Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

T HE CHILL IN THE LATE October air sent a shiver down my spine as I adjusted the wide-brimmed hat perched on my head and smoothed the front of my witch’s dress, which clung to my curves before flaring out to just above my knees. The fabric shimmered under the streetlights, with the slits on either side revealing glimpses of my thigh-high stockings as I moved, and my lace-up boots clicked against the cobblestones. The streets of Hallow’s End were alive with the vibrant energy of the Halloween festival—children darting between candy stands, couples in matching costumes, and groups of friends laughing as they meandered through the festivities.

The air was thick with the sweet scent of caramel apples and pumpkin spice, mingling with the sound of eerie music that played from hidden speakers, and every corner was decked out with cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and flickering candles .

Beside me, Ivy and Amelia were adjusting their own costumes. Ivy’s dress was a deep, velvety purple, cinched tight at the waist with a corset that accentuated her figure. The hemline was asymmetrical, revealing long, fishnet-clad legs that ended in knee-high boots. Amelia’s outfit was a short black skirt paired with a lace-up bodice, her purple pixie cut adding a pop of color against the dark fabric.

We all had matching black cloaks that billowed dramatically as we walked, adding an extra layer of mystique to our witchy ensembles. The hoods were pulled up just enough to cast our faces in shadow, making us look like something out of an old storybook.

“We look like a twisted version of the Sanderson sisters,” Ivy joked, flipping the edge of her cloak with a flourish. “Only hotter.”

“So, we’re officially a coven now?” Ivy asked, her blue eyes glinting

“If we’re going to be witches, we might as well look the part,” Amelia said with a grin, twirling her broomstick like a baton. “Besides, how else will we strike fear into the hearts of mortals?”

I laughed, the infectious energy of the night seeping into my bones. “Ready to face the undead?” I asked, nodding toward the entrance of the haunted house looming before us. The building had been transformed into a decaying ruin, complete with shattered windows, creeping vines, and the unsettling sound of groaning zombies coming from within.

“I was born ready,” Amelia said, her voice full of bravado as she linked arms with Ivy and me. “But if I scream, just know it’s all part of the act.”

Ivy gave a mock-serious nod. “Of course, Amelia. We all know you never get scared.”

Stepping toward the entrance, the three of us exchanged grins. With our matching costumes and confident strides, we felt invincible as we entered the haunted house, which was themed around a zombie apocalypse and had drawn quite the crowd .

The three of us moved through the haunted house in a chaotic mix of laughter and screams, dodging zombies and jumping at every eerie sound. Each room felt darker and more twisted than the last, but the thrill of being scared out of our minds only made us cling to each other more. Ivy shrieked every few minutes, Amelia’s bravery wavered with every new surprise, and my heart pounded as adrenaline surged through us all. By the time we stumbled out of the final room, gasping for air and laughing uncontrollably, we felt both exhausted and exhilarated.

Emerging onto the street, we were met with the cool night air, the sounds of the haunted house still echoing faintly behind us.

“Okay, that was intense,” I said, wiping a hand across my sweaty forehead.

Ivy grinned. “I can’t remember the last time I screamed like that. It was kind of therapeutic.” At that, we all laughed, and continued on our tour of the town’s festivities.

As we strolled through the heart of the festival, I spotted Ethan moving through the crowd, with Lily fluttering around him like an excited little sprite. She wore a fairy princess costume, complete with glittering wings, a sparkling tiara, and a wand that trailed behind her in her whirlwind of energy. Her giggles were infectious, drawing smiles from everyone who passed by.

Ethan, however, looked like he’d been reluctantly drafted into a costume, and the result was both hilarious and endearing. He was clad in a wizard’s robe that was clearly too long for him, and it nearly tripped him up with every step. The pointed hat on his head kept slipping down over his eyes, and he carried a crooked stick that looked like he had found it in the backyard.

“Nice costume, Gandalf,” Amelia teased as we joined them .

Ethan gave her a mock glare, adjusting the hat for the umpteenth time. “I had no choice,” he said with a resigned grin. “When a fairy princess demands you dress up, you don’t really have much of a say.”

Lily twirled around us, her wings catching the light. “Vinnie! Look at me!” she squealed, her eyes shining with excitement.

I crouched down to her level, taking in her outfit with an approving nod. The glitter on her wings sparkled under the festival lights. “You look absolutely magical, Lily. The prettiest fairy princess in all of Hallow’s End.”

She beamed, her cheeks flushed with happiness, and then she turned back to Ethan, tugging on his hand. “Can we go apple bobbing now? Please?”

Ethan glanced at me, his eyes softening as he searched my face for an answer. I smiled and nodded. “Let’s go bob for some apples,” he said. Before Lily tugged Ethan and me away, I turned to Ivy and Amelia. They were still giggling about Ethan’s ridiculous costume, their faces flushed with amusement.

“Hey, you guys go on ahead,” I said, giving them a quick smile. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

Ivy raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. “Sure thing, Vin. We’ll be over by the pumpkin-carving contest if you need us.”

Amelia winked. “Don’t have too much fun without us.”

I laughed, waving them off as they disappeared into the crowd, leaving me to focus on the two most important people in my life.