or something. Just

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another Halloween at Whitman's Insurance Agency. Chuck and Tina Whitman

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owned the place, and they were very firm believers in

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all Hallow's Eve. Another year without dressing up? Hih amber,

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Chuck asked, as he held his arms out like a

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lumbering mummy from movies long long ago. Yeah, well, you know,

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I really couldn't find anything to wear, mister Whitman, Amber said,

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Looking at him made her want to puke. At least

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you're consistent. You sure you didn't try a little makeup

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this morning, Chuck asked as he pointed at her neck.

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You've got a little something there. You get one of

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those mpkin spice donuts from Frankie's. No, mister Whitman, let

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me go wipe this mess off, Amber said, and excused

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herself from her desk. Thankfully there was no one else

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in the restroom. Amber looked in the mirror and she

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could see the little orange smudge that mummy Chuck pointed out.

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She soaked a paper towel sheet with warm water and

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dabbed at the small spot on her neck. She dried

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it and took another look. The smudge was still there,

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so she added a little soap from the dispenser and

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scrubbed a little harder. She dried it again, and the

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smudge hadn't gone anywhere. Fuck. Amber whispered and tossed the

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paper towels into the garbage. She'd have to wash the

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spot away in the shower that night. It was par

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for the course. She'd have to work all day with

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that pumpkin orange blotch on her neck. Naturally it would

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be pumpkin orange. She took one last look in the

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mirror and blew a strand of hair out from in

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front of her face. Amber then went back to her desk.

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This morning was busy and lunch was fast approaching. Amber

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was hungry. The crackers and doctor Pepper weren't quite the

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breakfast she expected. She fielded quite a few calls and

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set several appointments for the agents. Some customers came in

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with their young kids, all dressed up. The little fuckers

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had their trick or treat bags and the whitman's were

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more than happy to fill them. To Amber, kids didn't

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belong in a place of business, even if it was Halloween.

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She rose from her desk and stretched her arms. Amber

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was going to take a walk down the block and

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grab a sandwich from Underground Joe's. That's when one of

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the kids in the office shouted, Oh wow, Mom, look

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at her. He shouted and pointed at Amber. I don't

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think she's finished her costume yet. Stop pointing. It's not polite,

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the portly woman said and waved at Amber before pulling

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her son away by the arm. What the fuck was

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that about, Amber whispered to herself. Then Chuck walked by

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and stopped cold. Amber, have you been getting into the

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Halloween spirit? Looks good so far, Chuck said, and made

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a circle with his finger as he pointed at her neck.

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Amber's brow furrowed. She noticed the others in the office

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now looking at her. Tina, the afflicted cat, put her

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hand over her mouth. That was enough for Amber to

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high tail it back to the restroom. Amber locked the

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door behind her and moved quickly to the mirror. She

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put her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. Fuck, fuck, fuck,

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Amber repeated. It was the only word her brain would register.

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The orange smudge had spread, and there was more. The

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bottom half of her neck was pumpkin orange, covered with

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what appeared to be black spider veins. There was no

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washing this shit away. Amber took a deep breath and

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exited the bathroom. She moved quickly to the coat rack

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and lifted Tina's long black scarf. She wrapped it around

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her neck and shouted, uh, I'm not feeling well, mister Whitman.

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Going home to lie down. She waved a hand in

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the air and almost knocked Freddy Caldwell over as she

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rushed from the building. Fifteen minutes later, Amber was safely

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in the confines of her one bedroom apartment when she

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immediately removed her clothes and stepped into the shower. She

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saturated the loofa with soapy water and went to work

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on her neck. There was no rush of orange and

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black makeup running down her chest. She scrubbed harder, but

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nothing was happening. It was as if someone tattooed this

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shit on her erh What the fuck? Amber screamed. The

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shower was as hot as she could stand it and

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nothing was happening. She pulled the shower curtain and grabbed

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a towel from a clean stack on the shelf. Amber

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wrapped her body and opened the bathroom door to let

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the steam escape. Then she used a dry washcloth to

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wipe the fogging mirror. Amber almost fainted at what she saw,

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not only did the orange and black mess not go away,

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but it spread even more. Now all of her neck

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was completely covered to the base of her chin. Amber's

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heart was racing, her hands trembled as she attempted to

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remove her nose ring, and quickly gave up on the

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notion when the scent crept into her nostrils. It was

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the unmistakable combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger. The

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fucking smell of pumpkin spice. Something else was strange. Amber

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noticed the color of her eyes were darker. They were

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a sky blue before, but now they were almost like

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dark pools of water. This was fucked up on so

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many levels. Then it hit her. The man, the man

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at Frankie's did the shit. He poisoned me, Amber said

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out loud, before thinking, what the fuck did that kid say?

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The pumpkin Man will get you. Amber got dressed as

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she opened the Uber app on her phone. She was

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going to the emergency room. Thirty four minutes later. It

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was mid afternoon and Augusta University Hospital's er was crazier

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than usual. As soon as the uber driver dropped her off,

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Amber knew this was going to be a wasted trip.

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The er waiting room was almost to capacity. A lot

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of them were snotty nosed little shits, sniffling and coughing

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all over the place. There are prompt cares and pediatricians

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for this bullshit, is what Amber thought as she stepped

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to the front desk. The pretty young nurse smiled as

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Amber approached. Wow, that's some great makeup. You go into

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a Halloween party. No, Amber replied, She wanted to look

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in a mirror trick or treating with some kids. Then, no,

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how long is the weight? Amber asked, Well, the lobby's full.

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You can fill out this paperwork if you want to wait.

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The young nurse held a clipboard with a small stack

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of paper attached. You're looking at a two to three

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hour weight. We got a lot of sick kids today, fuck,

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Amber replied, and waved off the clipboard. Amber walked away.

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The nurse smiled and greeted the next person in line.

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Seventeen minutes later, Amber shuffled back into her apartment and

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went into her bedroom. She turned on the light and

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stood in front of the full length mirror attached to

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the door. Half of her face was now covered in

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pumpkin orange and black to just under her nose. Amber

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stared in horror as the image was starting to present itself.

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Oh my god, she screamed. The jagged black lines around

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her mouth formed the unmistakable grin of a jack o' lantern.

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The smell was back, too, and it was driving her bananas.

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It was as if her nose were made of pumpkin spice.

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It was sickening and caused her to convulse. She scurried

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to the bathroom and dry heaved. After a couple of minutes,

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she calmed down and caught her breath. The smell was

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still there, but the compulsion to puke her guts out

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was gone. For the moment. Amber laid in her bed

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and sobbed. She cried herself to sleep. Four hours later,

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Amber awoke with a pounding headache. The room was dark

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except for the television. One of the Halloween movies was playing,

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and she really didn't give two shits which won as

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far as she was concerned. If you I've seen one,

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You've seen them all. She placed her hands on her

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temples and was all but convinced that she just woke

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up from one of the most vividly terrible nightmares she's

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ever had. But the smell was still there, and she

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didn't think it possible. It was even more prominent. This

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stoked the fear in her, like a blow poker to

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a dying fire. Amber turned on the light and fell

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to her knees in front of the mirror. Dear God,

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she screamed. Her face had completely transformed into that of

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a jack o lantern. It wasn't makeup or parlor tricks.

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It was one hundred percent her face. Her eyes were

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oval shaped and so dark the iris blended with her pupils.

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The same type of black jagged lines around her mouth

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now surrounded her eyes and nose. Everything else was pumpkin orange,

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with streaks that looked like ominous roads on a map.

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Her shoulder length hair was black with orange highlights. What

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did he do to me? Amber was panicking. She should

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go back to the hospital, but how could they fix this.

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She could go back to Frankie's. Maybe the tall man

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came back with his kid. She could give the apology

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he asked for, and maybe he could fix it. That

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was her best shot. She didn't want to go out

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looking like this, but it was Halloween, so she shouldn't

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turn too many heads. Amber retrieved her phone and headed out.

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Frankie's was, after all, within walking distance. Nine minutes later,

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there were oohs and ohs when Amber stepped into Frankie's.

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A line of kids were waiting their turn at the

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candy table. Susie Reynolds was dressed as a witch. It

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was one of those Dollar General costumes, but Susie filled

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it out rather nicely. Amber pushed to the front of

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the candyline. Susie didn't recognize her at all until she spoke, Susie,

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you've seen that kid from this morning. Amber asked Amber

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that you Wow, your makeup is amazing. Susie was thoroughly impressed.

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Shut at, Susie, the kid from this morning? Have you

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seen him, Amber asked in desperation. No, Susie replied, and,

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because of Amber's bitchiness, added, didn't Frankie tell you not

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to come back? Come on, Susie, I need to find

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the kid and his dad. Let me sit in the

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back for a little while in case they come in. Please, Susie. Okay,

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but if Frankie shows up, I'm not covering for you.

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Susie replied as she grabbed a fistful of candy For

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the next kid, Thank you, thank you, Amber said, before

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taking a seat in a booth facing the entrance. She

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was tapping her fingers nervously on the table. She kept

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her eyes on the front door, hoping against hope for

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the kid and his dad to return. Amber glanced at

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her phone to check the time, and an immediate lump

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formed in her throat. Her wrists were pumpkin orange. Amber

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was wearing gray sweats, so most of her body was

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covered up. She quickly glanced around, held her breath, and

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took a quick peek down her shirt. Amber was on

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the verge of breaking down. Her entire torso was pumped

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an orange. No, no, no. Amber was trembling uncontrollably. The kids,

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along with their parents in the candy line, started to

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notice her. Then a line of her very own started.

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Oh wow, you're a pumpkin. Look, mama, she's a pumpkin.

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The little redheaded girl dressed like raggedy ann shouted. Where's

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the rest of your costume? She asked as she looked

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over the gray sweats. Amber gave the little girl a

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nervous smile and squirmed in her seat. Come on, come on, please,

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Amber mumbled, you looks so cool. You want some of

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my candy, a little boy asked. Amber smiled and shook

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her head. No. There was now a full fledged crowd

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of kids in front of her. Half of the kids

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were in the candy line and the other half were

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in the line to see the pumpkin lady. Please come, please,

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Amber whispered. The kids gawked, and most of the parents

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were impressed with the detail of the makeup. Almost an

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hour passed and Amber was just about to leave and

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head back to the er when she heard a familiar

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voice trick or treat. He was wearing a pumpkin mask,

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but she immediately recognized the voice. It was the little

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boy with the blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. Hey,

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you want some candy? Amber grabbed a handful some of

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the other kids left for her on the table. Here

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you go. He held a plastic pumpkin in front of him,

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and she dropped the candy inside. Look, I want you

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to know that I'm so sorry I yelled at you today.

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It was wrong of me and I shouldn't have treated

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you like that. Please tell your dad that I'm sorry,

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Amber said. Tears filled her blod black eyes. She could

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tell the little boy was smiling behind his mask. It's okay,

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thank you for the candy, he replied, and opened his

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arms for a hug. Amber scooched out of the booth

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and knelt down. The little boy hugged her around the

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neck and whispered in her ear. My daddy is the

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pumpkin Man. When Amber stood, the tall man was there.

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He was behind his son holding a cup. Thank you

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for apologizing to my son. Halloween is his favorite time

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of year, and he gets very excited here, the tall

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man said, as he handed Amber a Frankie's cup. Take

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this as an acceptance of your apology. Make sure you

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drink the entire cup. You'll feel like a new woman

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in the morning. Come on, son, let's go. The two

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of them walked out to Frankie's. Amber looked at the cup.

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It looked like a regular old cup of pumpkin spice latte.

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She took a sip and nothing ever tasted better on

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her tongue. It was hot, but not too hot. Amber

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drank every single drop. Nothing was left in the cup.

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She hugged a few more kids before she left Frankie's.

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She liked the feeling. One year later, the line at

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Frankie's Donuts was almost to the door. By her count,

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she was in spot ten and so far every single

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person had ordered a pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin spice

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donuts or both. Amber waited patiently for her turn to order.

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Susie smiled as Amber approached. Nice costume, Amber, quite as

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good as last Halloween, but not bad girley, Susie said.

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Amber was wearing a tight fitting sexy witch costume straight

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from the Dollar General. Thank you, Susie. I'll be by

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tonight to see what you're wearing. I'd like a pumpkin

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spice latte and two dozen pumpkin spice donuts for the office.

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Okie doke, Susie replied. A smiling Frankie approached the counter.

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What a difference a year makes, huh Amber. Amber nodded

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and replied, yes, sir, I friggin love Halloween.

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Retro Halloween Weekend by Rob Fields. Strickfield is always a

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major hotspot for the two major holidays the year. When

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the Christmas season comes around, each and every house is

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decorated to the max. There are many events that go

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from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of Christmas.

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The Christmas season is the second biggest event of the two.

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The biggest event is Halloween. Much like the Christmas season,

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each and every house is decorated to the max. There

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are many more events that take place for Halloween than

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during the Christmas season. What sorts of events happen during

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the entire month of October and Strickfield, you may ask.

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Many parties take place at the local businesses. Denoyer's Grill,

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the popular restaurant in Strickfield, usually picks up more customers

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seemingly every day. There are plenty of haunted attractions around

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the area, though you may want to avoid the backwoods areas.

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If you head out to these attractions, all of the

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bars are open for parties, which brings many of the

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students in from Strickfield University. Strickfield also has the two

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biggest events that are greatly talked about for the Halloween season.

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The first one is their Tricker Treat Nights, which take

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place on both October thirtieth and on the thirty first.

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The tradition here is that anyone can go door to

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door and collect candy without any judgment. It doesn't matter

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how old you are or where you come from. In fact,

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people come from miles away just to experience this event,

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and there seem to be more and more tricker treaters

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here each and every year, which was why the event

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was extended to two days. There's even going to be

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an issue on the November ballot to extend the event

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to a full week. The second of the two biggest

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events for Halloween takes place at the Strickfield Drive Theater

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on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each weekend in October.

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There are triple features. Monday through Thursday features a horror

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double feature each night. The Drive In sells out even

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on Sundays and weeknights, which are school nights. However, on

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Halloween weekend, the Drive In hosts special marathons in which

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four films are screened. But on Halloween Night itself, the

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Drive In hosts an extra special marathon in which they

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screen four secret movies which aren't revealed until they hit

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the screen. Only the manager knows what the titles are.

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The event sells out just the same. This year, Halloween

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Night will be on a Sunday as part of retro

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Halloween Weekend. It's Saturday now Halloween Eve that I'm seeing

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Charity Mirren on TV at the Drive in gear a

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speech as it turns out the Strickfield Drive In Theaters

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in need of some major renovations. Really, you just know

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the theater makes damn good money, the owners can't raise

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the funds to renovate the fucking place. Charity and her

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girlfriend Micah Collins were at the drive in for a

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summer triple feature event and had heard about the theatre's peril.

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Not only did Charity and Micah raise the money for

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the renovations, but whatever was left over went to a

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charity of the owner's choice, which was the Strickfield General

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Hospital Children's Ward. Charity is standing at the podium with

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Micah next to her and talking about how she and

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Micah heard that the drive in was in trouble and

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might not reopen for next year's season. She talks about

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how the former drive in location on the other end

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of the village went to hell. The old Strickfield Drive

401
00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:54.680
In Theater location is on the very same road here

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00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:59.960
as this current location. Charity explains the old theater closed

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00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:03.519
down in nineteen eighty seven after hosting the final retro

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Halloween weekend event there. But now, as we get to

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the end of the Halloween season, the Strickfield Drive in

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Theater will finish this final weekend with the traditional four

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four Secret movies, and that's both nights this year. Charity

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laughs a little, though after tonight they won't be a

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secret so much. Then, Charity really smiles. Micah, and I

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00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:33.640
would like to thank all of you who donated. Because

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of your donations, this Drive in Theater will continue to

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operate for seasons to come, which means there will be many,

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many more special nights, just like the Halloween season and

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Retro Halloween Weekend. Her statement was followed by lots and

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lots of applause. Charity lets Micah speak. Also, many of

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you requested to have actual vendors here for retro Halloween Weekend.

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Well consider that wish granted. There'll be plenty of vendors

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00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:07.319
here to sell whatever your horrific little heart's desire, including

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00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:10.759
even more scary movies. This is going to be a

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retro Halloween weekend. None of us will ever forget, we promise,

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so we'll likely see many of you here this weekend.

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And remember, the four Secret Movies will be playing on

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this screen here both tonight and tomorrow night. Very few

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00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:30.400
tickets are still available, so don't wait, happy retro Halloween

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weekend and happy Halloween. More fucking loud applause. Yeah, everybody's

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00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:43.799
all happy and excited, ain't they? Fuck you? Charity. I'm

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00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:47.079
lying on my bed and shaking with seething hatred for

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00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:50.359
my older sister by a little over a year. I've

429
00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:53.279
had to watch you on TV ever since I heard

430
00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:56.640
that you and Micah were doing all those charity drives together.

431
00:31:57.039 --> 00:32:00.599
You two raised funds for the expansions to Strickfield Element School.

432
00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:02.759
You even raised funds to get the strict Field Fire

433
00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:07.279
Department new fire engines. I heave and heave with hatred,

434
00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:10.680
and now realize I've tightened my fists so much that

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00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:15.039
I feel myself bleeding from where my long fingernails have

436
00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:20.759
dug into my palm. Still shaking with hatred, I stand

437
00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:24.519
up and scream at the top of my lungs. I'm

438
00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:29.839
heaving again. My hatred for you will never stop, Charity.

439
00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:32.839
I march right out of the house and head down

440
00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:36.160
the road to my friend Sienna Michael's house. When I

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00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:38.680
get there, I open the front door and walk right in.

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00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:42.880
Siena's parents just look at me as I disappear upstairs

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00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:46.319
and open the door to Sienna's room. Sienna's lying on

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00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:50.440
her bed with her headphones on, listening to heavy metal records.

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00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:55.079
When Sienna sees me, she pulls her headphones off. Destiny,

446
00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:58.920
Hey babe, what's up. I sit down next to her.

447
00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:02.640
Why does she do it, Sienna? Why does charity have

448
00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:06.640
to make our family look so bad? Sienna listens to

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00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:09.000
me bitch about everything that happened at the drive in

450
00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:12.480
along with all the other charities. My sister scored funds

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00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:16.599
for Mom and Dad disowned charity, and it's like this this.

452
00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:23.279
I glare at Sienna. She's so goddamn happy, go lucky.

453
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She even has a girlfriend, a girlfriend. I raise my finger.

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00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:31.319
And every time charity raises money for something, Mom and

455
00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:34.920
Dad hear about it. Know what they do? I stand

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00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:38.599
up and scream they take it out on me. I

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00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:42.119
sit down again. Sienna sees a tear run down my

458
00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:44.440
cheek and tries pulling me to her to hug me.

459
00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:47.799
But I push her away and quickly wipe away the tear.

460
00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:53.160
I won't show weakness. When Mom heard on the radio

461
00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:56.319
that charity had saved the drive in theater, she turned

462
00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:59.279
and slapped me hard across the face and told me

463
00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:02.240
to get out of her. I tighten my fists again.

464
00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:09.159
I hate you, Charity, I really really hate you. Just

465
00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:13.280
then Sienna's door opens, her parents come into the room.

466
00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:17.519
What is going on up here? Her dad points right

467
00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:20.880
at me. You just barge into our house. Then you

468
00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:24.960
come up here and start screaming at Sienna Dad. She didn't,

469
00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:28.480
Sienna tries to say. I stand up quickly and scream

470
00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:33.000
at her father fuck off. Before he can respond, I

471
00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:36.360
shove right past Sienna's parents and move downstairs. They hear

472
00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:40.119
the door slam shut behind me. It's not long before

473
00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:44.320
Sienna comes after me, likely against her parents' wishes. Destiny.

474
00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:48.559
Come on, don't be like this. Mom and dad said

475
00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:51.719
you're not welcome at our house anymore. Fuck your parents,

476
00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:54.880
I yell. I'm ready to say the same thing to Sienna,

477
00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:59.480
but I quickly stop myself. Sienna's my only friend in

478
00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:04.840
this world. I just look ahead and fuck you, Charity.

479
00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:08.400
We sit down on a bench outside of Gunter Square

480
00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:12.519
and talk about things. Sienna really tries to calm me down,

481
00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:16.039
but I'm so full of hate. I can still feel

482
00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:18.480
Mom slapping me across the face so hard that I

483
00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:21.239
fall and hit the floor. Just as hard. I keep

484
00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:26.239
feeling her hands slapping my face again and again, all

485
00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:32.000
because of you, Charity. Suddenly I stand up. I've got it, Sienna.

486
00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:35.239
I know exactly how to get my revenge on Charity.

487
00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:41.760
What are you talking about, Sienna stammers? I turn to

488
00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:47.920
her retro Halloween weekend. Tomorrow night is Halloween. It doesn't

489
00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:50.199
matter what day of the week Halloween falls on. It

490
00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:52.320
doesn't matter where it is or what the event is.

491
00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:56.960
Halloween is, without a doubt, the biggest money maker in

492
00:35:57.119 --> 00:36:03.079
all of Strickfield. I sigh, a sinister sigh. That means

493
00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:06.440
the Drive In will have its biggest money maker tomorrow.

494
00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:09.400
The banks won't be open for them to take their

495
00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:12.719
cash to and deposit it. And there are no night

496
00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:16.159
deposits at any of the banks around here. I should know,

497
00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:20.320
because our family owns all the banks. I sit back down.

498
00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:24.440
That means the Drive In keeps the money locked on

499
00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:28.440
the premises. Then I shriek with the light. The charity

500
00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:33.920
money will also be there. Sienna looks at me uneasily. Um,

501
00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:39.239
you're not thinking of oh, but I am, Sienna. I

502
00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:44.639
assure her I have a plan. Sienna still looks uneasy.

503
00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:51.840
That's stealing destiny. I laugh, Why, yes, yes it is.

504
00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:56.480
Sienna keeps giving me that uneasy look and pissing me off.

505
00:36:57.360 --> 00:37:00.679
Fuck off, I'm doing this. Sienna lowers her head and

506
00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:04.000
seems ready to cry. I hate it when you yell

507
00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:08.280
at me. Now I feel awful again. Sienna is my

508
00:37:08.440 --> 00:37:14.159
only friend. I hug her. I'm sorry, I say, sincerely,

509
00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:18.639
I won't involve you in my plan. But Sienna suddenly

510
00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:23.400
hugs me back tightly. Stop. You can't do this by yourself.

511
00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:27.519
You need me. When we come apart, I wait for

512
00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:30.960
her explanation. I love you and I won't let you

513
00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:34.480
do this by yourself. I know I can't talk you

514
00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:39.280
out of it, so I'm going to help you. I

515
00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:44.400
consider her now. Then I sigh. I'm such a bitch

516
00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:47.880
to you, and you still want to help me because

517
00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:51.119
I love you, dummy, You're my best friend. I only

518
00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:56.840
have one. I sigh again and whisper. I love you too,

519
00:37:57.039 --> 00:38:02.199
and I'm sorry for how I tr We hug again.

520
00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:10.119
What's the plan, Sienna asks, I compose myself. Okay, we'll

521
00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:12.760
meet at the drive in tomorrow night and do the marathon.

522
00:38:13.320 --> 00:38:16.639
Plenty of time to scope everything out. We'll wait until

523
00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:20.599
the final movie plays before we grab the cash. I've

524
00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:23.840
never been to the drive in. Where is it? Sienna

525
00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:28.039
asks me. Neither. I take out my smartphone and look

526
00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:32.760
it up. Thirteen thirteen Harlow Road. Here's a pick. He

527
00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.920
can't miss it. It looks like it's ready to fall

528
00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:37.800
apart from the outside. I look at the pick again

529
00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:41.760
and realize something else. Hey, it's actually not far from

530
00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:44.920
Denoyer's grill. Howbout we meet there and get shakes before

531
00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:49.960
we hit the drive in. Great idea, Sienna agrees enthusiastically.

532
00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:57.679
I smile for her. Okay, Babe, see you tomorrow at Denoyer's.

533
00:38:58.480 --> 00:39:02.400
It's Halloween night. After we have shakes at Denoyer's grill,

534
00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:05.800
we leave the still packed vintage diner and make our

535
00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:08.480
way to the drive in. We pass a lot of

536
00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:12.079
trick or treaters. Like I said, Strickfield is the place

537
00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:15.800
to trick or treat period. It's not long before we

538
00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:18.480
see the drive in. The old sign out front is

539
00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:21.159
brightly and dully lit at the same time and reads

540
00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:26.960
welcome to retro Halloween weekend in red letters. Suddenly, two

541
00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:30.599
cars appear from out of nowhere and speed right past us,

542
00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:34.159
just weaving all over the fucking road. Sienna and I

543
00:39:34.239 --> 00:39:37.880
quickly find ourselves on our asses. I quickly get up.

544
00:39:38.119 --> 00:39:40.079
As I help Sienna to her feet, I yell at

545
00:39:40.119 --> 00:39:46.400
the cars, Hey, jerks, speed kills. I'm okay, Sienna assures

546
00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:50.159
me when she's on her feet again, assholes, I mutter,

547
00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:53.199
come on, let's get inside the drive in. We can

548
00:39:53.320 --> 00:39:55.800
just go around and jump the fence. This way, we

549
00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:58.639
won't have to pay shit to get in. As we

550
00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:02.880
walk to the fence, have an evil thought. You know,

551
00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:07.360
once we rob this place, Charity's going to hear all

552
00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:11.880
about it. It'll be a big fuck you tour. Sienna

553
00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:17.639
glances at me. Can we go over the plan again? Sure?

554
00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:21.599
I explain the plan over again. I'm finished. When we

555
00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:26.119
reach the fence, got it, babe, Yeah, I got it,

556
00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:31.079
Sienna assures me. Sounds good. We climb up and over

557
00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:34.079
the fence and drop to the other side. I quickly

558
00:40:34.119 --> 00:40:38.920
look around. We're good. Nobody saw us. We walk across

559
00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:43.519
the gravel lot, pass one car after another, noticing the speakers.

560
00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:47.000
People are hanging on the windows for inside sound. Don't

561
00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:51.400
they broadcast the sound through the car radios? Here? No wonder,

562
00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:55.719
this fucking place needs renovations. I had no idea retro

563
00:40:55.840 --> 00:41:02.360
Halloween Weekend meant retro cars too, says Yeah, I noticed

564
00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:06.480
that too. I point to the concession stand. Okay, let's

565
00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:08.880
get refreshments and make ourselves look like we're here for

566
00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:14.480
the event. We enter the concession stand. Wow, I'm surprised

567
00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:19.840
by what we're seeing. Everything in here looks vintage too, Sienna. Well,

568
00:41:20.199 --> 00:41:24.360
maybe being retro is the theme here, Sienna offers. I mean,

569
00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:29.400
everything's supposed to be getting renovated, right, I smile wickedly.

570
00:41:30.199 --> 00:41:30.280
Not.

571
00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:35.880
After we're through here tonight, we order food. Fuck, even

572
00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:40.400
the prices are vintage. Everything's so cheap. Not only that,

573
00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:44.079
the food actually looks and smells a lot better and

574
00:41:44.199 --> 00:41:47.400
you actually get more. We head out and sit at

575
00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:50.199
a picnic table and wait for the first feature to start.

576
00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:54.239
I bite into my quarter pound hot dog. These are

577
00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:59.480
the best fucking hot dogs I've ever eaten. The marathon

578
00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:03.559
starts when the PSAs are playing. Some trailers follow, Then

579
00:42:03.599 --> 00:42:06.920
the first movie of the night begins to play, Carnival

580
00:42:07.000 --> 00:42:12.159
of Souls. Something doesn't feel right. I can't put my

581
00:42:12.320 --> 00:42:16.039
finger on it. We watch the movie. It's cloudy outside,

582
00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:19.880
and the wind starts to pick up. Intermission comes, we

583
00:42:19.920 --> 00:42:22.320
buy more food and come back to the picnic table.

584
00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:27.440
The second feature is Night of the Living Dead. Christ

585
00:42:27.960 --> 00:42:30.039
are they going to be playing black and white movies

586
00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:33.760
all fucking night? My question is answered one more time

587
00:42:34.199 --> 00:42:38.760
when they play The Last Man on Earth for round three. Really,

588
00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:43.800
these are the big, super secret mystery movies. We hit

589
00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:47.440
the concession stand again. The last movie plays, which is

590
00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:51.960
called Halloween Destiny. During the other movies, Ciena and I

591
00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:55.199
would get up and look around. We confirm our plan

592
00:42:55.320 --> 00:42:58.239
to get the money and are ready to make our move.

593
00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:05.519
If you thought that was scary, just you wait weekly spooky.

594
00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:06.760
We'll be right back.

595
00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:12.559
As we get up, we look at the movie. This

596
00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:17.000
one's not familiar yet, Sienna and I feel compelled to

597
00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:20.599
watch it. This black and white movie starts out with

598
00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:24.480
a vengeful, mean, rich girl who hates her older sister

599
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:29.000
for being kind hearted. She meets up with a friend

600
00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:31.920
and gets her to help her with a revenge plot.

601
00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:35.840
The two of them met up at a diner and

602
00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:38.760
eat before they walk to the drive in and climb

603
00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:43.719
the fence to get in. It's not long before the

604
00:43:43.800 --> 00:43:47.159
girls hear the rumble above them and know it's going

605
00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:53.800
to rain soon. Suddenly we hear a low rumble just

606
00:43:53.840 --> 00:43:59.360
above us. What the fuck, Sienna, it's supposed to be

607
00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:05.360
windy to just windy, not raining. In the movie, the

608
00:44:05.400 --> 00:44:09.079
girls take shelter underneath another picnic table that has a

609
00:44:09.159 --> 00:44:12.800
large umbrella over it as it begins to pour down rain.

610
00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:21.119
At the same time, it pours down rain on us. Shit.

611
00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:27.000
Sienna shrieks, Damn, it's so cold. Unlike the film, there

612
00:44:27.039 --> 00:44:30.960
are no picnic tables with umbrellas. In spite of the rain,

613
00:44:31.280 --> 00:44:34.519
the drive in patrons, both in the film and in

614
00:44:34.559 --> 00:44:37.199
the real world, are still in their cars and watching

615
00:44:37.239 --> 00:44:40.599
the movie. I take Sienna's hand and lead her back

616
00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:43.840
to the concession stand. The workers are a guy and

617
00:44:43.920 --> 00:44:47.000
a girl about our age. They both look a little

618
00:44:47.559 --> 00:44:51.320
off somehow. I know it's Halloween night and people usually

619
00:44:51.440 --> 00:44:55.199
dress up, but still Sienna and I both look at

620
00:44:55.239 --> 00:44:59.559
each other as if we're thinking the same thing. Nice

621
00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:04.519
night for the this event. Huh. The girl asks us,

622
00:45:04.559 --> 00:45:09.639
all dark and stormy. She quickly raises her hands in

623
00:45:09.639 --> 00:45:15.239
front of her, making claws. Spooky. Goes great with the movie.

624
00:45:15.559 --> 00:45:19.079
The guy adds, looks like you both got soaked. I

625
00:45:19.159 --> 00:45:23.159
glare at the guy. No shit, sherlock. The guy points

626
00:45:23.199 --> 00:45:27.280
at us, please refrain from using profanity. I raise both

627
00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:32.239
of my middle fingers, eat me. The girl smirks, Sienna

628
00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:39.119
feeling uneasy destiny. That wasn't very nice, The girl says,

629
00:45:39.719 --> 00:45:44.039
now I'm ready for a confrontation. Oh you want to

630
00:45:44.039 --> 00:45:48.199
throw us out? The guy and the girl laugh. Oh no, no, no,

631
00:45:48.760 --> 00:45:52.840
The girl says, we would never do that. On the contrary,

632
00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:55.320
when the guy and the girl both come out from

633
00:45:55.320 --> 00:46:00.400
behind the concession stand, we both shriek. The girl's uniform

634
00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:03.400
top is torn open at the bottom and her stomach

635
00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:07.559
and intestines are hanging out. The guy looks even worse

636
00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:12.239
than her and seems to be broken in many places.

637
00:46:13.000 --> 00:46:18.920
You're both going to be here for a very, very

638
00:46:19.119 --> 00:46:24.920
long time, the guy kroons. We were on our way

639
00:46:25.360 --> 00:46:29.199
to the Halloween formal at Strickfield High School. The girl cries,

640
00:46:29.800 --> 00:46:34.079
we were hit by a drunk driver and we crashed

641
00:46:34.079 --> 00:46:37.679
into that big tree just outside the entrance. Here, she

642
00:46:37.880 --> 00:46:43.760
gestures to both herself and her boyfriend. Drinking and driving kills.

643
00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:51.480
She points to us. You two should know, the guy adds,

644
00:46:52.239 --> 00:46:57.400
and now you're both here with us. Enjoy the show

645
00:46:58.119 --> 00:47:03.440
because it will always go on. The guy and the

646
00:47:03.440 --> 00:47:08.920
girl both laugh long peals of horrible, horrible laughter. We

647
00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:12.000
both scream and run back out into the cold rain.

648
00:47:12.880 --> 00:47:17.079
Oh fuck this shit, We're out of here. Damn right, Destiny.

649
00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:21.000
The lightning flickers enough to light up both the sky

650
00:47:21.880 --> 00:47:26.960
and the entire drive in. When the thunder finally crashes,

651
00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:33.800
it actually sounds just the way it did in the

652
00:47:33.840 --> 00:47:38.239
older horror movies, just the same. We both scream again

653
00:47:38.320 --> 00:47:40.800
when we see the people in the car directly in

654
00:47:40.840 --> 00:47:44.480
front of us. The couple look similar to the zombies

655
00:47:44.519 --> 00:47:47.320
featured on the Return of the Living Dead poster in

656
00:47:47.360 --> 00:47:51.719
the concession stand. The lightning flashes again and shows us

657
00:47:51.719 --> 00:47:55.119
how hard the rain is pouring. We scream again when

658
00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:58.840
we see that the cars are just full of dead people,

659
00:47:59.800 --> 00:48:04.320
and the vintage cars themselves don't look so nice anymore.

660
00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:08.400
You'd think this place was a fucking junkyard. Now we

661
00:48:08.519 --> 00:48:12.159
turn and run and see that Halloween Destiny continues to

662
00:48:12.199 --> 00:48:15.039
play on the screen. Those girls in the movie seem

663
00:48:15.119 --> 00:48:18.480
to be in the same predicament we're in. Sienna slaps

664
00:48:18.519 --> 00:48:21.800
my arm. Let's climb back out over the fence. I

665
00:48:21.880 --> 00:48:24.519
got a better idea. We're right by the front entrance.

666
00:48:25.280 --> 00:48:27.960
We run to where the cars came in. When we

667
00:48:28.039 --> 00:48:30.840
reach the admission booth, a man with half of his

668
00:48:30.920 --> 00:48:34.119
face missing and several broken teeth steps out and points

669
00:48:34.119 --> 00:48:38.639
at us. The rules specifically state that no one leaves

670
00:48:38.840 --> 00:48:44.320
until the final feature has ended. Back you go. We

671
00:48:44.400 --> 00:48:47.400
scream as the wind suddenly picks up and drives us

672
00:48:47.400 --> 00:48:49.840
both back into the main area of the drive in.

673
00:48:50.519 --> 00:48:54.239
We're both completely soaked. We move to try and climb

674
00:48:54.239 --> 00:48:58.920
out over the fence, but now the fence is a

675
00:48:58.960 --> 00:49:02.599
fucking brick wall. It's much too high and too slippery

676
00:49:02.599 --> 00:49:05.440
from the rain to scale. Then there's the fact that

677
00:49:05.480 --> 00:49:09.599
the walls covered with thorny vines and moss. Just then,

678
00:49:10.079 --> 00:49:14.280
a security guard approaches us. When the lightning flashes. The

679
00:49:14.360 --> 00:49:18.960
guard has rotting flesh everywhere, even as uniform looks ragged

680
00:49:19.000 --> 00:49:23.400
and dull. You girls need to stop causing problems and

681
00:49:23.639 --> 00:49:28.440
just watch the movies, he gurgles. We scream again and run.

682
00:49:29.159 --> 00:49:32.119
What are we going to do? Sienna cries, What the

683
00:49:32.159 --> 00:49:35.360
fuck can we do? I shriek, How the fuck is

684
00:49:35.400 --> 00:49:40.159
this shit even happening right there? Grab them? It sounds

685
00:49:40.199 --> 00:49:44.360
like the gurgling security guard again. Suddenly we're grabbed by

686
00:49:44.400 --> 00:49:48.559
two big, hulking creatures and force to our knees. Now,

687
00:49:48.599 --> 00:49:51.360
the guy and the girl running the concession stand approach us.

688
00:49:52.440 --> 00:49:56.599
The manager's here, The guy says he wants to have

689
00:49:56.639 --> 00:50:00.320
a very serious talk with the both of you. I

690
00:50:00.360 --> 00:50:05.639
am already here, a new, disembodied voice says. We both

691
00:50:05.679 --> 00:50:08.320
scream again when we see who's suddenly standing in front

692
00:50:08.320 --> 00:50:12.400
of us. There's no mistaking the figure with the long

693
00:50:12.480 --> 00:50:16.000
shroud and the sickle. I gasp in terror when I

694
00:50:16.039 --> 00:50:20.639
see the skeletal hand holding that sickle. Then the figure

695
00:50:20.719 --> 00:50:27.559
points to the screen. Watch Watch Destiny, Mirren si Anna Michaels.

696
00:50:28.119 --> 00:50:31.639
Watch the events that have brought you to before me.

697
00:50:32.880 --> 00:50:37.960
We're forced to finish watching Halloween Destiny. The girls in

698
00:50:38.000 --> 00:50:40.519
the movie are at the exact point where we are now,

699
00:50:41.119 --> 00:50:45.760
except now we see a flashback that shows that both

700
00:50:45.800 --> 00:50:48.840
girls had been hit by cars with drunken fraternity boys

701
00:50:48.840 --> 00:50:52.960
in them as they were nearing the drive in. Yes,

702
00:50:53.880 --> 00:51:00.000
death tells us you two have perished. You will wait

703
00:51:00.119 --> 00:51:05.639
your final judgment from me now. But before I render judgment,

704
00:51:06.519 --> 00:51:14.199
you shall finish your movie marathon. And we have bonus

705
00:51:14.239 --> 00:51:19.800
features just for the two of you. The Hulks pick

706
00:51:19.880 --> 00:51:22.639
us up and seat us at our picnic table. The

707
00:51:22.760 --> 00:51:27.559
fifth feature, called Destiny's Life plays for us. Here I

708
00:51:27.639 --> 00:51:31.440
see the horrible truth. My parents never even wanted me.

709
00:51:32.079 --> 00:51:36.239
They were happy with just having charity. Then shit happened

710
00:51:36.519 --> 00:51:40.000
and I was born. I had tried doing everything I

711
00:51:40.079 --> 00:51:42.519
could to please my parents, but I was treated like

712
00:51:42.599 --> 00:51:46.079
shit by them time and time again in favor of charity.

713
00:51:47.280 --> 00:51:51.079
Death speaks to me. It would be your early life

714
00:51:51.119 --> 00:51:54.400
that would cause your unbridled hatred for your older sister,

715
00:51:55.199 --> 00:51:59.280
that tainted your soul. This is what ultimately brought you

716
00:51:59.440 --> 00:52:04.599
before me, Destiny Miron. The sixth feature plays, which is

717
00:52:04.679 --> 00:52:09.400
called Destiny's Friend. This showed the time from where Sienna

718
00:52:09.400 --> 00:52:12.800
and I had met. We were just kids. Sienna kept

719
00:52:12.840 --> 00:52:15.239
following me around on the playground at school like a

720
00:52:15.800 --> 00:52:19.320
lost little puppy. No matter how many times I yelled

721
00:52:19.480 --> 00:52:21.880
and screamed at her to just go away, she kept

722
00:52:21.880 --> 00:52:26.119
following me around. Finally I gave in, if we hang

723
00:52:26.159 --> 00:52:30.000
out after school once, you'll leave me alone, I offered.

724
00:52:30.440 --> 00:52:34.440
Sienna nodded eagerly. I met Sienna after school and hung

725
00:52:34.480 --> 00:52:36.800
out with her By the time the day was over,

726
00:52:36.920 --> 00:52:42.400
I decided that I actually liked Sienna. Okay, fine, you

727
00:52:42.440 --> 00:52:46.079
can be my friend. We watch as I could sometimes

728
00:52:46.119 --> 00:52:50.159
be verbally abusive towards Sienna. She even cry a little

729
00:52:50.639 --> 00:52:54.679
when she knew I wasn't watching the movie even shows

730
00:52:54.760 --> 00:52:58.079
the day before when I just walked into Siena's home

731
00:52:58.159 --> 00:53:02.840
uninvited and unannounced. I look at Siena and feel heavy

732
00:53:02.920 --> 00:53:07.840
remorse inside. Now it's too much. I've become very weak

733
00:53:08.599 --> 00:53:13.800
and start to cry. I'm sorry, Sienna, I choke out.

734
00:53:14.360 --> 00:53:16.679
I'm so sorry I made you come along with me

735
00:53:16.760 --> 00:53:21.440
on this. I'm so sorry about everything. Sienna shakes her

736
00:53:21.480 --> 00:53:27.079
head slowly. No, I offered to come with you. You're

737
00:53:27.119 --> 00:53:31.440
my best friend. I only have one. I shake my

738
00:53:31.519 --> 00:53:34.760
head quickly. I did this out of hatred for Charity.

739
00:53:35.320 --> 00:53:37.880
I strive to be everything my parents wanted her to be.

740
00:53:38.559 --> 00:53:44.320
But Charity was kind, very kind, and our parents ultimately

741
00:53:44.320 --> 00:53:47.440
disowned her. I thought I would get all the attention

742
00:53:47.599 --> 00:53:50.519
Charity used to get. Yeah, I got all the attention.

743
00:53:51.280 --> 00:53:55.280
Mom and Dad hated my fucking guts. Mom absolutely refused

744
00:53:55.280 --> 00:53:57.800
to touch me before yesterday. She wouldn't even let me

745
00:53:57.880 --> 00:54:01.119
hugger then she heard about how was doing so much

746
00:54:01.159 --> 00:54:04.880
good raising money for all these charities, and Mom hit me.

747
00:54:05.880 --> 00:54:08.880
I look Death in his vacant space where his face

748
00:54:08.920 --> 00:54:11.800
should have been. I did it. It was all me.

749
00:54:12.400 --> 00:54:14.519
I came here to steal the money. Tonight, punish me,

750
00:54:14.800 --> 00:54:18.760
torture me, make me burn in hell. But please let

751
00:54:18.840 --> 00:54:25.599
Sienna go. She doesn't deserve this. No, Sienna interjects, I

752
00:54:25.719 --> 00:54:30.159
offer myself in exchange for Destiny. Let her go. Why

753
00:54:30.199 --> 00:54:36.679
would you offer yourself for Destiny? Miron, Death inquires, didn't

754
00:54:36.719 --> 00:54:39.639
you hear me? I told Destiny she was my best

755
00:54:39.679 --> 00:54:43.679
friend and that I only have one. Sienna turns to me.

756
00:54:45.159 --> 00:54:47.920
You gave me a chance. You let me be your

757
00:54:47.920 --> 00:54:52.800
best friend. You had to have one. I wanted to

758
00:54:52.800 --> 00:54:58.440
be it. Death raises his hand. Enough, I have made

759
00:54:58.599 --> 00:55:03.639
my decision. We're both scared now, as Death looks from

760
00:55:03.719 --> 00:55:09.440
her to me. As it turns out, I have two

761
00:55:09.480 --> 00:55:14.440
openings I need to fill. He points to Sienna. I

762
00:55:14.559 --> 00:55:19.199
charge that you, Sienna Michaels, shall be the new manager

763
00:55:19.800 --> 00:55:23.559
of this drive in theater. By day, you shall live

764
00:55:23.599 --> 00:55:28.079
in the mortal world. By night you shall work here

765
00:55:28.280 --> 00:55:32.599
in the after life and run my theater for me,

766
00:55:34.360 --> 00:55:40.239
Sienna gulps, but I can't run this theater. I don't

767
00:55:40.280 --> 00:55:44.320
know how I shall teach you all that you need

768
00:55:44.360 --> 00:55:48.159
to know. I offer you this position because I know

769
00:55:48.360 --> 00:55:52.480
you will be fair and just towards those who enter

770
00:55:52.559 --> 00:55:57.639
the after life. Death looks at me. Now, I shall

771
00:55:57.679 --> 00:56:02.840
not claim your soul, Destiny, mirn It is the events

772
00:56:02.840 --> 00:56:05.800
of your life that have poisoned your soul and have

773
00:56:05.840 --> 00:56:09.239
caused you to make poor decisions that have brought you

774
00:56:09.679 --> 00:56:14.199
to me. It is both your admission of guilt and

775
00:56:14.360 --> 00:56:18.480
the selflessness of your friend that have convinced me to

776
00:56:18.519 --> 00:56:24.679
give you my other job opening. I'm still crying. Just

777
00:56:25.519 --> 00:56:27.920
let Sienna go and I'll do whatever you want. I

778
00:56:27.960 --> 00:56:32.559
won't even try to run away. It's okay, Destiny, Sienna replies,

779
00:56:33.199 --> 00:56:39.599
I'm staying with you. My decision is final, Destiny Miron.

780
00:56:40.639 --> 00:56:45.400
Death tells me I have my new theater manager, but

781
00:56:45.639 --> 00:56:52.360
your new job shall carry even more responsibilities than hers.

782
00:56:53.360 --> 00:56:57.440
And before I know it, Death places his sickle into

783
00:56:57.480 --> 00:57:01.480
my hands. What what do you want me to do

784
00:57:01.519 --> 00:57:06.639
with this? Suddenly my skin and long blonde hair turn

785
00:57:07.199 --> 00:57:11.239
ghastly white. I feel my eyes, lips, and nails also changing,

786
00:57:11.760 --> 00:57:20.679
turning black. I also feel powerful, stronger, immortal. You shall

787
00:57:20.719 --> 00:57:26.360
be my replacement. Death explains, I have carried souls from

788
00:57:26.400 --> 00:57:29.480
the mortal realm to the after life since the dawn

789
00:57:29.519 --> 00:57:34.599
of time. Now it is time for me to move on,

790
00:57:35.880 --> 00:57:39.440
though I shall look in on you from time to time.

791
00:57:40.719 --> 00:57:44.400
From this moment on, you shall carry on with my

792
00:57:44.639 --> 00:57:50.400
name and my former duties. In addition to bringing souls

793
00:57:50.440 --> 00:57:53.320
to the after life, you shall help those who have

794
00:57:53.400 --> 00:57:57.559
tainted souls to change their ways for the better and

795
00:57:57.679 --> 00:58:03.760
perhaps avoid their fate. Then Sienna steps up, Wait, would

796
00:58:03.800 --> 00:58:07.079
you consider granting us the rest of Halloween night? Come on,

797
00:58:07.320 --> 00:58:13.159
we can't possibly run away, not from you. Please. Death

798
00:58:13.239 --> 00:58:20.000
considers Sienna's request very well. I shall release you both

799
00:58:20.079 --> 00:58:23.880
for tonight Tomorrow evening. Both of you shall begin your

800
00:58:23.960 --> 00:58:30.760
duties in the afterlife. Thank you, Sienna says, gratefully for

801
00:58:30.880 --> 00:58:36.159
both of us. Suddenly, we find ourselves back in Strickfield

802
00:58:36.159 --> 00:58:40.920
on Halloween evening, outside the drive in about the time

803
00:58:41.519 --> 00:58:45.800
we first got here. Only this time there's no sign

804
00:58:45.840 --> 00:58:49.960
of life whatsoever inside the theater. Sienna moves the sign

805
00:58:50.039 --> 00:58:54.800
and examines it. Destiny, could you look up the address again?

806
00:58:55.400 --> 00:58:57.920
I take out my smartphone, and show Sienna the pick

807
00:58:57.920 --> 00:59:03.760
from my search earlier. Here Sienna looks at it. Oh

808
00:59:03.800 --> 00:59:10.079
my god. What. Sienna looks at the sign again. This

809
00:59:10.199 --> 00:59:17.360
sign says thirteen thirteen West Harlow Road. So Sienna shows

810
00:59:17.360 --> 00:59:22.079
me my phone. Look closer. The text below this pick

811
00:59:22.159 --> 00:59:25.440
says this location is closed. The drive and we should

812
00:59:25.440 --> 00:59:28.400
have gone to is at thirteen thirteen East Harlow Road

813
00:59:28.719 --> 00:59:31.199
on the other side of the village. I take my

814
00:59:31.280 --> 00:59:35.000
smartphone back and see that. Sienna's right. I just looked

815
00:59:35.000 --> 00:59:37.679
at the picture for this place. I didn't even read

816
00:59:37.719 --> 00:59:42.920
the text below. I'm sad. Now this is all my fault.

817
00:59:44.000 --> 00:59:49.320
I'm so sorry, Sienna. Sienna takes my hand. Why you

818
00:59:49.400 --> 00:59:52.760
didn't drive drunk and kill us both. That's why we're

819
00:59:52.800 --> 00:59:58.880
really in the afterlife now, you know. I consider her. Yeah.

820
00:59:59.119 --> 01:00:03.159
I hug Siena to me. You know what, let's have

821
01:00:03.280 --> 01:00:08.079
some fun. Let's go trick or treating. Sienna hugs me back,

822
01:00:08.800 --> 01:00:12.159
then she backs away and looks me over black and

823
01:00:12.199 --> 01:00:16.079
white holding a sickle. You'll never need a Halloween costume.

824
01:00:17.239 --> 01:00:21.639
I smile at my friend. Thanks. Now, let's go get

825
01:00:21.679 --> 01:00:24.119
some candy to take back to the afterlife with us.

826
01:00:24.840 --> 01:00:39.159
Sienna shrieks with happiness. Let's Go the Halloween Party by

827
01:00:39.320 --> 01:00:44.840
Keith Tomlin. A rock skittered across the cracked pavement of

828
01:00:44.920 --> 01:00:50.039
the road as a black engineer boot playfully kicked at it. Clyde,

829
01:00:50.119 --> 01:00:53.079
a young man dressed in blue jeans, white T shirt

830
01:00:53.159 --> 01:00:57.960
and a leather jacket, stop to survey his surroundings. There

831
01:00:57.960 --> 01:01:03.119
were empty warehouses and factories on all sides, most falling apart,

832
01:01:03.480 --> 01:01:07.960
victims of a failing economy. The blight stretched as far

833
01:01:08.000 --> 01:01:11.079
as he could see, and from what he could tell,

834
01:01:11.679 --> 01:01:15.880
he seemed to be the only person within miles. He

835
01:01:16.000 --> 01:01:18.960
paused next to a rusty rim with a flat tire

836
01:01:19.280 --> 01:01:23.519
and lit an unfiltered cigarette. He took a deep drag,

837
01:01:24.199 --> 01:01:29.159
closing his eyes, enjoying the pleasure of the harsh, burning

838
01:01:29.280 --> 01:01:33.079
smoke in his lungs for a few moments. He then

839
01:01:33.159 --> 01:01:38.280
opened his eyes and once again surveyed the empty expanse

840
01:01:38.360 --> 01:01:43.519
around him. Ok, stop fucking around, where are you? He yelled.

841
01:01:44.440 --> 01:01:47.840
Not hearing a response, he tilted his head back and

842
01:01:48.000 --> 01:01:51.639
drank from a large bottle of whiskey. He stopped long

843
01:01:51.760 --> 01:01:54.840
enough to catch his breath, and then guzzled more of

844
01:01:54.880 --> 01:01:58.239
the bitter liquor. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve

845
01:01:58.280 --> 01:02:02.960
and yelled again, come on, I'm bored. Where are you guys?

846
01:02:03.840 --> 01:02:07.079
I don't want to miss the party? Fine, fuck it,

847
01:02:07.880 --> 01:02:12.320
Clyde yelled, giggling. Downing the last of the liquid, he

848
01:02:12.400 --> 01:02:15.400
turned and threw the bottle over a tall, rusty chain

849
01:02:15.440 --> 01:02:20.199
link fence. He smiled in satisfaction when he heard the

850
01:02:20.239 --> 01:02:24.880
bottle break. Running his hands along his hair, which was

851
01:02:24.960 --> 01:02:28.519
greased back into a duct tail, he started to walk

852
01:02:28.599 --> 01:02:34.119
on down the deserted road. Suddenly, the evening was split

853
01:02:34.480 --> 01:02:40.760
by a soul shattering scream. The sound echoed off of

854
01:02:40.800 --> 01:02:45.039
the empty buildings and seemed to come from everywhere. The

855
01:02:45.119 --> 01:02:49.159
young man stopped, his head whipping back and forth as

856
01:02:49.159 --> 01:02:53.519
he tried to pinpoint the source of the scream. He

857
01:02:53.599 --> 01:02:56.760
finally zoned in on a row of old brick factories.

858
01:02:57.559 --> 01:03:00.880
Flipping the cigarette to the ground, he took off, running

859
01:03:01.800 --> 01:03:10.119
and grinning like a madman. Amber slowly guided her eyeliner

860
01:03:10.199 --> 01:03:14.079
pencil across her cheek. Leaning back, she looked at the

861
01:03:14.119 --> 01:03:20.239
results in the mirror. Prefect, she thought, Pleased with the

862
01:03:20.280 --> 01:03:23.599
cat whiskers she drew, she stood up and looked at

863
01:03:23.599 --> 01:03:27.599
the whole costume in the mirror. The catsuit accentuated her

864
01:03:27.639 --> 01:03:31.440
slim figure and provided a decent amount of cleavage without

865
01:03:31.639 --> 01:03:36.239
showing too much. She spent three weeks designing and creating

866
01:03:36.280 --> 01:03:40.199
the costume and was very proud of the effort. Plus

867
01:03:40.679 --> 01:03:43.079
she could submit it as a final project in the

868
01:03:43.079 --> 01:03:47.159
fashion design class. She was taking loud laughter and crude

869
01:03:47.239 --> 01:03:51.360
jokes from her sorority sisters Madison and Sarah intruded on

870
01:03:51.400 --> 01:03:54.480
the moment. It almost made Amber wish that she'd not

871
01:03:54.639 --> 01:03:57.000
agreed to drive them to the party at a friend's

872
01:03:57.039 --> 01:04:01.360
cabin on Belleville Lake. Both of them had started drinking

873
01:04:01.480 --> 01:04:06.000
hours earlier, and they were pretty wasted by then. Having

874
01:04:06.079 --> 01:04:09.639
lived with an alcoholic father, Amber rarely drank and was

875
01:04:09.679 --> 01:04:14.239
the resident designated driver. Amber sighed and began the process

876
01:04:14.920 --> 01:04:19.480
of hurting the two drunks out the door. Thirty minutes later,

877
01:04:19.599 --> 01:04:23.519
Amber turned onto a dark, deserted country road near the lake.

878
01:04:24.639 --> 01:04:28.119
After a few minutes, red and blue lights appeared behind her.

879
01:04:29.400 --> 01:04:33.639
God damn it, Amber said, turning down the radio. Her

880
01:04:33.679 --> 01:04:36.840
two friends looked at each other and burst into laughter.

881
01:04:37.960 --> 01:04:43.280
Oh no, Amber's getting a ticket, Sarah teased. Maybe the

882
01:04:43.360 --> 01:04:46.159
cop will be cute ask if you can touch his gun,

883
01:04:46.800 --> 01:04:50.840
Madison said, causing Sarah to burst into laughter. Will you

884
01:04:50.880 --> 01:04:56.360
two stop it, Amber said, annoyed, she hated dealing with drunks.

885
01:04:57.079 --> 01:05:00.280
She pulled over and shut the car off, roll her

886
01:05:00.280 --> 01:05:02.639
window down. She tried to get a look at the

887
01:05:02.679 --> 01:05:05.960
car that pulled in behind her, but a bright spotlight

888
01:05:06.039 --> 01:05:09.480
lit up from the car, almost blinding her. Amber had

889
01:05:09.519 --> 01:05:14.000
a bad feeling about this. She ignored the snickering comments

890
01:05:14.000 --> 01:05:16.400
from her friends as she tried to watch behind her

891
01:05:16.400 --> 01:05:20.920
in the side mirror. After a few seconds, she saw

892
01:05:20.920 --> 01:05:23.360
a shadow pass in front of the spotlight as a

893
01:05:23.440 --> 01:05:28.679
large man walked up alongside the car. Being backlit. It

894
01:05:28.760 --> 01:05:31.800
was hard to see any details, but it looked like

895
01:05:31.880 --> 01:05:35.880
he was wearing a uniform. Something in the way he

896
01:05:35.960 --> 01:05:41.880
moved seemed off. When the man reached the driver's side window,

897
01:05:42.480 --> 01:05:45.400
he stopped for a few seconds and then leaned down

898
01:05:45.920 --> 01:05:49.960
and looked into the car. Amber stared into his face,

899
01:05:50.400 --> 01:05:54.559
shocked at seeing him wearing a respirator. She started to

900
01:05:54.599 --> 01:05:58.840
speak to ask why he stopped them, but everything froze

901
01:05:58.840 --> 01:06:02.960
when she looked into his eyes, eyes wild, crazy eyes,

902
01:06:03.360 --> 01:06:07.760
eyes that seemed to scream out for violence and blood.

