Bad Neighbour

The weather was finally starting to get better this week. Mr. Jones put up the skeleton and was just about to go back inside, when he saw a big truck pull up to the house next door. The “For Sale” sign was gone for a while, but his new neighbours were taking their time moving in. The family that lived here before were gone so quickly, nice people they were, the McMillans, and the whole neighbourhood was so sad to see them go.

When he came back with his lanterns carved and candles placed inside, awaiting their time to shine, he saw a man, ordering around a group of workers handling a big couch. He was a tall, pale gentleman in a suit and a big pair of sunglasses. He looked frail, but helped the workers with the heavier items with relative ease. In the front window, a woman stood watching the workers with a vivid curiosity. Her hands holding a glass, her arms, pale and slender, crossed before her. Mr. Jones decided to go over to say hello and offer to help.

-         Afternoon neighbour! You picked a great time to move, the last few weeks were non-stop rain. We even had some flash flood warnings. Name`s Alex Jones. Can I help you perhaps? You look like you`re going to be a while and, to be honest with you, I just want any excuse to get out of the house. I`ve done all my house duties and if I sit there idle, the women will get me to chop onions or something. So how about it, huh?

-         Good day to you too sir – the man spoke with a thick accent. He looked visibly displeased with the conversation – we will be fine, thank you. And as for helping around the kitchen, I never shy away from helping around the house. Perhaps, neither should you.

He turned abruptly and fled inside the house. Mr. Jones stood befuddled a second, then shrugged and went back home. The guests were about to arrive soon and there were still some last minute preparations to be done.

***

When all were seated, kids huddled together and finally managed to get out of the house to start trick or treating. It was the first real Halloween for Alan, who has just turned 4 this year. He would get scared of the people`s costumes and used go with his parents before, dressed as a little angel or a sailor. But this year, he was all grown up – and going with other kids no less! They went around the houses, scaring the inhabitants and getting candy in their little spooky bags. The last house on their journey belonged to their new neighbours. The biggest girl of the group, Mindy, knocked on the door. No answer. She ringed the bell and called “Trick or Treat?”. A muffled voice from behind the door sounded annoyed. The door opened.

-         What do you kids want? The tall man was in the same costume, in which he arrived. Behind him, in the living room, there were a tall stack of boxes. Looked as if he was working on them all day.

-         We are trick or treating sir, it`s Halloween.

-         I know what day it is, children. Do you see a damn lantern on my front porch?

-         No sir – Mindy was taken aback by this behavior and stood looking down on her feet.

-         Then that means I have no candy to give you. We don`t celebrate Halloween where I am from.

-         But we celebrate it here, and we want candy! – cried Alan, disappointed that he was being refused the candy he felt he deserved. His mom put a lot of effort into his costume, and he felt obliged to make every single person shiver in terror before him.

-         Is that right? And who are you supposed to be? A vampire? Good lord, have you ever seen what a vampire should look like? Where is your cape? And the fangs – you are not a sabretooth tiger boy! – he chuckled a little.

Alan was furious, and as he was just about to say something back, Mindy hastily apologized and took the children back to the house. When they made it home and everyone started to examine the candy they managed to earn tonight, Alan grabbed his bag and went to his room. His mother found him sitting on his bed looking at his phone.

-         Everything all right son? You are missing the party downstairs; the kids have all gone outside now.

-         Yes, I will be right down mom.

-         How did everything go? Did you have fun?

-         I`ve got so much candy – he showed his bag of sweets to his mother, visibly proud – but the last guy didn`t give us anything. He said he doesn`t celebrate Halloween and he made fun of my costume. Is it bad mom?

His eyes were watering, it was very hard for him to say that to his mother. He felt bad, because someone spoke ill of her work and he should have defended her honor before that man. She smiled at him, then hugged and dried his tears.

-         Alan, I am so sorry he said that to you. But the truth is, some people are just not celebrating some holidays, and that is okay. And as for your costume – do you like it?

-         Yes, of course I do!

-         And I like it too, I think you look great in it. A really scary vampire. And that is all that matters, what you think of it. If you like it, that is the important thing.

-         Really?

-         Absolutely. That, and that you are not going to suck my blood!

She made her voice sound like the Count from Sesame Street and started tickling the boy. Alan tried to escape, but finally succumbed to his mother and laughed lightheartedly until they were both out of breath. Halloween seemed festive again.

***

The last of the boxes was unpacked, and they finally had a moment to relax. No more children were bothering them and they managed to sort the things without being interrupted for candy. The tall man connected the TV and set up the turntable. It was late and quiet outside, so they chose to put a little music to relax. His wife poured two glasses of wine and brought one to him. When the first side of the record has played, he went to turn it, while his wife went to refill their drinks. Just before he placed the needle back, he sensed a cold breeze from his right.

-         Did you open the window? It`s cold outside, can you close it please?

