that features his short stories "The Boogeyman" and "When the Cameras Stop Rolling".
Gushers: Zoe’s Secret Club
Chuck Buda
Aiden made sure he entered last. It was becoming his signature move, waiting across the street, behind the tree. Making sure all the others entered the back yard before him. This time it was more critical because he didn’t want to explain what the jug of blood was about. Aiden felt it would detract from the monumental gesture if everyone knew it was coming.
Once he watched Todd get inside the fence, Aiden made his move. He crossed the street with the heavy jug. It weighed him down after holding it for a good twenty minutes. Aiden couldn’t wait to put the jug down.
As he neared the gate, he could hear some muffled talking. The yard was big enough to swallow up the content of the words themselves. But close enough, Aiden could distinguish Zoe’s voice from Todd’s.
He swung the gate open. Immediately, Aiden felt all eyes upon him. He tucked the milk jug full of fake blood into the crook of his arm so it would be more difficult to distinguish in the yard’s shadows. The red lighting would mix with the crimson contents, further preventing a quick revelation.
The First Cut was prepared for him. Zoe stood upon the top step of the hot tub. She was painted from head to toe in white paint, with huge black circles around her eyes. The black make-up spiraled out from each eye socket like frantic bolts of lightning. Aiden pictured her as the fifth member of the band KISS the way her face was made to look. He noticed dark streaks which ran from her lower lip down over her breasts to her stomach. From where he stood, it appeared as if she had already drunk blood and dribbled it down her body. Her nudity almost hidden by the collection of paints.
Todd and Ryan stood off to the left of the hot tub, Jordyn wedged in between them. They both wore bathing suits, while Jordyn was decked out in a silky robe. Aiden scanned her figure and found no lines of clothing pushing against the silken robe. He figured she was naked beneath, and ready to begin.
Leah stood to the right of the tub. She wore a bikini but it was nothing as revealing as the ones Aiden had seen Jordyn and Zoe in before. Leah’s was more of a conservative cut.
In front of the group stood Spencer. Like Zoe, he was decked out in white paint from top to bottom. He was already naked. Spencer also had black designs etched on his face and chest. The symbols looked more like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Except for one large symbol across his muscular chest and stomach. Plain as could be, a pentagram was drawn on his torso. Aiden knew what it represented as he had seen enough movies and ghost hunting shows. Before he could begin to worry about the meaning behind the new symbols, Zoe called Aiden to the front.
He startled when Zoe called his name. The voice he heard sounded more like a growl. It didn’t resemble a young female’s voice at all. Aiden thought he had lost his mind because nobody else seemed to react to Zoe’s command.
Aiden, the most dressed attendee, thought it would be proper to come dressed in an unassuming manner. Even though Zoe had given him permission to re-join them, Aiden wanted to appear humble and submissive. He stepped forward and knelt before Spencer. Aiden raised the milk jug full of fake blood above his head.
“As extra penance for my sins, I wanted to offer up my blood. The blood of my veins. The veins which humbly thank you for giving me a second chance.”
Aiden glanced up and saw the smirk on Zoe’s face. Spencer looked confused. He checked with Zoe, who nodded for him to accept the offering. Spencer yanked the jug from Aiden’s hands. He placed it on the bottom step of the hot tub, and then faced Aiden again.
Zoe stepped down. She grinned over Aiden. He felt her gaze burning through his flesh. Aiden had a sudden urge to flee for his own safety. Something about her made his skin crawl. Danger coursed through his limbs.
“Your offering is acceptable. A tad dramatic, but it shows your dedication to The First Cut is true.” Zoe looked around to the members on each side.
Aiden sensed unease on either side of him. It felt as if his friends were as apprehensive