Chapter 1 - The Nightmare Begins:
"You're deaf," the doctor tries to explain , by writing on a piece of paper, as a very groggy Justin lies still on the hospital bed.
Closing his eyes, tears stream down his bruised face.
A soft grunt comes from his mouth. More tears slips over his cheekbone's, as an unusual pressure builds in his ears. The sensation fades, and he grows drowsy.
Justin remains in his own little world, until his hearing devices are turned on.
Chapter 2: Goodbye
Bobbing his head of curls, he walks past many plots, finding himself with a small gathering of people. They have come to bid farewell to a girl he gave a ride home too.
She had been drinking, and he couldn't have been more sober, but something went horribly wrong, and Justin suffers greatly.
Chapter 3: An Unlikely invitation
Being deaf, Justin never expected an invitation to a party!
He did not feel like celebrating Halloween, or anything, but the invation always pops into his head, nearly plaguing him to answer "yes."
Yawning, he places the invite on his nightstand, before closing his eyes.
"Carolina," he mumbles sleepily, "I really don't want to go."
"You must," she replies, "It is part of your destiny."
He stares at the unearthly light, perplexed, as his eyelids droop close.
He crumples the invitation angrily tossing it into the wastebasket, exiting his room for breakfast.
"Morning Sugar," his mom smiles, and pours him some tea.
"Momma," he sighs cautiously..."I had a dream," he manages slurring his words.
Lynn gazes into his fearful eyes, "Was it about the accident?"
He shrugs his shoulders, "Carolina," he pauses, "wants me to go the party."
"It would be a great opportunity for you to attend," his mom grins, "you've been so down lately. What happened wasn't your fault. Its time to start letting go."
"I....."he stumbles, "she.....just... I don't know."
Lynn laughs, "Justin, Carolina was always good at knowing things. Maybe, this is something amazing for you."
"I think otherwise," Justin breathes deeply, and takes a sip of his tea.
Placing the cup on the table, he glances in her direction to speak, when his friend enters through the door.
"Justin," Trace says apathetically, "I received an invite to that party, and...," he stops studying his friend's features.
"I'm not ready," Justin admits sadly, "no matter what my dreams tell me."
"I don't know anything about your dreams, Just, but Jive throws the best parties! It wouldn't be right for me to attend, and leave you behind to sulk. You're going to go, if I have to drag you there myself, and that's final."
Laughing, Justin stands, "You always were so persistent, but we'll see man!"
Surveying his bedroom, after his shower, he discovers a piece of paper lying on his bed. Moving closer he examines the sheet horrified, "How'd this get here?"
A womanly voice replies, "It is your destiny, Justin," as his blood runs cold.
Chapter 4: Soul Searching
The drive to the old mansion, on a large hill, labors his breathing thinking what lies ahead for him.
Crashes of thunder pulsate through his trembling form, as his knuckles turn a ghostly white. The wind howls furiously, and the sound of rushing wind rustles through his ears. Chills travel down his neck to his spinal collum.
Quickly, his head jerks to the side, hearing cries for help, but no person insight.
Knock, knock, on the hard wood door frame.
"Good evening you must be Justin! I will be your Butler for the evening my name is Jeeves."
Studying the man, Justin breathes heavily, "I.. I would like to hold onto my coat. Is that okay with you? I'm sorry I have not gotten into costume yet."
"No worries, kind Sir. You can change when you are ready. Not all the guests have arrived yet."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Justin makes his way inside the candle lit mansion, gazing at the worn interior, as his heart skips a beat.
The touch of someones hand resting on his shoulder, causes Justin to turn his head nervously."
"It's okay, J. It's just me, Lance. Why are you so on edge?"
"I.I..I do not like this place. Its very creepy. You know how I feel about Halloween."
Lance pats Justin's back, "Chill! It'll be okay. You are going to have lots of fun. What Star Wars character are you?"
" I'm Yoda," Justin says slightly grinning, "The intellectual one."
"Funny J, and you're so green too."
"No, I am not," Justin groans. turning his head toward the casket display, "Whaaa...... in there?"
Lance laughs, "Go find out for yourself. I'm not spoiling surprises." He pushes his unsure friend toward a cauldron of candy, "Dig in."
Justin shakes his head,"Ew, no way, am I putting my hand in there. I am going to go change. Where do I go?"
Pointing Justin toward a door marked with a red "X", he watches as his friend makes his way there, waiting patiently for Justin's return.
