Chapter Text
The white ghost mask looked sorrowful, almost regretful, as it held the sharp knife up to your throat. Strong hands pressing the blade just enough for hot liquid to drip down to your chest. The dark alleyway concealed you from any onlookers and any reach for help as you desperately tried to pull the black gloved hand away.
"I'm sorry," the voice was a whisper in the wind.
You thought back to how stupid you had been to trust him. But could you really blame yourself? For desperately wanting someone to trust, someone to protect you when it felt like nobody else was there for you?
When you first really talked at that Halloween frat party, he was eyeing you from across the room. He wore a homemade knight costume out of cardboard and duct tape, his hair curled from behind the helmet. You thought it was cute and endearing- the attention he gave you from afar. The knight you desperately wanted.
Two Nights Before Halloween.
You were all dressed up as your roommate Anika hauled you along to "the Halloween party of the year," or as she called it. Tonight you wore the iconic Mia Wallace set from Pulp Fiction; short black bobbed wig, white button up shirt and of course bell bottoms. The one fun part of these parties was dressing up.
Your film studies class had been raving about the party, and you weren't doing great in terms of friends having just moved to the city. So why not go to a party? Especially since your peppy, overly encouraging roommate was going and wanted to drag you along. She had spent the last couple of hours in your shared room perfecting the best pumpkin look she could, no doubt to impress, and you knew she would.
She was dressed in a cute bright orange pumpkin shirt with matching bucket hat, ready to party and drink the night away with her heels clicking on the city sidewalk in front of you.
You put one white ear bud in your ear, playing your On Repeat playlist to try and calm your nerves.
"There will be lots of boys there," Anikas' voice piped up, sensing your unease "you like boys right?"
It was no secret Anika and Mindy had something going on. While she framed this as a chance for you to mingle, you knew she wanted a chance to get closer with Mindy. Still, you played along. It wouldn't hurt to find your own love interest.
"Sometimes," you reply with a sly smile. Truth be told, you weren't exactly interested in the fuckboys these parties tended to attract like fruit flies. Your type was softer, kinder.
Looking back at you, her curled brown and blond hair flowing in the wind. She always looked gorgeous, like a supermodel except with a sweet edge rather than sharp. Her face turned from optimism to concern upon seeing your expression. She stopped in her tracks, putting her arm around you in a tight reassuring hug.
"You don't have to go with me if you don't want to," she reassured.
"I know," you smile at her "thanks but I want to. I'm just nervous."
"It'll be fine, I'll introduce you to all of mine and Mindys' friends," she squeezed your shoulder tightly as you nod, her black painted lips turned up into a smile "I've got your back."
You make your way to the party with her arm linked through yours, confidently carrying you both. The trek seemed to take forever even though it was only a couple blocks away, your legs feeling numb against the New York air.
You hear the party from a block away, loads of students coming and going with different costumes making you feel uneasy. Strangers laughed, bickered, and had loud chatter as they walked seemingly from all directions. Strangers with intentions unknown, people you possibly will never see again. Classic New York people traffic. Normally, you didn't mind or even enjoyed the city aesthetic. Now though, there was too much happening. Sirens blasted as cop cars drove down the street, lights flashing harshly in your eyes reflecting off of glass windows and puddles. Part of you wondered where they were going in such a hurry, but you decided it best not to think about it right now, cop cars were constantly coming and going somewhere in the night.
As you approached the building you let out a deep breath of air, fuming with weed and alcohol. People stood everywhere, in the house, outside on the lawn, on the sidewalk, dressed in different wacky costumes. Normally you'd take the time to appreciate every one, all of the different references they had if they were clever. These kinds of parties though, most people just grabbed the first thing that made them laugh or looked sexy from the halloween section.
Stepping inside the frat house was like stepping into a portal to another world. The music, sounds, scents, lights and everything seemed more enhanced.
"I need a drink" you decided out loud to Anika, fixing your wig nervously.
"Agreed" she nodded, guiding you to the table of beverages.
You both grab your own cliche red solo cups as you pour drinks. Whatever it was you didn't care, you just needed the fire down in your stomach to fill you with courage.
"Hey," some guy spoke to you as he just refilled his drink, raising his eyebrows with a smirk.
You pressed your lips into a fine line, giving him the most uninterested tone you could muster "hey." By the time you spoke his attention was already gone, eyeing up his next target's skimpy outfit and walking toward her like a predator.
