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There was a soft thunk as two pairs of feet hit the hard, dry earth. Her eyes still squeezed painfully shut, Alex had been holding her breath for so long she was starting to feel light headed. She heard a familiar voice beside her, "Okay, we're here, so you can release my hand from that death grip of yours and open your eyes; and, in case you weren't sure, there is oxygen in the air, so you may want to start breathing before your head explodes."
Slightly embarrassed that she had been squeezing Rag's hand so hard, Alex let go,
took a breath, and opened her eyes. She was a little bewildered by the view she was confronted with.
The earth here was a dark, colorless grey, and the inky, starless sky sported only a leering, full amber moon. The trees, dead and lacking leaves, stood ramrod straight, their claw like branches reaching upward like skeletal hands. A hill—was it a hill?—was silhouetted against the huge harvest moon, curling like some strange ocean wave, tiny strange lights twinkling at it's base. But what struck Alex most was the smell of the air; like rotting leaves and mulling spice and burning kindle all rolled into one, with other smells she couldn't name lurking under it.
Rags inhaled and exhaled dramatically, clutched at her heart said in a dreamy voice, "Beeeee-yutiful, 'ent it? Just take it allllll in." Feeling the moment had been ruined a little, Alex turned her gaze a little to the right, and saw other lights; town lights, or maybe those of a small city...
"That," said Rags matter-of-factly, "is the town of Halloween." She looked down at Alex pitifully. "Here, take this, reckon you'll need it," she said, handing Alex a silky black cloak from out of nowhere. The material was rich and heavy and extremely warm, and Alex felt a little better as she pulled the cape around her shivering shoulders.
There was a slight pause before Rags burst into a sudden and rapid flood of words. "Okay, listen up; just walk down the road to town so you can run around a bit. Don't go into anyone's house, don't eat anything you find on the street, and don't try to steal anything, 'specially if it looks valuable. Believe me, I learned the hard way," Rags said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and a smile, and this time Alex noticed the gleam of gold in her mouth. "You must earn your candy, so be prepared for that. Don't drink out of the fountain, and never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever EVER EVER smash a pumpkin. Oh, and this is important," Rags lowered her voice and drew Alex a little closer, as if she were revealing a dark secret to her. "There are three kids—one dressed as a devil, one dressed as a witch, and one dressed as a skeleton—do not, under any circumstances, follow them. They may invite you to go with them, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT tag along. I cannot impress on you enough the need to avoid them. Am I clear?" Alex studied her guide's face; all traces of impish mischief was gone, replaced by a hard, serious grimace.
"Yes," said Alex solemnly, feeling a little nervous. "Good," said Rags cheerfully, back to her own self, "And if you get in a spot, just ask for me. Or ask for Jack; he'll help you." "What does Jack look like?" Alex asked, already having a hunch she may need to know. "Tall skinny guy, you can't miss 'em." said Rags vaguely, waving her hand as if the question was a bothersome fly. She pulled out the pocket watch at smiled at it. "Well, I think that about covers it; ta for now." Alex turned again to face the town, feeling uneasy and giddy. "But what if I--?" she said, but as she turned to face Rags, she found she was gone.
Alone, with only the butterflies now inhabiting her stomach for company, Alex turned toward the town, and made her way down the winding path, following the sounds of the night.
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