Chapter 5. Trick or Treat?
Jack closed the door and turned off the porch light. It was 21:00 hours and the “trick or treaters” were all at home by now. Well at least the “treaters” were at home, it was always possible that a few tricksters were still out and about. He clomped happily back into the den, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
“Ok, kids! Ready for our little field trip?”
Sam looked up at him with wide, doe eyes. “You’re serious? We’re really going?”
“Of course, Carter! It’s Halloween! Come on!”
The other three members of SG1 exchanged doubtful glances, but stood to follow him anyway.
“O’Neill, what is the purpose of this “haunted house”?
“It’s purpose? Well, it’s to scare you, Teal’c.”
“Scare? But we have no weapons, O’Neill.”
“We don’t need any. It’s not dangerous, it’s fun!”
“Right!”
“Oh, come on, Daniel! You and Carter are acting like I’m sending you out for execution! Don’t you guys ever just have fun? Have you ever even been to a haunted house?”
“Well, actually, you know I moved around a lot when I was a kid. I think maybe once or twice in high school, I really don’t remember.”
“Well, if you don’t remember, Daniel, they couldn’t have been any good! Now come on!”
They all piled into Jack’s truck and he pulled out of the driveway, smiling brightly as he headed toward the spookiest haunted house he could find. He’d scouted out all the choices earlier and was looking forward to his team’s reaction at this traditional holiday celebration. Teal’c had never been to a haunted house. That plus Carter and Daniel’s hesitancy made it more than worth the effort.
A few minutes later he pulled into the parking lot and slammed the gears into park. “Ok, campers! We’re here!”
Teal’c had stepped from the truck and was staring at the huge mask that surrounded the entrance to the haunted house. Teenagers were disappearing into the mouth of the giant devil at an alarming rate and Teal’c watched with concern as they continued to march happily inside.
“Is there a ritual sacrifice involved in this tradition, O’Neill?”
“What? No, Teal’c! Why?”
“These children are being led into a place of danger. It is marked with the sign of the devil!”
“It’s just for decoration, T. Just for fun!”
“I fail to see how this can be an indication of…fun.”
Jack looked at him in frustration. “T, I explained this to you, remember? They scare you a bit, just to get your juices going. It’s an adrenalin rush, you know?”
Teal’c turned a somber gaze on Jack. “I do not.”
“Ok. Well, just try it then. Now, remember, T, they won’t touch you and you can’t touch them. They won’t hurt you or any of us…so there’s no need to…protect anyone. Ok?”
Jack suddenly felt a bit of concern flowing over him as he imagined some unsuspecting teenager scaring the bejesus out of his very large friend. He looked over at Carter for support and saw that her eyes were locked on the mask, just as Teal’c had been.
“Carter?”
“Yes, Sir?” She turned to face him, her eyes showing more than a trace of apprehension.
“You ok?”
“Um, yeah. Fine.”
“Ok, then. Daniel you stay close to Teal’c, sort of help him along. You know what to expect, right?”
Daniel shook his head. “Ok, Jack.” He was actually smiling a bit as he answered.
“Carter, you stay close to me. And remember – no touching or…over reacting.”
“Over reacting, Sir?”
“They’re just kids, Carter. We don’t want to hurt them – reign in your reflexes for a few minutes. It’s all in fun, remember?”
“Fun, right!”
Jack snickered at the look on Carter’s face. This was going to be priceless!
“Daniel, you and T go first. We’ll be right behind you.”
Daniel nodded and stepped through the door with Teal’c close on his heels. He stopped momentarily to let his eyes adjust to the total darkness in front of him. The hall narrowed as he took a few cautious steps forward. He suddenly felt the floor give slightly beneath his feet and realized he’d stepped on the first trigger. He turned to warn Teal’c but it was too late. An iridescent skeleton fell from the ceiling and bounced wildly directly in front of the big Jaffa and he swung wildly as it brushed against his face.
“Teal’c!” Daniel yelled as he moved back towards him. “It’s ok. This is what happens, they surprise you with…tricks. Ok?”
“Indeed.” They started to move again as Teal’c nodded his understanding. He turned and did not see his other teammates. “Where are O’Neill and Major Carter?”
“Um, they’re behind us somewhere. Don’t worry. They sort of…separate the groups to reset things, see.” He pointed as the skeleton was pulled back up towards the ceiling and was rewarded with Teal’c’s grin. “Come on.”
