All Hallows Eve 2025

So many parents had requested him that he'd accepted the Morris' invitation only on the condition that the rest of the children in the neighborhood could come and have a party in their great room. The Morrises were delighted and Jeremy arrived an hour early in full armor. His hair white, his nails silver, the wings poking through the rear of the breastplate had been constructed of actual feathers, and the sword was impressive (for a replica). Everything was glowing a grey white except for his eyes, which sported contacts the color of flame. All of the parents took pictures as they dropped their children off; all of the parents threw some extra money in the pot for Jeremy's fees (so lucky to have him doing this). And the children were ecstatic to hear stories, do the Monster Mash, watch movies by flameless candles, receive their treat bags, and then - at 9pm, practice martial arts to stretch and clear their minds in time for sleep. As the shadows moved outside, some leaving footprints and some not, Jeremy added some self-defense moves to the rotation and had them repeat what they had learned about creating a clear mindset in a crisis. "Breathe," they repeated in unison; "it is okay to be scared, but bring your focus down to a detail"; "let the detail drive an action"; "see yourself running as you run, feel the wind on your face, welcome your destination". Caramel apples were the last treat before soft music and sleeping bags while Jeremy went into every room, every closet, under every bed, even the basement - and checked every door. He never lied when he reported back to them (the ones still awake) that he had completed his rounds and they were safe; you couldn't call yourself a protector if you laughed off the basics. Outside, there was a breeze that sounded like breathing at the door jambs and locks.