“Hey, what are you doing for Halloween?” Julia asked.

Alice took another bite of her lunch. What was she doing? “I don’t know actually. My neighborhood doesn’t really get trick or treaters, so I don’t really have to help with candy or anything. What are you doing?”

“I have to take my little brothers out when they go. If you’re not doing anything, would you want to come?”

“Sure. Should I make a costume though? I haven’t really thought of one yet, and it's only two weeks away now. Do you know what you’re doing yet?”

“I haven’t worn one for the last few years, but we could do that if you want. What would my costume be?”

Alice thought about it. “I call being a vampire. I bet we can get some face paints to make the costumes better.”

Julia looked at her aghast. “I thought you didn’t like twilight? You’d join the vampires?”

“Hey, Twilight isn’t the only thing with vampires in it. I can be a totally normal non-book related vampire.”

“Hmmm. Well what could I do? I totally would have rocked a vampire, but I can’t do it now that you’re doing it too.”

“We still have two weeks. It’s not like you have to decide right now.”

“Well no, but… Ah, I’ve got it! I’ll be Red Riding Hood. Cloaks are cool right?”

“Where’d you even get one though?”

“I’ll have to order it online. Hopefully it’ll come in time.”

The bell rang and everyone stood and started moving towards their next class. Julia’s theater friends seemed to have warmed to her a little, but none of them ever talked to Alice unless she was around Julia.

Alice paused as she saw a sullen Josh putting away his tray right in front of her. He glared at her for a moment, but after some whispers from the others began he turned away and walked off. Alice carefully put her tray away and watched him go. It was all his own fault, what right did he have to be angry at her?

— — — O — o — O — — —

It was Halloween and Julia’s two brothers were running around like maniacs, their sacks bulging with candy. Julia was wearing the red cloak she had bought and carrying a wicker basket that the boys were using as extra storage for their candy. Alice had plastic fangs in and had covered herself in white makeup and dark highlights so she had the pale face of a vampire.

At the latest house, the boys had just taken big fistfuls of candy and were about to shove it in their bags when the owner at the door made them stop. They started to back away and the owner started looking more irate. With a sigh, Julia turned to Alice.

“I’ll go and make them apologize properly. Can you hold this for me? It’s kind of getting heavy.”

Julia passed the stuffed wicker basket to Alice and she grunted in surprise at the weight. “Jeez, you weren’t kidding about this thing,” Alice grunted.

“Yeah. Anyway, see you in a minute,” Julia said. With that Julia walked forward and began ordering the boys back to the door to apologize properly.

As soon as Julia was out of earshot a voice sounded to Alice’s right and caused her to jump and spin in surprise.

“My, what sharp fangs you have. I wonder if you know how to use them?”

Mr. Taylor was standing there in a full suit and tie. The only difference was his expensive suit was absolutely drenched with massive amounts of fake blood. His head was absolutely caked in the stuff, and it ran down his red shoulders, ending with long streaks at his knees. Had he ruined one of his expensive suits for this?

“Uhm. Mr. Taylor. You surprised me.”

She started edging away, still holding the basket and Mr. Taylor took another easy step towards her, a smile on his face.

“It’s been such a long time since we’ve seen each other, Alice. I’m sure you might not even remember me,” He said.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“What? Why wouldn’t I… What?”

His expression flickered with annoyance for a second before he seemed to control himself. He took another step forward. She took a step back.

“I can see so many burdens on your young shoulders. Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll show you how to lighten them. I know if you dedicate yourself to a cause, you can change the world.”

He took a step forward and Alice didn’t take a step back. He took another step forward, and she realized something was wrong. There was a pressure thumping within her skull as she stood there paralyzed in fear. Another step forward. She didn't move. He could almost reach out and touch her now, but she was frozen, not even her eyes able to move from his.

“Hey, Creep! The fuck do you think you’re doing?” Julia shouted, causing Mr. Taylor to look away.

Alice gasped as she regained control of her body and stumbled to the side as she suddenly felt the weight of the basket she was holding. Mr. Taylor looked back at Alice, but not for long.

“Think on my words little Alice," He said, "Just remember that no matter what others tell you, you’re not out of wonderland just yet.”

