Today marked the most spine-chilling day of the year—Halloween. It was the season when ordinary people changed into fantastical characters or diabolical fiends, parading through the streets in elaborate costumes while radiating an infectious sense of mischievous delight.
For the Making Friend Club, this particular evening offered the ultimate chance to push our bravery to the edge.
"Hurry up, slow-pokes!" Airya's voice sliced through the eerie quiet of the darkened forest like a knife. Each confident stride she took was deliberate, her black latex ensemble glimmering in the night. The skin-tight material clung to her form as if it were woven from shadows themselves, accentuating her every move.
"Don't walk so fast, or you'll get lost in the dark!" Tatsu cautioned her, his deep voice reverberating off the ancient trees surrounding us. He resembled a nightmarish fusion of a B-movie Frankenstein and the beloved 80s Hulk series. His ripped shirt and tattered shorts were splattered with vivid green paint, further accentuating his muscular frame and projecting an imposing presence.
"Why are we even doing this?" Mai's voice trembled with unease, barely more than a whisper against the backdrop of rustling leaves. She hovered a few steps behind Tatsu, her shoulders hunched in trepidation, as though bracing for an unexpected fright lurking in the shadows.
Adorned in a dazzlingly vibrant purple magical girl costume, she clutched her wand with a white-knuckled grip. Her wide, glistening eyes darted anxiously around the gnarled trees, as if she anticipated something sinister to leap out at any moment.
Trailing behind Mai, I found myself alongside Kei. I sported a peculiar mishmash of styles—an ominous hockey mask perched precariously on one side of my head, complemented by a ragged red cape and a pair of bloodied fangs protruding from my mouth.
Unable to choose between portraying a menacing hockey slasher or a lurking vampire, I had combined both themes into a chaotic and bizarre costume that left me feeling simultaneously terrifying and ridiculous.
And then there was Kei…
"Can I just say something?" Airya interjected, her gaze locking onto Kei with a critical yet fascinated glint as we stood frozen within the thick, shadow-drenched heart of the forest. "You really take Halloween seriously; I have to say, Kei! Your Gothic Supergirl is giving me chills!"
As if she had stepped out from a realm of dark enchantments, Kei emerged from the shadows in her signature goth attire—a striking juxtaposition of elegance and edge that momentarily left our group speechless. I merely observed, keenly aware of the intrigue in the air as Kei raised an eyebrow, her expression a delightful mix of amusement and bewilderment at Airya's exuberant praise.
"I have to agree with Airya," Mai added, her face softening as she visibly relaxed a bit. "Of all of us, Kei absolutely dedicated the most effort into her costume, and it shows!"
Tatsu let out a nervous chuckle, attempting to alleviate the slight tension in the air while shifting his gaze away from Kei, his cheeks tinged with pink.
"I have to admit, I wasn't sure what kind of costumes everyone would wear, but Kei really did outshine the rest of us, huh?" He rubbed the back of his neck, inadvertently smearing the green paint across his hands, setting off a chain reaction of chaos as he grimaced and tried to wipe the paint off his shorts, creating a smudge.
"Well, whatever! I think we all look incredible!" Airya declared with a spirited enthusiasm that sparkled against the foreboding atmosphere surrounding us, effortlessly lifting the veil of tension as we prepared to embrace the night ahead.
"So what exactly are we doing out here?" I inquire, my voice barely rising above the eerie stillness that envelops us. Shadows dance around like ghostly spectres, and my eyes flicker nervously across the jagged outlines of trees that loom ominously in the distance.
The air feels heavy and electric, charged with an indefinable energy that sends a shiver racing down my spine.
"That's simple! We're here to conquer the Test of Courage!" Airya declares with fiery enthusiasm, her figure clad in form-fitting latex. She strikes a dramatic pose, hands planted confidently on her hips, her mischievous grin illuminating her striking features.
The glint in her eyes hints at a playful danger, and I can practically feel the challenge pulsating in the cold air. "I wonder who among us will end up being the scaredy-cats!"
With a quiver in her voice, Mai timidly raises her hand, her eyes wide with vulnerability. A mix of dread and hope streaks across her face. "If I admit I'm a scaredy-cat now, do I get a free pass out of this trial?" There's a pleading note in her voice, a stark contrast to the bravado exuded by Airya, and I can see her stifled fear lurking just beneath the surface.
Airya shakes her head, her laughter spilling into the heavy atmosphere like a sudden gust of wind, harsh and unyielding. "Nope." The single word bursts forth, puncturing the fragile bubble of courage we were trying to maintain and amplifying Mai's palpable sense of dread.
I feel a surge of sympathy for Mai; she seems to sag under the weight of apprehension, her small frame huddled like a wilting flower starved of sunlight. Airya feels like the conductor of this dark symphony, orchestrating a performance of anxiety as we all play our parts.
