Halloween

CHAPTER ONE

Cora sat in the passenger seat of Rose's VW Beetle, so excited that she could barely contain herself. The October sun cast long shadows across the road from the sparsely clad trees, their colorful leaves floating down like large snowflakes in February. Both girls were 1984 high school seniors and had recently turned eighteen.

"Oh, Rose, I'm so nervous. So much so that I'm going to chicken out. I can't even believe we thought up this plan."

Rose smiled. "You won't chicken out. I won't let you. And even if you do, I'll speak with Randy and make it known you have the hots for him."

"Oh, God." Cora's little feet bounced nervously on the floorboard. "Oh God, oh God, oh God. Do you think he'll go for it?" Since puberty, Cora had a crush on Randy, Rose's fraternal twin.

Rose giggled. "I suppose if he's desperate enough, he will."

Cora's mouth went wide. "Shut up! You're not making me feel any better about this."

Rose giggled again. "You know I'm only kidding. You're cuter than you think of yourself, even though you dress like a nerd."

"Oh, and you don't?"

Rose giggled, but it sounded more like a snort. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. We're nerds, so what?"

Cora frowned. "Randy won't want to be with a nerd."

"Hey, think positively about this. Randy likes you, and it's been over a month since he and Liz broke up, and he hasn't dated anyone else since. Plus, he's grounded this weekend and can't go to the big Halloween party, so yeah, I'd say if he's horny and you're available and willing, your chances of getting laid tonight are pretty good. And sex and love are synonymous with Randy. You two will probably end up getting married and having kids."

"Oh, God. I'm kinda scared. What if the sex hurts too bad, and I can't take it?"

"You're silly. It won't hurt too bad."

"Oh, and how would you know?"

"Well, if sex hurt too bad, no one would ever do it."

The girls passed house after house with lawns decorated in Halloween décor—ghosts and goblins, skeletons hanging from trees, witches on broomsticks, and Jack-O'-Lanterns sitting on porches.

Cora stared out the windshield silently for a moment before turning to Rose. "Is he...big?"

Rose's lower jaw dropped as she stared at Cora. "How would I know?"

"Aw, come on, Rose. Cause he's your brother. Surely you've seen it before, and don't tell me you haven't because I'll know you're lying."

Rose giggled. "Okay, yeah, I've seen it before, and I'll only say this about it—you should be well satisfied."

"Oh, God, I don't know if I can do it. He'll probably brush me off and tell everybody I asked him to have sex with me."

"Well, don't ask him directly, silly. Just start flirting with him and see if he takes the bait." Rose glanced at Cora. "And take those nerdy glasses off when we get to my house and put in your contacts. Did you bring anything nice to wear for him? Remember I told you he likes girls that dress nice."

Cora bit her lower lip as she stared at Rose. "I bought a new costume this year and was going to wear it just for Randy."

"A costume?" Rose slowly shook her head. "Oh, Cora. Is it something nerdy like you wore last year?"

"It's a vampire costume."

"But that's what you wore last year—a silly, nerdy-looking vampire costume. Plus, you dress like the walking dead every day more and more here lately. Randy will probably think the costume's your regular everyday attire. You're starting to remind me of Wednesday Addams, and you might as well keep on what you have.

"Hey, what's wrong with Wednesday? She's cute."

Rose shook her head. "Oh, Cora, you're hopeless."

CHAPTER TWO

Rose pulled into the driveway and parked under the old oak tree, then wrapped her long fingers around the gearshift and moved it to first gear before killing the engine. She watched a falling leaf slowly float down like a feather before landing on the hood of her car, its red tint blending almost perfectly with the vehicle's paint.

"Rose, what is it?"

Cora's voice shook Rose from her thoughts. She looked around the yard and then stared at Cora. "I don't know. Something feels weird. Is it just me, or do you feel it too?"

"Yeah, it's Halloween, and I may be having sex for the first time tonight. How weird is that?"

"No, besides that, something else feels strange. I can't describe it except to say something's off."

"Good or bad?"

"Both."

"Hmm, maybe tonight's the night I'll turn into a vampire."

"Oh, stop it with your vampire bullshit again. Why are you so obsessed with vampires?"

"Hey, it's Halloween. And I will be a vampire if only for tonight."

Rose shook her head and sighed. "Oh, Cora, you're a mess. Let's go in."

The girls grabbed their backpacks from the rear seat and headed inside the house.

"Hello, girls," Rose's mom called out from the kitchen.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, Mrs. Schnider," Cora said.

"Mom, what time is Dad getting home?"

