2019-10-31 - Masquerade: Elm St.'s Lost Trick or Treater

Kelsey was getting ready to go out of town. Well. She was supposed to be out of town a few days ago...but, well. She'd been having a rough time of it and there was a couple men named Jack and Morgan and a woman named Mary Jane who'd been keeping her busy. Tonight was Halloween though and she used to fucking love Halloween. So she figured she'd walk around some and check out the costumes people had on. She figured she could try and enjoy it with a clear head.

She was clad in a pair of torn jeans and a well-worn AC/DC T-shirt. If anyone happened to ask about her 'costume' she'd just say, "I'm a groupie, clearly." She was working on a cigarette as she walked, drawing nearer to the house where the Superman kid was knocking. She figured

Julia's mother is sitting inside, comfortably snug next to the well decorated window while Julia herself sits on the front porch in a her Dark Phoenix costume. Red and gold, with golden thigh high boots and epic heels, a shawl thrown over her bodysuit. Her red wig flows down her shoulders and back, and as she sits in a chair with a bowl of wrapped sugar skulls ready for dispersal.

Some people like trick or treaters, some hate it. Some are worried about the ones people prey on during this particular night. A massive, gray and green, pick-up truck rolls slowly.
No radio is playing, the ember on a smoke dangling from the corner of his mouth flares as he takes a drag. The window being half down, the Cemetery caretaker keeps an eye out, patrolling up and down the blocks, now on elm-street, Thewlis has his eyelids peeled. Looking for tell-tale types. The ones focused on a kid, that don't move like parents. Mouth drawn in a savage frown as something makes his twitch and hunch a moment.

Nicole is wearing her custom made by Dylan 'Rink' Osborne gossamer fairy wings as she walks with Joey and the little alligator bat dino. She doesn't have on her full Hair Fairy costume, but with the wings, she has fabulous hair and is wearing her tights with the scissors up the side along with black combat boots, her black leather jacket and the fairy dress (made of blue velvet and ruffles). Intermittently, she talks with Joey or teases Jessie about wanting to steal her candy. She watches carefully as the little girl goes up the walk to the doors of neighbors, smiling as she hears all the tiny trick or treaters. "You know. I forgot how magical this night could feel as a kid," she says aside to Joey. Probably because not much about her childhood was magical.

Kass can be found drifting around the street looking like a giant kid herself. Wearing a black bodysuit airbrushed with a glow-in-the-dark skeleton and a face painted up like a Mexican sugar skull, she has on e neon green Chuck Taylors and carries a cheap plastic orange bucket filled with candy. Instead of trick-or-treating, however, she's handing out candy like she got things mixed up and is celebrating Halloween backwards. She smiles at the kids, greets parents/caretakers, and generally just tries to add to the lively atmosphere, cavorting about with all ehr glow-in-the-dark-ness.

It's called checking the candy for the kids and it's a safety precaution so that kids know the parents care about keeping them safe! That's what Lyric's mom had claimed at least. Lyric is sitting on her porch, she's dressed like an angel with wings, but this time she's got a tutu on with her costume. She's seated on the steps and has a bowl of candy as she watches the kids come and go, eating cotton candy between each of the little people coming up.

Julia lifts a hand in greeting to Joey and Nicole from her seat on the Velez family porch. "Hey, bring your little dino up here for some candy!" she calls out cheerfully.

Halloween isn't typically a favorite of Rusty Caldwell's. This is his first holiday home after being....away. And his intention was to stay in and livestream and turn out the effin lights. But he made a different choice. He has gone out. The trailer park resident has taken his candy out onto Elm. He's dressed up in 80s thrift and a backpack. Stranger Things. It was easy enough. Since he is kinda just handing it out on the street, he is very friendly and clear about who he is and let's the kids pick out something from his backpack while shining a nice bright flashlight to ease the parents.

Kelsey gives Thewlis a quirked eyebrow, taking another drag off her cigarette. Heavily debating on asking the dude if he has any candy. But also he definitely didn't look like the sort you wanted to mess around with. Still...tempting. But she remains good! And doesn't. Good job Sober Kelsey. Even though she's lived on Elm for a year, she really doesn't know any of her neighbors - so at least she's getting to see some faces. Everyone's got some pretty neat costumes, kids and adults a like. She doesn't want to be that one weird adult that goes 'trick or treating' especially not even properly being in costume - but there's a dude handing out candy on the street! So, why not?

