Masklophobia

Warning
 This story contains violent imagery, strong language, and abuse. If you don’t like any of those things, this probably isn’t the story for you. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
 Notice
 This is a rewrite of my story Nicktoons Summer Splash Interruption by Goldfishmann. I made the original story very quickly, leading to it being not very good. Hopefully you enjoy this rewrite.
I have a bad case of Masklophobia, which is the fear of mascot costumes. I don’t know why, but ever since I was a child, I have been freaked out by mascot costumes. I vividly remember a time where my mother took me to see Sesame Street Live, as I loved Sesame Street, but it only made my fear worse. The whole time I sat at my seat, tears streaming down my eyes not saying a word. My life has never been easy, not just because of my phobia, but also because of my father.
I have no idea why, but my father never seemed to care for me in the slightest. He was always rude to me, even in public. He’d also yell at me when ever he was pissed about something stupid. I just felt, unwanted when ever I was near him. It also didn’t help that I was the only one with different colored eyes. Olive green to be exact, which only made feel more out of place.
I remember when I was learning how to tie my shoes when I was 7, he just would not stop complaining. After a few minutes of failed attempts, he yelled, “Why can’t you just be a FUCKING normal person and do something right for ONCE in your life!??!” I was holding back my tears as he yelled and yelled. Finally my mother stormed in and said “RICK he is just a CHILD!” He just looked at her before leaving for work. 
I also remember the only time I went trick or treating, which of course ended how you expect. I was 9, and I think my dad thought I was ready to go trick or treating, but he was wrong. I only lasted 20 minutes before I seen someone Bart Simpson costume. I froze where I was, and started shaking in fear. My parents and sister noticed that I stopped following them. My mother said in her soothing voice, “Is there something wrong sweetie?” “Oh please, theres also ways SOMETHING wrong with him.” my dad remarked, annoyed.
”I-I-I’m fine,” I stammered to them. My mother could tell I was terrified, as she said, “Maybe we should go home now.” “But mom, I didn’t get much candy.” My little sister complained. “How about I take Giles home while you two continue?” My dad said, bothered. “NO!” I shouted back. “I mean, about you and Lacy continue, while mom takes me home. You both are more into Halloween than us.” I said, trying not to sound too scared. 
My mother then walked me home, comforting me the whole way back. I was happy my mother walked me home, as I knew my father would blow up on me the whole way back if he took me. “How about we eat candy and watch movies. Does that sound good?” My mother asked, and I said yes. I’ve never been trick or treating since, and I don’t want to think about. 
The last memory I want to touch on, is my 10th birthday. Since I was turning double digits, my mom wanted to do something extra special for me. I remember the night before my parents arguing about what to do. “Have you learned nothing Rick? It will scare him to death!” “Oh please, you’re just over reacting. He’ll be just fine.” My dad said with confidence. I didn’t know what it was they were talking about, but I would soon find out the next day. 
The day so far was going great, with my aunt, uncle, and cousins coming over. My dad seemed to be having a good time too, as he never said anything negative to me, which was rare for him. Then there was a knock at the door. My dad quickly opened door, saying “Now for your final surprise son.” The door opened as someone in a SpongeBob costume stepped inside. It wasn’t a bootleg suit either, this was the real deal. I just stood there, eyes wide open with terror. “D-d-dad, w-why?” I said with a shaky voice. 
“But I thought you loved SpongeBob son?” My dad said confused. I then bolted into my room with tears flowing down my face. I then sat on my bed with my head down as I quietly sobbed to myself. I heard my father complaining, saying “Ugh, of COURSE it didn’t work! Sorry man for wasting your time.” “RICK! I TOLD YOU it wouldn’t work. He’s terrified of those’s suits, and you STILL did it anyways!” My dad was getting more annoyed. “Agh! Well if he wasn’t such a DISAPPOINTMENT, then maybe he would be over this stupid fear of his!” He yelled back.
”RICK, how many times do I have to say this: HE IS A CHILD!” “Are you ever going to STOP using that bullshit excuse?!? He’s too old to be scared of suits anymore!” My uncle Alex then said “Yo bro, STOP YELLING! You’re not making anything better.” “Oh would you just shut up and get the FUCK OUT ALREADY!” my father shouted at his brother. My aunt, uncle and cousins then left afterwards, leaving the ruined party.
My mother walked into my room after a few minutes, saying “I’m sorry your special day wasn’t as good as we wanted. But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you sweetheart.” She said softly. “Mom?” I asked her. “Yeah?” She responded. “Why does dad not like me? He’s always mad at me, and he doesn’t want to be around me.” My mother didn’t respond, as if she knew the answer to my question. “Look h-he’s just stressed about his work. He’ll feel better when we go on our vacation, okay?” I could tell she wasn’t telling me the full truth, but I didn’t want to keep asking questions.
