Chapter 22: The First Halloween Part 4
Stolas and Octavia stepped into the shadow of a large oak tree, letting Danny and Tucker continue trick-or-treating. Thankfully, one of the benefits of being an owl demon was dark vision.
"Just look at them," Stolas said. "I had my fair share of bullies growing up, but I at least had my family name backing me up. Young Daniel doesn't have that. If anything, his family's reputation seems to make the situation worse. Granted, Dash and his cronies are terrorizing not just Daniel but other children as well?"
Octavia folded her arms. "You and I know this wouldn't last long for kids in Hell. They deserve a taste of their own medicine."
Stolas arched a brow, a slow grin creeping across his face. "Poetic justice, then? I must admit, I do love a bit of theatrics. What do you have in mind, my darling?"
Octavia smirked mischievously. "Danny's been showing me some horror movies to get me in the Halloween spirit."
Stolas raised a brow. "You have? What kind?"
"Uh... Stuff for my age?"
"Sure you did."
"Anyways, I know what will really stick with them."
Stolas hummed thoughtfully, summoning a small scrying spell. The orb expanded into a circular, mirror-like surface, revealing the dimly lit town park. Dash and his friends—Dale, Kwan, and a few others—were still shoving Mikey and Tommy around.
"Ah, there they are," Stolas said, calm but laced with disdain. "Look at them. Children who don't have a care in the world but still choose to get joy in hurting others. Just another band of miscreants."
Octavia tilted her head. "A small part of me is glad I had home-schooling."
Stolas nodded. "Believe me. I asked my father if I could try it out, and I left after about a week. Some kids have no taste in the fine arts...
Octavia's smirk deepened. "So, what do you say, Dad? Ready to get this started."
Stolas chuckled, the scrying spell dissolving into wisps of light. "Indeed I am. Let us give these sinners in the making a little taste of Hell."
#
Dash, Dale, Kwan, and their crew lounged near the swings, laughing loudly as they swapped candy and plotted their next prank.
Dash stood at the group's center, laughing as he rifled through Mikey and Tommy's candy bags. "You call this a haul? Pathetic. My parents bought way more candy than you nerds could get." Dash tossed one of the candy bags to a friend.
Kwan chuckled nervously at the now-darkened park. "Yeah, but maybe we should call it a night. It's getting late."
"Scared of the dark, Kwan?" Dash mocked, tossing a candy wrapper at him.
As if in answer, the park suddenly grew colder. The streetlights flickered and dimmed until they barely emitted a glow, leaving the area cloaked in shadow.
A sudden gust of wind whipped through the park. The park lamps flickered, then dimmed.
"What the…?" Dale muttered, looking up at the lights. "You guys see that?"
One of the bullies started to look around, noticing the shift in lighting.
"Hoot." A faint rustling came from the nearby trees, followed by an eerie hooting sound that echoed through the park.
"What was that?" Kwan asked.
The boys froze.
Dash scoffed, trying to mask his growing discomfort. "Probably just a dumb owl or something."
Another hoot sounded, louder this time, followed by the distinct sound of wings flapping. The shadows seemed to deepen, and glowing red eyes appeared in the trees around them.
"Okay, that's not normal," Dale whispered, backing toward the swings.
The shadows shifted and merged into the shape of enormous owls with sharp, talon-like claws and wings that spanned impossibly wide. Their feathers shimmered like black smoke, and their piercing red eyes locked onto the group.
More shadowy birds started to appear in the trees surrounding them.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?" a booming voice echoed, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Dash's bravado faltered as he took a step back. "Who's there? Come out and face me!"
The owl creatures swooped closer, their talons scraping against the ground as they circled the group. One of them opened its beak, and instead of a hoot, a guttural growl escaped, sending shivers down the boys' spines.
"What the? Stay away!" he shouted, backing up, but the creatures only moved closer.
Kwan dropped his candy bag and clutched Dash's arm. "Dash, I don't like this. Let's get out of here!"
The shadows grew taller and more menacing, surrounding the boys. One of the owl creatures lunged at Dash, its claws swiping dangerously close to his face. Dash let out a terrified yelp and stumbled backward.
"Run!" Kwan shouted, bolting toward the park exit. The others didn't need convincing—they scattered in all directions, screaming as the owl monsters chased them, their shrieks echoing through the park.
Before they could run away, the shadows cast by the trees stretched, wrapping around the boys in inky black tendrils.
