After rummaging through the garbage can for leftovers I slept on the pavement feeling tired, hungry, and cold.

Within a few moments, my ears exploded with the screeching sound of tires, following which I felt a sharp pain. I was mangled beyond recognition and my beating heart came to a complete stop. My dog days were over. But something new awaited me. Life on the other side.

I could barely see my paws. I floated weightlessly across the roads and was permeable to things around me–people, cars, buildings… Though hunger wasn’t on the list anymore, I still had no place to call home.

Then I saw a couple of children dressed up in a variety of weird costumes. They marched from one house to another screaming ” Trick or Treat” and making scary sounds. I was quite intrigued. Their bags were filled with delicious treats. I followed them. I wagged my tail and barked but nothing seemed to catch their attention. I realized the side effects of being on the other side.

After some time the children stopped in front of a dilapidated house. The walls of the house were disjointed in several places. The bushes in the yard begged to be pruned and the walkway was cracked. One among the children threw a huge stone that cracked the glass bay window of the house. He then began to yell ;

“Silly Witch Green,

It’s Halloween,

You cast no spells,

Now better go to hell.”

All the children burst out laughing and began throwing stones cracking the other windows. I was shocked by their behavior. 

Once they left I sneaked into the house to catch a glimpse of the lady they claimed to be a witch. 

I saw an old lady sitting beside the fireplace. Her skin was dirty green in color. Her wrinkled face was flooded with warts and worms hung from her crooked teeth. I felt intimidated and hid behind the couch.

” Oh boy! What brings you here, fur ball ?” She whispered.

I was startled when she lifted me. I thought I was invisible.

” Woof woof!” All I could do was bark. 

Was there something worse that could happen to me? 

” I know what you are thinking. Don’t worry! I’ll not harm you. I can see you. That’s the only ability I still possess. I can’t cast spells anymore nor do I have any other magical powers. I’ve grown old. The witches don’t accept me in their coven. As for the humans, they despise me. Can you be my little friend?” The witch seemed to be in tears.

” That’s sad. Sure! But witches only have cats, don’t they?” I finally mustered the courage to talk. She deciphered my language.

” Who said so? I like you, little one. Stay with me. I’ll take care of you. The world outside is quite scary.”

” But I have nothing to give you in return.”

” You do! Company,” she said.

I was moved. I licked her. Finally, I was home.

***

Picture Credit : Pixabay