Trickster's House

Trickster's House

When the door opened, the costumed children piped up:

“Trick or Treat.”

Cath Purdy put her hands on her ample hips and looked thoughtful.

“I love a good trick. I choose that.”

Then she made the most horrible face at them. Most ran off screaming. One tiny tot breathed “Cool, do it again!”

Cath shooed her off with:

“One per customer!”

When the next group tapped timidly at the door, Cath was ready.

“I choose trick,” she told them, then she made the most bloodcurdling, horrible scream at the kids. She watched them all scatter and grinned.

“This is so much fun and saves me a lot of money on treats,” she chuckled to herself.

As the groups coming to her door, slowed to a trickle, she turned off the lights and locked it. Sometime later, there was a loud pounding at her door. Curious, she peeked around her window curtains.

“There’s nobody out there,” she muttered.

Just to make sure, she put on the security chain and cracked the door. Something gave it a mighty shove and broke the chain. A mysterious fog filled her entryway. As she watched with trepidation, it solidified into a horrifying entity.

Stifling a laugh, Cath ventured to say boldly.

“Who are you supposed to be?”

“I’m known as the Halloween Trickster. Nobody but nobody cheats trick-or-treaters out of their treats on my watch. If you think you’re so tricky, time to have a Trick-off!”

Challenged, Cath agreed wholeheartedly.

“Guest first,” she said with a flourish.

Thus, it began. Each tried to out-trick the other, but neither could.

Finally, at sunrise, Cath collapsed in exhaustion as Trickster tried one last move.

“Last trickster standing, I win,” he said as he disappeared.

Cath sighed.

“Guess I better get off my wallet next year.”