903
01:06:09.280 --> 01:06:14.199
Are you good girls or bad girls? He said, in

904
01:06:14.239 --> 01:06:17.639
a whispery voice muted by the mask he was wearing.

905
01:06:18.719 --> 01:06:21.360
Amber jolted into motion and tried to start the car.

906
01:06:21.480 --> 01:06:23.599
As the man brought his hand up and sprayed a

907
01:06:23.679 --> 01:06:27.119
mist from a small tank into the car, Amber faded

908
01:06:27.559 --> 01:06:39.519
into darkness. Hearing the screams of her friends. Amber jerked

909
01:06:39.519 --> 01:06:44.000
awake to sounds of screaming. Groggily. She looked down and

910
01:06:44.119 --> 01:06:46.480
saw that her hands and legs were tied to an

911
01:06:46.480 --> 01:06:49.920
old office chair. The chair was on some kind of

912
01:06:50.000 --> 01:06:54.880
loading dock in an old, dirty warehouse or factory. She

913
01:06:55.039 --> 01:06:58.159
turned towards the screaming and realized that they were coming

914
01:06:58.199 --> 01:07:02.440
from a naked young woman lying on the floor. She

915
01:07:02.519 --> 01:07:04.920
was staked out in the middle of a crudely painted

916
01:07:04.960 --> 01:07:08.199
pentagram with candles at each point, with her arms and

917
01:07:08.320 --> 01:07:12.199
legs stretched out to her sides. The woman was covered

918
01:07:12.199 --> 01:07:16.880
in blood, and between cries of pain, she was pleading

919
01:07:16.960 --> 01:07:20.000
with a large man standing over her to let her go.

920
01:07:20.880 --> 01:07:25.800
The man answered with swipes of a large bloody knife.

921
01:07:26.360 --> 01:07:28.800
Amber tried to yell, but she found that she had

922
01:07:28.800 --> 01:07:31.800
been gagged with a dirty rag, held there by a

923
01:07:31.800 --> 01:07:35.960
cloth tied around her head, even though her cries were muffled.

924
01:07:36.280 --> 01:07:40.400
The man responded by turning toward her. His eyes seemed

925
01:07:40.400 --> 01:07:45.480
to shine lit by the light of insanity. These were

926
01:07:45.519 --> 01:07:47.960
the same eyes she saw on the man who had

927
01:07:48.000 --> 01:07:52.079
pulled them over. He grinned and held the bloody blade

928
01:07:52.159 --> 01:07:55.840
up to his mouth as if to shush her. Amber

929
01:07:55.960 --> 01:07:57.599
was able to get a better look at the woman

930
01:07:57.639 --> 01:08:03.960
on the floor and realized it was Sarah. Amber strained

931
01:08:03.960 --> 01:08:07.559
against her restraints, trying to yell for help, desperate to

932
01:08:07.599 --> 01:08:12.039
do anything to save her friend. The man grinned even

933
01:08:12.119 --> 01:08:16.800
more and turned back to Sarah, using the knife with

934
01:08:17.760 --> 01:08:25.119
more enthusiasm. Pleased that he now had an audience, Amber sobbed,

935
01:08:25.319 --> 01:08:28.640
choking on the gag, trying to find a way to

936
01:08:28.720 --> 01:08:33.359
break free. The killer plunged his knife deep into Sarah,

937
01:08:33.640 --> 01:08:38.439
her screams fading into a low gurgle. He reached into

938
01:08:38.479 --> 01:08:41.640
her abdomen and cut out a bloody piece of flesh.

939
01:08:42.680 --> 01:08:45.279
He turned toward Amber and waved it in the air,

940
01:08:46.159 --> 01:08:49.880
mocking her. He flipped it at her, and she had

941
01:08:49.880 --> 01:08:52.079
to jerk her head to the side to avoid being

942
01:08:52.199 --> 01:08:56.640
hit by the small piece of her friend. The killer

943
01:08:56.760 --> 01:08:59.640
laughed and then began to make a game out of

944
01:08:59.680 --> 01:09:03.600
cutting pieces of her friend, who now lay silent and

945
01:09:03.760 --> 01:09:09.520
unmoving and tossing the matter. After a few minutes, he

946
01:09:09.640 --> 01:09:12.840
seemed to grow bored with this game and raised the

947
01:09:12.920 --> 01:09:17.960
knife high in the air. He mumbled words in a

948
01:09:18.079 --> 01:09:22.840
language that Amber didn't recognize, and plunged the knife deep

949
01:09:23.640 --> 01:09:28.520
into Sarah's chest. With effort, he ripped the knife down,

950
01:09:28.720 --> 01:09:33.359
breaking ribs and cutting flesh. He reached into the large

951
01:09:33.399 --> 01:09:38.399
gaping wound and ripped something out, holding it up high

952
01:09:38.479 --> 01:09:42.880
as if offering it to the heavens. Amber felt bile

953
01:09:43.119 --> 01:09:47.399
rise up as she realized it was her friend's heart.

954
01:09:48.520 --> 01:09:51.640
She closed her eyes and turned away from the horror.

955
01:09:52.840 --> 01:09:56.720
A few seconds later, she heard footsteps scraping on the

956
01:09:56.800 --> 01:10:01.119
concrete and felt the killer's rancid breath on her face.

957
01:10:02.199 --> 01:10:07.239
She closed her eyes even tighter as he spoke, Hey,

958
01:10:07.319 --> 01:10:12.960
pretty girl, little miss kitty cat, look at your savior.

959
01:10:14.600 --> 01:10:18.000
Amber turned her head away from the voice. A hand

960
01:10:18.039 --> 01:10:21.079
with an iron grip seized her jaw and forced her

961
01:10:21.119 --> 01:10:25.000
head up. A cold, sharp object placed against her throat.

962
01:10:26.079 --> 01:10:30.640
I said look at me, the killer stated in a cold,

963
01:10:31.079 --> 01:10:36.520
hard voice. Amber opened her eyes and whimpered as she

964
01:10:36.600 --> 01:10:40.920
looked into the face of evil. You look like a

965
01:10:41.000 --> 01:10:44.600
good girl. I think Master will be pleased with you.

966
01:10:45.760 --> 01:10:50.199
He wasn't pleased with the other sacrifices, the killer said,

967
01:10:50.640 --> 01:10:56.319
pointing towards Sarah. Then gestured to a dark corner. Amber

968
01:10:56.399 --> 01:10:59.560
looked and could make out an outline of a body

969
01:11:00.359 --> 01:11:06.199
barely recognizable as human. Amber knew without a doubt that

970
01:11:06.239 --> 01:11:12.399
the bloody mess was what was left of Madison. She

971
01:11:12.520 --> 01:11:17.359
tried not to sob as she looked intently at her face. Yes,

972
01:11:18.000 --> 01:11:24.439
I'm sorry you slept through that one. How inconsiderate of me. Anyways,

973
01:11:25.479 --> 01:11:29.800
you didn't miss much. The Master didn't respond to her flesh.

974
01:11:30.600 --> 01:11:35.560
She must have been unclean you. On the other hand,

975
01:11:36.279 --> 01:11:38.800
the killer used the knife blade to play with the

976
01:11:38.840 --> 01:11:43.640
buttons on her costume. You look like a good girl,

977
01:11:44.399 --> 01:11:50.600
and the dark Lord likes good girls, he said, grinning.

978
01:11:52.239 --> 01:11:57.600
Are you afraid? Good? Weakly spooky? We'll be right back.

979
01:12:00.840 --> 01:12:05.119
Amber trembled with fear, tears and snot running down her face.

980
01:12:05.720 --> 01:12:09.119
She tried to talk past her gag, begging him to

981
01:12:09.239 --> 01:12:14.159
let her go, to let her live. The killer stepped back,

982
01:12:14.880 --> 01:12:18.760
looking pleased. Let's get you ready to meet the Master,

983
01:12:19.800 --> 01:12:21.960
he said, As he wiped the blood off of the

984
01:12:22.039 --> 01:12:25.399
blade and inserted it into a sheath on his belt,

985
01:12:26.279 --> 01:12:30.279
he stretched, seeming to enjoy the discomfort and fear he

986
01:12:30.359 --> 01:12:34.000
was provoking in her. As he started to lean forward,

987
01:12:34.680 --> 01:12:37.920
a young man suddenly leaped out of the darkness, swinging

988
01:12:37.960 --> 01:12:40.680
a large pipe. The pipe hit the killer on the

989
01:12:40.680 --> 01:12:43.439
side of his head and sent him sprawling across the room,

990
01:12:43.800 --> 01:12:49.800
landing near the unmoving body of Sarah Damn home run.

991
01:12:50.399 --> 01:12:53.079
Clyde yelled, flipping the pipe like it was a baseball

992
01:12:53.119 --> 01:12:55.920
bat and raising his arms in the air, waving to

993
01:12:56.000 --> 01:13:02.359
an imaginary crowd. Amber stared at him in astonishment. Clyde

994
01:13:02.399 --> 01:13:07.000
lowered his arms and looked around. Wow, man, what the

995
01:13:07.039 --> 01:13:11.439
hell happened here? Looks like a slaughter Like one of

996
01:13:11.479 --> 01:13:15.479
those slasher movies I keep hearing about, he said, pointing

997
01:13:15.520 --> 01:13:19.399
at Madison's body in the corner. Amber snapped out of

998
01:13:19.399 --> 01:13:22.560
her trance and struggled against the gag, trying to plead

999
01:13:22.600 --> 01:13:25.520
with him to let her go. He turned to point

1000
01:13:25.520 --> 01:13:28.880
at the killer. Two bodies and a large ass fuck

1001
01:13:28.960 --> 01:13:34.520
slicing everyone up. This is a slasher movie, he said excitedly.

1002
01:13:35.359 --> 01:13:37.760
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a flask

1003
01:13:37.840 --> 01:13:41.199
and began to drink from it. I keep hearing about

1004
01:13:41.199 --> 01:13:45.680
these movies at work. Sounds like a blast, baby, he stated,

1005
01:13:45.960 --> 01:13:49.960
taking another long pull on the flask. Wiping his mouth,

1006
01:13:50.079 --> 01:13:54.159
He looked at Amber. Damned doll, you look like shit,

1007
01:13:54.720 --> 01:13:59.079
he said, walking over to her. Amber started to sob again,

1008
01:13:59.199 --> 01:14:04.560
straining against the gag. So uh, you must be the

1009
01:14:04.600 --> 01:14:09.960
final girl. All of these movies have one, he suddenly smiled.

1010
01:14:10.880 --> 01:14:15.680
That must make me the dutiful boyfriend that sacrifices himself

1011
01:14:15.720 --> 01:14:19.399
to save you. God, and I thought this would be

1012
01:14:19.479 --> 01:14:25.800
a boring night, he said excitedly. Amber tried yelling even harder,

1013
01:14:26.119 --> 01:14:30.960
begging him to let her go drink, he said, offering

1014
01:14:31.000 --> 01:14:35.279
her the flask. Seeing Amber struggle against her restraints, he

1015
01:14:35.359 --> 01:14:39.119
smacked himself in the forehead. Sorry, little missy, let me help,

1016
01:14:39.680 --> 01:14:42.840
he said, apologetically, as he reached down and took the

1017
01:14:42.880 --> 01:14:46.600
gag out of her mouth. Amber took a few deep breaths.

1018
01:14:48.279 --> 01:14:51.560
Please please, oh God, you've got to help me. Untime

1019
01:14:51.600 --> 01:14:54.159
me and call the police. This crazy man kidnapped us

1020
01:14:54.239 --> 01:14:57.479
and killed. She broke into sobs as she looked over

1021
01:14:57.520 --> 01:15:02.279
at Sarah. Hey now babyfit stry those tears as the

1022
01:15:02.720 --> 01:15:05.920
dutiful boyfriend. I have to help you. That's how these

1023
01:15:05.960 --> 01:15:09.520
movies work, he said. Now let me cut you loose.

1024
01:15:10.119 --> 01:15:12.800
He gestured to his right hand and a switchblade popped

1025
01:15:12.840 --> 01:15:16.279
open in it. He gently reached down and cut the

1026
01:15:16.359 --> 01:15:19.840
ropes tying her to the chair. There we go, sweets,

1027
01:15:20.359 --> 01:15:24.039
he said, pulling the ropes loose. Oh, thank you, thank you,

1028
01:15:24.239 --> 01:15:27.840
thank you. Amber sobbed. Do you have a phone. We

1029
01:15:27.960 --> 01:15:31.840
need to call the police. Sorry, babe, ain't got no phone,

1030
01:15:32.359 --> 01:15:35.079
he said. We need to get out of here. We

1031
01:15:35.159 --> 01:15:38.279
need to get help. She said. Her legs were numb

1032
01:15:38.279 --> 01:15:41.000
from lack of circulation, and she stumbled as she tried

1033
01:15:41.039 --> 01:15:44.279
to stand. As he steadied her, she could smell the

1034
01:15:44.359 --> 01:15:49.640
overpowering stench of alcohol. We got a long walk then,

1035
01:15:49.680 --> 01:15:53.079
because I ain't got no car either. I was with

1036
01:15:53.159 --> 01:15:55.560
some coworkers on the way to a Halloween shin dig

1037
01:15:55.560 --> 01:15:57.640
when I suddenly found myself here in the middle of

1038
01:15:57.720 --> 01:16:01.199
fucking nowhere. There ain't no one around for miles except

1039
01:16:01.319 --> 01:16:05.720
us and him, he said, pointing to the killer. Amber

1040
01:16:05.800 --> 01:16:07.960
looked to the killer and was shocked to see him

1041
01:16:08.000 --> 01:16:11.479
beginning to stir. She could now hear a low moan

1042
01:16:11.680 --> 01:16:14.399
coming from him as the maniac began rubbing the side

1043
01:16:14.439 --> 01:16:17.880
of his face. Oh God, you have to finish him.

1044
01:16:18.359 --> 01:16:22.520
He's getting up, she gasped. Well, it's not time for

1045
01:16:22.560 --> 01:16:25.880
that yet. What kind of movie would that be? This

1046
01:16:25.960 --> 01:16:28.119
is where we beat feet and try to hide from

1047
01:16:28.159 --> 01:16:31.800
the vicious killer, the young man said as he turned

1048
01:16:31.800 --> 01:16:34.560
away from her. God, I always wanted to be in

1049
01:16:34.600 --> 01:16:38.000
a horror movie. Giggling, the young man walked through a

1050
01:16:38.039 --> 01:16:41.800
door leading deeper into the factory. Amber looked at the

1051
01:16:41.840 --> 01:16:44.359
doorway and then back at the killer, who was trying

1052
01:16:44.399 --> 01:16:47.399
to pull himself up to his knees. She limped through

1053
01:16:47.439 --> 01:16:50.800
the door. It took Amber a second to see Clyde

1054
01:16:50.880 --> 01:16:55.000
moving silently through the rows of rusty machinery. She moved

1055
01:16:55.000 --> 01:16:58.680
as quickly and quietly as her aching legs would allow.

1056
01:16:59.720 --> 01:17:02.159
When she caught up to him, he turned and looked

1057
01:17:02.159 --> 01:17:05.319
at her with a sly smile. I hope he's a

1058
01:17:05.359 --> 01:17:08.199
good killer. I hate for this night to be a bust,

1059
01:17:08.720 --> 01:17:12.159
he said. Amber stared at him for a second before saying,

1060
01:17:12.920 --> 01:17:18.439
you're crazy. I'm not crazy, I'm Clyde, he whispered, giggling again.

1061
01:17:19.359 --> 01:17:23.680
Clyde turned and glided into the darkness. Amber hesitated, but

1062
01:17:23.800 --> 01:17:27.279
began to move once he heard a metallic scrape somewhere

1063
01:17:27.279 --> 01:17:34.319
behind her. Amber stumbled and groped her way through the

1064
01:17:34.359 --> 01:17:41.640
darkened factory, following Clyde. The killer could be heard yelling,

1065
01:17:42.119 --> 01:17:47.079
his voice echoing off the factory walls. After long, tense minutes,

1066
01:17:47.960 --> 01:17:52.279
everything grew quiet. Suddenly, a beam of light sprung out

1067
01:17:52.319 --> 01:17:55.680
of the darkness, illuminating the row of machinery ahead of her.

1068
01:17:56.359 --> 01:17:59.760
She stifled a scream as the light moved back and forth,

1069
01:18:00.319 --> 01:18:04.560
seeking them out. A booming voice yelled from the darkness

1070
01:18:04.600 --> 01:18:10.479
behind the flashlight. Here come out, kitty, and your little

1071
01:18:10.520 --> 01:18:15.279
boyfriend too. Clyde reached out and patted Amber's hand. I

1072
01:18:15.319 --> 01:18:18.239
think it's time for the big scene. You wait here

1073
01:18:18.279 --> 01:18:20.520
and I'll go out and see if we can't speed

1074
01:18:20.600 --> 01:18:24.800
things up. I have to be back by dawn, Clyde whispered.

1075
01:18:25.279 --> 01:18:28.479
He picked up a large, rusty wrench off the bench

1076
01:18:28.600 --> 01:18:31.399
next to them and banged it on the cement floor.

1077
01:18:32.640 --> 01:18:37.039
The flashlight whipped around and locked onto the crouching figures

1078
01:18:37.560 --> 01:18:42.239
of Clyde and Amber. Clyde stood and, shaking his fist

1079
01:18:42.239 --> 01:18:45.239
at the killer, roared, if you want he daddy, O,

1080
01:18:45.760 --> 01:18:50.239
you have to go through me first. The killer, unseen

1081
01:18:50.319 --> 01:18:55.680
behind the bright light, laughed and said that come to me.

1082
01:18:56.640 --> 01:18:59.760
Clyde ran at the killer. Amber heard sounds of a

1083
01:18:59.760 --> 01:19:02.840
stre sruggle, and the beam of the flashlight swung back

1084
01:19:02.920 --> 01:19:05.520
and forth as they fought, but it was difficult for

1085
01:19:05.560 --> 01:19:11.239
her to tell what was going on. Finally the struggle ended,

1086
01:19:12.319 --> 01:19:15.199
A figure stumbled back and fell on the ground in

1087
01:19:15.199 --> 01:19:19.640
front of Amber. The flashlight swung around a spotlight Clyde

1088
01:19:20.199 --> 01:19:23.039
lying on his back, holding his hands to his throat,

1089
01:19:23.520 --> 01:19:28.039
blood pouring out from between his fingers. Clyde tried to speak,

1090
01:19:28.319 --> 01:19:30.279
reaching out to her, but all that came out of

1091
01:19:30.279 --> 01:19:34.439
his mouth was an eruption of blood. His outstretched hand

1092
01:19:34.560 --> 01:19:39.279
fell to the ground as he stopped struggling and laid there,

1093
01:19:39.960 --> 01:19:46.119
limp and unmoving. The light snapped to Amber's face, blinding her.

1094
01:19:46.600 --> 01:19:49.039
She tried jumping to her feet to run away, but

1095
01:19:49.159 --> 01:19:52.680
her legs gave out from under her. She fell forward,

1096
01:19:52.760 --> 01:19:55.600
striking her head on the edge of a bench, Landing

1097
01:19:55.640 --> 01:19:59.119
on the floor. Dazed, she felt the breath leave her

1098
01:19:59.479 --> 01:20:03.079
as the killer brought his large boot down upon her neck.

1099
01:20:04.439 --> 01:20:08.920
I have so much to show you. My little kiddy cat,

1100
01:20:09.199 --> 01:20:20.000
he whispered. Once again, Amber's whirled went dark. As Amber

1101
01:20:20.119 --> 01:20:23.159
came to she felt a coldness under her bare skin.

1102
01:20:24.319 --> 01:20:26.600
She tried to roll over, only to find that she

1103
01:20:26.720 --> 01:20:32.000
was tied down, spread eagle. She blinked the dizziness from

1104
01:20:32.000 --> 01:20:36.000
her eyes and squinted at her body. Each wrist and

1105
01:20:36.079 --> 01:20:40.199
ankle was tied to a steel rod hammered into the concrete.

1106
01:20:41.239 --> 01:20:44.880
As the fog continued to lift from her consciousness, she

1107
01:20:45.000 --> 01:20:49.479
saw something move above her, and, after a moment of effort,

1108
01:20:50.359 --> 01:20:56.199
her eyes focused on a face, the face of the killer.

1109
01:20:57.239 --> 01:21:01.720
There you are, my little one, he food, grinning. You

1110
01:21:01.880 --> 01:21:04.680
gave me a scare. I thought you may not wake

1111
01:21:04.760 --> 01:21:08.359
up to accept the dark One's blessing, he said, his

1112
01:21:08.479 --> 01:21:11.399
wicked blade, catching the light from the candles that were

1113
01:21:11.439 --> 01:21:18.359
placed around her. Amber began to weep, begging for her life.

1114
01:21:18.840 --> 01:21:23.399
Sh I'll have none of that. This is a joyous time.

1115
01:21:24.159 --> 01:21:28.039
If you start blubbering, I'll begin by carving out your tongue,

1116
01:21:28.199 --> 01:21:32.279
the killer whispered to her. Amber struggled to control herself,

1117
01:21:32.520 --> 01:21:36.680
but she could not stop her sobbing. Maybe I should

1118
01:21:36.680 --> 01:21:41.560
begin here, the killer purred as he ran the knife

1119
01:21:41.640 --> 01:21:46.520
down her bare belly, toward her privates. After all, that

1120
01:21:46.680 --> 01:21:51.680
is what turns little angels into lying hoars, he said,

1121
01:21:51.960 --> 01:21:55.520
yelling the last few words, he plunged the knife several

1122
01:21:55.560 --> 01:21:59.279
inches deep inside her. Amber screamed as she felt blood

1123
01:21:59.319 --> 01:22:02.680
flowing from between her legs. The Killer pulled the knife

1124
01:22:02.680 --> 01:22:05.439
out of her and slowly ran his tongue along the

1125
01:22:05.439 --> 01:22:10.640
flat of the blade, savoring the taste of her blood. Oh, yes,

1126
01:22:11.520 --> 01:22:14.560
the dark Lord will shower me with rewards for bringing

1127
01:22:14.640 --> 01:22:18.920
him a soul like yours. He leaned down and licked

1128
01:22:18.960 --> 01:22:22.279
the tears from Amber's face. As sobs wrecked her body,

1129
01:22:23.479 --> 01:22:27.119
Laughter exploded from behind them. The Killer whipped his head

1130
01:22:27.119 --> 01:22:32.640
around and gawked at what he saw. Amber, with considerable effort,

1131
01:22:33.079 --> 01:22:38.439
raised her head and stared unbelieving at Clyde, sitting calmly

1132
01:22:38.479 --> 01:22:40.760
on the loading dock in the chair that Amber had

1133
01:22:40.800 --> 01:22:44.439
been tied to earlier. Clyde's white t shirt was covered

1134
01:22:44.479 --> 01:22:48.479
in drying blood, but he seemed unhurt. He flicked his

1135
01:22:48.479 --> 01:22:51.800
thumb across a match head, causing it to burst into flame.

1136
01:22:52.279 --> 01:22:54.640
He brought the match up to a cigarette in his mouth,

1137
01:22:54.960 --> 01:22:58.640
lighting it. Damn, you have no idea how much I

1138
01:22:58.680 --> 01:23:03.039
miss these, he said, taking a deep drag. You'd think

1139
01:23:03.079 --> 01:23:05.800
with all the smoke and fire where I work, they

1140
01:23:05.840 --> 01:23:11.119
would allow these, But nope, Clyde continued wistfully. Hell can

1141
01:23:11.159 --> 01:23:15.960
be a weird place sometimes. The Killer rose to his feet.

1142
01:23:16.439 --> 01:23:19.680
He waved his knife in the air before saying, you

1143
01:23:19.840 --> 01:23:22.680
stay back. She is my sacrifice to the dark One,

1144
01:23:22.760 --> 01:23:28.720
and you cannot have her. Clyde laughed again. Dark and ominous,

1145
01:23:30.319 --> 01:23:33.960
You think this, he said, spreading his hands toward the

1146
01:23:34.000 --> 01:23:37.119
carnage around them, will get you the attention of the

1147
01:23:37.359 --> 01:23:42.199
dark Lord. You have no idea what it takes. I

1148
01:23:42.279 --> 01:23:46.399
committed countless atrocities, gave him the souls of hundreds of men,

1149
01:23:46.520 --> 01:23:49.520
women and children. I ripped babies from the wombs of

1150
01:23:49.560 --> 01:23:52.520
their mothers, and burned nuns alive, screaming for their God

1151
01:23:52.560 --> 01:23:55.479
to save them, and yet I barely registered on the

1152
01:23:55.600 --> 01:23:59.920
radar of his lowest Lieutenant. Clyde was now standing screaming

1153
01:24:00.039 --> 01:24:02.920
at the killer. I devoted my whole life to killing

1154
01:24:03.000 --> 01:24:06.079
for his glory, and he doesn't even know my name.

1155
01:24:06.800 --> 01:24:09.319
You think killing a couple of skirts will bring down

1156
01:24:09.359 --> 01:24:15.600
his blessing, You're a fool, he said with contempt. The killer,

1157
01:24:16.039 --> 01:24:20.039
shaking with rage, roared the dark one promised me glory,

1158
01:24:20.399 --> 01:24:23.199
eternal life. You will not take that away from me.

1159
01:24:24.000 --> 01:24:26.640
The killer lunged forward and buried his knife up to

1160
01:24:26.720 --> 01:24:30.760
the hilt in Clyde's chest. The killer stopped dead, his

1161
01:24:30.880 --> 01:24:35.560
mouth agape as Clyde almost nonchalantly grabbed him by the

1162
01:24:35.600 --> 01:24:39.359
neck and lifted him off the ground. Clyde looked up

1163
01:24:39.359 --> 01:24:44.479
at the killer and grinned. So he promised you eternal life. Well,

1164
01:24:44.560 --> 01:24:48.680
let's uh test that out. Clyde's hand shot out and

1165
01:24:48.800 --> 01:24:52.600
plunged into the killer's chest. When he withdrew his hand,

1166
01:24:53.000 --> 01:24:57.000
he was holding the killer's still beating heart. He left

1167
01:24:57.000 --> 01:25:01.840
both the killer's body and heart to drop to the ground. Sighing,

1168
01:25:02.279 --> 01:25:04.680
Clyde took a seat at the edge of the loading dock.

1169
01:25:05.439 --> 01:25:07.760
He reached over and picked up his cigarette from the

1170
01:25:07.800 --> 01:25:12.399
floor where he dropped it during the confrontation. He ran

1171
01:25:12.479 --> 01:25:16.159
his hand, still slick with the killer's blood, threw his hair,

1172
01:25:16.680 --> 01:25:22.680
and sighed again. Taking a drag from his smoke, he said, man,

1173
01:25:23.560 --> 01:25:26.760
this isn't how I pictured this night going. Hell's a

1174
01:25:26.800 --> 01:25:29.560
bitch of a place to work. A handful of us

1175
01:25:29.600 --> 01:25:33.960
get one night off a year. On Halloween, for the

1176
01:25:34.000 --> 01:25:37.479
first time since I've been there almost seventy years, I

1177
01:25:37.600 --> 01:25:40.840
was picked. We had a great night planned. We were

1178
01:25:41.079 --> 01:25:44.840
going to terrorize a small remote village, burn their crops

1179
01:25:44.880 --> 01:25:47.760
and livestock, possess a few people, and end the night

1180
01:25:48.199 --> 01:25:52.199
in a blood bath. He flicked ashes on the killer's forehead.

1181
01:25:53.479 --> 01:25:58.119
Somehow I ended up here. I think it was because

1182
01:25:58.159 --> 01:26:02.720
of this fuckwad's ritual or whatever he was doing. Maybe

1183
01:26:02.760 --> 01:26:04.600
I was sent by the big Guy to teach him

1184
01:26:04.600 --> 01:26:09.319
a lesson. Hell, he laughed. Maybe the dark Lord did

1185
01:26:09.479 --> 01:26:13.479
have big plans for him and I uh fucked it up.

1186
01:26:14.359 --> 01:26:17.920
Oh well, either way, I'll find out in the morning.

1187
01:26:18.680 --> 01:26:21.920
Clyde took a final drag off of his cigarette and

1188
01:26:22.039 --> 01:26:26.720
flicked it off into the darkness. Well, little missy, he said,

1189
01:26:26.720 --> 01:26:29.720
as he looked over at Amber, I don't have to

1190
01:26:29.840 --> 01:26:34.319
leave until dawn, so let's have ourselves a little Halloween party.

1191
01:26:35.159 --> 01:26:38.079
He pulled the knife from his chest and tested the

1192
01:26:38.199 --> 01:26:42.479
edge with his thumb. Grinning, he jumped to his feet

1193
01:26:42.840 --> 01:26:48.000
and walked toward Amber for the last time. Amber began

1194
01:26:48.119 --> 01:27:01.279
to scream A Wet and Wild Halloween by David Ohanlon

1195
01:27:04.159 --> 01:27:07.560
Bryce glared into the gaping mouth of the Pumpkin King

1196
01:27:07.720 --> 01:27:11.319
and knew he was going to die. He could hear

1197
01:27:11.399 --> 01:27:16.159
the terrified screams of those already inside. The screeching, piercing

1198
01:27:16.279 --> 01:27:19.920
wails of their panic rang out over the cacophony around him,

1199
01:27:20.079 --> 01:27:23.520
drowning out the rest of the world. One of the

1200
01:27:23.640 --> 01:27:27.279
King's victims launched between the bright orange lips and hung

1201
01:27:27.399 --> 01:27:31.760
in the air. Bryce's stomach twisted in nervous knots as

1202
01:27:31.760 --> 01:27:35.159
the child flailed about in the afternoon sky before splashing

1203
01:27:35.199 --> 01:27:38.880
into the pool below. The little boy exploded through the

1204
01:27:38.920 --> 01:27:45.000
surface and shrieked a prepubescent yeehaw. Bryce shook his head

1205
01:27:45.000 --> 01:27:48.840
and wandered around the ever growing line of Texas's greatest

1206
01:27:48.920 --> 01:27:52.039
water slide. The only thing good about the state was

1207
01:27:52.079 --> 01:27:54.840
that Halloween was still hot enough to enjoy a trip

1208
01:27:54.880 --> 01:27:58.359
to the water park. The other water slides were largely

1209
01:27:58.439 --> 01:28:02.880
being ignored in favor of the big new attraction. It

1210
01:28:02.960 --> 01:28:05.680
was their last chance before the park closed for the year.

1211
01:28:06.520 --> 01:28:10.359
Some twisted genius had designed the winding Tubes of Certainish

1212
01:28:10.439 --> 01:28:14.680
Death so that four people could go down simultaneously, chris

1213
01:28:14.840 --> 01:28:18.000
crossing each other's paths along the black and purple shoots

1214
01:28:18.359 --> 01:28:22.359
until being vomited out of the pumpkin King's smirking face.

1215
01:28:23.279 --> 01:28:27.600
The oversized gourd hung perilously over a bat shaped pool,

1216
01:28:27.720 --> 01:28:31.279
with orange lights illuminating the water from below, so the

1217
01:28:31.359 --> 01:28:36.640
line of anxious guests could see the previous victims churning about.

1218
01:28:37.159 --> 01:28:41.560
A heinous cackle emanated from hidden speakers, signaling the attendants

1219
01:28:41.600 --> 01:28:46.079
to prepare the next victims. Bryce would be one of

1220
01:28:46.119 --> 01:28:50.520
the night's sacrifices. Splashtown was opened from the last day

1221
01:28:50.560 --> 01:28:53.920
of school to Halloween every year, and with the water

1222
01:28:54.039 --> 01:28:57.760
drop shaped season pass around her neck, Rebecca Angle would

1223
01:28:57.800 --> 01:29:01.760
be there almost every single day. Bryce had fallen in

1224
01:29:01.800 --> 01:29:04.319
love with Rebecca when they shared a moon pie at

1225
01:29:04.319 --> 01:29:08.760
recess in the third grade. After eight years of awkwardness,

1226
01:29:09.279 --> 01:29:12.239
Bryce had finally worked up the nerve to ask Rebecca

1227
01:29:12.479 --> 01:29:15.039
to go on a date with them. She'd be at

1228
01:29:15.039 --> 01:29:18.720
Splashtown anyway, so it wasn't any extra effort on her part.

1229
01:29:19.399 --> 01:29:23.960
He was still surprised when she said, yes, Mommy, my

1230
01:29:24.079 --> 01:29:27.560
skin is stinging. A little girl with auburn pigtails whined

1231
01:29:27.560 --> 01:29:31.880
as she walked past Bryce. You're fine, Susie, her mother said,

1232
01:29:32.439 --> 01:29:35.479
you just need more sun block. Bryce stuck his hands

1233
01:29:35.520 --> 01:29:37.680
in the pockets of his swim trunks and made his

1234
01:29:37.760 --> 01:29:40.720
way to the concession stands to meet up with Rebecca.

1235
01:29:41.279 --> 01:29:43.960
He sniffed the air and tried not to drool at

1236
01:29:44.000 --> 01:29:48.800
the flavors attacking his nose. He mentally untangled the sweet

1237
01:29:48.840 --> 01:29:52.359
smell of funnel cakes from the savory chili dogs, the

1238
01:29:52.439 --> 01:29:57.279
pizza slices from the cheeseburgers. His stomach growled with rage

1239
01:29:57.279 --> 01:30:01.239
at the boy's new diet. Bryce rubbed belly and looked down.

1240
01:30:01.800 --> 01:30:04.800
For the first time since he was seven, he could

1241
01:30:04.840 --> 01:30:08.640
see his feet again. He missed the delicious foods, but

1242
01:30:09.239 --> 01:30:11.840
he was glad he'd started eating right and working out.

1243
01:30:12.720 --> 01:30:14.760
He ordered a bottle of water in a bag of

1244
01:30:14.800 --> 01:30:19.039
peanuts before taking a seat on a nearby bench. A

1245
01:30:19.119 --> 01:30:22.920
girl walked by, sniffing her hair. Though he couldn't see

1246
01:30:22.920 --> 01:30:26.600
her face. Bryce recognized Tabby Winfield by her high pitched

1247
01:30:27.079 --> 01:30:31.119
nasal wine. She tossed the thick braid over her shoulder

1248
01:30:31.159 --> 01:30:34.960
and scrunched her nose. The water here smells like daddy's

1249
01:30:35.000 --> 01:30:39.079
farm hands, she told her friends. Bryce remembered the girl

1250
01:30:39.079 --> 01:30:43.000
from earlier and looked around the park others made sour

1251
01:30:43.079 --> 01:30:46.600
expressions as they toweled off as well. A man rinsed

1252
01:30:46.640 --> 01:30:50.800
his sobbing Granson off with a bottle of water. John Cahill,

1253
01:30:50.920 --> 01:30:54.439
the star of the basketball team, wretched excess water into

1254
01:30:54.520 --> 01:30:58.720
a trash bin. Bryce watched more park goers flying out

1255
01:30:58.760 --> 01:31:09.399
of that damn pumpkin. Something was wrong, God damn it,

1256
01:31:09.520 --> 01:31:12.960
stew Peter Brack shouted as he ducked under the low

1257
01:31:13.000 --> 01:31:16.359
hanging pipes on his way to the maintenance supervisor's office.

1258
01:31:16.920 --> 01:31:19.520
You got the solution up too high. These assholes are

1259
01:31:19.520 --> 01:31:22.560
beating down my door demanding refunds and free t shirts.

1260
01:31:22.920 --> 01:31:27.119
Those shirts cost me six fifty apiece. Peter stopped complaining

1261
01:31:27.159 --> 01:31:30.640
once he got to the water treatment controls. Stu Band

1262
01:31:30.800 --> 01:31:33.920
was nowhere to be seen. Pete checked the gages on

1263
01:31:33.960 --> 01:31:38.640
the machinery himself and sputtered his plump lips. Everything was

1264
01:31:38.680 --> 01:31:41.920
in the green. He thumped them each to see if

1265
01:31:41.920 --> 01:31:46.279
they were stuck, but nothing happened. He squatted as much

1266
01:31:46.279 --> 01:31:49.520
as his knees allowed and stared at the water samples

1267
01:31:49.560 --> 01:31:53.960
collected in the slight tubes. Something sparkled in the suspension.

1268
01:31:54.800 --> 01:31:59.560
What intarnation is going on? Pete scratched at his horseshoe

1269
01:31:59.560 --> 01:32:06.159
of silver. Pete shouted for Stew again, no response. He

1270
01:32:06.239 --> 01:32:10.319
continued his inspection of the machine, then stumbled to a halt.

1271
01:32:11.119 --> 01:32:14.479
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, hoping he

1272
01:32:14.560 --> 01:32:19.039
was wrong. He opened his eyes slowly and looked at

1273
01:32:19.039 --> 01:32:22.439
the fifty five gallon drums plumbed into the treatment lines

1274
01:32:22.479 --> 01:32:26.920
with a defeated sigh. Pete had been running Splashtown for

1275
01:32:26.960 --> 01:32:30.359
thirty years. The drums for the water treatment solution had

1276
01:32:30.399 --> 01:32:34.479
always been blue polymer. Pete stomped closer to the red

1277
01:32:34.560 --> 01:32:37.880
steel drums and wrapped his knuckles against the side of

1278
01:32:37.920 --> 01:32:42.520
the nearest one. It was already half empty. He searched

1279
01:32:42.560 --> 01:32:45.640
each of them for a label or any other indication

1280
01:32:45.760 --> 01:32:49.359
of what might have been inside. I'm going to break

1281
01:32:49.399 --> 01:32:52.840
your scrawny neck, Stew. He grabbed the wheel to shut

1282
01:32:52.880 --> 01:32:55.520
off the flow. The lawyers are going to have our

1283
01:32:55.600 --> 01:32:59.399
balls for breakfast if this shit is toxic. A moist

1284
01:32:59.439 --> 01:33:02.119
hand cl lamped onto the back of Peter Brack's neck.

1285
01:33:02.960 --> 01:33:06.800
The screwdriver plunged into his ear, and he fell to

1286
01:33:06.880 --> 01:33:13.439
the concrete. Stew's slimy, malformed hands cranked the wheel, fully

1287
01:33:13.560 --> 01:33:18.520
opening the valves. Brack's final seconds were pure terror. As

1288
01:33:18.520 --> 01:33:23.159
he watched the sample tubes change color. That horrible shimmer

1289
01:33:23.760 --> 01:33:30.560
became a frantic, swirling glow. Something slithered along the pipes overhead.

1290
01:33:31.640 --> 01:33:41.880
Pete could almost see it. Bryce sipped his water and

1291
01:33:42.000 --> 01:33:45.800
watched the park staff meander about in their Halloween costumes.

1292
01:33:46.479 --> 01:33:49.920
Attendants at the Pumpkin King tossed handfuls of sweets at

1293
01:33:49.920 --> 01:33:54.159
the line to keep everyone calm. Bryce missed tricker treating.

1294
01:33:55.119 --> 01:33:58.159
High school parties were fun, but they lacked the same

1295
01:33:58.279 --> 01:34:01.920
spirit of the more childish last time. He was a

1296
01:34:02.000 --> 01:34:06.439
year from adulthood. Halloween couldn't offer anything as scary as that.

1297
01:34:07.840 --> 01:34:10.399
A group of parents cornered a staffer in a witch

1298
01:34:10.439 --> 01:34:14.439
costume and began berating the poor girl. Bryce couldn't hear

1299
01:34:14.479 --> 01:34:17.960
what they were saying as they furiously waved their hands

1300
01:34:17.960 --> 01:34:21.279
at the crying children behind them. A hand on his

1301
01:34:21.359 --> 01:34:23.880
shoulder made him jump, and he spun around on the

1302
01:34:23.880 --> 01:34:29.760
bench to see Rebecca Angle standing there, smiling down at him.

1303
01:34:30.119 --> 01:34:34.479
Her black one piece was festooned with sparkling pumpkins, and

1304
01:34:34.560 --> 01:34:37.279
he tried to pry his eyes back to her face.

1305
01:34:38.199 --> 01:34:41.760
Hi Becca, he said, with all the coolness he could muster.

1306
01:34:42.800 --> 01:34:47.039
Been here long, he didn't know why he'd asked her

1307
01:34:47.079 --> 01:34:49.399
hair was dry and they'd agreed to meet at the

1308
01:34:49.439 --> 01:34:54.159
concession stand, so the answer was obvious. Bryce forced a

1309
01:34:54.239 --> 01:34:58.399
smile and hoped it covered up his folly. Nope, just

1310
01:34:58.479 --> 01:35:01.439
got done putting my stuff in the locker. She pointed

1311
01:35:01.479 --> 01:35:03.720
at the pumpkin King. Should we get in line for

1312
01:35:03.760 --> 01:35:06.800
that one first? It'll take the longest. I thought we

1313
01:35:06.840 --> 01:35:08.479
could get it out of the way and just hang

1314
01:35:08.520 --> 01:35:14.199
out while we wait. Bryce nodded, Sure, sounds good. The

1315
01:35:14.279 --> 01:35:17.920
line zigzagged back and forth in six rows between orange

1316
01:35:17.920 --> 01:35:20.920
and black velvet ropes. They took their place at the

1317
01:35:21.039 --> 01:35:23.880
end of the line and talked about their chemistry test

1318
01:35:23.960 --> 01:35:28.039
and the fall dance. He was too distracted by more

1319
01:35:28.079 --> 01:35:31.960
disgruntled guests, which caused him to miss his opportunity to

1320
01:35:32.079 --> 01:35:36.079
ask her to the dance. He tried bringing the conversation

1321
01:35:36.279 --> 01:35:40.399
back around to the event. When the screaming started, they

1322
01:35:40.520 --> 01:35:43.079
echoed down the tubes of the slide as heralds of

1323
01:35:43.119 --> 01:35:46.239
the misery still to come. The child shot from the

1324
01:35:46.279 --> 01:35:49.319
mouth of the Pumpkin King on an iridescent gout of

1325
01:35:49.439 --> 01:35:53.600
violet water. The shrill cries continued until the boy splashed

1326
01:35:53.640 --> 01:35:57.159
into the pool below. From his position, Bryce couldn't see

1327
01:35:57.199 --> 01:36:01.760
the chemicals spilling forth and spreading, consuming the ordinary water

1328
01:36:01.880 --> 01:36:05.800
with ferocity. His gaze flicked back to the gargantuan gourd

1329
01:36:06.039 --> 01:36:09.439
and the elderly man that flew out next. Bryce rubbed

1330
01:36:09.479 --> 01:36:11.800
his eyes to clear what must have been a trick

1331
01:36:11.840 --> 01:36:14.960
of the light, and obese lady streaked down the water

1332
01:36:15.039 --> 01:36:19.840
slide right behind the geriatric high Above them, Splashtown employees

1333
01:36:19.920 --> 01:36:22.880
dressed like Mario and Luigi hurried the next riders into

1334
01:36:22.920 --> 01:36:26.600
their passages. Bryce called for one of the candy throwers,

1335
01:36:26.600 --> 01:36:30.520
but got no response. Maybe it was for the better,

1336
01:36:30.880 --> 01:36:33.479
after all, how was he going to explain his request

1337
01:36:33.520 --> 01:36:36.359
to shut down the slide. They weren't going to believe

1338
01:36:36.439 --> 01:36:41.079
him if he said the geezer's skin was wrong. Bryce

1339
01:36:41.079 --> 01:36:43.880
shoved forward in line to one of the pool's viewing windows.

1340
01:36:44.560 --> 01:36:48.960
The purple fluid dyed the pool with shimmering, cancerous swirls.

1341
01:36:49.640 --> 01:36:52.600
The team cupped his hands around his eyes and leaned

1342
01:36:52.640 --> 01:36:56.920
on the cool glass. The underwater lighting reflected off whatever

1343
01:36:56.960 --> 01:37:01.119
the violet substance carried and twinkled like thousands of stars,

1344
01:37:02.039 --> 01:37:05.960
but Bryce couldn't see anyone. The little boy swam by

1345
01:37:06.000 --> 01:37:10.720
the window, giving Bryce a start. More screams pierced the evening,

1346
01:37:11.680 --> 01:37:14.920
only these weren't filled with the playful fear of sliders.

1347
01:37:16.000 --> 01:37:19.880
Another shape whipped past the glass portal. Bryce leaped away

1348
01:37:19.880 --> 01:37:24.039
from the wall. The boy came back into view. The

1349
01:37:24.079 --> 01:37:28.399
old man clung to his back. Finger length appendages danced

1350
01:37:28.399 --> 01:37:32.279
from open wounds along the man's exposed torso. A shiny

1351
01:37:32.319 --> 01:37:35.880
black spine snicked out each like switchblades and darted into

1352
01:37:35.880 --> 01:37:39.800
the child's flesh. The fat lady flipped over the guardrail

1353
01:37:39.840 --> 01:37:43.720
overhead and hit the sidewalk next to Bryce, pinning another

1354
01:37:43.760 --> 01:37:47.720
impatient guest below her girth. Bryce listened to the muffled

1355
01:37:47.760 --> 01:37:51.720
screams beneath her and saw the same dancing wormlike things

1356
01:37:51.760 --> 01:37:54.720
stretching out from her skin and fighting the fabric of

1357
01:37:54.720 --> 01:37:58.079
her ill advised bikini. He bolted to the back of

1358
01:37:58.119 --> 01:38:00.720
the line for Rebecca. As the crowd began to scream

1359
01:38:00.960 --> 01:38:04.600
and run in all directions around the park. Others were

1360
01:38:04.600 --> 01:38:08.039
doing the same. Bryce seized Rebecca by the arm. We've

1361
01:38:08.039 --> 01:38:11.920
got to go now, what's happening, she asked? As he

1362
01:38:12.039 --> 01:38:14.840
dragged her away from the pumpkin king did someone get hurt?

1363
01:38:15.560 --> 01:38:19.640
Tabby Winfield answered her question by tackling two of their classmates.

1364
01:38:20.079 --> 01:38:23.560
Her hand gripped the bag of Tom Zabo's collar. The

1365
01:38:23.600 --> 01:38:27.000
worm things tore out between her fingers and stuck their

1366
01:38:27.079 --> 01:38:30.640
talons into the base of his skull. Tom's dates squirmed

1367
01:38:30.680 --> 01:38:34.000
under Tabby, who lifted her head in a weak shrill scream.

1368
01:38:34.520 --> 01:38:38.840
Her throat undulated and ripped open wide, revealing rows of teeth.

1369
01:38:39.359 --> 01:38:42.039
The new mouth clamped onto the trapped girl's skull with

1370
01:38:42.119 --> 01:38:47.640
a crunch. What the hell, Becca whimpered, she stumbled as

1371
01:38:47.640 --> 01:38:50.840
Bryce pulled her along. More park goers were being attacked

1372
01:38:50.840 --> 01:38:54.159
by the mutants. Their new digits twisted away from their

1373
01:38:54.199 --> 01:38:57.680
bodies in search of prey. The black talons darted in

1374
01:38:57.840 --> 01:39:02.239
and out, ready to pierce flesh. Victims screamed and cried

1375
01:39:02.279 --> 01:39:05.640
around them. Bryce pulled Rebecca into one of the restrooms

1376
01:39:05.880 --> 01:39:09.079
and slammed the door. His hand slapped at a bare

1377
01:39:09.159 --> 01:39:12.960
brass plate. Damn it, he shouted, kicking the door. It

1378
01:39:13.039 --> 01:39:17.279
only locks from the outside. Wonderful hiding spot. It'll do

1379
01:39:17.399 --> 01:39:21.079
for now. Do you mind? A voice bellowed from one

1380
01:39:21.079 --> 01:39:25.800
of the stalls. Some of us are concentrating. There's an emergency,

1381
01:39:25.880 --> 01:39:30.920
Rebecca shouted, Do you have a phone? Obviously, the toilet flushed.

1382
01:39:31.560 --> 01:39:34.239
What else do people do on the toilet? The door

1383
01:39:34.319 --> 01:39:36.359
swung open, and a middle aged man in a power

1384
01:39:36.439 --> 01:39:39.760
ranger's costume stepped out, adjusting the bulge in his crotch.

1385
01:39:40.680 --> 01:39:44.000
Don't worry, miss, It's a sock, not a chubby, he

1386
01:39:44.079 --> 01:39:49.000
informed Rebecca. Spandex isn't the most flattering fabric. Got a

1387
01:39:49.039 --> 01:39:51.199
beef up the beef bus for all the single moms

1388
01:39:51.199 --> 01:39:54.600
that come through here. Know what I'm saying? Jesus Christ

1389
01:39:54.760 --> 01:39:59.359
mutants inside and out. Rebecca grumbled, You've got some mighty

1390
01:39:59.399 --> 01:40:02.359
fine jette. The old man told her. Wouldn't have any

1391
01:40:02.359 --> 01:40:05.840
single mom swinging in your family tree. Would you listen,

1392
01:40:05.880 --> 01:40:08.760
Harvey Weinstein, people are getting killed outside and we need

1393
01:40:08.760 --> 01:40:12.520
to call for help, she blurted. Hell, I was just

1394
01:40:12.640 --> 01:40:15.880
joking about the phone, he said. They make us lock

1395
01:40:15.920 --> 01:40:18.840
them up at the start of each shift. Bryce pointed

1396
01:40:18.880 --> 01:40:22.119
to the plastic card dangling around the man's neck. You're

1397
01:40:22.159 --> 01:40:26.319
an employee. Who else wears a costume to a water park?

1398
01:40:26.800 --> 01:40:31.720
He chuckled, Name's flint flint Stone, you can shitcan the jokes.

1399
01:40:31.760 --> 01:40:34.439
I've heard them all my life. Then you can get

1400
01:40:34.479 --> 01:40:38.000
us to an office a guard shack. Bryce stammered, I

1401
01:40:38.000 --> 01:40:41.960
don't care where, just somewhere with a phone. That's cute, kid,

1402
01:40:42.279 --> 01:40:44.960
Flint told him, I'm not taking you anywhere to make

1403
01:40:44.960 --> 01:40:47.880
a prank call to the police about monsters eating people.

1404
01:40:48.920 --> 01:40:53.800
Can't you hear the screams, Rebecca questioned, people are always screaming.

1405
01:40:53.840 --> 01:40:58.039
It's an amusement park factor in board staffers in spooky costumes,

1406
01:40:58.039 --> 01:41:01.680
and they'll do it more so, Frank, miss it sounds

1407
01:41:01.720 --> 01:41:05.640
like a Tuesday. The door exploded inward, shattering from the

1408
01:41:05.640 --> 01:41:07.880
force of the blow. Before the hinges could swing it

1409
01:41:07.920 --> 01:41:11.319
open safely, a man rolled across the tile and came

1410
01:41:11.359 --> 01:41:14.760
to a stop on all fours. The white digits wriggled

1411
01:41:14.760 --> 01:41:19.760
from his back like thick sentient hairs. Purple drool trickled

1412
01:41:19.800 --> 01:41:22.560
from the corner of his mouth, forming a puddle beside

1413
01:41:22.600 --> 01:41:27.079
his head. A tooth dropped into the saliva, followed by

1414
01:41:27.119 --> 01:41:33.000
another and another. Brown anorexic serpents slithered from the empty

1415
01:41:33.079 --> 01:41:35.880
sockets of his gums, stretching two feet in front of him.

1416
01:41:36.439 --> 01:41:39.760
Mandibles unfurled from the sides of each creature's head and

1417
01:41:40.000 --> 01:41:45.199
snipped at the air. Flint backed away slowly. His boots

1418
01:41:45.239 --> 01:41:48.199
squeaked on the damp tile, drawing a hiss from the

1419
01:41:48.199 --> 01:41:52.920
throat slit of the mutant. The three oversized worms lunged forward.

1420
01:41:53.159 --> 01:41:56.560
Their motion tugged the man thing forward as they followed

1421
01:41:56.560 --> 01:42:00.159
the sound of Flint's retreat. The infected man sprang up

1422
01:42:00.159 --> 01:42:03.239
and dashed across the bathroom. Bryce stuck out his foot

1423
01:42:03.279 --> 01:42:05.960
and tripped the creature. It toppled to the floor and

1424
01:42:06.079 --> 01:42:09.239
slid closer to Flint. The mandibles hooked into his thigh

1425
01:42:09.279 --> 01:42:11.479
and he let out a shrill squeal before kicking the

1426
01:42:11.479 --> 01:42:15.520
man's jaws shut on the bizarre appendages. They released their

1427
01:42:15.560 --> 01:42:19.600
prey and shot backwards. Flint leaped into the air and

1428
01:42:19.640 --> 01:42:22.520
came down on the man's back with both feet. The

1429
01:42:22.560 --> 01:42:25.800
black talons speared at the white leather boots with sewing

1430
01:42:25.840 --> 01:42:29.560
machine quickness. Flint pushed off, rolling across the floor and

1431
01:42:29.600 --> 01:42:32.640
away from the failed counter attack. He dipped into the

1432
01:42:32.680 --> 01:42:34.239
stall and shut the door.

1433
01:42:36.600 --> 01:42:40.800
More scares to come, weekly, Spooky, We'll be right.

1434
01:42:40.560 --> 01:42:49.039
Back, seriously, Rebecca shouted after him. Bryce hefted the rubber

1435
01:42:49.079 --> 01:42:52.239
trash can overhead and tossed it at the creature. It

1436
01:42:52.359 --> 01:42:56.600
bounced off harmlessly. Rebecca looked around for something more effective.

1437
01:42:57.119 --> 01:43:00.239
When the creature jumped to its feet, the throats flit

1438
01:43:00.399 --> 01:43:04.800
spread wide and gurgled a threat. The stall door banged open,

1439
01:43:04.840 --> 01:43:07.279
and Flint rushed toward the creature and bashed it across

1440
01:43:07.359 --> 01:43:09.760
the back of the head with a green bucket. A

1441
01:43:09.880 --> 01:43:12.880
follow up shot sent it careening into a mirror. The

1442
01:43:12.960 --> 01:43:15.600
glass fell into the sink and clattered to the floor.

1443
01:43:16.159 --> 01:43:19.720
The makeshift weapon flipped open and Flint swung it upward

1444
01:43:19.760 --> 01:43:23.600
in a single deft motion. It wasn't a bucket, but

1445
01:43:23.720 --> 01:43:27.439
the helmet to his costume. He clicked the latches in place.

1446
01:43:28.279 --> 01:43:31.439
Can't go into battle without my armor, Flint muttered and

1447
01:43:31.520 --> 01:43:34.840
dipped under an attack from the mouth tentacles. His gloved

1448
01:43:34.840 --> 01:43:36.920
fingers found a piece of glass in the sink. A

1449
01:43:36.960 --> 01:43:39.840
moment before the man thing's hand closed around his neck.

1450
01:43:40.199 --> 01:43:43.239
A talon clicked against the plastic helmet and drew back

1451
01:43:43.279 --> 01:43:46.079
for another try. Bryce placed his foot on the wall

1452
01:43:46.239 --> 01:43:49.319
and tore the paper towel dispenser free. The creature turned

1453
01:43:49.319 --> 01:43:51.920
its attention to the sudden commotion long enough for Flint

1454
01:43:51.960 --> 01:43:55.319
to drive the shive into its torso. The chest wounds

1455
01:43:55.319 --> 01:43:58.439
sputtered as the obsolete lungs drained of air. The mouth

1456
01:43:58.479 --> 01:44:02.199
tentacles reared back and struck at the helmet. Flint thrust

1457
01:44:02.199 --> 01:44:05.000
the glass dagger into the man's abdomen and slit him

1458
01:44:05.000 --> 01:44:08.520
from hip to hip. Intestines unspooled from the wound and

1459
01:44:08.640 --> 01:44:13.439
piled at Flint's feet, and then something else plopped into

1460
01:44:13.479 --> 01:44:17.760
the viscera. The former person collapsed in a heap. As

1461
01:44:17.880 --> 01:44:22.439
the thing evacuated the host body. The two foot long

1462
01:44:22.560 --> 01:44:26.439
slug latched onto the toe of his boot and slurped loudly.

1463
01:44:26.920 --> 01:44:30.640
Flint sprang up and sat on the sink. The radula

1464
01:44:30.720 --> 01:44:33.800
darted from the mollusk's mouth like a harpoon. Its serrated

1465
01:44:33.840 --> 01:44:37.239
teeth scraped across the porcelain and slashed side to side

1466
01:44:37.560 --> 01:44:41.279
for tender flesh. Rebecca slid across the floor like she

1467
01:44:41.319 --> 01:44:43.720
was stealing home, and kicked the slug against the wall.

