Okay people here's the situation. My dearest oldest brother gave me the flu 3 weeks ago. Now at easter I was finally getting back to normal when he showed up and for easter and gave me stomach flu... which is why I haven't really been active on here. BUT that's not all. Part of this stupid stomach flu is losing sense of hunger. Which I have done so I don't feel hunger at all... which have my parents nagging at me about eating. So now I have to train up my ability to feel hunger.

I'm relieved that it's just that... doctor said so don't you worry and not something more serious. So now I can drop all depressed thoughts and start writing again and hopefully the chapters will come faster now that I don't walk around worrying about cancer or other diseases.

Part 80

Wes was awakened by a scream of sheer terror. He jumped awake and threw his door open and ran towards the common room on the bottom floor. He wasn't the only one, a few seniors and juniors were up as well. But Wes was the first in and he sighed. The freshmen were watching a horror movie, even though the older boys had told them to not watch this movie. Wes held his arms open and Thad and Blain ran to him and he hugged them close.

"There there", he said trying to sound a little compassionate at least. But in reality he wasn't. He had worn said boys that this movie would scare the crap out of them and give them nightmares. Wes hugged the smaller boys close to him while the seniors stopped the movie and started ushering people to bed. Wes lead Thad, David and Blaine out of the room.

"Sleepover", he said calmly. He led them to his and David's room. There he and David pushed their beds together to create a big double bed. All four fit on it and Wes was in the middle so that they could three cuddle close to him. But what Wes didn't know… was that one of them was a mole.

"I told you", Wes said the next morning at breakfast when the Warbler freshmen from the Dragon were all but falling asleep into their various pieces of breakfast.

"Shut up", David grumbled, sleep deprived.

"Um Davi you have", Thad said shyly and pointed to the side of David's face. His head had previously dropped onto a sandwich with jam on it. David wiped it off, blushing in embarrassment. Wes rolled his eyes and patted Blaine hard on the head so the boy's face was slammed just a little against the pancakes he'd been eating.

"What what what", Blaine asked in confusion with Nutella all over his face. The older boys all laughed. Blaine blushed and hurriedly tried to clean himself up a bit.

"I toooold you", Wes said again with grin.

"And I said shut up", David grumbled.

"But anyway", Wes said and turned to the entire group. "We won't have time to have the normal rehearsal today because of the Halloween party being this evening. We all need time to prepare."

"We sure do", the Everetts said. Wes didn't really like the gleams in their eyes.

"No pranks that could be deadly, hurt someone, scar someone for life, make someone cry or make the victim snaps in a cold rage, and telekinetically seals the exits. Then manipulates a fire hose and uses it to blast the student body with water. Then has the water make contact with the electrical wiring which ignites a fire that consumes the gym. Only to later make a car flip over and kill those in it."

They all looked at him.

"I knew it was a mistake to make him watch Carrie last year's Halloween", the twins said at the same time. Wes winked at the astonished looking freshmen.

"Back on track", Wes said and looked at them. "We already have the songs and dancing prepared since we planned to use this number for this year's… should we call it tempt-attempt?"

The older boys laughed and nodded.

"When we tried to get new members", Wes turned to the freshmen this time. "We had a number planned but we changed it. We thought it was better suited for sectionals. But it was all worked out… except for one little detail." Wes turned to face them all again. "We don't have someone singing lead. So next Monday auditions for the solo at sectionals will start."

The boys started chatting happily and eagerly, asking each other about what they were going to audition with. Wes smiled gently. He too wanted to audition but he knew he couldn't. A member of the council couldn't be lead soloist, it wouldn't be fair.

They had all agreed to meet up in the Warbler Hall before the party, which wouldn't include girls this year. The girls of Crawford County Day was off at a retreat this Halloween so there would be no girls. Too bad most boys thought. Because they were just as fun to scare as little freshmen. There were still lots of dancing, games and fun to be had. But for the moment the Warblers were all awaiting their friends in the Warbler Hall.

"Okay I give up", Rob, dressed as Frankenstein, said to Kim. "Exactly what are you supposed to be?"

"A vätte", Kim said happily.

"And what is that?"

"In Scandinavian folklore, mine based from Sweden of course, are small gnome like creatures that live close to human homes. They can help with things or be sneaky and take things… or make you things that don't exist. If you pour hot water near the vätte… or wight's living quarters you will be badly punished."

"So you are all dressed in grey because…"

"Vättar, wights I think is the English word for them, are fond of the color."

Rob rolled his eyes and turned to look at the Everetts. They were dressed up as identical vampires. They were talking to Isaac who had dressed up as Edgar Allan Poe. Brett seemed especially eager over that costume while Eric looked bored so he soon drifted over to talk to Howard. Howard was dressed as a ghoul.

