Halloween, although associated with ghosts in Western culture, is actually not meant to be scary at all. It's a day of lighthearted fun and excitement.
People don all sorts of bizarre costumes, ranging from zombies and demons to vampires and even aliens. It's more about enjoying the festive spirit than trying to frighten others. On this night, children, in particular, embrace their mischievous side.
They wear peculiar masks and carry pumpkin lanterns as they go door-to-door, engaging in the beloved "trick-or-treat" game, playfully demanding candy or else they'll cause mischief.
Homeowners either offer them sweets or spare change, or else the children will playfully scream outside the house and stomp on pumpkin lanterns used for decoration.
Angela has grown to adore Halloween the most. For her, it's not about the candy or spare change but the sheer amusement of wandering the streets with her friends, playfully teasing the residents.
Just like now, she joyfully shouts "Trick-or-treat!" while gleefully knocking on doors one after another.
"Coming!" echoed the voice of the homeowner from behind the door. When she swung it open, she was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected sight before her—four floating pumpkin heads hovering in mid-air!
Quickly recovering from her surprise, the homeowner realized that the floating pumpkins were, in fact, attached to the shoulders of four small children.
Cloaked in black garments like many Halloween revelers, the children had creatively fashioned their costumes to give the illusion of floating pumpkin heads.
It was a clever trick that could easily deceive the unsuspecting observer.
"Change or candy!" exclaimed the leading child, a spirited girl, as she held up a petite pumpkin lantern and energetically clenched her tiny fist.
"Don't you worry, my dear, you shall have both," the homeowner responded warmly, a smile spreading across her face. Reaching behind the door, she retrieved a generous handful of candy and another handful of carefully prepared coins from the two small buckets. She gently placed them into the eager hands of the little girl.
The group of children erupted into joyful cheers, their pumpkin-headed faces unable to portray scary expressions, and bid farewell to the homeowner before darting away swiftly.
"Angie, where shall we venture next?" inquired the second girl, her pumpkin-adorned head bobbing slightly, seeking guidance from the girl leading the way.
The streets were alive with revelers, and numerous children were going from door to door in search of sweet treats. Almost all the households on this particular street had already been visited.
Although they wouldn't be turned away from other homes, Angela believed that the initial encounters were the most thrilling, so they always sought out families that hadn't been approached by other children or at the very least appeared untouched.
"Let's head to Walsh Street. I'm sure there are families there who haven't been visited yet," the determined little girl exclaimed.
"But Angie, if we go there, it's quite far. If we keep running back and forth, we might run out of time to return," voiced the third girl, her pumpkin-covered head nodding in concern.
She and her sister, the fourth girl, were siblings who lived in close proximity to Jessica. They were also Angela's classmates and playmates, familiar faces in her daily adventures.
"Let me think," Angela mused, gently patting the monstrous head adorning her own. "Alright, here's the plan. Once we reach the intersection, Ruth and Lily will head west, while Jessie and I will go east. If we find ourselves short on time to make it back to this spot, we can distribute the candy and coins tomorrow or the day after."
With that, Angela grasped the basket in her hand and declared, "Now let's divide these goodies. We'll stick to our usual method."
As mentioned before, Angela didn't have much interest in the candy or coins themselves. However, she had a fondness for collecting different types of candies.
Many families took pride in crafting their own sweets, resulting in a variety of unique creations. Each year, the young girl delighted in discovering how many distinct treats she could gather.
The other three girls wasted no time, having grown accustomed to Angela's approach. With swift motions, they mixed the coins and candies within their respective baskets, dividing them into three equal portions.
They carefully selected a few vibrant pieces of candy and presented them to Angela. She graciously accepted her share, wrapping it in a paper bag and tucking it away in her pocket. Then they quickly ran to the intersection, bid farewell to each other, and started acting separately.
As they traversed Walsh Street, Angela and Jessica noticed that the parade was slightly less bustling compared to the previous streets they had visited. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remained lively, with people enthusiastically participating in the festivities.
The two girls hurriedly approached several houses, only to find that either the pumpkin decorations had been vandalized or other children had already claimed their treats and moved on.
Along their path, they encountered playful individuals who would playfully startle others. Although Angela and Jessica joined in the fun, they couldn't help but notice that their candy collection was gradually dwindling in pace.
During a brief respite, Jessica couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and asked Angela, "Angie, why do we specifically target families that haven't been visited for candy?"
Angela playfully retorted, "You ask me this every year. Can't you figure it out on your own?" Her mischievous eyes sparkled behind the carved triangular eye holes of her pumpkin head.
Jessica let out an exaggerated sigh. "Please don't tell me it's all about the thrill of 'the first time' again." Even though she knew Angela couldn't see her, she couldn't resist rolling her eyes.
