A Halloween to Remember

Cheryl turned away from us, though. "Come with me," she said. "All of you." We returned to the love seat and into the dim light. "Take my hands," she said. We stood in a circle and held hands. "I want each of you to promise me something. What has happened, what is about to happen here in this glade is for us only. No one else can know and you can't tell anyone. Ever. This is very important to me. So important that if you don't agree I'm just going to walk away. No winner, no prize, nothing. Will you swear?"

I was halfway hoping someone would disagree thereby letting Cheryl off the hook, but Claire, Melissa and Melanie solemnly nodded their heads. "Mark?" she asked. Reluctantly I nodded my head as well. "OK. This is what I want you to do. Come stand in front of me. One at a time. You first, Mark." I moved towards her. She seemed totally in control. "Give me your flask," she said. I had completely forgotten about the freezing Kamikaze mixture hanging from my belt. I gave it to her. "Drink," she commanded. I took a long, cold swallow. "Now say: 'I swear' and kiss me."

"I swear," I said and I kissed her.

Melanie was next. "I swear," she whispered emotionally. She drank from the flask, gently put her hand to Cheryl's cheek and kissed her. It was a long kiss. Melissa and Claire followed suit, each receiving a drink from the flask and a deep kiss after repeating the oath. It was like participating in some ancient, Druidic ritual in which Cheryl was the mystical high priestess.

"Now," said Cheryl, "The rest of you sit over there on the grass. Melanie, I want you here in front." We did as we were told. Melissa, Claire and I formed a rough semicircle facing Melanie in the center. Cheryl had backed off a few steps towards the love seat. She stood in the cone of gentle illumination given off by the high lamp. We waited expectantly.

Cheryl's bow and quiver were on the ground.