In a corner a cowboy, two pirates and a mummy were having a conversation about only God knows what but they seemed to enjoy it. Logan was the cowboy, Oliver and Peter Pan were pirates, Peter was Captain Hook even. Collin Pratchett was the mummy.

Wes and Thad were sitting at the council table, talking. Rob tried to figure out what they were supposed to be. They both wore jeans and trainers. But while Wes wore a leather jacket Thad had one in jeans, with the sleeves rolled up above the elbow. Thad wore a skin tight white sweater and Wes wore a white t-shirt. The other thing they had in common was the hair style. They both had ten times more gel than Blaine. It took Rob a minute to realize that it wasn't gel but grease. Then he smiled. He knew what they were… he just didn't know who they were.

The door opened and one of their missing friends entered. But what an entrance this one made. Walking into the room Alexander had jaws drop. He was wearing a red cardinal robe and had another red robe that flowed around him in a majestic way when he walked. He had a small red hat on his head, the end of his sleeves were white as was the strange collar and he wore a fake golden Maltese cross in a blue ribbon around his neck. He'd also let his hair grow so that it reached his shoulder and he wore a fake beard. When he got to the center of the room he made a twirl and the robe flowed around him in an amazing way.

"I know who he is", Thad whispered to Wes.

"We all do I think, it's a too iconic character to", Wes began but he was cut short by Eric Everett.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Eric asked and Thad giggled at Wes' sigh.

"I", Alexander said and sat down in a chair, putting on an evil sneer. "I am Cardinal Richelieu."

"Oooooh", Eric said and looked as if he knew who that was... but he didn't. "Who's that?"

Wes face palmed. There was a strange echo in the room and through the doors came Juan Fererra. He was having his hair in a tight ponytail and was dressed in only black. His riding boots were polished and he wore a costume that was mostly in black leather, with a small cape. He also wore a black hat with a big black feather in it and he wore an eye-patch.

"Rochefort, welcome", Wes said calmly.

"Your majesty", Juan said, making his voice sound raspy and rough. He took his hat off and bowed.

"Well then", Wes said. "Where are the musketeers?"

There was laughter from down the hall and soon their missing freshmen entered… and Wes couldn't keep his laughter in. Because seeing the four of them with long wigs… some curly even and beards made them look really funny.

"Stop laughing", Fred grunted out, he was getting a rash from his mask but he refused to take it off. Because of John Rhys-Davies could do it then so could he. And don't you dare ask me what I'm talking about because I will shun you. Well not really but don't you dare ask me who he is because I will shun you for that.

"You four look adorable", Isaac cooed. "Now who's who?"

"I'm Athos", David replied happily.

"I'm Porthos", Fred said.

"Aramis", Rock said.

"Charlie Sheen ey?" Howard asked.

"Yup… without all the bullcrap."

"And I'm D'Artagnan!" Blaine said happily and pulled his sword. "Anyone want to go a match against me?"

"Not really", Wes said.

"What or who are you supposed to be?" David asked curiously.

"Yo Ponyboy", a voice said from the door. "What I tell ya about hanging 'round 'em hoods."

The Warblers turned and saw Wes' friend Gabriel Perez enter.

"Hey I ain't no hood Sodapop", Wes replied.

"Shut it Randle I'm talking to Pony", Gabriel said.

"I hang out with however I want Soda", Thad replied happily.

"No ya don't", Samuel Norris said. "Darrel Curtis, please ta meet ya."

"What ya havin' here Darry", Kevin McGuire asked and laughed. "Pansies?"

"Calm down Two-Bit", Benjamin Calypso told him quietly.

"What's that Johnnycakes?" Cory Langdon asked.

"Nothing Dally."

"Oh I get it now", Rob said. When the other five entered, also dressed in leather or jeans jackets he knew exactly who and what they were. And when the names and speeches were thrown around he knew exactly what and who they were. They were greasers, from the book the Outsiders. The sophomores always covered that book. Samuel who was the biggest, well most muscular, of the boys were Darrel Curtis, Gabriel and Thad who looked mostly like him were his brothers Sodapop and Ponyboy. Benjamin was Johnny Cade also known as Johnnycakes. Kevin was Keith "Two-Bit" Matthews, Wes was Steve Randle and Cory was Dallas Winston.

The party had been going on for a few hours and it was getting dark. There had been some music and performing from some of the Warblers and all of them as well. There had been little plays and stories. Even the teachers had acted out a little horror story. But now when it was getting dark and the power had went out they gathered around to wait out the storm outside. Candles were lit all over the place and since they were in the gym there was plenty of place to sit. Alexander had to sit on a chair because his robes made it hard for him to get up. Wes had lost Thad somewhere in the crowd but Rob had offered to go and find their smallest Warbler. While they were all sitting there Eric suddenly got up and started talking.