Stacy Schnider stepped into the living room. She still looked youthful for thirty-eight, and she and Rose looked so much alike that they were sometimes confused for sisters. Like Rose, Stacy had dark brown hair trimmed at shoulder length. She was petite but rather tall and stood at five-seven, a half-inch taller than Rose.

Stacy had a sad look on her face. "He's not coming home tonight, honey. He called a little bit ago and said he was hauling a load to Destin. And from there, he's going to Mobile and then Jackson." Stacey wiped her left eye. "He won't be home for another week."

"I'm sorry, Mom. I know you miss him."

"It's just that I was looking forward to him coming home tonight." Stacey slowly shook her head. "I even cooked his favorite meal—pot roast with potatoes and carrots." She blew out a breath and shook her head again. "I think I'm going to go to the Halloween bingo with the ladies, get my mind off it. Will you girls be okay?"

Rose and Cora glanced at one another before Rose answered. "Yeah, Mom, we'll be fine. We're going to hand out Halloween candy and watch A HALLOWEEN TALE afterward. You have fun and stay out as late as you want. Don't worry about us."

The girls headed to Rose's room and tossed their backpacks on the bed. Cora said, "Oh God, I can't believe how this is all falling into place."

Rose said, "Hey, I have an idea. I'll pretend I'm not feeling well, and then you and Randy can have the whole evening to yourselves."

"Oh, Rose," Cora stared at her lifelong friend, concerned, "I'd feel bad dumping you like that."

Rose giggled. "Nonsense. Hey, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for, right? You'll make it up to me one day. Why don't you go take a shower and try on your costume?"

"Okay." Cora grinned from ear to ear. "I promise I'll make this up to you one day, Rose."

Rose walked to the living room, sat on the sofa, and mindlessly scanned the channels on the TV, anxious to see Cora come out of the bathroom in her new Halloween costume. Randy was in his room, probably sulking over being grounded. Mom and Dad were not home, and things were about to get exciting for little Cora. Would Randy take the bait? Rose had a strong feeling he would. He'd always liked Cora and even flirted with her on occasion. Well, not really flirted, but Rose had picked up on a few instances where Cora had caught Randy's interest. After all, beneath her nerdy appearance, she was a pretty girl.

The bathroom door opened, and Rose stared in that direction. "Cora, what are you doing? Come on out. You've been in there forever."

"I look ridiculous."

"Let me see it."

"I can't wear this. It's stupid."

Rose hopped off the sofa and walked into the bathroom, where she found her friend staring at herself in the mirror. Rose's jaw dropped when she saw Cora, and her eyes widened.

"Oh my God," Rose said. "Where'd you come from? And what happened to my friend, Cora?"

The dress was burgundy, accented with black spiderweb designs, and it was short, to say the least. It came with long draping sleeves matching the spiderweb design on the dress and a red cape with a large collar and ruffled hem. But what really made the costume extremely sexy-looking on Cora was the black fishnet stockings that accented Cora's pale thighs.

"You really like it?" Cora asked.

Rose looked Cora up and down, still amazed by the transformation. Cora's dyed, might-black hair fell over her shoulders and stopped at her cleavage, where Rose's eyes landed. Cora had always appeared nearly flat-chested, but the dress exposed half her milky-white breasts, only the size of softballs, yet alluring and sensual. "When did you get boobs?"

Cora giggled shyly. "Shut up! Is it too revealing? I probably shouldn't wear it."

"No, it's perfect on you. I'm shocked, and you look sexy as hell." Rose surprised herself with her statement.

Cora grinned from ear to ear. "You really think so?"

"Yes. You look smoking hot, girl. If I were Randy, I'd—"

Footsteps in the hallway broke the conversation. Rose stared in that direction and whispered excitedly, "Randy's out of his room."

Cora covered her face with her hands. "Oh God, Rose, I can't do it. I can't let him see me like this."

"Why not? You want to seduce him, don't you? He'll be all over you. Let's go see what he's up to."

"No, I can't do it."

Rose grabbed Cora's hand. "Come on." She pulled Cora across the bathroom with her only resisting halfheartedly. Rose continued pulling Cora down the hall, through the living room, and into the kitchen, where they found Randy.

"Hello, ladies," Randy said. His eyes caught sight of Cora, and he catcalled at her. "Cora, my god, you look hot."

Cora smiled shyly, and her cheeks turned red.

"Where are you going dressed like that?"

"Nowhere," Cora said. "Rose and I thought we'd hang out with you this evening and watch movies."

