Midnight stepped into my room. It was Halloween night and we
had a fantastic celebration planned for Edgar’s second Halloween. Tonight, I
was going to create dancing and singing fire pumpkins.
I’d been working on honing my skill since last year and I think
I have a handle on it. I wouldn’t be alone though, the voice who seemed to
accompany me everywhere, was here too. I knew who it was, but I was forbidden
to say his name.
Well, not yet anyway.
“We’re ready, are you?”
I nodded. “I am.”
“You’ll do great,” Midnight said. “I know it.”
Heat filled my cheeks. “Just have a bucket of water on hand
just in case.”
“We won’t need it.” He motioned for me to join him. In the
two years since he found me, I figured out what it meant to have a family. I
loved his parents and Leora. Most especially, I loved having Edgar as a little
brother.
“Do you have the music?” I glanced up at him.
“Already queued up. When you’re done, my father will do a
reading of The Raven.”
“Tradition.” I loved having them. Being in that orphanage,
we didn’t have anything of the sort and Halloween had been like every other
night. Now, being here in Window Rock, I’d experienced almost all of my firsts.
“That’s right.” Midnight tugged me into his side for a hug,
but didn’t let go. “When we’re done with this, if you want to go to the
community party with the Raferty and Dryer kids, you can.
Supposedly, the part was supposed to be the “shit.” Everyone
at Window Rock High wanted in and only a select group were allowed. I guess
because I lived with Midnight, I was a shoe in. “Awesome.”
“Hey, I know I don’t say it enough, but I’m really glad you
decided to stay with Leora and I.” The way Midnight looked at me, like I’d
saved him or whatever, surprised me.
“You’re not going to make me call you dad in public, are
you?” I scrunched up my nose.
He laughed. “Never.”
“Oh thank God.” I laughed as we walked outside. We’d set up
everything in the front yard so if our neighbors wanted to see the show, they
could. Guess they were really curious what was going to happen too, because the
street was filled with people and even the Alpha and his family were there.
My stomach knotted and my palms grew sweaty. I didn’t know
if I could do this in front of so many people. “Whoa, a little warning next
time.”
Haley, are you okay?
His voice came through loud and clear. Fine. Just
nervous. I’m performing tonight.
Oh right... for Edgar. Good luck, I know you’ll be
amazing, fire-star.
I grinned. I liked the nickname he gave me. Too bad you’re
not here to see it.
One day, I will be.
Leora joined me near the side of the house and I shut down
the connection to him. She’d worn one of the sweater’s Midnight’s mother made
for both of us. It was super cheesy but cute too. I’d have worn mine, but I
didn’t want to burn it.
“You’re going to be amazing tonight. Edgar has been so
excited to see the pumpkins dance.” She hugged me. Maybe I liked having
Midnight and Leora as my parents more than I said I did. They were way awesome
and loved me. Every inch of me could feel it.
“I’m scared.” The words fell from me and I couldn’t stop
them.
“You’re going to be great. I know it. Just you wait.” Leora
took a step back from me. “You’ve got this. I have complete confidence in you.”
“Right.” I nodded, seeing the determination in her eyes. “I can
do this.”
I walked toward the big oak tree, sticking to the shadows.
No one was supposed to see me, even though everyone knew it was me who’d
created the show. It’s weird. I know. But, you get the point. I inclined my
chin in Midnight’s direction and the music started.
The first pumpkin appeared and began the opening of the
song. Then a second joined the first and a third. By the time I hit the chores,
I had ten flaming pumpkins singing and dancing to, This Is Halloween.
The crowd’s gasps and shouts of amazement spurred me on. I
enjoyed their excitement. I sent a flourish of pumpkins and bats through the
air bouncing them along to the song. They twirled and disappeared only to
reappear closer to the ground. By the time I got to the climax of the song,
everyone was into it. I glanced over at Edgar and he clapped his hands to the
music while staring into the night sky. He squealed with laughter as I brought
one of the pumpkin’s close to him for a quick, “boo.”
When the song ended, the pumpkins twirled together into a giant
fire tornado until the snapped out of sight. Then, high in the sky, I lofted
three flare-like sparks and when I clapped my hands together, sparks formed, “Happy
Halloween.”
The round of applause I received, surprised me and
embarrassed me. I reluctantly stepped out of the shadows and gave a small wave,
before taking my seat beside Leora for Midnight’s dad to give a reading of The
Raven. It was one of the things I enjoyed most the first year I’d been in
Window Rock.
As I listened to him recite the poem from memory, I couldn’t
believe this was now my life. I’d spent so many years hiding and preforming on command;
I never really knew much beyond what the orphanage director wanted me to know.
Now, I don’t think I could ever go back to that life.
When the poem was finished, we all got up and started
handing out candy for the neighborhood trick or treaters. Since there was a
party at the Community Center, our house became the central location for all
the parents. They were going to do whatever adult thing they wanted to do,
while we had kid fun, which was fine by me.
I jumped into the car with Asher, Kincaid, and Fern while
Julius and a couple of others got onto their motorcycles and started them up.
Tonight, was going to be a blast. I could already tell. As we pulled away from
the house, Fern turned up the music and let out a cry of exhilaration and all
of us laughed.
“Tonight, is going to be so much fun,” she said. “I can’t
wait to party.”
“Me too,” I answered. “Nothing like dancing the night away.”
“For sure,” Asher added. “We’re going to get freaky!”
We laughed again.
Don’t do anything too risqué.
I snorted to myself. Me, never.
His chuckle filled my mind. That was some show.
I stilled. What? You saw? How?
We pulled into the driveway of the Community Center and I
saw it then. The black motorcycle. The one he laid over on the freeway during
the firefight. He was here. In Window Rock. At the party. Holy shit.
Language.
What are you doing here?
Where else and when else can I see you, if not on
Halloween night?
He had a point. As we got out of the car after parking, I
glanced at Fern. “You guys go ahead. I have something I need to grab real
quick. I’m kind of depleted.”
Fern nodded. “You got it. If you need us though.”
“I know. Thanks.”
I waited until they were a good distance away and then I
went to him. He never tried to kiss me on the occasions when I saw him. Said we’d
get in trouble if anyone ever found out, but it didn’t stop him from hugging me.
I ran to him then and launched myself into his arms. “I’m so
glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I could get away.” He held me close. “You were
amazing, fire-star.”
“So, you were there.”
“I was. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He tucked
his finger under my chin. “Let’s go have some fun.”
“People will see you.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Not with this mask on they
won’t.” He pulled a wolf mask out of his back pocket and put it on. “This
Halloween, you’re my Red and I’m your Big Bad Wolf.”
I laughed. “Well then, I guess I’m ready to be eaten then.”
He groaned. “You’re too young to be saying such things.” He
wrapped his arm around me and led me into the party. “One day though, I might
just take you up on that offer.”
And, one day, I might just let him.
The End
