Chapter 33: Trick Or Treat

I paused on the front step, horrified at what I did but at the same time unwilling to reverse it. I may not have planned it, but it seemed a fitting punishment for such disgusting people.

Knowing I myself would be punished by the coven, I slumped my way down the driveway to the street, dragging my feet as I headed home.

To my surprise, I stumbled on Alison. She sat on the curb with the borrowed shawl wrapped around her, staring blankly out into the street. I stopped, not sure what to do but unwilling to leave her there alone.

I took a seat next to her, hugging my knees, discarding the hat to one side.

"Thanks," she said.

"My pleasure," I answered. "I just wish..."

"What?" She toyed with the laces of her red stained sneakers, once pristine white.

"That I reached you sooner. Before they... you know."

She hugged the shawl to her. "It's tradition. I was expecting it."

"What?" How horrible was that?