"Halloween's tomorrow dad," Jack said, his mouth full with breakfast, "what have we planned?"
"Everyone's decorated their front yards already," Jacob agreed with his younger brother, sipping his glass of milk. "Are we gonna make Jack-o-lanterns like last year?"
Jeremy lifted his gaze up to his sons.
"Right." He cracked a faint smile in an attempt to pretend he knew the event was tomorrow. It becomes harder to remember these the more you grow up. "When I get back from work, we'll start decorating."
"Don't you boys have a school bus to catch?" Jessica said mildly while pouring herself some orange juice. "Your dad has everything planned."
"C'mon Jacob!" Jack grinned with excitement and jumped to his feet. "Let's get the school part over with."
He grabbed his brother's sleeve, pulling him out of the kitchen. They picked up their backpacks, waved goodbye and left the house.
Jessica caught a glimpse of Jeremy, who smiled and shook his head.
"Kids these days..." He muttered, standing up to leave for work. "I better have something new by the time I'm home."
"I'm sure you can find something to satisfy them." She implied, opening the front door for her husband. Then she went back into the kitchen to clean up the table.
*
The work shift was over sooner than Jeremy expected and he was on his way back home.
He worked at a construction site on the outskirts of town so he'd pass a few empty lots on his way.
He still didn't have any ideas for Halloween decorations. At least he didn't have worry about his sons' costumes. Last week, they'd borrowed some money from him and Jessica to buy them. They were too eager that they wore the costumes for the whole day.
Jeremy remembered how Halloween used to be his favorite time of the year when he was around their age. When he got to high school, more study hours kind of made him grow out of it.
He sighed bitterly as he got back to the present moment. Something caught his eye and he slowed down his car.The street lamp a few meters away, shone down on what looked like a body.
He stopped the car, and got out, approaching the lamp cautiously. When he got close though, he noticed that it wasn't a person. It was a bulky, jointed robot. Though not like any robot. Jeremy admitted he was scared at first glance but then reminded himself that it was just an object and knelt beside it. Its head was shaped like a bird. The jagged empty eye sockets and rows of sharp teeth lining its beak were enough to tie a knot in even the bravest people's stomach.
The rest of the robot's body was formed a lot like a human, though it seemed to have been damaged before; numerous fractures and holes decorated the exterior, showing the endoskeleton inside.
Jeremy ran a finger along the "Let's eat!" words written on the torn bib it wore. The animatronic was dormant and it didn't seem to work.
He wondered where it had come from. It wasn't here in the morning. Maybe it had fallen off a garbage truck or something like that. Either way, no one seemed to be concerned about it so Jeremy thought he could take it home. It fit the Halloween atmosphere since it was painted in various orange colors. It also held a carved pumpkin made out of metal.
Jeremy stood up and grabbed the robot by its shoulders, trying to drag it to his car. The thing was heavy and it took him a long time to stuff it in the trunk but he managed to do it. He knew tomorrow he'd wake up to a backache but his sons' happiness would be worth it.
Taking a deep breath, he started the car to arrive home in time for supper.
*
Once Jeremy got home, he told his sons that he had a surprise for them.
They'd insisted to see it right away so he took them outside and pulled out the gigantic robot out of his car. It couldn't stand on its own, so he just laid it on the ground.
"Whoa," Jack gasped, pointing at its hands, "look at those claws."
"This will be a cool addition to our yard." Jacob nodded, inspecting the animatronic pensively.
"We need to be careful around it," Jeremy said sternly, "the teeth and claws are sharp."
"No one will dare to get close," Jack said confidently, "It'll scare away everyone."
"I'll create a stand for it tomorrow." Jeremy got hold of the robot's shoulders. Jacob joined in to help his dad tug it into the workshop.
"Hurry up, boys!" Jessica called from the window. "You don't want a cold dinner, do you?"
*
The afternoon weather was delightful the next day. A gentle autumn breeze whirred the dry leaves on trees. Jacob was sitting on the porch, listening to the whooshing sound as he carved a pumpkin.
Jack had carved his own pumpkin before noon and was now sprinting around, looking for random spots to decorate. He hung a few ghost and pumpkin drawings on the clothes hanger and was on his way to the other side of the yard.
Jeremy and Jessica were busy setting up the robot. Jeremy was fastening the latches on its feet.
"You sure we don't need to put caution signs?" Jessica asked dubiously, peering at the sharp teeth which formed a wicked grin for the animatronic. "It could be dangerous."
"I'm gonna stand by it the whole night." He replied, trying to pose the robot. "It's Halloween. Time for real scares."
"It doesn't move anyway." Jack came to a halt and almost ran into his father. "I can't wait for my friends to show up."
"What did I tell you about eavesdropping?" Jessica scolded. "Well, since I'm not here for the event, let's hope your dad can take the responsibility of keeping you all safe."
"He'll be a hero!" Jack exclaimed, making a heroic pose.
"Wait," Jacob joined in, glancing at his mother apprehensively. "You're not here for the night?"