-         It was very rude of you, neighbour.

The tall man screamed and fell back onto the sofa. He saw a silhouette of a man, standing in the doorway. The face was concealed by the darkness of the corridor.

-         Who… who are you? And what are you doing in my house?

-         You were very rude to the nice people, that helped you move. They were doing their job, and the least you could do is to show them some common decency.

-         It`s you, the guy from the house next door. How did you get here? Answer me?!

-         And then you were rude to the children, that came to your house. They were trick or treating, having fun and you almost spoiled it for my son. We have not lived here long, but we like this suburban community, everybody gets along with everybody else. The people who lived here before you were good people, until their son started to bring drugs into our neighbourhood. We couldn’t have that here, you understand.

The tall man got up and started willfully towards the intruder.

-         You have no right to be here, and I demand you leave. Or else I`m calling the… Agh!

Mr. Jones swiftly caught the wrist of the hand with the phone and squeezed it. The tall man felt a sharp pain run through his body and heard a sound of cracking bone. He fell to his knees, unable to move.

-         And you called my son`s costume laughable. Said he did not look like a vampire. But to be honest, when was the last time you saw one?

With the last words, Mr. Jones bent down to him and showed his face. The tall man grimaced in terror as he stared into the deep, soulless eyes, or rather the hollow, dark sockets, where the eyes were supposed to be. He was smiling with big white fangs overlapping the bottom row of teeth. His ears and nose now seemed pricked, and every breath he took was accompanied by audible and disgusting sniffing. He raised him up by his arm.

-         See, his costume was very close to the true vampire form. I do believe you owe an apology to him and his mother, for disrespecting all the work they have done in making this beautiful costume.

-         Please, I didn`t know, I`m sorry. I… I…

-         Oh no, don’t apologize to me. Honey, can I interrupt you for a second?

He looked over his captive and the tall man looked behind as well. His eyes widened and he started to cry silently. His wife stood a few feet in front of the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. Her eyes were wide open, body stiff, holding two cupped hands, arms bent at the elbows. Just behind her to the right stood Mrs. Jones, biting her bare neck and holding two glasses of wine in her hands. A little stream of blood was running down her breast, which was turning more and more pale as the two men stood watching. To her left stood little Alan in his costume. He was looking at his mother and smiling. She lifted her head with a groan of pleasure and licked her lips.

-         Yes, darling, didn’t want to interrupt. – she dropped both glasses to the floor and put her hand on Alan`s shoulder – okay, let`s go to daddy.

They stepped over the wine stains and went to Alex and the tall man in his grasp. Mrs. Jones wiped a spot of blood of her cheek. All three sat down together.

-         So, is there something you would like to say to these two?

-         I`m sorry, I`m so sorry, please don’t kill me…

-         Mom, why is he sobbing?

-         Because he is afraid sweetheart. That’s normal.

-         But the lady didn’t.

-         Yes, she didn’t, she was much quieter. And oh so sweet… - she shut her eyes and smiled.

Suddenly the flashing lights of a police car driving by lit the room and the tall man decided to scream for help in the hope that they would hear him. He inhaled sharply, but before he could make any noise, Mr. Jones tore out his larynx in one quick bite. Gasping for air and trying to close the wound with the hand of his good arm, the tall man fell to the floor in agonizing pain and a growing pool of blood beneath him. His strength was fading, and he was slowly losing consciousness. The last words he heard, before slipping into oblivion was “Happy Halloween!” and a slight pain of teeth puncturing his wrist, as the family feast commenced.

***

The next day, in the early hours of the morning, a middle aged woman was walking down the foggy street. She was visibly agitated and hurried to get where she was going. She made her way to the Jones`s house, hesitated a little and rang the doorbell.

-         Ah, Mrs. Masey nice to see you so early in the day! Did you have many kids knocking on your door yesterday?

-         Yes, hello, thank you, no, not really. You have something for me?

-         I do! – he came back indoors and returned with a bright “For Sale” sign – a little dirty, it was laying in the garden for a while. Plus, the rain has not been helpful!

-         It sure wasn`t. Yes, thank you.

-         Mrs. Masey?

-         Y-Yes?

-         I took the liberty of fetching a hammer for you. You know, to knock the sign into the ground. Please take it.

-         You are so kind, thank you, I…

-         And can you please make sure the new owners are a good addition to our family community. I like you Mrs. Masey, and I really would not like to look elsewhere for a new estate agent.

-         A-absolutely, Mr. Jones, I will find you the best neighbours, don’t you worry.

-         Wonderful! Then I will leave you to it. Have a good day Mrs. Masey. And please bring the hammer back.

The door was shut before she could say anything. A light drizzle started to pour outside and from the comfort of the living room Mr. Jones was watching this lady hammer down a sign for potential buyers. He was so happy to see his neighbourhood once again becoming a strong community and a great place to raise his family.