"Alrighty! See you next weekend!", my bestfriend, Pamela Zanders, waved to our classmate, Shaun Connery, as he and his friends nodded and walked away. As soon as they were gone, she turned to face me with her eyes sparkling with glee, "do you think he'll come? Geez! I'm way too excited!"

"Who knows?", I grinned back at her. Shaun has been her crush since we were in middle school. He's a nice, cool guy who is friends with almost anybody. The typical good boy type. Which makes him the dream guy of any one in our batch.

"Can't wait!", Pam exclaimed and hugged the books to her chest. With a set of invitations on her hand, I had to help her spread the word out for more people to come.

"What made you throw a Halloween Party this year, Pam?", I suddenly asked her when we returned to our classroom to wait for the next subject.

"Well, I thought this will be a good time to get to know people. You know, since we'll be college students next year. It's about time we broaden our circle and mingle with other kids on the block.", she answered with her fingers drumming her desk.

"Can you quit doing that?", I pointed to her hands and she stopped drumming the desk. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous, I guess.", she pursed her lips and my forehead creased.

"Nervous about w—", my voice was cut off when Ms. Hills stepped in and began the lecture.

Friday ended quickly and everybody was happy. Just a few days more and we are on semestral break.

Me and Pam separated ways as she has to go and buy some stuff with her mom. I ran up to my room and excitedly rummaged through my drawers.

I already know what I want to be for Halloween and I just have the clothes for that.

I saw a pair tight black leather pants, black body-con zippered up blouse and a perfect headdress to remember.

Mom and Dad came and I was too busy on trying up my outfit when I heard something ripped apart. And oh my goodness!

"Oh no, no, no!", I groaned when my pants ripped in the most unwanted area. "I don't wanna go and buy a new one at the mall!"

In frustration, I hastily removed my pants and wiped the tears off my face. I have been saving up my money for a new edition of the book I have been eyeing by Colleen Hoover.

I changed into comfortable denim shorts and white tee before crawling to my piggy bank. I tried to peek in and I knew, my money wouldn't be enough.

A new pants costs more than a 300 bucks and I need to go to the thrift store if I want to save up. My target character for this Halloween originally doesn't have to be this expensive.

Lying on my bed with disappointment, I closed my eyes and tried to think of ways how I can still wear the costume without having to spend too much. I didn't realize I have slept until I heard rustling of leaves outside my bedroom window.

With my lamp serving as my light, I sat on my bed and gazed at my window.

First quarter moon.

In about a week's time is the full moon.

My favorite season.

Most of my classmates and friends find it weird whenever they ask me what's my most favorite time of the year and I always say it's the Halloween season specifically when it happens to be a full moon. I don't know. I am just mesmerized by it. I love seeing it just glowing up there and I think of all the possibilities.

Shivering under my denim shorts, I stood up and began closing the window which has been blown away by the wind. I stopped when I saw a person under a black hood and a scythe on his right hand walking towards a group of men. I was in awe on how cool his costume is.

I immediately closed the window and hid when one of them looked up at me. I peeked again and watched as their group of seven hoodie guys went to the street opposite ours.

Curiosity made me think who he is and their group is responsible of.

My stomach growled which reminded me that I haven't eaten yet. I tiptoed my way into the kitchen and the stillness of the night.

As I was getting myself some bread and putting on chicken spread, I heard murmurs from the backdoor. The hairs on my back begin to stood up at how eerie the atmosphere is.

I am all alone here in the kitchen and my parents are asleep. So, who could they be? And why are they so close to our house? Why are they so loud? Don't they know that it's almost midnight and most are asleep?

My irritation got the best of me and chomped on the slice of bread in only five minutes. I grabbed a glass,  poured some water and drank it. After returning things back to their places, I listened and their murmurs seemed to be louder than earlier.

I was about to march towards the backdoor when just in time, it opened, revealing my parents. I blinked in disbelief when I saw them staring back at me in surprise.

"Oh, Honey! Can't sleep? Oh, were you hungry? Lemme make you something.", Mom said and rushed to the kitchen while Dad kissed the top of my head.

"Hey, bunny.", Dad simply said and went upstairs leaving me and Mom behind.

"Here, Honey.", Mom handed me a sandwich and milk and gave me a smile. Her face doesn't give justice to her age. She is 46 years old yet her fine lines are not visible.

"Th-thanks, Mom.", I managed to say and she nodded.

