Hey There,

((Peeks around corner timidly to greet)) Welcome back Quogan fans, on this lovely Friday the 13th...who don't mind a spooky, mushy, CRAZY plot. Seriously, bless anyone reading this right now for even taking a chance on it. Sorry this took longer than I've meant it to, but life took some unexpected turns this last month and I'm still recovering from the wild ride. But here it is, finally! A new chapter for your reading pleasures! Hope it's worth the wait and spooktacular!

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV or any of the other licensed things beyond this point. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots. Most will be returned unharmed.

Special thanks to the few of you for placing this story on your story alert or favorite story lists. Also special thanks to the few of you who have placed me as an authoress on your favorite author's page or author's alert. That is HIGH praise I hope I'm still earning!

Special thanks to my reviewer: [my friend] AwkwardGurl05 (Hey girl! So glad you don't mind these later birthday wishes. And that you are still feeling special… even though it is September now. Can you believe it? But of course with Fall finally getting here for real. The inspiration for this story [and my other too, winkwink!] has been kicked into HIGH gear. FINALLY! I apologize for the dry spell that has taken over these posts. But I hope to be back in the swing of things with this post. Before I go into answering more of this review too. I just have to say, your letters, pms and your own posts have helped me SO MUCH. When migraines and writer's block were BOTH robbing me blind. So thank you for your encouragement, your kindness, your friendship and all of those glorious orange alerts too. Bless you! Now back to your review, sorry I got sidetracked. Yes, Logan HAD to have his say in those first two chapters… and maybe this one too. You'll see what I mean. But yes, Logan TOTALLY gets an ego jolt from calling out Mark on any of his wrongdoing… but sadly that can go both ways too. I think Mark sometimes LOVES to wave things in Logan's face too. Besides the way Logan used to act. I think he also likes to remind Logan of things Quinn did for him. When he was her boyfriend… Especially things she hasn't done for Logan… yet. And then it's bound to mess with him… Especially if Mark's made the whole thing up. This isn't gonna come up in this story. [but it may a appear in another, winkwink!] I won't tell if you won't! BUT OMG! The wedding of DREAMS! That's SOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOL! Your wedding invites, cake, dress, deco was ALL 'Haunted Mansion' themed! I can't even tell you how SPOOKTACULAR that is! And that's one of your happiest memories with your grandpa? That's so cool! I'll have to share my own disney world musing one day too. SO wanna trade stories and ALSO want to see the one in California too. I watched the documentary series on disney plus 'behind the attraction' JUST to hear about the haunted mansion episode. And each one [in every disney park] basically has it's own story and nearly every one is different. I LOVE that! But I know the California one is the OG, the first one, and I would love to see it in person. And it has the best story… even if I too am partial to Orlando's Disney World story too. Cause I've been there! Oh! You know Logan HAD to take Quinn in each one! He'd so do that! And make sure he was sitting with her each time too holding her hand! But sorry I gave you withdrawal. There's a lot riding on the 30th and 31st in this story. But I'm so tickled your that jazzed to hear about them. Bless you! Lola does love to hog that limelight, and Mark is blah! How many times has he left us scatching our heads? Quinn didn't deserve any of his crap. I'm so glad Logan snapped her up that first moment he could too. And me too! I wish we could have seen Mark's reaction to that… ya know? Instead of Quinn dancing with a knocked out Dustin… AHHG! Why did Mark HAVE to see that?! Logan would have rubbed it in his face… not that Mark's expression would have even changed… I hope I can find that right balance. Between Logan's Too much information and Quinn's highly technical and scientific jargon. Bless you for your kindness, courage, inspiration, encouragement, energy and TREMENDOUS friendship. On to Chapter 2! Yes! You can "Aww" at Logan's gushiness! Yes, those other PCA boys better be taking notes! Hoped you'd like Quinn's idea, and mischievousness. Also hoped you'd like the gremlin reference. Yes, girl! Chase in fishnets thigh-highs… and shaved legs! Priceless was the aim! Eye on that prize! YAY! I made you laugh out loud! But yes, Logan was responsible for that blush moment… he's doing a happy dance about that. Yes, Logan was a jealous boy, wasn't he? And yeah, a random guy was hitting on Quinn… as he walked through. And that random bystander is SO lucky I had the fog so cranked in those scenes… saved his life. Logan would have taken that guy apart on the table for real with those janked saws. Yeah, respectfully I wasn't too into the Dana and Logan dynamic either. It was cute, but when he got with Quinn… he instantly became a better person, and she loosened up… they brought the best out of each other so much better. Dana probably couldn't have done that, not the same way. Oh yeah, the cuddles and the coffee… Has Logan EVER done anything like that? With her other female friends? NOPE! You're right! Quinn hadn't a clue back then, about her feels or Logan's. But thank heaven she knows now! And I think you're right. I think they'll both take care to make these moments more plentiful from now on. Especially if we have anything to say about it! Winkwink! You're a joy! As always! I hope you like this chapter too, and I hope it's finding you very well on this Friday. Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!)

Dedicated to AwkwardGurl05! Happy birthday in September (Even though your's was actually in April!) It's all for you girl! I couldn't have done this without you! Hope it makes your day!

Enjoy!


"The Halloween Before"

Chapter 3 - the 26th!

Or the Switch-a-roo


(Logan's Perspective)

Say what you will about my neverending plans to find alone time with my girlfriend. Call me a brat, selfish, or any of the other words you want. I think my friends have thought of them all, whether they're kidding or jealous. I'll wear them all with style, but there's no way I'll regret even a minute of that time… stolen, or otherwise.

My friends all think I'm holding out on them… maybe I am.

But that SECOND night with her, locked up in the walkthrough… was even better than the first.

This time even though we'd planned to sleep in the moonbounce like the first night. I'd even set up a nice little place for us there. We'd somehow ended up moving it and sleeping in the Plague Doctor's set. Sharing the operating table as a bed.

I say somehow but I know what went down. We'd been looking around for rooms that could be used as separate sleeping places for us or any of our friends. Just in case all of us or some of us get locked in here together again. Like last year…and needless to say, when Quinn and I couldn't stand it anymore and FINALLY got to be together again… It had happened there, in the plague doctor set.

I'm not kidding either. It really was better than any time we've gotten to be that way.

In the plague doc's set, we'd both felt even more comfortable than we had in moonbounce room. It was cozier, not as freezing cold, and we weren't bouncing away from each other so easily or hanging on that little bit tighter to each other... not that that had been so bad.

But when we weren't on the inflated floors and mats of that bouncy castle and bean bag thing from hell. We just got to be naturally closer, in our working set… and those doors lock too. An absolute must, for the kinds of togetherness we both needed and craved. And so would some of our gang, if they got to be trapped here with their guy or girl.

But being in that room, specifically… where we'd both spent so many hours messing with each other's heartrates, minds, and we'd both flirted shamelessly. Where we'd BOTH played messed up doctor and patient games for 48 hours now… WHOO!

Not gonna lie, THAT was AAAAAA-MAZE-ING!