1468
01:44:44.239 --> 01:44:46.479
She tried to stand, only to slip in the thick

1469
01:44:46.560 --> 01:44:50.039
layer of mucus clinging to her bare feet. Bryce ran

1470
01:44:50.119 --> 01:44:52.840
forward and jumped over the discarded carcass. He swung the

1471
01:44:52.840 --> 01:44:55.359
paper towel dispenser under his knees and landed on the

1472
01:44:55.399 --> 01:44:59.199
strange entity. A bright spray of yellow and magenta gushed

1473
01:44:59.239 --> 01:45:03.359
across the floor to signal his success. Flint pushed off

1474
01:45:03.399 --> 01:45:07.479
the sink and helped Rebecca balance herself. Hug just air Sabota.

1475
01:45:07.560 --> 01:45:13.359
Goddamn space booker, He shouted, It's a snail, Rebecca corrected him.

1476
01:45:13.720 --> 01:45:17.479
Still look like a Tuesday to you. Snails have shells,

1477
01:45:17.880 --> 01:45:21.439
Bryce said, between gags, what do you think that was?

1478
01:45:21.880 --> 01:45:24.960
Rebecca pointed at the dead body. They got in the

1479
01:45:25.000 --> 01:45:31.279
water into the pumpkin king wear their shells now. Flint

1480
01:45:31.319 --> 01:45:35.319
shifted his visored gaze between the teens. I don't follow.

1481
01:45:36.000 --> 01:45:39.600
How'd a bunch of those things go unnoticed? Maybe whatever

1482
01:45:39.640 --> 01:45:43.000
that purple shit was made them grow faster. Bryce threw

1483
01:45:43.000 --> 01:45:46.319
his hands into the air. What's it matter it drooled

1484
01:45:46.319 --> 01:45:50.039
purple too. Rebecca shook her head. These things might be

1485
01:45:50.119 --> 01:45:53.800
able to infect others by attacking them. We can't let

1486
01:45:53.800 --> 01:45:58.199
them out of splash town. Snails move slow, Flint said,

1487
01:45:58.760 --> 01:46:02.640
like goddamn hobbits, trecking to mordor slow. We've got time,

1488
01:46:03.520 --> 01:46:08.880
if you've got a plan that is salt, Bryce suggested,

1489
01:46:09.720 --> 01:46:11.600
we'd need a lot of it, not to mention a

1490
01:46:11.600 --> 01:46:15.560
way to disperse it. Check and check, Flint put a

1491
01:46:15.560 --> 01:46:18.319
hand on each of their shoulders. You can't see it

1492
01:46:18.359 --> 01:46:22.520
behind this totally bitchin and officially licensed replica helmet. But

1493
01:46:22.600 --> 01:46:26.399
I'm smiling bigger than shit right now. Rebecca turned to

1494
01:46:26.439 --> 01:46:32.000
the door. Well then, let's yaba daba do this, Flint groaned.

1495
01:46:32.840 --> 01:46:39.359
You just had to fucking say it, didn't you. This

1496
01:46:39.600 --> 01:46:43.920
is not a plan, Bryce shouted. Creatures hissed and shrieked

1497
01:46:43.920 --> 01:46:47.439
in hot pursuit of the six wheeled ATV. Designed for utility,

1498
01:46:47.800 --> 01:46:51.399
not recreation, the vehicle was barely keeping its lead under

1499
01:46:51.439 --> 01:46:54.359
the weight of its cargo. If there's one thing Texans

1500
01:46:54.399 --> 01:46:58.880
don't fear, it's a high cholesterol diet. Pretzels, fries, burgers,

1501
01:46:58.880 --> 01:47:02.439
homemade chips, popcorn, tater rounds, fresh roasted peanuts, nachos, and

1502
01:47:02.439 --> 01:47:05.520
onion rings were available at each of the eighteen concession stands,

1503
01:47:05.760 --> 01:47:10.279
which is precisely why Splashtown bought salt in fifty pounds sacks.

1504
01:47:11.039 --> 01:47:14.479
It's working like a plan, Flint yelled back. One of

1505
01:47:14.479 --> 01:47:18.119
the mutants lunged onto the purely cosmetic brushguard of the ATV.

1506
01:47:18.720 --> 01:47:21.960
The mouthworms snapped at Flint's face. He seized one of

1507
01:47:21.960 --> 01:47:24.520
them and jerked down, bouncing the creature's face off the

1508
01:47:24.520 --> 01:47:27.439
hood and sending it back to the cobblestone path, where

1509
01:47:27.479 --> 01:47:31.199
the tires rolled over it. What exactly do you do here?

1510
01:47:32.039 --> 01:47:34.720
Supposed to be helping on the pumpkin king good thing?

1511
01:47:34.720 --> 01:47:37.439
I ate pizza heroes last night. If I hadn't had

1512
01:47:37.479 --> 01:47:40.119
the shits, the lines would have been moving faster and

1513
01:47:40.199 --> 01:47:43.399
you'd be a hobo murder slugs new tenement. Thank you

1514
01:47:43.520 --> 01:47:48.399
for your poor dietary choices, hopefully your girlfriend's imposition. She's

1515
01:47:48.439 --> 01:47:51.920
not my girlfriend, Bryce corrected him. Son, you're about to

1516
01:47:51.960 --> 01:47:55.439
save the entire state from Satan's s car go. Flint

1517
01:47:55.439 --> 01:47:57.680
punched him in the arm. Soon as we kill these

1518
01:47:57.760 --> 01:48:00.399
jiz drooling sons of bitches, she'll be all over you.

1519
01:48:00.479 --> 01:48:03.920
Like imitation cheese sauce on a corn chip. You should

1520
01:48:03.920 --> 01:48:07.760
consider writing poetry. Roses are red, violets are blue. I

1521
01:48:07.800 --> 01:48:11.520
get carpal tunnel thinking of you, Flint laughed. There's one

1522
01:48:11.520 --> 01:48:13.000
for you to use when you ask her to make

1523
01:48:13.000 --> 01:48:16.239
it official. Later, Rebecca waved at them from a tower

1524
01:48:16.319 --> 01:48:19.800
high above the path. Flint bleaped the horn three times

1525
01:48:19.800 --> 01:48:22.199
to signal her to go. She stepped out of the

1526
01:48:22.239 --> 01:48:24.439
tower and rode the zip line across the way to

1527
01:48:24.479 --> 01:48:27.680
the platform over tsunami falls. She grabbed the bullhorn from

1528
01:48:27.720 --> 01:48:30.720
the hook next to the lifeguard station and squeezed the trigger.

1529
01:48:30.960 --> 01:48:34.880
Hey over here, Her voice bellowed, across the park, can

1530
01:48:35.079 --> 01:48:38.560
get me. Several mutants clamored through the pool below and

1531
01:48:38.680 --> 01:48:41.520
slipped about in a vain attempt to scale the curly

1532
01:48:41.600 --> 01:48:45.520
slides leading up to her. She smiled down at them.

1533
01:48:45.760 --> 01:48:50.479
Her plan was working complex alien biology aside, they were

1534
01:48:50.520 --> 01:48:54.479
still powered by primitive ganglia clusters. She needed as many

1535
01:48:54.560 --> 01:48:57.760
of the stupid mutants coming after her as possible. She

1536
01:48:57.880 --> 01:49:00.800
pressed the button on the bullhorn to set off a

1537
01:49:00.920 --> 01:49:04.960
use space snel. Dickheads hear that, She called out, that's

1538
01:49:05.000 --> 01:49:05.640
the dinner bell.

1539
01:49:05.840 --> 01:49:06.880
What are you waiting for?

1540
01:49:07.399 --> 01:49:11.880
Apparently just that very thing. The creatures broke from their

1541
01:49:11.920 --> 01:49:16.079
pursuit of the ATV and rushed toward Rebecca's diversion. Flint

1542
01:49:16.079 --> 01:49:18.920
whipped around the corner, putting the ATV on three wheels

1543
01:49:18.920 --> 01:49:21.840
before it rocked back down to safety. A wall of

1544
01:49:21.920 --> 01:49:25.680
mutants converged on their path, some more changed than others.

1545
01:49:26.039 --> 01:49:30.600
Mouth tentacles flailed in anticipation of the fight. I'll meet

1546
01:49:30.600 --> 01:49:34.119
you at the water treatment station. Take the wheel. Flint

1547
01:49:34.119 --> 01:49:36.520
didn't wait for Bryce to listen. He rolled out of

1548
01:49:36.560 --> 01:49:39.600
his seat and toppled across the path. He groaned and

1549
01:49:39.640 --> 01:49:42.960
tried to ignore the bone sticking out of his forearm.

1550
01:49:43.359 --> 01:49:49.640
It looked a lot easier in the movies. This is

1551
01:49:49.680 --> 01:49:54.520
what we get for using civilian contractors. General Wade Cisco

1552
01:49:54.680 --> 01:49:57.359
pinched the bridge of his nose. Do we know the

1553
01:49:57.399 --> 01:50:01.560
location of the samples? Captain Harmon leaned a curvy hip

1554
01:50:01.560 --> 01:50:04.520
on the plastic blue drums they'd been shipped by mistake,

1555
01:50:04.880 --> 01:50:10.840
and nodded slowly. Fuck Cisco sighed, how bad is it?

1556
01:50:11.720 --> 01:50:15.039
She waved for the General to follow her. They navigated

1557
01:50:15.079 --> 01:50:18.760
the winding corridor to the elevator, an in turn, mixed

1558
01:50:18.800 --> 01:50:23.840
up the shipping instructions. We got water treatment chemicals, Del

1559
01:50:23.880 --> 01:50:26.600
Carmen said, with a voice too sweet for her skill set.

1560
01:50:27.319 --> 01:50:30.640
The Argos samples went to a water park in eastern Texas.

1561
01:50:31.039 --> 01:50:33.840
The elevator door hissed open in a room full of

1562
01:50:33.880 --> 01:50:37.039
computer stations and one wall to wall screen showing a

1563
01:50:37.079 --> 01:50:42.520
live satellite feed of Splash Town. Mutated guests ran down victims,

1564
01:50:42.760 --> 01:50:46.399
small fires, burned corpses twitched to life as the parasitic

1565
01:50:46.479 --> 01:50:51.199
mollusks burrowed into their brains and took control of the flesh.

1566
01:50:51.560 --> 01:50:56.720
Do we have options, Cisco asked, Nuclear and conventional? The

1567
01:50:56.760 --> 01:51:00.520
captain stated bluntly, retrieval is out of the question. Point

1568
01:51:00.680 --> 01:51:03.960
the sight and samples are lost. We only need one,

1569
01:51:04.520 --> 01:51:07.359
Cisco reminded her. I want a team in there to

1570
01:51:07.399 --> 01:51:09.880
snatch one of those things. Have our people cook a

1571
01:51:09.920 --> 01:51:14.119
story about a chemical spill? Yes, Sir del Carmen said,

1572
01:51:14.239 --> 01:51:18.960
aren't we forgetting about the big one? Sir oh him?

1573
01:51:19.920 --> 01:51:24.119
Cisco swallowed hard scratch the retrieval burn the whole sight.

1574
01:51:27.800 --> 01:51:30.359
Flint spotted a salt sack that had fallen when the

1575
01:51:30.399 --> 01:51:33.720
ATV tipped and darted for it. He tore the bag open.

1576
01:51:33.760 --> 01:51:36.720
As the horde charged closer, he tossed a handful of

1577
01:51:36.760 --> 01:51:39.840
salt at the nearest one. It plowed into him, driving

1578
01:51:39.920 --> 01:51:42.439
him to the ground. The human host was protecting the

1579
01:51:42.479 --> 01:51:45.800
snail inside from the salt. Flint clutched the mutant by

1580
01:51:45.840 --> 01:51:49.600
the chin, pushing the snapping tentacles away. The throat slit

1581
01:51:49.800 --> 01:51:53.279
hissed and chewed the air. Flint gritted his teeth and

1582
01:51:53.399 --> 01:51:56.079
used the bone protruding from his arm to stab into

1583
01:51:56.079 --> 01:51:59.720
the creature's chest, aiming for the slug inside. A magenta

1584
01:52:00.279 --> 01:52:03.520
let him know he'd found it. He stabbed it again.

1585
01:52:03.960 --> 01:52:07.199
The corpse went limp, pinning him to the path. He

1586
01:52:07.279 --> 01:52:10.359
felt the stick of black spines going into his legs.

1587
01:52:11.399 --> 01:52:16.119
The world became a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. The

1588
01:52:16.199 --> 01:52:20.479
ground swayed beneath him like a gentle current. Pain drifted

1589
01:52:20.520 --> 01:52:25.279
away from his wounds, and he giggled softly. Sons of

1590
01:52:25.319 --> 01:52:29.319
bitches brought the good stuff to the party, Flint said, quietly.

1591
01:52:30.359 --> 01:52:34.800
You guys are swell. A small mutant with auburn pigtails

1592
01:52:34.840 --> 01:52:37.600
tore Flint's arm off at the elbow and shoved the

1593
01:52:37.680 --> 01:52:41.840
nub to her throat slit. This is better than ozfest,

1594
01:52:42.399 --> 01:52:51.920
Flint snorted, Just swell. The mutants clamored over their own,

1595
01:52:52.079 --> 01:52:55.079
building a meaty ladder off of each other's failed attempts

1596
01:52:55.079 --> 01:52:58.560
at ascending the water slides to get to Rebecca. Her

1597
01:52:58.600 --> 01:53:03.119
plan was working too well. She scurried down the ladder

1598
01:53:03.119 --> 01:53:06.000
into the tiny chamber where the staff entered the ride

1599
01:53:06.479 --> 01:53:10.039
and cracked the door open. The area behind the ride

1600
01:53:10.079 --> 01:53:13.119
looked clear, and she bolted across the grass to hide

1601
01:53:13.119 --> 01:53:16.319
behind a fish shaped fountain, spewing violet water from its

1602
01:53:16.399 --> 01:53:23.239
puckered lips. Then something caught her eye the clear path

1603
01:53:23.840 --> 01:53:31.640
to the front gate. Bryce aimed the ATV at the

1604
01:53:31.720 --> 01:53:35.159
roll up door and floored the accelerator. The little green

1605
01:53:35.239 --> 01:53:38.279
vehicle bounced off the door with a bang, and Bryce's

1606
01:53:38.279 --> 01:53:42.760
face whipped into the steering wheel. Shit He slid out

1607
01:53:42.800 --> 01:53:45.159
of his seat with a groan. He made his way

1608
01:53:45.199 --> 01:53:48.039
inside and opened the bay door that rolled up noisily

1609
01:53:48.119 --> 01:53:51.479
thanks to the massive dent he'd added to it. He

1610
01:53:51.560 --> 01:53:53.840
looked around for a trolley to load the bags on.

1611
01:53:54.399 --> 01:53:57.560
An empty pallet sat unsafely on a jack in the corner,

1612
01:53:57.560 --> 01:53:59.800
and he ran for it, quickly wheeling it back to

1613
01:53:59.800 --> 01:54:03.239
the ATV and offloading the salt. He looked around for

1614
01:54:03.319 --> 01:54:06.479
flint and cursed he didn't know anything about the water

1615
01:54:06.560 --> 01:54:09.880
treatment system or where to find it. He scanned the

1616
01:54:09.920 --> 01:54:12.439
large room and spotted a yellow sign shaped like an

1617
01:54:12.560 --> 01:54:17.199
arrow in black letters water treatment. Bryce ran toward it,

1618
01:54:17.479 --> 01:54:20.439
tugging the pallette jack behind him. He told himself he'd

1619
01:54:20.439 --> 01:54:22.159
be able to figure it all out, and then the

1620
01:54:22.239 --> 01:54:25.640
monsters would die, Texas would be saved, and Rebecca would

1621
01:54:25.680 --> 01:54:28.520
throw herself into his arms. It was all going to

1622
01:54:28.600 --> 01:54:36.079
work out perfectly. Rebecca crept through the shadow of the

1623
01:54:36.119 --> 01:54:40.159
nearest concession stand. Fifty yards of mutant free grass were

1624
01:54:40.199 --> 01:54:44.159
all that separated her from a safe getaway. Something moved

1625
01:54:44.199 --> 01:54:47.600
in the corner of her eye. A thin black post

1626
01:54:47.640 --> 01:54:51.760
pushed up from the ground. You've gotta be fucking kidding me,

1627
01:54:52.399 --> 01:54:55.119
she shot from her hiding place. As the sprinklers kicked on,

1628
01:54:55.520 --> 01:54:58.920
she zigzagged between them back onto the walkway. Her legs

1629
01:54:58.960 --> 01:55:02.319
burned with effort. Rocks cut into her bare feet. She

1630
01:55:02.359 --> 01:55:05.359
couldn't stop running. A body twitched along the path and

1631
01:55:05.399 --> 01:55:08.680
sat upright. Rebecca kept running, cutting away from the thing's

1632
01:55:08.720 --> 01:55:12.399
desperate lunge to seize her legs. She hurtled the turnstile.

1633
01:55:12.399 --> 01:55:14.640
Her ankle twisted on the landing, and she fell on

1634
01:55:14.720 --> 01:55:17.760
her face. She groaned and wiped the blood away from

1635
01:55:17.760 --> 01:55:20.720
her lip. She gazed down at the crimson smear along

1636
01:55:20.760 --> 01:55:23.720
the back of her hand. Her eyes shifted to the

1637
01:55:23.720 --> 01:55:28.119
purple tinged water droplet rolling down her arm. She sniffled

1638
01:55:28.359 --> 01:55:32.000
and shook her head. It's just a drop, she stood up.

1639
01:55:32.359 --> 01:55:35.960
It takes more than a drop. Rebecca started running again.

1640
01:55:36.439 --> 01:55:39.359
The old War Highway was only a mile away. She

1641
01:55:39.399 --> 01:55:42.520
could find a ride away from the nightmare. There she

1642
01:55:42.560 --> 01:55:49.399
would be home by dawn. Bryce's feet shuffled in the

1643
01:55:49.439 --> 01:55:52.479
thick trail of slime. The jack bumped him from behind,

1644
01:55:52.560 --> 01:55:55.960
pushing him into a vertical water pipe. A deep, moist

1645
01:55:56.119 --> 01:56:00.880
laughter resonated from the shadows. Glowing orbs angled toward him

1646
01:56:00.920 --> 01:56:05.199
in the darkness, and the things slithered forward. People in

1647
01:56:05.279 --> 01:56:09.640
maintenance coveralls lined the monstrous snail's undulating body, held tight

1648
01:56:09.680 --> 01:56:13.600
to its flesh by hardened strands of mucus. Their flesh

1649
01:56:13.680 --> 01:56:16.720
writhed with hundreds of the white tube worms flicking their

1650
01:56:16.760 --> 01:56:20.720
talons in and out. Bryce lunged for a sack and

1651
01:56:20.800 --> 01:56:23.600
tore it open, pouring a line of salt between him

1652
01:56:23.680 --> 01:56:28.159
and the suv sized hell snail. Get back, you ugly fuck,

1653
01:56:28.920 --> 01:56:35.560
he warned, Oh or what it said in a sticky hiss,

1654
01:56:36.239 --> 01:56:42.439
Will you assault me? The snail attempted to laugh again.

1655
01:56:43.840 --> 01:56:47.720
This shit keeps getting weirder. Bryce scooped a handful of

1656
01:56:47.800 --> 01:56:52.880
salt and cocked his arm back last warning, I fear

1657
01:56:53.000 --> 01:56:58.239
not morsel. The behemoth slithered forward, inching closer to the

1658
01:56:58.239 --> 01:57:05.479
saline barrier. You fight tasty meat in a fighter. The

1659
01:57:05.560 --> 01:57:09.000
monstrous mollusk speared its ragula over the line and pierced

1660
01:57:09.000 --> 01:57:12.800
Bryce's shoulder. The teen screamed and collapsed onto the palate.

1661
01:57:14.199 --> 01:57:19.600
Tasty meat, indeed. Bryce clutched the wound, watching his own

1662
01:57:19.640 --> 01:57:24.279
blood spurt between his fingers. He remembered enough from biology

1663
01:57:24.319 --> 01:57:28.039
class to know the brachial artery was severed. He was

1664
01:57:28.079 --> 01:57:32.960
a goner. You wanna taste a fighter? Bryce rolled over

1665
01:57:33.000 --> 01:57:36.079
and pressed his gory hands into the salt. Let me

1666
01:57:36.279 --> 01:57:41.279
just season your meal first. The snail overlord stretched its

1667
01:57:41.319 --> 01:57:44.279
head across the line, letting the tip of the radula

1668
01:57:44.359 --> 01:57:48.359
wrap around Bryce's ankle. It tugged the teen closer. He

1669
01:57:48.479 --> 01:57:51.720
rolled and punched the organ. The snail whipped back its head,

1670
01:57:51.920 --> 01:57:55.960
slinging the radula side to side. Violet drool splattered Bryce

1671
01:57:56.000 --> 01:58:01.119
as it roared angrily. Your motherfuck's garden gnomes. Bryce lunged forward,

1672
01:58:01.119 --> 01:58:03.640
punching the beast in the gaps of its cadaver shell.

1673
01:58:03.960 --> 01:58:06.880
The mucus glazed tissue shriveled and bubbled in the wake

1674
01:58:06.920 --> 01:58:09.920
of the boy's salted knuckles. He jumped up and struck

1675
01:58:09.920 --> 01:58:12.840
a blow against one of the beast's googly eyes, rupturing

1676
01:58:12.880 --> 01:58:16.279
the orb in a shower of goo. The monster headbutted

1677
01:58:16.359 --> 01:58:23.560
him to the floor valorous effort. More so, the snail said,

1678
01:58:23.720 --> 01:58:30.039
in a pained slur, but you have failed. They both

1679
01:58:30.119 --> 01:58:33.439
cocked their heads at the sudden piercing whistle coming from

1680
01:58:33.520 --> 01:58:40.119
high above. Rebecca Angle watched the ground sail beneath her

1681
01:58:40.399 --> 01:58:44.000
and then toppled through the muddy field. She groaned with

1682
01:58:44.079 --> 01:58:46.920
pain as she sat down and tried to orient herself.

1683
01:58:47.479 --> 01:58:51.600
A fiery pillar rose where Splashtown used to be. She

1684
01:58:51.760 --> 01:58:54.640
hadn't even heard the explosion when the shockwave caught up

1685
01:58:54.680 --> 01:58:58.279
with her and launched her far far from the nightmare.

1686
01:59:00.239 --> 01:59:05.920
Everything was gone, All the monsters were dead, so was Bryce.

1687
01:59:06.920 --> 01:59:09.600
She'd wanted to tell him how much she liked him

1688
01:59:10.039 --> 01:59:12.960
ever since they shared a moonpie at recess in the

1689
01:59:13.000 --> 01:59:18.960
third grade, but she was always too chicken. He died

1690
01:59:19.079 --> 01:59:22.039
trying to save her and the rest of the world

1691
01:59:22.479 --> 01:59:28.560
from the murderous mollusks. At least that much happened. We're

1692
01:59:28.600 --> 01:59:36.199
all safe now, Bryce, we won. It's over, Rebecca said softly,

1693
01:59:36.920 --> 01:59:49.840
and scratched at a stinging spot on her arm.

1694
01:59:49.960 --> 01:59:55.159
Halloween nineteen eighty six, six six by Dan Wilder?

1695
01:59:55.880 --> 01:59:58.520
Are you sure this is going to work? I can't

1696
01:59:58.520 --> 02:00:04.479
believe this fool. I'm fucking unemployed, dateless eighteen and working

1697
02:00:04.520 --> 02:00:08.239
a spell more than two thousand years old on Halloween

1698
02:00:08.640 --> 02:00:13.399
in the dark in a graveyard. Damn. If this crap

1699
02:00:13.439 --> 02:00:15.399
got any more cliche, I would have flown in here

1700
02:00:15.399 --> 02:00:18.840
in a sopwell camel while my pals bob for apples

1701
02:00:18.840 --> 02:00:22.760
and picked on a kid with obvious alopecia issues. Don't

1702
02:00:22.800 --> 02:00:25.680
you think she'll be all hot with a big old

1703
02:00:25.720 --> 02:00:34.960
set of boobs? How did I end up here? October

1704
02:00:35.000 --> 02:00:40.319
thirty first, nineteen eighty six started well enough. Halloween fell

1705
02:00:40.359 --> 02:00:42.600
on a Friday, which meant that in the past we

1706
02:00:42.600 --> 02:00:45.279
would all rush home from school in the already fading

1707
02:00:45.359 --> 02:00:48.520
daylight and either throw on a store bought number or

1708
02:00:49.159 --> 02:00:52.880
a homemade concoction most likely thought up that day in

1709
02:00:52.920 --> 02:00:56.199
one class or another and drawn in ballpoint in our

1710
02:00:56.279 --> 02:01:00.680
well illustrated notebooks that served as impromptu art galleries and

1711
02:01:00.800 --> 02:01:05.239
occasionally as a method for taking notes, then had out

1712
02:01:05.279 --> 02:01:08.600
in those mean, small town streets until we were loaded

1713
02:01:08.640 --> 02:01:12.119
down with enough candy to ensure our lives as future

1714
02:01:12.119 --> 02:01:16.079
diabetes sufferers, with a whole weekend to utilize as a

1715
02:01:16.119 --> 02:01:22.279
recovery from our night of unspeakable corn syrup drenched darkness. Anyway,

1716
02:01:23.000 --> 02:01:26.880
all of that happened for seventeen years, with more of

1717
02:01:26.920 --> 02:01:31.439
our friends bailing with each passing year. And this this

1718
02:01:31.720 --> 02:01:36.520
was to be our Soween swan song. The sun hung

1719
02:01:36.640 --> 02:01:40.239
low and swollen when my best friend Ace, well, his

1720
02:01:40.399 --> 02:01:43.479
name was Ricky, but he looked like Ace Freely formerly

1721
02:01:43.520 --> 02:01:48.119
of Kiss, all gangly energy and long straight hair, and

1722
02:01:48.199 --> 02:01:50.960
I headed out into the cold dusk to collect our

1723
02:01:51.039 --> 02:01:55.039
saccharin tithe. I was dressed as Brett Michaels from the

1724
02:01:55.119 --> 02:01:58.560
new band on the scene, Poison, and Ace was dressed

1725
02:01:58.560 --> 02:02:03.680
as Gene Simmons from Kiss that Ace always one to

1726
02:02:03.680 --> 02:02:09.600
defy expectations. So long story short, our haul was kind

1727
02:02:09.640 --> 02:02:13.680
of lame, full of bullshit like mallow cups and pennies

1728
02:02:13.720 --> 02:02:17.000
in a baggy and a deficit of miniature name brand

1729
02:02:17.079 --> 02:02:22.279
candy bars and Reese's cups. Plus it started to snow. Yeah,

1730
02:02:22.279 --> 02:02:26.640
it snows here a fucking lot, and early too, and

1731
02:02:26.720 --> 02:02:30.039
when temps drop and quality sugar is in short supply,

1732
02:02:30.239 --> 02:02:33.840
there was only one solace a young wanderer could seek

1733
02:02:35.000 --> 02:02:39.119
woods porn. Ace queried, as if reading my mind. I

1734
02:02:39.199 --> 02:02:42.520
exhaled a long trail of visible breath into the rapidly

1735
02:02:42.600 --> 02:02:49.239
cooling night woods porn. I nodded stoically. Now, wait, some

1736
02:02:49.279 --> 02:02:51.680
of you city folk may not be acquainted with a

1737
02:02:51.760 --> 02:02:56.760
rural kid's main source of sex education, namely a pornomag

1738
02:02:56.840 --> 02:02:59.560
stuck under a rock in a nearby forest used by

1739
02:03:00.119 --> 02:03:05.079
any number of neighborhood horn dogs for unspeakable deeds. And

1740
02:03:05.159 --> 02:03:08.199
we had a real doozy, safely stored under the third

1741
02:03:08.279 --> 02:03:11.680
large rock from the left and barely covered in mold

1742
02:03:11.800 --> 02:03:19.199
worms or spunk. Only problem the magazine wasn't there, but

1743
02:03:19.359 --> 02:03:24.680
a spellbook was. I flipped through that tone while Ace

1744
02:03:24.760 --> 02:03:28.880
bitched that his titty rag was gone. Hey, Ace, I

1745
02:03:28.920 --> 02:03:32.520
think this may be even better than porn, better than porn.

1746
02:03:32.960 --> 02:03:37.760
Are you having a stroke? No? Listen to this. I

1747
02:03:37.840 --> 02:03:40.479
read aloud the parts of the text that were in English.

1748
02:03:41.199 --> 02:03:47.840
Certain words stuck out, sex, witch, resurrection, unspeakable, evil, will

1749
02:03:47.880 --> 02:03:53.479
be unleashed upon all mankind, sex, witch fucking rad Ace

1750
02:03:53.479 --> 02:03:58.680
ejaculated almost literally. It was then, right then that I

1751
02:03:58.720 --> 02:04:01.439
should have just ripped that book to shreds and to

1752
02:04:01.520 --> 02:04:07.760
hell with Ace's libido. But I didn't. I simply fucking didn't.

1753
02:04:08.880 --> 02:04:18.199
I was horny. May my descendants forgive me. The pictures

1754
02:04:18.239 --> 02:04:20.479
in the book indicated we'd need to be in a

1755
02:04:20.520 --> 02:04:27.239
graveyard and acquire a few supplies, mostly simple herbs, spices,

1756
02:04:27.479 --> 02:04:30.279
some virgin blood. Where the hell are we going to

1757
02:04:30.319 --> 02:04:34.800
find virgin's blood? I have no idea, Ace, I'm pretty

1758
02:04:34.800 --> 02:04:37.600
sure these kinds of things were probably easier to come

1759
02:04:37.640 --> 02:04:40.920
by in the old days. Yeah, the ancients never had

1760
02:04:40.920 --> 02:04:44.600
to deal with the liberated eighties woman all in control

1761
02:04:44.680 --> 02:04:49.760
with those sweet sweet shoulder pads. Hmm, are you okay?

1762
02:04:50.439 --> 02:04:53.640
Do you need a minute? My sister? How is that

1763
02:04:53.960 --> 02:04:56.520
any way shape or form the answer to that question?

1764
02:04:57.159 --> 02:05:00.079
My sister, My sister is a virgin? Are you are

1765
02:05:00.119 --> 02:05:07.319
you sure? Have you seen her face? Yeah? It's gorgeous? What? Uh? Nothing?

1766
02:05:07.560 --> 02:05:12.039
I was just fucking around as all good anyway, I

1767
02:05:12.199 --> 02:05:17.560
know she's a virgin. How simple I read her diary? Dude,

1768
02:05:17.800 --> 02:05:22.279
isn't that a bit wrong? Who cares. She writes funny

1769
02:05:22.279 --> 02:05:24.920
ass girl shit in there, including the fact that her

1770
02:05:25.000 --> 02:05:28.960
legs are locked together tighter than a hummingbird's tweet. Why.

1771
02:05:29.920 --> 02:05:33.680
I don't know. She hasn't found her prince charming or something.

1772
02:05:34.439 --> 02:05:39.319
Does she mention me in there anywhere? No? Why the

1773
02:05:39.399 --> 02:05:43.960
hell would she? I don't know. An eligible younger guy

1774
02:05:44.079 --> 02:05:47.439
can be a real enticing thing for a older lady.

1775
02:05:48.319 --> 02:05:53.600
Older lady, she's nineteen whatever, so genius, how are we

1776
02:05:53.680 --> 02:06:01.560
going to obtain her blood? Leave that all to me? Hey, Hannah,

1777
02:06:01.840 --> 02:06:05.560
can Sam use your bathroom? Why? What's wrong with the

1778
02:06:05.600 --> 02:06:09.079
other two? Dad's in one and the toilet's clogged in

1779
02:06:09.119 --> 02:06:13.479
the other one. Hannah scrunched up her face, her angelic

1780
02:06:13.560 --> 02:06:17.760
face in thought. Ace leaned in and offered this wisdom.

1781
02:06:18.640 --> 02:06:20.920
Head straight to the trash can next to the toilet.

1782
02:06:21.359 --> 02:06:25.000
It'll be in there, all ripe for the taking. I nodded.

1783
02:06:25.640 --> 02:06:28.960
Hannah looked me over. Fine, he looks like he has

1784
02:06:29.039 --> 02:06:34.319
okaim a compliment. She actually paid me a compliment. He

1785
02:06:34.399 --> 02:06:39.039
probably sits down to pee anyway. I have a condition

1786
02:06:39.720 --> 02:06:43.439
split stream. It's just easier to sit you shut up

1787
02:06:43.439 --> 02:06:48.880
and go quick. Thanks, I sputtered. I entered her bathroom

1788
02:06:49.119 --> 02:06:54.079
and was immediately overcome. Here was my holy land. I

1789
02:06:54.199 --> 02:06:59.119
cast my eyes around, so many sweet smelling lotions and soaps.

1790
02:07:00.159 --> 02:07:04.239
Finally I saw the goal, the snoopy trash can that

1791
02:07:04.319 --> 02:07:07.359
sat on the tile floor just left of the sink.

1792
02:07:07.920 --> 02:07:12.039
I headed across the cold floor and swallowed hard. There

1793
02:07:12.039 --> 02:07:17.159
it was a simple, discarded MAXI pad. I eyed it

1794
02:07:17.199 --> 02:07:24.600
nervously and made my approach. We reconvened outside. The swollen

1795
02:07:24.680 --> 02:07:27.960
full moon and ever increasing snowfall made the whole scene

1796
02:07:28.039 --> 02:07:32.960
seem surreal. I held aloft that sacred feminine hygiene product.

1797
02:07:33.880 --> 02:07:41.239
Ace beamed, Yes, awesome job, dude, I smiled sheepishly. Thanks.

1798
02:07:45.560 --> 02:07:49.800
The walk to the graveyard was long and quiet, given

1799
02:07:49.880 --> 02:07:52.359
how it was now after nine and trick or treating

1800
02:07:52.439 --> 02:07:57.359
had officially ended. We were two cold lunatics strolling around

1801
02:07:57.359 --> 02:08:01.720
in the snow, heading off to make ourselves a a woman. Yeah.

1802
02:08:02.279 --> 02:08:05.039
Now that I say it back, the whole thing does

1803
02:08:05.119 --> 02:08:09.520
sound ludicrous like an ecy comic mixed with a letter

1804
02:08:09.560 --> 02:08:14.000
to Penthouse Forum as the script. To be honest, I

1805
02:08:14.159 --> 02:08:18.720
literally had nothing else to do. Neither did Ace, well

1806
02:08:19.479 --> 02:08:23.640
maybe Nintendo. The growing wind lashed me in the face

1807
02:08:23.720 --> 02:08:27.520
like a slap from a fist made of frozen pizza roles. Fuck.

1808
02:08:28.159 --> 02:08:31.760
I could be eating pizza roles and playing Nintendo. No

1809
02:08:31.920 --> 02:08:36.119
boob's there, my friend A said quietly. I said that

1810
02:08:36.159 --> 02:08:39.159
out loud. You said a lot of stuff out loud tonight,

1811
02:08:39.239 --> 02:08:42.960
like you're narrating our adventure. It's weird, but it's kind

1812
02:08:42.960 --> 02:08:45.680
of funny, so I figured it's best to keep quiet

1813
02:08:45.720 --> 02:08:49.000
and enjoy the ride. You're a real We're here, Ace

1814
02:08:49.039 --> 02:08:58.479
said happily. The gates to Prospect Hill Cemetery were three things,

1815
02:08:59.199 --> 02:09:07.319
iron locked and very very tall. Four things. What four things?

1816
02:09:08.000 --> 02:09:12.319
It's also decorative and connected to a two foot concrete wall.

1817
02:09:12.800 --> 02:09:15.560
Walk like a foot left and right, and we can

1818
02:09:15.640 --> 02:09:18.439
just hop over and be inside in a jiff. Not

1819
02:09:18.560 --> 02:09:24.680
even a particularly robust leap either, for shit's sake. One

1820
02:09:24.800 --> 02:09:28.880
small leap later, we were traversing that icy necropolis on

1821
02:09:28.960 --> 02:09:33.119
our way to where the fuck are we going? I

1822
02:09:33.199 --> 02:09:37.479
don't know. Cemeteries don't usually have a designated practice black

1823
02:09:37.520 --> 02:09:43.319
magic section. That's true, and a tad passive aggressive. Sorry.

1824
02:09:43.880 --> 02:09:46.640
I was just hoping for more candy and horror flicks

1825
02:09:46.680 --> 02:09:50.640
and less schlepping around in the freezing cold, wandering among

1826
02:09:50.680 --> 02:09:56.640
the tombstones. It's pretty metal, though, Ace offfered. We both laughed,

1827
02:09:57.319 --> 02:10:02.079
you're not wrong. I tripped over it, ancient tombstone. Ace

1828
02:10:02.159 --> 02:10:04.720
extended a hand to help me to my feet and

1829
02:10:04.800 --> 02:10:09.520
glanced at the grave. I had completely decimated. Whoa, this

1830
02:10:09.680 --> 02:10:13.800
chick was eighteen like us when she died. So young,

1831
02:10:14.840 --> 02:10:15.720
that's so sad.

1832
02:10:16.359 --> 02:10:16.439
What?

1833
02:10:17.439 --> 02:10:25.119
No, she was eighteen okay, eighteen three times six three

1834
02:10:25.279 --> 02:10:37.359
sixes oh oh six sixty six. Yeah, after that indisputable

1835
02:10:37.439 --> 02:10:43.159
sign from above, well more below. In this case, we

1836
02:10:43.239 --> 02:10:47.079
got down and dirty with the devil's work. You said

1837
02:10:47.079 --> 02:10:52.199
that out loud, I did. Yeah. Shit, now you got

1838
02:10:52.239 --> 02:10:55.760
me doing it anyway. Ace and I set up our

1839
02:10:55.800 --> 02:10:59.760
eleven herbs and spices, lit a candle, got the spellbook.

1840
02:11:00.279 --> 02:11:06.760
Everything was in order, well almost everything. Get it, dude,

1841
02:11:07.039 --> 02:11:11.960
you get it. She's your sister, gross I suppose you're right.

1842
02:11:12.319 --> 02:11:16.439
I am. Besides, you already touched it, I sighed as

1843
02:11:16.439 --> 02:11:19.880
I reached into my backpack and removed the Maxi pad.

1844
02:11:20.479 --> 02:11:23.279
I held it in my trembling hands and placed it

1845
02:11:23.319 --> 02:11:27.399
on the makeshift altar, wiping my hands and silently apologizing

1846
02:11:27.399 --> 02:11:31.840
to Hannah, his mother, and especially Pap Pap and Mima,

1847
02:11:32.840 --> 02:11:36.600
dear sweet Mima. It took me a few seconds to

1848
02:11:36.680 --> 02:11:41.359
register what happened next. There was an electric pop, then

1849
02:11:41.399 --> 02:11:44.800
a slight plume of lavender smoke wafted into the air,

1850
02:11:45.600 --> 02:11:48.960
after which a crow like out of a post story

1851
02:11:49.479 --> 02:11:54.000
That was a raven. What's the difference? Ravens are bigger

1852
02:11:54.159 --> 02:11:57.319
and their tails are a different shape. How the hell

1853
02:11:57.359 --> 02:12:02.520
do you know this? Ranger? Rick, Ranger, Rick, Yeah, it's

1854
02:12:02.520 --> 02:12:06.920
one of those magazines at every doctor's office, like Highlights, Highlights.

1855
02:12:07.000 --> 02:12:12.399
Now you're talking timber toes, goofis and gallant. Shit. That

1856
02:12:12.520 --> 02:12:16.039
crow just snatched Hannah's Maxi pad and flew off, I

1857
02:12:16.159 --> 02:12:23.239
exhaled dejectedly. You ready to call this one ace? Yeah?

1858
02:12:23.439 --> 02:12:32.319
A shitty send off if you ask me. Yeah, build

1859
02:12:32.439 --> 02:12:40.239
nest use thing humans had taste like blood, blood, bad body, hurt,

1860
02:12:40.840 --> 02:12:44.399
ave setanus.

1861
02:12:48.119 --> 02:12:51.239
Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app so

1862
02:12:51.359 --> 02:12:54.439
you don't miss any of the spooky on the weekly.

1863
02:13:03.159 --> 02:13:06.319
I sat the plate of pizza rolls down and returned

1864
02:13:06.319 --> 02:13:08.920
to my game. While most of the night had been

1865
02:13:08.960 --> 02:13:13.560
either weird as fuck, disappointing, or an unholy combination of both,

1866
02:13:14.199 --> 02:13:19.119
this was a welcome reprieve. After the ceremonial burning of

1867
02:13:19.159 --> 02:13:22.479
the mouth on the pizza roles, I swore and played

1868
02:13:22.479 --> 02:13:31.000
on tap tap. What in the hell was that? Tap tap?

1869
02:13:32.119 --> 02:13:36.359
I looked around the room, but nothing seemed to miss.

1870
02:13:37.159 --> 02:13:45.079
Tap tap the window. It's coming from the window. I

1871
02:13:45.199 --> 02:13:49.880
crossed the room and stared into the darkness beyond. I

1872
02:13:49.920 --> 02:13:54.319
didn't see jack shit. I wonder if those pizza roles

1873
02:13:54.359 --> 02:13:59.399
have cooled down? Ay, they hadn't. Shit. Now I can't

1874
02:13:59.399 --> 02:14:02.079
stop messing around with the loose dangle of burnt skin

1875
02:14:02.199 --> 02:14:07.600
hanging down from the tender roof of my mouth. Tap tap,

1876
02:14:09.039 --> 02:14:12.640
back to the window, I go. This time, I barely

1877
02:14:12.680 --> 02:14:17.039
caught a glimpse of a porcelain skinned hand. Retreat into

1878
02:14:17.079 --> 02:14:21.039
the darkness after the hole, jump back and hope that

1879
02:14:21.079 --> 02:14:24.760
fart wasn't a shit routine. I scrambled back to the window.

1880
02:14:25.000 --> 02:14:27.279
I pressed my face against the pane in a futile

1881
02:14:27.319 --> 02:14:31.119
attempt to see further into the night. The glass was

1882
02:14:31.159 --> 02:14:37.239
ice cold. The hand that tapped the glass felt even colder.

1883
02:14:43.359 --> 02:14:47.399
For a second, my heart stopped. I cartwheeled around the

1884
02:14:47.439 --> 02:14:50.840
room like a madman, upending everything in my whirlwind. Wake

1885
02:14:51.439 --> 02:14:56.039
the pizza rolls definitely didn't survive. Neither did the can

1886
02:14:56.079 --> 02:14:59.000
of soda that fell onto the video game console, creating

1887
02:14:59.039 --> 02:15:02.680
a massive jolt that traveled along the controller cord, threw

1888
02:15:02.680 --> 02:15:06.800
the buttons and directly onto my bare feet that were

1889
02:15:07.439 --> 02:15:13.079
admittedly a tad damp from piss. Don't judge me, I'm frail.

1890
02:15:14.279 --> 02:15:17.680
Can you keep your private time a tad more private? Dear?

1891
02:15:18.319 --> 02:15:22.159
My mother called up the stairs. Just great, I'm going

1892
02:15:22.199 --> 02:15:24.079
to die and my mother will be left with just

1893
02:15:24.119 --> 02:15:27.399
a memory of her darling offspring, cock in hand, trying

1894
02:15:27.439 --> 02:15:32.000
to beat the devil and losing. Good news. The shock

1895
02:15:32.079 --> 02:15:38.279
restarted my heart. So there's a fucking Halloween miracle. Tap tap,

1896
02:15:39.239 --> 02:15:42.159
Oh shit, I haven't even caught my breath from dying

1897
02:15:42.159 --> 02:15:46.199
the last time. I saw the hand again, but this

1898
02:15:46.319 --> 02:15:55.119
time it didn't retreat. Hello. Hannah came into view, the

1899
02:15:55.199 --> 02:15:58.640
extended hand connected to her alabaster body by an arm

1900
02:15:58.920 --> 02:16:02.880
so delicate it could have been that of an angel itself.

1901
02:16:03.800 --> 02:16:07.600
She was wearing an oversized Kaja Googu T shirt, and

1902
02:16:07.680 --> 02:16:11.359
if the suddenly bright moonlight behind her, illuminating that which

1903
02:16:11.439 --> 02:16:14.079
lurked beneath the smug smile of Limbhaul was to be

1904
02:16:14.119 --> 02:16:24.359
believed absolutely nothing else. Hannah, Yeah, what are you doing

1905
02:16:24.399 --> 02:16:29.600
out there? Trying to get your attention? Well you definitely

1906
02:16:29.600 --> 02:16:33.559
got that. Hannah drew closer to the window, her t

1907
02:16:33.719 --> 02:16:37.239
shirt shifted to reveal more of her perfect shoulders and

1908
02:16:37.360 --> 02:16:41.639
just a pixie's whisper, more cleavage. After seeing you earlier,

1909
02:16:41.719 --> 02:16:46.559
I couldn't get you off my mind. You couldn't. No,

1910
02:16:47.559 --> 02:16:50.639
I'm sorry I made fun of you. Your condition must

1911
02:16:50.719 --> 02:16:53.360
be a heavy cross for you to bear. I mean,

1912
02:16:54.319 --> 02:16:57.920
it's a bit of an inconvenience at times, but it's manageable.

1913
02:16:58.639 --> 02:17:03.159
Look at you, shouldering your pain like a big strong man.

1914
02:17:05.520 --> 02:17:13.559
Are you feeling okay? Hannah? Yeah? Why? Because usually you're

1915
02:17:13.639 --> 02:17:18.559
repulsed by my very existence. Now you're rubbing against my

1916
02:17:18.639 --> 02:17:23.639
window like a cat in heat. Oh I'm in heat?

1917
02:17:23.680 --> 02:17:27.559
All right? With that, Leamal and the lads were torn

1918
02:17:27.680 --> 02:17:33.040
free and tossed into the crisp night air. Holy fucking shit,

1919
02:17:33.760 --> 02:17:37.399
I exclaimed, as Hannah's naked form stood at the window.

1920
02:17:38.799 --> 02:17:41.920
You like what you see my boner? And I answered

1921
02:17:41.920 --> 02:17:45.360
in the affirmative, why not let me in and we

1922
02:17:45.440 --> 02:17:48.799
can get to getting know what I mean? Hannah winked,

1923
02:17:50.239 --> 02:17:53.639
I don't know What in the hell was I saying?

1924
02:17:54.719 --> 02:17:59.760
You don't? Hannah pouted, it was sexy as all shit. Well,

1925
02:17:59.799 --> 02:18:05.760
it's it's just it's weird, is all? Isn't tonight reserved

1926
02:18:05.879 --> 02:18:11.920
for the strange and unusual. My pulse pounded in my pants.

1927
02:18:12.479 --> 02:18:16.639
I I suppose you're right. I started to make my

1928
02:18:16.680 --> 02:18:21.040
way closer to the window, as if on autopilot. Oh,

1929
02:18:21.120 --> 02:18:24.280
you can just bet, I am. I unlocked the window

1930
02:18:24.520 --> 02:18:30.719
and opened it quickly. Hannah smiled so saccherin, so sweet.

1931
02:18:32.000 --> 02:18:34.559
The door to my bedroom nearly exploded off the hinges.

1932
02:18:35.399 --> 02:18:38.760
I turned to see Ace and Hannah. You guys look

1933
02:18:38.840 --> 02:18:42.920
like shit did too, all bruises and scratches. I turned

1934
02:18:42.920 --> 02:18:47.040
back to Hannah. Wait, Hannah at the window, Hannah at

1935
02:18:47.120 --> 02:18:51.799
the door door. Hannah pointed at window, Hannah window. Hannah's

1936
02:18:51.799 --> 02:18:55.600
skin was going from pure driven snow to blood clot

1937
02:18:55.760 --> 02:19:01.000
rotten blood, and her pitch black eyes and anglerfish teeth

1938
02:19:01.040 --> 02:19:05.280
weren't doing her any favors either. It was then that

1939
02:19:05.360 --> 02:19:07.920
a bit of logic slapped me right in the face.

1940
02:19:09.120 --> 02:19:13.479
I'm on the second floor. Hannah can't float, at least

1941
02:19:13.479 --> 02:19:16.040
as far as I know. Man. That should have been

1942
02:19:16.079 --> 02:19:21.120
a huge tip off. That something was slightly amiss. I

1943
02:19:21.239 --> 02:19:24.559
blame the pizza roles. You guys really look like shit.

1944
02:19:25.360 --> 02:19:30.559
Blame it on your girlfriend out there. Tap tap, She's

1945
02:19:30.600 --> 02:19:34.399
not my girlfriend. Closest you'll ever get to me, real,

1946
02:19:34.440 --> 02:19:39.479
Hannah said under her breath. Tap tap, Hey, I heard

1947
02:19:39.479 --> 02:19:42.799
that come on in my own house and everything. You

1948
02:19:42.879 --> 02:19:45.920
two can kiss and make up when we're out of here. Tap,

1949
02:19:46.440 --> 02:19:53.239
mother fucking tap. The window exploded inward as we all

1950
02:19:53.280 --> 02:19:57.520
turned in unison to see the creature's extremely enormous bird

1951
02:19:57.559 --> 02:20:03.120
foot extend back into the darkness. Speaking of darkness, I

1952
02:20:03.239 --> 02:20:07.079
then realized why I couldn't see outside, as quick flashes

1953
02:20:07.120 --> 02:20:11.159
of the beast's dreaded wings revealed a wingspan of nearly

1954
02:20:11.280 --> 02:20:14.920
thirty feet. We didn't hesitate to haul ass from the room,

1955
02:20:15.120 --> 02:20:18.239
the nightmare form of that toothy horror snapping in our wake.

1956
02:20:18.680 --> 02:20:21.440
We slammed my bedroom door closed behind us and dashed

1957
02:20:21.440 --> 02:20:23.799
down the stairs as the sound of the cheap plywood

1958
02:20:23.799 --> 02:20:26.520
door of my bedroom being splintered from repeated blows of

1959
02:20:26.520 --> 02:20:30.559
the monster spurned us on. We dashed past the kitchen

1960
02:20:30.559 --> 02:20:33.639
where my mother washed dishes as she danced and bopped,

1961
02:20:33.639 --> 02:20:37.079
the music issuing from her walkman. Wait, we have to

1962
02:20:37.079 --> 02:20:39.520
get my mother out of here. We don't have time,

1963
02:20:39.920 --> 02:20:43.280
Ace screamed, dragging me by the arm. I tried to

1964
02:20:43.280 --> 02:20:46.479
fight back, but a lifetime of video games and shitty

1965
02:20:46.479 --> 02:20:49.559
eating habits had left me a tad deficient in the

1966
02:20:49.600 --> 02:20:53.879
strength department. We blasted into the chilly night, large snowflakes

1967
02:20:53.920 --> 02:20:57.760
blowing past our faces. The creature sailed directly past my

1968
02:20:57.840 --> 02:21:01.120
mother and followed us through the open front door. We

1969
02:21:01.200 --> 02:21:10.719
flew into the night. We sat in the closet, trying

1970
02:21:10.760 --> 02:21:14.120
not to breathe. We'd snuck into a house a few

1971
02:21:14.159 --> 02:21:18.159
blocks away, climbed into an unlocked window, and paused to

1972
02:21:18.200 --> 02:21:23.600
collect our wits. After long moments of silence, A spoke,

1973
02:21:24.719 --> 02:21:28.959
what the fuck are we going to do? We you're

1974
02:21:29.000 --> 02:21:33.520
the one that talked me into this. I was horny, reasonable,

1975
02:21:33.600 --> 02:21:36.680
but still, hey, does anyone want to discuss how you

1976
02:21:36.840 --> 02:21:39.639
grody fools stole my Maxi pad to make that thing?

1977
02:21:40.399 --> 02:21:44.000
It was him, It was your idea, Ace, Yeah, but

1978
02:21:44.079 --> 02:21:46.479
you took the pad. You didn't want to touch it.

1979
02:21:46.879 --> 02:21:49.040
Neither did you. But I figured, since you're all hot

1980
02:21:49.079 --> 02:21:53.319
and horny for Hannah, are you serious? You too are disgusting?

1981
02:21:54.280 --> 02:21:57.000
I think you're a beautiful woman, Hannah, I had no

1982
02:21:57.079 --> 02:22:02.159
desire to touch your your period. Shut up, Ace. We

1983
02:22:02.239 --> 02:22:07.319
both spat. Screams filled the air. What the fuck was that?

1984
02:22:08.440 --> 02:22:15.520
More screams followed. Jesus. Hannah exhaled dejectedly. I'll go and

1985
02:22:15.600 --> 02:22:19.680
check you two cuddle here. Hannah gingerly snuck out of

1986
02:22:19.719 --> 02:22:26.280
the closet. The seconds seemed like days. More screams followed

1987
02:22:26.280 --> 02:22:33.559
by stifled giggles. Hey, heroes, come here, Hannah whispered. We

1988
02:22:33.719 --> 02:22:36.799
quietly exited the closet and joined Hannah in the hallway.

1989
02:22:37.680 --> 02:22:41.600
She pointed down the stairs. We peered cautiously down the

1990
02:22:41.600 --> 02:22:45.120
steps to see a family watching a film, a horror

1991
02:22:45.120 --> 02:22:48.440
film where a family was being menaced by some monster

1992
02:22:48.559 --> 02:22:53.000
porcupines on a farm. Oh shit, this flick rocks. You've

1993
02:22:53.040 --> 02:22:56.879
seen it? Yeah, I rented it last weekend. It's like Gremlins,

1994
02:22:56.920 --> 02:23:00.280
but with aliens. Why didn't you call me? We could

1995
02:23:00.280 --> 02:23:03.520
have watched it together. I don't know you had bowling

1996
02:23:03.639 --> 02:23:08.120
or some such bullshit. You two belong together. Girls can

1997
02:23:08.159 --> 02:23:11.760
sense that. Shut up, Hannah. Don't tell her to shut up.

1998
02:23:12.399 --> 02:23:14.479
I don't need you to defend me from this dweeb.

1999
02:23:15.280 --> 02:23:21.600
The family turned and locked eyes with the trespassers. Hannah, Yes,

2000
02:23:21.680 --> 02:23:25.639
missus Henderson, it's me. What are you doing upstairs in

2001
02:23:25.639 --> 02:23:30.040
our house? I'm not going to lie. We're running for

2002
02:23:30.079 --> 02:23:32.440
our lives from a crow that has turned into an

2003
02:23:32.959 --> 02:23:38.760
evil version of me. Oh oh, dear, Hannah smiled and

2004
02:23:38.799 --> 02:23:42.719
turned towards her comrades. She believes me. Are you on

2005
02:23:42.799 --> 02:23:50.479
the drugs? What? No? No, drugs? Monsters? Should we call your mother? No? No,

2006
02:23:51.360 --> 02:23:54.680
Ace led the march down the stairs. Enjoy your movie.

2007
02:23:54.799 --> 02:23:57.040
We'll get her home so she can sleep it off.

2008
02:23:57.600 --> 02:24:01.680
Ace smiled his best Scheshire Cat in. He reached into

2009
02:24:01.680 --> 02:24:04.040
the nearest popcorn bowl and grabbed a handful of the

2010
02:24:04.040 --> 02:24:10.639
salty snack within. Good night, now, Happy Halloween, I injected.

2011
02:24:14.600 --> 02:24:19.760
We were soon on the streets again. We walked on, aimless, directionless.

2012
02:24:20.440 --> 02:24:23.520
In the distance came the sound of great wings flapping

2013
02:24:23.600 --> 02:24:29.639
in the midnight sky. We are so fucked, you think so? Yeah?

2014
02:24:29.719 --> 02:24:33.239
I mean, come on, We're just some kids in the

2015
02:24:33.239 --> 02:24:37.200
middle of nowhere, harassed by a demon. The odds are

2016
02:24:37.239 --> 02:24:39.879
stacked against us. But come on, the assholes in this

2017
02:24:39.920 --> 02:24:45.719
town always survive. That isn't wrong, you guys. Hannah offered,

2018
02:24:46.680 --> 02:24:49.920
So what should we do? As if on que far

2019
02:24:50.000 --> 02:24:53.239
in the distance, the bells of Saint James Church of

2020
02:24:53.280 --> 02:24:57.159
our Holy Concubine rung out, we headed towards the church.

