Time let me play and be

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Justin was ready for Halloween. But things were going to be different this year, of that he was certain. For one thing, he had not put any decorations outside the house this time. No jack o’ lanterns in the porch, no eerie lights in the trees or grotesque figures on the lawn. He had even made sure that the light above the front door was turned off.

Inside, he had kept all the lights off as well. It made things a bit difficult in the evening, when the light began to fade, and it was no longer possible to read. And the television remained cold and dead in its corner, completing the night’s lack of entertainment.

It was going to be boring for a few hours, he knew that. But it would be worth it to evade the whole business of Halloween. No more the silly pretence of being impressed with the costumes of the kids who came knocking. And no need to buy candies to hand out to undeserving little customers so confident in their expectations. This time Justin was taking no part in the proceedings, as ridiculous a festival as it was.

Of course, he knew that the darkened house might not be enough to discourage the most persistent of the revellers. There was always the chance that they might come peering through the windows to see if anyone was at home.

Well, Justin was prepared for that. He had set up a comfortable little nook for himself behind the couch. A folded blanket in the narrow space, together with a few scattered cushions, and a cell phone to amuse himself with a few games or perhaps a foray onto the net, and he’d be able to spend the hours in comparative comfort.

It was bound to be better than standing at the door on this cold night, digging into a bowl of candy to hand out to packs of expectant little horror impersonators, he reasoned. How he resented all the previous times when custom had forced him to waste his time in so idiotic a fashion.

As the gloom in the house thickened into genuine darkness, he made his way to the living room and inserted himself into his prepared refuge. For a while he lay there listening.

It was not long before he could hear occasional shouts and laughter from outside but no one knocked on his door. He relaxed, confident now that his ruse had worked and he would be left alone to spend the hours as he wanted to, free from interruptions and irritations. He flicked his cell phone on and started to play his favourite game.

An hour later, Justin awoke from a doze. He had heard a noise from inside the house. Someone was in the living room. He froze and the sound came again. It was the noise of a cough, muffled and held back, but instantly identifiable.

Justin froze, certain that a burglar had somehow found a way into the house and was now in the process of robbing him. He dared not confront him, doubtful that he could do so without being roughed up at the least.

Time seemed to stretch the moments into minutes and Justin began to wonder if the burglar had taken what he wanted and gone.

And then a voice cut through the silence.

“You might as well come out, Justin. I know you’re in there.”

The voice was quiet, slightly hoarse and followed by another smothered cough. “Damn this cold,” came the mutter.

It seemed the game was up. Justin popped up behind the couch. There was a creature sitting in his favourite chair by the window. The darkness made it hard to see any detail but Justin could make out enough to realise that the shape was not quite human. It was too large, seemed totally hairless, and had enormous, pointed ears protruding from its head.

A costume, perhaps?

“Who are you?” asked Justin.

“Ah, introductions to begin with,” said the creature. “How quaint. Well, I suppose it was time you learned about me. I, Justin, am your friendly neighbourhood demon.” He paused for a moment, presumably to allow this information to sink in, and then continued. “No need to introduce yourself - you’re sort of a special interest of mine and I know all about you. My name is Gastripugabaggle but, seeing that you’ll probably find it impossible to pronounce correctly, I shall permit you to call me Gassy.”

He laughed then and added, “Which you will find appropriate, I’m sure.”

A enormous fart erupted from his behind to lend emphasis to his words.

Justin moved from behind the couch and sat down on it instead. “Why are you here?” he asked.

“All these questions,” answered the demon. “Well, I have the time…” He looked hard at Justin. “Not that you have. Anyway, I noticed your lack of preparations for Halloween this year and figured you were going to give it a miss. Which suited me, because it gives me a chance to speak to you alone on this most special of occasions. Always good to take such opportunities, don’t you think?

“You see, it’s not that I don’t agree with you regarding the modern way of celebrating Halloween. Quite disgusting, in fact, is my opinion and I long for the old days when it used to mean something. But, if you had turned your back on it, there wouldn’t be a better time to take advantage of what you have become.

“I’ve come to take you home, Justin.”

He fell silent and watched as Justin absorbed the impact of his words. For a few moments, Justin could not speak but then he managed one word.

“Home?”

The demon smiled. “Oh, you know, Justin. The hot place you’ve heard so much about. It’s only the just reward for all your miserable deeds and all that. You’ve heard a lot about it I’m sure. We’ve been waiting for you to reach the threshold score and today you managed it.”

He gestured at their surroundings. “Crouching in the dark like the pathetic wretch you are, it’s really your lowest point, Justin.” His smile grew broader. “But, never mind. We’re going to have so much fun!”


Word count: 1,040
For “13,” 10.25.24
Prompt: "So how come Halloween is such a big yawner? I mean, do the demons just hate how commercial it's become?” —Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.