by Rena Marin
“That’s because you’re a history buff, and we’re not,” Christina Burke said taking a sip of the soda she had just opened.
“I know I’m so going to regret this later,” Maria Sanchez said, groaning with satisfaction as she took a bite of the huge slice of ham and pineapple pizza on her plate.
“Live a little,” Carmen replied, piling Maria’s plate high with chips, and then adding a chocolate chip cookie on top. “You can think about fitting into that dress tomorrow. Tonight, we’re just college students having a good time.
“That’s easy for you to say,” Maria shot back. “You weigh what? Ninety pounds?”
“That’s when she’s soaking wet and has her boots on,” Christina laughed, earning a piece of popcorn to the face from Carmen for her remark. She swatted the kernel away, laughing at her friend.
“Seriously guys!” Shelly interrupted them, raising her hands to ask for quiet. “I just really don’t think y’all entering this contest is a good idea. Too many queens have had “accidents” and died for me to comfortable with the whole thing.”
“Oh, come on Shelly,” Carmen rolled her eyes at her friend, who was the serious one of their little group. “None of that’s true.”
“Then why hasn’t the town hosted the Candy Corn Queen contest for so many years?” Shelly asked, leaning back against the headboard, eyebrows raised, waiting for an answer.
“No budget for it is what my Granny said when I asked her that same question, years ago.” Carmen had always wondered why the beauty contest was abandoned. Ever since she was old enough, she had studied the photos of her own granny and mom getting ready for the contest and dreamed of the day she could enter it herself. When she found out that the contest had been canceled, she was devastated.
“See, Shelly?” Christina said, “Nothing to worry about.” She shrugged her thin shoulders. “It’s going to be fun. You still have time to sign up, so why not do it?”
“Nothing doing.” Shelly shook her head. “I’m telling you this is a bad idea. There’s something wrong with this town, with that contest, and everyone is going to live to regret bringing it back. Mark my words.”
At her words of doom, the three girls burst out laughing, and soon all four of them were rolling on the bed unable to stop the sudden case of the giggles. Talk of the curse of the Candy Corn Queen was forgotten, and they were soon onto the subject of boys and plans for the upcoming Halloween party. Every year, the boys in different fraternities took turns hosting the annual Halloween bash. This year was no different, though it did have to be scheduled around the festival and contest, since half of the girls in town had entered.
After everyone left, Carmen grabbed a quick shower and climbed into bed. She had an early class in the morning and knew she needed the sleep. No matter which way she turned, she couldn’t get comfortable, thoughts of the things Shelly said kept running through her mind.
For some reason she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shelly might be right. It didn’t help that her granny had been less than pleased when she announced she had entered the contest. Maybe there was something to the rumors and legends after all.
Scooting up in the bed, she reached for her ever-present laptop, switching on the lamp by the bedside. It wasn’t like she would be bothering anyone. Her roommate was out to all hours of the morning, and still managed to get up and out the door to class on time, every morning. This was something Carmen would never understand. She had to have her eight hours a night of sleep or she was grumpy as a bear, not to mention she looked like the old hag legend told of in the tippy top of the mountains of Dead Oaks.
Pulling her laptop to her, she typed the legend of the Candy Corn Queens into the search bar and waited. When nothing came up, she tried every combination possible to bring up any news of the deaths, to no avail. It was like the deaths had never happened. “Well, that proves it Carmen,” she muttered, “it’s all just stories to scare the children, and Shelly is being her usually overprotective self. Putting the laptop back on the table beside the bed, she punched her pillow into submission, snapped off the lamp, and tried to get some sleep.
***
The next morning dawned way too early for Carmen. The sun wasn’t even up when her alarm went off. She rolled out of bed with a groan and dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt. She brushed her teeth, threw on some sneakers, crammed a hat on top of her unruly hair and out the door she went. She wondered not for the first time what had possessed her to take such an early morning class.
The campus wasn’t even stirring when she walked out of the large glass doors of her dorm and into the commons area outside. Shivering in the slight morning breeze, she considered going back inside for a jacket, but decided against it. She wouldn’t have time if she wanted to grab a cup of Joe at the campus coffee shop before heading to class.
She hurried along the campus pathway, not taking her time as she usually did in the mornings. Normally, she loved the quietness of the walk to the coffee shop, the time before the campus busied with students scurrying to and from classes, but this morning it was just too quiet, eerie almost. She glanced over her shoulder more than once, feeling as if there were eyes on her. Cursing Shelly under her breath for scaring everyone with her talk of curses and dead Candy Corn Queens, she quickened her step, heaving a sigh of relief when the lights of the coffee shop came into view.
Tugging on the door, she made her way inside, sighing with relief to be out of the chilly morning and into the warm, cozy light of the café. Making her way to the counter to order, she looked around to see if any of her friends happened to be there. It looked like none of them had been able to drag themselves out of bed to meet her that morning for coffee.
Taking her coffee to a table in the corner, she pulled out the current novel she was reading, happy to have a little peace and quiet before she headed to class. The gang constantly teased her about always having her nose in a book, but she loved to read and had since she was old enough to learn how.
