Costume
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2021 by Walter Reimer

Prompt: Halloween



“Trick or treat!” The traditional hunting cry of the night was clearly audible through the closed front door a scant second before the doorbell rang.

And rang again.

“Coming!” The elderly canine femme opened the door and recoiled with a cry of “Oh, my!” which was equally traditional. The little boy facing her and looking up expectantly, pillowcase held open in his paws, was wearing a curiously flat, pale mask and his best Sunday suit. The tail flicking back and forth behind him told her that there was a kitten behind the mask.

Probably the Willow boy, from the house down the street.

As she reached for the huge bowl of candy she asked, “And what are you supposed to be, little fellow?”

“I’m a human!” the kitten said happily. “Boo!”

“And are all humans so nicely dressed?” she asked as she gathered up a small pawful of candies.

“I’m the scariest kind of human!”

The pawful of sweets hovered over the gaping maw of the pillowcase. “And what is that?”

“A lawyers!” the child stated firmly.

“Oh, my goodness,” she said with great severity, “that sounds scary,” and the candy tribute was duly dropped into the pillowcase, ensuring that there would be no tricks played. “There you are.”

“Thank you!” and the kitten scampered off down the sidewalk to rejoin the rest of the packs of children making the rounds.

“Be careful!” the old woman admonished before closing the door. She shook her head. “Humans, eh?” she muttered as she went back to her chair in front of the television set. “Looked like some sort of shaved monkey . . . “ she muttered as she settled down to watch the rest of the thriller Night of the Living Dead Chipmunks.


end