Blood Red

“Might want to go by your place first. I mean, I like the pajama look on you, but it’s going to be hard for him to focus on answering questions with you in that.”

She punched him lightly on the shoulder and laughed. “Goof.”

III

Kelli went into town and started shopping. She had to go trick-or-treating tomorrow and there was no time for being picky. She needed a costume ASAP.

Of course she’d heard about the fire. She was just not going to think about it. She was starting to get very good at avoidance. Having people dying all around you did that to a girl. At least that was what Erika said and she should know; she was a psych major, after all.

Erika Addison was a svelte redhead with big baby blue eyes, a devastating pout, and a passionate love of parties and the morbid. Halloween was her kind of gig and she insisted that Kelli have a good time. She was also right, so Kelli was listening.

“What do you think?” Erika was holding up a witch outfit that would get most girls thrown in jail for public indecency. She could not only get away with it, she would probably get a marriage proposal or two.

“I think you might need one of those for each boob.”

“Prude.”

“I am not.”

“Not a total prude, but you’re working on it.”

“Family values do not make me a prude, Erika.”

“They don’t make you any friends with guys, though.”

“Not all of us need a ‘Now Serving number’ sign on our doors.”

“Meow, Kelli. And I don’t need the sign, I just like it.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her hair out. Erika wasn’t happy if she wasn’t being scandalous. Kelli caught a costume that struck her fancy. It was a zombie costume and it wouldn’t take a lot of work. Also, not so scary the kids would freak out.

“God, you cannot be serious.” Erika looked at her like she’d lost her mind as she examined the costume.

“Why not?”

“Because zombie chicks do not get laid at frat parties and you definitely need to get laid, girl.”

“So . . . maybe I’ll get a second costume for afterwards.” It wasn’t in the plans and it sure wasn’t in her budget, but she wouldn’t mind looking a little sexy for a change of pace.

Erika waved the devil outfit at her. “I’m buying this for you.”

“Okay, Erika, you might have the body for that, but I do not.” Kelli shook her head good and hard to make her point.

“Fine.” She reached out and grabbed an outfit that was just a bit less revealing than Elvira’s usual black ensemble. Erika raised one eyebrow in question and challenge alike as she held out the package for Kelli to see. “Try this one. And yes, you have the tits for it.”

A woman hauling two shell-shocked kids around the store looked over with a frown of disapproval at the language and Erika stuck out her tongue in response.

“I can’t wear that, Erika.”

“Of course you can.” Erika smiled brightly. “I’m glad we agree.”

“No, seriously, Erika . . .”

“Honey, it comes with a mask. You’re wearing it.”

“But—”

“It’s settled. We can even dye your hair if you want.”

“Are you spoiling me?”

“Yes. Deal with it.”

She nodded and smiled. It was nice to get spoiled now and then. Besides, the number of times she’d spoiled Erika, she figured she had one coming.

One full section of the wall was completely emptied of costumes. An illustration on the wall showed a black-hooded affair with tattered sleeves. “Popular costume . . .”

“Ever since that Scream movie came out.” Erika shook her head. “No originality.”

“Well, it was kind of a neat costume . . .” Kelli had seen it a week ago and toyed with it. She was shocked to see them all gone.

“No, it was kind of a neat movie. The costume shows no cleavage, so how good can it be?”

“You have no shame.”

“Shame is for the weak and the virgins.”

“Well, I guess I’m weak.”

“Yeah, but at least you’re not a virgin.”

“Could you announce that a little louder?”

“Nah. I’ll just tell the guys you’re easy at the parties tomorrow night.”

“Don’t you dare!”

“Watch me,” she smirked. “You’ll have a wig and a mask. Keep the mask on and have a party, I say.”

“You would.” Kelli started to laugh and stopped when Erika looked at her funny.

“Who are you kidding? I already did. Try it some time.”

“Thanks for doing this.” She felt like crying but hid it well.

“For what? Going out and partying? Any time!”

Kelli nodded and tried to hold in her feelings, but it was harder to do all the time. Erika moved over and pulled her close, offering a shoulder that Kelli did not want to use. She used it anyway. She needed it. The days were driving her crazy and the nights were a hundred times worse.

“We need to get you out of that house, Kelli. Even if it’s only for a few nights.”

“I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Shit. You can come stay with me, okay?” All the usual caustic charm was gone and Erika was just herself; a warm, wonderful person who hid it well sometimes.

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Screw you. You’re staying with me tonight.”

Kelli nodded, grateful. She needed to rest, and she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since Teddy disappeared.

IV

“It’s pissing me off. Something Soulis said was wrong. I just don’t know what it was.”