"Don't worry, Mai! Stay close to me, and I'll protect you!" Tatsu boasts, a broad grin plastered across his face, oozing a misguided sense of heroism. He strikes an awkward pose, puffing out his chest.
Airya rolls her eyes with an unimpressed scoff. "How can you protect everyone from a ghost that can phase through things?" she retorts, her voice sharp as a dagger slicing through Tatsu's facade of confidence.
His bravado visibly falters, his brain scrambling for a suitable response, only to stumble into the realization that he lacks any ghost-busting strategy. "Uh…" he mutters, hanging awkwardly in the tense silence.
On the ground, Mai sits crumpled and defeated, her shoulders slumped as if they bore the weight of the world. She stares blankly at the rough, unforgiving dirt beneath her, her spirit dimming with despair. "It's over; we're doomed." she murmurs, her voice a soft echo of hopelessness—an incantation crafted to soothe her troubled heart.
A sudden impulse rises within me, compelling me to comfort Mai, but before I can gather my courage, Kei glides gracefully over to her, kneeling beside the trembling girl with a silent kind of assurance. My breath hitches as I witness the calming presence of Kei enveloping Mai like a soft, protective cloak, a balm against the chilling fear that writhes around us.
With a gentle yet firm hand, Kei rests her palm on Mai's shoulders, drawing her attention with a steady gaze. Their eyes lock, and in that poignant moment, Kei's voice drops to a serious whisper, laced with an unsettling depth. "You'll be okay, Mai; ghosts always go after the popular ones first." Her head tilts slightly toward Airya, a wicked smile curling at the corners of her lips, a spark of playful menace in her expression. "Right, Airya?"
The weight of her words lingers heavily in the atmosphere, and I watch as Airya instinctively takes a small step back, her bravado swiftly slipping away. Nervous laughter erupts from her lips, a hand flying toward her mouth as if to stifle her unease. "Pfft, good one, Kei! Everyone knows ghosts aren't even real!"
"Says the one who just warned us I couldn't beat a ghost." Tatsu fires back, the banter layered with a subtle tension.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the trees, sending a shiver through the canopy of leaves and creating a chilling sound that eerily mimicked a ghoulish wail.
The harsh rustling sent a sharp jolt of fear through Airya, causing her to leap in surprise, her heart racing as she spun around, eyes darting through the encroaching shadows for the source of the unsettling noise.
Mai clung tightly to Kei as though seeking refuge, her voice a mere whisper of panic as she squeaked, an involuntary 'eep,' before squeezing her eyes shut, the raw terror etched on her delicate features.
Tatsu, taken aback by the sudden disturbance, instinctively shifted into a clumsy combat stance, arms awkwardly raised and posture lacking the confidence of someone seasoned in confrontation. In stark contrast, Kei kneeled eerily still, the furrow deepening on her brow as she felt the uncomfortable presence of something pressing against her back.
In the chaos, I ducked instinctively, scrambling behind Kei as if driven by primal instinct. It wasn't until I opened my eyes that I realized just how closely we were positioned, her astonished auburn gaze capturing my attention, mere inches from my face. We locked eyes for a fleeting heartbeat, a rush of warmth spreading through me before she glanced away, breaking the moment as I sheepishly straightened up, an embarrassed blush creeping along my cheeks.
"That was just the wind. Obviously," Airya asserted, her voice a mix of unsteady laughter and nerves as she turned to face us, her wide eyes betraying her uncertainty. Her eyebrows shot up in suspision at the sight of our huddled forms. "What are you guys doing?"
Before we could respond, our collective gaze flicked back to her and, in unison, we shifted our focus to the shadowy figure that loomed ominously behind her, draped in darkness and radiating an unsettling aura.
A wave of horror washed over our faces, though Kei remained hauntingly calm, an enigma amidst the rising panic.
"G-g-g-gh-" Mai stuttered, her finger shaking uncontrollably as she pointed toward the unsuspecting Airya, blissfully ignorant of the danger that was dangerously close.
"Gorgeous? Yes, I know I am." the latex clad girl proclaimed with bold confidence, striking an exaggerated pose that suddenly took a precarious turn as she collided unceremoniously with something solid behind her.
In an instant, the bravado drained from her, the realization freezing her in place, and shivers danced along her spine. Panic ignited in her wide eyes as she questioned, "T-there's nothing but a tree behind me... right, guys?" Her voice trembled, desperately attempting to mask the fear simmering just below the surface.
In a frenzy, we shook our heads so vigorously that we feared for our necks twisting and snapping off. Kei, however, maintained her slow, measured nod, her expression inscrutable, a mask of calmness amidst the chaos.
With trepidation, Airya turned to confront the gaunt figure draped in flowing white, its long, ghostly hair cascading down its back, shrouding whatever horrors might lie beneath its ominous exterior.
