Chasing Shadows

Lost

-Lost

Juvia pulled the covers over her and Stranger, sleepily reaching over to brush his mane.

"Goodnight Stranger" Juvia yawned and closed her eyes. She didn't sleep immediately due to the dog's constant shuffling and whining. Finally, she offered her hand for Stranger to nuzzle and the dog calmed after pushing his nose and head against her palm.

Hours later she sat up suddenly, breathing deeply, choking out sobs of sorrow and wiping the tears on her face. She quickly groped beside her expecting to feel Strange'rs fur, only to hear his bark from the living room. Sighing she crashed back to bed. She'd slept soundly for only a few hours, Stranger must've woken up and left her in the room. The memory left her again, at first it was only glimpses but then it became so vivid Juvia thought it wasn't just a dream.

It happened in Halloween. People filled the department stores as they bought costumes or materials, carrying their kids around trying out some characters. Princesses, witches and Frankenstein were among the popular choices. Horror movies were all there was to see in the cinemas and jack o' lanterns decorated yards. Ghost stories filled everyone's conversation. Juvia and Gray were walking towards the school. The sidewalk had patches of light from the streetlights above and the crisp night air breezed by them. Shadows of everything spilled the pavements and the moon shined bright above them. Stars scattered the black sky.

Gray had wolf ears on his head and a spiked collar around his neck, growling as children passed by them. His jeans were torn as was his shirt opting to wear a plaid blazer over it. Gray had his arm casually around Juvia's shoulder. She was in a white flowing dress, splashed with fake blood and torn at the bottom. She held a torn Hello Kitty also splashed with blood, it's mouth slashed into a bloody grimace. They made it hours ago in the Breck's backyard, laughing as they tore each other's costumes. Juvia thought that they were too old to dress up for Halloween but she just went with it and came along.

They walked the lit sidewalk of the campus. There was a Halloween party at the gym and they decided to go together, throbbing techno music could already be heard from where they stood. Juvia was never the type to go on parties but Gray said that it would be fun. Juvia had a hard time convincing her mother. Bisca said that teenage parties were dangerous and there would be many delinquents. Gray assured her mother that he was gonna bring her home, safe and sound. With him humming and Juvia's arm around his waist, they walked taking their time.

"That dress really suits you" Gray said looking down at her, mischief plain in his eyes. "The blood stains really bring out your eyes".

"Your ears look good too" She teased back. Reaching up, she tugged at them. " Werewolf Gray huh"

"And what are you supposed to be? " Gray asked, amusement playing in his voice. Their pace slowed still further. They were now just a few blocks from the school, where every teenager was dressed up, dancing to the music. Trash would decorate the ground and everyone would have little red cups in their hands, filled with God knows what.

Girls would probably go as zombie cheerleaders or sexy bunnies, and their dates would be mummies, vampires or dead jocks. Gray thought that they were ridiculous cliché's. He was popular but he wasn't one of them. He didn't really like costumes but since Juvia said that she'd never attended a high school party, he chose to take her to one. It was just coincidental that it was on Halloween.

"I was a fairy, that was eaten by a big bad wolf" She answered grinning up at him, giddy and excited about attending her first party with one of the most handsome boys in Magnolia High. Other girls gave her odd looks while she was with him, but Gray told her to ignore them, and so she did, but Juvia still felt a little conscious.