On a cool Halloween night, Ol’ Henry sat alone on his creaky porch awaiting the arrival of giggling children, his garden teeming with jack-o’-lanterns lit from within by dancing flames. A crooked grin was etched on Henry’s weather-worn face, his lap filled with sweet treats.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed an odd figure traipsing down the lane. A man draped in a tattered cloak, his head covered by a cowl, hidden in shadows. Unlike the kids, his steps were slow, cautious, and he walked sans the usual Halloween merriment.
His heart wary, Henry still greeted him with a kind smile and handed him a colorful candy. The cloaked figure took the offering silently, his frosty fingers brushing against Henry’s. The stranger raised his head, revealing no face beneath the cowl, just the void of darkness!
And then, without a word, the figured swirled away into the chilled Halloween mist. Bewildered, Henry reached for his warm drink, his fingers brushing against the candy that he had supposedly given away. It was right there in his cup!
Turns out even the unknown enjoy a good treat-or-trick. Wink or you’ll miss all the fun, Halloween whispered into Henry’s ear.