Disclaimer: I do not own Static Shock, Sailor Moon, or the songs "Monster Mash" or "Time Warp."
Author's Note: I was originally only going to rewrite chapters 1-3, but when I looked over the rest of the story I decided to go ahead and rewrite every chapter before posting the new one. Hope you enjoy!
Robert and Virgil rushed through the door, their clothing covered with raindrops. Virgil stripped down to the white tank top he sported under his red polo. The plastic bag that held the cups, and a bag of candy Robert picked up before reaching the checkout line, busted with both items falling to the floor. Robert simply picked them up and carried them into the kitchen with Virgil in tow. They walked in on Sharon painting her nails while conversing with who they assumed to be Adam over the phone. Virgil glanced over at the clock to discover they had about an hour before they were expected to arrive at Trina's party.
Virgil stole a second look at his sister as a thought struck his mind. He dashed up the stairs before anyone had a chance to ask him his reason for sudden speed. Wrapped up in her conversation Sharon never heard her bedroom door open.
Twenty minutes later Sharon stood in her room tossing everything to the side of her vanity table. She overturned the magazines, hair accessories, and accidentally knocked down her jewelry box. She grumbled and swore while picking up the fallen items. Her eyes returned to the surface of the table wondering the location of the missing item. Sharon growled then violently threw her designer purse on the floor. She immediately gasped and picked up the bag frantically searching it for any possible damage. Upon seeing no rips, nor even a smudge, she gently placed the purse on her vanity table and left her room.
Sharon figured if not in her room there was a good chance she left the sparkly makeup pouch in the bathroom. The humming of the ventilation system as well as seeing the light shining under the door clued her in to its occupancy. Sharon slammed her fist against the door three times.
Virgil opened the door wearing an old, gray tee shirt and a bleach-stained blue towel wrapped about his shoulders with green stains dripping about the cloth. His face had been coated with the orange foundation. Sharon stood with her arms crossed. Virgil inquired her reason for baring in to which she ignored by stretching her neck into the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Virgil asked pushing her away.
"Virgil!" Sharon growled the second she saw her cosmetic bag sitting on the counter with several of the contents laying about.
"I'm just borrowing it," Virgil replied.
"You didn't ask!" Sharon barked as she pushed her way into the bathroom. She snatched up her bag.
"I just need to borrow the brown lipstick and the eyeliner for my costume," Virgil pleaded picking up the necessary items before Sharon had a chance to.
"You could've asked!" she snapped as she walked off with her bag. She stopped and pivoted on her sole to glare into her brother's soul. Virgil stepped backwards. None of the meta-humans brought as much fear to his heart as his older sister. She pointed her perfect nails at Virgil's face. "If you ruin either of those and it'll be your head."
"It's just—" Virgil began.
Sharon interrupted. "No, those are good brands!"
Virgil rolled his eyes and slammed the bathroom door. Sharon considered if she should continue yelling at the closed door. She clutched her bag feeling her point had been made.
Virgil stood in front of the mirror staring at his reflection while he muttered something about buying generic brands in situations such as this. The situation now gave Virgil a reason to laugh. He glanced up in time to see a stream of green liquid drip on his forehead. He grabbed a tissue and wiped it away before it came in contact his eye. He carefully dabbed away the dye so as not to smear the makeup. The can instructions stated that the dye would dry within ten minutes.
Virgil picked up the ripped, plastic package. With one more glance at his reflection he decided his face could use another coat of orange. He picked up the yellow sponge square and rubbed it around in the glossy, orange makeup. He applied the sponge to his face and smeared the sticky substance about his features. As he had seen Sharon do on several occasions Virgil went over the second coat to even out the smudges Once his face was covered in orange he picked up the eyeliner to draw black triangles around his eyes and an upside down triangle on his nose. He used the sticky, black makeup to color in the triangles. The final touch called for applying the brown lipstick to his lips.
