by Gigi Kern
Finding Halloween
a finding home short story
By Gigi Kern
DEDICATION
To my readers for being so patient. I hope this makes up for some of the wait. David's story is coming soon.
Thank you!
And to Maria and Brina, whose support as fellow authors I so appreciate.
And to Lee and Tom, thank you for being the readers I can always count on, no matter what.
And, to my greatest find, my proofreader/editor, Martin, who makes my words readable and is always willing and able to fit me into his busy schedule at the last minute. Thank you!
Chapter One
Halloween! It was one of David's top four holidays, right up there with Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Why? 'Cause he could make baked goods and people loved them, which meant they kinda loved him too.
This year it was decided that Ryan, TJ, Aaron, and David would go to Farmington, NC, which was an hour and a half away. There was a Halloween Baking Contest they had every year, and David was finally going to participate. He was doing cute ghost kid Rice Krispy treats and black spider cookies. He's been preparing for three months and he really hoped to win. This would be great practice for the big bake-off contest he was applying to. He was all set for tomorrow. He was crazy nervous and crazy excited. He so couldn't wait for tomorrow.
***
Aaron was a big stress bunny. He couldn't wait to go explore all the history at the museum they were all going to tomorrow. When David and Ryan talked about all the fun they'd had when they were little – pumpkin picking, hay rides, cornfield mazes, and the haunted house inside the museum – it sounded like so much fun that when the question of what to do for this Halloween came up, Aaron blurted out he wanted to go to Farmington and do all the fun things they'd talked about. In less than 30 seconds, TJ, Ryan, and David all agreed and thought it was an awesome idea too. TJ then made David agree to do the Halloween treats contest. Ryan and TJ actually ganged up on David until he finally agreed. So of course the three of them became David's unofficial taste testers. It was the best job Aaron had ever had. He couldn't wait for tomorrow to come.
***
Ryan was looking forward to tomorrow, yet at the same time he missed not having someone special to do things with besides his best friend and his family. Especially after watching Aaron and TJ connect and find themselves since they started dating, it reminded Ryan of what he gave up when he dropped that b**ch. Not that he wouldn't do it every time for Aaron, nor were things in any way perfect or anything. It was just nice to have someone to do things with. No, that wasn't it. He missed being in LOVE. He loved being in a committed relationship with someone and just knowing that you were their number one and they were your number one. Someone to cuddle with, who knew you in every way and, well, everything.
Yes, he wasn't technically alone with Aaron in his life or TJ and David, and he did have a ton of friends. Yet somehow it wasn't the same.
But, tomorrow he'd put his Negative Nellie issues aside and have the fun he knew they all deserved. He was actually looking forward to it.
***
TJ couldn't wait for tomorrow. When Aaron brought it up, he knew it was exactly the right place to be. He couldn't wait to show Aaron all the cool places they could explore, and he knew Aaron would love the museum and love the pumpkin patch the most. Plus, it seemed that Ryan and David could have a little fun too. TJ was just happy he'd made the right decision and taken off work for the next coupe of days.
Fun, a word not normally in his lexicon, was coming front and center ever since he realized how much his life had changed for the better since he opened his eyes and realized that Aaron and he were meant to be together. They simply worked, and he was loving every minute.
Chapter Two
Aaron so loved all the green and lushness surrounding them as they drove toward Farmingdale. The fields of corn and vegetables! He couldn't wait to pick his own pumpkin.
Ryan told him about all the treats he could try. He was so looking forward to trying caramel apples and pumpkin pie. Yum. Aaron smiled just thinking of it.
TJ caught the look of bliss on Aaron's face and laughed.
"Thinking of all the food you're about to have?"
Ryan and David laughed and so did Aaron.
"Yes! I can't wait. It just sounds like to-die-for bliss."
TJ laughed.
"Well, we're almost there so get ready to have your mind blown."
All four laughed.
***
Aaron stood in the parking lot and tried to take it all in. The tall corn maze, the pumpkins, the fields of green and gold. The old mansion turned museum, the outlying buildings, the kids and families.
This is what he always imagined the holidays to be like. And in that moment, Louis came to his mind. He remembered...
Louis actually let Aaron tag along for a change. Just the two of them, Aaron's favorite moments. Aaron and Louis had taken four different rides, each one getting them closer and closer to a "surprise" destination Louis said Aaron would love. It was Thanksgiving Day and so far it was the best adventure Aaron had ever had in his life. He didn't want it to end.
Aaron stared out the window of the moving pickup truck. He was kinda happy Louis let him sit by the window; he was enjoying seeing all the sights he'd only ever seen on TV.
They pulled over into a diner parking lot. Where were they?
Louis touched Aaron's knee, and he dreaded that signal. It meant whatever he heard, don't look. Sometimes Aaron would simply close his eyes and cover his ears and imagine the pictures of his favorite comic book and recount math equations inside his head to drown out the noise of bad things. He was so hoping today wouldn't be like that...
A car pulled into the parking lot and a teenager got out and looked right at them, focusing on Louis.
The teen walked over to the truck's driver's side and knocked on the window.
"Thanks, man. Can you come back in 2 hours?"