2021
02:24:58.680 --> 02:25:02.239
The doors of the church were locked. We slinked inside,

2022
02:25:02.319 --> 02:25:06.760
looking high and low for any means of salvation. It

2023
02:25:06.840 --> 02:25:09.840
was then we saw it tucked away in the corner

2024
02:25:09.879 --> 02:25:14.079
of the pantry far below the church. We cut open

2025
02:25:14.159 --> 02:25:16.479
the box and dragged it up the stairs to the

2026
02:25:16.520 --> 02:25:20.399
main hallway to the front doors, and then we started

2027
02:25:20.399 --> 02:25:24.680
to toss that consecrated bird seed. We scattered the communion

2028
02:25:24.719 --> 02:25:27.639
wafers about the parking lot of the church, all the

2029
02:25:27.639 --> 02:25:31.760
while those thunderous wing movements filled the air, punctuated by

2030
02:25:31.760 --> 02:25:36.959
the angry screams of that unholy amalgamation. Finally, that putrid

2031
02:25:37.000 --> 02:25:40.079
pigeon came to roost, and forever a slave to its

2032
02:25:40.159 --> 02:25:44.559
Avian instincts, it began to peck at the bread we offered,

2033
02:25:45.360 --> 02:25:48.200
on and on at eight, so long that the sun

2034
02:25:48.280 --> 02:25:52.399
began to rise and chase away the darkness. The illumination

2035
02:25:52.559 --> 02:25:56.959
increased as the creature feasted on crow Hannah burped and

2036
02:25:57.079 --> 02:26:00.719
looked at the sky. Its eyes grew wide at the sunrise,

2037
02:26:01.200 --> 02:26:05.079
filled with hope, peace, and possibly a chance at redemption

2038
02:26:05.280 --> 02:26:10.639
for its blasphemous existence. I stepped forward and stroked its furrowed,

2039
02:26:11.280 --> 02:26:16.799
nearly innocent brow. It cooed low and satisfied. I leaned

2040
02:26:16.840 --> 02:26:21.079
close to kiss its forehead. The creature exploded in a

2041
02:26:21.120 --> 02:26:26.040
shower of gore that plastered us in underworld filth. Ace puked,

2042
02:26:26.520 --> 02:26:30.520
Hannah sneezed, and I spit bloody chunks from my mouth.

2043
02:26:31.520 --> 02:26:36.239
Greatest Halloween ever. Ace offered, fuck Yes.

2044
02:26:43.799 --> 02:26:48.760
Mischief Night The Halloween Invasion by Shane miglia Voda.

2045
02:26:50.600 --> 02:26:56.639
Happy motherfucking Halloween. Calm down, Son, Son swore in Korean

2046
02:26:56.719 --> 02:27:00.399
before she kicked the van's flat tire. Why should I, Jade,

2047
02:27:00.799 --> 02:27:03.079
We're stuck in the middle of nowhere on Halloween night

2048
02:27:03.120 --> 02:27:05.520
with a blown out tire and a gig we're supposed

2049
02:27:05.559 --> 02:27:11.239
to be at, actually two blown out tires, another voice added.

2050
02:27:11.680 --> 02:27:16.239
This caused more swearing in Korean from Sun. Jade sighed,

2051
02:27:16.360 --> 02:27:21.079
mumbling under her breath. Good one. Ali Ali stepped around

2052
02:27:21.079 --> 02:27:23.840
from the other side of the van. She was a short,

2053
02:27:23.879 --> 02:27:28.360
bleach blonde with a style that contrasted her bandmate's maulpunk

2054
02:27:28.479 --> 02:27:32.200
coteur now, what the fuck do we do? Sun leaned,

2055
02:27:32.280 --> 02:27:36.000
defeated against the van. Jade, the lead singer of the

2056
02:27:36.079 --> 02:27:40.440
Disposable Tampons, looked up and down the long stretch of road.

2057
02:27:40.920 --> 02:27:44.399
Nothing but fucking trees. She pulled at one of her

2058
02:27:44.440 --> 02:27:48.719
long brown curls. Son, think your sister Bay would come

2059
02:27:48.760 --> 02:27:52.680
get us, Jade asked, not feeling hopeful about the answer.

2060
02:27:53.639 --> 02:27:58.000
Son shook her head. She's got an art class tonight. Damn,

2061
02:27:58.959 --> 02:28:02.680
how about the town we passed, Ali interjected. They gotta

2062
02:28:02.760 --> 02:28:08.120
have a garage or something. Jade smiled, brilliant. We'll push

2063
02:28:08.200 --> 02:28:10.280
the van off the road then hoof it to that town.

2064
02:28:11.239 --> 02:28:13.559
The three girls got ready to move the van when

2065
02:28:13.559 --> 02:28:19.399
they realized something. Aren't we missing something? Sun nodded towards

2066
02:28:19.479 --> 02:28:24.959
the van or someone. Sun pulled the van, sliding door open.

2067
02:28:25.479 --> 02:28:28.040
Wedged between the seats and the band's gear was a

2068
02:28:28.079 --> 02:28:33.000
sleeping bag with a human like lump inside. Sun knocked

2069
02:28:33.000 --> 02:28:35.799
on the side of the van up and Adham rose Linda.

2070
02:28:36.680 --> 02:28:40.680
A groan came from the sleeping bag. What we need

2071
02:28:40.719 --> 02:28:45.120
your help, Roz. Roz opened the sleeping bag. What's up?

2072
02:28:45.920 --> 02:28:49.879
Sun frowned, Really, you slept through the hole nearly going

2073
02:28:49.920 --> 02:28:52.799
off the road. Thing Roz slid out of the van.

2074
02:28:53.520 --> 02:28:59.840
We crashed? Why tires blew out? Ali informed her. Fuck no,

2075
02:29:00.159 --> 02:29:04.399
how the shitty machine strikes again. Sun kicked one of

2076
02:29:04.399 --> 02:29:07.799
the van's tires. Don't talk about my baby like that,

2077
02:29:08.559 --> 02:29:17.799
Jade warned her. A fine mist settled over the ground

2078
02:29:18.159 --> 02:29:23.600
as dusk fell. Roz yawned. Why are you always doing that?

2079
02:29:24.280 --> 02:29:30.479
Sun asked, I'm tired from what sleeping? Channeling the energies?

2080
02:29:30.520 --> 02:29:34.959
I do? It taxes my spirit? How about channeling us

2081
02:29:35.040 --> 02:29:38.440
up a couple of tires. Ali looked over at Jade,

2082
02:29:38.680 --> 02:29:41.520
who appeared to be deep in thought as they walked.

2083
02:29:42.159 --> 02:29:46.159
Is the country supposed to be this quiet? Son asked,

2084
02:29:46.879 --> 02:29:51.479
like we're the only ones that exist? Ali observed, have

2085
02:29:51.600 --> 02:29:55.399
you ever thought about that? Roz spoke up existing. I

2086
02:29:55.479 --> 02:30:00.079
mean right now we can't see or hear anybody. Do

2087
02:30:00.079 --> 02:30:02.879
they still exist or is it only when we can

2088
02:30:02.920 --> 02:30:07.000
see them that they exist? No, I can't say I have,

2089
02:30:07.719 --> 02:30:13.040
Jade answered. Sun looked at raws you high. All four

2090
02:30:13.079 --> 02:30:16.840
girls chuckled. That's when they saw it ahead of them

2091
02:30:16.920 --> 02:30:20.840
down the road, an old steel bridge large enough for

2092
02:30:20.920 --> 02:30:25.879
two lanes of traffic and nothing more. Beyond the bridge

2093
02:30:26.520 --> 02:30:29.319
lay the town. They were a quarter of a way

2094
02:30:29.360 --> 02:30:32.879
across the bridge when Jade noted how still the town looked.

2095
02:30:33.760 --> 02:30:37.520
It was Halloween night. There should be some tricker treaters.

2096
02:30:38.600 --> 02:30:41.959
A gust of wind blew across the bridge, bringing with

2097
02:30:42.000 --> 02:30:49.479
it a sudden chill in the air and something else.

2098
02:30:50.959 --> 02:30:54.840
What is that smell, Sun said, pinching her nose shut.

2099
02:30:55.399 --> 02:31:00.319
Did somebody shit their pants? I think it's sewage, Alice said,

2100
02:31:00.399 --> 02:31:04.399
making a face. Maybe there's a treatment plant or something

2101
02:31:04.440 --> 02:31:08.280
around here. The road led to the main drag of town.

2102
02:31:09.280 --> 02:31:12.239
On the right was a diner. A paper cut out

2103
02:31:12.280 --> 02:31:15.120
of a witch was taped up in the window. A

2104
02:31:15.159 --> 02:31:21.079
banner hung over it, proclaiming Happy Halloween. Jade pulled open

2105
02:31:21.079 --> 02:31:25.159
the diner's door. You guys wait here, No, can't do.

2106
02:31:25.520 --> 02:31:29.000
I'm going in with you, Ali said, Son looked up

2107
02:31:29.040 --> 02:31:33.120
and down the empty street. Shit me too. The three

2108
02:31:33.159 --> 02:31:37.319
girls entered the diner. Ros lingered alone for a second

2109
02:31:37.840 --> 02:31:44.760
before following them. Inside. Country music drifted through the uninhabited

2110
02:31:44.760 --> 02:31:50.479
structure from somewhere behind the counter plates sat on tables

2111
02:31:51.079 --> 02:31:56.079
covered in half eaten meals. For the briefest of seconds,

2112
02:31:56.159 --> 02:32:03.000
Jade saw it a figure standing in the semi darkened kitchen. Hey,

2113
02:32:03.840 --> 02:32:07.280
Jade called out, startling the girls and herself as she

2114
02:32:07.399 --> 02:32:11.360
slid over the counter in pursuit. Her bandmates called after

2115
02:32:11.399 --> 02:32:15.399
her as she ran into the kitchen. The kitchen was

2116
02:32:15.440 --> 02:32:19.120
empty save for her and a grinning Jack o' lantern

2117
02:32:19.200 --> 02:32:23.120
decoration hanging on the far wall. What are you laughing at?

2118
02:32:23.639 --> 02:32:29.200
Jade asked, frustrated Jade, you better see this. Jade leaned

2119
02:32:29.239 --> 02:32:29.879
over the counter.

2120
02:32:30.399 --> 02:32:30.479
What.

2121
02:32:31.680 --> 02:32:34.719
Ali pointed out the large front window, where a group

2122
02:32:34.760 --> 02:32:37.159
of people stood in a straight line on the street,

2123
02:32:37.719 --> 02:32:42.600
their features hidden in the dark shadows of the night. Oh,

2124
02:32:43.000 --> 02:32:48.120
oh shit. They stepped forward in unison. The one closest

2125
02:32:48.159 --> 02:32:51.280
to the door peered into the diner, tilting its head

2126
02:32:51.280 --> 02:32:55.360
as it studied them. Its green eyes shone in the darkness.

2127
02:32:56.120 --> 02:33:01.000
Oh fuck, Son uttered, what is that? Uh? A really

2128
02:33:01.200 --> 02:33:06.760
good Halloween costume? Ali queried through with its study, the

2129
02:33:06.799 --> 02:33:11.639
once human thing punched through the glass. The girls jumped back,

2130
02:33:11.879 --> 02:33:17.200
shrieking Back here, back here, Jade screamed. The three joined

2131
02:33:17.239 --> 02:33:21.000
her in the kitchen, quickly arming themselves with cooking implements.

2132
02:33:21.440 --> 02:33:24.719
The thing crunched broken glass under its foot as it

2133
02:33:24.840 --> 02:33:29.760
stepped through the broken door. What do you want, Ali asked,

2134
02:33:30.000 --> 02:33:34.120
We don't want any trouble. It turned towards them, its

2135
02:33:34.159 --> 02:33:38.000
mouth opened wide as it let out an unearthly bellow,

2136
02:33:38.159 --> 02:33:46.440
causing the nearby windows to vibrate and shatter. Okay, Jade said,

2137
02:33:46.879 --> 02:33:49.600
now we run. The band burst out of the diner

2138
02:33:49.680 --> 02:33:52.600
onto a cluttered back alley. At the end of the

2139
02:33:52.639 --> 02:33:57.280
alley stood more of the former townsfolk, forever watching them.

2140
02:33:57.639 --> 02:34:02.120
Sun hefted a cleaver. Let's fight these assholes. We don't

2141
02:34:02.120 --> 02:34:05.239
know what they want, Roz said. They could be trying

2142
02:34:05.280 --> 02:34:09.399
to communicate with us. They might be possessed by something,

2143
02:34:09.719 --> 02:34:13.760
maybe the body snatches or some shit. Sun added that

2144
02:34:13.799 --> 02:34:16.440
guy in the diner didn't look so hot. What if

2145
02:34:16.440 --> 02:34:22.159
they have some kind of virus, Ali offered. The townspeople

2146
02:34:23.040 --> 02:34:27.559
started down the alley towards them. Jade was just about

2147
02:34:27.559 --> 02:34:31.680
to begin the fight when she saw it, a rusty

2148
02:34:31.719 --> 02:34:36.040
fire escape ladder up there. She motioned to the others,

2149
02:34:36.399 --> 02:34:39.399
I think it's our best bet. There was no disagreement

2150
02:34:39.440 --> 02:34:42.079
from the others as they pulled down the ladder and

2151
02:34:42.120 --> 02:34:50.600
made their way up. As the strangers closed in on

2152
02:34:50.760 --> 02:34:54.559
the roof, the girls took a moment to rest. Think

2153
02:34:54.559 --> 02:34:58.959
those fuckers can climb, Sun asked, spitting over the edge

2154
02:34:58.959 --> 02:35:03.600
of the roof. Jade looked at the throng below. Think

2155
02:35:03.639 --> 02:35:06.959
we can sneak out of here? Well, we can't make

2156
02:35:07.000 --> 02:35:09.200
it to the bridge. There's too many of them between

2157
02:35:09.239 --> 02:35:13.840
here and there. Ali observed. Maybe we should call the cops,

2158
02:35:14.479 --> 02:35:18.760
Roz said. Son scoffed at the idea, and tell them

2159
02:35:18.799 --> 02:35:23.799
what a whole town has gone wacko, Roz shrugged. Worth

2160
02:35:23.840 --> 02:35:28.879
a shot, Jade stepped forward, Do it, Ali, keep a

2161
02:35:28.920 --> 02:35:32.920
watch on our friends. Son pulled out her phone. She

2162
02:35:33.040 --> 02:35:36.159
looked at Jade. What the hell do I tell them?

2163
02:35:36.639 --> 02:35:40.440
Jade pondered the question for a moment. I don't know.

2164
02:35:41.079 --> 02:35:46.239
Tell him it's terrorists. Son made a face. Terrorists took

2165
02:35:46.280 --> 02:35:52.760
over the town, Yeah, basically, Jade answered. Son punched nine

2166
02:35:52.840 --> 02:35:55.879
one one into her phone. She was answered with a

2167
02:35:55.920 --> 02:36:01.319
shrill electronic shriek. Hang it up, Hang it up, Roz pleaded.

2168
02:36:01.719 --> 02:36:06.600
Sun fumbled with the phone before finally turning it off. Guys,

2169
02:36:07.719 --> 02:36:13.200
Ali said, they're stirring down there. I think they heard that.

2170
02:36:14.360 --> 02:36:18.319
Realizing they had no other option, the four snuck down

2171
02:36:18.319 --> 02:36:23.719
from the roof and advanced down main street, hugging the storefronts.

2172
02:36:24.159 --> 02:36:26.719
They made it a few down when Sun stopped them

2173
02:36:26.719 --> 02:36:31.120
in front of an auto shop. Look, she whispered, enthusiastically,

2174
02:36:31.639 --> 02:36:35.639
motioning inside. Two dirt bikes sat against one wall of

2175
02:36:35.680 --> 02:36:41.799
the garage. We could totally jet out of here, Sun whispered, easy, breezy, beautiful.

2176
02:36:42.959 --> 02:36:46.680
What if they don't work? Ali said, they're in a garage.

2177
02:36:47.600 --> 02:36:51.600
What if they do? Sun shot back. Jade thought, for

2178
02:36:51.639 --> 02:36:57.719
a moment, okay, we'll go for it. They entered through

2179
02:36:57.719 --> 02:37:02.639
an unlocked office window, revealing the dingy garage. A man

2180
02:37:02.760 --> 02:37:05.719
in overalls lay on the center of the oil stained

2181
02:37:05.760 --> 02:37:10.879
concrete floor. A strange green substance covered his upper torso.

2182
02:37:12.440 --> 02:37:17.239
Think he's dead. Maybe he's taking a long break, Son answered.

2183
02:37:18.120 --> 02:37:21.440
As the girls examined the bikes, something fell in the

2184
02:37:21.479 --> 02:37:24.719
far corner of the garage, causing the foursome to jump

2185
02:37:24.760 --> 02:37:29.040
in fright. Duct tape rolled across the floor towards them.

2186
02:37:29.479 --> 02:37:32.920
A boy stepped out of the shadows, dressed in a

2187
02:37:33.000 --> 02:37:38.600
dracula costume. An overturned toolbox lay at his feet. Are

2188
02:37:38.600 --> 02:37:45.559
you okay, kid, Jade asked. The child remained silent. Come here, kiddo,

2189
02:37:46.319 --> 02:37:52.440
Ali beckoned him over. The boy stood staring at them.

2190
02:37:53.079 --> 02:37:57.000
Is that your dad, Son asked, pointing to the man

2191
02:37:57.040 --> 02:38:03.079
on the ground again, the child did not respond. Don't

2192
02:38:03.079 --> 02:38:08.559
ask him that, Roz scolded, he could be traumatized. Screw this,

2193
02:38:09.280 --> 02:38:13.079
Sun said, starting towards the boy, Come on, kid. She

2194
02:38:13.200 --> 02:38:16.360
reached out towards the youth. The boy let out a

2195
02:38:16.399 --> 02:38:22.520
deafening howl. Soun struggled against the sonic barrage, unaware that

2196
02:38:22.559 --> 02:38:26.879
the prone man sat up next to her. Son screamed

2197
02:38:26.879 --> 02:38:29.360
as the man took hold of her shoulders. As this

2198
02:38:29.520 --> 02:38:33.479
was happening, the boy advanced towards the distracted Sun. Jade

2199
02:38:33.520 --> 02:38:36.719
wiped blood from her ears. As her hearing started to return.

2200
02:38:37.639 --> 02:38:41.200
The first thing she heard was Son swearing. Hearing her

2201
02:38:41.200 --> 02:38:43.440
friend in trouble. She grabbed a pipe wrench from the

2202
02:38:43.479 --> 02:38:47.760
nearby table. Charging by her two still recovering friends, Jade

2203
02:38:47.799 --> 02:38:49.799
swung the wrench, hitting the man in the side of

2204
02:38:49.840 --> 02:38:52.360
the head as he tried forcing Sun to the ground.

2205
02:38:52.760 --> 02:38:56.760
The blow landed with a wet crunch. The boy howled

2206
02:38:56.799 --> 02:39:00.520
and lunged at Sun. His jaw expanded, his green liquid

2207
02:39:00.600 --> 02:39:04.280
dripped from his mouth. Son kicked him away, sending him

2208
02:39:04.319 --> 02:39:08.000
to the nearby tool bench. Son stood and grabbed the

2209
02:39:08.000 --> 02:39:12.280
wrench from Jade's hand. Mother fucking little shit, she grumbled

2210
02:39:12.280 --> 02:39:14.719
as she swung at the boy. She cracked him in

2211
02:39:14.719 --> 02:39:17.479
the head, causing him to spin around and spew green

2212
02:39:17.559 --> 02:39:21.479
mucus all over the concrete floor. He stumbled around like

2213
02:39:21.520 --> 02:39:27.920
a drunk before dropping to the ground. Oh fuck, Sun gasped,

2214
02:39:28.520 --> 02:39:31.719
I just killed that kid. Jade put a hand on

2215
02:39:31.719 --> 02:39:35.680
her friend's shoulder. It's okay. Son looked down at the

2216
02:39:35.719 --> 02:39:42.440
man's body. Is he think so? Jade responded. They turned

2217
02:39:42.440 --> 02:39:45.079
to their friends, who were recovering from the sonic attack.

2218
02:39:45.760 --> 02:39:50.920
You guys, okay, yeah, Roz answered, as Son, Jade and

2219
02:39:51.040 --> 02:39:54.239
Roz moved the dirt bikes into position and gave them

2220
02:39:54.280 --> 02:39:56.639
a quick check. Ali found a good view of the

2221
02:39:56.680 --> 02:40:00.360
street from one of the windows. They definitely heard. We

2222
02:40:00.440 --> 02:40:04.840
got strange assholes inbound, she reported back to them. Jade

2223
02:40:04.840 --> 02:40:07.159
and Son started the bikes up as Ali and Roz

2224
02:40:07.280 --> 02:40:10.520
raised one of the garage doors. Jumping onto the backs

2225
02:40:10.559 --> 02:40:12.959
of the bikes, the women roared out onto the streets

2226
02:40:12.959 --> 02:40:16.440
as the townspeople closed in trying to encircle the girls.

2227
02:40:17.520 --> 02:40:20.000
Jade kicked one as Roz belted one over the head

2228
02:40:20.040 --> 02:40:23.319
with a frying pan she'd taken from the diner. Suddenly,

2229
02:40:23.399 --> 02:40:27.000
more of them came from the surrounding buildings. There's too many,

2230
02:40:27.639 --> 02:40:31.520
Ali roared over the bike's engine. Follow me, Sun said,

2231
02:40:31.600 --> 02:40:34.479
pointing to a thinned out area of the mob. She

2232
02:40:34.680 --> 02:40:37.120
gunned her engine, plowing through a few of the horde

2233
02:40:37.280 --> 02:40:40.399
while Jade followed. As Son took off down a side street.

2234
02:40:40.840 --> 02:40:44.760
Some of the people were running after them. They're getting better,

2235
02:40:45.280 --> 02:40:50.600
Jade said aloud, what, Ali asked? Those people, those things,

2236
02:40:51.159 --> 02:40:55.440
they're getting better at being people. When they'd been watching

2237
02:40:55.440 --> 02:40:58.799
from the diner roof, they'd stumbled about and had trouble

2238
02:40:58.840 --> 02:41:03.799
with the latter. Now they were running. Were they learning?

2239
02:41:04.719 --> 02:41:11.440
Jade shivered, Just what the hell was going on? Son

2240
02:41:11.520 --> 02:41:15.079
stopped her bike next to a heavily wooded area. Jade

2241
02:41:15.120 --> 02:41:18.799
slowed her bike, pulling up next to her. Look. Sun

2242
02:41:18.879 --> 02:41:22.399
motioned a path. Maybe it'll take us out of town

2243
02:41:22.479 --> 02:41:25.920
to a road or something. Roz stared into the darkness

2244
02:41:26.000 --> 02:41:30.840
of the woods. She shivered and rubbed her arms. Those

2245
02:41:30.920 --> 02:41:37.760
woods ancient dark, Roz warned, feels like a storm in

2246
02:41:37.799 --> 02:41:41.920
my head. She put a hand to her temple, so

2247
02:41:42.040 --> 02:41:45.399
much energy out there. Son turned to Jade with a

2248
02:41:45.399 --> 02:41:51.479
puzzled look. Are you okay, Jade asked, Roz nodded, I

2249
02:41:51.559 --> 02:41:55.000
will be. I just have to do a simple inspection first.

2250
02:41:56.040 --> 02:41:59.799
She started to quietly chant. I hope this spell is fast,

2251
02:42:00.360 --> 02:42:04.680
Sun said, looking around. Never know who'll show up. Quiet

2252
02:42:05.239 --> 02:42:10.040
Ali said. After a few minutes, Ros stopped chanting. She

2253
02:42:10.239 --> 02:42:14.000
looked at her bandmates, it's fine, now we can enter.

2254
02:42:15.120 --> 02:42:26.319
Jade shrugged, sure, fine whatever. They entered the woods, leaving

2255
02:42:26.360 --> 02:42:30.079
their rides behind. The path was too dark and uneven

2256
02:42:30.159 --> 02:42:34.280
to use the bike safely. As they walked, the shadowy

2257
02:42:34.360 --> 02:42:38.479
trees loomed over them on either side. The bare branches

2258
02:42:38.559 --> 02:42:42.120
reached out for them from the dark like the devil's trident.

2259
02:42:43.280 --> 02:42:48.399
The wind gusted, and that strange, rotting smell assaulted their

2260
02:42:48.479 --> 02:42:49.360
noses again.

2261
02:42:52.639 --> 02:42:56.840
I like it. Spooky, weekly, spooky. We'll be right back.

2262
02:43:03.920 --> 02:43:08.319
After following the path, awhile it opened up to a clearing,

2263
02:43:09.520 --> 02:43:15.360
the cold fall air was still once more. From the

2264
02:43:15.399 --> 02:43:20.639
other side of the clearing came a familiar sound. Is

2265
02:43:20.760 --> 02:43:25.840
that Jade asked. Ali listened for a moment before answering

2266
02:43:26.840 --> 02:43:33.159
it's sting. She answered, indeed, it was. They crossed the clearing,

2267
02:43:33.399 --> 02:43:37.280
heading towards the source of the melancholic singing. The trailer

2268
02:43:37.360 --> 02:43:40.600
home came into view. Christmas lights hung from the trees

2269
02:43:40.680 --> 02:43:45.680
surrounding the home. Sun stopped them. Wait it's a trap.

2270
02:43:46.879 --> 02:43:50.520
I don't know, Ali replied, I don't think those things

2271
02:43:50.559 --> 02:43:53.440
would listen to message in a bottle. All the same,

2272
02:43:53.520 --> 02:43:58.319
we'll move forward cautiously, Jade said. Their stealthy approach was

2273
02:43:58.399 --> 02:44:01.479
quickly ruined by the happy bark of a German shepherd.

2274
02:44:02.040 --> 02:44:05.760
The dog, tail wagging ran up to the foresome It

2275
02:44:05.879 --> 02:44:09.040
barked again before trotting off to the trailer door to

2276
02:44:09.120 --> 02:44:12.319
scrape on it with its paws. God damn it, Clint,

2277
02:44:13.159 --> 02:44:16.399
a man hollered from inside the trailer, I was taking

2278
02:44:16.440 --> 02:44:20.399
a shit. The trailer door swung open, and an older

2279
02:44:20.440 --> 02:44:24.159
man in a beat up bathrobe stepped out holding a shotgun.

2280
02:44:25.079 --> 02:44:28.360
He saw the girls and swung the shotgun around, pointing

2281
02:44:28.399 --> 02:44:31.879
it at them. Holy fucked up jumping shit, some fucking

2282
02:44:31.959 --> 02:44:36.040
guard dog you are, Clint, don't shoot, mister. Jade raised

2283
02:44:36.040 --> 02:44:39.680
her arms. The other girls followed suit. We're not monsters,

2284
02:44:40.120 --> 02:44:43.719
Roz added, put your hands down. The old man looked

2285
02:44:43.719 --> 02:44:48.159
at the girls. Well, you can talk and your faces

2286
02:44:48.159 --> 02:44:51.239
aren't fucked up. He looked at the dog, who was

2287
02:44:51.319 --> 02:44:54.639
licking Jade's hand. Clint likes you, so, I guess you're

2288
02:44:54.680 --> 02:44:58.360
not with them commie martians in town. No we're not,

2289
02:44:59.079 --> 02:45:03.159
Sun grumbled. His eyes flicked from Son to Jade, then

2290
02:45:03.280 --> 02:45:07.479
Roz and Ali. Who the fuck are you the un

2291
02:45:07.959 --> 02:45:11.600
We're a band, Jade said, ignoring his comment. Our van

2292
02:45:11.680 --> 02:45:14.440
broke down outside of town. What the fuck is going

2293
02:45:14.479 --> 02:45:18.840
on around here? Sun blurted out. Let's go inside. The

2294
02:45:18.920 --> 02:45:22.520
man said, we'll shoot the shit. Sounds good to me.

2295
02:45:23.000 --> 02:45:26.159
I'm Jade. These are my friends, Ali, Son and Roz.

2296
02:45:26.959 --> 02:45:31.879
He lowered the shotgun. I'm gunnery Sergeant Dale Campbell, grumpy

2297
02:45:31.920 --> 02:45:36.600
old bastard by trade. Were you in the army? Ali asked?

2298
02:45:37.079 --> 02:45:39.879
I was a goddamn Marine. Where the best there is?

2299
02:45:40.719 --> 02:45:44.719
They followed him inside, Clint the dog happily tagging along.

2300
02:45:45.520 --> 02:45:49.159
Inside the trailer was pretty much what Jade expected. A

2301
02:45:49.239 --> 02:45:52.600
Marine Corps flag hung on one wall. On another was

2302
02:45:52.639 --> 02:45:56.239
a gunrack. There were empty beer cans and whiskey bottles

2303
02:45:56.239 --> 02:45:59.680
competing for space on the kitchen counter, sitting next to

2304
02:45:59.760 --> 02:46:03.360
used player on the coffee table, was a signed picture

2305
02:46:03.399 --> 02:46:10.239
of Linda Carter as wonder Woman. Cozy Son said, looking around, so,

2306
02:46:10.680 --> 02:46:15.559
mister Campbell, you live out here, Jade asked, My dad

2307
02:46:15.639 --> 02:46:19.520
was mister Campbell. Just call me Gunny? He said, yeah,

2308
02:46:20.120 --> 02:46:24.559
just me and Clint. You know about the town, Jade asked.

2309
02:46:25.120 --> 02:46:27.319
Gunny went to the fridge and took out a beer.

2310
02:46:27.760 --> 02:46:31.719
He held it out to Jade. Interest you in a palantine?

2311
02:46:32.280 --> 02:46:35.399
Jade hesitated, don't worry. I don't give a fuck if

2312
02:46:35.399 --> 02:46:39.520
you're twenty one or not sure. She took the beer,

2313
02:46:40.079 --> 02:46:43.559
cracking it open. He did likewise with the rest of

2314
02:46:43.600 --> 02:46:47.280
the band, each of them excepting Soon they were sitting

2315
02:46:47.280 --> 02:46:49.920
around the living room of the trailer, listening as Gunny

2316
02:46:50.000 --> 02:46:52.879
told them how Howard Phillips had found a strange rock

2317
02:46:53.000 --> 02:46:55.959
buried on his property, one that turned out to be

2318
02:46:56.079 --> 02:47:00.680
way larger than anyone could have guessed that maybe a

2319
02:47:00.840 --> 02:47:04.840
week ago, Gunny said, taking a last pull from his can,

2320
02:47:05.799 --> 02:47:08.159
But my memory ain't what it used to be, so

2321
02:47:08.280 --> 02:47:12.280
don't quote me on this shit. He shook the can empty,

2322
02:47:13.239 --> 02:47:16.280
another one bites the dust. He got up and went

2323
02:47:16.280 --> 02:47:19.600
to the fridge. Clint followed after him. I only go

2324
02:47:19.719 --> 02:47:23.000
into town every couple of weeks for supplies, but I

2325
02:47:23.079 --> 02:47:28.920
hear shit. Strange stuff started happening, people disappearing, others not

2326
02:47:29.159 --> 02:47:33.120
leaving their houses. He cracked the new beer open. Then

2327
02:47:33.159 --> 02:47:37.280
today I went into town. Fucked up. Shit was going down,

2328
02:47:37.360 --> 02:47:42.360
people attacking other people, puking green shit on him. I

2329
02:47:42.440 --> 02:47:45.559
got my ass back here, decided to get fucked off

2330
02:47:45.600 --> 02:47:49.280
my ass before the world ended. Gunny raised his newly

2331
02:47:49.319 --> 02:47:53.559
opened beer. Here's to the end of the world. Fuck

2332
02:47:53.639 --> 02:47:57.319
that shit, son, spoke up. I have a sister, my mom,

2333
02:47:57.399 --> 02:47:59.879
and dad. If this shit gets out into the world,

2334
02:48:00.479 --> 02:48:04.760
She shook her head. No fucking way. But what the

2335
02:48:04.799 --> 02:48:08.399
hell can we do? Roz asked, you saw how many

2336
02:48:08.440 --> 02:48:11.879
of those things there are. I don't think we can

2337
02:48:12.000 --> 02:48:15.639
let those things leave town. They have to be stopped,

2338
02:48:16.120 --> 02:48:20.760
Ali said, before she turned to Jade, what do you think, boss?

2339
02:48:21.159 --> 02:48:23.799
They'd been friends for as long as Jade could remember.

2340
02:48:24.360 --> 02:48:27.159
They'd started the band together after listening to some punk

2341
02:48:27.239 --> 02:48:31.200
rock compilation. Ali's father had she never failed to have

2342
02:48:31.280 --> 02:48:35.639
some advice when Jade needed guidance. We gotta fight them,

2343
02:48:36.120 --> 02:48:41.239
Jade decided, But we could die, Roz muttered, for nothing.

2344
02:48:42.639 --> 02:48:46.239
At least we would have tried Jade said, I understand.

2345
02:48:46.280 --> 02:48:49.399
If you don't want to go, stay here. If we succeed,

2346
02:48:50.040 --> 02:48:53.120
we'll come get you. Roz looked down at the floor.

2347
02:48:54.200 --> 02:48:57.879
I don't know. Jade gave her friend some space, turning

2348
02:48:57.879 --> 02:49:02.399
her attention to Gunny. How about you, old soldier. Gunny

2349
02:49:02.479 --> 02:49:05.000
balanced an empty beer can on top of another one.

2350
02:49:05.760 --> 02:49:08.680
Fuck you ask him me to go on some no

2351
02:49:08.840 --> 02:49:15.120
chance to succeed suicide mission, little lady. Yeah, basically, fuck it.

2352
02:49:15.559 --> 02:49:24.719
Let's kill us some commie martians. Gunny pulled on his

2353
02:49:24.799 --> 02:49:28.079
old bomber jacket, the jacket he'd worn the night he

2354
02:49:28.159 --> 02:49:32.360
met Margaret, his now ex wife. For once, he was

2355
02:49:32.399 --> 02:49:35.040
glad Margaret and his daughter, Jenny lived on the other

2356
02:49:35.120 --> 02:49:38.079
side of the country. He opened the door to the

2357
02:49:38.120 --> 02:49:44.479
bedroom and noticed Jade pacing. Hey kid, come here, sec Yeah,

2358
02:49:45.120 --> 02:49:48.440
got something for you. On the wall behind the bed

2359
02:49:48.959 --> 02:49:52.959
hung a katana. Jade's eyes lit up when she saw it.

2360
02:49:54.040 --> 02:50:01.239
No shit, a katana really for me, Gunny. He looked

2361
02:50:01.280 --> 02:50:03.959
down at the knife in his hands and then chucked

2362
02:50:03.959 --> 02:50:08.959
it over his shoulder. Yep, all yours. He presented it

2363
02:50:09.000 --> 02:50:12.040
to Jade. I got this when I was stationed in

2364
02:50:12.159 --> 02:50:18.000
Japan after Nam. Take good care of her damn, Son complained,

2365
02:50:18.280 --> 02:50:21.319
why does she get an awesome sword? Don't worry, I

2366
02:50:21.399 --> 02:50:24.719
got something for you. Gunny took a shotgun from the rack.

2367
02:50:25.079 --> 02:50:28.239
He presented it to Son. This here is an under

2368
02:50:28.319 --> 02:50:32.479
over shotgun. He slapped it open, loading. It works just

2369
02:50:32.639 --> 02:50:36.159
like a regular shotgun, but one barrel is over the

2370
02:50:36.200 --> 02:50:40.319
other one. She's got quite a kick. He handed the

2371
02:50:40.360 --> 02:50:44.319
loaded shotgun to Sun. Think you can handle it. Son

2372
02:50:44.360 --> 02:50:48.760
looked at the gun in her hands. Yeah good. He

2373
02:50:48.840 --> 02:50:52.159
handed her a box of shells. Just don't shoot me.

2374
02:50:52.840 --> 02:50:55.559
He went over to the small kitchen table where Ali

2375
02:50:55.639 --> 02:50:59.399
and Roz were making Molotov cocktails out of whiskey bottles.

2376
02:51:00.079 --> 02:51:04.479
He sighed, A damn waste of fine whiskey. Jade was

2377
02:51:04.520 --> 02:51:08.239
watching them prepare, a pensive look etched on her face.

2378
02:51:09.239 --> 02:51:13.600
Gunny stood next to her, ready for battle. I hope so,

2379
02:51:14.440 --> 02:51:20.120
Jade replied, Got a plan? Jade made a face. Kind

2380
02:51:20.159 --> 02:51:27.079
of works for me. Gunny's truck roared down the dirt road,

2381
02:51:27.200 --> 02:51:29.600
kicking up dirt as the bee Gees blared from the

2382
02:51:29.639 --> 02:51:33.200
truck's stereo. The girls held on for dear life in

2383
02:51:33.239 --> 02:51:37.399
the back. Son hollered over the noise. I can't believe

2384
02:51:37.440 --> 02:51:40.120
the dog gets to ride in the cab. They were

2385
02:51:40.159 --> 02:51:43.239
headed to town. According to Gunny, the bridge was the

2386
02:51:43.239 --> 02:51:46.879
only way in and out save for trekking through the woods.

2387
02:51:47.399 --> 02:51:50.399
If they could take out the bridge somehow or block it,

2388
02:51:50.920 --> 02:51:53.959
then they might stand a chance of stopping these things

2389
02:51:54.319 --> 02:51:58.520
from spreading, if they hadn't already. If they could do that,

2390
02:51:59.040 --> 02:52:01.680
Jade hoped they could lure the fuckers into a large

2391
02:52:01.719 --> 02:52:06.239
area and finish them off with the molotops. That was

2392
02:52:06.319 --> 02:52:10.399
a big if. The truck stormed out of the woods

2393
02:52:11.159 --> 02:52:15.079
onto a quiet street, there was no sign of those

2394
02:52:15.239 --> 02:52:21.680
things or another living person. Get ready, Gunny hollered, We're

2395
02:52:21.719 --> 02:52:25.239
headed for the bridge. Who knows what we're run into.

2396
02:52:25.399 --> 02:52:28.479
When they hit main Street, there was still no sign

2397
02:52:28.520 --> 02:52:31.559
of them. Gunny brought the truck to a stop within

2398
02:52:31.639 --> 02:52:35.959
sight of the bridge. The girls tensed up, waiting for

2399
02:52:36.000 --> 02:52:41.840
an attack to come. There was nothing. Maybe we're too late,

2400
02:52:42.799 --> 02:52:47.760
Ali said. After a few moments of silence, everyone piled

2401
02:52:47.799 --> 02:52:52.079
out of the truck, each of them feeling defeated. Clint

2402
02:52:52.159 --> 02:52:55.200
sniffed at the air, running around in a circle. So

2403
02:52:55.360 --> 02:52:59.799
now what, Son asked anger in her voice, as if

2404
02:52:59.799 --> 02:53:04.000
answering her Clint started barking frantically before running off down

2405
02:53:04.000 --> 02:53:08.280
the street. Son of a bitch, Gunny shouted, get back here,

2406
02:53:08.879 --> 02:53:12.360
I've got him. Jade took off after the dog, despite

2407
02:53:12.440 --> 02:53:18.639
everyone's protests, following Clint down main Street. The katana held firmly.

2408
02:53:19.399 --> 02:53:23.440
Jade was ready for trouble. The dog stopped in front

2409
02:53:23.479 --> 02:53:27.520
of the town's theater, barking madly at the entrance. What's

2410
02:53:27.520 --> 02:53:32.200
in there, boy? The dog whined and barked excitedly. Jade

2411
02:53:32.239 --> 02:53:35.680
tried the glass double doors of the theater. It was locked.

2412
02:53:36.159 --> 02:53:40.319
She looked down at the dog. Stay here. Clint let

2413
02:53:40.360 --> 02:53:43.120
out a low growl. As Jade stepped into the theater,

2414
02:53:43.719 --> 02:53:48.239
She shushed him, stay here. Jade closed the door behind her.

2415
02:53:49.000 --> 02:53:53.399
Immediately she heard the low, deep hum reverberating through the building.

2416
02:53:54.280 --> 02:53:58.280
That rotten smell was here as well, stronger than before.

2417
02:53:59.280 --> 02:54:02.639
She went to the auditorium. Gently opening one of the

2418
02:54:02.680 --> 02:54:08.840
double doors, Jade peered inside. What she saw took the

2419
02:54:08.920 --> 02:54:14.079
breath from her lungs. A ten foot stone monolith stood

2420
02:54:14.120 --> 02:54:18.239
in front of the stage. Green light shimmered around it.

2421
02:54:19.079 --> 02:54:23.559
The auditorium was filled to the brim with the possessed townfolk,

2422
02:54:24.600 --> 02:54:30.319
They stood unmoving, as if in reverence of the monolith.

2423
02:54:31.200 --> 02:54:36.799
The hum was emanating from there. It became louder and louder,

2424
02:54:37.319 --> 02:54:41.680
becoming a deep pulse, a pulse Jade could feel in

2425
02:54:41.760 --> 02:54:47.399
her body. The motionless people began to stir. They moved

2426
02:54:47.479 --> 02:54:52.760
towards the monolith, laying their hands upon it. Jade's mind

2427
02:54:52.920 --> 02:54:59.399
tried to comprehend what happened next. The people's hands began

2428
02:54:59.479 --> 02:55:03.920
to melt together. Then their bodies merged with the next

2429
02:55:03.959 --> 02:55:11.239
closest person engulfing them. Flesh joining with flesh. A membrane

2430
02:55:11.239 --> 02:55:18.520
of merged bodies grew bigger and bigger, flowing around the

2431
02:55:18.600 --> 02:55:24.200
colossal stone monolith. The door made a creaking noise as

2432
02:55:24.319 --> 02:55:28.159
Jade leaned against it. One of the townspeople closest to her,

2433
02:55:28.399 --> 02:55:32.120
A young woman in a cheerleader outfit, turned seeing Jade,

2434
02:55:32.319 --> 02:55:36.360
It hissed and came at her, lashing out. Jade cut

2435
02:55:36.399 --> 02:55:40.040
the cheerleader's head off with the katana. This alerted some

2436
02:55:40.120 --> 02:55:44.399
of the others, who turned and charged towards Jade. Fuck

2437
02:55:45.040 --> 02:55:47.360
She slammed the door shut, trying to hold it as

2438
02:55:47.399 --> 02:55:50.079
angry fists pounded on it from the other side, but

2439
02:55:50.159 --> 02:55:53.280
the assault was too much, and Jade fell backwards as

2440
02:55:53.319 --> 02:55:56.920
the door burst open. Jade struck out with the katana,

2441
02:55:57.040 --> 02:55:59.959
cutting down a teenaged boy dressed as a hockey mask

2442
02:56:00.159 --> 02:56:00.959
serial killer.

2443
02:56:01.200 --> 02:56:02.120
It was no use.

2444
02:56:02.479 --> 02:56:04.639
As she pulled the sword free of the dead boy,

2445
02:56:05.040 --> 02:56:08.479
more of the possessed people closed in. Jade took a

2446
02:56:08.559 --> 02:56:13.079
deep breath. She vowed to herself she'd take as many

2447
02:56:13.120 --> 02:56:16.280
with her as possible. As she raised up the katana.

2448
02:56:16.920 --> 02:56:19.959
The double glass doors of the lobby behind her exploded

2449
02:56:20.159 --> 02:56:23.799
as Gunny's truck rammed through them. Jade jumped for cover

2450
02:56:23.879 --> 02:56:27.600
as wood and glass flew. Before she could recover, her

2451
02:56:27.639 --> 02:56:30.360
ears still ringing, one of the nearest of the possessed

2452
02:56:30.399 --> 02:56:34.159
people flew with a loud crack, their chest exploding in

2453
02:56:34.200 --> 02:56:39.479
a red and green mess. Holy shit, son, howled, this

2454
02:56:39.559 --> 02:56:42.639
thing does kick. Jade looked up to see her friends

2455
02:56:42.680 --> 02:56:46.040
standing next to her with the shotgun. Gunny grinned at

2456
02:56:46.120 --> 02:56:50.239
them from behind the wheel. Come on, let's get the

2457
02:56:50.319 --> 02:56:54.040
fuck out of here. The building shook as the pulse

2458
02:56:54.120 --> 02:56:59.239
grew louder. Fucking a wright, Jade said, scrambling into the

2459
02:56:59.239 --> 02:57:03.239
back where al Roz and Clint waited. Gunny backed up

2460
02:57:03.319 --> 02:57:06.799
swerving the truck around. The pulse from the monolith could

2461
02:57:06.799 --> 02:57:10.079
be heard even over the roar of the engine. Possessed

2462
02:57:10.120 --> 02:57:14.360
townsfolk rushed from the theater towards the truck. Light them up, girls,

2463
02:57:14.760 --> 02:57:18.159
Gunny hollered. The girls hurled the lit maltovs, hitting the

2464
02:57:18.200 --> 02:57:21.280
oncoming horde and sending many of them up in flames.

2465
02:57:21.879 --> 02:57:24.879
The ground started to rumble as the pulse grew louder.

2466
02:57:25.520 --> 02:57:28.959
Let's get out of here, Jade said. As Gunny peeled out.

2467
02:57:29.280 --> 02:57:32.280
Jade told the others what she'd seen and heard in

2468
02:57:32.319 --> 02:57:36.120
the theater. Roz stopped her when she heard about the sounds.

2469
02:57:37.120 --> 02:57:40.319
I have an idea, she said. We have to get

2470
02:57:40.360 --> 02:57:44.840
to the van quickly. The whole earth seemed to shake

2471
02:57:45.239 --> 02:57:50.680
as Jade stood the bridge at her back. Something was coming.

2472
02:57:53.079 --> 02:57:57.079
Jade gripped the microphone tight in her hand. Cymbals written

2473
02:57:57.079 --> 02:58:00.680
in her and her bandmate's blood adorned her face arms.

2474
02:58:01.600 --> 02:58:06.799
Roz sat cross legged behind her, chanting. Jade took a

2475
02:58:06.840 --> 02:58:12.879
deep breath as another building crumbled. The misshapen thing lumbered

2476
02:58:12.920 --> 02:58:17.280
from the cloud of destruction, a mass of limbs and

2477
02:58:17.479 --> 02:58:22.879
bodies and melted flesh. A mast around the stone monolith.

2478
02:58:24.079 --> 02:58:30.799
Son stood filming with her phone as the beast approached one, two, three, four,

2479
02:58:31.159 --> 02:58:35.399
another one bites the dust. Jade said, ready for battle?

2480
02:58:36.120 --> 02:58:39.440
Whoa sun stopped her. That song will get us taken

2481
02:58:39.479 --> 02:58:45.040
down from YouTube for copyright. Okay, Jade said, one of ours.

2482
02:58:45.120 --> 02:58:50.799
Then fuck you motherfuckers by disposable tampons. She felt the

2483
02:58:50.920 --> 02:58:59.440
energy flow through her, with each verse coming to her mind.

2484
02:59:00.280 --> 02:59:04.520
Fuck you, motherfucker, I hate everything about you.

2485
02:59:05.159 --> 02:59:08.319
The blast of energy leapt from her, a sonic lance

2486
02:59:08.360 --> 02:59:14.040
that pierced the damned beast. Staggering it, Jade kept singing, your.

2487
02:59:13.920 --> 02:59:15.840
Hair, socks and your breadsteaks.

2488
02:59:16.159 --> 02:59:18.719
Another bolt of energy shot out of her and struck

2489
02:59:18.760 --> 02:59:21.959
the beast, going through and out the other side.

2490
02:59:22.120 --> 02:59:28.879
Fuck you, motherfucker. Back your wrass up quick, Fuck you motherfucker,

2491
02:59:30.040 --> 02:59:34.000
and you could suck mine.

2492
02:59:33.239 --> 02:59:38.639
Jade finished, dropping the mic to the ground. A third

2493
02:59:38.680 --> 02:59:42.000
bolt shot out, hitting the monolith at the beast's center,

2494
02:59:42.319 --> 02:59:45.559
causing it to fracture. Energy began bleeding out of the

2495
02:59:45.600 --> 02:59:49.360
cracked edifice. The beast let out a pain screech before

2496
02:59:49.399 --> 02:59:53.440
being consumed by the energy and exploding. The shockwaves sent

2497
02:59:53.559 --> 03:00:00.840
everyone sprawling to the ground. Jade lay on the street,

2498
03:00:01.280 --> 03:00:05.280
drifting in and out of consciousness. She wasn't sure how

2499
03:00:05.319 --> 03:00:11.639
long she'd been there, but she could hear Ali's voice. Jade,

2500
03:00:11.719 --> 03:00:16.840
are you all right? I think so, she said, standing

2501
03:00:16.879 --> 03:00:22.239
with some help from Ali. Is everybody okay? Pretty much?

2502
03:00:22.840 --> 03:00:27.399
Son answered. Roz stood next to her, petting Clint Gunny

2503
03:00:27.520 --> 03:00:31.600
stood leaning on his truck. They stared at the ghostly

2504
03:00:31.760 --> 03:00:37.399
decimated town in silence. A fine ash began to fall

2505
03:00:37.440 --> 03:00:42.680
over the city. It's snowing on Halloween, Sun said, catching

2506
03:00:42.719 --> 03:00:46.239
some of it in her hand. That's the ashes of

2507
03:00:46.280 --> 03:01:01.319
the burned townspeople. Ali informed them, you du la hand

2508
03:01:02.040 --> 03:01:08.120
By Morgan Moore. Halloween Knight. It's a night where fun

2509
03:01:08.280 --> 03:01:13.559
can be had as well as mischief. In ancient folklore,

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03:01:14.000 --> 03:01:18.120
it is a night where the plains of existence open up,

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03:01:18.760 --> 03:01:25.079
a night of thrills, where anyone can be anybody or anything.

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03:01:26.280 --> 03:01:31.840
At this moment, however, Isaiah Crane was late. The young

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03:01:31.920 --> 03:01:35.600
man was expected at a costume party his classmates were holding.

2514
03:01:36.399 --> 03:01:40.120
He was considered the guest of honor. Isaiah was the

2515
03:01:40.159 --> 03:01:43.639
new kid in Yatesville, and he quickly learned through the

2516
03:01:43.680 --> 03:01:47.159
other kids and even the adults, that he bore an

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03:01:47.319 --> 03:01:53.040
uncanny resemblance to a man of local legend, Gerald Johnson.

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03:01:54.239 --> 03:01:59.079
Johnson was infamous for having been convicted of witchcraft and

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03:01:59.239 --> 03:02:04.399
executed by decapitation for the crime. Whether he did or

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03:02:04.479 --> 03:02:08.520
did not practice witchcraft was a matter of debate. Like

2521
03:02:08.959 --> 03:02:14.239
many other witch hunt victims, None of this mattered to Isaiah, however.

2522
03:02:14.920 --> 03:02:17.600
All that mattered to him was getting to the party.

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03:02:18.319 --> 03:02:21.479
Being the new kid wasn't easy, and he hadn't yet

2524
03:02:21.479 --> 03:02:25.079
made any real friends. His invite to the party came

2525
03:02:25.159 --> 03:02:29.600
as a genuine surprise, as he didn't think anybody really

2526
03:02:29.680 --> 03:02:34.520
knew him. What made the invitation even more surprising was

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03:02:34.600 --> 03:02:39.600
that it came from a girl named Phoebe Hart. Phoebe

2528
03:02:39.719 --> 03:02:42.959
was Isaiah's crush, and he couldn't help but take up

2529
03:02:43.000 --> 03:02:47.280
the invitation just to hang out with her. He found

2530
03:02:47.280 --> 03:02:50.680
it odd that they wanted him to dress up as Johnson,

2531
03:02:51.319 --> 03:02:54.920
but if they thought he looked like the guy, and

2532
03:02:54.959 --> 03:02:58.000
if Phoebe thought it would be fun, then he would

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03:02:58.079 --> 03:03:02.559
do it. Unfortunately, things weren't going as well as he

2534
03:03:02.600 --> 03:03:06.360
had hoped. His costume had to be home made, an

2535
03:03:06.440 --> 03:03:11.200
understandable circumstance, but Isaiah was afraid he would look drabby,

2536
03:03:11.639 --> 03:03:14.760
compared to the other kids. Adding on to that was

2537
03:03:14.799 --> 03:03:17.399
the fact that Isaiah had to bike his way to

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03:03:17.479 --> 03:03:20.879
the party. He had planned on riding through the streets

2539
03:03:20.879 --> 03:03:24.760
of town, but a downtown party for the older residence

2540
03:03:25.200 --> 03:03:29.360
made that next to impossible to do. His next best

2541
03:03:29.399 --> 03:03:32.799
option was to take the bike path. All would be

2542
03:03:32.920 --> 03:03:35.719
fine if he knew how to traverse it to get

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03:03:35.840 --> 03:03:41.040
to his destination. Isaiah pedled on desperately trying to get

2544
03:03:41.079 --> 03:03:44.959
to the party, to his chance to make friends, to

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03:03:45.040 --> 03:03:51.079
fit in to be with Phoebe. He went faster and faster,

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03:03:51.520 --> 03:03:57.319
trees blurring by while he rode too fast, though his

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03:03:57.479 --> 03:04:00.959
pant leg caught on the pedal. He shouted in aggression

2548
03:04:01.040 --> 03:04:05.319
and disbelief. The speed was much too high, and Isaiah

2549
03:04:05.399 --> 03:04:08.360
lost control of the bike. As the pedal came to

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03:04:08.440 --> 03:04:12.479
a stop, it turned and twisted off to the side.

2551
03:04:12.920 --> 03:04:15.920
The front wheel slammed into the curb of the trail

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03:04:16.200 --> 03:04:20.280
and threw Isaiah off the bike and into the tree line.

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03:04:20.680 --> 03:04:24.159
Isaiah laid on the ground in pain. In his head,

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03:04:24.200 --> 03:04:28.360
he started counting backwards from ten and recited various phone

2555
03:04:28.440 --> 03:04:31.440
numbers he knew to make sure he didn't have any

2556
03:04:31.520 --> 03:04:35.399
head trauma. After he was sure his head was all right.

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03:04:35.959 --> 03:04:40.319
Isaiah slowly stood up and started checking himself for any

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03:04:40.360 --> 03:04:44.760
more injuries. He felt blood on his forehead and hands.

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03:04:45.520 --> 03:04:49.680
Along his shirt, sleeves, and pants legs, he found multiple rips,

2560
03:04:50.239 --> 03:04:55.319
his limbs underneath sure to have cuts and bruises. Nothing

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03:04:55.360 --> 03:04:58.280
seemed to be wrong with his chest or back as

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03:04:58.319 --> 03:05:02.079
he pressed his hand against them. The only real pain

2563
03:05:02.200 --> 03:05:05.079
he felt was in his ankle, where his pant's leg

2564
03:05:05.440 --> 03:05:10.920
had gotten caught. Overall, he wasn't too banged up. The

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03:05:10.959 --> 03:05:14.120
young man began to carefully walk the area he had

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03:05:14.159 --> 03:05:17.719
been thrown to, trying to find his bike and his

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03:05:17.840 --> 03:05:21.440
way back to the path. He sighed as he stumbled

2568
03:05:21.479 --> 03:05:25.079
around in the dark, unsure really of where he was.

2569
03:05:26.079 --> 03:05:28.879
While the flight from the bike didn't send him deep

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03:05:29.000 --> 03:05:31.760
into the wooded part of town, it did put him

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03:05:31.799 --> 03:05:35.559
at a good distance from the trail. With only the

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03:05:35.639 --> 03:05:40.600
faintest shimmers of moonlight to aid him, Isaiah continued on

2573
03:05:40.719 --> 03:05:43.959
his hunt. He walked in the dark towards what he

2574
03:05:44.079 --> 03:05:47.360
thought was the way he came from. As he walked,

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03:05:47.559 --> 03:05:50.399
the wind picked up and brought a chill with it.

2576
03:05:51.280 --> 03:05:55.959
Isaiah shuddered at the sudden coldness, his costume not giving

2577
03:05:56.000 --> 03:06:01.280
him much protection from the elements. Leave danced around him

2578
03:06:01.319 --> 03:06:05.639
as he continued on. The wind continued to pick up,

2579
03:06:06.000 --> 03:06:10.799
no longer making the leaves dance, but plastered them to

2580
03:06:10.920 --> 03:06:14.680
his face. He pulled them away, only for them to

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03:06:14.760 --> 03:06:19.639
return moments later. It got louder and more forceful as

2582
03:06:19.680 --> 03:06:23.719
it continued to pick up. Isaiah soon found himself being

2583
03:06:23.760 --> 03:06:26.760
pushed around by the wind, as if it was leading

2584
03:06:26.840 --> 03:06:34.360
him somewhere. The wind stopped suddenly. Isaiah, having closed his

2585
03:06:34.440 --> 03:06:38.319
eyes to protect them from the leaves, opened them, finding

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03:06:38.399 --> 03:06:42.520
himself in a small clearing. He stood there, taking in

2587
03:06:42.600 --> 03:06:46.440
the silence of the night. The moon, once hidden, was

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03:06:46.520 --> 03:06:49.920
now clear as daylight, providing him with a light source

2589
03:06:50.440 --> 03:06:54.399
to see his surroundings. It was then that he heard

2590
03:06:54.440 --> 03:06:59.159
a thunderous sound. Isaiah looked around frantically to find the source.

2591
03:06:59.719 --> 03:07:03.040
The sound reminded him of horses racing down a track.

2592
03:07:03.760 --> 03:07:08.639
It grew closer and closer. The closer it came, the

2593
03:07:08.719 --> 03:07:12.840
louder it got. Suddenly, through the trees came the source,

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03:07:14.879 --> 03:07:18.879
a tar black horse with eyes that glowed like hell fire.

