"Nice outfit 😏"
"Shut it"

"They've got street lights in their driveway," I gawk, staring at the bright street lights through the windshield of my Jeep as Clyde and I go up the driveway to Riders house.
We park and I quickly double check my costume is alright before we go in. I had gotten up early this morning to temporarily dye half of my hair blue in order to be Harley Quinn for Halloween and had chosen clothes that would capture her essence but cover more skin than her typical outfit. Dressed in my red tank top with the high neckline, black ripped Jean shorts, fishnets, and Clydes dad's Letterman Jacket from high school, I definitely looked dressed like her. Paired with the cheapest metal bat we could find, it was a great outfit.
I glance over to Clyde as he puts his Pilot hat back on and climbs out of the car. I climb out on my side and we begin heading into the party.
My heartbeat accelerates as I notice the long line to get into the party and I can feel my face growing hot as we pass it to get to the doors.
When we get to the doors, we show the woman at the cash box our invitations and are let in free. Apparently Riders family was hosting this as a fundraiser for the local hospital- which Riders mother works at as a Nurse.
The room is dimly lit with a purple glow, making all the costumes seem slightly off colored.
We push through the crowd of people, hoping to find someone we know.
"Hey guys!" Kevin calls, waving enthusiastically with the scythe in his hand.
I glance to Clyde, holidng back laughter, "Is he-?"
"The grim reaper? Seems to be," Clyde chuckles.
I smile, letting out a short laugh as we push through to be facing Kevin and his sister, standing just beside him.
Kaitlin seems to be dressed as a sort of Greek goddess- she's got a white dress and gold bands on her wrists along with a golden leaf crown.
"Hey Kev," Clyde chuckles.
He glances to Kaitlin and waves slightly.
"Hey," I smile to Kaitlin who just waves back.
"Kev!" We hear a muffled call over the sound of a running fan.
"Bro!" Kevin holds the 'o' and laughs as he looks towards the source of the voice.
Dressed in a mud colored inflatable dinosaur costume, Jasper laughs.
"Epic," Clyde laughs.
"Any of you know where the snacks are? Or how to get them in here?" Jasper does a little wiggle in the dinosaur suit and carefully aims the face around at the others.
I glance to Clyde, I don't remember passing any food on the way over here...
Clyde glances back at me and shrugs.
"Yeah, we'll show you," Kevin glances to his sister and nods towards the back of the room.
Clyde and I watch as they wander away.

"Lana! I love your costume!" Ashely exclaims as she and Parker push through the crowd.
I smile and twist the bat in my hands, "thanks! I like your guys' costumes too!"
"Matching," Clyde nods, "cute."
Parker spins his red trident like staff and shrugs.
I reach out and grab a small tuft of fluff that had gotten stuck to the feathery white wings of Ashley's costume.
"Thanks," Ashley smiles, glancing to each of her wings to check for more.
"No problem," I nod.
Eventually Rider and Tristan appear, Amelia is trailing not far behind. Tristan and Rider are dressed in matching CIA agent costumes while Amelia is dressed as a pastel blue and green fairy.
We all talk and laugh loudly as we push through the crowd to the stairs to the basement. Even with all the excitement there's a faint nervous feel to the conversation.
As we near the doors to the basement I see through the crack at the base of them is dark red glow that flickers every few seconds.
"Are we ready to enter the Haunted Basement?" Rider asks.