The hideous face glared at him, jagged teeth bared in a devil's grin. He held the knife poised, prepared for anything. The eyes were hollow, soulless, and stared straight through him. With a sudden, guttural cry, Shawn swung the knife down in a deadly arc, burying it in the meaty cheek of the creature before him.

"Shawn!"

Whirling, he watched as Gus slowly walked towards him. "Shawn, what the hell are you doing?"

Pulling the knife free with a wet 'THOCK', Shawn methodically wiped the liquid from the blade.

"I'm finishing what you started."

Gus's face went rigid as he finally took in the massacre before him. "Oh my god… Shawn, you mutilated him!"

Shawn turned back to the slashed face, ignoring the steady pat, pat, pat of viscous droplets hitting the wood floor. He studied the frozen expression, tilting his head to examine the gouge he'd made. With another rapid strike, he cut a violent scar through the nose. Behind him, Gus made a gagging sound.

Flipping the blade in his hand, he turned back and held the knife, handle out, towards his horrified friend. "Look, you knew this was going to happen. We go through this every year."

Gus eyed the blade accusingly, his lips squeezed together tightly. Shawn wiggled the knife enticingly. "You're the one that insisted on making the last cut. Come on, I want to finish this before my dad comes over. You know the hell he'd raise if he saw this right now?"

Finally, Gus shook his head and grabbed the knife, grimacing at the thick gore coating the handle. "You could at least have cleaned it off a little better; this is disgusting Shawn."

Shrugging, Shawn smiled and stepped back, giving Gus plenty of room to work. He had to admit, Gus definitely had skill. Had he not chosen pharmaceuticals- he might have made a descent surgeon. The cuts he made were flawless, and almost artistic in a macabre sort of way.

Finally, Gus was finished. Stepping back, he wiped a few stray drops from his shirt front. Standing side by side, the two friends examined the ravaged face. Finally, Shawn grinned, holding out his fist to Gus.

"Dude, we are totally gunna win this year."

Returning his smile, Gus whacked his fist against Shawn's. "Nobody carves em' like us."

From behind them, they heard a throat clear, and the distinct rumble of Henry's voice filled the room. "You know, you probably should have scooped the seeds out first."

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Happy Halloween!!