Chapter 21: The Dance

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Halloween. The dance. Was I ready? No. Nervous? Yes. My costume was designed by these professional fashion designers, make up artists and hair stylists from different parts of France. The dress was a deep blue/purple with silver bats taking flight across my gown that went down to the floor. They wrapped my wings around my shoulders like a shawl, decorating it with beads and stones. The hair stylists pulled my hair up around my bat ears so they hid inside, and it didn't hurt.

The make up artists put midnight blue shadow and lipstick on me. Silver designs swirled around my eyes and they even told me to have my fang come out. They added a fake fang so I wasn't asymmetrical. They were all sticking to a theme I later learned was sexy Midnight Vampire, which surprisingly worked for me. I was not tall or had a slender looking body, but they were able to pull it off and I looked amazing.

When I came out of the make up room, all the monsters' mouths dropped. My eyes kept looking over to Link. His eyes were big in shock. I couldn't help to smile. All the monsters gushed over my costume. "You look absolutely stunning, my dear," Doc said. B.O.B. kept wanting to twirl me around and let the dress flow out. Link caught me when I got too dizzy and tripped on my dress in my heels. Our eyes met for a second before the blood rushed to my face, making me look down and pull away from him.

"You look great, Batsy," he said. I smiled and nodded a thanks. My eyes went over all my friends smiling all back at me. I noticed one face was missing. Future Bat was nowhere to be seen. A twisting pain came up from my stomach and stayed there. Thinking back from last night. I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to leave this moment. This one moment in time where we were all together in one place.

Unfortunately I had no choice. It was either stay at the base and feel worthless, or go to the dance, and feel worthless while pretending to be something I wasn't anymore. My gaze rested back on Link again. Tears sprang up in my eyes.

I wanted to tell Link my feelings, if my monster friends are unable to defeat John, this would be the time to tell him my feelings to him. Possibly get laughed at and friend-zoned, but at least he would know how I felt about him. But I couldn't do it. Not with everyone around. I was too scared. I chickened out.

So I found myself walking to the car and sitting in the backseat, pushing the tears back. I stared out the tinted window at my friends. Link came up and gave me a thumbs up. "Knock 'em dead, kiddo." Kiddo. Right. My heart sank lower in my chest. Patrick started the car and drove me to Hunter's house.

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I kept fiddling with my dress the whole time. Patrick tried putting on music to settle my nerves. It helped a little bit, but I had too many things on my mind. Too many things could go wrong. Part of me felt that it was my fault. That even when I try to fix things, it just made it worse. My future self was upset at me. Link was gonna possibly die. John was gonna take over the world. I was in a dress. I was gonna have a panic attack right there in the limo.

When we got there, I got out of the car. I had told Patrick that Hunter's parents wanted to take us to the dance. He waved goodbye and told me to not worry about the other monsters and to have fun. "Enjoy yourself. You only get to do this once in your life," he told me. I nodded and told him thanks. With that, he waved goodbye, started up the car and drove off. The red lights disappeared between the trees and over the dark, rolling hills.

Checking myself to see if anything was out of place, I gently smoothed my dress down, walked up the steps and pressed the doorbell. A faint ring was heard inside the house. I always hated ringing doorbells. My brain would immediately think: What if I was at the wrong house and I was one house over? What if they didn't live at this address anymore? What if some stranger opened the door and said I had the wrong house? I hate letting my brain think sometimes.

The door opened. Rest assured, it was Hunter.

"Hey-" Hunter froze mid sentence and just stared at me. He was dressed up as an alien. The stereotypical green skinned alien with the antennae and silver onesie. He even had a belt around his waist and a holster for a cartoony looking "alien gun." I doubt he would be able to get past security with that strapped to his hip.

"Woah...you look amazing...like a real vampire," he finally was able to say. I smiled politely and nodded a thanks to him. He forced himself to look away and called to his mom. "We are heading off!" His mom came out from the kitchen with a camera in her hands. She was very beautiful. She and Hunter shared the same blonde hair and blue eyes. I wonder what he got from his father. Mrs. Thorson came rushing up to us. "Wait! wait! I want to take pics before you leave!" she said. Hunter groaned and I couldn't help but to laugh nervously.

