โThe Lantern Keeperโ
Every Halloween, the fog in Merrin Hollow breathes.
It curls through the trees, thick as smoke, and carries a single, swaying light.
Some say itโs a trick of the moon.
Others whisper itโs him โ the Lantern Keeper, walking the border between here and whatever waits beyond.
Three kids once followed the light.
They thought it was a pumpkin left from some old prank, glowing in the dark.
But when they got close, they saw faces โ dozens of them โ faint and flickering inside the lanternโs glass.
Each one mouthing the same silent plea: โBlow me out.โ
The Keeper turned toward them.
His lantern burned brighter.
By morning, the fog had cleared.
No one spoke of the kids again.
But if you walk the forest trail on Halloween night,
you can count three new lights swaying behind his.
Stake ----IW4K