Halloween One Shots

HALLOWEEN MAKEUP (Winner)

Contest Profile: Beauty

I stared back at my reflection in surprise. Sure, I've been practicing my makeup artistry, but even I was floored by the results tonight. My face was asymmetrically divided into two, mine and that of a grim reaper who seemed to lurk under my skin were our faces met. The effect was incredible. Realistic. I looked down at the special effects makeup kit I'd bought from a pop-up stand at the mall. Weirdly enough, the logo had faded away, even though I'd only had it a few days.

"Oh, hello."

I turned to the voice. Except, there was no one else in the room with me. I was certain I'd heard someone.

The doorbell rang. Oops! I was running late.

The house was full in less than half an hour. I was standing against the wall, watching a gorgeous Harley Quinn with her half pink and half blue ponytails swishing around her face as she moved sensually to the music.

"It's been a while since I've felt this alive."

I definitely heard that. The same voice from before. I didn't turn around to look for it. It was coming from me. My mouth.

"Who are you?" I said.

"They call me The Grim Reaper."

A drunk guy walked up to me. "Woah, your makeup's so..."

He tried to touch my face and I felt my hand shoot up to stop him. I hadn't moved that arm.

"Don't..." I said. An image flashed through my mind. I let go of him. "It'll smudge."

He raised his hands and backed away.

"What was that?" I asked the other half of my face.

"Seems like a virile..."

"Not him. The images. Him being crushed by that truck! What was that?"

"Just how he's going to die in a few hours."

The voice held no lie. No malice. This was just how it worked. Somehow, I knew. My makeup. It had become much more.

I needed a drink. Several. I walked to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of liquor and downed half of it. Still, the images wouldn't leave. Staggering back to the party, I hit several guests, passed along like a pinball. A barrage of gory images of impending death bombarded me.

"Is it always like this?" I demanded from my other half.

"Not always these many deaths at once."

"What do you mean?"

He turned my head to face a new guest just walking in. I knew him. A local drug dealer with a penchant for experimental drugs. I walked up to him.

"Leave," I said.

"Easy hon, I just got here."

"And now you're leaving."

He scoffed and walked away. I walked over to one of the guests I'd touched earlier. Harley Quinn. She was supposed to fall onto train tracks in a few hours. I kissed her. No images. I smiled and walked away.

"Good way to spend your last day," said the reaper. "Saving others."

"What do you mean?"

"There's only one reason you meet the Grim Reaper."