We all have our own unique Halloween traditions. My brother loves to work in the haunted house scene. My coworker is really into costume contests. My parents love their old horror movies. Me? I love to carve pumpkins. I don't mean I make measly little jack-o-lanterns. No, I carve detailed faces and scenes into the seasonal gourd. I cut them up and reassemble them into crazy creations from serpents to people. Basically, anything you've ever seen on Food Network's Halloween Wars. I build several for my place and others for friends and anyone who asks. I never charge them a cent. I do it because I love it.
That was until this year. It's Halloween night and I haven't carved a thing all month. Hell, I haven't even decorated. I haven't had the spirit this year. Not since Emily. If she had just dumped me last month that would have been fine. I mean I'd still be hurt but not this hurt. I was planning out this year's displays when she let me have it. Told me she thought I'd outgrow this stupid childish hobby one day. That I was wasting my life and she needed a real man. Not a little boy.
So here I am on my couch in my jeans and hoodie trying not to think about what was going on outside my door. Someone chooses this moment to knock on said door. I sigh and grab the candy bowl. I open the door and almost drop said bowl. A lasso is tossed over me and sinches tight, pinning my arms. Standing there, holding it, is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I have thought so pretty much my entire life. I became best friends with Karl Nasir back in the fourth grade. That's when I met his big sister Khloe. I have been crushing on her ever sense. Not that I would ever tell her that. She's been too good a friend to make things weird between us.
Now here she is, in my doorway. She's dressed as a cowgirl, but not like any cowgirl I've ever seen. For starters her outfit is bright pink. The brim of the hat, her sleeves, and chaps have fringe hanging from them. The Sleeves were unconnected to any shirt, stopping at her elbows. Her boots are small and connected to chaps that only reach her knees. I call them chaps because I can't think of a better word for her leggings. The rest of her 'costume' is a pair of booty shorts and a bikini top. All of it has a metallic shine to it. She's dyed her long hair blonde.
"K...Khloe?"
"Howdy, Micha."
"What... what's going on?"
"What's it look like? I'm kidnapping you."
"W...why?"
"Look at this place. There's not a single pumpkin here. How can Pumpkin Boy celebrate Halloween without any pumpkins?"
I blush at her little nickname for me.
"That's for kids."
"No, that's that bitch talking."
"Khloe!"
"She broke my boy," she says, stroking my cheek, "but I know just how to fix you."
She reaches into my pants pocket and pulls out my key. I blush again, this time at the strange new intimacy of her interactions. She locks up and begins dragging me down the street. I look back at my parents' house. Another reason Emily dumped me. So what if I still lived at home? I go to community college. I can't exactly afford a monthly rent and classes right now.
"Where are we going?"
"Halloween party."
"I'm not in costume."
"Sure you are. You're the city boy this sexy ass cowgirl is kidnapping."
"Really into this kidnapping motif, huh?"
"Kinda have to be when you're going to a femdom party."
"A what?!"
We arrive at the party a short walk later. I've been trying to avoid eye contact with everyone and anyone. I barely register the guy my age dressed as a superhero with a collar around his neck. I can't help but notice the busty older redhead holding his leash.
"Just as I promised, Ms. Richards," Khloe tells her.
Promised?
"Excellent! Oh my, he's even cuter than you described. You're a very lucky girl."
"Yeah, I am."
"His pin is right over there."
She drags me along before I can even finish saying, "my pen?". We arrive at a small area surrounded by an old school Rugrats style playpen. The space is full of pumpkins of varying sizes, some pumpkin carving tools... my pumpkin carving tools, and a worktable.
"What is this?"
"At the end of the night there's going to be a pumpkin auction."
"Auction?"
"That's right. People are going to be bidding on what you make here tonight."
"I told you; I don't do that anymore."
"Lie to yourself all you want; you can't fool me. I know you too well."
She leads me inside to the worktable and removes the lasso. She then uses it to tie my leg to that of the table.
Seeing my reaction she says, "all subs must be restrained."
"I'm not a sub."
"I kidnapped you. I'm telling you what to do. You're going to do it."
"Oh yeah? What makes you think that?"
