Halloween celebrations at Hollywood Arts were in full swing. Colored lights flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows that moved with a life of their own. The décor, a combination of black spiderwebs and pumpkins with grotesque faces, created a festive yet disturbing atmosphere. The night breeze blew through the windows, bringing with it a chilling whisper that seemed to carry a dark omen.
Tori Vega was surrounded by her friends at her usual table. Cat, dressed as a silver-winged fairy, held up a bag full of candy with a radiant smile. Beck, in his elegant vampire costume, and André, in his role as Frankenstein, exchanged banter while Robbie and Rex, dressed as a mad scientist, joined in with enthusiasm.
"Look at this candy!" exclaimed Cat, shaking the bag. "I think I have twice as much as I had at home!"
Beck, showing his vampire fangs, smirked.
"That's because everyone has given you candy. They saw you coming!"
André laughed, eyeing the bag curiously.
"You can always ask for more at the next event," he said, smiling.
Suddenly, a deep, resonant neigh cut through the hubbub. It was a sound so piercing and ancient that it seemed to cut through time itself. Lights flickered erratically, casting distorted shadows that seemed to come to life. The music abruptly stopped, leaving a heavy, palpable silence. The breeze intensified, bringing with it a thick fog that began to creep through the dining room, enveloping it in a ghostly veil.
The fog was dense and white, creeping along the ground and rising in capricious spirals, as if it had a will of its own. Visibility was drastically reduced, creating a surreal and terrifying effect. Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, an imposing figure slowly appeared from the mist.
Mounted on a black horse that seemed to absorb all light, a rider emerged from the fog. The rider was cloaked in a black charro suit, his cape billowing ominously in the wind. His wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow so thick it seemed to engulf his face, and his eyes glowed with a hellish glow, like red flames in a night storm.
A murmur of terror and awe swept through the dining hall. Students rose, some stumbling over their chairs in their haste to get away. The atmosphere was charged with palpable panic, as the rider advanced with heavy, deliberate steps, the echo of his footsteps resonating in the deathly silence.
Tori, seeing the figure, immediately paled. Her eyes widened in a mix of fear and amazement, and her breathing became ragged.
"It's the Black Charro," she murmured, her voice shaking as she stared at the dark figure.
Cat, her fairy wings quivering, stared at Tori with eyes wide with terror.
"What is the Charro Negro?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with panic.
Tori swallowed, trying to control the tremble in her voice as she explained the legend.
"It's a Mexican legend. They say the Charro Negro is a damned spirit who appears on a black horse. He offers riches in exchange for souls. If you accept his offer, he takes you to hell."
Cat clung to Beck's arms, who was visibly worried.
"So... he's here to take Tori?" Her voice was shaking, and her gaze was moving frantically between the rider and Tori.
Beck, trying to calm the situation, tried to reason with his friends.
"This has to be a joke or an elaborate trick. No one can believe this is real."
André, beside her, was nodding doubtfully, but his face was pale and his body was shaking.
"It's not possible. How could someone ride a horse like that? And the fog!"
"I don't know!" Tori exclaimed, staring at the rider, who continued to advance slowly towards her. "But the stories say that the Black Charro can appear at any time, in any place. And it seems that tonight he decided to do it here."
The murmurs turned into muffled screams as the students tried to calm the others down. Shinjin, distracted by his phone, looked up just as the rider emerged from the fog. His eyes widened at the sight of the hellish glow in the horse's eyes. Terror immediately gripped him; he leapt back and tripped over a table, falling to the ground. With a guttural cry of horror, Shinjin stood up and ran outside, pushing past other students in his desperate escape.
"It's a demon!" Shinjin screamed, his voice filled with panic as he ran for the exit. His screams caused other students to back away even further, screaming and crying as they rushed toward the doors.
The rider finally reached the center of the dining hall, and the silence that had descended upon the room was almost tangible. In a deep, spectral voice, seeming to echo from a dark abyss, he called out,
"Tori Vega, I've come for you."
His gloved hand reached out to her, offering the chance to climb onto the horse. The bag of gold he held in his other hand glowed with an unearthly light, reflecting golden sparkles that danced in the air in an eerie manner. The sight of the gold, which seemed to have a hellish glow, was both enticing and terrifying. Fog shrouded the scene, creating an ominous halo around the rider and horse.
