Pumpkin guts squish under my boot as I scrape it against the curb, surrounded by the singsong of kids yelling "Trick or Treat!" 

A smashed jack-o'-lantern stares up at me, another casualty of some asshole's Halloween prank. I don't get why anyone would destroy pumpkins like this. For me, Halloween is sacred. I let my pumpkins sit out as long as they want. Last year, my pumpkins lasted until January before they finally turned to goo, letting me hold on to Halloween vibes well past their prime.

The cold October air wraps around me as I walk to this damn party, excitement and nerves tangling inside me. Halloween has always been my favorite time of year, but right now, I'm starting to second-guess my outfit. 

I'm wearing this thin, lacy nightdress that seemed like a great idea earlier, but without the fangs, So instead of a gorgeous Victorian vampire, I look like I've just run out of the bed of my rich, elderly husband after he died of mysterious causes. At least I have  long dark hair and crystal-blue eyes. That will have to be enough.

Why am I so concerned with my costume anyway? I'm late as hell to this party. This particular group starts drinking when the sun goes down. By the time I get there, they'll all be too drunk to care what I'm wearing. If they don't care, why should I? 

 A woman pushing a baby carriage strolls past, giving me a disapproving stare. I tug at the revealing dress self-consciously. More alcohol will solve this problem. The more I drink, the less I'll care.  I pull a half-pint of bourbon out of my boot and take a long swig, letting the warmth spread through me, calming my nerves.

My solo walk creeps on, giving me far too much time alone with my thoughts. Why the hell did I think this was a good idea? Maddie throws this party every year, and everyone in our small circle will be there. That includes my asshole ex, Sean, and his shitty friends. 

Staying in this small town after college means there's no escaping people you'd rather never see again. I could've left, but pressure from family and friends kept me here, and now I'm stuck with the idea of running into Sean again. 

The question is, which version of him will I get tonight? The drunk idiot who claims he's "still in love with me," or the douchebag who goes out of his way to ruin my night and then hooks up with one of my friends just to rub it in my face?

And to top it all off, he's got all the guys in our group scared shitless of making a move on me. So, no chance of getting laid tonight either. Looks like it's another lonely night with a smutty book. And I didn't even charge my vibrator. Fucking fantastic.

How depressing. A lame party, with unpredictable idiots, and no chance for dick? This night was doomed from the start. The more I run through all the scenarios, the more I realize it was a horrible idea. And why the hell is it taking so long to get there? I've been walking for half an hour. It's getting unbearably cold, and my liquor bottle ran dry ten minutes into my journey.

I stop at a corner, realizing I've been walking in the wrong direction. I should've turned left on Bullard, which I definitely passed a few streets back. I'm lost, which is just the cherry on top of this shit night.

A gust of wind rattles the dead leaves on a tall oak tree above me, sounding like laughter. Even the  trees are mocking me now. I drop my head, ready to just give up and wallow in my misery when I suddenly feel it—someone's watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and my pulse quickens. I freeze, scanning the street around me.

The revelation douses my liquor-warmed veins with ice water. I still, listening, looking. My gaze sweeps across the street, landing on a lone figure. A guy standing under a flickering streetlight, staring right at me. He's wearing a mask, but I can feel his eyes on me. It sends a shiver down my spine, and not just from fear. There's a thrill to it.

This part of the neighborhood is dead quiet, the kind of silence that makes everything feel off. I hold his gaze, uncertain of what I want to do. Or what I want him to do. Instead of doing the sensible thing and getting the hell out of there, I do the opposite-I turn. 

The thrill of giving him my back has my heart pumping and mind churning and I know this is probably the dumbest thing I've done in a while. I've spent too many nights alone in the dark, drawing up fantasies that I'll never confide to any man. Maybe that's why I'm so keen to let something so foolish play out tonight.

 After all, it's Halloween.