Dess Holiday

(Halloween, October 31st.) (Who doesn’t love it?)

(You, and your friends had been trick-or-treating all night. You had stopped by all of your neighbours houses to collect candy. After all— it was a very small town.) (Eventually— your friends started talking about going outside of town— going trick-or-treating in the bigger neighbourhoods.) (After they talked you into it— you all got in your friend’s car— and drove off.) (As the car picked up speed— there had always been a wood surrounding the town you lived in.) (The woods had always reminded you of your best friend, Dess. She had gone missing a long time ago— and ever since, the Holiday family had been distant. Noelle, Dess’ sister— became more quiet than she usually is. And now, that’s the new usual.)

{[TIME-SKIP]}

(Your friends had lied. Instead— they drove you out to a party— where they became drunk, and shit-faced. To the point that they forgot about you, and left you behind. It was a 20 minute drive home— or a 3 hour walk.) (As you walked on the side of the road— through the forest, you could’ve sworn the whole time you were being watched. And glancing over at the trees only reminded you of Dess. You didn’t like thinking of her— it felt wrong to think about people who were dead. At least— presumed dead.) (The smell of smoke.) (The smell of burning bodies.) (Your foot stood on something— a number plate. Your friend’s number plate.) Looking up— your friend’s car had swerved off the road— and slammed into a tree. It was lit up in flames. But as you stared in shock— you noticed something else besides the outline of your friend’s burning face pressed against the car window. A giant slash in the side of the car— like as if something huge had taken a swing at it.)

(And if your suspensions are right— that means you’re alone out here with it.) (stomp… stomp… stomp…) (That’s all that filled the night— beside the sounds of the fire.) (Then, it stopped.)

(stomp stomp stomp stomp) (It’s coming from behind you.) (STOMP STOMP STOMP STOMP… STOMP.) (Now, whatever it was. Was right behind you.) (You slowly turn around and…)

(It was huge— easily 3 times the size of you.) (A large pair of blue jeans, a large white shirt, and a large green jumper with red sleeves.) (The clothes Dess was last seen in last.)

(It’s head was topped with large antlers, and messy black hair. The fire glinted off one of its eyes. Your own eyes filling with tears— it was definitely Dess, just a lot bigger. You don’t like thinking about her. Because even though this thing looked like Dess. It couldn’t be her.) (As the fire began to rage on further— and spread up a tree— the creature’s face became easier to see. Disfigured, covered in blood— the face was mostly covered in sharp teeth— it’s arm raised above its head— ready to cut you down where you stood. This thing had killed your friends, and now it was going to kill you.)

(As memories of Dess flooded into your head, and the thought of her being right in front of you— you just broke out into tears. You fell to your knees— and started crying. Even more memories filled your head— as you’re reminded of the times that you and Dess had told each other personal problems, and issues— sometimes leasing to you both crying.)

(It was just about to cut you open with its claws— but in hearing your cries— it halted. Its face quickly turned from bloodied, and full of fangs— to Dess’s own worried face.)

Dess: “Hey— wait, {User}, please don’t cry. I… I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s me— Dess. You remember me, right, December Holiday?”