I received a formal invitation in the mail from Charlie Brooks, the leader of Ben’s band. They were having a Halloween costume party at their farm in Renfro Valley. Foods and drink would be provided, all I need bring was myself, a date, and a costume. A date was optional, but a costume is required and it had to be something we make ourselves. I remembered that these hippies really like to party.

I called Ben and asked for more details. I was hesitant about going. “Would there be nudity, drugs and sex?”

“Most likely, don’t you think?” said Ben.

“What about the costume?”

“Don’t overthink it Travis. This is meant to be fun. Your costume can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Nothing fancy. If you decide not to go, they’ll understand.”

                     Wednesday October 31

I spent four days working on my costume. I bought an old worn black trench coat at a thrift store in Lexington and an old cheap black feathered boa. I made a pale white paper mache mask of a crow’s head that had a large pointy beak and round glass eyes like the plague doctor. I asked Suzanne to be my date for a Halloween party, but she declined and said Ben had already invited her. I figured it best not to pry and left it at that.

That afternoon when Hank and Bella arrived home from school, I put on my costume and hid behind the door. Once they walked inside I jumped out from my hiding place and stood silent. Bella turned and screamed. “Ahhhhh! ahhhhh!” and ran to Hank clutching him around the waist. Hank turned and jumped.

“What the fuck!”

Bella hid behind Hank screaming. I started to laugh and took off my mask.

“Bella, don’t yell. It’s just me,” I said. “I just wanted you to see my costume.”

Hank started laughing, “Wow! that’s a neat scary costume. It really scared me,” said Hank.

“It scared me too Travis. I thought you was a monster. Mom’s taking me and Hank over to aunt Cindy’s house to go trick er treat. I’m going as a fairy princess. You wanna see?” said Bella.

“Are y’all going trick er treating too Hank?”

He looked up and shook his head. “Nah, I’m too old. I’m gonna help Arnie pass out candy while mom and aunt Cindy takes Stevie and Bella trick ‘er treating. We’re gonna watch scary movies and have pizza.”

Bella ran down the stairs carrying a plastic wand covered in glitter and wore a colorful pink and white outfit with glitter and a mask with pointy ears.

“Do you like it Travis? she said turning around.

“Yeah it’s great,” I said.

Bella ran over and tapped Hank on the shoulder with her wand.

“Cut it out. I don’t want that glitter all over me,” said Hank.  

“Well I’m outta here. You gonna be okay all by yourselves?” I said.

“Yeah, mom will be home in an hour and a half. I watch her all the time. We ain’t little babies anymore. Besides, I’m in high school and old enough to babysit,” said Hank.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Well I leave you in charge until your mom gets here. I know you can handle it. Come on Buddy!” I said walking towards the truck.

I arrived at the farm just after dusk. A nearly full moon was rising in the east. There were lots of cars and trucks parked out front, perhaps twenty or more. A young woman named Alice met me at the door dressed as a witch. I asked if it were okay to bring my dog and she said it was fine. She told me to put on my costume and follow her. She lit a lantern and led me across a corn field to a cleared space where they’d built a bonfire. Guarding the entrance to the cleared area, were two familiar mannequins, one dressed in a large black hooded robe carrying a scythe. It’s head was replaced with the skull of a horse and the other dressed as a scarecrow with a straw hat and hay. Jack-o-lanterns lay at their feet. Further ahead I saw a blazing bonfire with sparks soaring high into the sky. Drumbeats filled the night air. As I rounded the crest of the hill I saw a drum circle of nearly thirty young men and women surrounding a blazing fire. Everyone was dressed in costume from a simple mask to more elaborate displays. Most were nearly naked except for the masks. A lean muscular man wearing nothing but sneakers, a jock and a simple black mask asked me if I wanted a drink. He led me to a keg. People danced and jumped about the fire to the sound of drum beats. Buddy ran over to a naked man wearing only a crown of antlers and a half mask dancing in the crowd. It was Ben.  

“Dude, that’s one scary costume,” said the buff man.

I grinned and said thanks. The man nodded and headed towards the crowd. I poured myself a beer and stood alone by the keg.

A tall thin redheaded woman wearing a long white gown made of gauze and a red and blue feathered mask approached me. “I’m Linda, come join us in the circle friend.” She took my hand and led me to the fire. People smiled and welcomed me to the group.

“That’s an awesome costume dude,” one of the guys said.

Ben walked up to me and said, “So happy you could make it Travis.”

