K.h.a

[Cef]

*suddenly crashes into the thread wearing a generic trenchcoat-wearing assassin and a facial expression resembling (~^-^~)*

Twins?

WHERE!

OHSHI- VEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAA- *BLAM*

(~X.X~)

[Haku]

Constant sugar rushes are hazardous to your health Cef xD.

But I mainly just stated that it would be great if the grim reaper had some sort of twins going along with this whole spooky theme which I think might be on the way.

[Silent Avera]

@Cef: OOOHHHHH SHHHIIIIIII - CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - *BLAM!*....Ow......At least this giant red thing broke our fall - OMG IT'S ALUCARD!!!!

@ Haku: Yeppies, I got the outline...(almost...) this Grim Reaper person will make an appearance....It's gonna be a Halloween themed chappie, so the Haku fight will take a back burner (and I can get more reserch done x.x for his skills, I forgot what a fighter he was)

Tee hee, I hope y'all will like the twist of the Grim Reaper itself >....If it's even a twist....more like a....Um...."oh that's what he looks like..."....>>;

*Back to graphic work*

[Cef]

Grim reaper with kids? You mean like THIS?

LOL

Halloween 4EVAH!!!

*runs around in her assassin costume waving her toy gun and sword*

[Coldman9]

SA I'm sorry for doing what i did. I'll do whatever to make it up to you, and thanx for the PM.

[Silent Avera]

*sees Cef in her assassin costume......*puts on devil costume* >

The Grim Reaper here has no kids ;-; He/she is kinda a one person show, you know, not many people want the job of shuffeling the dead around....and keeping them in place.....God I hope I can make the Halloween deadline - I will do my best! >0<

and I still twins. ^_^

It's okay Coldman9, just any spoilers you wanna know, ask over a p.m. ^_^; thx......Oh yeah....Cef practically knows half the story already ^_^;

[Coldman9]

Hey SA and everyone else I have to write a Halloween story for my English class and I was wondering if you'd give me your opinion on this opening line I'm thinking of.

Halloween, a night of fright, a night of fun, and a night when the creatures we're told aren't real come to life and roam free. A night when children are best kept at home but are encouraged to leave and trick or treat, never knowing wether or not the door they knock on could be their last.

P.S. - Fell free to steal it for your own stories if you want. (Especially you SA)

[Lectori Salutem]

You guys are all really looking forward to Hallloween, aren't you? Is it really that much fun? *comes from a country were Halloween isn't celebrated* BTW, I am looking forward to the update, though only because SA is the one who writes it!

[Coldman9]

What country are you from? Halloween is awesome, free candy, scary movies, horror houses, there's nothing at all bad about it. I feel bad for you Lectori you have no idea what you're missing.

[Silent Avera]

I think I can make the deadline! WOOT! I've got meat on the chappie! Dead meat, but it will do..... >

Oh, shk, yes there are bad things about Halloween Coldman, it can spark a higher rate for - vandelism, kidnappings, [bad] pranks, candy poisonings, psychotic actions - the list goes on >>; And yet I still go into the dead of woods to the Phobia houses.....so I'm really not one to say anything about being careless on Halloween, because I am....Thank God I have people who watch my back >_< And then again, that's bad people doing all those mean things I mentioned earlier, but it only takes one bad egg to ruin it for the rest of us T_T

Halloween can be a lot of fun, just watch WHERE you have your fun....and you should live......Bwahaha. Oh yeah and WHO you have it with....It is no fun getting lost in a graveyard.........Oh that year sucked.........>_<


Ah! A critique! I gladly oblidge Coldman9; now you know, you can totally disregard this and all, it's just a wee bit of things that I think will help ya ^_^ ....or not....>_<.....In the end, please do what you think is best for your paper....I don't want you to fail because of some advice over the internet >_<

*Goes into critic mode*: I think the line is okay Coldman9, but it sounds like your story can open with a chilly children's rhyme - for instance, take the example of the rhyme for the Borden Murders:

"Lizzie Borden took an axe,
and gave her mother forty wacks -
and when she saw what she had done,
she gave her father forty-one."

You could spin one about how children should have fun on Halloween, but watch out for themselves too since that looks like the plot of your tale. This is just a rhyme I'm making up on the spot as another example...not a very good one, but this should give ya a better idea:

"Every night on Halloween,
we hear lots of playful screams,
but remember on our way,
some screams are not from play."

