Fatal Flaws

Last night was a complete blur. My mind is nothing but a jumbled mess. I barely listened to any of the conversations that were happening over breakfast. Instead, thinking back to last night, the way he had touched me. But this morning, he acted like nothing had happened. We hardly spoke, getting dressed, and heading out to meet everyone. We ended up finding a small cafe near the motel. It wasn't much to look at, but the food was good. Plus it was inexpensive, so it didn't hurt my pocket. 

Everyone seemed excited about our trip to the costume shop, except for me. The ride to the store was quieter than I expected. Everyone was absorbed in the beautiful scenery passing by. The sky was gorgeous, a vibrant shade of baby blue. Mass amounts of oversized pink and white clouds are streaked throughout the sky. They're so fluffy, almost like freshly spun cotton candy. Several tall mountain tops stand off far in the distance, with scattered trees here and there. It was as if the mountains were a part of the sky, blending perfectly in. I've never seen anything else quite like it. It's so beautiful, breathtaking even.

Even the small little town we stopped in was gorgeous. Small stone shops lined the cobbled streets. Each one is unique in a way. It wasn't like the city, with pollution everywhere and people everywhere. It's quiet. Even the air tastes better. Cleaner and more refreshing.

The costume shop is everything that Sky had explained to me. It's huge. From the outside, I would have never guessed it would be this big. There are thousands of rows of different-styled costumes. Completely stocked from the floor to the ceiling. There are over a hundred unique items scattered throughout the store. Each of them Halloween-related. I didn't even know people celebrated this holiday to this extreme.  Anything you can think of, they have. From costumes, face paint, masks, and wigs. To Decorations, even pumpkin carving kits and so much more.

The store is dimly lit, giving off an even more creepy vibe. Ghosts and goblins on wires appear suspended everywhere, hanging from the ceiling. Giant blow-up pumpkins stacked on top of each other create a huge archway. It's placed in the middle dividing a separate section for even more decorations. Aisles of costumes line the floors. They have headless bloody mannequins positioned at the end of every row. Each one is sporting a different type of outfit for display.

A huge projector screen on the far wall plays a horror film. I'm pretty sure it's a scene from the new Halloween movie set on repeat. With no sound, it's even creepier. Thousands of pieces of different-styled costume jewelry are out on display. Showcased, in giant locked cases arranged in the middle of the floor. Huge, colored gems and various-sized diamonds shine each time the light reflects off them.

"We should be dirty nurses," Skylar exclaims. Showing Hope a set of matching red and white nurse uniforms. Hope wrinkles her nose up at them before pulling two sexy cat costumes off a nearby shelf.

"Or maybe we can do a group costume, like The Wizard of Oz" Jessica's voice comes from somewhere on the other side of the costume rack.

I don't have any idea what I'm looking for. Or no clue what I want to be. Halloween is an overrated holiday. My fingers glide over the different materials as I skim through the section of costumes near me. Nothing catches my eye. There are a few zombies, a Hannah Montana one, several nuns, and even a rain cloud. I continue down the aisle. Only finding Nala from The Lion King, a sexy school teacher, a dozen priest costumes, and a pirate. It's equipped with a plastic sword and black eye patch.

"I don't normally participate in dress-up," Hayden whines, walking behind me. My body tenses from his touch. All I can smell is his cologne surrounding me. It's so intoxicating. I hate how he does this to me. He has all control over me, but he has no idea. I would hate to think what would happen if he knew this. 

"Aww, why not? You would make such a cute little pirate," I tease, trying to get my emotions under control. I pick up a loose eye patch, swinging it around on my finger. The more distance I put between us the better. I refuse to let him in.