A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 16: Part of the Festivities

Agreeing to help the little girl, Briar and the others, including Floyd, Jamil, and Ace to the Front Gate where people can go after ending the Stamp Rally.

Floyd calls out, "Yo, Jade."

Jade notices them and says, "Hello, Floyd. You've brought quite the entourage."

"Mm. This little kiddo here was lookin' for ya," Floyd says, and presents the little girl with her paper.

Jade looks at the child and asks, "How might I be of assistance?"

"Um, I got all seven stamps!" The child says.

"Ah, you took part in the stamp tour," Jade says, "May I see your stamp card, please?"

The child presents her stamp card, and sees all seven stamps are accounted for.

Jade calmly smiles, "... Splendid! All seven stamps are accounted for. All you have to do now is say the password."

"Okay," The little girl says.

And happily says, "Trick or treat!"

"That's it, yes," Jade says.

Confused, Grim says, "Trick or... tree? What's a tree got to do with anything?"

"She said treat not tree," Briar says.

"Yeah. Trick or TREAT. It means, 'Gimme a treat or I'll play a trick on you.'" Ace says.

"So it's a threat, then," Grim replies.

Briar rolls her eyes, "Not even close."

"Briar is correct. It's just a catchphrase you use during Halloween as part of the festivities," Jamil says.

"Didn't you hear about how trickster ghosts disappear if you give 'em candy on Halloween?" Ace asks.

"Oh yeah, Lilia said somethin' about that," Grim says, crossing his paws.

"Trick-or-treating is a holdover from those stories. People put on masks and knock on their neighbors' doors. Then they say 'trick or treat' and get candy," Ace explains.

"Holy moly! That's the most powerful spell I've ever heard of!" Grim says in excitement.

"Is it really powerful?" Sereia asks.

"Right? Back when my brother and I were kids, we'd do three laps around the neighborhood," Ace says.

Then Jamil says, "Halloween folklore varies by region and species, but... Strangely, the phrase 'trick or treat' is part of every species' folklore, without exception."

"An' that's why we use it as the secret password when visitors finish the tour," Floyd says.

Meanwhile, Jade says to the girl, "Here: your reward for doing so well and collecting all seven stamps for us."

Then Jade gives her the bag of candy.

The girl happily says, "Yaaay! Candy! Thanks a bunch!"

"Make sure to wait until you get home and show it to a grown-up before you eat it, okay? We wouldn't want you eating anything you're allergic to. Will you promise me that?" Jade replies.

"Okay!" The little girl happily says.

Then turns to the others, "Thanks, nice people! Can I come back and play again?"

"Of course. Halloween Week has only just begun," Jamil says.

"You're welcome to bring your friends, too," Jade says.

"Yeah, we'll be here all week. Bye-bye, kiddo," Floyd says.

The little girl happily nods her head and takes her leave.

Ace is actually impressed, "Dude, are you guys pros at talking to kids, or what?"

"Meh, it's nothin' special," Floyd says.

"We had practiced last year, after all. You'll get the hang of it eventually, Ace," Jamil says.

"Hmmm..." Ace thinks.

Then says, "Y'know, I was of the mind that walking on eggshells around a bunch of randos for days straight would be kind of a pain... But how?"

Then says with a smile, "I'm startin' to think that maybe doing it once a year isn't so bad. Besides, we get less homework during Halloween Week!"

"Heh. It's true," Jade replies with a calm smile. "For my part, I enjoy this holiday as well. What a joy it is to behold so many smiling faces in return for our benevolent efforts!"

"Why must you make everything you say sound so shady?" Jamil questions, looking suspiciously.

Just then, Grim says, "Okay, enough of the banter. Anyone else gettin' hungry?"

"Yeah. I'm getting hungry," Tanzanite says.

"Me too," Jasper says.

Even the girls nod their heads in reply.

Even Ace agrees, "Ooh, me! We should get lunch as a group. You in, Jamil?"

"Why, so you can sneak bites off my plate when I'm not looking?" Jamil questions.

"WOW. I resent that," Ace says with a grin, "Can't a guy just want to share a nice meal with his highly esteemed upperclassman?"

"You are utterly shameless, you know that?" Jamil sternly says.

Floyd turns to Jade, "Are you in, Jade?"

"Certainly. My break is coming up," Jade says.

"Great, then let's move. Come along, Briar. Chop. Chop," Jamil says.

"Okay," Briar says.

"Let's go," Sereia happily says.

"Mya!" Grim happily says, "Then let's go eat."

Later in the evening at Main street, Briar and the others are walking around and chatting with one another.

"Boy, time flies when you're gabbin' after some solid grub," Grim says.

"Yeah. The food tastes delicious," Jasper says.

"And the sweets are good as well," Tanzanite says.

Then Grim notices, "Look-the sun's about to set."

"You're right. The sun is already starting to set," Sereia says.

Trinket nods her head, even though she's in her ghost costume.

Exhausted, Grim says, "We spent the whole day walkin' around and seeing the Halloween sights."

"Yeah. And we've been seeing the others at their venues too," Jasper says.

Sereia then lets out a yawn," I'm tired."

"You said it, I'm bushed," Grim agreed.

Briar kneels down and picks up Sereia, and Grim in her arms, "Yeah. We had a very long day. Let's get back to the dorm."

"Yeah," Grim says, and lets out a yawn, "I'm really tired."

"Me too," Sereia says.

Trinket agrees and rests on Briar's shoulder.

Briar giggles, "Come on, let's head back to the dorm and get some rest for the night."