The moment their eyes met, Airya let out a piercing scream, a sound so loud it could shatter glass, her instincts kicking in as she bolted down the hill, feet pounding against the ground, her frantic shout echoing through the trees, "Every person for themselves!"
We followed her desperate movements with wide eyes, watching as she vanished from sight. With a swift sense of dread, we turned back to the figure that was now steadily advancing, its shuffling gait deliberate and menacing, sending fresh waves of terror coursing through us, a chilling reminder that we were not alone in the grove.
Mai's body sags forward, her head drooping at an unnatural angle while her eyes roll back, exposing the stark. A thin stream of frothy bubbles escapes her lips, a chilling indication of her spirit's departure, leaving her motionless and fragile in Kei's trembling embrace.
"Mai!" Kei screams, her voice brittle with panic. She grips the magical girl's delicate frame tightly, shaking her with reverence , her pleas echoing in the air as she implores Mai to awaken from her unresponsive state.
The ominous figure materializes from the shadows, its towering silhouette stretching menacingly across the ground like a predator stalking its prey. An icy shiver runs down my spine, igniting an overwhelming impulse to flee. Yet, as I glance at Kei, tenderly cradling Mai—who appears as fragile as a porcelain doll—I recognize that retreating now would be a cowardly betrayal.
"You can do this/" I whisper firmly to myself, my heart racing in sync with my burgeoning courage. I steel myself, positioning my body in front of Kei and Mai, resolved to confront the encroaching threat.
But just as determination surges within me, a wave of panic washes over, and my legs succumb to fear, buckling beneath me. I crash to my knees, the rough ground grazing against my skin as a choked sound barely escapes my lips, "Wh-."
"Mai, please!" Kei implores once more, her facial expression holding annoyance as she shakes the unconscious girl, desperation radiating from her every gesture. Meanwhile, the figure advances closer, an apex predator lurking on the brink of striking.
What are we going to do?! I can't even move! Kei is lost in her frantic worry for Mai, and Tatsu—
Just as the thought of Tatsu flickers through my mind, he steps forward, positioning himself in front of Kei, serving as a makeshift shield between her, Mai, and the encroaching menace. With his arms extended wide and an expression crafted from forced bravado, he faces the looming figure, though I can detect the tremor in his voice, betraying his uncertainty.
"I won't let you harm them!" Tatsu cries out defiantly, but doubt seeps into his tone, leaving his legs quaking as panic begins to erode his façade.
"Don't come any closer!" he shouts, his voice straining against the oppressive air, shutting his eyes tightly as if to will the terrifying figure to retreat. He holds his breath, a thick tension enveloping us like a heavy shroud.
I squeeze my eyes shut, my heart racing, unwilling to witness the horror that might unfold before me.
Time seems to stand still in that moment, the world collectively holding its breath, and then—
"Are you guys lost?" A new voice shatters the tense silence.
I blink my eyes open, startled, and find that the ominous figure has inexplicably vanished. Turning toward the source of the voice, I see a young man striding forward, a flashlight cutting through the suffocating darkness, its glow illuminating the fear carved into our expressions.
Tatsu releases the breath he'd been holding, collapsing onto the ground with a heavy thud, his palms pressing against the earth as relief floods his features, washing away the tension.
Kei's gaze remains fixed on the spot where the menacing figure once loomed, confusion clouding her expression, an unspoken question hanging in the air.
I can hardly grasp what has just unfolded around us, but somehow we have been miraculously saved.
***
After that heart-pounding encounter with the supernatural, we had come to a mutual decision to part ways, once Mai had awoken. The chilling events of the night replayed in my mind. Beside me, Kei walked in silence, her presence a mix of comfort.
"Was it truly a ghost?" I mused aloud, my voice barely louder than a whisper that seemed to dissipate into the night air. I shook my head vigorously as if I could physically dislodge the unsettling thought. "The more I think about it, the harder it is to accept what we saw."
"It was real." Kei responded with an unwavering tone, though the intensity in her gaze sparkled with an unsettling familiarity that made my heart race.
I turned to her, my eyes wide with terror as I desperately searched her face for some semblance of reassurance, some hint that it had all been a figment of our overactive imaginations. But in that moment, she reached into her pocket, her fingers fumbling and hesitating before she revealed a small bounty—a handful of treasures wrapped in vibrant, shiny paper.
There were five pieces of candy, each glistening under the soft, flickering glow of the streetlights like jewels in the night.
"It seems they wanted to gift us this." She shrugged.
I couldn't shake the vivid image she had painted during the unsettling experience—how she had witnessed the ghost dissolve into the night air like wisps of vapor, its mysterious smile lingering in the darkness as candy scattered around its once visible form.
The young man that had appeared with a flashlight must have spooked the ghost.
As I stared at the colorful wrappers resting in the warmth of her palm, a surreal thought crept uninvited into my mind. Perhaps even the spirits of the night have their own quirky way of celebrating Halloween.