Halloween 2019: Choose Your Spooky Outcome: Chapter 8
Eh, what the hell, Jim did pretty well last time around. Might as well see if he’s on some kind of a streak. Following his unrhythmic dancing along the winding path, you walk in Jim’s trail, occasionally pausing to pickup a bit of trash or debris spilling from his pockets. Kids probably shouldn’t even touch the residue of these substances, you can’t imagine what might happen if one licked a wrapper. With your face turned downward, you end up being the last person to see the source of the music come into view.
Bounding around the stage is a guy dressed like discount Dracula, belting out a surprisingly solid rendition of “Warlock Wiggle”, one of those cheesy songs that pops up in stores around Halloween because it’s on theme while staying family friendly. Seated before him are a dozen or so members of the audience, ranging well along the age spectrum, clapping along cheerfully with the beat. Framed on either side of the stage are a pair of monitors, and at this point you aren’t even surprised to see the filmed versions of Frankie and Styne dancing between the lyrics. Somebody really went all in on their mascot idea with those two, but the kids are happily giggling and pointing, so maybe it was money well spent.
“Big thanks for that wonderful performance!” Frankie calls out as the song comes to an end. “Everyone rest your clapping hands while you can, because our helpers are already bringing the next singer to the stage. Singer, don’t forget to tell the helper your song, or else you’ll have a very quiet stage.”
A dark-clothed figure is indeed winding through the crowd, tapping a woman dressed as either a mummy or a toilet-paper assault victim on the shoulder then leading her toward the stage.
“Don’t forget to sign up if you want to show what you’ve got. Be it solos or group acts, all are welcome to bust that tune,” Styne adds. “Everyone who sings gets to dip a hand in our mysterious bucket of prizes, where you could pull out anything from toys, to candy, even some Pristine Points if you’re lucky.”
It appears Jim has led you to an outdoor karaoke area. Not the first time this has happened, and certainly it won’t be the last, although tonight there might have been better uses of your time. You’re here though, and sounds like there’s at least a chance to earn some more Pristine Points, assuming your group can manage to make it through one of those sugary Happy-Ween approved songs.
“Any objections to taking a shot at this? Doesn’t sound like we have to do particularly well.”
“Better than wasting time back-tracking.” Thad drops a sizable hand on Jim’s shoulder. “We’ll go put a name down, why don’t you two put your heads together on what song we should pick.”
The effort to leave Victoria time to rest is fairly transparent, and yet you’re still grateful that Thad made it. Despite touching the Phantom Phone, she’s steadily looking frailer. It’s strange, you’ve never realized how much of who Victoria is has been bound up in that terrifying power she so casually wields. Even back in high school, before you knew anything about her Halloween connection, it’s always been like she was walking above the world, rather than through it. Seeing her like this, closer to human, feels inherently wrong. She needs to get out of here, and soon.
“You’re brother is not an especially subtle man, but he is a good one.” She steadies herself against a tree, not even properly gnarled, it looks too green and lush given the time of year. “Too good, for my tastes, noble intentions limit the scope of one’s thinking.”
“Yeah, that’s what comes to mind when I think of my brother. Limits.” You snicker in spite of yourself, an envy so old and worn it barely even registers as an emotion at this point. “If that’s what a limited version of Thad looks like, I hope we never see one set free.”
“Oh, there are many examples throughout even the history you know, your brother is far from the first of his kind. The ones who seemed blessed beyond measure, boundless talent, endless success, some even said to be capable of changing fate itself.” She pauses for a breath, looking over the sea of smiling faces, almost wincing at their utterly unfearing joy. “Every age has it’s mighty, though they find different roles as the times advance. You should search your own family history if you want to better understand him, there is often a lineage where such people are involved.”
Now that’s a hot bit of news to your ears. You’d always known there was something special about Thad, and after a few unnatural adventures the possibility it was magic had popped into mind, but you’d never considered the potential that Thad’s gift was inherited. Both of your parents are nice folks, just not inhumanly talented. Nor, you think, does time rewind around their deaths. But if Thad’s knack was passed down, there’s no reason why yours couldn’t be too.
Fascinating as the detail is, it’s one you’ll have to file away for when there’s a free moment. Thad and Jim are bounding back over at a brisk pace, slowed only by Thad having to drag Jim as your roommate speed-chugs what sure appears to be a fake prop potion. Given that he’s torn off what is clearly a plastic top to get at the glowing green liquid inside, you make a mental note to set aside money for a new toilet in November. Cleaning services already refuse calls to your house, and this has the making of another toilet that will have to be burned.
“Good news and bad news,” Thad announced, trying and failing to swipe the bottle from Jim, who displays sudden cat-like acrobatics even while being held. “Good news is there’s not a lot of people left on the list, I get the feeling we’re catching the tail-end of this. Bad news is that means we have to pick a song fast. Hope you two actually made progress on a good selection. I skimmed over the list of options, only recognized a few.”
“I knew the one about the octopus and the harlot,” Jim adds.
“Definitely not on the list,” Thad tells him, obviously not for the first time. “We can fake our way through a performance; I was more worried about how Victoria would do having to sing that junk.”
She attempts to replicate her earlier feat of summoning her usual terrifying aura, which only makes you more worried as it fails to fully come together. “Worry for yourself, I am up to whatever the task demands.” It sounds nice, except you notice her still resting an arm on the tree as she speaks.
Having finally finished his glowing brew, Jim casts the plastic bottle over his shoulder. “Screw it, let’s go with some real Halloween music. Anyone know “Hellfire and Blunts: The Halloween Soul”, because I am positive I still remember the freestyle verse.”
“I give us all of twenty seconds before they cut our mics if we try that.” Thad props Jim on his feet, making sure he’s capable of standing before letting go. “But I’m game for whatever want to try.”
Out of the corner of your eye, you can already see a helper making his way toward Thad, meaning your group is almost up. The more people who sing, the more chances in the mystery prize bucket to grab Pristine Points. You could go without Victoria though, give up one hand in the bucket in the hopes she’ll fare better on the sidelines. Then again, you could always try something that calls up a sense of the true Halloween. It’ll probably get you yanked off-stage, but maybe it’ll help Victoria the same way the prizes have been.
Whatever the plan, you’d best settle on it soon. The helper has nearly arrived, time to warm up that voice and make a selection.