The Hoaxer's Halloween

The following story is fictional. All people, places, and situations bearing any resemblance to real life, persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.

It was the night before Halloween, Devil's Night to some, but to the various hoaxers, and believers, around the world it was the third night in which believers were being killed off.

Two days ago, in California, a prolific believer had been killed. Local police had chalked the murder up to just another senseless killing; but any believer who saw the crime scene knew something more had taken place.

When Twiggy was discovered. She was tied to her bed; her naked body seemingly punctured over and over again by a knife. Blood soaked the sheets. If that was all the details believers might also feel it was just another senseless murder. But there was clues that police had overlooked - because to them the clues meant nothing. All over the wall, written in blood, was the phrase "7x7x7". There was a single white glove found on the floor. The police did a complete sweep of the room - no fingerprints, no DNA, no nothing as evidence.

The local police, in California, said it was a killing, that although strange, appeared to be random and would unlikely be repeated. As far as they were concerned it was another murder that would go unsolved.

Yesterday in Newcastle, England, another believer was killed. The body of Henda had been found hanging in an abandoned warehouse. Hanging from the beam was Henda. His body had slowly dripped every fluid ounce of blood to the floor below. Yet again another killing. Local media said that the police were confused by the scene but were unlikely to solve this murder.

The scene was later described by the local news. Henda had been hanging, his blood slowly leaving his body as he died a slow, painful, death. Police found a single white glove; although there was no message this time. No message until the blood was cleaned up that is. As the blood was washed from the floor, below Henda was a circular message - a calling card. It read "7x7x7x7x7x7x". Once again there was no evidence. No fingerprints. Nothing.

The rumors were already starting on Twitter. Someone was going around the world killing believers. But who could be doing such a thing. Who could be creating these horrible murder scenes without leaving the police so much as a single strand of evidence to work with?

Then it happened. As soon as the news broke it was all over Twitter. Souza, the administrator of a hoax forum, had been killed. Details were sketchy to say the least. All that was known is that Souza had been murdered. Yet another believer killed. The scene was later described: Souza had been in the kitchen. Someone took a knife and cut her throat. Then they cut off her arms; then her legs. She had died screaming in pain. Once again there was a single white glove. There was also the message of "7x7x7" carved into her torso. No evidence was found.

It was the next day, Halloween, believers worldwide were worried that one of them was going to be next. Three people had died and it would most likely happen again tonight. But who was it to be? Butterflies400 checked her direct messages on Twitter - one stood out:

Happy Halloween Hoaxers!

Halloween Cosplay

According to Wikipedia Cosplay is defined as:

Cosplay, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and Sci-Fi. Favourite sources include manga, anime, comic books, graphic novels, video games, hentai and fantasy movies. Any entity from the real or virtual world that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. Inanimate objects are given anthropomorphic forms and it is not unusual to see genders switched, with women playing male roles and vice versa.

With Halloween fast approaching now is the time that adults attending parties start thinking about costumes to wear. So why go in one of the played out costumes that has been seen a million times before when you can wow family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else that sees you dressed in a somewhat more unique costume.

But where to start? According to Wikipedia you can use, amongst other things, comics and video games as inspiration.

Not feeling totally creative? Get creative with a few ideas from around the world wide web.

Eat magic mushrooms and pretend you are reliving the eighties. Go as Mario; from Super Mario Brothers:

Some overalls, a red shirt, white gloves, and a fake moustache and you too could be leaving the party with your own Princess Peach. Just be aware that should any plumbing problems occur you will be asked to just 'take a look'.

Get yourself down the barber and ask for one of those nice eighties flat-tops. You are now ready to to be Guile from Street Fighter:

As can be seen from the photo natural hair colored, and styled, correctly will beat a wig anytime. The costume is easy. Army green wife-beater, camouflage pants, black boots and a set of dog tags. Support the troops while enjoying Halloween. Having a friend dress as M. Bison, also from Street Fighter, is optional but you could do a few rounds of fighting if the party really sucks.

Not a Street Fighter fan? Always thought that Mortal Kombat kicked Street Fighter's ass? No worries:

Get over here and go as Scorpion from the superior Mortal Kombat game. Find a black ninja suit, add a motocross face mask, strap some shin pads to your arms (as seen in the photo), and a yellow tabbard and you can be the hellish belle of the ball. Once again having a friend dressed as Sub-Zero is optional. If getting to the party on public transport it may not be wise to carry Scorpion's signature short spear attached to rope.

Not in to video games? Well there is always comic books as inspiration. Spiderman Spiderman does whatever a spider can and this Halloween you can do whatever a spider does too.

Spiderman costumes are not just for little boys - big boys can wear them too. Get a costume from Walmart and you are set. Any Green Goblins at the party take them out with your new found web-slinging abilities. And if you want to make the costume look for a red/blue full-body spandex suit - available at all good sports shops. Using a permanent marker draw a big spider on the front (if you want to technical you could use one of those silver markers and do the webbing too). Buy a Spiderman mask and you are all set to wow Mary Jane (Please note I said "wow" Mary Jane not "smoke" Mary Jane).

Every man at Halloween wants to revert back to being a little boy; even if it is just for one night. So forget Spiderman, Superman, and the Incredible Hulk and go as Edward Elric; The Full Metal Alchemist:

The above photo does not do young Edward justice. No blond hair and I don't ever remember seeing the alchemist wearing glasses. But the over all effect is there. Black pants, black shirt, red long jacket, and a pair of white gloves. That is it - you are good to go. But before you head out to try and create a philosopher's stone you may want to put the Full Metal Alchemist logo on the back of the jacket. As another side note when looking for pictures of people wearing Edward Elric costumes the vast amount were actually female. A quick discussion at Cosplay says this is due to Edward Elric having a long ponytail. So if you are a woman and want to dress as a man Edward Elric is right up your street.

Ladies don't be thinking you cannot join in on the Halloween cosplay fun because you are well catered for in the cartoon/comic book cosplay world:

Lara Croft - now you can attend Halloween party looking exactly like Angelina Jolie. Possibly one of the easiest costumes going. A light blue tank top, some brown shorts, a pair of boots, and a couple of handguns. That s it - you are good to go. Plastic toy handguns can be used; but the real deal will come in handy when your ass gets that unwanted pinch. As an added bonus the 'Lara Croft' covers all 3 genres - Comic, Video Game, and Movie.

Back to Mortal Kombat; and more importantly Kitana:

Another easy costume. matching light blue bodice, undies, loin cloth, and leggings. A couple of fans with tin foil blades and a pair of boots and you are ready to kick Halloween in to the Netherealm. And for next year die it all pink and be the 'classic' Mileena from Mortal Kombat.

OK Guys if you really want to be Kitana it would appear you can be:

Not that I'm recommending it in any way but it is an option.

But let us not forget that sometimes the retro look is just what you want:

Go go Power Rangers.

But if you really want to stand out in a crowd go as me, Homeless Dave, and wow all your friends as you spend the entire party explaining who I am. And what an easy costume too. Blue jeans and a black jacket. You can pick any shirt you want, and any shoes you want, because nobody knows what they really look like.