The Halloween Prank That Got Me Good

           The Halloween Prank That Got Me Good

Halloween has always been a big deal in my family. From decorating the house with spooky decorations to hosting our annual Halloween party, we go all out. This year was no different, and as the oldest of four siblings, I had the responsibility of gathering everything we needed to make the night perfect. Little did I know, this Halloween would be one I’d never forget.

It all started on a chilly October afternoon. The leaves were crunching underfoot as I made my way to the store, my mom’s list of party essentials in hand. As I walked down the familiar neighborhood streets, something—or rather, someone—caught my eye. Across the street, an old lady was slowly making her way down the sidewalk. She was hunched over, her frail body supported by a gnarled wooden cane. She wore a long black shawl that seemed to hang off her thin frame, and her eyes were fixed straight ahead, unblinking.

I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that crept over me. After all, it was Halloween season, and strange things always seemed to happen around this time. I pushed the thought aside and focused on getting everything on the list: bags of candy, spooky decorations like hanging ghosts and skeletons, and, of course, a large pumpkin for carving.

When I left the store, I saw her again. The old lady was standing just outside, her eyes fixed on me. A cold shiver ran down my spine. I quickened my pace and headed home, telling myself it was just a coincidence.

But the feeling of unease lingered.

As the day went on, I made several trips back and forth to the store, picking up everything we needed for the party. With each trip, I saw her again—sometimes at the corner of the street, sometimes slowly making her way along the sidewalk. Every time, her eyes were on me.

It wasn’t just her presence that was unsettling; it was her appearance. The long black shawl, the gnarled cane, the way she shuffled along as if each step took all her strength. Everything about her seemed to scream Halloween, but in the most eerie way possible. It was as if she had stepped out of one of those Halloween stories we all hear as kids.

By the time I was on my final trip to the store, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the vibrant autumn colors had faded into shadows. The streets were eerily quiet, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. I quickened my pace, eager to get the last few items and get home.

As I reached the store, I glanced around nervously, half-expecting to see the old lady waiting for me. But she wasn’t there. Relieved, I grabbed the last items on my list, including some of the best spooky Halloween props and decorations that were still available, and headed back home. The walk felt longer than usual, the darkness pressing in on me from all sides. I was only a few blocks from home when I heard it—the slow, deliberate tap of a cane on the pavement behind me.

My heart pounded in my chest as I turned around. The old lady was there, closer than ever before, her face hidden in the shadows. But this time, something was different. Her eyes, once lifeless and cold, now glowed with an unnatural, pale light. Her movements were quicker, more purposeful, and she was coming straight toward me.

Panicking, I broke into a run, the sound of her cane echoing in my ears. I raced down the street, the familiar sights of my neighborhood distorted by fear. No matter how fast I ran, the sound of the cane grew louder, closer.

I finally reached my house, bursting through the front door and slamming it shut behind me. My family was busy setting up decorations in the living room—everything from inflatable ghosts to animated skeletons—oblivious to the terror that had followed me home. I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath, my mind racing. Was she real? Or was it all just a strange Halloween hallucination?

Just as I was beginning to calm down, there was a soft knock at the door. I froze, my heart sinking as I realized who it must be. My mom, noticing my pale face, called out from the living room, "Jake, can you get that? It’s probably one of the neighbors."

I hesitated, my hand trembling as I reached for the doorknob. Slowly, I opened the door just a crack, peeking out into the darkness.

But there was no one there.

I let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through me. Maybe it was all in my head, just my imagination running wild with the Halloween spirit. I turned to close the door when I felt it—a cold, bony hand on my shoulder.

I spun around, my breath catching in my throat. The old lady was standing right in front of me, her face now fully visible in the dim porch light. Her skin was as pale as death, her eyes glowing with that same eerie light. She smiled, revealing a mouth full of sharp, yellowed teeth.

“Trick or treat, my dear,” she whispered, her voice raspy and hollow.

I stumbled back, terror gripping me as she stepped closer, her cane tapping rhythmically against the wooden floor. The last thing I saw before the world went black was the old lady’s cold, glowing eyes staring into my soul.

But then, the old lady did something unexpected—she let out a deep, hearty laugh. I blinked, my mind trying to make sense of what was happening. The old lady’s voice started to change, the raspy tone melting into something more familiar.

“Gotcha, Jake!” the old lady said, pulling off the gray wig to reveal a mess of dark, curly hair underneath.

My fear turned to confusion, and then to realization. “Ethan?!” I exclaimed, recognizing the voice of my best friend. Ethan was grinning ear to ear, still wearing the old lady costume but clearly enjoying my reaction.

“You should’ve seen your face, man!” Ethan said, barely able to contain his laughter. “I owed you one for scaring the pants off me last Halloween!”

My shock gave way to a mix of relief and embarrassment. “You jerk!” I shouted, though I couldn’t help but laugh too. “I thought I was being haunted or something!”

Ethan shrugged, still laughing. “Consider us even. Happy Halloween, dude!”

I couldn’t stay mad; after all, I had gotten Ethan good the year before. As we headed inside to join the party, I realized that this prank war was far from over. But for now, I was just glad to be home and to have my friend by my side—no more creepy old ladies with glowing eyes. At least, not until next Halloween.