Louis' Trick or Treat

Louis' Trick or Treat - a Halloween-themed short story with a touch of spooky romance involving the characters from Care & Control and The Voodoo Room. 

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Louis paused on Luke's doorstep and adjusted his black skeleton costume. The Halloween party was in full swing on the other side of the door. The temptation to turn tail was strong. He would barely know anyone else here tonight. The decision was taken out of his hands as the door flung open. Even with the white and black zombie face-paint, Luke was easily recognisable. He was wearing a black t-shirt with 'BOO!' written in large white letters.

"Louis! You made it. Entrez, buddy!"

Louis followed him into the living room, which was lit with spooky red lights and adorned with Halloween regalia. Clusters of costumed figures were dotted about the room, drinking and swaying to the cheesy Halloween playlist. As Louis took it all in, Luke ladled a sinister-looking green liquid from a cauldron into a plastic cup and handed it to him.

"Down in one, lad!"

Louis did as he was told and immediately questioned the wisdom of that decision. "What the fuck's in that?"

"Oh, Louis, you're going to regret that in the morning."

Louis turned and recognised Annie even under the green face-paint and witch's costume. He blushed as she kissed him on the cheek. Luke and Annie had a way of making him feel very welcome, like family.

"Make yourself right at home, amigo," said Luke, ladling another helping of punch into Louis' cup. "Sharl and her hubby are here somewhere. Noreen and Jack too. Plenty more booze in the garage, just help yourself. The door's in the kitchen."

The chime of the doorbell sent him off in a flourish. Annie had also drifted off to a group of people he didn't know. Louis necked his drink then made his way into the kitchen in search of a familiar face. He smiled when he saw Sharlene, dressed up as a witch-doctor and leaning heavily on a tall black man in a centurion costume.

"Lovely Louis!" she cried, kissing him on both cheeks. "My husband, Paul."

Louis shook hands with Paul. They made small talk for a few moments before it became obvious that Sharlene was a little worse of wear.

"Lord 'a' mercy, mi mash-up!" she screeched.

"Time to go home, babe?" Paul suggested.

"Yeah, man," she giggled.

They excused themselves and staggered off. Louis sighed and downed the rest of his drink. He started to regret coming out on an empty stomach. More so, he regretted the bottle of wine he'd polished off for Dutch courage. In all honesty, he was in the mood to get completely loaded. As if on cue, he felt his phone buzz. He took it out and looked at the message. Simon.

"Have you had chance to think about what I said, Louis?"

"Fuck you," he whispered.

He spotted the door to the garage and walked towards it in as straight a line as he could. The light was dim, the hum of the chest freezer echoing through the shadowy space.

Louis headed towards the large yellow trough filled with ice water and an assortment of cans and bottles. He fished out a bottle of Stella, dismissing the mental warning from his sensible brain that mixing grape, grain and whatever was in Luke's punch would not end well. He looked for a bottle opener but didn't see one.

Louis turned round and collided with something solid, almost falling to the floor. He regained his balance and looked towards the obstruction in his path. His eyes fell upon the dark-blue of a weathered boilersuit.

The shape was larger than he realised. His gaze drifted upwards to the Michael Myers mask covering the shadowy figure's face. Whoever it was, he was big. His muscular build was evident and he was easily well over six feet tall.

"Sorry, mate," said Louis sheepishly. He tried to get a glimpse of the eyes behind the mask but the light was too dim. The man said nothing, giving Louis no clue as to his identity.

His arm suddenly shot out. A glint of steel made Louis jump back with a gasp.

He laughed awkwardly when he saw the metal bottle opener in the stranger's hand, which was white and large.

Louis reached out, still a little cautious, and took the bottle opener. He gestured towards the trough. "Do you want something?"

His new friend stood still for a moment before slowly raising his arm and pointing to Louis' bottle of Stella.

Louis took the hint and fished out another, flipping off the tops of both bottles before passing one over.

Their fingers touched for a moment, a tingle travelling up Louis' spine.

Part of him that still wondered whether he might be murdered in Luke's garage by this stranger.

"Having a good time?" Louis asked, raising his bottle in a toast before taking a swig. He received no reply.

The awkward silence was broken by Louis' phone buzzing once more. He pulled it out. Simon promising him that they could reconcile if Louis would only give up this foolhardy idea of being a police officer.

"Fucking ex-boyfriends," Louis murmured. He swayed forward towards his new companion and clinked their bottle necks together before taking a healthy swallow. "Don't you just hate mind games?"

Louis semi-stumbled backwards so that he could rest against the wall. His hulking friend stepped closer towards him. Louis studied him once more. The boiler suit did little to hide the broad chest, the broad shoulders or the muscular arms.

"Are you a cop?" Louis asked. When he received no response, he added, "My ex split up with me because I wanted to be a cop. By e-mail, if you can believe that?"

The stranger took an almost imperceptible step forward, bringing them almost toe to toe.

Louis drained his bottle and put it down on the floor. "I spent two years of my life trying to make that bastard happy. Mate, before I pour my soul out any further, you're not going to kill me, are you?"

The mystery man shook his head slowly.

Louis turned to the trough, intent on picking up another beer. His unsteadiness changed his mind as he stumbled. He found himself in the arms of his new friend. It was by no means an uncomfortable place.

"Thanks," he giggled, draping his arm over his saviour's broad shoulders. He caught the scent of Hugo Boss, which smelt delicious on his mysterious companion. "Have we met before?"

A slow, deliberate nod.

Louis impulsively leaned forward and pressed his lips against the mask, tasting bland, powdery plastic. He moved his head back and smiled when his new friend didn't pull away from him. Finally, he was close enough to see his mystery man's dark-blue eyes, cold and flinty.

Louis reached out and started to slide the mask upwards. His companion put a restraining hand on Louis' to stop him from uncovering past his mouth. His lips were a pink, a perfect Cupid's bow, and his jaw was strong.

Louis moved in once more and felt himself being pulled tighter against the mystery man as their lips locked.

The kiss was slow and intimate, seductive. He closed his eyes, enjoying his masked man's warm breath on his face and his hand scrunching the hair on the back of his head.

Eventually, Louis had to pull back to catch his breath.

"Damn," he whispered. "For a serial killer, you're a very good kisser."

He skirted away from his hulking friend and bent down to the yellow trough again, searching out two bottles of Stella for them. "Maybe we should just have these to be polite then go somewhere quieter to continue this...."

He stood back up and turned. The garage was empty. He frowned, looking round. Nothing. Perplexed, he darted back through the door into the kitchen. Also empty.

As he rushed back into the living room, he collided with Luke.

"Woah, where's the fire?"

"Luke, did you just..." Louis frowned "There was a guy. Tall. Michael Myers mask."

Luke shrugged. "Can't say I noticed, mate.

Louis' frown deepened. Luke was a similar height and build to his anonymous Romeo. He stared closely at Luke's eyes. Brown. Definitely not Luke winding him up. "Are you sure?"

Luke nodded, frowning as well now. "What's up? Has there been a muh-dah?"

Louis realised he was starting to look a little crazy in front of his tutor and decided to drop it.

"Nothing, mate. Just um...wanted to return his bottle opener."

Luke was suddenly distracted by some mischief occurring on the other side of the room and left Louis standing there. Louis moved over to the window to make sure his mystery man wasn't outside. Nothing. He shook his head, feeling very pathetic.



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