The morning was perfect for Halloween. A damp, gray fog engulfed the area in the morning but burned off by afternoon. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, a cool breeze rustling fallen leaves along the street.
Darcy had decorated the house in traditional style. There were three jack-o-lanterns and a dancing skeleton on the porch, and a pair of headstones presided over the small front yard. A huge black spider climbed up its web on a porch column.
When Darcy went out to get the paper, she stopped and admired her little house. Every time she looked at it she thought of her aunt. Darcy had been devastated after the loss of her father and the virtual, then actual, death of her mother after his passing. Aunt Liz refused to let her loll in her misery, though had indulged her bouts of tears. She sat quietly with her when Darcy needed to be quiet, and was the best thing to happen to Darcy after her father’s death. Darcy said a prayer of thanks for Aunt Liz and the role model she provided.
Halloween had been one of Aunt Liz’s favorite holidays, and she always went all out. There were always lots of decorations, Halloween baking, and great homemade costumes. Darcy remembered Halloween parties with groups of Aunt Liz’s eclectic friends and suddenly felt extremely lonely. Oh, she had friends, but they were scattered across the country. Sophie was all she had near, and she was gone to a painter’s workshop this week.
“Well, Warlock,” she told the cat as she reentered the house, “it’s just you and me this Halloween. Let’s make the most of it.”
She started by figuring out what costume she would wear tonight when the trick-or-treaters arrived. She went up in the attic and dug through boxes and bags of collected costumes and accessories. She finally decided to pay homage to Aunt Liz and picked the last costume Liz had worn, an Elvira-type skin tight black dress with jagged handkerchief hems on the skirt and sleeves. There was also a tall, pointed black witch’s hat to match.
Perfect. Next, she mopped the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom, and kept the washer and dryer whirling. She even washed the living room windows.
Darcy stopped cleaning and dressed in her costume. She added heavy green eye shadow and painted her nails scarlet. She left her hair tumbling around her shoulders. A wart on her left cheek was the final touch. Now she was ready to greet trick-or-treaters.
She loved the kids’ reactions when she opened the door in full costume, a selection of spooky music playing from hidden speakers on the porch. She was greeted with everything from giggles to screams, especially when she cackled wickedly as she welcomed them.
Devils and superheroes, soldiers and princesses all came calling. One little girl dressed as a hobo especially tugged at Darcy’s heartstrings. Her big brown eyes looked sad, and she wasn’t with other children, just her and her mother. Her voice was quiet as she requested her treat.
“Sure, honey,” Darcy answered her. “But, tell me, why do you look so sad?
Darcy didn’t expect her response. The little girl immediately turned and buried her face in her mother’s legs and started sobbing.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you cry.” Darcy felt terrible as she watched the child’s shoulders shake. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” The mother was quick to assure her. “Her daddy was killed last week in a drive-by shooting. I was hoping going trick-or-treating would make her smile. Obviously, I was wrong.”
Darcy felt herself choke up as the woman spoke, sadness, anger, and hopelessness all expressed on her beautiful caramel-colored face. Darcy quickly reached out and hugged the woman and child to her, tears brimming in her own eyes.
After the mother and daughter left Darcy felt down. Violence was everywhere, or so it seemed. A drive-by shooting. Most likely the father had gotten caught in the crossfire from rival gangs. One of them might even be the gang controlled by Pasquale.
The thought sent shivers racking through her. God, she’d be so glad once he’d been arrested. She would never feel safe until that monster was behind bars.
At eight o’clock she turned her porch light off and shut the front door. It was late enough that trick-or-treaters should be home, and she knew the official hours ended at eight. She had to admit there was a pall on Halloween this year.
Darcy stood in her living room thinking about the way this holiday felt different from those in the past. There was a weight pressing down on her shoulders, a cloud wafting around her. She felt a longing for the Halloweens she’d spent with Aunt Liz.
She was standing there thinking when a sudden crash resounded through the room. The picture window shattered as an orb came crashing into the room and glass splattered across the area. A jack-o-lantern landed at her feet, and the candle inside it flared into a blaze as its flame licked to life as it caught on the rug.
Darcy screamed and began stomping on the flames. She soon realized that was a useless attempt and ran to the kitchen and grabbed the fire extinguisher.
The fire finally died out, and Darcy fell back on the sofa. She scrambled to find her phone and the card Nick had given her. She didn’t even think about calling 911. Her first instinct was to call Nick.
Thank God he answered on the first ring.
“Darcy, what’s wrong?” His voice was tense, demanding.
Darcy babbled out what had happened. Her voice was almost incomprehensible, but somehow, he managed to understand her need.
“I’m on my way,” was his immediate answer.
“Please, don’t hang up. Don’t leave me alone.”
“I won’t, Darcy. I’ll put you on speaker while I drive. I’m only a few blocks away.” Nick’s voice was reassuring. “Where are you now?”
“I’m in the living room.” Her voice shook, and her teeth chattered. Shock raced through her.
“Is the back door locked?”
“Yes.”
“Then stay right where you are. Everything’s going to be okay. It’s adrenaline making you shake. It’s natural. Don’t be scared.”
She let his rich, smooth voice wash over her. It was soothing, calming, full of confidence and reassurance. She clung to the sound of it as she waited the few minutes for him to arrive. When she saw him pull in the drive, she flung open the door and threw herself into his arms.