The Terrifying Winner of October's Writers Circle!

For October's Writers Circle, the prompt was: "Chill out! They're only costumes... right?"

And the winner was Vann!

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Henry seems to be so passionate about doing Halloween this year. He dresses, does make up, and even acts like what a true ghoul is. The makeup is impeccable, he walks slowly but steadily, and he stenches like crazy, but I'll allow it for the immersion and realism. I think they call it method acting. He just growls and stares at me with his highly detailed, hollowed out eyes. I suppose it is easier to act if people can't see your eyes.

Honestly, I'm a bit upset because he took so long in the dressing room. I almost came in to yell at him but he finally appeared. As we walked from one house to another, lifting up our pumpkin themed basket while growling like a crazy person, I waved and talked with other children and to be honest, their costumes were not as amazing as his. I'm impressed with how he managed to outclass everyone here.

This is the first time the town has done an official celebration in 2 years because of a lack of funding. But since the mayor has invested a generous amount for this occasion? Damn, the atmosphere here feels really immersive. I almost lost Henry in the crowd with how busy some areas can get, but every time it happens, I manage to drag his slow feet back.

Two hours passed, and the night has settled into midnight. At this rate, this will last even longer than a new year party would. But as to my confusion, there seems to be trash all over the street. Gosh, has everyone here forgotten about hygiene and the environment? There’s blood scattered and a rotten like smell emanating from around me. They probably got too carried away. As I glance at Henry, he seems to be enjoying the Halloween spirit as his makeup and impression of a ghoul becomes eerily more creative. Bloody mouth, flies all around him, and his classic deadpan stares into my soul.

"Hey, Henry?" I asked him, curious about something.

Even with my amusement at his commitment, I started to wonder about a crucial detail that I forgot to ask. 

"How did you manage to add more stuff while we're busy with trick or treating?"

As always, he’s not responding. But upon my hand touching his shoulder to nudge him further, I can feel a warm, flesh-like clump falling from him. The texture, the way it moves, and other details like outer and inner layers that remain intact and almost alive. Did he really have this on before? I know I've been carried away with the sole task of having the most amount of candy, but surely he would not let me win this easily. The costume department was won by him, so does that mean he's letting me take this category?

Ignoring all of that, I lightly kick the soft, almost gelatinous skin that looks like it originated from a human belly. As I stand there, facing Henry with a serious tone, that's when I ask the scary question.

"Hey, you’re wearing a costume right?"