The clock struck 12 AM. Then 1 AM. Then 2… I don’t know how long I stood. Unmoving, barely blinking or breathing. Something wasn’t right and I would not move until I knew what is was.

It was Halloween night.

Something was bound to be wrong.

A cold draft blew into my right shoulder. Rain began to spatter me with its cold icy shards. The streets were deserted except for a sewer rat scuttling along my line of view.

So I was reasonably surprised when I heard the rustling of fabric against the consistent pounding of the rain on the ground.

I started and leapt to my left. Only then did I realize I was freezing beyond my wits. I shivered while looking through the dark screen of rain for the source of the noise.

When he stepped forward I was startled. He was a man in a skull mask with a black trench coat and white gloves. It didn’t feel right- but it was Halloween and nothing ever felt right then.

I decided to ignore it, that feeling. Never again will I make that mistake.