Aaron couldn't help himself; he turned toward the driver's side.
The teen gave Louis' "friend" the truck driver $200 through the open window.
Shocked, never seeing that kind of money before, it took Aaron a second or two before he heard Louis talking to him.
Finally understanding, Aaron opened the truck passenger door and hopped down. A second later Louis followed.
"Thanks, man," Louis said before closing the door and stepping toward Aaron.
The truck sped away leaving dust in its wake.
The strange teenage boy, who looked to be seventeen or eighteen and had on nice expensive clothes, approached Louis and Aaron. And at the last second he threw himself into Louis, who caught him, and instead of pushing him away, he pulled him in and held on for dear life.
"Louis..." he heard the stranger say just as Louis said, "Brett."
It felt like minutes to Aaron before they finally released each other.
Louis pulled Aaron towards him. "Aaron, this is Brett. Brett, this is Aaron."
Aaron, always shy around strangers, blushed, gave a wave Hi and said, "Hi."
Brett laughed and then leaned down, "Hi, Aaron. Nice to meet you. Ready to have some fun?"
He loved to have fun and jumped up and down. "YES!"
Laughing again, Brett replied, "Great. But first, I'm starved, let's go eat." And he started off toward the diner.
Aaron's excitement a moment ago started to fizzle. He clutched Louis' hand.
Louis played with Aaron's hair as they followed Brett. "Don't worry. Kay? Brett is the best. He kinda owes me so he's treating. You can get anything off the menu, including dessert."
"Including dessert?" Aaron asked. Yet he also thou
ght about what that dessert would cost Louis. "Oh, well, I don't need dessert today."
Louis squeezed Aaron's hand gently. "It's okay, Aaron. Can you keep a secret?"
"You know I can," Aaron said, nodding his head.
Laughing, Louis said, "I know, pal. See, Brett is my older brother. So you don't have to worry about anything bad happening. Kay?"
"Okay, Louis." Aaron said with a smile, "Then I want chocolate ice cream!"
That day was the best day of Aaron's life before he met Ryan, his family, and TJ. It was the first time he had turkey, stuffing, gravy, and even pumpkin pie. And then they drove around and Aaron got to experience Christmas lights for the first time ever. It was awesome. And so worth the beating they both got when they snuck back home that night.
"What are you smiling about?" TJ asked as he kissed Aaron on the lips.
"Nothing, just remembering something."
"OK. Well, let's go explore."
Chapter Three
David was stressing out. He'd submitted his Halloween treats, and now he was waiting for the judges to decide who won. It was torture. And there was at least another hour before the judges made the announcement. Ahhhh, David thought.
Suddenly, he was knocked out of his thoughts when TJ and Ryan pushed into him from both sides. "Ugh. Knock it off, you two."
Laughing, Ryan and TJ engulfed David. "Come on. You're being a Debbie Downer and it's time to go have fun. Don't worry, Aaron already set his alarm. We'll be back in plenty of time to hear the judges announce you as the big winner," Ryan said.
David closed his eyes. "Fine."
"Yes! See I knew you'd say yes."
The four of them laughed as they each looked around trying to figure out what to do first.
***
Aaron was having the time of his life. First they got lost inside the corn maze – which was so cool. The rows of corn were taller then all four of them. It was kinda fun yet scary at the same time trying to figure out how to navigate their way through the maze. They were so doing this again next year.
He then got to pick the best pumpkin ever! Actually, he picked a baby pumpkin he was bringing back home, and then a bigger one. So, now he and Ryan were sitting at a picnic table and they were about to decorate their pumpkins.
He couldn't wait. He had a black marker and a pumpkin cutter.
"Ready?" Ryan asked.
"Hell yes!"
Together, they both had so much fun. And at the end, Aaron's pumpkin had hair and Ryan's had a pirate's patch for an eye. Aaron didn't want to carve his new-found pumpkin, but at the end, after watching Ryan and those around him, he of course had to make his pumpkin a jack-o'-lantern but with hair.
Ryan and Aaron approached TJ and David, who were waiting by the tables after they dropped off their pumpkin masterpieces to the vehicle.
TJ kissed Aaron. "Ready for a hay ride?"
"Yes!" Aaron said, but looked at his phone to make sure they still had enough time. Which thankfully they did, but..."Oh no. When does the museum close?"
David responded, "Oh, we're fine. They have extended hours tonight, they don't close till 10:00 p.m."
"Perfect."
***
The four of them were waiting for the news of the contest winners, and in the meantime they were trying all the samples of the other contestants, which were yummy.
At another table, a guy named Tracy was hanging out with his friends and enjoying the samples like everyone else was.
David caught a glimpse of a really cute guy. But, when he looked back, the guy was gone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to announce the winners..."
David was stressing, and so were the other guys.
"...David..."
"Oh my freakin' goodness, you won!" TJ and Ryan both exclaimed.
Aaron and David both jumped up and down and then as calmly as he could David walked toward the podium.
David was beyond ecstatic as he received his first-place ribbon!
"Way to go, David!" TJ said as David rejoined the group.
"That was awesome! You are so going to win the big one!" Ryan said. "Come on, let's go explore the museum."