Virgil placed all the makeup down on the counter. He wiped up the area his soiled fingertips smudged on the white counter. He had the opportunity to admire his artwork in the mirror for a few minutes more until Sharon returned demanding the use of the bathroom. Virgil opened the door and returned the cosmetics to his sister. She growled as he passed by with his normal smirk. Sharon groaned then shut the door with much unnecessary force.
Virgil slipped into his room and put on his costume. He was looking forward to a night of harmless fun. It had been so long since he could merely enjoy himself without interruptions from the superhero business.
"Virgil," Robert called walking to Virgil's room. Virgil opened the door making his father jump. The older man placed his hand over his heart and inhaled deeply to calm his nerves. He smiled at his son. "Nice work." Virgil smiled. Robert had yet to dress into his costume, for there was not as much work as Virgil and Sharon's outfits required. Robert handed a white envelope to the younger male. "This came in the mail for you." With those words Robert excused himself to change.
Virgil looked at the envelope and ripped it open. A fake gold chain fell to the floor. Virgil bent down and picked up the chain to find a jack-o-lantern charm in the center of the chain. It appeared to be costume jewelry that could be purchased at any Halloween or novelty store.
Virgil stared at the gift with a perplexed look. He wondered if in the amount of rushing his father made a mistake and the necklace was in fact meant for Sharon. He turned over the torn envelope to find his name sloppily printed in the middle. He looked up in the left corner to find no name or return address present. In the right corner he also noticed the lack of a stamp meaning someone personally delivered the letter. Virgil returned his gaze to the center once more. He took a second look at the handwriting. Something about that particular penmanship seemed rather familiar, yet there were plenty of people he knew with illegible handwriting. Virgil gave the writing on the envelope one last look then tossed it into the wastebasket sitting by his desk. He slipped the necklace over his head, then the immediate thought of having told Richie his costume plans was sure he put the present in the mailbox as a prank.
Virgil made his way down the steps, his tennis shoes that in no way went with his costume pounding loudly against the stairs. His father stood dressed in a vampire vest and cape with a pair of plastic fangs in his mouth. He put the cups and bag of candy he bought from the Halloween store inside a new plastic bag. Sharon dawdled down the stairs after Virgil. She wore an elegant, long black dress that had a gold bodice with white, corset lacing. Her hair was curled and accompanied with a black witch hat with a gold ribbon that matched her outfit. She held tight to the banister as she descended to the floor in the black pumps she rarely wore save formal events and special evenings out with Adam.
"You both look great," Robert said as he reached for the camera.
Virgil and Sharon sighed as they stood side by side, with an arm over the other's shoulder, feigning a smile. As soon as they saw the flash, they pushed the other off.
"Let's get going, we're already running late," Robert said as he opened the door.
Sharon called shotgun as she and Virgil ran for the car. Sharon was no match for Virgil in her heeled shoes. Virgil reached the passenger door first and opened it for his sister. She sneered at him and muttered her thanks while she climbed inside. Virgil stepped back towards to the backseat and hopped in. The neighbor and her daughter waved at Robert as he stepped into the driver seat.
Virgil leaned on the window letting the glass surface cool his hand. He felt relieved the rain ended so there was little chance of having his makeup ruined on their way to the party. The car slowly made its way down the neighborhood. Virgil looked out the window across from him to see a man helping his son carve his first pumpkin. At the next house an elderly woman was hanging decorative skull lights off her porch balcony. She was the woman who paid Virgil ten dollars for mowing her lawn once a month in the summer. The last two years Virgil insisted he do it for free, but the woman would not hear of it.
They passed the next house in which Virgil noticed the old beagle that usually lay on the porch panting was now lying in the grass. Virgil wrinkled his brow then looked up at the porch to see the guy in the hoodie sitting on the top step with his hands folded in his lap. As they drove by, Virgil saw the head move in synchrony with their vehicle. The man's shielded eyes zoomed in on the teenage boy in the backseat.