“Reading again I see?” A snooty voice intruded into her fantasy world, bringing her back to reality with a thump.
“Hello, Millie,” she said, doing her best to be polite, but finding it hard. The girl standing in front of her was a nightmare.
“You really need to get your head out of those books and get with the program,” Millie said, picking a nonexistent thread off her perfect blouse and flicking it away with a perfectly manicured fingernail. Seeing the flier for the contest Carmen had laid on the table when she pulled her book out of her purse, Millie snickered, picking it up to glance at it.
“What?” Carmen asked.
“You’re not seriously considering entering the Candy Corn Queen pageant,” she said, making it a statement, not a question. She raised her eyebrows a second later, then threw back her head and let out a tinkling laugh. “You are, and so are your friends!”
“What about it?”
“You know you can’t win, right? I mean... look at me, and then look at the four of you.”
Carmen had to admit that Millie had a point. She was drop-dead gorgeous, with just the right clothes, not a hair out of place, and an attitude that all the guys loved at their little college. But Carmen would be damned if she would let this trifling girl put her and her friends down. They had just as much right to enter that contest as she did, and one of them was going to win it, come hell or high water.
“Oh Millie, I’m so sorry, didn’t they tell you?” Carmen asked, feigning a wide-eyed innocence.
“Tell me what?”
“Your daddy’s money can’t buy you this contest. You’re going to have to try to win Candy Corn Queen all on your own.”
Mouth open, unsure what to say, Millie spun on her heel and stomped out of the café, leaving Carmen laughing loudly behind her.
Chapter Three
Unable to stop worrying about Stella’s announcement about Carmen, Chelsea paced the floors of the shop while Smoky carefully navigated her feet in hopes of nudges being what she nee
ded to calm down. The love of the new kitten wouldn’t be enough to calm her nerves, unfortunately.
Carmen was a good girl. Chelsea loved talking with her when she visited the Stalker. Yes, Stella could be a pain in the behind certain days, but Carmen always lit up the room when she arrived. The idea of something happening to her scared Chelsea. Especially, with all she’d seen around Dead Oaks already.
“You do know this floor isn’t going to hold up to all that pacing,” Caleb called out to her as he looked up from his phone.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Tickets to write or maybe crime to stop?”
“Slow day,” he smirked then rolled his eyes. “Chels, come on. You’re worrying about something we can’t do anything about. What do you want me to do? Go burn down the auditorium? If I do that, there goes my job and us being on the inside of things going on. Not to mention they’d lock my ass up.”
“I know we can’t stop it, Caleb. That doesn’t mean I’m not worried. Just imagine all the local girls we’ve known most of our lives who’ll be in danger.”
“You automatically think danger. What if nothing happens this time? It’s been years. Whatever was screwing with the pageant before may be over now. You never know.”
“I know you have a point, but it doesn’t change the fact I’m worried. Did you see Stella’s face?”
“I did and that’s one thing I can agree with you on. That woman knows more than she’s letting on, about everything. This town, this pageant, hell, probably us.”
“That’s why she’s the queen of news. She has her nose in everything happening.”
“And she covers it up just like the Sheriff.”
“I don’t think that’s her fault though. I believe the covering up is par for the course. You heard what she said. If she mentioned the things that truly happened around here, they’d lock her away. I believe that. Already, people are talking about her being a bit senile.”
“Senile? That woman is sharp as a tack. The town just wants to control her and the Stalker. It’s all politics, which sucks. It’s the same way with the Sheriff. The man isn’t blind. His hands are tied.”
If there was one thing Chelsea couldn’t stand it was the local politics going on in Dead Oaks. All the mayor and other officials cared about was keeping people around. Families were constantly moving away in hopes of keeping their children safe from the darkness plaguing the place. Chelsea didn’t blame them. But because of it, everything that happened around Dead Oaks was swept under the rug or lied about in every way imaginable. It was sickening.
“If you want, I’ll take another crack at the Sheriff. Hell, I’ll even try the mayor again. I don’t want this thing happening any more than you do, but I don’t want you worrying like this either.”
She couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to know Caleb worried about how all this was affecting her. Sometimes she forgot just how great of a guy he really was.
“I’d appreciate that, but I doubt it’ll change anything. They are set in stone. You know it, and so do I.”
“If that’s the case, then I guess I better get busy,” he announced as he got to his feet.
“Get busy with what?”
“Who else is going to keep an eye on all the potential beauty queens in this town? It’s a tough job, but someone has to do.”
With a roll of her eyes, Chelsea turned her head from him. The last thing she wanted to do was show him any signs of jealousy. No, she wasn’t interested in Caleb as more than friends, but still, the idea of him hanging around with pageant girls didn’t sit well with her.
“I’m going to find out who’s signed up already. I’m sure the list is as long as my arm, but it will give us an idea of who to keep an eye on. I’ll also find out who’s organizing it and all that. I’m sure the mayor isn’t going to take time to do it.”
“That’s a good idea,” she answered finally turning back. “If we talk to the organizer, they may be a bit more understanding. It would be worth a shot.”