Anika giggled at you then filling up her drink, "I thought you liked boys."
"Not that kind," you mutter in disgust as you fill your cup, staring into the liquid wondering what it was. Anika had told you but the information was lost to you.
"What kind then?" she swished the liquid in circles in her cup curiously.
You shrug suddenly unsure how to answer "Nerdy, cute, fluffy haired boys."
"Ah, the first murder suspects," Anika laughs as you answer, gently smacking her shoulder.
"Well, let's drink to you finding a boyfriend" Anika smiles, holding her cup up to you "or just some good dick."
You laughed as you clinked your plastic cups together in some form of celebration and your eyes met his. Brown and sweet, they reflect the faint party lights, glancing away nervously when you notice him looking, as you gulp down some alcohol. You knew him to be Ethan Landry. Clearly his costume wasn't store bought, pieced together with cardboard scraps and grey duct tape. You imagined him slaving away at it the night before, watching some scary movie as he cuts the pieces from his helmet. Your lips curve into a smile at the thought.
He was shy of you but you found it alluring. You were shy too so you never really talked much, but had a mutual friend group. Anika was a thing with Mindy, who was the sister of his roommate, Chad. A semi-complex list of connections that brought you two together at events like this.
You knew Mindy, Chad, Tara and her sister Sam, had survived a brutal attack and moved here for an escape. You, Anika, Ethan and even Tara's roommate Quinn, sometimes felt like outsiders to them. Not that it bothered you, you understood they needed each other more than ever after what happened. It just strengthened the bond you all had, the supporting cast so to speak.
You mingled around with some of Anikas' friends, chattering as the music hummed in your ear drums but really the only one you clicked a little with was Mindy and Tara.
"Scary movie fan huh?" Mindy drilled you "what's your favourite scary movie?" She wiggled her eyebrows, pulling Anika close to kiss her cheek. She wore a multi-colored sweater and you were guilty to admit you weren't sure if it was from a horror movie or not, something you figured you should know in order to be considered a "true" horror fan.
Anika batted at her shoulder "how can you even joke about that, after what happened to you?" her lips twisted in a scowl.
Mindy shrugged "consider it a coping mechanism" she kissed Anika on the top of her head as she sighed, melting down any irritation Anika may have had.
"I don't even know how you can go to parties anymore," Anika said with an edge of sadness "you know, after almost being brutally murdered at a house party."
"I think of it as being struck by lightning, odds are it won't happen twice." Mindy shrugged, pulling Anika closer by the waist.
"Guess I better stay close to you then," Anika giggled into Mindy as they shared a cute, passionate kiss.
Suddenly you felt awkward and looked about to find a place to cool off underneath your hot wig, and give Anika some privacy. Sighing in defeat you slump against the worn couch. You were so engrossed in all of the sensations you didn't notice you sat next to Ethan the cardboard knight.
After a minute of shared silence his nervous voice chimes in your ear, slightly startling you but you don't show it. "You look like you'd rather be anywhere else than here," he takes off his helmet and lays it in his lap after he speaks.
You were taken aback, the light party music that played in the background seemed to dim. His light brown curls bounced as he shook his head away from any helmet hair. The action, though not intended to, made your heart pound in your ears as you imagined what it would be like to bury your fingers in his hair. A thought which was dangerously close to other more escalating ones, so you push it away.
"Yeah, well, you're not far off" you smile into your cup before looking up at him "I'd rather be watching scary movies, I'm only here because Anika invited me" you admit.
His nerves get the best of him and he glances back down at his helmet with a smile "me too. Oh uh, I mean about the scary movie part."
"Oh yeah?" You asked, interest piqued "what ones?"
You shift your body to face him, straightening out the creases in your button up shirt. His face grows red as his nerves hit but clearly you also hit a spot of interest with him.
"Slashers," he admits, a little nervous perhaps that he'll come off weird, fiddling with his helmet.
Your eyes sparkle under the muted party lights "I love slashers! They're like, my comfort movies" you say with maybe too much enthusiasm.
He equally matches yours though, as if you chipped away at his invisible mask of insecurity "I would've panned you for more of a Quentin Tarantino fan."
"Oh I am, don't worry. Pulp fiction? Django? Kill Bill? You have me there. But slashers have my heart, just I couldn't turn down a chance to dress like Uma Thurman tonight." You admit.
"Understandable, pulp fiction is probably what really got me into movies" you bob your head taking a drink as he talks, "what's your favourite slasher?"