It is a quiet little bathroom, with a dusty mirror covered in cobwebs, as Justin unpacks his costume, listening to the Halloween music blaring.
Undressing until he is only in his boxers and a tee-shirt he grabs onto the costume, slowly slipping it on over his thin legs, and over his waist line up to his shoulders. Carefully, he places the Yoda costume over his head of wet curls. and adjusts it to feel right with his new hearing aides.
Picking up his clothes, he folds them putting the articles in his blue duffel bag. He taps the floor, getting his Halloween shoes just right, as he feels the floor give, "A trap door, but why?" he muses.
Not willing to check out his findings, he slips out the door, duffel bag in hand and heads toward the large coat rack.
Grabbing some punch, he gazes around the room, finding Lance who is dressed like R2 D2 in the corner talking to a woman in a witch costume. A tear slides down his cheek, recognizing the familiar face, even underneath the make up.
Reaching for his light saber, he pretends to battle Darth Mal, ignoring everyone else. Closing his eyes, he softly smiles. Bump!
Opening his eyes, Justin blushes, "Sorry, I was just in my own space."
She chuckles, "It's okay. I saw you standing over here, and wanted to come join you. Usually Jive throws good parties, but this one seems out of place."
"I have that feeling too," Justin admits. "I just want to get out of here. Halloween isn't for me. I........" He pauses, "Where'd she go?" He moans, being alone with his thoughts once more. Tired, he sits in a chair, next to a prop corpse.
He reasons with himself, "I could just sneak out. They'd never notice, and I'd feel a whole lot better."
"You're not going anywhere tonight, or eternity," a creepy voice whispers, leaving Justin frightened.
"We'll see," Justin mummers, searching through the sea of faces.
Chapter 5: Glowing Pumpkins
He makes his way toward his pal, Trace, hoping he can help.
Trace is dressed in a repulsive wig harboring over the candy corn. Justin catches a glimpse of Trace's designer jeans, "William Rast," and grabs onto them. "Trace, can we trade costumes?"
"Yoda, J? You want me to be Yoda? He is not even scary!"
" I.I. Don't want to stay, Trace. Strange things are happening. I think something wants me."
" Every girl in practically America and the world wants you, and has for awhile. What's the big deal?"
"The big idea Trace is it is Halloween, and I can't see these people's faces."
"Get a grip J! It will be okay! Look at that weird spinning thing, crazy!"
Justin stares at the spinning object, going into a hypnotic stance, "Glowing Pumpkins?"
Trace laughs, "Yes, go see them! They are in the crypt, below the bathroom. All your friends have seen them."
Justin staggers toward the bathroom, going inside, sitting on the floor confused, "Why am I here?"
He glances around trying to remember, seeing a pumpkin on the counter top, "Must find the glowing pumpkins," he reminds himself.
He taps the ground for several minutes, finding the trapdoor, lowering himself into the darkness.
A candle is at his side, and Justin reaches for the brightly glowing light confused, "Where are the glowing pumpkins?"
A hissing voice exclaims, "Follow the lighted path to the pumpkins."
Justin loses his balance tripping over his shoelace, and out of his trance like state. Shaking his head, he stands slowly, hearing a voice command.
"Follow me, and you will find your glowing pumpkins!"
"Trace," Justin questions, but gets no answer. "I am getting tired, and want to go home." Still no response. "Trace, I..I..I.. mean it. I know I have played some tricks on you, and I am sorry, but I want this night to end."
"Going home is not an option. It is going to be a long, long night, and so you must conserve your energy. We would not want you falling asleep, in the midst of this nightmare. You may never wake up," the Ghoul taunts. "Look at the candle in the corner. I know you want too. You need to see the glowing pumpkins, Justin."
Justin keeps his head down, "No way! Give me my friends!"
The ghoul snickers, "They are your friends, and are all waiting for you to join them! Do not disappoint them."
Refusing to adhere to the creature, Justin stands still, feeling a cold chill run through his body, as he hears a voice inside his head, "You will go see the pumpkins. You must listen to this voice, and do as I say. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE CANDLE! THE CANDLE WILL GUIDE YOU TO YOUR FRIENDS, JUSTIN."
Like a Zombie, Justin drifts through the crypt, heavily in a deep hypnotic state.
Stopping in front of the glowing pumpkins, He sits down on the ground, waiting patiently for his next cue. His arms fall at his sides, making contact with a grave.
