I stared out at them from my window. The storm was horrible, the wind howling and the rain coming down in sheets. But I didn’t care. All I cared about was the people approaching my house. Just like last year and the year before that. “Hmm.” I said, hearing the doorbell ring. I walked down.

“Hello there.” I said opening the door only slightly. “Can we come in!? Our car’s engine stopped and we need some shelter from the storm!” The youngsters shouted. “Yes come in come in.” I said beckoning into the trap I had elaborately made. And they took the bait. I hid a smile and took them to the living room. “Can I get you anything? Some dry clothes perhaps? And a cup of tea?” I offered. They both nodded.

I went to my old kitchen. There I grabbed the tea and put the kettle on. I went upstairs to my room and stopped at that cracked mirror, examining my face as best as I could. The dark brown eyes were dull and my face was pale. I sighed. Even my raven black hair was getting grey. “No matter. I still have plenty more Halloweens to enjoy.” I thought.

I took out my old wife’s party dress, so elegant and divine. If only I could get out that blood spot. That young girl would look lovely in it. It would be just like my first Halloween. And the boy….my old tux. “Heh.” I chuckled. I took the clothes down.

“I’m sorry but these are the only clothes that I think would fit you at the moment.” I said handing them the outfits. Even so they grabbed them without hesitation. The kettle screeched. “You go change while I get the kettle.” I said. The two went upstairs. I looked at the girl. Her golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes looked spectacular. “She really does look like Angeline.” I thought, admiring her beauty. The boy had chocolate brown hair and eyes were black. “Boring.” I thought at once.

I poured tea and took them into the living room and placed them onto the table. The boy was already there. “The tuxedo improved his looks quite a bit.” I said. “So what is your name?” I asked. “My name is Gregory.” He replied, short and quiet. I nodded. Gregory turned and did a quiet gasp. There she was walking down, the cream train gliding down behind her, the creamy dress making her eyes look like blue stars. And to top it off she made her hair into an old-fashion bun.

“My dear you look…wonderful.” I said approvingly. “Thank you.” She smiled. “The bun isn’t too much? I wanted to go with the dress’s old-fashioned look.” She asked. “No not at all.” I replied. “What is your name?” I asked her once she sat down. “My name is Rebecca.” She replied. “Lovely.” I said.

I looked at the clock on the mantel. “Well I think I better be off to bed.” I said. The boy looked too. “Yes me too. It’s quite late and I can call my parents in the morning.” Gregory said. “But of course.” I said with a smile. I walked up the stairs and into my room. And I waited.

* * * *

I heard the whole conversation. Modern technology was so amazing and made my Halloweens much easier then the first few.

“So…. he seems nice enough.” Rebecca said. “Yeah I guess but I don’t think he likes me.” Gregory replied. I gave a hearty laugh. “You're absolutely correct Gregory. So you will be the first. I find no pleasure in spending my Halloween with people I dislike.” I said to myself.

“Maybe so but he seems nice. And he gave us these great costumes.” Rebecca said. “How kind of you Rebecca.” I said. “Yeah I guess so…. well he was right, it is getting late. I’m going to bed.” Gregory said. “Okay me too.” Rebecca replied. I smiled. My Halloween was about to begin. They came up the stairs and opened the two doors to the right of me. “Ah… this is so pretty!” Rebecca gasped. I smiled. “I picked it for you Rebecca. It was my wife’s.” I said. “Hmm… well this is okay.” Gregory said. “Yes Gregory it was Angeline’s brothers. Curse the fool.” I said, letting the hatred creep into my voice.

I waited and waited. Finally I knew they were asleep. I smiled. “Let my Halloween begin.” I thought. I crept and opened the loose floorboard. There was my knife. So glorious. I remember the first time I used it:

I adored my wife, Angeline, with all my being and was quite upset when she requested that her older brother stay here. I loved having our whole house together. The brother was intruding on my love.

It was Halloween way back and we were taking it easy. Angeline’s brother was sitting in the living room and Angeline was in the kitchen, while I was upstairs. I was sorting through my clothes looking for the perfect outfit to dance with my darling Angeline.

I heard a clash downstairs, a gasp and then a loud yell. “What was that!?” I thought. I rushed downstairs, the yelling now becoming a loud cursing. I rushed to the kitchen. Then there was crying mixed with the cursing. And I saw them. Angeline was on the floor crying while her brother cursed and beat her. I was flushed with anger. “HOW DARE YOU!” I screamed.

I grabbed the nearest thing to stop him from hurting darling Angeline. I ran and hit him. He grunted and fell. And I saw what I had grabbed. A knife, long and silver, was planted in his back. “Angeline…. Angeline.” I said, clutching Angeline to my chest. She cried.

“How could you do that to my brother?” She sobbed. I paused. “But he was hurting you Angeline!” I said. “But you killed him!” Angeline cried. I was angry again. “But he hurt you Angeline!? He has no right! Why do you defend him!” I said raising my voice. “I do not care! For what you have done I will leave you!” She said standing up.

I grabbed the knife from her wretched brother’s back and swung it at her. I felt contact and a sinking feeling as it went in. I closed my eyes and heard the thump as Angeline fell.

I took it out. I was not appalled, in shock or horrified at what I had done. As far as I was concerned they both deserved it. Her brother for beating my love, and Angeline for betraying it. And I smiled. I disposed of the bodies in a fire that I made in the back yard of the house.

Soon enough other people came to my house whether of the many storms in the area or door-to-door surveys. I took all of their lives. They were intruding in my solitude. But they also fed my craving. Ever since Angeline and her brother I needed more killings. It was addictive as cigarettes.

And so I was about to feed my next craving. I went to Gregory’s room. Ever so quietly I crept up on him and…his body went limb. “Ah!!! How good this feels!” I almost yelled. I hid him under the covers.

And now it was Rebecca’s turn. But I wanted a little fun. I brushed her soft skin and she immediately woke up. She screamed seeing the knife, tinted with blood. “Shhhh. Quiet Rebecca.” I whispered. She started breathing heavily. “Enough fun. I don’t want to torture you too much.” I said and let the knife sink into her.

This Halloween was enjoyable. It was a good game, good victims. But now I’d need to live with my killing addiction for another year. But I could deal with it. Because I know my next Halloween would be even better.