Virgil lowered his head, closed his eyes, and slowly counted to five. He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. He looked out the back windshield to find the porch vacant of any life. The dog was fast asleep in the yard. Virgil lifted his eyes to the porch once more then lined his eyelids with his fingers, careful not to smear the makeup.
"I'm hallucinating," Virgil said silently to himself.
His thoughts were interrupted by his sister's squeal. She turned up the volume as a Halloween favorite of both her and Robert came over the radio. The two sang along with the original version of "Monster Mash." Sharon rocked in her seat as she bobbed her head in time with the beat. Virgil smiled. With Sharon being a junior in college and Robert taking on the new youth program after work it was a rarity for the three of them to spend any time together outside mealtimes and social functions. It filled the family's spirit to be able to enjoy a night together before they had to go their separate ways on Monday.
They arrived at Trina's house to find her humble home covered in various Halloween decorations. A giant ghost statue stood out in the yard waving to those passing by. A string of bats hung from the roof. There were electric candles in the window emitting an eerie blue light. A plastic skeleton hung from the branch of a tree. Numerous pumpkins lay on the steps, around the door, and in the yard. They journeyed up the gravel driveway, their path being lit by plastic jack-o-lanterns on stakes. Their shoes echoed as they walked up the steps. The smell of cinnamon and apple entered their nostrils as they stood on the porch. A small coffin lay on the side of the porch with a fuzzy spider sitting atop. There were more hanging bats above their heads as well as a banshee hanging in a flying pose with its arms out in front of its head.
Robert rang the doorbell. Sharon clutched her shivering arms. She was not really into Halloween and found it strange that her father's new girlfriend went out of her way for such a dark holiday.
Trina opened the door dressed as a black widow with her lips coated in black lipstick and her red hair pulled up into a bun with the pieces hanging out wrapped around pipe cleaners and posed as spider legs. She kissed Robert softly on the cheek leaving a stray mark of her lipstick. Robert handed her the bag and she promptly thanked him. With a wave of her hand she ushered Robert and his children into the house.
The interior was much warmer than the chill of the porch. The inviting smells meshed into one of pure bliss which brought smiles to the entire Hawkins family. Robert put his arm around Trina's shoulder. Unlike the outside, her living room was decorated more in the traditional autumn sense. There were orange and yellow leaves hanging around the room. Wreaths of matching colors and themes decorated the orange, pumpkin-scented candles. The ones upon the fireplace mantle were lit, but pushed back far enough to prevent any casualties. There was a large plastic cauldron sitting in the center of the coffee table which contained assorted candies of numerous brands and flavors. Black and white spider webs entangled over the walls with fake spiders randomly positioned somewhere in the perimeter of the webs.
Several people were already hanging around the punch bowl, merrily laughing in one another's company. One man was dressed as a clown with excess white face paint and an exaggerated large, red nose. He had a hearty laugh which he proudly displayed anytime someone made a joke. The second man was dressed as a vampire. He had long fangs that were obviously fake to the eye. Pale makeup covered his face with fake blood strategically placed from his bottom lip down to his chin. His laugh sounded more like a shriek. The third person, a woman, stood in the center dressed as a fairy with her belly hanging over her teal, spandex mini skirt. She talked with her hands as she told the jokes to the others. She clapped her hands after the punch line when the others broke out into laughter. The fourth person was a man in a cowboy costume, obviously the husband of the fairy. He stood with his hands in his pockets. He hid his face from the group under his broad hat.
Sharon looked up at her father whose left arm currently supported Trina's head. She looked down at Virgil whose eyes were in awe at the extent of the decorations. Sharon felt relieved that she would be moved out of her parents house by the time Robert and Trina set a wedding date, freeing her from having to live in a house decked out for Halloween. She broke from her family and moved over to the group, immediately introducing herself to the other guests. The woman in the fairy costume placed her hands on Sharon's shoulders as she began a new joke. In no time Sharon found herself giggling along with the merry bunch.
