Arriving at the school gymnasium for the night’s special Halloween dance, David, dressed as a 50’s greaser, opened the door and held it for Chelsea. Dressed as his quintessential squeeze complete with pigtails and bobby socks, Chelsea peered through the door first. It opened to a dimly lit corridor, only large enough for two to enter at a time. As they stepped over the threshold, a fork of lightning flashed in front of them, followed by an immediate crash of thunder. They both jumped at the unexpected explosion of light and sound.
“Ha ha ha ha. Everyone is jumping”, Jeremy cackled to their right. “We’ve worked with the physics department all summer to have some real special surprises for this years Halloween dance. Prepare to have your mind blown”.
As they pushed through the blacked-out gymnasium doors, they were amazed. The gym had been transformed into a collection of scenes from classic horror and science fiction films. The walls sported movie posters illuminated by a dim side spotlight setup to force shadows. David noticed “The Fly” by Cronenburg, The original “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, Stephen King’s “Silver Bullet”, and then that classic, “Creature from the Black Lagoon”. Next to that a stage cleverly simulating a swamp had been constructed at the back of the room where the band was set up. A fog machine and green footlights gave off an eerie feel and blacklights on either side added effect with their dull violet glow causing all the lighter colors to mingle and darkly radiate.
On the right wall behind the bleachers, a large full moon was projected. Silhouettes of leafless trees were painted under it with grave markers scattered at the bottom of their trunks. Chelsea took a step closer to the stage, “a ooooooo”, a wolf’s howl let loose.
“Dave, this is sooo cool, I wonder what that is?” She pointed to a tall narrow structure in the center of the room, covered by a drape.
“We’ll probably know soon enough, it looks like they’re ready to start”. Indeed, the band was taking the stage now, they were all dressed reminiscent of the late 70s band, KISS. The room had filled with people garbed in a broad range of costumes.
A spotlight beamed brilliantly center stage to an empty microphone. The band’s snare drum sounded out a drum roll. Jeremy ran up the stairs dressed as Dracula, his cape flowing out behind him approaching the mic. “Good eeeveening, everyone. And welcome to the grandest Barnswallow dance ever!!” At that moment a number of projectors came to life. Classic monster movies began flickering on the wall opposite the posters they had encountered when they first came in. “We have a number of surprises planned for the evening, so let’s get started”. With that he pulled on a cord suspended over the microphone.
The drape in the center of the room dropped to the floor. Released from its ceiling attachment, it drifted down and over a chain security rail to form a ruffled skirt at the base of the tower. There was a large hum and an arcing noise. The room lights flickered briefly as giant arcs of electricity shot off the top of a huge Tesla coil while other colored lights were flashing on and off at its base. A medium sized Jacob’s Ladder issued continuous electrical arcs that climbed wires reaching outward from its housing. A theremin begin to sing in the background.
Then, the band began to play. People were dancing vigorously on the main floor while the band played their favorite tunes. The non-dancers were hanging out at the food and punch table, talking and joking. With no disturbance in the crowd, chaperones were chilling and enjoying themselves as well. After about an hour, the band took a break, and a recorded playlist started pumping up the crowd with “The Cupid Shuffle”. The dance floor filled with participants: Greasers, monsters, space aliens, classic characters, and unidentifiable creations to boot. One kid even keenly wore an orange tee shirt emblazoned with the words, “This is my Halloween costume!” Every genre of film and story was represented. In the background the shuffle still played, “to the left, to the left…”
Chelsea giggled with excitement. “Dave, thanks for convincing me to come. This is more fun than I’ve ever had at a school dance. You’re the best! I wonder what Jeremy has planned next. ”
Chelsea didn’t have to wait long. The lights flickered again and the Jacob’s ladder started to send arcs up its wires at a quickly intensifying rate. The center of the Tesla coil glowed purple and a dramatic blue. A huge “keerack” sounded and a large arc shot across the room striking the refreshments table and setting it on fire. Chelsea screamed, “Jeremy turn it off, do something!”
“I’m trying.” Jeremy was on the stage madly throwing the power switch to the electric menace on the floor to no effect. Another “keerack” and a second arc struck the microphone stand on stage throwing Jeremy to the floor below. At the same time a blue wave of electricity was skittering across the stage. Suddenly sparks starting shooting out all of the amplifiers and equipment on stage. The lights went out but the tesla coil continued to pulse and arc.
Like birthday party streamers, electricity (like flares) was shooting out in all directions. Crouching under the welcome table, Brendan got up and started to run towards the doors. A giant arc peeled off the coil and like a magnet flew in his direction. Striking him, he was thrown into the air and crashed into the gym’s entrance doors which did not budge. His form laid motionless on the floor. Then, Bridget let out a blood-curdling scream. The hairs on her body began raising. She felt a dynamic pull towards the electric monster in the center of the room. She flailed but it’s force became stronger dragging her towards the electric monster.
Directly over the tesla coil, a cloud- like apparition appeared. Energy seemed to be flowing from this phantom directly to the electric arcs so that they were converging midair. A visage with glowing eyes appeared within the mist. “Bwa haa haa haaaa”, you can’t escape. I have control now. You shall all feel the wrath of Chthulu. No one gets out alive tonight.”
Another arc of electricity streaked across the room striking Dave in the chest. His body jolted momentarily then he fell to the floor lifeless. Chelsea screamed…
Chelsea sat up, she was in her room, heart racing, covered in sweat and shaking. Reaching for her phone she hit Dave’s number. It rang three times then Dave picked up groggily, “Hello, Geez Chels, its 3 in the morning. What’s going on?”
“You’re okay right?”
“Of course.
“Good”
“Chels you’re not making sense. “
“You know the school dance that Jeremy has been working so hard for tomorrow night?”
“Sure, you’ve been after me all week to finish our costumes.”
“I’m thinking we’ll stay here and hand out candy instead.”
.
“Huh. What changed your mind?”
“Let’s just call it a bit of women’s intuition.”
Leave comments or feedback here –>
(c) 2019 Trell Waindah, All Rights Reserved