Looking down, he saw the shadows shift into vines slithering up from the earth, their thorny tendrils wrapping tightly around his legs. He fell with a thud, clawing at the ground as the vines dragged him back toward the shadows. "Help! Get these things off me!" he screamed. The other bullies fared no better.
A towering owl figure materialized behind them, its eyes glowing blood-red, its claws gleaming wickedly. Each step shook the ground.
Dash turned, his face pale as the monstrous figure lunged toward him, claws outstretched and forced him to the ground.
"Mommy!"
Then, the world went dark.
#
Stolas and Octavia watched as the bullies were on the grass, crying in the fetal position. They were all too panicked to think clearly. In reality, it was all just tricks. None of them were actually hurt. They would probably come out of their stupor in a few minutes.
Octavia grinned. "Well, that was satisfying."
Stolas stepped forward, his illusion of the monstrous creature dissolving into smoke. "Indeed."
Octavia grinned. "A job well done."
"Most certainly." With a satisfied sigh, Stolas turned to his daughter. "Do you think they learned their lesson?"
"Maybe," Octavia replied with a grin. "Might have to do this again next year if they don't change."
He huffed. "We shall see."
#
Mikey and Tommy huddled together in fear, unsure whether to run or stay. The bullies stopped harassing them to eat their candy, allowing them to hide. The next thing they knew, the world became a horror movie. Something started attacking the bullies. If nerds knew anything, they knew to duck and hide when danger arrived. Both kids closed their eyes and huddled behind the tree as they heard the other kids progressively scream in fear before running away. Minutes of silence passed before they heard a voice.
"Oh, hello there."
Mikey and Tommy screamed and grabbed at each other. Their voices died down as they started to take in the people before them. It seemed to be a father and daughter.
"Are you boys okay? We heard screaming and came to see if everyone was okay."
"There- There were others here getting attacked!"
"Attacked?" The man looked behind the tree they were next to. "I don't see anyone else here."
The two boys peeked out and also saw no one. The bullies were gone. "But- But"
"I believe you and your schoolmates might have been the victim of the usual Halloween prank." In truth, Stolas teleported the kids further away.
"It- It- was definitely real."
The man shrugged. "If you say so. In any case, my daughter and I found these nearby. Are they yours?" The man pulled out Mikey and Tommy's candy bags. What surprised the kids was that they were overflowing with extra treats. The boys' eyes widened as they took in the sight.
"Whoa," Mikey breathed, picking up his bag. "This is even more than we had!"
"I was so sure Dash took all the good stuff. How did this happen?"
The daughter shrugged. "Maybe you got a lucky break."
The father nodded. "I suggest you don't let it go to waste.
"Thank you so much for bringing back our bags!" Tommy said, clutching it tightly.
Stolas gave a small bow. "Think nothing of it, boys. Enjoy the rest of your Halloween."
The two boys nodded eagerly, grinning as they hurried off to rejoin their families, their laughter echoing in the distance.
Stolas and Octavia exchanged a satisfied glance before slipping back toward the street where Danny and Tucker were finishing at another house. When they rejoined the group, they acted as though nothing had happened.
When Danny turned around, he noticed Octavia and Stolas casually reappearing from around the corner, both wearing innocent expressions but with unmistakable grins lurking at the corners of their mouths.
As they moved along the sidewalk, they passed by the park. Across the street, Dash and his friends came into view, running wildly and screaming about monsters, their voices shrill and panicked. One of them tripped over a curb, and another lost their shoe in the chaos. Parents and other kids gave them strange looks, whispering and chuckling as the bullies stumbled past.
Danny and Tucker couldn't help but laugh, watching Dash trip over his own feet in his desperate escape.
Octavia tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Oh, what could have gotten them so shaken?"
Tucker burst into laughter. "What the heck happened to them? Did someone finally give Dash a taste of his own medicine?"
Stolas shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. "I haven't the slightest idea, but I'd call it karma if you ask me."
Danny put two and two together. He couldn't help but grin, though his gaze drifted to Octavia and Stolas. The father-daughter duo wore matching, satisfied smirks. That was all the confirmation he needed.
When Tucker looked away momentarily, Danny gave them a quick, heartfelt hug. "Thank you, guys. Really. But you didn't have to go through all that for me."
Octavia looked at him and smiled, "No one messes with my friend."
Stolas gave Danny a knowing look. "Tell me, if you ever saw someone picking on Octavia, would you just stand by?"