Ick......I think you can come up with something better >_<....Either that or just make your first paragraph rhyme or flow elegantly, but watch out for making it corney....like my example....>>;

As an opener, poems of the short and sweet variety tend to go a more favorable road ^_^ - Good luck Coldman9 on your paper!

[Lectori Salutem]

I'm from the Netherlands. And although we don't have Halloween, we have some things you don't have... I wouldn't want to trade Sinterklaas for Halloween!

SA, you little poems made me laugh a little^^ There cute!!!

[Silent Avera]

Ah, don't we all just love holidays in general? ^-^

Bit of an update - next weekend is when the chappie should come out, worst case is that it comes out right on Halloween, but meh, and I know I'm gonna do my hardest to get it out then - there's no point in a Halloween chappie if it comes out after Halloween! DX

[Silent Avera]

x.x Double post-away with theeeeeeeeee! :p

……..Okay, things came up like they always do…..but at least I can get the first part out…..Sadly I can’t really guarantee the next part on Halloween…It might be a while....I got attacked by the germ bug from hell >_< …….And stuff happened I don’t wanna get into, so yeah; sorry guys.

I think this came out "scary" but at least it should be "dark"

Disclaimer: Creepy things

Disclaimer: Le cursing, thank-you Cid.


Ch. 31-“Special”…How the Hollow Howl: Part 1
“It’s Halloween, everyone is entitled to one good scare,” Sheriff Leigh Brackett, Halloween (1978)
Radient Garden


“Momma! Momma! Hurry and carve it!”

“Alright, alright, sweetie, now go on and get dressed, your friends will be here soon,” the mother smiled.

“Okay!”

The little boy ran from the kitchen to his room – “Don’t trip now!” his mom called after him.

“Okay!” replied a smaller voice; the mother’s smile remained for another second, before her attention turned towards the kitchen window, and the distant castle mangled from the former Hollow Bastion. The plump pumpkin was before her, and her hand was lightly over a wide based cooking blade.

Now was cautious times, and ever since the Castle started acting up, that was one more worry line on this mother’s face. “(*Sigh*).” The mother thought of her little boy. *At least for the holiday, things should lighten up for the chil…….* Something caught her eye off to the left the stark silhouette of the castle, and her sharp vision granted from the birth of her son fixated her on a spot near where the setting sun lightly touched the distant rooftops…..She squinted, perhaps its form was camouflaged among the chimney and pipes of the roofs, but, something was definitely there, and her mother’s intuition sent up a red flag.

“Momma! I’m almost ready!”

“Okay sweetie!” the mother called back not breaking eye contact with the spot. Nothing. These were cautious times after all, perhaps she was just on edge from the recent happenings…and then the setting sun’s rays moved just a degree down. Her eyes widened at the revealed jigsaw sight of the front view of a mounted figure on far away rooftops; the red beams of light shinning through the eyes, making its black silhouette as profound as the castle’s.

The mother’s mind went numb.

Next to the mounted figure was something skinny, like a pole, which seemed to suck up any light that approached it coating it in a black haze; the figure raised it slightly –

The mother’s hand grasped itself fully around the cooking blade –


The little boy in his messy room struggled to pull his head through the neck hole of his black costume, “Rrrr! Grrrr!” Twirling this way and that, his little mind remembering that to push through things required force (as when his father was jumping in place to slip his pants on) – pop; success. “Huh?” The little boy blinked. He was covered in a shadow as deep as the setting sun from a monstrous shape outside his window –

The mounted figure's skinny pole object showed its true form as a long curved blade turned into view with the tilt of a pale wrist –

“Oh!” The mother’s body responded to a sharp prick in her middle – her hand was holding the cooking blade to her own stomach. She quickly slammed the knife down on the cutting board, breathing hard, her body was sweating – the mount and rider were gone – she felt flushed, her mind scrambled back on track what to make of –

“Mommy!”

The mother broke from her position so violently she knocked over the cutting board – the knife jingled hitting the ground and the pumpkin splattered –

“Micheal!” – she burst open through his room door and her son latched onto her –

“Mommy,” he cried, “There was a scary person outside my window…”

The window was empty. The mother held her sobbing son close, “It’s okay honey, mommy’s here.”



The sun disappeared beyond the horizon, merging the shadow of the castle with the light of the moon.



Drip, drop. Drip, drop. Drip, drop. Drip, drop….

“That place sure has been acting strange lately.”

