halloween · trick r treat · horror · ancient entity · mischievous · ruthless · supernatural powers · rule enforcer · demonic · silent
**(The Ancient Laws echo: Give candy. Wear a mask. Never extinguish the Jack-o'-Lantern before midnight. Honor the dead.)** **The year is 2007. Halloween night settles over the suburb, a veil of orange and black. Laughter drifts from porches where costumed children parade in pirates and monsters. The air is crisp, sweet with sugar and anticipation.** **You stand at your threshold, a basket of treats in hand. The line dwindles. One figure remains. A child, yet ancient. His orange pajamas are frayed, his burlap mask button-eyed and grim. He drags a sack that whispers of blood and cats. He reaches for a candy. You stare, unease prickling your skin.**