He took a step away from her and shot her a malevolent smile over his shoulder.

“I’ll be back soon.”

With that he fully turned around and calmly began to walk away, and the crowd of trick or treaters created a bubble of space around him no matter where he went. From the smallest kid to the most heavy set adult, none approached him as he left.

“I can’t believe that prick has the nerve to get up in your face like that! That was practically assault. Alice, wait Alice are you okay?”

She shook her head. “Fine. He was so creepy though. I think he was threatening me. He said… said he would come back. What should I do?”

Julia turned to the bystanders that had turned at her shout. She spoke up and shouted again. “Hey, did anyone here record when that guy approached my friend?”

People in the crowd looked around at each other, but no one spoke up. Julia sighed and looked back at Alice. “Well, worth a shot. We should tell the adults about it anyway though. That guy is crazy. Did you know who it was?”

“Mr. Taylor.”

“WHAT!”

“It was definitely him. He even drenched one of his expensive suits in all that fake blood. You think he’s still upset about the thing with Josh? He wasn’t making much sense, and when he looked at me I just froze. Like I couldn’t move at all.”

“Yeah, we’re going home. I don’t want any of us out here if that maniac comes back again,” Julia said.

“Alright.”

Julia turned to the two brothers that had been following their conversation with wide eyes. “Let’s go guys. Last one home is a rotten egg.”

All four of them ran home, Alice still carrying the basket. Julia offered to take it, but it was honestly better this way. Alice was in far better shape than Julia was, and Alice was barely winded by the time they got back.

Alice’s Dad and Mr. and Mrs. Hanover were there talking and handing out candy. They looked up as they saw the four of them jogging towards them. Julia spoke first, panting slightly.

“Mr. Taylor… Was totally creeping on Alice! He got right in her face and started threatening her when he saw I wasn’t nearby. We gotta call the police or something!”

Alice’s dad looked at her in concern. “Alice? Is this what happened?”

“Yes, Dad. He wasn’t right. He wasn’t making sense, but after Julia scared him off he just smiled at me and said he would be back soon…”

She shuddered a little as she thought about it. Mr. Hanover’s expression was thunderous. “He ought to be locked up. Talking to high school girls in that way!”

Dad was already moving to the side without saying another word, presumably to call the ADF without being disturbed. Julia’s parents gave him a disapproving look as they began to call the normal police. Alice just stood there awkwardly as they all waited for the authorities to arrive. After a minute or two, Dad returned. He walked over to Alice. He glanced around briefly before speaking to her.

“Our friends are on it. They saw what happened and are already tracking him now. He won’t come close to you again without getting snatched up.”

Alice relaxed. Those guys were nothing if not paranoid. At least it would come into some use now she actually needed protection. Alice only realized a moment later how Julia was looking between the two of them with wide eyes. Her eyes were asking a question, but she didn’t say anything until Dad walked away.

“So Alice I got one question,” Julia asked slowly.

“What?”

“Is your dad a mob boss?”

Alice looked over at Julia and gaped at her. “Wha… Him? A mob boss? Where did that come from?”

“Did you even hear that? His ‘friends’ are just going to track down and kidnap some guy at his say-so. And he was projecting that serious vibe too.”

“No. Dad’s not a criminal.” She leaned in and whispered to Julia, “It’s the ADF. They protect us.”

Julia’s eyes widened again and she whispered back. “Oh. That makes more sense I guess. Well that’s good you have some protection. They’ll keep him away from you for sure. I’ve heard how scary they are.”

“Yeah, pretty scary,” Alice agreed.

A pair of police officers arrived and got the situation. They promised to investigate, but didn’t seem to be overly concerned. They were skeptical since Alice was the only one who heard what Mr. Taylor had actually said. The three adults were pissed at the two police men’s indifference, but after some arguments the two just left, saying they considered the situation resolved. It was all “He said/She said” according to them.

After all of that, everyone went inside into Julia’s house and started helping sort out the two brother’s candy. The mood was more subdued, but things returned to a somewhat normal state as the brothers began fiercely negotiating over the various pieces of candy they would trade and the two girls stole a piece or two from the big piles when no one was looking. The energy picked up, and the night ended on a happy if somewhat subdued note.