She puts out her cigarette on her jeans and slips the butt into her pocket as she approaches Rusty. "Whatcha givin' out?"

Joey actually, on closer look has his hair up in a short pompadour with his jeans, boots and leather jacket. He wears this all the time. The hair, though, makes his a easy-costume Danny Zuko. Yeah yeah yeah he knows musicals, stahp. he tells Nicole with a relaxed agreement, "Yeah, I mean, I live through her tiny Chuck Taylors all the time. Wait til turkey time." Jesse does what kids do seeing Latina Jean Gray and goes darting over there and makes it about 4' before coming to a halt that is perhaps not her own. Joey doesn't make a move to grab her, not by hand because she stops no further than the curb.

A hand goes up to wave to Thewlis in a hey but to let him know there's a tator tot crossing too. "Hey man." Looking over he waves, "Okay look and then go. Yeah you can go see Miss Julia, and if you don't thank them what's gonna happen?" The kid sighs, "Gotsta mow their lawn." He pauses and shrugs, "Prolly pull their weeds. Go on."

The little superman walks past Rusty giving the 'big kid' a radius of caution but sees Kass and stops, "I like your shoes." He smiles and looks hesitant to walk over to Lyric but stops and puts one foot out and then another and holds his orange pumpkin out not yet saying trick-or-treat but looking around. Quietly he bites his lip and asks her, "Trick or... treat.... please."

"Thanks! I like your pumpkin!" Kass responds to the little Superman, tossing a Blow Pop from her bucket to his before capering on. She offers a small wave at the sight of Joey and Nicole, watching the little girl dashing forward before halting at the curb. She blinks, then grins, and keeps on moving along. Lyric gets a wave and a smile. Hi! Remember you! Rusty is unknown, but since he seems to be doing the same thing she is, Kass offers him a grin of greeting as well before scurrying along to cross the street and start working that side of Elm.

"Hi Superman! I've got everything by kryptonite so we're in luck tonight!" Lyric looks through the bowl, not a Kit Kat one in the bunch, but she finds a Butterfinger and a Snickers and holds both of them out to him, letting him chose or take both. "How about a treat then?" Watching the little kid and giving him an indulgent smile. She glances up briefly and smiles at Kass as she waits for the kid to decide.

"Wha?" Rusty blinks at Kelsey as if he's surprised someone saw him? Who knows? "Uh...just little bags of mixed candy. And everyone get a whole chocolate bar in there because...I'm nice?" He gestures towards the trailer park. I didn't want to just wait at the door. Maybe it's a little weird but...I wanted to help on a main street. I don't know." He shrugs and looks at the ground.

When Kelsey looks at him, Thewlis actually flinches, brow knitting, smoke bobbing as he frowns a little deeper, and expression like relief when he isn't approached, a short lived expression because some of the neighborhood kids approach the truck, making him quick snuff the smoke in the truck ashtray.
He doesn't look so afraid of the kids, brow raising and a slight smile as he lifts up and lowers out a small bucket with full size bars for kids to take, leaning his head out to speak to them.
"You kids staying where it's lit?"
"Yes Mr. Moore."
"No short cuts, keep together. Have fun ok?
"Yes Mr. Moore, thank you!" and off they goy while a sad sort of anxiety washes across him.

"Hey, Julia!" Nicole calls out, then starts walking up, holding the little dragon's hand, Joey on her other side. "If I say Trick or treat, do I get some candy too?" She smiles then stops with a gasp as Jesse stops abruptly at the curb, looking to Joey in a brief panic that quickly fades. She waves then to Kass when she spots her as well before looking up at Joey. "Nice tactic. Say thanks or do yardwork." Looking up and down the street, she waves to Rusty, a neighbor, as well, seeing Thewlis, Kelsey, and Lyric about too. "It's really nice to see people come out for the kids like this, you know? I just sat in my trailer last year... not many come by that way."

"Of course you do!" The glimmering child doesn't escape Julia's notice, and she lifts off the chair, picking up the bowl and heading toward Nicole and co.

