It’s the time of year again. Halloween is almost here, and what would be better than some good stories to go with it? I have just the thing for you too…

---

October 30th, 1901

"They say he can summon the dead," said the stranger. A lynx, he had leaned forward to speak softly to me.

I had grown increasingly uncomfortable about this situation, and his growing interest in me did not reassure me. I had reservations about coming back to Wiscasset tonight, but I had hoped that a good drink would settle my nerves. My new found drinking buddy canceled out the mood-lifting effect of the alcohol. I at least had managed to keep my ears up and my tail still so as not to show my growing unease.

"That, my good sir, is nonsense."

The stranger gave me a skeptical look. We were in a dimly lit local tavern. The soot from the lanterns and the fireplace threw long, wavering shadows across the room. The ceiling was low, but the room was large. The locals had scrutinized me when I had first come in, but now they were ignoring me. I felt relieved at least that no one seemed to recognize me.

"I have heard tale of a traveling violinist who could summon the dead with his music. If he performs during the day, he is safe, but at night strange, unnatural things happen."

I definitely needed to look at moving on after tonight.

"That, my friend, is a fascinating story," I said finishing off my drink and putting down the tankard. "I must remember that one."

The stranger leered at me. "They say he's a black wolf, just like you."

"I assure you, I possess no such ability."

"I reckon you would say that if you were him." The accent he had wasn't from coastal Maine or New England at all. The lynx probably came from the mid-Atlantic or southern states. If he had come up here looking for me, he would not take no for an answer.

"Do you now?"

He nodded. "I do," he said, sitting back, smiling at me.

"Where are you from, friend?" I asked, trying to change the topic so I could think of a way to escape.

"Oh, down south aways. Down near the Richmond area originally. My father fought in the war against them 'damn Yankees,' as he would say, but I don't harbor any grudges myself about it."

"I would hope not, being so far north."

"Yup."

There was silence between us, the type of silence that always had a way of unnerving me. I stood up.

"Well, I must be off for the night," I said. "It was nice meeting you." My best option seemed to be the most obvious option: leave.

The stranger nodded. "Same to you." He turned back to the table, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I ducked out toward the main door. I had thought he would give me trouble, but apparently he had only been making conversation and had not been searching for me.

Outside, I breathed in the late autumn air and the tang of pine. A hint of winter was in the air, but the town was too busy preparing for Halloween tomorrow to notice. Festive decorations dotted the houses, and jack-o'-lanterns sat on the front steps. I strode down the street toward the water and the boarding house where I was staying. In the morning I would see if I could find a ship heading down the coast that I could buy passage on. This had been a close call.

I turned off the main street onto Water Street. This road was quieter, and it ran parallel to the shore. The river here was tidal, and it flowed past the town on its way into the estuary. I walked down the street, and I could feel my tail start to uncurl, the sense of danger passed.

A sound came from one of the alleyways between the houses, and as I turned, the lynx sprung out at me, grabbing me, and pulled me into the alleyway. A rag smothered my nose, a strong sweet smell coming from it. I struggled against my attacker, fighting to breathe, but he kept the rag against my nose. I started to feel lightheaded and became dizzy, discovering too late that the bastard had used chloroform on me.

As I dropped to the ground, I realized I should have considered that the curious lynx could leave through the back door of the pub. I felt him dragging me further into the alley and then nothing.

---

Alas, that is all I can give you, but Trick or Treat 2 is available tomorrow from Rabbit Valley. Go here, and order it now, and your pre-order should ship tomorrow: https://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_9171___Trick-or-Treat-Volume-Two-Historical-Halloween-Edited-by-Ianus-J-Wo.html

This year, I’m in the Trick side of the house with an exciting tale set up in Maine. It's a change from last year's treat story in Trick or Treat 1. Also, there are many great talented writers in the book. To help wet your appetite, here are two other samples from the book:

Slip-Wolf: - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14749265/

Whyte Yoté: - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14768659/

Finally, if you want even more Halloween tales, don’t forget about the first Trick or Treat: https://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_8982_3829___Trick-or-Treat-Halloween-Anthology-edited-by-Ianus-J-Wolf.html