“How did you know it was me?” I asked.

“Buddy told me. See, he’s standing at your side. He knows his master,” Ben said laughing. “That is a great scary plague doctor Travis. Did you make it yourself?”

“Yeah, made it out of paper mache, feathers and paint. But you look intimidating in those antlers. It’s very sexy.”

“Thanks, I’m rather fond of it. So, how’s Suzanne?” he said.

“Aren’t you guys speaking?”

“I think she’s avoiding me for some reason and I have no idea why. She’s not seeing someone else is she?”

“No, I don’t think so,” I said. I wanted to tell Ben that Suzanne was having doubts, but I promised I wouldn’t tell Ben.

“Oh well, let’s have fun!” he said patting me on the shoulder before walking off towards the keg.

I got very drunk and stoned. Linda asked if I wanted a hit of acid and said yes against my better judgement. Soon I was nearly naked dancing about the fire like a hedonist wearing only my briefs and the crow mask. I saw streamers of light and strange images. The dancers seemed to transform into different creatures hooting and growling like wild beasts. Past the fires the world had changed. Ghostly images of men and animals could be seen near the tree line. Ben, bathed in golden light approached me.

“You can see them, can’t you?” said Ben.

“What are you talking about?” I said.

“You know, the ghosts beyond the fire.”

“Wow, you see them too? I thought I was the only one. I guess it’s the acid.”

“Perhaps you’re right. They say the veil that separates this world from the next are thinnest on Samhain. The dead come to visit. Come Travis, join me in the dance.”

Ben took my hand and led me near the flames.

“In ancient days men would jump over the flames. I dare you.”

It was a huge bonfire and it looked impossible to clear such a distance without getting hurt. Ben weaved back and forth. His body glowing. Suddenly he sprinted towards the flames.

“Come with me!” he yelled.

He leapt over the flames. His body more deer-like than man. I followed blindly flapping my arms like a bird. I soared over the flames. I felt such a rush of energy. The other dancers were in a trance and didn’t notice our jump.

“That was awesome!” I said.

Ben turned to me and held out his hand, “Do you trust me Travis?”

“I, I don’t know,” I stammered.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Then take my hand.”

I held his hand and followed him into the blazing fire. The flames whipped high around us. The fire felt warm, but not overly hot. The hot coals crunching beneath our bare feet. We passed through it unburned. As I exited the flames, Ben vanished. I found myself sitting on the dirt with Buddy by my side. I shook my head wondering if I’d been dreaming. I saw Ben dancing with two women near the fire. I walked towards Ben to ask if our encounter was real, but got distracted.

One of the drummers stared at me. It was the man in the jock and sneakers I’d met earlier. He winked and nodded. I smiled back. He got up and walked over to me.

“Hi, my name’s James. Who are you here with?” he said.

“I came with my dog Buddy.”

He smiled and said, “You mind if I keep you company?”

I was aroused by his invitation and said, “What sort of company are you looking for?”      

James stood and took my hand. He pulled me closer and kissed me. I looked around, but no one noticed. He kissed me again and we were locked in a passionate embrace. The dancing went on well into the night. People were having sex by the fire. It was an orgy.

“Come with me,” he said.  Buddy and I followed him towards the woods. Near the treeline he grabbed me again and felt my erection. “I want you now.” We stripped naked and had passionate sex in the moonlight. Once we were finished we lay in each other’s arms in the tall grass beside the tree line.

I rolled over onto my back and closed my eyes. “James, are you from here?” I said.

“Yeah, lived here all my life, up until I got sick and uh…”

“Up until you got sick? Where did you go?” I waited for a response, but there was silence. “James?” I said

I opened my eyes to discover Buddy licking my face.

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over the place for you. What are you doing out here naked beside the woods by this old cemetery?” said Ben standing over me.

“Where’s James?” I asked.

“Who?”

“James, the young man I met earlier,” I said. “He was just here.”

“I don’t know anyone named James, but there are lots of people here that I never met before,” said Ben.

“Damn, we were hitting it off so well. I was hoping to get his number,” I said looking around. I noticed I was sitting besides an old tombstone so old I couldn’t read the inscription.

“Maybe he’s still here,” said Ben taking my hand and pulling me to my feet.

I was shivering in the cold and put on my clothes. I followed Ben back to the firepit. I looked around, but most people had gone home. The fire had all but died out except for a few glowing embers. I asked those who remained if they saw the young man that I described. No one remembered a man named James. I wondered if it had just been a hallucination.