The Uncarved
Leo hated the house at the end of Hemlock Lane. Not because it was haunted, but because they never participated. Tonight, every porch glowed with grinning jack-o'-lanterns๏ฟฝexcept for theirs.
But as Leo passed, he stopped. On the cracked stone steps sat a single pumpkin. It was perfectly round, flawless, and, unnervingly, uncarved. The flesh looked too smooth, almost damp, like it was freshly peeled.
A chill wind kicked up, smelling of wet earth and nutmeg. Leo took a nervous step closer. The uncarved skin of the squash seemed to twitch. A faint, internal pulse of sickly green light flickered inside.
Then, a whisper, dry as dead leaves, skittered across the porch. "Open me..."
Leo bolted. He didn't stop until he was safe inside, dumping his candy.
The next morning, he couldn't resist. He crept back to Hemlock Lane. The house was normal. But on the cracked stone steps, the uncarved pumpkin was gone. In its place sat a jack-o'-lantern with a wide, cruel grin and hollow eyes that, for just a moment, seemed to follow Leo home. It had carved itself.
ID- QuadroAlass