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Halloween Day Jitters |
From the moment I set foot out my door, the cool morning air whispering by me, Halloween decorations invade my surroundings. Houses are adorned with pumpkins, witches crashed into trees, bats hanging from branches, tombstones on front lawns and skeletons reaching up from the ground. I pull my coat tighter around my shoulders and wish for the day to be over. Halloween is the scariest day of the year for me. For 24 hours I live in fear. But every year I somehow make it through the town's annual Halloween bash.
As I walk along the sidewalk, I look over my shoulder, thinking I'm being followed. A black cat runs up a tree as I pass, its eyes trained on me. A shiver runs through my spine. Then the clouds part for a moment, letting a ray of sunlight peek through. I feel warm, straighten my posture, and look ahead. This is Halloween, I think, not dooms day.
A group of children wearing Halloween masks run toward me. I spot a vampire, mummy, clown, devil, ogre and princess. But it is the Halloween ghost that rattles me back to trepidation. The mask's long face and soulful eyes stay on me as we brush shoulders while passing. I turn and watch the kids continue. The ghost walks backward, keeping my attention as if I'm under a spell. "Boo!" he shouts, and turns to run. I too turn to run, wanting to rid myself of the confrontation. Maybe I should get myself a Halloween mask so as to haunt back those who think so lightly of this day. The chill is back around me as I slow down my pace. My breathing is rapid, my heart beats loudly. Don't be scared, I tell myself. Be strong.
As I come upon the community center, there is the hustle and bustle of work being done. Tiny white light strands are being hung from tree to tree in a "spider web" design. Big black spiders are being placed in the middle of the webs. A cemetery comes into view behind some bushes. Haystacks are lined up around the perimeter of the center's entrance. Cobwebs are in abundance and jack-o-lanterns sit along the path. Ghosts are hanging from tree limbs and black and white paper skeletons are on the front door.
I shiver at the sights before me and take a deep breath as I enter the building. The Halloween party is set to begin at five o'clock sharp so there are still many Halloween decorations to be placed. The Halloween theme this year is "Connect the Corpses." Guests are to dress as a famous dead person and other guests must guess their method of death. This is way too much death for me. I don't think
I'm brave enough to make it through the day. "Trick or treat?" someone asks, startling me out of my panic. I don't answer. I think I've lost my voice.
The room is being decorated with sprayed cobwebs, orange and black balloons, old horror movie posters and frightfully carved pumpkins. Halloween props including coffins, cauldrons and "bodies" - old clothing stuffed with newspaper, shoes attached at the pant bottom, a skull or other head attached at the shirt neck, and bloodied hands at the end of the sleeves - are everywhere. Black bats cut from construction paper are suspended from the ceiling. Long strips of black and orange crepe paper streamers are hung all around the room from a fishing line secured along the edge of the walls.
As if this isn't enough to send me to my grave right here and now, light bulbs are being replaced with black lights to create a dark, psychedelic glow. I've made my way through the entire room and feel like I'm about to throw up. I've got to escape. Beads of sweat are dripping down my forehead, my pulse is quickening and fear is taking over. I rush out through the back doors and walk right into a gigantic generator-powered ghost. I look up at dark black eyes that capture me again and I scream. No one rescues me so I'm left to fend for myself. I manage to gain my composure and quickly leave the area. I must get home. Home is safe.
While walking back a pick-up truck full of teenagers drives past and honks. The kids wave and yell Happy Halloween. They must be on their way to the Halloween horror nights at the local amusement park. I'm able to wave back with a shaky arm and stutter Happy Halloween in return. I am but a few blocks from safety when the wind picks up, clouds become thicker, and the Halloween spirit seeps onto the street. A front door bursts open and several children in Halloween costumes run out, pillowcases in one hand, flashlight in the other. I tighten by coat around my shoulders and keep my gaze to the ground.
I walk up the steps to my front door and sigh with relief. My fear dissipates as I enter my home. I walk to my bedroom and eye the hanging garment bag on the back of the door. I shed my coat, shoes and tie and walk to the bag. I slowly unzip it and carefully remove the contents. I lay them on my bed and smile. Every October 31 it's the same. I'm scared to death. But if you can't beat them, join them. And so I shall don my costume and join the fright fest.
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