They rounded the corner just as Jack and Sam stepped through. She triggered the same plate that Daniel had and felt the same sense of foreboding as he when the floor moved slightly beneath her feet, but laughed when the skeleton dropped harmlessly into O’Neill’s face making him jump.
“Serves you right.” She laughed.
He smiled and urged her forward. The hall closed in on them, with barely enough room for them to pass standing side by side. Jack could feel the tension in her muscles as they moved along the corridor and smiled quietly. There were bloody corpses strew along one hallway and loud spooky music playing. Not much of a scare for a seasoned SG team.
They turned another corner and Jack caught sight of a face behind the wall watching their progress. He smiled silently and moved a bit closer to Sam. Suddenly a hand reached out from the wall just in front of her as a big gust of wind hit their faces and she involuntarily screamed stumbling backwards and bumping into Jack. She squealed a bit as her body struck his and his hands grasped her shoulders.
“Easy, Sam.” He whispered in her ear.
“Jeez!” She shivered a bit but quickly recovered. “I’m ok.”
But just as she started forward again she heard the sound of…bats and something fluttered past her face. The room went totally dark and the floor started to shake beneath them. Startled by the darkness and the noise she turned instinctively towards Jack, burying her head in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held on, watching and trying not to smile as the imaginary bats disappeared. The soft lights came on again and she pulled back, a small, embarrassed smile tickling her lips.
“God! Sorry.”
Jack grinned and took her arm, leading her forward. Yep, this was a great haunted house!
Another few scares and they were inside a room. The door closed behind them and there didn’t appear to be another. A loud, recorded sound of rock walls sliding filled the room and Sam giggled. Jack looked over at her surprised. She was having fun.
She met his eyes with her own amused ones. “We seem to be trapped, Sir.”
“Yep!” He replied grinning and watched as she moved around the walls, her hands sliding along, feeling for the exit. She had made one full turn and was back beside him when the lights went out again and he felt her hand on his chest.
“Frightened, Sam?”
“Not really…Jack.”
“Good.”
He pulled her into his arms and covered her lips with his before she could react. He was a bit surprised as she pressed herself against him and returned his kiss with passion as he savored the feel of her against him. Suddenly there was a loud screeching noise and the lights flickered on. He looked into her eyes and leaned in for another gentle kiss. She stared back at him, her eyes filled with something akin to fire and he grasped her hand as he led her out of the now open room.
They moved slowly down the corridor, still surrounded by the aura of that kiss when a ragged mummy appeared suddenly out of the darkness. “Ack!” Sam jumped and then giggled at her racing heart. Jack was laughing beside her. She couldn’t remember him actually laughing before, smiling…yes, but not laughing. She grinned back at him and moved on dragging him with her.
They turned another corner and Jack could see that they were almost at the exit. More than likely there was another big scare waiting there and on impulse he pulled her back around the corner, pushing her slightly against the wall. She looked up with surprised, questioning eyes.
“Before we go…” He pressed his lips against hers softly and she opened her lips to his. Feeling her surrender to him, he kissed her as if he’d never kiss her again, pouring all of his emotion into that one simple action and hoping that it wouldn’t be the last. He squeezed her hand in his and smiled down at her lovingly. “Ready?”
She shook her head and smiled as she moved slowly toward the exit.
They were almost to the door when a kid with a chainsaw popped unexpectedly into the corridor, revving the machine and laughing manically. Sam jumped again and screamed, startled once more and grasping onto Jack. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled.
“Shit! I thought it was over!” She stammered against his shoulder.
He laughed again. “It is. Now.” He started to kiss her again but hesitated and squeezed her against him, instead. “You’re heart is pounding.”
“Yeah. So’s yours.”
He smiled and led her out of the haunted house.
They walked into the parking lot with their arms still encircling each other and laughing. Daniel and Teal’c were waiting by the truck.
“Teal’c! What’d you think?”
“Most interesting, O’Neill.”
“Teal’c are you smiling?”
“Indeed, Major Carter. I found this haunted house most exhilarating.”
“Yeah, well that Mummy probably had to change his pants!” Daniel added. “Bet that’s the last time he scares Teal’c!”
They all laughed and piled back into the truck.
“Ok, kiddies, now for the treats! Anyone for ice cream?”
He looked across at Sam, giving her a knowing smile as he drove away. Yes, it had been a very good Halloween.