Chapter I
"Reflections"

Oh, where to begin…I lost my best friend in the whole world to a psychotic maniac. I can't believe that it happened so quickly. It's been two months already and I've been to her grave as much as I possibly can; knowing school was blocking me from doing a lot. To drown out the pain, I would usually do some work around the house, or help my grandfather in the laboratory with his assistant, Igor.
"When do you think it'll be done, Dimitri?" Grandpa asked me.
"The pain?" I asked softly. "Oh, not much longer now…"
"Dagnbbit, boy," Grandpa said. "The machine! When do you think it'll be fixed?"
"Oh, I dunno…" I said, sighing.
Grandpa pushed the lever on his wheelchair and he scooted over to me. He put his pale, gloved hand on my shoulder. "You're still thinking about the girl, Kate, aren't you?"
I nodded, trying to hold back tears.
"Go home, boy," Grandpa said calmly. "Time heals all wounds."
"Thanks, gramps," I said, wiping my eyes. I was about to exit the room when Grandpa called back to me.
"Oh, before you go, please let Igor out; he hasn't 'gone' all day.
"Gotcha," I said, pretending to be optimistic.

I walked back home slowly. A few kids lost the shrunken head they were playing with and I tossed it back to them. "Thanks, Dimitri," they said, "You're the best."
I walked slowly up the stairs that lead to my house, my heart and soul lamenting. I opened the large, creaking door. It seemed that no one was home, so I plopped down on the couch.
I heard the door to my parents' room squeak open. I turned my head around and dad came down the stairs with a wide smile. Then, he noticed me.
"Dimitri!" he said, surprised. "You back from your grandfather's already.
"Uh, huh." I said monotonously.
He was silent for a minute or so. "Are you still thinking about Catherine?"
"Kate." I corrected in an annoyed tone. "And yes, I am…"
"Cheer up, son." Dad said.
"Why?" I choked. "I've lost the love of my life! How the hell can I cheer up!"
"Well, Corpse Day is tomorrow. I always loved that when I was your age."
I turned to face him. "Corpse Day?" I asked blankly. "What's that?"
"You've never heard?" Dad replied, surprised. "Where do you think the new members of Halloweentown come from? Corpse Day is when all the recently deceased on Earth are transported to Halloweentown.

My heart jumped.