It was October 31st, 2008. Rebecca, known as Becky by all of her friends and family, waited alone outside the Carson’s Movie Theater for her date, Ricky, one of the elite football players at Johnson High, to arrive. Halloween was today, and it was a tradition in Johnsonville for most couples to go watch a fright-filled movie, rather than trick or treating like children do.
When Becky got to the movie theater there were a few other girls waiting for their boyfriends, but by now, thirty minutes later at 9: P.M., she was standing on the sidewalk solitary. "Ricky was supposed to be here at least fifteen minutes ago. I’ll wait about five more minutes, then I’ll call him," she thought curiously.
Five minutes later, as she had hoped, Ricky’s old blue Chevy pulled up to the sidewalk and the window slowly and steadily rolled down. Expecting to see her beloved date, she was shocked and worried when behind the tinted glass was a stranger. ‘Is this Ricky’s truck???" she questioned herself.
Suddenly, "Hop in. Ricky’s sick and wanted me to come take you to him," the unknown person informed Becky. She pondered about whether she should get into the vehicle with this odd person or not, but finally she decided since this was Ricky’s blue truck, and the person told her that he was ill that she would allow the man to take her to him.
As Becky entered the musty old chevy, she observed the features of the middle-aged male. He had a mountain man-like beard of the color brown with random spots of silverish-grey. Because he was sitting, she couldn’t tell the height of the man, but guessed he was tall, for his feet had no trouble reaching the gas and break pedals, and his head wasn’t very far from hitting the roof of the truck. Clothing of the stranger consisted of a plaid blue and green button-up, a dirty pair of Levi’s™, and a pair of Adidas™ that looked thoroughly used.
While pulling out of the movie theater’s parking lot, Becky began to feel regret, as she wondered who this man was; an uncle, cousin, step-dad, or not a relative at all of Ricky...Only there was nothing that she could do to ease the pang of regret, because she was already in the vehicle with this person. Of course, with Ricky being ill, Becky expected to take a right from the theater. A right could have brought them to Ricky’s house, or the hospital, so why was this stranger taking a left? She began to have a sick feeling in her stomach, and it wasn’t because of what she had eaten at lunch. Very softly with a hint of nervousness in her voice she inquired, "Where is Ricky? What’s wrong with him?"
No reply ever cam from the man. They drove for twenty-five move minutes in silence before turning off onto an old gravel road. On both sides of this deserted road were dark forests of trees. The stranger rolled all of the windows in the truck down. Becky could hear owls hooting and coyotes howling at the full moon. She could not tell how far the road went for all of its twists and jostling turns. Speeding up, the man began to leave a trail of dust behind them.
Soon after, they began to slow down. In the dim headlights, Becky spotted a rustic barn. That is when she knew that this might be the end for her. While pulling up beside the large, rotting building she could hear the fall leaves crackling under the rubber tires. Immediately after, they came to an abrupt halt. The engine died, and the driver’s door creaked open and slammed shut with a loud THUD! Walking over to the passenger’s door the man that had taken Becky here, glanced at the barn and revealed a sick grin.
Becky was unsure as to what to do, so she remained, without movement, in her seat. As the stranger came towards her door she did not dare to look at him. Although, she was forced to when he groped through the almost pitch black for her arm, grabbed it, and yanked her out of the vehicle without warning. She yelped in pain, not expecting the sudden, jarring motion. Still, the unknown person kept his silence and led her over to the two large doors of the barn, that would lead Beck to who knows what. The stranger released her for just one moment to pull open the wide doors.
It was completely black inside. Exactly what she had figured, but then, out of nowhere, came screams and shouts of several people that joined together in unison saying "HAPPY HALLOWEEN BECKY!" At that same time, lights came on. Becky, totally baffled, viewed Halloween decorations, lots of friends from school, and coming toward her, of all people, Ricky. He asked her excitedly, "What a surprise, huh???"
Becky replied in a furious tone, "YOU planned this???"
"Of course I did," Ricky answered, "All for you!"
Glaring at him with her hands on her hips she began to walk around him. Ricky threw his arms outward, obviously wanting a hug. That’s not exactly what he got. Becky balled her hand up in a fist, pulled back, and let loose as hard as she possibly could on to him. Caught off guard, Ricky was knocked out cold. After, she turned and walked away from him asserting, "That’ll teach you to mess with me, especially on Halloween!!!"
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