And this Monday morning following it, I was SO glad I'd gotten time off from my classes for myself and any of the people working for me. Jeremiah Trottman was even required to say a repeat reminder in EVERY announcement reported between here and Nov 3rd. Reminding teachers, coaches, and faculty to not count these tardies as absences. For any person helping out, because it was all a service to the school and it's theater department…

Even if Lola's home planet (the drama club) has totally bailed on the project in EARLY October. When all of their actors quit! They are still handling the buying and selling of tickets to the outside public and keeping a good chunk of the proceeds… even though ALL of their original actors quit AGES ago (Lola and Lydia are dueling QUEENS around there, but still!). The drama club is also getting free publicity and I didn't have to stress making it to class on top of all of my other worries.

Quinn woke up promptly on time because of an alarm set on her cell phone, with enough slack time to make our nine o'clock class bell. Since it was a Monday morning now, she'd flipped out, when I told her the cleaning crew wouldn't let us out till MUCH later in the day. Leave it to Quinn to still freak out when I reminded her that we were all off the hook. We wouldn't be counted late or absent, so we could sleep in. Our friends were probably doing the same. We'd all been cleared from class all week.

But my science-obsessed girlfriend insisted, that "logging lab hours is a different thing altogether. It's not like missing class time, it's more like missed opportunities on time you could have spent perfecting patens, building data, and experiments that she's been compiling for months if not years of trial and error."

I think that's what she said, it's the same thing she's been saying. Way before we started this crazy deeper relationship with each other. I've memorized it back then, and said parts of it with her today. But I don't know if I matched all of her words perfectly or not. Because I was too distracted with how cute she was just wearing a sheet when she said this. Banging her fist on the locked doors of 'our lab.' Even though those weren't the doors she had to worry about.

Not to mention the way the beauty mark just above her mouth moved with certain words, and her smile. Too damn cute… what were we talking about? Oh! Yeah!

It hadn't been an easy feat convincing her to come back to bed. Even if it would give her more time to be with me. While we still had hours before the cleaning crews would even think to unlock the main entrances and exits of our walkthrough today. Because even though we were exempt from class, the walk-through didn't unlock for rehearsals till after the first lunch session was over.

Good thing I'm irresistible, and know just what to say. Otherwise I could have missed out on that extra sleep… and all of the cuddling and kisses in between… SO glad I didn't miss that.

That was my morning, and that's why I STILL have the hugest smile on my face. Even though we weren't let out till lunch time and we missed breakfast. (Something I'm already fixing as we speak, arranging for some breakfast things to be kept in one of my many hiding things closets throughout the building where the walkthrough is happening) Even though all of my friends thought I was terrible for not sharing the wealth and telling them HOW Quinn and I keep disappearing at night. It's not my fault they're too dumb to put it together on their own.

I'm still smiling as I check on all the other Halloween attractions going on around campus now.

Setting up the movie choices and times for the on-campus theaters. The Halloween party locations, making sure all the food, tricks and treats are evenly distributed. I even checked out how the dance club's Masquerade thing was going, AND lent them my expertise. To run things a little smoother, even though I didn't have to... All during the time I was only supposed to be eating my lunch.

Damn, I'm good.

But while I was getting all of this done, all of my friends are arguing over 'who will play what role today and why' in the walkthrough too. Because yesterday, my girlfriend suggested all couples switch roles and we did. But Quinn knew not everyone has a steady girlfriend or boyfriend to switch with… Like our group. So she'd suggested, those people could switch with whoever they wanted… And LOLA (because of Lola's big mouth and she just CAN'T miss out on nothing!)

Lola suggested two days of switching roles instead of just one. So yesterday was the couple switch mostly, and gender-bender challenge. While Today, this beautiful Monday! Anyone could switch with whoever they wanted to. It's a free for all and nearly everyone is playing a different role… not Mark, probably. But everyone else. You could be whoever else's role you wanted to be and there was a BIG fight for Zoey's sexy enchantress dress first thing when Quinn and I first showed up to our lunch table together.

I don't know why there was so much fuss about her role… or I didn't know till Michael accused, "Oh! Don't even play around like that, man! We all know you would kill us all just to see your girlfriend dolled up that sexy too."

Then I got it, I just didn't tell him that.

What I did say to him and anyone else listening was, "Quinn's plenty sexy just being herself. She doesn't need fishnet thigh highs, high heels, and a slit where you could see to China for her to pull it off either." Which is TRUE! Just look at her over there reading a book and KILLING IT! She's killing me, in the BEST way! For SURE!

Mark made the mistake of saying, "But it could help - I'm just agreeing. Saying, it could. On any girl."

Mark wouldn't have had to play dead so badly if looks could have killed. He even did a little jump when we locked eyes. Why is he here again? WHY!?

I didn't come out and say Zoey's dress was cheap… but if that mask fits…

Vince said, trying to defuse the situation. "I totally agree… all of our 'girl' friends and 'girlfriends' are beautiful… But if Lola wins, YAY for me too! I wanna catch that garter at the after party! WHOO!"

And all of the guys agreed with him. Jeremiah Trottman showed up and even started reporting these results like a sportscaster. Even shouting a play-by-play into his little microphone… Doesn't he have ANYthing else to do? Are we all the news he has? Really? This often?

I stayed outta the fight letting all of the girls battle it out for this insignificant role. They were doing all of these STUPID games. To see who would win Zoey's dress, and Zoey was the judge, she had final say… all this for that? Really? Does anyone remember Chase wearing this costume yesterday? How stretched out it probably is today?

You don't know how much more sexy Quinn was to me, not doing ANY of that Sh*t! Just sitting on a bench and reading to herself. Having already picked her new role and waiting for everyone else to do the same.

Smoking HOT!

Quinn had just asked the actress directly and cleared everything with Dustin for the role she REALLY wanted. Then Quinn had helpfully reminded us that whoever was taking over Stacey's role would need to record messages for the projectors. And record voiceover greetings and spooky sayings to greet guests throughout the rest of the experience... TIME-CONSUMING Processes! So we would NEED to know who that would be and soon. Probably as soon as Brooks handed off her enchantress part.

Good call!

But instead of worrying about whoever would be taking over for the gypsy lady. Like I should be...I was more interested in the part Quinn had picked for herself for this event. Which when I'd read it, I felt myself do a double take.

Why on earth would she pick that one? I wondered.

Because she'd picked "the hanged witch," Lisa's character from last year. It was being played by a random classmate this year, not in our class. I think she's from the same grade as Cammie (Dustin's girlfriend). But it was pretty much the same character Lisa had created. So while Lola, Lisa, Lydia, Dana, Nicole, Stacey, Mo and ALL the rest of the female cast was running themselves to death competing for the dumbest role ever…

I stole the seat beside the hottest girl here! No question! And asked her the question I was DYING to know.

I took one of her hands, the second she offered it and spun her on the polished surface so her legs were over mine. Asking, "So… all the roles you could have traded for… and you chose 'the hanged witch' bit? Really?"

"Uh Huh." She answered quietly but clearly, not looking up from the book she was reading. (She's been reading a lot of Edgar Allen Poe lately. Just to keep herself in the right frame of mind) Even as I pulled her more into my lap.