Randy's eyes ran up and down Cora's body. "Oh—well—um—I wish I could stay, but I'm leaving soon."

"But you're grounded," Rose said. "If Mom finds out, you'll be grounded for six more months."

"Mom knows. She's okay with it."

"Oh? So where are you going anyway?"

"To Liz's. We need to talk." Randy glanced between the two girls and saw disappointment on their faces. "What? I thought you girls would be glad to have the house to yourselves."

Rose said, "Well, we were hoping you'd stay home and watch A HALLOWEEN TALE with us."

"Some other time. Liz and I need to figure out whether we're getting back together. You two enjoy yourselves." Randy glanced from one girl to the other, gave Rose a sideways hug and a kiss on the forehead, and surprised Cora by doing the same to her. Then he grabbed his keys and headed for the front door. But before reaching it, Randy turned around and stared at Cora again. He said, "You really look sweet in that costume. You're one hot vampire."

Cora gave him a half-hearted smile. But on the inside, her heart was broken. And the worst thing about the situation was that she realized the plan would have fallen into place if it wasn't for that snotty bitch, Liz.

"Bye, Randy."

CHAPTER THREE

Cora slumped on a kitchen chair and laid her head on the table. "Oh, Rose, I'm so disappointed I could cry."

Rose stepped up to Cora and softly stroked her long, dark hair. She'd always looked so tiny and fragile and looked even more so now. Rose had probably been as excited for Cora as Cora herself had been. Randy was a good guy—smart and handsome and could have been so good for her.

Rose said, "I'm so sorry, Cora. But, hey, maybe Randy and Liz won't get back together. Maybe you'll have another chance."

Cora sat up and wiped her eyes. "I don't know, Rose. I'm way out of his league. I'm a nerd, and he's Mr. Popular."

"Cora, did you see how he looked at you and the comments he made? He thinks you're hot. You'll get your chance."

*****

The girls had each eaten a helping of Rose's mother's pot roast. They'd put away the food and washed their dishes. Dusk was falling over the neighborhood, and the trick-or-treaters would soon be there. Rose grabbed the Halloween candy from the pantry, and she and Cora walked to the living room and sat on the sofa.

Rose stared at Cora, who had just turned on the TV and was skimming channels. Cora sat cross-legged on the sofa, her knees spread apart and her feet under her thighs. Her costume dress covered nothing, her black panties were fully exposed, and even from where Rose sat, she could see the outline of Cora's twat and even some exposed pubic hair.

"Cora, I can see your pussy." It was only a thought in Rose's mind that she'd mindlessly spoken out loud. The moment the words escaped her lips, her eyes widened.

Cora quickly sat up straight and tugged at the hem of her dress. "Shut up." Her face turned red. "What are you doing looking anyway?"

Rose shrugged, and although she didn't mean to say the words that popped into her head, she blurted them out. "Maybe I like what I see."

Cora's mouth went wide at hearing her friend's comment. "Shut up!"

Rose knew Cora took the comment as a joke, but Rose had been serious. Why was she feeling this way toward her best friend? Was it that silly costume dress?

While Rose sat on the sofa mindlessly watching a TV program Cora had landed on, her mind was elsewhere, thinking about the new lust she'd developed for her best friend. Rose snuck sideways glances at Cora, admiring her little body and how the fishnet stockings accented her thighs. She wished more than anything at the moment to run her hand up and down them and squeeze those little breasts. But why was she feeling this way? She'd never considered herself to be a lesbian or even Bisexual.

An unexpected knock on the door broke Rose's thoughts, and Cora hopped off the sofa and grabbed the Halloween candy.

"First trick-or-treater," Cora said. She rushed to the door, opened it, looked out, paused, and then turned to Rose. "There's no one here, strange." Cora looked out again, looked right and then left, and suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rose jumped off the sofa and sprinted toward the door where Cora stood, looking terrified.

"Cora, what is it?"

Cora pointed toward the end of the porch, and when Rose glanced in that direction, she screamed louder than Cora had and grabbed onto her friend. Sitting near the end of the porch and facing their direction was a lopsided Jack-O'-Lantern with jagged sawtooth teeth, a sinister crooked smile, and haunting eyes that glowed orange from the candle inside.

"Oh, Rose," Cora cried, her voice shaky and terrified, "That looks just like—"

"—The Jack-O'-Lantern from A HALLOWEEN TALE," Rose said, eyes wide and staring at the evil-looking thing. It looked almost life-like, and Rose would have sworn that she saw its mouth move.