“Right,” he agreed as he reached down to offer Smoky a last pat. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Alright. I’ll be here. I may close a bit early though and go talk to Stella again. Now that Carmen is involved, I may get more info out of her.”
“Good call,” he said with a toss of his hand as he made his way out the door.
Watching him go, Chelsea debated what to do first. If she was being honest with herself, she knew Stella would have more information than anyone else. The old woman couldn’t help them put a stop to anything though, which meant either way it went, the pageant was happening.
Snatching her phone from her pocket, she quickly sent out a text, hoping to have an extra set of ears willing to listen to her. Getting a quick response, she grabbed her purse then made her way toward the door. “Behave until I get back,” she told Smoky then locked up on her way out.
***
Making her way into Dead Oaks’ best café, Chelsea immediately saw Mia Evans had already arrived. Mia and her twin Tia were Chelsea’s best friends. When the girls moved away, Chelsea was heartbroken. Since they’ve returned, she had people she could talk again, and trust. She had Caleb, of course, but some things only another girl could understand.
Waving to Mia, she rushed over to the counter and placed her order. Once she had a fresh latte in hand, she made her way over and took the seat opposite. “How are things at Critter Connection?”
“Crazy as always,” Mia smiled as she brushed her dark hair behind her ear then picked up her drink. “Dead Oaks needed a place like Critter Connection. Tia really outdid herself on this idea.”
“I’m glad it’s going so well,” Chels beamed then sighed lightly. “Have you heard about the Candy Corn Queen?”
“I heard about it,” Mia said with a roll of her eyes. “This town is insane. I can’t believe they are bringing the pageant back. How people can feel safe entering is beyond me.”
“I know. Carmen Benson has entered.”
“Sweetheart, Carmen? Stella’s granddaughter?”
“Yeah, can you believe it? Stella couldn’t stop her. You would think of all people Carmen would know better.”
“Maybe she doesn’t know about all the things that have happened with the pageant. I mean, it’s not the festival that’s been targeted, just the Candy Corn Queen. I’m sure, like so many other things, it’s been buried.”
“Oh, it has. I’ve been trying to dig up some information, but I can’t find anything. I’m going to go to Stella and make her share.”
“Yeah, that would be your best bet. I mean, how else is someone going to learn what’s happened to the contestants over the years if the paper has covered it up. Entering the contest would be a way to keep an eye on Carmen, but not dig up the past.”
Mia’s words struck a chord. She’s right, Chelsea thought. Entering the pageant would be the perfect way to keep an eye on Carmen and the other girls without looking overly suspicious. “You’re a genius,” she grinned, taking Mia off guard.
“Why am I a genius?”
“Entering the contest is the best way to keep an eye on the girls. It’s perfect.”
“You’re going to enter? Seriously? We just discussed how people entering it are crazy.”
“Yeah, but we’d be entering fully aware of what we’re doing.”
“We? Who is we?”
“You and me. Come on, Mia. Don’t make me do a stupid beauty pageant alone.”
“Oh, so you want me to put my life on the line, so you aren’t lonely? Lovely, Chels. Thanks for being such a great friend,” Mia answered sarcastically.
“Are you really going to make me do this alone?”
“No,” Mia sighed. “There’s no way I’d do that. I’ll go with you.”
“Thank you, Mia. You’re the best.”
“This I know. Someday you and Tia will see it’s true.”
“There’s one hitch though,” Chelsea moaned as she slumped back in her seat.
“What’s that?”
“We can’t tell Caleb,” she explained as Mia burst out into laughter. Confused, Chelsea tilted her head and stared at her. “What’s so funny about that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact I’m dating his brother.”
“Crap,” Chels huffed then shook her head. “I guess neither one of them can know then.”
“Girl, what are you getting us into?” Mia asked as the two of them giggled together like they did in the old days.
Chapter Four
“Are we really sure about this?” Mia asked, nervously glancing around the empty parking lot of the community center. Her fingers were on the door handle, but she hesitated to open it and commit herself to Chelsea’s crazy plan. If Austin found out about this, he would truly freak out.
Since the incident with the snakes last summer, he had become even more overprotective than he already was. If it wasn’t for Tia being there and Critter Connection, she was pretty sure he would be making serious noises about moving back to the city by then.
“Don’t tell me you’re chickening out already,” Chelsea raised her eyebrows and then opened her door with purpose.
“No, I’m not chickening out. Tia, Austin, and I moved back here so that we could make a difference, but this is going beyond making a difference. Whoever is crowned the Candy CQueen is in real danger.”
“All the more reason for us to be here, on standby when that happens.”
“Well, us being here isn’t going to do anyone any good if one of us wins and we’re the ones in danger.”
Chelsea laughed, pointing at a car full of Dead Oaks prettiest young girls that had just pulled into the lot. “Do you really think we stand a chance against them? They’re primped and prodded, and we’re…well us.” She looked down at her jeans and tee-shirt, then back at the girls who were tottering towards the building in their dresses and high heels, dressed to the nines. “The contest hasn’t even started yet, and they’re beating us already. I don’t think we have to worry about winning. Besides, nothing ever happens to the contestants in the pageant. The problems start after the crowing of the Candy Corn Queen.”