“Big braaaaaiiiiinnnnnn! Come back! You said you’d go trick or treating with me!” Morgan called out as Sylvia walked away.

Sylvia heard Morgan put all of her one hundred and three pounds of junior varsity lacrosse frame to use and sprint down the hall after her.

“I wasn’t kidding, Syl. This could be our last year to trick or treat! I want some Mars bars before the Brinkley brothers ransack the neighborhood.“ Sylvia sighed and stopped walking.

“Fine,” she said with a groan. “But I’m choosing my own costume this year. I don’t want to wear another glam band outfit. I’m still finding glitter from last year…”

“Yes! Ahh! We’re going to have so much fun,” Morgan said as she jumped up and down. Sylvia wondered what it would take for Morgan to not move. She’d known her since they were five years old, and the years that passed weren’t the blur, it was Morgan running around.

“I also don’t want to go down San Rafael street. I know you like the creepy half-lit streets, but we’re not doing that this year. Only the good streets off of Knott.”

“Ugh, fine. But we’re totally gonna miss out on the candy bowls they leave on their porches.”

“Not worth it. Five dollars the Brinkley brothers will clear those out first.” The bell for fifth period rang— leaving Morgan and Sylvia late for math. Miss Kenten wasn’t going to be happy with them.

As the sun lowered over the city, Sylvia and Morgan got ready at Morgan’s house. They were in the attic, surrounded by old mirrors and open chests of theater costumes. Morgan came from a long line of thespian’s, making her insistence on athletics frustrating to her parents. Still, they were happy to let Morgan and Sylvia rifle through the old costumes in hope it convinced her to take a step closer to the stage.

Sylvia put on a dusty train inspectors uniform and rotated in front of the mirror. She grabbed a black cap off the ground and put it on.

“Now that’s an outfit! You look like your name could be Horace or Theodore,” Morgan said as she loosely held a purple leotard.

“I said no glam bands.”

“But-“

“I’m not suffering through another year of glitter. There’s plenty of other costumes.”

“Fine,” Morgan stuffed the leotard back into a chest and pulled out a nun’s frock. “What do you think?” She said waggling her eyebrows, “I could make a habit of this.” Sylvia let out a snort which prompted Morgan into a belly laugh. They were both on the ground crying with laughter as they struggled to gulp down air.

They eventually made it outside with their costumes and pillow cases for candy. The little kids accompanied by mom or dad had already started and finished before it got too dark. The streets were left to the slightly older kids who wandered without their parents.

The rain held off— letting the girls enjoy a surprisingly dry Portland Halloween. They thought it a sign of good fortune. Forgetting all the stories of pale moon nights in the city. They made a leisurely circuit around the Irvington neighborhood before they heard it. The gentle whimpers of a hurt animal.

They paused— waiting to see if it stayed put. They held their breath as a small, black, shaggy creature limped onto the sidewalk before them.

“Syl! It’s a little puppy— poor guy must have been attacked by a coyote or something,” Morgan said rushing to the creature. It made another small whimper before letting out a phlegmy growl. It’s hackles raised as Morgan jumped back from it.

Sylvia began inching backwards “I don’t think that’s a dog, Mo. We should just let it be.”

“But it’s not safe out here for it!”

“It’s not gonna be safe for us either if it keeps growling like that. I don’t think it wants us to touch it.”

The animal seemed to crackle and melt as it began to expand into a larger beast. The phlegmy growl became a full throated bass. It’s dark squinty eyes began to glow like rainy red neon.

“Mo…” Sylvia said grabbing for Morgan’s hand. “We have to go— NOW.”

The pair took off in a sprint as the beast behind them let out of wicked howl. The moonlight flashed between blank patches of sky as the trees covered most of the neighborhood. Ten blocks— they just had to make it ten blocks, Sylvia thought. They must have strayed far into the night, because the previously busy streets were empty as they ran.

Up ahead were three figures similar in height strolling down the middle of Thompson. They were laughing as they swung their bulky pillowcases at each other. They hadn’t heard the creature—

“RUN!!” Sylvia screamed at the trio. The shocked faces of Grant, Josh, & Alex Brinkley turned to take in the frantic sight of Sylvia and Mo sprinting down the street. The boys stopped and then watched the girls run past before hearing the scrabble of thick nails on pavement. The beast burst onto the street two blocks behind them and howled before resuming its chase.

“What the fu-“ Josh said before Mo ran back and wrenched him into a run.

“Just run!” Mo screamed at the brothers. All five of them ran together— they were only a block away from Morgan’s house. The beast sounded closer as they rounded the corner and had her home in sight. “To my house!” She didn’t have time to check if they agreed.

They flew up the old wooden steps and burst through the front door. Mo slammed the door shut and threw the locks. She took a deep, shuddering breath. The door was immediately met with a heavy force— it threw her to the ground, but the heavy oak door held. Sylvia and the Brinkley brothers looked behind Mo in horror. A claw had jammed through the door and broken off. It’s curled, black mass felt more menacing than the howl. They could hear the beast pad across the porch as it huffed.

“What the hell is that thing?” Grant asked as he got up from the floor. His usual cherubic face lined with worry.

“I don’t know. Syl and I thought it was a puppy at first. But I don’t know. It’s bad- whatever it is.”

“Mo, where are your parents?” Syl asked as she looked around the darkened house. The usual nighttime lamps weren’t on.

“I think they’re out at a party. My mom just opened her new play downtown. Should I call them? Do we call the cops? Animal control?”

“Does anyone have a cellphone on them?” Grant asked. The tallest and oldest Brinkley brother trying to use a calm voice.

“You don’t have one?” Mo said as she stared a second too long at Grant. The moment was broken as the door thudded again. The wood groaned, but continued to hold.

“No, I don’t have one. Our parents don’t believe in kids having phones. What about you? Isn’t there a landline?”

“A landline? This isn’t the sixties, Grant. Everyone has a cell phone now.”

“Then where’s yours?”

Mo patted her body down as Sylvia did the same thing, “I must have dropped it…”

Grant shook his head, “Never thought I’d die in the Wallstein house.” Alex and Josh exchanged terrified looks.

“Uh…” Alex raised his hand, “should we move away from the door?” Everyone turned at that to stare at their dwindling hope in wooden form. It shuddered again as the beast tried yet another time.

Sylvia looked at Mo and then looked up towards the attic. Mo nodded.