VALERIA

- Reminicsing -

"You really had to bring the kids along?"

"Hey, I'm not a damn kid! I'm thirteen!"

It was sundown and the atmosphere was just right — not burning up hot but not shiver inducing cold, either. A group of friends were walking down the vacant street; the streets of this town were always empty on the night of Halloween. Too many pedestrians and tourists trying to enjoy the eerie sights that came with the town. Cherrywood was known to be the Halloween spot for its creepy urban legend regarding the forest. They say during Halloween, all the monsters are free to roam the city and those who don't wear costumes on that night are monster food, never to be seen again.

Of course nothing has really happened. Not in all the thirteen years of Batty's life. She was currently walking alongside her best friend Connor and his older brother, Carmelo. Beside of him was Duke Donovan, class clown and class asshole. But he was so funny, she supposed, that everyone liked to hang out with him. Even basically adults like Carmelo. But Batty loathed him. He was too cocky and full of himself. She didn't know why. His mother was apparently a prostitute. What was there to brag about that?

Duke Donovan lowered his gaze to the two younger of the group, flashing his stupid toothy grin as he snickered. "Could've fooled me! The both of ya are short. Little Danny Devitos." The teasing did not go unbeknownst to Batty. The strawberry blonde stomped her cat paw clad foot and started after him. Duke only laughed harder, running to dodge the girl's swinging arms. Connor just stood by, watching with wide eyes.

Skillfully, Duke managed to trip up Batty by staying poised near a neighborhood power box until she came just close enough then leaping out of the way. The girl was winded. "Can kids even come to block parties?" The blonde asked as he joined the older boy again, resuming their stroll. Every year, they threw a Halloween block party for everyone. It was mostly for adults but sometimes teens could sneak in if they were careful.

"Batty's cool," Carmelo assured with a chuckle. "And you know Con is. They'll keep to themselves and act mature, won't they?" He eyed the two closely. "You can manage that for one night surely." Batty and Connor made slow eye contact with each other before nodding quickly. "Yeah, I can do a night!" And she grinned wide when Connor giggled at her.

But Duke only rolled his eyes, adjusting the collar of his zombie costume. "Whatever." He said dismissively. His costume consisted of a torn dress shirt, splattered with fake corn syrup blood. He wore a pair of worn out work pants from his grandfather and Timberland boots. Batty was a calico cat, fit with ears, claws and a tail. Connor was her little mouse, and Carmelo was Freddy Krueger. They were a random bunch but they traveled in happiness, chattering idly about what they were going to do when they arrived. It was peaceful then. Just a regular Halloween night.

The block party was booming. The town was already small so it seemed that everyone was there, drinking and mingling amongst each other in their skimpy costumes. Batty always tried to scope out one's who actually put effort into their costume. Ones that were actually scary, like they should be! Batty's mother and father were at that party tonight and so was Carmelita, she guessed, who was Connor and Carmelo's mother. There was no questioning that Stefani Donovan would be there. She always scrambled to be the center of attention with the flashiest of costumes.

"Woohoo! I'm gonna see if Pilby can steal me a cup!" Duke schemed with a grin, smacking Carmelo on the back. He then dashed off into the crowd. Carmelo shook his head and laughed softly. He turned to the two young ones. "I'm gonna go get a drink too. You two stay in my line of sight!" He lifted a finger, then turned away. Batty turned to smile at Connor excitedly, "Halloween party!" The boy bounced in place. "Can't really do anything cool though," Batty kicked out her paw'd foot. "Can't drink . . "