The Gaming Den

I was still living with my parents, and I got a full-body wolfman costume, with some real-looking hair for the body, and very little plastic or rubber. Luckily, Halloween came in late Fall/early Winter that year, so the costume wasn't too hot. I got a lawn chair, set it next to the sidewalk, and layed limply in the chair so I looked like a stuffed mannequin. I was far enough away from the lights that any movements I made would be missed. As kids approached, I got to listen to them, daring each other to go up and poke me, or teasing each other of being scared. I don't think any of them ever got up the courage to actually touch me. The younger kids always had parents with them, so I stayed still and quiet, but the older kids were fun.

Like I said, I got to hear them, and pick out which kids were doing the teasing. They had to pass me to get to the house and get candy, which means they had their backs to me. I would get up slowly after they had passed, while they were distracted, and tap one of them on the shoulder. On any night, someone sneaking up behind you would be weird, especially someone who didn't look human. But Halloween is a magical night, where imagination runs free. On Halloween, it wasn't a guy in a suit who was behind them, I was, for a few seconds, a real monster.

Seeing the kids first terrified, then realizing it was a prank was great. They were all smiling leaving, we told each other happy Halloween, and parted.

Except for one. It was dark enough out that I wasn't sure how old he was as he was approaching. I got my dad's attention, and asked what to do. He told me the kid was alone, so it was probably fine. While I was sneaking up behind him, I got a go ahead sign, and terrified that child. He didn't finish getting candy before running away down the block. It was bad for him, and I felt bad.

About half hour to an hour later, I see a similar-looking kid with his mother. I got my dad's attention again, and asked him if it was the same kid. I sat completely still in my chair as they approached the house. I could hear her telling him that monsters aren't real, and that I was just a doll. To this day, I still don't know what possessed me to do it, I think I just wanted to explain what happened. And also to this day, I haven't heard anyone scream louder or a child laugh harder. "See mom, I told you monsters are real." I hope that child grew up still believing that monsters exist, and that they are hilarious.