Misty

After last year's crazy dream, we visited Nathan and Nolan's family's haunted house. It also helped that they could accommodate Nash's deafness.

We stood in line while Noah and Nolan discussed who was better—Jason Voorhies or Michael Myers. Why? Who the hell knows with these two?

"I'm telling you, Jason is much better than Michael," Noah said.

"How do you figure?" Nolan asked.

"Jason uses anything he can get his hands on to end his victims. Michael stalks people with a butcher knife. Pft, big deal."

"Michael caught people off guard."

"So did Jason. Plus, he ended his victims before they finished having sex."

We glanced behind us at Noah. What the hell?

"Michael killed his victims while they had sex, so your point doesn't count."

"Can you imagine someone shoving a shark object into you when you're getting ready to nut?" Nathan asked.

"Oh, hell no. Those dicks can wait until I shoot my shot," Diego said.

"How would you stop them? Yell, hey, let me finish?" Aiden asked.

"Pretty much." Diego shrugged.

"A psychopath won't give a shit if you blow your load if he wants to off your stupid ass," Nixon added.

"That's why virgins survive through a horror film. They're running from the killer and not dying because they let their lust overrun them," Emilio said.

"How did the guys get into a discussion about horror films and sex?" Marcy asked.

"They're horny bastards," Macey answered.

I looked at Nash. "Must your cousins always bring up sex everywhere we go?"

"Did you forget who you're talking about?" Nash arched his brow.

"Good point."

The line moved until we reached the entrance. Nash mentioned his deafness to the man before handing him our tickets. The man had us wait while he entered the haunted house.

"What's the hold-up?" Nixon asked.

"The guy is giving the actors a heads-up about Nash," I said.

"Ah."

The guy returned and waved us through. Someone used a laser pointer to get Nash's attention before an actor jumped out at us. I screamed and jumped throughout the haunted house while Nash chuckled.

The actors were respectful towards us as we made our way through the haunted house. I understand why Nathan and Nolan prefer their family's haunted house over others.

We exited the house as a guy directed us to a hayride. We waited for the others to exit before heading in that direction.

"Nathan and Nolan's family goes all out for Halloween, don't they?" I asked. 

"Odin, Jordin, Liam, and Casper's great-great-grandfather and great-great-uncle started the haunted house as a charity. They donate all proceeds to help sexual assault victims," Nash explained.

"That's admirable of them to do that."

"The family donates, too. They wanted to contribute to help after what happened."

I nodded in understanding.

The others exited the haunted house and approached us before we headed to the hayride. We climbed into the back and found a spot on a hay bale. Once everyone was inside the back of the truck, the truck moved.

******
Valentino

Halloween is always a gamble with us. We never knew what would happen.

"Nash, remember when your dad and Uncle Rafe got roped into taking us trick or treating," Nix asked.

"Yeah. Dad asked why he had to go when he doesn't like candy," I said.

"Only because he would keep my dad from yelling at everyone," Noah said.

We laughed beside Uncle Rafe, who would yell at someone for leaving their porch light on when they weren't handing out candy. Uncle Romeo could go because the women would flirt with him. Uncle Pat used it as a get-out-of-jail card. Uncle Marty would spend more time checking out haul. Grandpa would rush us to each house so he could get home sooner. Our mothers and Nana would pass out candy and keep Aunt Sage from eating all of it.

"I miss dressing up and trick or treating," Mags said.

"Why?"

"Free candy." She grinned.

I chuckled. "What about your dad?"

"Oh, he would use the tax method. I had to give him a percentage of my candy."

I laughed.

"I didn't mind, though. He would always make sure he was home to take me. It's like he didn't want to miss it since my mom wasn't here."

"Your dad doesn't strike me as someone who misses things in your life."

"Nope." Mags shook her head and smiled. "He's the best dad I've ever had."

Everyone stopped talking and listened to Mags talk about West.

"My dad would play tea party with me and wear a tiara. Most guys wouldn't do that. We would sit on the couch and watch movies while sharing popcorn. He taught me how to climb a tree and shoot a rifle. There's never a time I can't remember my dad not being there." She smiled thoughtfully.

"God got it right this time with you," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"He gave a father who gave a shit about you. I'm glad you got our dad, Mags. He always loved you like a daughter."

"Nate always felt like my dad."

"Princesses were dresses until you make them your queen."

Mags' lips curved upward. My cousins smiled at the reference. When we were brothers, our dad would say princesses wore dresses, but our mom was his queen. I never forgot that message.

******
Misty

Nash wrapped his arms around me on the hay ride. I leaned into him and sighed in contentment. For once, nothing and no one was trying to cause problems for us.

The driver returned to the starting point. We disembarked the back and walked toward the cars. We climbed inside and headed to the houses to change since we were having a big ass slumber party when we returned.

Once Nash and Nathan pulled into the driveway, the girls and I headed to our house to change into PJs. We ran to the boys' house and entered to find pillows and blankets on the living room floor with furniture moved out of the way. The guys came downstairs in sweatpants, tee shirts, and socks.

While everyone got comfy on the floor, Nixon grabbed candy bags from the coat closet and passed them out to the others. Nash and I made popcorn. The demon spawns grabbed pops and handed them to everyone while Nolan tossed bags of Doritos.

We brought big bowls of popcorn to the living room and joined everyone. 

"What's the deal with you and popcorn?" Nathan asked us.

"Nash and I always shared popcorn at the movies." I popped a few kernels into my mouth.

"After we argue about it," Nash said.

Everyone laughed.

"Remember when we would camp at Grammy and Grandpa's house?" Nixon asked Nash.

"Grandpa would give us rules so we didn't duke it out," Nash said.

"It's not our fault that someone would open their big mouth," Nathan said.

"Who are you kidding? We were the ones who opened their mouths," Nixon said.

"At least Grandpa Matt doesn't put up with our shit. Grandpa Elias would lock us in cages," Noah said.

We laughed because it was true. The cousins had kiddie jails since they couldn't behave.

It was nice hanging out with everyone without a psycho demon causing us grief. Then again, we're on our guard. Did you think the psycho demon gave up? Yeah, okay. That bitch was lying low, waiting to pounce.

Nash's phone rang. He answered it and put it on speakerphone. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, Tino. How was your night?"

"It was fun. We hit the charity haunted house before taking a hay ride. We're at the house chilling now."

"Good. I told your uncles and aunts I would check in with you."

"How's everything at home?"

"Let's see. Your uncle Pat refused to pass out candy. Your uncle Romeo hid in his house. Your uncle Rafe yelled at the kids for taking over two pieces of candy. Your uncle Marty complained we didn't get his favorite candy. Your grandpa used a timer."

We laughed.

"It's your typical Halloween here."

"Tell everyone we'll see them at Thanksgiving."

"Will do. Love you, Tino."

"Love you, too, Dad." Nash ended the call.

We exchanged glances, knowing Val didn't call to shoot the shit. He was checking on us but in his own way. No parents wanted to receive a phone call that their child had been hurt.

After what happened to Eden and me, the parents would take turns checking on us. I didn't blame them. Who the hell wants to receive that phone call? I thought Eden and my parents would lose their shit when we landed in the hospital—stupid demon.

"At least our parents didn't show up tonight," Nathan said.

"They won't need to show up if they hear we're okay," Nixon reasoned.

"Easy for you to say. My dad threatens to show up whether I want him to," Noah said.

"It's not our fault Uncle Rafe is clingy," Nolan said.

Noah rolled his eyes. Noah got the pleasure of having a stage five clinger for a father out of the brothers. Karma's a bitch.