Hey people! Sorry it's been so long since my last update, been busy with school. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Birthday Party
Kara and the boys were home by about quarter to one. Thom had followed them back and
the family entered the house rather hurriedly. Kara immediately went to the kitchen where she
began pulling decorations out of cupboards. John walked in from the living room and saw the
family rushing about, "Anything I can do to help Kara?" She gave him a quick glance as she
unrolled a stream of orange, "Well, you could help me put up these streamers." He smiled and
went over to help her.
At the same time Thom was in his office on the phone with the sheriff, "Hey Mark? What's the
word on the graves? Listen, Kara is having the party at three-thirtyish and Dan's taking Stephen
trick-or-treating at five. Could you have one of the guys down here to watch the house? Just for
awhile…"
Dan was up in his room lying on his bed looking up at the ceiling, why was all of this shit
happening? His brother's birthday, tutoring, trick-or-treating, all of it. It was too much, he felt
like he would burst. Dan wanted to scream. A knock came at the door and Stephen poked his
head out from behind it, "Danny?" Dan rolled over on his bed so that his back faced his brother,
"What." Stephen walked in and closed the door. He stood in his brother's room and looked at the
walls plastered with rock band posters and writings by Dan. Stephen shifted uncomfortably as he
tried to speak, Dan waited for him to speak and got annoyed when he didn't, "Well?" Stephen
sighed, "I been having bad dreams lately. Can I move into your room with you?" Dan sat up and
looked at the boy incredulously, "Are you out of your mind? No! Hell no!" Stephen didn't give
his older brother 'the look', instead his eyes filled with dread and worry. Dan noticed this and
calmed down, "Why would you want to move in here anyways, your room is just fine." Stephen
quietly remarked, "I don't want him to get me…" Dan noticed his little brother's hands were
shaking. "Who?" Dan asked, he was getting concerned, there better not be anyone bullying his
bro. Stephen looked Dan dead in the eyes and swallowed before replying, "The shadow man."
Dan felt a chill go up his spine. He got up and walked over to Stephen where he knelt down and
grabbed the boy's shoulders, "What are you talking about Stephen!" The fragile boy's eyes grew
dark, "He talks to me, all the time. He tells me to do stuff that I don't wanna….I'm not supposed
to…" Dan closed his eyes and hugged his brother. He remembered when he was a kid, those
voices he heard. "I'll protect you, the shadow man cant get you as long as I'm around." Stephen
gave a sigh of relief, "Good, then were still on for tonight?" Dan looked at the boy's hopeful
expression and couldn't help but smile, "Just try and stop me."
John and Kara finished putting the decorations up when Thom walked into the kitchen. Kara saw
him, "Hun? Who were you on the phone with? Is everything ok?" Thom smiled, "Everything's
fine. I called Mark. He's gonna send an officer over to watch over us, just for tonight." Kara gave
her husband a hug and chuckled with relief. John looked at them confusingly, "Is everything ok?
Did I miss something?" Kara looked at Thom who immediately answered, "No, nothing's wrong,
I just want to be careful." Kara looked at Thom and back to John, "John, could you do me a
favor? Would you go upstairs and tell the boys to help Thom with the piñata?" John smiled,
"Sure, be right back." He left. Kara looked to Thom sharply, "What was that!? Didn't you tell him
what happened?" Thom winced, "No Kara. I don't want to tell him until we find out more. I don't
want him to freak out on us." Kara didn't like this but agreed to keep quiet.
It was about four o'clock and most of Stephen's friend were in the backyard playing games and
running around. Kara sat at the picnic table with Diane as Stephen tried to smack open the piñata.
"Kara, do you think Dan and Stephen should go out tonight? I mean, do you think it's safe?"
Diane was trying to be tactful, she didn't want to make her friend any more paranoid. Kara took a
bite of her cake and looked at the kids, "I don't know, part of me doesn't want to let them go, but I
have to. I cant just keep them locked up each time this year, I have to let them live their lives."