Danny didn't even hesitate. "Of course not. I'd do something about it."
Octavia's eyes lit up. "Good, 'cause we've got each other's backs."
Stolas was proud. "Then I'd say we're on the same page."
Octavia held up her bag. "Now, let's get more candy!"
As the group continued down the final stretch of houses, Danny felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Seeing Dash get what he deserved—and knowing his friends had his back—made the night feel a little brighter. Meanwhile, Stolas and Octavia exchanged a contented glance, silently proud of their handiwork as they walked alongside their apprentice.
#
Danny, Tucker, Octavia, and Stolas made their way through the neighborhood as they approached a house adorned with cobwebs and skeletons.
"Alright, this one's next." Tucker adjusted his bag of candy.
The group joined a short line of trick-or-treaters, each eagerly awaiting their turn at the door. As they stepped forward, they noticed a small figure in an orange costume with a burlap sack mask standing behind them.
When it was their turn, the cheerful adult at the door greeted them warmly. "Happy Halloween! Aren't you all just the cutest little witches and wizards?" She handed each of them a generous handful of candy. Danny, Tucker, and Octavia grinned, their bags rustling as they accepted the treats.
Then came the turn of the small figure.
The adult peered into her candy bowl and frowned. "Oh dear…" She looked up at the masked child apologetically. "I'm so sorry, deary. It seems I've run out for the night. I wish you luck at the next house."
Samhain tilted his head slightly, looking from the woman's empty hands to the sack he carried. Behind the mask, his eyes narrowed as his grip on the sack tightened. Violating one of the sacred tenants of Halloween—ensuring every trick-or-treater received their due—was not something Samhain took lightly.
Just as he considered how to punish her, a smaller hand extended into his view. It held a piece of candy.
"You can have mine," Danny said with a soft smile. "Don't worry. My friends and I are sharing. I'd feel bad too if I was the last one to not get any."
Samhain froze, staring at the boy for a moment. Slowly, he reached out and accepted the candy with a nod. He didn't speak, but somehow, Danny felt a sense of approval.
The adult at the door clasped her hands together, smiling brightly. "Aww, isn't that sweet? Such a kind young man."
Inside his mind, Samhain seethed. You are spared the wrath of Hallows Eve only because of the boy's mercy. Be grateful.
As the group turned to leave, Tucker nudged Danny. "That was cool of you, man."
Danny shrugged. "It just felt like the right thing to do. We already have a lot."
Stolas simply patted Danny on the shoulder. "A good young man you are."
The group walked to the sidewalk, and Samhain trailed silently behind them.
As he observed the group, Samhain tilted his head slightly. His hollow eyes behind the burlap mask closely studied the adult and young girl. They were not human—of that, he was certain. There was no essence of a human soul to perceive. Demon? Demons on Halloween typically adhered to one of three behaviors: they killed humans, fed on their emotions, or kept to themselves.
But these two demons intrigued him. They appeared to have an amicable relationship with the kind-hearted boy who had shared his treats moments ago. For now, Samhain saw no reason to antagonize the demons. They posed no threat, and the boy's gesture had stayed his hand.
Meanwhile, Octavia and Stolas felt something… off. It was not threatening, necessarily. The child was strange, for lack of better words. Granted, they were demons from Hell. Maybe the children were equally weird.
Danny turned to look at Samhain, a friendly smile on his face. "By the way, my name's Danny. What's yours?"
Samhain didn't respond. Instead, he raised a small hand and pointed past them to something behind the group.
Curious, they all turned around. A lone jack-o'-lantern sat on the sidewalk's edge with a flickering orange glow. Its eerie grin seemed almost alive in the dim light.
When they turned back to where Samhain had been, he was gone.
Octavia's brow furrowed. "Where did he go?"
Danny looked around. "I… I guess he didn't want to stick around."
Stolas glanced back at the jack-o'-lantern. "Perhaps he enjoys his privacy."
Tucker shrugged. "Weird kid. But hey, it's Halloween. You do you."
The group then moved on, continuing down the sidewalk. Unbeknownst to them, Samhain watched them from the shadows of the nearby trees before leaving.
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, SonicSonicsSonic, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander, Red Rasher, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, Legion, DJC, $hane-08, Daniel, Alex, nighnight, Camden, decimator, Roswell, SpeX Smoking_ash12, Giorgie Baramidze, Kyan Christian, Professor Xivass, AF360!
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