"Why?" I asked, making her roll her eyes as she marked her place and closed her book. I had to explain, "No really? I'm not putting it down, it's just… what made you pick that character? When there were so many different ones you could have been. Why her? You're not even trading with any of our really good friends either."

"Calliopy is a kind person… okay, she's not in our gang. But I have tutored her two years now. She's a friend."

"You know what I mean." I said more specifically. "Why that skit? It isn't very exciting, the costume's kinda blah because it has to mix into the background-"

"Well, I wasn't gonna go for the magical temptress or zombie prom queen. I'm no princess-"

"No, Because you are a QUEEN." I reminded her that even though she always claims "You're popular, so are our friends, but I'm not." And she still says that even though we are BOTH still the reigning Prom King and Queen of our class (From our last prom). Just to prove to her she can do anything, be ANY thing she wants and totally pull it off. That's SOME of the MAGIC of Halloween! But also the magic of simply being Quinn too... She really has no idea how AMAZING she is, so I have to remind her. It's in the boyfriend handbook, but mostly I said it because it's always fun how reminding the smartest girl in our class. That she is also a prom queen… it always makes her squirm around. Like she's shocked all over again that it's true. TOO FUN to pass UP! It should be a King perk!

But enough playing around, I asked her more seriously. "If you could trade with anyone and be anything… what about that character made you want to take it? If it wasn't even one worth fighting for-"

"Which was part of the appeal." She'd said like it was the only reason, but I know that's just a cop-out. I took both of her hands and made her face me. As the pack of competing females ran by in an angry mob of on-going fury. I just sat with her till she finally took that deep breath, caved, and told me the REAL reason she'd picked that costume and role.

She started with saying, "I really thought Lisa played this role so well last year. I quite admired her for that."

And I encouraged her to keep going, saying, "Yeah, she did. She was brave about it too."

"There was such a dignity in her portrayal. And Michael's really…" Quinn added.

While I reasoned, "Probably cause of Lisa…"

"I think so too," Quinn said tugging me just a little closer to her now. Before she continued more quietly, against my shoulder. So none of the others could hear. "I loved the levity and lightheartedness Lisa brought to such a sadly true death. For so many innocent and misunderstood young women in history. Back in those days people who are a little bit different or weird or just smart…" I know she meant people like her.

She went on, "People like that were a threat to any town or man. So they would have been hanged if not burned at the stake and called a witch. It's never been lost on me that if I had been born in any other time, any alternate era with varying beliefs… That could have just as easily been me… you know? I could have died that way…"

And my heart just BROKE for her. As I realized, she could be right. And I'd never even thought of that before right now. That all of those people back then… were just ahead of their time or different… and they died cause of it.

I know I said, "What!? No. NO." And I had to reason, "Too many people love you and would have come to your defense. That wouldn't have happened to you. We wouldn't have let it…" I wouldn't have let it, I'd added mentally. But I told her, "You care too much and you're always helping people… not expecting anything back… even when you don't have to, you help everybody so much-"

But she was absolute in her reasoning, "So were they… probably. I think that was some of why I hated history so much when I was younger. I knew what my own fate could have been and it made me give up on wanting to commit any of it to memory… ya know? Even if I didn't want all of those deaths to be in vain… I got really sad reading about them. Relating to the victims more than the rest of the crowd… ya know?"

But I was really thinking, that I would have NEVER let that happen to her. I even told her, "No! To hell with whoever would have tried to hurt you. Or tried to make you out to be anything besides the AMAZING genius you are. I would have done anything or been anything you needed, and I would have protected you no matter what." Adding in my head, 'with my life…I would have protected her, if anyone had tried to hurt her… they would have had to go through me first… even before we were together like we are now. Even when she was just my friend, she was too precious, too special, I won't have let anyone touch her... I would have died first.'

But even though I hadn't said all of that. I know what I had said was over the line. Because I caught the way her amused expression was just not laughing in my face. Because I'd once again gone too far, too passionate and this girl brings it out of me like no one else! And I'd stage coughed to cover for myself. "=Cough= Ya know, if this was another time and if we really were surrounded in such dumb people like that… anyway."

Quinn had given me the best smile I've seen all day when she told me, "I know you would have." And she'd smoothed her hand to a side of my face as she said. "All the more reason to hate this time. Because we both could have been in danger... needlessly."

I hope I gave her peace of mind when I told her, for the ninth time today. "I love you."

She'd said, "I love you too… but as important as it's been to overcome the whole plague doctor thing this year too… this is important too, I think. Give those girls a happier ending on the other side… in the afterlife. Since their lives were all cut too short. Them and the brave people like you, who would have loved them. Even if we can't fix the past, ya see?"

I thanked her for telling me, and she'd thanked me for asking and listening. Even complementing, "You always amaze me, with how well you listen to me."

When she'd kissed me, after that, and I know she'd only meant it to be quick. But I caught hold of her waist and pulled her against me. Dragging out the contact for as long as I could. She shared all of the rest of the things she couldn't have put into words with me. And I was lost for a second.

Even though the male half of our gang wasn't eight feet away from us whistling and giving us hell for it. I shot them a quick bird behind her back before Quinn reclaimed my hand and pulled me along with her into one of our old makeout spots we'd used to hide away in when we were still keeping this whole dating thing a secret. In other words my male friends could all keep living a little longer. Because there just so happened to be one of these places nearby.

Once we were both safely inside the hideaway. I lifted Quinn just off of her feet a little and made out with her against a tree trunk under the cover of the hiding place for a few minutes. Till we ran outta breath and had to stop. By then her arms and legs had wrapped around me. And we were both so red-faced she looked sunburned (my tan hid most of mine, I guess). But it was heaven.

When Quinn could talk again, she'd laughed out. "We-We've managed to sn-sneak in two… sleepover nights… not one but two… and you've still got me this wound up?" She'd accused, before adding, "You're so bad!"

I laughed but accused right back, "Like you have room to talk." God! How did we go so many years not knowing this was between us? Not acting on it? How the hell did I keep my hands to myself all that time? Or not start every sentence I said to her with 'GOD! You're Hot!'

She'd grinned so beautifully and teased back. "Least I'm not alone."

"No," I stole another quick kiss. "Definitely not."

"You're distracting me far too well and I should be thinking more about my character tonight." She said trying to twist outta my tight grip on her waist. Good thing I had her so good, otherwise she could have gotten away. But her feet just weren't touching the ground.

I told her, "But you are working on your role… You are."

"How is making out with my boyfriend working on anything but you?" She'd asked trailing her fingers then kisses down my throat. Still trying to trick me into loosening my grip on her. So she could escape. But I tightened it instead, and pressed against her almost cruelly. As she'd laughed in the back of her throat and I explained.

"Well… what do we know about her? We know she's gonna be so much hotter today than any other time. Just because you're acting it out." I'd reasoned helpfully.

She'd cut me off saying, "No, you're not the least bit partial."

I continued to help, saying. "She's also gonna be played more historically accurate too. We know Lisa and Michael played these roles last year and they played these parts connected."

