Lightning lit up the night sky. Thunder crashed so loudly it shook the foundation. Lauren was home alone on Halloween. She was getting used to being alone since her recent break up with her long time girlfriend Kristen. Kristen had left her the house and taken half the furniture and the newer car. They had been together for 5 years and had planned on spending the rest of their lives together. Things happen and people change, which caused their relationship to change. Neither blamed the other and it was a mutual and unemotional break up.
The rain had not started yet, but the sounds of the storm and the light show had just begun. Lauren had a bowl full of candy sitting with her on the sofa. She had only treated a handful of trickers tonight. The previous two were the cutest little boy and girl. They could not have been more than 5 or 6 years old. The boy was dressed as some sort of mutant animal, and the girl made the most precious princess. Lauren had eaten more candy than she had given away. In theme for the night, all that was on the television were Halloween movies. With the impending storm approaching fast, Lauren's nerves were becoming frayed.
There was a knock on the door and then a ring of the door bell. At the very moment Lauren reached to unlock the door, a wave of thunder rolled across the sky louder than any so far. Lauren jumped in fright and then giggled at herself. Looking through the peep hole before opening the door, Lauren viewed a person dressed in a black cat suit. Opening the door with a smile, Lauren looked this person up and down with an impressed look.
The costume the cat person was wearing was very well made and very realistic looking. The cat stood at least 5'2". Lauren could tell the person beneath the costume was a female due to its breasts, which seemed to be very abundant for a child out trick or treating. The costume appeared to have real fur and Lauren could not tell real skin from the fake skin that a costume would have. A chill snaked up Lauren's spine as she looked into the eyes of this black cat. They were an emerald green and shone so brightly in the light through the door that Lauren would swear they were the eyes of a real cat. Smiling but a little shaken, Lauren said, "That is a very good costume, and very realistic. Did your mommy make it for you?" At that moment Lauren realized this "child" was alone. "Where is your mommy or daddy? Are you out alone on a night like this?"
The "cat" peered at Lauren with eyes of green ice. Lauren saw one ear twitch. That could not be possible, Lauren thought. It must be the wind playing tricks with the costume. The cat finally smiled and shook its head no. Lauren did not know which question the "cat" might be answering no to, and at this point Lauren was growing very uncomfortable. Even the smile on this cats face seemed that of a real feline, a very sly and knowing grin that gave Lauren another chill. Lauren grabbed a generous handful of candy and dropped it into the open, waiting bag of the cat.
In what seemed to be half purr and half voice the cat said, "Thank you!" The cat turned and sauntered down the sidewalk toward the street with the grace of a true cat. Lauren visibly shaken, shut the door and locked it behind her, engaging the dead bolt on it this time. Looking out the window discreetly, Lauren saw no traces of the cat or any person for that matter. Just then the rain came in a massive sheet of water. Thunder and lightning a continuous symphony and light show now. Quickly shutting the curtains, Lauren could not shake the feeling she was being watched.
"You are being silly!" Lauren said out loud to herself.
Determining that the night of trick or treating was probably over due to the storm, Lauren turned out the porch light. She proceeded to check the doors and windows to make sure they were shut and locked, due to the storm and rain, Lauren told herself, but also for personal safety and concern too.
Moving to the kitchen Lauren found the door to the garage standing open. "I could have sworn I closed that and locked it earlier." Lauren exclaimed to herself. Turning on the garage light, Lauren looked out at her car and the closed garage door. Lauren knew the back door to the garage was not locked. The lock had been broken months ago and Lauren had meant to replace it. She made a mental note to have that done tomorrow. Everything seemed to be in order. Lauren went back into the kitchen, turning off the garage light and locking the kitchen door.