Here are the Guidelines to Entry:

1) Story is to take place between October 31 (where the Intro Story begins) and dawn November 1.

2) To start an entry, simply open a thread - feel free to use your title and add your name ie 'PHANfiction Halloween - Starbuck'. Copy and paste the Intro story at the beginning of your story... and take it away! Anything goes. Scary, funny, angst, romance, however you see it. Be sure to include your rating in your Topic Description Line.

3) All stories must be rated and follow the general guidelines and standards throughout the rest of board.

4) Multiple entries are allowed.

5) All stories must be completed by November 7th - after which entries will close, and voting for LEVI's will begin.


HAVE FUN!!!!

Jen

(A final note: When posting these stories elsewhere - first and foremost, your story always belongs to you the writer. We at no time have purchased nor request any proprietary rights over your work. Since the introduction to this challenge, hence the premise, was written here... please credit the author, as you yourself would want to be credited for your work, with their name and a link to this site http://www.romancefanfiction.net . Thank you.)

HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE -2005
Intro Story - Halloween Night - 9pm

Sue hadn’t meant to cry out, it was a knee jerk reaction. In her heart, she hoped she hadn’t. But a moment later Jack seized her hand, and she knew she had said something. His shoulder was against hers now, the reassuring scent of his cologne tickling her senses, left blank by the darkness. He squeezed gently, and she squeezed back as lightning flashed, revealing a peek at the scene around them. A light flickered across the room, matches, and candles, and Jack O’Lanterns burst to life as waiters made their way from one end of the room to the other. Dressed as ghouls, their eerie makeup did nothing to soothe the situation. Candelabras were added, the effect surreal, and while she could now see around her, she was grateful Jack didn’t let go. “It’s a good thing Levi isn’t here… he wouldn’t appreciate this, even though it would seem planned.”

“It would have been nice if they had let us know before killing the lights. Levi’s probably much happier following Lucy around back at headquarters.” Jack answered, still looking around. Hardly as bright as it had been before, there more than enough light. Sue finally seemed to relax a bit, although her eyes sensually deeper…sparkling now in candlelight. Wetting his lips, he looked away, searching for Bobby and Tara where he had last seen them. Finally Jack spotted him, his Indiana Jones Hat hiding most of face, at attention, he was clearly now scanning the room. Realizing Myles and Dimitrius were most likely assisting the staff as was their cover, Jack turned. Sure enough, Myles in full ghoul makeup, was by the door, Dimitrius, complete with artificial wounds, stood by the large window overlooking the lake below. Jack turned back to Sue. “Any sign of Mulligan?”

“No. He had just said something about payment, when the lights went out. Do you think he knows he’s under surveillance?”

Jack held up his hand and paused, then met her eyes and shook his head. “They just announced the bridge is out, and there is no other way off this private island. They won't be able to work on it until morning. Remind me never to work Halloween again.”

“It’s not like we had much choice, Mulligan’s been in hiding now for six months… it’s the first real break to find the bank robbers.” Sue answered.

“Maybe so… leave it to a bank robber to pick a Halloween Scare Party.”

“Scare party?” she echoed, worried by the implication.

“It’s no big deal… they just dim the lights, dress a few staff in costumes… a few effects…” his voice dropped under Sue’s gaze, the cravat from his costume suddenly tighter. The costumes had been Lucy’s responsibility, blending them in amongst the guests, and the perfect cover… but dressed as Christine and Rauol, he had not missed the implication…the couple engaged by the end of the story…Phantom of the Opera. In reality, he had done little to nothing since Sue had made the decision not to move to New York… although he had vowed things would be different. Too nervous to lose a friend, too focused on the present, but then he assumed he had all the time he needed, and he knew better. It had been the worst of ironies to find Mulligan dressed as the Phantom himself, the perfect excuse for wearing a mask, although fortunately it didn’t hinder Sue’s lip reading.

“There he is… near Tara.” Sue whispered, and nodded. Mulligan, not more than two people away, seemed oblivious of Tara. Dressed as Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark…she seemed perfectly in character, working her way through the crowd, until she was close, Myles shadowing her from the other direction.

“So all we need to do is hold the fort… and wait for morning, and reinforcements.”

“And between now and then, hope Mulligan says or does something that we can use…and maybe even lead us to his accomplices.” Sue added.

“Shouldn’t be hard.”

Sue didn’t need to hear his voice… the doubt clear in his eyes. Jack was worried and rightfully so. They were no longer in control, the situation no longer secure. Mulligan could be alone, or there could be several suspects… all in costume… it was going to be a long night.

Categories that will be included in the 2005 Halloween Challenge are as follows:

1) Best warm, fuzzy moment
2) Best funny moment
3) Best scary moment
4) Most descriptive scene
5) Best case development
6) Best entry by a new writer *
7) Most creative story

* to be classed as a new writer you must have posted no more than 2 stories or short scenes on this board prior to the time you begin posting the challenge.

The entries in this category will be announced once the challenge has been closed. Good luck to everyone who enters!

Great job on the intro, Jen!








<considering> I might give it a shot.....

Since we got to a later start to the challenge this year than last year, we've decided to extend the deadline for entries. All stories must now be completed by midnight on November 7th in whatever time zone you are in.

Absolutely wonderful intro...kind of like phantom mixed in with ten little indians....you know them stuck on an island. Not only that, but it's also on halloween.