Decayed.

"Jeremy, it's already dark outside. Do you really think it's safe for a seven year old like Leigh to roam around alone?"

I grunt in response. What kind of seventeen year old goes trick or treating, that too in a hand-me-down costume? It's unfair how my little sister, Leigh, gets to wear a brand new zombie costume. I wouldn't have agreed to take her trick or treating had I not loved her to death.

We walk from house to house, knocking at each doorstep and asking for candy. Some folks wish us a happy Halloween while the others hand us the candy and ask us to scram away.

"Scrooge McDuck of Halloween," Leigh murmurs from next to me. I chortle in agreement.

We advance towards the next neighborhood. The nearest house seems to be having a loud party. That looks like fun, I think. As we get closer to the house, the music keeps getting louder and I start catching glimpses of the people in the driveway- people I know.

"Hey look, it's Remy from school everyone!" Someone shouts.

"Is that candy in his hand? Aw, did wee wittle Jeremy go trick or treating?"

My cheeks flush due to embarrassment. I need to get out of here instantly. I try to hustle my sister to walk faster.

"What else have you been up to, Remy? Carving pumpkins?"

I tug at my sisters hand really hard but she resists.

"This is all your fault! Why did you have to drag me into your stupid plan?" I say to her as I give her a slight push. We both gasp and she starts crying. Why do I always have to be the bad guy?

And then she starts running in the other direction.

"Leigh, come back, I'm sorry!" I say. I am such an irresponsible brother, shame on me.

I search everywhere but find no signs of her. It is pitch dark and chilly.

Suddenly, I hear the bushes hustle.

"Leigh, is that you?" I walk towards the bush and there she is- crouched in a fetal position.

"Thank god," I say to myself. I grab her hand and pull her up. I start walking down the street towards home.

"You really did give me a scare. Don't even try to pull that on me again." I lightly scold her, but she doesn't respond.

"So I'm getting the silent treatment now? But wh- Hey! Stop that!" I pull my hand away from her. Why was she gnawing at my hand? What is wrong with Leigh?

A car passes from next to us, shining its bright headlights. In that short moment, I notice the facial features of Leigh. Bloodshot eyes with pale green skin and an open mouth.

"You're not Leigh," I whisper. I jerk my hand away from the creature. If this is not Leigh, then where is she?

The creature looks at me furiously as I slowly step backwards.

"What is happing? Who are you?"

The creature growls grotesquely.

"WHAT are you?"

I keep stepping backwards, until I bump into someone. I quickly turn around and see one of the guys from earlier, only now with the same bloodshot eyes and pale green skin as the creature behind me.

The guy grabs my hand and tries to pull me closer. I jerk my hand away.

"Oh god no." I say to myself when I see the guy's hand still stuck to mine, but now dismembered from his body.

I start running as fast as I can. From the corner of my eyes, I can see them chasing me.

"Leigh, where are you? We need to get out of here!" I shout. Please let her be unharmed, I pray to God.

I run a few more meters and finally find Leigh. She's standing in the middle of the road. I approach her, feeling glad she's safe, but then I notice her skin - the same pale green.

I try to back away from her. My own little sister. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

And then she lunges on me and everything blacks out.