Diane smiled, "Your right, and Dan will keep Stephen safe." Kara looked up and Diane quickly
added, "Uh, not that there's anything he'd need to be kept safe from. Wow this cake is delicious
Kara where did you get it?" Kara smirked at her friend's attempt to change the subject.
Thom walked around in the kitchen while John sipped a mug of coffee at the table. Thom looked
out past the glass porch door and saw Kara gather the children around for presents, "He's going
to open his presents now, we should probably head out there." John looked too and then
remembered something, "Oh, hey Thom, I went out while you guys were gone and got Stephen a
little something, lemme go upstairs and get it." John dashed out of the kitchen and Thom went out
to the party.
Dan had just come out of the bathroom when the doorbell rang, he was probably the only one
who heard it since most everyone else was in the back yard. He went over to answer the front
door and found Jesse standing there holding a present, "Hey, did I miss the party?" Dan let her in,
"No everyone's out back." Jesse quickly elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs, "Where the hell did
you go today!? I would have come here right away but I had to drop Miles off at Sara's." Dan
rolled his eyes, "Don't worry, Mom was trippin about something at the police station but
everything's alright." Jesse didn't look any happier, "What happened?" Dan huffed, "Nuthin
really. False alarm, Dad's just worried about today because of, well, you know." Jesse put her
hand to Dan's cheek, "Oh, I see." They walked out into the backyard and saw Stephen open up
another present.
John came out of the house and walked over to the beaming boy, he was holding up a boxed
model rocket with a big smile on his face. "Here Stephen, happy birthday." John handed Stephen
a large wrapped box and the boy tore the paper off and opened it. "Cool!" He held up a
Halloween costume. It was a purple and white checkered clown costume complete with a little
stocking cap and a clown mask. Stephen jumped up and yelped with joy. Thom and Kara traded
nervous glances…why did it have to be a clown costume. "That was very nice of you John." Kara smiled to the young man.
At about quarter to five, the last of the kids had been picked up. Kara and Diane were clearing the
dining room table where the adults had snacked on sandwiches. "Stephen, hurry up and get your
costume on, Jesse and Dan are ready." Kara called to her youngest son. Stephen was upstairs
putting on his clown costume. He was so excited, he and his brother would have so much fun
tonight and then Dan wouldn't be upset about everything anymore. Stephen turned around and
faced his bed. Jonesy and Zoe were lounging about on his bed and he showed them his outfit,
"Well, what do you think?" Zoe started grooming herself and Jonesy just flipped over and closed
his eyes. Stephen smiled, "I'll take that as a thumb's up!" He heard his mom call to him again and
went over to his desk to grab his jack-o-lantern candy basket and trotted out the door.
Dan and Jesse were sitting on the living room couch talking. Jesse was telling her boyfriend about
Miles and how he and Sara might be late to the school tonight. "Something came up. Miles said
that he and Sara needed to talk in private and that she could give him a ride to the school
tonight." Jesse explained as Dan flipped through t.v. channels. "Well, ok but if they screw up our
plan we're totally screwed. If my mom finds out about the tower farm she'll have a cow!" Jesse
giggled, "Don't worry Dan. You and Stephen can do your trick or treating, and then we can go to
school and ditch Ms. Harris. We'll have to bring Stephen back here though before we go to the
farm because I don't think he'd want to be there." Dan laughed, "Good point, I don't want him
walking in on us anyways." They shared a quiet chuckle. Jesse asked, "Hey, do you think Miles
will ask Sara out?" Dan smiled slyly, "Well why do you think he's at her dorm right now?" Jesse
crossed her arms, "Maybe we shouldn't do this, I mean I don't want to cut your brothers candy
race short and-" Dan put his hand over her mouth and leaned in, "Babe, we've been planning on
doing something all month. Tonight's perfect, everyone else is going to be out and about, we can
drop Stephen off at Mrs. Hopkins later if he really has a problem staying at home with John."
