What is the point of Halloween?

 Just as Vanna suspected, Brick and Izzy could celebrate Halloween all of October. She bet there was a Halloween tree at Izzy's house. Those two were inseparable lately. How could that be? And she was the third wheel. 

Yes, they got her to go to the Mega Halloween Haunt at the pumpkin patch. They even bought the ticket for her. Or somebody did. 

It wasn't exactly science, but she had no idea it was a blind date. Of course, the guy was still in high school, a sophomore at that. His name was Mercer and he played the saxophone in band.

"What are you trying to do to me?" She gave a look of disgust because no one was getting close to her.

"I swear, you might need to see a psychiatrist or something," Brick laid into her about her annoying behavior.

She looked away from him. Still, she didn't want to get lost in a cornfield nor be left in a pumpkin patch.

True, there was plenty to do after the chaotic Halloween haunted house with hayrides, and games to play. Of course, a lot to buy into, too. She would just watch. After a while, it felt as if she was sleepwalking.

"Are you having fun yet?" Izzy looked back. Naturally, she was her playful self, hanging on to Brick as if he was the sexiest man alive, while all the while he was just a bean pole.

"No, I'm hating every minute of this. I want to go home." She possibly sounded like a miserable pup, but they let her off at her building soon enough while they went to have pie at Village Inn. 

It was a relief to be home. Unfortunately, it got dark so soon these days. Just a walk down to the basement of the building was frightful. The light in the hall was dimming, then blinking. Vanna shook her head, no. Only a chill seized her as if the worst was yet to come.

She unlocked her door and pushed the chain lock in place as soon as she could. She would not be answering the door. And then she felt the heat of his presence. He put his hand over her mouth before she could scream.