Trick or Terror

                Zoom paced around the living room, seemingly lost in thought. Orion was sprawled across the couch as he usually was. He watched as the purple Paca began to mutter to himself. “I have to get her back…” His movement only got quicker the deeper his thinking became. “Ah-ha!” Zoom exclaimed, causing feathered Paca to narrow his eyes in annoyance. Once Zoom had Orion’s attention, he launched into explaining his idea and the problem that had perplexed him.

            “Inky and I have been having a prank war since the beginning of October,” he began. “She’s been able to scare me at almost every turn and I’ve never been able to get her back. Nothing seems to scare her!” Zoom huffed, his annoyance obviously displayed by the expression that briefly flashed across his face. “I’ve tried everything!” The purple Paca exclaimed. Orion rolled his eyes at that statement, knowing that Zoom’s claim of “trying everything” was an over-exaggeration. “However, I have the perfect plan! We’re going to go over to her house and you’re going to lure her outside. I’ll be hiding in the bushes next to her house. While you distract her, I’m going to jump out and give her the biggest scare!” Zoom let out an evil chuckle and rubbed his hands together in excitement; he was already under the assumption that his plan would work.

            Orion grumbled in response to Zoom’s inclusion of him in his plans. He rolled his eyes at the assumption of him helping out with the plot, however, he knew full well that he would help the younger Paca out. I wish he would at least start asking before involving me with things. The feathered Paca thought to himself. As grumpy as Orion liked to portray himself, he wasn’t mean enough to decline the purple Paca’s request. He climbed down from the couch and Zoom knew that he was successful with his attempt to “recruit” his friend. Zoom wasted no time in leaving the house, leaving his friend struggling to catch up.

            Upon reaching the slimy Paca’s house, Zoom quickly hid in the bushes, motioning to Orion to ring the doorbell to attract Inky’s attention. Orion slowly approached the house as Zoom watched in anticipation, ducking behind the bushes once Orion had become close enough to ring the doorbell. Rolling his eyes, he cast a glance back at Zoom in his hiding spot; try as he might, the purple Paca’s ears were plainly visible from the top of the bushes. You could at least do a better job at hiding… The feathered Paca turned his attention back to the house just in time to notice the curtain fall; Inky had already known that the pair had arrived. Even though Orion knew the outcome of the situation, he decided to humor the young Paca regardless.

            Before he could reach up to press the doorbell, the door flung open. Inky stood in front of him donning a horrific monster mask. Due to his worldly personality, Orion wasn’t an easy Paca to scare. He blinked in response and gave her a respectful and understanding nod as the pair began to exchange pleasantries. Inky cast a glance in the direction of the bushes, seeing Zoom’s ears poking out of them. However, she chose to pretend she was oblivious to the situation.

            Zoom heard their conversation and took this as a signal to begin his attempt at scaring the other Paca. “Boo!” He exclaimed, jumping out of the bushes and landing in front of Inky. It took him a second to realize the costume that the slimy Paca had donned. His face went pale once he noticed the grotesque mask worn by Inky. Even though he couldn’t see her expression, Orion just knew that Inky was smiling under her mask.

            When Inky had captured Zoom’s full attention, she inhaled and let out a ferocious roar. Zoom, originally paralyzed with fear, let out a shriek as soon as the noise hit his ears. Before anyone could say anything, the Paca had taken off, fleeing back in the direction of the house as fast as his little legs could carry him. Now that the young Paca was out of view, Inky removed her mask and let out a burst of laughter. Once again, she was the winner of their little prank war. She lifted up a hand to high-five Orion, who reciprocated the action.

            The pair separated now that Zoom had successfully been spooked. Orion began his slow trek back to the house, emitting a chuckle at the frightful expression that had blanketed Zoom’s face. His prediction was correct; Zoom had gotten scared instead of Inky. Even though the purple Paca had lost this time, Orion instinctively knew that he wouldn’t give up his pursuit. The only thing Orion had to worry about was what he would plan next and whether or not he would be involved. Despite his original apprehension involving the situation, Orion couldn’t help but look forward to the next trick Inky had planned for his friend.