Angela chuckled. "You're such a goofball. If we stick to the same houses every year, how many different streets can we explore?"
She tapped Jessica's pumpkin head affectionately and continued, "You see, Halloween in this neighborhood is a rare opportunity for us. We get to run around, play, and have fun freely. It's about embracing the adventure and discovering new experiences."
"Hey, don't call me a dummy!" Jessica protested. However, with their pumpkin heads on, she couldn't rely on her usual intimidating stare to back it up.
Nonetheless, Jessica had another trick up her sleeve. "Oh, by the way, Angie, did Mr. Savior of Humanity send you a letter?"
"Jess! I! Ca!" Angela's voice carried a dangerous tone as she called out her friend's name.
"What's the matter? I thought you gave him your address, expecting to receive a passionately cheerful letter just like that Canadian girl did." Though her expression was concealed within the pumpkin head, Jessica's teasing tone was unmistakable.
"Jess! That's enough!" Angela's tone became even more menacing. She regretted confiding in Jessica about the party.
When she left that day, faced with Edward's plea, she didn't give him her phone number, but she softened and left the family address. However, Edward's language skills were truly lacking. The letter he wrote was riddled with mistakes and gave her a headache.
"But clearly, he really likes you. So, Angela, do you feel the same way about him? I bet you do." Jessica continued to speak, unaware of the subtle undertone in her words, but no one else seemed to notice.
"You'll pay for what you just said!" an enraged Angela threatened as she lunged towards Jessica, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
Jessica exclaimed in surprise and hastily started running away. The two little troublemakers playfully chased and frolicked in the street, while the "monsters" on the roadside occasionally joined in, adding to the excitement.
Finally, as they passed a fire hydrant, Angela made a sudden move and managed to grab hold of Jessica's cloak. However, Jessica determined not to be caught, twisted her body and fought back, attempting to break free.
Angela caught off guard and off balance, was tugged by the cloak, causing her to lose her footing and tumble to the side, resulting in a chorus of startled screams.
Jessica was taken aback and swiftly turned around to offer assistance to Angela, but to her surprise, Angela had already sprung back to her feet and was rushing to help another young girl.
The girl, who appeared to be around five years old and wore a tiny devil mask, had toppled over, causing her basket to spill its contents of scattered candies and coins onto the ground.
"You bullies! You're going to pay for this!" The little girl sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she surveyed her belongings strewn across the pavement. Her knee throbbed from the fall, adding to her distress.
Upon realizing their mistake, Angela and Jessica hastily adjusted their askew pumpkin heads and approached the distressed little girl to apologize and offer comfort. "We're so sorry. Are you alright?"
The girl continued to sob, giving them a fierce glare as if she wanted to pounce on them. Angela couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and amusement. Letting out a sigh, she lifted her own basket and proposed a solution. "Alright, how about this? As compensation, I'll give you half of my candies and coins."
"Who wants yours!" The little girl took off her small devil mask, still looking fierce, and said in a childish voice. She glanced at Angela, whose basket was mostly empty, and sniffled, "Mine is much better than yours!"
"Alright then, what do you want me to do?" Angela and Jessica looked at each other helplessly.
However, the little girl suddenly stopped crying and fixed her gaze on Angela, her eyes widening in recognition. Angela was taken aback, trying to make sense of the situation. She wondered if she had met this girl before.
There was something about her that felt familiar, but the dim streetlight made it difficult to discern the details.
They continued to lock eyes until Jessica interrupted the moment by grabbing Angela's hand and shaking it, saying, "Hey, snap out of it! Stop daydreaming!"
Both girls snapped out of their trance, feeling a bit embarrassed, and turned their heads away. After regaining their composure, Angela cleared her throat and asked, "So, how can I make it up to you?"
The other girl sniffed, rolled her eyes, and pointed to a nearby spot. "Look over there!"
Angela followed her gaze and noticed a gathering of people in an open space between two houses. It seemed like they were engaged in a lively game of apple bobbing, a traditional Halloween activity.
A basin filled with water held several apples, challenging participants to retrieve them using only their mouths. The apples, carefully chosen and polished, were intentionally slippery, making the task quite difficult.
Angela quickly grasped the girl's plan and felt a surge of excitement. She raised an eyebrow and confidently said, "Alright, let's establish the rules."
"Five apples each. The one who takes the biggest bites wins. And the winner gets to claim all the candies and coins that the loser was supposed to receive tonight, before going to sleep!" The girl hummed, her eyes gleaming with a touch of cunning that belied her young age.
Angela grinned, undeterred by the challenge. "Sounds fair to me. Let's do it!"
