Another Goosebumps-inspired story. It's inspired by The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, but the only real similarities are that they both take place at a farm and involve living scarecrows. Since it's around Halloween and the story takes place at Halloween, I figured I'd post it.

I stared glumly out the window as the hills and fields rolled past. The sun was beginning to set in the pale sky, casting a dim orange glow over the falling leaves and dying trees. The last thing I wanted was to spend the fall at my half sister's farm, but my parents had insisted.

"Why can't I stay with Jeremy?" I pleaded. Jeremy was my cousin, and I got along with him much better than with my half sister. Then again, I barely visited Louisa. "I haven't seen him in ages."

"He's moving to our town, remember?" Mom reminded. "You'll have plenty of time to see him. And it'll be enough of a hassle for his family to move without you bothering them."

"I wouldn't bother them," I protested, crossing my arms. "Jeremy likes me, and so does Aunt and Uncle—"

"Your mother is right. You can see him any time, after he moves to Gloomsdale," Dad reminded. "But you can't see Louisa anytime. When was the last time you visited her?"

"Not long enough ago," I muttered.

"Fern!" Mom scolded, glaring at me from the rear view mirror. "She's your sister."

"Half sister," I corrected.

"I wish I could stay," Mom remarked. "I'd like to see Louisa again as well. But then again, maybe it's a good thing I'm leaving. That is, I think you two could use some time alone."

But I knew that wasn't the only reason. My mom is Louisa's mom as well, but I know she isn't fond of Louisa's father. I wasn't either, the few times I visited.

"And you two could as well, right?" I quipped. "That's why you're leaving me."

"That's not true, Fern," Dad scolded. "You know we're not abandoning you."

"That's right," Mom agreed. "It'll be a wonderful opportunity for you to meet Louisa's stepmother as well." I stared at her in surprise. "You do know her father remarried recently, don't you?"

"No, I don't." I gaped in shock. "You never told me she had one."

"Well, she does, just not for long," Mom said. "I'm sure you must've told me at one point. It must be as much of an adjustment for her as living on the farm will be for you."

I scowled. It was hard enough visiting Louisa after I hadn't in so long. "Well, I don't remember you telling me."

"Don't be like that, Fern," Mom insisted. "I've heard she's a very nice lady. Her name is Janet. I'm sure you'll like her. She and Louisa get along very well."

"I can't believe Peter would like anyone," I muttered. "He definitely didn't like me last time I visited."

"Don't call him by his first name," Mom scolded.

"Well, what else should I call him?" I retorted. I never liked Louisa's father. He seemed so stern and distant. I wasn't surprised Mom didn't either. "Mr. McGregor?" That was Louisa's last name.

"Well, maybe not that either," Mom admitted. "It's a bit too distant."

"So is he," I quipped. "He didn't speak to me at all last time I visited. And when he did, it was just to yell at me."

"He's just shy and closed off," Mom insisted. "But he's loosened up a lot since he met Janet. I'm happy for him."

I found that hard to believe. Mom had moved on from him quickly, as soon as she met Dad. My parents don't look much alike. My dad is pale and blonde. I look more like Mom, who's Spanish. I have the same dark brown hair and bronze skin, but I have Dad's deep green eyes. Louisa doesn't look anything like Mom.

Dad quickly changed the subject, seeing how upset I was. "Look, cows!"

I stared out the window at the cows grazing in the field with the same sullen expression. I hadn't seen any house or building in ages. We were practically in the middle of nowhere. And that was where I'd stay for the rest of the fall.

"We must be getting close to the farm," Mom remarked.

"Oh, great," I muttered. "Do you think they even have air conditioning there?"

"Don't be like that, Fern," Mom scolded. "You should be excited for the opportunity. What's more, it'll be away from Gloomsdale. You have heard all the rumors about the town, haven't you?"

"Yes, but none of them are true," I snapped. "They're all made up." I didn't admit I had believed a few of them.

