Candi's Killer Debut

Prompt 15: A literal killer party

Candi could hardly believe she got an invite to the party. Everyone who was anyone would be there, all the big names.

Jacob the Camp Killmonger. Mitchel the All Hallows Howler. Dave.

And Candi, who didn’t even have a proper slasher moniker yet, just received an invite. Addressed to her lair and everything. There was even blood splatter on the envelope. It was legit!

She needed to pick the perfect outfit. Should she go with her signature look? She’d only worn it once, really. Her first outing, she’d just thrown something together, it wasn’t iconic at all. The second slaughter, she’d done things properly. It really wasn’t kind to go after a cabin full of teenagers dressed in any old outfit, a t-shirt and jeans. You had to be memorable. It was only polite.

Candi liked to go for a neon aesthetic, bright and visible. That made it so much more satisfying when she managed a good stealth kill. They could see her for miles, and they still never saw her coming.

Her “work outfit” was good, but she wanted it to look special for the party. So she wore her usual black bodysuit, added a neon lace top and skirt, and some glowing jewelry for effect. It took a hot minute to get the perfect balance of blood smear and florescent dye in her hair, but a look in the mirror told her it was the perfect look. She added a glittering neon domino mask over her blanked out face and a shattered prom queen tiara and hoped it was just enough, not too much. She really wanted to make a good impression.

Candi was too excited to even think of showing up fashionably late to the party. She followed the instructions on the letter, and found herself in an abandoned warehouse at the edge of a forgotten little town, just the perfect place for a good stalking. There were already several guests present, so she wasn’t too embarrassingly early.

The host of the year, Calvin the Creeper, met her at the door with a handshake and a grin that literally split his face in half.

“Candi! You came, I’m so glad to see you,” he said as he ushered her into the warehouse proper. “Some of the younger killers are so shy about socializing early on. I get it. It’s intimidating. But I really hope you feel comfortable enough to have a good time tonight.”

Candi nodded. “I’m really happy to get an invite. I was surprised, actually. I’ve only really killed a few people, barely a dozen!”

“Oh, everyone starts somewhere and you have potential,” Calvin said. “Lots of potential. Here, have some punch and mingle. I just know you’re going to be a hit tonight!”

Candi accepted a foaming glass of something sweet and bloody, and tried to look like she belonged in a room full of legendary killers. It really was intimidating, like Calvin said. But it was exciting, too! Even if she was too shy to say anything, she still got to stand nearby while Mitchel and Jacob compared notes on their latest exploits via the use of whiteboards and sign language. And they nodded to her very politely when they noticed her. Jacob even complimented her choice of hunting location for her debut.

The party was in full swing and it looked like all the guests were there. Candi was working up the courage to speak up in a lively discussion about the merits of a mask over face paint when the host, Calvin, called for everyone’s attention.

“I’d like to propose a toast!” Calvin announced, “We have our oldest member, Naneldon the Indominable, slashing for almost a thousand years! And our newest psycho killer, Candi! Don’t worry, kid, you’ll get a moniker soon. Both of you, get up here for the toast!”

Candi skittered up to Calvin, shocked that they wanted to acknowledge her in any way. Across the room, she witnessed the stately arrival of Naneldon the Indominable, a slasher so old he was as much myth as man. His skin was mummified and papery, and he wore a simple black robe and half mask made of some kind of blood splattered cloth. He just exuded menace and Candi couldn’t believe her luck. She got to stand in front of every active killer in the world, next to a literal living legend!

She barely heard the toast, something about honoring tradition and encouraging the newest generation of killers. Calvin and Naneldon both shook her hands, and the whole room clapped and cheered, and it was honestly the best night of Candi’s existence. It rivaled her first kill, it really did!

After the toast, Naneldon led her back to the snack table for a quick chat. Candi was so excited to have his full attention for even a few minutes that she could barely even glance at the delicious spread.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me,” Candi said.

Naneldon grinned. “I like your style. It is distinctive. Perhaps, if you’ll accept a bit of advice from an old hand, leave your victims with a message written in that charming glowing paint.”

“Paint? Not blood?” Candi asked.

“Blood is passe. They were doing that back in my day,” Naneldon said with a shake of his nearly mummified head. “No, there’s no shock in that. A message that glows to the eye, but only under the cloying grip of darkness. Now that is memorable.”

Candi nodded. “It fits the look, too. Thanks for the tip.”

“Thank you for humoring an old slasher. Come, do me the honor of allowing me to introduce you to your peers.”

He offered her his elbow, like an old fashioned gentleman, and Candi took it as he led her on a circuit of the room. She met slashers she’d only heard whispers about, and even got to have an actual conversation with the Dave. It was amazing.

Misfortunato the Maniac Clown offered advice on collecting her next stable of victims, and suggested a collaboration in the future.

“Not now, of course. You need to establish yourself in their nightmares. But in a couple years you’ll most definitely be known enough. It’ll be a spectacle!” Misfortunato declared.

“I can’t wait,” Candi said. “We need to choose a special place.”

“And special victims,” Misfortunato agreed. “I think I might be willing to sacrifice one or two of my favorite survivors. A final girl, perhaps, to be taken down in mortal combat by the new lady of murder!”

Candi floated through the rest of the night. Naneldon was attentive and friendly. The other slashers were welcoming, even the old fashioned ones who didn’t really agree with the idea of female slashers. They were polite enough to keep their mouths shut, anyway. And everyone had a kind word or a piece of genuinely helpful advice.

Candi was one of the last guests to leave. She offered to stay and help clean up, but Calvin refused.

“No, no, you don’t clean up after your first slasher party!” Calvin declared. “You go back to your lair and bask in your triumphant debut! Here. Take some treats home. No, I won’t hear of you refusing! This has been your night and I want you to savor every moment.”

“Thank you so much for having me here,” Candi enthused. “I had such a wonderful night!”

“I’m so glad, and I can’t wait to hear of your future exploits. You will be back next year?”

“Oh, absolutely!” Candi promised.

Calvin walked her to the sewage drain she’d slipped through and waved until she was just a glimmer of neon in the stygian darkness.

Candi returned to her lair, and danced until the dormancy between hunts claimed her. She needed to plan something truly spectacular. She would really impress them next year!