"Sadly no sweetie." Jessica patted his hair tenderly. "I have to stay for the nightshift at the hospital."
She checked her watch. "Well, you guys continue decorating," She turned to the house. "I have to leave soon. I'll prepare dinner in advance. Don't forget to eat before going out."
"Thanks mom." Jack and Jacob called dutifully.
Jack got back to placing his cardboard cutouts. Jacob held up a pumpkin for his dad to see it. "I just need to put little lanterns inside."
"Sure." Jeremy nodded, taking one final look at the robot, making sure it was securely attached to the stand. "I put them in the workshop last year."
He strode to the said place, Jacob following behind.
*
As the sun set, kids' cheers rose up on the streets. Jack and Jacob had their dinner before running outside.
"Trick or treat?" Jack exclaimed, clutching his little bucket he carried for candies. A loud click came from somewhere nearby. They froze, looking around to find the source.
"No way!" Jacob gasped, gesturing at something shining near the gate. It was the robot they'd set up. It was glowing orange as if it was a huge jack-o-lantern.
"Careful!" Jeremy called as the two boys sprinted off to it. He went to get a closer look, too.
"Now this is cool!" Jacob smirked.
"Are we gonna keep it after this?"Jack asked his father." When I grow up, I wanna make a movie with it. "
"Okay now," Jeremy chuckled, "let's not get too far."
"My friends have to see this!" Jack announced, running into the street and disappeared among the crowd.
"Wait up!" Jacob called, hurrying after him.
Jeremy felt a bit exposed standing next to the shining robot. He treaded back to the front door, leaning back against it to keep an eye on things.
A group of teenagers passed by, stopping to stare at the giant bird in awe and nodding to themselves as if they were judges in a contest. One of them snapped a picture before leaving.
Jack and Jacob got back shortly, their friends following behind. They both shared the same friends since the gap between brothers' ages was only one year and could get along with each other.
Jeremy had seen the group of friends once before. He tried to remember their names as he went to meet them; Max and Mia, the twins and Nate. They had their costumes based off of a horror movie Jeremy's family had watched recently.
After greetings, the Kids got back to admiring the robotic bird. They all spoke at once.
"I want one too."
"My dad has to see this."
"Where did you get this?"
Jack and Jacob looked up at their father after the last question, waiting for his answer.
Jeremy couldn't tell them he'd just taken it off the road. He opened his mouth to state a quick excuse when a screech interrupted him.
"It moved!" Mia squeaked, hiding behind her brother. She was right. The animatronic had lifted an arm. It contorted to a side and waved stiffly. Jeremy was afraid it might swing down to harm the Kids so he pulled them back a bit.
"I think it's finally realized it's Halloween." Jack piped up. "Maybe we should give it a bucket for trick or treating."
"Greetings from the fire."
Everyone stiffened.
"Who said that?" Nate said shakily. "That didn't sound human."
"Did things get really hot in here," the voice rose up again. It sounded feminine but distorted. "Or is it just me?"
It was coming from the robot.
"It has a voice box too." Jacob clapped his hands. "Neat!"
"Can you chase people too?" Jack asked the robot, "or set the school on fire?"
"Alright kids," Jeremy said absently, "better go get some candy. I don't think we should excite the robot further."
The animatronic seemed to wave goodbye for the group as they left. Jeremy started to feel uncomfortable. He hadn't seen a power-up button on its body. Maybe it was programmed to only work on Halloween. The night was still young so he had to wait more hours until he could store away the robot. He might as well just release it where he'd found it.
A group of kids passed by and marveled at the glowing bird just like the others. It spun its head to them and they clapped.
"Greetings from the fire." It said.
The kids repeated the phrase and resumed their path.
It probably works around noisy places. Jeremy thought.
"Careful not to burn yourself."
He lifted up his gaze to see the robot had titled its head and was staring at him, if it could actually see.
Jeremy receded to the front door in discomfort. Somehow he felt the animatronic had talked to him directly. He shivered and shook off the feeling, knowing it'll come back to him again nonetheless.
*
It was past midnight when Jeremy tiptoed out of the house. He wanted to put away the robot. When he was leaving for work, he'd take it with him. He felt leaving it outside would be dangerous since it responded to loud noises.
All the kids in the neighborhood had gone home by then so the bird was hunched forward, deactivated.
Only one car passed by and then the only sound was the whooshing of the tree branches swaying in the wind.
Jeremy went to the workshop to get the necessary tools to detach the robot from the stand and hurried to finish the job as soon as possible.
He stopped dead and dropped one of the tools. The animatronic's head was spun directly to him, judging him silently with glowing eye sockets.
He hadn't made enough noise to activate it, had he?
He hesitated to approach it. It looked more menacing under the dim light provided by street lamps.
Jeremy waited for a few more minutes, not taking his eyes off the shining bird. When he noticed its light was fading, he bent to pick up the tool he'd dropped earlier.
"Come and burn with me."