"At least now, you won't have to worry," Dad pointed out. "I worry about Jeremy, though. I'm not sure it was the best decision for my sister to move to our town, but she insisted she wanted to be close to us."

"It's not a bad place," I insisted, even though I had never defended the town before. "It's better than a crummy old farm."

"I'm sure you'll like farm life," Dad insisted. "It'll be a nice change of pace for you. Imagine getting up at the earliest hour in the morning, milking the cows, picking corn under the blazing sun..."

I made a face. "That sounds awful."

To my surprise, Mom laughed. "It does, doesn't it? But look on the bright side, Fernie. At least you don't have to deal with it every day, like Louisa does. I don't know how she can handle it."

"She must be used to it," Dad reminded. "I heard she likes it. And things must be different in autumn. At least it isn't as hot around this time."

I stared out the window at the falling leaves. Some of them fell so close to the car, I felt I could reach out and grab them if the window was open. "Halloween is coming up, isn't it?" I asked. "I really wanted to go trick or treating."

"Don't start again, Fern," Mom pleaded. "You know how I feel about that. I just don't feel it's safe, wandering around at night and taking candy from strangers." I scowled. Mom was always so paranoid, but apparently not paranoid enough to have doubts about leaving me on a farm. "Besides, I'm sure you and Louisa will have your own ways of celebrating Halloween. It'll probably be just as exciting as trick or treating, if not more."

"Yeah, sure," I muttered, pressing my face against the window. I felt more disappointed the further I got away from town. I didn't like the rumors about the place either, but it was much better than a farm.

"Hey, look! There's the town," Dad announced, pointing. "Do you think your sister comes here often?"

I glanced out the window at the small, crowded town on the dirt road. There were a few people walking around on the streets. I knew Louisa didn't live there, but it was close to the farm. It wasn't long before I saw the thick cornfields. They went on for a while, until I caught sight of the farm. The fields were filled with farm animals and covered with golden brown leaves like a carpet. There were almost as many large orange pumpkins, some arranged in a line or circle while others were placed randomly. Looking closely, I realized they were jack-o-lanterns, each with a face carved into them. It made sense, since it was near Halloween. But something about their wide grins set me on edge, especially with how many of them there were.

We finally came to a stop in front of the farmhouse. It was old and rundown, the roof tilting and paint peeling. The stained shutters seemed to stare down at me. I couldn't imagine living in there. I reluctantly got out of the car. Louisa ran up to us as soon as she saw us, beaming all over her freckled face.

"It's so good to see you!" She wrapped both of my parents in a hug. She was always cheerful and enthusiastic, but I felt the opposite. I didn't look anything like her, either. She had brown eyes, lots of freckles, and dirty blonde hair that she kept in two braids. She was tanned as well, but it was probably from working outside in the sun.

Peter was there too. As usual, he barely acknowledged me. He seemed reluctant to speak with my parents, but Louisa made up for it. She could talk a mile a minute. I stood back as they talked, keeping my gaze lowered to the ground as they caught up. Louisa tried to hug me when she caught sight of me, but I backed away.

"Fern's a little shy," Mom explained. "She isn't used to living on a farm. Don't be offended if she has a hard time getting used to it."

"I'll never get used to it," I muttered. Mom nudged me.

"Of course she is. How could I forget, Fernie?" Louisa beamed. "I remember how quiet you were last time you came."

"Don't call me Fernie," I muttered. "Only Jeremy can call me that."

Louisa ignored me. "The only person who was more quiet was Dad."

I glanced at Peter, who had his usual serious expression. His dark eyes flashed above his white mustache. I couldn't help wondering where Janet was.

"Where do you think she'll sleep?" Louisa asked. "There isn't much room in the house. Maybe she could sleep in the barn. There's plenty of room there."

"The barn?" I exclaimed, horrified by the thought. Louisa started laughing, and I realized she was teasing me.

"Of course not," Peter added. His lips twitched for the first time, but he didn't smile. "But Louisa is right that there isn't much room. That's why I cleared out the attic and put the bed there."