" Just gather 'round and I'll elucidate what goes on outside when it gets late", he said.

"Oh great", Wes muttered. "Now what are they plotting?"

"Long past midnight, ghosts, and banshees get together for their nightly jamborees", Brett continued. "There's things with horns and saucer eyes some with fangs about this size."

"Some are fat", Eric said.

"And some are thin", Kim agreed.

"And some don't even wear their skin", Carmichael said and Wes stared at the man, dressed as a vampire.

"I'm telling you, brother", Eric said and nudged Brett. "It's a frightful sight, see what goes on Halloween night."

There was suddenly a window blowing open and a flash. One of the female teachers screamed and the students huddled together. Eric smirked and started singing:

When spooks have a midnight jamboree,
they break it up with fiendish glee.
Now, ghosts are bad,
but the one that's cursed
is the Headless Horseman,
he's the worst.

Seniors: That's right,
he's a fright on Halloween night.

Brett: When he goes a-joggin'
cross the land,
holdin' his noggin',
in his hand,
demons take one look, and groan,
and hit the road for parts unknown.

Seniors: Beware, take care, he rides alone.

Isaac: Now, there's no spook like the spook who's spurned.

Seniors &Teachers: They don't like him, and he's really burned.

Kim: He swears to the longest day he's dead,

Seniors &Teachers: he'll show them that he can get ahead

Carmichael: Now, they say he's tired of his flamin' top,
and he's got a yen to make a swap.
And so he rides one night each year,
to find a head in the hollow here.

Women: Now, he likes them little, he likes them big.

Seniors: Part in the middle, or a wig.

All: Black or white, or even red.

Eric: The Headless Horseman needs a head.

The younger students all laughed and joined into the song.

All: With a hip-hip and a clippety clop,
he's out looking for a top to chop.

Brett: So don't stop to figure out a plan,

All: you can't reason with a headless man.

Kim smirked evilly.

"Now, if you doubt this tale is so", he said. "I met that spook just a year ago. Now, I didn't stop for some more fun, but headed for the dorm house with a run. For, once you cross the threshold, my friend."

Chorus: The ghost is through, his power ends.

Eric: So, when you're headin' for your room tonight,
make for the door with all your might.
He'll be down in the Hollow there.
He needs your head.

Brett: Look out! Beware!

Women: With a hip-hip and a clippety clop,

Men: He's out looking for a head to swap.

All: So, don't try to figure out a plan,
you can't reason with a headless man

While they held the last note they got interrupted by a loud laugh and they turned towards the doorway. Nearly everyone screamed in fright. There was a big black horse in the doorway, it was rearing back and kicking with its front legs. His eyes were red and shining evilly. On his back sat the laughing intruder. A man dressed in black and with a red cape. In his hand he held a sword and a severed head. Himself… he had none. Wes nearly toppled over when Blaine and a few other freshmen huddled around him. Wes looked around and noticed the Everetts grin with glee. He glared daggers at them.

"ERIC!" he yelled angrily and the Everetts started laughing hysterically as did the headless horseman… and the horse… the horse was laughing also.

"Wait a minute", Howard said and turned on the lights. "What?!"

The horse wasn't a real horse. It was Rob Barton with a horse head mask, wearing platform shoes formed as horse legs… well actually donkey legs because they were used in the drama club's rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream. But he had a contraption on his back that made the horseman sit securely on his back. The horseman was wearing a cape… and a chest and shoulder protection from the football team. It was tied around his upper body so that the head didn't stick up. But Wes recognized the giggle and when Logan pulled down the protection they could all see his face. It was Thad.

"Oh you are so dead", Howard said and pulled Thad into a hug and started tickling his side. Carmichael was giving the twins a lecture for scaring everyone like that and Rob… well nobody dared mess with him so Thad and the twins got the tickle attacks. Wes rolled his eyes and walked up to Thad, giving him a look. Thad did look like he was a little ashamed then. But Wes just chuckled and hugged him close.

"Evil little brat", he said and then turned to the twins. "You're corrupting my baby!"

"Now where have we heard that before?" was their only reply and Wes blushed. But… when they all headed for their dorms that night… the students of Dalton kept an eye out for a headless horseman.

TBC Song not mine. And I base the looks of "my" musketeers and villains on the film from 1993... which is my favorite and the only movie adaptation I think is good. Fun fact though the Rochefort has an eye patch in that movie... but the first time that appeared was in the film adaptation with Sir Christopher Lee as Rochefort. He added the eyepatch and now every Rochefort I've seen has had it since.

Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:

wesandwarblers - I loved Thavid before I discovered Thadbastian... and Thad/Hunter which I think would be very cute. And Wes is too loveable to be angry at... just like Jeff or Nick.