“Oh, Westley. I want a million nights with you,” Brier croaked.
“Whatever you wish, Brier Rose.” He swept her up into his arms and carried her off bridal style. She waved goodbye and blew me kisses.
For a moment, I simply basked in the glow of the last puzzle piece snapping into place in their love story. They were meant to be. While I would be going home tonight alone.
I sighed and glanced around the ballroom. On the stage, the MC announced a costume contest. All kinds of monsters, goblins, and ghouls lined up for the parade across the stage. I hardly paid attention to it, wandering my way through the crowd, keeping my eyes peeled for Archer when I shouldn’t.
If he wanted to be with me right now, he would be. I’d tell myself that as many times as I needed to hear it.
I ended up close to the stage and watched while the MC announced that a guy in the most realistic zombie costume was the winner of the contest. The crowd roared and clapped. The zombie’s fist pumped the air, and he truly did look hideous despite the nice black leather moto jacket he had on. A fancy zombie, and kudos to whoever that was and their use of special effects makeup and prosthetics.
All of a sudden, the zombie pointed directly at me, for whatever reason. I jerked my head. Okay. Not strange at all. I quickly moved on, exhaustion consuming me.
I slipped outside, gulping the air to steady myself. The city had a loud heartbeat tonight. The air did me good. I wasn’t ready to face the quiet alone at home yet, without Brier there.
I strolled down the block, taking it all in. The families strolling by with their costumed children. Groups of people out for Halloween. Just a couple of blocks, then I’d call a car.
My heels clicked against the pavement. A group of teenagers passed me, plastic fangs and candy bags swinging. Their chatter drifted back on the breeze—“Whoa. Look at that zombie guy. So real,” they said.
I glanced over my shoulder. The same zombie from the costume contest. The leather coat gave him away. He was closer than I expected, head tilted at an odd angle.
A chill crept up my neck. I continued on, pretending not to notice. I totally wasn’t imagining the echo of his footsteps syncing with mine.
Half a block later I risked another glance. He pointed again—at me.
My pulse spiked. I quickened my pace, weaving through the thinning crowd. Up ahead, a bodega’s neon sign buzzedOpen All Night. Salvation, half a block away?—
Until the footsteps changed. Faster. His feet pounded the pavement. He was gaining on me with those heavy, deliberate strides.
The air thickened. Everything blurred around me. Panic hijacked my body.
I stumbled over a dropped candy bag on the sidewalk, caught myself, dared another look?—
Pain exploded across my forehead as I slammed into a streetlight pole.
“Ow!”
Stars burst behind my eyes. I staggered back—and two arms caught me. I screamed, kicking, clawing, praying some Good Samaritan would appear before the zombie finished me off.
MASKED AND LICKED
Archer
“No!”Penny’s arms and legs flailed as I helped her up, but not before she landed a fist squarely on my jaw.
“Argh! Penny!” I staggered back, releasing her. The woman had a right hook. If not for my mask, she might have broken my nose, but my ego was weirdly proud of her. I clawed at my mask and prosthetics, ripping away enough latex and glue to reveal my face and ears.
Her wide eyes blinked at me. “Archer?”
“Yeah.” I massaged my jaw with a wince. “You punch harder than you look like you should.”
“Thanks to defense classes with Brier. What the hell were you doing?”
“I saw you leave and wanted to make sure you were safe. It’s Halloween—there are creeps everywhere.”
“Yeah, including you!” she snapped.
“You shouldn’t be out walking the streets alone tonight.”
