The Halloween Encounter

A fictional story….

On a chilly Halloween night in the small town of Oak Hollow, the streets were ablaze with decorations — glowing jack-o’-lanterns, swaying skeletons, and cobwebbed porches. A group of excited kids donned their costumes, ready for a night filled with candy and adventure. Among them were Jack, Sophia, and little Benny, who was dressed as a pirate.

As they traversed the familiar streets, their laughter echoed through the crisp air. “Let’s head toward the old Thompson house,” Jack proposed, recalling the rumors of it being haunted. The others nodded, thrilled by the idea of pushing their limits a little that night.

As they neared the abandoned house, they noticed something unusual. A flicker of lights appeared through a grimy window. “Did you see that?” Sophia whispered, her eyes wide with curiosity. Benny clutched his toy sword, ready to defend his friends.

With courage fueled by excitement (and perhaps too much candy corn), they approached the front door, just as it creaked open, revealing a dimly lit foyer. “Hello?” Jack called out, his voice trembling slightly.

To their shock, standing in the doorway was a tall man, wearing the exact same flannel shirt and jeans as Mr. Henderson, their elderly neighbor who had passed away the previous year. The children exchanged terrified glances…