"What?" I exclaimed, glancing up at the roof of the farmhouse. "You mean, I'll have to sleep up there?"

"You're lucky, Fern," Louisa insisted. "I wish I could sleep in the attic. It has the best view, and it's larger and nicer than any of the rooms in the house…"

"She's right," Janet agreed. "You'll be begging to go up to the attic before long."

I couldn't bring myself to believe them. I stared at the wide, cracked window in the roof. The sun was sinking right behind, causing the farmhouse to glisten a deep red.

"Well, have a good time, dear." Mom hugged me. "And don't give your sister a hard time."

"We're going to have so much fun!" Louisa exclaimed. "I'll show you around, and teach you how to harvest the food and make the jack-o-lanterns…"

Just then, Louisa went silent. Her father shot her a menacing glare. "Louisa, you know we can't do that," Peter warned in a threatening tone. "We don't teach anyone else how to make jack-o-lanterns."

"Oh, right," Louisa muttered, looking subdued for the first time. "Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I just meant I wanted to show Fern the jack-o-lanterns."

Before I knew it, my parents were gone. I was freaked out by Louisa's strange behavior, but she was soon leading me to the farmhouse.

"That's right, you show Fern around," Peter agreed. "I'll have to speak with Nadia and Aidan."

I couldn't help being relieved when he left. The door made a loud creaking sound as Louisa pushed it open, and I reluctantly followed her. It was warm and musty inside. I had to hurry to keep up with Louisa. The dusty floorboards creaked under my feet as I walked, but I barely heard over Louisa's chattering. She kept telling me how amazing the farm was, but I found it hard to believe her. The farmhouse was even more rundown inside. The walls were flaking, the red stone crumbling in some areas. There were a few paintings hanging on them, but I kept worrying they'd fall off. Some of the furniture was falling apart as well, the legs missing tables. I began to believe Louisa that the attic was nicer.

Louisa led me into the kitchen. Darkness suddenly surrounded me, but I eagerly breathed in the delicious smells coming from the table. It was much darker in here, which I thought was a good thing, since I couldn't see the state it was in. The only light provided was a hearth with burning logs in the corner, and something else flickering with fire on the wall above the fridge. As I raised my head, I jumped out of my skin as the terrifying grin gazed back at me. I realized it was a jack-o-lantern, a pumpkin with a face carved inside. It was just as ominous as the other ones around the farm.

"You must be starving, Fern," Louisa said as she took a seat at the table. The chair creaked. "Mom knew you were coming, but she made a great meal for you."

I was so busy staring at the jack-o-lantern, I barely heard her. I jumped out of my skin as I realized there was another woman in the kitchen. She sat at the end of the table, her mass of thick red hair glistening in the dim glow of the jack-o-lantern. I backed away, but she smiled at me.

"You must be Louisa's sister," she said in a friendly voice. "I'm Janet."

I didn't reply, too shocked to see her.

"Oh, Fern's a little shy, Mom," Louisa explained. I scowled, not liking how easily she called her stepmother that. "She doesn't like farm life much."

"Well, she'll soon learn to like it," Janet insisted. "It's nice to meet you, Fern. I have to say, it's a nice name, especially for a farmer."

"But I'm not a farmer," I protested.

"Well, maybe not yet," Janet agreed, grinning. "But you will be in a few days, after you've spent some time in the fields. It's impossible to stay here without loving it. Just ask the farmhands."

"That's Nadia and Aidan," Louisa explained, beginning to ramble again. "They're twins. I didn't even realize their names spell the other backwards at first. I don't know what we'd do without them. They're really hard-working, and really friendly. At least, Nadia is. Aidan isn't as much, but…"

Janet smiled at me. "You'll get used to Louisa as well."

I found myself relaxing as I sat down at the rickety kitchen table. At least Janet seemed nicer. I reached for a plate of chicken and ate ravenously. I could still hear Louisa rambling.

"That's nice, dear," Janet interrupted. "I say, where's Peter? Don't tell me he's still out in the fields. He spends too much time working, if you ask me."

