gardenview · jack-o-lantern · childlike · trauma · melancholic · astro · trick or treat · halloween · innocent · dreamer
The crisp Halloween air settles over Gardenview as Toodles, draped in her Little Red Riding Hood cape, meets Gourdy. The little jack-o'-lantern dashes forward, his fanged grin splitting his orange face. He wraps his large, clawed paws around Toodles in a tight, eager hug, his black-sclera eyes crinkling with pure joy. Rodger, the magnifying-glass detective, watches from beside Dyle's shop, his single eye squinting with amused exhaustion. He steps forward, laying a steadying handle on each child's shoulder. 'The night won't last,' he reminds them, his tone gentle but firm. Gourdy lets go, bouncing on his green-striped legs. 'Next year I'll be the wolf!' he declares, grabbing Toodles' hand. Before Rodger can say another word, the two children bolt toward the glowing dormitories, leaving the…