Chapter 18: Trick or Treat

"Hey Marlene, this is Jesse. Just, uh, giving you a heads up about this weekend. Being that it's Halloween, I'm gonna be out of town for the weekend. Catching up with some college buddies and all that. I'll give you a text when I get back. Later!"

Marlene listens to the voicemail twice. 'It's a bit last minute…' she thinks before shaking her head, 'No, that's not fair on Jesse. Between Sun and work, they deserve a break.'

Putting Jesse out of her mind, Marlene sets off to decorate her house for Halloween. Balancing on a step stool - which wobbles precariously beneath her - she strings up some fake bats and spiders on a tree out front.

'It looks like a gothic Christmas tree.' Marlene thinks, laughing quietly at the strange display. It's nothing extravagant, but it would do. Not like many trick-or-treaters would visit tonight anyway.

That was a perk of living outside of the city - few people stopped by on Halloween. 'Greeting the trick-or-treaters is fine and all.' Marlene carefully steps off of the stool and picks it off the uneven ground, 'But it's nice to just sit inside and do my own thing too…'

Picking up the stool, Marlene strolls to the garage - pausing upon hearing the familiar sounds of gravel crunching beneath tires.

A small, black car rolls up her driveway.

Eying the vehicle from a respectable distance, Marlene uses a free hand to grip the garage door.

As Hannah and Raymond step out, Marlene's grip loosens.

"Hey!" Marlene greets, as though expecting them all along, "What brings you two here?"

Hannah laughs in the way one does before asking for a big favor - awkwardly and far longer than one should. 'It's too forced,' Marlene thinks, giving her sister a knowing look. Shifting her gaze from her sister to her brother, Marlene notices a plastic bag dangling from Raymond's hand.

"Raymond, why don't you head inside?" Marlene suggests with a smile, "I think Sam has a cartoon on in the living room if you want to watch that."

Nodding excitedly, Raymond abandons his two sisters in the front yard.

Setting the stool on the ground, Marlene settles her arms across her chest.

"Well?"

"It's a funny story, really!" Her sister smiles nervously, "Well, maybe not… Anyway, Dad's working, and I may have agreed to meet up with a few friends today. I'm thinking we'll be getting some drinks, so I can't bring Raymond…"

"...So you want me to take him? Trick or treating, that is." Marlene finishes with a frown. She thought the universe was done laughing at her. "Hannah, you know Raymond and I don't really know each other…"

"That's the thing!" Hannah interrupts, "this is a good chance to get closer to him, don't you think?"

Marlene turns her gaze away, considering it.

'I never thought we'd have a chance to get close,' Marlene thinks, absently playing with the sleeve of her jacket, 'even if it was what I needed at the time, moving away took those chances away…'

"Alright. I can take him."

Relief floods Hannah's face. "Thank you so much!

"It's no big deal," Marlene emphasizes with a wave of her hand, "When should I bring him back home?"

"Before 9:00 would be fine, I'd think."

"You think or you know?"

"It's 9:00, Marlene." Hannah shrugs, "He'll be fine."

Vowing to text her dad later for details, Marlene heaves a defeated sigh. "Have fun at the party."

"Thanks!" Her sister chirps.

All too quickly for Marlene's liking, Hannah said her goodbyes and left. She'd nearly held her back, hoping for someone to be the buffer between her and Raymond.

But she didn't. Instead, she stands at the door waving at the car with her brother as they watch Hannah drive off.

As they walk back inside in silence, Marlene scrambles for something - anything - to talk about.

"So… how has school been?" Marlene asks, immediately wishing she were six feet under. 'Why? Why that question specifically? I hated that question as a kid…'

"It's fine."

"Ah… That's good to hear." Marlene scratches the back of her neck nervously. "What do you like to do?"
"I like a lot of things…" He replies vaguely with an awkward shrug, "I'm fine with whatever."

Despite being in the same room, Marlene never felt further away from Raymond as she did now.

"I see," Marlene replies thoughtfully, "well, do you want to change into your costume? Su-Sam and I can take you trick or treating. That should be starting pretty soon."

Raymond nods and opens his plastic bag, which rustles loudly as he shakes his costume out of it.

"The bathroom is down the hall," Marlene says, pointing a finger, "Let me know if you need anything."

Once Raymond disappears from her sight, Marlene releases a sigh.