The students were paralyzed, most with blank faces and trembling bodies. Tori, caught between terror and disbelief, stood still. Her friends were equally terrified. Beck, his voice shaking and eyes wide in alarm, stepped closer, trying to remain calm despite his visible distress.
"Tori, please stay away," Beck said urgently, his voice cracking with fear. "We don't know what might happen if you accept their offer."
André, his voice shaking and his face pale, tried to be rational amidst the chaos.
"It's a very well-made disguise!" "That has to be a trick!" he said, his tone desperate, as he looked to the others for support.
"It's not, André," Tori interjected, her voice breaking as she looked at the rider with a mix of horror and resignation. "The Black Charro is real. And if you accept his offer…"
Cat, with tears in her eyes and shaking hands, grabbed Tori's hand in desperation.
"Tori, please don't do this. We don't want to lose you." Her voice was filled with desperation and love.
At that moment, Jade appeared, descending from the horse with an elegance that contrasted with the intensity of the moment. The fog seemed to dissipate slightly around her, although the atmosphere was still charged with tension. Jade, with her impeccable costume and her expression of amusement, approached Tori. Her mischievous smile lit up the dining room as she walked forward with a firm step.
"Did you think the Black Charro was really going to appear?" Jade asked, her tone playful but with a spark of concern in her eyes.
Tori, upon recognizing the costume, felt a wave of relief mixed with surprise. Her face, which had been pale, began to regain color as fear faded into disbelief.
"Jade!" Tori exclaimed, her voice shaking between relief and laughter. I almost died of fright!
Jade approached Tori, wrapping her in a comforting hug. The fog slowly began to dissipate, and the panic in the dining hall faded away, replaced by relief and nervous laughter from the students.
"I'm sorry if I scared you so much," Jade said in a soft tone, as she hugged Tori tenderly. "I just wanted to do something special for you."
Cat, still shaking, approached Jade, her voice filled with relief.
"You scared us so much! I can't believe you did all this!"
Jade laughed, her laughter contagious, helping to calm the atmosphere.
"I'm glad everyone is okay. The Black Charro was just an elaborate prank for Halloween. The fog and the horse made the trick even more convincing."
Tori looked at Jade with a mix of love and reproach.
"You're a cheater, but I love you," Tori said, hugging her tightly as her friends came closer, beginning to laugh and clap.
Beck, still recovering from the shock, approached with a relieved smile.
"Well done, Jade. You really scared us. But you also made this night unforgettable."
André laughed nervously, adjusting his Frankenstein costume.
"I've never seen anything like this. I almost thought we were going to have to call a lot of ambulances for mass heart attacks."
Jade laughed, her laugh full of satisfaction.
"I'm glad everyone's okay! And yes, the Charro Negro is nothing more than a Halloween trick."
The celebration resumed with more vigor. Flashing lights and laughter filled the air, and the fog slowly began to dissipate. The students relaxed, and the atmosphere of terror turned into a joyful bustle of partying.
Tori and Jade found a quiet corner in the school yard. The night breeze was cool and calming, and the shadows of the Halloween lights created a magical halo around them. The bustle of the party faded into the distance, leaving the two alone in their little haven of tranquility.
Tori looked at Jade with deep admiration, her eyes reflecting the soft light of the jack-o-lanterns.
"I can never forget this. It was the most impressive and terrifying Halloween trick I have ever seen."
Jade took Tori's hand, intertwining their fingers tenderly.
"Just for you," Jade replied, her voice filled with sweetness and emotion. "There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. This night will be one we will always remember, not because of fear, but because of how much we love each other."
The air was heavy with a warm and welcoming feeling. As they shared a deep kiss, filled with emotion and affection, the fear and tension of the night faded away, replaced by deep love and the promise of many more adventures together.
Halloween night at Hollywood Arts turned into an unforgettable memory, a story of love and courage marked by the memory of a night they would never forget. The legend of the Charro Negro, a terrifying figure from mythology, became an anecdote of courage and love, remembered fondly and with laughter in the hearts of Tori and Jade.