Halloween, although associated with ghosts in Western culture, is actually not meant to be scary at all. It's a day of lighthearted fun and excitement.
People don all sorts of bizarre costumes, ranging from zombies and demons to vampires and even aliens. It's more about enjoying the festive spirit than trying to frighten others. On this night, children, in particular, embrace their mischievous side.
They wear peculiar masks and carry pumpkin lanterns as they go door-to-door, engaging in the beloved "trick-or-treat" game, playfully demanding candy or else they'll cause mischief.
Homeowners either offer them sweets or spare change, or else the children will playfully scream outside the house and stomp on pumpkin lanterns used for decoration.
Angela has grown to adore Halloween the most. For her, it's not about the candy or spare change but the sheer amusement of wandering the streets with her friends, playfully teasing the residents.
Just like now, she joyfully shouts "Trick-or-treat!" while gleefully knocking on doors one after another.
"Coming!" echoed the voice of the homeowner from behind the door. When she swung it open, she was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected sight before her—four floating pumpkin heads hovering in mid-air!
Quickly recovering from her surprise, the homeowner realized that the floating pumpkins were, in fact, attached to the shoulders of four small children.
Cloaked in black garments like many Halloween revelers, the children had creatively fashioned their costumes to give the illusion of floating pumpkin heads.
It was a clever trick that could easily deceive the unsuspecting observer.
"Change or candy!" exclaimed the leading child, a spirited girl, as she held up a petite pumpkin lantern and energetically clenched her tiny fist.
"Don't you worry, my dear, you shall have both," the homeowner responded warmly, a smile spreading across her face. Reaching behind the door, she retrieved a generous handful of candy and another handful of carefully prepared coins from the two small buckets. She gently placed them into the eager hands of the little girl.
The group of children erupted into joyful cheers, their pumpkin-headed faces unable to portray scary expressions, and bid farewell to the homeowner before darting away swiftly.
"Angie, where shall we venture next?" inquired the second girl, her pumpkin-adorned head bobbing slightly, seeking guidance from the girl leading the way.
The streets were alive with revelers, and numerous children were going from door to door in search of sweet treats. Almost all the households on this particular street had already been visited.
Although they wouldn't be turned away from other homes, Angela believed that the initial encounters were the most thrilling, so they always sought out families that hadn't been approached by other children or at the very least appeared untouched.
"Let's head to Walsh Street. I'm sure there are families there who haven't been visited yet," the determined little girl exclaimed.
"But Angie, if we go there, it's quite far. If we keep running back and forth, we might run out of time to return," voiced the third girl, her pumpkin-covered head nodding in concern.
She and her sister, the fourth girl, were siblings who lived in close proximity to Jessica. They were also Angela's classmates and playmates, familiar faces in her daily adventures.
"Let me think," Angela mused, gently patting the monstrous head adorning her own. "Alright, here's the plan. Once we reach the intersection, Ruth and Lily will head west, while Jessie and I will go east. If we find ourselves short on time to make it back to this spot, we can distribute the candy and coins tomorrow or the day after."
With that, Angela grasped the basket in her hand and declared, "Now let's divide these goodies. We'll stick to our usual method."
As mentioned before, Angela didn't have much interest in the candy or coins themselves. However, she had a fondness for collecting different types of candies.
Many families took pride in crafting their own sweets, resulting in a variety of unique creations. Each year, the young girl delighted in discovering how many distinct treats she could gather.
The other three girls wasted no time, having grown accustomed to Angela's approach. With swift motions, they mixed the coins and candies within their respective baskets, dividing them into three equal portions.
They carefully selected a few vibrant pieces of candy and presented them to Angela. She graciously accepted her share, wrapping it in a paper bag and tucking it away in her pocket. Then they quickly ran to the intersection, bid farewell to each other, and started acting separately.
As they traversed Walsh Street, Angela and Jessica noticed that the parade was slightly less bustling compared to the previous streets they had visited. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remained lively, with people enthusiastically participating in the festivities.
The two girls hurriedly approached several houses, only to find that either the pumpkin decorations had been vandalized or other children had already claimed their treats and moved on.
Along their path, they encountered playful individuals who would playfully startle others. Although Angela and Jessica joined in the fun, they couldn't help but notice that their candy collection was gradually dwindling in pace.
During a brief respite, Jessica couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and asked Angela, "Angie, why do we specifically target families that haven't been visited for candy?"
Angela playfully retorted, "You ask me this every year. Can't you figure it out on your own?" Her mischievous eyes sparkled behind the carved triangular eye holes of her pumpkin head.
Jessica let out an exaggerated sigh. "Please don't tell me it's all about the thrill of 'the first time' again." Even though she knew Angela couldn't see her, she couldn't resist rolling her eyes.