"They did, and were." She'd agreed. But shed used both her arms and legs to squeeze me closer and I was seeing stars. I don't know how she was even still talking. Or how I heard what she was saying, I was that gone. But somehow I heard her saying. "Don't think that you're stuck playing my lost soldier either. You can be whatever you wanna be. It was my intent to be a lesser character today, and forgo any real spotlight for a change-"

"Yeah, but I have a feeling you'll still steal the show. No matter who's part you take." I told her, because it's the absolute truth.

"Well, you're more than a little biased." She'd said…but you didn't see the grin she'd been wearing when she'd said it. Too cute. She somehow stayed on topic and said. "But the point is, just because I chose a lesser part, that doesn't mean that you have to too. You get to go be whoever you want to be too."

'Like Hell,' I thought! 'I'm not letting her search all over hell and back for some guy who isn't ME! Or a better ending that didn't have me in it, No WAY! We're gonna both do these characters a favor and make them ours today…' but I didn't tell her that… Because I couldn't form words yet. So it was gonna have to be a surprise, later on.

Quinn went on remembering. "They'd spend each runtime searching for each other nearly the whole walkthorugh time or close to it. The people usually cheered when they found each other… Whenever and however it happened."

I thought, 'We can plan for it to happen in a few different rooms at the end. So the ending's never stale and dialogue's always fresh too.'

I don't know how I said it, but I heard myself finish her thought, "But every reunion should look like it's been waiting since then to happen… so civil war times?" I could remember them using chalk last year, so that when they ran to each other and hugged. They both sent up a mini cloud of dust.

Before Quinn corrected me, "Or the Puritan or American Revolutionary Times. I always wanted to correct Michael on his uniform, because it didn't match Lisa's properly… Lisa's was clearly from even simpler time in that plain linen dress. Probably even a nightgown, from being ripped outta bed in the middle of the night. At the same time, Micheal was unquestionably Civil War times and centeries newer. I knew he was just working with what he had. And the uniform he'd found that fit him best was for the Civil War era at the time. He was quite handsome in that too."

"Are you trying to make me jealous?" I asked. Finally feeling like I could talk again.

"Of Michael? Logan, be serious." She'd laughed. How is it so hot, her just knowing EVERYTHING? Even historical authenticity like this. She's brilliant in EVERYTHING! And it used to be one of her worst subjects, when we were younger. Like she'd mentioned, and even then her grades never slipped too low.

As if she's trying to kill me, really. Making me want her too much. She also mentioned how if this was earlier in the season. She could have created a whole new character instead of repeating her 'plague doctor' or ripping off Lisa tonight. Where she would have played a witch who hadn't died when the towns folk TRIED to burn her at the stake. She was protected by her magic and rose from those ashes, stronger than ever. Once everyone left the scene of her murder. I even called her the 'Ash Witch,' which she'd seemed to like… saying, "She'd rise from those ashes like a phoenix."

But even she'd said, "But we've talked so much about 'the plague doctor' role since last year. I really felt like I'd needed to overcome that first. Ya know? Before anything else-"

I (Logan) said, "Hey, there's always next year."

"Next year when we're both in colleges, on othersides of the US map from each other, you mean?" She reminded me. Which was a buzz kill. I don't even want to think about what that will be like. Being away from all of my friends… even if most of all QUINN!

And I said, "YES… It's not totally outta the question." My Dad does have a private plane and makes frequent trips back and forth between New York and L.A. all the time. New York's not so far from M.I.T., where Quinn's going to be. And my school's gonna be in L.A. I just told myself it's doable and refocused on the here and now.

But I had to admit, "I would have loved to see you pull off this 'Ash Witch' idea too. I know that witch would have been amazing too… but baby, I'm so glad you came back as the plague doc first… I've wanted to see you redeem that character more than a year now. Even before we were together… And I'm proud of you, you've done so much better than I could have ever expected."

"Thanks, I'm so glad I did it too…" She paused and said right in my ear softly. So only I could hear her, in the sweetest whisper. "But I'm the most thrilled to be doing this with you, this year. To be with you, that's just the best thing ever… I hope you know that."

"I do and I feel the same." I let her know before she decided to show me how much she's loved this. By pulling me down into a 'thank you' kiss. That lead to us making out for the rest of our hiding time. Till Lola and Zoey started calling for us outside of our little happy escape.

Zoey hollered all southern, "ALL - RIGHT - THEN! It's ALL - OVER - NOW! Y'ALL - CAN - COME - OUT - AGAIN!"

Lola added, all unnecessarily. "QUINN! LOGAN! WE - ALL - KNOW - YOU'RE - OFF - SUCKING - FACE - SOMEWHERE - AROUND - HERE! Give it UP already!"

"MAKE - ME!" I (Logan) shouted back! Like elementary school, Hey! They took me there, not the other way around. Quinn's little laugh into my shoulder was worth it though.

Zoey threatened, "Don't make us come in there AFTER YOU! You KNOW we will too!"

Knowing this wasn't just an empty threat. I didn't want to, but I did somehow let Quinn go. And she'd made a noise as her body slid down mine. That sounded like a whine, but that could have been just wishful thinking. Because I know the sound of frustration I'd made hadn't just sounded like a monster growl. But had been a dead giveaway of where we were. And they'd stopped outside of our little haven to demand.

"COME - ON - OUT - NOW!" Martinez egged on.

While I told her to, "GET - OFF - OUR - BACKS! WILLYA!?"

"Don't give me that, LOGAN!" Lola pushed on me the minute I came into sight. "And no way you guys weren't making out. How else would your faces get that red?"

I was about to tell Lola it was none of her business what we did or didn't do. But Zoey pushed between Lola and me. And reminded all of us. "Come ON you guys! We've only got a few hours left to get all of these characters and new placements figured out. We gotta get to work, chop chop! Oh! And Quinn the character who's being fought for by all remaining ghouls is your 'plague doctor' gig. Now that Lisa has my enchantress role and Lola's gonna be the gypsy lady."

Lola bounced excitedly, "Yeaaaah, My face and voice are gonna be EVERYWHERE tonight! I'm so stoked."

Glad she's happy, I'm a little ill just thinking about it. And I'M the one who has to film all of that too. God! Maybe Camie can do that for me. My reaction was letting out a horrified yell and Lola swatted me hard telling me, "Don't RUIN this for me, Reese!"

Quinn's first reaction was, "Little Lisa? Won the sexiest temptress in the whole she-bang? WOW! And LOLA!? YOU took Stacey's role? Stacey who you swear that you can barely stand? That, Stacey? Who you swear my be our friend but not your friend?"

Lola shrugged, "Eh, her role's more exciting than she is."

Quinn, still reacting. "You're gonna be Madam Macabre? WAIT WHAT?! My role's the one being fought for now? Plague Doctor… and there's more than one person wanting to do that? Like, RIGHT now, NOW!?"

Lola said, "Yeah and the competition for the plague doc is even worse than Zoey's. Cause even the guys want that role after watching Logan bag it yesterday… And those people are in it to win it! You gotta see this."

