Happy Halloween

'Everything ok Sam,' I called from upstairs. Sam had been my friend for years, and the best friend a girl could have. He was a brick, never interfering or judging.

'Yea, you ready yet?'

I hadn't thrown a party since the split. Sam had talked me into this, against my better judgement - Tony had been the perfect host, halloween being his speciality. He always managed to scare me.
I checked the mirror. A touch more eyeliner I think, and maybe a smudge of lipstick. There, that'll do. I joined the partying throng of gruesome guests.

Quite a crowd, and the costumes have excelled. Witches, Ghouls, Imps, Goblins, Vampires, and one Freddie Kruger. The mask was so realistic that it was genuinely scary. Even Tony hadn't thought of that one, I mused.

'Hey Sara, you're Brew's going down a storm here', laughed Sam 'what have you put in it?'

Tony's Halloween punch was Devil's Elixir. He wouldn't reveal his recipe, but wow, did you suffer the next day. It was popular!  Mine was Witch's Brew. Different ingredients, but with similar effects.

'Who's that?' Sam asked. 'I don't recognise him.'

'Freddie Kruger, obviously.'

'Duh! Really?' he retorted.

I headed for the buffet, and bumped into Dave on the way.

'No, not me, Isn't he with Paul? Freaky costume. Wish I'd thought of that one'.

Sam joined them.

'Well?'

'It seems no-one knows'. I said.

We looked around, but Freddie was nowhere to be seen.

'He'd have won the best costume anyway, if he'd stayed.' I said, feeling slightly deflated by his absence. 'Now we'll never know.'

The party dwindled, with the stragglers leaving well after midnight, everyone a little worse for wear. Sam and I cleared up, as he was staying over.

He raised an eyebrow. 'The real Freddie Kruger, maybe?' 

'In your dreams, Sammy boy? Night night, sleep tight'. I cackled, and dodged the flying cushion coming my way.

Flopping on the bed, I closed my eyes for a few seconds. Realising that I had not undressed.  I looked up, and froze. Scrawled on the mirror in red lipstick were the words 'Great party, babe. Happy halloween. love Freddie'. He'd been in my room. Was he still here? Nobody saw him leave. I couldn't even shout Sam. I was Mute. My head throbbed like It was going to explode.

As my senses returned to a more normal state, I decided to run for the door. Gingerly, I put my feet to the floor. So far, so good. Running for the door, I trip and land on the floor, between bed and door. He's got me for sure.

Hearing the commotion, Sam came to investigate and found me curled up into a ball shaking with fright, immediately dropping to his knees to comfort me.

'It's ok Sara, I'm here'

'He's here... Freddie's here... Look in the mirror.'

Sam read the words and chuckled quietly.

'What's so funny.' I cried.

'Who likes to scare at halloween?'

I thought for a moment, before realisation smacked me in the face. I felt such a fool.

'He's done it again hasn't he. It wasn't his party, it was mine. I was the perfect hostess.'



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