After what felt like an eternity taking pictures in different poses in front of the doorway, Hunter was able to convince his mom that she took enough photos to fill five photo albums, and said they were going to be late. Mrs. Thorson stopped her son. "I almost forgot to tell you, your father wanted to take you and your date to the dance. He feels bad for not being home often and wants to make it up to you. Also we've noticed your car has been breaking down a lot, we don't want you two stranded in the middle of the night."

I looked over at Hunter, who blinked in surprise at his mom. "He's going to drive us? Is he able to drive?" His mom nodded. "He's only driving the short distance. It'll be ok." I was confused as to why Hunter asked that, but got my answer when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

I actually got an answer and then a million questions rush through my head at once. My throat went dry. My eyes went wide. I was unable to move or scream or do anything as the figure stood at the end of the staircase in his dark suit.

John.

The same John we have been trying to find and stop for the last few months. The same John who erased my family's memories. The same John who turned me into a monster. John...Thorson.

John grinned his evil grin and clapped his hands together; his real hand and his robotic hand. "Alright! Who's ready to be taken to the dance?" Hunter smiled happily at his dad. He ran up and hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy to see you home!" Hunter said. John smiled at his son. "I'm happy to be home too, Slugger." I just stood there, unable to do anything. This whole time, he was Hunter's dad. I still couldn't wrap my head around it.

John/Hunter's dad stopped hugging Hunter and looked down at his outfit. "What are you supposed to be? An alien? Again?" he asked. Hunter nodded, "I upgraded my alien costume." John/Hunter's dad nodded, then his head slowly looked over to me. Even in the house, at night, he wore those stupid sunglasses. It made me sick.

"Hello. You must be Hunter's date," he said, flashing his teeth. Hunter blushed and nudged his dad. "Don't embarrass me," he said. John smirked. "I think you already are in that alien get up, son." John came up to me. I felt sick to my stomach. I felt like throwing up right there on John's shoes then running out of the house and scream for everyone to come help me take down John. But I couldn't. I didn't have my phone. I accidently left it in Patrick's car.

I was alone.

"I love your vampire costume," John's voice echoed sharply in my mind, bringing me back to reality. He reached out to touch my wing/shawl. I flinched away from him. He pulled his hand back. "My apologies. They look so real..."

"S-silicone...s-still wet from paint," I found myself stuttering, hoping he would believe it. John just stared at me. I couldn't see his eyes through the sunglasses. Only my reflection. John's mouth broke into that creepy grin again. "Ah, an artist. I'm a creative person myself. Love building model ships and planes and painting them."

I just nodded.

Hunter's mom brought all back on track by saying we were gonna be late to the dance. She gave both Hunter and John a kiss on the cheek before saying goodbye. "Have fun at the dance! Don't eat too much food and then decide to dance! You are just asking for an embarrassment if you do." I couldn't help but to laugh. I liked Hunter's mom. She was nice. Hunter's...dad?...not so much. That was still a shock to me.

This whole time. I felt so stupid but also not. How would I have known? Hunter doesn't look anything like John. Like his...dad. Ugh. I couldn't believe my enemy was my friend's dad. Also the fact the asshole was even a dad. And I couldn't do anything. I could scream at John, but that would blow my cover. Also what if I mess up and John realizes its me? What if I stop him now? Would I be able to? Would things change for the worst? I couldn't bring myself to do anything. I was just in complete shock. My mouth was too dry to conjure up a scream.

John got into the car. Me and Hunter followed suit. "You two ok if I put on some radio music?" John asked. Hunter and I nodded, not wanting to live in the awkward silence of the vehicle. Eighties rock played. Its always so disappointing that radio stations don't play Halloween music during the month of October. They play Christmas music on like 20 different radio stations for two and a half months on repeat. It's unnecessary.

The car ride was very awkward, and the tension was thick. I felt like I was sweating through the dress. I couldn't feel my fingers when I realized I was gripping the arm rest too hard. AC/DC's Thunderstruck played while John drove us to the high school. His hand and robot hand hitting the steering wheel to the beat of the song. I could see his sunglasses in the rearview mirror. I looked away before I could figure out if he was looking at me or just behind for any cars.

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The new science building was decked out Halloween themed. Black and orange streamers with matching balloons. Hanging white skeletons. All the teachers were dressed as classic monsters. No Creature unfortunately. Just a few Frankenstein's monster, Wolf Men and Wolf Women. Vampires. Kids were already filing through the double doors with spiders and bats taped to them.