A thud of someone dropping something behind you made you turn your head, Ethan's gaze following yours before you answer.
"Mmm, I gotta say I'm a fan of Stab," you admit, dabbing the sour liquid off your lips careful not to smear your makeup.
Your drink wasn't pleasant, but it silenced your nervous thoughts which without it, you would've been long gone from this party. Something sweeter, and fruitier would've been nicer but you'll take what you could get. The smooth ease of the conversation for you helped.
"Really?" His eyebrows raise, shocked.
"Yeah," You admit, "I know it's cheesy and has all of the tropes but that makes it easy and fun to watch. Also entertaining." You run your black painted fingernail along the rim of your cup, Ethans eyes trail down to watch your hand movements.
"Well how about Halloween?" He asks, tapping his fingers against his cardboard helmet nervously, perhaps unintentionally mimicking you.
You think for a moment before responding "well, I'd like it more if they didn't kill the dog," you say sadly, "honestly though I loved it. My go to Halloween movie, I try to watch it every year at least."
"Ah, fellow dog fan" he nodded "I can understand that."
"Have you watched the new one? Halloween ends?" You asked him, remembering it has just been released not long ago "its playing in theaters now-"
You're cut off by the sound of a scuffle (to put it lightly). Peering over at the stairs you notice it's Chad shoving a taller guy in a white shirt.
"Oh no," Ethan lets out a sigh.
Normally, you'd want no part of these things trying to stay as far away as possible but you notice Anika taking interest. Leaning forward you see Tara desperately trying to end the altercation, voice too dim against the music and other chatters to hear what she's saying.
Ethan side eyes you as you grip the side of the couch nervously. Sam, seemingly coming from nowhere, tased the man in the crotch as he falls to the floor muttering profanities.
"What have our roommates gotten us into?" you say with humor, though you feel nervous about the situation.
"Hah, yeah," Ethan says, looking over at the group as you stand up, "it's fine since Sam always carries a taser." He watches your expression and seems relieved when your body relaxes from his words.
You follow Anika and the group outside wondering what happened as Tara storms out. The cold air was reassuring against you and you took solace in the quieter atmosphere. You start to hear your own music in your ear again, realising you never took the ear bud out.
"Tara," Sam calls out to her, who is walking ahead of the group "will you stop?"
"I can't believe you did that, you embarrassed me!" Tara calls back while still walking.
Chad and Anika walk ahead of you and Ethan, unsure of how to react yet.
Suddenly you turn to Ethan whispering, "Hey, uh how about that movie? I remember there's a playtime soon" really you just figured they would want some privacy.
Chad unfortunately hears and looks back to Ethan raising his eyebrows with a cocky grin, to which Ethan scowls at. In unison, Anika looks back with her mouth open, surprised as well and redness rises quickly to your cheeks.
"Y-yeah, I'd love to,"a raised eyebrow from Chad makes Ethan backtrack a little, "if you want."
"Anika," you scold, "I'll call you later," you speak with a firmness in your voice that signals her to behave.
She nods, trying to not interrupt the bickering sisters as you and Ethan trail back, the voices slowly fading out of earshot.
You sigh to diffuse the tension, bringing your phone up to change the music "I figured that was a conversation we shouldn't hear-" you pause to rephrase "at least I shouldn't."
"No, yeah, you're completely right," Ethans body was rigid as if nervous.
You smile at him softly when an idea pops into your head "Do you like music?" you ask, realizing how stupid that question sounded after the words left your mouth, but he doesn't seem to notice.
"I do," he replies and you hold out an ear bud, his hand grazes yours as he grabs it, you shiver from his warmth.
Your earbuds are wired which renders him to stand closely to your right side. For a moment you're so glad that you opted out of the wireless ones tonight as the heat from his body radiates onto yours.
"I just realized I have no idea where I'm going," you laugh as you walk down the sidewalk after a minute of listening together.
"Right, new to the area," Ethan looks down at his feet as you walk in unison "I know the way, it's not very far. Students like movies."
You laugh slightly "good, being lost in New York for a third time isn't exactly on my bucket list."
You look up at him and as he smiles back. For the second time tonight, you see a glimpse of him through his social mask. True and genuine, a reflection of his soul perhaps, the city lights flash in his eyes when he looks down at you. Such a gorgeous smile, you think to yourself admiring the point of his canines giving a side of him you have yet to see.
"Lead the way, my cardboard knight."