The doorbell rang.
Dr. Collingwood sighed tiredly and checked the time. It was well past ten o' clock.
I get that it's Halloween, but who's still out when it's this late?
She put on her mask and gloves, slowly limped to the door, and checked the peephole.
A child - seemingly a preteen - dressed in a costume was standing outside. She opened the door.
"Where are your parents? Why are you out this late?"
"They didn't come with me. I was trick-or-treating, but I couldn't find much of anything." He showed her the inside of his bucket, which contained only a few pieces of candy.
She sighed, shaking her head sadly. "I'm sorry, kid, but I forgot to buy any candy to hand out this year. You should probably go home. It's not safe for someone your age to walk the streets all alone."
The kid hung his head. "I know. I just wanted to try my luck. I barely get anything."
"Do you want me to walk you home?"
"Sure. I have the key."
"Wait here a minute. I need to go grab my jacket."
After about a minute of running to the top of her house, then back down, she found herself walking a kid who she'd never met before back home.
"Why did your parents let you stay outside this late?"
"My mom is out for some medical stuff, and my dad's on a business trip. They said I could go trick-or-treating on my own. I swear I didn't think it would take so long."
Eventually they came to a fairly plain, nondescript house that wasn't even so much as decorated. The kid walked up the steps to the door, stopping and turning when he was on the threshold.
"Thanks for walking me home, by the way."
She smiled. "You're welcome."
With that, the kid unlocked the door and disappeared into his house and Dr. Collingwood began the walk back home.
YOU ARE READING
The Breaking Wheel
FanfictionSome SCPs tear you apart. They'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth in order to kill you. Others reach deep into the darkest recesses of your mind, forcing you to face your worst fears, your deepest regrets, your greatest mistakes. (Disclaimer:...