So justly, Quinn got to decide who would be next to don the becked mask, blood-splattered scrubs, and lab gear. It ended up going to pocket-sized personality machine Lydia (James OC match and aspiring female comedian) in the end. Because she had just had the best and creepiest lines hands down. Said in about a thousand different voices, impersonations, and personalities. Where had she been yesterday, when I was racking my brain for snappy freaky dialogue? Competing with Quinn's technical banter? I could have used so many of her snappier lines and even darker-humored barbs.

She'd been the most twisted and sick sounding. Even before she was wearing the voice distorter. But once she was wearing that crackly lower voice too… It couldn't have gone to a better person. If I do say so myself, even though I'm still anxious for those scrubs to go back on my girlfriend tomorrow.

Lydia even picked from Quinn's Plague mask collection (my personalized plague mask was not an option. It's tucked away some place safe… I'm not letting ANYONE else wear it if I can help it). And Lydia had the idea to change mask for different levels of performance... Can't wait to see the playback in that room tonight.

James was psyched to be taking over my headless horseman and victim roles for ALL of Lydia's games. Even though it was a bit harder for him to bend himself down into that costume. To seem headless because he's so freakishly tall… He was just psyched! Quinn was having so much fun giving both of them a crash course… I couldn't take my eyes off her. Even though I'd played both roles too… And had plenty of my own tips to add in. I just loved hearing Quinn's thought processes and reasoning. For both roles… She put so much thought into all of it… And that was why more than me noticed her too. You knew she was putting so much heart into every little thing. And I knew her 'background role' she'd picked today was gonna be the same.

And for the millionth time I asked myself, HOW - COULD - MARK - NOT - BE - INTO - THIS!? ANY of it? How could ANYONE not find this a total turn on? So before I was too busy with everything else. I tracked him down and told Mark. That quote, "I was tired of hearing him complain about his role, but always keep choosing the same one."

So today, he wasn't allowed to be the dead zombie-fied body laying around on the ground for people to step on. He HAD to be another role, ANY other, and he had to BECOME that role, whatever it was. NO excuses ANY more. And if he couldn't do that, I had no problem kicking him out. Because I wasn't gonna let him wreck this year for ANYONE else. The way he tried to ruin it for Quinn last year and is trying to ruin it for Stacey now!

Then I went back to staring at my girlfriend. Even though I had so much to do before our attraction kicked off for another night of performances. She's was just too freaking cute, as she figured out her character better. And helped all the people popping up with her in those same areas.

Thank goodess Dustin snapped me outta my trance, reminding me, I hadn't picked my role yet. And I probably should before all the good ones were gone. And my plan had been to do that 'boyfriend thing' and match my girlfriend's choice. No matter what it was… and at the start of planning everything today. That was my starting point… Matching that 'hanged witch's bit in every way possible, even better than Michael had matched little Lisa too.

I don't know what happened between Camie and Dustin either. But WHATEVER happened between them since yesterday, I'm glad. Because Dustin was so much more chill and so much better help today than he's been the whole rest of the time. Like Zoey I'm almost afraid to know, what had caused such an overnight change… I'm just glad he's stepped it up and pulled that stick outta his butt from yesterday. And Cammie still insisted on helping wherever she could even though Dustin had taken back the assistant job.

In fact it was Camie who helped me out with my costume today… Running to rack after rack of costume possibilities right next to the Masquerade dancefloor. The costumes had to be set there so anyone could join in. And Cammie had been a trooper, finding me pieces of all sorts of different colonial costumes and pirate ones that could pass. I put together to form a makeshift American revolutionary soldier… a "Minuteman" to be exact. Men who had needed to be ready at a moment's notice for battle. It wasn't as fancy as other soldiers costumes, but most importantly it worked. I had a three-cornered hat, a prop musket, and matched the times perfectly… something Quinn would notice… and hopefully love. I also thought that we'd match each other a little better playing it simple like this and not too flashy.

I'd glanced at her costume as Callopy was handing it off to her earlier. Like I remembered, the dress was a very plain linen white dress. Even though it was plain at the top, the tatters at the bottom of the dress were crazy. It had looked like an old nightgown like Quinn had said, it had probably been made outta bedsheets it was that plain… even down to the material. But I will say, the tatters, and threadbare cuts at the bottom, with dangling scraps here and there were so ghostly perfect. She looked like she was floating even when she was standing perfectly still. When she was wearing it, and it was even more authentic whenever the breeze caught it.

So when she climbed into the rig to make it look like she'd really been hanged. Above our guests, she would appear to have been hanging there way longer than just a day too. She also had accomplices who would switch places with her ever so often, a bunch of stuffed fake bodies and skeletons up there with her too. So you never knew for sure which one was a fake or real till you were right at her. Or bumping into her when she was on the ground level too.

The rest of the room she was first appearing in was being called affectionately "the body bag room." I don't think I've gotten to mention this place before now. But it's called that because it turns out that when you hang a body bag up by one of it's corners… it looks kinda like a punching bag or a zipped up garment bag like a suit or dress comes in… So we've hung SEVERAL punching bags, formal wear protectors on concealed clothes hangers, and actual body bags that can fit a person inside safely. Dangling them from the ceiling for a bit in that room. Along with some more of the extra "Bodies" we'd crafted out of trashbags, recyclables, and lots of duct tape.

BASICALLY when our guests walk in, there's no way they can get through this room without walking into these bags. And they won't know which ones are trash, clothes, stuffed, or containing a REAL living person. Till someone is jumping out.

SUCCESSFUL - JUMP - SCARES - OCCUR - HERE - EVERY - RUN! Without Fail! And Quinn's gonna get to be 'QUEEN for a day' of that room.

I hope it's still a fun change of pace for her in there, even if I know there's no way she won't steal the spotlight. My character wouldn't get to start till much further down the line. But she seemed to already be figuring out a system with the other 'hanged' and 'undead' crew too, as I was still setting up my own debut, other pop-ups and how I end up in the dancing room at the end every take again… as well as where Quinn and I should meet too.

This kept me super busy till I was in full costume. And calling out to Quinn, "Hey Baby, check me out!"

She gasped and came running, all the way from the upper levels of the room. That you had to climb stairs to reach. She said, "No way… NO - WAY! BAAAAABY! Oh my GOD! You're playing my brave soldier?"

I let her know proudly, "I'm a minuteman to be exact… you like?"

But instead of saying yes or no, she ran at me and hug-attacked me. While Michael said, "Okay - OKAY! Cheese and RICE! Save some of that mush for the GUESTS! OKAY? Sheeze, y'all are gonna have to be doing that stuff all day and night, ya know?"

Then Michael, Lisa, and the actors who had taken up these roles two days ago, were crash-coursing us on our BEST chances for scaring people as these ghosts. All the best ways we could stand out and pop up as these new people. And still get some screams and jump scares!

Like my gun made sounds like a gun being shot, even if no ammo was needed…It even smoked when fired and sparked ever so often. A very NICE prop!

But Michael had tried to warn me when we were all getting into our places before the first rehearsal runthrough. "Maaaaaaan, Lisa and I were alright. But by the end of tonight you're gonna be so sick and tired of running at her. Of hugging her, kissing on her… it all sounds good I know, but it's different when you do those things for real, and when it's acting, or you gotta… you know? It's gonna be a LOOOOONG night for you both, man. And your both gonna need a boatload of chapstick for the mushier takes."

