One Tiny Secret

Chapter Five

The location of the Shriek and Howl Halloween Bash is deep within a wooded area on the edge of the Holden Ridge city limits. We have to park our cars in a cordoned-off lot, already a ways into the woods, and then walk the rest of the way. This is a precautionary measure so that if the deputies find our vehicles, they have to maneuver the twisting and winding labyrinth-like path to find the party. Gunnar goes to great lengths to keep these parties as hidden as possible.

Reaching what I think is the entrance, Janice and I stop to admire the decorations. There’s a long passageway that seems like it was formed naturally by the surrounding foliage. Two scarecrows with gnarled branches for hands, arms, and legs stand guard on either side of the passage. The sinister smiles cut into their pumpkin heads are brought to life by the eerie flicker of the candles inside.

Just above the archway is an old wooden sign, bearing the words “Drink Me” painted in white. An arrow points to a table littered with shot glasses. There are a ton of empty glasses flipped upside down already, which means the majority of the party guests have been through here.

“Bottoms up,” I say, handing a drink to Janice. “Here’s to a rekindled friendship.”

“To a rekindled friendship,” she repeats with a smile.

We clink the shot glasses together in a toast and toss them back. An intense burn flows from my throat all the way up through my nose. I cough a little and so does she.

“Holy shit, that stuff’s strong,” I blurt after catching my breath.

“Yeah,” she manages between coughs.

“What the hell was in that?”

Janice giggles. “It kind of tasted like pumpkin pie.”

“Yeah, if it was mixed with kerosene.”

“So, now what?” she asks, placing her shot glass upside down on the table.

“I guess we travel down the rabbit hole,” I answer while staring into the passageway before us.

“Wait—we’re going through there?”

I hear the hesitation in Janice’s voice. “I guess so. Do you need a little more liquid courage before we do?”

“Definitely not.”

“Okay then, in we go,” I say, leading the way into the vortex of foliage.

A little ways down the passage, it opens up and we find ourselves surrounded by jack-o-lanterns with scary carved faces. All of them are littered throughout the area above and around us. The scene is so beautifully haunting that it takes my breath away.

“Gunnar really goes all out, doesn’t he?”

I wait for Janice’s response, but she’s too distracted by all the dancing lights within the pumpkins.

Continuing down the passageway, following the winding path, we eventually hear some noise in the distance. A bright, fiery light emanates from what looks like the end of the tunnel. The heavy thunderous rhythm of the music coming from up ahead reverberates through the cramped space of the passage.

“That’s probably my friend, Alex’s, band playing right now,” I comment as we continue to move forward.

“Cool. Can’t wait to meet her.”

“I think you’ll like her. She’s a little wild, but you get used to her ways. Oh, and she’s the daughter of Pastor Bachman.”

“I know him. He’s the pastor at the church my mom drags me to,” Janice replies.

“Drags you to?”

“Just because my mom became ‘enlightened’ doesn’t mean I believe like she does, Dani,” She says with agitation in her voice.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”

“It’s no big deal. I just didn’t want you to think that I’m some religious freak like my mother. It’s funny, because she says she’s so religious and such a true Christian, yet she spews so much venom toward others.”

A clearly drunk couple stumbles up the path toward us, catching my attention. They’re dressed as sexy Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. I laugh under my breath when Andy tries to make a pass at Ann and she shuts him down, turning her lips away from his with a look of disgust. A palm to his face seals the rejection.

“Sorry, Janice, that was just too funny not to watch,” I say, watching the couple continue to shamble toward the exit. “And I never thought you were like your mother. That’s her deal, not yours.”

“Exactly,” she replies with a content smile. “Glad you understand.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her in for a side hug. “I’m so happy you’re here with me tonight. You were so right…this was way overdue.”

“Promise me something, though?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Promise me we won’t be leaving the party like those two,” she jokes, gesturing to the drunkards with a slight nod of her head.

I laugh. “I think I can manage that. Ready to party?”

She smirks. “I think so.”

I feel the heat from the bonfire before we emerge from the security of the thick foliage. The roaring fire is surrounded by hoards of people, casting their shadows up into the canopy above and making quite the sight to behold.

