Marion’s grave was a sad sight. 1811 – 1833 read the dates. “How did you die, Marion?”

“Now’s not the time!” whispered the skeleton. “Take this! It’ll ward them off!”

He handed Charlie a pumpkin. Carved into it was a simple smile. “Here!” said the skeleton. He opened the sculpted head of the jack-o’-lantern and placed a single candle inside. Then he blew a small gust of air between his all-too-prominent teeth, and the flame whumped into life.

“How did you—”

“Not the time!”

“Where are you going?”

“To stop The Collector… if I can! Don’t stop, Charlie! Run!”

This is part fifteen of a larger story for Halloween. All sections are in the form of a 99-word story. Check back tomorrow for part sixteen!

Previous parts: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 | #13 | #14