Halloween Date

It was snowing and Roby knew he was late for his date. Hurriedly, he wore a red shirt, black jeans and ran out hardly even combing his hair. But he knew he was blessed with amazing hair which fell on his forehead. Running his hand through his hair, he opened his phone. The message she had sent 15 minutes ago still blinked.

‘I’m at the bus station.’

Was she still there? What if she left? Oh, god! Roby ran to the bus station and tried to call her. But he couldn’t connect to her. He sent her messages but none of the messages were getting delivered. Still, he ran.

The bus station was deserted. There was no one. Not even a single-vehicle.

Roby knew he blew it. Blew it with the girl he had not even seen. This was his first blind date and she had left without telling him. He should have gone to Martin’s Halloween party. Dating wasn’t for him.

He was about to turn around when he saw a black figure sitting on a bench near the bus station. She was dressed in all black and was so tiny that he had missed her earlier.

She was dressed in black. That’s what they had decided. Sabrina, his blind date, and him. They both were supposed to dress in black. But Roby had surely forgotten that. He slowly walked towards her and saw her engrossed in herself. Touching her ears, hair, face.

“Sabrina?” Roby stood in front of her smiling charmingly.

Slowly, she looked at him and kept gazing at his happy face. Of course, she couldn’t recognize him. They had never seen each other’s photos.

“I’m so sorry, Sabrina,” he apologized and smiled faintly.

She studied him and kept quiet. Her eyes moving to his face and his beautiful hair.

“I’m Roby,” he introduced himself and put his hand forward, “Your blind date.”

It had stopped snowing but Roby could see snowflakes settled on her jet-black hair.

She looked down and then suddenly looked up and smiled brightening up the dark street.

“Hi,” she said getting up and hardly reaching his chest.

For a while they kept gazing at each other and then Roby suggested they go somewhere.

“Where?” Sabrina looked reserved and afraid. Of course, this was a blind date and it wasn’t easy to trust anyone.

“Um, we take this road,” he pointed to the empty and deserted street, “I know a shortcut. There’s an amazing café at the end of it. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

Sabrina pressed her lips and stared at the empty street. Not a single person had passed by since an hour.

“Don’t you trust me?” Roby asked and Sabrina shook her head embarrassed.

Roby smiled and nodded his head.

“You are right not to trust me,” he flashed his gorgeous smile, “I could be a serial killer too, right?”

Sabrina stared in shock and then laughed.

“Serial killer who is looking for girls online to kill?” she was still laughing.

Roby shrugged, “Yeah, why not?”

Sabrina nodded her head like she was noting some important point.

“So shall we?” Roby asked walking a step ahead and asking her to lead.

They both looked at each other. Sabrina saw a chocolate boy with gorgeous hair who could only joke about serial killers. Roby saw a tiny, little girl dressed in all goth with a humorous streak.

“I’m so glad we are doing this,” Roby said as they began walking slowly looking at all the abandoned houses which really looked creepier than most decorated houses.

“Me too,” Sabrina sighed and inhaled the fresh cold air, “I have not been out since ages.”

Roby remembered she said something about family issues and not getting time to get out.

“Yes, I remember you told me once,” he smiled and saw her face going grim.

Perhaps she was remembering her family problems. He decided to change the topic.

What should he tell her? What?

“You – you are beautiful, Sabrina,” he said fumbling and saw her blush.

She had not expected that. Smiling from ear to ear, she thanked him and complimented his hair.

“The moon is so beautiful,” Sabrina said staring at the sky where the moon was emitting blue light.

Roby saw her face lit up and realized she was really beautiful. He thanked his stars that he didn’t go to Martin’s party.

“I heard the moon’s gonna be red next Halloween,” Roby said remembering something he read on the internet, “And people say it would be the end of the year.”

Sabrina smirked and looked careless. Like she wouldn’t mind for the end of the world. Roby started speaking about a pizza place which excited Sabrina.

“I haven’t had a pizza since ages, Roby,” she chimed and her eyes lit up, “You know how much I love pizza. Especially the ones with extra cheese.”

Roby chuckled at her childlike enthusiasm as she kept speaking about different types of pizzas. He remembered telling Martin once how he would marry a girl instantly if she knew all about pizzas.

They stopped at the end of the street as Roby had forgotten to take the turn. He stared at the large abandoned house staring at them.

Sabrina frowned as she saw Roby staring at the house inquisitively. Her eyes shifted with his gaze and she saw the huge abandoned mansion in front of her.

“There are so many stories related to this house,” informed Roby, his eyes still on the house.

Sighing, Sabrina looked down and wondered what was he up to.

His eyes turned to see Sabrina looking anxious. He wondered if she really thought he was a serial killer.

“What stories?” she asked looking up suddenly fearless.

Roby smiled and remembered one particular story his college friends had told him.

“They say the house is haunted, cursed. I mean whoever lives there dies an untimely death. They say there isn’t just one ghost haunting the house. There are numerous ghosts. Whoever has lived there has been a ghost in that house. No one survives in there for more than a year. God knows how many people have died. God knows how many people have turned into ghosts. Innocent people.”

He paused and glanced at the house almost seeing a dim light in one of the rooms.

“They say the house,” he shifted his gaze to Sabrina, “eats up the people whoever lives there.”

Sabrina was silent and she continued looking down.

“God,” chuckled Roby, “I – I always used to tell my friends I want to see this house at night but no one ever dared and tonight – I’m here with you.”

They stared at each other trying to read each others’ eyes.

“You – you ever heard about this house?” he asked her and she nodded.

“Ever heard about these stories or any other stories?” he shot another question.

Sabrina licked her lip and nodded.

“How? How do you know? Who told you?” frowning, he wondered if she was spooked out like him.

Roby saw Sabrina struggling to speak. She gazed at the house and then at Roby.

“No one told me,” she looked serious and sad at the same time.

“Then?” Roby questioned raising his eyebrow.

Sabrina’s eyes were slowly filling with water, “I know all this because this is where I died. That’s my house, Roby.”

Suddenly, the blue moon was shining brighter than ever. Roby knew she was joking. He wanted to laugh but the water in her eyes was filling.

“You’re joking, right?” he laughed nervously and waited for her to smile or laugh.

Roby’s phone chimed and he saw the message. It was from Sabrina sent an hour back.

 

‘Sorry, I left. Will go on a date next time. Call me. xo.’

 

Roby’s hand started to shiver and he realized the moon wasn’t shining brightly. The light was coming from the house. Suddenly, all the rooms were lit and mist surrounded the house, embraced it, and made me look more beautiful and spookier.

The front door of the house opened and Roby saw Sabrina move towards the house.

She shrugged casually, “My time’s up. I am only allowed to get out on Halloween till midnight. Goodbye Roby!”

Roby wasn’t spooked out but sad. He had tears in his eyes as he saw Sabrina or whoever she disappeared in the mist.