Chereads / Story Shorts / Chapter 26 - Nightcap

Chapter 26 - Nightcap

My costumes not complete

I want to trick or treat

I have a witchs hat

I still need a black cat

And a broomstick to go with that

But as Nightcap looked around

He realized, with a frown

That the living wouldn't let him play

They were scared and turned away

A ghost he may be

But he just wanted company

So he floated back to his mansion

Feeling quite the rejection

But little did Nightcap know

That his story was about to grow

For in the town nearby

There were whispers and sighs

Of a ghost in the old mansion

That had died under suspicious fashion

It was said he was murdered

And his spirit now wandered

The town was abuzz

With the mystery of Nightcap

Some said he was harmless

Others said he was a trap

But Nightcap just floated

Around his old home

Unaware of the rumors

And the stories that had grown

On Halloween night

The town was alive with fright

As the children set out to trick or treat

With their heartbeats quick and feet so fleet

Nightcap watched with envy

As the children laughed and ran free

He longed to join their fun

But knew he'd always be shunned

But then a little girl

With a heart so pure and a mind unfurled

Approached the old mansion gate

And called out to Nightcap, without fear or hate

"Are you lonely, Mr. Ghost?

Do you want to trick or treat the most?"

Nightcap floated near

Hesitant, but with a spark of cheer

The little girl smiled

And held out her hand

"Let's go trick or treat together

And make this the best Halloween ever!"

Nightcap hesitated

But the longing in his heart abated

He took her hand and floated out

Into the Halloween night, with a happy shout

The pair visited house after house

And Nightcap couldn't believe his luck

For the living opened their doors

And treated him just like before

They gave him candy and a smile

And for a moment, Nightcap forgot his exile

He felt like he belonged

And his heart swelled with a song

As the night came to an end

The little girl hugged her new friend

"Thank you for making my Halloween so great

I hope we can trick or treat again another date"

Nightcap nodded, with tears in his eyes

For he had been seen, to his surprise

He wasn't alone or rejected

But welcomed and accepted

The little girl ran off with glee

And Nightcap floated back to his old home, contentedly

For he had found a friend in the living

And Halloween had become more forgiving

From that night on

Nightcap wasn't alone

For he found that even in death

There were moments of breath

He could still feel joy

And the love of a girl, just a little boy

Who saw him for who he was

A lost soul in need of love

And so the ghost named Nightcap

Became a legend in the town

Not for his nefarious end

But for the connection he found

Halloween became his favorite time

For it was a night of light, not just fright

And Nightcap knew in his spectral heart

That he would forever be a part of the livings' art