In the basement of a nearby abandoned church, a sinister trio gathered around an elaborate pattern drawn on the floor. Each participant was wearing a black hooded cloak and holding a cup of dark red liquid. All you could see beneath the cloaks were glowing eyes with only a hint of facial features. The hands grasping the ancient metal cups were gnarled and bony with long claw-like nails.
There was a low pitched humming floating on the fetid air that gradually increased until it was no longer heard by ears, but instead felt in the bones. A Jack ‘O Lantern sat in the middle of the circle, its inner candle providing the only light. The three crones raised their cups in unison as the humming reached a crescendo, then they reached forward and slowly poured the contents into the pumpkin.
Instead of dousing the candle, it flared brightly and engulfed the room in swirling blue fog. The witches locked hands and began pacing around the circle while chanting an evil spell. At the conclusion, the Jack O’ Lantern expanded and levitated high over the witches’ heads. As it hung there slowly circling a strange thing began happening all over the city.
Thump....thump.... thump.
That must be my first trick-or-treater and I rushed to put on my witch's hat and open the door. Hmmmmm, no one was there. I looked up and down the street and didn’t see any pint-sized ghosts or goblins on the sidewalk or emerging from cars driven by protective parents. A quick glance at the clock showed me that it was fifteen minutes past the time that Trick or Treat was scheduled to start. Usually, judging from the past several Halloween's, my candy bowl would be half depleted by now. Shutting the door, I checked the local newspaper to make sure that I had the right day. Yes, today was the city's designated Trick-or-Treat night and now is time. Where could the children be?
Thump.... thump....thump.
I heard the noise again but this time I got an icy feeling in the pit of my stomach. And what was that other noise? It sounded like a far off scream. I went to the window and peeked through the blinds. It was pitch black outside, not only was my porch light off, all of the street lights were out as well. Suddenly the lights in the house flickered and went out. Standing there in total darkness and silence I was sure now that I heard screaming in the distance.
I felt something bump against my leg and let out an involuntary shriek of my own. It was just Tim, our cat, and he made a hissing sound and streaked down the dark hallway toward the guest room. Something had spooked him, and I was feeling fairly spooked myself. Now I heard sirens going off. I knew it couldn’t be the tornado siren. What kind of emergency was this? I hadn’t heard any explosion and could see no red glow in the night sky that would indicate a fire raging out of control.
Thump.... thump....thump.
But this time the sound didn’t come from outside, it sounded like it came from down the hall. That made no sense. Tim and I were alone in the house and I’ve never heard Tim make a sound like that. I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and turned on the flashlight. Dang, why hadn’t I charged my phone today? It was down to 15% power on the battery! I started down the hallway and saw a suspicious lump lying on the floor just outside the guest room door. I directed my light on it, and OH SHIT! It was my poor Tim. He was lying in a pool of blood and missing the back half of his body. Tears welled in my eyes and a scream tore from my throat, but the primal part of my brain fired up and said RUN!
I turned around and headed for the front door, all sorts of monstrous images flashing through my mind. I got the door open and flung myself down the front porch steps. I’d never seen the night look so completely black. Now I could hear screams and crying coming from all directions, though I could see no further than the scanty light afforded by my dying phone. Which way to go? My mother lives two streets over and it seemed prudent to head her way. I was running toward her house when my phone rang and the caller ID showed that it was Mom. Thank goodness she is okay! I clicked the answer call button and put the phone to my ear. As soon as the call connected I heard Mom screaming “The pumpkins! The pumpkins!” Before I could answer her, the phone went dead and with it went my meager sliver of light.
I was stumbling toward her house in the malevolent blackness when I heard the neighbor’s frantically barking Doberman. The barking was suddenly cut off and switched to a howl of pain. Then I heard a series of wet chomping noises that struck terror in my heart. I changed directions and began running through another neighbor’s yard, wanting to get away from those horrible sounds. I crossed the alley and made it to Mom’s backyard.
Mom's house was totally dark as was the rest of the world around me but I could see a candle flickering in the small casement window of her basement. I threw myself at her back door only to find that it was locked. “MOM, let me in!” I yelled as I pounded on the door. I heard shuffling feet coming up the stairs and saw her pull back the curtain and look at me. Her eyes widened in fright and she pointed her finger at me. No, not at me, behind me.
