It was just another average Halloween night. We started our drive from San Diego to our friend's party in Palm Springs. We had left early to avoid rush hour and the crazies. Not that we didn't look crazy ourselves in our costumes: Pete was dressed as a surgeon, covered in fake blood, and I had decided to be brave and deck myself out in a naughty nurse costume.
From the time Pete and I had gotten on the highway, he noticed a white truck had been behind us. As the sun began to set, I could see how worried Pete was becoming -- lane change after lane change and the truck stayed right with us. We were just nearing Fallbrook when Pete decided to take the next exit and the truck followed.
We drove about a block and pulled over to the side of the road. The white truck zoomed past us. After that, we figured it was just coincidence so we got back on the road and continued on the Historic Highway instead. Just a little further up, we saw a sign for a Haunted House at the Rainbow Tree Restaurant. Since we were hungry, we decided to pull in.
"Pete, it looks like they might be closed. There are no cars in the parking lot. Maybe we should just go."
"The open sign is on and so are all the lights."
Pete nodded at the huge sign for the Haunted House.
"What do you think, Darby? Wanna go get scared?"
"Sure." Did I want to go get scared? I was scared already, and I was regretting my choice of costume, knowing that people would see me wearing it.
"Okay." Pete agreed. "Let's grab something to eat and then we'll go check out the Haunted House on our way out."
When we opened the door the restaurant was full, and it seemed like all conversation stopped for a full minute as everyone turned to look at us. I wondered how everyone had gotten there, since it was obvious they had not driven. The other diners were all in their Halloween costumes, and it looked like they had dressed according to a theme. I would have called it "Witches and Warlocks through History." Well, mostly witches, as there seemed to be more women than men in the room. There was everything from Glinda the Good Witch to extremely scary looking, black-robed people with blades and scythes and other weapons that looked way too real. I looked up at Pete, but he just shrugged and turned to the hostess and asked:
"How long is the wait?"
"We're ready for you now." The hostess told us, and led us to a table in the dead center of the room.
I felt awkward, and more than a little scared in the crowd. They had resumed talking, but it was clear they were still watching us.
Pete leaned over to me and said, "Relax, Darby. It's Halloween -- they're supposed to look scary. Look at me: I'm not scared. If I get scared, it's time for you to get scared."
I was only somewhat reassured by this, as Pete was pretty much fearless. But, he was cautious. He looked over the menu to decide what he wanted to eat. He chuckled as he pointed out that the menu was a special one for the holiday: all the menu items were made to sound like B horror flick items.
"What do you say, Darby? Should we have the 'stake to die for' for two?"
"I guess so." I tried to laugh with him, but the hair on the back of my neck was already standing up.
The waitress came to our table to take our order. Pete ordered for both of us, but asked for the steak to be cooked medium.
"The steak only comes dripping with blood. That's how it will be served to you." She replied, and then walked away.
"They are really into this stuff here," Pete said. "It's like we stepped into a play."
Instead of calming me, these words had the opposite effect. My anxiety increased and it felt like everyone in the room could hear my heart thumping faster. The food arrived, and sure enough it was bloody.