A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 5: Threw Me For a Loop

Down on Main Street, the parade continues and the students continue to pass candy to the visitors and are having a great time.

Grim calls out, "Hey, guy! Check out the Main Street roadside. There's a ton of visitors lined up and wavin' to us!"

"And the jack-o'-lanterns and lights are so pretty," Sereia says.

"And there are a ton of people here," Jasper says.

Just then, the visitors shout, "Trick or Treat!"

Lilia then passes some candy, "Here! Happy Halloween!"

The children get excited to get the candy, "Look at all the candy! Ooh! Gimme more!"

Then Malleus questions, "What do you say when you want candy?"

"If you want more, give us a yell we can hear!" Awooooo!" Kalim says and howls.

Then Patrick says, "All together, now... One, two, three!"

Then everyone shouts, "TRICK OR TREAT!"

Candy flies in the sky and the children catch them with their hands or allow them to land in their basket.

On the float, everyone passes candy and is having a ball.

Grim happily says, "This ride is outta this world. It's bright, it's flashy, and it looks like a giant monster! Everybody's wavin' to us... Delicious lookin' candy's raining down... All the students are dressed up ALMOST as cool as me and grinnin' ear-to-ear..."

"I know. There are so many different costumes, "Sereia says.

"And there is so much candy too," Jasper says.

"And so many lights," Taznantie says.

Then Grim says, "Y'know? If this is Halloween..." And shows a big grin, "...then Halloween RULES!"

"I agree. This is the best Halloween ever," Sereia says.

Trinket, in her ghost costume nods her head in reply.

Briar giggles and says, "Sounds like we're all having a blast."

"You bet your tuna cans I am. Petition to make everyday Halloween from here on out!" Grim happily says.

"I told you I'd deliver the finest Halloween," Vil says.

"Oh, hey, fellas!" Grim says.

Then Vil says, "I'm the head of the management committee this year. I wouldn't dream of setting for 'standard practice.' That's why I arranged this Halloween parade for the enjoyment of our guests. And what would it be without the hottest stars of this year's holiday: You and the ghosts?"

"Not gonna lie, it threw me for a loop when you came outta nowhere with this parade stuff. When did you find time to put together this big, fancy truck?" Grim says.

"It's a float Grim, not a truck," Briar asks

"Still, when did you find the time to make it?" Jasper asks.

"That's correct. This is a float," Jade says.

Then Cater says, "We've been putting it together bit by bit over the past month along with all our decorations. We had to account for the party, the parade float, candy to give away, and costumes for every student. It was a LOT. Our budget's strained to bursting, in fact. If Jade wasn't managing the books, I don't think we ever would've pulled it off.

Then softly says, "Putting all this together on our budget SHOULD've been a non-starter, actually."

Then softly asks Jade, "How'd we manage, Jade?"

"It's not so hard, as long as you know how to squeeze every last thaumark for what it's worth. We also had the heavy influx of guests this year, which delighted the Sage's Island locals. We had ardent support from them, and they expressed a wish to truly wow the guests so they were more likely to come back. Thanks to that, we were able to pull off a much more ritzy parade than initially planned. And might I add, I think I have to thank for the parade turnout, Cater. I doubt we would have worked out decorations half this 'lit' without your advice," Jade answers.

Then Vil says, "Agreed. We were busy enough arranging costumes for everyone. We wouldn't have perfected the float by ourselves."

"You know me! #NRCSpirit, #CayCayAlwaysDelivers," Cater says.

Then Vil says, "The rest of the management committee put forth wholehearted efforts to impress the guests. It's fortunate we had the people on this committee that we did this year. They proved themselves excellent supporting actors for me."

"You're really gonna talk about us like that in the middle of our parade, Vil?!" Cater questions.

"Heh. If I've played some part in supporting fair Vil, I consider it an honor," Jade says.

All the children cheer, "Trick or Treat!"

"Boo!" Epel calls out, "How about I play a trick on you instead of giving our treats?"

Jack roars, "Rawr! There's more candy where this came from. Stick around and enjoy yourselves."

Everyone cheers, "Happy Halloween!"

"Boo!" Azul calls out, "Here you are. May your Halloween be positive!"

"Happy Halloween! Let's make the most of this!" Deuce says.

Evin Idia says, "...Happy Halloween. Glad you guys are enjoying yourselves."

Albert and John snickers, "HeeEEee hee hee hee. Happy Halloween!"

Everyone cheers and is very excited as candy is raining from the sky, and all the children are excited.

Sometime later, the parade is almost close to the end.

Jade says, "The parade's just about to reach the end of the road."

"Hm? Wait, where are we headed, anyway?" Grim asks.

"Where else?" Vil questions.

"What happens at the end of Halloween?" Cater questions with a smile.

It doesn't take long for Grim and the others to realize.

"Ooh! You mean...?" Grim asks.

"Yup!" Cater happily says.

Patrick and Grim cheer, "Party time!"