Thump. Thump. Thump.

The ball hit the ground, creating a soft noise that echoed down the street.

Swish.

It hit the back of the basketball hoop and fumbled into the net.

An odd noise followed. Clapping. Down the street, a few houses down, a clown stood on the sidewalk, facing straight towards the basketball player. His hands, gloved in red, slowly met, clapping heavily. The mask was drawn into an unusually wide smile.

Seeing a costumed person wasn’t unusual on Halloween. But other than them, the street was desolate.