The next morning
30th of October, 1969

The pale wee lights of the early morning in Salem settled as they brought with itself cloudy sky, concealing the sun with crowding solid, sombre clouds.

The last, howsoever, crispy, multi-colored autumn leaves were tumbling down from the grandiose trees with its crowns, coating the ground with path of leaves. A mild gusty wind blowing and blowing.

Lastly Valerie and Sally were set free from the jail bars as they have already spent the entire night doubtlessly. They were deliberated and have dressed up themselves in the garments with which they were brought in the police station.

Sally got back in Boston, whereas Valerie aimed to the hotel, keeping her wits about her father and daughter's unhealthily anger and frustration which she might earn from her father mostly. She realized how heartbroken she was when the young woman thinks of her family even if her absence is more sickly murder and predominating in the reserved hotel room where are her father and daughter.

As the maid entered in the hotel facade and took an elevator for the sixth floor, she waited patiently inside the empty elevator, contemplating the door and thrumming to herself. Once the elevator stopped on the sixth floor, she left it and tiptoed until her hazel eyes peaker on room 606.

As soon as Valerie reached the room, she stepped in front of the door as her small, creamy hand met the lukewarm handle, consequently, pressing it aa the door slightly yielded to creak, peeping through the ajar through pursed lips. The young woman scrutinized quickly, cunningly the hotel room, noting Shona and Maksim are still slumbering in unconscious condition.

In the meantime, Valerie sighed inwardly, having opulent of questions, flooding her mind within seconds:

How they are supposed to leave their hotel room unlocked? If thieves or somebody enters just like they are feeling home, what they can do about it? If they wake up and notice me, how they might react?

Without hesitancy, the young lady stepped in the booked hotel room, closing the door in cautious way as she tiptoed, evading to render any sound with her stilettos, fixing her eyes whether on Maksim or Shona, taking off her coat as she hanged it on the coat hanger and sat on the ottoman, kicking off her stilettos. The housekeeper tried her best to be as quiet as the grave.

Shortly afterwards, a catnap hit her as she closed her eyelids, flattering in the slumbering condition.

***

The next day
31st of October, 1969

The day after dawned at last.

Valerie explained to her father even her daughter over her longer disappearance a few nights ago, due to the fact she spotted occasionally Father McKenzie and clugged him to a tree as Sally joined her. They imperiled him, besides a handful of slaps were smacked across his face and eventually they released him. Initially, Maksim thought about it, nevertheless, he abstained from overreacting, due to the fact he couldn't stand the juvenile priest and thinks he earned what he genuinely deserved. Furthermore, he was ridiculously astounded by the fact that the both women were imprisoned for less than 24 hours.

Flashback

Yesterday

"So Val, what happened over your disappearance?" The three of them seated on one small, round table in the hotel's cafeteria as Maksim sternly, dryly questioned his daughter as he ordered for himself a Cappuchino coffee without sugar, sipping his hot caffeine beverage.

The young maid exhaled sharply after munching sea food soup, molting in her mouth, placing her spoon in the bowl with the soup, whereas Shona was focused on the slice of pumpkin cake, munching it as she grasped the silverware fork, averting her eyes during the adults' serious discussion though she listened attentively.

"Father, I was just roaming around the Salem streets until I saw this imbecile, dressed up in a neat costume and there was nobody circa us, thus I decided to have a revenge on him for what he had done to Sally and plans to do to my friends. We told him what awaits him and we slapped his face after he addressed Sally "slut"  for no reason as she was his rape victim." 

"Mhm! Go on." The older man insisted, sipping his morning drink as he paid utterly attention to his daughter.

"And seconds later after we let Father McKenzie to be set free, subsequently, the police arrived on place abr arrested both of us for an attemtped assault over a priest escept we threatened him." The young lady inhaled calmly, sipping her fresh, natural orange juice as a smug, vile smirk crawled on her face.

"Oh!" He held the fork, pushed in it the fork, gasping unsurprised as he chewed the cucumber slices of his salad. "He got what he deserved though I think it's a bit radical what you have done to him."

"Excuse me, father?" She enquired in leery manner, sipping her juice again as she left the glass of orange juice aside. "I tried my best to persuade him he's actually the wrong. I don't think you understand my concept." The housekeeper carried on as her voice was rather jiving for Maksim.

"I utterly comprehend you, Val! But," He paused as he savored his cucumber salad again and again, wiping his perspiring eyebrow. "There are other methods to prevent hazards from him." He cautioned her  wisely, a sarcastic grin blossomed on his wrinkled face.

