Page 47 of Trick or Treat
“Then what is it?”
“You’re a special girl, Scarlett. Did you know that?”
“Um, no.” My lustful eyes swirl with confusion as I sweep them over his face, trying to make sense of his perplexing statement.
“Well, you are.”
“Why?”
"There are people out there who have plans for you come Halloween… did you know that?” Danger lurks behind his pearly whites as he smirks.
“They’re crazy, and I’m not just saying that; they’re literally crazy in the fucking head. They’re obsessed with you and they’re coming for you…”
“What do you mean by that?” I frantically look around the room for my clothes as I speak with a voice tinged with worry, ready to just leave.
”I know you know my friends... Black and Silver, oh, and Red, and we’ve all got plans for you, Scarlett.”
seventeen
Trick or Treat
October
Scarlett
The bitter, cold autumn breeze floats in through the windows of my car, shaking my entire body and making my teeth chatter. I’m not sure if it’s the cold or the threat that lingers in the back of my mind, but I cannot shake the chill that has settled into my bones.
That night with Nixon was supposed to be fun... It was, I mean, but what he said to me before I left wasn't. I'm still unsure what to make of his message. Other than the men in the masks coming for me, what the fuck do they want?
Driving home from work, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what day it is.Halloween.I pull into Wal-Mart's parking lot, needing to grab a bag of candy for the trick or treaters, trying to forget everything Nixon told me that night about the men in the masks having plans for me. Even though we live in an apartment building, all the kids usually come to everyone's doors, and I amcompletely unprepared. I am, however, prepared for Melanie and my Halloween party. I’m actually looking forward to returning to normalcy.
I have some reservations about Melanie's invitation of Riley, Nixon, and the brothers from the lake, especially in light of what Nixon recently revealed to me. Are those the friends he was referring to?
I keep my headdown and mind my business as I navigate the aisles to find the candy, hoping there’s still some left this close to Halloween.I’m such a procrastinator. But to be fair, I’ve had other things on my mind.
Scanning the limited shelves, my eyes are drawn to a four-pound bag of mixed candy—the last one—and I grab it before the other shoppers. But just as I reach for it to take it off the shelf, someone else reaches for it and refuses to let go. My eyes widen as I turn to confront the candythief, and a slight but noticeable flush spreads across my cheeks.
“Oh, hi.”
“Hey, Scarlett. Small world, huh?” Blade says, still holding onto the bag of candy.
“Not really since we live across from each other and this is theonlyWal-Mart in town.” Refusing to let go of the candy, I give him a sly response, still not sure how I feel about him yet. “I hate to bethatperson, but Ireallyneed this candy.”
“Oh, and why’s that?” His dark eyes match the dark smirk curling on his lips.
"Because it’s Halloween, and I need it for the kids in my building.”
“Well, I need it for the kids in mine. It seems we've found ourselves in a little predicament, Scarlett.” His tone is deep, dangerous, but playful as he steps closer, still clutching the candy tightly.
“Please, can I have it?” I beg, giving him my best pouty lips and puppy dog eyes, making him grin even more.
“Tell you what; how about we buy the bag and split the costandthe candy? That way, we both get what we want.”
“Hmm, I guess that’ll work.” Letting go of the candy, he tucks it in the corner of his arm and elbow like a football and walks with me out of the aisle toward the checkout.
Once the candy is paid for, we leave the store and walk through the parking lot, Blade still following me to my car.
"Can I get a ride back?"