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“This is a stupid idea.”
“Spector, if you get us caught--”
‘He’s right. It’s a stupid idea.’
“Objections noted and ignored.”
‘Layla’s gonna flip out and smush us.’
“She won’t.”
‘What makes you so sure?’
“It’s Halloween.” Jake couldn’t hold back a grin. “Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”
-
Layla sent the little vampire away, smiling. It was nice that the new apartment had organized an American-style trick or treat night for Halloween. There were lots of homemade paper bats and ghosts plastered to the doors, and one enterprising family had carved a rutabaga into a passable (and creepy) Jack’O Lantern. Steven thought the idea was cute, Marc seemed indifferent.
But then there was Jake.
Apparently the man LOVED all things Halloween. His reasons varied between getting crazy tips when driving his cab (drunk partiers were generous), enjoying scary movies (especially Freddy, Michael, and Jason whom he called ‘The Big Three’), and even a few allusions to Trick or Treating as a child. He’d been excited to find a proper Halloween costume, and scoured the city for weeks. Nothing met his standards.
Marc had been quick to point out that Jake had access to a magic mask anytime he wanted it. Jake had rolled his eyes because ‘that wasn’t the same and Spector knew it.’ Steven had suggested painting their face, which was shouted down by the others.
Layla sat on the couch and picked up her phone. Jake had texted a while ago that he’d found something and was on his way back. For a man who claimed to love Halloween, he’d already missed a lot of it. The movie marathon he’d been so excited for was well under way.
Layla hadn’t experienced an American-style Halloween, but had seen it in movies and TV shows. It seemed like pure fun; the one American holiday untainted by fancy meals or family plans or anything else headache-inducing. Just candy and spookiness.
Speaking of which…
Layla picked up the bowl of M&Ms. The trick or treaters were getting jolly ranchers; this was just for her, and Jake if he ever bothered to show--
Something clamped onto her fingertip.
Layla jerked back, letting out a shriek.
Dangling from her finger was a very tiny Jake Lockley. Wearing a cheesy vampire cape over his Moon Knight suit.
He grinned, showing off dollar-store plastic fangs. “Happy Halloween Chula.”
“You jackass!” She couldn’t help bursting into laughter. “How long were you in there?”
“Hmm. Somewhere between Halloween 2 and Halloween 3.” Jake’s voice was mangled by the fangs. “Figured you’d have gone for the candy before now.”
She raised her hand up, so they could speak eye-to-eye. “We’ve had a parade of little monsters at the door. Who I’ve had to deal with solo.”
“I told him it was a stupid idea.” Marc forced his way forward and spit out the fangs. “Steven too.”
“Well, now that the kids are thinning out and you’ve played your trick, what do we do?” She lowered them to the back of the couch.
“I’m perfectly happy staying in and watching movies.” Steven piped up. He was quiet for a few moments. “Yes Jake, I know that’s boring. I don’t care. We hid in that bowl for two bloody hours, THAT was boring.”
Layla got a handful of M&Ms. “Want one?”
“Oh, yes please.”
She handed him an orange one with a Jack O'Lantern face printed on one side. Steven had to hold it with both hands, but wasn’t complaining. “Can one of you explain this movie?”
“Evil company’s turning kids' heads into piles of bugs and snakes with magic chips from Stonehenge to keep the world running smooth.” Jake worked his fingers under a crack in the shell. “Druid shit.”
She tipped the chocolates into her mouth. “Oh, yeah, now it all makes sense.”
“Hey, you think this is bad, wait until the multiple timelines come into play.” He broke off a piece of the shell and crunched down on it. “I don’t care what people say, orange dye tastes better.”
She laughed again. “Happy Halloween, Jake.”
“Happy Halloween, Chula.”