Virgil moved over to the CD player where Trina's mix of Halloween tunes chimed through the house. Every minute more guests arrived. The hostess greeted each one and thanked them for coming out. Virgil observed the numerous costumes ranging from a laundry basket to a sexy kitten, a bottle of soda to a Renaissance princess. While he found the costumes entertaining he longed for someone his own age to arrive.
Not long after that thought crossed his mind Richie and his mom walked in the door. Richie wore aluminum foil with various papier-mâché knobs and buttons about his waist. His mother was dressed as a witch complete with a long, plain black dress, matching hat, and fake nose. Richie spotted Virgil and clapped hands with him the second he approached.
"What're you supposed to be?" Virgil asked with a laugh.
"I'm a robot, V, what's it look like?" Richie asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Honestly, a soup can," Virgil chuckled.
Richie crossed his arms and frowned. "Very funny."
"Hey, you asked," Virgil reminded him.
"At least I don't look like a rejected pumpkin," Richie retorted.
Virgil angrily stared at Richie with pursed lips. Richie returned Virgil's glare with one of his own. They held a staring contest for about ten seconds when both busted out laughing.
"A rejected pumpkin?" Virgil laughed. "That's the best you could come up with?" Virgil wiped a tear from his eye. "At least you can tell what I am."
Richie shrugged.
Robert and Trina entered the living room each carrying an orange, plastic platter. On one sat an assortment of crackers with two bowls in the center: one containing cheese dip and the other onion dip. On the other was a stack of pizza bagels. They placed the platters on the high table that had recently been cleared of the porcelain dolls Trina collected in case anything became chaotic and one of her precious pieces became a casualty. The crowd migrated over to the food.
"Make yourselves useful," Sharon said to the two boys as she pushed her way through them carrying an enormous, ceramic plate of Halloween cookies.
Virgil and Richie exchanged glances and shrugs then complied with Sharon's demand. They met Trina in the kitchen as she readied for a second trip to the living room.
"You need help with anything?" Virgil asked.
"Could you guys grab the bowl of M&M's and pretzels?" Trina asked. The two nodded. "Thanks," Trina said with a small nod before heading out with the items in her hands. Virgil nodded and took hold of the deep, transparent bowl.
"I'll get the pretzels," Richie said taking the bowl from the counter. Virgil picked up the remaining bowl of M&Ms, fortunately for him that being his favorite candy. Virgil and Richie carried the bowls into the living room, occasionally sneaking a snack from the plentiful bounty inside the dishes.
"What's wrong with you?" Sharon quietly snapped as her brother put the bowl on the table.
Virgil replied with a shrug as his mouth was full of chocolate morsels.
"Don't eat yet," she scolded.
Virgil rolled his eyes.
Trina and Robert returned with the rest of the food. The two teenage boys had their attention seized the second they saw all the goodies prepared and begging to be ravaged. The two had to restrain their greedy hands from going at the buffet. The rest of the guests also took notice of the feast. Richie grabbed a paper plate printed with a smiling skull for himself and one for Virgil. The two hurried before the horde consumed everything in sight. They stood in line behind someone they had yet to meet who was dressed as penguin. The man in the penguin costume took his time fixing his plate. Richie tapped his foot impatiently. Upon their turn they swiftly piled their plates then sat down on the floor a good ways away from the buffet table to consume every crumb.
The two enjoyed the various snacks without the fear of hearing the relentless nagging from their family. Their blissful feasting was cut short when a looming shadow towered over them. The two looked up to see a familiar face.
"What a couple of pigs," the smiling female stated.
"Shenice?" Virgil asked as a chip fell from his mouth.
"Cool costume," she said.
Virgil's ears were unable to register her compliment as his entire focus was fixed on her costume. She was dressed as Sailor Moon including the fuku, gloves, boots, jewelry, and yellow wig pulled into odangos.
