Halloween is Dead!

Salem, Massachusetts, had always been a quiet town, steeped in rich history that whispered through its cobblestone streets. The air was thick with stories of witches, trials, and dark secrets buried in the past. But when October arrived, something else stirred—a palpable energy crackled in the air, drawing locals and tourists alike into its enchanting grip. Ghost stories danced on the lips of the townsfolk, echoing the infamous witch trials and shadowy murders that stained the town's legacy.

Fifteen-year-old Malik Williams, filled with bubbling anticipation, was convinced that spending the month here with his parents on business would land him in the heart of the greatest Halloween town imaginable. But when he arrived on October 1st, he was met with an unsettling silence that hung heavy in the crisp fall air.

"Mom, where's all the Halloween stuff?" Malik asked, disappointment creeping into his voice as he scanned the streets for vibrant decorations or the flicker of jack-o'-lanterns. "This is Salem, right? The Halloween capital?"

His mother glanced out the window, her voice soft. "It's different here now. People don't celebrate Halloween like they used to. Not since... you know." Her voice trailed off, leaving an uneasy silence between them.

Malik felt as though a balloon had popped inside him. Back home in New York, Halloween was a mix of flimsy decorations and spooky graveyards, with kids scurrying for candy, their laughter filling the streets. But Malik loved Halloween for more than just the candy; he was too old for trick-or-treating anyway. He cherished carving pumpkins with his parents and the glow of candlelight flickering in the dark. He imagined Salem would be alive with ghostly decorations and haunted houses, a true celebration of the macabre. Instead, he found only an eerie emptiness that swallowed the spirit of the season.

At school, the weight of that emptiness pressed in on him. Walking through the hallways on his first day, Malik noticed how other students cast sidelong glances at him, their eyes darting away as if they could feel the heaviness of the air. Whispers trailed behind him, a quiet reminder of the dark history looming over the town.

During lunch, Malik sat alone, poking at his food, listening to the dull murmur of conversation. Nearby, a group of students laughed, their voices rising as they discussed the killer who had disrupted Halloween celebrations two years ago. Malik's heart sank with every word. Their laughter felt hollow, a cruel contrast to the weight of their topic.

Then, across the cafeteria, he spotted her—Bridget. Also fifteen, she had an infectious enthusiasm that cut through the gloom. Her bright smile across her glowing brown skin and twinkling eyes reminded him of his love for horror movies.

"You're not scared, are you?" she teased, her voice playful. "This town has the best ghost stories."

"I'm not scared! I love horror movies," Malik replied, his spirits lifting as the connection with her rekindled his excitement. He recalled the first time he watched Halloween, the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of dread that came with it.

Bridget leaned in closer, her excitement contagious. "But it's not the Halloween you think. Two years ago, everything changed. A masked killer ruined it for us." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and a shadow crossed her face.

Malik leaned in, intrigued and horrified. "What happened?"

Bridget glanced around, her eyes wide. "You won't believe the stories, Malik. This town has its ghosts, but they're not the friendly kind you see on Halloween. They're real, and their legacy lingers in every shadow."

As the days passed, Malik and Bridget became inseparable, drawn together by their love of horror movies and Salem's dark past. Bridget's depth of knowledge about the town amazed him. She told stories of forgotten witches, haunted houses, and mysterious disappearances that had plagued Salem for generations. But her stories weren't just fun. There was something unsettling lurking beneath the surface.