Werewolf Skin

30

My aunt moved quickly into the room.

I couldn’t move. No time to try an escape.

“It won’t work. That costume won’t work,” Aunt Marta said, shaking her head. “You need some makeup. Some black stains on your face. Something to make you look less clean!”

I burst out laughing. I thought Aunt Marta had overheard our plan. But she only wanted to improve my pirate costume!

It took several minutes for my aunt to apply the makeup. Then she searched several drawers until she found a gold hoop earring, which she clipped on one ear.

“There. Much better,” she said, grinning. “Now, hurry. Hannah is waiting for you.”

I thanked her and hurried out. Hannah was waiting for me. Behind the garage. Already in a wolf skin.

I gasped when I saw her. It was so strange seeing Hannah’s eyes peering out from above a fur-covered snout.

“What took you so long?” she demanded. Her voice was muffled inside the furry wolf head.

“Aunt Marta,” I replied. “She had to fix up my costume.” I narrowed my eyes at Hannah. “How does it feel in there?”

“Very itchy,” she grumbled. “And hot. Here.” She handed me the other wolf skin. “Hurry. Put it on. The moon is already high. Your aunt and uncle will be looking for these soon.”

I took the skin from her. My hand sank into the thick fur. I unfolded it and held it up. “Here goes,” I whispered. “I said I wanted to be a werewolf for Halloween. Guess I get my wish.”

“Just hurry!” Hannah urged. “We don’t want them to catch us.”

I pulled the wolf skin over my head. Down over the old clothes of my costume. It felt a little tight. Especially the furry legs. The face fit snugly over my face.

“You’re right. It’s itchy,” I groaned. “It’s so tight. I’m not sure I can walk!”

“It loosens up after a bit,” Hannah whispered. “Come on. Let’s get away from here.”

She led the way across the backyard. Then we turned and trotted along the side of her house and down to the street.

I heard voices in the next block. Kids shouting, “Trick-or-treat!”

“We might be safer with other kids,” I suggested. “I mean, if we find a whole group and stick with it….”

“Good idea,” Hannah replied. We crossed the street.

It was already getting really hot inside my wolf skin. I could feel the sweat running down my forehead.

We walked for several blocks. But most of the kids were younger than us. We didn’t find anyone good to hang out with.

We turned a corner and walked several more blocks, into the next neighborhood.

“Hey-look who’s there!” Hannah declared, bumping my arm.

I followed her gaze and saw a mummy and a robot carrying trick-or-treat bags across someone’s front lawn.

“It’s Sean and Arjun,” Hannah cried.

“Let’s trick-or-treat with them!” I suggested. I began running across the grass, waving my paw at them. “Hey, guys! Hey!”

They turned and stared at us.

“Wait up!” I called through my fur-covered snout.

They screamed. And dropped their bags. And took off, running full speed, shrieking for help.

Hannah and I stopped at the edge of a driveway and watched them run. “Think maybe we scared them?” Hannah said, laughing.

“Maybe a little,” I replied.

We both laughed.

But not for long.

I heard heavy, running footsteps on the pavement behind us.

I turned-and let out a gasp as my aunt and uncle came running furiously down the street.

“There they are!” Uncle Colin cried, pointing at us. “Get them!”