"Great," I gazed into my compact mirror, "so much for special effects make-up, it's all melted."


    Mandy looked me over. "Yeah, but the party has pretty much broken up, so let's go."

 
    "I had too much punch so I'm going to the bathroom before we head out then."

 
    "Okay, I'll go say good-bye to Lynne before we go, so I'll meet you there in a few."

    
    After kicking aside empty cans and stomping on discarded chips on the floor I made it to the bathroom. My friend Seth was in front of me and when he turned and saw me he smiled.

 
    "What's up, Liv? Loved your zombie nurse costume tonight." 

 
    "Thanks," I smiled up at him, "love the banana suit."

 
    He made a face. "I lost a bet so I had to wear it. I hate it."

 
    Then, the door to the bathroom opened and looking inside, all I saw was darkness for the light had been turned off. The distinctive roar of the bathroom fan bled out out into the room however, but was then disrupted as a man wearing very convincing werewolf make-up emerged, quickly shutting the door behind him.

 
    "Do not go in there," he chuckled, "I had too many spicy nachos so it's like toxic soup."

 
    "Yeah, it smells like something died in there but I don't give a crap," Seth sneered, "I gotta take a leak so move."

 
    But the man shook his head. "No way, man. I'm serious, it's really rank in there so maybe you should use the other john."

 
    Taking a step forward, Seth leaned down and got right in the man's face. "What's your name, wolf-man?"

 
    The man sighed heavily. "Josh."

 
    "Well Josh, the other toilet is busted...just like your face will be in about ten seconds if you don't move."

 
    "Hey Seth!" A male voice then cried out from behind. "We gotta go!"

 
    Turning, Seth then shook his head at the man that was running towards him. "In a minute, gotta use the john."

 
    "Forget it, Kevin and Tom are getting into a fight outside! You've got to break it up!"

 
    "Damn!" Seth got out of line and hurried off. "See ya, Olivia."

 
     Due to his departure, there was now no one in front of me in line. As for Josh, the werewolf mask was ugly enough but he also wore yellow contacts in his eyes and as he stared at me I had to admit that it was pretty creepy.

 
     Josh smiled, revealing sharp, canine-like fangs. "So your name is Olivia."

 
     "Yeah, but would you please move so I can use the bathroom? I can handle the smell."

 
     "Now I couldn't possibly allow such a beautiful lady to endure the stench I caused." Josh looked down at his watch now. "Just a little while longer and then you can go inside."

 
     "Screw it." I moved towards the door. "I've got to go."

 
     But Josh slammed his back against the door and extended both arms out, shaking his head.

 
     "Sorry, can't do that," his voice was very low now, "in fact, I insist that you do not go in there."

 
     "It's just a smell." I said. "I grew up with three brothers so I know how bad a bathroom can stink. Don't you think you're being a jerk about this?"

 
     Josh's eyes narrowed as he leaned in very close to my face. "I mean it. Back off."

 
     "Or else what?" I challenged.

 
     Licking his lips, Josh then smiled. "Why don't you just trust me?"

 
     With a soured look I pushed him away from me. "Why don't you just go f..."

 
     Then, as if on cue, the sound of a cell phone chirping came from Josh's pocket, cutting me off. Hastily retrieving the phone, Josh then looked down at the caller I.D. with a grin.

 
     "Well, here is where I make my departure." He looked into my eyes once more. "I regret that we cannot prolong our enlightening exchanges, but perhaps one night we will run into each other yet again. I could make it worth your while." 

 
     "I think not." I put my hands on my hips. "So if you're going to leave, then go. I'm tired of your crap and I just want to go to the bathroom."

 
     Josh now finally moved away from the door. "As you wish." He then literally ran off, having no problem maneuvering through the small remaining crowd of people. Seconds later, he was gone.

 
     "Finally." I said, placing my hand on the bathroom doorknob. Turning it I opened the door and went inside before closing the door behind me and then flipping on the light. That's when everything made sense.

 
     I counted six dead bodies strewn about. Four were piled in the bathtub like a stack of soggy rags, all covered in massive amounts of blood so needless to say I couldn't say anything as I studied the carnage even closer. Three of the victims in the bathtub had their throats cut while the fourth had a plunger literally forced down his throat. Shifting my gaze to the toilet, a young woman sat on it looking like she was in a deep sleep, but the straight razor that plunged from her jugular ruined that image immediately. One more corpse was on the floor, showcasing a horrible head wound that offered a view of bloody brain matter beneath that had leaked out all across the tile in a gooey, slippery mess. It was by far the worst thing I had ever seen, and now I felt vomit try to come up into my throat. 

 
     That's when there was a knock on the door.    

 
     "Liv? You done?" Mandy called.

 
     Taking a few moments to gather myself, I then turned off the bathroom light and quickly bolted out, slamming the door shut behind me. I then looked at Mandy desperately, my eyes in a widened, terrified stare.

 
     "Don't go in there."

 

 
                                                       THE END

 
   Word count: 990 words