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Warning there are mentions of fake gore, dismembered limbs and brain matter. All light and clearly decoration.
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October had arrived swiftly on the heels of Wilbur's birthday. The 'spooky season' wasn't as big here as it was in America, but none the less the Watson family found themselves partaking in it all the same. It had always been a bit of fun season in general, but since having kids it was a whole other ball game.
Kristin just loved dressing her boys up and showing them off a bit. While trick-or-treating here wasn't what she herself grew up with it still had its charm and the boys seemed to enjoy it. This year they were closer to a neighborhood that seemed to take the holiday in a more…for lack of a better term 'American' form.
Decorations lined the streets just two lanes down from the Watson's household, making it easy to spot even from a distance. From the look of it the small street was communally creating a 'spook zone' that included the traditional kids games like bobbing for apples and the like. But what made Kristin want to go was the Haunted House that was advertised on hand made flyers.
Which is why when Tommy started fussing at the noise and the boys refused to go into the haunted house without their father, Kristin felt slightly spited by the universe as she stood by the exit of the attraction with her youngest son. (It was just a side door, but its function was clear). She didn't regret it or blame anyone of course. It was just one of those things that happens. She took the time instead to point out all the cute costumes to Tommy as older kids passed them, trying to distract the child from his earlier upset. It was rather nice actually, taking in the crowd and seeing the variety of cute or 'creepy' designs the people came up with. Tommy seemed pleasantly distracted as well.
It was not so much the same for his older siblings.
Phil was leading them along slowly, trying to keep on pace with the small group they'd entered with as the people hosting played out their best scares for them. They were certainly effective judging by how tightly Wilbur was clinging to his younger brother.
Techno was placed between Phil and Wilbur to be 'protected', but as they walked Techno was far more interested in taking in the sights and sounds around him. He'd been scared at first, of course. He still jumped and screamed a few times as they continued on as well. However, it was nothing like how Wilbur yelped or jumped at any given moment. He had tried his best to be brave at first, but at some point Wil's bravery melted under the weight of his growing anxiety and fear. He hugged Techno like a teddy bear and winced as an over-dramatic creaking noise sounded to their left.
A door was opening to reveal a semi-dimly lit room garnished with tarnished looking furniture from what could easily be seen. Wilbur let out a whimper as his father and younger brother led them on. Phil reached a hand out to ruffle soothingly in Wilbur's hair, but it did little as the room before them came better into the boys view.
It was a kitchen. Grungy and covered with rotting sacks and entrails hanging from the pan rack. A center island was haphazardly baring what looked to be a sawed off leg and other human parts. Counters splayed with dead animal bits and bloodied tools and rags. There was a table set up just near where the group was to pass through, a tray in its center covered with a metal dome. There was a haggard looking witch figure beside it, the woman giving a wide and almost painful looking smile as they all drew closer.
When the woman seemed to zone in on the children Wilbur let out another whimper, burying his head in his younger brother's hair. Techno could feel his brother shivering beside him, but…he didn't understand why.
…
Okay, he could understand why. The woman was sort of creepy looking, but, she was smiling. A bit much, but smiling still. The house so far had been spooky, but, it was a fun sort of spooky. Even the parts that scared him were…well, they were kind of fun too. Even there dad had jumped and screamed a few times, though he'd laughed it off after. Wilbur didn't laugh, but, that was okay. His older brother was holding onto him and Techno didn't feel nearly as scared as he thought he should be. Not that he minded. He knew what being scared felt like. But, their father was there and their father had the 'special dad noise'. If any real monsters were there they'd be scared off really quickly.
Techno didn't have to worry about the monsters with his dad and brother there.
There was just the scary smiling woman an-
"Would you like a snack?"
Techno looked startled at being addressed by the woman, Wilbur shivering again against his side, face almost hidden behind Techno's head entirely. He was clearly shaking it, Techno could feel that much.
The woman only smiled wider as Techno stared up at her with a bewildered confusion. She moved to lift the top of the silver dome on the table, revealing a severed head sitting on a tray of scattered brain matter and a few fruits for show. Techno's mouth dropped open, eyes going wider at the sight while his older brother tensed up.
It was as the head turned to look at the two boys that Wilbur let out another terrified yell, reaching for their father around Techno. For his part, Techno just stared with his mouth agape as his father tried to sooth his brother. There were a few noises from the other group members with them that were a mix of teasing laughs or coos. But Techno didn't hear any of that. His eyes were busy taking in the plate the severed, but apparently living head was situated on.
The woman was still staring at him when he turned his gaze back to her. In her hand now was a bit of the brain matter and she leaned over to hand it to him in some grotesque manner.
He wasn't sure why he did it, or really how. But before he could stop himself he could feel his mouth opening.
"n-no thank you, but-" He paused as he looked directly at the lady, his hand pointing to the tray, "can I have an apple?"
His voice was small as usual, but he managed to speak loud enough to be heard.
There was a moment of silence in the room before the head on the plate started to snort laugh, which triggered the rest. The woman let out a cackle, far more joyous than spooky. The group they were with all were belting out sounds of amusement of their own as well. When Techno turned to his father and brother he was met with looks of both surprise and, in his brother's case, utter bafflement.
Wilbur's jaw was dropped as he stared at Techno as if he'd grown an extra head.
With a proud smile on his face Techno managed to turn about towards the woman and her severed head. He was surprised to be met with her handing him the apple he'd requested. Taking it in hand he smiled up at her as bright as he could and offered a quiet 'thank you' in return before backing up into the legs up his father, looking up at the man with a new giddiness in him.
His father still seemed wrapped in the absurdity of the moment, laughing hard to the point of almost wheezing now. The smile that settled on his face as he regained his breath bore a firm pride as he brought a hand down to rest comfortably on Techno's shoulders.
The woman leaned towards Wilbur next, brain matter once more on offer. Wilbur's gaze flickered to it, eyes going wide as he shook his head 'no' almost hard enough to unfurl the curls on his head. He was latched to his father's side now as the mans protective free arm came down to cover him partially from view.
The tour moved on once more after that, only two more rooms to be seen before the lot of them were ushered out the side exit. Techno was happily munching on his apple, checked over by his father of course, by the time they were halfway back to their mother.
She and Tommy had moved to sit on a small bench just near the 'exit' in the side yard. Tommy was playing with a bat decoration when the rest of the family joined them.
"Kristin, you wont believe what you missed." Phil laughed out, breath still wheezy as he ruffled a hand in Techno's hair.
She let out a small pout at first, a tease at his words, before her face instantly brighten. For all of a second before she realized Techno was eating something.
"Where did that come from?" She asked with a slight twist of her head to the side.
Techno beamed at her with a mouthful of apple.
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Yes, Kristin got to go through the house too while Phil looked after Tommy.
Yes, Techno went with her cus he wanted to go again and didn't want her to be alone.
No, Wilbur didn't join them. He stayed with Phil and Tommy. His heart just couldn't do it again.
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