On All Hollow's Eve, they flock to the market. Attics. Mother's closet. Father's desk.

That thing does not move.

Even the Avatar, in his precious time, will bother. It's all in good spirit and he loves it. He throws a party, a national holiday already in place.

The creature need not.

Their masks are bright, colorful, dark and brooding. The one night when they trade faces. They can be free and their masks express everything.

Koh the Face Stealer doesn't need a mask, just your face. If he has taken that, then you need the mask. An unfair trade for which you have no say.

The Water Bender creates ambiance. The Fire Bender the lighting. The Earth the decorations and the Air the emotions. Mix together into noise and celebration.

Koh hears this, this headache. He changes his head and still the vibrations continue into his realm. His realm. Chaos is not allowed here. So he ventures out, when he is allowed. And tonight he is.

The celebratory rituals are new for the young. The frightened and small, for whom the mothers "shhhhush". The children's crys echo and the parents console. The Avatar is jovial and all is well. Here.

Here it is restlessness. Absurd and abnormal. Koh waits for a treat but can not come closer. There are no stragglers, no warriors or lost souls. There is a party and all are invited. Koh invites himself, but it is a trick; it's too loud, too bright, too much.

"Trick or treat?"

The monster is neither angry nor destructive. He just desires a lovely face to add to his collection. He observes with his keenest eyesight.

All have lost, and their desire creates beauty. Flaws which only add, pile up to perfection. A wicked soul trapped within a body forces the face to fall off and into his mouth. Delicious and juicy and a better meal with every bite.

Before the night is done, they begin to leave. Scatter. Little stay; clean up, hope for more, asleep, drunk.

Koh is hungry and growling and salivating. There is the meal. A loner coming this way, looking for an unmarked path. The human looks familiar. It's scent is recognizable but it's face is a memory relived. After stalking the Avatar and his companions for so many years, this is one of them. It's face, still bright and youthful.

"I know you," It screams and is consumed.


BAH. I write Koh like I perceive Grendel. :C

Avatar © Mike and Bryan.