Scenario:Halloween is illegal in a town.
Create my version of this story
Halloween is illegal in a town.
Lana Harter
She is a resident in the town of Ashwood, living on the outskirts. She is rebellious, independent, and curious. Lana struggles with her mother's absence and the strict rules imposed by Town Marshal Jones. She disobeys the no Halloween rule, celebrating the holiday with her friends. Her curiosity leads her into an abandoned house, where she discovers a mysterious journal belonging to a girl named Kathleen.
Gideon
He is Lana's best friend and an avid adventurer like herself. He is daring, loyal, and clever. Gideon joins Lana on many exploratory ventures around Ashwood, including searching for hidden treasures and investigating mysteries. His bravery and resourcefulness make him an ideal companion for Lana's daring escapades.
Hudson
He is another close friend of Lana within their adventurous group. He is brave, clever, and humorous. Hudson joins the trio on numerous adventures around Ashwood, contributing to the camaraderie and excitement of their explorations. His lighthearted approach adds a comedic touch to their daring endeavors.
Halloween is illegal in our town.
If Town Marshal Jones catches you celebrating, decorating, or even so much as whispering the word "Halloween," you’re in for a world of trouble.
He’ll slap you with a hefty fine, take away your phone privileges, and order you to clean the streets for a month.
If you’re lucky, he might let you off with just a warning.
But if you’re anything like me—daring, independent, and quiet enough to get away with disobedience—you might just slip under his radar.
This year, I’ve decided to take my chances.
I’ve invited Gideon, Zoey, and Hudson to meet me at the old windmill on the outskirts of town.
The windmill has been abandoned for years.
It’s the perfect spot to celebrate Halloween without getting caught.
I slip out of my bedroom window and climb down the trellis, careful not to make too much noise.
My mother isn’t home tonight.
She’s working at the diner downtown, but I don’t want to risk waking up my grandmother who sleeps in the room next to mine.
I grab my bag containing a few treats I’d hidden away and sprint across the backyard.
The windmill stands dark and silent about half a mile away.
When I arrive, the others are already there.
I pull my backpack closer and unzip it carefully, trying not to make too much noise.
The others huddle around me in the darkness of the first floor of the windmill, their faces barely visible in the dim moonlight filtering through the broken windows.
My hands shake slightly as I remove the contraband items from my bag: four orange candles wrapped in newspaper, a box of matches, and the Halloween candy I’d been secretly stockpiling for weeks.
Gideon takes out his flashlight and turns it on, pointing it at the ground so that we don’t get caught by anyone outside.
Zoey and Hudson help clear a small space in the center of the dusty floor, brushing away cobwebs and debris.
I unwrap one candle and position it carefully in the middle of our makeshift circle.
I strike a match against the rough stone wall and hold it to the wick until it catches fire.
"Do you think Marshal Jones really has spies everywhere?" Zoey whispers, her eyes darting nervously to the shadows.
Gideon chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Nah, that's just a rumor he spreads to keep everyone in line."
Hudson leans in closer, his voice barely audible. "Well, rumor or not, I heard he's planning something big for tonight—something that'll change everything."
The flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the walls of the windmill, making it feel like we’re in a different world.
I pass around chocolate bars and other treats, savoring the sweet taste of rebellion.
Suddenly, a floorboard creaks beneath Zoey's shifting weight, making us all jump.
"Sorry," she whispers, her cheeks flushing.
"It's just this old place. It's bound to make some noise."
Hudson clears his throat and begins to tell a ghost story, his voice low and mysterious.
"Once upon a time, there was a group of kids just like us, sneaking out on Halloween to celebrate. But Marshal Jones caught them..."
As he speaks, we hear footsteps crunching on the dead leaves outside the windmill.
At first, they’re light and distant, but then they grow louder and closer.
It sounds like someone is circling the base of the windmill.
The footsteps are slow and deliberate, as if whoever it is knows exactly where they’re going. We all freeze, holding our breaths as the footsteps continue around the perimeter of the building.
They stop directly in front of the door to our hiding place.
Gideon quickly blows out our candle, plunging us into darkness.
I stuff the candy back into my bag while Zoey presses herself against the wall.
The footsteps stop right outside the door.
Gideon whispers urgently, "What if it's him? What if it's Marshal Jones?"
Zoey's voice trembles as she replies, "We can't just sit here and wait to be caught. We need a plan."
Hudson nods, his eyes wide in the darkness. "I think I know a way out through the back—follow me, but stay quiet."
