One of my best Halloween experiences happened early on in my childhood, probably around seven or eight years old.

I went trick-or-treating as most children did, dressed as a black cat, which was not terribly creative, but definitely appropriate.

My evening started out with the same wonder and electric excitement as all of those early Halloween nights, when just before dark you set out with your parents (so you felt pretty safe) but all of the unusual sights made the night extremely special and even a trifle scary.

There was a very large house that gave out whole candy bars and another (though I never did find out which) that slipped a twenty dollar bill into my decorated candy bag – that as a nice surprise later on!

The most memorable house however wasn’t because of the treats they gave, or even the decorations they used, which were both lovely but mild compared to some other places. The house was one I remember well because it was absolutely packed with ghost animals.

I remember approaching the door and seeing a black cat, noticing particularly because of the way I was dressed, and feeling delighted. Then I spotted another feline and another and another. Then I noticed a few large dogs sleeping a little ways from the front porch under a tree.

Eventually I saw other animals too, some that had no business hanging about outside of a residential home. One in particular was a flamingo…not something you’re apt to forget seeing unexpectedly!

It took me a few minutes, but eventually I understood that the animal menagerie wasn’t a living one. My parents were back on the street and the trees surrounding the place gave me enough cover to gawk without drawing any attention to myself.

As I slowly approached the porch I took my time watching as one animal would slip through a tree and another would leap in a way I doubt it ever could have in life. If any of them noticed me they gave no real sign of it and though I had been seeing such paranormal beings for some time, because they were keeping to themselves (and there were so many of them) I began to feel a little nervous.

At one point I remember stepping on a twig; the snapping sound it made under my foot scared the dickens out of me and caused me to pause in alarm. None of the animals seemed to notice or care however and I continued on towards the steps to the porch.

The door opened just as I reach the last step and an older woman came out festively dressed as a witch. She had a wonderful, black cane that matched her outfit perfectly, though she relied on it so much I’m not sure it was a prop.

The woman smiled at me and held out a bowl of candy. I took my piece still very aware of the animals behind me (and a few on the porch as well,) and looked to the woman for any sign that she could detect what was all around her. She simply smiled as I thanked her and wished me “Happy All Hallow’s.”

The woman made her way back inside and was shutting the door when one of the dogs let out a loud, deep bark. This set off several of the other animals (including the flamingo) and with in just a few seconds we were surrounded by a chorus of animal voices.

As this happened I watched the woman pause, still holding the door part way open. She looked back at me and I knew my face gave away what my ears (or some other sense) could not ignore. I almost spoke, to say what I’m not sure, but before I could the woman gave me another of her warm smiles. She then raised a finger to her lips and breathed. Though I could not hear the noise she made over the din, I knew the action as well as anyone might: Shhh.

I grinned back at her and suddenly felt no fear at all. She did not seem upset by her visitors or even surprised and this gave me a great deal of comfort.

I skipped back to my parents, only glancing at the surrounding beasts and continued on my hunt for more candy.

The following year I returned to that house, but a man answered the door along with his daughter who was very small. The house looked different, newer and fixed up. I assume now that it was sold between holidays and a new family moved in.

There were no animals, ghost or otherwise and no old lady with a warm smile. The wonder of the place was gone, but I still smiled at it and wished it well, for in those few moments I had learned that though there were many things I did not understand, I was not alone in them.

Happy Halloween to all of you out there and may your night be filled with wonders, perhaps some that even allow you just a glimpse of the other beings and worlds that we share our own with.

Goodbye for now, another end.
Until a time we meet again.

-Seline