Jesse removed Dan's hand and looked at him with hesitation in her eyes, "It's just that tonight of
all nights, for us to pull a stunt like this? Maybe it's not such a-" Dan stopped her with a kiss just
as Thom walked into the room. He coughed and the two hormonal teens broke their kiss off and
blushed.
Thom laughed, he was young once. "Are you two ready or should I give you a few more
minutes?" Dan blushed and Jesse stood up, "We're ready Mr. Doyle, where's Stephen?" Stephen
jumped out from behind his dad and startled the two teens, "Boo!" Jesse laughed and ran over to
Stephen, "You look so cute Stephen!" The little clown pulled his mask off and smiled at her, "I
know. Can we go now before all the good candy is gone?" Dan stood up and looked at the clock,
"Bro, its not even five yet, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Besides, I still have to
get my costume on." He smiled as Jesse and Thom looked at him surprised. Stephen jumped up
and down, "Your dressing up too! Cool!" Dan walked over to the stairwell and swung around the
handle, "I'll be back in just a sec." He swiftly flew up the stairs. Thom looked as Jesse and smiled,
"Want some cocoa? Kara and Diane made some." Jesse shrugged and followed him into the
kitchen.
Kara and Diane were sitting at the kitchen table with John chatting about their plan to meet
Lindsay tonight. John was still apprehensive about the whole idea, "What about Stephen? Will he
be safe tonight trick or treating? And do you think it's a good idea letting him go to the school
with Daniel all by themselves?" Jesse frowned and interrupted him, "Well, I'll be with them the
whole time. We're taking Stephen out for a little while and then we'll go to school so I can help
him finish his Antigone paper and study for his classes with Ms. Harris." Kara nodded and looked
over to John, "She's right. There's no need to worry, I spoke to Dan's teacher earlier this week
and they've planned to meet for awhile." John looked at Thom, "Are you ok with this?" Thom
folded his arms and looked at the man, "John, I understand your concern for my sons. I called
Sheriff Grayson and asked him to post a guard here tonight for our protection and Grayson said
he'd have an officer escort Dan and Stephen to school tonight." Jesse widened her eyes, "What!?
Is that really necessary Mr. Doyle?" Thom walked over and placed a hand on Kara's shoulder
which she grasped, "Jessica, it's not that we don't think you and Dan aren't responsible. We just
don't want anything to happen. I agreed to let Dan and Stephen go out tonight against my own
hesitations. Thom and I are taking every possible precaution." Jesse nodded, Kara had a point.
Diane sat silently watching the conversation. She could feel the tension fogging up the room and
decided to break it, "Jesse, you didn't dress up tonight?" Jesse looked at her thoughtfully, "You
know to be honest, It never even occurred to me today. I've had so much on my mind I sort of
just forgot about it." John chuckled, "I guess we've all had a lot on our minds."
Stephen had been sitting in the living room alone, he hadn't followed his dad and Jesse into the
kitchen. Instead, he watched the movie on t.v. that his brother had been watching. Some weird
movie with some snow dogs turning into weird aliens. Stephen watched as a decapitated head
grew legs and crawled off, he grimaced, "ewww" Stephen looked away in disgust and noticed a
figure outside. He looked out the window and saw a tall man in blue overalls and a pale mask
standing in the yard. Stephen felt his body decrease in temperature and his heart beat began to
slow. "Go to him Stephen…" a voice in his head echoed and he remembered the shadow man that
he drew in his picture.
Dan came down the stairs and entered the living room, "He bozo, what do you think?" Stephen
didn't answer and Dan walked closer to his brother. Stephen was sitting on the couch staring out
the window, his eyes were glazed over and vacant. Dan snapped his fingers at the young boy,
"Stephen? Your zoning out." Stephen blinked and turned to his brother, "Dan? I was just
watching…" he turned back to the window and Dan peered out with him, "What were you
watching?" The figure was gone. Stephen turned away from the window, "N-nothing. Nice
costume. Are you a clown too?" Dan brushed his blonde bangs away from his blue eyes, "No
man…" How insulting!
