Under a boiling orange moon, young Jake decided to embark on a solo trick-or-treat adventure after convincing his nervous mom he was old enough. His destination? Eccentric Mr. Sullivan’s derelict house, rumored to be a monster’s den.
Although the surrounding houses were bathed in eternally flickering jack-o’-lantern light, Mr. Sullivan’s lawn was adorned only with shadow. Arrogantly brave, Jake cautiously approached, the crunching leaves beneath his feet sounding eerily like rasping whispers.
At last, the rusty door creaked open revealing Mr. Sullivan, tall and haunting, its thin silhouette overshadowing the timid boy. Jake, mustering all his courage, chirped, “Trick-or-Treat!” The mysterious man just stood there silent, raising an eyebrow. Suddenly, he grinned widely, pulling out a bin of candy.
Jake reached into the bin and gasped! He yanked out a terrifying, small furry creature! He yelled, running away, leaving behind a trail of candies.
Chuckling, Mr. Sullivan bent over, picking up the skittish furball. “Well, Fluffy,” he rumbled to the bewildered guinea pig, “looks like your Halloween costume was quite effective.”
And so, this Halloween, young Jake experienced the most memorable ‘trick’ that made a frightful tale of his own in their small town, forever!