"Hello?"
I glanced around the dark house with its wooden beams and deserted aura. Splinters of wood cracked underfoot as I moved down the empty corridor and into one of the unfinished rooms. The place was forsaken after two years of work. It looked gutted, nothing but the wooden frame left. In the furthest room opened a glassless window, the ocean breeze adding flavor to the dusty air. This was my usual place of solitude.
Tonight was Halloween. I'd decked out in my sexy Cat Woman outfit and hit the streets, just like everyone else. But when I'd passed my beloved old building, bright red graffiti had splashed across its surface. Whoever was pranking the place wouldn't,
couldn't
, take it from me. There was no way in hell I'd let some foolish wannabe take up residence in my sanctuary.
Rusted nails clattered clear of my boots as I approached the tiny room with its spectacular view. An unusually ominous mood hung thickly and I slowed my footsteps to tiptoe. Something wasn't right. The offender was still here. The
ping!
of falling metal made me jump. Panting, I peered through the gloom of the doorway.
"Hello?"
Closer.
My voice quavered. It was Halloween, after all. I half expected a demon to leap at me from the shadows. The holiday was great but I still hated jump scares.
"Whoever is here better leave. This is
my
space."
Nothing but dust motes glimmered sullenly beneath the moonlight.
PING! Clatter!
I shrieked. My pulse was racing faster than a horse, but I managed to place the sound. An empty metal can. The graffiti artist. A surge of anger momentarily replaced my fear and I shouted crossly,
"Hey moron! Get your insulting ass and paint cans out of here."
"Careful who you speak to, Cat."
I screamed! Turned on my heel, searching, finding nothing but darkness.
"I-I'll.."
"You'll what?"
The voice shook slightly with silent laughter. Amused. He was amused!
"I'll call the cops!"
"Oh will you now? That's an interesting threat since you have no phone."
I froze. Phone. Phone! My hand leapt to empty fabric. Of course I hadn't brought my phone. Most costumes didn't come with pockets, and my Jack O'Lantern bag was strictly for sweet treats.
"You-You can't be here. This place is mine!"
Low chuckles echoed through the empty beams and made the hair rise on my arms.
"It's SamHain. This entire block belongs to the creatures who stalk its streets."
"S-SamHain?"
The voice groaned.
"Surely you don't need a history lesson-"
"I know what SamHain is," I snapped. "It's for creepy satanic people."
Laughter.