Jesse walked into the living room as she got her car keys out of her pocket, "Dan? Wow,
um…what are you a mime?" Dan turned and looked at her annoyingly, "No! I'm the Crow!"
Jesse looked at the boy. He was wearing a long sleeved black shirt and black pants and boots. He
was wearing his leather trench coat and had white makeup on his face complete with black lines
down his eyes and black lipstick curled in a ghastly smile across his face. Dan sighed, "Hasn't
anyone seen the movie? Classic people, classic!" Jesse smiled, "Well you look great. Are you
ready to go, both of you?" Stephen got up and put his clown mask back on, "Ready!"
Kara and Thom walked Jesse and the boys to the front door, "Now you have your cell phones
right?" Jesse and Dan both nodded. Thom knelt down to Stephen, "Hey buddy, have fun tonight
ok? If you get in any trouble, what's the magic number?" Stephen groaned, "Ugh, 9-1-1..."
Thom stood back up satisfied. The trio walked out into the yard and headed over to Jesse's car.
Kara called out as they got in, "Have fun! And have Stephen back by nine!" Dan waved and
Stephen shouted, "I'll bring you guys some jolly ranchers!" Thom laughed, "You know my
favorite ones!" Stephen hollered as they left, "Green Apple!" Jesse drove off with Stephen in the
front seat and Dan in the back. Thom wrapped his arms around his wife and soothingly spoke into
her ear, "They'll be ok baby." Kara sighed, "I hope so."
~TBC
Author's Note: Hope you guys are liking the story so far, pretty much the rest of the story takes place on the same night. Also, I had a little fun in recent chapters by slipping in nods to my favorite horror movies. Hellraiser, Child's Play, The Ring (That one was for you Kora!) The Fog, and The Thing (1982)
Chapter 8: Birthday Party
Kara and the boys were home by about quarter to one. Thom had followed them back and
the family entered the house rather hurriedly. Kara immediately went to the kitchen where she
began pulling decorations out of cupboards. John walked in from the living room and saw the
family rushing about, "Anything I can do to help Kara?" She gave him a quick glance as she
unrolled a stream of orange, "Well, you could help me put up these streamers." He smiled and
went over to help her.
At the same time Thom was in his office on the phone with the sheriff, "Hey Mark? What's the
word on the graves? Listen, Kara is having the party at three-thirtyish and Dan's taking Stephen
trick-or-treating at five. Could you have one of the guys down here to watch the house? Just for
awhile…"
Dan was up in his room lying on his bed looking up at the ceiling, why was all of this shit
happening? His brother's birthday, tutoring, trick-or-treating, all of it. It was too much, he felt
like he would burst. Dan wanted to scream. A knock came at the door and Stephen poked his
head out from behind it, "Danny?" Dan rolled over on his bed so that his back faced his brother,
"What." Stephen walked in and closed the door. He stood in his brother's room and looked at the
walls plastered with rock band posters and writings by Dan. Stephen shifted uncomfortably as he
tried to speak, Dan waited for him to speak and got annoyed when he didn't, "Well?" Stephen
sighed, "I been having bad dreams lately. Can I move into your room with you?" Dan sat up and
looked at the boy incredulously, "Are you out of your mind? No! Hell no!" Stephen didn't give
his older brother 'the look', instead his eyes filled with dread and worry. Dan noticed this and
calmed down, "Why would you want to move in here anyways, your room is just fine." Stephen
quietly remarked, "I don't want him to get me…" Dan noticed his little brother's hands were
shaking. "Who?" Dan asked, he was getting concerned, there better not be anyone bullying his
bro. Stephen looked Dan dead in the eyes and swallowed before replying, "The shadow man."
