Short stories: A Halloween mystery

25 of 25

by Christopher Cella

Created on: September 30, 2009

The weather was seasonably warm for late October, but few have been complaining about the Indian summer. As long as I can remember it was always bitter cold on Halloween, and my mother would always force me to wear a jacket over my costume. I always hated it, for I saw nothing scary about a vampire wearing a thick marshmallow jacket over his cape.

At twenty two I wasn't too concerned about trick or treating anymore; this night was about the parties, and the mischief! Unfortunately there wasn't much going on this year, and more people seemed interested in going to the bars instead of having the traditional house party. It wasn't often Halloween fell on a Saturday, so my buddies and I were ready to start the pre-gaming nice and early. We were determined to make something out of the night, no matter what we had to do.

It was just past noon as we walked out of the liquor store. From the looks of it you'd think we were having a grand fiesta, but we always bought more than enough to make sure we didn't run out. There was nothing worse than running out of booze an hour after the liquor stores closed, and we all knew it. My roommate Brian was the first to notice the flier on the car. He was a good kid; we grew up together in high school and flunked out of community college together. Brian had his issues, but overall he was alright. The third member of our trio was Jake. Brian began working with him two years ago at UPS, and he met our requirements regarding a roommate: he liked to drink like us and he paid rent. Nothing more to it!

The flier was printed on bright neon orange paper, and although from the other side of the car I couldn't make out the words, I did notice a picture of a house centered on the page. A sinful smile came over Brian's face as his eyes met up with mine.

What is it? I asked curiously. What could it be? It's a flier on the car windshield in the middle of a supermarket parking lot. I couldn't bring myself to getting too excited.

Brain ignored my question and began reading the flier aloud, as if he were narrating a Broadway play.

haunted halloween party

Costumes mandatory

Come alone- $10 all you can drink

Bring a friend and get in for free

Take old little creek road til the end,

Make a right by lawry's farm,

And you can't miss it!

Guaranteed to be a blast!

Brian's eyes were glowing as he finished reading the flier. Before the next few words came out of his month I already knew what he was going to say.

Look at this boys! Guess we found our