Halloween Story

>October 30th
>Whole town's in the holiday spirit
>Decorations line the streets
>Fall activities been going on for weeks
>Loved Halloween as a kid
>Even more as an adult
>For a choice reason
>7:30 in the evening
>Having a drink with a few friends
>Talking about Halloween plans
>Parties, drinking, picking up women in slutty costumes
>So no different from last year
>"You coming, anon? Or are you gonna flake out like you do every year?"
>Roll my eyes.
"I've told you guys time and time again, I already have plans."
>"Yeah, he's gotta go talk to his imaginary bitch."
>They erupt in laughter.
>Funny how they laugh at the same fucking joke every year.
"You know, just because you guys have never seen her, that doesn't mean she's imaginary."
>Again, something I've told them every year, yet somehow they always forget.
>And that apparently makes it ten times funnier.
>A chorus of 'sure' and 'whatever you say, man' before we move on to something else.
>Couple hours later, they've all left
>Quarter to midnight
>Look outside
>Sky's clear aside from a few clouds
>Moon nearly full, will be by tomorrow
>Now's as good a time as any
>Throw on a jacket and head outside
>Forest a short walk away from town center
>Seen kids play out there all the time
>Rumors that the place is haunted
>Probably why the town is so into the holiday
>Not long until I'm deep into the trees
>Moonlight shines through the branches
>Cool breeze blows through, rustles leaves
>Surreal feeling of serenity
>Isolated, but not alone
SNAP
>Turn around
>See a figure in the darkness
>Hunched over, standing above a broken twig
>Don't move
>It notices me
>Starts to get closer
>Can make out a pair of eyes
>Yellow, slit pupils
>Starts to make noises
>Growls, snarls, etc
>Can only stand and stare
>On all fours, eyes locked on me
>Suddenly it leaps
>I stay where I am
>It clings to my torso
>Sharp claws leave holes in my jacket
>Buries its face in my neck
>Hear a quiet whisper
>"I missed you..."

>Run my hand through the tangles of red hair
"I missed you, too. You could have at least given me a warning, though. Howled or something."
>Creature lets go, lands at my feet
>Look down at my jacket
>Claw marks and bits of chestnut fur all over
>This is not gonna be easy to explain
>"Maybe, but it's more fun when I don't."
>Followed by snickering as she looks at my jacket
>And yes, it's a she
>Well, sheWOLF more like it
>Whole body covered in fur minus places where it counts
>Wolf-like ears protruding from the mess of red hair
>Not quite wolf face but not quite human face
>Torn red flannel button-up and ripped faded jeans
>Textbook werewolf right here
>"And YOU could've warned me you were coming a day early. The full moon's not till tomorrow."
"I know, but that's kinda why I came out early. I wanted to ask you something."
>She perks up
>See a sparkle of excitement in her yellow eyes.
"We've been seeing each other for a while, and I've been thinking. We haven't really...gone out in the traditional sense. We've mostly just stuck to the woods."
>"Yeah, but you know why. People would freak out if they saw something like me running around..."
>She pouts
>Hear her mutter something about stupid humans
"Right. So, I was thinking, what if we went out at a time when people wouldn't think twice about how you look?"
>She raises an eyebrow
>At least I think she does
>Hard to tell under all that hair
>"Like when?"
"Like when EVERYONE looks freaky..."
>Gears turn in her head before her face lights up
>"...Tomorrow?"
"Exactly! Everyone'll be in costume, so no one'll bat an eye!"
>She clings to me again
>I nearly drown in the slobbery kisses that follow
>"Anon, you're a genius! And here I thought I just loved you for your good looks."
"Now, we both know that's bullshit."
>She giggles
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7, okay?"
>"Okay! Wait, what should I wear?"
"..."
>"Oh, right! See ya then!"
>She gives me a final kiss before bounding off
>I smile
>Can't wait for tomorrow

>The next day
>Let my friends know I'll be joining them this time
>And bringing my girlfriend
>They laugh out another chorus of 'whatever man'
>They won't be laughing tonight
>Least I hope not
>Evening rolls around
>Throw on my costume
>Cheesy vampire outfit
>Slicked back hair, fake fangs, cape, everything
>Quarter to seven
>Head on into the woods
>Winnie announces herself with a howl
>Nice of her
>Drops down in front of me
>Snickers
>"You look ridiculous."
"Well, so does everyone else, so I doubt we'll stand out."
>She smiles
>Tail starts to wag
>We link arms and head for town
>As predicted, no one cares about the werewolf walking around
>A few people compliment us on our 'couples costume'
>Like a charm
>We exchange grins as we head into the local bar
>See friends in the back corner
>Priceless reactions
>See them mumble to each other as we approach
"Evening, guys."
>They look at me like I'm from mars
>Too good
"Oh, forgive me. Allow me to introduce Winnie. You know, my girlfriend."
>She gives a small wave
>Few of the guys wave back
>"Nice costume," one says
>"Winnie, huh? Shouldn't there be a Pooh somewhere in there?"
>Erupts with laughter
>Roll eyes
>Winnie actually...growls
>Guys look at her funny
>"Dude, your girlfriend just growled at us..."
"Hey, she likes to get into character, alright?"
>Can't help but wonder how they'd take the truth
>If they even would
>Winnie takes a seat
>"Don't sweat it, boys. I don't blame you for not knowing how to speak to a girl."
>More laughter
>They actually seem cool with her
>This might just go smoothly...

