A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 18: Too Noisy, if You Ask Me

The Next Day: Halloween Week, Day 2

Outside of the Mister S's Mystery Shop, Leona and Ruggie walk over to notice something's up.

They question, "What in the world...?"

They see people talking loud, and chatting, and it appears something has gotten them excited.

A man asks, "Have you hit all seven stamp tour spots?"

"I haven't started yet! I wanted to visit the Mystery Shop first," A woman says.

"You're missing out if you don't grab a souvenir from this place!" Another woman says.

Everyone continues to talk in excitement as many are going inside the Mystery shop.

Curious, but not fully interested, Leona asks, "What's with all the hubbub?"

"There's a whole crowd around the school store," Ruggie replies. "None of 'em are wearing uniforms. Guessing they're all Halloween Week visitors? Still, a gaggle this big SCREAMS 'fire hazard...'"

Just then, Kalim walks over, "Ah it's Leona and Ruggie! Happy Halloween, guys."

"Right back atcha, Kalim," Ruggie replies.

Then Leona says, "Oh right, the school store is Scarabia's stamp tour spot."

"Yup! I'm on the afternoon shift, so I'm just about to switch places with the morning stamper. Are you here to shop together? What good friends you are!" Kalim says with a big smile on his face.

But Leona says, "Yeaaah, no."

"Harsh, but true," Ruggie says, "Usually, I'm the one who gets stuck running Leona's errands. But today, we figured we might as well pick up some refreshments for the Savanaclaw guys working their tails off for Halloween Week. So quoth the magnanimous Leona!"

Leona shows a frown in response.

Ruggie continues with a grin, "Anyway, he tried to pawn the whole thing off on me, so I dragged him along."

"And I've regretted every second of it," Leona points out.

"Oh, don't act so put out. You could stand to do something other than sleep all day," Ruggie says.

"Refreshments, huh? That's a great idea!" Kalim responds, "I know Jack's been working hard as part of the management committee. He'd definitely appreciate such a considerate token of the housewarden's appreciation."

"Guess it IS a boss' job to keep his pack's morale high," Leona replies.

Then crosses his arms, "I'm lucky their brains are in their stomachs. Makes payroll as simple as can be."

Ruggie snickers, "Shyeheehee. Can't you just admit you wanna do something nice? Not that I care either way, as long as I'm gettin' fed at the end of the day."

Then Leona questions, "But what's the deal with the pack of meerkats? I don't wanna go anywhere near all that racket.

"They're all Halloween Week customers," Kalim answers.

"Seriously?" Ruggie asks, shocked.

Leona is just as shocked.

Then Ruggie says, "Kinda hard to do an accurate headcount, but... There's gotta be at LEAST a hundred folks here."

"We didn't even have a like outside the store last year. What changed?" Leona questions.

"Well, see, this picture of the Ramshackle Dorm ghosts got a ton of publicity on Magicam. Now talk of our school's festivities is making the rounds online. I'm guessing all these people came by to see what all the fuss is about after they saw the pic." Kalim explains.