He lifted his head up and squinted at the now bright orange robot. Even the jack-o-lantern it held seemed to be glaring at him. The light emanating from it seemed to be in motion, wavering like flames. It tried to jerk its feet free from the latches.
Jeremy attempted to move toward it, though the sharp claws made him think twice about that.He felt trapped between moving and not moving. He couldn't just leave the deadly looking robot. It could harm someone. On the other hand, he couldn't approach it. It obviously had the higher ground in an encounter. He didn't want to shout to wake up the whole neighborhood either, specially his children.
With one last jolt, the animatronic yanked one of its feet free and broke the other latch in no time.
It started lurching forward. The bird's intention wasn't friendly. It was closing in with heavy footsteps and had its absent eyes on its only prey; Jeremy.
Jeremy's heart sank. He had to do something. He caught a glimpse of the workshop behind him. That was it.
He could lure it inside and trap it there for now. With an anew spark of hope, he started walking backwards toward the workshop.The robot followed him without stopping until they were both inside the place.
Jeremy fumbled to get the remote out of his pocket and accidentally pressed the button way earlier than he should have. The workshop wasn't too wide since it was crammed with lines of shelves, boxes and old furniture. He darted for the door to reach it before it closed. Just as he was scooting past the advancing robot, its arm shot up and its claws slashed his forearm.
He let out a cry of pain, dropping the remote while clutching the wound. He dove for the door and by the time he was there, it had rolled all the way down.
He pivoted to see where the remote had fallen. It was already broken to pieces by the giant robot's foot. He should have picked it up earlier.
"Seems like things are heating up." The animatronic said, its voice echoing through the room.
It began approaching again. Its light hurt Jeremy's eyes.
Earlier in the night, it only responded to sounds and now it could recognize people.
There was a closet embedded in one of the walls. Maybe he could hide in there. If the animatronic's AI didn't register him, it would give up the chase.
He took a sideways step to avoid an attack and shuffled toward the closet.
Jeremy heard it take a step from behind when the whole workshop was illuminated by a glare orange light. He looked back but averted his eyes quickly. The animatronic's glow was uncannily bright.
"The fire in me burns eternal," It declared, "and now you shall as well."
Speaking of fire and burning, Jeremy realized the room was getting warmer and warmer in the light.
He wondered how long he could last in the heat. Maybe hiding in the closet wasn't the best option since the closed space would be even hotter.
He still hadn't covered the gash on his forearm. He spotted a torn rag on a shelf. He extended his good arm to grab it. The heat gradually rose behind him until his back felt as if it was clung to a heater.
He spun and became face to face with the robot. He ran to another side of the room giddily, panting. It was becoming unbearable. He unbuttoned his shirt. It took him a long time to finish the process since his mind was fuzzy. He wiped his forehead.
The light got brighter in his peripheral gaze, meaning the animatronic was approaching him again.
Jeremy grabbed a metal rack for support. Was the robot after him because he was the only one around or did it have another purpose? Maybe he shouldn't have just taken it and brought it home.
The mechanical bird screeched to a stop in front of him. Jeremy couldn't move. It felt as though the animatronic had drained his energy to fuel its light source.
"You'd look so much better if I carved you like my pumpkin." It said, rising a hand and slashed Jeremy's cheek with a maniacal cackle. The heat made the cut sting more.
Jeremy shrank back, his mind trying to become alert to no avail.
The robot leaned forward and clasped its claws around his neck. Jeremy let out a muffled shriek, the palm of the animatronic's hand seemed to heat up, burning his skin.
He flailed his arms in a futile attempt to break free. His hand was caught between the bird's sharp teeth. He dragged it back limply, several cuts formed on his skin as he did so.
Even though he'd shut his eyes the whole time, the bright orange glow still stung his eyes. He knew it had already blinded him.
"My fire can't be tamed by someone like you." the robot said in a scornful tone and lifted its victim up.
Jeremy wanted to get away from the heat but his assailant was persistent. He gave up eventually. His whole body felt swollen and sore. He had to feel pain for a few more seconds before going numb. Behind his eyelids the bright light slowly faded away, so did Jeremy's life.
*
"Jacob, Jacob!" jack shook his brother vigorously. "Wake up sleepy head!"
"What is it?" Jacob grumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Let's go see the robot before dad puts it away."
"Fine." Jacob replied hoarsely, getting to his feet and stretching his arms.
The two brothers went down the stairs.
"I thought dad would have prepared breakfast by now." Jacob said quizzically as he opened the front door.
"Maybe he had to leave early today." His brother shrugged. "Mom will arrive soon, if not we'll eat something."
They stepped onto the yard and found it empty of the robot they were eager to meet.
"Oh boy," Jack pouted, "he already put it in the workshop."
"Alright then." Jacob disappeared into the house to grab the spare remote and got back. "Let's go check it out."
The boys raced to the workshop. Jack bounced around impatiently as his brother opened the garage door.
"We should totally buy a companion for it next Halloween."