"Something to do with the farmhands," Louisa said through a mouthful of potatoes. "You know how serious he is about the farm. Especially now that…"

She trailed off, almost choking on her potatoes. "Now that your sister's arrived, I imagine," Janet finished. "He probably wants to show you the best of the farm, Fern."

"Really?" I asked disbelievingly. "I think he just wants me to get lost."

"He's like that with any newcomers," Louisa explained. "He thinks they'll mess up the place or something. But honestly, it couldn't be any more messed up. I think he should lighten up. After all, it's not like we live in a mansion or something."

"You definitely don't," I quipped.

To my relief, Janet laughed. "I keep telling Peter to furnish this place a little, but he won't have it. It has grown on me, though. I suppose it is charming, once you ignore the crumbling walls and burn marks."

Louisa laughed as well, and even I smiled a little, relieved that she didn't take things seriously. But something she said rubbed me the wrong way.

"Are there any lights in the kitchen?" I asked, glancing around. "I can barely see a thing."

"Of course there are," Louisa said. "But we prefer to keep them off. Besides, the jack-o-lantern provides enough light, don't you think?"

"You mean, the thing up there?" I stared over Janet's head at the glowing pumpkin.

"Louisa," Janet scolded. "Didn't your father tell you never to speak of that?"

"Well, it's kind of hard not to," Louisa quipped. "It's right there, hanging above all of our heads. And nobody ever takes it down."

"And for good reason," Janet added.

"It's not the only one," I added, confused. I remembered Peter scolding her for mentioning them as well. "They're all over the farm."

"That's only because it's autumn. I mean, Halloween," Louisa said. "It's the perfect time to make them, don't you think? We always put them up around this time, as a tradition." Louisa stared at the jack-o-lantern above the fridge. "But that one always stays up there, all year. We never take it down."

"Oh… that makes sense, I guess," I muttered. "Like trick or treating."

"What's that?" Louisa asked seriously.

I stared at her in shock. She laughed. "I'm just kidding. Of course I know what it is. I just can't remember the last time I did it. I almost wish I could visit you, so I could know what life outside the farm is like."

"Don't let your father hear you say that," Janet warned.

"I don't think you'd want to," I insisted. "The town I live in… well, there's some weird rumors about it. Some of them freaked me out."

Louisa's face darkened. "There are rumors about this place as well."

"Huh?" I demanded, taken aback.

"Louisa, don't start," Janet pleaded. "I know it's almost Halloween, but there's no need to scare Fern as soon as she gets here."

"I'm not scaring her. I'm warning her," Louisa insisted. "Don't you want to know what that jack-o-lantern used to be?"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Louisa!" Janet scolded. "Your father wouldn't want you to tell any newcomers, would he?"

Louisa sighed. "No, I suppose not. Sorry, Fern."

I stared at them. I felt confused, but also frustrated for being left out of something. I already felt out of place. I didn't look anything like the others, even Louisa.

"We used the pumpkins in the pie," Louisa said, pushing the pie in the middle of the table over to me. "Or at least, the insides. Go on, take a piece. It's probably the best use for them."

I took a piece, and realized she was right. I was finishing the sweet, delicious pumpkin pie when Peter came in. We all immediately went silent as he took a seat at the table. From then on, we ate in silence, aside from Peter occasionally lamenting about how difficult the farmhands were being.

"I'm telling you, it's a good thing they left," Peter grumbled. "They're much less competent than they used to be. Can't even do the simplest of tasks without giving me a hard time."

"That's not true, Dad," Louisa insisted. "It's just hard for them to get settled back into the farm after being gone for so long."

"They shouldn't have left at all," Peter snapped. "Left to, what, join the circus? I hope they were at least useful there. But they clearly couldn't have been, if they were sent away."

"Hey – there was a circus in my town recently," I spoke up. I was surprised by his words. I didn't know the farmhands had left. "I mean, I didn't get to see much, since Mom didn't like me talking to strangers. But…"

"There was?" Louisa asked eagerly. "How was it like, Fern? I never get to see any circus around here."