"See ya after the dance, kiddos. Have fun. I'll pick you up after the dance," John said as we got out of the car, waving with his robot hand. Hunter waved back to his dad. I watched as John pretended to leave the school parking lot, but looped around and took the street that made its way to the back of the science building.

Hunter's words broke me out of my thoughts. "So...what do you think of my dad? I hope he doesn't weird you out too much with his robot arm. He said he got it in an accident when he was at work."

Oh yes. I know all about that incident, Hunter...and I don't like your dad.

I just gave him a half hearted smile. "He seems nice...let's go in." With that, Hunter and I walked into the science building.

Inside was a huge spider made out of black and red balloons and streamers. The legs stretched to the farthest corners of the open room while the body loomed above. Rubber bats and white fabric ghosts hung by strings from the ceiling. A bubbling cauldron sat in the corner glowing different colors every few seconds and belching smoke, I'm guessing from a fog machine to help with the atmosphere. A green animatronic witch stood near it cackling and waving her broom. Motion activated.

Along the walls were cutouts of skulls, black cats, monster faces, and green aliens in flying saucers. One of the teens wrote in sharpie on the wall 'Hunter' and had an arrow pointing to one of the alien cutouts. One the tables in the back had glitter and candy corn covering the spiderweb tablecloths. The buffet was in the back with a chocolate fountain, roasted turkey sandwiches, fruits, brownies, Halloween themed cookies, sugar skulls, more candy corn, white chocolate eyeballs, and assorted candies.

There were fake leafless black trees along the doors and windows so it made us feel like we were in the middle of a forest. A few mannequins were dressed up like Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Ghostface. A few teens were taking pics of them with their flip phones.

When I walked inside, I stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone's costumes were not really creative. One couple just wore red shirts with the words: Thing 1 and Thing 2, written on the front in black sharpie. Another couple wore shirts with Jasmin and Aladdin on them and had horrible wigs of the characters. A few zombies with cut up shirts and fake blood dripping from their mouths. Guys in black shirts with skeleton ribcages on them, and not so good skull make up on their faces.

Everyone else's costumes were last minute bought from a cheap Halloween store. Sexy mermaids, sexy vampire princesses, a guy dressed as Santa Claus, Mickey and Minnie, sexy black cats, gangsters, the rest didn't even bother and just wore their regular clothes. No creativity at all.

If I was still a normal human living at home, I would've put effort on actually making my Halloween costume. But here I was, the center of attention, wearing a custom dress that most likely costed more than anyone's designer wardrobe. Everyone was gapping and whispering about me.

"Holy crap, whos she?"

"Woah, does she go here?"

"Damn, her costume looks so real."

"Where did she buy that dress? I'm so fucking jealous."

"Her shawl looks like real bat wings."

"I'd let her bite me."

The music began to play again. They didn't play a lot of Halloween songs. They mostly played a lot of songs that were popular on the radio at the time. I heard Flo Rida's Right Round, Lady Gaga's Just Dance, and Taylor Swift's You Belong with Me. The few Halloween songs that came on were Beetlejuice's Banana Boat song, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Oingo Boingo's Dead Man's Party.

Hunter was so nervous to ask me to dance. Literally, no one was on the dance floor. Everyone was either sitting at the tables, or at the buffet stuffing their faces with chocolate covered strawberries and marshmallows; or just standing awkwardly.

I looked around through the couples and groups, trying to look for October, or wondering if October was here, but I couldn't find him. I wasn't even sure if he was even sneaking into the event. There was no way for me to contact him. I was hoping he would come so I could tell him the shocking news and maybe have him help me, but gave up after turning around in a complete circle five times looking for him. Once again, I was alone.

Everyone started getting a little more confident in dancing when The Ghostbuster's theme song from the first movie came on. Everyone would shout: Ghostbusters! when the back up singers shouted it. It was only a popular song at the time everyone knew except me came on, then everyone was on the floor doing a weird dance I didn't understand. At that point, I felt very much out of the loop.