2595
03:07:19.440 --> 03:07:24.040
Sitting atop the horse was a man or what was

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03:07:24.120 --> 03:07:27.760
once a man. His body was dressed in navy attire

2597
03:07:28.079 --> 03:07:32.840
reminiscent of a pilgrim, a black coat draping around his shoulder.

2598
03:07:33.799 --> 03:07:37.840
The only difference between this man and any other was

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03:07:37.920 --> 03:07:42.879
his lack of a head. Isaiah stared in awe of

2600
03:07:42.920 --> 03:07:46.920
the thing before him. Just as suddenly as the horseman

2601
03:07:47.000 --> 03:07:54.200
appeared and stopped before him, it now started again, charging

2602
03:07:54.239 --> 03:07:58.680
towards Isaiah inhuman speed. The teenager bolted into the tree

2603
03:07:58.719 --> 03:08:01.920
line to escape the hellishe being? It followed him into

2604
03:08:01.920 --> 03:08:05.000
the woods, riding so hard and so fast it was

2605
03:08:05.040 --> 03:08:07.399
as if it was burning the land as it went.

2606
03:08:08.399 --> 03:08:14.000
The boy continued to run as the horseman thundered behind him. Suddenly,

2607
03:08:14.159 --> 03:08:18.159
Isaiah felt a sting on his cheek. He touched his

2608
03:08:18.280 --> 03:08:23.479
skin and felt the warm stickiness of blood oozing from

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03:08:23.479 --> 03:08:28.600
his face. Isaiah looked behind him and found the horseman

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03:08:29.079 --> 03:08:33.159
with an arm held high and a whip tightly clenched

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03:08:33.200 --> 03:08:37.399
in his hand. He wasn't sure, but it looked to

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03:08:37.479 --> 03:08:41.319
Isaiah that the whip was made from something that looked

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03:08:41.559 --> 03:08:47.799
like a spine. His pursuer cracked it again and struck

2614
03:08:47.840 --> 03:08:52.200
Isaiah's shoulder. Isaiah tumbled forward to a stop. He quickly

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03:08:52.239 --> 03:08:56.200
picked himself back up and continued his escape. The horseman,

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03:08:56.280 --> 03:09:03.000
now closer than ever. Isaiah kept running through the woods

2617
03:09:03.000 --> 03:09:06.840
with the horsemen on his heels. His legs grew more

2618
03:09:06.920 --> 03:09:11.120
and more tired, his lungs burning, and his body covered

2619
03:09:11.159 --> 03:09:14.879
in sweat and blood from his wounds. The ankle he

2620
03:09:14.920 --> 03:09:18.760
had hurt from his bike crash throbbed with pain. If

2621
03:09:18.799 --> 03:09:21.799
this kept up, he was sure to be a goner.

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03:09:22.799 --> 03:09:26.239
In the distance, Isaiah saw an opening in the woods.

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03:09:27.079 --> 03:09:30.159
He smiled in hope that it would lead to his safety.

2624
03:09:31.079 --> 03:09:34.000
The boy threw all of his energy into one final

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03:09:34.120 --> 03:09:39.200
mad dash towards the opening. Isaiah burst through it to

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03:09:39.360 --> 03:09:45.000
find a cabin. He approached the building and noticed a

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03:09:45.159 --> 03:09:48.600
sign by the front steps denoting it to be a

2628
03:09:48.719 --> 03:09:53.600
museum devoted to the witch hunts and trials. Before he

2629
03:09:53.680 --> 03:09:57.639
could process everything, he heard the shriek of the horse.

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03:10:00.079 --> 03:10:04.440
He spun around and saw the horseman galloping towards him.

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03:10:04.639 --> 03:10:08.520
Isaiah instinctively ran up the stairs to the door, using

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03:10:08.520 --> 03:10:15.440
his good leg to kick it open. Isaiah flicked the

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03:10:15.559 --> 03:10:20.280
lights on and was greeted with an array of relics, pictures,

2634
03:10:20.319 --> 03:10:24.479
and various odds and ends related to the witch hunts.

2635
03:10:25.760 --> 03:10:30.280
The teenager walked around, trying to find something to aid him.

2636
03:10:30.639 --> 03:10:34.200
His pursuer did not give him much time. As Isaiah

2637
03:10:34.319 --> 03:10:37.200
was looking at a display case of antiques, the horseman

2638
03:10:37.319 --> 03:10:41.159
burst in horse and all tearing apart the entrance. Isaiah

2639
03:10:41.159 --> 03:10:44.719
whipped around to see the horseman himself. Its horse cried

2640
03:10:44.760 --> 03:10:48.559
out in anger, and the rider cracked its whip. The

2641
03:10:48.639 --> 03:10:55.639
horseman strode slowly towards its prey. Isaiah walked backwards, trapped

2642
03:10:55.719 --> 03:10:59.920
with no exit in sight, He found himself up against

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03:11:00.159 --> 03:11:05.440
an odd shaped item. The boy turned around and discovered

2644
03:11:05.479 --> 03:11:09.840
a row of wax heads. A quick glance at the

2645
03:11:09.920 --> 03:11:14.159
placards under them revealed that they were sculptures of those

2646
03:11:14.959 --> 03:11:20.399
who were executed. One in particular caught Isaiah's attention. It

2647
03:11:20.520 --> 03:11:26.200
was of Gerald Johnson. Johnson had been beheaded for his execution.

2648
03:11:28.280 --> 03:11:31.280
Could it be? A crack and a cry from the

2649
03:11:31.319 --> 03:11:34.879
horse brought Isaiah back to the situation at hand. The

2650
03:11:34.959 --> 03:11:39.200
horseman was getting closer and closer. Isaiah had an idea,

2651
03:11:39.639 --> 03:11:44.479
a hope. He grabbed hold of Gerald Johnson's head and

2652
03:11:44.600 --> 03:11:48.520
pulled it off its stand. Isaiah turned around and found

2653
03:11:48.559 --> 03:11:51.760
the horseman right in front of him. The horse breathed

2654
03:11:51.840 --> 03:11:55.079
onto Isaiah, filling the boy's nose with the scent of

2655
03:11:55.159 --> 03:12:00.639
decades old decay. Isaiah said a small prayer for holding

2656
03:12:00.799 --> 03:12:05.799
up the wax head of Johnson. The horseman slowly lowered

2657
03:12:05.840 --> 03:12:10.280
his whip, placing it on his hip with both hands.

2658
03:12:10.319 --> 03:12:13.799
He took the sculpture from the boy and placed it

2659
03:12:13.840 --> 03:12:18.360
on his shoulders. The head began to meld to the

2660
03:12:18.399 --> 03:12:24.079
horseman's body, and a smile formed on the wax's lips.

2661
03:12:25.040 --> 03:12:29.120
The smile quickly faded, and the horseman started to claw

2662
03:12:29.159 --> 03:12:34.639
at his throat. Isaiah watched, confused. It suddenly hit him

2663
03:12:35.120 --> 03:12:38.280
that the head being wax meant it wouldn't have any

2664
03:12:38.319 --> 03:12:41.840
openings for a person to breathe. The horseman pointed at

2665
03:12:41.920 --> 03:12:46.319
Isaiah's head angrily. It must have really been Gerald Johnson,

2666
03:12:46.879 --> 03:12:53.000
and he wanted his head or the next best thing Isaiah's.

2667
03:12:53.920 --> 03:12:56.760
Isaiah ran from the wax heads with the horsemen on

2668
03:12:56.799 --> 03:13:01.040
his heels. His plan failed, and now his pursuer was

2669
03:13:01.159 --> 03:13:06.319
angrier and more hell bent to kill him. In his rush,

2670
03:13:06.559 --> 03:13:09.959
Isaiah tripped over a display the horseman had knocked down

2671
03:13:10.319 --> 03:13:14.559
and landed face first on the floor. He looked over

2672
03:13:14.719 --> 03:13:21.000
towards a fallen table and noticed an old lantern. Isaiah

2673
03:13:21.079 --> 03:13:24.239
crawled over to it and discovered a small book of

2674
03:13:24.319 --> 03:13:27.959
matches sitting next to it, with the logo of the

2675
03:13:28.040 --> 03:13:32.159
museum on the front. The boy took one look inside

2676
03:13:32.159 --> 03:13:37.200
of the lantern, saw a heavily used candle, and instantly

2677
03:13:37.920 --> 03:13:41.879
knew what to do. He grabbed the lantern and the

2678
03:13:41.920 --> 03:13:46.159
matches and quickly scrambled to his feet. Isaiah ran out

2679
03:13:46.200 --> 03:13:48.799
onto the porch and fumbled to get the matches out

2680
03:13:48.840 --> 03:13:52.159
and lit. Once they were ignited, he threw them into

2681
03:13:52.200 --> 03:13:56.200
the lantern. He watched the candle catch on fire, illuminating

2682
03:13:56.239 --> 03:13:59.719
the dark. Isaiah looked to the door and saw the

2683
03:14:00.120 --> 03:14:03.879
arging glow of the horse's eyes. He waited until he

2684
03:14:03.959 --> 03:14:09.280
saw the horseman saw the wax visage. Once he saw

2685
03:14:09.319 --> 03:14:11.639
it clear as day, he threw the lantern at the

2686
03:14:11.680 --> 03:14:17.000
wax head. Please God, The glass broke and the candle

2687
03:14:17.079 --> 03:14:21.520
fell on top of the horseman's head. Instantly, the head

2688
03:14:21.559 --> 03:14:25.399
caught on fire as quick as it had started. It

2689
03:14:25.639 --> 03:14:28.440
just as quickly spread down the rest of the horseman

2690
03:14:28.719 --> 03:14:32.559
and on to the horse. The creature thrashed around in agony,

2691
03:14:32.799 --> 03:14:36.799
spreading the fire all about the cabin. Isaiah ran off

2692
03:14:36.840 --> 03:14:40.159
of the porch and beelined to an opening he spotted

2693
03:14:40.200 --> 03:14:43.719
behind the house. He ran with all of the energy

2694
03:14:43.799 --> 03:14:47.760
he had left, not daring to look behind him. His

2695
03:14:47.879 --> 03:14:51.079
only comfort was that he didn't hear the horseman coming.

2696
03:14:51.719 --> 03:14:55.639
The young man continued to run, his eyes spotting an

2697
03:14:55.680 --> 03:14:59.840
opening in the trees ahead. Isaiah burst through the trees

2698
03:15:00.079 --> 03:15:03.799
and fell over his feet on to the pavement. He

2699
03:15:03.920 --> 03:15:07.239
stood up and turned around to face the trees from

2700
03:15:07.239 --> 03:15:11.879
where he had come. His eyes widened. The fire had

2701
03:15:11.920 --> 03:15:14.959
grown from the cabin to the woods around it. It

2702
03:15:15.000 --> 03:15:18.440
was a horrific sight, but also one that gave Isaiah

2703
03:15:18.520 --> 03:15:24.040
a great comfort, comfort that he was safe. Isaiah walked

2704
03:15:24.079 --> 03:15:27.200
for what seemed like an eternity. He had a limp

2705
03:15:27.280 --> 03:15:30.840
from all the pain in his ankle, making his already

2706
03:15:30.920 --> 03:15:36.600
slow trek that much longer. Listlessly, he walked through the

2707
03:15:36.639 --> 03:15:40.959
streets and into a neighborhood. Tricker treating had long been over,

2708
03:15:41.159 --> 03:15:45.520
but yards were still decorated with store bought displays and

2709
03:15:45.600 --> 03:15:49.920
toilet paper from kids who had been rowdy that night. Isaiah,

2710
03:15:50.319 --> 03:15:55.040
a voice feminine called out to him. The boy stopped

2711
03:15:55.319 --> 03:15:58.360
and turned to where the voice had come from. It

2712
03:15:58.479 --> 03:16:01.879
was Phoebe ran up to him and gasped a little

2713
03:16:01.920 --> 03:16:05.600
at the state he was in. You're late, I was worried.

2714
03:16:06.159 --> 03:16:11.639
It looks like I was right too. What happened, Phoebe asked, Oh, yeah,

2715
03:16:11.719 --> 03:16:15.479
I guess I am late. I crashed my bike and

2716
03:16:15.520 --> 03:16:18.760
got lost in the woods. I got out, but well,

2717
03:16:20.079 --> 03:16:23.600
I'm new. I don't know where everything is yet. Guess

2718
03:16:23.600 --> 03:16:29.520
I got lucky that I ended up here, Isaiah explained, Yeah,

2719
03:16:29.559 --> 03:16:33.639
you are. Phoebe smiled. She took his hand, and the

2720
03:16:33.680 --> 03:16:37.120
two kids started to head back to the house and

2721
03:16:37.799 --> 03:16:41.360
to the party. You should really learn the town and

2722
03:16:41.399 --> 03:16:44.760
how to get around. You could lose your head getting lost.

2723
03:16:45.399 --> 03:16:50.760
Isaiah smiled a little and laughed to himself, nearly did.

2724
03:17:01.719 --> 03:17:08.760
The Origin of the Pumpkin Man by Charles Campbell All

2725
03:17:08.879 --> 03:17:15.600
Hallow's Eve, LBC Middle School, nineteen eighty seven. What began

2726
03:17:15.719 --> 03:17:19.399
in nineteen eighty as an experiment became an annual tradition

2727
03:17:19.920 --> 03:17:25.399
at LBC Middle School, the Jack O Lantern Jubilee. It

2728
03:17:25.520 --> 03:17:29.639
was a day full of festivities, games, and candy giveaways

2729
03:17:30.000 --> 03:17:33.959
that ended with a student dance in the school's gymnasium.

2730
03:17:34.520 --> 03:17:39.079
LBC stood for Langley, Bath and Clearwater. It was the

2731
03:17:39.079 --> 03:17:41.920
middle school for most of the Valley kids before they

2732
03:17:41.959 --> 03:17:46.760
moved up to Midland Valley High. Raymond Mathis taught seventh

2733
03:17:46.760 --> 03:17:49.959
grade science and drew the short straw to be one

2734
03:17:49.959 --> 03:17:54.440
of the staff chaperones for the dance this year. Halloween

2735
03:17:54.680 --> 03:17:59.399
was nonsense to him, but he'd play along. He got

2736
03:17:59.440 --> 03:18:01.959
along with the kids for the most part, except for

2737
03:18:02.040 --> 03:18:05.760
a couple of the boys in his fifth period class.

2738
03:18:06.200 --> 03:18:10.799
But today was Halloween, and it just so happened that

2739
03:18:10.840 --> 03:18:14.360
it actually fell on a Saturday. This year, it was

2740
03:18:14.440 --> 03:18:18.040
still early in the day. Raymond didn't have a costume

2741
03:18:18.399 --> 03:18:22.440
and didn't want a costume, but he was never accused

2742
03:18:22.479 --> 03:18:26.079
of not being a team player, so he would head

2743
03:18:26.079 --> 03:18:29.360
over to Party Dollar and pick up the cheapest costume

2744
03:18:29.680 --> 03:18:32.879
he could get away with. Raymond settled with a seven

2745
03:18:32.959 --> 03:18:36.959
dollar vampire cape equipped with fake fangs and a tube

2746
03:18:37.000 --> 03:18:42.319
of blood jelly. The festival started around noon, so he'd

2747
03:18:42.319 --> 03:18:45.799
show up around ten to help the other staffers make

2748
03:18:45.840 --> 03:18:49.000
sure the tables in the cafeteria were set up for

2749
03:18:49.079 --> 03:18:54.479
the butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, and whoever the fuck else

2750
03:18:54.600 --> 03:18:58.840
needed a table at this bullshit festival is what Raymond thought,

2751
03:18:59.479 --> 03:19:03.200
but he'd think it with a smile on his face.

2752
03:19:04.600 --> 03:19:07.559
Butch Marker was one of those fifth grade boys that

2753
03:19:07.719 --> 03:19:12.280
Raymond didn't get along with. Butch, in truth, didn't get

2754
03:19:12.280 --> 03:19:16.040
along with very many authority figures. Since he went to

2755
03:19:16.079 --> 03:19:19.319
see the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off with his sister

2756
03:19:19.399 --> 03:19:23.319
the year before, he fancied himself to be like Ferris.

2757
03:19:24.040 --> 03:19:26.799
He wanted to be loved by everyone while pulling the

2758
03:19:26.840 --> 03:19:30.559
wool over people in charge. Problem was a lot of

2759
03:19:30.680 --> 03:19:34.479
kids didn't like him, and he really wasn't fooling anyone.

2760
03:19:35.200 --> 03:19:39.120
His best friend was Steve Vig, and he was the follower.

2761
03:19:39.879 --> 03:19:44.159
The boys hatched a plan for this year's Jack O'Lantern Jubilee.

2762
03:19:44.959 --> 03:19:49.159
Hey did you get them? Butch asked Steve. Steve was

2763
03:19:49.280 --> 03:19:53.479
nodding his bulbous head and smacking chewy candy between his

2764
03:19:53.600 --> 03:19:57.920
teeth as he held out the bag. Sweet, Butch said,

2765
03:19:58.239 --> 03:20:03.040
Snatching the bag from Steve, he peeked inside, a grinch

2766
03:20:03.239 --> 03:20:07.760
like smile spread under his nose. Hell, yeah, you get

2767
03:20:07.799 --> 03:20:12.079
them from Ricky? Yep, just like you said. He had

2768
03:20:12.079 --> 03:20:14.799
a bunch of them too. We gonna paint them up

2769
03:20:14.840 --> 03:20:18.879
like you said, Steve asked. His jowls shook as he

2770
03:20:18.920 --> 03:20:22.920
nodded his head like a lunatic. Butch often thought Steve

2771
03:20:23.120 --> 03:20:26.559
was the spitting image of a mini boss hog, and

2772
03:20:26.639 --> 03:20:30.200
he wasn't wrong. He was a short, fat kid with

2773
03:20:30.239 --> 03:20:33.159
a buzz cut so low that he may as well

2774
03:20:33.200 --> 03:20:37.360
be bald. Yeah, we're gonna paint them up. Come on,

2775
03:20:37.879 --> 03:20:40.719
Butch said, and Steve followed him to the shed in

2776
03:20:40.760 --> 03:20:44.520
the backyard. Butch dumped the cherry bombs on the workbench.

2777
03:20:45.159 --> 03:20:47.639
There was a can of orange spray paint along with

2778
03:20:47.719 --> 03:20:51.719
a small jar of black ink with an assortment of

2779
03:20:51.840 --> 03:20:56.440
tiny paint brushes. Steve shook the spray can and the

2780
03:20:56.479 --> 03:21:04.479
boys got to work. As the early birds filed into

2781
03:21:04.479 --> 03:21:09.719
the school cafeteria, Raymond helped fellow teacher Kathy Fletcher set

2782
03:21:09.799 --> 03:21:13.520
up the gift basket raffle booth. This was a big draw,

2783
03:21:14.000 --> 03:21:18.479
an assortment of gift baskets donated by local businesses and townsfolk.

2784
03:21:19.120 --> 03:21:22.959
Some of them had very good prizes, gift certificates to

2785
03:21:23.079 --> 03:21:28.280
fancy for the valley restaurants like Western Sizzlin and Red Lobster.

2786
03:21:29.000 --> 03:21:33.520
Some fantastic fishing gear from Spradley's bait and tackle. There

2787
03:21:33.600 --> 03:21:37.719
was always a nice quilt with other homemade accessories contributed

2788
03:21:38.040 --> 03:21:42.959
by Louise Utley baked goods galore in another basket. The

2789
03:21:42.959 --> 03:21:46.239
gift Basket Raffle was a can't miss and it was

2790
03:21:46.280 --> 03:21:48.440
held at the end of the day when the daytime

2791
03:21:48.479 --> 03:21:53.479
festivities would give way to the middle school dance. Lots

2792
03:21:53.520 --> 03:21:57.280
of nice stuff this year, Raymond said, Not bad at all,

2793
03:21:57.959 --> 03:22:02.120
Kathy replied as she pressed pushpin into the handwritten sign.

2794
03:22:02.639 --> 03:22:07.680
It read Gift Basket Raffle one dollar per ticket drawing

2795
03:22:07.760 --> 03:22:11.360
at six p m. Sharp. Got my eye on that quilt,

2796
03:22:11.959 --> 03:22:16.879
Cathy said. It was Halloween themed, adorned with bats, wide

2797
03:22:16.920 --> 03:22:21.760
eyed pumpkins, and sheeted ghosts. Yeah, that's quite a prize,

2798
03:22:22.000 --> 03:22:25.120
Raymond said, thinking to himself, what a crock of shit

2799
03:22:25.280 --> 03:22:28.799
this holiday was. It was going to be a long

2800
03:22:28.959 --> 03:22:32.920
day and he was dreading the dance, but on the

2801
03:22:32.920 --> 03:22:36.239
bright side, he wouldn't have to do this again next year.

2802
03:22:37.200 --> 03:22:40.559
No back to backs for faculty unless they volunteer, and

2803
03:22:40.680 --> 03:22:46.639
he certainly wasn't volunteering for this flea circus. Although seeing

2804
03:22:46.719 --> 03:22:51.719
Cindy dressed as Elvira, complete with the dress, black wig,

2805
03:22:52.239 --> 03:22:56.399
and push up bra wasn't exactly excruciating to look at.

2806
03:23:00.520 --> 03:23:07.840
The boys admired their handiwork. These are fucking awesome, Butch announced, yeah, awesome.

2807
03:23:08.319 --> 03:23:12.799
Steve parroted the little pumpkins with stem fuses looked back

2808
03:23:12.840 --> 03:23:18.000
at them different black grins adorned their little round faces.

2809
03:23:18.879 --> 03:23:23.280
They're going to shit their pants, Butch said, yeah, they're

2810
03:23:23.280 --> 03:23:26.920
gonna have to run to the crapper, Steve exclaimed, popping

2811
03:23:26.959 --> 03:23:30.000
another one of those gooey peanut butter dog shit Halloween

2812
03:23:30.079 --> 03:23:36.760
candies into his mouth. The jack O Lantern Jubilee was

2813
03:23:36.799 --> 03:23:41.120
something the valley folks looked forward to every Halloween, and

2814
03:23:41.200 --> 03:23:44.239
it seemed like all of the small towns that comprised

2815
03:23:44.239 --> 03:23:48.360
the valley showed up. Raymond was assisting Kathy at the

2816
03:23:48.399 --> 03:23:52.159
gift basket table. The line to buy raffle tickets was

2817
03:23:52.200 --> 03:23:54.520
almost to the double doors at the far end of

2818
03:23:54.559 --> 03:23:59.920
the cafeteria. He was tearing tickets, wishing this day was over.

2819
03:24:00.840 --> 03:24:03.760
He still had a dance to chaperone, and hiding the

2820
03:24:03.840 --> 03:24:07.120
disdain that wanted to move across his face was becoming

2821
03:24:07.719 --> 03:24:12.760
more and more difficult. Then he saw two of his

2822
03:24:12.840 --> 03:24:17.360
trouble makers poking around the tables. Steve was dressed in

2823
03:24:17.399 --> 03:24:21.360
a pretty decent Jason Vorhees get up a La Friday

2824
03:24:21.399 --> 03:24:25.879
the Thirteenth Part two, complete with the one eye pillowcase,

2825
03:24:26.280 --> 03:24:28.760
which Steve would have to cut two big holes in

2826
03:24:29.040 --> 03:24:32.360
very quickly so that he would stop slamming into people.

2827
03:24:33.239 --> 03:24:36.920
He was the proverbial bull in a china shop, smacking

2828
03:24:36.959 --> 03:24:40.280
his peanut butter dog shit candy under the pillowcase mask.

2829
03:24:41.000 --> 03:24:44.719
Butch was disguised as a werewolf with a brown wig

2830
03:24:44.799 --> 03:24:48.360
that was teased out to stand up high, black makeup

2831
03:24:48.399 --> 03:24:52.120
on his nose with brown smeared across his face. He

2832
03:24:52.200 --> 03:24:55.600
had a decent set of fake fangs, a tattered T shirt,

2833
03:24:55.879 --> 03:25:00.399
ripped jeans, and white canvas sneakers soaked in blood jelly.

2834
03:25:01.239 --> 03:25:04.319
The boys both had paper grocery sacks for trick or

2835
03:25:04.360 --> 03:25:08.280
treat bags. They were raiding the tables looking for candy,

2836
03:25:08.360 --> 03:25:11.639
and Raymond was trying to keep a close eye on

2837
03:25:11.719 --> 03:25:16.200
the two of them. Raymond eyes over here, Cathy said.

2838
03:25:16.879 --> 03:25:20.719
Raymond turned his attention back to see Missus Martha Jenkins

2839
03:25:20.760 --> 03:25:23.959
holding out a five dollar bill. She told Raymond what

2840
03:25:24.159 --> 03:25:27.440
baskets she was bidding for, and he tore the tickets,

2841
03:25:27.680 --> 03:25:31.600
took the money and dropped the stubs in their respective bowls.

2842
03:25:32.200 --> 03:25:35.040
He glanced over his shoulder, trying to get a location

2843
03:25:35.200 --> 03:25:39.239
on the troublemakers, but they were out of his field

2844
03:25:39.280 --> 03:25:50.559
of vision. You see turg burger, Butch asked, Huh, what's

2845
03:25:50.600 --> 03:25:55.280
a turg burger? Steve replied, Butch removed his fangs and said,

2846
03:25:55.920 --> 03:26:01.079
turd burglar. Did you see turd burglar? No, didn't see him.

2847
03:26:01.639 --> 03:26:06.360
Where's he at, Steve asked, smiling under the pillowcase. He's

2848
03:26:06.360 --> 03:26:09.360
at the gift basket table with Ms. Fletcher. You see

2849
03:26:09.360 --> 03:26:13.680
her bazongas Butch asked, raising his eyebrows. Damn it, No,

2850
03:26:14.319 --> 03:26:18.399
this pillowcase is bullshit. Steve said, well, if he's working

2851
03:26:18.440 --> 03:26:22.120
the tables, he's working the dance. Butch held up a

2852
03:26:22.159 --> 03:26:25.319
hand for a high five. Steve didn't see it, so

2853
03:26:25.440 --> 03:26:28.799
Butch smacked him on top of his head. Steve regrouped

2854
03:26:28.840 --> 03:26:33.000
and hit the high five. The boys continued making their rounds.

2855
03:26:33.639 --> 03:26:35.879
Seemed like there was going to be one hell of

2856
03:26:35.920 --> 03:26:39.360
a crowd at the dance. These fuckers will be shitting

2857
03:26:39.399 --> 03:26:42.920
themselves before the night was over, is what Butch was thinking.

2858
03:26:43.559 --> 03:26:47.719
Forty five minutes later, the kid was no older than

2859
03:26:47.840 --> 03:26:51.239
six or seven. He was a fine looking lad with

2860
03:26:51.360 --> 03:26:54.959
sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. He held a pumpkin

2861
03:26:55.120 --> 03:26:58.840
candy bucket and was moving with sugar fueled excitement to

2862
03:26:58.879 --> 03:27:03.399
each table, saying trick or cheat to whoever might drop

2863
03:27:03.479 --> 03:27:08.360
him some candy. Butch removed his fangs, nudged Steve, and asked,

2864
03:27:08.840 --> 03:27:11.639
who's that little shit stain? I've never seen him in

2865
03:27:11.680 --> 03:27:16.159
the valley. Don't know, Maybe he's an achin or augusta kid.

2866
03:27:16.600 --> 03:27:20.000
Steve replied, really paying no mind to the little boy.

2867
03:27:20.639 --> 03:27:23.040
Look at him. He's running all around like he's got

2868
03:27:23.040 --> 03:27:26.879
ants in his pants. Butch said. A gleam flashed in

2869
03:27:26.959 --> 03:27:32.280
his eyes, a gleam that Steve picked up on. So

2870
03:27:32.879 --> 03:27:36.920
are you thinking what I'm thinking? You're thinking? Steve asked,

2871
03:27:37.239 --> 03:27:41.600
The smile was growing under his mask. Yeah, he needs

2872
03:27:41.639 --> 03:27:46.079
some special candy in that bucket, don't you think, Butch asked,

2873
03:27:46.639 --> 03:27:50.479
feeling the bulge of pumpkin bombs in his pants pocket.

2874
03:27:50.840 --> 03:27:54.959
Steve was nodding and snickering, may as well get the

2875
03:27:54.959 --> 03:27:59.680
party started early. Raymond looked at his watch and thought

2876
03:27:59.680 --> 03:28:03.479
to him himself, do vampires really care what time it is?

2877
03:28:04.559 --> 03:28:07.479
But sure they do. They couldn't be caught out in

2878
03:28:07.479 --> 03:28:09.959
the stark light of day, or they would burn into

2879
03:28:10.000 --> 03:28:13.360
ash and blow away with the wind. The start of

2880
03:28:13.399 --> 03:28:16.719
the dance was just under two hours away. He could

2881
03:28:16.719 --> 03:28:19.319
see a lot of the middle schoolers milling around the

2882
03:28:19.360 --> 03:28:24.319
cafeteria in their scariest and goofiest get ups. He didn't

2883
03:28:24.360 --> 03:28:27.959
see his two trouble makers. He thought he shouldn't be

2884
03:28:28.000 --> 03:28:33.159
too uptight about it, but something wasn't quite right. He

2885
03:28:33.200 --> 03:28:36.319
would feel much more comfortable if he could put eyes

2886
03:28:36.360 --> 03:28:41.159
on them. Hey, kid, Butch said to the little boy.

2887
03:28:42.040 --> 03:28:45.600
Before the little boy turned to face him, the boy

2888
03:28:45.680 --> 03:28:50.399
placed a plastic pumpkin mask over his face. Chick or cheat,

2889
03:28:50.879 --> 03:28:55.639
the little boy said, exactly Steve said, and the boy

2890
03:28:55.719 --> 03:28:58.600
looked to his left, held out his candy bucket, and

2891
03:28:58.719 --> 03:29:04.200
repeated treat. Steve was removing candy from his own paper sack,

2892
03:29:04.559 --> 03:29:07.360
while Butch was flicking a bit as he pulled a

2893
03:29:07.399 --> 03:29:10.840
little pumpkin bomb from his pocket. The kid held the

2894
03:29:10.879 --> 03:29:14.639
bucket out to Steve. Steve had a fistful of candy

2895
03:29:14.959 --> 03:29:18.520
and was holding it precariously over the bucket. The little

2896
03:29:18.520 --> 03:29:22.559
boy was smiling under his mask. Butch lit the fuse.

2897
03:29:23.120 --> 03:29:26.159
He felt a sudden adrenaline rush, but fought it for

2898
03:29:26.479 --> 03:29:29.879
just a moment. He needed the fuse to burn down

2899
03:29:30.639 --> 03:29:34.840
just a bit. Steve was teasing the boy, not dropping

2900
03:29:34.879 --> 03:29:38.680
the candy into the bucket. Trick or treat, the little

2901
03:29:38.719 --> 03:29:43.239
boy shouted. Butch spun in front of Steve. Trick or treat, you,

2902
03:29:43.280 --> 03:29:47.159
little fucker. Butch dropped the pumpkin bomb into the bucket

2903
03:29:47.280 --> 03:29:50.719
and moved back fast. The little boy didn't have time

2904
03:29:50.799 --> 03:29:55.239
to say anything before the pumpkin exploded. The cherry bomb

2905
03:29:55.319 --> 03:29:59.360
had enough force to destroy a mailbox, candy and orange

2906
03:29:59.399 --> 03:30:03.920
plastic shrie Rapnel was sent flying. The boy screamed in terror.

2907
03:30:04.360 --> 03:30:07.680
The tops of four fingers on his right hand were

2908
03:30:07.719 --> 03:30:13.520
bloody stumps of bone. Raymond heard the ruckus on the

2909
03:30:13.559 --> 03:30:16.879
other side of the cafeteria. His hair stood on end.

2910
03:30:17.360 --> 03:30:20.000
The explosion, followed by the scream of a child, got

2911
03:30:20.120 --> 03:30:24.680
Raymond moving post haste. Other faculty members were ushering people

2912
03:30:24.719 --> 03:30:27.399
out of the cafeteria, just in case there was a

2913
03:30:27.440 --> 03:30:31.000
shooter in their midst Raymond knew it was those boys.

2914
03:30:31.760 --> 03:30:35.280
Kathy ran to the cafeteria kitchen to call the police,

2915
03:30:35.399 --> 03:30:38.680
Butch and Steve didn't hang around to admire their work.

2916
03:30:39.360 --> 03:30:42.040
The boys darted out the double doors and b lined

2917
03:30:42.079 --> 03:30:45.440
it for the gymnasium. They were laughing all the way

2918
03:30:45.520 --> 03:30:49.399
as they ran. The main gymnasium doors would be locked

2919
03:30:49.399 --> 03:30:52.760
because it wasn't yet time for the dance. But Butch

2920
03:30:52.840 --> 03:30:56.319
and Steve knew the janitor's entrance, and they never left

2921
03:30:56.319 --> 03:30:59.200
it locked because half of them had lost their keys

2922
03:31:00.239 --> 03:31:04.200
rushed inside. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, was all

2923
03:31:04.239 --> 03:31:07.559
Steve could garble. Did you see that? Almost blew the

2924
03:31:07.559 --> 03:31:11.479
little shit's hand off. These fuckers are like dynamite, Butch said,

2925
03:31:11.520 --> 03:31:15.840
pulling a pumpkin bomb from his pocket. We're going to jail,

2926
03:31:16.239 --> 03:31:19.719
Steve said, as the stark realization of consequences overrode the

2927
03:31:19.840 --> 03:31:23.799
joy of the prank. The fuck we are Nobody knows

2928
03:31:23.799 --> 03:31:25.959
it was us. They all ran to the kid as

2929
03:31:25.959 --> 03:31:29.360
we scoot it out. Let's just hang out here until

2930
03:31:29.360 --> 03:31:33.040
the dance starts. We'll get lost in the crowd and

2931
03:31:33.159 --> 03:31:37.799
finish what we started. Butch said, confidently, you think they're

2932
03:31:37.879 --> 03:31:41.760
still gonna have the dance? After that? Steve asked, the

2933
03:31:41.840 --> 03:31:46.159
boys heard sirens and it wasn't just an ambulance. Butch

2934
03:31:46.280 --> 03:31:49.799
knew the distinct tone of the Burnett Town police sirens

2935
03:31:49.959 --> 03:31:53.000
because they had been called to Oak Street on more

2936
03:31:53.040 --> 03:31:57.520
than a few occasions in his short lifetime. No way

2937
03:31:57.559 --> 03:32:00.799
they're canceling the dance. No way that it's gonna happen.

2938
03:32:01.239 --> 03:32:04.319
Let's just stay here until it dies down. The janitor's

2939
03:32:04.319 --> 03:32:07.399
closet is the safest place to be right now, Butch said,

2940
03:32:08.079 --> 03:32:16.159
almost believing it. The little boy was screaming his head off.

2941
03:32:16.680 --> 03:32:20.600
Raymond took off his vampire cape and wrapped the kid's hand,

2942
03:32:20.760 --> 03:32:24.239
trying to apply pressure, but not really knowing what to

2943
03:32:24.319 --> 03:32:27.559
do with stark white bone and chunks of meat that

2944
03:32:27.760 --> 03:32:31.680
was one's fingers hanging from his hand. Where's his mother,

2945
03:32:32.159 --> 03:32:35.639
Raymond screamed at the bystanders. They all just gawked at

2946
03:32:35.639 --> 03:32:39.600
the scene until paramedics and police rushed through the cafeteria.

2947
03:32:40.360 --> 03:32:43.159
Raymond looked at the kid and said, it's going to

2948
03:32:43.200 --> 03:32:46.079
be okay. I'm going to get the kids that did

2949
03:32:46.120 --> 03:32:49.079
this to you, I promise, and I'll bring you all

2950
03:32:49.159 --> 03:32:52.760
of their candy. The little boy looked back at Raymond,

2951
03:32:53.239 --> 03:32:58.040
stopped screaming and spoke so calmly it startled Raymond into

2952
03:32:58.120 --> 03:33:04.760
paying close attention. In my pocket, the boy pointed to

2953
03:33:04.799 --> 03:33:07.840
his right pocket with his left hand. Get it out

2954
03:33:07.840 --> 03:33:13.680
and eat it. Be the pumpkin man and kill them.

2955
03:33:14.079 --> 03:33:17.680
Raymond was shocked at the calmness in the kid's voice.

2956
03:33:17.760 --> 03:33:20.799
He heard the medics getting closer, and he could see

2957
03:33:20.799 --> 03:33:24.680
the panic return to the kid's eyes. He reached into

2958
03:33:24.680 --> 03:33:28.600
the boy's pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag.

2959
03:33:29.600 --> 03:33:32.559
It was a black bag sealed with an orange topper.

2960
03:33:33.360 --> 03:33:37.600
It had green letters printed on the topper pumpkin potion.

2961
03:33:39.120 --> 03:33:42.319
Raymond backed away as the medics took the child away.

2962
03:33:42.959 --> 03:33:51.559
He would be an achin regional Within fifteen minutes, it

2963
03:33:51.639 --> 03:33:55.360
was determined the dance would continue, albeit not on time.

2964
03:33:56.239 --> 03:33:59.520
The police questioned the folks in the area, and they

2965
03:33:59.600 --> 03:34:02.440
gave to inscriptions of a fat kid with a pillowcase

2966
03:34:02.520 --> 03:34:05.920
mask and another kid dressed up like a monkey or

2967
03:34:05.959 --> 03:34:08.719
a werewolf running from the scene. When they heard an

2968
03:34:08.719 --> 03:34:13.879
explosion followed by a blood curdling scream, they did a

2969
03:34:13.920 --> 03:34:17.920
cursory search of the school. Raymond gave them the names

2970
03:34:17.959 --> 03:34:20.479
of the boys so their houses would be next on

2971
03:34:20.520 --> 03:34:24.799
the search list. They didn't find the boys. They were

2972
03:34:24.840 --> 03:34:29.159
tucked quietly away in the janitor's locker in the gym

2973
03:34:29.360 --> 03:34:31.520
and would stay there all night if they had to.

2974
03:34:32.479 --> 03:34:34.799
They would only come out if they heard the DJA

2975
03:34:34.959 --> 03:34:38.959
start playing tunes. Steve would take off his mask and

2976
03:34:39.040 --> 03:34:42.920
Butch would remove the wig. Luckily for the two of them,

2977
03:34:43.159 --> 03:34:45.959
there was an unopened bag of large sized white T

2978
03:34:46.159 --> 03:34:49.360
shirts in the locker that belonged to one of the janitors.

2979
03:34:50.079 --> 03:34:53.920
They ripped them open and changed their shirts. Butch removed

2980
03:34:53.920 --> 03:34:56.680
the makeup using soap and water from the janitor's sink.

2981
03:34:57.440 --> 03:35:00.120
There was a gallon of bleach under that sink that

2982
03:35:00.159 --> 03:35:02.799
he used to clean the blood jelly from his sneakers

2983
03:35:02.840 --> 03:35:06.280
as best he could. The boys could now pass as

2984
03:35:06.319 --> 03:35:12.520
hoboes if the dance ever started. The gymnasium opened its

2985
03:35:12.600 --> 03:35:16.600
doors an hour late. Kids were lined up waiting impatiently

2986
03:35:16.959 --> 03:35:21.760
and cheered. When the doors finally opened, Raymond was already inside,

2987
03:35:22.239 --> 03:35:26.280
waiting just inside the double doors. He was going to

2988
03:35:26.280 --> 03:35:30.639
put his eyes on every ghost and ghoul that walked inside.

2989
03:35:30.719 --> 03:35:34.159
The DJ was starting the show with everyone's Halloween favorite,

2990
03:35:34.799 --> 03:35:39.079
The Monster Mash. You ready, Butch asked, when he heard

2991
03:35:39.079 --> 03:35:44.879
the music kick in. Yeah, Steve hesitantly replied, shuffling his feet.

2992
03:35:45.559 --> 03:35:49.040
Maybe he finally realized that being friends with Butch wasn't

2993
03:35:49.799 --> 03:35:53.120
such a great idea If we need to get out, quick,

2994
03:35:53.239 --> 03:35:55.680
light a pumpkin and toss it in the crowd. Understand,

2995
03:35:56.120 --> 03:36:01.239
Butch asked, yeah, Steve replied. Butch opened the door and

2996
03:36:01.280 --> 03:36:04.639
the two hoboes stepped into the back of the gymnasium.

2997
03:36:04.879 --> 03:36:08.479
Kids were already dancing. Let me know if you see

2998
03:36:08.479 --> 03:36:11.319
turd Burglar, I want to give him a trick before

2999
03:36:11.319 --> 03:36:16.159
we leave, Butch said. Steve nodded his head but didn't

3000
03:36:16.200 --> 03:36:20.120
say a word. Monster Mash gave way to the Munster's

3001
03:36:20.239 --> 03:36:24.319
theme song. The boys walked around the edge of the gym.

3002
03:36:24.799 --> 03:36:34.040
There were so many people, so many cool costumes. Vampires werewolves, ghosts, zombies, demons, princesses.

3003
03:36:34.399 --> 03:36:38.440
Every Halloween character was represented. There were even a couple

3004
03:36:38.440 --> 03:36:42.680
of decent looking Freddy Krueger's turd Burglar. At twelve o'clock,

3005
03:36:43.040 --> 03:36:46.040
Butch said and nodded toward the double doors, where the

3006
03:36:46.079 --> 03:36:50.000
kids were still filing in. Let's just go, man, we

3007
03:36:50.040 --> 03:36:52.159
can get in some real shit if we hang around.

3008
03:36:52.680 --> 03:36:54.799
Let's just say hey to a couple of kids, so

3009
03:36:54.840 --> 03:36:58.159
we have a what do the cops call it on TV?

3010
03:36:59.120 --> 03:37:04.399
A billy ab alie. Steve asked, fuck that, and it's Alibi,

3011
03:37:04.520 --> 03:37:08.680
you moron, Butch replied. Steve felt a tap on his shoulder.

3012
03:37:09.280 --> 03:37:13.440
He gulped and turned. It was Miss Fletcher, and Steve

3013
03:37:13.559 --> 03:37:16.319
was getting an eye full of the bazongas he missed earlier.

3014
03:37:17.399 --> 03:37:20.159
You two need to come with me right now, she said,

3015
03:37:20.200 --> 03:37:23.399
as she reached for both of their hands. Steve, being

3016
03:37:23.600 --> 03:37:26.760
enamored with the bazongas, actually held his hand out before

3017
03:37:26.760 --> 03:37:30.000
Butch slapped it away. We ain't going nowhere with you,

3018
03:37:30.639 --> 03:37:35.040
Butch said. Cathy screamed out at the top of her lungs, Raymond,

3019
03:37:35.239 --> 03:37:39.120
They're over here. She grabbed for Steve since he was

3020
03:37:39.120 --> 03:37:41.440
the closest, and caught the back of his t shirt.

3021
03:37:41.719 --> 03:37:45.040
It ripped Haul Cogan style. As he pulled away from her,

3022
03:37:45.479 --> 03:37:48.799
Butch reached into his pocket and pulled out a pumpkin bomb.

3023
03:37:49.360 --> 03:37:53.319
He was crashing into kids left and right. Hey, hey, stop,

3024
03:37:53.799 --> 03:37:57.799
Raymond was hollering, getting closer to the boys, Butch fumbled

3025
03:37:57.799 --> 03:38:01.639
for the bick. Eddie Hardy, seven, greater and middle linebacker

3026
03:38:01.680 --> 03:38:05.239
for the LBC Lions, grabbed Butch around his waist and

3027
03:38:05.360 --> 03:38:09.200
tackled him to the gym floor. Butch was crawling and kicking.

3028
03:38:09.440 --> 03:38:13.360
The other kids were backing away. Steve stopped in his tracks.

3029
03:38:14.159 --> 03:38:16.719
His days of getting in trouble with Butch were going

3030
03:38:16.760 --> 03:38:19.920
to come to an end here. Butch was no fucking

3031
03:38:20.000 --> 03:38:25.200
Ferris Bueller, and he certainly wasn't Cameron fuck Butch. Raymond

3032
03:38:25.280 --> 03:38:29.000
was instructing Kathy to call the police. Eddie still had

3033
03:38:29.040 --> 03:38:32.719
his grip, but Butch wasn't trying to free himself. Butch

3034
03:38:32.959 --> 03:38:36.079
was busy. He lit the fuse and held it for

3035
03:38:36.120 --> 03:38:39.680
as long as he could. Raymond grabbed him by the shoulder,

3036
03:38:39.760 --> 03:38:44.600
trying to help Eddie keep Butch immobilized. Butch grinned as

3037
03:38:44.600 --> 03:38:49.760
he turned to see Raymond trick turd burglar. He screamed

3038
03:38:49.879 --> 03:38:53.200
and dropped the pumpkin bomb into Raymond's shirt pocket. It

3039
03:38:53.319 --> 03:38:58.799
exploded immediately. Raymond's glasses flew from his face. His eyes

3040
03:38:58.840 --> 03:39:01.959
felt as if they were o'er of hot lava melting

3041
03:39:02.040 --> 03:39:05.959
his brain. Eddie looked in horror at his seventh grade

3042
03:39:06.000 --> 03:39:10.479
science teacher. Butch stood up, laughing for all he was worth.

3043
03:39:11.280 --> 03:39:14.920
Steve pulled a pumpkin bomb from his own pocket, lit it,

3044
03:39:15.639 --> 03:39:19.319
and ran up to Butch. Butch held up a hand

3045
03:39:19.360 --> 03:39:22.959
to get a high five from his fat buddy. His

3046
03:39:23.079 --> 03:39:26.600
fat buddy grabbed Butch's sagging pants by the belt line,

3047
03:39:26.959 --> 03:39:33.479
grinned and shoved the pumpkin bomb down Butch's underwear. It exploded.

3048
03:39:34.200 --> 03:39:38.159
Butch fell to the floor. The crotch of his jeans

3049
03:39:38.200 --> 03:39:42.520
wore a black, smoldering hole. His twig and berries were

3050
03:39:42.559 --> 03:39:47.959
nothing more than a bloody ground mess. Fuck you, Butch,

3051
03:39:48.520 --> 03:39:53.959
Steve said as he walked away. Raymond couldn't see. He

3052
03:39:54.000 --> 03:39:57.280
could hear, but it sounded like everyone was in a tunnel.

3053
03:39:58.079 --> 03:40:05.200
Kathy ran to him. He mumbled a single word. Water, okay, okay.

3054
03:40:05.799 --> 03:40:08.760
Kathy got a cup from the stack near the punch bowl,

3055
03:40:09.159 --> 03:40:11.559
which was spiked when the first set of kids came

3056
03:40:11.639 --> 03:40:16.040
through and retrieved water from the fountain. Raymond fumbled with

3057
03:40:16.079 --> 03:40:19.879
the package. While Kathy was getting the water, he ripped

3058
03:40:19.920 --> 03:40:24.639
the orange topper from the pumpkin potion. Kathy attempted to

3059
03:40:24.680 --> 03:40:28.280
give him water. He held out his hand instead, and

3060
03:40:28.360 --> 03:40:31.399
she gave him the cup. He emptied the pouch of

3061
03:40:31.479 --> 03:40:35.000
pumpkin potion into his mouth and chased it down with

3062
03:40:35.120 --> 03:40:40.079
the water. Raymond, what are you doing, Kathy asked. She

3063
03:40:40.200 --> 03:40:44.959
reached down to help him. Raymond contorted in pain. His

3064
03:40:45.120 --> 03:40:49.680
bones literally sounded as if they were cracking. Sirens were coming.

3065
03:40:50.000 --> 03:40:53.040
He could hear them. He could hear her screaming for help.

3066
03:40:53.799 --> 03:40:59.239
Raymond could hear everything. No tunnel. His eyes were clear,

3067
03:41:00.120 --> 03:41:04.319
and the pain was gone. Raymond stood and held out

3068
03:41:04.360 --> 03:41:11.959
his hand. No stay away, he said. Cathy was wide eyed.

3069
03:41:12.959 --> 03:41:17.200
Raymond ran. His shoes burst under his feet. He escaped

3070
03:41:17.239 --> 03:41:21.440
the gym through the janitor's closet. He was gone. No

3071
03:41:21.520 --> 03:41:27.239
one would find him. Raymond Mathis was as good as dead.

3072
03:41:33.959 --> 03:41:36.920
It had been seventy two hours since the events at

3073
03:41:37.040 --> 03:41:41.719
LBC Middle School. Butch lived, but he was now a eunuch.

3074
03:41:42.399 --> 03:41:45.760
Steve turned himself into the police and confessed to what

3075
03:41:45.799 --> 03:41:49.440
the boys had done. The little boy was lying wide

3076
03:41:49.520 --> 03:41:52.920
awake in his hospital bed at two o'clock in the morning.

3077
03:41:53.920 --> 03:41:58.200
No mother, father, aunt, or uncle came to get him,

3078
03:41:58.600 --> 03:42:04.360
but someone did. The tall man walked quietly into the room.

3079
03:42:05.200 --> 03:42:08.959
The boy lit up, holding up his bandaged hand. Did

3080
03:42:09.000 --> 03:42:13.840
you kill them, the little boy asked no, but I

3081
03:42:13.959 --> 03:42:17.239
punished the one that did this to you. Are you

3082
03:42:17.319 --> 03:42:22.239
ready to go, my son? The tall man asked, I

3083
03:42:22.280 --> 03:42:26.399
am father. My daddy is the pumpkin man. The kid

3084
03:42:26.440 --> 03:42:29.120
said with an excitement that made the tall man smile.

3085
03:42:30.360 --> 03:42:34.520
I can fix your hand, you know, really truly fix it,

3086
03:42:35.000 --> 03:42:38.840
but there is a trade off. The tall man said,

3087
03:42:39.840 --> 03:42:45.079
what is it? The boy asked, You'll stay this age forever,

3088
03:42:45.600 --> 03:42:49.799
and I'll be with you forever. How does that sound,

3089
03:42:50.479 --> 03:42:54.639
the tall man asked. It's all I've ever wanted, said

3090
03:42:54.639 --> 03:42:59.520
the little boy, And at that moment, the little piece

3091
03:42:59.559 --> 03:43:03.520
of rain that was dying away inside the tall Man

3092
03:43:04.479 --> 03:43:23.280
finally appreciated Halloween. The Grinner by Henry Kutin. Halloween was

3093
03:43:23.360 --> 03:43:28.840
my absolute, one hundred percent all time favorite day of

3094
03:43:28.879 --> 03:43:32.399
the year. The moment I could see the leaves changing colors,

3095
03:43:32.440 --> 03:43:35.959
my mind would start to spin. I'd sit in school

3096
03:43:36.000 --> 03:43:40.200
with my leg nervously jumping as I drew zombies and

3097
03:43:40.399 --> 03:43:46.959
vampires attacking unsuspecting townspeople in my trapper keeper and hummed

3098
03:43:47.040 --> 03:43:51.799
the monster mash to myself. My grades definitely dip during

3099
03:43:51.840 --> 03:43:55.040
the fall, but who cares, It's just the start of

3100
03:43:55.079 --> 03:43:59.879
the school year. Anyway, I'd show plenty of improvement once Thanksgiving. Rolder,

3101
03:44:01.200 --> 03:44:04.280
I'm no schlub, though, I would start plotting out my

3102
03:44:04.440 --> 03:44:08.520
costume during summer break, gathering all the pieces from the

3103
03:44:08.559 --> 03:44:13.040
garage sales, thrift stores, and relatives we'd visit in Rhode Island.

3104
03:44:13.719 --> 03:44:16.959
The ride from Ohio was like sixteen hours, so the

3105
03:44:17.040 --> 03:44:20.280
least they could do was help me out. My Dracula

3106
03:44:20.319 --> 03:44:24.079
outfit last year was a plus, and every kid at

3107
03:44:24.120 --> 03:44:28.200
school was impressed. Even the upper classmen bully types had

3108
03:44:28.239 --> 03:44:31.799
to admit my fangs and fake blood were startlingly realistic.

3109
03:44:32.600 --> 03:44:35.319
So realistic, in fact, that they sent me to the

3110
03:44:35.399 --> 03:44:37.600
nurse and made me scrub it off with some weird,

3111
03:44:37.680 --> 03:44:41.639
smelling off brand pink hand soap. When I was four

3112
03:44:41.719 --> 03:44:45.159
years old, I was a power Ranger. Don't judge me,

3113
03:44:45.520 --> 03:44:50.159
they were awesome. Five was a mummy, mainly because my

3114
03:44:50.319 --> 03:44:53.399
dad was an r nurse and he brought home boatloads

3115
03:44:53.440 --> 03:44:58.159
of bandages. At six, I tried Dracula for the first time.

3116
03:44:58.799 --> 03:45:02.479
I was a total uber, though, and had those cheesy

3117
03:45:02.559 --> 03:45:06.159
plastic fangs that never stay in place and they're pretty

3118
03:45:06.200 --> 03:45:09.639
much guaranteed to make your gums bleed. I also had

3119
03:45:09.760 --> 03:45:13.799
the most obscenely long painted on widow's peak that my

3120
03:45:13.920 --> 03:45:17.520
mom did up in black makeup. Seven was when I

3121
03:45:17.639 --> 03:45:21.799
really started hitting my stride, though. That's when I discovered

3122
03:45:21.840 --> 03:45:26.360
Saturday nightmares. On TV. My mom and dad loved watching it,

3123
03:45:26.639 --> 03:45:30.479
and it was way too scary for kids. I would

3124
03:45:30.479 --> 03:45:32.760
stretch out on the love seat next to them and

3125
03:45:32.840 --> 03:45:37.159
pretend to fall asleep. I would then go totally dead

3126
03:45:37.200 --> 03:45:40.040
weight and grouchy. When they tried to pry me off

3127
03:45:40.159 --> 03:45:43.520
and put me to bed, They'd give up and I'd

3128
03:45:43.600 --> 03:45:48.799
get to lay there sneaking peaks of Jason Vorhees, Dracula,

3129
03:45:49.200 --> 03:45:55.079
candy Man, and so many more the perfect crime. So

3130
03:45:55.239 --> 03:45:58.879
my costume at seven years old was Jason. I ripped

3131
03:45:58.959 --> 03:46:01.680
up some old clothes and got a hockey mask out

3132
03:46:01.719 --> 03:46:04.639
of an old trunk in the garage. I made a

3133
03:46:04.879 --> 03:46:08.600
big machete out of a cardboard box and was out

3134
03:46:08.639 --> 03:46:14.440
in the neighborhood stalking for camp counselors to skewer. When

3135
03:46:14.440 --> 03:46:17.920
I was eight, I did Frankenstein, but I made all

3136
03:46:18.000 --> 03:46:24.479
my body parts nasty different colors, greens, grays, reds. I

3137
03:46:24.600 --> 03:46:28.559
really did look like a hodgepodge of stolen body parts

3138
03:46:28.600 --> 03:46:32.760
stitched together. That was the first year I made another

3139
03:46:32.799 --> 03:46:37.879
trigger treater cry sweet Action. At nine, I wore the

3140
03:46:37.920 --> 03:46:42.520
aforementioned Dracula costume, and I was the most rad Prince

3141
03:46:42.559 --> 03:46:47.799
of darkness anyone had ever seen. I practiced my accent

3142
03:46:47.920 --> 03:46:52.120
in the mirror every morning, with my fangs in. Of course,

3143
03:46:53.120 --> 03:46:55.440
I even bought Dentsuer glue to keep them in my

3144
03:46:55.559 --> 03:47:00.840
mouth securely. It tasted awful, by the way. This year, though,

3145
03:47:01.200 --> 03:47:05.040
I really had to go all out because I was

3146
03:47:05.200 --> 03:47:09.360
ten and I got my first invitation to an older

3147
03:47:09.440 --> 03:47:12.760
kid party. It may not seem like a big deal

3148
03:47:12.799 --> 03:47:16.079
to you, but middle schoolers usually never want anything to

3149
03:47:16.120 --> 03:47:19.879
do with elementary schoolers. I got on their radar when

3150
03:47:20.120 --> 03:47:23.600
words spread I had a video copy of sleep Away

3151
03:47:23.639 --> 03:47:27.719
Camp two and the king of gross out party movies,

3152
03:47:28.319 --> 03:47:32.600
Faces of Death. In our small town, getting a copy

3153
03:47:32.639 --> 03:47:36.280
of the most notorious horror movie of all time, banned

3154
03:47:36.280 --> 03:47:41.040
in forty six countries was nearly impossible, but thanks to

3155
03:47:41.079 --> 03:47:44.280
my summer trips to New England, I managed to score

3156
03:47:44.319 --> 03:47:47.959
a copy. I may have convinced my grandma that it

3157
03:47:48.040 --> 03:47:52.959
was a cartoon based on the illustrated hooded skeleton on

3158
03:47:53.000 --> 03:47:57.840
the cover. This is great and all except for one issue.