He stares blankly at a spinning circle, going deeper into trance. He repeats what the evil voice tells him, "I am your pumpkin," as his eyelids become droopy. "I am from your pumpkin patch," he mumbles.
His mind wanders, as sleep overcomes him. The ghoul places him into a wagon.
A figure steps in front of him. She is dressed all in black, with a veil over her eyes."I am here repaying a favor."
"For what?" he asks.
"You risked your life for me." it explains." Taking his clammy hands she whispers, "We are running out of time. The transformation has started."
Stiffening of his joints cause him to move slowly through the burial ground. Extending his arms he moans at the prickly sensations running through them.
His cries turn to mumbles, disappearing into the night.
Stopping at the pumpkin patch he plops to the ground, feeling heavy, and stuffed. Rolling to the warmest side he attempts to run his hands along his frame, but his arms will not seem to allow it. He grumbles having the urge to move his hands in an upright position, and there is some sort of pressure on his head.
The few colors he can make out are blending together, getting lighter, but he can still roll, and with that maybe he can escape this creature's clutches.
He believes, he can break the spell, if he can get away. The touch of cold hands against his frame, causes him chill bumps. A weird sensation runs through him, as he is cut from the pumpkin patch, and the creeper brings him to be with his friends.
The glowing pumpkins scare him, though he cannot make out their faces. Everything is confusing, as thoughts run through his mind, and he hears the pumpkins talking, but cannot quite understand them.
He seems to be in a transiting stage, stuck between two different forms. The ghoul shows him a glowing pumpkin. It is blurry, and warm against him. It makes him feel strange, and he is able to see things again, but not like before. Everything is bright, and something cold is underneath him, some sort of table, as he rolls to the side, noting he has gained weight, making movement difficult.
Something pokes him, and he sighs, as the creature pulls at his stem, and vine. He smiles thrilled that he has not been fully disconnected from the vines. He communicates to the limb to get away from the ghoul's clutches, but she will not allow it.
She rubs his surface with her cold hands, and he begins to think of a long sleep, turning a deeper orange.
With his world getting fuzzier, and an odd sensation in his side arouses him to roll on his side onto a cool rubbery smooth surface.
Chanting voices yell, "You must save us, and she shall help you for your good deeds."
A soft moan escapes from him at the sudden tingly wet feeling.
"He is ready for display," he hears the ghoulish creature snicker, as he argues with the female.
"He is still moving," she points out.
"It is just a reaction to the spray. His exterior is stiff, and his breathing has slowed dramatically, as he goes into a deep sleep. He will awake, and it will be too late. Maybe next year somebody will figure how to stop me from living off these foolish individuals."
Chapter 6: A Soft Spot
On display, Justin sighs helplessly, as he feels the touch of human hands, "A soft spot," he listens to the human tell their friends, "he's no good with that marking."
Warmness surrounds his inner core, as slight pressure on his insides occur, and he finds a way to roll on his side, as fingers grasp his plump frame. "I'll get you down, before you cause more trouble," she tells him. "The ghoul must be tricked, by looking into his glowing pumpkins, which will reverse, and release all the lost souls. You have not given up, so he may not have your soul, only your body is in his possession."
He wonders how his soul is captured, as the candle burns inside of him, and his eyes flicker in the darkness. Being in the middle of all the pumpkins fear sets into him. He is much larger than the others, stronger willed, and the only jack-o-lantern with a soft spot.
With the dimming of the candle inside, he grows weary, awaiting the ghoul.
The sound of a lighter sends a shiver through his core, and his eyes lighten with fiery glow, as if the Devil has control of him.
"Look at me," he shouts angrily, but the ghoul refuses Justin's proposal. Feeling a strength surge through him, he lunges forward, knocking the ghoul to his knees.
"This has never happened before," he stammers. "This boy is different, and must be stopped."
He is no match for Justin, as he watches the young man bounce about like a crazed basketball.
He falls victim to the burning light, as silence, and a sense of peace fill the air.
"Their souls are free," The good Spirit informs him.
"But what about our bodies?" he questions.
"Some will return others will not," she replies.
"And mine?" he asks.
"Oh your day shall come to be human, after your much needed sleep," she says rubbing his outer layer with lubricant to protect it from rotting. "You're going to start to feel nice and cozy," she says.
He falls asleep waking in human form, but with the mind set of a plant temporarily, or maybe not!? You never really can tell whose being a good ghoul and whose being a bad ghoul, and perhaps there was only one to begin with!?
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