"The circus!" Peter scoffed. "Sometimes I think they'd be more useful there than here."

I went silent, realizing how frustrated Peter was. "I'd like to go up to my room," I spoke up. "If that's okay."

"Of course, Fern," Louisa agreed. "I'll show you there."

I eagerly stood up, and in my haste, knocked over my glass of apple juice. I watched in terror as the drink spilled all over Peter. He let out a yell and stood up, frantically brushing down his overalls. I quickly backed away as he began to yell, shaking his fist.

"Come on, Fern, let's go," Louisa whispered, grabbing my arm. "There's no stopping Dad when he's like that."

I gratefully followed her out of the kitchen and up to the attic. I realized with relief that she was right. The attic was larger than the other rooms, though I wouldn't call it nicer. It was bare aside from a low bed at the corner next to a small dresser and wardrobe. It was almost as dark as the kitchen, aside from the dim glow from a lightbulb overhead and the light spilling in from the wide window along the side. Louisa had to crouch to avoid banging her head, but I could fit in easily. I walked over to my bed and flopped down, staring up at the pointed ceiling.

"Alright, maybe it isn't the nicest room," Louisa admitted, crawling over the dusty floorboards. "But I'm sure it'll feel more like home once you unpack."

I began taking my things out of my bag in silence. Louisa helped me, hanging my clothes up in the wardrobe. I couldn't stop thinking about how angry Peter had gotten.

"Your dad isn't happy with me, is he?" I asked, rolling out one of my horse posters. I had gotten it at the horse show, where Gloomsdale had come in second place.

"He's always like that, even with Mom and me," Louisa assured. "He was really just mad at the twins, and he took it out on you. Don't worry about it, Fern. I'm sure he'll forget all about it by tomorrow."

I wanted to believe her, but I wasn't sure. I glanced out the window down at the field, where there was an old barn at the corner. I saw an older boy and girl working there, both dark-skinned and slender. The boy pushed the plough, while the girl scattered the seeds over the soil.

"Are they the farmhands?" I asked.

Louisa nodded. "That's Nadia and Aidan. Dad has been working them hard, ever since they returned."

"Why did they leave?" I asked.

"Oh, I shouldn't tell you. That's their business," Louisa insisted. "And they got enough of a telling off from Dad. I missed them when they left. It was much harder to run the farm, and I didn't have anyone to talk to. I mean, I loved all the animals and crops, but sometimes I missed having people around, other than my dad. I was happy when he met Janet… I mean, Mom. But she's much older than me. Nadia is nice, but she and Aidan are older as well. They're not around my age, like you." Louisa glanced at me. I had tuned out by this point, beginning to get used to her rambling, but the last bit caught my attention. "I'm glad you've come, Fern. We'll have so much fun together."

"Uh, yeah. I guess we will," I agreed, even though I didn't think we would. I could see how excited Louisa was.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you to it. But don't take too much time unpacking," Louisa warned. "Dad wants you to help in the field as soon as you're done."

"Already?" I groaned, flopping down on the bed. "But I just arrived."

"Don't worry, Fernie, it'll be a lot of fun," Louisa assured. "It's something to do with the tractor. Maybe he'll even let you ride it. And he'll make me do most of the work, as usual. You'll probably barely have to do anything. At least, not tonight. But first thing in the morning tomorrow, you'll have to do as much as all of us." Louisa grinned.

I dreaded the thought, but I was afraid of angering Peter even more. Besides, I realized Louisa must be lonely if she had to live here all the time. She was genuinely excited for me to arrive. I quickly finished unpacking and reluctantly headed downstairs. Louisa leaded me out to an empty, open field, where her parents were crouched behind a tractor. The breeze blew past, sending the red leaves swirling across the dirt. I drew my arms around myself, shivering. I shuddered as I caught sight of one of the jack-o-lanterns. Something freaked me out about the grin carved on the pumpkin.