3159
03:47:57.920 --> 03:48:00.760
These cool older kids are just going to put my

3160
03:48:00.879 --> 03:48:04.000
movies on and then ignore me the whole night. But

3161
03:48:04.159 --> 03:48:08.719
not if tonight, when according to plan Earth to Robbie

3162
03:48:09.000 --> 03:48:13.280
come in Robbie. A playfully annoyed voice blasted me back

3163
03:48:13.319 --> 03:48:16.440
to reality, where I stood next to my locker at school.

3164
03:48:17.440 --> 03:48:21.399
Uh what, I replied, trying to remember if I was

3165
03:48:21.399 --> 03:48:24.120
in a conversation with my best friend Michael and forgot,

3166
03:48:24.639 --> 03:48:28.000
or if he'd just walked up to me daydreaming about

3167
03:48:28.040 --> 03:48:31.520
the Girl's Gone Wild commercial again. Huh, Michael said, with

3168
03:48:31.600 --> 03:48:35.520
a huge cheese eating grin on his face. He was

3169
03:48:35.559 --> 03:48:40.319
a degenerate, but he was my degenerate. Shut up. I

3170
03:48:40.440 --> 03:48:44.639
was just plotting out tonight. Michael shifted his weight from

3171
03:48:44.639 --> 03:48:46.840
one foot to the other as he regained a grip

3172
03:48:46.879 --> 03:48:50.840
on his binder, which was undoubtedly full of comic books

3173
03:48:50.879 --> 03:48:54.840
and not a single piece of schoolwork. Oh yeah, you're

3174
03:48:54.879 --> 03:48:57.920
going to that middle schooler party, the one I'm not

3175
03:48:58.079 --> 03:49:02.280
cool enough to tag along to. Once I blow them

3176
03:49:02.280 --> 03:49:05.479
away with faces of death and my Freddy Krueger costume,

3177
03:49:05.719 --> 03:49:08.319
they're going to realize how cool I am for my age,

3178
03:49:08.719 --> 03:49:11.239
and then we can work on convincing them about you too.

3179
03:49:12.159 --> 03:49:15.120
I meant it as badly as I wanted to be cool.

3180
03:49:15.280 --> 03:49:18.319
Michael had been my best friend since kindergarten, and I

3181
03:49:18.319 --> 03:49:22.000
wouldn't want him to be left out. Yeah, yeah, great,

3182
03:49:22.479 --> 03:49:25.479
we're still trigger treating together, right, he asked, as he

3183
03:49:25.559 --> 03:49:30.520
tried not to sound too disappointed. Duh, we're taking this

3184
03:49:30.680 --> 03:49:33.719
town for all of its candy. I raised my hand

3185
03:49:33.760 --> 03:49:37.360
for a high five, then quickly realized Michael had both

3186
03:49:37.360 --> 03:49:40.920
his hands full. My eyes narrowed as I got very

3187
03:49:41.000 --> 03:49:45.920
serious and leaned in close. So here's the plan. We

3188
03:49:46.079 --> 03:49:48.520
score all the candy up the south side of town.

3189
03:49:49.280 --> 03:49:53.040
Then when we loop back around, we stopped by the Grinner.

3190
03:49:53.879 --> 03:49:56.520
I thought we agreed we'd steer clear of the Grinner

3191
03:49:56.520 --> 03:50:01.040
this year, Michael replied with a whine. The Grinner was

3192
03:50:01.079 --> 03:50:04.879
a scarecrow like dummy placed in front of McClellan Hall,

3193
03:50:05.360 --> 03:50:08.959
which was a creepy old, beat up historical landmark and

3194
03:50:09.239 --> 03:50:12.440
former funeral home. Every year for as long as I

3195
03:50:12.479 --> 03:50:15.559
could remember, the Grinner was put on the front steps

3196
03:50:15.600 --> 03:50:18.440
of the hall with a big fat bowl of candy

3197
03:50:18.520 --> 03:50:21.920
in its lap and a sign that said please take

3198
03:50:22.000 --> 03:50:27.200
only one, which we had always ignored. The only problem

3199
03:50:27.239 --> 03:50:32.680
with the Grinner was well the grin, the weird sack

3200
03:50:32.879 --> 03:50:35.959
like head had warped in strange ways over the years.

3201
03:50:36.520 --> 03:50:40.799
It seemed like every Halloween, the hellish smile was more

3202
03:50:40.879 --> 03:50:46.520
lopsided and deformed and terrifying. Most of the younger kids

3203
03:50:46.559 --> 03:50:48.639
never dared to get a piece of candy from the

3204
03:50:48.680 --> 03:50:52.239
Grinner at all. I would never hesitate to grab a

3205
03:50:52.280 --> 03:50:55.760
couple of extra fun sized kitkats, even if it gave

3206
03:50:55.799 --> 03:51:01.079
me the creeps. It was kind of fun until last year.

3207
03:51:02.040 --> 03:51:04.600
Michael and I were getting ready to fill our bags

3208
03:51:04.600 --> 03:51:07.920
with candy from the large and mostly full bucket of

3209
03:51:07.920 --> 03:51:11.559
sweet treats. Mike was trying to stop me from taking

3210
03:51:11.600 --> 03:51:14.440
more than one because I guess his old man had

3211
03:51:14.440 --> 03:51:18.760
told him if you cross the Grinner, he eats kids. Yeah,

3212
03:51:18.799 --> 03:51:21.159
that's so believable and not just the kind of crap

3213
03:51:21.239 --> 03:51:24.159
parents make up on the spot to scare us. Not

3214
03:51:25.479 --> 03:51:27.840
so I went to fill my bag with ill gotten

3215
03:51:27.920 --> 03:51:33.600
gains when all of a sudden, the Grinner moved. We

3216
03:51:33.719 --> 03:51:36.280
both jumped back and let out yelps as a jet

3217
03:51:36.319 --> 03:51:40.559
black cat skittered past us. Stupid cat nearly made me

3218
03:51:40.639 --> 03:51:43.760
jump out of my skin. Michael fell flat on his

3219
03:51:43.799 --> 03:51:46.760
butt off the stoop on the way home that night.

3220
03:51:47.040 --> 03:51:51.440
He made me promise we'd never ever bother going to

3221
03:51:51.520 --> 03:51:59.559
the Grinner's house. But desperate times call for desperate measures. God, Robbie,

3222
03:52:00.000 --> 03:52:02.600
I want to take the grinner's candy to that stupid party.

3223
03:52:03.120 --> 03:52:09.719
Michael groaned, what no anybody can buy candy. I'm going

3224
03:52:09.799 --> 03:52:14.680
to take the grinner's head, I smiled, as if I

3225
03:52:14.760 --> 03:52:19.959
had long, sharp teeth to bear. Michael's words exploded out

3226
03:52:20.000 --> 03:52:24.079
of him. Are you kidding that? That's insane? All of

3227
03:52:24.120 --> 03:52:26.639
his school supplies fell out of his arms and onto

3228
03:52:26.680 --> 03:52:29.600
the floor, as he didn't even acknowledge the mess he

3229
03:52:29.639 --> 03:52:34.959
had made. Relax, it's just a dummy. My confidence wasn't waning.

3230
03:52:36.479 --> 03:52:39.559
We don't know that. No one even knows who puts

3231
03:52:39.600 --> 03:52:44.200
him there. Michael dropped down to gather his belongings. It's

3232
03:52:44.360 --> 03:52:47.479
probably like the mayor or the school board or something.

3233
03:52:47.959 --> 03:52:51.360
I squatted down to help him gather his comics. So

3234
03:52:51.440 --> 03:52:55.600
were you in it would be ultimate. Michael looks up

3235
03:52:55.600 --> 03:53:06.000
at me. No, would you slow down? Michael yelled as

3236
03:53:06.040 --> 03:53:08.799
he sucked on a jolly rancher. Six steps behind me.

3237
03:53:09.600 --> 03:53:12.479
The streets were dark. Most of the other kids had

3238
03:53:12.520 --> 03:53:15.840
already called it a night, but we had one last

3239
03:53:15.879 --> 03:53:21.319
stop before I became the King of Halloween to all

3240
03:53:21.479 --> 03:53:25.760
the middle schoolers. Michael and I walked up to McClellan

3241
03:53:25.879 --> 03:53:29.959
Hall and stopped dead in front, just barely outside of

3242
03:53:30.000 --> 03:53:33.760
the glow of the nearest street light. There he was,

3243
03:53:35.040 --> 03:53:39.479
The Grinner was sitting in his usual disheveled manner. His

3244
03:53:39.680 --> 03:53:42.920
smile was warped up the side of his head. The

3245
03:53:43.040 --> 03:53:47.920
stitched lips looked oddly convincing in the dark, like they

3246
03:53:47.920 --> 03:53:50.920
were going to spread apart at any moment and reveal

3247
03:53:51.280 --> 03:53:55.280
rows of teeth like a shark. I stared hard at

3248
03:53:55.280 --> 03:53:58.360
the Grinner as I formulated a game plan for the

3249
03:53:58.479 --> 03:54:02.680
soon to come decapitate. From as far as I could tell,

3250
03:54:02.719 --> 03:54:06.159
it was barely attached to anything. The way it sat

3251
03:54:06.200 --> 03:54:09.959
on its shoulders and tattered double breasted jacket made it

3252
03:54:10.000 --> 03:54:14.840
seem free of much resistance. Michael stood still, his white

3253
03:54:14.879 --> 03:54:17.920
Michael Meyer's Halloween mask hanging on top of his head

3254
03:54:17.959 --> 03:54:22.280
like a hat. He sighed deeply as he crunched hard

3255
03:54:22.319 --> 03:54:28.159
candy between his teeth. Dude, no, don't do it. I

3256
03:54:28.200 --> 03:54:31.159
couldn't believe he was still so scared. This was the

3257
03:54:31.239 --> 03:54:33.760
kid who watched Evil Dead at three thirty am in

3258
03:54:33.799 --> 03:54:36.559
the morning, after I had fallen asleep an hour earlier.

3259
03:54:37.120 --> 03:54:40.520
Michael could be a spaz sometimes, but he was never

3260
03:54:40.639 --> 03:54:44.760
a woos. My eyes went from him back to the grinner,

3261
03:54:45.280 --> 03:54:51.040
whose demented happy face remained thankfully unchanged. At that moment,

3262
03:54:51.120 --> 03:54:56.639
I realized maybe I was a little scared too, Mikey,

3263
03:54:57.200 --> 03:54:59.840
if you're that afraid, it's okay. You can go home

3264
03:55:00.000 --> 03:55:02.680
and I'll take care of business. The party isn't far

3265
03:55:02.719 --> 03:55:06.479
from here anyhow, I bluffed, knowing full well that he

3266
03:55:06.479 --> 03:55:10.360
would never leave me alone in such a situation. Plus

3267
03:55:10.559 --> 03:55:13.600
I really didn't want him to. It was a creepy night,

3268
03:55:13.639 --> 03:55:17.399
and I felt better with him having my back. Okay,

3269
03:55:17.680 --> 03:55:20.959
see tomorrow. All of a sudden, my best friend turned

3270
03:55:21.000 --> 03:55:24.959
into a chubby, Midwestern speedy Gunzales as he ran out

3271
03:55:24.959 --> 03:55:27.639
of sight faster than I had ever seen him move before.

3272
03:55:28.680 --> 03:55:31.920
Dang it, I yelled as I stood there all alone,

3273
03:55:32.399 --> 03:55:36.920
nervously picking at my Freddy Krueger melted skin makeup, which

3274
03:55:37.040 --> 03:55:40.239
was failing to stay adhered to my face. I'd have

3275
03:55:40.360 --> 03:55:42.319
to stop by home on my way to the party

3276
03:55:42.360 --> 03:55:46.200
to get more spirit gum My plastic razor glove replica

3277
03:55:46.360 --> 03:55:49.600
was tapping on my sack of candy as I stalled

3278
03:55:49.639 --> 03:55:54.760
for dear life. I really wasn't alone, though. The Grinner

3279
03:55:54.879 --> 03:55:58.200
hadn't moved a millimeter in the four or five minutes

3280
03:55:58.360 --> 03:56:03.680
since I arrived. Thank God for small favors. I suddenly

3281
03:56:03.719 --> 03:56:06.559
realized I had been staring with my jaw agape at

3282
03:56:06.600 --> 03:56:11.200
the freaky shape and averted my eyes. I'm from the Midwest,

3283
03:56:11.280 --> 03:56:13.760
and my mama taught me it's not polite to stare.

3284
03:56:14.559 --> 03:56:18.559
It was a reflex. The sounds of crickets and distant

3285
03:56:18.639 --> 03:56:21.479
dogs barking were deafening to my ears. As I now

3286
03:56:21.520 --> 03:56:25.520
stood in front of McClellan Hall, purposefully not looking at

3287
03:56:25.520 --> 03:56:29.479
the Grinner. A feeling started to rumble inside me as

3288
03:56:29.520 --> 03:56:34.559
I realized I felt angry. I was really ticked off.

3289
03:56:35.479 --> 03:56:38.399
Come on, I'm the king of Halloween. I'm the kid

3290
03:56:38.399 --> 03:56:40.799
that watched all seven Nightmare on Elm Street movies in

3291
03:56:40.799 --> 03:56:44.000
a row. I've played with Ouiji boards on Friday the thirteenth.

3292
03:56:44.200 --> 03:56:47.479
The Grinner was just some stupid life sized sock puppet

3293
03:56:47.639 --> 03:56:49.959
that we turned into a legend because our town is

3294
03:56:50.120 --> 03:56:54.239
that boring. My chest puffed out under my red and

3295
03:56:54.280 --> 03:56:59.559
green striped sweater. I'm Robin Osborne. I am not afraid

3296
03:56:59.760 --> 03:57:04.440
of anything. Tonight is Halloween, the one night a year

3297
03:57:04.680 --> 03:57:07.719
when the stupid and gross things I love are cool.

3298
03:57:08.440 --> 03:57:12.280
It's my night, dang it. I stomped my feet hard

3299
03:57:12.319 --> 03:57:14.879
as I headed straight for the Grinner, who sat still

3300
03:57:14.920 --> 03:57:19.520
in his chair, candy bowl waiting. I stopped as I

3301
03:57:19.600 --> 03:57:24.360
was almost exactly face to stitched up sack with him.

3302
03:57:24.920 --> 03:57:27.639
I looked down at the handwritten sign around his neck.

3303
03:57:28.479 --> 03:57:34.520
Please take only one. The only was underlined. I read

3304
03:57:34.520 --> 03:57:38.559
that phrase three or four times. Then I laughed to

3305
03:57:38.600 --> 03:57:43.079
myself and reached into the bowl. Thanks, old pal, I

3306
03:57:43.200 --> 03:57:47.360
taunted as I took exactly two pieces and placed them

3307
03:57:47.360 --> 03:57:51.559
into my bag. I flinched out of nowhere, like something

3308
03:57:51.559 --> 03:57:56.680
had startled me, except there was nothing, nothing but silence.

3309
03:57:57.760 --> 03:58:01.559
The Grinner was as motionless as ever. I took a

3310
03:58:01.600 --> 03:58:05.280
few deep breaths as I regained my calm. I locked

3311
03:58:05.319 --> 03:58:09.360
my eyes on its lumpy visage. That grin of his

3312
03:58:09.719 --> 03:58:13.680
really was eerie, but it was time for me to

3313
03:58:13.719 --> 03:58:19.120
get ahead. For once get it ahead. I set my

3314
03:58:19.280 --> 03:58:22.159
candy down on the grass and brought both of my

3315
03:58:22.280 --> 03:58:27.159
hands up. I stopped and removed my plastic Freddy Krueger glove.

3316
03:58:28.000 --> 03:58:31.479
It may have been great for slashing teenagers, but its

3317
03:58:31.520 --> 03:58:36.079
tensile strength was well below par my palms were both

3318
03:58:36.200 --> 03:58:40.680
so unbelievably clammy. Even in the crisp forty six degree night,

3319
03:58:42.000 --> 03:58:47.479
my hands were finally functioning again and going closer and

3320
03:58:47.639 --> 03:58:53.079
closer to the Grinner's noggin. I winced, ever so slightly,

3321
03:58:53.799 --> 03:58:57.639
when my hands made contact with the coarse fabric that

3322
03:58:57.760 --> 03:59:02.120
made up his flesh. It felt a bit harder than

3323
03:59:02.159 --> 03:59:06.079
I was expecting, definitely not filled with hay or cotton.

3324
03:59:06.719 --> 03:59:10.719
I grasped both sides of the head and took a

3325
03:59:10.760 --> 03:59:15.040
deep breath while biting down softly on my tongue. As

3326
03:59:15.079 --> 03:59:18.200
I lifted the head, I was also surprised by the

3327
03:59:18.200 --> 03:59:21.399
weight of it. I could still lift it no problem,

3328
03:59:21.440 --> 03:59:25.600
but I had expected it to be pretty airy. Must

3329
03:59:25.639 --> 03:59:28.959
be filled with sand or kitty litter or something. I

3330
03:59:29.079 --> 03:59:32.280
was right. The head doesn't appear to be attached by

3331
03:59:32.360 --> 03:59:36.280
more than a couple of threads. I lifted harder and

3332
03:59:36.479 --> 03:59:39.959
heard the few threads snap. As I held the head

3333
03:59:40.000 --> 03:59:45.639
above the padded shoulders ah the Grinner's arms suddenly shot

3334
03:59:45.719 --> 03:59:47.879
up and grabbed me by the wrists. I bit my

3335
03:59:47.959 --> 03:59:51.399
tongue hard as my entire body tensed in absolute terror.

3336
03:59:51.959 --> 03:59:54.840
He pulled my arms downward and forced me to place

3337
03:59:54.879 --> 03:59:59.639
his head on the makeshift neck. At that moment, the

3338
03:59:59.680 --> 04:00:04.120
grin stood up. Our height difference was sizeable, to say

3339
04:00:04.159 --> 04:00:09.879
the least. Oh my god. The stitched lips began to separate,

3340
04:00:11.079 --> 04:00:14.760
but instead of revealing roe upon row of carnivorous teeth,

3341
04:00:15.600 --> 04:00:21.000
he had more average teeth. In fact, his two front

3342
04:00:21.000 --> 04:00:25.639
teeth protruded lower than the rest. The bucktoothed living dummy

3343
04:00:25.799 --> 04:00:30.959
smiled and began to speak. Hello boy, are you having

3344
04:00:31.040 --> 04:00:35.879
a happy Halloween? He hissed in an oddly friendly tone.

3345
04:00:37.040 --> 04:00:39.959
I tried to answer as best I could, but I

3346
04:00:40.120 --> 04:00:48.000
was gagging on blood flowing freely from my tongue. Yes, well,

3347
04:00:48.799 --> 04:00:51.360
just you wait, You and I are going to have

3348
04:00:51.559 --> 04:00:57.159
the best Halloween ever, full of adventures, laughter, and candy. Candy, candy.

3349
04:00:57.879 --> 04:01:04.280
He chuckled his laughter child with glee. Really, I didn't

3350
04:01:04.360 --> 04:01:08.559
know what to think. Of course, I exist for Halloween.

3351
04:01:08.639 --> 04:01:11.719
It's my favorite night, and you've awakened me to be

3352
04:01:11.799 --> 04:01:15.959
your companion for a spooky good time. The grinner then

3353
04:01:16.079 --> 04:01:19.239
puffed out his chest as he began to recite a

3354
04:01:19.239 --> 04:01:22.280
poem that reminded me of black and white movies.

3355
04:01:23.920 --> 04:01:28.000
One hundred years and one hundred nights for all the children.

3356
04:01:28.159 --> 04:01:32.239
I bring them frights, But I'm really truly quite kind.

3357
04:01:32.680 --> 04:01:36.719
Only fun and friends are on my mind. I participate

3358
04:01:36.799 --> 04:01:40.559
in all the spooky fun. My only rule is that

3359
04:01:40.600 --> 04:01:44.840
you take only one. The truth is, boy, you're a winner.

3360
04:01:45.159 --> 04:01:47.280
You've made best friends with the Grinner.

3361
04:01:48.639 --> 04:01:51.799
So we're gonna have fun and get candy, and you're

3362
04:01:51.840 --> 04:01:56.719
gonna show me Halloween's magic. The Grinner laughed so deeply,

3363
04:01:57.399 --> 04:02:06.799
so truly, with happiness and joy. Oh goodness, no I

3364
04:02:06.959 --> 04:02:13.799
eat children. As his smile opened, his mouth grew and grew,

3365
04:02:14.879 --> 04:02:27.000
and I never did. Ghost in the Graveyard by Rob Fields.

3366
04:02:28.600 --> 04:02:32.520
It was the final week of October in Strickfield. After

3367
04:02:32.600 --> 04:02:36.600
the previous year's Halloween. The people of Strickfield had voted

3368
04:02:36.600 --> 04:02:40.760
into village law by a huge majority that tricker Treating

3369
04:02:40.879 --> 04:02:46.000
was extended to a full week instead of just Halloween

3370
04:02:46.079 --> 04:02:50.639
Eve and Halloween Night as in previous years. The news

3371
04:02:50.639 --> 04:02:54.799
had reached surrounding villages and even the bigger megalopolises like

3372
04:02:54.879 --> 04:02:59.799
Shore City and Erie City. People came from everywhere to

3373
04:02:59.799 --> 04:03:03.879
take part in the legendary event. Because there was never

3374
04:03:04.000 --> 04:03:08.360
any age discrimination, and with the annual tradition being a

3375
04:03:08.399 --> 04:03:13.280
week more people came than ever. It was on the

3376
04:03:13.399 --> 04:03:18.639
final night, Halloween Night, when Bill Chapman, Brian Chunk, and

3377
04:03:18.760 --> 04:03:23.280
Richie Horton were out making their rounds. Their pillowcases were

3378
04:03:23.399 --> 04:03:28.159
stuffed with all the candy and other goodies they'd collected. Man,

3379
04:03:28.440 --> 04:03:31.719
I can't believe we actually did the whole week. Horton,

3380
04:03:31.840 --> 04:03:35.559
who was dressed as a Cobra Chai fighter, said, I know,

3381
04:03:35.680 --> 04:03:38.440
we said we'd do a few days, but I know.

3382
04:03:39.079 --> 04:03:42.200
Chapman agreed, who was dressed as an army soldier to

3383
04:03:42.280 --> 04:03:45.559
match his crew cut. Yeah, but look at all the

3384
04:03:45.639 --> 04:03:49.719
candy we got. Chunker reminded them he was dressed as

3385
04:03:49.719 --> 04:03:52.920
a zombie. We got so much stuff, we'll probably be

3386
04:03:53.000 --> 04:03:57.520
eating it until next Halloween. Chapman sneered, I'd be surprised

3387
04:03:57.559 --> 04:04:01.520
if even you can eat that much candy. Chunk Chunker

3388
04:04:01.600 --> 04:04:04.319
had made good on his promise to lose weight upon

3389
04:04:04.399 --> 04:04:09.200
surviving their horrible ordeal with Abigail Tomlin in what seemed

3390
04:04:09.280 --> 04:04:12.879
like only a few short months ago. He was still

3391
04:04:12.920 --> 04:04:16.360
a little chunky, but his weight loss was quite noticeable.

3392
04:04:16.399 --> 04:04:20.159
Between the summer and now. In spite of the weight loss,

3393
04:04:20.239 --> 04:04:24.440
Chunker found he still had his same monstrous appetite and

3394
04:04:24.600 --> 04:04:27.440
exercised more in order to keep from putting the weight

3395
04:04:27.520 --> 04:04:32.600
back on. Chunker'll probably end up getting diabetes, Horton stated.

3396
04:04:33.399 --> 04:04:39.639
When Chapman and Horton both laughed, Chunker just looked at them. Yeah, yeah, man,

3397
04:04:39.719 --> 04:04:43.559
these pillow sacks are heavy. Chapman said, maybe we should

3398
04:04:43.600 --> 04:04:48.079
head back to the clubhouse again. Good idea, Horton agreed.

3399
04:04:48.920 --> 04:04:51.479
The boys walked a couple of blocks to get to

3400
04:04:51.520 --> 04:04:55.479
their clubhouse, which was the old tool shed in Chunker's backyard.

3401
04:04:56.040 --> 04:04:58.719
His dad built a new garage with some extra space

3402
04:04:58.760 --> 04:05:01.639
for the tools and told Brian he and his friends

3403
04:05:01.680 --> 04:05:05.399
could use the old shed for their hangout. They walked

3404
04:05:05.440 --> 04:05:08.799
in and emptied their pillowcases into the large chest, where

3405
04:05:08.840 --> 04:05:12.879
their haul for the week continued to grow and grow.

3406
04:05:13.600 --> 04:05:15.680
Looks like if we make one last set of rounds,

3407
04:05:15.680 --> 04:05:19.440
we can actually fill this bad boy up completely, Chunker stated.

3408
04:05:20.360 --> 04:05:23.600
Chapman looked at his watch. We still got time. We

3409
04:05:23.719 --> 04:05:25.959
started at six and trig or treating doesn't get done

3410
04:05:26.040 --> 04:05:30.239
until midnight, and there's no school tomorrow. Horton looked at

3411
04:05:30.239 --> 04:05:33.360
both of his friends. We're really going back out for

3412
04:05:33.479 --> 04:05:38.319
more candy. What you don't want to. Chapman asked. Horton

3413
04:05:38.399 --> 04:05:41.639
glanced over at the chest. I'm just wondering if Chunk

3414
04:05:41.680 --> 04:05:43.799
girls start on the candy, since it's all here at

3415
04:05:43.799 --> 04:05:47.879
his place. Chapman pointed right at Brian. You don't want

3416
04:05:47.879 --> 04:05:50.040
to be eating all the candy in one night, buddy,

3417
04:05:50.840 --> 04:05:54.879
Chunker gave a mischievous grin. You never know, I just

3418
04:05:55.000 --> 04:05:57.040
might get the munchies in the middle of the night.

3419
04:05:57.840 --> 04:06:02.280
Chapman tightened his jaw. I mean it, Chunker, don't you even.

3420
04:06:03.040 --> 04:06:08.840
Chunker picked up his pillowcase and walked slowly to the door. Fine.

3421
04:06:09.079 --> 04:06:12.760
When Chunker stopped in the doorway, Horton and Chapman heard

3422
04:06:12.799 --> 04:06:18.479
what sounded like a very loud trumpet playing. When it stopped,

3423
04:06:18.799 --> 04:06:22.040
Chunker quickly went outside and slammed the door shut. He

3424
04:06:22.159 --> 04:06:24.879
pressed himself up against the door and soon felt the

3425
04:06:24.920 --> 04:06:28.840
others pushing to get out. Chunker started laughing as the

3426
04:06:28.879 --> 04:06:31.799
others were pounding and pushing hard on the door. He

3427
04:06:31.840 --> 04:06:37.479
could even hear Horton coughing, open the open the door,

3428
04:06:37.520 --> 04:06:39.120
you uneducated piece of pork.

3429
04:06:39.159 --> 04:06:39.520
Fat.

3430
04:06:40.000 --> 04:06:46.120
Chapman yelled, Oh my god, come on, Chunker, Horton protested,

3431
04:06:46.159 --> 04:06:50.799
after gagging, we're gonna die in here. Finally, Chunker got

3432
04:06:50.840 --> 04:06:53.959
caught off guard when Chapman backed up and ran against

3433
04:06:54.000 --> 04:06:57.520
the door to both force it open and knock Chunker down.

3434
04:06:58.200 --> 04:07:00.440
Horton ended up falling on top of both of his

3435
04:07:00.559 --> 04:07:04.840
friends and sucking for fresh air. Chunker was really laughing

3436
04:07:04.879 --> 04:07:08.799
it up now. After Chapman eased Horton off him, he

3437
04:07:08.920 --> 04:07:12.079
got up and pointed down at Chunker. You really are

3438
04:07:12.120 --> 04:07:14.600
a sick pig man. I can't believe you tried to

3439
04:07:14.680 --> 04:07:18.760
kill us like that. Seriously, what did you eat earlier?

3440
04:07:19.120 --> 04:07:22.920
Horton demanded. Then he gagged and moved farther away from

3441
04:07:22.920 --> 04:07:27.120
the clubhouse. Yeah, keep the door open, Chapman told Horton.

3442
04:07:27.799 --> 04:07:30.760
Then he said to Chunker, that's the last time we

3443
04:07:30.840 --> 04:07:33.520
go to Denoyer's Grille with you before we trick or treat.

3444
04:07:34.280 --> 04:07:37.479
Then he coughed and stepped away from the clubhouse and

3445
04:07:37.639 --> 04:07:42.360
lay off that sweet potato pie. After waiting several minutes,

3446
04:07:42.479 --> 04:07:45.840
Chapman and Horton went back inside to get their pillowcases.

3447
04:07:46.399 --> 04:07:49.000
From there, they headed back out and onto the streets

3448
04:07:49.000 --> 04:07:53.159
of Strickfield for more trick or treating. They'd received several

3449
04:07:53.200 --> 04:07:56.799
comments from houses taking part about how they'd been around

3450
04:07:56.879 --> 04:08:01.000
many times throughout the week, just the same. They still

3451
04:08:01.040 --> 04:08:04.200
gave them the treats. After all, Strickfield was the one

3452
04:08:04.319 --> 04:08:08.040
village where there was no discrimination for trick or treating.

3453
04:08:08.799 --> 04:08:14.120
It was around eleven o'clock when the boys reached Denoyer's grill. Now, remember, Chunker,

3454
04:08:14.520 --> 04:08:18.639
we're not going in for food. Chapman reminded him, you

3455
04:08:18.799 --> 04:08:21.959
just said you needed a bathroom break. I know, I know,

3456
04:08:22.319 --> 04:08:25.719
he replied, and opened the door. The boys walked inside

3457
04:08:25.760 --> 04:08:29.079
to a still packed dining room. They knew October was

3458
04:08:29.120 --> 04:08:32.079
the biggest month where Denoyer's grill got the most business

3459
04:08:32.680 --> 04:08:35.520
this year. Business really picked up during the first full

3460
04:08:35.559 --> 04:08:39.200
week of trick or treating. Now it was Halloween night

3461
04:08:39.440 --> 04:08:43.000
and people were still packing Denoyer's grill. It was also

3462
04:08:43.200 --> 04:08:46.159
known that Denoyer paid his people extra for working this

3463
04:08:46.280 --> 04:08:50.959
time of year. Back again, boys, huh, Denoyer asked, pleasantly,

3464
04:08:51.680 --> 04:08:55.639
just using the bathroom? Chunker told him, you know where

3465
04:08:55.639 --> 04:08:58.719
it is. They walked to the men's room and went in.

3466
04:08:59.360 --> 04:09:02.559
When they were fit f Chapman looked at Horton, Hey,

3467
04:09:03.239 --> 04:09:06.760
where's Chunker. Horton gave a grim look that said he

3468
04:09:06.840 --> 04:09:10.280
knew the two of them finished washing their hands and

3469
04:09:10.319 --> 04:09:13.520
came outside to find Chunker sitting at the counter and

3470
04:09:13.559 --> 04:09:18.280
eating a piece of Denoyer's famous sweet Potato pie. Horton

3471
04:09:18.360 --> 04:09:21.280
pointed to the pie, this is why you blew up

3472
04:09:21.319 --> 04:09:25.000
the clubhouse earlier. This is what your fifth piece today

3473
04:09:26.000 --> 04:09:30.159
sixth Chunker corrected him. Come on, guys, you know I

3474
04:09:30.159 --> 04:09:33.000
don't feel right using the restroom here and not putting

3475
04:09:33.079 --> 04:09:37.079
into the till. Chapman wanted to yell again, but he

3476
04:09:37.280 --> 04:09:41.239
sighed and ordered some French fries. Horton ordered a soft drink.

3477
04:09:41.879 --> 04:09:45.399
After they finished, they left Denoyer's grill and headed back out.

3478
04:09:46.440 --> 04:09:50.239
We only got forty minutes until midnight, Horton said, Do

3479
04:09:50.319 --> 04:09:52.559
we just head back to the clubhouse or do we

3480
04:09:52.639 --> 04:09:55.840
ride it out and get more candy. I think we

3481
04:09:55.959 --> 04:09:57.719
got more than enough to fill the rest of the

3482
04:09:57.799 --> 04:10:03.000
chest back at the clubhouse, Chunkers stated, still, forty minutes

3483
04:10:03.040 --> 04:10:05.520
is forty minutes. Might as well end on a high note.

3484
04:10:06.120 --> 04:10:08.879
Even Chapman wasn't going to give Chunker a hard time.

3485
04:10:09.399 --> 04:10:12.440
They'd started trick or treating right at six every night.

3486
04:10:12.799 --> 04:10:15.719
When Trick or Treat Week started and went all the

3487
04:10:15.719 --> 04:10:20.159
way until the end. They knew they couldn't stop now.

3488
04:10:20.239 --> 04:10:23.479
Just a little while longer, and they'd have officially Tricker

3489
04:10:23.600 --> 04:10:27.639
Treated for seven nights straight from start to finish. The

3490
04:10:27.680 --> 04:10:30.680
boys managed to make the rounds on four more blocks

3491
04:10:30.719 --> 04:10:33.959
before it was almost midnight and the week long Trick

3492
04:10:34.040 --> 04:10:37.760
or Treat festivities would be over for the season. We

3493
04:10:37.879 --> 04:10:41.520
really did it, guys, Horton said, with pride. We got

3494
04:10:41.559 --> 04:10:44.840
more candy than we ever did before, and probably from

3495
04:10:44.840 --> 04:10:48.280
all of our other years combined. Yeah, we did, didn't we.

3496
04:10:48.760 --> 04:10:54.000
Chapman agreed, I'm surprised. Chunker here went the distance. Yeah, yeah,

3497
04:10:54.120 --> 04:10:58.440
when have I ever not? Chunker demanded, well, he did

3498
04:10:58.600 --> 04:11:01.920
keep up with us on that night last summer, Horton recalled,

3499
04:11:02.680 --> 04:11:06.920
Chapman pointed at him, don't you even talk about that toothpick?

3500
04:11:07.319 --> 04:11:10.440
We said we'd never talk about Abigail Tomlin ever again.

3501
04:11:11.360 --> 04:11:14.840
When he saw both Horton and Chunker giving him strange looks,

3502
04:11:15.200 --> 04:11:20.079
he started to wonder himself. He got confirmation when Chunker

3503
04:11:20.159 --> 04:11:23.719
pointed at him, here's still dreaming about her, too, ain't you.

3504
04:11:24.879 --> 04:11:27.479
Chapman didn't want to admit it, but the look on

3505
04:11:27.559 --> 04:11:32.600
his face said enough. Horton adjusted his circular glasses face

3506
04:11:32.639 --> 04:11:35.760
it you guys, We've never been able to forget about

3507
04:11:35.760 --> 04:11:40.680
that ghostly woman. It had been just shortly after the

3508
04:11:40.719 --> 04:11:44.840
boys had finished sixth grade and their time at Strickfield Elementary.

3509
04:11:45.719 --> 04:11:49.280
Now they were at Strickfield Junior High. As much as

3510
04:11:49.319 --> 04:11:52.879
they had tried, they just couldn't forget the horror they

3511
04:11:52.920 --> 04:11:56.959
had experienced on the cry Baby Bridge on Indian Hollow Road.

3512
04:11:58.000 --> 04:12:01.440
It was just supposed to be an urban ledge. Brian

3513
04:12:01.520 --> 04:12:04.440
and his older brother Kenny made plans to scare Horton

3514
04:12:04.520 --> 04:12:07.159
and Chapman by making it seem like the legend of

3515
04:12:07.200 --> 04:12:11.239
the cry Baby Bridge was real. Kenny had even gone

3516
04:12:11.239 --> 04:12:13.440
so far as to mount a speaker at the bridge

3517
04:12:13.440 --> 04:12:17.959
to amplify the sounds of a little baby crying. The

3518
04:12:18.079 --> 04:12:21.479
joke had worked, and Horton and Chapman were both scared.

3519
04:12:22.159 --> 04:12:25.680
Kenny revealed the speaker before he took it down and

3520
04:12:25.760 --> 04:12:29.239
went home. But what the three boys were about to

3521
04:12:29.280 --> 04:12:31.559
find out was that the legend of the cry Baby

3522
04:12:31.559 --> 04:12:36.440
Bridge was indeed true. They not only heard a baby

3523
04:12:36.479 --> 04:12:41.000
crying Arthur Tomlin, but his mother had appeared in her horrible,

3524
04:12:41.479 --> 04:12:45.639
ghostly form. The boys were soon running for their very

3525
04:12:45.719 --> 04:12:49.639
lives when Abigail Tomlin chased them through very heavy winds

3526
04:12:49.639 --> 04:12:54.360
conjured up by the haunting itself. The boys barely made

3527
04:12:54.360 --> 04:12:57.319
it as the morning sun came up and sent Abigail

3528
04:12:57.360 --> 04:13:01.399
Tomlin back to whatever nether world she made have come from.

3529
04:13:01.760 --> 04:13:04.840
From that moment on, the boys made it a point

3530
04:13:04.959 --> 04:13:08.840
to never go anywhere near that bridge on Indian Hollow

3531
04:13:08.920 --> 04:13:13.559
Road ever again. Brian really wanted to tell Kenny that

3532
04:13:13.639 --> 04:13:16.000
the legend of the cry Baby Bridge was real, but

3533
04:13:16.120 --> 04:13:19.760
he reconsidered when he realized Kenny might actually go out

3534
04:13:19.799 --> 04:13:23.959
there and check the legend out for himself. After all,

3535
04:13:24.239 --> 04:13:26.440
their father was the one who told the brothers the

3536
04:13:26.520 --> 04:13:31.280
story of the cry Baby Bridge. Naturally, Brian wanted to

3537
04:13:31.280 --> 04:13:35.959
see if the legend was true. Many times over, he'd

3538
04:13:36.000 --> 04:13:39.799
wished he hadn't. The boys had never been the same

3539
04:13:39.879 --> 04:13:44.280
after that. They kept having awful nightmares about Abigail Tomlin

3540
04:13:44.559 --> 04:13:47.200
and the horrible ordeal that had cost her both her

3541
04:13:47.239 --> 04:13:51.200
life and that of her baby son. Both of them

3542
04:13:51.280 --> 04:13:53.959
died on that very bridge as a result of her

3543
04:13:54.000 --> 04:13:58.280
tyrannical husband and the gunfight she had lost to him

3544
04:13:58.959 --> 04:14:02.440
many many years ago. The boys felt deep down that

3545
04:14:02.479 --> 04:14:06.600
Abigail Tomlin wasn't finished with them, not by a long shot.

3546
04:14:07.680 --> 04:14:10.959
I really didn't want to say it. Horton finally confessed,

3547
04:14:12.280 --> 04:14:16.000
she's coming back for us. I think she's just waiting

3548
04:14:16.040 --> 04:14:19.440
for the right time. How's she going to come back

3549
04:14:19.479 --> 04:14:22.959
for us? Chapman demanded, None of us have ever gone

3550
04:14:22.959 --> 04:14:26.799
back to Indian Hollow Road right. Chunker shook his head.

3551
04:14:27.280 --> 04:14:33.239
I haven't, no way me neither. Horton confessed I haven't either.

3552
04:14:33.680 --> 04:14:37.319
Chapman also confessed. Then he reached out and swung his

3553
04:14:37.319 --> 04:14:40.760
fist at nothing. Why are we still dreaming about her? Then?

3554
04:14:41.159 --> 04:14:44.000
It's like she's still haunting us. I don't want to

3555
04:14:44.000 --> 04:14:47.040
say anything to mom and dad. I don't know what

3556
04:14:47.120 --> 04:14:51.000
they'd say. Well, my mom would likely take me to

3557
04:14:51.079 --> 04:14:55.440
a shrink. Horton piped up. She already thinks I'm crazy enough,

3558
04:14:55.840 --> 04:14:59.079
especially since I'm hanging around with you two. Both of

3559
04:14:59.120 --> 04:15:03.000
them sighed they knew Horton's mother never really liked either

3560
04:15:03.079 --> 04:15:06.879
of them. Still, she never forbade her son from being

3561
04:15:06.920 --> 04:15:10.200
friends with them. Chapman and Chunker didn't want to give

3562
04:15:10.200 --> 04:15:14.639
Horton's mom a reason to finally reconsider that the three

3563
04:15:14.680 --> 04:15:17.200
of them had been friends since first grade at Strickfield

3564
04:15:17.200 --> 04:15:21.280
elementary and had been through a lot together. While they

3565
04:15:21.280 --> 04:15:25.159
were different in so many ways, they made their friendship last.

3566
04:15:25.280 --> 04:15:28.799
Going into junior high. They knew they didn't want their

3567
04:15:28.840 --> 04:15:33.360
group to end. Abigail Tomlin's going to keep driving us crazy,

3568
04:15:33.799 --> 04:15:38.840
Chunker stated, I'm surprised we aren't already nuts. Or maybe

3569
04:15:38.840 --> 04:15:42.239
we are and we just don't know it yet. Horton interjected,

3570
04:15:42.840 --> 04:15:47.079
shut up. Chapman snapped, pushing Horton a little. Then he groaned,

3571
04:15:47.799 --> 04:15:50.040
let's go back to the clubhouse and talk about this

3572
04:15:50.079 --> 04:15:53.280
some more. I don't want to talk about this out here.

3573
04:15:54.360 --> 04:15:59.920
Good idea, Chunker agreed. The boys turned down a nearby street,

3574
04:16:00.200 --> 04:16:03.440
which took them past the gated community where it was

3575
04:16:03.479 --> 04:16:06.799
all Mirans. It always seemed to be the one area

3576
04:16:06.840 --> 04:16:11.360
of Strickfield that stood out around October in December. The

3577
04:16:11.440 --> 04:16:15.280
Mirans never opened their gated community for Halloween for trick

3578
04:16:15.319 --> 04:16:19.760
or treating, and they certainly never decorated for Christmas. The

3579
04:16:19.799 --> 04:16:22.920
boys were quick to notice how deathly still it seemed

3580
04:16:22.959 --> 04:16:26.680
on the outside. They kept walking until they were clear

3581
04:16:26.760 --> 04:16:31.399
of the gated community. The boys continued to walk in silence.

3582
04:16:32.000 --> 04:16:34.799
They would only have about three blocks before they'd reached

3583
04:16:34.879 --> 04:16:39.200
Chunker's house and their clubhouse. They'd just finished walking the

3584
04:16:39.239 --> 04:16:43.000
first block and crossed into the second. They were about

3585
04:16:43.000 --> 04:16:46.079
a quarter mile into the block when they started to

3586
04:16:46.120 --> 04:16:50.959
pass village cemetery. It was then when they heard some

3587
04:16:51.239 --> 04:16:58.239
sounds in the distance. You guys hear that, Chunker asked quietly.

3588
04:16:59.079 --> 04:17:05.040
Sounds like little kids playing. Chapman replied, scratching his bird head.

3589
04:17:05.879 --> 04:17:10.040
It's after midnight, Horton noted. Then he checked his smart watch,

3590
04:17:10.879 --> 04:17:15.120
it's almost twelve thirty. Yeah, but we're in junior High.

3591
04:17:15.600 --> 04:17:20.040
Chapman stressed, the cops aren't going to say anything to us. Besides,

3592
04:17:20.040 --> 04:17:23.520
we're not too far from Chunker's house. We might as

3593
04:17:23.520 --> 04:17:28.120
well keep moving, Chunker suggested. Then they heard the sounds

3594
04:17:28.479 --> 04:17:36.959
of the little kids laughing in the cemetery again. The

3595
04:17:37.040 --> 04:17:41.440
boys wanted to turn away and keep going, but deep down,

3596
04:17:42.680 --> 04:17:46.879
we should head inside and check on those kids. Chapman said, yeah,

3597
04:17:46.920 --> 04:17:51.040
but Horton stammered. When he saw the slight glare on

3598
04:17:51.120 --> 04:17:55.360
Chapman's face, he sighed, yeah, you're right. It is too

3599
04:17:55.399 --> 04:17:58.040
late for those kids to be out here and in

3600
04:17:58.079 --> 04:18:02.120
a graveyard, Chunker added. The boys went to the cemetery

3601
04:18:02.319 --> 04:18:07.159
entrance and found the iron gates were locked. When they

3602
04:18:07.200 --> 04:18:11.559
heard the children laughing again, they realized they had only

3603
04:18:11.639 --> 04:18:13.959
one way inside.

3604
04:18:14.680 --> 04:18:19.440
Did you hear that? Better check the locks on your doors. Weakly, spooky,

3605
04:18:19.639 --> 04:18:20.680
We'll be right back.

3606
04:18:23.600 --> 04:18:26.639
They tossed their pillow cases of candy over the wall

3607
04:18:27.200 --> 04:18:30.879
and scaled it to get inside. After dropping to the

3608
04:18:30.920 --> 04:18:34.920
grass below, they picked up their candy and stashed it

3609
04:18:35.000 --> 04:18:38.399
until they could come back for it and leave over there,

3610
04:18:39.000 --> 04:18:42.559
Chunker said, pointing in the direction of the laughter. The

3611
04:18:42.639 --> 04:18:47.760
boys walked cautiously through the seemingly endless rows of tombstones.

3612
04:18:48.840 --> 04:18:53.879
Village Cemetery wasn't nearly as big as Strickfield Cemetery, but

3613
04:18:53.959 --> 04:18:57.760
it may as well have been with the atmosphere. There

3614
04:18:57.799 --> 04:19:01.680
was a light fog among the tombstone Even though it

3615
04:19:01.760 --> 04:19:06.799
was officially November first, now Halloween night itself continued into

3616
04:19:06.840 --> 04:19:11.639
the late hours in many places. Strickfield was no exception.

3617
04:19:12.920 --> 04:19:15.360
I can't believe I'm walking around in a graveyard on

3618
04:19:15.440 --> 04:19:21.559
Halloween night, Horton groaned, Yeah, yeah, Chucker muttered, stick close.

3619
04:19:22.319 --> 04:19:27.280
The boys kept walking cautiously through the cemetery until they

3620
04:19:27.319 --> 04:19:30.840
came upon the scene of the laughter. It looked as

3621
04:19:30.879 --> 04:19:34.000
though a group of children were in their halloween costumes.

3622
04:19:34.719 --> 04:19:40.079
They were laughing as it seemed they were playing a game. Well,

3623
04:19:40.600 --> 04:19:45.559
it don't look like they're in any danger, Chunker observed. Okay,

3624
04:19:46.120 --> 04:19:49.680
guess we can go home. Then Horton uttered quickly. As

3625
04:19:49.719 --> 04:19:53.639
Horton turned away, Chapman snatched his wrist. Come on, dude,

3626
04:19:53.719 --> 04:19:59.079
really don't forget safety in numbers here. When Horton calmed down,

3627
04:19:59.399 --> 04:20:02.959
Chapman led go of him. The boys watched the children

3628
04:20:03.079 --> 04:20:07.079
still playing their game. They weren't sure what the game was,

3629
04:20:07.159 --> 04:20:10.600
but it looked like some form of hide and seek.

3630
04:20:11.760 --> 04:20:14.079
Before the boys were going to talk about what to

3631
04:20:14.120 --> 04:20:17.600
do next, Ghost in the Graveyard, Ghost in the Graveyard,

3632
04:20:17.799 --> 04:20:21.120
the boys shrieked with fright before they turned around to

3633
04:20:21.200 --> 04:20:24.200
see a little girl dressed as Little Red riding Hood

3634
04:20:24.600 --> 04:20:28.520
pointing at Chunker in his zombie makeup. Ghost in the Graveyard,

3635
04:20:28.559 --> 04:20:32.520
Ghost in the Graveyard. She called out again. It wasn't

3636
04:20:32.559 --> 04:20:35.239
long before a little boy came up next to the girl.

3637
04:20:35.879 --> 04:20:41.280
His costume looked quite awkward. He appeared to be all wet.

3638
04:20:41.639 --> 04:20:44.920
His makeup was really good because he seemed to look

3639
04:20:45.000 --> 04:20:48.200
like he had some stages of decomposition on his face

3640
04:20:48.760 --> 04:20:53.559
and arms. That's not the ghost, Anna Beth. The boy

3641
04:20:53.639 --> 04:20:56.840
told her the ghost is still around in here, somewhere.

3642
04:20:57.440 --> 04:21:01.000
You know who the ghost is, Annabethe turned to the boy,

3643
04:21:01.360 --> 04:21:05.159
still pointing at Chunker. But he looks like a ghost, too, Arthur.

3644
04:21:06.040 --> 04:21:10.280
Arthur was looking the boys over. It's not him, he

3645
04:21:10.399 --> 04:21:14.440
told Annabeth again. What are you guys doing out here

3646
04:21:14.479 --> 04:21:18.280
in the cemetery? Chapman asked, it's after midnight. Aren't you

3647
04:21:18.319 --> 04:21:23.520
afraid the cops will come here? Arthur laughed. The police

3648
04:21:23.600 --> 04:21:26.520
never come in here on Halloween. They got way too

3649
04:21:26.600 --> 04:21:29.719
much to do tonight to be looking in here. But

3650
04:21:30.399 --> 04:21:34.959
what are you doing in here? Horton asked, Ah, we're

3651
04:21:35.000 --> 04:21:38.879
playing our favorite game for Halloween, Knight, Ghost in the Graveyard.

3652
04:21:39.360 --> 04:21:43.639
Arthur answered, want to play? The boys looked among themselves

3653
04:21:43.639 --> 04:21:49.399
with uncertainty. Oh, come on, Arthur beckoned, it's Halloween Knight.

3654
04:21:49.520 --> 04:21:52.600
We got the whole graveyard to ourselves. There ain't gonna

3655
04:21:52.600 --> 04:21:55.280
be any cops looking in here. Trust me on this one.

3656
04:21:56.399 --> 04:22:01.479
Uh okay, Horton stammered. We can play a few rounds right,

3657
04:22:02.280 --> 04:22:08.239
No school tomorrow in all, Yeah, okay, Chapman agreed. Chunkers

3658
04:22:08.319 --> 04:22:11.520
seemed just as unsure as his friends, but he still

3659
04:22:11.559 --> 04:22:14.959
gave an affirming nod. Arthur motioned for the boys to

3660
04:22:15.040 --> 04:22:18.360
follow him in Annabeth. He called for the other children,

3661
04:22:18.799 --> 04:22:22.840
who were quick to gather around. Okay, people, these guys

3662
04:22:22.879 --> 04:22:25.840
are playing Ghost in the Graveyard with us. He told them.

3663
04:22:26.440 --> 04:22:29.520
The ghost is still out there. Then he explained the

3664
04:22:29.600 --> 04:22:33.000
rules to the boys as he pointed to the nearby mausoleum.

3665
04:22:33.639 --> 04:22:36.479
That's our home base. We already picked somebody to be

3666
04:22:36.559 --> 04:22:40.319
the ghost. The ghost is out there in this cemetery somewhere.

3667
04:22:40.959 --> 04:22:43.879
Now we'll chant the hours again so the ghost knows

3668
04:22:43.920 --> 04:22:46.719
we got new players in the game. I'll call out

3669
04:22:46.760 --> 04:22:50.120
once we finish the chant. Once I do, we all

3670
04:22:50.120 --> 04:22:53.399
go out looking for the ghost. If anybody spots the ghost,

3671
04:22:53.520 --> 04:22:56.399
you yell ghost in the graveyard and run back to

3672
04:22:56.479 --> 04:23:00.280
home base, the mausoleum. Now, if the ghost catches you

3673
04:23:00.319 --> 04:23:03.360
at any point and you're not at home base, then

3674
04:23:03.440 --> 04:23:08.079
you become the next ghost. Got it? The boys nodded,

3675
04:23:08.639 --> 04:23:12.239
Then Arthur led the chant by chanting the hours. When

3676
04:23:12.239 --> 04:23:17.559
they reached midnight, Arthur called out, midnight midnight. We hope

3677
04:23:17.559 --> 04:23:21.879
we don't see a ghost tonight. Everybody cautiously walked away

3678
04:23:21.879 --> 04:23:26.200
from the mausoleum and started looking around. The boys pulled

3679
04:23:26.239 --> 04:23:29.920
out their smartphones and turned on their camera flashes. They

3680
04:23:29.959 --> 04:23:33.079
found they weren't much help. After a little bit, they

3681
04:23:33.120 --> 04:23:38.079
also noticed they weren't getting any reception. I don't like this,

3682
04:23:38.799 --> 04:23:44.719
Horton whispered. Something's really wrong here. I can feel it. Yeah,

3683
04:23:45.079 --> 04:23:49.360
I feel the same way. Chunker agreed. It'll be okay, guys,

3684
04:23:49.959 --> 04:23:52.799
Chapman said, we'll just play a few rounds and then

3685
04:23:53.120 --> 04:23:56.479
get these kids to go home. You don't sound so

3686
04:23:56.559 --> 04:24:00.840
sure of yourself, Horton said. Chapman didn't have to say it,

3687
04:24:01.280 --> 04:24:03.920
but Horton and Chunker could both see on his face

3688
04:24:04.360 --> 04:24:09.799
that he was just as concerned as them. Just then, Oh,

3689
04:24:09.959 --> 04:24:13.799
come on, Chunker, really, Horton groaned as he coughed and

3690
04:24:13.879 --> 04:24:17.040
waved his hand in front of his face. Chapman was

3691
04:24:17.079 --> 04:24:20.639
also waving his hand in front of his own face. Man, Chunker,

3692
04:24:20.680 --> 04:24:25.760
you gotta stop eating so much of Denoyer's sweet potato pie.

3693
04:24:25.840 --> 04:24:30.399
I'm sorry, guys, Chunker said, quietly. It's kind of scary

3694
04:24:30.399 --> 04:24:35.120
in here. It's no different than during the day. Chapman countered,

3695
04:24:35.600 --> 04:24:39.799
trying to sound more confident than he felt. Don't you

3696
04:24:39.879 --> 04:24:44.280
watch scary movies, Horton demanded, You know what you said,

3697
04:24:44.280 --> 04:24:47.840
ain't right. It's always different in a cemetery at night,

3698
04:24:48.639 --> 04:24:52.600
Chapman groaned. But we're not in a scary movie, nerd.

3699
04:24:53.520 --> 04:24:58.559
You're right, we're in a very scary graveyard on Halloween night.

3700
04:24:59.319 --> 04:25:03.120
Horton said quickly. It was nighttime when we saw a

3701
04:25:03.159 --> 04:25:07.920
ghost over the summer. Yeah, we know, ghosts, surreal, Chapman,

3702
04:25:08.600 --> 04:25:12.200
Chunker reminded him. Chapman looked like he wanted to yell

3703
04:25:12.239 --> 04:25:14.600
at both of them, but he kept his thought to

3704
04:25:14.719 --> 04:25:20.920
himself instead. And you guys see the ghost yet, Horton

3705
04:25:20.959 --> 04:25:26.799
shook his head. No, nope, Chunker replied, could be anywhere,

3706
04:25:27.719 --> 04:25:31.520
and then Arthur joined up with them. It's okay, guys,

3707
04:25:31.680 --> 04:25:34.399
there's nothing to worry about. Once we find the ghost,

3708
04:25:34.440 --> 04:25:38.040
we run back to home base. You sure there's somebody

3709
04:25:38.079 --> 04:25:41.600
being the ghost out there, right, Chunker asked. We've been

3710
04:25:41.600 --> 04:25:46.000
looking around and we haven't seen anybody else except you.

3711
04:25:46.520 --> 04:25:50.959
Horton added, trust me, there is a ghost, Arthur promised,

3712
04:25:51.360 --> 04:25:55.600
probably stalking us right now. Unless the ghost is where

3713
04:25:55.600 --> 04:26:02.000
the others are. No, Horton disagreed. You said, if anybody

3714
04:26:02.040 --> 04:26:06.559
saw the ghost. They're supposed to chant ghost in the graveyard. Yeah,

3715
04:26:06.799 --> 04:26:11.680
we haven't heard anybody chant yet, Chunker stressed. Village cemetery

3716
04:26:11.799 --> 04:26:15.360
was lit decently thanks to the street lights around the paths.

3717
04:26:16.159 --> 04:26:18.639
The boys didn't want to say it, but they seemed

3718
04:26:18.639 --> 04:26:22.479
to think that Arthur's makeup looked more and more realistic

3719
04:26:23.159 --> 04:26:27.959
in terms of the decomposition, and he still looked soaking wet.

3720
04:26:28.600 --> 04:26:31.040
If he was supposed to be a zombie himself, then

3721
04:26:31.520 --> 04:26:35.760
whoever did his makeup was really good. Let's check over

3722
04:26:35.799 --> 04:26:40.360
there at that mausoleum, Arthur suggested. At first, Horton hesitated,

3723
04:26:40.959 --> 04:26:48.079
then Chapman reminded him safety in numbers. Okay, Horton groaned.