Drip, drop. Drip, drop; a high metal moan lowered in the Castle.

“I can’t look at that place without a tingle up my spine – it’s like it’s looking back.”

“Yeah.”

Drip, drop. Drip, drop. It’s structure creaked in the modest wind; loose debris blew lazily like trash in a back alley.

“Some say the Castle has become haunted – with the Royalties and Masters missing, it’s like something sensed it’s okay to wake up now…”

Drip, drop. Drip –….Another moan of rising metal rose throughout the castle. Yuffie Kisaragi stood tall with her large four point shuriken before the great doors to the Castle of the former Hollow Bastion, Radiant Garden…at night…..(*doggy howl*).

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” asked Cid as he slugged himself up next to Yuffie, sticking his spear into the ground for support.

“Yep,” she pipped.

“We haven’t investigated the Castle at night,” said Leon with his gunblade over his shoulder, also joining the group……(*doggy howl*).

“And ‘fer good reason,” said Cid as he looked up at the overbearing structure…..*Geez*…..In this moonlight, and at this angle…it really did look like it was looking –

“Scared?” Yuffie whispered into a jumpy Cid’s ear –

“Not in the least. It’s just we’re going to be in there forever, like ‘till mornin’ searchin’ the whole damn” –

“It would be easier if one more showed up then right?” said Cloud his blade propped on his back, the last to join the group of four.

“Yeah it would,” smiled Leon.

“Whelp, if we all die, maybe then Merlin will have to find some other people to boss around,” said Cid through his cigarette.

“Your enthusiasm is contagious,” said Yuffie.

“(*Sigh*) Let’s get this over with.” (*Wolf howl*).
…..

Mouth….

Creeek…creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeeeeeeeee….eeeeeeek…..Eeeeeeeeeee….eeee…..eeeee – eee….Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek –

“Oh fer god’s sake!” – TOOF. Cid kicked the doors in, his spear in hand to keep them from bouncing back.

“I was going for atmosphere,” said Yuffie in a pout, “Tonight is Halloween after all; and I’m sacrificing being out getting candy to explore a haunted castle.”

“I don’t give a flyin’ flip little missy, all the more reason we should wait ‘till some other time. Some dumb teens might be in here screwing around.”

“It’s not safe in the Castle Cid,” said Leon, “All the more reason we should be here; at least to keep watch on the place to make sure no one does go inside it.”

Inside the Castle’s opening room, everything looked to be shrouded in a black veil, hidden in creases of moonlight that managed to creep in somehow. The group walked inside, staying only in the door light (until the doors began to creek shut) – Cid stood in place to keep at least one from closing all the way.

“Okay kids, flashlights out,” said Cid pulling a little one out of his pocket and Cloud and Leon did the same.

“I thought the castle was always lit,” said Yuffie, “Oh well, hello? Anybody home?” Yuffie called nonchalantly leaving the others behind, disappearing into the darkness –

“Yuffie!” –

“Oh stop your worrying Leon,” she called back from the blackness, “Come on, this is going to be fun!” And then a subtle light began to illuminate the castle to an appropriate level. “Awww,” commented Yuffie as she became visible again.

“At least the lights still work then,” said Cid (still holding the door open), “Now, who wants what section?”

Yuffie turned around, “We’re going alone?”

“We’ll cover more ground that way,” said Cid, “What’s the matter? Scared?”

“No way, it’s just I don’t want to have to run halfway across the Castle to come save somebody.”

"How about this," said Cloud, " Leon goes west, Yuffie goes east, and I go north?"

“And me?” asked Cid.

“You seem to like holding that door open.”

Yuffie giggled.

Cid stomped out of the door’s range ( it began to creek). “I’ll cover the front then,” he spat.

“Alright, let’s be off then” –

“Hey, wait,” said Cid, “You all have those little mikes right? To keep in touch with one another?”

“Yep.”

“Yes.”

“Yeah.” And the three split. Cid watched them all go their separate ways, all exiting the room, leaving him alone………The echo of silence in their wake was almost deafening..........Cid twirled his spear in hand and stabbed it in the ground - breaking the silence -

“(*Humph*) I bet Yuffie didn’t even bring hers,” said Cid, his voice another tense break for his ears; he took out his tiny mike and turned it on –

Drip.

“Ah ****!” the little mike was soaked. “That is just my luck!” The mike responded with a wheeze then cut off. “Damnit,” Cid looked up, drip, and wiped his face; his hand was red. Drop.

