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Costume Party by Azriel Johnson
Donald Margeaux was creepy. Whether it was the perfection with which he spoke, or the tittering laugh, people were weirded out. Most people were able to put the weirdness out of their mind. His coworkers called him "nice" or a "decent fellow," but he was never invited for drinks after work, or asked out by any of the females. He asked a couple of the women he worked with, but they all "had other plans" or "family functions."
Surprisingly, his 25 coworkers agreed to attend when Donald invited them to his home for a costume party. The invitation suggested a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit as well as drinks and even a professional DJ.
Donald was more than surprised to see that more than half of the 25 coworkers actually showed up. The DJ played popular music and requests of the guests. The DJ even offered a karaoke option and the guests enjoyed themselves.
The party was filled with Spartans, Pirates, Sparkling Vampires, hockey-masked slashers with plastic machetes, burnt-masked finger bladed fedora wearers and many other depictions of popular characters in the current media. Donald wore a long-sleeved, three-buttoned shirt with slacks and boots. Over the shirt, he wore a disposable plastic smock and on his face was a surgeon's mask.
The smock was splattered with "blood." Donald told everyone he was a butcher.
The night wore on and everyone started looking at Donald in a different light. The guy could certainly throw a party. He even insisted on walking everyone to their cars when they had to go.
Soon the guests dwindled to the last few. Rachel was one of the women Donald had asked out, but she "had other plans," but now she was starting to become interested in Donald so she hung around.
Donald came back in from walking the last few guests to their cars. Rachel, wearing a sexy super heroine outfit, smiled at him. Donald smiled at her under his surgical mask.
Rachel mentioned she was free the following Friday night and she wanted to go out with him. Donald agreed they should "get together sometime." Rachel kissed Donald's cheek and asked if he'd walk her to her car. Donald agreed and held the door open for the DJ to leave as well.
The DJ drove away as Donald and Rachel reached her car. Rachel opened the car door and turned back to Donald. Without warning, she felt a prick in her neck and then nothing.
~ * ~
Rachel awoke and she couldn't move. Her mouth was filled and taped shut. Her muscles flexed as she tried to get up, but she was taped to a cold slab of a table. Her super heroine outfit was still on. She moved her eyes back and forth, but couldn't see anything to the sides of her. She could, however, hear frightened moaning from numerous voices. She heard steps around her. She caught a glimpse of Donald on her left side. She started moaning in fear as well. Latex gloves touched her forehead and Donald shushed her. He said it was a pity that she only started to like him when he let his true self show. Tears trailed down her cheeks and she choked back sobs.
Donald's steps rustled on the plastic that covered the floor. Rachel could hear thim ripping tape from mouths. A brief sound of screaming and then a muffled sound of screaming again. Donald made a shushing noise, then whispered a question. Rachel heard a response followed by another scream and a plunging sound coupled with a squish, a kick and then silence.
Fifteen more times she heard these noises. Fifteen diferent answers. Fifteen different screams. Fifteen different squishes. Fifteen different kicks. Fifteen different silences.
At last, Donald reached Rachel. He leaned down to her ear. She wasn't screaming anymore. He asked her if she knew why he saved her for last. Her eyes didn't know why. Donald ripped her tape off. Rachel cried out in pain, but she didn't scream. She was determined not to fulfill his fantasy.
Donald asked her again if she knew why he saved her for last. Her mouth didn't speak. Her eyes closed.
Donald laughed then asked her if she knew who she was. Rachel opened her eyes and looked at him. Donald said he could have boredher with the details of everyone wearing masks to hide who they really were, but it would have been cliche. He said he could have talked about wearing a mask for too long that you forget who you are beneath it, but everyone claims to be someone different. Donald again asked Rachel who she was. Rachel sighed and gave a trite answer. Donald sighed in response.
Rachel heard a squish, felt a sharp pain, then nothing.
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