Children in frilly costumes fluttered the streets of Bolden, a small town in east Connecticut, population 1,324. The sun had gone down and the candy had come out. Frighten screams and laughter filled the air as Mindy sighed to herself, wishing she didn't get stuck watching her little cousin Ellie on Halloween. Mindy’s mother had gone out with a girlfriend to attend her monthly Modern Witch Society meeting. A sixteen year old girl staying in on Halloween was just downright punishment in her mind. The way Mindy sees it; Ellie is eleven years-old which is old enough to stay home alone. Ellie sat in front of the small television, praying that all the demons and witches would stay home bored as well. Ellie’s parents have never celebrated Halloween; they argue that it gives people an outlet to do “illegal” things. Despite her parents’ beliefs Ellie had stuffed a fairy costume in her overnight bag, her and her friend Martha had planned to go trick or treating. Her parents were extremely strict, which meant no sweets, except on special occasions.
“May I use the bathroom, o wise one?” Ellie asked Mindy. Mindy rolled her as she flipped up her blood stained middle finger. “Oh and by the way, I’m going trick or treating with Martha tonight. If my dad calls tell him I’m sleeping.”
“First of all you little s***, I’m in charge here, and I say you’re keeping your adolescent ass in this house all night! If I have to sacrifice my night so do you!” Mindy scolded, how dare this little runt tell her what to do? With a shrug of her shoulders Ellie continued to the bathroom where she changed into her costume. When she opened the door, Mindy was standing there with an annoyed expression on her face. “If you and your stupid friend are going trick or treating, I’m going with you. I absolutely can not have you get kidnapped on my watch. After you’re done we’re going somewhere, but you have to swear to keep your disgusting little mouth shut at all times we’re there, got it?”
Ellie grinned “Of course, I won’t even ask what hole in the wall we’re going to, as long as I get my candy.”


The two girls walked two doors down, where they met Martha in front of the gas station, wearing torn bloody clothes and a blonde wig. “And just what in the hell are you supposed to be?” Ellie asked Martha. “I’m the dead Lady Gaga!”
The girls ventured all through the town gathering all kids of candy and compliments on their costumes. Mindy became rather vexed, after they went to what seemed like the hundredth house that evening. The lady asked in a sickeningly sweet voice” What are you supposed to be dear?” with which she replied “I’m your worst f*ing nightmare!” Continuing down the street the night seemed to get even darker as the laughter and screaming became a distant whisper. The full moon had disappeared; it was so dark that the girls could hardly see where they were walking. Martha shivered, teeth chattering said” Maybe we should do one more house and go back, its getting really cold and dark! I feel like Michael Myers is going to jump out at any second.”
“Is the dead Lady Gaga scared? What happened to marrying the night? The night is young and I need to hit up at least eight more houses to supply me until Thanksgiving.” Ellie said, she barely noticed how cold or dark it got. She needed to get her candy.
“Just make it quick, I’m already late for my gathering. I still need to get some things from the store.” said Mindy constantly looking behind her “This part of town gives me the creeps.”

Walking further down the street, Ellie noticed a big red star inside of a circle painted on the door of a white house. Her instincts told her to turn around and go home, but her sweeatth told her otherwise. Ellie quickened her pace, as though she was being followed, but didn't want her follower to know she knew that she was being followed.
The girls stopped at a gray two story house. All of the lights were off but Ellie decided to ring the doorbell anyway. A tall boy opened the door, dressed head to toe in black; he smiled wickedly at the girls as he said “Trick or treat?”
“Treat.” Martha giggled nervously. “Of course, no one appreciates a good trick these days.” said the boy reaching into a bowl and giving the girls their treats. “You know, these streets are kind of dangerous at night, especially on Halloween. You shouldn't be out here alone.” “We’re not alone my cousin is waiting over there.” Ellie said pointing to the tree where Mindy was, but when she turned around she was gone. “ Where did she go? She was right there.” “ Oh god, what if Michael Myers got her! I told you we should have turned back!” panicked Martha. “You can use my phone to call someone to get you if you want. My name is Nathan, by the way.” Martha and Ellie exchanged looks. “Sure, that would be great. I’m Ellie and this is my overly dramatic friend, Martha.”
Nathan led the girls inside the house; where there were candles lit everywhere. They went down a flight a stairs into the basement. “Wait here, I have to find the phone” said Nathan. “
“Why didn't he just get the phone while we were upstairs, instead of bringing us to this infected basement? Oh god, he’s a serial killer...”
“You watch way too much Law and Order Special Victims Unit, Martha, way too much.”
Upstairs in the living room, Nathan got the phone and a bag of supplies. Ricky, Mike, and Lucas came downstairs from Nathan's room, carrying a girl. “I had to knock her out, the b**** wouldn't stop screaming and scratching me.” explained Mike.
“Just make sure she’s not dead…yet” said Nathan. He had been on edge all night. He’d seen the girls earlier in town and decided that they were perfect for his traditional Halloween festivities. He sent Rick to follow them throughout the night. Two girls was their usual limit, but Nathan felt like he wanted to challenge himself and his brothers.
Halloween is a very stressful holiday for Nathan. Every year he likes to change something small in his activities, to make it a bit more fun. “We’re running out of time. There’s only an hour before midnight. And Donnie’s still not here yet! Where the hell is he Nathan?”
Downstairs in the basement the girls begin to worry. They have both decided to just leave without Mindy and call their parents. The girls walked up the stairs into the hallway leading to the front door. Suddenly, all of the lights starting flickering like wind hitting an electricity wire. The girls began to run down the narrow hallway screaming. Nathan and his friends grabbed booth girls and dragged them back down to the basement where Mindy lay in the corner still unconscious. “What are you doing?!” yelled Martha as Lucas tied her arms and legs. “What happened to Mindy? Is she okay?” Ricky proceeded to put tape over Martha’s mouth. “Why, are you doing this?! My parents are lawyers! You wont get away with this!” Ellie screamed at the boys. Mike chuckled “Do you really think we give a f***? By the time we’re finished with you, you won’t be able to say your own name.” A tall pale boy walked into the basement with three black trash bags.
“It’s about god damn time you got here Donnie, I was beginning to worry. I thought you might pu**y out.” said Nathan. Rick tied up Ellie, handcuffed all of the girls to each other, facing the boys. Ellie began lightly sobbing. She mentally slapped herself for trusting an absolute stranger, especially on Halloween. The scent of burning wax filled the air, as Donnie lit small white candles, and placed them in random parts of the room. Mike and Rick dragged a large wooden board from across the room then placed it in front of the three girls.
Donnie’s palms began sweating. His heart was beating harder and harder every second. He was nervous that he would mess up, yet excited to finally be initiated into the cult. Donnie had waited two long years to be eligible for initiation, now his time had come. Nathan unlocked Mindy’s handcuffs from Ellie and Martha. He pulled her onto the wooden board, positioning her with her arms on either side of her body, legs straight with her feet still tied together. As Rick handed Donnie a jagged kitchen knife, he smirked and said “You ready?” Donnie nodded.
Halloween’s darkness slowly faded to dawn. The boys were finally finished. Nathan began cleaning the large wooden board and vacuuming the whole house. He didn't want any blood stains or unexplained footprints leftover.
On the other side of town, the girls’ parents were in complete state of emergency. Cops swarmed all over asking questions. Children usually go missing in Bolden a lot after or during Halloween. Search groups were formed by noon.
Soon, days passed, weeks. Nathan and his cult brothers sat around watching news stories about the missing girls, silently admiring their work. They laughed and spoke of the eventful night, as well as all the others, while eating the girls’ trick or treating candy.