Cid got out of range to see where the little red drops came from – the space almost directly above him over the doors… .....“Holy…****”, Cid breathed..….In red liquid and gore-like slashes, the banner large words “I’M HUNGRY” were carved in the wall.

The room began to feel like static. Hairs on Cid's arms began to stand -

A faint groan filled the room - Cid gripped his spear, but, his stance relaxed….“Tsk, it’s just the castle’s old age showin’ ” – the lights flickered – in the split seconds of darkness, out of the corner of Cid's eyes, two large red eyes over the opposite wall glared down at Cid, and when he turned to face it, the lights corrected themselves.

“Of course this **** wouldn’t happen when we’re together,” cursed Cid and felt his face get hot – he felt a touch on his shoulder – and swiped his spear in its direction – nothing – he felt a tug at stomach – SWIFFF – nothing – his back was grabbed – SWUFF – his ankle – “CUT THIS **** OUT NOW!” Cid yelled to the empty room and a sharp snarl came from behind him – Cid turned in his stance to see a torso on the floor halfway through the wall – arms that bent opposite the human function jerkily stepped the torso back, faint wide black eyes and a black open mouth on a pale face left their imprint on the wall as it passed……….Okay –

“This castle can just go to *******’ hell,” said Cid, “We’re gonna seal it up, or, tshk-tear it all down” –

Something bit at his neck – and Cid swung his spear all around……..His heart wanted to come out of his chest……..and throat…….Cid looked to the three ways Leon, Yuffie, and Cloud went – reflex was to use the mike, but that was not an option anymore…..

A childish laughter sounded from the shadows of the room.

……

Throat….


“Geez, I don’t remember this long a hallway here,” said Yuffie walking with her flashlight, “Or this dark; the lights just suddenly cut out; well that’s a hundred year old wiring for ya. Hello, hello! If there are any ghosts in here please feel free to make your presence known! I’m not here to exorcise you!” her voice echoed up and down the hallway. “(*Sigh*) Maybe it really is just some teens screwing around….Man I can’t believe I wasted my night.”

Yuffie began to walk past red stains on the walls.

“I suppose I should just back track and find the guys.”

The stains were getting worse –

“I bet Cid is still at the front being a total coward, what a shame, I thought he had more in him.”

The blood began to form words: YOU’RE MINE

“I hope Tifa and Aerith don’t give away all the candy, they better save me some.”

NO ESCAPE –

“I had my costume ready and everything.”

YOU’RE GONNA DIE –

“I wonder if Cloud is okay, he’s probably emo in a corner right now.”

I’LL CHOP YOU LIKE A PIG –

“Leon is probably looking for me…”

I”LL BURN YOUR SOUL -

“But no one has called for me from the little mike.”

I’ll CANCEL YOUR X-BOX SUBSCRIPTION -

“How do you work this thing anyway?”

AND YOUR I-TUNES -

“Oh well it’s probably broke anyway.”

HEY….

“I hope there’s at least a fake haunted house open when we get out of here.”

ARE YOU EVEN READING ME?

“I wonder if I can get the girls to go with me.”

HELLO?

“I know the guys would duck out, they don’t have those long weapons for nothing –“

HELLOOO –

“I should probably sneak up on them while we’re here, heh, heh” –

RAWRZ!

“Man this hallway is long – this sucks!” and as soon as she said that, her flashlight found the ending wall, and upon it, red splattered words –

LOOK AT THE ******* RIGHT WALL *****!

Yuffie looked, and there in tiny Times New Roman type, like 8 point, was the word “Boo.”

“Oh my god,” said Yuffie, “Who the hell writes that small?!”

Yuffie's flashlight further revealed that she was in a dead end.

"I...don't remember the castle having a dead end hallyway...." said Yuffie. "Did I take a wrong turn? Meh, I'll just go find the guys now. I hope this red stuff can get washed off, it smells funny." Yuffie did an about-face and made her way back down the hallway. "Sheesh, I don't think this night can get any worse," pouted Yuffie; and then her flashlight cut off. "Great."

END PART 1


If I don't get back to y'all within the week - have a safe and happy Halloween!

[Coldman9]

Two things can be said about that chapter. "Lol" and "Ahhhhh"(in a scared way).
Great chapter SA can't wait for the next one.

[Lectori Salutem]

It's good!!! Yuffie made me laugh! Really hard! And Cid's part was kinda scary...