THE CALL

Opening the front door she peeked in. The lounge room was empty, videotapes and a newspaper scattered in a pile, just as she left it. Quietly she closed the door and locked it. Valary was relieved that her parents and brother weren't home. Now she could spend a quiet afternoon surfing the net and starting assignments that were due in a couple of days.

She had just put down her bag when the phone rang. Sighing, Valary quickly made for the phone and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"HEY VALARY!" The person on the other side practically screamed into the phone.

Rubbing her ear Valary replied, "Hey Riks." She heard her chuckling quietly.

"What do you want?" Valary was half annoyed and half curious about her friend calling. Riks hardly ever rang anyone for a chat, but she didn't have to yell into her ear.

"I was just wondering," She said a bit too casually, "if you're coming to my birthday slash Halloween party tomorrow?"

"Of course I am." Valary was getting suspicious about Riks. Why was she asking now?

"You better be there," she warned her heartily. But her tone changed- she seemed distracted and mysterious. "Man, something's just happened. You gotta see it."

"Why? What's happened?" Valary's curiosity was now aroused.

"My birthday wish has come true." She had said it so quietly that Valary thought she might have heard wrong.

"Wha-? Riks?" Valary was now alarmed. She had always thought Riks was a schizophrenic, but she was also the most mature person in their group.

"Come tomorrow," Riks said abruptly. "I'll show you. It'll be much more- fun- if we go at night."

"Night? Wait, we're we going? Riks I am not getting into trouble because of you again."

She chuckled her quiet chuckle and said, "You love me. Don't deny it. Just come okay? And oh- don't forget to dress up."

And with a last little chuckle Riks hung up.

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yeh I know, no Halloween…yet