"Well then, trick or treat." Kelsey muses, holding a hand out rather expectantly. Her attention drifts towards Kass, then Lyric, and the superman kid. "Maybe next year I'll have to actually put some effort into a costume." It's an idle thought. Though she does spot Joey and give him a wave. " 'Sup Kelly. You guys are looking good tonight." Offering a very brief, but bright smile to him, Nicole, and the younger girl. But then her gaze is drawn back to the superman kid. Brow furrowing- as if she was studying him. A thoughtful little noise escaping.

"Whatcha got?" Nicole asks to Julia, peeking into the bowl. "I could go for some skittles.' The Superman kid doesn't escape her notice. It's hard not to see him when others keep glancing his way. Her voice quiet, she asks, "is that kid out on his own? I mean, Ma shoved me out the door on my own too but... man.. Poor kid."

Superman passes within his sight and Thewlis's mouth pulls into a tight line. Watching the boy as he goes, brow knitting. Shifting in his seat he angles to keep the truck at pace, behind the boy, one hand on the wheel, the other on the door handle. So much around that boy, he instinctively begins looking around. Knowing he can't see Them... but if the boy is using unabated... he'll feel it, stormclouds in the back of the mind crackling with thunder. He keeps his candy bucket hung, his pace slow enough so that passing kids can nab a candybar in passing.

This is Lyric's first year living out of the trailer park. She's now officially a resident of Elm Street with the rest of her band and friends. Cole included! Recognizing many of the faces, she lifts a hand and waves to Nicole, Julia, Joey, Kass, Kelsey and the guys. Her attention falls back onto the kid and she gives him both candy bars into his bag. "Hey do you need me to walk with you so you don't have to be alone?" She's even preparing to stand up.

"Homemade sugar skulls." Julia says." Her family has been giving them out for years, and they're each sealed with a bit of bright paper and tied tight with ribbon. "Go ahead, and try one." Her gaze trails over to Superman. "Hey, Superman! You want a sugar skull?"

Joey is a bit proud of that one. "She learns a good life skill either way." He's focused on his own runt and also being the worst pile of human being filth on this street right now. That is to say he'd better be the low end of the bar or there's going to be 2 guys with some words for that asshole. Still Mr. Greased Lightening and tiny dino with princess hostage and Nicole go over and little Jesse goes "RAAAAAR! ...that's dragon for Trick or Treat. I'm practicing being bilingual like my uncle." It's at that Joey snorts, "I'm tellin your Unca Jaime you said that."

Little Superman is still standing there getting his candy from Lyric and looks nervous. She's an angel though and angels are nice right? RIGHT? He nods slowly and looks around nervous.

For the people not watching the child and are focused on the neighborhood something happens. The night is rolling in but the shadows on that skeletal tree get thicker and dark and all the lights BUT the porch lights and the jack-o-lanterns start going out house. by. house coming closer and closer and closer until it hits Lyric's house, then the next, then Julia's house and then a pause as the house across goes out and then the Kelly house on the end.

Tiny superman takes a step closer to Lyric.

Lyric doesn't move from her spot when the lights start going out. What she does do is put an arm around little Superman since he seemed so afraid. "Hey, everything will be fine. Another power flash they happen all the time it'll be okay. I have a lot of friends out here and we'll not let anything happen to you." She promises the kiddo, staying right by his side, an arm around him. "Don't go anywhere.."

Rolling his truck up, slowly still, Thewlis leans, the window down. His mouth opens, then shuts. People could hear, but... well... Hell with it,
"Young man! Superman!" Thewlis's voice actually cracks and he flinches back into the truck for a moment, looking around. He even ducks as if anticipated being struck before leaning his head out again, watching Lyric with the boy, he watches the kid move closer, and then the darkness sweeps.
"Damnit.... damnit damnit." he leans out his window, "Miss! Uhm. Boy. Escort? Do you see his parents? He's..." an adult. Crap. "I see no parents.... young... too young." his face screws up, rage filling up his eyes as he looks to the rear view mirror, rage at the eyes looking back, hands in a shaking grip on the wheel before he looks back out, clearly fighting to speak properly,
"That boy is walking alone... I think he lost... his parents."

