Some may think it as any other night of any year, this night of nights. Let me tell you it is not like any other underside of day this year. This is a night that comes but once a year. The night of living dead.

The kids are in the streets. The wet wind-swept leaves are dancing in the air, twisting in the wild eddies, then resting on the ground momentarily only to catch another ride, a rip tide, up and into the cold night currents of the All Souls River, a river of spirits. Mankind has never known this night without the winds of the All Souls River.

Be it the lunar calendar, or the solar calendar, this is the night of recompense. Souls are tallied and marked for the coming year. Father Fate will know by morning what lies ahead for each and every soul.

No - even to think that you believe, that you can hide, Ha! It brings a chuckle to those that know this night. The All Souls River is made up of every soul that has ever lived. They rest in the quietude of the woodlands and forests during most of the year. That is, most of them are at rest, at rest during most of the year. There are some that just won’t rest. They wander through the living world creating nervousness and fear. These souls are chosen on this night of living dead. They are chosen from the children parading before them, swimming in the river, the All Souls River, parading in their masks and costumes.

It is not the most frightening costume, the prettiest fairy princess, a ghoul with masterful make-up, or a super hero with visions of saving the world that will be listed in the annals of fate, on the reciprocity side.

The list is not long, but it is a list that is not desirable to be on when you cross over into the woodlands of time. It is a list that will condemn souls to everlasting disquiet. No they will not have the restful reflections to look back on as they lounge in the forest of time. They are condemned to probe the minds of the living and find the error of their ways. They travel the winds of night circling the world chasing the sun as it sets leaving darkness behind. They are ever looking for the light of redemption, a way to cross into the quietude of rest. But their destiny is to wander, entering the minds of living souls, raising the hackles on the living. Sometimes causing them to crossover in fright.

Yes, tonight all souls have the obligation to flow with the wind searching for the little girl with the over abundance of vanity, a girl that is mean to her friends not helping them with their costumes. The little boy that really means to trick no matter what the treats are. The children that are greedy taking candy from those younger than they are. You know the children I’m talking about.

And the souls will know too.

The souls are in the winds that run across your neck like fingers, the winds that tickle your ears with a cold chill and circle your head caressing your hair, penetrating your mind and finding your thoughts, recording them in the book of fate. If they find you thinking evil thoughts or you have ungrateful attitudes they rush off in a burst of wind to record your name in the book.

Now Susan, Larry, Chad, mind your manners as you do your trick or treating tonight.

What! What was that?

Now why did that - that door blow open?

Copyright ©2000 Tom Spencer.  All Rights Reserved