"I cannot disagree here!" The redhead snapped, concluding in a single gulp her fresh, lukewarm beverage, closing her eyes for a while, sensing the amorous, extraordinary sensation of the juice slither down her throat. "However, everyone has their own tactics to deal with such hustlers like Father McKenzie!" The young woman muttered, halting with the scorching, aggressive debates between her and her father.

"That's right, my dear daughter! I support you there with Sally and I respected your decisions, and," Maksim cleared his throat, drinking a couple of coffee sips within seconds. "I am supporting every decision of yours in the same time, of course! Nevertheless, I think it was particularly unnecessary to be arrested for twenty-four hours, due to the fact you haven't harmed him much."

The redhead couldn't contain her gradually growing smirk, flashed on her young-looking, fair tanned complexion, resuming her breakfast.

***

Valerie and Shona determined themselves to leave the hotel for a few hours, in fact, to wander around the Salem neighborhoods for trick or treating, collecting sweets from strangers and children, besides disguising themselves in something peculiar even spooky.

For this purpose, the night approached way too quickly as the both females's patience was significantly drained with the passing hours.

What Maksim has decided was to not celebrate Halloween, due to the fact, he wasn't a keen fan of it, besides he thought it's for little children holidays. At last but not least, while his daughter and granddaughter are out of the hotel, he will stay in the reserved hotel room, chill and relax eventually.

Valerie liked Halloween, howsoever, she loved it when she was younger, because of the eerie ambience, the horrid costumes in which the children and other people who celebrate it, are disguised in. By not forgetting, the pumpkin lanterns which she liked very much as a piece of decoration and trick or treating with her daughter for candies and sweets which every child couldn't reject irrevocably as well. As an addition, she celebrated it essentially because of her sole daughter she had.

First and foremost, Shona adored Halloween and it was her favorite holidays with Christmas and Thanksgiving along though she can't rely on how small is her family even her inner circle as narrow as a wink. Second, she had the same motives just like her mother why Halloween is midst her favorite holidays. And in general she celebrated it every year.

After the small Russian-American family had a dinner in the dining room of the hotel, Valerie and Shona commenced to dress and prepare for tonight as the redhead dressed up herself as a vampire as she had a long black gown with bloody red satin, transparent long sleeves with ruffled cuffs, V neckline, the hem flaring down to the ankles, black and scarlet red cloak, mantling her back, followed by black chunks, shielding her pantyhosed feet as the thin, dark pantyhose layered every inch of her long, drop-dead gorgeous legs. In addition to her Halloween outfit, she apprended ruby and onyx jewelries, made from silver as well. Her mane of scarlet straight strands cascaded her waist as her lips were painted in ravishing red and she applied black eye shadows on her eyelids, and some perfume before culminating it.

Shona was clothed as a princess of the darkness with knee length goth violet dress qith long, cotton sleeves, tiara with onyx, earrings pierced in her earlobes, black goth strapped shoes. Her hair was tied in ponytail this time as the majority of the time, it was braided.

Once they finished with dresisng up as they went in the bathroom to prepare themselves, they peeped up at the mirror, checking their current looks as they couldn't be more mesmerized by the way they look.

"You are so beautiful vampire, mom!" Shona spoke her mind.

"Thank you, darling!" The young mother crouched down to her daughter, planting feather kisses on her cheeks, cupping her face. Thereafter she glued her eyes on the young girl, admiring her natural beauty.

"I want to be as beautiful as you, mom!" The young redhead huffed, refraining to weep as her eyelids weren't pooled in crystal dew of dampness.

"Of course, you are beautiful, Shona!" Valerie whispered in her ear. "You are a pretty girl, dressed as a princess of the darkness." The single mother of a daugher emboldened her proudly, patting lightly her cheeks as the pre-teen couldn't oppress a growing, blooming smile in the corner of her lips. 

"Does grandpa thinks I am a pretty girl?"

"Of course, he does." Shortly after the Russian-American rose up as she checked her face promptly in the mirror, making sure her make-up isn't smudged and ruined at all. "Let's go show in front of your grandfather." 

They momentarily fled the en-suite bathroom as Maksim was reading a non-fictional book for distraction, sitting on the leather ottoman until the both females stepped in the reserved hotel room as he averted his eyes off the book's pages as his light eyes were fixed on his daughter and granddaughter. A small, humble smile formed on his lips. 

"Oh, here are the Halloween ladies." He commented ironically, his fingers wrapped around the book's covers.

"Yes, father. How do we look?"

"You look wonderful both of you! Beautiful girls."

"Thank you!" Valerie and Shona said all as one. 