Does he know who he's talking to? Does he think this is my first time playing a role? Or even playing one opposite Quinn, like this? All his warning did, was make me feel sorry for him and Lisa. Who apparently don't seem to have the same playful creativity and undeniable chemistry that Quinn and I share. I always enjoy it, when I get to act them out with her. More than any other time, more than I enjoy acting with anyone else either. I really thought it was that way for everybody… It's a shame that's not true.

But sadly… even after so much work went into finding my costume. Building it up piece by piece… It really looked like I wouldn't get a chance to even get to wear it. Because RIGHT during that first run-through rehearsal… Our IDOIT classmate Dumb Dave thought he was stealing chocolate outta his girlfriend's bookbag. But it turns out he'd accidentally eaten a whole punch card of chocolate flavor turbo laxative… It never even tipped him off that his girlfriend was dieting. Or that most chocolate things don't come in a punch card.

Yeah, so… no more Dave. We probably won't see him again till November. After he sh*t himself and his costume on the first run and halted everything.

And Dave had won the rights to play our serial killer running with the chainless chainsaw! The role Vince had let him have! That was a HUGE part of our show missing.

So, I took one for the team, and replaced Dumb Dave myself… I put on a wifebeater, did some push ups, got the hockey mask, and revved that saw. I've been saying I could have done this all along. Today I had to prove it to everyone who didn't believe me… and I did all that in that first go.

I saw all the jaws on the floor… I also saw that glance my girlfriend gave me too. She wasn't shocked, but I KNEW what that look meant… I was gonna get it later. And I couldn't wait for all of these other people to LEAVE tonight. So that could happen.

Quinn came up to me and said, "Good luck tonight, baby." Like our roles were gonna be separate now. Or something! Thinking there was no way her 'Hanged Witch' could possibly end up with the serial killer… EVEN if it's ME?

But I grabbed her hand while I had the chance and said, "Oh no! Don't think you're getting off so easy, mad genius. You've gotta help me find a way to make these two characters connect as a couple… in a way that WORKS too, something people won't see coming!"

Quinn asked me, "Are you serious?"

And I said, "YES! Help me! What's their story… And fast rehearsals were supposed to start eight minutes ago. And Stupid Dave ruined the whole thing!"

Stupid Dave! And his stupid girlfriend's dietary problems and weird dieting habits! STUPID Sadey! It took forever to get that poop smell outta the hallway where I was running too… The Pr*cks!

But Michael's warning did make me worry that Quinn might grow bored with running at me all night. All the running, yelling for me, and all of the reunions… She isn't as used to all of this theater stuff, or showbiz… So I tried to keep it interesting for her and I kept checking if she was having fun. And the STORY we came up with was really good…

Basically, even though Quinn had chosen a 'lesser-role' in the supporting cast. Even though I was being forced to be the SCARIEST thing in the whole production. We ended up sharing the bragging rights for the night. Of being the scariest and most talked about skit afterwards too. A trend we've been keeping up every night since she joined the cast.

Because every run, we were the scariest undead monsters here. UNTIL we see each other, and realize who we really are. Sometimes it was when I hear her voice, other times, it was when we see each other, or bump into one another (depending on the room we're in, when this happens) But no matter where it happens. When we see each other and reunite… we're not scary anymore. I become the Minuteman and she's the pretty girl that she was before her terrible end.

We came up with the idea that our terrible and wrongful deaths twisted us into something we weren't. And when we see each other we're set free of all of that darkness. By the magic between these two people… but really, us.

Everytime I ask her, "Can we go home now?"

And she says, "I wouldn't go on without you."

And we walk off hand and hand, and reappear dancing with all the other pairings in the ballroom.

I'm trying to remember how everyone contributed, but it's not easy. Cause all I keep remembering most of all is all of those reunions. With Quinn, So heartfelt and AMAZING! And it was like THAT... ALL night, and you wouldn't believe how many girls cried when we did this. How many guys tried to hide that they were crying too! We had to start stocking tissue boxes in places seen by our guests, and our guides along the way had to keep pointing them out too. And the boxes had to be refilled three times throughout the night.

Even when I asked her the hundredth time, while we were dancing. Quinn swore she was always "having a blast." But I was even checking at the afterparty. After it was all said and done for another night of screams and scares was behind us. I was that worried about her getting bored with it. Till she finally had to take my hands and tell me. "Baby, this was so fun! And CREATIVE! We didn't rip off Lisa and Michael at all…we made it our own and I LOVE our story… almost as much as I love you. I'm that proud of it."

She always knows what I need to hear… she always sees right through me. And reads me like one of her books… We've still got five more days of this to get through and tomorrow we return to our lab and original costumes. Is it weird that I'm even excited about that?

Probably, but it's a good thing I don't care. I have LOVED all of this, every minute and any Halloween beyond this is gonna have a hard time beating this one. Even if the damn Great Pumpkin from Peanuts shows up in a pumpkin patch somewhere in my future. Or saying a name three times makes something freaky happen. It's still not gonna beat Senior Year at PCA with our gang… but especially this year where Quinn wasn't just my friend anymore... she was my girlfriend.


((Quinn's Perspective))

I know Vince and Lola have both played that serial killer role before now. I know I was even impressed with their portrayal of that murderous character let loose. And I would have been terrified, if they'd run at me like that and I didn't know it was them. Even knowing it was them would probably have given me a few gray hairs. If I was a "guest" instead of a "ghoul." I would have probably been one of the unfortunate guests that needed to be cleaned up after.

But tonight, when Logan donned the hockey mask, grease paint and oil. Revved that saw the first time in his rehearsals… and ran those halls the first time…

I was left wondering how in the world he'd made that scary monster so flipping HOT!

His arms! Did anyone else catch themselves staring at them? Or have Logan catch them staring at them… cause that KEPT happening to me…

He HAD to have lifted weights or done push-ups before that!

He looked positively ripped! Not that he isn't… I know he is, trust me. But just WOW!

And Vince always had to use a tinted oil, to get the right wrecked and dark look. Logan's natural tan only required a clear coating, and he was WAY prettier! But I could be biased.

He had it all down in that first run too. The sinister sound he was making behind that mask, that made his very breathing terrifying! His laugh was the perfect levels of menacing and maniacal to send a chill down anyone's spine. And some different shivers down mine.

I watched a 300 pound line-backer, and a bunch of defensive end football players take off running away from him. And basketball players so much taller than him take off too.

Hot DAMN!

I've never been so attracted to a killer in all my life. Fictional or otherwise. And I wasn't the only one who thought so…

Some of those girls… some of those full grown women, who walked through… even some guys too. Had been attracted too.

It was probably just as bad as it had been when Vince was running the halls. But I hadn't minded so many people making eyes at Vince!

But my baby was the HOTTEST lunatic I'd ever SEEN! And it only got better when our story played out entirely. Eat your hearts out, this one's MINE!

