All Hallow's Eve 2: Memories

Chapter 1

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The final bell rang, the school term had ended, and kids all over were relieved to be off for two whole weeks. Halloween was still a week away, so they had plenty of time to prepare.

Jamie and Séan cycled home together. Sandra hadn't been in for the final day. None of them had really talked about the events that took place the previous Halloween. Maybe they thought it didn't really happen, maybe it was all a bad dream.

"So, what are we gonna do this year?" Séan asked.
Jamie was relieved that the large piece of Halloween ice was finally broken.
"Gonna carve a big feck'n pumpkin, what about you?"
"Same here." Séan concurred. "Wonder what Sandra's gonna be up to?"
"I think I heard her say something about going on holiday for a week and she won't be back until the day before Halloween. " Jamie informed.

They continued cycling until they reached a crossroads and they stopped. Both boys were going in opposite directions.
"Meet ya back here at five," Jamie said.
"Yeah, see ya then, bye." Séan agreed.
"Ok, bye."
And then they went their separate ways.

When Séan arrived home his dog, 'Twit,' came bouncing to greet him. Séan just let his BMX fall to one side and Twit raised up on his back legs putting his front paws on the boy.
"Hi, Twit." He said while petting the dog's head. "Good fella, that's a good boy."
He hugged the crossbreed mutt and the animal loved every minute of it.

When he finished with the dog, he went into his house.
"Ma-a, I'm home." There was no response. "Mammy?"
He dropped his schoolbag in the corner and continued through the house. Music began seeping through the walls, bad music. Then the even worse singing started. Séan sighed with relief when he recognized his mother's voice.

She was in the kitchen singing along with the radio while doing the dishes. Sean sneaked behind her and gave her a fright.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Séan, what are ya up to?" She laughed. "Ya scared the beJesus outta me!"
"Sorry, mam."
"Ok, go and wash up, your dinner's in the oven, and get your chores done before your dad gets home."
"I hate work!" Séan sulked under his breath.

Jamie arrived home at about the same time as his friend. He left his BMX against the wall at the side of his house. Clanking sounds came from the shed so he knew his father was working at home today. So he went into the house and dropped off his bag.
"Hi mam, I'm back."
"Watch out, that floor's wet!" His mother yelled from the sitting room.
"Ok."

Just then their little terrier came scrambling across the wet floor to greet Jamie.
"Good boy, Jackson."
"Get that dog off my clean floor!" His mother yelled again.
"Come 'ere, Jacky."
The dog was called Jackson because every time he tried to run on the slippery floor, it looked like he was moonwalking or breakdancing.
"Your dinner is on the table. Go and wash your hands first.

After Séan had finished his chores he watched some telly to pass the time. The phone rang at about 16:50 and his mother answered it.
"Séa-an, Jamie's on the phone."
"Coming," Sean replied and went out to the hall. He took the receiver from his mom and waited until she left.
"What's up?
"We're supposed to be meeting at five! I'm leaving now."
"I know, don't have a fit about it!"
"Right, see ya in a few."
"Ok"
Sean hung up, said goodbye to his mother, and left.

When Séan reached the cross Jamie was there already, waiting.
"What kept you?" Jamie asked laughingly.
"Your momma!" Séan replied and both boys laughed.
They rode off trying to execute wheelies and failing, cycling along the opposite edges of the country road and up onto the grass verge jumping from humps and bumps. Feeling the exhilaration and triumph when they achieved at least six inches of air.

When they reached their destination, they parked their bikes at an old wooden gate covered with moss. They climbed across and entered 'The Rocks.' It was an unused field full of rocks of various shapes and sizes. It was unused by its owner but frequently used by Séan and Jamie.

They trudged through the Deadly Swamp, (mud and rushes), fought their way through The Haunted Forest, (briers and thistles), and finally into The Evil Valley, (a space between rock faces, ten to twelve feet high). Then they climbed the one on the right, as it was the taller.
"Now," Jamie asked as he sat on the edge with his feet dangling. "What are we gonna do about Halloween?"
"Mm?"

The two boys talked and laughed until the sun was low in the sky. The days had become a lot shorter, now that it was Autumn.
"I'm cold," Séan said as he shivered.
"Yeah, me too. Maybe we should go." Suggested Jamie.
They both agreed and climbed down and went back to their bikes. The duo just walked for a while pushing their transport.
"Do ya think he'll still be there?" Asked Séan. "At the old house, I mean."

"Probably...., I don't know. He could be dead, he was pretty old."
"Don't say that! Anyway, I still say he is the magical hero kinda fella." Séan rebuffed.
"How would he be? Ya feck'n gobshite."
"Like a superhero, the old man is his disguise, his secret identity."
"Would ya listen to this guy! You're reading far too many comics."

"Well, you explain to me then, how he knew about the brack, and how he knew our names?"
"Eh?" Jamie scratched his head.
"See, ya can't, can ya?"
The two friends got on their bikes and cycled, debating the man's true identity until they parted company at the cross.

Up a certain dark lane, in an old dark house, a spark brought life to the dormant embers in a fireplace. An orange glow radiated from a dirty window like a beacon in the darkness. A dog began barking and an old man's voice yelled, "Shut up ya stupid mutt!"

It has begun.