***

Valerie held the pumpkin basket as they haven't collected candies and sweets yet as soon as they left the hotel facade, headed up to the Salem neighbourhoods or the rambling strangers, disguised as spooky creatures for Halloween. 

The nocturnal ambience, itself, was far from apprehensive even muddling. 

Group of adolescents and children even adults trekked circa the neighbourhoods, laughters fulfilling the Halloween night, interweaving with their voices.

As the minutes were passing smoothly, more candies and sweets the both females assembled in the pumpkin basket from house to another house, constantly changing their locations. 

***

"Hi, my beautiful angel of death!" Timothy encircled with his strong, muscular arms Jude's waist as she was checking her own reflection and Halloween outfit as she determined herself to be the angel of death for this Halloween, her hazel irises watched through the reflexion Timothy's tall figure in front of her, peppering her head with a kiss.

"Oh hello there, warlock!" She winked at him, grin flourishing on her fresh, light-coloured complexion as her vivid, exquisite bloody red lips spotlighted her face, giggling demurely. "Handsome as always!" The former nun complimented him.

"Thank you! You are even hypnotizingly beautiful." He rested his chin on her shoulder, sensing underneath the silky white fabric faintly tickling his sensitive skin of his jawline. 

Jude couldn't oppress a sheepish, inward snigger, escaping her throat as Timothy joined her. 

"Are you ready?" The former priest inquired her.

"Of course, I am!" Gamely smirk inked in the corner of her crimson lips as Timothy grabbed her by her waist as he positioned an arm under her legs, whereas his other one was snaked around her shoulder, holding her in a bridal lift as they fled dashed out of their bedroom.

"Better to not be late for the Halloween party as Frank is supervising Ellie, Tristan and Agnes!" He cautioned when they left their bedroom, headed towards the stairs, descending them in a couple of steps.

The couple couldn't suppress giggle as Timothy carried her in his arms as he was tremendously considerate until they stormed off in the living room, squealing in unison:

"Surprise!"

Frank was sitting on the couch as he cooed, gaping in awe at Jude and Timothy as he couldn't help but guffawing, admiring his friends' marriage and their heavenly bliss, oozing from them. 

The former cop was caparisoned as a cowboy, wearing a leather, chestnut cowboy hat, followed by a sheriff navy shirt with denim brown slacks with a belt, a badge on his shirt and leather sheriff boots, knee length. 

In the interim, the twins were chatting, talking about their toys as they were sitting on the leather goth sofa, a few inches away from the security guard, whilst Frank rocked Agnes in his affectionate, secure arms as their faces were turned to the gleeful couple.

"Oh, Jude and Tim! You are so excited." Frank added a commentary.

"Of course, we are!" Timothy dropped Jude off his arms as she stepped on the floor, their shoes clicking against the floor as they strolled up at their old friend, wearing radiant smiles. 

"Has somebody rung on the door or not yet?" The former pious sister of the church posed the question to the slightly older man, glimpsing at Ellie and Tristan as she returned her gaze on Frank and Agnes. 

"Not yet." He answered cordially as Agnes was giggling in her uncle's arms.

"Hopefully they will arrive soon!" Timothy declared defeated, checking the coffee table if they have missed something to adorn it as on the table itself sat empty glasses, food and bottles of wine, bourbon and natural apple juice. 

"How is the little angel doing?" 

"She is doing well."

"It seems she loves her uncle." Jude exclaimed contently. 

***

As the hours proceed, the invited guests for the Halloween party in the Howards mansion had already arrived, whether disguised or not as they were Sally, Kaitlyn, Kit, Allison, Thomas and Julia, Ramona and Charlotte. 

The children were playing, dancing and talking to one another as they preferred to spend their time, during the party in discussions about toys, kindergarten, some of them about school and the sinister event.

They drank, ate even spoke to one another.

Whereas as the adults were dancing in pairs, regardless if they were randomly chosen or not. Sally invited Ramona to dance with her as they got along since their first encounter which was literally today, while Charlotte danced with Frank unlike Kit, Allison, Jude and Timothy who were sitting on the couch, talking and getting drunk especially Jude and Kit. Music played in the background, sailing up in the living room, terminating the entertaining atmosphere.

"Hey, Kit! Don't booze way too much." Kit's new girlfriend warned him as she placed a hand on his shoulder as she seated alongside him, attempting to protect him from embarrassing himself though he couldn't eschew his indulge during the party.

Meanwhile he held his glass with bourbon, lifting it up as he couldn't help but chuckle, eluded her warning, earning Jude and Timothy's amusing looks on their faces especially Jude's though they were concerned for him and his condition.

