A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 21: The Hottest Trend of the Year

Halloween Week, Day Four

In the Lecture Hall, Headmage Crowley and the Halloween Management Committee are having a meeting.

Crowley says, "A most hearty good morning to you all! Night Raven College is trending all over Magicam and our phones are ringing off the hook with media inquiries! We're a social media phenomenon. I, Dire, Crowley, the headgemage of this Illustrious learning institution... hereby bring this ULTRA-hot Halloween Week management committee meeting to order!"

It does come as a surprise for some, but some are already aware of it. Mainly, they're surprised about Crowley's little excitement about the school's fandom.

Lilia says, "Someone' let a bit of fame go to his head."

"The headmage didn't even do anything..." Jack replies.

Crowley hears it and is a little offended, "I beg to differ. Halloween Week is built by teachers and students working together, hand in hand! And our fabulous Halloween Week is entering its fourth day. We've finally reached the hump day. Committee Chair Schoenheit, let's hear your interim report."

"Yes, sir," Vil answers.

Then says, "I'm sure this is hardly news to anyone here, but due to a ghost photo that garnered attention on Magicam... We have received an unprecedented influx of guests this Halloween. Our treasurer ran the numbers, and by day three, we'd already exceeded last year's attendance for this whole week."

"Yes, that's correct." Jade says, "And what's more... Both day two and day three had an increase of approximately 30% over the previous day's visitor count. Business is, as they say, booming."

"So uh... What does that mean, exactly?" Deuce asks.

"Basically, it means we're gonna keep getting bigger and bigger crowds," Cater says.

Then brings out his phone and says, "That picture of the ghosts and Grimmy is up to three hundred thousand likes on Magicam now. More guests means more pictures of our campus festivities going up online..." Then puts his phone away, "Which means more Magicam users see them and think 'I wanna go!' And THAT, in turn, means the guest counter's just gonna keep on going up."

This shocked Deuce, "They're really coming all the way out to a remote place like Sage's Island just because of something they saw on Magicam?"

"Maybe being remote is the whole appeal," Cater says. "The most serious Magicam influencers like to stay on top of trends before others discover them, then share 'em with the world."

"Correct. Before now, we were only visited by people already interested in Night Raven College... Or people interested in me, I suppose. Anyway, this year is different. Magicam users are flocking here to promote their accounts. I daresay campus is going to get busier than it's ever been before," Vil says.

"Even hot-shot Magicam influencers have been posting travelogues here," Cater says, holding out his phone again. "NRC could legit be the hottest trend of the year."

Then Kalim says, "I get tons of people asking to take pictures of me when I walk around campus in costume. They all seem to be super into it. And the party on the last day is for EVERYONE, right? Not just Sage's Island residents? That means we're gonna have one serious soiree!"

"Heh... Perhaps a boisterous Halloween isn't so bad on occasion," Malleus replies.

"My, I'm surprised. I didn't think you cared at all for noisy parties," Vil says.

"Have I ever said as much?" Malles questions with a stern frown.

Lilia snickers, "Khee hee hee. Even Malleus is as giddy as a schoolboy for this."

"Well, everyone. Let's all keep up the good work and make Halloween Week-" Crowley says.

But interrupted by the sound of knocking at the door. The door opens and Sam, one of the staff and shop owner of the Mystery Shop walks in.

Sam waves, "Hey! Mind if I come in, Headmage?"

"Is something the matter, Sam? We're in the middle of a meeting," Crowley says.

"It's kind of urgent," Sam says, sounding serious, "We've got ourselves a little situation. Could I borrow the headmage and a few of the Halloween management committee imps?"

This causes the atmosphere to change in the room drastically, and can tell something is wrong.