The cab driver spent more time looking in the rear view mirror than he did on the road. It wasn’t everyday that his customers were a sexy demon, bootleg Grim Reaper and a Marvel shapeshifter.

  “Turn here, please,” Ever said.

  “You got it, boss.” The driver’s accent was thick, much like his eyebrows were. Taylor’s bare knees bumped into his, which bumped into Zoe’s.

  “You smell great, Taylor,” Zoe said from Ever’s right. “Is that Fem Fresh?”

  “Uhuh,” Taylor responded. “But I haven't put it on today. Ever might have sprayed himself just before, though.”

  “With Fem Fresh?” Zoe replied.

  “We’re here!” Ever said, just as the car stopped outside his place. He leaned forward to pay then got out from Zoe’s side. As the cab drove off, they took in the scenery. Virtually overnight, the usually quiet suburban street had transformed into a hive of activity. There were dozens of children out and about in cute outfits: demonettes in tutus, mini-Hulks and plenty of little ghoulies fashioned out of fabric sheets. Parents held their little monsters’ hands, as they bravely knocked doors and said the three words.

  There were also ghosts - real ghosts: floating in and out of houses, following families and some even trying to spook humans as they opened their doors, mostly to no avail.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “I told you your street would be perfect,” Zoe said. “There are three elementary schools in the area, which means heaps of kids and heaps of families participating.” She looked at Ever, putting her blue hand on his arm.

  “Yeah, you were right,” he said distractedly. It was a bit overwhelming; he wasn’t sure where to look.

  “Hey, let’s tag along with this group over here!” Taylor suggested. Clutching the cheap, plastic, orange buckets shaped into Jack-O-Lanterns, the three of them visited the first house. Someone in the horde of eight kids they joined pressed the door bell. They all stood back, buzzing with mounting excitement.

  “Trick or Treat!” The kiddos screamed.

  “Trick or Treat!” Zoe and Taylor said in unison, either side of Ever. He mutely mirrored them, holding their bucket forward expectantly.

  It was an older couple who had come out, hair soft and white, eyes sparkling. “My, how frightening you all are!” The grandmother said. “Especially the big kids in the back!” There were squeals and giggles all round.

  Ever hung back as everyone crowded in a semi-circle around the old couple as they begun to start distributing brightly-colored candies and chocolates to them all. One amongst them didn’t quite belong. The ghost of a boy was dressed in what looked like a dinosaur onesie. He patiently held out his bucket, other kids jostling right into him. He paid them no heed, looking up expectantly and holding his bucket out, waiting his turn.

  “Have we missed out on anyone?” The wizened old man said, peering out. “How about you, young reaper?”

  Ever watched the ghost of the boy drop his arms and his head.

  “Yes,” Ever said, watching the soul dejectedly float away from the group. “Trick or Treat.”