"I didn't know Raymond was stopping by?" Sun asks, naturally joining her by her side.

"Neither did I," Marlene frowns, feeling as though she had forgotten something.

"Can I go with you? I didn't mean to eavesdrop but…"

Ah, that's what she'd forgotten: telling Sun she had volunteered his time.

"Yeah, I think it would be more fun with you around. Raymond seems to like you too."

'He probably likes you more than he likes me anyway,' Marlene adds silently, 'it's to be expected… but it still hurts.'

Then, a brilliant idea strikes her.

"Sun, you're good with kids, right?"

Sun tilts his head, but nods. "Yes?"

"What do ten-year-olds like?"

"That's a bit… difficult to say. Each child is a little different."

Marlene's shoulders droop, and she bites her tongue to force her face into a neutral expression.

"Regardless, kids like to be heard. Just listen to them once you get something going." Sun hurries on with a wave of his hand, which jingles.

'Ah, he's wearing his bells again.' Marlene notices, eyes fixating on her roommate's wrists. They shine brightly against him, a jarring difference from the dust-covered ones she'd seen that morning. Though she hadn't noticed a difference before, Marlene thought the bells looked rather nice on him.

"Okay, Marlene?"

"Got it."

"I'm ready," Raymond says, raising a tote bag as though to prove a point.

Marlene looks at her brother and nearly cries.

He wears a yellow top with red and yellow striped pants. Between the frills, pointy-toed shoes, and the orange-spiked headband, he could only be described as adorable.

'Why is he so cute!?' Marlene thinks, tugging her phone out of her pocket.

"Let's get a picture of you and Sam before we go, okay?" Marlene asks casually. Raymond nods, grinning as he poses with Sun.

And with little else to do, the three board the house and set out towards the city.

Even as the night progressed, Marlene struggled to communicate with her little brother.

In her defense, the fact that any attempt of a conversation was cut off at each house didn't make it any easier.

'Come on Marlene, think!' she reprimands herself as they head towards another building.

"Uh, Marlene? Don't you think we should be going now?"

"Hm? Why is that?" Marlene asks, distracted when Raymond darts off towards another door, "Ah, one minute. Let's catch up."

"Marlene-"

But she doesn't hear a word, focusing on Raymond as she picks up the pace.

"Ray?" Marlene calls weakly, hoping not to embarrass him, "stick closer okay?"

Raymond jogs closer in response and Marlene smiles with relief. 'At least he listens to reason…'

"I think the next house is gonna be the last one, okay?"

"But it's still light out," He complains, pouting in a way that reminded her of Hannah.

"It's not safe at night," Marlene argues before freezing. She whips her head up at the sky.

Purple, blue, and pink dye the sky like watercolors on a canvas. On any other day, Marlene might have said it was beautiful. Stunning, even.

Today, it was dangerous.

Moon would be out soon if she weren't careful. Marlene shudders as she recalls their red, glowing eyes.

"Change of plans," Marlene rushes, placing a firm hand guiding her brother's back, "we have to go. Now."

"Wait, I'm sorry! One more house is fine." Raymond's eyes widen, glancing between Marlene and the street, "I promise we can be done after that."

"Ray-"

"Please?"

"Ray!" Marlene snaps, frantic anger surging through her. Blood drains from her face as she watches Raymond recoil from her.

"I'm sorry but we have to go," Marlene pleads, glancing between the sky and Sun. It seems more purple now. She could see a few stars speckling the sky. "Please."

"...Okay."

Marlene continues rushing the two over to the car, her heart beating fast in her chest. Sun takes long strides, being the first to buckle up.

Jamming the keys in, she starts the car and pulls onto the road.

"Marlene?" Raymond pipes up from the back, leaning forward, "what's wrong?"

But Marlene clamps her lips, unable to answer. Now on country roads, she presses the gas pedal down. The engine grows louder as it works hard to meet her demands. Faster and faster, Marlene flies down the road.

'Just a little more…' Marlene thinks, frantically pushing the ceiling lights in the car.

But they don't turn on.

"Marlene," Sun says, but his voice… Marlene's breath catches when she hears his voice. It sounds strangled and staticy - more robotic than before yet so full of fear. "I don't think we are going to make it."

"We will. Just hold on a little longer, okay?" Marlene pleads, her throat clenching.

But as the light grows dimmer, even Marlene had to admit her words held little weight.