Trick or Treat Time!

  

  Carmelo knocked on the apartment door and a moment later it opened and Alan beckoned him inside.

  “Sorry, we’re behind schedule Diyan and Joey are still getting ready.” 

  Carmelo checked his watch as he stepped inside. “Alan, I know it’s dark out already but it’s barely late at all, I’m a touch early, in fact.”

  Alan glanced at the time as well and then rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I guess it just feels later than it is. It’s dark out already and Diyan and Joey got into the candy bowl already.” Carmelo eyed the half empty bowl of goodies on the table by the door, got into, was certainly a way of putting it.

  “Carmelo!” Said ampha swiveled his head toward the sound, a blur of red dashing towards him, and then Diyan collided with his chest. “You’re here already! Do you want to see our costumes? They’re pretty cool!” Diyan questioned as he grinned up at Carmelo, still hanging onto the other’s form.

  With an affectionate smile of his own, Carmelo gave Diyan’s head a pet. “Of course I would love to see your costume in all its glory.”

  Diyan stepped back from the embrace and gestured excitedly for him to stay put. “I’m gonna go get Joey so you can see ‘em all!” He declared as he made for the back of the apartment.

  Alan let out a little sigh and gave a fond shake of his head, then he pulled on a length of black cloth from the back of the couch and picked up a fake scythe. Just as he did so, Diyan, followed closely by Joey, entered the room once more. Alan went to stand beside them and Carmelo gave the group a once over: a cowboy, a vampire, and a grim reaper.

  “Wonderful costumes everyone.” Carmelo complimented the others.

  “You too.” Joey gushed. “That zombie outfit is totally cool!”

  Diyan nodded and skipped back over to stand in front of Carmelo, adjusting the tie on his costume to be purposefully off center. “Yeah, you’re a really handsome zombie.”

  Carmelo felt his cheeks warm as he accepted the complement. And then Alan was calling their attention and they headed out onto the streets before it really did get too late.

~~~~~~

  The group huddled inside, the warmth of the cafe accompanied with the tasty smells of cocoa and pumpkin pastries. Carmelo took a deep breath of the scent as he slipped off his coat and took a seat.

  “Didn’t expect to see you tonight, Diyan.” The dark haired ampha at the counter grinned widely at the collection of people spilling into his place of business. “Not that I mind at all, mind you.”

  “We stopped by to warm up, but we can’t stay long; there's more houses to visit.” Diyan replied, scratching one of maybe a dozen black cats that had congregated at his feet.

  “Don’t let us hold you up any longer than need be then.” Betel gently shooed the crowd of felines back to the rest of the store and gestured at the table where Joey had already made himself at home. “Have a seat and lemme know when you’ve decided what you’d like.”

~~~~~~

  “What a long night.” Alan murmured as they arrived back at the apartment. He fished the key from his pocket and unlocked the door pushing it open. Then he waddled inside, Joey leaning heavily on him.

  “I’m so tired Alan, thanks for letting me rest on you.” Joey half mumbled into Alan’s shoulder.

  “You’re a menace you know that?” Alan scolded without any heat behind the words. “You too.” He pointed over at Diyan who was using Carmelo as a leaning post instead. Diyan smiled and stuck his tongue out in a playful manner. Alan rolled his eyes and turned back to helping Joey. “I told you both more than once that you were gonna have a nasty sugar crash.”

  “At least they don’t seem to have made themselves sick.” Carmelo offered and Alan gave a bob of his head.

  “That’s true.” He conceded and then turned down the short hallway to the bedrooms.

  “Come on Diyan we should go that way too, you’re tired too right?”

  Diyan groaned. “But I wanted to stay up all night and watch movies, and tell spooky stories, and-”

  Carmelo placed a finger to Diyan’s lips and chuckled at the frown he received. “I know.” He assured the sleepy boy as he led him back towards his own room. “And I know it’s not the same thing, but we can do those things tomorrow.”

  “You promise?” Carmelo nodded. “Alright then.” And with that Diyan collapsed into the bed, tossing aside anything too troublesome to sleep with on, like his cute little cowboy hat.

  Carmelo flicked off the light and wished Diyan sweet dreams on the spookiest of nights before slipping out the door.