A/N: I do not own the TV. show Fringe or any of its characters. All credit to character creation, etc. goes to J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. Halloween Challenge Fic - Thanks to WJObsessed for inviting me to participate!
There is a place in this world where the unusual and downright mystifying are appreciated and even encouraged. The Fringe Science Division was one such place, populated by individuals of many talents and predispositions and currently located in the basement of an Ivy League college. An especially strange fervor seemed to overtake the air of Harvard on this particularly chilly October day, streamers of orange and black hung haphazardly on the wizened pillars of the learning institution--its statues having been childishly garbed in the upcoming holiday's ghoulish attire.
The next generation of what others presumed to be world leaders chattered on amongst themselves, discussing their plans for this latest Halloween night with the promise of debauchery thick in the underlying meaning of their conversations. Peter Bishop strolled through the plotting throngs of students; the rolling gait of someone in no hurry to get back to whatever it was that had brought him here in the first place. Certain affectations, while made necessary by past endeavors, were lost to him at this moment.
I almost miss the sense of importance, the urgency of it all. Blue eyes slid past the classrooms as he ambled down the stairs, confronted by a more tranquil floor. The distant mooing of Gene reaching his ears it was hard to keep a smile off of his lips. Easily one of the most unique pets Walter has ever taken a shine to. Shoving his calloused hands into the wool-lined depths of his leather jacket he sauntered down another flight of stairs, hand upon the door leading into the lab when he heard something that gave him reason to pause.
"NO! NO! NO! I ABSOLUTELY FORBID IT!" That was definitely Walter and he was definitely agitated about something. Peter sighed as he mentally prepared himself to play mediator once again; his father's temperamental explosions were almost predictable nowadays. He should have known.
Pushing the door open he found Astrid frozen in the mid-hanging of Halloween decorations, staring down a positively furious Walter.
"Walter, I don't see why you're so against Halloween," There was an almost petulant tone to the Junior FBI Agent's voice as she tried to reason with him but as Peter had soon realized, trying to reason with Walter was like trying to reason with a monkey on mescaline. It simply didn't work out for either party.
"I WILL NOT WORK IN THESE HEINOUS CONDITIONS! I WILL N—" Peter chose this time to skillfully intercede on Astrid's behalf before beakers started flying.
"Walter! Walter! Calm down would you? She didn't know your hatred of Halloween ran so deeply," Peter gave his father a warning glare; the extremely absent-minded mad scientist grimaced and turned on his heel, stalking off in a huff muttering under his breath.
Astrid stared at Peter, mouth slightly agape. The paper streamers of ghosts and the word 'BOO!' hanging limply in her small hand, dark brown eyes boring into his as if demanding an explanation. The younger Bishop sighed and leaned against the sterile counter top, boot clad feet scuffing the floor.
"Walter does not particularly enjoy Halloween, I know with all the superstitions and myth surrounding the holiday it might seem like it was made for him but he has disliked Halloween ever since I can remember, I don't really know why exactly." His eyes tracked the wandering progress of his father who slowly made his way over to Gene, a strange looking sandwich clamped in one hand. Walter took a bite and then offered the sandwich to Gene who happily munched the rest of it out of his hand.
Astrid watched as well, shaking her head in quiet frustration, "Okay well, should I hang them then? I'm going to get a costume for Gene too…Elvis."
Peter laughed at the absurdity of the statement and waved his hand as if to encourage her to continue about her business, his cell phone oddly quiet. Where is Olivia for all of these pre-Hallow's Eve festivities?
Just then the doors to the Lab burst open, drawing the attention of all its occupants. Olivia Dunham staggered through the threshold, a slash of red streaking her blond hair. Hazel eyes wide with shock…or was it fear? There was a bundle in her arms and as Peter ran towards her just as the power went out and they were thrown into darkness.
A/N: I'm going to add a second chapter! Watch out! It's skeery! :D