"What're you supposed to be?" Richie asked. "A sailor of some kind?"
"I'm Sailor Moon," Shenice said. Richie merely stared blankly. "The pretty sailor soldier of the moon that fights in the name of love and justice," Shenice said imitating the hand motions from the anime in hopes to give her friend a clue.
"Nevermind," Shenice said taking a seat beside them. Her plate was more limited in terms of items in the surrounding. She delicately munched on her food unlike the boys who devoured theirs like starving wolves.
They discussed their Halloween plans. Shenice talked with the most enthusiasm. Never had she been allowed to attend a Halloween party, or any party for that matter, but now with being granted freedom her parents decided it was safe enough for her to experience the life of a normal teenage girl. Richie and Virgil had yet decided between their options of trick-or-treating, going to a rave, or attending a carnival.
The previous song ended with the next track being "Time Warp." Many of the adults cheered from the fond memories that came with the song. They followed along with the instructions when it came to perform the actual dance.
Virgil and Richie stood to join in with the campy song. Virgil helped Shenice to her feet and led her to the dance floor. Despite being a decent dancer, Shenice still felt a bit shy performing unfamiliar dances in front of a large crowd. Shenice, having never heard the song before, bumped into Virgil twice while acting out the dance. The third time he caught her before she ran into him. For a few seconds longer he cuddled her close to his body. Shenice laughed at first making Virgil laugh in response. Once they realized the close proximity of their bodies they removed themselves from each other's grasp.
"Sorry," Shenice said, her face glowing bright red. She felt the heat rising in her body and decided it was best for her words to mean something else. "I mean I don't get the big deal of that dance."
"Oh," Virgil replied. He rubbed the back of his head. "You'll have to see the movie to get it, I guess."
Shenice nodded. "I'm going to go get some punch, be right back."
Shenice hurried over to the punchbowl, making sure not to pass a second glance over her shoulder. Virgil followed the movement of her body and watched her ladle the red liquid into a black cup. He was unsure if it was the short hemline of the skirt, but for the first time he noticed the length and build of Shenice's legs.
"I saw that," Richie whispered to Virgil.
Virgil jumped then turned to face his friend. The boy in the robot suit smirked at the other. Were it not for the makeup being caked on Virgil's face he was sure the blushing would mark him as guilty. Virgil denied all suspicions in his heart for his belonged to only one, a good girl who sat safely in her bedroom at the present moment possibly reading or working on an assignment for her advanced classes.
The CD switched to a free movement song allowing everyone resume dancing the way they had a song before. Virgil and Richie joined in with the crowd, making up their own dance moves. Most who went to their school knew just how skilled the two of them were at dancing. Several guests stopped moving merely to watch the two high-schoolers boogie down.
Shenice returned to her friends with a cup in her hand. Watching Virgil sway in synchrony with the beat brought a smile to her face. She put the cup in front of her belly button, holding it with both hands. Her head tilted to the side with a look of longing in her smile.
As luck would have it the next song on the CD was a romantic, slow melody. Those who were married, dating, or just grabbed someone in order to participate in the dance joined hands and swayed in rhythm. Richie put his hand on Virgil's shoulder then said something that made the two of them laugh.
Shenice placed the empty cup on the table. She looked out in the crowd as the chorus ended, the second verse patiently waited to begin. It was one of those now or never moments.
Shenice approached Virgil. The mentioned male smiled and looked her in the eyes. He was about to say something when she raised her finger to silence his words in his throat. She quickly asked, "Would you like to dance?"
Virgil smiled and nodded. Shenice took Virgil by the hand and let her body sway with the music. Virgil felt his face heat up. The angelic music passed through the two, taking hold of their bodies, and transcending them into an otherworldly landscape. Shenice twirled herself into Virgil's arm and leaned against his chest.
"My parents never let me dance with a boy before," Shenice quietly said.
"You dance pretty well for a first timer," Virgil whispered in her ear.