"Ooh...sugar skulls! I forgot about these!" She smiles at the bit of nostalgia. Surely she had them as a kid from Julia's family. "Thank you so much." It is then the shadows grow and the lights start to go out. She doesn't react much just yet, other than to glance at Joey, then to Julia before glancing down towards Lyric's house. She does reach a hand out for Jessie though, fingers curling and uncurling until the young girl is close enough to touch. She doesn't squeeze, but rests her hand on her shoulder. She tries to not scare Jesse, trying to distract her. "Did you get a Sugar skull?"

Julia watches the lights go out, mouth curving into a frown. "Mierda." she mutters, perhaps opting for Spanish so Jesse doesn't understand her. "Folks have flashlights?" she calls out loudly.

Kelsey is tense, on alert as she catches sight of the shadows rolling in. God damnit. She leaves the house for one night and this shit happens. She digs out her lighter - trying to see if she can light it. Eyes darting around to see if there's any creatures in these shadows.

Kass whips her head all around as things start to go fucky on Elm Street. Cringing now, actively scurrying away from whatever seems to be happening, she makes a last second decision and bolts towards the clumping of Joey, Nicole, Julia, and the little girl. Safety in numbers, my friends!

"C'mon folks, lighters, flashlights, nobody's got anything?" Julia looks around. The last time she had an encounter like this, the creatures tried to feed off her. Natural light is what won the day. Err. Night.

Jesse Kelly, 4 yo old Dino at large stuffs the barbie into her pillowcase and says "Don't eat all my candy." She's learned from her mother that boundaries are important apparently. She takes the sugar skull with a beaming smile and says proudly "Gracias, senora." Her hours of watching Dora and living next door are paying off. The crisis comes when she's out of hands and can't grow more. Her brow furrows and looks this way then that and almost cries looking to Joey who takes it from her. "Gimme. I'll hold onto it so it don't get broken okay?" But then the darkness comes. Nicole takes her hand and the kid seems entirely unphased by the change in whatever is happening. Mischief managed.

The darkness rolls in and bites its cold teeth into everyone's fight or flight response. Perhaps wisely Rusty gets off the damn street. Julia asks about the flashlights Joey murmurs a, "Good plan". his, though is to stand off the porch between the street and Nicole, Julia's ma, and the kiddo trying to sum up what clearly feels a 'threat'.

Tiny Superman looks scared and takes Lyric's hand and is trying, hard, not to cry. Thewlis speaks and his attention goes to the adult. He nods slowly. Okay he's lost and still trick or treating. he's lost and whatever is in those trees is getting closer. The sounds of sticks and leaves rustling and banging together starting to pick up with the bit of wind. The jack-o-lanterns flicker but do not go out. They hold fast in the darkness.

From behind in the Kelly house there's a woman that doesn't come out looking no more than Thirty-six calling out, "Hey... " Joey doesn't look but knows the voice, "Not. Now. Go back in side." She calls back, "Something's coming up the damn street!"

"Come onto the porch." Julia says, and raises her voice. "Lyric, bring him over here!" Over her shoulder, she likewise calls out to her mother. "Mami, encender las votivas, por favor?" Her tone suggests urgency.

Slipping out of his truck, after dropping it in neutral and pulling the e-break, Thewlis hits the ground. Everything in him is screaming run. His head ducks as if he his hearing a voice screaming at him, flinches as if he is being struck. Kid in danger, looking terrified. Jaw set, eyes flicking point to point as he goes into the bed of his truck, pulling a hatchet used for excess branches and uses a pocket knife to help rip strips of burlap to wrap around the ax head.

He's silent as he does it, not worth drawing attention if this doesn't work? Thewlis pulls the zippo from his pocket, snapping it open and attempting to strike a light, to ignite the burlap... before he has to get more drastic.

Lyric sure as hell doesn't want to be alone and she's sure no one is in her house. She dumps ALL the candy in the boys bag since he isn't going to be getting any more for awhile, then she lifts him and his bag and rushes over to Julia's at the invitation, rushing as fast as she can, "We're going to go see Julia! She has more candy for you." Trying to sound excited instead of scared.

"Say the word, Joey, and I'll take her home," Nicole whispers, though currently leads the little (GREAT) dragon towards the porch. She's in protect-the-kid mode and tries to also put herself between whatever possible danger might be coming and the girl. "Hey, did you get any Skittles? I love Skittles. Let's look in your bag. If you have a Skittles, I will trade you for them." She looks up, scanning the street.

