When I woke up, I heard voices.

People were talking next door. Is the police back again??

I silently hopped off my bed and slid underneath it as I always did when that happened, grabbing Miss Jackson in the way.

After a while, I silently crawled out of my hiding spot. I walked on tiptoe to my bedroom door and pressed my head against the hard surface - just to make sure they were gone and I could go out.

I heard nothing so I gently pushed the door, which opened in a faint creaking sound. I peered outside the bedroom, looking on both sides like I was about to cross a street.

Walking to the kitchen, I saw Gerard sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hey," I said and Gerard turned around to meet my gaze. "I heard talking."

"Yeah, it was Mikey. He paid me a visit and we had coffee together."

I glanced at the table. There were two mugs, one of which was still full of warm coffee. How odd.

"Mikey? Oh yeah, your brother."

"Mmhm."
Gerard grabbed the two mugs and absentmindedly emptied the second one in the sink.

"Well, tell him I say hi."

Gerard chuckled. "No can do, he doesn't know about you. And I'd prefer if you guys never meet."

"Why not? I'm sure he's nice. You said so yourself."

"He is, but he doesn't really approves of my, uh, methods."

"Oh..."

I looked down at Gerard's arms. He had rolled up his sleeves to wash the mugs in the sink. I noticed that he had burn marks on his left forearm. The skin was redder and seemed stretched.

"Gerard? Where did you get these?" I asked, pointing at the burn marks.

"Oh, it's pretty old. I burnt myself with a tea kettle when I was a kid. The boiling water spilt on my arm. My idiot of a dad didn't mind my wound and so it healed badly."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

Gerard chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Don't apologize, little peanut. Anyway, do you know what day this is?" He beamed at me. For sure, he had something in mind.

"Uhh..."

Gerard laughed. "C'mon Frankie, did you really forget today was your birthday? Where is the kid who was preparing his birthday present list a month before and asked me everyday if I remembered it was coming?"

I blushed. I remember that.
It was two years ago, the first birthday I celebrated with Gerard.

"Happy birthday, my Frankie." Gerard pulled me in a hug and I giggled in his arms. I can't believe I'm already turning 15 ! It feels like the day I met Gerard was yesterday.

"I got you the game you asked me," Gerard whispered. It's like I could hear him smile.

"Thank you, Gee ! "

"But nothing more, and no cake or pie either."

What? Why? Gerard knows I live for eating pie ! Pie is love, pie is life.

"No pie because tonight, we eat candies. I've got a special surprise for you, my boy."

"Really? What is it?"

"You know today's Halloween, right?"

I hummed and nodded. Being born on Halloween is one of my prides, that's something I could brag about if I had any other friend else than Gerard.

"Well, I was thinking maybe we could go out of the house and go trick-or-treating."

My eyes widened to an alarming extent. "Really? You mean we can go out? Oh my God, thank you, thank you so much !" I tackled Gerard in the tightest hug, clearly attempting to choke him and break his ribs.

Out, I'm gonna go out ! The only occasions I had to go out was in the backyard, surrounded by a thick hedge. I generally stayed inside though, and half-Italian or not, my skin had paled a lot, looking more like Gerard's porcelaine-like one.

Besides that, I haven't been in the streets - properly speaking - for nearly three years.

"I trust you to stay close to me, Frank. I found us costumes and masks. You have to keep your face hidden. Alright?"

Gerard looked dead serious. I promised him I would. Of course I would. I wouldn't want to disappoint him like last time.

Gerard handed me a box full of clothes. I took a green Frankenstein's monster mask out of it.

"Wow, that's so fucking rad, Gee ! Thank you !"

"Mmh, I knew you would like it." Gerard said as I was putting on the shredded, dusty, brown suit jacket. I pulled my pants down and instead put on pants of the same brown.

"Can I use eyeliner to draw scars?" I asked and Gerard nodded.

I rushed to the bathroom and drew thick scars with stitches around my neck and wrists. I tousled my black hair and looked at myself in the mirror.

Wow, I look just great. A real Frankenstein monster ! I love it so much.

I came back to the living room and my jaw dropped when I saw him. Gerard had put on a breathtaking vampire costume. I bit my lower lip as I checked him out.