A HALLOWEEN TALE was a movie series that aired a new two-hour show every Halloween and always started the same way. A Jack-Lantern would unexpectedly show up on the porch or driveway of a different family on Halloween. And as the evening progressed, the Jack-O'-Lantern would materialize in other parts of the house. When the evil being had had enough fun terrorizing the family, it would possess one or more of the family members and make them do horrific things. In last year's movie, the Jack-O'-Lantern had fused itself with the eldest son, giving him the look of a young man with a pumpkin head and, once possessed, had done unspeakable things to his family.

"Oh, Rose, do you think—"

The terrified look on Rose's face slowly faded and was soon replaced by a smile. She walked up to the Jack-O'-Lantern, stared at it, and burst out laughing.

"Rose," Cora said, "it's not funny."

"Yes, it is. Don't you get it? Someone played a joke on us. A HALLOWEEN TALE is only a movie, silly."

"But who would want to play a joke on us? No one even knows it's our favorite Halloween movie."

"Randy knows."

"Yeah, but he went to Liz's some time ago."

"I know he didn't do it himself, but I'm sure he put one of his friends up to doing it. You know how Randy is, always playing a joke on someone."

Cora giggled. "Oh God, he sure had me almost convinced. We need to get him back."

"That we do," Rose said. "Hey, let's take the Jack-O'-Lantern inside."

"Are you out of your mind? That thing's creepy."

"Yeah, but it'll make the movie that much more exciting." Rose cautiously picked up the Jack-O'-Lantern and headed back inside, with Cora on her heels cautiously eyeing the thing. Rose sat the Jack-O'-Lantern on the coffee table. "There. Perfect."

The girls sat on the sofa and stared at the Jack-O'-Lantern, mesmerized by its flickering, pulsing, and almost life-like appearance, and time passed by unnoticed until the first trick-or-treater knocked at the door. Both girls jumped, breaking the trance. Cora sprang off the sofa, anxious to see the first trick-or-treater's costume. When she opened the door, she saw a young pirate and his mother standing outside the door.

"Trick or treat!"

The boy's mother eyed Cora suspiciously as Cora gave the young pirate a generous amount of candy.

"There you go," Cora said. "Have fun."

*****

The evening had been busy with kids in Halloween costumes coming and going. Cora enjoyed every minute of it, mainly got good comments on her costume from the adult chaperones, and even got catcalled by a boy of about ten dressed as a rockstar. Since the trick-or-treaters had started coming, the girls had dismissed any evil thoughts about the strange Jack-O'-Lantern on the coffee table.

Cora opened the door to what would be the last trick-or-treater of the evening. She handed the rest of the candy to a young witch with a broom in one hand and a pumpkin pail almost overflowing with candy in the other.

"That's the last of the candy," Cora said as she shut the door and turned off the porch light.

"Good. I'll make us some popcorn, and we'll watch A HALLOWEEN TALE. It starts in fifteen minutes."

A few minutes before the movie started, Rose came out of the kitchen carrying a big bowl of popcorn. Cora sat on the end of the sofa, remote in hand, eyes glued to the TV screen. Rose sat next to Cora tonight, the bowl of popcorn in her lap, just in time to catch the trailer of A HALLOWEEN TALE.

CHAPTER FIVE

Near the end of the movie, the girls had popcorn scattered everywhere as one bloody scene after another unfolded. They had watched Phillip, the nerdy son in the family, evolve from a shy geek teenager to a monster with a pumpkin head. He'd already killed his parents and best friend with an axe, and now he was chasing his sister through the woods.

"Oh God, Rose, I can't look." The girls held on to one another as Stacey, Phillip's sister, ran through the woods screaming, and Phillip, the living Jack-O'-Lantern, was hot on her trail with the axe.

Rose put her arm around Cora, and when she did, Cora buried her head in the crook of Rose's neck, peeking sideways at the TV screen. Rose was enjoying the movie, but what she was enjoying even more was holding Cora, and this new feeling of lust for her best friend grew stronger and stronger. Rose chanced a peek between Cora's thighs, her dress all askew and wrapped around her waist, her mound clearly visible under the little lacy panties.

On the TV screen, Stacey tripped on a tree root and collapsed to the ground, out of breath and out of hope for escape. She stared up at the full moon, crying and mumbling to herself. Out of the shadows stepped Phillip, axe laying on his shoulder, an evil grin on his Jack-Lantern face. Stacey saw him and pleaded, "No! Please, no!"

"Oh god," Rose said as she held Cora tight. At that moment, Rose realized that the upcoming movie scene presented an even greater opportunity and would be perfect.