"I'll be sleeping now. Just wash the glass, alright?", she said and I nodded before she left for bed.

When she was upstairs, I walked slowly towards the backdoor and ensure that it was locked before I went to the counter table. I stared at the sandwich and milk she made for me wondering if I can still eat them since I had eaten already. I didn't have the chance to tell her about it as they have appeared so unexpectedly.

I decided to at least have a bite of it and found myself emptying the glass. Shortly after, I felt sleepy after I have cleaned my glass. I went upstairs and dozed off to sleep.

***

Days flew by fast and I was able to buy myself the tight black leather pants I have been eyeing for. My costume is finally complete!

With my eye mask and lace cat ears, my Inner Catwoman was channeled. I'm just glad that my knee-high boots is a property of mine. I don't have to  spend too much.

I was about to tell Mom about Pam's Halloween birthday party but I saw her and Dad arguing at the living room.

"Where are you going, Wendy?", Mom asked when she saw me at the stairs dressed in my costume.

"To Pam's house, Mom. Today is her birthday.", I answered.

"Did I say yes? Did we?", Mom said in her classic high-pitched tone and hands on her hips.

"But, Mom!", I complained and my disappointment is evident on my office.

"Stay right here, Wendy.", Dad seconded which made me furious. Stomping, I went back upstairs and slammed the door.

I have long been waiting for this day. I have saved up for my costume.
And they are not allowing me to go!

I sniffed and realized that crying won't do it any good.

My phone rang and I saw Pamela's name on it. I hesitated answering it and saw the time. It's ten in the evening.

The party have started an hour ago. She must have been looking for me and I am here at home.

"Where you at, Wends! The party's rockin'! Come here now!", her message appeared on the screen and I am even more eager to be there. I don't wanna miss out on something like this. I have to be there!

I paced back and forth in my room and when the clock struck 11 and the house was silent, I removed my boots and walked barefoot out of my room still in my costume. I have money and phone at my back pockets so I still can go without anything in my grasps.

As soon as I was out the door, I wore my boots and trotted at the sidewalk. Pam's house is a few blocks away from mine and the noise of the party can be heard up to the next street.

I was still three houses away when I saw a hooded figure with a scythe in his hand. Giggling how into the season he was, I walked past him and stopped when I heard his voice.

"Bad girl.", I halted as to how familiar his voice was. I felt him passed by me and when I thought he had gone ahead, he turned to face me.

My eyes widened when I saw who it is. The familiar amber eyes, pointed nose and well-defined jaw screamed of the genes I am most connected at.

"D-dad.", I said in a whisper. My knees started to tremble when he stepped towards me.

Gone was his gentle aura. The menacing eyes bore at me.

"What did we tell you about going out?", he said and the right side of his face began melting into the surface, revealing his jaw and facial bones.

At any given day, I would have joked with him. But seeing how full the moon was tonight, added the chills that have crept down my spine.

I saw the same black hooded figures which was outside our door the previous week and realized how strange everyone is. My eyes darted to Dad and the people beside him.

"I guess, your daughter really is one of us.", one of them commented and I gasped.

I didn't waste another moment and ran to the direction of the Church hoping I can be saved but as soon as I turned away, another person in a black hoodie and half of her face a skeleton, stopped me on my tracks.

"Yes, honey? I thought you want to be with us?", Mom's voice came out from the person.

Crying in fear, I ran passed her and thankful that there were no cars around. I got inside a hollow tunnel door and was even more shocked to see what was inside.

There are more of them! Half human and half skeletal faces!

They turned as soon as they saw me.
I backed a step but I heard the door closed. My back was against the wall.

"Welcome to The Tribune, Wendy. Welcome to our family.", Dad said with Mom beside her, both had dropped down their black hoods and  the melted skin was long gone.

"My Princess, embrace your fate.", Mom said and I screamed as I felt my own skin burning as if placed in a hot coal.

I pulled out the eye mask and my tears were dropping to my cheeks which intensified the heat I have been feeling. I touched the right side of my face and I felt something hard and thin.

I had a glance at myself at the mirror which confirmed my thoughts.

"Wendy Kala Copper. Kala means Queen, honey. You are our Queen. You are born to be the leader of our tribe.", Mom said and I screamed in frustration.

The Tribune began their chant until  my wails died down with their ritual. At the strike of dawn, I have become one of them.

End