Halloween 2021: Choose Your Spooky Outcome: Chapter 2
Despite an inexplicable temptation to let Pumpkin jam a blade into your heart, better sense prevails as you shake your head to the idea. Jim’s antics are easily passed on, but the idea of heading back to high school is more compelling than you’d expected. After the revelations of last year, you’ve been thinking about the past. At some point, you had a name, because Thad was surprised you lost it. Finding out when it vanished might help narrow down exactly what happened, and high school covers a fair chunk of your life.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t this year. It’s a chance to hunt for answers to questions I’ve only just started asking.”
At your words, the EverKey crackles in Pumpkin’s hand, sparking several times before growing dim. It looks a bit less intimidating as she puts it away, shaking her own head in a gesture eerily similar to your own. “You’re looking for change to pay a toll booth when there’s a clear path on the road ahead. But the choice is made, so all I can do for this year is help you find whatever you need to take the step next Halloween. Assuming it’s still possible.”
Before you can press her on that comment, a loud racket sounds through the kitchen as Jim drags his pot out of the oven, yanking half the metal shelves along with it. Racing to the sink, he drops the pot in, adds a full two-liter bottle of bubblegum-flavored soda, and then slams a pressure cooker lid on top. “That should be ready by the time I’ve got my costume on.”
“Speaking of, now that our destination is set, I suppose it’s time to see about outfits. Merlin, I selected this for you, in case the reunion was chosen as a destination.” Victoria hands off one of the dark bags, keeping the others on the table. “I presume the rest of you have made your own preparations.”
“Fuck yeah!” Jim dashes into his room and slams the door, just as the lidded pot begins to make unsettling gurgles.
Ignoring the sound, Thad removed his overcoat to reveal a white shirt, suspenders, and huge pants with reflective safety tape. After he adds the iconic hat from his jacket pocket, the fireman costume is complete. Although the tight shirt makes it look more akin to a fireman calendar shoot than someone actually running into burning buildings.
“I got some shit for this, hang on.” Reaching into a bag at the side of the chair, Pumpkin roots around before producing an orange helmet and denim jacket covered in various decorative pins. “Even made sure this world had roller-derby, just so I wouldn’t look nuts.”
“Nothing to fear there, not when you’re out with-” Victoria is cut off by the door slamming open with the same gusto that it had shut. From the bedroom comes Jim, or at least his face. The rest is obscured by a giant lizard monster costume, a beer taped to each hand, sunglasses covering the glowering eyes, and a simple hat with the word “Partyzilla” written in marker across the front.
Raising his head, Jim lets out an unexpectedly impressive roar. “Let’s party this world to the ground!”
Only Pumpkin is surprised, and even then, not for long. It has been a year of dealing with these antics, after all. Victoria takes the opportunity to shed her own coat, revealing an ensemble of lush greens with carefully interwoven flowers layered on top. She seems like a topiary come to life, and you note a few roses in a familiar purple hue. Victoria moves one of those roses from her hip to behind her left ear, pausing briefly to smell it as she does.
“I’ve decided to go as a dryad, though most of our ‘peers’ will likely think I’m that plant woman from the comics.” As Victoria moves, you catch flashes of brown fabric worked in between the green, like glimpses of bark under a flowering tree.
With only your costume left to go, you pop open the zipper to find a dark cape, respectable looking shirt and jacket, and a pair of high-quality fangs. “Vampire? Have I not done that one already?”
“It was among the ensemble choices last year, and a perfect selection to pair with the reunion, for obvious reasons.” When no one reacts, Victoria lifts an eyebrow. “Surely you have read some of the books put out by the publishing company where my mother works, after all these years.”
A chorus of “sures”, “yeahs”, and one “when I tried the words were crawling across the page” fill the air as Victoria rubs the side of her head. “Never mind. Just put on the costume and we’ll meet in the limousine.”
Moving fast, since everyone else is pretty much ready, you toss on the outfit and check your look in the mirror. It’s not the most elaborate costume Victoria has provided, but she never deals in anything of low quality. From the leather of the cape to the snug fit of the fangs, you look the part of a classic movie vampire.
Dashing out to the limousine, you discover the remains of Jim’s now dented and half-melted pot sitting a few feet from the vehicle. No one is around to explain what happened, however you definitely notice scorch marks on the concrete. You can only hope whatever was in there self-destructed along with your cookware.
The ride passes quickly, largely thanks to the team effort put into keeping Jim from flying out the limousine roof when his giant costume catches the wind. How the hat and glasses are still in place when he finally comes down makes you wonder if Jim employed some of the semi-sentient spackle from last year’s Groundhog Day debacle.
When the limousine pulls to a stop outside the school, you’re thankful for the rest, arms exhausted. Before you even have time to properly catch your breath, Thad is stepping forward, pointing to different spots on the building.
“Up there where everyone is walking in is registration, where we need to get checked in and grab badges. The gym is where they’re holding the party itself, and where the bar is, so-”
No sooner had Thad spoken the word “bar” than Jim is off like a shot, dashing straight for the gym at speeds that are genuinely impressive, especially considering his choice of costume.
After a moment’s pause, Thad shrugs. “Guess that one is on me, should have saved the bar’s location for last. Not much left anyway. People are hanging out in the halls and parking lot, visiting their old haunts. You all can take your pick, but as a chaperone I’ve got to hit registration. They’ll probably let me pick up the badges for at least some of us, can’t be sure if neither of the attendees comes along.”
“Personally, I think Jim had the right idea,” Pumpkin says. “I can’t really remember going to any of my own reunions, but I don’t get the sense I enjoyed them. I’ll hit the bar. Besides, someone has to go make sure he doesn’t get kicked out already. A little help wouldn’t hurt, though.”
“As for me, I think I shall take a tour through the old halls. Eerie, silent, and dark; I might actually enjoy being in them for a change. I’ve been meditating on earlier times as of late, and think the stroll might be helpful. Should you wish to join, I would welcome the company,” Victoria offers.
Time to get your reunion kicked off, what will you start with?