3724
04:26:48.719 --> 04:26:52.000
The four boys cautiously walked to the mausoleum. Arthur was

3725
04:26:52.040 --> 04:26:55.040
guiding them too. I'm pretty sure the ghost is hiding

3726
04:26:55.079 --> 04:26:58.719
in there. That's where she was last time. Yeah, but

3727
04:26:59.319 --> 04:27:03.079
wouldn't it beat her to hide somewhere else, Chapman asked.

3728
04:27:03.680 --> 04:27:07.159
Arthur didn't say anything, but they continued until they reached

3729
04:27:07.200 --> 04:27:12.879
the entrance of the mausoleum. Mom you in there, Arthur

3730
04:27:12.959 --> 04:27:18.639
called out. Horton looked from Chunker to Chapman. Mom now,

3731
04:27:18.719 --> 04:27:23.760
Both Chunker and Chapman had the same worried looks as Horton. Suddenly,

3732
04:27:24.000 --> 04:27:26.879
the door to the mausoleum flew open, to the horror

3733
04:27:26.959 --> 04:27:30.600
of the three friends. A ghastly glowing woman who wore

3734
04:27:30.639 --> 04:27:34.399
a blood stained, damp wedding gown now stood in the doorway.

3735
04:27:34.680 --> 04:27:38.079
Her flesh was quite decayed, and her red eyes glowed

3736
04:27:38.120 --> 04:27:42.280
as bright as those at a railroad crossing gate. The

3737
04:27:42.319 --> 04:27:46.840
apparition screamed with delight as she looked upon the three faces.

3738
04:27:47.600 --> 04:27:52.120
My babies, you finally come home to your mother, Abigail

3739
04:27:52.159 --> 04:27:56.760
Tomlin said in her dead and disembodied voice. Then she

3740
04:27:56.879 --> 04:28:01.200
held her arms out to grab them. Abigail Tomlin. The

3741
04:28:01.239 --> 04:28:04.520
three friends screamed together. Then they turned and ran for

3742
04:28:04.600 --> 04:28:08.280
all they were worth. The ghost of Abigail Tomlin screamed

3743
04:28:08.319 --> 04:28:11.600
herself to pierce the stillness of the night as she

3744
04:28:11.680 --> 04:28:17.200
began chasing them. We're not at the bridge, Chunker moaned,

3745
04:28:17.479 --> 04:28:20.879
how is this even happening? Oh Man, oh man, oh man,

3746
04:28:20.959 --> 04:28:24.799
oh man, oh man. Horton squealed, We gotta get out

3747
04:28:24.840 --> 04:28:28.520
of here. Chapman yelled, There will never be any escape

3748
04:28:28.559 --> 04:28:33.440
for you, my babies. Abigail Tomlin called out to them,

3749
04:28:33.799 --> 04:28:38.159
not this time and never again. To the surprise of

3750
04:28:38.280 --> 04:28:42.000
Chapman and Horton, Chunker was actually running fast enough to

3751
04:28:42.079 --> 04:28:45.719
leave them behind. Horton shrieked, and both he and Chapman

3752
04:28:45.840 --> 04:28:48.840
ran faster to keep up with him. As the boys

3753
04:28:48.920 --> 04:28:51.719
came upon the other children, they were yelling for them

3754
04:28:51.719 --> 04:28:55.559
to run, waving their arms at them. Frantically. Ghost in

3755
04:28:55.559 --> 04:28:59.440
the graveyard for real, Horton screamed, get out of here,

3756
04:28:59.520 --> 04:29:03.040
go home. Chapman added, We're all gonna die if she

3757
04:29:03.120 --> 04:29:07.600
catches us. For real, Chunker yelled. When the other children

3758
04:29:07.719 --> 04:29:11.840
saw Abigail Tomlin, they all screamed and scattered. You can

3759
04:29:11.920 --> 04:29:15.159
run all you want, Arthur called to the three friends.

3760
04:29:15.799 --> 04:29:20.360
There's no escape. Mom will have you all. You escaped

3761
04:29:20.399 --> 04:29:25.520
her once, but there's no escape this time. Then Horton

3762
04:29:25.600 --> 04:29:29.959
made a startling realization. He said his name was Arthur.

3763
04:29:30.360 --> 04:29:33.600
That's the name of Abigail Tomlin's little baby boy, like

3764
04:29:33.680 --> 04:29:37.239
in the legend of cry Baby Bridge. You mean Arthur's

3765
04:29:37.280 --> 04:29:43.280
a ghost too, Chunker cried in disbelief. Makes sense, Chapman gasped.

3766
04:29:43.520 --> 04:29:46.280
He calls her mom. They both died together at the

3767
04:29:46.319 --> 04:29:49.840
bridge years ago. You may run as much as you like,

3768
04:29:50.559 --> 04:29:54.399
my children, Abigail Tomlin called to them. You are within

3769
04:29:54.479 --> 04:29:58.520
the boundaries of this burial ground. You will never escape

3770
04:29:58.559 --> 04:30:04.360
me again, especially not before the sun rises. The boys

3771
04:30:04.440 --> 04:30:07.559
knew the sun wouldn't be up for several hours, yet

3772
04:30:07.760 --> 04:30:11.319
it was just after one o'clock. We can't keep running

3773
04:30:11.399 --> 04:30:14.959
much longer, Chunker groaned. Let's get back to the wall

3774
04:30:15.000 --> 04:30:18.760
and climb over, Chapman yelled. The boys quickly reached the

3775
04:30:18.799 --> 04:30:21.920
wall with all the strength and determination that came from

3776
04:30:21.959 --> 04:30:25.040
being scared for their lives. The boys quickly scaled the

3777
04:30:25.079 --> 04:30:30.040
wall and dropped to the outside. Abigail Tomlin floated high

3778
04:30:30.159 --> 04:30:34.440
enough to where they could see her. However, she could

3779
04:30:34.479 --> 04:30:39.159
not float over the wall itself. The boys knew they

3780
04:30:39.159 --> 04:30:43.639
were safe, but Abigail Tomlin gave them a weird look

3781
04:30:44.040 --> 04:30:49.159
before she slowly lowered herself back into the cemetery. Let's

3782
04:30:49.159 --> 04:30:52.319
get out of here, Chunker said, after catching his breath.

3783
04:30:53.040 --> 04:30:59.239
Horton was inclined to agree. However, we can't, guys, we

3784
04:30:59.280 --> 04:31:02.680
can't just leave them there, kids in there. Abigail Tomlin

3785
04:31:02.719 --> 04:31:06.639
will claim them, you know she will. You guys want

3786
04:31:06.639 --> 04:31:08.959
to go home, then go, But I won't be able

3787
04:31:08.959 --> 04:31:11.319
to sleep tonight, knowing I didn't at least try to

3788
04:31:11.399 --> 04:31:17.479
save them. True, the boys had escaped Abigail Tomlin once more. However,

3789
04:31:18.159 --> 04:31:21.319
they knew Horton was right, and he certainly did not

3790
04:31:21.760 --> 04:31:25.559
want to go back in there himself. I'm with you, Horton,

3791
04:31:26.120 --> 04:31:29.040
Chapman said, Way to put a guilt trip on us.

3792
04:31:29.079 --> 04:31:33.600
But you're right. You know we're not gonna make it

3793
04:31:33.639 --> 04:31:37.959
out again, right. Tomlin's gonna get us this time. Yeah,

3794
04:31:38.000 --> 04:31:42.079
I know, Horton replied. You know, I'm really scared, but

3795
04:31:43.159 --> 04:31:46.520
I'm going back in. Chunker put a hand on Horton's

3796
04:31:46.520 --> 04:31:50.120
shoulder and laughed a little. We still got to get

3797
04:31:50.120 --> 04:31:52.680
all our candy we left in there. I'm not letting

3798
04:31:52.719 --> 04:31:56.799
Abigail Tomlin have all that candy, no way. The others

3799
04:31:56.879 --> 04:32:00.000
laughed a little at Chunker's humor, even though the candy

3800
04:32:00.239 --> 04:32:04.239
was the farthest thing from their minds. Thanks for being

3801
04:32:04.280 --> 04:32:09.639
my best friends, guys, Horton said. Chunker pointed sharply at him, No,

3802
04:32:09.799 --> 04:32:12.360
you don't. We're getting back out of here, and you

3803
04:32:12.479 --> 04:32:15.959
better believe that. Though he didn't sound as confident as

3804
04:32:15.959 --> 04:32:19.200
he would have liked. I got a plan to get

3805
04:32:19.239 --> 04:32:23.120
the children out, Horton told them. The other two listened

3806
04:32:23.120 --> 04:32:28.959
as Horton explained the plan. It's suicide, but let's do it.

3807
04:32:29.399 --> 04:32:34.120
Chapman said, yeah, Chunker cheered. The boys took a deep

3808
04:32:34.159 --> 04:32:37.319
breath before they scaled the wall again and dropped back

3809
04:32:37.360 --> 04:32:41.200
into the cemetery. They ran in the direction of the children, screaming.

3810
04:32:41.920 --> 04:32:44.840
It wasn't long before they saw the ghost of Abigail

3811
04:32:44.879 --> 04:32:48.719
Tomlin floating near the kids. She had them backed up

3812
04:32:48.719 --> 04:32:52.719
against the mausoleum that was declared home base. Of course,

3813
04:32:53.200 --> 04:32:56.360
she had no intention of honoring that part of ghost

3814
04:32:56.399 --> 04:33:01.600
in the graveyard. Hey, Abigail, oh, ok, we're here, Chunker

3815
04:33:01.680 --> 04:33:06.720
called out. Leave them alone. Chapman added, it's us you want. Remember.

3816
04:33:07.880 --> 04:33:11.479
Horton put his thumbs in his ears. Nana Na Na, Nanana.

3817
04:33:12.639 --> 04:33:17.279
Abigail Tomlin immediately turned to them, It's time to come home,

3818
04:33:17.439 --> 04:33:21.520
my children. You've been in the mortal realm long enough.

3819
04:33:22.119 --> 04:33:25.479
As soon as she began floating towards them, Chunker called

3820
04:33:25.520 --> 04:33:29.159
to the children, get out of here now. The boys

3821
04:33:29.240 --> 04:33:32.240
saw the children move from the home base mausoleum and

3822
04:33:32.360 --> 04:33:36.360
run to the wall. Arthur Tomlin couldn't stop them as

3823
04:33:36.360 --> 04:33:39.479
they helped each other get up and over. The boys

3824
04:33:39.479 --> 04:33:43.080
stood their ground as Abigail Tomlin continued closing the gap

3825
04:33:43.279 --> 04:33:47.520
between herself and the boys. As they agreed they would

3826
04:33:47.520 --> 04:33:51.319
stand their ground until every last child had escaped. It

3827
04:33:51.479 --> 04:33:54.400
was when the last one had scaled the wall that

3828
04:33:54.479 --> 04:33:59.520
Abigail Tomlin finally reached them. The boys never screamed as

3829
04:33:59.520 --> 04:34:01.759
she touched all three of them to bring them into

3830
04:34:01.759 --> 04:34:07.279
the realm of the dead. Now Abigail Tomlin had finally

3831
04:34:07.319 --> 04:34:11.759
claimed the three of them as her own. Here, finally

3832
04:34:11.919 --> 04:34:17.279
home at last, my long lost children. Now my son

3833
04:34:17.479 --> 04:34:27.240
Arthur will not be so lonely. The family and friends

3834
04:34:27.279 --> 04:34:29.919
of the boys, and the children of those they saved,

3835
04:34:30.040 --> 04:34:35.080
searched village cemetery again and again. The only thing they

3836
04:34:35.119 --> 04:34:39.880
turned up were the three pillowcases full of candy. As

3837
04:34:39.919 --> 04:34:43.560
far as Brian Chunk, Richie Horton, and Bill Chapman went,

3838
04:34:44.360 --> 04:34:49.720
their bodies were never found. In fact, they were never

3839
04:34:49.799 --> 04:34:54.279
found within the entire village of Strickfield. After several weeks

3840
04:34:54.319 --> 04:34:58.639
of searching and an investigation, the boys were finally given

3841
04:34:58.720 --> 04:35:03.840
up for law. In fact, the three boys were never

3842
04:35:04.560 --> 04:35:10.959
ever seen again. However, if you're ever fulheartedly brave enough,

3843
04:35:11.360 --> 04:35:14.840
and you happen to drive into Strickfield, go to the

3844
04:35:14.880 --> 04:35:21.159
bridge on Indian Hollow Road, the cry Baby Bridge at night.

3845
04:35:22.080 --> 04:35:25.639
Just remain there for a while. When you feel the

3846
04:35:25.680 --> 04:35:31.240
winds starting to blow, you might just might hear the

3847
04:35:31.319 --> 04:35:37.000
cries of Brian Chunk, Richie Horton, and Bill Chapman calling

3848
04:35:37.040 --> 04:35:41.200
out for help from beyond the mortal realm as we

3849
04:35:41.319 --> 04:35:46.680
know it. And you might even see the ghost of

3850
04:35:46.720 --> 04:35:52.959
Abigail Tomlin, who continues to haunt this region of Strickfield,

3851
04:35:54.360 --> 04:36:15.479
especially on Halloween Night. Tricks and treats by Keith Tomlin.

3852
04:36:17.200 --> 04:36:22.319
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, devils and demons. Allow

3853
04:36:22.439 --> 04:36:26.680
me to introduce myself, said a tall, thin man in

3854
04:36:26.720 --> 04:36:32.680
a dark red suit. People call me Jack, Jack Scratch. Flamboyantly,

3855
04:36:32.759 --> 04:36:36.799
removing his top hat, he gave a deep, almost mocking bow.

3856
04:36:37.520 --> 04:36:40.959
I am what you call a talent scout, a headhunter,

3857
04:36:41.200 --> 04:36:45.159
if you will, I scour the afterlife for people of

3858
04:36:45.279 --> 04:36:51.439
extraordinary passions, people devoted to the pillars of our organization,

3859
04:36:52.479 --> 04:36:58.360
namely blood, death and pain. Jack twirled his hat between

3860
04:36:58.360 --> 04:37:01.599
his fingers and with a flo snapped it into the

3861
04:37:01.639 --> 04:37:05.639
air and it landed perfectly on his head. He grinned

3862
04:37:05.680 --> 04:37:08.639
and rubbed the ends of his handlebar mustache that sat

3863
04:37:08.639 --> 04:37:14.159
atop his van Dyke goatee, before continuing Once a year

3864
04:37:14.520 --> 04:37:17.959
on Halloween, the big guy downstairs allows me to come

3865
04:37:17.959 --> 04:37:20.479
to visit you mortals, to get a preview of the

3866
04:37:20.880 --> 04:37:24.119
up and comers, the minor leaguers who may be called

3867
04:37:24.200 --> 04:37:28.560
up to the big leagues. Jack began strolling down the sidewalk,

3868
04:37:28.919 --> 04:37:32.880
past parents with children in costumes who paid him no attention.

3869
04:37:34.040 --> 04:37:38.000
Take this place, this small Midwestern town, an idyllic little

3870
04:37:38.040 --> 04:37:42.400
slice of heaven, Maybury apple pie and all that. What

3871
04:37:42.520 --> 04:37:46.840
could possibly happen in a place like this, Well, friends,

3872
04:37:47.599 --> 04:37:51.639
you may be surprised. Take a look over there at

3873
04:37:51.639 --> 04:37:59.360
that lovely family. The White Lion. Jacques Blanc, a middle

3874
04:37:59.400 --> 04:38:02.759
aged Rota huned man dressed in an expensive white suit,

3875
04:38:03.159 --> 04:38:07.680
watched his son Leon, his beloved white lion, walk up

3876
04:38:07.720 --> 04:38:11.400
the path to the two story house. His wife, Patricia

3877
04:38:11.759 --> 04:38:17.599
stood behind him, her face also glowing with love. Leon,

3878
04:38:17.799 --> 04:38:20.479
dressed as a clown with white and red face paint,

3879
04:38:20.799 --> 04:38:24.959
knocked lightly on the front door and waited, holding his

3880
04:38:25.080 --> 04:38:28.959
plastic pumpkin shaped bucket in front of him. As the

3881
04:38:29.040 --> 04:38:32.720
door opened to show an elderly woman. Leon raised his

3882
04:38:32.799 --> 04:38:37.240
bucket and in a slight French accent, said, take or treat.

3883
04:38:38.400 --> 04:38:42.360
Oh what a lovely clown. Here you go, sweetie, the

3884
04:38:42.400 --> 04:38:45.759
woman exclaimed as she dropped a handful of candy into

3885
04:38:45.799 --> 04:38:49.959
his bucket. Leon thanked her and walked back to his parents.

3886
04:38:50.599 --> 04:38:54.159
When Leon stopped in front of him, Jacques reached out

3887
04:38:54.319 --> 04:38:57.840
and lightly gripped him on the shoulder. He asked his son,

3888
04:38:58.159 --> 04:39:02.479
almost in a whisper, is this the house? No, Papa,

3889
04:39:03.080 --> 04:39:08.000
Leon replied, Well, then the hunt continues. Lead the way,

3890
04:39:09.159 --> 04:39:13.279
Jacques said, gesturing forward with a silver tipped walking cane.

3891
04:39:13.799 --> 04:39:18.080
Leon nodded, then turned and walked down the sidewalk, using

3892
04:39:18.119 --> 04:39:22.119
the cane to support himself. His father limped behind him.

3893
04:39:22.439 --> 04:39:25.000
They stopped at over a half a dozen more houses,

3894
04:39:25.360 --> 04:39:28.599
each trip to the front door ending with more candy

3895
04:39:28.919 --> 04:39:32.720
and Leon informing his father that this was not the house.

3896
04:39:33.439 --> 04:39:36.479
As Jacques watched his son walk up to another house,

3897
04:39:36.919 --> 04:39:40.520
he pushed back his impatience and frustration. It would not

3898
04:39:40.720 --> 04:39:45.200
do to unintentionally influence the boy. Once again, his son

3899
04:39:45.319 --> 04:39:48.119
knocked on a door, and this time it was a

3900
04:39:48.200 --> 04:39:52.040
large man in his thirties that answered. The man barely

3901
04:39:52.080 --> 04:39:54.840
looked at the child before dumping a candy bar into

3902
04:39:54.880 --> 04:39:58.119
his bucket and shutting the door without saying a word.

3903
04:39:58.959 --> 04:40:01.520
His son stared at the shut door for a couple

3904
04:40:01.520 --> 04:40:05.240
of heartbeats before turning to walk back up the driveway.

3905
04:40:06.159 --> 04:40:09.479
Jacques fought to keep his excitement from showing on his face.

3906
04:40:10.000 --> 04:40:14.520
He could tell this was it. He patiently waited until

3907
04:40:14.520 --> 04:40:18.439
his son walked up to stand before him. Well, son,

3908
04:40:18.919 --> 04:40:22.159
is this the house? He asked as neutrally as he could.

3909
04:40:22.959 --> 04:40:27.159
Leon looked at his father and then his mother. Yes, Papa, maman,

3910
04:40:27.840 --> 04:40:31.959
this is the house. Jacques gently patted his son's cheek

3911
04:40:32.479 --> 04:40:35.799
and nodded. He took another look at the house and

3912
04:40:35.840 --> 04:40:39.720
began strolling down the sidewalk with his son's hand and

3913
04:40:39.840 --> 04:40:45.279
his Richard Lane struggled against his urge to slam the door,

3914
04:40:45.680 --> 04:40:49.639
his rage simmering. Those damn kids knock on his door,

3915
04:40:49.840 --> 04:40:53.119
mock him, and he's expected to give them candy. The

3916
04:40:53.159 --> 04:40:56.400
worst part is that he has to or risk spending

3917
04:40:56.400 --> 04:40:59.080
the next day cleaning up toilet paper from the trees

3918
04:40:59.119 --> 04:41:03.279
and eggs off of it front door. Those kids need discipline,

3919
04:41:03.319 --> 04:41:07.119
not hugs and cuddles that their pansy ass fathers give them.

3920
04:41:07.439 --> 04:41:10.799
His knuckles turned white as he clenched his hand in anger.

3921
04:41:11.560 --> 04:41:15.240
He wanted to scream and rage smash everything in sight.

3922
04:41:16.040 --> 04:41:19.599
He forced himself to calm down, knowing that he would

3923
04:41:19.639 --> 04:41:22.799
have to wait to release what he called the beast.

3924
04:41:23.959 --> 04:41:27.919
When the doorbell rang again, Richard's rage threatened to explode.

3925
04:41:28.240 --> 04:41:31.840
He made himself take a couple of slow, deep breaths

3926
04:41:31.919 --> 04:41:36.599
before rising to answer it. Adapting a calm facade, Richard

3927
04:41:36.639 --> 04:41:39.639
opened the door to see a young boy dressed in

3928
04:41:39.680 --> 04:41:43.720
a clown outfit. He was slightly surprised as he recognized

3929
04:41:43.759 --> 04:41:47.319
the boy as one who'd stop by earlier, the one

3930
04:41:47.360 --> 04:41:52.959
with the faggy French accent. Please, Sir Leon said, with

3931
04:41:53.080 --> 04:41:56.880
tears streaking his makeup, I cannot find my papa. Can

3932
04:41:56.880 --> 04:42:00.880
you help me? Uh? Sure, kid, come on in, I'll

3933
04:42:00.919 --> 04:42:05.200
call the police station, Richard said. Caught off guard, sobbing,

3934
04:42:05.360 --> 04:42:09.319
Leon entered the house. Richard leaned outside and looked up

3935
04:42:09.360 --> 04:42:13.319
and down the sidewalk, Not seeing anyone, He locked the

3936
04:42:13.360 --> 04:42:17.240
front door and turned off his porch light. Richard turned

3937
04:42:17.279 --> 04:42:19.680
and looked at the child standing in his living room.

3938
04:42:20.599 --> 04:42:26.799
He licked his lips and tried not to shiver with anticipation. So, kid, uh,

3939
04:42:27.599 --> 04:42:30.919
just wait there and I'll call the cops, Richard said soothingly.

3940
04:42:31.599 --> 04:42:33.840
He reached over and picked up the receiver from a

3941
04:42:33.840 --> 04:42:37.360
phone sitting on a cheaply made end table. He pretended

3942
04:42:37.360 --> 04:42:41.799
to dial a number and began speaking to the dial tone. Yes, Hi,

3943
04:42:42.200 --> 04:42:45.599
I am a kid here who says he lost his parents. Uh, okay,

3944
04:42:45.639 --> 04:42:48.639
I'll hold Richard moved the phone away from his mouth.

3945
04:42:49.279 --> 04:42:53.400
They're transferring me to the correct apartment. Yes, I have

3946
04:42:53.439 --> 04:42:58.279
a kid here who lost his parents, Richard paused. I

3947
04:42:58.279 --> 04:43:00.880
don't know his name. I'll let you talk to him.

3948
04:43:01.159 --> 04:43:04.119
With his left hand, Richard reached the phone out towards Leon,

3949
04:43:04.200 --> 04:43:07.159
while his right hand slipped behind his back toward the

3950
04:43:07.240 --> 04:43:12.319
knife hidden under his shirt. Ah, there's my boy, said

3951
04:43:12.319 --> 04:43:16.319
a booming voice behind Richard startled. Richard turned toward the

3952
04:43:16.400 --> 04:43:20.000
voice while his right hand drew out a large hunting knife.

3953
04:43:20.360 --> 04:43:23.319
As he brought up the knife, all he saw was

3954
04:43:23.360 --> 04:43:27.080
a figure in white and a silver streak racing toward

3955
04:43:27.119 --> 04:43:30.639
his head. The floor shook as Richard hit the ground,

3956
04:43:30.840 --> 04:43:33.319
a trickle of blood running down his face, where the

3957
04:43:33.360 --> 04:43:37.680
silver handle of Jacques's walking stick connected with his temple.

3958
04:43:39.080 --> 04:43:43.360
Richard's head throbbed. As he regained consciousness, the face of

3959
04:43:43.400 --> 04:43:46.560
a man dressed in a prissy white suit slowly came

3960
04:43:46.599 --> 04:43:51.919
into focus. Ah, Miss Darline, Jacques said, checking the wallet

3961
04:43:51.959 --> 04:43:55.919
in his hand. You are awake. What the fuck is

3962
04:43:56.000 --> 04:44:00.400
going on? Richard groaned, Why are you bastards in my house?

3963
04:44:02.119 --> 04:44:05.759
Mister Lane, Jacques chided, that is no way to talk

3964
04:44:05.759 --> 04:44:09.040
in front of a lady and the child. Patricia looked

3965
04:44:09.080 --> 04:44:13.360
down at him disapprovingly. Richard tried to rise, only to

3966
04:44:13.439 --> 04:44:16.599
find that he was tied to a chair. He began

3967
04:44:16.680 --> 04:44:21.000
to struggle as Jacques continued speaking. Mister Lane, my son

3968
04:44:21.080 --> 04:44:25.520
has developed a talent for finding bad men, and you, monsieur,

3969
04:44:26.319 --> 04:44:30.279
are a very bad man, Jacques said, shaking his head.

3970
04:44:30.840 --> 04:44:33.840
My family has suffered greatly from men such as yourself.

3971
04:44:34.599 --> 04:44:37.599
Three of them attacked our house. I was savagely beaten

3972
04:44:37.639 --> 04:44:40.520
and spent many months in the hospital learning how to

3973
04:44:40.560 --> 04:44:47.040
walk again. My wife was violated. Jacques paused, his voice

3974
04:44:47.119 --> 04:44:52.080
nearly breaking. Patricia had tears flowing down her cheeks. My

3975
04:44:52.200 --> 04:44:55.840
son was able to hide, but he saw everything. Somehow,

3976
04:44:55.880 --> 04:44:59.479
this awoke in a power within him, and now we

3977
04:44:59.560 --> 04:45:04.520
travel reading the world of munsters such as yourself. Your

3978
04:45:04.560 --> 04:45:08.159
fucking nuts, Richard screamed as the beast took over. I'll

3979
04:45:08.159 --> 04:45:11.720
fucking kill you and a little bastard. He struggled against

3980
04:45:11.759 --> 04:45:14.840
his restraints and triumph flashed in his eyes as he

3981
04:45:14.880 --> 04:45:18.880
felt the wooden legs begin to give. Leon was staring

3982
04:45:18.919 --> 04:45:22.159
off into the darkness of the kitchen. The basement, Papa,

3983
04:45:22.560 --> 04:45:26.240
he keeps them in the basement, he said, quietly, like

3984
04:45:26.319 --> 04:45:31.159
a balloon pricked with a needle. Richard instantly deflated, what basement?

3985
04:45:32.000 --> 04:45:36.759
You're crazy, no, Leon said, his voice laden with sadness

3986
04:45:36.759 --> 04:45:40.759
of the ages. It is true you did unspeakable acts

3987
04:45:40.759 --> 04:45:42.959
to children, and you placed their bodies in the ground

3988
04:45:42.959 --> 04:45:47.880
below us. Bullshit, what liar told you that, Richard bellowed. Indignantly.

3989
04:45:48.840 --> 04:45:52.520
They did, Leon said, as a dozen young boys began

3990
04:45:52.639 --> 04:45:55.119
to stream out of the darkness of the kitchen and

3991
04:45:55.240 --> 04:45:58.599
into the living room. They surrounded Richard and stared at

3992
04:45:58.680 --> 04:46:02.560
him with soulful eyes. Are you crazy? There's nobody there,

3993
04:46:02.840 --> 04:46:08.240
Richard responded, bewildered. My son Jacques stated he can see

3994
04:46:08.279 --> 04:46:13.040
and speak with spirits, ones who die with violence. Bullshit,

3995
04:46:13.240 --> 04:46:17.279
Fuck this Richard once again strained against his restraints and

3996
04:46:17.439 --> 04:46:20.360
was rewarded by the arms of the chair snapping and

3997
04:46:20.439 --> 04:46:23.279
freeing his hands. He began to lunge out of the

3998
04:46:23.279 --> 04:46:26.319
seat when Jacques yanked the silver handle of his walking stick,

3999
04:46:26.599 --> 04:46:32.159
exposing a long, thin blade. Richard's eyes widened in shock

4000
04:46:32.400 --> 04:46:36.279
as this blade pierced his throat. Jacques flicked the blade

4001
04:46:36.400 --> 04:46:41.119
sideways and severed his carrotid artery. The Blanc family watched

4002
04:46:41.119 --> 04:46:45.279
impassively as Richard collapsed back into the chair and slowly

4003
04:46:45.319 --> 04:46:49.599
bled out. After a few seconds, Richard stood and looked

4004
04:46:49.599 --> 04:46:54.119
around in shock. He stopped and stared when he spotted

4005
04:46:55.080 --> 04:46:59.439
his own lifeless body backing off in terror, He turned

4006
04:46:59.439 --> 04:47:03.040
only to see the young boys surrounding him. The children

4007
04:47:03.200 --> 04:47:07.560
leaped on him, clawing and tearing. Richard screamed in terror

4008
04:47:07.599 --> 04:47:11.279
and pain. The boys dragged Richard into the kitchen toward

4009
04:47:11.360 --> 04:47:15.680
the basement door. Jacques bent down and hugged his son.

4010
04:47:16.279 --> 04:47:21.560
Are you okay, he asked, Leon nodded yes, Papa good.

4011
04:47:22.319 --> 04:47:25.240
You saved many lives to night. Don't you ever forget that.

4012
04:47:26.000 --> 04:47:28.680
Jacques stood and began to clean the blood from his

4013
04:47:28.759 --> 04:47:33.000
blade with a white handkerchief. Patricia leaned down and whispered

4014
04:47:33.000 --> 04:47:37.799
in Leon's ear. She straightened and looked at Jacques. Papa

4015
04:47:38.319 --> 04:47:42.959
Leon said, yes, my son, Mamman wanted you to know

4016
04:47:43.080 --> 04:47:46.759
that she is proud of you, of us, Leon told

4017
04:47:46.759 --> 04:47:51.680
his father, thank you. Where is she, Jacques said, ignoring

4018
04:47:51.720 --> 04:47:55.040
the tears rolling down his face. She's in front of you.

4019
04:47:56.080 --> 04:48:02.959
Jacques reached out his hand, passing through Patricia jett Ami Manchati.

4020
04:48:06.560 --> 04:48:11.000
Jack shook his head, how touching. Jack was relaxed on

4021
04:48:11.040 --> 04:48:14.119
a park bench, his long legs stretched out in front

4022
04:48:14.159 --> 04:48:18.360
of him. People walking by detoured around him without seeming

4023
04:48:18.360 --> 04:48:22.919
to notice him. Jack reached into his jacket. Another thing

4024
04:48:23.000 --> 04:48:26.240
I miss about this realm, he said, pulling out a cigar.

4025
04:48:27.000 --> 04:48:30.720
You can't beat a good smoke. Jack snapped his fingers

4026
04:48:30.919 --> 04:48:34.520
and a flame erupted from his thumb. He lit the cigar,

4027
04:48:35.200 --> 04:48:40.720
leaned back, and exhaled with obvious pleasure. Ah, you mortals

4028
04:48:40.799 --> 04:48:45.240
make sin taste so damn good. I love sin that

4029
04:48:45.360 --> 04:48:49.759
you can drink or smoke. Some people, however, prefer their

4030
04:48:49.840 --> 04:48:54.479
sin to be more physical. Jack said, take a look

4031
04:48:54.520 --> 04:48:57.720
at the trio of young men over there. Jack pointed

4032
04:48:57.720 --> 04:49:00.240
to a group of high school boys hiding by hind

4033
04:49:00.279 --> 04:49:03.759
a bush. They're about to learn some quick lessons in

4034
04:49:03.799 --> 04:49:13.560
the ways of sin the Countess. Ryan did not have

4035
04:49:13.639 --> 04:49:16.520
a good feeling about this. He looked over at his

4036
04:49:16.599 --> 04:49:19.799
friends Tim and Alan and wondered how they talked him

4037
04:49:19.799 --> 04:49:23.439
into this. Guys, let's just go home, he said, for

4038
04:49:23.479 --> 04:49:27.200
the tenth time, Dude, don't be a pussy. I told you.

4039
04:49:27.279 --> 04:49:29.840
My brother said that this chick loves high school dick.

4040
04:49:30.479 --> 04:49:32.720
He and some friends came here a few years ago

4041
04:49:32.799 --> 04:49:37.040
on Halloween and they all got laid. Tim explained for

4042
04:49:37.080 --> 04:49:41.000
the tenth time, what's the worst that could happen. She'll

4043
04:49:41.000 --> 04:49:42.959
slam the door in our face and you'll go home

4044
04:49:43.000 --> 04:49:46.639
and jerk off again. Alan shoved a mask at Ryan.

4045
04:49:47.240 --> 04:49:50.680
Put on your mask and shut the fuck up, he commanded.

4046
04:49:51.479 --> 04:49:54.159
Ryan gave up and slipped the elastic band of the

4047
04:49:54.400 --> 04:49:58.560
cheap plastic mask around his head. He briefly hesitated before

4048
04:49:58.639 --> 04:50:01.680
following the other two boys across the street and through

4049
04:50:01.720 --> 04:50:04.400
the front gate of a run down two story house.

4050
04:50:05.159 --> 04:50:08.119
Tim hesitated at the door until Alan poked him in

4051
04:50:08.159 --> 04:50:13.040
the ribs. Tim took a deep breath and knocked. After

4052
04:50:13.080 --> 04:50:16.400
a few seconds, the door was opened by a stunningly

4053
04:50:16.439 --> 04:50:20.159
attractive woman in her mid thirties. She wore a low

4054
04:50:20.240 --> 04:50:25.200
cut silk robe along with an amused expression. Why you

4055
04:50:25.360 --> 04:50:28.840
boys look a bit old to be out looking for treats,

4056
04:50:29.439 --> 04:50:33.720
she said suggestively. Her voice was silky smooth and had

4057
04:50:33.720 --> 04:50:38.400
a hint of an Eastern European accent. Alan poked Tim again.

4058
04:50:38.919 --> 04:50:44.959
Tim tore his eyes from her cleavage and began to stammer. Yes, ma'am,

4059
04:50:44.560 --> 04:50:47.799
my brother Terry was here a few years ago and

4060
04:50:47.840 --> 04:50:51.400
said that you like to I mean that you have

4061
04:50:52.319 --> 04:50:57.520
Halloween parties. Ah, you are looking for treats, she pard.

4062
04:50:58.159 --> 04:51:00.639
She looked each of them in the eyes, a knowing

4063
04:51:00.759 --> 04:51:04.759
smile on her face. Come in, I might have some

4064
04:51:05.919 --> 04:51:09.560
candy for you. She stepped back and gestured them in.

4065
04:51:10.279 --> 04:51:14.680
The boys shared an amazing look before moving inside. The

4066
04:51:14.799 --> 04:51:18.479
house was very warm and, in contrast to the exterior,

4067
04:51:18.959 --> 04:51:23.000
surprisingly well furnished. The furniture looked old, and the artwork

4068
04:51:23.040 --> 04:51:26.520
on the walls looked expensive. She shut the door and

4069
04:51:26.680 --> 04:51:29.880
led them to the living room. She turned and looked

4070
04:51:29.880 --> 04:51:32.759
at the boys, who were awkwardly standing just inside the

4071
04:51:32.799 --> 04:51:36.479
living room entryway. Come on, take off your jackets and

4072
04:51:36.520 --> 04:51:39.560
have a seat on the sofa, she smiled, leave on

4073
04:51:39.759 --> 04:51:44.040
your masks. While the boys complied, she walked over to

4074
04:51:44.080 --> 04:51:47.680
a liquor cabinet and began fixing drinks. As she presented

4075
04:51:47.720 --> 04:51:50.799
each boy a drink, she bent low and allowed them

4076
04:51:50.799 --> 04:51:53.840
to look down the front of her robe. When done,

4077
04:51:53.919 --> 04:51:58.479
she stepped back and looked them over. So my name

4078
04:51:58.560 --> 04:52:03.080
is Elizabeth. What a your names? Alan, nearly spilling his drink,

4079
04:52:03.319 --> 04:52:06.959
pointed at each of them in turn. I'm Alan, this

4080
04:52:07.119 --> 04:52:11.360
is Tim, and the skinny nerd on the end is Ryan. Ah.

4081
04:52:11.400 --> 04:52:15.840
Such nice American names. You're lucky. I have plans tonight,

4082
04:52:15.919 --> 04:52:20.040
but I think I can squeeze you in, Elizabeth said.

4083
04:52:20.759 --> 04:52:23.639
She stared at each of them, her piercing gaze stripping

4084
04:52:23.680 --> 04:52:26.639
them down to their souls. As she looked at him,

4085
04:52:26.720 --> 04:52:30.759
Ryan began to panic, feeling like a rabbit being examined

4086
04:52:30.799 --> 04:52:34.959
by a wolf. I think we should go, Ryan spoke,

4087
04:52:35.279 --> 04:52:39.680
breaking the spell that seemed to have enveloped the room. Nonsense,

4088
04:52:40.159 --> 04:52:44.200
she said, laughing. This is a beggar's night, is it not?

4089
04:52:44.919 --> 04:52:47.560
Where I come from, it is bad luck to turn

4090
04:52:47.639 --> 04:52:51.799
away a beggar. She sighed wistfully. I wish I had

4091
04:52:51.880 --> 04:52:53.680
more time to get to know each of you, but

4092
04:52:53.880 --> 04:52:56.200
we'll have to make do with the time we have.

4093
04:52:57.119 --> 04:53:01.279
She pointed at Alan, You I think will be first.

4094
04:53:01.799 --> 04:53:04.479
She headed to the stairs leading up to the second floor.

4095
04:53:04.959 --> 04:53:07.720
As she began to climb, she slowly tugged at the

4096
04:53:07.799 --> 04:53:13.159
knot in the robe's sash. Don't make me wait, she cooed,

4097
04:53:13.439 --> 04:53:16.919
as the robe slipped from her shoulders. She was wearing

4098
04:53:17.000 --> 04:53:21.599
nothing underneath. After she disappeared upstairs, Alan turned to the

4099
04:53:21.680 --> 04:53:26.319
other boys. Fuck, yeah, hope you like sloppy. Seconds Alan

4100
04:53:26.439 --> 04:53:29.400
jumped to his feet and practically ran up the stairs.

4101
04:53:30.200 --> 04:53:33.479
Ryan and Tim sat in stunned silence for a few minutes,

4102
04:53:34.080 --> 04:53:38.599
until Tim leaned over and whispered to Ryan, Wow, I

4103
04:53:38.639 --> 04:53:41.240
can't believe this is happening. It's like something out of

4104
04:53:41.240 --> 04:53:47.720
a porno. Something is wrong here. This doesn't feel right,

4105
04:53:48.119 --> 04:53:52.000
Ryan whispered back. Tim lifted his mask. Damn it, you

4106
04:53:52.040 --> 04:53:55.159
always do this shit. I don't know why we're still friends.

4107
04:53:55.639 --> 04:53:57.919
You'd rather be at home in your mom's basement playing

4108
04:53:57.959 --> 04:54:00.919
magic the Gathering, then out at parties and getting laid.

4109
04:54:02.159 --> 04:54:05.880
But I like magic the Gathering, Ryan replied, sounding hurt.

4110
04:54:06.720 --> 04:54:10.360
Grow the fuck up. Tim snorted, looking away and pulling

4111
04:54:10.360 --> 04:54:14.200
his mask back down. The two sat in awkward silence

4112
04:54:14.279 --> 04:54:18.560
until a voice called them from upstairs. Tim, would you

4113
04:54:18.639 --> 04:54:21.319
like to come up here and join me? Tim stood,

4114
04:54:21.599 --> 04:54:24.200
took a look at Ryan and shook his head in disgust.

4115
04:54:24.880 --> 04:54:29.880
He turned and without a word, walked upstairs. Ryan sat

4116
04:54:29.919 --> 04:54:33.400
on the couch by himself. Many times he started to

4117
04:54:33.400 --> 04:54:35.959
get up to leave, but he knew that his life

4118
04:54:35.959 --> 04:54:39.240
would be hell on Monday if he did. Alan would

4119
04:54:39.279 --> 04:54:42.200
be sure to let everyone know at school that he

4120
04:54:42.279 --> 04:54:47.119
pussied out on a sure thing. Fuck, Ryan said, after

4121
04:54:47.279 --> 04:54:50.959
endless minutes of contemplation. It's not like they don't make

4122
04:54:50.959 --> 04:54:54.319
fun of me. Now, this is bullshit. I'm just gonna go,

4123
04:54:54.880 --> 04:54:58.279
Ryan thought. Just as he stood to leave, he heard

4124
04:54:58.319 --> 04:55:02.639
a soft voice from upstairs. Ryan, you are not leaving,

4125
04:55:02.680 --> 04:55:08.360
I hope, said the soft voice, sending shivers down his spine.

4126
04:55:08.599 --> 04:55:14.080
Come to me, Ryan, she commanded. Almost without conscious thought,

4127
04:55:14.479 --> 04:55:18.000
he rose and began to climb the stairs. His mind

4128
04:55:18.119 --> 04:55:22.400
was screaming danger, but his body kept climbing. At the

4129
04:55:22.439 --> 04:55:25.400
top of the stairs was a short haul with several doors.

4130
04:55:26.000 --> 04:55:29.080
The door at the end was open. Ryan entered to

4131
04:55:29.080 --> 04:55:33.599
see Elizabeth stretched out on the bed, wearing a thin negligee.

4132
04:55:33.959 --> 04:55:38.319
Come here, my darling, she whispered, patting the bed. Her

4133
04:55:38.400 --> 04:55:43.080
voice had a raspiness that it didn't have before. Ryan,

4134
04:55:43.200 --> 04:55:45.639
as if in a dream, sat down on the bed

4135
04:55:45.720 --> 04:55:49.319
next to her. She reached out and stroked his chin.

4136
04:55:50.520 --> 04:55:55.119
At her touch, he jerked his head away. She laughed, Oh,

4137
04:55:55.240 --> 04:55:58.919
come on now, we'll have none of that. You are

4138
04:55:58.959 --> 04:56:03.080
the one who peeked my interest. The others were meaningless.

4139
04:56:03.959 --> 04:56:07.799
It is you that I wanted, she said, snuggling up

4140
04:56:07.840 --> 04:56:10.560
to him, her tongue flicking out to touch his ear.

4141
04:56:11.560 --> 04:56:15.520
Ryan jerked back, shaking a confusion from his mind. Where

4142
04:56:16.360 --> 04:56:19.080
where are my friends, he said, leaning away from her.

4143
04:56:19.919 --> 04:56:24.000
They're fine, They sleep like the dead. What we did

4144
04:56:24.080 --> 04:56:27.639
takes a lot out of a man. But wait, you

4145
04:56:27.720 --> 04:56:32.479
wouldn't know that, would you, she said, teasing him. He

4146
04:56:32.560 --> 04:56:36.520
looked confused, Darling, I love it that you've never been

4147
04:56:36.520 --> 04:56:40.720
with a woman. I have. I mean, I'm not a virgin,

4148
04:56:41.159 --> 04:56:46.759
he protested. Shh. Back in Hungary, where I grew up,

4149
04:56:47.040 --> 04:56:49.840
I had a maid who taught me all kinds of things.

4150
04:56:50.400 --> 04:56:53.400
One was how to look into someone's eyes and tell

4151
04:56:53.840 --> 04:56:57.479
if they've ever laid with another. She also taught me this.

4152
04:56:58.240 --> 04:57:01.479
Elizabeth grabbed the back of Ryan's head and pulled him

4153
04:57:01.479 --> 04:57:05.279
toward her. He resisted at first, but soon gave in

4154
04:57:05.919 --> 04:57:09.919
to the passionate kiss that followed. Ryan was lost in

4155
04:57:09.959 --> 04:57:12.799
the kiss, but started to panic as his lips began

4156
04:57:12.959 --> 04:57:17.560
to burn and grow numb. The numbness spread across his

4157
04:57:17.639 --> 04:57:20.560
face and moved down his body until he was trapped

4158
04:57:20.560 --> 04:57:25.680
inside a body that he could not control. Sleep, my darling,

4159
04:57:26.200 --> 04:57:33.400
Elizabeth said, as Ryan slipped away into unconsciousness. Ryan woke

4160
04:57:33.479 --> 04:57:37.919
to the sounds of chains rattling. Groggily. He tried to

4161
04:57:37.959 --> 04:57:40.639
sit up, but found that he was lashed to a

4162
04:57:40.680 --> 04:57:44.919
board suspended in the air. He was on his back,

4163
04:57:45.000 --> 04:57:48.959
with his feet elevated slightly. He tried to look around,

4164
04:57:49.000 --> 04:57:56.439
but could see only cold white tiles lit by flickering candles. Ah,

4165
04:57:56.599 --> 04:57:59.799
you are awake, Elizabeth said, pulling on a chain and

4166
04:58:00.000 --> 04:58:04.119
lifting Ryan higher. I saw miss the days when I

4167
04:58:04.159 --> 04:58:08.080
had others do chores like this. It doesn't seem right

4168
04:58:08.159 --> 04:58:11.919
that a countess should be doing manual labor. But times

4169
04:58:11.919 --> 04:58:14.759
have changed, and I am no longer a noble woman

4170
04:58:14.840 --> 04:58:19.639
with a castle full of servants, she said wistfully. Ryan

4171
04:58:19.720 --> 04:58:23.400
tried to talk to yell, but he found he couldn't

4172
04:58:23.439 --> 04:58:27.799
make a sound. There there, darling, it will be over soon.

4173
04:58:28.439 --> 04:58:31.479
You saved me much effort coming to me like this.

4174
04:58:32.240 --> 04:58:35.319
The spell for eternal youth is quite simple, but it

4175
04:58:35.400 --> 04:58:39.400
does require the blood of a virgin, and they are

4176
04:58:40.520 --> 04:58:45.599
so hard to find nowadays. As Ryan struggled to free himself,

4177
04:58:45.799 --> 04:58:50.240
Elizabeth stripped nude and began chanting. When the last of

4178
04:58:50.279 --> 04:58:54.279
the incantation stopped echoing off the sterile white walls, she

4179
04:58:54.439 --> 04:58:57.560
picked up a hollow metal tube that had a needle

4180
04:58:57.599 --> 04:59:01.520
on one end. She expertly pierced Ryan's neck with it,

4181
04:59:02.000 --> 04:59:05.000
and blood began running out of the open end and

4182
04:59:05.080 --> 04:59:10.240
into an antique bathtub. Elizabeth kissed Ryan on the forehead.

4183
04:59:10.759 --> 04:59:15.639
Thank you, darling, for giving me your life. She stood

4184
04:59:15.759 --> 04:59:19.439
naked and climbed into the tub, allowing the stream of

4185
04:59:19.479 --> 04:59:23.439
blood to run over her face and flow down between

4186
04:59:23.479 --> 04:59:34.439
her breasts. Ryan silently screamed as his life flowed from him.

4187
04:59:34.639 --> 04:59:39.040
There's more scares where that came from. Weekly Spooky will

4188
04:59:39.080 --> 04:59:39.880
be right back.

4189
04:59:45.680 --> 04:59:49.599
Such a shame, Jack said, shaking his head. I have

4190
04:59:49.680 --> 04:59:52.360
a special position that I keep open for the Countess,

4191
04:59:52.360 --> 04:59:56.319
but I fear it won't be filled anytime soon. So

4192
04:59:56.560 --> 05:00:00.520
sad she could be such a great asset to the organization.

4193
05:00:01.560 --> 05:00:04.880
Oh well, let's get on with it, shall we. Jack

4194
05:00:04.919 --> 05:00:07.840
took a few steps and then stopped to lean against

4195
05:00:07.880 --> 05:00:12.639
a fence. Even small towns can have big town crimes,

4196
05:00:12.959 --> 05:00:16.400
and desperation can bring out the worst in people. Will

4197
05:00:16.439 --> 05:00:19.560
it be enough to earn a management position in the organization,

4198
05:00:19.759 --> 05:00:22.919
or will they end up being one of the endless drones,

4199
05:00:23.000 --> 05:00:27.840
beaten and tortured for eternity. Well, kids, let's find out.

4200
05:00:28.720 --> 05:00:31.479
Keep an eye on that gentleman standing in the shadows

4201
05:00:31.479 --> 05:00:34.840
down there, Jack said, pointing to a clump of bushes

4202
05:00:34.880 --> 05:00:38.680
down the street. But first, I wouldn't be a true

4203
05:00:38.799 --> 05:00:43.200
representative of Satan without a couple of advertisers, now would I.

4204
05:00:43.919 --> 05:00:46.840
They'll sell you something, and then we'll be back for

4205
05:00:46.959 --> 05:00:59.759
a final tale. The bunny Eddie Young looked again at

4206
05:00:59.759 --> 05:01:02.720
the hole in his jacket. He was lucky that the

4207
05:01:02.759 --> 05:01:05.560
bullet the cop had fired missed him by an inch.

4208
05:01:06.439 --> 05:01:08.799
He smiled when he recalled how he put one in

4209
05:01:08.840 --> 05:01:12.759
the middle of that pig's face. Fucking cops, he thought.

4210
05:01:13.400 --> 05:01:16.080
Eddie cocked his head and listened to the sirens off

4211
05:01:16.080 --> 05:01:19.240
in the distance. He cursed as he realized that they

4212
05:01:19.279 --> 05:01:22.959
were getting closer, and on top of that, he thought

4213
05:01:23.000 --> 05:01:27.319
he could hear a helicopter too. Okay, think, he said

4214
05:01:27.319 --> 05:01:31.360
out loud. Looking around, he saw several groups of children

4215
05:01:31.360 --> 05:01:35.799
and adults walking down the sidewalks, the youngsters all in costume.

4216
05:01:36.560 --> 05:01:39.159
He needed to get off the street. A lone man

4217
05:01:39.279 --> 05:01:42.959
walking around when kids are trigger treating may look suspicious.

4218
05:01:43.520 --> 05:01:47.240
He also needed a car hidden in the shadows between

4219
05:01:47.240 --> 05:01:50.720
a tree and some tall bushes. He studied the nearby houses.

4220
05:01:51.560 --> 05:01:54.560
The Blue House. The woman that answered the door to

4221
05:01:54.599 --> 05:01:57.400
pass out candy was in her late twenties or early thirties.

4222
05:01:58.360 --> 05:02:02.439
There was a little Jap car the driveway. No man

4223
05:02:02.479 --> 05:02:05.319
would own a little pussy car like that, at least

4224
05:02:05.799 --> 05:02:09.360
not one living with a woman, Eddie thought. He strolled

4225
05:02:09.400 --> 05:02:11.880
past the house and noticed that there was no car

4226
05:02:11.919 --> 05:02:14.639
seat in the car or anything else to indicate that

4227
05:02:14.720 --> 05:02:18.400
she had kids. As he turned back around, he noticed

4228
05:02:18.400 --> 05:02:21.520
a little girl who couldn't be more than six or seven,

4229
05:02:21.919 --> 05:02:24.880
leave the sidewalk and approach the Blue houses front door.

4230
05:02:25.599 --> 05:02:28.319
She was dressed in a white one piece bunny suit

4231
05:02:28.599 --> 05:02:32.560
wearing a rabbit mask. Her bunny ears bobbing with every step.

4232
05:02:33.360 --> 05:02:36.240
Eddie looked around and did not see any adults near by.

4233
05:02:37.119 --> 05:02:40.040
He didn't know why this child was alone, but he

4234
05:02:40.159 --> 05:02:42.479
was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

4235
05:02:43.240 --> 05:02:47.080
Decision made. He began walking briskly up behind the little

4236
05:02:47.119 --> 05:02:50.319
girl who had knocked on the door. Just as the

4237
05:02:50.360 --> 05:02:53.520
door opened, he stopped next to the girl, who tilted

4238
05:02:53.520 --> 05:02:56.959
her head back to look up at him. Mindy opened

4239
05:02:57.000 --> 05:03:00.000
the door and exclaimed, Oh, look at the little by

4240
05:03:00.479 --> 05:03:03.759
So cute. The little girl shifted her gaze to her

4241
05:03:04.119 --> 05:03:07.680
and held up a pillowcase for candy. Eddie gave his

4242
05:03:07.759 --> 05:03:11.479
best smile. I know she is a little angel. I

4243
05:03:11.520 --> 05:03:14.479
hate to bother you, but can she use your bathroom?

4244
05:03:14.799 --> 05:03:17.759
Eddie drawled as he pushed the little girl forward into

4245
05:03:17.799 --> 05:03:23.400
the doorway. Mindy seemed surprised, but instinctively stepped back, allowing

4246
05:03:23.520 --> 05:03:28.119
Eddie and the little girl inside. Um, I guess, she said,

4247
05:03:28.200 --> 05:03:31.200
taking a few more steps back as Eddie kept moving

4248
05:03:31.240 --> 05:03:35.520
them forward. Once inside, Eddie pushed the door shut, then

4249
05:03:35.560 --> 05:03:38.040
shoved the girl at Mindy, who had to grab the

4250
05:03:38.080 --> 05:03:41.479
girl's arm to keep her from falling. What are you doing,

4251
05:03:41.959 --> 05:03:45.000
Mindy gasped, words died in her mouth as she looked

4252
05:03:45.080 --> 05:03:48.040
up to see a large handgun pointed at her head.

4253
05:03:48.759 --> 05:03:52.520
Shut up and listened, bitch, Eddie snarled. The first time

4254
05:03:52.560 --> 05:03:54.479
you do or say something I didn't tell you to,

4255
05:03:54.720 --> 05:03:57.520
I'm shooting this damn kid in the head. The second time,

4256
05:03:57.720 --> 05:04:01.959
I'm shooting you. He punctual words by pressing the gun

4257
05:04:02.000 --> 05:04:06.080
to the child's head and then hers. Mindy's face went

4258
05:04:06.119 --> 05:04:09.599
pale with fear and she nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

4259
05:04:10.279 --> 05:04:14.799
Where's your husband, Eddie asked, I I don't have a husband,

4260
05:04:15.159 --> 05:04:22.000
She said, your boyfriend, roommate. I live alone. Mindy said, okay, darling,

4261
05:04:22.360 --> 05:04:24.880
So here's what we're gonna do, Eddie said, as he

4262
05:04:24.959 --> 05:04:27.840
noticed the child walking to the front door. Get that

4263
05:04:27.919 --> 05:04:32.599
fucking kid away from the door, Eddie exploded. Mindy rushed

4264
05:04:32.639 --> 05:04:34.880
over to the child and wrapped her arms around her.

4265
05:04:35.200 --> 05:04:39.159
She looked at Eddie and asked, is this your daughter? Shit? No,

4266
05:04:39.439 --> 05:04:42.720
just some brad off the street, Eddie answered, walking over

4267
05:04:42.759 --> 05:04:46.040
to the window to peer outside. Mindy lowered herself to

4268
05:04:46.119 --> 05:04:49.759
her knees and looked the girl in the eyes. Sweetie,

4269
05:04:50.040 --> 05:04:53.479
what is your name? Are your parents around, Daddy or mommy.

4270
05:04:54.360 --> 05:04:56.959
Seeing no recognition in the eyes, she hugged the girl.

4271
05:04:57.959 --> 05:05:01.840
I think she may be mentally handicapped, great, Eddie said,

4272
05:05:02.080 --> 05:05:05.119
as he let the curtain fall back into place. I

4273
05:05:05.200 --> 05:05:09.479
picked a fucking retard. We don't use the R word. Look,

4274
05:05:09.599 --> 05:05:11.720
I'm a special ed teacher and we have to be

4275
05:05:11.759 --> 05:05:15.840
patient with kids with special needs. Mindy scolded lady. I

4276
05:05:15.880 --> 05:05:18.200
don't give a fuck. All you need to know is

4277
05:05:18.200 --> 05:05:20.360
that if you fuck up, I'll blow her brains out

4278
05:05:20.400 --> 05:05:23.919
the back of her head. Eddie commented coldly. As he

4279
05:05:24.000 --> 05:05:27.240
walked around the living room. Mindy stroked the girl's hair

4280
05:05:27.279 --> 05:05:30.680
and whispered words of comfort from behind her mask. The

4281
05:05:30.799 --> 05:05:34.119
child's eyes flicked back and forth from Mindy to Eddie.

4282
05:05:34.720 --> 05:05:38.680
Eddie stopped pacing and looked at Mindy. Okay, here's the plan.

4283
05:05:39.159 --> 05:05:41.639
I'm going to stay here for a bit and then

4284
05:05:41.680 --> 05:05:44.200
I'll tie you up and leave you here. I'll take

4285
05:05:44.240 --> 05:05:46.720
the kid and leave in your car at the first

4286
05:05:46.840 --> 05:05:48.919
door I pass. I'll drop her off in the parking

4287
05:05:48.959 --> 05:05:51.680
lot and someone will find her. You can't drop a

4288
05:05:51.799 --> 05:05:55.400
child off in a parking lot, Mindy said, indignant. She

4289
05:05:55.520 --> 05:05:58.680
stood to face Eddie. You were not taking her anywhere.

4290
05:05:59.159 --> 05:06:02.040
Mindy pushed the little girl behind her, shielding her from

4291
05:06:02.040 --> 05:06:07.080
the intruder. Eddie laughed humorously. I'm not asking for permission.