Scanning the crowd, I see that everyone has a good old red Solo cup in hand. My eyes seek out the keg bar. Gunnar’s dad owns the local brewery, H.R. Brew, and he supplies the beer for all his son’s parties. I heard a rumor that the pumpkin ale is fantastic, and can’t wait to wrap my lips around one of those cups full of that exact beverage. I love anything pumpkin.

I spot Alex making a beeline for us. The first thing I notice is that she wasn’t lying about the costume she had to wear. Tight black spandex with a skeleton pattern affixed to the front of it hugs every curve of her body. Her face is also painted like a skull, with her long, dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She looks like she’s about to come in for a hug, but then stops short.

“Not a single word,” she says, referring to her outfit. Then she finishes moving in for the hug. As she pulls away and looks behind me, she asks, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, this is my friend, Janice. She lives next door,” I respond, pulling Janice to stand beside me.

Alex sends a little wave to Janice. “Cool costume. Hey, wasn’t that the one you wore in the haunted house at school two years ago?” she asks me, and I nod. “Thought so.” She turns her focus back to Janice. “So, you’re Janice, huh? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Alex!” I reprimand when I see Janice’s expression change to an inquisitive one.

“All good things, of course,” she responds quickly in a playful manner.

I look over to see a smile on Janice’s face again.

“So, that was you guys playing earlier?” Janice asks Alex.

“That depends…did you like it?” she queries.

“Yeah, it sounded pretty awesome.”

Alex laughs. “Then yes, that was us. Hey, have you seen Rory tonight? That assclown was supposed to bring me a change of costume.”

I laugh at the “assclown” comment and reply, “We saw him earlier at the store, but not here, no.”

“I hope he didn’t forget,” she mutters. “So, it was nice meeting you, Janice, but unfortunately I’ve got to get back on stage. I hear the band queuing up again,” she says, and turns to me. “If you see Rory, tell him I’m looking for him, ’kay?”

“Got it. Have fun up there,” I tease, since it seems obvious she’s not having a good time in her spandex getup.

“I’ll try,” she drawls unenthusiastically while walking away.

“She was nice,” Janice comments off to the side.

“See, you’re fitting in just fine.”

“Uh, we’ve only met one person so far, and she’s your friend,” Janice quips.

“The night’s still young. Lighten up. Hey, how about a drink? I think I see the beer trail over there,” I say, pointing to a couple of kegs sitting on the ground. They’re next to a pathway that looks like it leads farther into the forest.

“Sure. I think it’d be good for me to loosen up a bit more anyway.”

Navigating the crowd proves a little difficult around the start of the beer trail, which isn’t surprising. Finally, we get to the two kegs nestled up against a tree. I look around for the cups.

“Those are tapped out,” I hear a female say. I turn to see Phoebe standing there dressed as the female version of Freddy Krueger, which really is just a shredded red-and-green striped sweater, black hot pants, fishnets, a nice brown fedora, and the legendary knifed glove on her right hand.

“Slutty Freddy, huh?”

“Yep,” she replies, putting one of the bladed fingers up to her mouth. She busts out laughing. “Like you can talk, Naughty Red.”

“Fair enough,” I joke, looking down at my scant outfit.

I notice Phoebe study Janice up and down. “Oh my God—Janice?” she asks.

“Surprise,” Janice says timidly.

“Wow. You dress up nice, girl. I’m surprised to see you here. Come to think of it, I don’t really see you around much…well, ever, actually,” Phoebe comments.

“Yeah, I guess it has been a while, hasn’t it?” Janice replies.

“Hey, how about you two catch up for a bit while I fetch us some drinks?” I ask Janice. “What can I get ya?”

“Get me one of whatever you’re having.”

“All right, two pumpkin ales coming right up.”

“The kegs are down that path and to the left. I don’t know why Gunnar put them all the way back there, but it’s kind of dark. Did you get your complimentary raver accessories?” Phoebe asks showing off the neon glow stick bands around her wrists and neck.

“I’ve got my phone’s light. I’ll manage,” I reply, making my way over to the opening of the trail.