Kelsey knows she's just going to pay big time for all the Glimmer shit she's been doing lately but this was an important time for it! She isn't well gifted in Spirit at all, but she urges some energy through and there! Ah ha! She is closer to Thewlis than the others and so sees him and what he might be trying to do. If he can't get his own zippo working - she'll go to him first to help! Because, you know - a giant light is probably better than a little lighter. "What'd you need? I can help." She'll offer Thewlis - but also makes it clear if something's getting lit - she's doing it. Mostly because she doesn't have much more of an option.

Julia's mother starts to light the novena candles, contributing a soft glow through the window and adding to the illumination.

Kass knows creepy shit when she sees it, grabbing a small branch from a tree as she heads towards Joey & Co. The tip of it bursts into flame with a quick huff of breath at it while she skids to a stop near the quartet. "What's happening? This isn't another dream is it? I just wanted to hand out some candy!"

The burlap lights UP!!! As the river of darkness starts coming in, shadows moving like water it veers around to avoid the ignited burlap and now treats Julia's house like a river rock bending around it as her mama lights votives on the porch. Little Superman moves with Lyric, tears starting to come down his face clutching her hand. he whispers, "They're coming again."

In the street are Kelsey with her Lighter, and Kass with her branch which is helping a bit and where the scant light goes the darkness trickles away. Joey's arm is out and wading into it to make sure Lyric and tiny hero can get to Julia's porch. The hand reaches out to Kass to pull her towards the illuminated shelter and out of the shadows so thick it's hard to make out details on shoes.

And there, in the clattering of sticks that bind s and lash together with sinew, sticks and dried leaves in the shape of desiccated hounds. There's a pack of eight of them clattering like bones in the wind running through the darkness. From across the street the 36 year old who ain't leaving that damn porch yells, "Joey LEE Kelly they are coming" He doesn't look and yells, "I get it. Go back in the house!" Looking to Kass he frowns and murmurs, "Naw, we're home. This is here."

Tiny Superman is all but hiding int eh side of Lyric's costume.

What had the kid seen? Lyric remembers her own childhood when she had her imaginary friend for the things she had seen. But she could be the friend now and she just holds him close, on his level, letting him cling to her as she sings softly to him. "Twinkle, twinkle little star," holding him so he's facing Julia's moms house and not all the scary shadows. she tucks all good and close to the house, "how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky." Rocking him gently, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are." She doesn't let him, she croons to him softly, trying to keep the scarier sounds at bay, staying at his level.

"You know what? I've got a great idea. Why don't you guys have a sleepover here tonight?" Julia asks brightly. "I have to go to a party at the comics shop, but I can bring some comics back to read, and we can eat sugar skulls and watch a movie and my grandma can tell stories. We'll light candles for every room. What do you all say?"

Turning at the figures coming, holding his torch aloft, he flinches shrinks for a moment, but his head turns to spy the child hiding and his mouth sets. Heavy workboots thudding, Thewlis doesn't move to a porch or to the island of light that is the woman's house. He moves to interpose himself between the creatures and the house, flames held to the side and over his head, preserving his vision.
"You get the hell out of here..." he actually growls, shaking, rage filled. "You can't have 'em..." his other hand aimed towards the formed, a snarl on his lips. No stutter, no more flinching.

Nicole has narrowed her eyes, looking down the street with a bit of anger and fear etched onto her features. Julia brings her thoughts back to the porch though and she plasters on a smile. "That sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? A sleepover? I bet Unca Joey will be okay with that, right, Joey?" She looks to him, and then across to his own house before taking in Lyric and Superman. "We could ask your parents.. you have a number we could call? Looks like it might rain... They wouldn't want you out in the rain, right?" Seemed a plausible explanation for how dark it got, clouds... maybe.

Kelsey has seen a lot in her explorations of the Veil. A. LOT. But nothing that's quite prepared her for these things. The hell?! Well, they kind of looked like they were made of wood right? And they were clearly nothing good. "Can we try setting them on fire??" Or maybe she could target some with her Physical powers and toss them. Or at least stall them.

She feels more comfortable doing that. Kids aren't her area of expertise in the slightest - so she lets the other people worry about that. The lighter gets extinguished in favor of focusing on the nearest dog-tree-thingamajig and trying to lift and force it into a position that made it an easy target for flame throwing!