I chose my role, but Logan was kinda forced to be his. It hadn't been easy thinking up a plot to connect our parts. In fact, when Logan took that first run. I was convinced there was no way my supporting cast performance would come within a mile of his portrayal. He was a showstopper, unforgettably and undeniably… and I just knew my little misunderstood witch wasn't gonna cut it.

But leave it to my man, to once again prove that wrong. He likes to often claim that "the word impossible holds now power over him." And too often, he's right.

He'd snagged me by the hand, kissed it, and said, like this was an old movie. "Help me connect these dots, baby. We gotta find a way that these two crazy kids can be a pair together."

I told him what I honestly thought about that idea. "Oh! You are dreaming, how in all of the stars is your Texas Chainsaw Massacre ripoff gonna POSSIBLY relate to a colonial or Puritan girl hanged for crimes she didn't even commit?"

But Logan flipped up his mask and looked me in my eyes. Before he asked, "Say that again?"

So I outlined, with emphasis, "I said, how is a murderer who is this gifted with a chainsaw? Gonna possibly connect to an innocent colonial girl who isn't even around the same time as chainsaws? And was wrongly accused of witchcraft? Something she probably didn't practice or have any real dealings with?"

But Logan was just pointing at me and insisting, "THAT'S the SPIRIT! Keep going, you're on to something there."

"On to what?" I couldn't follow, where was he even going with this? "How would these two have even met? Was she a ghost he befriended? Was she somehow already dead?"

But Logan abandoned Dustin, Vince, and Cammie to come rushing up to me. Just to backstory spiral, insisting. "THAT'S OUR STORY! I can STILL be a minuteman and you were still just a girl killed for something she didn't even believe in. But since our deaths were both so wrong and messed up. Happening in different places too, our souls got twisted into something they weren't. So over the hundreds of years they've searched for each other… they were twisted into these monsters that weren't even them anymore. You became the hanged witch and I became chainsaw-death."

"Okay," I said reluctantly. "That would explain the chain saw and not actual witchcraft my ghostly character's performing. But she acts like she knows what she's doing." I reasoned, MAD impressed and trying to hide it… not well, at all.

Logan snapped his fingers and said, "EVEN better! What if when we finally find one another, we even change back? Like the lights blink out for a second or something and suddenly we're back to the people we were before?"

"Into normal people? Can we even do that?" I (Quinn) had asked.

And Logan shrugged, "Oh yeah! Sure, we'd just need to figure out how to quick-change our costumes. And have like, the lights set on a cue or something to go out or something, every run, or nearly every run. We don't want it all to be the same, we want some diversity… That can take five or thirty minutes, tops. What do you think?"

"I think… that's good…" I downplayed so I didn't grab him here in front of the impatiently waiting friends behind him. All with clipboards and cues listed for the technical drama people working the lights, music, sounds, fog, and bubble machines throughout each show.

I also wondered out loud, "But what in the world are we gonna say to each other?"

He shrugged, "Don't know? Let's find out in the moment, when we get there! Gotta run! Be right back!" He did just say before Cammie, Dustin and Vince finally stole him away to look at something else that had gone wrong or wasn't working properly.

I guess he means like improv… Lola does make me practice stuff like that with her all the time. Zoey and I always getting pulled into her improv games. So I can do that, I guess… I just don't know how good it'll be.

While Logan swears we BOTH came up with this, I feel like it was mostly his idea. Even if our dialogue in the end had been my idea. And I'd even teared up a few times during these first and last performances… It just added so much to BOTH of these characters that had never been there before. SO much depth, so much scope… that I never would have thought of… even though Logan insists I had just as much to do with this backstory as he did…

I knew I never could have pieced it all together the way he did. I had been fully prepared to play my version of the 'hanged witch' solo…. And just tipping a hat to Lisa's masterful work as I did so. But Logan had made this girl feel completely different and new. And like I had been hoping for… it gave me so much hope for all of the misunderstood and wrongfully murdered people of the past.

If there was a soul and a heart on the other side waiting for them. Like my character had in Logan's character… It just made my heart feel so much lighter and hopeful… and it gave me a peace I hadn't ever known before. Or thought possible…

For the millionth time since our first kiss on that bench. I wondered how I ever got so lucky? To go from last Halloween, where I had been so miserable. In a realtionship that was nearly over. And I was already so heartbroken. To this year, where my current boyfriend always left me counting my blessings. Where even as all these different roles, I'm so happy with him, even when we're monsters. That I could just BUST! From sheer joy, all the time!

Logan didn't even save all of the mushiness for where we're being seen either. Even though tonights parts were more openly romantic than our primary ones. Nearly every time he took my hand and we walked outta sight. He'd kiss my hand while he still held onto it, when we were in the shadows together. He was sneaking other kisses on my neck and shoulders too. Whenever he got a shot. And EVERY dance at the end felt like it got hotter, all throughout the night.

Like our other nights of role-playing in this haunted house… We just KEPT winding each other up. ALL night long…

Which made most of the night a haze… honestly. In the best way.

I guess that's why I never realized that the Vampire who kept flashing me the red underside of his cape to cue me up each take… Was Mark! I had no idea!

Not till I went to thank him during one of our clean up breaks. When another guest had peed in the halls where my boyfriend lurked. I had simply gone to say thanks and was totally SHOCKED! To see him be anything besides dead zombie body laying on the ground… even though my first day here this year, he had aided me while I was getting the plague doc down... Before I had to impress Logan.

Mark explained that Logan had made him be something else. And he was actually have fun as a vampire. He asked me, "Did you see Brooke was in one of the first groups through here? All of my exes besides you have come through here today."

I (Quinn) had to say, "No, I didn't see her or any of the others."

He'd smirked, "It was fun scaring them. Espcially Brooke and her little 'mean girls' clique. They didn't recognize any of us."

"Good! I bet that was fun." I couldn't believe it."

While we were still not getting told we needed to be in our places. I asked Mark to "Please, remind me again what's the vampire's story? I got so involved rewriting Logan's character's and mine that I've nearly forgotten all of the others."

So he explained, "Well, the reason I can cue you guys so well, is because Van Hellsing (played by Dana's boyfriend) keeps making the sunlight hit me. So in my first appearance I'm turned to stone."

Genuinely interested now, I did ask him. "How in the world does your character overcome such a tough break?"

"He's brought back to life by the gypsy lady Lola's playing today. It'd be more realistic if Stacey was the one doing it. But I see it as her best role even if Lola's playing her today." Mark nodded. He even credited, "I feel like Stacey may have really woke me up. In real life."

"What role did Stacey end up taking again?" I'd asked.

And he'd enlightened me, "The Day of the Dead skeleton hanging out in the graveyards." And yes, there is more than one graveyard set. And that character is somehow in ALL of them.

I didn't even have to prompt him, he continued. "When I'm not stone anymore and I start to terrorize the guests. It's always Stacey's character who helps the mortals escape. And the next time we're seen… She gets hurt by Dana's Character the devil. She burns Stacey with her pitch fork and I fight the little demon and win… I have to catch Stacey amd make sure she's okay when she's burned. And when we're in the ballroom we play it more obviously in love… and I hope that's not just acting. Cause it isn't for me… hasn't been all day." He'd shared, and we'd both laughed.

