Halloween

By
Jonathan Posner

Two little pairs of eyes stared up at me, waiting to be given the word to get out into the
dark street and start the evenings fun.
And I wasnt going to disappoint Trick or Treating was the highlight of the autumn, and my
eight-year-old twins Jamie and Anabelle had been talking about it for days. The route had been
planned, tricks prepared and treats eagerly anticipated. Special glow-in-the-dark buckets had
been bought with pocket-money and costumes had been requested from Auntie Jane, who had
kindly offered to make them in my wife Stephs absence on a two-week business trip.
So now I was preparing to shepherd an excited witch and goblin out into the streets; to
knock on neighbours doors and demand either a treat which would be sweets or a small coin
or play an amusing trick.
Everybody ready? I asked, with a broad smile.
Yes, Daddy! they chorused.
Then lets go!
As I turned to open the front door, the bell rang.
I looked enquiringly at the kids. Are we expecting anyone? I asked.
Two little heads shook solemnly. I opened the door, to find a smartly-dressed blonde
holding the hand of a small boy, around the same size as the twins. He wore a red body-suit and
had horns on his head and a forked tail that was so long it curled round his foot.
Hello, said the woman, with what sounded like a East European accent. You must be
Richard. Is Stephanie here?
I shook my head. Sorry, shes away on business. Can I help?
Oh. She said that my Vladimir here could join your twins on Trick or Treat.
Did she? I was surprised the twins were a self-contained little unit and generally
preferred their own company to that of other children. But I supposed if Steph had agreed it
If it is not OK the woman said hesitantly.
No, no, its fine. I said quickly. Its fine. He can come with us. Well be about an hour,
then you can pick him up again from here.
Good, thanks, she said, then crouched down to Vladimirs level and spoke to him in some
Slavic-sounding language. I assumed it was something along the lines of, you be good boy. He
nodded. She kissed his head then stood up.
Thank-you, she said, then simply turned and walked down the steps into the night, leaving
Vladimir standing in the doorway.
Right, I said. Come on, everyone. I locked the door behind us, then held out my hand to
the boy. Instead of taking it, Vladimir trotted quickly down the steps, then started walking along
the pavement. Anabelle took my hand instead.
Who is he, Daddy? she hissed.
I stopped, one foot on the top step. You mean you dont know him? Isnt he in your class?
Weve never seen him before.
I looked at the little red figure. He had stopped on the pavement ahead and was swishing
his tail from side to side with his hand as he waited. I suppose its just that Mummy knows his
mummy, then.

As we caught up with Vladimir, he immediately turned and walked quickly up to the front
door of the nearest house. It opened before we got there, light spilling onto the road. I heard
Vladimir say, in a surprisingly croaky voice, trick or treat? then pop the proffered sweet straight
in his mouth.
Thats not how you do it, hissed Anabelle to me. You share!
Now, Vladimir I began, but he had already walked to the next house and knocked. The
twins and I hurried after him, just in time to see him do the same again. Now, Vladimir I tried
again, but once more he was off.
This was repeated all along the street; myself and the twins running to try and keep up with
the small red child as he made his way along the houses but always arriving too late.
Vladimir, please! I called out but it was as if he was deaf to us on a single-minded
mission to eat as many sweets as possible.
We came to the last house in the street. I was getting out of breath and the twins were
increasingly distraught as their fun for the evening evaporated.
But it was about to get a whole lot worse.
Vladimir went up to the last door and knocked. As before he asked Trick or Treat? but
this time the householder didnt give him a sweet. Instead I heard her say oh, what a cute little
devil! Ill have a trick, please.
Vladimir stood still in front of her for a moment, then to my horror she suddenly clutched at
her chest, made a noise like an old train letting off steam, slid slowly down the doorway and
collapsed on the hall floor.
I ran to the woman, to find her completely still, her lips blue. I felt for a pulse, but there was
none. Feverishly I pulled out my mobile, dialled 999 and called an ambulance. Then I turned her on
her back and began CPR.
I wouldnt bother, said Vladimir. Shes already dead.
Then he laughed, his tail now swishing completely on its own. She wanted a trick! he said,
laughing again. So I gave her my best one!
Jamie and Anabelle were both crying. I stopped trying CPR and stared at the child. You
think you did this? I said in amazement.
Oh yes, he said, his voice now unnaturally deep. I certainly did this.
A siren could be heard, with a blue light bouncing off the houses. Vladimir looked round. I
must go now, he said. You can explain all this, eh? See you later, Richard. He laughed again,
then as I watched he simply disappeared. There was a flash of light, a puff of smoke, and he had
gone, with just the sound of his throaty laughter hanging briefly in the air.
I looked at the twins in horror, then at the body I was crouched over, as an ambulance and
police car screeched to a stop beside us.