>Later that night
>Things couldn't be better
>Winnie's really bonding with the guys
>None of them are even suspicious
>I'm just glad they're convinced
>Parade's starting to roll around
>Halloween tradition in my town
>Winnie's hyped as fuck, given it's her first time
>I smile as I grip her paw
>Suddenly, the mayor makes an appearance
>"Happy Halloween, everyone! Before we begin tonight's festivities, I want to draw your attention to something truly interesting. Not only has Halloween fallen on a full moon this year, but it's also the second one we've had this month! Ladies and gentleman, this Halloween is a blue moon!"
>Audience cheers
>Feel Winnie's paw slip out of my hand
>Look over
>She looks like she's seen a ghost
>And not the ones we've seen all over town
"You okay?"
>"Blue moon...why didn't you tell me it was a blue moon!?"
>What
"Well, I didn't know, for one thing. I thought you of all people'd be keeping track."
>"Anon, you don't understand. On full moons, I'm fine, but once in a blue moon..."
>She pauses
>"I have to go."
>She darts off before I can stop her
>Did I just get dumped on Halloween
>Friends look over
>"Where'd your girlfriend go, dude?"
"I don't know, she said something about-"
>Piercing scream
>Oh shit
>Run off in the direction without a second thought
>Hysterical woman in a witch costume stammering to a crowd
>"A w-wolf! A giant, hulking wolf ran at me out of nowhere...on two legs!"
>Heart drops
>"It ran off to the woods! What if it comes back?!"
>My legs are moving before I can even process the decision
>Hear the crowd gasp and shout as I run for the woods
>A chorus of 'hey wait!' and 'where are you going?'
>I know where I'm going
>I'm going to check on my girlfriend

>Nearing 9:30
>Come to a stop in the middle of the woods
>Our usual meeting place
>Dammit, where the hell is she
>And why'd she run off like that
>Because of the blue moon or something
>Don't have much time to think before hearing a howl
>Doesn't sound like hers, though
>Sounds deeper, and more menacing
>Like an actual fucking wolf
>"Anon!"
>Turn to see my friends running up to me
>Behind them is the whole fucking town
>Just what I needed
>"The hell's going on, man? Where's your bitch?"
>The other just nod and ask the same thing
"Alright, first of all, don't call her a bitch. Second, if I knew, I'd have found her by now, dumbass."
>Crowd protests and advances on me
>Suddenly hear a thud from behind me
>Crowd's faces drop, staring at something in utter terror
>Turn around
>Giant fucking wolf standing right fucking behind me
>It's wearing torn flannel and ripped jeans, although its size made them look more torn and ripped than usual
>And that mop of curly read hair seems a bit more frazzled
"Winnie?"
>Wolf gets eye-level with me
>Bright yellow eyes with slit pupils
>It's her
>Usually she only comes up to my chest
>This time I barely come up to hers
>She lets out a loud growl
>The crowd turns and runs back, screaming like banshees
>Friends stay put, paralyzed with fear
>She stalks on those muscled legs of hers over to them
>"Bitch, am I?"
>Her voice is normal, albeit a bit more terrifying
>"You know, it's one thing to call my boyfriend a liar and make fun of him, and while I understand that 'bitch' is the anatomically correct term, believe it or not, I don't prefer to be called such."
>She snaps at them, and they jump back in fear
>Not sure why they haven't run yet
>"So, I'm only going to say this once. Try to treat us both with a little more respect. Unless, of course, you want to meet the business end of Chaney and Del Toro."
>She puts up her front paws, clenching them like fists before opening them and extending her claws
>Friends grip onto each other
>As if that'd protect them
>"Y-yeah, sure. You want respect, you g-got it."
>The others frantically nod
>Winnie gives off another low growl before grinning from ear to ear
>"Good."
>She then bounds away from them and over to me, as if she were waiting for me to be impressed or something
"What the fuck."
>"What? It's Halloween. I figured these guys could use a good scare!"
>Fair enough
"Okay, but why the hell are you so tall? Cause of the blue moon?"
>She snickers, giggling a bit.
>"Hell no. I knew the blue moon was going to happen, so I used it as an excuse to lead you guys here. I can go feral whenever I want."
>One of the friends clears his throat
>"Well, what about the others? Aren't you worried they'll come after you?"
>"Pssht, nah. They'll write me off as some urban legend or something. Or as some full moon bullshit."
>Friends all stare before bursting into laughter
>A chorus of 'man, that was good' and 'you totally got us, Winn'
>I have to admit, I'm impressed
>Winnie leans down and gives me a long lick across my cheek
>"Your friends seem pretty cool, Anon. We should hang out with them more often."
>Friends agree loudly
>Shrug
"Hey, if they're into it, then I'm into it."
>She pulls me up into the air for a massive, bone-crushing hug.
>"You're so sweet...we should do something next Haloween!"
>Friends shout in agreement again
>"But, next time..."

>"Go as Chewbacca."