After that, things went relatively fine, until my parents got divorced. I was coming back from my friend Eric’s house, when my parents told me. “What’s going to happen to me and Lacy?” I asked them. “Well, Lacy will go with me, while you stay with your father.” She said, sounding like she was holding back tears. “WHAT!?!” I shouted loudly. “I want to go with you, why can’t you take us both? Don’t leave me here with HIM!” I said through tears.
”I’m sorry Giles, but I can’t do anything.” My mother said, crying. My dad could only afford an apartment for us to live in. The first day we moved in, I just sat in my new room, quietly crying to myself. At around 8:00pm, I asked my dad if we were having dinner. “Ugh can’t you see I’m busy! “Go find something in the cabinet, or something.” He remarked, rudely. “But there’s nothing here.” I said. “Oh my god, FINE! I’ll go to the store tomorrow if it will get you to SHUT UP! “You can go ONE night without eating!” He shouted.
As I got older, the more arguments we had. He also started hitting me if he felt like “I deserved it.” One time I remember is when he got mad at me for not cleaning a cup. “Why can’t you just do something SIMPLE! “You’re going to be an adult soon, which means you’re going to have to fend for yourself!” “Come ON, It’s just a CUP!” “So!?!” “So it means NOTHING! “God why can’t I just be with mom!?! “You won’t even let me see her!” He then hit me across the face saying “There’s a VERY good reason as to WHY I won’t let you see that bitch anymore! “If you don’t want to get hit again, I suggest you SHUT THE FUCK UP!” He screamed.
I then stormed to my room and stayed there for the rest of the night. Things at school weren’t much better either. I was bullied and some of my teachers didn’t give a shit. This and the fact that I was being abused only made me aggressive at school. I was never afraid to beat a bully if necessary. But one day in 10th grade made my fear multiply. A guy in my English class said there was Serial killer on the loose. This would already make me afraid, but it’s what he said afterwords that made me want to runaway. “I hear that he wears costumes to kill his victims.” He said. “Uh w-what kind of costume?” I asked nervously. “Mascot suits, specifically SpongeBob, Homer, Mickey and a grayscale Mario.” There’s some I’m probably forgotten, but you’ve gotten the point.” I was scared out of my mind hearing this, but I managed to keep myself together.
I asked my dad about it, and he of course didn’t care. “Why are you so worried about this anyways? “HUH?!? “I-I thought you’d be a little concerned?” “Quit whining and go take out the garbage!” I was angry that he didn’t seemed concerned, not like he ever cared for much as is. When a graduated high school, I went to college, mostly to get away from my dad. However it didn’t last long, as I realized I was wasting my time and money at a place I didn’t want to be at. With the rest of my money, I was able to rent a condo near the woods.
This brings us to just a few days ago, where I wanted to go camping, as I always loved to camp with my mother. I found a campsite, and packed some things to go there. I brought some essentials, along with a portable dvd player, and the first 3 seasons of SpongeBob, as I’m a huge fan of early SpongeBob. Everything was going well, until I heard a strange noise from deep into the woods. I figured it was just a fox or something, but something told me it wasn’t. I grabbed a flash light, and started making my way into the forest. After a few minutes of walking, I came across a radio. It was playing “Living In The Sunlight” by Tiny Tim. “Thats…odd?” I said to myself, as I continued down the trail. After a few more minutes, I came across a lake. I then looked down, and my heart sank. 
There was a blood trail leading to the lake. I then looked at the lake and saw someone floating in it. It looked like a woman in her 20’s, and I figured that she was who made the noise earlier. I was ready to run the hell out of there, when something caught my eye. It was someone in a SpongBob costume, peaking from behind a tree at the other side of the lake. We stared at each other for what felt like forever. Tears of fear were flowing down my face, as it felt like my heart was in my throat. Then the person walked out from behind the tree, holding a knife. 
I then took that as my sign to start sprinting like hell out of there. I got in my car, and drove the fuck out of there. I went to Eric’s house, as his house was farther into town, and I didn’t feel safe at home. I explained what happened, with tears still flowing down my face. He agreed to let me stay at his place for a few days, while I got my shit together. We called the police to check out the scene, but I was still too afraid to go back into the forest.
They confirmed who the body was, being 21 year old Elizabeth Jones. She went missing 2 days before her body was found, being killed shortly before I went to investigate the sound I heard. After that night, I began getting paranoid. It felt like whoever that madman was, was watching me at all times. I desperately wanted to visit my mother or my sister, but they are both out of town. It’s late as I write this, and it feels like that costumed psychopath is outside my house waiting. It’s probably just my paranoia, but I can’t help but shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen to me.
Category:Sesame Street
Category:SpongeBob
Category:Homer
Category:Mickey
Category:Mario
Category:Murder