All I wanted to do after a long and exhausting work trip was return home and have a good time on Halloween night. But when I got onto my peaceful street, I noticed something peculiar across the street from where I was standing. Let’s just say that Halloween had one last prank in store for me to look forward to.
The holiday that I enjoy the most is Halloween, I must confess. For me, Halloween is the most enjoyable holiday of the year, far more so than Christmas or Easter. Given that I am 32 years old, do not have any children, and have recently gone through a divorce, I do not have a lot of spare time for hobbies.
However, Halloween? It is my deepest interest. Every year, I make a significant effort. Take into consideration graveyard settings, skeletons that are life-sized, lights, fog machines, and everything else. In the month of August, I begin making preparations, figuring out every aspect of how to make my home the most haunted on the street.
This is effective. Around these parts, the “Haunted House on Thatcher Street” (that’s my property!) is considered to be something of a local legend. When it comes to Halloween, neighbors encourage their friends to stop by and take a look at it. Even if it’s just for one night, it makes me feel like I’m giving others the opportunity to experience what it was like to be a child again.
Nevertheless, life has presented me with a challenge this year. My manager informed me just a few days before Halloween that I would be traveling to Boston the next day. An unplanned journey for professional purposes. ‘Are you serious?’ I was on the verge of yelling. In just one week, Halloween would be here.
However, there was no way out of the situation. I then took one final look at my front yard masterpiece, which consisted of a gigantic spiderweb, eerie inflatables, and lights that were set up to create the illusion of a haunting graveyard. Next, I departed. Since the intention was to return on November 1st, I believed that the neighbors would still be able to take pleasure in the layout.
However, fortune was on my side. Because of a change in my schedule, I arrived home early, right on the afternoon of Halloween. When I thought about giving sweets to children who were dressed up in costumes, I was overjoyed.
On the other hand, nothing was right when I arrived at my house. I had no one in my yard. Unclothed in every way.
After that, I turned my head and glanced across the street, and there it was: my inflatable pumpkin, my skeletons, and my tombstones. My spider, which was eight feet long and staring back at me, was standing in the middle of the yard of my neighbor.
My hands were clinched, I took a deep breath, and I told myself to be cool about the situation. It was Halloween night, and there were children of all ages running around. I did not want to cause a disturbance. On the other hand, she had the audacity to place all of my decorations on her yard.
The glow of my lights flashed from her yard as the sun sank, casting shadows over her house despite the fact that it was dark. Suddenly, I had the impression that I was in a strange and warped version of reality.
The children were rushing up to her door, and their parents were complimenting her frightening arrangement. I couldn’t help but keep looking out my window. In my mind, I was clenching my teeth and visualizing myself marching over to her and telling her what was on my mind. Not at all. I needed to improve my mind.
It was midnight when the street finally became silent. During the final hours of Halloween, the decorations were turned down, the porch lights were turned out, and parents took their children home.
In addition, her home became black, and I witnessed her last guests depart, conversing and waving as they made their way out of the building.
I had arrived at my moment.
When I knew that my decorations were located across the street, I was unable to sleep. Therefore, I snatched my keys, threw on a jacket, and made my way to the convenience shop that was open around the clock.
I went inside, where the lights were buzzing, and searched the paint aisle until I discovered what I wanted. I needed spray paint in a bright red color to make a dramatic statement, and I needed glossy black paint to add flare. After grabbing a couple cans of each, I paid the cashier who was bored, and then I went back to my room.
There were a few jack-o’-lanterns that were still shining faintly, and the street was peaceful and almost frightening. A chilly air was rustling the trees, and the street was calm. After certain that there was no one in the vicinity, I sneaked over to her yard and waited there.
As soon as I neared her white gate, my heart began to rush. When I held the spray can in my hand, it felt alive. The can was shaken after I took a big breath, looked around for the final time, and then shook it.
The nozzle hissed and sprayed crimson paint once the button was pressed quickly. I went about my task with great care, seeing the letters take shape, each one standing out and being prominent on her flawless white fence:
I was able to win the best house prize by using the Halloween decorations that my neighbor had created.
I smiled, experiencing a surge of contentment in my body. It was as daring as her stunt, and each letter was a bright red paint that let out a little bit of my rage.
In order to add some drama to the piece, I drew some dripping lines, which made the words appear as though they were bleeding down the fence.
I remained vigilant and listened for any indication that something might be wrong. The hiss of the paint began to drift away as I finished the final exclamation point, leaving behind only the sound of the wind and my pulse beating rapidly.
On the other hand, a light suddenly turned on in her home.
The pit of my stomach sank. While I was holding the paint can tightly, I ducked my head and watched her shadow materialize in the window. Despite my efforts to hold my breath, she did not peek outdoors.
Then, after making her way to the kitchen, she disappeared. The exhalation was shaky. I was only a few seconds away from being apprehended.
With my spray paint pack in my hand, I took a stealthy approach around her yard. It was impossible for me to resist taking one more glance at my work before I went home. And the nicest thing was that her fence appeared to be wild. It would be necessary for her to confront it.
The following morning, while I savored the sight of justice, I sipped my coffee at the window and took in the scene. However, the crimson message continued to burn brightly across her white fence. She had not even made an attempt to conceal it. With the paint that I used, it would be difficult to remove with ease.
During the time that I was taking in the stunning scenery, a group of judges from the neighborhood council were walking down the street with clipboards in their hands, examining the Halloween decorations.
I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of nervousness; would they find my stunt amusing, or would they take it to an extreme? I knew I had made my point after taking a single look at her yard, which was completely devoid of any effort on her part.
The judges came to a halt before her residence, where they were concentrating intently on the red lettering while whispering to one another. The snort of one of them was barely disguised by a chuckle. Linda, who lives next door to me, observed them reading from her window, and her face broke into a pallid expression. She gave me a frightened look, but I chose to ignore it and simply lift my cup while smiling sweetly.
A short amount of time was required for the group to relocate to my location. While they were looking at my empty yard, I overheard one person murmuring, “She really took them?” to another person, who laughed and nodded in agreement.
A compassionate judge named Mrs. Delaney came over to talk to me. “The Halloween spirit that you have is very remarkable. The decorations that Linda had made were wonderful—until we discovered that they belonged to you! While her eyes sparkled, she let out a chuckle.
As I pretended to be innocent, I smiled. Well, Halloween is my favorite holiday. In every year, I give it my all. I simply wanted to provide the neighborhood with something that was both enjoyable and spooky.
A grin spread across Mrs. Delaney’s face. You have most certainly provided us with something that will be remembered, darling. This year, I believe you have earned the title of Best Decorated House. She gave a wink. Isn’t it true that Linda’s fence was a great addition to the scene?
While suppressing a laugh, I nodded my head. “One could say that it was a collaborative effort.”
Exactly at that moment, Linda walked out of the room, indignant and with a crimson face. It was with a pointed finger that she exclaimed, “This is ridiculous!” “She completely destroyed my fence!”
One of the judges arching their eyebrow. “Are you sure you didn’t steal her decorations?”
Linda made a mouth opening, but then she shut it again. After a brief pause, she eventually mumbled, “I thought she wouldn’t care,” in a tone that was just barely audible.
Mrs. Delaney responded in a calm and authoritative tone, “Well, it seems that you’ve learned a lesson about asking first.” “The prize will be awarded to the person who is legally entitled to possess those decorations.” A nod of approval was given to me by her.
When the judges moved on, Linda glared at me while stomping her foot and moving on. I simply shrugged my shoulders while concealing a smile. “Have a wonderful Halloween, Linda.”
After that, I made my way back to my home, all the while savoring each and every delightful moment.