He was wearing tight black jeans, a black waistcoat, a frilled shirt and a long, black cape with a high collar. One thing's for sure, he absolutely didn't look 29.

"Do you mind if I go add my fake teeth and some eye shadow?"

I simply shook my head, words stuck in my troat.

Gerard left and eventually came back. Wow. He had put a black eye mask that covered his upper face, but brought out his piercing green eyes.

For some reason, I moaned under my breath at the sight. He looked so mysterious, a real prince of darkness.

"Y-you look- r-really great..." I blurted. Why can't I speak normally?

"Thank you, Frank. You look great yourself." Gerard grinned, revealing shiny fangs that looked oh so real.

An embarrassing blush creeped on my cheeks. Looking so ridiculously good should be forbidden. I had never seen Gerard so spiffy, even back in middle school where he was wearing suits.

"Come on, grab your basket and put your mask on. Time to go out."

I did as told and Gerard followed me to the entry. A hand on my shoulder sent shivers down my spine.

C'mon Frank, get yourself back together ! It's just Gerard.

Gerard unlocked the door and my heart picked up its pace. Why am I so nervous about, exactly? Getting out? Getting caught? Being with Gerard who looked so dangerously attractive tonight?

The door opened to what seemed like a parallel universe to me. It was dark outside and only the dim glow of pumpkins and steet lamps pierced the darkness. It wasn't so eerie overall, actually.

We could guess small silhouettes running around, holding pitchforks and pirate swords. I followed Gerard outside and took his hand.

I just need time to readjust, I guess. I mean, it's been so long... The world seems so far and unreal through a mask and its two little holes. I wish I could just take it off but I know it's not happening.

Gerard and I headed for a house and I looked at him as to ask him for permission to knock on the door. He nodded.

I knocked. The door opened and an old lady opened the door.
"Aw, look at you. You're Frankenstein, right?"

"Actually, I'm his monter. People often get mistaken but Frankenstein is the scientist, not the creature," I recited proudly.

"Isn't he a dear?" The lady awed at Gerard who was standing behind me. "How old are you?"

"I'm 15 ! It's my birthday !" I exclaimed.

"Aren't you too old to go trick-or-treating though, sweetie?"

"No, he's not." Gerard stated, puting a hand on my shoulder. I wanted to hug him so bad right now, for always having my back.

The lady nodded, gave me candy and wished me a happy birthday. My heart fluttered with pride and joy.

I skipped away from the house, Gerard by my side. We went through the whole street together.

A few people recognized Gerard behind the mask but didn't ask about his and I's relationship - which we were both grateful for. It would have been awkward to explain. My adoption hadn't been very conventional.

After a while, we were tired of walking and my basket was full anyway. So we headed home.

When we arrived, it was past midnight and I was exhausted. I collapsed on the couch and Gerard laughed, telling me not to fall asleep quite yet.

I grunted in answer.
Then I remembered the candy.

I joined Gerard in the kitchen where he was selecting the liquorice flavored candies. Not to trow them away. To eat them. Eww, what the hell?

I kept the other candy for myself and started eating my favorite ones - the caramels. Yummy !

Gerard had to stop me before I ate everything.

"It'll hurt your tummy," he said softly. He still hadn't taken his mask off and right now, I could only focus on his mesmerizing eyes.

I felt a very weird feeling. Like when you get butterflies. What's happening? Is it like in the movies?

I nodded at Gerard, keeping my mouth shut in fear that an awkward sound would escape my lips like it almost did earlier this evening.

Gerard took his mask off but I still felt oddly tingly and nervous. He lead me to my bedroom and kissed my forehead.

"Happy birthday, Frankie."

I nodded again. Pff, I probably look like an idiot, nodding like a robot at everything he says...
Gerard shot me a grin before leaving.

I lay down on my bed and started thinking about that evening. Rather than being outside, what I had enjoyed most tonight was Gerard's company. That costume- no, him. I couldn't put words on how I was feeling.

I turned around and, thinking about Gerard, a foreign feeling rose. A bubbling feeling... down there.

Almost against my will, my hand slowly made its way down. Maybe if I just- Oh boy... Yeah...

Oh God, tonight, I'm sinning.

______