A Decoration Poem by Claire Charlot

October 31

4: 01

Laughter fills the air as Clemintine and her friends burst from school, heading home.

5: 30

Her room is packed with seven girls in clown suits and princess gowns, orange plastic pumpkin bags ready.

8: 42

They wander door to door, candy piling and lights dimming as the cold night deepens.

9: 33

At the last house, the girls admire a pale curly red-haired doll in a pool of red liquid. Clemintine approaches, warm skin, real blood. She screams, runs, ragged breath of realization, heart pounding. Behind her, footsteps echo. A man clutching red curls and a steel knife.