"You really love her, don't you." It wasn't a question.

And Mark said, "Yeah… I do… It's real different this year? Isn't it? All these characters always falling for each other and being better for it. But real too."

"Yeah..." I agreed, and said. "Everytime, Logan would start talking about all of the characters he was featuring… I don't know if he even realized it or not… but he sort of left it open for any character to fall for the other. Or any monster to change completely on any actor's will… Every day has been so different… I don't remember the other years being quite like that."

"Me either," Mark shrugged. "It's like since he fell for you. He's realized how powerful it can be… even at Halloween. I'm happy for you both, and sorry again I almost ruined last year for you."

"Oh, it's okay-"

"No, it's not," Mark affirmed, And he said. "I'm glad Logan called me out on it… he always does that, and he's an invaulable friend that way. I didn't realize how toxic I was being to you. When we were still together… How I was treating you, and nothing was you're fault… I didn't even realize I was treating Stacey almost as badly this year too. Not till Logan set me straight eariler today. Since I changed roles, rooms, vibes and attitudes… then linked my story to Stacey's… I'm actually having fun today. And I have both of you to thank for that."

"You are? That's great!" I'd said truly happy for him. "That just made my day." You know, that and my guy terrorizing people in that tank top and hockey mask. But Mark didn't need those gushy details. He needed to know, I was truly glad that he was having fun. And treating Stacey better than he'd EVER treated me… he'd better.

But I did tell him, "Be sure to tell Logan that… he'll be as happy as me. Ya know, just not when he's in character… Might not get the same reaction then."

Mark had cringed, "Yeah! Don't wanna know what that guy's reaction would be to that news."

But to Logan's frustration, when the doors were locked from the outside tonight… It wasn't just the two of us left inside. Not tonight, after our afterparty dinner, nope!

It was us, Lola, Vince, Mark, Stacey, James, and Lydia!

We were all trapped and locked in together. And Logan was noticeably grumpier the moment he realized this. I don't know why this fact tickled me, but it just did. I was too amused to be the least bit upset. Because I already knew where we could be behind locked doors together. No matter who else was here. And even if that room somehow got taken or compromised by someone else. I knew of several other options and so did Logan. We'd verified all of that together last night before turning in… But he was so livid and I could not stop laughing.

I reminded him, "Hey… we were very fortunate to have the past two nights, totally alone together. AND we know for a fact that there are several sets with soft places to sleep in and locking doors this year." I tried to be upbeat reminding him, it was a good thing we'd confirmed these things last night… Ya know, before we ended up asleep together in our messed up hospital set. Probably the same place we would be resting together tonight.

But Logan was determined to stay perturbed, and cranky… till we were alone together again.

So throughout all of the finding sleeping places for everyone, getting blankets, pillows, and spots picked out. Handing out toothbrushes, toothpastes, and explaining to EVERYONE how we would be stuck till after the first lunch session. And Logan showed everyone where he'd set up a whole closet dedicated to 'breakfast for he trapped ghouls.' Everyone, AND I do mean everyone started getting out of their costumes and into plain clothes if not pajamas to sleep in… AND unplugging all of the cameras in these claimed areas… That was how Logan acted. Frustrated, and barely concealed fury.

While all of the girls were like, "So THIS is where you two have been all this time?" Elbow, elbow! Wink, wink! Nudge, nudge!

I told them all, "I refuse to confirm or deny that claim." Even if I did wink at them where the guys couldn't see. PARTICULARLY my guy who was in no mood to be teased.

Lola had taken her cues from me and gotten a private space with Vince. Resting in the matted floors of the room with all of the fake horses (the doors locked). While Lydia, Stacey, James and Mark were all sharing the moonbounce room. When I was going down the list of all the things we'd needed to do. I'd asked Logan did he disconnected all the cameras. And he'd told me, "Yes and No."

"What does that mean?" I'd asked, almost smelling trouble.

"It means, I unplugged all of the cameras in here with us, and the ones in there with Lola and Vince. Because I don't wanna go blind later, when I'm browsing back through these videos. BUT I didn't unplug the one in the moonbounce tonight because Lydia's gonna tell ghost stories and even if I wanna hear what's got… I'm not missing out on another second I could be with you. So this way… I can be in both places and do both."

I crossed my arms and asked him, "Have you learned nothing from leaving that bear in the our lobby that had the camera in it? You're not supposed to record people without them saying it's okay." I spelled out for him.

But he was ready for me. "No! I learned, I did. I asked everyone if that was okay before I did it. Well, everybody who's sleeping there and they all said it was cool. See? I learned."

"Okay, good." I said relieved… and also hoping he really did do this. Like he said… Before I switched gears on him and asked. "So do I get to spend tonight with my actual boyfriend, in this room with a locked door? Or am I gonna be with the mister cranky pants who was just barely maintaining his temper with our other trapped friends?"

He even laughed at himself and said, "Sorry-"

"You weren't that short with me, but our friends… Might need that apology more than me." I hope I said helpfully as he was trapping me against the table that was usually filled with saws and hammers. But I'd just finished putting them all away.

He'd said like a promise. "You get the real me… and even though we were alone together last night here too. I feel like I waited as long as that minuteman had to wait to get here again."

"It did seem like a really long day, huh?"

"Parts of it." He agreed. And I knew he was gonna kiss me, like I knew if he did… I would never make it out of here again tonight. And I had promised to meet up with the other girls when they're brushing their teeth and I did really need to do that. Before I let him steal me away completely.

So I'd expertly snuck outta his flexing in thin air grasp and said, "I'm gonna brush my teeth with the girls real fast. Be right back!"

And true to my word, I was only gone a little bit. But it turns out that I was gone just long enough for those last two nights of very little sleep to catch up with guy. He had also been running all night long, that had to tire him out too. Even with his endless stamina. Because He was sound asleep when I came back.

After all that running and bringing so much game, some girls might feel miffed or slighted. But I found this whole thing utterly adorable and I crawled in, wrapped my arms around my guy. And got to hold on to love of my life as I tried to fall asleep myself. It wasn't long at all before he was turning and holding on to me too… Even in his sleep, he's always taking such GREAT care of me… and I hope I never have to let him go.

I did open my eyes again and look at him for a long moment. Thinking back on what I had said about next Halloween to Logan earlier. We would be on different coasts and different ends of map from each other. I knew I could handle it… but I really hoped I didn't have to handle it without this precious person in my life… That, I don't think I could handle.

But I didn't let these wonderings rob me of all of the peace facing me. He was so out for the count, SO beautiful and at peace. I only thought of happy thoughts and tried my best to find that same peace.


That's all folks!

Well, for this chapter anyways. I will be posting again as soon as I can, and I have already started on the next one. Logan was not happy with where this left things, so there may be some extra gush at the beginning of that chapter. You've been warned, and this story's in season now! Inspiration everywhere! I hope I have brought some smiles to this Friday the 13th! That I can have it finish this story in time for Halloween, but we'll see how things go between here and there! Thank you to anyone who's read this far, I hope you liked it. Please write in if you can, I would love to hear from you. And I hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85