Halloween

Hallows Eve.

"Only kids go trick-or-treating…" Ryou sighed, lying on his bed. He was upstairs; the apartment outside his bedroom door was void of anyone. It was depressing to be alone, and being out there would only add to the pain.

His father, as always, was away in Egypt. Only once or twice a year did he return, and he usually didn't bother to plan it around holidays. Last year, Ryou returned home after school on a Wednesday in the middle of April, and was very surprised to see his father; stretched out nonchalantly across the couch. The man looked up and grinned. For the rest of the night and the rest of the week, Ryou's father remained. While the week did pass quickly, Ryou was grateful his father got to take time from work and see him.

Back to present times…

Winds howled outside. It might turn out to be bad weather. He had a bowl of candy, should anyone summon him to his front door. It didn't seem likely, however. It was already nearing mid-night, and he had stopped hearing the doorbell two hours ago.

His bed was backed up right underneath his window, with the blinds shut tight. He lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Not to anyone's surprise, it started to sprinkle. It didn't bother him. If anything, it put him into a sleepy mood. Well, ever since the spirit that haunted the Millennium Ring had left. Ryou had finally achieved a perfect state of mind, the bad thoughts from ancient Egypt no longer whirling around like a tornado in his head. No more suicidal thoughts, in a desperate attempt to free himself from his inner demon.

Looking at nothing in particular, the young white-haired boy never noticed the room around him seemed to be turning into a strange, tinted purple color.

No later than two seconds after Ryou flipped onto his side, did the doorbell ring. "Well," he thought, "that's odd, it's very late… " He was interrupted by the doorbell, yet again.

Pushing himself up from the bed, Ryou sprinted to his door, and threw it open. He strode calmly then, if these kids wanted candy, they could wait patiently. The doorbell rang again. "Geez, I'm getting there!" He yelled, grabbing the bowl. He whipped around and threw open the door. If it was someone out this late, they had to be his age. No use in holding back an attitude. "Here's your freakin candy!"

"Now, that's no way to talk to your master." an icy cold voice struck Ryou's ears.

The boy's eyes doubled in size, and his frame shook. "No, no!" He looked up. There, to anyone who didn't know any better; could have been the young one's twin, only dressed in a black trench coat. There were a few minor physical differences. The one standing outside the door was taller, his hair spikier and gave off a more silver glow. And his eyes, Crimson as blood.

Ryou gave a startled hiccup. The taller one gave a fanged grin. Malicious, and hungry. He took a step inside, and another. Ryou stumbled back and dropped the candy bowl. "What're you…"

The other shut the door quickly. "I'm here for my treats." Ryou couldn't even manage a scream before icy-cold and pale hands wrapped around his mouth. "You can't escape me again." he whispered coolly into Ryou's ear. Ryou gave a small whimper in return.

"No. This isn't happening again. It can't!" Ryou though, panicked. He inhaled deeply through the nose, and did something he would have never done before. He bent his head forward then with tremendous force swung it back, right into his captor's face.

"YOU INSOLENT FOOL!" he recoiled his hands and covered his face.

Ryou took the chance and dashed off, and without a hint of logic, ran to the spot he always went when he was scared. He opened the door and slipped in quickly, closing it gingerly behind him. He crawled over to the corner of the confined space and curled into a ball, whimpering slightly. Something brushed his back, but he took it to be a coat. No one could find him within the confines of his closet. He'd hidden there so many times, and it always made him feel better. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, ears listening for the slightest noise.

There was none.

How expected.

A small shine of light rippled the absolute darkness of the closet. "My, my, Ryou. You haven't changed a bit…"

The door closed, the light gone. Ryou sobbed silently as a pale finger slid down his cheek. He had been captured.