Halloween

Chapter 10

 "Oh my god, you guys! Tonight was just so- ah! Amazing! I could not have had a better night, ever!" Sasha squealed as she sat with the biker girls. Their little performance had ended not too long ago. Getting to see the face of the crowds jump and dance along to the music that she helped create had made her the happiest she's ever been in a long time. Kicking her feet back and forth as she sat on the edge of the now empty stage, still glued to the girls even now that the night was coming to an end. "Like, for real! My friends never did anything as cool as this!"

"Well, we had to have you on set for at least one night! You totally rocked that synth pad, and are welcome to join us again whenever you're in town!" Dana gave her a friendly punch to the shoulder. "In fact, do you have a cell phone or something we can call you on?" she asked, pumping her fists up into the air from the excitement of performing.

"Cell phone? Oh, uh... no, unfortunately I don't exactly have one... you see, my parents are sort of- 'old fashioned'... So, uh... yeah," Sasha replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck in discomfort as her lips twisted into a frown. Having fun like she did when she was alive had made her forget entirely about her ghouly status. Now that the night was drawing to a close, the lingering dread of returning back to the maze covered her like a blanket. A fate that she could not escape, no matter how much she wanted to be free of it.

"That's no biggie! You know where you can find us at any time! We'll always be around town somewhere," Dana shrugged, unaware of the gravity of Sasha's situation.

People had already began to take down the decorations in the school gym, signaling the closing of the Halloween bash. It made Sasha's heart sink to see it end so quickly. She could've sworn that it was only just a minute ago she just met these girls- and soon she had to say goodbye? It was a tragic task to bear.

"Well, it was certainly nice to finally meet someone cool my age when I go to school with a bunch of weirdos," Percy said. "Please don't be a stranger, if your family ever allows it, you could totally hang at my place! I can show you some cool skating tricks and everything! Even teach you some stuff, if you'd like!"

Energy already began to drain from the 80s girl. "Yeah... that sounds great. I'd love that." Her smile faltered as a lump began to grow in her throat, hands now curling into fists as they shook slightly from the emotions that were about to spill. "I guess this is goodbye then, for now, hopefully..."

"Oh! Hang on, before you go!" Suraya dashed over to a bag full of band equipment. Reaching inside, she dug through a couple of items before pulling out a CD. "Mutiny Matrimony" glistened across the cover, an album with original songs that the band had previously performed. She dashed back across the room, already out of breath as she handed it to Sasha. "A little momento to remember us by!" she winked, then gestured a finger gun.

"Oh no! I can't just take this from you, I don't have any money! It would be totally wrong!" Sasha waved her hands, motioning for them to keep it. "But the offer is really sweet...!"

"Why would we charge an honorary member for one of our products?!" Ashley gasped, "Now that's just outrageous! Right Anika?"

"Yeah," Anika simply responded, shrugging. "You were pretty cool tonight. You deserve it."

Sasha bit her lip with guilt as she took the CD from Suraya's hands, gazing over the plastic cover with longing. "You guys... I'm going to listen to this as soon as I get home...! That is if I have a CD player. Like I said, old fashioned! Haha..." There was a pause before she jumped up to give Suraya a hug. A feeling of comfort warmed her as she felt real contact, real flesh under her fingertips; something she took for granted while alive. The lump in her throat grew bigger as she gave each and every band member a hug. It took every nerve in her body to hold back her tears, to put on a smile for the band and make sure they weren't worried about her. "Thank you all again, so much, for everything! But I really must be going now!"

"And thank you for giving us the performance of a lifetime! We will never forget about you, Sasha!" Suraya complimented, waving to the teenager as she walked away.

Sasha waved back, counting the steps as she walked further and further away from the girl. She frowned, knowing they couldn't comprehend her fate, and even if they could, would never have the chance to know. She finally wiped her eyes as tears unwillingly began to fall down her cheeks, mixed emotions spilling from her mind. Perhaps someday, she really would be able to see them again, but for now, she remained uncertain.

She walked along, the town square coming into sight. Next to the old water fountain were all of the familiar faces- the ghosts and the girls.

"There she is," Victoria sighed. They all collectively turned as she walked closer.

"Hey everyone," she greeted, shaking off her feelings from before. "Party's over, I guess?"

Bushes in the distance began to rustle before none other than Arian and Celine stepped out. Celine brushed some of the nettles off of her skirt before she spotted the group as well. "Oh, what perfect timing!"

"Alright, headcount," Arian said, walking over and mentally accounting for each and every ghost. To their shock, everyone was there- and things seemed, well... fine. "Well, I'm shocked, you're all here."

"Psh, why would you be shocked?" Gabby asked, waving her hand in their direction. "We're all responsible," she mused. Victoria shot her a glare that read don't push it before she ended her spiel.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to not talk to anyone for like, at least a day," Amyx sighed. "Can we go back to the shop now? I've really had enough of you all."

"You're right, it's past midnight. Everyone should get going home now," Arian nodded to the girls. "That includes you all."

"Yeah, I'm wiped," Victoria added, her eyelids fluttering.

"I expect you all tomorrow after school," Arian added, turning around back towards the shop, the opposite direction of the girls homes. Katy gave a thumbs up in response.

Celine waved her hands in the air. "Goodbye, girls! Happy Halloween!" she stood behind as the group of ghosts followed Arian.

"Bye, Celine," Katy responded, waving as well.

Celine smiled. "And remember," she lowered her voice. "The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." With that, she winked, and skipped off towards home.

The girls exchanged odd glances between each other. The moon glowed a soft orange overhead as the footsteps of their friends faded and the silence of the ghost town serenaded.

"Ain't that the truth," Gabby reiterated, before the three parted ways and started the trek home.