Author's Note: This was supposed to be an entry for the Halloween story contest, but it took longer to write than I expected. So, I am posting it here so that you my fair readers can still enjoy the trials that Kitty is made to endure at a very special Halloween party.
I tried to use some actual historical background and real locations to ground the story and I hope you all like it. Please give me your thoughts as I really want to know what you all think. This is only the second Halloween-themed story I have ever written, and I hope I did it justice. You can leave comments here.
One last note, this is a story that deals in non-consent and has aspects of BDSM in it. If that's not your thing, feel free to choose another story. This is a fantasy and meant only as entertainment. Enjoy, and as always, thank you for reading!
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[Seattle. 1911]
Eventually, the building would come to be known as The Lester Apartments. 50 units in a multi-story wooden monstrosity that crouched along the bottom of Beacon Hill in Seattle. Primarily used for housing workers from Boeing Field, it remained a fixture until 1951 when a B-51, taking off from Boeing Field, developed engine trouble and crashed into The Lester Apartments, engulfing it in flames and burning the entire structure to the ground. Over 11 residents of the apartments lost their lives as well as the entire crew of the B-51.
However, it's original purpose was much more sordid. Constructed in 1910, it was the brainchild of then Mayor Hiram Gill, one of the single most corrupt politicians in the history of the city. Along with his co-conspirator, Chief of Police Charles "Wappy" Wapenstein, it was the largest brothel existing on a public street in the world. The Mayor and Police Chief built and filled this den of iniquity and instituted a $10.00 per prostitute 'tax' upon its residents, a tax that went directly into the pockets of the politicians.
While it only remained a brothel for a few years, the stories of abuse and sexual depravity that went on inside have become legends in the history of Seattle. Women forced into prostitution, kidnapped and held as slaves, sold to the highest bidder. All run by the wealthy and corrupt of the city. That kind of stain can never be completely erased.
After it was destroyed, the city, looking for land to appropriate for it's new interstate, absorbed the property, as well as many other parcels, and paved it all over for the new route of I-5. If you have ever driven through the city and travelled through the Beacon Hill neighborhood on Interstate 5, you are travelling over the remains of that tragic site. Some people say they have felt an 'otherworldly presence' when driving through that region. Perhaps the ghosts and restless spirits that once walked the land of the living are still hanging around. If so, who knows what they want. Unfortunately for her, Kitty Hall is about to find out!
[Seattle. Friday, October 28th]
Kitty was very excited. Her boss had sent her to Seattle for a month to watch over the opening of their newest field office. Kitty had not done a lot of travelling and this was all quite wonderful for her. She got to fly business class, which was almost as nice as first class. Then they put her up at a very fancy hotel. She had a per diem for food and assorted expenses and she was getting to show her boss that she was ready for bigger responsibilities. All in all, it was a wonderful experience so far.
Today, it had gotten even better. It was October 28th, a Friday and the office staff had been invited to a big Halloween costume gala that was to be put on Saturday night. Kitty loved Halloween and her one big disappointment on this trip was that she was not going to be home where she could celebrate the holiday properly. But now, this was almost as good. A big party, costumes, drinks, food and music. Kitty had eagerly agreed to attend.
Then she realized that she didn't have a costume. That wasn't a wardrobe item she had thought she needed to bring. She couldn't go to the gala without a costume, how would that look. She was very upset. It was probably too late to go out and check the Halloween costume stores. They had likely sold out all of their good costumes weeks ago.
She was moping in the break room; afraid she would have to miss the party after all when Della came in. Della Rose was going to be the new office manager for this office. Kitty had been working with her all month long and Della had proved to be a quick study. Della seemed to be able to handle any situation and Kitty was certain things were going to be in good hands when she finally left. Della saw the look on Kitty's face and knew immediately there was a problem.
"Hey Kitty, what's wrong?" She asked, genuinely concerned.
Kitty looked up and sighed.
"It's the Halloween party tomorrow. I was really looking forward to it but..."
"Was?" Della interrupted.
Kitty frowned and nodded.
"I was, but, well, I don't have a costume." She sighed deeply. "It's too late to go shopping for anything decent and I can't show up without one, or worse yet, in a shitty costume. I love Halloween and I really wanted to go, but I don't think I can." She looked down at the breakroom table, dejected.
Della came over and sat down next to Kitty. She was smiling.
"Well, I just might be able to fix that problem." Her smile was genuine, and it perked up Kitty's spirit a little.
"Really? How?"
Della leaned in, as if imparting company secrets to a corporate spy.
"My brother-in-law works at the UW. He's one of the instructors in the Drama department. I'm going over there right after work because he said I could have access to their wardrobe department. They put on plays all year round and have a lot of costumes stored there. That's where I'm getting my costume for the party, and I bet he would let you borrow something as well!"
Kitty was now very interested. She looked at Della with hope.
"You really think I could?" She asked. Della nodded.
"I'm sure of it. Why don't we head out after work, and I'll take us up there."
Now Kitty was smiling.
"OK. Thanks, really!"
"Don't mention it. We girls have to stick together.
So, at five o'clock, Kitty found herself driving onto the grounds of The University of Washington. Della was driving as Kitty still had a little trouble navigating the city. Della parked and she and Kitty walked across the grounds to a large building marked 'Meany Hall'.
"This is it!" Della told Kitty. They are one of the premiere Performing Arts Centers in the region. Nick will be down in the basement level."
Kitty followed Della as they entered the building and walked through its large halls, down to a smaller corridor and an elevator. They got in and took the lift down to a level marked B-1. They stepped out into a narrow, crowded hall. Students and faculty wandered up and down the corridor, moving past racks of clothing of seemingly a dozen different styles and eras. Kitty was lost but Della seemed to know where she was going. She plunged into the rush of the crowds and forged her way upstream as it were.
They came to a door marked 'Wardrobe-A'. Della stopped and opened the door. She knocked as she did so, leaning in and calling out.
"Nick? You in here?"
"Back here" came the reply. "Come on in Della."
Della walked in and beckoned Kitty to follow.
"I, uh, brought a friend of mine along. She needs a costume for the party too and I was hoping you could help her out!" Della said that as a statement, not a question.
A man came out from behind a double rack of dresses and shawls. He was about 5'10" and slim. He wore jeans and a flannel shirt. His blonde hair was a bit messy, but it fit his clean-shaven face nicely. He smiled when he saw Della and Kitty. He gave Della a hug and a peck on the cheek and turned towards Kitty. He held out his hand.
"You must be the friend! I'm Nick."
He took Kitty's hand. Kitty expected him to shake it but before she could react he took it and brought it to his lips, kissing it. Kitty blushed.
"Uh, hi!" She stammered, caught momentarily off guard. "I'm Kitty."