Dan felt a chill go up his spine. He got up and walked over to Stephen where he knelt down and
grabbed the boy's shoulders, "What are you talking about Stephen!" The fragile boy's eyes grew
dark, "He talks to me, all the time. He tells me to do stuff that I don't wanna….I'm not supposed
to…" Dan closed his eyes and hugged his brother. He remembered when he was a kid, those
voices he heard. "I'll protect you, the shadow man cant get you as long as I'm around." Stephen
gave a sigh of relief, "Good, then were still on for tonight?" Dan looked at the boy's hopeful
expression and couldn't help but smile, "Just try and stop me."
John and Kara finished putting the decorations up when Thom walked into the kitchen. Kara saw
him, "Hun? Who were you on the phone with? Is everything ok?" Thom smiled, "Everything's
fine. I called Mark. He's gonna send an officer over to watch over us, just for tonight." Kara gave
her husband a hug and chuckled with relief. John looked at them confusingly, "Is everything ok?
Did I miss something?" Kara looked at Thom who immediately answered, "No, nothing's wrong,
I just want to be careful." Kara looked at Thom and back to John, "John, could you do me a
favor? Would you go upstairs and tell the boys to help Thom with the piñata?" John smiled,
"Sure, be right back." He left. Kara looked to Thom sharply, "What was that!? Didn't you tell him
what happened?" Thom winced, "No Kara. I don't want to tell him until we find out more. I don't
want him to freak out on us." Kara didn't like this but agreed to keep quiet.
It was about four o'clock and most of Stephen's friend were in the backyard playing games and
running around. Kara sat at the picnic table with Diane as Stephen tried to smack open the piñata.
"Kara, do you think Dan and Stephen should go out tonight? I mean, do you think it's safe?"
Diane was trying to be tactful, she didn't want to make her friend any more paranoid. Kara took a
bite of her cake and looked at the kids, "I don't know, part of me doesn't want to let them go, but I
have to. I cant just keep them locked up each time this year, I have to let them live their lives."
Diane smiled, "Your right, and Dan will keep Stephen safe." Kara looked up and Diane quickly
added, "Uh, not that there's anything he'd need to be kept safe from. Wow this cake is delicious
Kara where did you get it?" Kara smirked at her friend's attempt to change the subject.
Thom walked around in the kitchen while John sipped a mug of coffee at the table. Thom looked
out past the glass porch door and saw Kara gather the children around for presents, "He's going
to open his presents now, we should probably head out there." John looked too and then
remembered something, "Oh, hey Thom, I went out while you guys were gone and got Stephen a
little something, lemme go upstairs and get it." John dashed out of the kitchen and Thom went out
to the party.
Dan had just come out of the bathroom when the doorbell rang, he was probably the only one
who heard it since most everyone else was in the back yard. He went over to answer the front
door and found Jesse standing there holding a present, "Hey, did I miss the party?" Dan let her in,
"No everyone's out back." Jesse quickly elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs, "Where the hell did
you go today!? I would have come here right away but I had to drop Miles off at Sara's." Dan
rolled his eyes, "Don't worry, Mom was trippin about something at the police station but
everything's alright." Jesse didn't look any happier, "What happened?" Dan huffed, "Nuthin
really. False alarm, Dad's just worried about today because of, well, you know." Jesse put her
hand to Dan's cheek, "Oh, I see." They walked out into the backyard and saw Stephen open up
another present.
John came out of the house and walked over to the beaming boy, he was holding up a boxed
model rocket with a big smile on his face. "Here Stephen, happy birthday." John handed Stephen
a large wrapped box and the boy tore the paper off and opened it. "Cool!" He held up a
Halloween costume. It was a purple and white checkered clown costume complete with a little
stocking cap and a clown mask. Stephen jumped up and yelped with joy. Thom and Kara traded
nervous glances…why did it have to be a clown costume. "That was very nice of you John." Kara smiled to the young man.
