Excerpt
Jonathan closed his eyes and started thinking of all the fun he would have with the silly

faced pumpkin. First, he was going to carve it up, and take the silly face off, making it as scary as possible.

Then, when it got really late, he was going to take it out in the street and smash it to pieces. He laughed out

loud at the thought of the sound of…….”You will not hurt this one, Jonathan,” a low voice came from

somewhere over by his desk. Jonathan sat up quickly, ‘cause, yikes, you don’t hear voices in your room

every day.

“Dad?” Jonathan’s breath was fast as he slowly lowered his feet to the floor. Something soft

brushed against his shoulder, then across his face. Jonathan tried to say something, but the sound that

escaped his lips was not his. “Hello, Johnny. It’s time to play this night of Halloween, are you ready?”

“MmmMfdbjfakfj!!!” he tried to talk, but only mumbles came out. Why? Because the silly

boy still had his hand over his mouth.

Tyler was watching television when Jonathan ran into the room. “Jonathan, slow down, take

your hands away from your mouth and talk to me.” Tyler said again, with a little grin. Breathing hard,

gasping, Jonathan slowly spoke. “Dad, something really weird is going on

up in my room. I heard sounds.”

He slumped to the floor in a daze as he spoke.” And, and, my mouth said something I

didn’t say, and, and….” Tyler stood up, lifting Jonathan back to his feet. “It’s ok Son, you are just tired

and excited at the same time about tonight’s trick or treating.” Tyler looked calmly into his son’s eyes and

said, “ Just remember it’s all in fun, like you being scared, it’s your hobby, remember?” Patting Jonathan on

the head, Tyler turned and sat back on the couch to finish watching his show. Without a glance toward

Jonathan, Tyler whispered, but loud enough for Jonathan to hear, “remember, be nice to the pumpkins or

suffer the consequences.”