4292
05:06:07.439 --> 05:06:09.840
I'm telling you what's going to happen if you and

4293
05:06:09.880 --> 05:06:12.759
the brat want to get out of this alive. Eddie

4294
05:06:12.799 --> 05:06:16.200
waved the gun in the air. Remember I'm the guy

4295
05:06:16.319 --> 05:06:19.959
with the gun. Mindy's retort was cut off as they

4296
05:06:20.000 --> 05:06:23.240
heard the sound of a refrigerator door being opened. Eddie

4297
05:06:23.279 --> 05:06:25.680
cursed as he realized that the child was no longer

4298
05:06:25.680 --> 05:06:28.759
in the room. He shoved Mindy across the living room

4299
05:06:28.840 --> 05:06:32.360
and stormed into the kitchen. Mindy was just rising to

4300
05:06:32.400 --> 05:06:34.479
her feet when Eddie came back into the room and

4301
05:06:34.520 --> 05:06:37.360
practically threw the child at her. If you don't keep

4302
05:06:37.400 --> 05:06:39.479
an eye on her, I'm gonna put one through her

4303
05:06:39.520 --> 05:06:43.720
fucking head. Mindy said nothing. She just hugged the child.

4304
05:06:44.560 --> 05:06:47.240
For the next half an hour, silence hung over the

4305
05:06:47.240 --> 05:06:51.560
living room. Eddie paced back and forth, occasionally looking out

4306
05:06:51.560 --> 05:06:56.279
the front window. Finally, he nodded, Okay, it looks like

4307
05:06:56.319 --> 05:06:59.520
trick or treat is over. He said, give me your

4308
05:06:59.520 --> 05:07:02.560
car key. They're on the table next to the door,

4309
05:07:02.599 --> 05:07:07.959
but the car won't start. Mindy said, what, Eddie said, Yeah,

4310
05:07:08.080 --> 05:07:11.119
my dad thinks it's the battery. He's supposed to stop

4311
05:07:11.119 --> 05:07:14.119
by tomorrow to look at it. Mindy stated, her fatigue

4312
05:07:14.119 --> 05:07:18.639
showing in her voice. Are you fucking serious, you damn bitch,

4313
05:07:19.119 --> 05:07:21.520
Eddie screamed as he rushed over and grabbed Mindy by

4314
05:07:21.599 --> 05:07:24.560
the neck, lifting her to her feet. If you're lying,

4315
05:07:24.759 --> 05:07:28.360
I'll break your fucking teeth, snarled Eddie as he drew

4316
05:07:28.439 --> 05:07:31.479
back the hand holding the gun. Mindy brought her hands

4317
05:07:31.560 --> 05:07:34.520
up to block the blow. Movement in the corner of

4318
05:07:34.639 --> 05:07:37.880
Eddie's vision caused him to stop and turned just in

4319
05:07:37.959 --> 05:07:41.240
time to see the child going out the front door. Shit,

4320
05:07:42.119 --> 05:07:45.400
Eddie yelled, tossing Mindy back to the floor. He rushed

4321
05:07:45.439 --> 05:07:47.279
over and grabbed the little girl by the back of

4322
05:07:47.319 --> 05:07:50.880
her bunny costume, yanking her inside and slamming the door.

4323
05:07:51.959 --> 05:07:55.040
God damn it, I fucking told you, Eddie screamed as

4324
05:07:55.040 --> 05:07:57.439
he threw the child on the couch. He grabbed one

4325
05:07:57.439 --> 05:08:00.000
of the couch pillows and covered the girl's face with it.

4326
05:08:00.639 --> 05:08:03.759
He shoved the gun into the pillow and was about

4327
05:08:03.759 --> 05:08:07.119
to shoot when Mindy let out a scream and leaped

4328
05:08:07.119 --> 05:08:10.119
on his back. Eddie threw back his elbow and Mindy

4329
05:08:10.159 --> 05:08:14.319
went flying, crashing into the coffee table. Time stood still

4330
05:08:14.360 --> 05:08:18.520
for Mindy. Everything was blurry except for two things, the

4331
05:08:18.599 --> 05:08:22.520
gun poised above the pillow and a heavy ceramic ashtray

4332
05:08:22.799 --> 05:08:26.000
that was knocked off of the coffee table. She reached

4333
05:08:26.040 --> 05:08:29.919
out for the ashtray, and as soon as her handmade contact,

4334
05:08:30.479 --> 05:08:34.240
time began to flow once again. Eddie rammed the gun

4335
05:08:34.279 --> 05:08:36.959
into the pillow. Before he could pull the trigger, Mindy

4336
05:08:37.040 --> 05:08:39.680
swung the ashtray as hard as she could, striking him

4337
05:08:39.720 --> 05:08:42.400
in the back of the head. Eddie groaned and the

4338
05:08:42.439 --> 05:08:45.520
gun fired, hitting the couch inches from the little girl.

4339
05:08:46.319 --> 05:08:48.439
Eddie tried to roll over to bring the gun up,

4340
05:08:48.479 --> 05:08:52.880
but Mindy raised the ashtray and swung it again and again.

4341
05:08:54.200 --> 05:08:57.119
She didn't know how many times she hit him, but

4342
05:08:57.200 --> 05:09:01.639
when she stopped, the bloody, gory mess atop Eddie's shoulders

4343
05:09:02.400 --> 05:09:07.159
was not recognizable as a human head. Mindy let go

4344
05:09:07.240 --> 05:09:11.360
of the ashtray and fell to her knees, sobbing. Minutes later,

4345
05:09:11.439 --> 05:09:15.599
she felt a small hand touching her shoulder. Looking up

4346
05:09:15.639 --> 05:09:18.520
to see the little girl, she enveloped her in a

4347
05:09:18.560 --> 05:09:21.919
crushing bear hug. Mindy then sat the girl on the

4348
05:09:21.959 --> 05:09:26.000
coffee table and examined her. Are you okay? Did you

4349
05:09:26.040 --> 05:09:30.959
get hurt? Mindy asked, getting no response. Seeing no signs

4350
05:09:31.000 --> 05:09:34.080
of injury or blood, she began to remove the mask.

4351
05:09:35.080 --> 05:09:37.680
The little girl tried to push Mindy's hands away, but

4352
05:09:38.279 --> 05:09:42.400
Mindy tried to soothe her. Sh it's okay, I need

4353
05:09:42.400 --> 05:09:44.959
to make sure you're all right, Mindy said in a

4354
05:09:45.000 --> 05:09:49.799
soft voice. Despite the girl's silent protests, Mindy lifted the

4355
05:09:49.880 --> 05:09:54.040
mask and then stopped, frozen in shock. The skin on

4356
05:09:54.080 --> 05:09:58.240
the child's face was leathery and rough. Strands of thick,

4357
05:09:58.520 --> 05:10:01.159
coarse hair dotted her face, and there was a pig

4358
05:10:01.279 --> 05:10:04.560
like snout where her nose should have been. Two small

4359
05:10:04.639 --> 05:10:07.360
tusks jutted out of her cheeks, and her mouth was

4360
05:10:07.439 --> 05:10:11.959
wide with thin lips. The child's eyes searched Mindy's and,

4361
05:10:12.040 --> 05:10:18.479
finding fear and revulsion, the child smiled, showing rose of

4362
05:10:18.599 --> 05:10:23.840
little razor sharp teeth. Mindy's last words were a plea

4363
05:10:23.959 --> 05:10:28.799
to her God for help, a plea that went unanswered.

4364
05:10:34.319 --> 05:10:36.759
Oh well, I don't think Eddie is going to make

4365
05:10:36.840 --> 05:10:40.000
the cut. So few live up to their true potential.

4366
05:10:40.759 --> 05:10:44.520
What is today's society coming to, Jack said, shaking his

4367
05:10:44.599 --> 05:10:49.040
head sadly. Jack looked down at his wrist. Oh my, look,

4368
05:10:49.080 --> 05:10:52.279
at the time, I had a thoroughly enlightening time with you,

4369
05:10:52.799 --> 05:10:55.439
and I thank each and every one of you. I

4370
05:10:55.479 --> 05:10:59.840
hope I can express my gratitude in person one day.

4371
05:11:00.599 --> 05:11:04.520
Jack bowed, I must be going now, so little time left.

4372
05:11:04.959 --> 05:11:07.279
I haven't gotten my hands wet all night, and that

4373
05:11:07.680 --> 05:11:11.639
simply won't do, said Jack, grinning like a madman. With

4374
05:11:11.759 --> 05:11:14.840
that said, I'll take my leave of you and bid

4375
05:11:14.919 --> 05:11:20.040
you adio, Jack said, bowing once again. Looking around, Jack

4376
05:11:20.080 --> 05:11:23.959
called out Isabella, come on, dear, we have deeds to do.

4377
05:11:24.840 --> 05:11:27.319
A young child wearing a bunny mask in a one

4378
05:11:27.360 --> 05:11:31.599
piece white bunny suit wet with red stains emerged out

4379
05:11:31.639 --> 05:11:35.759
of the darkness. She grabbed Jack's outstretched hand and they

4380
05:11:35.799 --> 05:11:46.599
walked off into the night. The Night Stalker by Shane

4381
05:11:46.680 --> 05:11:52.799
Migliavanka Millicent Richard's Milly to her friends, sat on the

4382
05:11:52.919 --> 05:11:56.520
edge of her bed, pulling on her sneakers. She took

4383
05:11:56.560 --> 05:12:00.360
a deep breath, lost in her thoughts. Tonight she would

4384
05:12:00.400 --> 05:12:04.919
begin her first real job, and on Halloween, no less

4385
05:12:05.680 --> 05:12:08.599
a lot less fun than tricker treating with Annette Wilson

4386
05:12:08.639 --> 05:12:13.479
and Diane Samuels. Damn. Milly sure as hell didn't want

4387
05:12:13.479 --> 05:12:16.720
to go tonight, but she needed the money and her

4388
05:12:16.759 --> 05:12:20.759
parents could use the help. She stood on the radio.

4389
05:12:20.919 --> 05:12:24.639
Bobby Brown was singing about calling the Ghostbusters, while a

4390
05:12:24.720 --> 05:12:27.680
muted Knight of the Living Dead played on the television.

4391
05:12:28.319 --> 05:12:31.759
She picked up her Bargain Groceri's cap and adjusted it

4392
05:12:31.799 --> 05:12:34.599
on her head. She took a moment to look at

4393
05:12:34.599 --> 05:12:38.400
herself in the mirror. Smartly dressed in her crisp new

4394
05:12:38.639 --> 05:12:42.560
blue and gold uniform, her light brown hair pulled back

4395
05:12:42.599 --> 05:12:47.599
into a ponytail. Not too bad. Switching the TV and

4396
05:12:47.720 --> 05:12:51.240
radio off, Milly picked up her walkman an orange book bag.

4397
05:12:51.840 --> 05:12:55.360
She turned to leave, but first turned to her poster

4398
05:12:55.479 --> 05:12:59.680
of Patrick Swayze, which hung on her bedroom door. Wish

4399
05:12:59.720 --> 05:13:04.840
me luckuck. She headed downstairs. The staircase railing was decorated

4400
05:13:04.840 --> 05:13:08.880
with orange pumpkin shaped lights. Her mother always went all

4401
05:13:08.919 --> 05:13:13.720
out for the holidays. Rise from the Grave, an artificial

4402
05:13:13.799 --> 05:13:16.880
voice commanded from her brother's video game in the living room,

4403
05:13:17.560 --> 05:13:21.279
See you later, Russ. Without taking his eyes off the TV,

4404
05:13:21.840 --> 05:13:25.639
Russ waved back. Milly stepped into the hall taking her

4405
05:13:25.680 --> 05:13:30.759
coat from the closet. Can we manage barb Milly heard

4406
05:13:30.759 --> 05:13:35.319
her father in the kitchen. We can try the extra money.

4407
05:13:35.360 --> 05:13:42.080
You'll definitely help. Is it enough? I I don't know,

4408
05:13:42.680 --> 05:13:46.639
her mother answered. Milly went to the door quietly and

4409
05:13:46.759 --> 05:13:56.119
exited the house unnoticed. Witches, zombies, and skeletons rushed up

4410
05:13:56.119 --> 05:14:01.520
and down the street on the hunt for candy or mischief.

4411
05:14:02.240 --> 05:14:04.880
She clipped the walkman to her belt and slid on

4412
05:14:04.959 --> 05:14:09.680
the headphones. Retrieving her bicycle from the garage, Milly weaved

4413
05:14:09.720 --> 05:14:13.880
her way through her mom's crazy lawn decorations and passed

4414
05:14:13.919 --> 05:14:17.680
a pair of ghosts arguing over who had more candy.

4415
05:14:18.360 --> 05:14:21.200
She'd felt a bit self conscious about going out in

4416
05:14:21.240 --> 05:14:25.479
her uniform, but it was Halloween night. Everybody was dressed

4417
05:14:25.520 --> 05:14:28.919
up as something. Milly just happened to look like a

4418
05:14:29.479 --> 05:14:33.560
bargain grocery's clerk. Once Milly was on the road, she

4419
05:14:33.680 --> 05:14:38.759
peddled faster and faster, scared she might be late. Shit,

4420
05:14:39.279 --> 05:14:41.560
she came to a stop. A gaggle of trick or

4421
05:14:41.599 --> 05:14:45.720
treaters and their chaperone were crossing the intersection. Damn it,

4422
05:14:46.119 --> 05:14:50.439
Milly swore under her breath, Come on, come, on. A

4423
05:14:50.599 --> 05:14:54.759
car roared up alongside her, its engine drowning out her music.

4424
05:14:55.560 --> 05:14:59.200
The red Firebird sat waiting for the procession of kids

4425
05:14:59.200 --> 05:15:03.119
to cross. Heavy metal, cranked to the STEREO's highest volume

4426
05:15:03.200 --> 05:15:07.279
level blared over the thunder of the engine. Milly knew

4427
05:15:07.319 --> 05:15:11.479
the car. She'd seen it several times at school. Milly

4428
05:15:11.560 --> 05:15:16.479
felt the two men inside watching her. Hey, Troy, look

4429
05:15:16.560 --> 05:15:20.279
at this. It's a workin girl. Get off the bike, darlin,

4430
05:15:20.400 --> 05:15:24.240
I got something you can ride, and it's a stick shift.

4431
05:15:24.720 --> 05:15:28.880
Milly gulped. Come on, kids, come on, She tensed up.

4432
05:15:29.479 --> 05:15:33.319
After the kids had all crossed, the car mercifully roared away.

4433
05:15:34.240 --> 05:15:39.479
Milly exhaled and pedaled on. She skidded to a stop

4434
05:15:39.520 --> 05:15:43.360
by the bike rack outside of Bargain Groceries. The parking

4435
05:15:43.400 --> 05:15:47.479
lot was fairly dead, only some last minute shoppers left.

4436
05:15:48.080 --> 05:15:51.680
Milly quickly chained her bike up. The sudden sound of

4437
05:15:51.720 --> 05:15:54.520
heavy metal music made her heart skip a beat. A

4438
05:15:54.560 --> 05:15:59.919
familiar red Firebird slowly drove past the store. She watched

4439
05:16:00.080 --> 05:16:04.200
as it passed, turning off onto a side street. There

4440
05:16:04.279 --> 05:16:06.880
wasn't much time to worry about if they were looking

4441
05:16:06.919 --> 05:16:09.799
for her or not, as Milly was pretty sure she

4442
05:16:10.000 --> 05:16:18.400
was late for her first night on the job. The

4443
05:16:18.479 --> 05:16:24.400
automatic doors swished open. Hey, a young woman called over.

4444
05:16:24.479 --> 05:16:29.919
Hero see oc was Milly's nickname from way back, given

4445
05:16:29.959 --> 05:16:33.040
to her by her best friend at the time, Samantha Vale.

4446
05:16:33.840 --> 05:16:36.759
A cute redhead, waved her over to the breakroom entrance.

4447
05:16:37.279 --> 05:16:40.439
She was wearing a uniform like Millie's, but she had

4448
05:16:40.479 --> 05:16:44.279
an eyepatch and a fake mustache on for Halloween. Quick

4449
05:16:44.520 --> 05:16:47.240
punch in, you got a minute to go, The girl

4450
05:16:47.279 --> 05:16:50.520
held open the breakroom door. Just inside the door of

4451
05:16:50.560 --> 05:16:53.680
the breakroom was a time clock. Milly pulled out her

4452
05:16:53.680 --> 05:16:57.759
punch card and pulled the machine's lever just in time.

4453
05:16:58.720 --> 05:17:02.759
Thanks Sam, Millie said Sam had always been a good friend.

4454
05:17:03.080 --> 05:17:06.400
Though high school social status had caused them to drift,

4455
05:17:06.799 --> 05:17:11.319
they had finally reconnected and their friendship was stronger than ever.

4456
05:17:11.959 --> 05:17:14.200
Stow your bag and jacket in the locker. I'll take

4457
05:17:14.200 --> 05:17:17.639
you to meet John. He's out back. Sam pointed to

4458
05:17:17.680 --> 05:17:21.959
Milly's walkman. Better stow that too. John's not into having

4459
05:17:21.959 --> 05:17:24.639
that shit on the job. He's not too bad, he

4460
05:17:25.319 --> 05:17:28.639
just has his own way of doing stuff. Hi, the

4461
05:17:28.720 --> 05:17:32.119
cashier said as they walked past. Milly noted he was

4462
05:17:32.159 --> 05:17:37.639
wearing pointy fangs a vast me heartee. Sam laughed, This

4463
05:17:37.799 --> 05:17:42.520
is Brian, Hey, Milly, you working here now? She felt

4464
05:17:42.560 --> 05:17:46.520
a rush of embarrassment. Brian knew her, but she didn't

4465
05:17:46.560 --> 05:17:51.159
recognize him at all. Yeah, I sure do, she struggled.

4466
05:17:51.880 --> 05:17:55.799
He looked a little disappointed. I shot behind you in English,

4467
05:17:56.279 --> 05:18:01.360
mister Kendrick's class. Oh sorry, right eight. She still didn't

4468
05:18:01.360 --> 05:18:05.840
recognize him. Good to see you, she lied thankfully. Sam

4469
05:18:05.919 --> 05:18:09.319
led her away. John's a cool boss, can be a

4470
05:18:09.360 --> 05:18:13.279
little intense sometimes, because he was a nam. Millie followed

4471
05:18:13.279 --> 05:18:16.599
Sam to the back of the store through large double doors.

4472
05:18:17.040 --> 05:18:22.279
A sign read employees only. The back area was stuffed

4473
05:18:22.279 --> 05:18:26.279
with racks and pallets filled with various products. Piled high

4474
05:18:27.040 --> 05:18:29.919
in a cramped little corner in the back was a desk.

4475
05:18:30.560 --> 05:18:34.240
A middle aged man sat talking on the phone. He

4476
05:18:34.400 --> 05:18:37.080
had the usual store uniform on, as well as a

4477
05:18:37.119 --> 05:18:40.639
thick pair of glasses. His dark brown hair was cut

4478
05:18:40.680 --> 05:18:45.240
in a neat crew cut that matched his neatly trimmed mustache.

4479
05:18:45.439 --> 05:18:48.840
All right, I understand, he wrote something on a pad,

4480
05:18:49.360 --> 05:18:54.319
special shipment. Got it, We'll be ready, he hung up. Hi, John,

4481
05:18:54.400 --> 05:18:58.799
I'm not disturbing anything, am I, Sam asked, No jokers

4482
05:18:58.840 --> 05:19:01.200
from corporate are sending us special shipment for me to

4483
05:19:01.279 --> 05:19:04.840
unload tonight. He took out a metal lighter and cigarette.

4484
05:19:05.240 --> 05:19:09.520
Lighting up. He turned to Milly new girl. Milly nodded.

4485
05:19:10.119 --> 05:19:14.000
Behind him was a sign that read no smoking. Next

4486
05:19:14.080 --> 05:19:17.040
to that sign was a picture of John snuggling with

4487
05:19:17.080 --> 05:19:21.680
a tiger cub wearing a camouflage cap. Both things summed

4488
05:19:21.720 --> 05:19:28.680
up John perfectly. You come very highly recommended. Well, Sam blushed.

4489
05:19:29.200 --> 05:19:32.400
I'd better get back out there. She left, leaving Milly

4490
05:19:32.520 --> 05:19:36.159
with John. So I'll lay out some ground rules around

4491
05:19:36.159 --> 05:19:38.720
here and what you should expect to be doing workwise.

4492
05:19:39.400 --> 05:19:41.720
He opened the desk drawer, taking out a clip on

4493
05:19:41.840 --> 05:19:46.200
holster with a box cutter. You'll need this, He handed

4494
05:19:46.240 --> 05:19:48.959
it to her, taking a puff of his cigarette. Clip

4495
05:19:49.000 --> 05:19:51.959
it onto your belt or pocket. He looked at her shirt.

4496
05:19:52.680 --> 05:19:55.560
Did they give you an ID badge? She reached into

4497
05:19:55.599 --> 05:19:58.720
her pocket, trying to fish it out. He stood, crushing

4498
05:19:58.759 --> 05:20:02.000
his cigarette under his heel. Skip it. Come on, I'll

4499
05:20:02.000 --> 05:20:07.680
give you the cheap tor. I have a little test

4500
05:20:07.720 --> 05:20:11.000
for you. She followed him to an aisle of paper products,

4501
05:20:11.479 --> 05:20:15.479
paper towels, boxes of facial tissue, and toilet paper. He

4502
05:20:15.639 --> 05:20:18.639
arranged some rolls of toilet paper neatly on the shelf.

4503
05:20:19.400 --> 05:20:23.119
We call this facing or blocking. It basically creates the

4504
05:20:23.159 --> 05:20:26.720
appearance that the shelves are perfectly stocked. You do this

4505
05:20:26.799 --> 05:20:29.119
by pulling a couple of products on the shelf to

4506
05:20:29.159 --> 05:20:32.560
the front. We also pulled down anything that's double stacked.

4507
05:20:33.080 --> 05:20:36.520
He demonstrated for Millie a couple more times. Among some

4508
05:20:36.639 --> 05:20:39.360
rolls of paper towels, he found a jar of peanut butter,

4509
05:20:39.840 --> 05:20:43.720
causing him to grumble under his breath. See this, we

4510
05:20:43.840 --> 05:20:49.520
call these returns or re shops. People are They're lazy bastards.

4511
05:20:49.720 --> 05:20:51.759
They like to leave stuff they don't want all over

4512
05:20:51.799 --> 05:20:55.080
the store. Some do it just to be dicks. He

4513
05:20:55.159 --> 05:20:58.639
shook his head. You find something like this, return it

4514
05:20:58.639 --> 05:21:02.040
to its proper place later, unless it's something like meat, dairy,

4515
05:21:02.159 --> 05:21:05.040
or frozen. Those are top priority and need to go

4516
05:21:05.119 --> 05:21:09.360
back asap. Milly nodded, trying to process all of the

4517
05:21:09.360 --> 05:21:12.279
new information. I have a few things to take care of.

4518
05:21:12.360 --> 05:21:14.040
I want you to get a feel for doing it.

4519
05:21:14.319 --> 05:21:16.439
Take your time, do as much as you can. I'll

4520
05:21:16.479 --> 05:21:19.040
be back to tell you how much you screwed it up.

4521
05:21:19.439 --> 05:21:23.520
Milly looked at him unsure. John laughed, do your best.

4522
05:21:23.520 --> 05:21:26.880
I'll be back in a bit. He left, leaving Milly

4523
05:21:26.959 --> 05:21:30.479
alone in the aisle. She wandered up and down before

4524
05:21:30.479 --> 05:21:33.040
deciding to start on one end and work her way down.

4525
05:21:33.599 --> 05:21:36.279
After a few minutes of work, Milly was starting to

4526
05:21:36.319 --> 05:21:41.279
relax some. This was kind of like Tetris, neatly arranging

4527
05:21:41.319 --> 05:21:45.880
the brightly colored boxes together. This brand here, that brand there.

4528
05:21:46.680 --> 05:21:50.919
She stepped back to admire her work. Hey, she heard

4529
05:21:51.000 --> 05:21:54.200
Sam call out from the front of the store. Peeking

4530
05:21:54.240 --> 05:21:58.000
around a display of paper towels, Milly saw Sam confronting

4531
05:21:58.040 --> 05:22:03.319
two girls. Milly wrecked, ignize them the McNab sisters. They'd

4532
05:22:03.360 --> 05:22:07.520
hung in the preppy crowd. I saw you, Sam said,

4533
05:22:07.919 --> 05:22:10.159
you put a couple beers in your person tried to

4534
05:22:10.200 --> 05:22:15.439
walk out. Oh please, Terry McNabb scoffed. Do you know

4535
05:22:15.520 --> 05:22:21.200
who our father is? Yes? Skids. Terry McNabb added, She

4536
05:22:21.360 --> 05:22:25.279
felt bad for Sam. Skids that's what they call anybody

4537
05:22:25.279 --> 05:22:29.159
from the poorer section of town. Why would we steal?

4538
05:22:29.520 --> 05:22:33.919
Terry pointed out, our father could own you, yes, skids.

4539
05:22:34.200 --> 05:22:37.680
Daddy could bulldoze your little trailer park hovel in a heartbeat.

4540
05:22:38.520 --> 05:22:42.080
Milly knew Sam was holding back. If she didn't need

4541
05:22:42.119 --> 05:22:44.840
the job so much, she would have given both sisters

4542
05:22:44.880 --> 05:22:50.080
a good ass kicking. Pretty good kid, John said, Milly jumped.

4543
05:22:50.599 --> 05:22:52.560
She'd been so wrapped up in her thoughts as she

4544
05:22:52.639 --> 05:22:56.400
worked she hadn't noticed him standing there. Although you've been

4545
05:22:56.400 --> 05:22:59.799
adjusting that one roll of paper towels for a good minute,

4546
05:22:59.840 --> 05:23:03.080
Ori t you're gonna make love to it. Milly set

4547
05:23:03.080 --> 05:23:06.479
the roll down. Embarrassed. John checked his watch, letting out

4548
05:23:06.479 --> 05:23:10.040
a whistle. Almost that time. Gotta close up the store.

4549
05:23:10.599 --> 05:23:13.560
Carry on with what you're doing, Just don't fondle any

4550
05:23:13.599 --> 05:23:17.520
more paper towels. He left her alone again. After a

4551
05:23:17.560 --> 05:23:20.759
few minutes, John came on the intercom. The store will

4552
05:23:20.799 --> 05:23:24.680
be closing in five minutes. Please make your final purchases.

4553
05:23:25.040 --> 05:23:28.159
Thank you for choosing bargain groceries, and have a good night.

4554
05:23:29.040 --> 05:23:31.599
A few minutes later, the lights dimmed just a little.

4555
05:23:32.279 --> 05:23:36.959
Milly continued working without the din of shoppers. She could

4556
05:23:36.959 --> 05:23:41.319
hear the store's musac trigger treat oh c. Sam stood

4557
05:23:41.319 --> 05:23:43.200
at the end of the aisle holding a couple of

4558
05:23:43.240 --> 05:23:47.240
candy bars. Brian stood next to her. Sam handed Milly

4559
05:23:47.279 --> 05:23:51.520
a chocolate bar. Brian looked at Milly, confused, Oh c

4560
05:23:52.680 --> 05:23:57.279
a nickname, Milly answered, ask Sam. Brian turned to Sam.

4561
05:23:57.799 --> 05:24:01.119
Maybe I'll tell you the story sometime. Sam snapped her

4562
05:24:01.159 --> 05:24:04.159
bar in two if you can guess what it stands for.

4563
05:24:04.959 --> 05:24:08.959
Milly crinkled the candy bar wrapper, sticking it into her pocket.

4564
05:24:09.599 --> 05:24:13.520
What are you guys still doing here? We got volunteered

4565
05:24:13.599 --> 05:24:17.720
with that special shipment coming in, Sam explained. There was

4566
05:24:17.759 --> 05:24:21.319
an audible click as the intercom came to life. A

4567
05:24:21.439 --> 05:24:25.840
robotic female voice sounded, front end, front end has a

4568
05:24:25.880 --> 05:24:29.040
call on line five, ten to one. The truck just

4569
05:24:29.080 --> 05:24:32.880
got here, Sam said. The intercom crackled to life again.

4570
05:24:33.360 --> 05:24:37.119
This time, the automated voice was replaced by John's Sam

4571
05:24:37.159 --> 05:24:40.200
to the backroom. I repeat, Sam to the back room.

4572
05:24:40.720 --> 05:24:45.680
Sam started down the aisle duty calls. So what now,

4573
05:24:45.919 --> 05:24:50.759
Milly asked. Brian adjusted his plastic fangs. I guess we'll

4574
05:24:51.360 --> 05:24:54.959
just finish this aisle and then do the next sounds

4575
05:24:54.959 --> 05:24:59.880
like a plan ocean cruise, Billy asked, off hand. Excuse me,

4576
05:25:00.520 --> 05:25:05.279
oh see, just taking a guess. Milly laughed, Sorry, no,

4577
05:25:06.080 --> 05:25:11.560
uh obsessive compulsive, Ah no, damn, I'll get it sooner

4578
05:25:11.680 --> 05:25:15.119
or later, after a few moments, they finished up and

4579
05:25:15.200 --> 05:25:17.159
moved to Aisle two, which had a view of the

4580
05:25:17.200 --> 05:25:21.919
parking lot. Milly stopped. The sight of something sitting in

4581
05:25:21.959 --> 05:25:25.599
the parking lot gave her a chill. No, no, no.

4582
05:25:26.919 --> 05:25:30.919
She walked towards the front of the store. Hey, what's up?

4583
05:25:31.240 --> 05:25:36.880
Brian asked that. Milly pointed nervously out the large front window.

4584
05:25:37.680 --> 05:25:42.040
The firebirds sat there under a light pole. Milly shuddered,

4585
05:25:43.080 --> 05:25:46.639
What about that car. The assholes in the car harassed

4586
05:25:46.680 --> 05:25:51.040
me on the way here. Brian sighed, damn it. He

4587
05:25:51.119 --> 05:25:55.279
shook his head. Those two are always making trouble, you

4588
05:25:55.360 --> 05:25:59.040
know them. Stay here, I'll go talk to Milly watched,

4589
05:25:59.159 --> 05:26:04.520
feeling helples as Brian left. She watched Brian walk across

4590
05:26:04.560 --> 05:26:08.479
the parking lot. She needed to get John. Running over

4591
05:26:08.520 --> 05:26:12.080
to the intercom, Milly fumbled with the buttons. Her first

4592
05:26:12.119 --> 05:26:16.400
attempt was greeted by ear splitting feedback. Her second and

4593
05:26:16.479 --> 05:26:20.040
third attempts were no better. On the fourth try, her

4594
05:26:20.080 --> 05:26:26.159
nervous voice boomed throughout the store. Hello, Hello, John to

4595
05:26:26.200 --> 05:26:29.959
the front. Repeat John to the front, Hurry. The sound

4596
05:26:29.959 --> 05:26:33.119
of her struggling to hang up the intercom receiver boomed

4597
05:26:33.200 --> 05:26:38.799
throughout the store. She waited, expecting John to come rushing. Instead,

4598
05:26:39.840 --> 05:26:43.560
nothing happened. Milly ran back to the front window and

4599
05:26:43.639 --> 05:26:47.680
peered out. Brian stood by the firebird talking to the driver,

4600
05:26:48.880 --> 05:26:53.279
not exactly the tense confrontation she'd expected. Movement in the

4601
05:26:53.319 --> 05:26:57.919
reflection of the glass made her turn in surprise John

4602
05:26:59.360 --> 05:27:02.720
there was no Something hit the floor in one of

4603
05:27:02.720 --> 05:27:09.000
the aisles, Guys, She walked by a display of Halloween candy.

4604
05:27:09.439 --> 05:27:13.439
A plastic candy filled skull grinned at her. Maybe this

4605
05:27:13.720 --> 05:27:18.119
was a Halloween prank, hazing the new girl. Milly turned

4606
05:27:18.159 --> 05:27:21.360
back to check on how Brian was doing, only to

4607
05:27:21.400 --> 05:27:26.159
see the firebird driving slowly towards the store, Brian nowhere

4608
05:27:26.200 --> 05:27:29.200
in sight. She watched as the car drove by the

4609
05:27:29.279 --> 05:27:32.319
front of the store. The interior was too dark to

4610
05:27:32.360 --> 05:27:36.319
make out its occupants. Milly felt her heart beat faster

4611
05:27:36.799 --> 05:27:39.880
and faster in her chest. She'd have to go out

4612
05:27:39.919 --> 05:27:44.880
there and look. Brian could be lying hurt out of sight. Somewhere.

4613
05:27:45.520 --> 05:27:47.799
There was a first aid kit on the wall next

4614
05:27:47.840 --> 05:27:52.200
to the intercom. She grabbed it before heading out. Pushing

4615
05:27:52.200 --> 05:27:55.759
the door open, Milly stepped outside into what felt like

4616
05:27:55.840 --> 05:28:01.840
a dangerous alien Land Brian, she called out, her voice

4617
05:28:01.840 --> 05:28:05.959
cracking and low. Milly wanted to grab her bike, get

4618
05:28:06.000 --> 05:28:09.840
home and hide under the covers. She needed to get John.

4619
05:28:10.360 --> 05:28:13.799
He'd know what to do. Milly hurried back inside and

4620
05:28:13.880 --> 05:28:17.279
locked the door. Sliding on the high polished floor, she

4621
05:28:17.400 --> 05:28:20.159
hurried to the back of the store, nearly toppling a

4622
05:28:20.200 --> 05:28:24.639
display of Halloween themed cereal. Barreling through the double doors

4623
05:28:24.639 --> 05:28:27.799
into the back, Milly stopped for a second to catch

4624
05:28:27.799 --> 05:28:35.000
her breath. John, She called between gasps Sam silence except

4625
05:28:35.040 --> 05:28:39.360
for the low, constant rumble of the overhead heater. The

4626
05:28:39.439 --> 05:28:44.479
loading dock was empty. The overhead door was open, letting

4627
05:28:44.520 --> 05:28:47.520
in the cool autumn air, where it poured in around

4628
05:28:47.560 --> 05:28:52.639
the semi trucks backed up to the dock guys. Milly

4629
05:28:52.759 --> 05:28:57.959
started to panic. She was completely alone. Her eyes scanned

4630
05:28:58.000 --> 05:29:03.919
the dark, cavernous room. The shadows hid countless possible terrors,

4631
05:29:04.520 --> 05:29:08.959
but alas so too did the floor. As she slipped

4632
05:29:08.959 --> 05:29:12.639
in a puddle on its surface, landing hard on her

4633
05:29:12.720 --> 05:29:17.639
knees and hands, Milly yelped in pain. There was something

4634
05:29:17.720 --> 05:29:21.479
wet and sticky on her sore hands. Raising them up,

4635
05:29:22.560 --> 05:29:28.479
she screamed they were coated in a crimson blood. There

4636
05:29:28.560 --> 05:29:31.119
was a trail leading out to the semi truck, and

4637
05:29:31.159 --> 05:29:34.439
there seemed to be something hanging in the truck's trailer.

4638
05:29:35.439 --> 05:29:40.080
With pained steps, she cautiously approached that trailer, her eyes

4639
05:29:40.159 --> 05:29:44.840
adjusted to the near dark of its interior. Hanging from

4640
05:29:45.000 --> 05:29:49.240
chains by his ankles at the trailer's center was John.

4641
05:29:49.919 --> 05:29:57.279
His forehead had a bloody gash. Oh god, Milly stammered John.

4642
05:29:57.919 --> 05:30:02.680
She reached out, stopping short of touching him. John, who

4643
05:30:02.680 --> 05:30:06.560
did this? She ventured a little further into the trailer.

4644
05:30:07.279 --> 05:30:11.520
There was no sign of Sam turning around. Milly used

4645
05:30:11.520 --> 05:30:14.880
the wall to guide her out. Her eyes scanned the

4646
05:30:14.919 --> 05:30:19.279
loading dock. They could be lurking anywhere. She had to

4647
05:30:19.319 --> 05:30:23.400
get help. On John's cluttered desk, she noticed a phone

4648
05:30:23.439 --> 05:30:27.919
earlier limping over. Milly snatched up the receiver and quickly dialed,

4649
05:30:27.959 --> 05:30:32.119
with bloody hands, We're sorry, your call cannot be completed

4650
05:30:32.159 --> 05:30:36.200
at this time, A robotic voice informed her, shit shit.

4651
05:30:36.799 --> 05:30:39.720
Milly slammed down the receiver. She was growing just as

4652
05:30:39.720 --> 05:30:43.599
frustrated as she was scared. John's metal lighter lay on

4653
05:30:43.680 --> 05:30:48.759
a stack of papers, Fuck communism engraved its front. She

4654
05:30:48.880 --> 05:30:52.439
snatched it up and exited. Limping along, she leaned on

4655
05:30:52.520 --> 05:30:56.520
a concrete wall. The block under her hand glowed lightly,

4656
05:30:57.240 --> 05:31:01.040
pulling her hand away. A strange symbol pulsate through the concrete.

4657
05:31:02.279 --> 05:31:06.360
What the shit is that? The bloody handprint she'd left

4658
05:31:06.959 --> 05:31:11.000
was absorbed into the block. Hurrying towards the double doors,

4659
05:31:11.040 --> 05:31:16.000
Milly stopped. Someone walked past an aisle, a large someone

4660
05:31:17.000 --> 05:31:21.560
or some thing. Milly ducked down. She needed to get

4661
05:31:21.560 --> 05:31:23.680
a better view of what was going on out there.

4662
05:31:24.479 --> 05:31:27.200
Not far from her was a sliding, white metal door.

4663
05:31:28.240 --> 05:31:31.759
She slowly unhooked the latch and pushed the door open

4664
05:31:32.240 --> 05:31:35.919
and slipped into the dairy cooler. She spied into the

4665
05:31:35.919 --> 05:31:39.720
store between gallon jugs of milk. Her eyes caught another

4666
05:31:39.799 --> 05:31:46.439
flash of movement. There definitely was somebody here. The intercom

4667
05:31:46.560 --> 05:31:51.520
loudly crackled to life, come out, come out, little goblin.

4668
05:31:52.159 --> 05:31:57.439
A voice hissed, trick or treat. An involuntary shudder of

4669
05:31:57.479 --> 05:32:01.680
fear ran through her body. They were looking for her.

4670
05:32:03.080 --> 05:32:05.680
Sneaking out of the cooler, Milly made up her mind.

4671
05:32:06.279 --> 05:32:09.720
She couldn't leave Sam and Brian. Milly had to fight

4672
05:32:09.799 --> 05:32:14.919
them somehow. There was another set of double doors further down.

4673
05:32:15.520 --> 05:32:19.240
She used them to slip into the store, hiding behind

4674
05:32:19.279 --> 05:32:22.560
a tank of lobsters. Milly looked up at the signs

4675
05:32:22.560 --> 05:32:27.000
for each aisle she was directly across from Aisle two,

4676
05:32:27.159 --> 05:32:32.479
Housewares and Cleaning. Perfect u sh it.

4677
05:32:32.560 --> 05:32:36.759
Was only the wind. You're safe, weekly spooky. We'll be

4678
05:32:36.919 --> 05:32:37.840
right back.

4679
05:32:40.040 --> 05:32:43.599
Calling all assholes, I'm right here, Milly called from the

4680
05:32:43.639 --> 05:32:47.439
intercom as she stood a broom handle ready, rags tied

4681
05:32:47.479 --> 05:32:50.319
to one end. It wasn't very long before a man

4682
05:32:50.799 --> 05:32:54.000
dressed in a black leather jacket emerged from Aisle six.

4683
05:32:54.639 --> 05:32:59.360
A cheap halloween mask hid his identity. Well, look ye here,

4684
05:32:59.520 --> 05:33:05.119
little guy, goblin girl. He strode confidently towards Milly, stopping.

4685
05:33:05.639 --> 05:33:08.599
He looked down as his boot clad foot made a

4686
05:33:08.639 --> 05:33:12.159
squishing noise. There was a puddle of floor wax in

4687
05:33:12.159 --> 05:33:17.360
front of him. Sneaky trying to make me slip. Milly

4688
05:33:17.439 --> 05:33:20.159
took out John's lighter and held it to the rags

4689
05:33:20.159 --> 05:33:23.799
on the mop handle. Where are my friends? She lit

4690
05:33:23.840 --> 05:33:27.360
the end of the mop with us, just like you'll

4691
05:33:27.360 --> 05:33:31.680
be wrong answer. She lit the puddle of floor wax.

4692
05:33:31.959 --> 05:33:35.360
It exploded in a burst of flame, surprising Milly. As

4693
05:33:35.400 --> 05:33:39.080
much as it did the man fuck. He recoiled the

4694
05:33:39.119 --> 05:33:43.240
tip of his foot on fire. Another similarly dressed man

4695
05:33:43.439 --> 05:33:46.040
rushed down one of the checkout lanes at her. As

4696
05:33:46.040 --> 05:33:49.520
she ran for the door, Milly hurled the flaming mop

4697
05:33:49.520 --> 05:33:52.799
handle at him like a spear. Inches from the door,

4698
05:33:53.279 --> 05:33:59.279
Milly stopped dead in her tracks. Outside, robed figures stood

4699
05:33:59.319 --> 05:34:04.200
sighed by their faces hidden by hoods. One of the

4700
05:34:04.240 --> 05:34:08.400
masked men grabbed her. He wrapped his arms tightly around Milly.

4701
05:34:08.720 --> 05:34:12.360
She thrashed and kicked to no avail. The man with

4702
05:34:12.439 --> 05:34:15.840
the burnt boot walked up to them. Lights out, little

4703
05:34:15.880 --> 05:34:19.840
goblin bitch. He pulled a black hood down over Milly's head,

4704
05:34:20.560 --> 05:34:26.599
enveloping her in darkness. Milly felt herself being dragged along.

4705
05:34:27.319 --> 05:34:31.599
She struggled, but it was no use. After a few minutes,

4706
05:34:31.639 --> 05:34:35.959
they roughly forced Milly to her knees. This Halloween wasn't

4707
05:34:36.000 --> 05:34:39.799
doing her legs any favors. Someone yanked the hood from

4708
05:34:39.840 --> 05:34:43.400
her head. As her eyes adjusted, Milly found she was

4709
05:34:43.479 --> 05:34:48.279
flanked by Sam and Brian. Next to Brian were the

4710
05:34:48.360 --> 05:34:53.720
men from the Firebird. The concrete floor was bitterly cold.

4711
05:34:54.319 --> 05:34:57.560
They appeared to be in the Stor's large freezer. A

4712
05:34:57.599 --> 05:35:02.880
black sheet covered a mysterious shape underneath. Across the freezer

4713
05:35:02.919 --> 05:35:07.520
stood seven robed figures. Behind Milly and the others. The

4714
05:35:07.560 --> 05:35:12.200
two masked men stood, this is bullshit, one of the

4715
05:35:12.200 --> 05:35:16.919
firebird men barked, earning him a smack quiet pup. The

4716
05:35:17.000 --> 05:35:22.040
mask man hissed. The center figure stepped forward. We've had

4717
05:35:22.080 --> 05:35:25.680
our little trick or treat tonight, and I do enjoy

4718
05:35:25.720 --> 05:35:30.759
a good treat, he laughed, lowering his hood. The older

4719
05:35:30.840 --> 05:35:36.319
man was vaguely familiar looking, Milly thought as he paced

4720
05:35:36.360 --> 05:35:40.599
back and forth. Tonight is a blessed night, he said,

4721
05:35:41.240 --> 05:35:43.919
and you lucky few are here among us to bear

4722
05:35:44.000 --> 05:35:48.919
witness and serve a glorious purpose. He reached down and

4723
05:35:49.040 --> 05:35:53.080
pulled the black sheet up in one motion. Underneath, lying

4724
05:35:53.119 --> 05:35:57.360
on the floor was a large, grayish body. It was

4725
05:35:57.439 --> 05:36:01.520
unlike anything Milly had ever seen before. It was similar

4726
05:36:01.560 --> 05:36:04.479
to one of those diagrams of a person without skin

4727
05:36:04.599 --> 05:36:07.959
that hung up in science class, except this thing was

4728
05:36:08.040 --> 05:36:12.520
way more muscular, and it had strange symbols cut into

4729
05:36:12.520 --> 05:36:16.560
its chest, head, and limbs. Each one had a strange

4730
05:36:16.599 --> 05:36:20.360
stone at its center. Milly noticed with a shiver that

4731
05:36:20.400 --> 05:36:23.680
its limbs and head weren't attached to the torso, but

4732
05:36:23.799 --> 05:36:27.159
were laying next to it in an approximation of a

4733
05:36:27.240 --> 05:36:33.520
human body. This is our lord, he smiled proudly. Cool Nucks,

4734
05:36:34.240 --> 05:36:40.439
the beast king a corpse. The driver of the firebird protested,

4735
05:36:40.840 --> 05:36:44.080
your fucking nuts. This earned him a punch to the

4736
05:36:44.159 --> 05:36:47.439
jaw from one of the masked men, bloodying his lip.

4737
05:36:48.159 --> 05:36:52.080
Leave him alone, his friend pleaded, He's an idiot. Shut up,

4738
05:36:52.080 --> 05:36:56.639
little bro, stay out of it, brother, Milly pondered. She

4739
05:36:56.799 --> 05:37:01.439
looked at them. There was a resemblance enough. The old

4740
05:37:01.479 --> 05:37:05.919
man ordered no more delays. Then it suddenly came to Milly.

4741
05:37:07.040 --> 05:37:12.520
This was Nathan Solomon, founder and CEO of Bargain Groceries.

4742
05:37:13.240 --> 05:37:16.880
His portrait hung in the back of the store. No shit,

4743
05:37:17.479 --> 05:37:21.400
she whispered to herself. As she made the connection. One

4744
05:37:21.439 --> 05:37:25.279
of the robed figures stepped forward, handing Solomon a large

4745
05:37:25.479 --> 05:37:30.799
ornate dagger. Cool Nucks. Betrayed by the Druids, enslain by

4746
05:37:30.840 --> 05:37:35.240
the warrior Aaron, his body was dismembered, bound by Druid magic,

4747
05:37:35.599 --> 05:37:40.959
and scattered, still living. I've found him, built an empire

4748
05:37:41.040 --> 05:37:44.439
for him, constructed this place of power to heal him.

4749
05:37:45.119 --> 05:37:49.639
He'll make this world right again. Solomon made a sweeping gesture.

4750
05:37:50.560 --> 05:37:53.400
Blood will run in the streets, and he'll feast on

4751
05:37:53.479 --> 05:37:58.479
his enemy's bones, the king of a new order. But first,

4752
05:37:58.520 --> 05:38:03.080
the blood of the Virgin must flow. Milly felt her

4753
05:38:03.119 --> 05:38:07.599
heart beat faster as Solomon raised up the dagger. Virgin.

4754
05:38:08.279 --> 05:38:12.919
Oh shit, bring forth the Virgin. He pointed at the

4755
05:38:13.000 --> 05:38:17.119
driver of the firebird. Me I ain't no Virgin. I

4756
05:38:17.200 --> 05:38:22.080
have a girlfriend in Canada. We've banged like a lot. Randy, No,

4757
05:38:23.000 --> 05:38:26.360
his brother cried out. Two of the robed figures dragged

4758
05:38:26.439 --> 05:38:30.599
Randy to where Solomon stood. Only blood will remove the

4759
05:38:30.720 --> 05:38:35.479
runes binding our king. Solomon brought the blade across Randy's

4760
05:38:35.560 --> 05:38:37.520
throat in one swift motion.

4761
05:38:38.240 --> 05:38:38.319
No.

4762
05:38:39.400 --> 05:38:42.720
Milly heard herself gasp as blood sprayed out of Randy's

4763
05:38:42.720 --> 05:38:47.360
sliced throat. Solomon held Randy's limp body up as the

4764
05:38:47.400 --> 05:38:51.279
blood flowed over the strange marks on the body before them.

4765
05:38:51.759 --> 05:38:55.759
One by one, the runes glowed. The severed limbs and

4766
05:38:55.840 --> 05:38:59.279
head began to mend themselves to the torso of the

4767
05:38:59.319 --> 05:39:06.000
strange body. Bring me another, Solomon ordered. Our king is thirsty.

4768
05:39:06.680 --> 05:39:10.119
One of the robed figures grabbed Brian, Leave him the

4769
05:39:10.159 --> 05:39:14.080
fuck alone. A battered John stood in the freezer door,

4770
05:39:14.279 --> 05:39:18.279
a metal chain wrapped around his fist. What catch you

4771
05:39:18.400 --> 05:39:21.919
coltest shitters? At a bad time? The night manager let

4772
05:39:21.959 --> 05:39:26.400
his fists fly as the robed figures advanced. Solomon struggled

4773
05:39:26.400 --> 05:39:29.959
with Brian. The King must have his blood. He slashed

4774
05:39:30.000 --> 05:39:32.919
madly at Brian, cutting open one of the young man's hands.

4775
05:39:33.319 --> 05:39:37.360
The blood splashed across the body of Kolnuks. The once

4776
05:39:37.479 --> 05:39:43.080
lifeless gray body shuddered to life. It then sucked air

4777
05:39:43.479 --> 05:39:48.520
into its ancient lungs. John decked one of the cult members, Sam,

4778
05:39:48.639 --> 05:39:52.439
Get everyone out of here. Sam and Millie grabbed Randy's brother,

4779
05:39:52.639 --> 05:39:55.000
and the three went for Brian, who was doing his

4780
05:39:55.080 --> 05:39:59.919
best to fend off Solomon's wild swings. No, Solomon pleaded,

4781
05:40:00.119 --> 05:40:03.720
I must finish. He's too weak. Milly set her jaw

4782
05:40:03.840 --> 05:40:06.799
and unleashed a powerful strike to the old man, sending

4783
05:40:06.880 --> 05:40:11.240
him flailing desperately before he hit the cold floor. The

4784
05:40:11.319 --> 05:40:14.720
others grabbed Brian and rushed to the freezer door. Milly

4785
05:40:14.799 --> 05:40:17.520
turned to see John trying to fend off the coltists.

4786
05:40:17.959 --> 05:40:21.319
At the same time, the monstrous form of coal Knook's

4787
05:40:21.639 --> 05:40:28.560
began to rise. John Sam shouted desperately, go, he ordered.

4788
05:40:29.400 --> 05:40:32.840
Randy's brother turned to Milly and Sam. I'll stay get

4789
05:40:32.840 --> 05:40:35.520
out of here for what it's worth. On Troy, and

4790
05:40:35.560 --> 05:40:39.639
I'm sorry we fucked with you earlier. Milly nodded stoically.

4791
05:40:40.200 --> 05:40:43.240
Milly and Sam dragged Brian out of the freezer. A

4792
05:40:43.319 --> 05:40:48.200
hideous roar sounded from inside, followed by the frantic screams

4793
05:40:48.959 --> 05:40:53.599
of the damned that things gotta be stopped. Milly took

4794
05:40:53.599 --> 05:40:57.720
a deep breath. Get help, What the hell are you

4795
05:40:57.840 --> 05:41:05.040
gonna do, Sam asked. Milly watched a reluctant Sam help

4796
05:41:05.119 --> 05:41:09.159
Brian through the double doors. She scanned the room. Then

4797
05:41:09.639 --> 05:41:14.200
she saw it, the forklift. Coal Knooks banged on the

4798
05:41:14.240 --> 05:41:16.880
freezer door as she made her way to the machine.

4799
05:41:17.560 --> 05:41:21.119
Milly climbed up into the cab and studied the controls.

4800
05:41:22.000 --> 05:41:26.119
Oh shit, she said, confused. There was a key hanging

4801
05:41:26.159 --> 05:41:30.040
on a hook like a car. Right. She turned the

4802
05:41:30.119 --> 05:41:35.119
key and the forklift rumbled to life. Okay, she could

4803
05:41:35.119 --> 05:41:38.159
do this. There was a loud crash as the freezer

4804
05:41:38.200 --> 05:41:42.279
door surrendered to Kole Knook's assault. Milly scrambled to figure

4805
05:41:42.319 --> 05:41:45.520
out the forklift controls. Most of the labels had long

4806
05:41:45.599 --> 05:41:49.599
since worn off. I can do this, she repeated to herself.

4807
05:41:50.119 --> 05:41:54.439
Milly caught a glance of the beast King advancing time

4808
05:41:54.520 --> 05:41:57.759
to die bastard. She pulled a lever and the forklift

4809
05:41:57.840 --> 05:42:02.759
jerked forward and stopped what Milly pulled another lever. She

4810
05:42:02.919 --> 05:42:06.560
managed to raise the forks up, but no forward momentum.

4811
05:42:07.279 --> 05:42:11.319
Milly yanked a second level. The forklift roared forward. The

4812
05:42:11.360 --> 05:42:15.040
beast King seemed slightly perplexed for a moment, but it

4813
05:42:15.119 --> 05:42:18.560
passed even faster. Milly tried ramming him with the forks,

4814
05:42:18.599 --> 05:42:21.000
but Nucks was quick and strong enough to grab them.

4815
05:42:21.279 --> 05:42:24.639
The creature pushed back against the mechanical strength of the machine,

4816
05:42:24.959 --> 05:42:29.360
causing the wheels to spin out. Milly swung the forklift around,

4817
05:42:29.560 --> 05:42:33.119
dragging Nucks, who still pushed back. Come on, you hunk

4818
05:42:33.159 --> 05:42:36.000
of crap. Milly pushed the machine as far as it

4819
05:42:36.000 --> 05:42:40.840
would go, slowly backing her beastial opponent. Call Nucks roared.

4820
05:42:41.439 --> 05:42:45.279
Milly found herself screaming back at the monster. The old

4821
05:42:45.360 --> 05:42:49.560
forklift lurched forward one final time, but not without struggle.

4822
05:42:50.040 --> 05:42:52.560
It was enough to knock the mighty beast King into

4823
05:42:52.560 --> 05:42:57.240
the waiting maw of the nearby garbage compactor. Milly sprang

4824
05:42:57.319 --> 05:43:00.479
from the lift and slammed down the metal gate, trapping

4825
05:43:00.599 --> 05:43:04.599
Nucks inside. The metal wouldn't hold long as the enraged

4826
05:43:04.639 --> 05:43:08.680
monster hammered it with his large fists. Milly slammed her

4827
05:43:08.720 --> 05:43:12.560
palm down on the large green button. The compactor squealed

4828
05:43:12.560 --> 05:43:16.279
to life. Coal. Nucks fought back, trying to stave off

4829
05:43:16.360 --> 05:43:20.279
the crushing grip, but in the end the strength of

4830
05:43:20.319 --> 05:43:24.759
the large machine was too great. Nucks's arms shattered under

4831
05:43:24.759 --> 05:43:29.400
the strain as he was crushed, letting out one last pitiful,

4832
05:43:29.919 --> 05:43:36.799
defiant roar. They found John and Troy dead in the

4833
05:43:36.799 --> 05:43:42.000
freezer along with the coltists. Milly took John's pack of cigarettes.

4834
05:43:42.959 --> 05:43:45.439
The sound of sobbing came from behind a stack of

4835
05:43:45.479 --> 05:43:50.880
egg cartons. Solomon, curled up in a ball, was devastated.

4836
05:43:52.240 --> 05:43:58.040
Our king, Our king, the king is dead, Milly informed him.

4837
05:43:58.759 --> 05:44:02.759
She lit one of John's cigarettes and exhaled. The doors

4838
05:44:02.799 --> 05:44:05.919
to the store unlocked as the rising sun filled the

4839
05:44:05.959 --> 05:44:10.040
building with hazy orange light. Two girls from the day

4840
05:44:10.080 --> 05:44:12.680
shift entered the store and caught a glimpse of the

4841
05:44:12.759 --> 05:44:17.319
mess that was Milly Oh my god, one stammered, are

4842
05:44:17.360 --> 05:44:22.599
you okay first night? Milly answered, the spent bud of

4843
05:44:22.599 --> 05:44:34.360
the cigarette dangling from her lips. Well, my spookies, I

4844
05:44:34.439 --> 05:44:37.080
guess you've made it to the end. And what a

4845
05:44:37.119 --> 05:44:41.560
brave soul you were to survive over five hours of

4846
05:44:41.959 --> 05:44:46.959
terrifying tales of Halloween. And it couldn't be a more

4847
05:44:47.000 --> 05:44:54.439
appropriate time. So congratulate yourself as you walk home tonight,

4848
05:44:54.479 --> 05:44:57.520
as you get on that dark road you've taken so

4849
05:44:57.599 --> 05:45:02.840
many times before, and be a aware that the scares

4850
05:45:04.080 --> 05:45:09.360
are just beginning, and come back tomorrow for even more

4851
05:45:10.000 --> 05:45:20.080
fear a weakly spooky, and maybe subscribe or don't. Nothing

4852
05:45:20.919 --> 05:45:22.080
can save you now.