At about quarter to five, the last of the kids had been picked up. Kara and Diane were clearing the
dining room table where the adults had snacked on sandwiches. "Stephen, hurry up and get your
costume on, Jesse and Dan are ready." Kara called to her youngest son. Stephen was upstairs
putting on his clown costume. He was so excited, he and his brother would have so much fun
tonight and then Dan wouldn't be upset about everything anymore. Stephen turned around and
faced his bed. Jonesy and Zoe were lounging about on his bed and he showed them his outfit,
"Well, what do you think?" Zoe started grooming herself and Jonesy just flipped over and closed
his eyes. Stephen smiled, "I'll take that as a thumb's up!" He heard his mom call to him again and
went over to his desk to grab his jack-o-lantern candy basket and trotted out the door.
Dan and Jesse were sitting on the living room couch talking. Jesse was telling her boyfriend about
Miles and how he and Sara might be late to the school tonight. "Something came up. Miles said
that he and Sara needed to talk in private and that she could give him a ride to the school
tonight." Jesse explained as Dan flipped through t.v. channels. "Well, ok but if they screw up our
plan we're totally screwed. If my mom finds out about the tower farm she'll have a cow!" Jesse
giggled, "Don't worry Dan. You and Stephen can do your trick or treating, and then we can go to
school and ditch Ms. Harris. We'll have to bring Stephen back here though before we go to the
farm because I don't think he'd want to be there." Dan laughed, "Good point, I don't want him
walking in on us anyways." They shared a quiet chuckle. Jesse asked, "Hey, do you think Miles
will ask Sara out?" Dan smiled slyly, "Well why do you think he's at her dorm right now?" Jesse
crossed her arms, "Maybe we shouldn't do this, I mean I don't want to cut your brothers candy
race short and-" Dan put his hand over her mouth and leaned in, "Babe, we've been planning on
doing something all month. Tonight's perfect, everyone else is going to be out and about, we can
drop Stephen off at Mrs. Hopkins later if he really has a problem staying at home with John."
Jesse removed Dan's hand and looked at him with hesitation in her eyes, "It's just that tonight of
all nights, for us to pull a stunt like this? Maybe it's not such a-" Dan stopped her with a kiss just
as Thom walked into the room. He coughed and the two hormonal teens broke their kiss off and
blushed.
Thom laughed, he was young once. "Are you two ready or should I give you a few more
minutes?" Dan blushed and Jesse stood up, "We're ready Mr. Doyle, where's Stephen?" Stephen
jumped out from behind his dad and startled the two teens, "Boo!" Jesse laughed and ran over to
Stephen, "You look so cute Stephen!" The little clown pulled his mask off and smiled at her, "I
know. Can we go now before all the good candy is gone?" Dan stood up and looked at the clock,
"Bro, its not even five yet, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Besides, I still have to
get my costume on." He smiled as Jesse and Thom looked at him surprised. Stephen jumped up
and down, "Your dressing up too! Cool!" Dan walked over to the stairwell and swung around the
handle, "I'll be back in just a sec." He swiftly flew up the stairs. Thom looked as Jesse and smiled,
"Want some cocoa? Kara and Diane made some." Jesse shrugged and followed him into the
kitchen.
Kara and Diane were sitting at the kitchen table with John chatting about their plan to meet
Lindsay tonight. John was still apprehensive about the whole idea, "What about Stephen? Will he
be safe tonight trick or treating? And do you think it's a good idea letting him go to the school
with Daniel all by themselves?" Jesse frowned and interrupted him, "Well, I'll be with them the
whole time. We're taking Stephen out for a little while and then we'll go to school so I can help
him finish his Antigone paper and study for his classes with Ms. Harris." Kara nodded and looked
over to John, "She's right. There's no need to worry, I spoke to Dan's teacher earlier this week
and they've planned to meet for awhile." John looked at Thom, "Are you ok with this?" Thom
folded his arms and looked at the man, "John, I understand your concern for my sons. I called
Sheriff Grayson and asked him to post a guard here tonight for our protection and Grayson said
he'd have an officer escort Dan and Stephen to school tonight." Jesse widened her eyes, "What!?