Angela chuckled. "You're such a goofball. If we stick to the same houses every year, how many different streets can we explore?"
She tapped Jessica's pumpkin head affectionately and continued, "You see, Halloween in this neighborhood is a rare opportunity for us. We get to run around, play, and have fun freely. It's about embracing the adventure and discovering new experiences."
"Hey, don't call me a dummy!" Jessica protested. However, with their pumpkin heads on, she couldn't rely on her usual intimidating stare to back it up.
Nonetheless, Jessica had another trick up her sleeve. "Oh, by the way, Angie, did Mr. Savior of Humanity send you a letter?"
"Jess! I! Ca!" Angela's voice carried a dangerous tone as she called out her friend's name.
"What's the matter? I thought you gave him your address, expecting to receive a passionately cheerful letter just like that Canadian girl did." Though her expression was concealed within the pumpkin head, Jessica's teasing tone was unmistakable.
"Jess! That's enough!" Angela's tone became even more menacing. She regretted confiding in Jessica about the party.
When she left that day, faced with Edward's plea, she didn't give him her phone number, but she softened and left the family address. However, Edward's language skills were truly lacking. The letter he wrote was riddled with mistakes and gave her a headache.
"But clearly, he really likes you. So, Angela, do you feel the same way about him? I bet you do." Jessica continued to speak, unaware of the subtle undertone in her words, but no one else seemed to notice.
"You'll pay for what you just said!" an enraged Angela threatened as she lunged towards Jessica, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
Jessica exclaimed in surprise and hastily started running away. The two little troublemakers playfully chased and frolicked in the street, while the "monsters" on the roadside occasionally joined in, adding to the excitement.
Finally, as they passed a fire hydrant, Angela made a sudden move and managed to grab hold of Jessica's cloak. However, Jessica determined not to be caught, twisted her body and fought back, attempting to break free.
Angela caught off guard and off balance, was tugged by the cloak, causing her to lose her footing and tumble to the side, resulting in a chorus of startled screams.
Jessica was taken aback and swiftly turned around to offer assistance to Angela, but to her surprise, Angela had already sprung back to her feet and was rushing to help another young girl.
The girl, who appeared to be around five years old and wore a tiny devil mask, had toppled over, causing her basket to spill its contents of scattered candies and coins onto the ground.
"You bullies! You're going to pay for this!" The little girl sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she surveyed her belongings strewn across the pavement. Her knee throbbed from the fall, adding to her distress.
Upon realizing their mistake, Angela and Jessica hastily adjusted their askew pumpkin heads and approached the distressed little girl to apologize and offer comfort. "We're so sorry. Are you alright?"
The girl continued to sob, giving them a fierce glare as if she wanted to pounce on them. Angela couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and amusement. Letting out a sigh, she lifted her own basket and proposed a solution. "Alright, how about this? As compensation, I'll give you half of my candies and coins."
"Who wants yours!" The little girl took off her small devil mask, still looking fierce, and said in a childish voice. She glanced at Angela, whose basket was mostly empty, and sniffled, "Mine is much better than yours!"
"Alright then, what do you want me to do?" Angela and Jessica looked at each other helplessly.
However, the little girl suddenly stopped crying and fixed her gaze on Angela, her eyes widening in recognition. Angela was taken aback, trying to make sense of the situation. She wondered if she had met this girl before.
There was something about her that felt familiar, but the dim streetlight made it difficult to discern the details.
They continued to lock eyes until Jessica interrupted the moment by grabbing Angela's hand and shaking it, saying, "Hey, snap out of it! Stop daydreaming!"
Both girls snapped out of their trance, feeling a bit embarrassed, and turned their heads away. After regaining their composure, Angela cleared her throat and asked, "So, how can I make it up to you?"
The other girl sniffed, rolled her eyes, and pointed to a nearby spot. "Look over there!"
Angela followed her gaze and noticed a gathering of people in an open space between two houses. It seemed like they were engaged in a lively game of apple bobbing, a traditional Halloween activity.
A basin filled with water held several apples, challenging participants to retrieve them using only their mouths. The apples, carefully chosen and polished, were intentionally slippery, making the task quite difficult.
Angela quickly grasped the girl's plan and felt a surge of excitement. She raised an eyebrow and confidently said, "Alright, let's establish the rules."
"Five apples each. The one who takes the biggest bites wins. And the winner gets to claim all the candies and coins that the loser was supposed to receive tonight, before going to sleep!" The girl hummed, her eyes gleaming with a touch of cunning that belied her young age.
Angela grinned, undeterred by the challenge. "Sounds fair to me. Let's do it!"
