GAME ENTRY 2 // "THE HALLOWE'EN FESTIVAL" // OCT 29 - NOV 4, 2007
The big day finally arrived, the Halloween festival has came to town, and the entire town is involved in it. Traffic has been closed down in the middle of town, the location where the greatest part of the celebration will occur. There are few businesses open, as no one would bother to try to shop at this point. A live local band has been brought ( Read more... )
"Oh," Anne replied hesitantly. "You mean she didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"She's spending the evening with the McGuffins. They've got this whole thing they do at the church. You know games, prizes, stuff for kids. Most of Stephie's friends are going..."
"Ah."
There wasn't much else I could say. Anne of course would be enjoying the festival like the rest of the town, and I didn't need to ask with who. I already knew.
"How about you? You do have other plans?"
"Oh, sure, sure. Actually I've got this one thing, now that I think about it, so really it works out better this way. It's fine."
I make it sound fine and we say our goodbyes. The rest of the morning goes by blandly. There's no work to be done. It's a half-day for the festival, leaving the students plenty of time to go home and get their costumes. They're all antsy with excitement and when the final bell rings the building empties in a blink. Even the staff are quick to pack their things and hurry home. On his way out, Clark stops by to ask me to wish him luck with his date and so I do.
For my part, there is no hurry. I have no 'thing', of course, unless you want to count a hotplate dinner and rental movie at the Motel. So I linger at the school, putting grades into the computer and running copies for assignments later this week. Mrs. Ravick and some of the other teachers hung orange and black crepe paper in the halls, giving the place a genuinely spooky ambiance. The janitors are busy pulling it down as I lock up and head out to the desolate parking lot.
When I place my key in the ignition, the engine growls but doesn't start. I yank it a few more times. Nothing.
For a brief second, a rage descends over me, as though I'd like to scream at the top my lungs and smash the windows in. Just smash them. How close I come to actually doing it I honestly don't know. The rage passes almost instantly as I spy someone else exiting the building.
Ms. Terry. The woman from the class next door. I sigh inwardly.
I'm going to have to ask her for a ride.
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