A Halloween Treat...
The four of them entered a room in the museum that was original to the 1840s mansion. Aaron felt a chill run down his back and up his arms as he crossed the threshold into the room. In the left corner of the room stood a small bookshelf with an old-fashioned Victrola-style record player. As Ryan crossed into room, the silence was replaced by a haunting song. It spooked everyone; the four guys all shared a creeped-out look between them.
"Come on, let's go..." David said, feeling like they were being watched. He just had this yucky feeling and he'd much rather read about the history of this museum then be here in these creepy-ass rooms.
"OK, let's go." Aaron and TJ agreed.
But at the last second Ryan saw an old TV that he knew they'd all enjoy looking at... "Wait, come check this out..."
Aaron, TJ, and David reluctantly joined Ryan, who was standing in front of the old TV. It had its own stubby legs with a bubble screen and control knobs. The top of the TV was waist high. Aaron, Ryan, and David were too young to have ever seen such an anomaly. TJ remembered growing up and his parents having a TV just like it in the den when he was real young.
"Hey, I wonder if..." Ryan said as he reached out his hand to turn a knob.
"Noooo!" Aaron and David screamed.
An electrical charge jumped from the TV into Ryan's hand, a flash of light, and a second later the room was empty. Even the music was no more.
***
"Ahhhhhhhhhh." All four guys screamed as they were sucked into the TV screen and fell into a black void. Colors flashed like lightning. After what felt like minutes yet was mere seconds, Ryan landed on what appeared to be a yellow brick road made out of hard candies. A second later TJ, Aaron, and David landed right on top of Ryan.
"Ugh! Get off me, I can't breathe," Ryan mumbled.
Trying to catch their breaths, the three of them rolled off Ryan as best they could.
"What the f***?" Ryan said as he sat up and for the first time saw where they landed. But it was crazy. Like Crazyland.
Everywhere he looked, it was pizzazz colors from the old Atari, Nintendo, and Sega game systems he used to watch TJ play when he was around five. He reached out his hand and touched a floating strawberry and screamed bloody murder.
"What?" TJ jumped up and was at Ryan's side in a second.
Ryan stretched out his hand toward TJ, "Look at my hand..."
Ryan was a 2-D cartoon in Technicolor.
He scrambled up and looked down at himself. And he so could not believe what he was seeing.
Shimmering all around them were what appeared to be portals with their reflections shining back and moving like sound waves.
Ryan looked at his reflections and thought he was losing his mind!
Not only was Ryan a 2-D cartoon, but he was also wearing a freakin' panda bear suit, cute ears and everything.
"What the h...." Ryan mumbled.
Slowly his image changed to include TJ, who was also a 2-D cartoon but he was dressed up like a Disney pirate.
Next Aaron arrived in the reflection pool as a cute bunny rabbit with floppy ears, a cute cottontail, and whiskers painted on his face.
And not to be forgotten was David, who looked like a cartoon chef with his big white chef's hat and white chef's coat, and in his hands was a French baguette.
This was beyond surreal. It was certifiably crazy.
"What the hell happened?" TJ asked.
The four of them looked at each other, looked around, and realized they had no freakin' clue what was happening.
In the distance a flashing triangle lit up the multi-colored skyline.
But before they could do anything else, a loud rumble vibrated through the ground and made the strawberries shake as well.
Ryan looked around, felt dread. There in the distance a giant MARSHMALLOW DINOSAUR was coming their way and it did not look happy at all.
"RUN!" Ryan yelled.
The four of them ran down the yellow brick road toward the big flashing triangle. Everything around them shook.
"Run faster!" TJ yelled.
A fork in the road, and as Ryan was in the lead he decided to take the left fork, and a second later he was floating in midair as he slid down a slide filled with mini-marshmallows. He could hear the guys following him down, and he just hoped he'd land in something way soft. In a crazy way, he was having fun. This so reminded him of a scene from Goonies. He twisted and turned and before he could blink again he fell into empty space until he landed on a mound of red Jell-O. He bounced up and then landed again on the Jell-O before sliding down the side. He finally landed on the ground in a pool of mini-marshmallows.
Seconds later, coming out of different tunnels, David, TJ, and Aaron all landed in the same cavern.
Catching his breath, Ryan looked around at where they'd ended up. The first thing he noticed was music planning everywhere. It was a cute theme song of some kind. The next thing he noticed was a chocolate waterfall, and a waffle cone bridge. "Yum," Ryan thought. On the other side of the bridge the yellow brick road continued.
Turning toward the guys, Ryan said, "Come on, guys, let's keep following this road. Hopefully it leads us out." David, TJ, and Aaron joined Ryan and together they carefully walked over the bridge. The yellow brick road followed along the chocolate river. At the bend, as they went away from the river, in the near distance the flashing triangle could be seen again. "There, see it? I think it's the way out." Ryan pointed.
Candy trees surrounded them as they continued to follow the path. As they walked further away, chocolate-covered pretzels led the way.
A loud noise came from behind them, a big rolling noise. "What the..." Ryan said as he turned and looked back. Of course something bad was happening. Big barrels of corn syrup were barreling towards them destroying everything in their path.