Is that really necessary Mr. Doyle?" Thom walked over and placed a hand on Kara's shoulder
which she grasped, "Jessica, it's not that we don't think you and Dan aren't responsible. We just
don't want anything to happen. I agreed to let Dan and Stephen go out tonight against my own
hesitations. Thom and I are taking every possible precaution." Jesse nodded, Kara had a point.
Diane sat silently watching the conversation. She could feel the tension fogging up the room and
decided to break it, "Jesse, you didn't dress up tonight?" Jesse looked at her thoughtfully, "You
know to be honest, It never even occurred to me today. I've had so much on my mind I sort of
just forgot about it." John chuckled, "I guess we've all had a lot on our minds."
Stephen had been sitting in the living room alone, he hadn't followed his dad and Jesse into the
kitchen. Instead, he watched the movie on t.v. that his brother had been watching. Some weird
movie with some snow dogs turning into weird aliens. Stephen watched as a decapitated head
grew legs and crawled off, he grimaced, "ewww" Stephen looked away in disgust and noticed a
figure outside. He looked out the window and saw a tall man in blue overalls and a pale mask
standing in the yard. Stephen felt his body decrease in temperature and his heart beat began to
slow. "Go to him Stephen…" a voice in his head echoed and he remembered the shadow man that
he drew in his picture.
Dan came down the stairs and entered the living room, "He bozo, what do you think?" Stephen
didn't answer and Dan walked closer to his brother. Stephen was sitting on the couch staring out
the window, his eyes were glazed over and vacant. Dan snapped his fingers at the young boy,
"Stephen? Your zoning out." Stephen blinked and turned to his brother, "Dan? I was just
watching…" he turned back to the window and Dan peered out with him, "What were you
watching?" The figure was gone. Stephen turned away from the window, "N-nothing. Nice
costume. Are you a clown too?" Dan brushed his blonde bangs away from his blue eyes, "No
man…" How insulting!
Jesse walked into the living room as she got her car keys out of her pocket, "Dan? Wow,
um…what are you a mime?" Dan turned and looked at her annoyingly, "No! I'm the Crow!"
Jesse looked at the boy. He was wearing a long sleeved black shirt and black pants and boots. He
was wearing his leather trench coat and had white makeup on his face complete with black lines
down his eyes and black lipstick curled in a ghastly smile across his face. Dan sighed, "Hasn't
anyone seen the movie? Classic people, classic!" Jesse smiled, "Well you look great. Are you
ready to go, both of you?" Stephen got up and put his clown mask back on, "Ready!"
Kara and Thom walked Jesse and the boys to the front door, "Now you have your cell phones
right?" Jesse and Dan both nodded. Thom knelt down to Stephen, "Hey buddy, have fun tonight
ok? If you get in any trouble, what's the magic number?" Stephen groaned, "Ugh, 9-1-1..."
Thom stood back up satisfied. The trio walked out into the yard and headed over to Jesse's car.
Kara called out as they got in, "Have fun! And have Stephen back by nine!" Dan waved and
Stephen shouted, "I'll bring you guys some jolly ranchers!" Thom laughed, "You know my
favorite ones!" Stephen hollered as they left, "Green Apple!" Jesse drove off with Stephen in the
front seat and Dan in the back. Thom wrapped his arms around his wife and soothingly spoke into
her ear, "They'll be ok baby." Kara sighed, "I hope so."
~TBC
Author's Note: Hope you guys are liking the story so far, pretty much the rest of the story takes place on the same night. Also, I had a little fun in recent chapters by slipping in nods to my favorite horror movies. Hellraiser, Child's Play, The Ring (That one was for you Kora!) The Fog, and The Thing (1982)