I saw Mirror and her friends on the other side of the room. Staring at me. I couldn't hear their heartbeats over the booming music, but I could tell that they were amazed and jealous by my costume. Made me feel good. I even noticed Kennith. He didn't wear a costume. Just sat in his regular clothes at the tables. He didn't seem to have a date, or maybe he was waiting for his date. I didn't really question it at the time, but I did want to dance with him. I tried figuring out a way to get Hunter to go off somewhere else with his other conspiracy friends, but he stayed with me, and was telling me which decorations were inaccurate. He didn't seem to want to leave my side for a second.

I was going to try and sneak away from the dance, but Hunter grabbed my hands and tried dancing with me when a new song came on. He wasn't a great dancer, but he was trying. He tripped and fell into me. He apologized multiple times and kept his eyes down at his feet. I laughed and started relaxing, dancing with Hunter; forgetting all about my worries or that John was up to something. Hunter noticed me smiling and smiled back. He relaxed a little as we both danced together. Alien and Monster. During those few minutes, I felt like a normal teen again.

It was when a loud crash echoed through the main room of the science building that broke me out of my trance. The teens stopped dancing and looked in the direction where the sound came from. A second boom, louder this time, shook the entire building. A few teens screamed, causing my ears to instinctively flick back. I knew exactly where it came from: Room 1142. Kids started to talk amongst themselves:

"What was that sound?"

"That sound was loud. Did something break?"

"I bet it was a lighting fixture or something."

"Was someone trying to break into the dance?"

The teachers looked confused as well. Seconds later, a loud familiar screech was heard flying over the building. Butterflyasaurous. The monsters were here. I'm sure when that loud boom sound went off, it activated the alien tracker at the base. Or Future Bat was already here and they were here to help her.

A few teens started running to the doors to look outside, but the doors were locked shut. No one could get out. Something was wrong. It was happening. John's plan was starting to unfold.

Most of the dressed students just stood in the center of the dancefloor, not sure whether to continue dancing or see what was going on. The music continued playing through songs. Minutes later, through the windows on the doors, we saw movement.

A few of the teachers tried moving the teens away from the doors. Slowly, everyone started realizing that they were trapped in the room, but had no idea why. Some were afraid there was a killer on the campus. A few started panicking and had to be calmed down by the teachers. Others continued dancing to the music. The rest tried getting past the teachers guarding the doors to try opening the doors themselves.

Everyone screamed when Susan's huge face appeared in the windows of the doors. She was telling everyone to remain calm, but everyone was screaming in confused fear. Her head moved out of the way and Link appeared. "We are trying to rescue you!" he shouted in irritation from the screams. It just made everyone scream louder. They had no idea what was going on. It was kind of comical. Link ignored them and tried breaking down the doors to get the teens out, but got shocked in the process. The hybrid got flung back a few feet and skidded along his back.

"Electric energy field," I heard Doc say. B.O.B. turned into liquid and tried squeezing his body under the door, but got shocked in the process. The monsters couldn't even get into the building itself. It had gone into complete lockdown. John figured out a way to use alien technology to trap everyone in the building. I was the only monster who was already inside.

I walked up to the doors and waved my hands to get their attention. Doc saw me, his eyes were wide, but he waved back nervously and then shook his head, knowing what I was gonna offer. He didn't want me blowing my cover over something that would most likely fail. Well then if that was the case...that meant only one thing...

"Keep Link safe!" I mouthed to Doc. Doc gave me a quizzical expression. "Bat...what are you-?" but was cut off when another loud boom went off, three times louder then the last ones. The alien energy force field suddenly began to glow red around the whole building, causing it to shake a little. Everyone screamed in fear and grabbed each other. Hunter grabbed my hand. His heart was racing wildly, mostly because he was holding my hand.

I turned by head to the second story of the building with the classrooms. I needed to get to 1142. I pulled away from Hunter's grip. With everyone distracted, I moved away from the hoards of teens and made my way around the buffet table to the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. I took off my heels when I kept tripping and ran in my black tights. My midnight dress made swishing noises as I ran.

When I got to the top, I unfurled my wings, and flew the rest of the way down the hallway to the last classroom. I screamed at the door. The security laser activated and shot a few red beams at me. I pulled out an empty, metal food platter, when I ran by the buffet table, from behind my back. The laser beams shot at the platter, ricocheted from me, and back to the gun, causing it to explode. The door unlocked itself and automatically opened.

Taking a deep breath, gathering my inner strength and confidence, I narrowed my eyes and walked through the door...