Julia looks over at Kelsey from her spot on the porch. "If you do that and it doesn't work, they'll still be running around...but also on fire. Probably best to let them pass." Looking down at Superman, "It's okay, mijo. What's your name?"

"We can spend the night here, and find out where his mommy or daddy is." Lyric doesn't question him yet, not until all of the danger was lower. She holds him close still, all safe and secure with Julia as their guardian. Her song ceases so the questions can be asked though, and she puts on a bright smile for the kid.

Hearing the name, Thewlis goes cold. He wants to look over his shoulder, to the boy, but these things, they have him angrier. Cords stick out in his neck and he glares at the hounds. Scared kid, can't find safety... and he knows why. Teeth bared, the cemetery caretaker steps -towards- the one coming at him.
"NO!" the insides of the lead hound suddenly glowing white hot before it ceases to be it just erupts. The shock of explosion putting a crack in the asphalt beneath it as flame, splinters and debris shoot all around, slicing along Thewlis's cheek before his free arm is up for cover.
The burning debris carries his flame across to others, touching off a second, a third, a fourth - wooden bones coming apart, showering the area as if a woodchipper had suddenly sneezed.
"I said he's not for you...!"

"Campbell?" Lyric asks the kid about his last name. It wasn't familiar. "Can you point to which house is yours?" She isn't even sure if it's Elm or the trailer park or any other connecting street. "And do you know a phone number or anything?" The questions come, she asks some too since he's talking.

Okay, are there any comics nerds present? Because right now, the woman dressed up as Dark Phoenix stares down the two weird bark wolves and with a fierce expression, holds out her hands, flicking them upward...

And up goes the wolves, scrabbling in the air. And with a jerk, Julia sharply brings her hands toward each other, the wolves then slam into each other with enough force that they seem to come apart, littering the ground with leaves and twigs.

"Are you sure you live right there? Cause that's where I live." Granted, the band had recently just moved in there and Lyric looks a little confused. She shows him other houses along the rows, pointing them out. "Any of those look familiar? Do you know your parents names or phone number?"

The caretaker approaches, looking heartbroken... "Brandon..." Thewlis manages... "Brandon I can take you home, where you'll be safe. Ok?" he looks to Lyric, the last of his nerve out with his next words. "I've been placing... fresh flowers... for the last five years." looking to the child, looking as if he'd break apart in a moment.

"On his parents.. grave?" Lyric asks, holding the kid almost fiercely, looking up at Thewlis.

Joey takes a moment to make sure the threat is gone and looks back to Julia and Lyric. Nicole and Jess and Ma? inside. Good good. The logs in his hand are throw back from the sidewalk. "This is probably why city don't send the street sweeper our way. Kid you okay?" he pauses and looks to the guy he bought breakfast for and back to Lyric. Both eyebrows go up listening.

Tiny Superman looks to Thewlis, "You're the nice neighbor." He looks to Lyric and back to Thewlis and walks over and says to him, "I'll trade you a snickers?"

There's a fraction of a headshake, looking to the boy, brow knitting, Thewlis then looking to Joey and then back to Lyric, and the boy, "I'll give you all the candy bars you can eat." kneeling as he speaks, looking to Lyric, mouthing the word 'his' eyes flicking to Brandon.

"No." Lyric sounds as if she is refusing to even consider something like that. "No. Because... no.." There's more hesitance in her voice now though. "No, kids can't.." Oh great. Now she's crying. And she hides it from both kids, hurriedly swiping the tears away. "Please no.." She looks at the little Superman and back to Thewlis, shaking her head.. but she just kneels down and holds the little boy and kisses his head, trying not to cry. "We won't ever let the bad things get you." She gets to her feet and steps a few steps back before she runs to her house and closes the door softly after entering it.

Joey doesn't miss that and takes a half step back to res on his back leg. His fingers twitch. He looks up to Julia, and then back across the house where the 36 year old woman is no longer standing in the doorway but it's left open. The door slowly closes across the street on his own. His hand covers his face taking a deep breath. His head tilts taking a deep breath, fingers curling into a fist at his lips. Few things get to teh guy. This? gets right there.

Brandon tells Lyric with a smile, "You can come and visit me. We'll play." She runs in side though and he looks to the other adults and holds out his hand to go with Thewlis.