Shenice twirled away, still holding onto his hand and said, "I can't say I haven't dreamt about it."
Virgil looked down at his friend and crime fighting partner. "When was this?" he asked out of curiosity more than anything else. Shenice never struck him as the kind of girl who would stay awake at night dreaming of dancing at the ball with prince charming.
"At night, alone in my room." Shenice's voice faded to a faint whisper.
She placed her palm facedown on Virgil's chest and closed her eyes. Virgil let his palm fall on Shenice's back, connected his other hand with hers, and pulled her close. The top of Shenice's head brushed up under his chin. Virgil was confused for he felt for the longest time that his heart belonged to Daisy. Yet nothing about being smitten for Shenice felt wrong.
"I've never felt this way before," Shenice softly spoke.
Virgil suddenly released Shenice from his grasp. The girl looked up at him with glossy eyes.
"I can't," was all he could say. Shenice stood with her arms out in front of her, speechless. "I'm sorry," Virgil said as he began to back away. He apologized with his eyes before darting over to the other side of the room.
Richie lifted his arms, having witnessed the intimate scene between the two. His eyes switched over to the girl who was left alone on the dance floor. Shenice lowered her head with an empty pull in her chest. She had a hunch what Virgil meant but preferred remaining clueless to the matter.
Virgil let his palms fall down on the table. He stepped aside to allow a guest in his late forties access to the edibles. Virgil leaned against the wall and gripped his shirt. "I'm sorry, Daisy," Virgil said to himself while closing his eyes to image her smiling face.
Richie walked over to Virgil and put a hand on his shoulder. Virgil turned to Richie and hugged him. The two of them returned to the center of the living room to find Shenice missing. Virgil looked around to see her pouring a second helping of punch into her cup. Virgil clenched his fist knowing he should have never led that innocent girl on.
The next song on the CD began to play, one that Virgil had a fondness for. He sat down on the couch watching his sister and Adam closely dancing. He was unsure when Adam arrived at the party, but felt glad for his sister's sake. It was a real comfort for her to have found someone who loved and adored her the way she deserved to be. His eyes then fell on his father and Trina to find them dancing a little more intimately than Sharon and Adam. It took him a while to get over the death of his wife, but as they all knew she wanted, he found the courage to begin dating once more. As with Sharon's situation, Virgil felt relief in the fact that the woman did not push herself on the children or try to replace the lost member of their family. Sharon was not as quick to accept her, but in time the two were able to bond and in the process Trina gained Sharon's blessing.
Virgil glanced up at the pewter clock on wall to find it nearing eleven.
His eyes fell back down to the dancing mob. Shenice's brightly colored costume stood out in the swarm of dark and neutral hues. She approached a man in his late teens, if not early twenties, in a werewolf costume. They began speaking and Shenice over exaggerated a giggle. The man tilted his head back and let out a laugh. He whispered something to her and she put her cup down on the side table. He took hold of her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They began to dance extremely slow to a fast-paced song. Virgil turned his head away from them pretending not to notice. Shenice glanced over at Virgil several times to find him inattentive. She frowned and returned her attention to the guy with whom she the dance.
Virgil switched his gaze to an area of the room Shenice did not occupy. He suddenly regretted the decision upon discovering one who stood behind a group of dancing guests. Holding a black plate of candy and other foods was the man in the black hoodie. He munched on the snacks while keeping his eyes fixed on Virgil. Virgil turned away, pretending not to see him, though secretly wondering how long he had been there. Behind his calm eyes his thoughts began to race. He now wondered exactly how long that guy had been stalking him.
The stranger lifted the black cup to his lips and gulped down the liquid inside. He wiped away the stray liquid with the sleeve of his hoodie. The plastic coating kept Virgil from knowing what he drank. There was also no way for Virgil to find out the guy's age until he could see him up close. In the pit of his mind Virgil was not certain he wanted to see the face behind the mask.
