4 Chapter 3: Calming Celebrations

After so many months of these boring days, it's finally coming to the big celebration everyone waits for. After coming back from the woods, I came back to see that amazing sight, skeletons on houses, strings of ghosts going from door frame to door frame. It was getting close to Halloween, just two more days. I always loved Halloween. I love seeing all the decorations, the costumes, and everything about the holiday.

Adding to that, papa would teach me code signs and give me one of his spare radios to listen in to when he's out on duty. I wanted to follow in his footsteps but my mind was fixed on the woods, which kept distracting me. As time went on, I started to pay more attention to what my papa would tell me. I've started to learn a few of the call codes and it's been useful while I listened in to the conversations.

The most amazing part about Halloween is when we set up parties near the cemeteries and party the night away, honoring our loved ones who have passed away and partying with their spirits. It may sound odd and creepy to some but for us, it's an amazing thing to happen.

As Halloween finally rolled by, everyone had everything set up, all the tables with food on them, drinks, and even a few kids here and there with skeleton costumes on and riding those wooden horses that have the fake stuffed heads on the end of them.

The parties started to erupt as everyone danced, sang, and had fun for the whole night. I participated in a few things but not the dancing or singing. I sucked at both of those. Sometimes I was forced to be in a few of the dances, which embarrassed myself to everyone. But with us, no one laughed if you messed up in a dance. They'd help you out and get better at it.

After the party was all over, I decided to go visit my grandmama's grave. I smile to myself as I kneel down.

"Thank you," I say as I lay down a flower, "Thank you for helping me in life, from beginning to end. I hope your life in the underworld goes well for you in the next year and the year after that."

"Has anyone ever laughed at you when you had fallen?" the light voice asks.

"I remember a few who laughed, but helped me afterwards," I responded.

"Has none of them helped you after laughing?" the light voice asks.

I ponder for a moment and nod, "I've had my fair share" I get up and stretch slowly as I groan.

"Is your back hurting again?"

I nod, "It seems to get worse and worse as years go on." He nods and holds my hand as I smile down at him, "You know, I might just take you before my back fully gives out." His eyes gleam as he hugs me. I chuckle and hug him back.