"Your girlfriend is right, Kit! Listen to her!" The former monsignor clarified Kit, patting lightly in amiable manner his broad shoulder as Timothy obtained his glare.

"I am just having fun, can't I?" The much younger man questioned as his inebriation conquered his body and nerves. 

"Having fun with boozing isn't actually having fun." Allison advised the young brunette, clasped an arm around his shoulder, looking up at his chocolate eyes. 

"No shit, Ally!" Jude gnarly evoked instinctively as she controlled herself though the insobriety wasn't exceptional phenomenon for her, earning Timothy and Allison's exhilerated stares whilst Kit's incensed facial expression, indicated on his youthful face, arrowed directly at her. 

"But Judy," The Howards' old friend riposted as he slurred his utterance. "Don't be a hypocrite! You are drunk too...just like me." He rapped faintly his chest, designating himself as the other three adults chortled, beatific tears damping their eyelids as they gushed down their faces as their bellies hurted of such a good laughter. 

"At least, I am not boozing constantly just like you. I am sipping my bourbon per a handful of minutes." The blonde clashed him in two simple sentences, defending herself. 

"Good for you!" Kit gulped in a single sip his bourbon, slamming the emptied glass on the coffee table as he got from the sofa, offering Allison's hand for a dance as she just smiled modestly and took his larger hand in her smaller, smooth one and got from the couch either too. In this moment the middle aged adults stared up in awe at the young couple, admiring their authentic and true love. 

Once Kit and Allison went up in the middle of the room, they started dancing just like the others while Jude's hazel orbs met Timothy's chocolate ones, locked up their gazes as Jude rested her head on his shoulder, gripping her glass of bourbon as it was her third one for tonight, sipping it and leaving it on the table. 

"Have you ever thought of taking photos of our Halloween party?" The former nun suggested.

"I do but I should find the camera."

"It's next to your thigh." She guided him as she glanced at the polaroid camera, positioned alongside his pant's leg. 

"Oh, I am sorry but this party is so overwhelming and I haven't noticed the camera unless you guided me." Timothy said in mocking way, chuckling together as he took the camera, commenced to snap a couple of polaroid photographs not only of Jude, seating next to him, moreover of the dancing guests and the children altogether.

"It's alright!" Jude winked at him after he photographed and show the polaroid photos to his wife, glued eyes on the photos as she clamped her hand with a mouth, being boggled by the way they were snapped. "Oh, look at our photographer Mr.Howard!" The middle-aged mother teased him as he didn't take her teasing seriously, sensing his warm palm a tad dabbing on her upper back. "It's a masterpiece, sweetie!" 

"Thank you, rare bird! I have never thought of being a good photographer, besides I have never practiced ever before." 

"Oh, come on! You are doing a fantastic job as a photographer. Why didn't you become instead of pursuing your fallen divine dream of being a Cardinal?"

"I wasn't sure of my skills." He confessed as he lowered his head, fixed his warm chocolate eyes on the photos, a sheepish smile shaped on his naturally plump lips. "If I was a photographer, I would have never met you, Jude!" He lowered his voice abruptly. 

"Timothy, do not underestimate yourself! We would probably have encountered even if you were a photographer." She grabbed his chin with her other free hand, whereas she snaked an arm around his upper back. The former nun tilted his head, pursuing for his desperate, doubtlessly downhearted aura which his eyes currently reflected. "You should relax, honey." Her bourbon stained breath pinched his face as he locked up her gorgeous, loving honey brown eyes. Their temples rested against each other, their lips a handful of centimetres away.

"I am trying." Timothy replied serenely, cold-bloodedly.

"No, you are not trying." Resilient silence arched between them. Meanwhile she momentarily crashed her lips on his as she removed her fingers from his chin, dangling her other arm around his neck, bringing their proximity closer. Presently, they suddenly lost themselves in the kiss, overlooking their bids, problems and surroundings as they were cardinally focused on themselves, their covetted eternal moment to last for longer. Timothy had his arms, thrown around Jude's waist as he left the photo camera on the coffee table. Shortly after they broke off the kiss as they withdrawn their faces, admiring one another's grace. 

"I love you very much, darling!"

"I love you too so much, rare bird!" Meantime he extended his hand as he got from the couch, offering her a dance as she couldn't reject his offer and took instantly his hand, headed up to the other dancing pairings, relishing the party moment together, without taking off their glistening eyes with sparkles of love, desire, lust, genialness and felicity, fixed on one another's faces and interminably smiling, flashed on their lips. 

To be continued...