The Monster Mash

Halloween. Trick and Treaters, funny costumes, summoning of evil spirits in the woods, and not to mention, parties. A day of make-believe...

Brandon Wilde, 29, a young Attorney, obviously had plans of his own. He was a big partier on special occasions, especially Halloween. His girlfriend, Jana, though not a party animal like Brandon, enjoyed the festivities Halloween had to offer. Most of all, she loved how her and Brandon could be whatever or whomever they wanted just for one special day. 

The Lunar Eclipse, which was the name of the club Brandon and Jana had frequently gone to, was holding their 7th Annual Halloween Masquerade Party. Brandon and Jana decided since they were officially a couple, that they should wear a complimentary costume for couples. Jana would go as Bonnie and Brandon would go as Clyde. Both with fake guns and a lot of counterfeit cash. 

It was 9 P.M. and the line for The Lunar Eclipse's Masquerade Party wasn't as long, but it looked as though a good majority of people from neighboring towns showed up. My were their costumes interesting. One woman came dressed up as Elvira. One man came dressed as the zombie from Michael Jackson's Thriller. Typical costumes. Brandon wasn't paying much attention to the people though. Him and Jana were standing on line and conversing among themselves alone. Brandon was looking forward to ruling the dance floor. However, Jana's mood seemed adrift. She seemed rather uninterested all of a sudden. "What's wrong honey?", Brandon asked concerned. "You seem nervous all of a sudden. Why, do you see someone on line that you may recognize?" The doorman was now letting people in and the line kept dwindling. Jana seemed further away from the partying mood and Brandon could not figure out why. He lost sight of the line and seemed more concerned about Jana. "I'm fine baby, don't worry. Let's get stamped and go in huh?", Jana replied defensively. 

Drinks, shots, music, and a D.J. Frankenstein. Elvira, Count Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, you name it. They were all there at this Halloween bash. Brandon was surprised that there were maybe close to 70 people there tonight. Not even. Maybe this party wasn't promoted right. The Lunar Eclipse never had "dead" nights. But people were having a good time. So should Brandon. But Jana disappeared. Not in the Ladies Room. Not by the bar. Not on the dance floor. Nowhere in sight. Ah, the party pooper that she is. Brandon walks over to the bar and asks the Bartender to serve him a Scotch. Then a man dressed as The Angel Of Death, walks over and takes a seat besides Brandon. "Slow night for Halloween huh?. My girlfriend is nowhere to be found. She probably walked home. I don't have a Bonnie to my Clyde", Brandon lamented to The "Angel Of Death" while downing his Scotch. "Ah, don't worry about her Brandon. She will be just fine", the gravel voice replied. "Besides, this particular party is not meant for her right now." Brandon nodded his head slightly but then looked over hastily to The"Angel of Death". How does he know my name? And why does that voice sound so familiar? Brandon guzzled his Scotch then asked for another one. Across the bar, Brandon saw a woman dressed as a 1920's Flapper Girl. She was laughing and getting drunk with two other men. Hey, I know her. That is Susan Mann. But wait. Didn't she die? From a boating accident? That was two years ago? Now I know I am not drunk but... Brandon looked around. Then he saw Steven McCain. He was dressed as "The Mummy". Well isn't this interesting... Steven McCain was one of the town's most well respected Firemen. But he was.. Not now.. Steven McCain died of a heart attack 8 months ago? And he was dead, the town had a memorial service and my parents went to his funeral...

All of a sudden, Brandon felt uneasy. He looked around and saw familiar faces from his town and the neighboring ones. He saw Diane Rome who was dressed as The Wicked Witch of The West. But she was dead too. She was sick and passed away a year ago. Come to think of it..everybody at this party is dead...

Lunar Eclipse has a Dead Night...

D.J. Frankenstein plays The Monster Mash.... All the monsters are out dancing tonight.. Tonight on Halloween..

Brandon ran straight to the Men's Room and started to hyperventilate. He knew he was not that drunk. So how could he be imagining dead people at this Halloween party? He was surrounded by nothing but dead people. Jana just left him stranded at the club and he longed for her. He didn't even want to go to the bar to drink it off completely. He just wanted to leave. The"Angel of Death" walked into the Men's Room. Brandon looked at him. Scared yet unable to run away. The "Angel of Death" touched Brandon's arm gently with no intent to harm him whatsoever. "No need to fear Brandon. No need to fear at all. You are home now. This wasn't meant to be a Halloween party per se. It is more like a Welcome Home party. And Brandon, that is exactly where you are." All of a sudden, Brandon felt calm. At peace. Nothing could hurt him whatsoever. I think now I am really smashed... Brandon passed out on the bathroom floor... 

5 A.M. on November 1st., with a hint of daylight in a purple sky, the police and ambulance close off St. Joseph's lane, the same street The Lunar Eclipse was located. There was a head on collision between a Toyota Camry and a Nissan Sentra. The driver of The Nissan Sentra was injured pretty bad but was in stable condition. The driver of the Toyota Camry did not make it however. The body was identified as that of Brandon Wilde. He was apparently killed in a vehicular accident on Halloween night. 

Fictional Story Written By Zainab Ali