Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 74: Halloween

"This is s-so s-tupid," Bill groans, looking down at the cheap skeleton costume that his mother had bought him. It was obviously a last-minute purchase, and likely done so, Georgie didn't feel like he was the only one in the family wearing a costume.

"Come on, Bill, where's your Halloween spirit?" his mother asks. Both Sharon and Zack had put on witch and wizard hats for handing out candy... well, Sharon had bought one for Zack, but he's stuck at work for another hour at least.

"Died with my childhood," he mutters.

"I don't know why you're complaining; even Mia is wearing one."

His cousin stands in front of the bathroom mirror in what looks like a black jumpsuit, working to style her hair and apply makeup, a rarity for her.

"T-That's not a costume," Bill says.

"Yes, it is, it just has less noticeable bones," she replies. "It's also from a movie you've probably never seen, so I won't bore you with the details."

Using her foot, Mia then shuts the door while opening the mascara.

Her cousin growls and turns to his mom. "I'll wear the costume but... forget the mask!" he manages to say through his annoyance.

"It's only for an hour," she says.

"W-Why can't you or dad take Georgie?"

"Your father is still at work, and someone needs to keep the house from being vandalized," his mother says.

The latter excuse was pathetic. Mia could hand out candy or he could! It was his mother's excuse not to have to chase after her youngest son for several hours.

The teen was just mortified. He's hoping he'll have time to change before the horror movie marathon at Ben's house; he doesn't want to look like a dork in front of Beverly... or any of the other girls. He knows Max would never let him live it down either.

There's a knock at the door, and Mrs. Denbrough goes downstairs, delighted by the arrival of their first trick-or-treaters. She grabs the bowl by the door and quickly puts on her hat.

She opens the door to Holly dressed as Raggedy Ann and Mike wearing a ski mask and a camo vest.

"Trick or Treat!" Holly exclaims, holding her pillowcase out.

"Oh, my goodness, aren't you the most adorable Raggedy Ann?" Sharon exclaims and gives her some candy.

"Thank you," the youngest Wheeler kid says.

She then turns to the teenager.

"Would you like some Michael?" she offers.

"I'm just the supervisor," he says. "Leave the candy for Holly."

"And you're supposed to be."

"A brother concealing his identity," Mike says.

"No wonder you and Bill are friends," Sharon says. "Bill. Georgie, Holly and Mike are here."

Georgie leaps down the stairs in his bat costume, ready to go out.

"Hi, Holly," Georgie says.

"Hi Georgie. I like your costume."

"I'm a bat!" he practically shouts.

"Hey, Squirt, don't forget your pillowcase," Mia's voice calls from above. She then drops one down from the landing.

Bill drags his feet coming towards the door. H

"Hey Mike," he says, grabbing the flashlight his mother insists he take with them.