Richie startled Virgil when he sat down beside him. Virgil clutched his chest and turned to Richie. Richie could tell something bothered his best friend.
"Shenice is only doing it to make you jealous," Richie said.
Virgil barely shook his head.
"V, what's wrong?" Richie asked.
"He's here," Virgil whispered.
"Who?" Richie asked looking around.
With his eyes, Virgil discreetly pointed out where the stranger stood. Richie followed the direction of Virgil's eyes. All he could see were the other guests standing about. Some resorted to laughter while others enjoyed dancing with one another. There was nothing he could find out of the ordinary.
"Who?" Richie repeated. "What are you talking about?"
"Black hoodie," Virgil mumbled.
Richie reached out his neck searching everyone in the room. He looked into Virgil's eyes and said, "I don't see anyone in a black hoodie."
"He's over there," Virgil said.
Richie, not understanding the whole being unobtrusive, made it obvious he was searching for someone.
"I see people wearing black hoods and capes," Richie said.
"He's over there," Virgil said irately pointing to the very location the stranger stood. At that point Virgil could care less if the man knew they were discussing him. If the weirdo wanted to stalk him then he would have to suffer being pointed out in a crowd.
"You mean Mr. Brantley, the man in the grim reaper costume?" Richie asked.
"No, I mean…" Virgil stopped when he noticed that indeed he pointed to Mr. Brantley. "That's not…he was right." Virgil frantically searched the room. "I saw him, he was eating, which was rude since he wasn't invited," Virgil said standing up.
"Virgil," Richie said.
"I know I saw him," Virgil said as he maneuvered through the dancing guests.
"Virgil," Richie said taking hold of Virgil's shoulders. He spun his friend around. He did not speak again until he was certain Virgil looked him in the eyes. "You saw Mr. Brantley. Then your mind saw this made up guy."
Virgil sort of believed what Richie was saying. In all honesty he wanted to believe him. However there were too many times he had seen this guy for him to be make believe. For Richie's sake Virgil decided to go along with Richie's assessment. He nodded and spoke of the man no longer.
One by one the guests took their leave. It was only a few minutes until midnight when Richie's father arrived to pick up his wife and son. Richie said a farewell to his friend. Virgil could tell Richie still held a hint of concern for him.
"I'll be fine," Virgil said to Richie.
"It's only your imagination," Richie replied.
Virgil nodded. The two said a second goodbye then Richie took his leave. Most of the guests, including Shenice, had already left. Shenice had not spoken a word to Virgil since their dance other than the quick farewell she gave to both him and Richie before heading out to where her parents parked. In no time there was no one left save the hostess and the Hawkins family.
Robert offered to stay behind and help Trina clean up. Trina's hair had fallen down, her spider bun now having ten legs instead of eight.
"I hope you guys had a good time," Trina said to Sharon and Virgil.
"Great time," Sharon replied.
"That's enough for tonight," Trina said to Robert once noticing the time. "I'll get the rest tomorrow."
Robert protested that he could stay longer, feeling horrible for leaving Trina to tidy up the place on her own. Trina thanked him for his concern and gave him a goodnight kiss. Virgil and Sharon decided to allow their father and soon to be step-mother a few minutes alone. The two headed out to the car. It was Virgil's turn to ride up front, though neither one had the energy to argue over something so trivial.
Virgil leaned his head against the headrest. He glanced over to see his father making his way over to the vehicle. Sharon had already fallen asleep in the back. The ride home consisted of very few words. Upon arrival Robert shook Sharon who was slow to wake. The three drug themselves to the front door. Sharon wasted no time in getting ready for bed. She said a quick goodnight to her family then retired for the night.
As Virgil rested his head against his pillow his mind drifted towards the hooded figure at the party. He now feared he would wake up in the middle of the night to find that guy sitting across from his bed watching him sleep. The thoughts made Virgil shiver. Fortunately their duration was a short one for slumber took him away before the paranoia sunk in.