Running

No one in this house is guaranteed to live!

By Amber Mallory | Posted 10/10/08 | Updated 10/4/24

Bulk up for Halloween with your favorite chocolate candy.

The trees were a green blur as they moved around me. It felt as if I had been running for hours. In reality, it had only been a few minutes. I turned my head to the left and saw CJ running beside me. We were both glancing towards each other. The quiet forest filled with a roar of our laughter. Voices behind us grew louder, disturbing our moment of childish innocence. I had almost forgotten why we were running until then.

CJ had been my biggest crush for what seems like my entire existence. So of course when he asked me to hang out on Halloween I had to say yes.

"Then it's a date," he said in his angelic voice. The words stayed embedded in my head throughout the entire school day. I bragged to all of my friends and word spread pretty quickly. It never occurred to me that the good news would've fallen through the wrong ears.

After school I went home and got ready. I anxiously awaited his arrival. The doorbell rang promptly at seven. I grabbed my hoodie and ran out the door. It had begun to mist outside. What was waiting for me outside took my breath away. CJ looked stunning. He took my hand in his and led me to his Chevy pick-up.

"So what do you have planned for us tonight," I asked.

CJ glanced over and answered, "I figured we would hit up a party my friend is throwing. I gulped. Parties weren't my thing.

We pulled up to a big house, already decorated with an assortment of cars. CJ opened my car and pulled me towards this strange house. We were blasted with loud music, full of bass, upon entering the house. I shot CJ a nervous look but he showed no sign of fear, so I cleared my thoughts. This was not everything I had hoped for.

We sat down on the couch and began to spend some time with one another. Immediately the lights flickered. The music stopped. Everything the in the house stood still. I grabbed CJ's hand tighter and closed my eyes.

"This is not a joke, no one in this house is guaranteed to live," a mysterious voice said. Several screams and sobs followed the news. CJ pulled me to the ground and we crawled towards the basement. I held my breath because I was too scared to breathe. Silent tears flowed out of my eyes. I knew there was a reason I didn't go to parties.

The basement was cold and dark. I was suddenly thankful for my hoodie. CJ pulled me up to my feet so we could find a place to hide. There was a large dresser placed by one of the walls. We pushed it forward and hid in the tiny space.

Our period of relaxation was soon interrupted. We heard heavy footsteps on the stairs and quickly began to panic. The window above us was the only way out. We struggled out of the window.

I scrambled out onto the wet earth. CJ grabbed my shaking hand and we ran.

My mind raced back to the green blurs of trees flashing by. The voice caught up to us. We both came to an immediate halt. It seemed as if we had gone so far.

Coach Matthews, CJ's dad, placed his hand on CJ's shoulder, "Son what did I tell you about dating?" I laughed; relieved that today wasn't my last. Maybe gossiping isn't the best thing. Stupid Halloween pranks.

Next story: Halloween Happening