Ghouls and goblins abounded in the dark. Front yards were full of tombstones, spiderwebs swallowing porches whole. Pumpkins sat on doorsteps, evil faces spitting light towards the unsuspecting. The wind gently blew, adding to the ominous atmosphere. People pushed past them, faces bloodied and limbs torn. Their clothes were tattered, eyes empty. Mikey hung close to his brother's, arm constantly feeling for them as he watched the madness around him. The sky was dark and the streets empty. Doorbells rang in the distance, evil spirits begging for treats. He bit his lip, eyes wide. His brothers turned, tugging him along. They ran up to the porch, surround by other soul snatchers, and one princess. The doorbell echoed in the house as he cowered behind Donny. The door slowly eeked open, the inside dark. Lights appeared above them, eyes hovering with no body. Suddenly a bloodied hand reached out, the group jumping back a bit. Mike pulled his eyes closed tight, fingers digging into Don's arm. Bags fell open as the creature rained candy into them. The door slammed closed quickly sending the children running to the next house. Raph was gone, running ahead of his brothers. Mike hung close to Don as they approached the next house. Raph ran to the porch, eying the silent hay stuffed man spread across a bench. His body limp and lifeless, legs strewn across the porch. One arm was dangling at his side, the other wrapped around a large bowl of snack sized candy bars. Mikey watched quietly as Raph snatched a few from the bowl, dropped them into his bag and bounced back to his brothers. Leo went next, only taking one and safely returning from the scene. Don finally shook Mike's grip from his arm and copied his brothers. "C'mon Mike. We all did it." Raph was pushing him towards the porch. Mike protested, digging his heels into the yards walkway.
"No, Raphie." His quiet voice called out, eyes pleading with his brother. Raph pushed him to the stairs and turned, running back to his brothers on the streets edge. Mike hesitated, looking back at them. All three motioned him on. He bit his lip and swallowed hard, inching up the stairs. He paused at each one, eyes taking in every detail of the scene. Finally he reached the top and faced the sleeping man. His trembling hand slowly reached into the bowl, fingers wrapping around the slick paper.
"GOTCHA!" It screamed, itchy dry fingers wrapping around his wrist, the scarecrow coming to life. Mike screamed, twisting his arm trying to free himself. His bag was sent flying across the porch, his loot spilling everywhere. Mike continued to scream until he was free from the grasp, he turned jumping off the porch. He ran back to his brothers in tears, as they all stood laughing and pointing.
April's house was quiet and dark, the only light coming from the tv. Mike was sprawled across the couch, asleep. He had promised to watch the house while April and Casey went to the annual Halloween carnival. His brother's were out enjoying themselves, gathering candy with children half their age. Mike had opted to stay home, he'd rather not have anything to do with that vile holiday. The monster movie marathon was more than half over, Mike having seen only a quarter of it. He didn't know why he subjected himself to this every year, knowing his imagination would get the better of him, the frightening images playing in his dreams. Dracula rose from his coffin on screen, an evil laugh emitted from his lips. Mike suddenly awoke, pulse racing and sweat running down his forehead. His eyes took a minute to adjust in the light, finally his senses caught up with him. His breathing finally returned to normal as he rubbed his eyes. He looked around the apartment, everything looked the same, but something was different. A rhythmic dripping sound echoed down the stairs, falling lightly on his ears. Quietly Mike stood and faced the stairs, trying to muster the courage to ascended them. There's nothing up there Mike, its just your imagination. He tried to reason with himself, trying to talk himself into going up the stairs. It's something. Nothing was dripping when everyone left. His mind argued back. He shook the thought and slowly set his foot on the first stair. Taking a deep breath he steadily climbed a few more, eyes surveying the floor and walls. Finally he reached the top, his hands sliding along the wall as he made his way to the bathroom. The faucet was tightly closed, no water was dripping from it. Mike's pulse began to quicken. This always happens in the movies. He reasoned nervously. He exited the bathroom and turned back towards the stairs, the dripping coninuted. It was behind him now, coming from the only other room, a bedroom. Mike swallowed hard, and turned to the open door. It was so dark. He bit his lip and took a deep breath, heading straight for the room. As he approached the room a face suddenly appeared, inches away from him. "BOO!" It cried, its lips stained blood red, its skin white and pasty. Mike jumped back, screaming. His shell crashed into the wall behind him as he tried to regain his footing. The thing, he couldn't see its body in the dark, advanced on him smiling and leering at him. He scrambled to his feet, fingers clawing at the rug below him. Cold fingers wrapped around his ankle, jerking him onto his back. "Gotcha." It laughed, fingers grasping at the face's chin, pulling away the white to reveal green. Mike laid on the floor, wide eyed and breathless, his heart ready to jump out of his body. Above him stood the cruelest brother in the world. Raphael.
"That's not funny!" Mike screamed, kicking his brother in his stomach. Raph laughed helping his youngest brother to his feet.
"Yeah, it kinda was." Raph argued fending off Mike's punches. The orange clad turtle glared at him, biting his lip. Mike shook his head before reaching out to shove Raph's shoulders.
"No its not. You know I'm afraid of costumes." Mike snapped before desending the stairs. Thankfully the apartment was quiet, no one else had seen the show. Raph joined his brother on the couch, still laughing.