PART FOUR
There was still some disagreement over who had won the scare war. The girls insisted that the boys had technically cheated with their unknown outside help, while the boys accused the girls of being poor losers.
"We won that battle fair and square." Chandler insisted, "Get over it."
In the end the subject was dropped and the group concentrated on the organisation of their party.
*****
Holding boxes of leftover Halloween decorations from his work party, Chandler walked slowly through the streets. "Monica would kill me if I dropped these." He muttered to himself. He stopped for a second, taking a breather. He hesitated before carrying on. Ever since he had left work ten minutes ago, he'd had the distinct impression that someone was following him. He turned around, but there were so many people walking around him that it was impossible to tell.
Chuckling to himself about his paranoia, Chandler continued to walk…although throughout the rest of the journey, a sense of uneasiness still hung over him.
****
On Halloween night, Joey came out of his room dressed as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Ross dressed as a spaceship, Monica dressed as Morticia Addams from 'The Addams Family', and Phoebe dressed as Superwoman and Rachel dressed as a fairy walked in.
"Where's Chandler?" Monica asked, "The party is starting soon."
Joey smirked, "He's in his room and won't come out." He explained.
"That's right!" Chandler's voice yelled from behind his door.
"Why not?" Monica asked, confused.
"There was a bit of a mix-up with the costumes we ordered," Joey explained, "Chandler was supposed to be coming as Woody from Toy Story but instead…" he stopped, chuckling.
"Come on Joey, who is he dressed as?" Ross asked.
"Remember the green dinosaur Woody and Buzz were friends with?" Joey laughed even harder, pointing towards Chandler's door.
"Oh my god!" the group exclaimed, immediately cracking up.
"Chandler's dressed as Rex?!" Phoebe gasped out.
"Thanks for that Joey!" Chandler yelled through the door.
"Ok, look, we promise we won't laugh if you will just come out." Monica called.
"No! No way! I'm not coming to the party like this!" Chandler shouted.
"Come on Chandler, I'm dressed as a spaceship!" Ross called, "I can hardly walk in this thing!"
"You promise you won't laugh?"
"We promise." They all said.
Slowly the door opened and in walked a large green dinosaur. The group took one look at him and cracked up.
"Thank you." The sarcasm coming from the dinosaur's open mouth, where Chandler's head was hidden, was all too clear.
"Sorry," Monica stopped laughing and wiped her eyes, "I think you look very sweet." She walked over and gave Chandler a hug.
"Now come on, let's go over across the hall and start the party!" Joey shouted.
*****
The guests started to arrive and, luckily for Chandler, some of the people looked even more ridiculous than he did.
"Batman? Really?" Chandler asked Gunther.
Gunther shrugged. "It was the only costume I could find." He said.
"Sorry, it's just I see you as more of a Robin."
"I take offence to that." Gunther replied, walking towards the refreshments table.
Chandler sighed and looked out of the window. He saw Monica on the balcony and went outside to join her. "Hi." He greeted.
Monica turned around and smiled, "Hi. I was just…"
"I know," Chandler interrupted, "It gets a bit hectic sometimes, doesn't it?"
Monica laughed, nodding, "Definitely," she agreed, "I love being the hostess, but I just needed a break."
"Nice costume by the way," Chandler gestured to the long black dress and sleek, straight hair.
"I'm Morticia Addams!" Monica exclaimed, "Couldn't you tell?"
"Oh yes, of course I did." Chandler lied, smiling.
"You're a terrible liar," Monica giggled.
Chandler took off his dinosaur head, "At least you don't look like an idiot," he muttered.
"I think you look great," Monica stepped closer to him, "I mean that."
Chandler unzipped his costume and took it off, revealing his grey t-shirt and shorts. "This is my new costume," he confirmed, "My pyjamas."
Monica stepped even more closer to him, "At least it's easier to do this," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Chandler smiled sweetly at her, "…and much easier to do this." He said, kissing her softly on the lips.
Monica ran her hands through his hair, returning the kiss without any hesitation. They broke apart, gazing at each other.
Then the lights in the apartment went out.
The guests started screaming, no one could see what they were doing…it was pitch black and panic was spreading all through the room.
"Chandler?" Monica shouted in the darkness on the balcony, "Is this another one of your games?"
"Of course it isn't!" Chandler shouted back, "Do you think I would be stupid enough to turn off the lights when there are 40 people in one room?!"
"Well, if you didn't do it…then who did?" Monica's voice shook as she spoke.
"Monica? Chandler?" Ross' voice called out through the window, "I've found Joey and Rachel…but where's Phoebe? She's gone missing!"
"Oh my god…" Monica put her hand to her mouth, "Remember when I thought you all had locked me in the apartment that day?"
"Well we didn't…" Joey's voice came out in the darkness.
"…and there was that note." Rachel reminded them all.
"…and the picture of the scull." Monica added nervously.
"We've got to find Phoebe!" Chandler shouted, "Where's the light switch? God, I can't see a thing!"
"There's somebody or something out there who doesn't like us…" Ross muttered.
*****
Before the lights had gone out, Phoebe had been talking to Gunther on the couch. They had been talking a while until somebody knocked on the door and she excused herself to go and answer it. Standing at the door was a pretty young woman in her late twenties.
Phoebe smiled, "What can I do for you?" she asked.
"I…I was invited." The woman said, "By one of your friends."
"Oh right." Phoebe let the woman walk in and she shut the door. The woman stood motionless by it, taking in the surroundings.
Phoebe stared at the woman, wondering who she was. "Um…what is your name? Maybe I'll recognise it."
The woman smiled and replied, "Maybe you will…my name is Susie Moss." She grabbed Phoebe's arm and reached for the light switch, turning it off.
END OF PART FOUR:hehe I bet you didn't see that one coming! All will be revealed in part 5!: