Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Lori leaned against the stone wall in front of city hall in the windy cold weather. The rain poured down in sheets on the street below. She could see Sally inside the lobby on the payphone with Matt. The old woman waited patiently for her in the phone call and then escorted her out. She locked the towering glass doors behind them. Sally snuggled into her jacket as the icy wind blew through her dark hair. Nat said he'll be here to pick us up in 10 minutes, she said. Lori shivered the scream factory. What are you talking about? Sally asked. Lori smiled, explaining the haunted house.

Let's call it the Scream Factory. We can throw sheets over all the file cabinets and turn it into a maze of terror. Then we'll make up fliers and pass them out school. Oh, this is going to be a blast. Sally shrugged. I don't know. I'm having second thoughts, she explained. Something is wrong. Did you see the way the mayor kept looking at that file? I just have a bad night about all this. He's not telling us something. Laurie brushed a lot of wind, tangled hair from her face. He's a politician. I'm sure there's a lot of things he isn't telling us. Besides, we agreed to do this. And he's counting on us. So let's make the best of it. It might even be fun. Sally couldn't stop thinking of the horrible story she'd read about Michael Mars. Why haven't they found his body? What if it was all true? What if Sally knew it was true? But she didn't want to believe it. Sally, look seriously at Laurie trying to talk her out of it. I don't understand why he'd suddenly decide to plant such a huge party just a few days before Halloween. And the other weird thing about it is that the city doesn't even have the funding to get the heating repaired. But the mayor is willing to shell out the money for a party. I just don't get it. Laurie put her arm around Sally. Hey, we'll have so many lit up jack lanterns in that building, we won't need any heating. Besides, this is the perfect way to get back at Marsha Miller. The whole school will come to our party instead of hers. We'll invite everybody. Sally, crinkle her nose. I like the sound of that. I can just see her now pounding all by herself at her little party. OK, you've talked me into it. Matt Hudson pulled up in front of City Hall and his red jeep. Loud rock music blaring through the canvas top. He hopped out and bounded up the stairs with ease to where the girls were talking. He held out his muscular arms to Sally. Hey, sweetie, I'm here. Don't I get a kiss? Laurie watched as Sally brushed his deep brown hair off his perfectly chiseled face. Sally was really lucky. She thought she could understand why Marcia was so obsessed with Matt. When he smiled at Sally showing those perfect white teeth, it was as if she were the only girl on the planet. Sally pounded. What took you so long, Matt? You little snuggle bunny was freezing out here. Matt Groud. Who? I love it when you talk bunnies to me. Matt looked at Lori as if he hadn't seen her there before. Oh, hey, Lori. Lori smiled politely. Hi, Matt. Are you guys ready to go? Matt tickled Sally, who was giggling hysterically as they piled into the jeep. Matt turned down the volume of his radio and asked, So what were the two hottest babes and Haddonfield doing at City Hall anyway? Sally smiled. You are looking at the hostess of hadn't filled while this Halloween party ever. Matt reached beneath the seat and pulled out a small black envelope. Marcia's party. Here's my invitation. Well, I'm glad you two finally made peace. So what are you going to be doing for her? Doing for her, Sally repeated. She grabbed the invitation. Give me that. Matt. How could you even consider going to that bitch's party? Sally tore open the envelope and read aloud in the snickering sweet voice. Matt, hope you can make it to my party for the time of your life. Matt stared dumbly at Sally. She just gave it to me after football practice today. I thought you just said that you guys made up. What's the deal? Sally threw down the invitation. No. As a matter of fact, we didn't make up. I can't believe her. She almost ran us over with her car after school. And then she follows you to football practice to deliver this disgusting little invitation. Will she stop at nothing? Matt smirked and put his hand on Sally's knee. You're kind of cute when you're jealous. He teased Sally side, feeling bullish for getting so upset. I'm not jealous and I'm not going to Marcia's party. She took a breath. Laurie and I are having our own Halloween bash. And you are coming with me. Laurie spoke out trying to ease the tension. Mayor Jamison asked us to throw a giant party at City Hall. We're going to transform the basement into a haunted house. And we're inviting the whole school and everyone else in Haddonfield. We're calling it the Scream Factory. Matt laughed a party with the mayor. Are you serious? This place will be crawling with little kids and old fogies that reek of mothballs. How are we supposed to have any fun in a place like that? Come on, Sally. Sally. Twisted math class ring, which she wore on her thumb. Her feelings were obviously hurt. It's not going to be like that. We're gonna make it the coolest party this town has ever seen. So unless you have other plans, I need your help with this, she said. Matt looked at his beautiful girlfriend. On one hand, he was feeling guilty for flaunting his invitation in front of her. But on the other hand, he hated the thought of missing one of Marcia's wild parties with catered food and plenty of spiked fruit punch. He gave her leg a little squeeze. Of course I'll help you, Sally. I was just joking about the old fogies and stuff. Lori peered out of her window at the wet streets. She strained to make out a dark figure pushing a motorcycle on the other side of the road. Hey, Matt, stop. That was Jake. Come back back there pushing his bike. Let's go see if he needs any help. Matt snorted to help. Of course he needs help. Matt pointed. Look at that guy in his faded black denim jeans and leather jackets. The rebel without a clue. The lone stranger Sally looks back at Jake pushing his old motorcycle in the rain. Matt, just because someone isn't a job doesn't mean that they're weird, she said defensively. Let's go help him. Matt saw Lori's hopeful expression in his rearview mirror and realized how silly and immature he was acting. He groaned as he made a U-turn. Laurie ignored Matt stupid jokes. Sometimes he was so insensitive. Such jock. He's an artist and a good one. She said in Jake's defense, Sally turned around to look at Lori. Oh yeah. Since when do you know so much about Jake Kovak? Lori anxiously Wait. There's Matt. Turn the Jeep around. Jake always sat in front of Lori in her physical science class. He never said much. A few times she'd seen him watching her, but he'd always turn around before she could give him a smile. She often stared at his honey blond hair and he'd always thought he was very attractive and a little dangerous. Laurie answered, I seen him drawing in science classes notebook. Matt pulled over in the gravel a few feet away from Jake. OK, Laurie, go ask Mr. James Dean if he needs a ride, he said a flush spread across Maurice Cheeks as she got out of the jeep. She yelled, Hey, Jake, do you need some help? Jake, stop pushing the bike and looked up to see Lori Parker. She stood there under the dark sky like some kind of angel with that pink indorse sweater stretching across her chest. He cleared his throat, shocked to see her. Yeah, I could use it. I could use a ride. Lori smiled brightly. Great. Come on. Jake was a little embarrassed about the broken bike as he pushed the kickstand into the gravel. I'll come back and pick up my bike tomorrow when the rain lets up. Lori stepped closer, really noticing his mysterious eyes for the first time. You've got a little smudge on your cheek. She gingerly wiped his face with her finger. Jake stared at her, mesmerized by her touch. Thanks. Must be oil from the bike. He gave her a shy smile and followed her to the jeep. Why are they helping me? He thought electrical impulses rushed through his entire body as he watched her walk. Some days it almost drove him mad. Knowing that this gorgeous creature was sitting not more than two feet behind him and he couldn't even bring himself to speak or look at her. Here she was in the flesh, offering him a ride, touching his face, staring at him with those blue eyes. Don't blow it, Jake. He told himself. Matt started the engine as Jake and Lori piled in a van, having a bad day. Jake awkwardly scratched into the back seat with his long legs nearly touching his chin. No. Well, yeah.

Hey, thanks for the ride. I live on Ripley Road, about a mile up from the old place. The Meyers place, the horrible newspaper articles flashed through Sally's mind. She turned to Jake. Really? You actually live up there? Is all that stuff true about Michael Myers? Laurie listened intently as Jake spoke in a soft voice. Yeah, he said. They say it's all true, but things have been quiet around here for years. They say the Myers house is haunted. But I don't buy it. I pass it every day and never see any action over there except for the weeds growing. The place has been deserted for over 30 years since he killed his sister on Halloween night. Matt laughs Yeah, right. I can't believe you guys. I don't even think that Michael Mars existed. It's all just a bunch of stupid rumors, urban legends. Laurie noticed that Jake's long legs was touching hers. Matt, you're such an ignoramus. We just read all the old newspaper articles today at City Hall. I seriously doubt that all those stories were just made up. I agree with Jake. Jake winked at Laurie. He tapped a man on the shoulder and challenged. Why don't we start by the old Marje place on the way to my house? I'll show you the bloodstains on the wall. Sally Squill. No way. That is too creepy. Besides, it's getting way too dark for that. Matt downshifted as they turned the corner onto Ripley Road. You're on, Jake.

I'm not scared of that old dark

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